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 December 3, 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: Dylan Cook, Forward, Austin Bruins
Austin forward Dylan Cook, 20, helped his team get back on track with a weekend home-and-home sweep of the North Iowa Bulls. The 6’0/190 lbs. native of Princeton, MN, posted four points (2 goals, 2 assists) in the two wins. On Friday, Cook had a goal and an assist in a 3-1 road win in Mason City. On Saturday, he posted another goal and an assist in a 5-4 shootout win. For the season, the UMass-Lowell commit is 3rd in team scoring with 22 points in 24 games played to date. “Dylan played great for us this weekend and stepped up when we needed him to. We recently challenged him to be more consistent and he responded well. He is a very coachable kid that wants to win every night and we are looking forward to watching him follow this up Friday Night,” said Bruins head coach Steve Howard.
2nd Star: Julian Beaumont, F, Bismarck Bobcats
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Leonid Bulgakov, F, Aberdeen Wings – Keanu Krenn, F, Bismarck Bobcats – Jordan Newpower, F, North Iowa Bulls – Austin Salani, F, Austin Bruins – John Small, F, Minot Minotauros – Joe Sweeney, D, North Iowa Bulls – Weston Turner, D, Aberdeen Wings
East Division Star of the Week: Nils Forselius, Forward, Maine Nordiques
Maine forward Nils Forselius, 20, had a big week helping the Nordiques to a weekend home sweep of the New Jersey Titans. The 5’9/175 lbs. native of Guilford, CT, racked up eight points (3 goals, 5 assists) in the two wins. On Friday, Forselius had two goals and two assists in a 6-2 win. On Saturday, he picked up another goal and added three assists in a 5-2 win. Since joining the Nordiques in late October, Forselius has 18 points in 14 games played in Maine. “Nils has an extreme skill set and feeds off of his teammates. He has four points in four-on-four situations in the last three consecutive games. It’s impressive and it’s fun to watch,” said Maine head coach Nick Skerlick.
2nd Star: David Helledy, D, Maine Nordiques
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Jack Fialkoff, G, Philadelphia Rebels – Alexios Georgaklis, F, Danbury Jr. Hat Tricks – Luca Leighton, F, Rochester Jr. Americans – Max Marquette, F, Philadelphia Rebels – Tommy McDonough, D, New Hampshire Mountain Kings – Riley Ruh, F, Maryland Black Bears – Aiden Wright, G, New Hampshire Mountain Kings
Midwest Division Star of the Week: Jake Merens, Forward, Janesville Jets
Janesville forward Jake Merens, 17, had a big weekend as the Jets picked up a weekend home sweep of the Springfield Jr. Blues. The 5’9/161 lbs. native of Highland Park, IL, totaled four points on the weekend, which included three goals and an assist. On Friday, Merens had a goal in a 4-2 win. On Saturday, he had two goals and an assist in a 6-3 win. For the season, the rookie forward has 17 points in 19 games played to date. “Jake is a phenomenal young player that is getting better every day. He has an ultra-high compete level with a skill set to match it. He makes everyone around him better. We look forward to Jake continuing his production and pushing our group forward. He may be the youngest player on our team, but he’s playing like a veteran. Jake has a very bright future in this game and is going to be a great addition to a NCAA Division I program in the future,” said Jets head coach Joe Dibble.
2nd Star: Elliott Gulley, F, Wisconsin Windigo
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Luke Hause, D, Kenai River Brown Bears – Ikki Kogawa, F, Janesville Jets – Tyler Krivtsov, G, Fairbanks Ice Dogs – Max Martin, F, Wisconsin Windigo – Caden Morgan, D, Chippewa Steel – Oliver Salo, F, Anchorage Wolverines – Cam Springer, F, Chippewa Steel – Nicholas Stevens, F, Kenai River Brown Bears – Jackson Stimple, D, Anchorage Wolverines
South Division Star of the Week: Kyan Haldenby, Forward, Shreveport Mudbugs
Shreveport forward Kyan Haldenby, 19, helped his team pick up five of a possible six points in three road games in Corpus Christi this past weekend. The 6’1/190 lbs. native of Toronto, ON, totaled six points (4 goals, 2 assists) in the three games. On Friday, Haldenby had a goal in a 7-2 win. On Saturday, he had a goal and an assist in a 6-5 shootout loss. On Sunday, he had two goals and an assist in a 3-0 win. For the season, Haldenby is currently 3rd in team scoring with 20 points in 25 games played. “Kyan has adjusted well to being in Louisiana and playing in the NAHL. He’s had a strong game since day one but now he’s finding ways to put the puck in the net or contribute to putting the puck in the net on a consistent basis. His game is growing, his confidence is growing, and he’s preparing to be better every week. As we forecast ahead, we feel Kyan will continue to build on his game and not only contribute to the Mudbugs but contribute at the NCAA level once done here,” said Mudbugs head coach Jason Campbell.
2nd Star: Daniel Duris, G, Oklahoma Warriors
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Zach Boren, F, New Mexico Ice Wolves – Tommy Chunchukov, F, Amarillo Wranglers - Dominic Elliott, D, Oklahoma Warriors – Jacob MacDonald, F, Lone Star Brahmas – Luke Morris, F, Amarillo Wranglers – Deivs Rolovs, G, Lone Star Brahmas – Michael Schermerhorn, F, New Mexico Ice Wolves – Eliot Seguin-Lescarbeau, G, Shreveport Mudbugs – Quentin Sigurdson, G, Odessa Jackalopes
