NAHL announces monthly player awards for November
The North American Hockey League (NAHL) has announced its monthly player awards for the month of November. The Bauer Hockey NAHL Forward of the Month is Carson Briere from the Johnstown Tomahawks. The Bauer Hockey NAHL Defenseman of the Month is Dalton Weigel from the Aberdeen Wings. The Vaughn NAHL Goaltender of the Month is Jack Robbel, from the Minnesota Magicians. Only players who are nominated by their respective teams are considered for the NAHL monthly awards.
Watch: NAHL monthly award winners for November 2018
Bauer Hockey NAHL Forward of the Month: Carson Briere, Johnstown Tomahawks
For the second straight month, a Johnstown Tomahawks player has earned the NAHL’s Forward of the Month. In November, it was Carson Briere’s turn as the 5’9/175 lbs. native of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania tied for the NAHL lead in scoring during the month with 18 points (8 goals, 10 assists) in 10 games played. Briere, 19, helped the Tomhawks to a 10-0 record in the month and registered at least a point in nine of the 10 games and had seven multi-point games. He was named the East Division Star of the Week to begin the month and he currently is 2nd in NAHL scoring with 39 points in 28 games played. “We had a really heavy month in November with 10 games, and we were fortunate to get all 10 wins. One of the biggest reasons was Carson’s play. He was an offensive force for us and his three game-winning goals were extremely key. He has the ability to create plays every time he is on the ice because he is so creative with the puck and he has such a high offensive IQ. His biggest asset may be his ability to be counted on when the games matter most in crunch time. Carson has rightfully drawn a lot of NCAA Division I interest this season and I couldn’t be prouder of him for the month he had in November to help our team win hockey games. We look forward to him continuing to be a big part of our team moving forward this season,” said Tomahawks head coach Mike Letizia.
“It’s been a great ride so far and we are motivated to keep it going. Everybody is producing on the team and not just offensively. I think everyone has bought in to doing their job in both ends of the ice and that is resulting in wins,” said Briere. “We have a great group and our goal is to win the Robertson Cup. Personally, I want to keep improving and playing good hockey. I am hopeful that results in an NCAA Division I opportunity, but I’m not in a rush right now to make a decision and just want to keep having fun.”
Runner-Up: Alex Frye, Jamestown Rebels
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Jacob Badal, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Knights - Jon Bendorf, Aberdeen Wings – Blake Bennett, Corpus Christi IceRays – Dylan Johnson, Minnesota Wilderness – Austin Jouppi, Bismarck Bobcats – Alex Klekotka, Kenai River Brown Bears – Joel Pavey, Minnesota Magicians – David Raisanen, Minot Minotauros – Gabriel Seger, Amarillo Bulls – Dante Sheriff, Austin Bruins – Johnny Sorenson, Fairbanks Ice Dogs – Michal Stinil, Lone Star Brahmas – Jack Vincent, Janesville Jets – Tomas Vochozka, Chippewa Steel
Bauer Hockey NAHL Defenseman of the Month: Dalton Weigel, Aberdeen Wings
November was a big month for Aberdeen Wings defenseman and Air Force Academy recruit Dalton Weigel. The 19-year-old native of Eagan, Minnesota, helped the Wings to a 5-3 record in November, which included 12 points (2 goals, 10 assists) in eight games played to go along with a +7 rating. Weigel (6’0/190) recorded five multi-point games during the month, which included assisting on all four goals in a 4-2 win over Minot on November 23rd. Weigel is currently tied for 3rd in league scoring among all defensemen with 20 points in 18 games played. “Dalton came into this season as a very determined player. He has been a big piece of this team’s leadership committee. Dalton’s a player that contributes in many ways, each and every night. He is a 200-foot player that excels against good competition. His play this month has been exceptional both offensively and defensively. Dalton is a big piece of this year’s defenseman group and a great example of what it takes to be an Aberdeen Wing,” said Wings head coach Scott Langer.
“I think we have some very good depth and can get scoring from everywhere. The Central Division is tight and we know it will be that way all season long, so I really feel like we are playing with a sense of urgency right now and that is leading to some wins,” said Weigel. “I think having that NCAA commitment already has made me more comfortable on the ice and not play as tense. I want to always have a team-first mentality and worry about winning games. I also want to be sure that I am helping my teammates be the best they can be so they have the best opportunity for success. I think we have a group here that can contend for the Robertson Cup. I also want to be sure that I have a good plus/minus rating because that says a lot about how complete of a player I can be.”
Runner-Up: Ondrej Trejbal, Minnesota Wilderness
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Brenden Datema, Amarillo Bulls – Stanislav Dosek, Janesville Jets – Lincoln Erne, Minot Minotauros – Blake Evennou, Lone Star Brahmas – Anthony Firriolo, Corpus Christi IceRays – Andrew Kruse, Minnesota Magicians – Jed Pietila, Austin Bruins – John Stampohar, Fairbanks Ice Dogs – Willy Stauber, Bismarck Bobcats – Preston Weeks, Kenai River Brown Bears
Vaughn NAHL Goaltender of the Month: Jack Robbel, Minnesota Magicians
Minnesota Magicians goalie Jack Robbel, 19, was lights out in the month of November, helping the Magicians increase their lead in the Midwest Division. The 5’8/175 lbs. native of Bloomington, Minnesota, posted a 4-1-0 record during the month, which included a league-best three shutouts during the month. In total, Robbel faced 170 shots in November and made 164 saves, allowing just six goals, which was good for a 1.21 goals against average and a .965 save percentage. The Lake Superior State recruit made 30 saves in a shutout over Kenai River on November 9th. He then posted another 30-save shutout in a win over Janesville on November 17th. His final shutout of the month came on November 21st, when he made 41 saves in a win against the Minnesota Wilderness. For the season, Robbel has a 7-1-0 record with a 1.61 GAA and a .952 save percentage. “Jack has been a huge asset for us this season so far. His dynamic and competitive style gives his teammates confidence each game he plays,” said Magicians head coach AJ Bucchino.
“Our team is looking at everything from a professional standpoint and it is a credit to the coaching staff who have really instituted the right type of culture for success this season. We work hard in practice everyday and we focus hard on areas of improvement,” said Robbel. “I think having an NCAA commitment does take a weight off your shoulders, but I don’t want to be comfortable and take my foot off the gas. Being a smaller goalie, I think I have to continue to work hard to show that I am improving and that I can be a NCAA Division I-caliber goaltender when I go to school next season. We have a team that can contend for the Robertson Cup and I just want to keep helping us win games.”
Runner-Up: Carter McPhail, Johnstown Tomahawks
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Sam Best, Corpus Christi IceRays – Cole Brady, Janesville Jets – Seth Eisele, Lone Star Brahmas – Ryan Fanti, Minnesota Wilderness – Nick Grabko, Minot Minotauros – Jason Grande, Amarillo Bulls – Ryan Keane, Jamestown Rebels – Atticus Kelly, Bismarck Bobcats – Kyle McClellan, Austin Bruins – Mattias Sholl, Fairbanks Ice Dogs – Zach Stejskal, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Knights – Matt Vernon, Aberdeen Wings – Dennis Westergard, Kenai River Brown Bears
