NAHL announces Bauer Hockey Divisional Stars of the Week
The North American Hockey League (NAHL) today announced the Divisional Stars of the Week presented by Bauer Hockey for the week ending January 20, 2019. The Divisional Stars of the Week is a weekly feature during the 2018-19 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.
Watch: NAHL Stars of the Week video for January 14-20
Central Division Star of the Week: Ben Garrity, goaltender, Minot Minotauros
Minot Minotauros goaltender Ben Garrity, 19, was instrumental in his team’s weekend home sweep of the Austin Bruins. The 6’1/190 lbs. native of Rosemount, Minnesota, allowed just two goals on 70 total shots during the two games to help Minot move into 3rd place in the Central Division. On Friday, Garrity stopped all 35 shots that came his way for his second shutout of the season in a 2-0 win over the Bruins. On Saturday, he made 33 saves in a 3-2 win. For the season, Garrity has a 9-7-1 record with a 2.53 goals against average and a .919 save percentage. “Ben was very solid in both games this weekend. I thought he did a very good job of managing the game and smothering pucks when he needed to. You can see he is gaining confidence with every start, and that’s a good sign for us. I believe he’s just scratching the surface on how good he can be,” said Minot head coach Marty Murray."
2nd Star: Matt Vernon, G, Aberdeen Wings
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Sam Antenucci, F, Brookings Blizzard – Daniel Chladek, F, Bismarck Bobcats – Joseph Harguindeguy, F, Minot Minotauros – Alex Pollock, F, Bismarck Bobcats – Joe Strada, F, Aberdeen Wings
East Division Star of the Week: Anthony Del Tufo, goaltender, Maryland Black Bears
Maryland Black Bears goalie Anthony Del Tufo, 19, made both of his starts count this weekend as he helped his team to a weekend home sweep of the Northeast Generals to move the Black Bears into a tie for the 4th and final playoff spot in the East. The 5’9/170 lbs. native of Livingston, New Jersey, stopped 60 of 63 shots in the two wins. On Saturday, the NAPHL grad made 30 saves in a 3-2 overtime win, and then on Sunday, he made another 30 saves and allowed just one goal in a 3-1 win. While Del Tufo has only played in three games this season, his numbers are very good with a 2-1 record, a 1.66 goals against average and a .947 save percentage. “Anthony has been around our team all season, and not only is he a talented goalie, but is one of the most respected kids in our Team Maryland program. We are very happy for him, and look forward to seeing him continue to develop in Maryland,” said Maryland head coach Clint Mylymok.
2nd Star: Alex Wilkins, D, Johnstown Tomahawks
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Carson Briere, F, Johnstown Tomahawks – Alex Frye, F, Jamestown Rebels – Mike Higgins, D, Northeast Generals – Ryan Keane, G, Jamestown Rebels – Jonathan Young, F, Maryland Black Bears
Midwest Division Star of the Week: John Keranen, forward, Minnesota Magicians
Thanks to a weekend road sweep of the Janesville Jets, the Minnesota Magicians were able to widen their division lead to six points. Forward and Army recruit John Keranen, 20, played a big role in the sweep as the native of Delano, Minnesota, racked up seven points in the two wins, which included three goals and four assists. On Friday, Keranen (6’2/190) had the game-winning goal and two assists in a 5-2 win and then on Saturday, he potted two goals and added two more assists in a 7-2 win. For the season, Keranen is 2nd in team scoring with 36 points in 35 games played. “John had a great weekend of production for us in Janesville. He continues to go to the hard areas to earn his points and has been very dominant in special teams,” said Magicians head coach AJ Bucchino.
2nd Star: Janis Voris, G, Springfield Jr. Blues
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Laker Aldridge, F, Fairbanks Ice Dogs – Cameron Buhl, F, Minnesota Magicians – Jacob Dirks, F, Chippewa Steel – Grant Reichenbacher, F, Chippewa Steel – John Stampohar, D, Fairbanks Ice Dogs – Aaron Swanson, F, Springfield Jr. Blues
South Division Star of the Week: Seth Eisele, goaltender, Lone Star Brahmas
The Lone Star Brahmas had a good weekend as they moved up in the South Division standings thanks to a weekend home sweep of the Corpus Christi IceRays with wins on Friday and Saturday. Less than a week after losing goalie Harrison Feeney to North Dakota in the NCAA, Brahmas goalie Seth Eisele, 20, assumed the starting role with a bang and won both games for the Brahmas over the weekend, allowing just three goals on 69 shots. On Friday, the 6’5/180 lbs. native of Stillwater, Minnesota, allowed just one goal and made 28 saves in a 5-1 win. On Saturday, Eisele made 38 saves in a 3-2 win. For the season, Eisele has a 7-4-0 record with a 2.18 goals against average and a .930 save percentage. “Seth had a really big weekend for us. It was great to see him play with so much confidence and we are going to rely on him to play consistent down the stretch in order to have success,” said Brahmas head coach Dan Wildfong.
2nd Star: Zach Heintz, F, Odessa Jackalopes
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Joey Baez, F, Lone Star Brahmas – Tim Clifton, F, Shreveport Mudbugs – Emil Gransoe, G, Topeka Pilots – Quinn Green, F, Topeka Pilots – Jacob Skolnik, D, Shreveport Mudbugs
