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 January 30, 2022. 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.
Central Division Star of the Week: Tomas Bolo, Goaltender, St. Cloud Norsemen
For the second straight week, St. Cloud Norsemen goalie Tomas Bolo, 19, has been named Star of the Week. This past week, the 6’2/188 lbs. native of Zilina, Slovakia, allowed five goals in three starts, going a perfect 3-0 and stopping 90 of 95 shots in the process. On Thursday, Bolo made 30 saves in a 4-2 road win in North Iowa. On Friday, Bolo stopped all 35 shots that came his way for his third shutout of the season in a 4-0 home win over Minot. On Saturday, he made 25 saves in an 8-3 win over Minot. For the season, Bolo has a 15-6-0 record in 18 appearances with a 2.35 goals against average and a .905 save percentage. “Tomas has been very solid for us in net and is a big reason behind our recent success,” said Norsemen head coach Corey Millen.
2nd Star: Jake McLean, F, Bismarck Bobcats
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Seamus Campbell, F, Aberdeen Wings - Will Diamond, F, Aberdeen Wings - Byron Hartley, F, North Iowa Bulls - Michael Mesic, F, North Iowa Bulls - Blake Perbix, F, St. Cloud Norsemen - Ben Troumbly, F, Bismarck Bobcats
East Division Star of the Week: Aidan Connolly, Forward, Maine Nordiques
Maine Nordiques forward and Sacred Heart recruit Aidan Connolly, 20, had a big weekend for his club, helping them take three of four points in a weekend road series against Jamestown. He 5’11/185 lbs. native of Marshfield, MA, had for points in the two games. On Friday, he had a goal in a 3-2 ovetime loss. On Saturday, he had a goal and two assists in a 6-3 win. For the season, Connolly has 20 points in 21 games played. “Aidan is a team first player and leader. Right from the start of the year, during the time he was out with injury, and now in his return to the lineup, he always finds a way to make a positive impact for our team. His balanced production stems from his high hockey IQ and knack for the net. His development in our league will have him prepared to contribute at the NCAA D1 level for Sacred Heart in the fall of 2022. We are proud of him earning this honor,” said Maine head coach Matt Pinchevsky.
2nd Star: Anthony Calafiore, F, New Jersey Titans
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Jake Black, F, Johnstown Tomahawks - Jacob Brockman, F, Maryland Black Bears - Cullen DeYoung, G, Northeast Generals - Brendan Dumas, F, New Jersey Titans - Matt O'Donnell, G, Johnstown Brandon Piku Tomahawks -, F, Maryland Black Bears - Patrick Schmeidlin, F, Maine Nordiques - Joe Schubert, F, Northeast Generals
Midwest Division Star of the Week: Konrad Kausch, Goaltender, Minnesota Wilderness
Minnesota Wilderness goalie Konrad Kausch, 19, helped his team extend their winning streak to six straight as they picked up a weekend home-and-home sweep of the Chippewa Stee. The 6’3/180 native of Duluth, MN, allowed just one goal in the two weekend games, stopping 52 of 53 shots. On Friday, he stopped 28 of 29 shots in a 5-1 road win. On Saturday, he stopped all 24 shots that came his way for his first NAHL shutout in a 2-0 win at home. Kausch, who joined the Wilderness in mid-December has a 5-2-0 record to date with a 1.86 goals against average and a .934 save percentage. “Konrad has done an amazing job since joining the team right before the holiday break. He made several key saves to keep the team in position to be able to win both games over the weekend. He is one of the most determined athletes we have had here and deserves all the accolades that come his way,” said Wilderness head coach Dave Boitz.
2nd Star: Max Neill, F, Minnesota Wilderness
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Hunter Bischoff, F, Anchorage Wolverines - Cole Dubicki, F, Kenai River Brown Bears - Ryan Finch, F, Kenai River Brown Bears - Josh Langford, G, Minnesota Magicians - Jan Lasak, F, Janesville Jets - Hunter Longhi, F, Minnesota Magicians - Owen Millward, G, Janesville Jets - Cameron Ricotta, F, Fairbanks Ice Dogs - Jack Ring, F, Fairbanks Ice Dogs - Raythan Robbins, G Anchorage Wolverines
South Division Star of the Week: Devon Bobak, Goaltender, Shreveport Mudbugs
Shreveport Mudbugs goalie Devon Bobak, 20, was sparkling in his team’s weekend home sweep of the Lone Star Brahmas. The 6’4/194 lbs. native of Northwood, OH, was in goal for both wins and stopped 51 of 53 shots in the process. On Friday, Bobak made 25 saves in a 3-2 overtime win. On Saturday, he posted his league-leading 5th shutout of the season, making 26 saves in a 2-0 win over the Brahmas. For the season, Bobak has a 14-7-4 record and ranks 2nd in the NAHL with a 1.98 goals against average. His save percentage of .922 ranks 4th. “Devon is in a good place right now. He’s playing with confidence and continuing to work hard on his game on and off the ice. He made some big saves this past weekend that allowed us to get the wins we needed at this point of the season,” said Mudbugs head coach Jason Campbell.
2nd Star: Trey Zagrzebski, F, Corpus Christi IceRays
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Tanyon Bajzer, F, Odessa Jackalopes - Dillan Bentley, F, New Mexico Ice Wolves - Gustav Blom, D, New Mexco Ice Wolves - Riley Brueck, F, Wichita Falls Warriors - Nathan Butler, F, Corpus Christi IceRays - Connor Gatto, F, Shreveport Mudbugs - Nicholas Niemo, F, Lone Star Brahmas - Brendan Williams, F, Wichita Falls Warriors
