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 December 5, 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: Greg Orosz, Goaltender, Aberdeen Wings
Aberdeen Wings goalie Greg Orosz, 19, helped his team to a weekend road sweep of the 1st place Austin Bruins. The 6’2/190 lbs. native of Gyor, Hungary, stopped all 62 shots that came his way in the two shutouts, which were his first two in the NAHL. On Friday, Orosz stopped all 33 shots that came his way in a 3-0 win, and then on Saturday he stopped all 29 shots in a 5-0 win. For the season, Orosz has a 3-3-0 record in seven games played with a 2.49 goals against average and a .925 save percentage. “Greg was great this weekend. He played with poise and great focus. He settled the play and was an important part of our sweep this weekend,” said Wings head coach Steve Jennings.
2nd Star: Nik Hong, F, St. Cloud Norsemen
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Logan Dombrowsky, F, North Iowa Bulls – Kyle Gaffney, F, Aberdeen Wings – Dylan Gajeweski, F, North Iowa Bulls – Blake Mesenburg, F, St. Cloud Norsemen – Zach Sandy, G, Minot Minotauros
East Division Star of the Week: Jacob Badal, Forward, Johnstown Tomahawks
Johnstown forward Jacob Badal, 20, helped his club to a weekend road sweep of the Danbury Jr. Hat Tricks. The 6’1/205 lbs. native of Flushing, MI had four points in the two wins, which included three goals and an assist. On Thursday, the Western Michigan University recruit had two goals, including the game-winner and an assist in a 3-2 win. On Friday, he scored another game-winning goal in an 8-2 win. For the season, Badal is 2nd in team scoring with 25 points in 24 games played. “Jacob did this weekend what he has been doing all season and that’s being an effective 200-foot player while being a tremendous asset to our offensive attack. He has been such an important player for us this season and this weekend he delivered almost every shift. We will continue to lean on him even that much more as the season continues to get more challenging. He certainly deserves to be recognized for his efforts and his play,” said Tomahawks head coach Mike Letizia.
2nd Star: Branden Piku, F, Maryland Black Bears
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): David Andreychuk, F, Northeast Generals – Anthony Calafiore, F, New Jersey Titans – Chris Carroll, F, New Jersey Titans – Frank Jenkins, D, Johnstown Tomahawks – Brent Keefer, F, Northeast Generals – Luke Van Why, D, Maryland Black Bears
Midwest Division Star of the Week: Ethan Roberts, Goaltender, Springfield Jr. Blues
Springfield Jr. Blues goalie and NAPHL grad Ethan Roberts, 19, had a memorable weekend as he helped his team to a two-game sweep of the Janesville Jets. The 6’1/180 lbs. native of Cary, NC stopped 83 of 86 shots in the two games and scored a goal. On Friday, Roberts stopped all 36 shots that came his way for his second shutout of the season in a 4-0 win. On Saturday, he made 47 saves in a 6-3 win and was also credited with an empty-net goal as he made a save and was the last Jr. Blues player to touch the puck before it went down the ice and into the empty-net. For the season, Roberts has a 13-5-1 record in 22 games played with a 2.41 goals against average and .926 save percentage. “Ethan has been a huge part of our success this season. He has made the big saves that are needed and gives us an opportunity to win each night,” said Jr. Blues head coach Tyler Rennette.
2nd Star: Tyler Stewart, F, Fairbanks Ice Dogs
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Jack Brown, F, Chippewa Steel – Robert Christy, F, Minnesota Magicians – Cole Dubicki, F, Kenai River Brown Bears – William Gustavsson, F, Janesville Jets – Lucas Kanta, F, Minnesota Magicians – Gramm McCormack, F, Kenai River Brown Bears – Hagen Moe, F, Springfield Jr. Blues – William Persson, F, Minnesota Wilderness – Cam Ricotta, F, Fairbanks Ice Dogs – Max Ruoho, D, Minnesota Wilderness – Ryan Waltman, F, Chippewa Steel
South Division Star of the Week: Devon Bobak, Goaltender, Shreveport Mudbugs
Shreveport Mudbugs goalie Devon Bobak, 20, helped his club to a weekend home sweep of the then 1st place Amarillo Wranglers. The 6’4/194 lbs. native of Northwood, OH, posted back-to-back shutouts of the Wranglers, which were his second and third shutouts of the season. On Friday, he stopped all 20 shots that came his way in a 3-0 win. On Saturday, he stopped all 16 shots in a 4-0 win. For the season, the NA3HL grad has a 5-5-3 record in 13 games played with a 2.41 goals against average and a .905 save percentage. “Devon has grown as a goalie from Day 1. His willingness to be coached and continually work on his game set him up to have a great weekend. He will be a big part of any success we have. We also expect him to continue progressing and giving our team the best chance possible to win hockey games,” said Mudbugs head coach Jason Campbell.
2nd Star: Braden Rourke, D, Corpus Christi IceRays
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Owen Baumgartner, D, Wichita Falls Warriors – Riley Brueck, F, Wichita Falls Warriors – Aiden Emerson, D, New Mexico Ice Wolves – Alex Gomez, F, New Mexico Ice Wolves – Alex Krause, F, El Paso Rhinos – Stepan Kuznetsov, F, Corpus Christi IceRays – Nicholas Niemo, F, Lone Star Brahmas – Patrick Roginski, F, Shreveport Mudbugs – Frank Tafelski, F, El Paso Rhinos – Artur Turansky, F, Lone Star Brahmas – Rylan Yates, F, Odessa Jackalopes
