NAHL announces Bauer Divisional Stars of the Week
Honors this week go to Minot Minotauros forward Grant Loven (Central), Northeast Generals forward Anthony Quatieri (East), Minnesota Magicians defenseman Matt Denman (Midwest) and Corpus Christi IceRays goalie Chad Veltri (South).
The North American Hockey League (NAHL) today announced the Divisional Stars of the Week presented by Bauer Hockey for the week ending October 8, 2017. The Bauer Hockey Divisional Stars of the Week is a weekly feature during the 2017-18 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: Grant Loven, forward, Minot Minotauros
Minot Mintauros forward Grant Loven, 19, helped his team to a weekend home split against the visiting Kenai River Brown Bears this past weekend. The 5’10/180 lbs. native of East Grand Forks, Minnesota, totaled three points (1 goal, 2 assists) and was a +2 in two games. On Friday, Loven scored the game-winning goal and had an assist in a 4-2 win and on Saturday he picked up another assist in a 4-3 loss. Loven is tied for the team lead in scoring with six points to date. “I've been nothing but impressed with Grant since he joined us prior to the NAHL Showcase. His work ethic and compete level are extraordinary, and for his teammates to vote him in as one of our captains, speaks volumes about his character. He plays a complete 200-foot game and is a guy we lean on in all situations,” said Minot head coach Marty Murray.
2nd Star: Andriy Denyskin, F, Brookings Blizzard
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Nathan Burke, F, Aberdeen Wings – Ty Enns, F, Bismarck Bobcats – Kosta Likourezos, F, Minnnesota Wilderness – Miroslav Mucha, F, Minot Minotauros – Adam Stacho, F, Bismarck Bobcats – Ben Ward, F, Minnesota Wilderness
East Division Star of the Week: Anthony Quatieri, forward, Northeast Generals
It was three more wins this past weekend for the Northeast Generals as they completed a three-game home sweep of the Johnstown Tomahawks. Forward Anthony Quatieri, 19, had a huge weekend with six points (3 goals, 3 assists) in the three wins. On Friday, the native of Saugus, Massachusetts, had two assists in the 5-2 win. On Saturday, Quatieri (5’10/174) had two goals and an assist in a 4-0 win and on Sunday, he added another goal in a 4-1 win. In 12 games played to date, Quatieri has 13 points. “Anthony came to us undrafted as a main camp invite and has impressed us every day since. His speed and compete level are elite and have allowed him to have a great start to the season and a huge weekend in our sweep of Johnstown,” said Generals GM Bryan Erikson.
2nd Star: Diarmad Dimurro, D, Philadelphia Rebels
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Andrew Bellant, F, Philadelphia Rebels – David Fessenden, G, Northeast Generals – Mike Gelatt, F, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Knights – Reed Robinson, F, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Knights
Midwest Division Star of the Week: Matt Denman, defenseman, Minnesota Magicians
Minnesota Magicians defenseman Matt Denman, 19, helped his squad to a weekend home sweep of the Coulee Region Chill on Friday and Saturday. The 5’11/180 lbs. native of Prior Lake, Minnesota, had four points (1 goal, 3 assists) in the two wins. On Friday, Deman had the game-tying goal and an assist, along with the shootout-winning goal in a 4-3 win. On Saturday, Denman had two assists, including one on the game-winning goal in a 4-2 win. Denman is tied for the team points lead with five points in six games played. “Matt had a great weekend and has provided offensive spark and great leadership early in the season,” said Magicians head coach Scott Meyer.
2nd Star: Garrett Nieto, G, Janesville Jets
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Brandon Koch, D, Coulee Region Chill – Luke Orysiuk, D, Fairbanks Ice Dogs – Luke Posner, F, Kenai River Brown Bears – Luke Radetic, F, Kenai River Brown Bears - Tanner Schachle, F, Fairbanks Ice Dogs – Ethan Stewart, F, Springfield Jr. Blues – Marcus Walter, D, Springfield Jr. Blues
South Division Star of the Week: Chad Veltri, goaltender, Corpus Christi IceRays
Corpus Christi IceRays goalie Chad Veltri, 19, had a huge weekend to help his team pick up a important weekend road sweep in Amarillo against the Bulls. The 6’0/180 lbs. native of Fox Chapel, Pennsylvania, faced 88 shots in the two wins and made a total of 84 saves, which was good for a 95.4% save percentage. On Saturday, Veltri made 35 saves in a 5-3 win and on Sunday, he made 49 saves in a 2-1 overtime win. The wins were the first two for Veltri this season. “We are very happy for Chad winning this award especially in our division as a rookie. He is a quiet player off the ice, but on the ice he is an intense competitor. Chad played very well and gave us a chance to win each game last weekend by making the saves that he should of and a few he shouldn't of had to make,” said IceRays head coach Brad Flynn.
2nd Star: Connor Murphy, G, Topeka RoadRunners
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): James Durham, G, Shreveport Mudbugs - Emil Gransoe, G, Topeka RoadRunners – Brendan VanSweden, F, Shreveport Mudbugs - Trevor Wilhelm, D, Corpus Christi IceRays
