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 December 8, 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: Stars of the Week video for December 2-8
Central Division Star of the Week: Cooper Haar, Forward, Aberdeen Wings
Thanks to an eight-game point streak and another weekend sweep, the Aberdeen Wings are now tied for the lead in the Central Division. This past weekend, 20-year-old forward Cooper Haar was a big factor in the games as he recorded six points (3 goals, 3 assists) and was a +5 in two wins over the Minnesota Wilderness. The 6’2/209 lbs. native of Huntington Beach, California, had a goal and three assists in a 6-2 win on Friday and two goals in a 7-3 win on Saturday. Since joining the Wings in early November, Haar has 17 points in 13 games with the Wings and 22 points in 27 games played overall so far this season. “Cooper has been a big addition to our locker room. He is a mature leader that puts the team’s success first and foremost. Cooper has the ability to change the complexion of a game with his high compete level,” said Wings head coach Scott Langer.
2nd Star: Spencer Schneider, F, Aberdeen Wings
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Ben Almquist, F, Austin Bruins – Daniel Chladek, F, Bismarck Bobcats – Joseph Harguindeguy, F, Minot Minotauros – Andrew Hicks, D, St. Cloud Blizzard – Will Hillman, F, Bismarck Bobcats – Cole O’Connell, F, Minot Minotauros – Dante Sheriff, F, Austin Bruins
East Division Star of the Week: Eric Olson, Forward, Jamestown Rebels
Jamestown Rebels veteran forward and captain Eric Olson, 20, had a big weekend and scored when it counted as the Rebels picked up a weekend road sweep of the Maryland Black Bears. The 6’1/196 lbs. native of Calgary, Alberta, scored three goals, including both game-winners, and was +3 in the sweep. On Friday, Olson had the game-winning goal late in the 3rd period in a 3-1 win, and then on Saturday, he scored two goals, including another game-winner in another 3-1 win. For the season, Olson has 12 points in 28 games played. “Eric one of the best captains we have ever coached and an unreal person with a great work ethic. He plays a great 200-foot game and through the first three months of this season, he has never wavered in his belief of our program. It is great to see a player like him get recognized. Some NCAA Division 1 program is going to get a great competitor with great leadership skills,” said Rebels head coach Joe Coombs.
2nd Star: Noah West, G, Jamestown Rebels
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Kyle Jeffers, F, New Jersey Titans – Joe Nagle, D, Northeast Generals – Kevin Pitts, F, Maine Nordiques – Ethan Prout, D, Maine Nordiques – Patrick Pugliese, G, New Jersey Titans – Trevor Smith, F, Northeast Generals
Midwest Division Star of the Week: Mattias Sholl, Goaltender, Fairbanks Ice Dogs
The Fairbanks Ice Dogs ran their current point streak to six straight games as they posted a weekend home sweep of the Minnesota Magicians. Veteran goaltender Mattias Sholl, 19, started and won both games, allowing just a single goal in the two wins. The 5’10/165 lbs. native of Hermosa Beach, California, who was also a member of Team NAHL this summer, stopped a combined 46 of 47 shots in the sweep, which included a 26-save shutout on Friday night and 20 saves in a 3-1 win on Saturday. For the season, Sholl is in the Top 8 in the NAHL in both goals against average (1.91) and save percentage (.927). “Mattias is in really good form and playing really well right now. His team is gaining confidence in front of him as he is battling extremely hard,” said Ice Dogs head coach Trevor Stewart.
2nd Star: Cody Moline, F, Kenai River Brown Bears
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Leo Bacallao, F, Springfield Jr. Blues – Jayden Jensen, D, Springfield Jr. Blues – Matt Koethe, F, Fairbanks Ice Dogs – Porter Schachle, F, Kenai River Brown Bears
South Division Star of the Week: Jonathan Young, Forward, Amarillo Bulls
Amarillo Bulls forward and Merrimack College commit Jonathan Young, 19, helped the Bulls to a weekend road sweep in Odessa against the Jackalopes. The 6’2/200 lbs. native of Pelham, New Hampshire, posted six points (4 goals, 2 assists) and a +5 rating in the two wins, which helped the 2nd place Bulls close the gap towards the top spot in the South Division. On Friday, Young had a hat-trick, including the game-winning goal, in a 7-2 win. On Saturday, he had a goal and two assists in a 9-2 win. Since joining the Bulls in early October, Young has 16 points in 20 games played and overall has 17 points in 27 games this season. “We are very proud of Jonathan for the way he played this weekend. We challenged him to take his game to the next level and he responded in a great way. He was responsible defensively, played with high energy, and was rewarded on the score sheet. We are very confident that his play this weekend is a sign of great things to come for him and the team,” said Bulls head coach Rocky Russo.
2nd Star: Luc Salem, D, Topeka Pilots
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Joey Baez, F, Lone Star Brahmas – Michael Muschitiello, F, Topeka Pilots – Carson Nichols, F, Shreveport Mudbugs – Ludvig Persson, G, Lone Star Brahmas – Cal Sandquist, G, Corpus Christi IceRays – Ryan Waltman, F, Shreveport Mudbugs – Aaron White, F, Amarillo Bulls
