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 29, 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: Ian Scheid, defenseman, Austin Bruins
Defenseman Ian Scheid, 19, helped the Austin Bruins put an exclamation point on the regular season as the native of Coon Rapids, Minnesota was instrumental in the Bruins home and home sweep of the Brookings Blizzard. Scheid (5’11/185) had five points in the two wins and was also a +5 as Austin outscored Brookings 13-1 in the two games. On Friday, Scheid had two assists in a 6-1 home win. On Saturday, Scheid scored the game-winning goal and added two assists in a 7-0 road win in Brookings. Scheid finished the regular season with 35 points in 55 games played this season. “Ian’s vision and playmaking ability has been a constant for us all season, he makes the players around him better,” said Austin head coach Chris Tok.
2nd Star: Willie Brown, F, Bismarck Bobcats
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Alex Bitsakis, G, Bismarck Bobcats – Luke Kania, G, Aberdeen Wings – Zach Kennedy, F, Austin Bruins – Colton Kramer, F, Minot Minotauros – Colin Raver, F, Aberdeen Wings – Johnny Walker, F, Minot Minotauros
Midwest Division Star of the Week: Michael Covach, forward, Minnesota Wilderness
The Minnesota Wilderness had a busy week with three games against the Coulee Region Chill, picking up wins in two of the three games. Wilderness forward Michael Covach, 20, led the way with eight points in the three games, registering a point in all three contests. On Friday, the native of Shillington, Pennsylvania had a goal in a 4-2 home loss. On Saturday, Covach (5’11/195) had the game-winning goal and four assists for a five-point night in an 8-1 road win in Coulee Region. On Sunday, Covach had a goal and an assist in a 3-1 win over the Chill. In 58 games played this season, Covach recorded 42 points. “Michael had a very good weekend for us. He is one of the smartest players I have coached in this league. He has great rink awareness,” said Wilderness head coach Corey Millen.
2nd Star: Adam Lovick, F, Coulee Region Chill
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Maurin Bouvet, F, Kenai River Brown Bears – Jack Gessert, F, Kenai River Brown Bears – Jacob Hetz, F, Fairbanks Ice Dogs – Aaron Miller, F, Minnesota Wilderness – Tyler Tomberlin, F, Fairbanks Ice Dogs
North Division Star of the Week: Taylor Fernandez, forward, Keystone Ice Miners
With two wins over the weekend, the Keystone Ice Miners not only secured 2nd place in the North Division, but also prevented their opponent, the Johnstown Tomahawks, from making the playoffs. Forward Taylor Fernandez, 20, played a huge role in the wins with four goals in the two contests. On Friday, the native of Northville, Michigan, scored the game-winning goal in a 2-1 home win over the Tomahawks. A night later, Fernandez (6’0/175) had a hat-trick, which included the game-winning goal in a 5-2 win in Johnstown. For the season, Fernandez finished second on the team in scoring this season with 39 points in 59 games played. “Taylor was really good this weekend. We haven’t been scoring a lot of goals, but things have clicked recently and he scored some big ones for us. He in an unselfish player, but he is also very effective when he shoots, so we are trying to get him to do that more,” said Keystone head coach Michael Gershon.
2nd Star: Chase Munroe, G, Michigan Warriors
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Tommy Horn, F, Keystone Ice Miners – Matt Jurusik, G, Janesville Jets – Dryden McKay, F, Springfield Jr. Blues – Brandon Schultz, F, Janesville Jets
South Division Star of the Week: Parker Wood, forward, Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees
20-year-old Rio Grande Valley forward Parker Wood (6’1/185) finished the regular season with a flurry, which included a big offensive weekend this past week as the Killer Bees split their series with Odessa. Wood (6’1/185) had a hand in scoring half of his team’s goals during the weekend and was also a +3 in the two games. On Friday, the native of Rochester Hills, Michigan, had a goal in a 5-2 loss to the Jackalopes. On Saturday, Wood scored twice in a 4-2 win. He finished the regular season with six goals in his last three games. For the season, Wood finished 2nd on the team in scoring with 37 points in 56 games played. “Parker is playing well at the right time and has been consistent all season long. He seems to come through for our team when it matters the most and we hope that is a trend that continues moving forward into the playoffs,” said Killer Bees head coach Joe Coombs.
2nd Star: Luke Novak, F, Amarillo Bulls
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Austin Albrecht, F, Wichita Falls Wildcats – Mike Coyne, F, Wenatchee Wild – Will Harrison, F, Amarillo Bulls – Kenny Hausinger, F, Odessa Jackalopes – Chris Jones, D, Wenatchee Wild – Connor Kelly, F, Corpus Christi IceRays – Tanner Lomsnes, F, Corpus Christi iceRays – Dominic Lutz, F, Topeka RoadRunners – Sam Rennaker, F, Topeka RoadRunners – Colin Staub, F, Wichita Falls Wildcats – Razmuz Waxin-Engback, F, Odessa Jackalopes – Cody Wickline, F, Lone Star Brahmas
