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 22, 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 December 16-22
Central Division Star of the Week: Jakub Breault, Forward, Aberdeen Wings
Thanks to a weekend road sweep of the St. Cloud Blizzard, the lead for the Aberdeen Wings atop the Central Division is now at a season-high eight points. 20-year-old forward and leading scorer Jakub Breault played a big role in the weekend sweep as the 5’11/180 lbs. native of Acton Vale, Quebec, posted four points (2 goals, 2 assists) and was a +4 in the two wins. On Friday, Breault had two goals and an assist in a 5-2 win, and then on Saturday, he had an assist in a 3-1 win. For the season, Breault leads the Wings in scoring with 32 points in 30 games played. “Jakub’s the type of player that brings a lot of offense to the wings. He has high-end vision and great hockey intelligence. Jakub brings a veteran approach of leadership each and every day. His weekend allowed us to go into the holiday break with two solid wins,” said Wings head coach Scott Langer.
2nd Star: Connor Beatty, F, Aberdeen Wings
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Ryan Green, F, St. Cloud Blizzard
East Division Star of the Week: Gerard Marretta, Forward, Northeast Generals
Northeast Generals forward Gerard Marretta, 20, was a one-man scoring machine this past weekend as the Generals split a weekend road series against the Maine Nordiques. The 5’9/183 lbs. native of Monroe, New Jersey, who recently committed to play NCAA hockey at Trinity College, scored five goals and was a +3 in the two games. On Friday, Marretta had a hat-trick, including the overtime-winning goal, in a 7-6 win. On Saturday, Marretta picked up two more goals in a close 6-5 loss. For the season, Marretta has 14 points, including a team-leading 11 goals, in 29 games played. “Gerard stepped up in a huge way this weekend. He was incredible with the puck on his stick and a threat to score every shift. Gerard is a leader in our room and as a Captain he took it on himself to help rally the boys. We are really happy for him as he works so hard on and off the ice and is so respected in our locker room,” said Generals GM and coach Bryan Erikson.
2nd Star: Cannon Green, F, Maine Nordiques
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Cam Gaudette, D, Northeast Generals – Liam Hansson, F, Jamestown Rebels – Matthew Iasenza, F, New Jersey Titans – Renars Karkls, D, Jamestown Rebels – Timmy Kent, D, Maine Nordiques – Logan Kons, D, Maryland Black Bears – Max Kouznetsov, F, Johnstown Tomahawks – Michael Outzen, F, New Jersey Titans – Alex Tracy, G, Johnstown Tomahawks
Midwest Division Star of the Week: Leo Bacallao, Forward
Springfield Jr. Blues forward and NAPHL alum Leo Bacallao, 18, had a big weekend to help his team pick up a weekend road split in Minnesota against the Magicians. The 5’8/175 lbs. native of Madison, Wisconsin, had four points (2 goals, 2 assists) and was a +3 in the two games. On Thursday, Bacallao scored the lone Jr. Blues goal in a 4-1 loss. On Friday, he had the game-winning goal and two assists in a 6-1 win. For the season, Bacallao has recorded eight points in nine games played. “Leo has been great since joining us. He wants the puck on his stick and has the ability to take over games with his compete and skill level. This past weekend I thought he looked a lot more comfortable and played two great games. I know he hasn’t been here very long, but when he goes, everyone goes,” said Jr. Blues head coach Tyler Rennette.
2nd Star: Isaac Novak, F, Janesville Jets
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Nathan Butler, F, Fairbanks Ice Dogs – Danny Fraga, G, Kenai River Brown Bears – Devlin McCabe, F, Minnesota Magicians – Cody Moline, F, Kenai River Brown Bears – Mattias Sholl, G, Fairbanks Ice Dogs – Riley Sims, G, Janesville Jets – Dysen Skinner, G, Minnesota Magicians – Aaron Swanson, F, Springfield Jr. Blues
South Division Star of the Week: Ludvig Persson, Goaltender, Lone Star Brahmas
In this lone start of the weekend, Lone Star Brahmas goalie Ludvig Persson, 20, posted yet another NAHL shutout. The 6’1/183 lbs. native of Gothenburg, Sweden, backstopped the Brahmas to a 2-0 win on Friday over the visiting Topeka Pilots. Persson stopped all 22 shots that came his way for his sixth shutout of the season, which is tied for the league lead. For the season, Persson is tied for 3rd in the NAHL in wins (16) and ranks 4th in both goals against average (1.56) and save percentage (.936). “I thought Ludvig was incredible on Friday. He made key saves at key times and he really has been the backbone of our defense all season long. He has a great career ahead of him after junior hockey,” said Brahmas head coach Dan Wildfong.
2nd Star: Warren Natshak, F, Shreveport Mudbugs
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Eric Huss, F, Lone Star Brahmas – Austin McCarthy, F, Topeka Pilots – Lauri Sertti, D, Amarillo Bulls – Jacob Smith, F, Shreveport Mudbugs – Devon Tongue, F, Amarillo Bulls – Connor Zilisch, F, Topeka Pilots
