NAHL announces Bauer Divisional Stars of the Week
The North American Hockey League (NAHL) today announced the Divisional Stars of the Week presented by Bauer Hockey for the week ending March 27, 2016. The Bauer Hockey Divisional Stars of the Week is a weekly feature during the 2015-16 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: Pierce Crawford, forward, Minnesota Magicians
The Minnesota Magicians stayed in the thick of the Central Division playoff race this past weekend with a pair of wins over Austin and Coulee Region. Forward Pierce Crawford, 18, was a factor in both victories, totaling four points and a +2 rating in the two wins. On Thursday, the native of Park Ridge, Illinois, had two assists in a 4-2 home win over the Austin Bruins. On Saturday, Crawford (5’9/175) scored two goals in a 5-2 win over the Coulee Region Chill. For the season, Crawford has 42 points in 47 games played and also played for the Central Division team at the 2016 NAHL Top Prospects Tournament. “Pierce has been a real leader and a consistent performer for us this year. His play of late has helped us continue to get points as a team and stay in the playoff hunt,” said Magicians head coach Scott Meyer.
2nd Star: Gunner Rivers, G, Minot Minotauros
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Jared Pike, F, Bismarck Bobcats – Matt Pulver, F, Aberdeen Wings – Max Reisinger, F, Minot Minotauros – Carter Roo, F, Aberdeen Wings – Hunter Shepard, G, Bismarck Bobcats
East Division Star of the Week: Zach Remers, forward, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Knights
Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Knights forward Zach Remers, 20, had a good weekend to help the nights continue their positive momentum heading towards the playoffs as the forward from Tampa, Florida, had two goals and an assist in a weekend road sweep in Kenai River. On Friday, Remers (6’0/190) had a goal and an assist in a 4-3 overtime win. Remer’s goal was the overtime-winner. On Saturday, he added one of two goals in a 2-0 shutout win. For the season, Remers has 22 points (11 goals, 11 assists) in 39 games played. “Zach was exceptionally good for us in our two wins in Kenai River this weekend. He was very involved and was a scoring threat for us every time he was on the ice and was rock solid defensively. With a two goals, an assist and a +3 rating and nine shots on net, Zach was a big part of our success,” noted Coach Tom Kowal.
2nd Star: Ryan Cusin, F, Aston Rebels
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Ryan Burr, D, Johnstown Tomahawks – Andrew Romano, F, Johnstown Tomahawks – Andrey Svistunov, G, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Knights – Evgeny Yakovlev, F, Aston Rebels
Midwest Division Star of the Week: Nico Luka, defenseman, Coulee Region Chill
The Coulee Region Chill stayed in the playoff picture in the Midwest this past weekend with two wins in three games, setting up an exciting stretch run. Defenseman Nico Luka, 20, was huge from the blueline as the native of Bartlett, Illinois had seven points in the three games. On Thursday, Luka (5’11/180) had four assists in a 6-3 home win over the Minnesota Wilderness. On Friday, Luka assisted on both Coulee Region goals in a 2-1 overtime win. On Saturday, he assisted on one of two Chill goals in a 5-2 road loss at the Minnesota Magicians. For the season, Luka is 3rd in team scoring with 34 points in 53 games played. “Nico has been working really hard. He has tremendous poise with the puck and that has really shown with nine points in his last seven games,” said Chill head coach AJ Degenhardt.
2nd Star: Jack LaFontaine, G, Janesville Jets
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Josh Bell, F, Springfield Jr. Blues – Dominik Florian, F, Coulee Region Chill – Adam Kleven, D, Fairbanks Ice Dogs – Tommy Nappier, G, Springfield Jr. Blues – Cole Paskus, F, Janesville Jets – Tyler Tomberlin, F, Fairbanks Ice Dogs
South Division Star of the Week: Tyler Drevitch, forward, Lone Star Brahmas
The Lone Star Brahmas picked up a weekend road sweep of the Amarillo Bulls and forward Tyler Drevitch, 20, had one of his best weekend’s of the year in a Brahmas uniform, picking up four points and a +3 rating in the two victories. The native of Middleborough, Massachusetts, started the weekend with a goal and an assist in a 4-3 win on Friday against the Bulls. On Saturday, the Merrimack recruit repeated the feat of a goal and an assist in a 6-3 win. Drevitch (5’11/170), who joined the Brahmas in late December, has 18 points in 28 games played so far this season. “I thought Tyler played really well. He is playing inspired and with a lot of passion. He is producing, which makes it all the more exiting.
2nd Star: Austin Albrecht, F, Wichita Falls Wildcats
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Brandon Estes, D, Lone Star Brahmas – Phil Fromberger, D, Amarillo Bulls – Dominic Lutz, F, Topeka RoadRunners – Luka Maver, F, Topeka RoadRunners – Dryden McKay, G, Corpus Christi IceRays – Coale Norris, F, Amarillo Bulls – Andre Pison, F, Wichita Falls Wildcats
