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 November 10, 2019. The Divisional Stars of the Week is a weekly feature during the 2019-20 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 November 4-10
Central Division Star of the Week: Nate Horn, forward, Minnesota Wilderness
Minnesota Wilderness forward and leading scorer Nate Horn, 20, helped his team pick up one win in two games this past week. The 5’11/165 lbs. native of Elk River, Minnesota, and former Team NAHL forward had three points in two games. On Wednesday, Horn, who is committed to play NCAA Division 1 hockey at Air Force, assisted on the game-winning goal in a 3-2 win over the St. Cloud Blizzard. On Saturday, he scored two of the three Wilderness goals in a close 4-3 loss in Austin. For the season, Horn leads the Wilderness in scoring with 20 points in 20 games played. “Nate has been excellent for our club. His commitment and compete is a leading factor to our success as a team. We love his intensity and ability to create plays in small areas,” said Wilderness head coach Jon Vaillancourt.
2nd Star: Dante Sheriff, F, Austin Bruins
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Ben Almquist, F, Austin Bruins – Luke Aquaro, F, St. Cloud Blizzard – Jay Buchholz, F, Minot Minotauros – Carl Fish, D, Bismarck Bobcats – Blake Holmes, D, Minnesota Wilderness – Austin Jouppi, F, Bismarck Bobcats – Huston Karpman, F, Aberdeen Wings – Riley Murphy, F, Aberdeen Wings – AJ Ruskowski, G, Minot Minotauros
East Division Star of the Week: Noah Basarab, forward, Johnstown Tomahawks
Basarab, 20, put up some big numbers as the Tomahawks took five of six points in a three-game weekend series against the Jamestown Rebels. The 6’0/185 lbs. native of Gimli, Manitoba, recorded seven points (4 goals, 3 assists) in the three games. On Thursday, Basarab had both of Johnstown’s goals in a 2-1 win. On Friday, he had three assists in a 6-1 win, and then on Saturday, he had two more goals in a 6-5 shootout loss. For the season, Basarab is 4th in team scoring with 19 points in 19 games played. “Noah played a huge role in us being able to pick up 5 of 6 points this weekend in a tough three games in three days. He has been such a vital part of our team this season in so many ways. He stepped up big time for us this past weekend, and he is very deserving of this recognition in which we are very proud of him,” said Tomahawks head coach Mike Letizia.
2nd Star: Joey Stanizzi, G, Northeast Generals
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Zak Currie, F, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Knights – Isaiah Fox, F, Maine Nordiques - Tyler German, F, Jamestown Rebels – Liam Haslam, D, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Knights – Filip Jakobsson, F, Maryland Black Bears – Joe Nagle, D, Northeast Generals – Eric Olson, F, Jamestown Rebels – Cole Ouellette, D, Maine Nordiques – Cameron Recchi, F, Maryland Black Bears – Bennett Stockdale, F, Johnstown Tomahawks
Midwest Division Star of the Week: Nick Nardella, forward, Janesville Jets
The Janesville Jets got right back in the playoff picture thanks to their weekend home sweep of the Minnesota Magicians. Forward and captain Nick Nardella, 20, had a big weekend as he put up eight points (2 goals, 6 assists) in the two wins. On Friday, the 5’10/175 lbs. native of Rosemount, Illinois, had two assists in a 4-3 overtime win. On Saturday, the Michigan Tech recruit had two goals and four assists in a 7-5 win. For the season, Nardella leads the Jets in scoring with 21 points in 19 games played. “Nick was recently named team captain and has been leading by example on and off the ice all year. It’s great to see a player get rewarded for his effort and competitiveness,” said Jets head coach Corey Leivermann.
2nd Star: Zach Krajnik, F, Kenai River Brown Bears
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Adam Eisele, F, Fairbanks Ice Dogs – Max Helgeson, F, Kenai River Brown Bears – Oliver Kjaer, F, Fairbanks Ice Dogs – Max Osborne, D, Springfield Jr. Blues – Charlie Schoen, F, Janesville Jets – Caden Villegas, F, Springfield Jr. Blues
South Division Star of the Week: Matt Allen, forward, Amarillo Bulls
Thanks to a weekend road sweep of the Corpus Christi IceRays, the Amarillo Bulls moved into a tie for 3rd place in the South and are now 8-1-1 in their last 10 games. Forward and leading scorer Matt Allen, 19, had three points in the weekend sweep, which included a +3 rating and a game-winning goal. On Thursday, Allen assisted on the lone Bulls goal in regulation in a 2-1 shootout win. On Friday, the 5’10/165 lbs. native of Minco, Oklahoma, had two goals, including the game-winner, in a 5-3 win. For the season, Allen leads the Bulls with 19 points in 18 games played. “Matt was excellent this weekend. He scored two big goals on Saturday and carried us offensively, but more importantly he does the little things that go unnoticed. He blocks shots, makes good decisions with the puck, and sacrifices his body to defend night after night. He is a true leader and sets a great example for his teammates,” said Bulls head coach Rocky Russo.
2nd Star: Richie Parent, G, Shreveport Mudbugs
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Joey Baez, F, Lone Star Brahmas – Ty Black, F, Amarillo Bulls – Ryan Dickinson, D, Shreveport Mudbugs – Henrik Laursen, G, New Mexico Ice Wolves – Dominic Sandoval, F, Topeka Pilots
