NAHL announces Easton Divisional Stars of the Week
The North American Hockey League (NAHL) today announced the Divisional Stars of the Week presented by Easton for the week ending October 12, 2014. The Divisional Stars of the Week is a weekly feature during the 2014-15 regular season that honors the top performing players in each of the four NAHL divisions. Only players that are nominated by their respective teams are considered for the Divisional Players of the Week award.
Central Division Star of the Week: Blake Lizotte, forward, Minot Minotauros
For the second weekend in a row, the Minot Minotauros picked up a weekend split in Alaska, this time against the Fairbanks Ice Dogs. 16-year-old forward Blake Lizotte (5’7/140) made an impact in both games. On Friday, the Lindstrom, Minnesota native had an assist in a close 3-2 loss. On Saturday, Lizotte had a goal and an assist in a 4-3 win over the Ice Dogs. He was also a +3 on the weekend. Lizotte is tied for the team scoring lead with 10 points this season, which includes a goal and nine assists. “Blake has been really good so far this season and as a younger player, he competes really well. Has a high hockey IQ and has a bright future ahead of him,” said Minot head coach Marty Murray.
2nd Star: Zach Driscoll, G, Austin Bruins
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Alex Bitsakis, G, Bismarck Bobcats – Nick Monfils, F, Minot Minotauros – Tanner Okeson, D, Aberdeen Wings – Michael Soucier, F, Aberdeen Wings – Cullen Willox, F, Bismarck Bobcats
Midwest Division Star of the Week: Adam Carlson, goalie, Coulee Region Chill
20-year-old goaltender Adam Carlson helped the Coulee Region Chill to a weekend sweep of the Jets in Janesville this past weekend. The native of Edina, Minnesota, played in both games this weekend as the Chill picked up two big wins. On Friday, Carlson (6’3/180) had a career night as he stopped all 56 shots that came his way in a 2-0 shutout of the Jets. On Saturday, Carlson made 31 saves through regulation and overtime and stopped four of six shooters in the shootout in a 4-3 win. For the weekend, Carlson stopped 87 of 90 shots. Carlson has a 4-1-1 record this season with a 1.93 GAA and a 93.9% save percentage. “Adam won us both games this weekend. We did not play as good as we hoped, but he was there every time to bail us out and sometimes when you are not playing your best, that’s exactly what you need from your goalie,” said Chill head coach AJ Degenhardt.
2nd Star: Lukas Laub, F, Minnesota Magicians
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Vaughan Ahrens, G, Minnesota Magicians – Maurin Bouvet, F, Kenai River Brown Bears – Jack Gessert, F, Kenai River Brown Bears – Adam Lovick, F, Coulee Region Chill – Ethan Somoza, F, Fairbanks Ice Dogs – Yannick Vedel, F, Fairbanks Ice Dogs
North Division Star of the Week: Nick Belger, forward, Soo Eagles
Coming off an injury, Soo forward Nick Belger, 20, returned with a big statement this past weekend as the Yorktown Heights, New York native helped the Eagles sweep a home series from the Minnesota Wilderness. Belger (6’0/182) totaled eight goals in the two wins, which included a goal and seven assists. On Friday, Belger had four assists, including on the game-winning goal in a 7-2 win over the Wilderness. On Saturday, Belger scored a goals and assisted on the three other goals, including assisting again on the game-winner, in a 4-3 win over Minnesota. “Nick was coming off a small injury and their line really clicked. He just worked hard to put himself in the right spots and if he keeps his game in focus, he should be able to have a lot of success this year and beyond,” said Soo head coach Bruno Bragagnolo.
2nd Star: Keegan Miller, F, Soo Eagles
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Nick Kossoff, G, Keystone Ice Miners – Lucas Little, D, Keystone Ice Miners – Joey Lupo, F, Springfield Jr. Blues – Dryden McKay, G, Springfield Jr. Blues
South Division Star of the Week: Sebastian Vidmar, forward, Lone Star Brahmas
For the second week in the row, Lone Star forward Sebastian Vidmar is the South Division Star of the Week. Vidmar, 20, was again outstanding as the Brahmas completed a weekend home sweep of the Corpus Christi IceRays. The native of Malmo, Sweden, scored half of the Brahmas goals over the weekend, which included both game-winners. On Friday, Vidmar (6’2/190) scored twice including the overtime winner in a 3-2 win and on Saturday he added two more goals in a 5-2 win. In nine games this season, Vidmar has 11 points, including nine goals, which ranks 2nd in the NAHL “Sebastian had another great weekend and is on a roll right now. So much about playing good hockey is about momentum and developing the right habits and he has taken advantage of both. He is reading plays nicely and works hard and as a result he is playing great hockey,” said Lone Star head coach Dan Wildfong.
2nd Star: Carlos Fornaris, F, Topeka RoadRunners
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Colin Burston, F, Wenatchee Wild – Brendan Harris, F, Wenatchee Wild – Tyler Irvine, F, Topeka RoadRunners – Max Reisinger, F, Wichita Falls Wildcats – Jake Townsend, D, Wichita Falls Wildcats
