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 September 17, 2023. The Divisional Stars of the Week is a weekly feature during the 2023-24 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: Alex Laurenza, Forward, Austin Bruins
Austin Bruins forward Alex Laurenza, 18, made quite the NAHL debut as the native of Woodbridge, ON, helped Austin get off to a 3-1 start at the NAHL Showcase. Laurenza (5’9/150) put up five points in the four games, which included two goals and three assists. He recorded at least a point in all four games. “Alex has been a great addition to our organization. He is smart player that will be all situations for us this season. Our staff is excited to be a part of his development and we are looking forward to helping him earn a scholarship to an NCAA Division I school,” said Bruins head coach Steve Howard.
2nd Star: Isak Holmstrom, F, Aberdeen Wings
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Julian Beaumont, F, Bismarck Bobcats – Ashton Bynum, F, Austin Bruins – Logan Gravnik, F, Aberdeen Wings – Patrick Johnson, F, Bismarck Bobcats – Justin Mexico, F, North Iowa Bulls – Braden Panzer, F, St. Cloud Norsemen – Max Weilandt, G, St. Cloud Norsemen
East Division Star of the Week: Toby Hopp, Goaltender, Northeast Generals
Northeast Generals goalie Toby Hopp, 19, played a big part in helping his club go undefated at the NAHL Showcase. The 6’1/185 lbs. native of Maple Grove, MN, felt right at home in his home state as he posted wins in his three starts, allowing just seven goals. Hopp stopped 99 of a possible 106 shots in the three wins, which came against Wisconsin, St. Cloud, and Janesville. “Toby is a very talented goalie that has big expectations for himself and our team. On the biggest stage he performed at a very high level winning all three of his starts. We have a great 1-2 punch in net and Toby has been nothing short of spectacular early in the season. We look forward to Toby continuing his hot play,” said Generals head coach Bryan Erikson.
2nd Star: Dimitry Kebreau, F, Maryland Black Bears
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Frank D’Ancona, F, Northeast Generals – Hunter Fetterolf, F, New Hampshire Mountain Kings – Justin Gibson, D, Johnstown Tomahawks – Kim Hilmersson, F, Maine Nordiques – Ivam Korodiuk, D, Danbury Jr. Hat Tricks – Reid Lune, F, Johnstown Tomahawks – Max Marquette, F, Philadelphia Rebels – Tyler Procious, D, Rochester Jr. Americans – Shawn Ramsey, D, Philadelphia Rebels – Jacob Roberson, F, Danbury Jr. Hat Tricks – Nick Romeo, F, Maine Nordiques – Jack Wieneke, G, Maryland Black Bears – Aiden Wright, G, New Hampshire Mountain Kings
Midwest Division Star of the Week: Fyodor Nikolayenya, Forward, Anchorage Wolverines
Anchorage Wolverines forward Fyodor Nikolayenya, 20, helped the Wolverines to a 2-1-1 record at the NAHL Showcase by recording seven points in the four games. The 5’11/183 lbs. native of Minsk, Belarus, had five goals and two assists, which included a hat-trick in a 5-4 overtime loss against Rochester. “Coming into the season we knew Fyodor was going to play a big role for us offensively and he has not disappointed out of the gate. He’s had a big summer on and off the ice and it has and will continue to pay dividends for him and our team as a whole,” said Wolverines head coach Nick Walters.
2nd Star: Liam Beerman, G, Anchorage Wolverines
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Talan Blanek, F, Chippewa Steel – Conner Brown, D, Janesville Jets – Jake Cameron, F, Fairbanks Ice Dogs – David Clarke, D, Fairbanks Ice Dogs – Erick Comstock, F, Wisconsin Windigo – Dylan Contreras, F, Kenai River Brown Bears – Tyler Grahme, F, Wisconsin Windigo – Nick Sajevic, F, Janesville Jets – Nick Stevens, F, Kenai River Brown Bears – Oliver Stumpel, F, Minnesota Wilderness – Ajay White, G, Chippewa Steel
South Division Star of the Week: Hayden Nichol, Forward, Shreveport Mudbugs
The Shreveport Mudbugs got off to a 3-1 start at the NAHL Showcase thanks to a great performance from veteran forward Hayden Nichol. The 6’1/185 lbs. native of Brentwood, TN, had five points in the four games, which included four goals. Nichol, 20, scored goals in three of the four games and had two goals in a win over Rochester. “We were expecting big things from Hayden this year and he has started off on the right foot. His production offensively was great over the showcase. He’s always been a very responsible player at both ends of the rink and he didn’t compromise anything for his offensive output. He was rewarded this week for simply staying true to his identity and trying to lead by example for his teammates,” said Mudbugs head coach Jason Campbell.
2nd Star: Jack Ivey, F, Amarillo Wranglers
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Camden Bajzer, F, El Paso Rhinos – Anthony Cafarelli, F, Corpus Christi IceRays – Logan Heroux, D, Shreveport Mudbugs – Jakub Jerman, D, El Paso Rhinos – Michael Kadlecik, F, Odessa Jackalopes – Topi Puikkonen, F, Amarillo Wranglers – Deivs Rolovs, G, Lone Star Brahmas – Quentin Sigurdson, G, Odessa Jackalopes – Pierson Sobush, F, Corpus Christi IceRays – Ivan Zadvernyck, F, Lone Star Brahmas
