NAHL announces Bauer Divisional Stars of the Week
Honors this week go to Brookings forward Brenden Stanko (Central), Aston forward Ryan Patrick (East), Springfield forward Matt Cassidy (Midwest) and Corpus Christi forward Brad Power (South).
The North American Hockey League (NAHL) today announced the Divisional Stars of the Week presented by Bauer Hockey for the week ending February 19, 2017. The Bauer Hockey Divisional Stars of the Week is a weekly feature during the 2016-17 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: Brenden Stanko, forward, Brookings Blizzard
The Brookings Blizzard helped their playoff hopes this past weekend with three wins, which moved them into 3rd place in the Central Division. Forward Brenden Stanko, who turns 18 today, exploded for seven points (4 goals, 3 assists) in the three wins. On Friday, Stanko (5’10/170) had the game-winning goal and two assists in a 5-2 win. On Saturday, he had two goals and an assist in a 4-2 win in Austin. On Sunday, the native of Howell, Michigan, had the game-winning goal in a 7-2 home win over the Aberdeen Wings. In 34 games played this season, Stanko has recorded 26 points. “Brenden has played the game the right way all year, which has included finishing checks, working hard and being a good teammate. It’s great to see him getting rewarded because of it. He has also found some chemistry with Nicholas Cardelli and Brandon Kruse. Their line was the difference this past weekend,” said Brookings head coach Dan Daikawa.
2nd Star: Austin Park, G, Minot Minotauros
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Alex Adams, F, Minot Minotauros – Tyler Bossert, F, Aberdeen Wings - Nicholas Cardelli, F, Brookings Blizzard – Severi Isokangas, G, Bismarck Bobcats – Logan Jenuwine, F, Aberdeen Wings – Trevor Micucci, G, Minnesota Wilderness – Justin Misiak, F, Austin Bruins – Jared Resseguie, F, Bismarck Bobcats – Louis Roehl, D, Minnesota Wilderness
East Division Star of the Week: Ryan Patrick, forward, Aston Rebels
Aston Rebels forward Ryan Patrick, 19, had a big weekend as the 1st place Rebels increased their lead in the East with a weekend road sweep of the Northeast Generals. The 5’8/178 lbs. native of Morgantown, West Virginia, had five points (2 goals, 3 assists) in the two wins. On Friday, he picked up an assist in a 4-3 win. On Saturday, he recorded two goals in two assists in a convincing 9-0 win. For the season, Patrick has 19 points in 45 games played. “Ryan has progressed consistently all year. He plays an important part and role on our team. He kills penalties and plays a 200-foot game. It’s nice to see him get recognized for it. He should only keep getting better,” said Aston head coach Joe Coombs.
2nd Star: Yvgeny Yakovlev, F, Aston Rebels
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): None
Midwest Division Star of the Week: Matt Cassidy, forward, Springfield Jr. Blues
Quinnipiac University recruit Matt Cassidy, 18, had a big weekend as the Jr. Blues won two of three home games last week to stay in the Midwest Division playoff hunt. The 6’0/185 lbs. native of Medford, New Jersey, had six points (3 goals, 3 assists) in the three games. After going scoreless on Tuesday in a 5-2 loss to the Janesville Jets, Cassidy got things going in a 6-2 win over the Kenai River Brown Bears on Friday. On Saturday, Cassidy had his career-best NAHL game, recording 2 goals and adding 3 assists in a convincing 10-2 win. For the season, Cassidy has 27 points in 41 games played. “Matt came out and had a great weekend. He played fast and was shooting the puck, leading our team with 14 shots in three games. When you play that hard, good things happen,” said Jr. Blues head coach Tony Zasowski.
2nd Star: Jacob Barczewski, G, Janesville Jets
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Will Hammer, F, Minnesota Magicians – Justin Kendall, F, Coulee Region Chill – Cole Paskus, F, Janesville Jets – Brandon Puricelli, F, Springfield Jr. Blues – Jacob Schmidt, F, Coulee Region Chill – Mitchel Slattery, F, Minnesota Magicians
South Division Star of the Week: Brad Power, forward, Corpus Christi IceRays
As the Corpus Christi IceRays pushed their winning streak to a franchise record seven straight games, forward Brad Power, 20, showed why he was selected for the Top Prospects Tournament as the native of St. John’s, Newfoundland, helped the IceRays to a weekend home sweep of the Topeka RoadRunners. Power (5’11/193) had six points (2 goals, 4 assists) in the two wins and was also a +4. On Thursday, Power had the game-winning goal and four assists in a 6-2 win. On Friday, he again scored the game-winning goal in a 2-0 win. For the season, Power has 38 points in 41 games played. “I am very excited for Brad winning player of the week honors. Having a big six-point weekend for our team in a playoff push is a big accomplishment. Brad was selected to Top Prospects and because of weekend’s like this past one, it shows that he is a legitimate NCAA Division I prospect with his outside speed and offensive ability to only score, but be a playmaker as well,” said IceRays head coach Brad Flynn.
2nd Star: George McBey, G, Wichita Falls Wildcats
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Marshall Bowery, F, Topeka RoadRunners – Ryan Burnett, F, Corpus Christi IceRays – Alec Calvaruso, G, Lone Star Brahmas – Ben Churchfield, G, Topeka RoadRunners – Kieran Durgan, F, Shreveport Mudbugs – Jonny Hogue, G, Odessa Jackalopes – Carson Kelley, F, Lone Star Brahmas – Dyllan Lubbesmeyer, G, Shreveport Mudbugs – Tomas Vomacka, G, Corpus Christi IceRays
