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 October 15, 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: Jack O’Hanisain, Forward, Minot Minotauros
Minot forward Jack O’Hanisain, 19, played a big role in helping his team pick up a weekend road sweep of the North Iowa Bulls this past weekend. The 5’11/175 lbs. native of Troy, MI, put up four points (all goals) in the two wins. On Friday, O’Hanisain scored two goals in a 4-0 win. On Saturday, he scored two more goals in a 4-1 win. For the season, O’Hanisain is tied for the team scoring lead with eight points in eight games played. “Jack had a very solid weekend for us in both ends of the rink. His play without the puck got rewarded and his linemates did a great job of creating opportunities offensively that Jack capitalized on. We are excited for Jack to continue his production from this past weekend as he continues to pursue an NCAA Division I opportunity,” said Minot head coach Cody Campbell.
2nd Star: Joel Lehtinen, F, Minot Minotauros
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Julian Beaumont, F, Bismarck Bobcats – Leonid Bulgakov, F, Aberdeen Wings – Michael Coleman, F, St. Cloud Norsemen – Adam Dybal, G, Aberdeen Wings – Kade Kohanski, F, Bismarck Bobcats – Ryan Manzella, G, St. Cloud Norsemen
East Division Star of the Week: Nick Romeo, Forward, Maine Nordiques
It was a breakout weekend for Maine Nordiques forward Nick Romeo. The 18-year-old native of Clarkstown, NY, recorded nine points (4 goals, 5 assists) in three games during the weekend as Maine put together a 2-1 record. Romeo (6’1/180) started the weekend with two goals and an assist in Friday’s 4-1 win over Maryland. On Saturday, he recorded the overtime-winning goal and an assist in a 4-3 win. On Sunday, Romeo had two goals and two assists in a 6-5 loss against the New Hampshire Mountain Kings. For the season, Romeo is tied for the team scoring lead with 18 points and his 12 goals currently leads the NAHL. “It was a bounce back weekend for the team as a group and as individuals. It just seemed that every game Nick was scoring multiple points at the biggest times. With this our hockey team was able to overcome a two-goal deficit in back-to-back games,” said Maine head coach Nick Skerlick.
2nd Star: Tommy McDonough, D, New Hampshire Mountain Kings
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Zach Aben, F, Johnstown Tomahawks – Frank D’Ancona, F, Northeast Generals – Toby Hopp, G, Northeast Generals – Jesse Horacek F, Maryland Black Bears – Klaus Jogi, F, Philadelphia Rebels – Will Lawrence, F, Johnstown Tomahawks – Nikita Meshcheryakov, F, New Jersey Titans – Charles Tardif, F, Maine Nordiques – Aiden Wright, G, New Hampshire Mountain Kings
Midwest Division Star of the Week: Peyton Platter, Forward, Chippewa Steel
Chippewa forward Peyton Platter, 19, had a big weekend as the Steel moved into 1st place in the Midwest Division and extended their winning streak to seven straight games with a weekend home-and-home sweep of the Janesville Jets. The 6’1/185 lbs. native of Eau Claire, WI, had four points (3 goals, 1 assist) in the two wins. On Friday, Platter scored two goals in a 4-3 home win over the Jets. On Saturday, he had a goal and an assist in a 5-3 road win in Janesville. For the season, Platter is tied for 2nd in team scoring with 13 points in 11 games played. “Peyton has been a great leader on and off the ice this season. He has been working hard and the last two weekends has elevated his game. This past weekend he led us to a couple of big wins not only with his scoring but his defensive play including a huge backcheck on a Janesville breakaway late in the game Saturday. We love seeing him take his game to a higher level and look forward to seeing him and the rest of the Steel’s continued development throughout the remainder of the season,” said Steel head coach Chris Ratzloff.
2nd Star: JJ Cataldo, G, Springfield Jr. Blues
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Zach Howard, F, Springfield Jr. Blues – Joe Kelly, F, Chippewa Steel
South Division Star of the Week: Vilgot Holm, Goaltender, Corpus Christi IceRays
Corpus Christi goaltender Vilgot Holm, 20, helped his team pick up three of four possible points in a weekend road series in Shreveport against the Mudbugs. The 6’3/175 lbs. native of Ljunby, Sweden, stopped 70 of 75 shots on the weekend and posted a 1-0-1 record. On Friday, Holm made 37 saves in a 3-2 win. On Saturday, he made 33 saves in a close 3-2 loss in overtime. For the season, Holm has a 2-3-2 record with a 3.41 goals against average and a .907 save percentage. “Vilgot had an unbelievable weekend for us. He’s such a calming influence in net for our group. We can see his confidence building in his game,” said IceRays head coach Sylvain Cloutier.
2nd Star: Ray Murakami, D, Lone Star Brahmas
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Anthony Cafarelli, F, Corpus Christi IceRays – Hayden DeMars, F, Odessa Jackalopes – Daniel Duris, G, Oklahoma Warriors – Nolan Gagnon, D, Amarillo Wranglers – Wil Murphy, D, Shreveport Mudbugs – Topi Puikkonen, F, Amarillo Wranglers – Drew Sutton, F, Oklahoma Warriors – Saxton Tess, F, Lone Star Brahmas – Collin Vassallo, F, Shreveport Mudbugs
