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 November 2, 2014. The Divisional Stars of the Week is a weekly feature during the 2014-15 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: Andrew Shortridge, goaltender, Aberdeen Wings
The Aberdeen Wings got back on the right track with a weekend road sweep of the Minot Minotauros. Goaltender Andrew Shortridge, 19, got the start and won both games as the native of Eagle River, Alaska continued to climb the goaltending statistics. On Friday, Shortridge (6’3/175) made 30 saves and stopped three of four shooters in the shootout as the Wings edged the Minotauros, 4-3. On Saturday, Shortridge stopped all 31 shots that came his way for his second shutout of the season as Aberdeen blanked Minot, 1-0. For the weekend, Shortridged stopped 61 of 64 shots, good for a 95.3% save percentage. For the season, Shortridge is 2nd in the NAHL with a 1.53 goals against average. “We are very pleased with Andrew’s progression. He has matured a lot as a goalie and as a person. He is a very hard worker and a great person. He loves playing in the league and the competition that it brings. He was the main difference on Saturday in the 1-0 shutout,” said Wings head coach Francis Anzalone.
2nd Star: Jared Spooner, F, Bismarck Bobcats
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Jon Lizotte, D, Minot Minotauros – John Snodgrass, F, Minot Minotauros – Michael Soucier, F, Aberdeen Wings – Cullen Willox, F, Bismarck Bobcats
Midwest Division Star of the Week: Adam Carlson, goaltender, Coulee Region Chill
Another team that got back on track this past weekend was the Coulee Region Chill. Facing a tough task for playing the Central Division-leading Austin Bruins, the Chill and goaltender Adam Carlson, 20, answered the bell with a weekend home-and-home sweep. On Friday, Carlson (6’3/180) stopped all 44 shots that came his way for his second shutout of the season as the Chill blanked the Bruins, 4-0. On Saturday, the native of Edina, Minnesota made 35 saves and stopped six of nine shooters in the shootout as the Chill completed a weekend sweep with a 4-3 shootout win. For the weekend, Carlson stopped 79 of 82 shots. His 92.6% save percentage ranks 6th in the NAHL. “Adam played really well at the right time and gave us a chance to win. The team plays well when he is playing well. He is the ultimate competitor and made us a better team,” said Chill head coach AJ Degenhardt.
2nd Star: Ben Campbell, D, Kenai River Brown Bears
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Chris Amsden, G, Minnesota Magicians – Sam Becker, D, Minnesota Magicians – Dominik Florian, F, Coulee Region Chill – Hans Gorowsky, F, Fairbanks Ice Dogs – Joseph Kaszupski, F, Kenai River Brown Bears – Darian Romanko, F, Minnesota Wilderness – John Teets, D, Fairbanks Ice Dogs
North Division Star of the Week: Niko Dellamaggorie, goaltender, Springfield Jr. Blues
Newly acquired Springfield goaltender Niko Dellamaggorie, 19, has fit right in with the Jr. Blues and this past weekend was no exception. The native of Gilroy, California, helped the team to a weekend home sweep of the Michigan Warriors. Dellamaggorie (5’11/190) got the start in both games and stopped 67 of 69 shots in the two wins, which included his first career NAHL shutout. On Friday, Dellamaggorie made 33 saves in a 3-2 overtime win over the Warriors. For extra points, Dellamaggorie picked up an assist on the overtime winner. On Saturday, he stopped all 34 shots that came his way in a 1-0 shutout to complete the weekend sweep. Although Dellamaggorie hasn’t played in enough games to qualify for the NAHL goalie leaders, he has only allowed three goals in four games and 113 shots. “Niko has been great for us since we picked him up a few weeks ago and his actually doing everything but scoring. It says a lot that in one weekend he can get a shutout, face the number of shots he did and pick up an assist on an overtime-winning goal,” said Springfield head coach Tony Zasowski.
2nd Star: Dakoda Menslage, D, Johnstown Tomahawks
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Josh Lammon, F, Springfield Jr. Blues – Keegan Miller, F, Soo Eagles – Brad Pung, F, Soo Eagles – Brandon Schultz, F, Janesville Jets – Alex Smith, D, Janesville Jets – Zach Zech, F, Johnstown Tomahawks
South Division Star of the Week: Daniel Brickley, defenseman, Topeka RoadRunners
There are a lot of reasons as to why the Topeka RoadRunners are the NAHL’s best team right now, but one of the big factors may be defenseman Daniel Brickley. The 19-year-old from Sandy, Utah, played a huge roll in Topeka’s weekend road sweep of the Amarillo Bulls. Brickley (6’3/203) totaled five points (2 goals, 3 assists) in the two wins and was a +5. On Friday, Brickley chimed in with two assists in a 6-2 win over the Bulls. On Saturday, Brickley had two goals, including the game-winner and added an assist in a 7-1 win. He also had 10 shots on goal in the game. For the season, Brickley is tied for 2nd among all NAHL defensemen with 16 points. “Dan is a huge asset to this team and to this league. I have had a lot of very good defensemen in my time with the RoadRunners and he is one of the best I have had in that time frame. He has great size, a great shot and is great leader,” said RoadRunners head coach Scott Langer.
2nd Star: Nic Laburn, F, Corpus Christi IceRays
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Ivan Bondarenko, F, Wenatchee Wild – Kevin Charyszyn, F, Wichita Falls Wildcats – Joey DiBenedetto, F, Amarillo Bulls – AJ Duggan, F, Amarillo Bulls – Jasen Fernsler, F, Topeka RoadRunners – Brendan Harris, F, Wenatchee Wild – Wes Michaud, F, Corpus Christi IceRays – Evan Okeley, F, Wichita Falls Wildcats
