NAHL announces monthly player awards for November
The North American Hockey League (NAHL) has announced its monthly player awards for the month of November. The Forward of the Month is Brendan Williams from the Oklahoma Warriors. The Defenseman of the Month is Jack Malinski from the Austin Bruins. The Goaltender of the Month is Gavin Moffatt from the Wisconsin Windigo. Only players who are nominated by their respective teams are considered for the NAHL monthly awards.
Bauer Hockey NAHL Forward of the Month: Brendan Williams, Oklahoma Warriors
Oklahoma Warriors forward Brendan Williams, 20, had a big month of November to help his team move into 1st place in the South Division. The 5’9/161 lbs. native of San Juan Capistrano, CA, appeared in nine games during November and recorded 14 points (7 goals, 7 assists) along with a +8 rating. Williams had three game-winning goals during the month and recorded at least a point in eight of the nine contests and had five multi-point games. For the season, Williams is currently 2nd in team scoring with 23 points in just 17 games played. “As a team we had a nice month of November and Brendan led the way offensively for us. His biggest impact offensively is the way he can create time and space for himself with puck protection and his willingness to fight off checks. A lot of his production comes around the net which has been a huge part of our group having success consistently. His positioning and awareness away from the puck in the defensive zone is a big contributing factor to our transition game. We couldn't be happier for Brendan with how hard he has worked and his commitment to our team’s success,” said Warriors head coach Garrett Roth.
“I’d say what made our team able to have such a great month, is how close our team has become on and off the ice. Every game we know we’re battling for the guy sitting right next to us in the locker room, so I think that has kept everyone motivated to leave it all out there every game,” said Williams. “My goals for the remainder of the season are to commit to an NCAA Division 1 hockey program, but more importantly to win the Robertson Cup.”
Runner-Up: Cameron Ricotta, Fairbanks Ice Dogs
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Yusako Ando, New Mexico Ice Wolves – Chase Davis, Amarillo Wranglers – Logan Dombrowsky, North Iowa Bulls – Anthony Galante, Johnstown Tomahawks – Emerson Goode, Odessa Jackalopes - Nash Jacobsma, Danbury Jr. Hat Tricks – Jake LaRusso, Northeast Generals – Will Laychur, Lone Star Brahmas – Luke Levandowski, Wisconsin Windigo – Gavin Morrissey, Austin Bruins – Patrick O’Connell, Aberdeen Wings – Adam Pietila, Bismarck Bobcats – Connor Sedlak, Philadelphia Rebels – Martin Ulvebne, Corpus Christi IceRays
Bauer Hockey NAHL Defenseman of the Month: Jack Malinski, Austin Bruins
Austin Bruins defenseman Jack Malinski, 20, capped off a strong month of November by helping the Bruins widen their lead atop the Central Division. The 5’11/180 lbs. native of Lakeville, MN, led all NAHL defensemen during the month with 10 points (all assists) in eight games played, along with a +10 rating. Malinski recorded at least a point in seven of the eight contests during the month and had three multi-point games. His 16 points is currently tied for 8th among all NAHL defensemen so far this season. “Jack has been great for us in all aspects of the game. He’s a true leader on and off the ice. We are looking forward to Jack continuing to play well and earning that NCAA Division I commitment that he has been working for,” said Bruins head coach Steve Howard.
“We have a great group of guys and we’re all pulling in the same direction. I have a lot of good teammates around me who are playing good hockey which makes it easier for me. Our team does a good job of focusing on the game ahead and not looking at past victories or accomplishments,” said Malinski. “We would like to make a big run at the Robertson Cup. A long term goal would be to play college hockey and hopefully have the opportunity to continue playing after that.”
Runner-Up: Joey Potter, Fairbanks Ice Dogs
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Jackson Anderson, Aberdeen Wings – Jack Christen, Odessa Jackalopes – Tommy Delfarno, Danbury Jr. Hat Tricks – Tyler DesRochers, Johnstown Tomahawks – Matt DeSpirit, Northeast Generals – Isaac Deveau, North Iowa Bulls – Dominic Foglia, Philadelphia Rebels – Garrett Horsager, Oklahoma Warriors – Caleb Huffman, Kenai River Brown Bears – Dillon Kuntz, New Mexico Ice Wolves – Cole Mickel, Wisconsin Windigo – Ray Murakami, Lone Star Brahmas – Michael Neumeier, Bismarck Bobcats
True Hockey NAHL Goaltender of the Month: Gavin Moffatt, Wisconsin Windigo
Wisconsin Windigo goalie Gavin Moffatt, 18, was lights out and nearly perfect in the month of November as his team climbed the standings in the Midwest Division. The 6’0/170 lbs. native of Darien, CT, started a won all four games during the month, allowing just a single goal during the month, stopping 147 of 148 shots in the process, and posted three shutouts. Moffatt was named the Midwest Division Star of the Week in back-to-back weeks and is currently riding a shutout streak of 238+ minutes. For the season, Moffatt has a 5-3-0 record with a 1.73 goals against average and a .948 save percentage. “Gavin was awesome for us this November and was a big part of our good month as a team. He is incredibly calm for a younger goalie, and nothing seems to faze him. He has a great attitude every day, and I look forward to watching him continue to develop and grow,” said Windigo head coach Blake Hietala.
“Our team success this month has come from our trust in each other. The coaches and older players stress this and as the season has gone on, we’ve become closer and closer as a group. Everybody has confidence in their teammates and knows that they can rely on them. This has allowed us to take a big leap as a team this month and find success,” said Moffatt. “My short-term goal is to help the team make playoffs and potentially win the Robertson Cup. My longer-term goals are to play NCAA hockey and hopefully play at a professional level.”
Runner-Up: Ethan Robertson, Austin Bruins
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Patriks Berzins, Danbury Jr. Hat Tricks – Carter Clafton, Amarillo Wranglers - Will Craig, New Mexico Ice Wolves – Mitchell Day, North Iowa Bulls – Daniel Duris, Oklahoma Warriors – William Gramme, Lone Star Brahmas – Toby Hopp, Northeast Generals – Jakub Krbecek, Philadelphia Rebels – Linards Lipskis, Bismarck Bobcats – Bryant Marks, Kenai River Brown Bears – Cole Moore, Aberdeen Wings – Gergely Orosz, Odessa Jackalopes – Alec Rajalin-Scharp, Johnstown Tomahawks
