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 Hockey for the week ending December 6, 2015. The Easton Hockey Divisional Stars of the Week is a weekly feature during the 2015-16 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: Patrik Demel, defenseman, Bismarck Bobcats
The Bismarck Bobcats jumpstarted their December with a very important home-and-home sweep over their intra-state rival Minot Minotauros this past weekend. Defenseman Patrik Demel, 20, led the way for the Bobcats with five points from the blueline, which included pacing Bismarck’s power play to 50% (6 for 12) during the weekend. On Friday, the native of Ostrava, Czech Republic, had an assist on a power play goal in a 4-2 home win. On Saturday, Demel (5’11/185) had a goal and three assists in a 6-3 win in Minot. In 19 games played this season, Demel has 13 points, which leads all Bobcats defensemen. “Our power play is starting to hit its stride and Patrik was a big reason for that this weekend. He sees the ice very well and has a knack for putting himself in the right place to make plays,” said Bismarck head coach Layne Sedevie.
2nd Star: Dawson DiPietro, F, Austin Bruins
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Troy Degler, F, Minot Minotauros – Jack Murphy, F, Minot Minotauros – Tanner Okeson, D, Aberdeen Wings – Michael Piehler, F, Austin Bruins – Hunter Shepard, G, Bismarck Bobcats
East Division Star of the Week: Drew Doyon, forward, Johnstown Tomahawks
Johnstown Tomahawks forward Drew Doyon, 20, helped his club take two of three games this weekend against the 1st place New Jersey Titans. The native of Carmel, IN, was a factor in all three games as he recorded three points and was a +3 as Johnstown went 2-1. On Friday, Doyon (5’11/190) assisted on the lone goal of the game in a 1-0 win. On Saturday, he assisted on one of Johnstown’s two goals in regulation in a 3-2 shootout win. In Sunday’s 5-4 loss, Doyon had a goal. For the season, he has 13 points in 27 games played. “It is great to see Drew get rewarded with this recognition. He is such a hard working, do anything for the team type of player. He is a true warrior and someone who leads by example. We had a pretty good weekend winning two of three games and he not only produced offensively, but played 200 feet, blocked shots and did the little things it takes to win. I am very happy and proud of him for winning this award,” said Johnstown head Mike Letizia.
2nd Star: Tommy Horn, F, Johnstown Tomahawks
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): None
Midwest Division Star of the Week: Ryner Gorowsky, forward, Fairbanks Ice Dogs
Fairbanks Ice Dogs forward Ryner Gorowsky, 19, was a scoring machine over the weekend as he led his team to a three-game road sweep of the Kenai River Brown Bears. The native Lino Lakes, MN, had eight points (6 goals, 2 assists) and was a +5 in the two wins. On Friday, Gorowsky (5’10/170) had two goals in a 4-1 win. On Saturday, he scored two more goals, including the game-winner, and had two assists in a 5-0 win. On Sunday, he scored twice more, including yet another game-winning goal, in a 6-2 win. For the season, Gorowsky is 2nd on the team and 2nd in the NAHL in scoring with 39 points in 26 games played. “Ryner skated hard and was always around the puck. He got to the hard areas of the ice with the purpose of scoring goals,” said Fairbanks head coach Trevor Stewart.
2nd Star: Gavin Nieto, G, Fairbanks Ice Dogs
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Brian Baker, G, Kenai River Brown Bears – Jake Hartje, D, Kenai River Brown Bears – Anthony Scarsella, D, Springfield Jr. Blues – Trevor Stone, F, Springfield Jr. Blues
South Division Star of the Week: Matt Jennings, forward, Topeka RoadRunners
This past week, the Topeka RoadRunners ran their winning streak to seven straight games with a weekend home sweep of the Amarillo Bulls on Wednesday and Thursday. Forward and leading scorer Matt Jennings, 18, led the way for Topeka as the native of Buford, GA, had three points in the two wins, which included two goals, an assist and a +2 rating. On Wednesday, Jennings (5’8/172) had a goal and an assist in a 4-1 win. On Thursday, he scored the game-winning goal, which came shorthanded, in a 5-2 win. For the season, Jennings is tied for the RoadRunners scoring lead with 23 points in 28 games played. “Matt’s transition to junior hockey has been phenomenal. He seems to come up big for us and last weekend was no different,” said Topeka head coach Scott Langer.
2nd Star: Andy McGlynn, F, Corpus Christi IceRays
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Austin Beaulieu, F, Wichita Falls Wildcats – Regen Cavanagh, F, Corpus Christi IceRays – Justin Kapelmaster, G, Wichita Falls Wildcats – Anton Martinsson, G, Amarillo Bulls – Quinn Preston, F, Topeka RoadRunners
