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 2, 2022. The Divisional Stars of the Week is a weekly feature during the 2022-23 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: Cole Moore, Goaltender, Aberdeen Wings
The Aberdeen Wings got back on track this past weekend with a road sweep of the St. Cloud Norsemen. Goaltender and Bowling Green commit Cole Moore, 19, was in goal for both wins, stopping a combined 61 of 65 shots. On Friday, the 6’5/200 lbs. native of Toronto, ON, made 26 saves in a 5-1 win. On Saturday, he made 35 saves in a 6-3 win. For the season, Moore has a 3-2-0 record with a 3.02 goals against average and .909 save percentage. “Cole’s play over the weekend was tremendous. He plays with confidence and that becomes contagious with the rest of the team. Friday, he made key saves at the right time, allowing us to pull away and earn the victory. Saturday night, he came back and after going down 2-0, gave us the focus and energy to enable the team to get back into the game and earn the win. His two penalty shot stops were fantastic,” said Wings head coach Steve Jennings.
2nd Star: Mitch Day, G, North Iowa Bulls
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Kyle Contessa, F, Aberdeen Wings – Matt Desiderio, D, Austin Bruins – Logan Dombrowsky, F, North Iowa Bulls – Vertti Jantunen, F, Bismarck Bobcats – Linards Lipskis, G, Bismarck Bobcats – Max Martin, F, Minot Minotauros – Lawton Zacher, G, Minot Minotauros
East Division Star of the Week: Brendan Dumas, Forward, New Jersey Titans
New Jersey forward Brendan Dumas, 20, was an offensive force this weekend as the Titans split a weekend series at home against the 1st place Maryland Black Bears. The 5’10/180 lbs. native of North Attleboro, MA, put up seven points in two games, which included two goals and five assists. on Friday, Dumas had three assists in an 8-4 loss. On Saturday, he scored twice and added two assists in a 6-2 win. For the season, Dumas leads the Titans in scoring with 13 points in eight games played. “Brendan really stepped up his game and efforts this past weekend. Brendan hasn’t much puck luck early in the year and this past weekend he was able to really get on track. His work ethic and effort were finally rewarded with a big two game effort against a good Maryland team,” said Titans head coach Craig Doremus.
2nd Star: David Andreychuk, F, Northeast Generals
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Nick Bernardo, D, Maine Nordiques – Anthony Calafiore, F, New Jersey Titans – Dimitry Kebreau, F, Maryland Black Bears – Jake LaRusso, F, Northeast Generals – Patrick Schmiedlin, F, Maine Nordiques – Dylan Shane, D, Johnstown Tomahawks – Greg Spitznagel, F, Philadelphia Rebels – Johnny Ulicny, F, Johnstown Tomahawks – Luke Van Why, D, Maryland Black Bears
Midwest Division Star of the Week: Nils Wallstrom, Goaltender, Kenai River Brown Bears
The Kenai River Brown Bears extended their winning streak to three straight games with a weekend road sweep of the Wisconsin Windigo this past weekend. Brown Bears goalie Nils Wallstrom, 19, extended his personal winning streak to four straight games by backstopping Kenai River to wins in both games. The 6’3/185 lbs. native of Skelleftea, Sweden, stopped 60 of 66 shots in the two wins, which included 36 saves in Friday’s 4-3 win and 24 saves in Saturday’s 4-3 win. For the season, Wallstrom has a 5-2-0 record with a 2.85 goals against average and .914 save percentage. “Nils is very deserving of this recognition with his performance this past weekend helping us earn a road sweep. He has continued to handle himself like a pro and his compete is second to none. We look forward to watching Nils continue to be a steady influence in our net,” said Brown Bears head coach Taylor Shaw.
2nd Star: Kade Nielsen, F, Chippewa Steel
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Tyler Borgula, F, Springfield Jr. Blues – Jimmy Doyle, F, Janesville Jets – Ryan Finch, F, Kenai River Brown Bears – Adam Gajan, G, Chippewa Steel – Matthew Hale, F, Janesville Jets – Tyler Herzberg, F, Fairbanks Ice Dogs – Beau Janzig, D, Minnesota Wilderness – Kevin Marx Noren, F, Minnesota Wilderness - Nikita Nikora, F, Springfield Jr. Blues
South Division Star of the Week: Garrett Horsager, Defenseman, Oklahoma Warriors
Veteran Warriors defenseman Garrett Horsager, 20, had a big weekend as the Warriors split a series in Shreveport. The 6’0/185 lbs. native of Rosemount, MN, had two goals and two assists for four points this weekend. On Friday, Horsager assisted on the overtime-winning goal in a 3-2 win. On Saturday, he put up two goals and an assist in a 4-3 loss. For the season, Horsager, who is also an NAPHL grad, has five points in seven games played. “Garrett has been rock solid for us on the back end and has been a huge part of our team success. His character and work ethic has been the backbone of his development over the years. He is arguably the best defender I've ever coached and his ability to block shots is second to none. His confidence and poise with the puck have continued to grow and it was great to see him breakout offensively this past weekend. It’s awesome to see him receive this recognition as everyone in our locker room knows what he means to our group,”
2nd Star: Cameron Crolley, F, Corpus Christi IceRays
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Joey Delgreco, F, Oklahoma Warriors – Dominic Foglio, D, Corpus Christi IceRays – Logan Gotinsky, F, Shreveport Mudbugs – Will Howard, F, New Mexico Ice Wolves – Jake Mack, F, Shreveport Mudbugs – Mason Mara, F, Lone Star Brahmas – JD Metz, F, New Mexico Ice Wolves – Arthur Smith, G, Lone Star Brahmas
