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 November 15, 2020. The Divisional Stars of the Week is a weekly feature during the 2020-21 regular 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.
Watch: NAHL Stars of the Week highlights for November 9-15
Central Division Star of the Week: Clayton Cosentino, Forward, Aberdeen Wings
Currently the NAHL’s leading scorer, Aberdeen Wings forward Clayton Cosentino, 20, added to his point total this past weekend as the Wings stayed perfect on the season with a weekend home sweep of the Fairbanks Ice Dogs. The Air Force recruit and 6’2/196 lbs. native of San Carlos, CA, had three points (2 goals, 1 assist) and was a +2 in the two wins. On Friday, Cosentino had a goal and an assist in a 6-3 win, and then on Saturday he had another goal in a 4-1 win. His 13 points are currently tops in the NAHL. “Clayton is a natural leader. He leads this team in various ways, but his work ethic is his biggest leadership asset. That work ethic fuels the rest of this team, and it is contagious. Clayton’s weekend was another product of that, and we are very proud that he is the Captain of the Aberdeen Wings,” said Wings head coach Scott Langer.
2nd Star: Walter Zacher, F, Austin Bruins
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Barrett Brooks, F, Austin Bruins – Dominik Wasik, G, Aberdeen Wings
East Division Star of the Week: Louden Hogg, Goaltender, New Jersey Titans
The New Jersey Titans picked up a home sweep of the Maryland Black Bears this past weekend. Backstopping the team in both wins was 18-year-old goaltender Louden Hogg. The 5’11/160 lbs. native of Minneapolis, MN, stopped 46 of a possible 51 shots in the two wins. On Friday, Hogg made 30 saves in a 5-3 win, and then on Saturday, he made 26 saves and stopped two of three Maryland shooters in a 3-2 shootout win. “Louden stepped up and got two big wins for us this past weekend. He made some timely saves both nights and especially Saturday night when we were slow out of the gate. Louden is a talented young man who we look forward to watching him grow and mature into a NCAA Division 1 goaltender,” said Titans head coach Craig Doremus.
2nd Star: Alexander Tertyshny, D, Northeast Generals
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Brad McNeil, F, Maryland Black Bears – Michael Morelli, G, Maryland Black Bears – Jack Ring, F, New Jersey Titans – Kyle Schroeder, F, Northeast Generals
Midwest Division Star of the Week: Brandon McNamara, Forward, Kenai River Brown Bears
Kenai River forward Brandon McNamara, 20, helped his team pick up two wins in three games in Chippewa Falls against the Steel this past weekend. The 5’11/165 lbs. native of Andover, MN, posted three points (1 goal, 2 assists) in the three wins and was a +7. On Thursday, he didn’t record a point, but was a +2 in a 5-3 win. On Friday, McNamara had an assist and was +2 in a 4-2 win. On Saturday, he scored and had an assist and was +3 in a close 4-3 loss. “Brandon had himself a very strong weekend. As a veteran player he has been very reliable defensively, and also helped contribute offensively this past weekend. Brandon has proven to be a nice addition to our team early on this season,” said Brown Bears head coach Kevin Murdock.
2nd Star: Owen Millward, G, Janesville Jets
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Brandon Lajoie, F, Kenai River Brown Bears
South Division Star of the Week: Nicholas Niemo, Forward, Lone Star Brahmas
It was a big weekend for the Lone Star Brahmas and forward Nicholas Niemo as the 19-year-old helped his club to a weekend home sweep of the Amarillo Bulls. The 5’10/165 lbs. native of Middlebury, VT, had seven points (1 goal, 6 assists) and was a +5 in the two wins. On Friday, Niemo, who ranks tied for 2nd in the NAHL currently with 12 points, had a goal and two assists in a 4-2 win. On Saturday, he assisted on four of Lone Star’s five goals in a 5-3 win. “Nicholas had a great weekend. His work ethic and speed really stand out. He is seeing the ice well and his good play is being rewarded right now,” said Brahmas head coach Dan Wildfong.
2nd Star: Sean Bunting, F, Shreveport Mudbugs
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Cole Hanson, F, New Mexico Ice Wolves – Trenten Heyde, D, Shreveport Mudbugs – Owen Parker, G, New Mexico Ice Wolves – Zach Purcell, F, Lone Star Brahmas – Ryan Ullan, G, Wichita Falls Warriors – Jackson Wozniak, F, Wichita Falls Warriors
