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 November 3, 2019. The Divisional Stars of the Week is a weekly feature during the 2019-20 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 Oct. 28-Nov. 3
Central Division Star of the Week: Tim Piechowski, forward, Bismarck Bobcats
Led by forward Tim Piechowski, 18, the Bismarck Bobcats kept their hot streak going this past weekend with a home-and-home sweep over the Minot Minotauros. The 6’2/210 lbs. native of Eden Prairie, Minnesota, recorded four points (2 goals, 2 assists) in the two wins and was a +4. On Friday, Piechowski had two goals, including the game-winner, and an assist in a 5-2 win. On Saturday, he scored another game-winner in a 5-1 win. For the season, Piechowski has eight points in 13 games played. “Tim had a great weekend for us. He was a big part of our team last year and he played like it this weekend. He’s a big power forward that can skate and has good skill. It was nice to see him get rewarded for his hard work,” said Bobcats head coach Layne Sedevie.
2nd Star: Henry Welsch, G, Aberdeen Wings
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Brock Daeger, D, St. Cloud Blizzard – Blake Holmes, D, Minnesota Wilderness – Nate Horn, F, Minnesota Wilderness – Hugh Larkin, F, Austin Bruins – Andrew Miller, G, Bismarck Bobcats – Brett Miller, G, Austin Bruins – Natan Vertes, F, Aberdeen Wings
East Division Star of the Week: Valerii Rykov, forward, Jamestown Rebels
The Jamestown Rebels picked up their first sweep of the season this past weekend as they posted two home wins over the visiting Maine Nordiques. Forward and former NA3HL’er Valerii Rykov, 18, had a big weekend as the 6’3/205 lbs. native of Moscow, Russia, recorded five points (2 goals, 3 assists) in the two wins. On Friday, Rykov had a goal and two assists in a 3-2 overtime win. On Saturday, he netted the game-winning goal and had an assist in a 5-3 win. In 11 games with the Rebels this season, Rykov has put up nine points. “We have a young hockey and Valerii is part of that. He is a part of the growth we are experiencing and it is nice to see players improving. He is someone we believe can be a dynamic player after Christmas and into next year. He is a great person and an NCAA Division 1 prospect,” said Rebels head coach Joe Coombs.
2nd Star: Matt Cameron, F, New Jersey Titans
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Noah Finstrom, F, Jamestown Rebels – Christian Gorscak, F, Johnstown Tomahawks – Gavin Gulash, F, New Jersey Titans – David Tomeo, G, Johnstown Tomahawks
Midwest Division Star of the Week: Theo Thrun, forward, Kenai River Brown Bears
The Kenai River Brown Bears got back on track this past weekend with a weekend road sweep of the Northeast Generals to end their Eastern road swing. Forward and leading scorer Theo Thrun, 18, came up big with three goals in the series, including the game-winner in each game. On Friday, the 5’11/165 lbs. native of Grand Rapids, Michigan, scored two goals, including the overtime-winner, in a 4-3 win. On Saturday, Thrun added another game-winner in a 5-3 win. Thrun’s 20 points in 17 games played leads all Brown Bears players in scoring. “Theo played very well for us this past weekend and has played well all season. Theo’s consistency and daily work ethic is really paying off for him. He has a knack for putting himself in a position to score goals and it’s great to see him rewarded for his efforts,” said Brown Bears Head Coach Kevin Murdock.
2nd Star: Hunter Longhi, F, Springfield Jr. Blues
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Parker Brown, F, Fairbanks Ice Dogs – Sam Evola, G, Janesville Jets – Oliver Kjaer, F, Fairbanks Ice Dogs – Zach Krajnik, F, Kenai River Brown Bears – Nick Nardella, F, Janesville Jets – Cameron Wuesthoff, F, Springfield Jr. Blues
South Division Star of the Week: Jordan Venegoni, forward, Amarillo Bulls
Amarillo Bulls forward Jordan Venegoni, 19, helped his team to a weekend home sweep of the Corpus Christi IceRays with a total of four points (2 goals, 2 assists) in the two wins. The 6’0/183 lbs. native of Livonia, Michigan, had a goal and an assist in a 4-2 win on Friday, and another goal and an assist in a 2-0 win on Saturday. For the season, Venegoni is 2nd in team scoring with 12 points in 16 games played. “Jordan has been excellent for us this season. After playing in a supporting role last season, he has taken a big step and now is a leader both on the ice and in the locker room for us. He impacts the game in all situations and has a knack for scoring big goals. This weekend he showed he can be a force offensively, while still making his defensive obligations a priority. I think he just scratching the surface of what he is capable of,” said Bulls head coach Rocky Russo.
2nd Star: Lauri Sertii, D, Amarillo Bulls
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Joey Baez, F, Lone Star Brahmas – Josh Graziano, G, New Mexico Ice Wolves – Quinn Green, F, Topeka Pilots – AJ Martinelli, D, Topeka Pilots
