NAHL announces Bauer Hockey 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 October 17, 2021. The Divisional Stars of the Week is a weekly feature during the 2021-22 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: Matys Brassard, Forward, Austin Bruins
Austin Bruins forward Matys Brassard, 18, helped his club pick up a weekend home sweep of the Bismarck Bobcats. The 5’10/165 lbs. native of Montreal, Quebec, posted three points (1 goal, 2 assists) and was a +4 in the two wins. On Friday, Brassard had a goal and an assist in a 4-3 win, and then on Saturday, he had an assist in a 5-1 win. For the season, Brassard has six points in nine games played. “Matys and his linemates had a great weekend for us. Matys has been sidelined the last couple of weeks with a minor injury but he’s healthy now and playing very well. He keeps getting better each game and our staff is looking forward to watching his development continue to grow throughout the season,” said Bruins head coach Steve Howard.
2nd Star: Zach Sandy, G, Minot Minotauros
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Chris Carroll, F, North Iowa Bulls – Drew Holt, F, Bismarck Bobcats – Huston Karpman, F, Minot Minotauros – John Larkin, D, Austin Bruins – Joey Potter, D, North Iowa Bulls
East Division Star of the Week: Jake Black, Forward, Johnstown Tomahawks
Johnstown Tomahawks forward Jake Black, 19, had a big pair of games as he helped the Tomahawks to a weekend home sweep of the Maine Nordiques. The 5’11/175 lbs. native of Pomfret, CT, exploded for five points in the two wins, which included four goals and an assist, to go along with a +5 rating. On Friday, Black had two goals and an assist in a 6-3 win. On Saturday, he scored a pair of goals again, this time including the game-winner, in a 5-2 win. For the season, Black leads the Tomahawks in scoring with 17 points in 11 games played, which ranks him tied for 2nd in league scoring. “Jake continued to do this weekend what he has most of the season for us and that is produce offense. He was certainly a catalyst for us in our two wins. I think he has really started to understand the league and what it takes, and he is combining that with his great scoring touch. The NCAA Division 1 attention has been really picking up for him, and I believe he definitely deserves it,” said Johnstown head coach Mike Letizia.
2nd Star: Brendan Dumas, F, New Jersey Titans
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Jacob Badal, F, Johnstown Tomahawks – Tommy Bannister, F, New Jersey Titans – Aden Bruich, F, Maryland Black Bears – Conor Cole, F, Maryland Black Bears – Tristan Fasig, F, Maine Nordiques – Jonny Meiers, F, Maine Nordiques
Midwest Division Star of the Week: Talon Sigurdson, Forward, Anchorage Wolverines
Anchorage Wolverines forward Talon Sigurdson, 19, continued his torrid goal-scoring pace this weekend as the Wolverines took two of three games in the home series against Springfield. The 6’2/180 lbs. native of Sartell, MN, and NAPHL grad, had four goals in the three games. On Friday, he had two goals in a 6-2 win. On Saturday, he scored a goal in a 5-2 loss. On Sunday, he scored another goal in a 4-1 win. For the season, Sigurdson leads the team in scoring with 17 points in 12 games played. His 13 goals currently leads the NAHL. “Talon is an incredible player and even a better person. He does things the right way and it is great to see him get rewarded for his efforts. He is leading the league in goals scored right now, but I guarantee he would say it’s all because of his teammates. He is a special kid who could play this game for a long time,” said Wolverines head coach Mike Aikens.
2nd Star: Raythan Robbins, G, Anchorage Wolverines
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Ethan Benz, F, Chippewa Steel – Mason Campbell, D, Minnesota Magicians – Cole Crusberg-Roseen, D, Minnesota Wilderness – Nolan Cunningham, D, Fairbanks Ice Dogs – Croix Kochendorfer, G, Chippewa Steel – Hunter Longhi, F, Minnesota Magicians – Hagen Moe, F, Springfield Jr. Blues – Billy Renfrew, F, Fairbanks Ice Dogs – Nicholas Rexine, F, Minnesota Wilderness
South Division Star of the Week: Max Gutjahr, Goaltender, Amarillo Wranglers
Amarillo Wranglers goalie Max Gutjahr, 20, had a big weekend as he helped his team to a road sweep of the Shreveport Mudbugs. The 6’1/180 lbs. native of Appleton, WI, stopped 64 of 67 shots in the pair of wins. On Friday, he made 36 saves in a 3-1 win. On Saturday, he made 28 saves through regulation and overtime and then stopped all five shooters in a shootout in a 3-2 win. For the season, Gutjahr has a 5-3-0 record with a 2.90 goals against average and .912 save percentage. “Max’s play, leadership, and temperament has given our team much needed confidence and inspiration early on this season. Max is a selfless player and his teammates are his biggest fans. It’s a well-deserved honor for a young man who battles every day for his team,” said Wranglers head coach Harry Mahood.
2nd Star: Will Proctor, G, Odessa Jackalopes
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Damon Beaver, G, Corpus Christi IceRays – Connor Gatto, F, Shreveport Mudbugs – Justin Hughes, F, Odessa Jackalopes – Jeff Hutchinson, D, New Mexico Ice Wolves – Nik Miller, F, Shreveport Mudbugs - Nicholas Niemo, F, Lone Star Brahmas – Matt O’Donnell, G, Wichita Falls Warriors – Artur Turansky, F, Lone Star Brahmas – Drew Vieten, F, Wichita Falls Warriors