NAHL announces Easton Hockey Divisional Stars of the Week
The North American Hockey League (NAHL) today announced the Divisional Stars of the Week presented by Easton Hockey for the week ending March 1, 2015. The Easton Hockey 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: Jake Kielly, goalie, Austin Bruins
Austin Bruins goalie Jake Kielly, 18, led his club to a weekend home sweep of the Aberdeen Wings, giving up just three goals in the two wins as the Bruins stayed atop the Central Division standings. For the weekend, the native of Eden Prairie, Minnesota faced 41 shots in the two wins and stopped 38 of them. On Friday night, Kielly (6’3/190) made 19 saves in a 3-2 win and on Saturday night he made another 19 saves in a 3-1 win. For the season, Kielly has a 19-4-6 record with two shutouts, a 2.16 goals against average and a 90.5% save percentage. He has won his last nine starts. “Jake made a couple real big saves to keep the games where they were at. He has been focused on just stopping the puck and it has paid dividends for him,” said Bruins head coach Chris Tok.
2nd Star: John Snodgrass, F, Minot Minotauros
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Cory Dunn, D, Austin Bruins – Quinn Fuchs, F, Minot Minotauros – Luke Kania, G, Aberdeen Wings – Jared Pike, F, Bismarck Bobcats – Alex Strand, F, Bismarck Bobcats
Midwest Division Star of the Week: Darian Romanko, forward, Minnesota Wilderness
One of the hottest players in the league as of late has been Minnesota Wilderness forward Darian Romanko. The 20-year-old from Shoreview, Minnesota, had a huge weekend in Minnesota’s split in Bismarck, totaling six points in the two games. On Friday, Romanko (6’1/195) had a natural hat-trick, which included the game-winning goal in a 6-3 win over the Bobcats. On Saturday, despite an 8-4 loss, Romanko had three assists to lead the Wilderness. For the season, Romanko leads the Wilderness in scoring with 49 points in 44 games played. He also played in the NAHL Top Prospects Tournament last week for the Midwest team and had two points in the two wins. “Darian has had a very good month and continues to be a force in every game. We need him to continue to be strong the rest of the way and into the playoffs,” said Wilderness head coach Corey Millen.
2nd Star: Johnny Mueller, D, Fairbanks Ice Dogs
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Sam Becker, D, Minnesota Magicians – Gustav Berglund, D, Kenai River Brown Bears – Tyler Cline, F, Minnesota Wilderness – Kane Durment, F, Minnesota Magicians – Hans Gorowsky, F, Fairbanks Ice Dogs – Alex Jackstadt, F, Kenai River Brown Bears
North Division Star of the Week: Alex Alger, forward, Johnstown Tomahawks
Miami University recruit Alex Alger, 19, helped the Tomahawks to a weekend split in Fairbanks this past weekend with four points in the two games. On Friday night, the native of Livonia, Michigan tallied two assists in a 6-4 loss. On Saturday night, Alger (5’11/150) scored twice in regulation and added the shootout winner in a 4-3 win. Since coming to Johnstown from Odessa in a trade last month, Alger has recorded 12 points in nine games with the Tomahawks. “Alex stepped up in a huge way for us this week offensively. We acquired Alex a few weeks ago to bring in additional offense to our team and he has delivered since his arrival. Even bigger this week was the timing and magnitude of his scoring for our team. We had some tight games against a very good team and he was right in the middle of our production especially in the shootout win with two tying goals at different points in the game, and the game winner in the shootout for us. Alex is an outstanding kid and very deserving of this recognition,” said Tomahawks head coach Mike Letzia.
2nd Star: Leo Lumm, F, Soo Eagles
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Mitch Fossier, F, Janesville Jets – Matt Jones, F, Keystone Ice Miners – Dryden McKay, G, Springfield Jr. Blues – Brad Pung, F, Soo Eagles – Zac Robbins, F, Johnstown Tomahawks – Austin Romzek, F, Keystone Ice Miners – Brandon Schultz, F, Janesville Jets
South Division Star of the Week: Tanner Lomsnes, forward, Corpus Christi IceRays
Corpus Christi IceRays forward Tanner Lomsnes was a one-man offensive show this past weekend as his team posted a weekend road split against the Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees. In the two games, the 6’4/200 lbs. forward from Red Deer, Alberta racked up seven points and was a +5. On Friday night, Lomsnes assists on two of the three IceRays goals in a close 4-3 loss. On Saturday, Lomsnes had a hat-trick, including the game-winning goal, and two assists for a five-point night in a 6-3 win. Last week, Lomsnes also played on the South team at the NAHL Top Prospects Tournament, recording an assist in the two games. For the season, Lomsnes ranks 2nd on the IceRays in scoring with 51 points in 46 games played. “I think it was important for Tanner to continue to try and exert himself offensively, because he has a lot of talent in that area. When he uses his size combined with his skill, he can be a very effective player at this level,” said IceRays head coach John Becanic.
2nd Star: Charlie Combs, F, Amarillo Bulls
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Jake Ahlgren, F, Wenatchee Wild – TJ Black, G, Lone Star Brahmas – Kevin Charyszyn, F, Wichita Falls Wildcats – Brendan Harris, F, Wenatchee Wild – Yu Hikosaka, F, Topeka RoadRunners – Dominic Lutz, F, Topeka RoadRunners – Anton Martinsson, G, Amarillo Bulls – Wes Michaud, F, Corpus Christi IceRays – Austin Shaw, G, Wichita Falls Wildcats – Stathis Soumelidis, F, Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees
