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 22, 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: Brady James, Goaltender, Minot Minotauros
Minot goalie Brady James, 20, was solid in a pair of wins this past weekend as the Minotauros picked up a home sweep of the St. Cloud Norsemen. The 6’1/182 lbs. native of Beaconsfiled, PQ, allowed just a single goal in the two wins, stopping 41 of 42 shots. On Friday, James made 21 saves and stopped all three Norsmen shooters in the shootout in a 2-1 win. On Saturday, he made 20 saves in a 1-0 shutout win. For the season, James has a 4-1-0 record with the Minotauros with a 1.35 goals against average and a .933 save percentage. “Brady was very solid in the two games he played this weekend. He made some very important saves down the stretch for us each night and was key to our group’s success this weekend. We look forward to Brady continuing his solid play as he pursues an opportunity at the next levels of hockey,” said Minot head coach Cody Campbell.
2nd Star: Trent Wiemken, G, Austin Bruins
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Julian Beaumont, F, Bismarck Bobcats – Leonid Bulgakov, F, Aberdeen Wings – Carter Cormier, F, Bismarck Bobcats – Niklas Ketonen, F, Minot Minotauros – Alex Laurenza, F, Austin Bruins – Justin Mexico, F, North Iowa Bulls – Jackson Schouten, D, North Iowa Bulls – Riley Sharun, F, Aberdeen Wings
East Division Star of the Week: Dominik Bartecko, Forward, New Jersey Titans
New Jersey forward Dominik Bartecko, 19, had a big weekend to help the Titans pick up a road sweep of the Rochester Jr. Americans. The 5’9/170 lbs. native of Brentwood, TN, had four points in the two wins, including two goals and two assists. On Friday, Bartecko picked up a pair of assists in a 5-2 win. On Saturday, he scored two goals, including the game-winner, in a 4-2 win. For the season, Bartecko leads the Titans in scoring with 17 points in 16 games played. “Dominik continues to pace our team offensively. Since joining our club early last season, he has really shown his ability to score and make others around him more dangerous. His compete level coupled with his skill were on full display this past weekend against Rochester. We look forward to Dominik’s continued strong play as we prepare for Johnstown this upcoming weekend,” said New Jersey head coach Craig Doremus.
2nd Star: Carter Richardson, G, Maine Nordiques
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Kareem El-Bashir, F, Maryland Black Bears – David Helledy, D, Maine Nordiques – Ryan Remick, F, Northeast Generals – Noah Ziskie, D, Danbury Jr. Hat Tricks
Midwest Division Star of the Week: Isaac Keller, Forward, Springfield Jr. Blues
Led by forward Isaac Keller, 20, the Springfield Jr. Blues picked up a sweep in two games in Fairbanks against the Ice Dogs. The 6’0/170 lbs. native of Grand Rapids, MI, recorded eight points (1 goal, 7 assists) in the two wins. On Friday, Keller had a goal and two assists in a 5-4 shootout win. On Saturday, he assisted on all five goals in a 5-1 win. For the season, Keller leads the Jr. Blues in scoring with 11 points in 14 games played. “Isaac brings a lot of energy that the rest of guys feed off. Not only has he been great for us on the offensive side, but he’s also been great defensively so we’re very pleased with his play,” said Jr. Blues head coach Todd Pococke.
2nd Star: Maxwell Martin, F, Wisconsin Windigo
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Conner Brown, D, Janesville Jets – JJ Cataldo, G, Springfield Jr. Blues – Nick Erickson, G, Minnesota Wilderness – Haden Kruse, F, Janesville Jets – Andy Larson, F, Kenai River Brown Bears – Fyodor Nikolayenya, F, Anchorage Wolverines – Will Schumacher, F, Wisconsin Windigo – Taisetsu Ushio, F, Anchorage Wolverines
South Division Star of the Week: Kael DePape, Goaltender, El Paso Rhinos
El Paso goalie Kael DePape, 20, helped the Rhinos pick up five of a possible six points this past week thanks to two wins and a shootout loss. The 6’0/168 lbs. native of Yorkton, SK, stopped 66 of 69 shots during the week in the three games. On Tuesday, DePape made 14 saves in a 5-2 home win over New Mexico. On Friday, he stopped 30 of 31 shots in a 2-1 shootout loss to Odessa. On Saturday, he stopped all 22 shots that came his way for a 3-0 shutout over Odessa. Since joining the Rhinos a few weeks ago, DePape has a 4-0-1 record with a 0.78 goals against average and a .968 save percentage. “Kael has been outstanding since we acquired him two weeks ago. He is a great young man who has fit into our team seamlessly. We knew we acquired a quality player, but he has been far beyond quality he has been tremendous. He gives us a legitimate opportunity to win every game and we are lucky to have him,” said Rhinos head coach Joe Coombs.
2nd Star: Connor McNaughton, F, Amarillo Wranglers
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Yusaku Ando, F, New Mexico Ice Wolves – Connor Bergeron, F, Lone Star Brahmas – Matthieu Borgault, F, Corpus Christi IceRays - Ryan Burke, F, Shreveport Mudbugs – Graham Harris, F, New Mexico Ice Wolves – Ben Ivey, F, Amarillo Wranglers – Brock James, F, Lone Star Brahmas – Stepan Kuznetsov, F, Corpus Christi IceRays – Alex Park, D, Shreveport Mudbugs – Quentin Sigurdson, G, Odessa Jackalopes – Frank Tafelski, F, El Paso Rhinos
