NAHL announces Bauer Hockey 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 October 10, 2021. The Divisional Stars of the Week is a weekly feature during the 2021-22 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: Highlights for the NAHL Stars of the Week for October 4-10
Central Division Star of the Week: Hunter Garvey, Goaltender, North Iowa Bulls
North Iowa Bulls goalie Hunter Garvey, 19, led his team to a road sweep of the Minot Minotauros last weekend. The 6’1/160 lbs. native of San Diego, CA, won both of his starts, stopping 77 of 82 shots, to help the Bulls move into sole possession of 1st place in the Central Division. On Friday, Garvey made 32 saves in a 3-2 win. On Saturday, he made a season-high 45 saves in a 6-3 win. For the season, Garvey has a 3-0-1 record to go along with a 2.45 goals against average and a .932 save percentage. “Hunter was great for us this weekend. He made a number big saves each night and gave our team an opportunity to win both nights,” said Bulls head coach Todd Sanden.
2nd Star: Jens Richards, F, Austin Bruins
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Chris Carroll, F, North Iowa Bulls – Erik Forss, F, Bismarck Bobcats – Cade Neilson, F, Aberdeen Wings – Isaac Novak, F, Bismarck Bobcats – Blake Perbix, F, St. Cloud Norsemen – Alex Trombley, F, Austin Bruins – Dominik Wasik, G, Aberdeen Wings
East Division Star of the Week: Gabe Dombrowski, Forward, Danbury Jr. Hat Tricks
Danbury forward Gabe Dombrowski, 19, helped his club pick up three of four points in a weekend home series against Jamestown. The 5’9/170 lbs. native of Great Falls, VA, had five points in the two games, which included four goals and one assist. On Friday, Dombrowski had a goal and an assist in a 2-1 win. On Saturday, he scored all three Hat Tricks’ goals in a 4-3 overtime loss. For the season, Dombrowski leads Danbury in scoring with nine points in nine games played. “Gabe was instrumental in our success last weekend. We rely heavily on his defensive abilities, so it was great to see his offensive efforts rewarded. What’s so special about Gabe is that he recognizes that the greater the challenge, the greater the opportunity. He not only embraces shorthanded situations more so than Power Play or 5 on 5, but he excels in those situations. As a team, we identified that last weekend was an opportunity for us to make a statement, so it was great to see Gabe be one of the driving forces behind our efforts,” said Danbury head coach Billy McCreary.
2nd Star: Jake Black, F, Johnstown Tomahawks
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): David Andreychuk, F, Northeast Generals – Conor Cole, F, Maryland Black Bears – Brendan Dumas, F, New Jersey Titans – Josh Seeley, G, Danbury Jr. Hat Tricks – Adam Smith, D, Northeast Generals – Philip Tornqvist, D, Maryland Black Bears – Michael Young, F, New Jersey Titans
Midwest Division Star of the Week: Joey Dosan, Forward, Springfield Jr. Blues
Springfield Jr. Blues forward Joey Dosan, 20, helped his team to a road sweep of the Chippewa Steel this past weekend, as the Jr. Blues now sit atop of the Midwest Division with an 8-2-0 record. The 6’6/215 lbs. native of Bloomington, MN, recorded six points (1 goals, 5 assists) in two wins over the weekend and was also a +4. On Friday, Dozan had a goal and an assist in a 4-3 win. On Saturday, he assisted on all four of Springfield’s goals in a 4-1 win. For the season, Dosan is 3rd in NAHL scoring with 15 points in 10 games played. “Joey drives the offense for our team right now. He has been everything we expected on and off the ice. He has the ability to take over a game with his size and skill and is a huge part of why we are where we are right now as a team,” said Jr. Blues head coach Tyler Rennette.
2nd Star: Hunter Longhi, F, Minnesota Magicians
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Ethan Benz, F, Chippewa Steel – Jack Brown, F, Chippewa Steel – Jan Lasak, F, Janesville Jets – Spencer Light, F, Minnesota Magicians – Ethan Robertson, G, Springfield Jr. Blues
South Division Star of the Week: Garrett Steele, Forward, Shreveport Mudbugs
Shreveport Mudbugs forward Garrett Steele, 19, had a breakout weekend as he helped his club to a weekend home sweep of the El Paso Rhinos. The 5’11/190 lbs. native of Chelsea, MI, scored three goals in the two wins as the Mudbugs moved into 4th place in the South Division. On Friday, Steele had two goals, including the game-winner, in a 5-3 win. On Saturday, he scored the lone goal of the game in the 2nd period, which stood as the game-winner, in a 1-0 win over the Rhinos. For the season, Steele had recorded five points in his first seven games. “Garrett has had a nice start to the season. Our Captain came through for us this weekend, as 2 of his 3 goals were game winners. One of the great things about him is his work ethic. Nothing came easy this past weekend, so he worked for his opportunities and made the best of them. Aside from the offensive production he also contributed with a strong physical brand of hockey all of over the ice,” said Mudbugs head coach Jason Campbell.
2nd Star: Dayne Hoyord, F, Odessa Jackalopes
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Owen Baumgartner, D, Wichita Falls Warriors – Simon Bucheler, G, Shreveport Mudbugs – William Howard, F, New Mexico Ice Wolves - Nicholas Niemo, F, Lone Star Brahmas – Artur Turansky, F, Lone Star Brahmas – Drew Vieten, F, Wichita Falls Warriors
