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 9, 2023. 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
Thanks to a huge weekend from goalie Cole Moore, 19, the Aberdeen Wings stayed in the Central Division playoff race with a big road sweep of the St. Cloud Norsemen. The 6’5/200 lbs. native or Toronto, ON, started and won both games, stopping 73 of 75 shots in the two wins. On Friday, Moore made 34 saves in a 5-1 win. On Saturday, he made 39 saves in a 2-1 overtime win. For the season, the Bowling Green recruit 22-16-6 record in 44 appearances with a 2.61 goals against average and a .918 save percentage. “Cole showed some of his best efforts this weekend against a very good team. He lets us settle in and play with confidence,” said Wings head coach Scott Langer.
2nd Star: Adam Pietila, F, Bismarck Bobcats
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Simone Dadie, F, North Iowa Bulls – Logan Dombrowsky, F, North Iowa Bulls – Linards Lipskis, G, Bismarck Bobcats – Blake Perbix, F, St. Cloud Norsemen – Kade Peterson, F, St. Cloud Norsemen – Jordan Ronn, F, Aberdeen Wings
East Division Star of the Week: Jakub Krbecek, Goaltender, Philadelphia Rebels
Even though the Rebels are out of the playoff picture in the East, they and goalie Jakub Krbecek, 20, brought their A-game this past weekend as they posted a three-game home sweep of the Johnstown Tomahawks. The 6’2/180 lbs. native of Prague, Czech Republic, allowed just four goals in the three wins, stopping 94 of 98 shots. On Thursday, Krbecek turned aside 31 shots in a 2-1 overtime win. On Friday, he made 27 saves in a 6-1 win. On Saturday, he made 36 saves in a 5-2 win. For the season, Krbecek has a 24-22-2 record in 49 appearances with a 2.46 goals against average and a .929 save percentage, which ranks 3rd in the NAHL. “Jakub has been a rock for us all season and came up big for us this week. He made some saves this week in big moments where the game was still up for grabs. We have fed off him making saves like that all season long and this week was just another example,” said Rebels head coach Justin Hale.
2nd Star: Logan Furstenau, F, Danbury Jr. Hat Tricks
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Nick Bernardo, D, Maine Nordiques – Brendan Dumas, F, New Jersey Titans – Oliver Genest, F, Maine Nordiques – Tyler Stern, F, Philadelphia Rebels – Michael Young, F, New Jersey Titans
Midwest Division Star of the Week: Axel Begley, Defenseman, Wisconsin Windigo
Wisconsin Windigo defenseman Axel Begley, 19, continued his hot play as he helped his team to a weekend road split with the Minnesota Wilderness. The 6’2/200 lbs. native of Mahtomedi, MN, had three assists and was +2 in the two games. On Friday, Begley assisted on the lone goal of the game in a 1-0 win. On Saturday, he assisted on both Windigo goals in a 3-2 loss. For the season, Begley currently leads the team in scoring by defensemen with 35 points in 55 games played to date. “Axel has been a presence for us all year in both ends of the ice and his play this past weekend helped us clinch the division. His ability to produce offensively while being one of the better defenders in the league is impressive and we’re hoping he helps us make a long run,” said Windigo head coach Blake Hietala.
2nd Star: Jackson Reineke, F, Anchorage Wolverines
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Maxwell Beckford, G, Wisconsin Windigo – Jacob Conrad, D, Fairbanks Ice Dogs – Adam Gajan, G, Chippewa Steel – Kayden Hargraves, G, Fairbanks Ice Dogs – Bryce Monrean, F, Kenai River Brown Bears – Ben Monson, D, Kenai River Brown Bears – Peyton Platter, F, Chippewa Steel – Isak Posch, G, Minnesota Wilderness – Eino Rissanen, G, Anchorage Wolverines
South Division Star of the Week: Connor McDonough, Goaltender, Amarillo Wranglers
It was a perfect weekend for Amarillo Wranglers goalie Connor McDonough, 18, who not only backstopped his team to a pair of shutout wins, but also helped the Wranglers move into the 4th and final playoff spot in the South Division with one weekend to go. The 6’4/209 lbs. native of Mendham, NJ, stopped 49 shots in a pair of shutouts over the Lone Star Brahmas. On Friday, McDonough made 19 saves in a 3-0 win, and then on Saturday, he made 30 saves in a 1-0 win. For the season, McDonough is a perfect 7-0 since joining the Wranglers in mid-March, which includes a 1.54 goals against average and a .939 save percentage. “Connor has been an important player for us these last few weeks with his steady play and positive attitude. Connor has shown that he can be a top goaltender in our league and is 100% committed to being an NCAA Division I college and professional hockey player in the future,” said Wranglers head coach Harry Mahood.
2nd Star: Gergely Orosz, G, Odessa Jackalopes
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Yusaku Ando, F, New Mexico Ice Wolves – Daniel Duris, G, Oklahoma Warriors – Graham Harris, F, New Mexico Ice Wolves – Dylan Johnson, G, Oklahoma Warriors – Alex Park, D, Shreveport Mudbugs – Eric Vitale, F, Shreveport Mudbugs – Ronan Walsh, F, Amarillo Wranglers – John Wojciechowski, D, Odessa Jackalopes
