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 16, 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: Owen Dubois, Forward, Aberdeen Wings
Aberdeen forward Owen Dubois, 20, was instrumental this weekend in helping his team pick up a weekend home sweep of the St. Cloud Norsemen and finish 2nd in the division, qualifying for the playoffs on the final day of the regular season. The 6’4/195 lbs. native of Madison, WI, had a five-point weekend and was a +7 in the two wins. In a must-win game on Friday, Dubois scored four goals, including the game-winner, in a 9-1 win. On Saturday, he added an assist on Aberdeen’s 3rd goal in a 7-3 win. For the season, the Air Force recruit finished 4th in team scoring with 33 points in 60 regular season games. “Owen showed much needed leadership this weekend, his play elevated our entire team in two very big games,” said Wings head coach Scott Langer.
2nd Star: Adam Pietila, F, Bismarck Bobcats
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Julian Baumont, F, Bismarck Bobcats – Logan Dombrowsky, F, North Iowa Bulls – Hunter Hanson, F, St. Cloud Norsemen – Byron Hartley, F, North Iowa Bulls – Matthew MacArthur, G, Austin Bruins – Blake Perbix, F, St. Cloud Norsemen – Jordan Ronn, F, Aberdeen Wings
East Division Star of the Week: Nick Ahern, Forward, Johnstown Tomahawks
Johnstown forward Nick Ahern, 20, made a statement in his team’s final two games of the 2022-23 regular season. The 5’10/170 lbs. native of Chicago, IL, had five points in the two games. On Friday, Ahern had two goals and an assist in a 5-4 loss to the New Jersey Titans. The next night, he scored two more goals, including one ‘Michigan’ style in a 4-2 win. For the season, Ahern finished 4th in team scoring with 35 points in 35 games played. “Nick continued his offensive production this weekend in both games. He finished the last months of his junior hockey career at a torrid pace, and really displayed the skill level that he possesses,” said Tomahawks head coach Mike Letizia.
2nd Star: Henrik Hallberg, F, Maine Nordiques
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): David Deputy, F, Philadelphia Rebels – Max Hamstad, F, Philadelphia Rebels - Kim Hilmersson, F, Maine Nordiques – Adam Johnson, G, Johnstown Tomahawks – Thomas Kiesewetter, G, Danbury Jr. Hat Tricks – Samuel Stitz, F, Maryland Black Bears – Jack Wieneke, G, Maryland Black Bears
Midwest Division Star of the Week: Kevin Marx Noren, Forward, Minnesota Wilderness
Minnesota Wilderness forward Kevin Marx Noren, 20, had a big weekend to help the Wilderness pick up a road sweep of the Chippewa Steel. The 6’1/190 lbs. native of Knivsta, Sweden, had four points, including three goals and an assist in the two wins. On Friday, he scored the game-winning goal in a 2-1 win. On Saturday, he scored two more goals and added an assist in a 6-3 win. For the season, Marx Noren finished as the team’s scoring leader with 60 points, which included 34 goals, which tied him for the league lead for the 2022-23 season. “Kevin has a natural goal scoring ability and has been consistent all season in providing offense for our team. Playing a tough opponent on the road he was able to find different ways to put the puck in the net as well as distribute the puck to his line mates creating offense. On Saturday night Kevin broke the Minnesota Wilderness franchise record for goals in a season with his first goal of the game, a huge accomplishment, and a credit to his consistency. He has been a valuable part of our team all season and his tremendous work ethic off the ice no doubt contributes to his on-ice success, including finishing tied for the league lead in goals,” said Wilderness head coach Brett Skinner.
2nd Star: Nick Stevens, F, Kenai River Brown Bears
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Sam Frandina, D, Chippewa Steel - Jacob Jastrzebski, F, Wisconsin Windigo – Chris Kernan, F, Wisconsin Windigo – Cameron Morris, F, Anchorage Wolverines – Cooper Morris, D, Anchorage Wolverines – Gunnar Thoreson, F, Minnesota Wilderness – Jacob Zwirecki, D, Kenai River Brown Bears
South Division Star of the Week: Ryan Comishock, Forward, Lone Star Brahmas
Lone Star Brahmas forward Ryan Comishock, 18, had a big weekend to help the Brahmas secure the #2 seed in the South thanks to a home sweep of Corpus Christi. The 6’2/195 lbs. native of Enosburg, VT, had four points in the two wins. On Friday, he had two goals, including the game-winner in a 4-2 win. On Saturday, he had a goal and an assist in a 3-2 win. For the season, Comishock finished the regular season with 33 points (16 goals, 17 assists) in 57 games played. “Ryan has been playing a 200-foot game and he is playing hard and starting to stand out and have success,” said Brahmas head coach Dan Wildfong.
2nd Star: Ben Ivey, F, Amarillo Wranglers
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Chase Davis, F, Amarillo Wranglers – E.J. Janda, F, El Paso Rhinos – Jakob Karpa, D, Lone Star Brahmas – Dillon Kuntz, D, New Mexico Ice Wolves - Nick Marino, F, Shreveport Mudbugs – Drake Morse, F, Shreveport Mudbugs – Carsen Stokes, G, New Mexico Ice Wolves
