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 14, 2021. The Divisional Stars of the Week is a weekly feature during the 2021-22 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.
Central Division Star of the Week: Hunter Garvey, Goaltender, North Iowa Bulls
North Iowa Bulls goalie Hunter Garvey, 19, led his team to a weekend home-and-home sweep of the Austin Bruins to move into 1st place in the Central Division. The 6’1/160 lbs. native of San Diego, CA, stopped 64 of 69 shots in the two wins. On Friday, Garvey made 33 saves through regulation and OT, then stopped three of four shooters in the shootout in a 3-2 shootout win. On Saturday, he made 31 saves in a 5-3 win. For the season, the NAPHL grad has a 8-2-2 record with 3.00 goals against average and .910 save percentage. “Through his solid play this season, Hunter has given us a chance every night to stay in and win games and this weekend was the perfect example. He made the key and necessary saves for us to pick up two big wins,” said Bulls head coach Todd Sanden.
2nd Star: Ronan Walsh, F, Aberdeen Wings
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Ethan Dahlmeir, G, St. Cloud Norsemen – Chase Freiermuth, F, St. Cloud Norsemen – Kyle Gaffney, F, Aberdeen Wings – Byron Hartley, F, North Iowa Bulls – Sutter Muzzatti, F, Austin Bruins – Carson Riddle, F, Austin Bruins – Zach Sandy, G, Minot Minotauros
East Division Star of the Week: Stephen Kyrkostas, Forward, Johnstown Tomahawks
Johnstown forward Stephen Kyrkostas, 20, helped his team to a weekend home sweep of the Northeast Generals. The 5’10/175 lbs. native of Selden, NY, had a goal in Friday’s 6-4 win and then on Saturday, scored again in a 3-2 win. For the season, Kyrkostas is 4th in team scoring with 13 points in 17 games played. “Stephen was outstanding for us this weekend in a much-needed bounce back set of games. He scored huge goals each night that were crucial momentum swingers for us. For me personally, I think his overall 200-foot game was as good as it’s been all season. He was dangerous with the puck and worked very hard without it. We needed a strong weekend, and he certainly delivered. We will count on him to continue to play at a high level in helping our team have success,” said Tomahawks head coach Mike Letizia.
2nd Star: Miles Gunty, F, Maryland Black Bears
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Jacob Badal, F, Johnstown Tomahawks – Ryan Gordon, F, Northeast Generals – Elliott Lareau, F, Maryland Black Bears – Jonny Meiers, F, Maine Nordiques – Avery Sturtz, G, Maine Nordiques
Midwest Division Star of the Week: Clay Allen, Defenseman, Anchorage Wolverines
Anchorage defenseman and NAPHL grad Clay Allen, 19, helped his team to a weekend home sweep of the Kenai River Brown Bears. The 6’2/180 lbs. native of Anchorage, AK, had four points, which included three goals and an assist. On Friday, Allen scored two goals, including the game-winner, and added an assist in a 6-2 win. On Saturday, he scored his second straight game-winning goal in a 4-1 win. For the season, Allen is 2nd among Wolvernine defensemen in scoring with 11 points in 17 games played. “Clay is just starting to get comfortable at this level as a first year junior player. He is going to be a special player with his hockey sense and puck skills,” said Anchorage head coach Mike Aikens.
2nd Star: Jan Lasak, F, Janesville Jets
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Patrick Czarnecki, D, Minnesota Magicians – Sam Fradina, D, Chippewa Steel – JJ Grainda, F, Chippewa Steel – Cal Mell, D, Janesville Jets – Brandon Milberg, G, Minnesota Magicians – Nick Ostbloom, F, Fairbanks Ice Dogs – Bohdan Panasenko, F, Anchorage Wolverines – Aaron Pionk, D, Minnesota Wilderness – Tyler Stewart, F, Fairbanks Ice Dogs – Gunnar Thoreson, F, Minnesota Wilderness
South Division Star of the Week: Artur Turansky, Forward, Lone Star Brahmas
Lone Star Brahmas forward Artur Turansky, 20, helped his club pick up a weekend home sweep of the Shreveport Mudbugs. The 5’11/180 lbs. native of Bratislava, Slovakia, had four points in the two wins and was +4. On Friday, he had an assist in a 3-2 win. On Saturday, he recorded a hat-trick in a 9-2 win. For the season, Turansky is 2nd in team scoring with 20 points in 19 games played so far this season. “Artur is really fun to watch right now. He is playing very consistent hockey at a high level and we are hopeful that an NCAA Division I commitment is in his short-term future,” said Brahmas head coach Dan Wildfong.
2nd Star: Ryan Robinson, F, Wichita Falls Warriors
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Damon Beaver, G, Corpus Christi IceRays – Tanner Daniels, F, Lone Star Brahmas – Graham Harris, F, El Paso Rhinos – William Howard, F, New Mexico Ice Wolves – Ryan Kusler, F, Odessa Jackalopes – Stepan Kuznetsov, F, Corpus Christi IceRays – William Lawson-Body, F, Wichita Falls Warriors – Wilmer Svensson, F, New Mexico Ice Wolves
