NAHL announces Bauer Hockey 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 17, 2019. The Divisional Stars of the Week is a weekly feature during the 2018-19 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.
Watch: NAHL Stars of the Week video for March 11-17
Central Division Star of the Week: Dante Sheriff, forward, Austin Bruins
Thanks to two wins in three games this past week, the Austin Bruins were able to punch their ticket to the Robertson Cup Playoffs. Forward and leading scorer Dante Sheriff, 19, was a factor in all three games, notching eight points and a +3 rating. On Wednesday, the 5’9/175 lbs. native of Toronto, Ontario assisted on all three goals in a 3-1 home win over the Minnesota Wilderness. On Friday night, Sheriff had a goal and three assists in a 5-2 win over the Brookings Blizzard. On Saturday, he assisted on the lone Bruins goal in a 4-1 loss against Brookings. For the season, Sheriff, who played in the 2019 NAHL Top Prospects Tournament, leads the Bruins in scoring with 64 points in 52 games played. “Dante is a special player and has consistently been a huge part of our offense all season. He has the ability to take over a game and make things happen for us. We need him to continue that down the stretch and into playoffs,” said Bruins head coach Steve Howard.
2nd Star: Daniel Chladek, F, Bismarck Bobcats
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Fritz Belisle, F, Minot Minotauros – Brock Draeger, D, Brookings Blizzard – Tyler Hinterser, F, Brookings Blizzard – Andrew Kangas, F, Minot Minotauros – Hugh Larkin, F, Austin Bruins – Donte Lawson, F, Minnesota Wilderness – Aaron Myers, F, Minnesota Wilderness – Alex Pollock, F, Bismarck Bobcats – Stepan Pokorny, F, Aberdeen Wings – Joe Strada, F, Aberdeen Wings
East Division Star of the Week: Luke Mountain, forward, Maryland Black Bears
Maryland Black Bears forward Luke Mountain, 19, helped his club to a weekend home split with the New Jersey Titans. The 6’1/190 lbs. native of Woodbury, Minnesota, recorded two goals and two assists and was a +3 in the two games. On Friday, Mountain had a goal and an assist in a close 4-3 loss. On Saturday, he had an assist and the game-winning goal in overtime with just :02 seconds left to lift the Black Bears to a 3-2 win. For the season, Mountain has recorded 24 points in 45 games played. “Luke has been a model of hard work and determination all season long. No one practices harder than him, and even as a rookie, has brought very strong leadership skills to our team. He thrives under pressure and loves to be counted on in big moments. Luke has been developing quite nicely all year and the Maryland Black Bears organization is proud of his selection as East Division Star of the Week,” said Maryland head coach Clint Mylkmok.
2nd Star: Carson Briere, F, Johnstown Tomahawks
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Jake Fuss, F, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Knights – Mitchell Hale, F, Johnstown Tomahawks – Connor Marshall, F, Northeast Generals – Brady Medeiros, D, New Jersey Titans – Ryan Rowland, D, Northeast Generals
Midwest Division Star of the Week: Luke Mobley, forward, Fairbanks Ice Dogs
Thanks to a three-game weekend home sweep of the Janesville Jets, the Fairbanks Ice Dogs widened their lead atop the Midwest Division. Forward Luke Mobley, 19, played a big role in the sweep, racking up eight points in the three wins. On Thursday, the 6’2/205 lbs. native of St. Louis Park, Minnesota, picked up an assist in a 3-0 win. On Friday, Mobley exploded for a hat-trick and three assists in an 8-3 win, which included the game-winning goal. On Saturday, he picked up another goal in a 3-2 win. For the season, Mobley is 2nd in team scoring with 41 points in 54 games played. “Luke had a phenomenal weekend on both sides of the puck. His continued development is starting to show and is becoming a large part of his team’s success,” said Fairbanks head coach Trevor Stewart.
2nd Star: Gavin Enright, G, Kenai River Brown Bears
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Matt Clark, D, Chippewa Steel – Matt Hanewall, F, Janesville Jets – Matt Kirwan, F, Janesville Jets – Zack Krajnik, F, Kenai River Brown Bears – Dylan Moulton, D, Chippewa Steel – Brandon Puricelli, F, Springfield Jr. Blues – Ben Schmidling, F, Springfield Jr. Blues – Noah Wilson, D, Fairbanks Ice Dogs
South Division Star of the Week: Seth Eisele, goaltender, Lone Star Brahmas
Thanks to a weekend road sweep of the Corpus Christi IceRays, the Lone Star Brahmas became the second team from the South Division to qualify for the Robertson Cup Playoffs. Backstopping the Brahmas in both wins was goaltender and Lake Superior State recruit Seth Eisele. The 20-year-old native of Stillwater, Minnesota, stopped 69 of 71 shots in the two wins. On Friday, Eisele (6’5/180) made 31 saves in a 4-1 win, and then on Saturday he made 38 saves and stopped both Corpus Christi shooters in the shootout in a 2-1 win. For the season, Eisele has a 16-7-1 record with a 2.20 goals against average and a .931 save percentage, which ranks tied for 4th in the NAHL. “Seth has been one of our best players all year. He has been consistent, steady, and a guy that has accepted and thrived the starting role without any type of hesitation after Harrison Feeney left for the NCAA,” said Lone Star head coach Dan Wildfong.
2nd Star: Gabriel Seger, F, Amarillo Bulls
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Jason Brancheau, F, Amarillo Bulls – McLean Dorr, G, Topeka Pilots – Austin McCarthy, F, Topeka Pilots – Frank Trazzera, F, Lone Star Brahmas
