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 April 10, 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: Klayton Knapp, Goaltender, Austin Bruins
Austin Bruins goalie Klayton Knapp, 18, had a big weekend as he helped his team move into a tie for 2nd place in the Central Division with a weekend home sweep of the Aberdeen Wings. The 6’2/180 lbs. native of Waterville, OH, stopped 49 of 51 shots in the two wins. On Friday, Knapp stopped all 25 shots that came his way in a 3-0 shutout win over the Wings. On Saturday, he made 24 saves in a 3-2 win. For the season, the NAPHL grad has a 16-13-1 record in 30 games played with a 2.74 goals against average and a .904 save percentage.“Klayton was big for us last weekend and has been all year. He had to make a few key saves in both games or the results could have gone the other way. We expect Klayton to stay focused and follow it up again this weekend,” said Bruins head coach Steve Howard.
2nd Star: Ethan Dahlmeir, G, St. Cloud Norsemen
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Brandon Lajoie, F, St. Cloud Norsemen – Jake LaRusso, F, North Iowa Bulls – Anthony Menghini, F, Austin Bruins – Carter Rapalje, F, North Iowa Bulls – Quinn Rudrud, F, Bismarck Bobcats – Jon Ziskie, D, Bismarck Bobcats
East Division Star of the Week: Zion Green, Forward, Maine Nordiques
Maine Nordiques forward Zion Green, 17, had a big week last week as the Nordiques played in three games. The 5’11/170 lbs. native of Birmingham, MI, had six points in the three games, which included three goals and three assists. On Friday, Green had a goal and three assists in an 8-3 win over the Tomahawks. On Saturday, he had a goal in a 6-4 loss to Johnstown. On Sunday, Green had another goal in a close 4-3 road loss at Northeast. For the season, the Northern Michigan recruit is 2nd in team scoring with 47 points in 55 games played to date. “Zion loves getting better at the rink every day. He is a student of the game and seeks out development in all aspects of the game. He has had major growth this year as a productive winger and focusing on his complete game. His ability to create offense makes him a fun player to watch, and his linemates have a blast out there with him. We are very proud of Zion and are excited to continue helping him to become an outstanding Northern Michigan Wildcat in the future,” said Maine head coach Matt Pinchevsky.
2nd Star: Luca Di Pasquo, G, Maryland Black Bears
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Jacob Badal, F, Johnstown Tomahawks – Anthony Calafiore, F, New Jersey Titans – Conor Cole, F, Maryland Black Bears – Brendan Gibbons, F, Maine Nordiques – John Lundy, F, Jamestown Rebels – Zach Murray, F, Johnstown Tomahawks – Logan Nickerson, F, Danbury Jr. Hat Tricks – Nick Ring, F, New Jersey Titans – Luka Sukovic, F, Danbury Jr. Hat Tricks
Midwest Division Star of the Week: Gunnar Thoreson, Forward, Minnesota Wilderness
Wilderness forward Gunnar Thoreson, 20, had a big week last week, which began with an NCAA Division I commitment to St. Lawrence and was followed up by a productive weekend in a road series in Janesville. The 6’0/185 lbs. native of Andover, MN, put up four points in the two games and was a +2. On Friday, Thoreson had a goal and an assist in a 6-2 win. On Saturday, he had a shorthanded goal and an assist in a 6-3 loss. For the season, Thoreson is 2nd in team scoring with 59 points in 58 games played to date. “Gunnar had another great weekend for our team. He brings everything every night and is a big factor in our continued success,” said Wilderness head coach Dave Boitz.
2nd Star: Kayden Hargraves, G, Fairbanks Ice Dogs
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Cade DeStefani, F, Janesville Jets – Joseph Grainda, F, Chippewa Steel – William Gustavsson, F, Janesville Jets – Josh Langford, G, Minnesota Magicians – Bryant Marks, G, Kenai River Brown Bears – Kade Nielsen, F, Chippewa Steel – Ethan Wolthers, F, Minnesota Wilderness
South Division Star of the Week: Tanyon Bajzer, Forward, Odessa Jackalopes
Odessa Jackalopes forward Tanyon Bajzer, 19, had a big weekend to help his Jackalopes pick up a weekend road sweep of the Amarillo Wranglers. The 6’1/170 lbs. native of Shaker Heights, OH, had four goals in the two wins and was a +4 in the series. On Friday, Bajzer had two goals in the 3rd period to help the Jacks pick up a 6-1 win. On Saturday, he had two more goals and then scored the shootout-winner in a 3-2 shootout win. For the season, Bajzer has 28 points (17 goals, 11 assists) in 47 regular season games played to date. “Tanyon had a great weekend. Over the season, Tanyon has been growing and developing his game and we were glad to see him take off this weekend,” said Odessa head coach Scott Deur.
2nd Star: Cade Lemmer, F, Wichita Falls Warriors
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Austin Brimmer, F, Shreveport Mudbugs – Jake Keller, F, New Mexico Ice Wolves – Matt McQuade, F, Lone Star Brahmas – Hayden Nichol, F, Shreveport Mudbugs – Nicholas Niemo, F, Lone Star Brahmas – Joe Prouty, D, New Mexico Ice Wolves – Brandon Williams, F, Wichita Falls Warriors
