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 February 16, 2020. 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.
Central Division Star of the Week: Kyler Kleven, Forward, Minot Minotauros
Minot Minotauros and 2020 NAHL Top Prospects forward and leading scorer Kyler Kleven, 19, had a big weekend as he led his club to a weekend road sweep of the St. Cloud Blizzard. The 6’0/170 lbs. native of Moorhead, Minnesota, had six points (2 goals, 4 assists) in the two wins. On Friday, he scored two goals and added two assists in an 11-3 win, and then on Saturday he had two more assists in a 5-0 shutout win. For the season, Kleven leads the Minotauros in scoring with 47 points in 43 games played to date. “Kyler has been playing very good hockey for an extended period of time. He is playing with a lot of confidence and his entire line has been clicking. He is getting much deserved NCAA D1 interest right now and I look forward to watching him at Top Prospects over the next couple of days,” said Minot head coach Marty Murray.
2nd Star: Andrew Miller, G, Bismarck Bobcats
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Jakub Breault, F, Aberdeen Wings – Barrett Brooks, F, Austin Bruins – Isak Johansson, G, Minnesota Wilderness – Josef Mysak, D, Austin Bruins – Lars Rodne, F, Bismarck Bobcats – Dan Russell, F, Minot Minotauros – Henry Welsch, G, Aberdeen Wings – Colin West, F, St. Cloud Blizzard
East Division Star of the Week: Ryan Kuzmich, Forward, Northeast Generals
Northeast Generals forward Ryan Kuzmich, 19, had his best weekend of the 2019-20 season as he helped his club to a weekend road split against 1st place New Jersey. The 6’1/190 lbs. native of Norton, Massachusetts, had five points (3 goals, 2 assists) in the two games and was a +4. On Friday, had a goal and an assist in a 6-2 loss. On Saturday, Kuzmich had two goals, including the game-winner, and an assist in a 7-3 win. For the season, Kuzmich has eight points in 22 games played. “Ryan has worked so hard for us this year. He has been a little snake-bitten so it was so great to see all of his extra work on and off the ice payoff in a big way this past weekend. He took his game to the next level and showed the offensive ability we have seen in him the last few years. We are looking forward to Ryan building on it the rest of the year and into next year,” said Generals head coach and GM Bryan Erikson.
2nd Star: Bennett Stockdale, F, Johnstown Tomahawks
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Malik Alishlalov, D, Johnstown Tomahawks – Cam Gaudette, D, Northeast Generals – Kyler Head, F, New Jersey Titans – Timmy Kent, F, Maine Nordiques – Mitch Machlitt, F, New Jersey Titans – Jackson Sterrett, F, Maryland Black Bears – Avery Sturtz, G, Maine Nordiques – Aaron Swanson, F, Maryland Black Bears
Midwest Division Star of the Week: Tyler Deweese, Forward, Fairbanks Ice Dogs
Ice Dogs forward Tyler Deweese, 20, helped his club to two road wins this past weekend as the Ice Dogs point streak hit 17 straight games. The 5’10/175 lbs. native of Fairbanks, Alaska, scored a goal in each of the two wins and was a +1 on the weekend. On Friday, Deweese had one of two regulation goals in a 3-2 shootout win against the Chippewa Steel. On Saturday, he had another goal in a 4-3 overtime win against the Minnesota Magicians. For the season, Deweese has 30 points in 47 games played. “Tyler has really stepped up his game and showed some incredible leadership this season. He came up with some big goals this weekend and we will need him to keep producing as we prepare for the playoffs,” said Ice Dogs head coach Trevor Stewart.
2nd Star: Josh Bohlin, Forward, Minnesota Magicians
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Lucas Kanta, F, Minnesota Magicians – Oliver Kjaer, F, Fairbanks Ice Dogs – Hunter Longhi, F, Springfield Jr. Blues – Cole Schneider, F, Springfield Jr. Blues
South Division Star of the Week: Henrik Laursen, Goaltender, New Mexico Ice Wolves
The New Mexico Ice Wolves continued their hot play with a weekend home sweep of the Odessa Jackalopes. Goaltender Henrik Laursen, 20, started and won both games, allowing just two goals on 61 shots during the weekend. On Friday, the 6’3/180 lbs. native of Bloomfield, Michigan, made 27 saves in a 4-1 win. On Saturday, he made 32 saves in another 4-1 win. For the season, Laursen has a 6-9-2 record in 19 appearances with a 3.10 goals against average and a .915 save percentage. “I’m extremely happy for Henrik earning this honor. He has worked hard all year, and it’s paying off for him. He’s been really good for our team,” said New Mexico head coach Phil Fox.
2nd Star: Giovanni Procopio, F, Shreveport Mudbugs
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Matt Allen, F, Amarillo Bulls – Quinn Green, F, Topeka Pilots – Austin McCarthy, F, Topeka Pilots – Niclas Puikkonen, F, Amarillo Bulls – Griffen Sanom, F, New Mexico Ice Wolves
