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 April 18, 2022. 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: Oskar Spinnars Nordin, Goaltender, Bismarck Bobcats
Thanks in large part to a huge weekend from goalie Oskar Spinnars Nordin, 20, the Bismarck Bobcats were able to sweep their series against the Minot Minotauros and claim the final playoff spot in the Central Division. The 5’11/170 lbs. native of Bollnas, Sweden, stopped 63 of 65 shots in the two wins. On Saturday, Spinnars Nordin made 28 saves in a 2-1 win at home against Minot. On Monday, he made 35 saves in a 5-1 win on road in Minot to help Bismarck clinch the final playoff spot in the Central Division. For the season, Spinnars Nordin finished with a 21-10-2 record in 34 appearances, which included 2.74 goals against average and .910 save percentage. “Oskar has been on an incredible run with his 28th consecutive start and 21 wins in that span. He's a huge reason this team has a chance. He gives us a chance to win every night and has made big saves when he needs to. He gives this group a lot of confidence with him in the net,” said Bismarck head coach Layne Sedevie.
2nd Star: Blake Perbix, F, St. Cloud Norsemen
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Tomas Bolo, G, St. Cloud Norsemen – Devon Carlstrom, D, Aberdeen Wings – Xavier Jean-Louis, D, Austin Bruins – Anthony Menghini, F, Austin Bruins – Michael Mesic, F, North Iowa Bulls – Carter Rapalje, F, North Iowa Bulls – Quinn Rudrud, F, Bismarck Bobcats – Landry Schmuck, F, Aberdeen Wings
East Division Star of the Week: Holt Oliphant, Forward, Johnstown Tomahawks
Johnstown Tomahawks forward Holt Oliphant, 20, helped his team pick up a weekend home sweep of the Danbury Jr. Hat Tricks to help secure 2nd place in the East Division and home ice in the opening round of the 2022 Robertson Cup Playoffs. The 5’10/185 lbs. native of Northbrook, IL, had four points and was a +3 in the two wins. On Friday, Oliphant had two goals, including the overtime-winner, in a 3-2 win. On Saturday, he picked up a pair of assists in a 6-1 win. For the season, the Air Force recruit finished with 44 points (18 goals, 26 assists) in 55 regular season games played. “Holt really put the team on his back this weekend especially on Friday night. We needed two wins badly, and you have to rely on your leadership and Holt delivered. He has been the backbone of our team all season long, and we will lean on him heavily as we begin playoffs this weekend. Holt is an exceptional person, and we are extremely lucky to have him as the captain of our team,” said Johnstown head coach Mike Letizia.
2nd Star: Cullen DeYoung, G, Northeast Generals
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Jacob Badal, F, Johnstown Tomahawks – Elliott Lareau, F, Maryland Black Bears – Jonny Meiers, F, Maine Nordiques – Michael Morelli, G, Maryland Black Bears – Evan Orr, D, Northeast Generals
Midwest Division Star of the Week: Aiden Westin, Forward, Anchorage Wolverines
Anchorage Wolverines forward Aiden Westin, 20, helped his team secure a playoff spot this past weekend with a three-game home sweep of the Minnesota Magicians. The 6’1/180 lbs. native of Anchorage, AK, had seven points (4 goals, 3 assists) in the three wins, which included multi-point games in all three contests. On Thursday, Westin had two goals, including the game-winner, and an assist in a 7-3 win. On Friday, he had a goal and an assist in a 5-2 win. On Saturday, he again had a goal and an assist in a 5-1 win. For the season, Westin, an Alaska-Fairbanks recruit, finished 3rd in team scoring with 51 points in 54 regular season games played. “Aiden has a mature and strong two-way game. He is a 200-foot player who plays well with and without the puck,” said Wolverines Director of Hockey Operations Keith Morris.
2nd Star: Zach Bade, F, Springfield Jr. Blues
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Cole Crusberg-Roseen, D, Minnesota Wilderness – Cade DeStefani, F, Janesville Jets – Joey Dosan, F, Springfield Jr. Blues – Croix Kochendorfer, G, Chippewa Steel – Jared Mangan, F, Minnesota Wilderness – Cameron Morris, F, Anchorage Wolverines – Ryan Remick, F, Chippewa Steel
South Division Star of the Week: Nicholas Niemo, Forward, Lone Star Brahmas
Lone Star Brahmas forward Nicholas Niemo, 21, capped off a memorable regular season by helping the Brahmas pick up a weekend home sweep of the Corpus Christi IceRays and in the process, secure the NAHL’s #1 overall seed and 2021-22 regular season title. The 5’10/175 lbs. native of Middlebury, VT, had seven points (2 goals, 5 assists) in the two wins. On Friday, Niemo had a goal and three assists in a 5-2 win. On Saturday, he had a goal and two assists in a 7-3 win. For the season, Niemo finished as the Brahmas leading scorer with 74 points (38 goals, 36 assists) in 60 regular season games played. The Bentley University recruit was tied for 6th in league scoring and tied for 2nd in the NAHL with 38 goals this season. “Nick has become a guy who has developed his overall game to an incredible level. He really can do it all… from scoring, to play two-way hockey, to setting up his teammates. He is one of the best players in our league and is going to be an even better player in the NCAA and beyond,” said Brahmas head coach Dan Wildfong.
2nd Star: Dillan Bentley, F, New Mexico Ice Wolves
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Luke Beerman, F, Lone Star Brahmas – Connor Gatto, F, Shreveport Mudbugs – Jude Kurtas, F, Corpus Christi IceRays – Cade Lemmer, F, Wichita Falls Warriors – Charlie Merkley, F, Corpus Christi IceRays – Sully Scholle, F, New Mexico Ice Wolves – Burke Simpson, F, Shreveport Mudbugs – Cole Teleki, D, Wichita Falls Warriors
