NAHL announces Bauer Divisional Stars of the Week
Honors this week go to Brookings forward Paul Cotter (Central), Aston goalie Mareks Mitens (East), Coulee Region defenseman Steven Quagliata (Midwest) and Corpus Christi forward Mason Krueger (South).
The North American Hockey League (NAHL) today announced the Divisional Stars of the Week presented by Bauer Hockey for the week ending November 6, 2016. The Bauer Hockey Divisional Stars of the Week is a weekly feature during the 2016-17 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: Paul Cotter, forward, Brookings Blizzard
It was a big weekend for the Brooking Blizzard and forward Paul Cotter. The 16-year-old from Canton, Michigan, helped his team to a weekend road sweep of the Minnesota Wilderness. Cotter (6’0/185), who is a Western Michigan University commit, had four points in the two game sweep, which including two goals and two assists. He had the game-winning goal in each of the two wins. In 15 games played this season, Cotter has 16 points. “Paul continues to get better everyday it's great to see that his hard work is paying off with scoring,” said Blizzard head coach Dan Daikawa.
2nd Star: Lucas Murray, G, Minot Minotauros
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Alex Adams, F, Minot Minotauros – Nick Cardelli, F, Brookings Blizzard – Carson Dimoff, F, Abedeen Wings – Tobias Fladeby, F, Bismarck Bobcats – Zach Kennedy, F, Bismarck Bobcats – Artuu Kulmala, G, Aberdeen Wings – Pavel Mikhasenok, F, Minnesota Wilderness – Michael Piehler, F, Austin Bruins – Mike Zuffante, F, Minnesota Wilderness
East Division Star of the Week: Mareks Mitens, goaltender, Aston Rebels
Aston Rebels goalie Mareks Mitens, 18, is picking up right where he left off in October. The October goalie of the month from Ventspids, Latvia, had two more shutouts this weekend as the 1st place Rebels picked up a home sweep of the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Knights. Mitens (6’1/176) made 23 saves on Friday and 21 saves on Saturday and he blanked the Knights both Knights. The shutouts were his 5th and 6th of the season and he leads the NAHL in every goaltending statistic. “Mareks has been nothing but solid since his arrival. This past weekend and certainly Friday night might have been his best game of the year. He is just getting better and glad he is on our team. Some NCAA Division I team is going to get a fantastic kid and goalie,” said Aston head coach Joe Coombs.
2nd Star: Jordan Kaplan, F, New Jersey Titans
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Brandon Perrone, G, New Jersey Titans – Evgeny Yakovlev, F, Aston Rebels
Midwest Division Star of the Week: Steven Quagliata, defenseman, Coulee Region Chill
The Coulee Region Chill extended their winning streak to four straight games with a weekend home sweep of the Kenai River Brown Bears. Defenseman Steven Quagliata, 20, had a big weekend, chiming in with six points (1 goal, 5 assists) and a +2 rating in two wins. On Friday, the 6’0/180 lbs native of Bartlett, Illinois had four assists in a 6-3 win. On Saturday, he had the game-winning goal and an assist in a 2-1 win. For the season, Quagliata has 10 points in 15 games played. “Steven had a breakout weekend this past weekend. His game is continuing to improve both with and without the puck. I am excited about were Steven's game can take him and our team moving forward,” said Chill head coach Ryan Egan.
2nd Star: Adrian Holesinsky, F, Janesville Jets
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Jake Barczewski, G, Janesville Jets – Travis Brown, D, Minnesota Magicians – Hampus Eriksson, F, Fairbanks Ice Dogs – Evan Fear, G, Springfield Jr. Blues – Aaron McPheters, D, Fairbanks Ice Dogs – Jack Nickels, D, Springfield Jr. Blues – Luke Radetic, F, Kenai River Brown Bears – Joey Sofo, F, Coulee Region Chill
South Division Star of the Week: Mason Krueger, forward, Corpus Christi IceRays
Corpus Christi IceRays forward and Army recruit Mason Kruger, 20, helped his team to a weekend road sweep of the Amarillo Bulls by recording four points (2 goals, 2 assists) in two wins. The 5’11/178 lbs. native of Bettendorf, Iowa, had a goal and an assist in Friday’s 3-0 shutout win and had the game-winning goal and another assist in Saturday’s 3-1 win. For the season, Krueger leads the IceRays in scoring with 18 points in 17 games played. “I am very happy for Mason winning player of the week. Mason exemplifies what we strive for as an organization. He is great person off the ice, responsible in our own end and a true 200-foot player who produces offensively,” said IceRays head coach Brad Flynn.
2nd Star: Ryan Snowden, G, Topeka RoadRunners
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Nikita Babintsev, G, Amarillo Bulls – Alex Frye, F, Topeka RoadRunners – Pete Kessel, F, Lone Star Brahmas – George Mika, F, Amarillo Bulls – Hunter Stanley, F, Lone Star Brahmas – Chad Veltri, G, Corpus Christi IceRays
