NAHL announces Easton Divisional Stars of the Week
The North American Hockey League (NAHL) today announced the Divisional Stars of the Week presented by Easton for the week ending March 23, 2014. The Divisional Stars of the Week is a weekly feature during the 2013-14 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: Michael Louria, forward, Minot Minotauros
It was a big weekend for Minot forward Michael Louria, 20, as the UMASS-Lowell recruited helped the Minotauros to a weekend home split with the Brookings Blizzard. The native of Wexford, Pennsylvania, had four goals in the two games over the weekend and was also a +4. On Friday, Louria (5’11/185) scored all three of Minot’s goals in a close 4-3 loss to the Blizzard. The next night, he had the game-winning goal in a 4-1 win. For the season, Louria has 49 points in 52 games played and has nine points in the 11 games played with the Minotauros to date since his trade from Janesville. “Michael has been terrific and has added the offensive spark that we really needed the second half of the season. He took advantage of his chances this weekend and bared down to get some big goals,” said Minot head coach Marty Murray.
2nd Star: Jake Horton, D, Aberdeen Wings
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Erik Baskin, F, Aberdeen Wings – Nick Lehr, G, Austin Bruins – Jon Lizotte, D, Minot Minotauros – Wyatt Schmidt, D, Brookings Blizzard
Midwest Division Star of the Week: Jakob Romo, forward, Minnesota Wilderness
The Wilderness kept rolling towards the playoffs this past weekend with a home-and-home sweep of the Coulee Region Chill and forward Jakob Romo, 18, was a big factor in both games. The native of Fullerton, California had three goals and an assist for a four-point weekend in the two Wilderness wins. Romo (5’10/175) also had the game-winning goals in both victories. On Friday, Romo had the game-winning goal and an assist in a 7-1 win. On Saturday, Romo scored twice including the game-winning goal in a 5-3 win in Coulee Region. For the season, the third-year veteran is 2nd in team scoring with 42 points in 56 games played. He is also a team best +30.
2nd Star: Thomas Lindstrom, F, Minnesota Wilderness
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Sebastian Fuchs, F, Kenai River Brown Bears – Brendan Harris, F, Wenatchee Wild – Joseph Kaszupski, F, Wenatchee Wild – Duggie Lagrone, D, Fairbanks Ice Dogs – Doug Rose, D, Fairbanks Ice Dogs – Zack Zulkanycz, F, Kenai River Brown Bears
North Division Star of the Week: Mitch Hall, defenseman, Johnstown Tomahawks
With two games to go, the Johnstown Tomahawks find themselves in the 4th and final playoff spot in the North Division thanks to taking two of three games over the weekend at home against the Soo Eagles. 21-year-old defenseman Mitch Hall was the catalyst behind the success as the native of St. Cloud, Minnesota had seven points in the three games to help Johnstown earn some valuable points. On Friday, Hall (5’10/180) had a goal and three assists in a 6-3 win. On Saturday, he had two more assists in a 4-3 win. On Sunday, Hall picked up another assist in a 4-3 loss. For the season, Hall is 2nd in team scoring with 43 points in 57 games played. His 37 assists is tied for the league among all NAHL defensemen and his 43 points ranks 3rd. “Mitch has the ability to keep any play alive. He is elusive with the puck and creates for his teammates. He can find the spots on the ice that give him the ability to make plays,” said Tomahawks head coach Jason Spence.
2nd Star: Michael Sabatini, F, Soo Eagles
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Noah Batis, F, Port Huron Fighting Falcons – Robin Hoglund, F, Janesville Jets – Brock Kautz, G, Janesville Jets – Max Milosek, G, Port Huron Fighting Falcons – Brandon Reinholz, F, Johnstown Tomahawks
South Division Star of the Week: Jake Kamrass, forward, Topeka RoadRunners
It has been quite the week for 19-year-old Topeka forward Jake Kamrass. First, Kamrass (6’1/180) led his team to three wins in four game last week. Next, the native of Norcross, Georgia announced his commitment to play NCAA Division I hockey at UMASS-Lowell next season. Now, Kamrass can add player of the week honors to that list thanks to his consistent performance last week in helping Topeka stay in the chase for the South title with four points in four games. Kamrass started the week with a goal and an assist in a 3-2 win on Monday over the Amarillo Bulls. Kamrass then had an assist in a 3-2 win over the Springfield Jr. Blues on Friday, followed by a goal in a 3-2 loss to the Jr. Blues on Saturday. For the season, Kamrass is second on the team in scoring with 56 points in 58 games played. “Jake has been one of our most consistent players all season long. It starts in the lockerroom and transfers onto the ice. It allows him to be a difference maker,” said Topeka head coach Scott Langer.
2nd Star: Razmuz Waxin-Engback, F, Odessa Jackalopes
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Connor Kelly, F, Corpus Christi IceRays – Forbes Ploszaj, G, Corpus Christi IceRays – James Ring, F, Topeka RoadRunners – Colin Staub, F, Wichita Falls Wildcats – Brett Szajner, D, Amarillo Bulls – David Zevnik, G, Wichita Falls Wildcats
