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 19, 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: Michael Neumeier, Defenseman, Bismarck Bobcats
Bismarck Bobcats defenseman Michael Neumeier, 18, had a big weekend to lead his team to a weekend home sweep of the North Iowa Bulls. The 6’0/175 lbs. native of Kerrobert, SK, had five points (2 goals, 3 assists) and was a +2 in the two wins. On Friday, he had two assists in a 5-3 win. On Saturday, Neumeier had two goals, including the game-winner, and an assist in a 5-1 win over the Bulls. For the season, Neumeier has 10 points in 26 games played so far this season. “Mike had a great weekend for us. Defensively, he did a great job and is a big reason we are starting to have success on the power play. He's starting to gain confidence and develop into a top defenseman in our league,” said Bismarck head coach Layne Sedevie.
2nd Star: Ethan Dahlmeir, G, St. Cloud Norsemen
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Jacob Bosse, F, Aberdeen Wings – Nick Catalano, F, Austin Bruins – Nakodan Greyeyes, F, Austin Bruins – Nik Hong, F, St. Cloud Norsemen – Greg Japchen, D, North Iowa Bulls – Michael Mesic, F, North Iowa Bulls – Dean Schwenninger, F, Minot Minotauros – Ben Trombly, F, Bismarck Bobcats
East Division Star of the Week: Brendan Dumas, Forward, New Jersey Titans
New Jersey Titans forward Brendan Dumas, 19, helped his team to another weekend sweep as they beat the Maine Nordiques twice to increase their lead in the East Division and move their winning streak to five straight games. The 5’11/185 lbs. native of North Attleboro, MA, had four points (2 goals, 2 assists) in the two wins. On Friday, Dumas had a pair of assists in a 4-2 win. On Saturday, he had two goals in a 5-2 win. For the season, Dumas is currently 2nd in team scoring with 38 points in 32 games played. “Brendan has continued his strong play for us throughout the first half of the season. Brendan has come into our culture and fit in and contributed from Day 1. He is a big part of our team on and off the ice. His energy and passion is infectious. This kid is going to be a big time get for an NCAA Division 1 program. We look forward to him continuing to grow and develop and lead us towards the Robertson Cup Playoffs,” said Titans head coach Craig Doremus.
2nd Star: Zach Stoner, D, Johnstown Tomahawks
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Jacob Badal, F, Johnstown Tomahawks – Ryan Botrill, F, Maryland Black Bears – Ryan Coughlin, F, New Jersey Titans – Zion Green, F, Maine Nordiques – Kyle Schroeder, F, Northeast Generals – Luke Van Why, D, Maryland Black Bears – Zach Whitehead, F, Maine Nordiques
Midwest Division Star of the Week: Cole Dubicki, Forward, Kenai River Brown Bears
It was a busy weekend for the Kenai River Brown Bears and 20-year-old forward Cole Dubicki. The 5’9/170 lbs. native of Seattle, WA, had seven points in three road games in Springfield as the Brown Bears picked up four of a possible six points. On Thursday, the NAPHL grad had two goals, including the game-winner, and added three assists in a 6-0 win. On Friday, he had another goal in a 4-3 shootout loss. On Saturday, he had an assist in a 3-2 overtime loss. For the season, Dubicki leads the Brown Bears in scoring with 37 points in 29 games played. “Cole is an awesome young man who has been an impact guy for us all year. He has really boughten into the little details that has given the team success as of late and as a result he has had a lot of success personally. We are very excited to watch what he can continue to do during the second half of the season.
2nd Star: Raythan Robbins, G, Anchorage Wolverines
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Tommy Aitken, G, Kenai River Brown Bears – Ethan Benz, F, Chippewa Steel – McCabe Dvorak, F, Fairbanks Ice Dogs – Croix Kochendorfer, G, Chippewa Steel – Trevor Kukkonen, F, Minnesota Magicians – Henry Levy, G, Minnesota Magicians – Cameron Morris, F, Anchorage Wolverines – Isaac Novak, D, Springfield Jr. Blues – Jonathan Panisa, F, Springfield Jr. Blues – Aaron Pionk, D, Minnesota Wilderness – Nicholas Rexine, F, Minnesota Wilderness – Cam Ricotta, F, Fairbanks Ice Dogs
South Division Star of the Week: Nathan Butler, Forward, Corpus Christi IceRays
Corpus Christi IceRays forward Nathan Butler, 19, helped his team to a weekend road sweep of the Odessa Jackalopes over the weekend. The 5’10/165 lbs. native of Wylie, TX, had three goals and was +2 in the two wins. On Friday, he had a goal in a 3-2 overtime win. On Saturday, he scored two more goals, including the game-winner, in a 6-2 win. For the season, Butler leads the IceRays in scoring with 19 points in 27 games played. “Obviously Nathan had a big weekend offensively for us. For me it was his play away from the puck and dedication to playing the right way that was really impressive. It led us to team success on the weekend. He’s been working hard at it and it is helping him show up in big moments for our team,” said IceRays head coach Mike Lysyj.
2nd Star: Brandon Holt, D, New Mexico Ice Wolves
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Blake Benson, F, Lone Star Brahmas – Jack Collins, F, Lone Star Brahmas – Alex Gomez, F, New Mexico Ice Wolves – Max Gutjahr, G, Amarillo Wranglers – Braden Rourke, D, Corpus Christi IceRays – Lukas Sedlacek, F, Shreveport Mudbugs – Garrett Steele, F, Shreveport Mudbugs
