NAHL announces monthly player awards for December
The North American Hockey League (NAHL) has announced its monthly player awards for the month of December. The Forward of the Month is Cole Dubicki from the Kenai River Brown Bears. The Defenseman of the Month is Braden Rourke from the Corpus Christi IceRays. The Goaltender of the Month is Tyler Krivtsov from the Fairbanks Ice Dogs. Only players who are nominated by their respective teams are considered for the NAHL monthly awards.
Bauer Hockey NAHL Forward of the Month: Cole Dubicki, Kenai River Brown Bears
Dubicki, 20, had his best month in an NAHL uniform in December. The 5’9/170 lbs. native of Seattle, WA, led all NAHL players during the month of December with 16 points, including 4 goals and 12 assists in just seven games played. That included four straight multi-point games and he recorded at least a point in all seven games during the month. Dubicki is a former two-time NAPHL All-Star and played in the NAPHL for four seasons from 2016-20 for the Everett Silvertips Elite program (now Northwest Stars). He is currently tied for 5th in NAHL scoring with 38 points in 31 games played so far this season. “Cole has really elevated his play through the month of December. He has found a way to impact the game consistently and continues to be a leader of our group on and off the ice,” said Brown Bears interim head coach Taylor Shaw.
“I owe a lot of success to my linemates, teammates, and coaching staff. Throughout December, we as a team collectively bought into the little details of the game which has translated to team success as a whole. I have focused on improving my personal game by taking care of both sides of the puck and turning strong defense into offense,” said Dubicki. “Returning to Kenai this year, I knew I would be stepping into a larger role and that excited me. My goal for this season is to continue working with my coaches to develop my game in all areas, and to continue being a leader both on and off the ice. I hope to reach my dream of earning an NCAA commitment and ultimately, professional hockey.”
Runner-Up: Chris Carroll, New Jersey Titans
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Jacob Badal, Johnstown Tomahawks – Gavin Best, Minnesota Magicians – Nathan Butler, Corpus Christi IceRays – Nik Hong, St. Cloud Norsemen – Huston Karpman, Minot Minotauros – Jazz Krivtsov, Danbury Jr. Hat Tricks – Michael Mesic, North Iowa Bulls – Sutter Muzzatti, Austin Bruins – Cade Neilson, Aberdeen Wings – Robby Newton, Janesville Jets – Nicholas Niemo, Lone Star Brahmas – Branden Piku, Maryland Black Bears – Nicholas Rexine, Minnesota Wilderness – Talon Sigurdson, Anchorage Wolverines – Garrett Steele, Shreveport Mudbugs – Tyler Stewart, Fairbanks Ice Dogs – Theo Thrun, Maine Nordiques – Ben Troumbly, Bismarck Bobcats – Rylan Yates, Odessa Jackalopes
Bauer Hockey NAHL Defenseman of the Month: Braden Rourke, Corpus Christi IceRays
Corpus Christi IceRays rookie defenseman Braden Rourke, 17, had a breakout month of December. The 6’1/175 lbs. native of Des Moines, IA, had eight points (4 goals, 4 assists) in eight games played during the month and was also a +6. Rourke had three multi-point games during the month. He was runner-up for the South Division Star of the Week for the week ending December 5th for his five point week. So far during the 2021-22 season Rourke has recorded 15 points in 31 games played. “Braden is one of those kids you love to be around. He loves the game, being around the rink and working on his game. He is very committed to learning to play the right way. As an offensive minded defenseman, his game has really matured over the course of the season. He’s recognizing how and when to pick his spots to contribute to our offense. Our entire organization is really happy for Braden being recognized as Defenseman of the Month,” said IceRays head coach Mike Lysyj.
“I think a key component of my success was my focus on the preparation and training the coaches have us working on leading up to the weekends. Coach always stresses to continue to work on the small things and to increase our effort during the week, which helps us be better prepared for the weekend. Another big part of the success was our overall team. We really came together over the last month and we started to focus on the small details of the game that make the biggest difference in our success as a team,” said Rourke. “One of my main goals for the remainder of the season is to work with the coaches and team to continue to get stronger and to develop as we make a push for the playoffs where we can make a run for the Robertson Cup. My long term goal would be to get an opportunity to continue my academics and hockey career at an NCAA Division I school.”
Runner-Up: Davis Goukler, Shreveport Mudbugs
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Jon Bell, Minnesota Magicians - Nicholas Bernardo, Maine Nordiques – Joshua Burke, Danbury Jr. Hat Tricks – Campbell Cichosz, Anchorage Wolverines – Nolan Cunningham, Fairbanks Ice Dogs – Kyle Furey, Lone Star Brahmas – Carter Green, Kenai River Brown Bears – Frank Jenkins, Johnstown Tomahawks – John Larkin, Austin Bruins – Cole Mickel, Minot Minotauros – Michael Neumeier, Bismarck Bobcats – Max Ruoho, Minnesota Wilderness – Kevin Scott, Maryland Black Bears – Trevor Taulien, Odessa Jackalopes – Sean Vlasich, North Iowa Bulls
NAHL Goaltender of the Month: Tyler Krivtsov, Fairbanks Ice Dogs
Krivtsov, 18, had his best month in an NAHL uniform in December. The 6’2/175 lbs. native of Santa Clarita, CA, celebrated his 18th birthday at the beginning of the month and then followed that up with a perfect 4-0 record in four appearances in December. Krivtsov allowed just five goals in his four starts, stopping 98 of 103 shots, which was good for a .951 save percentage and 1.25 goals against average during the month. Krivtsov, who played the past two previous seasons in the NAPHL for the Shattuck-St. Mary’s 18U team, is 9-5-0 this season in 14 games played with a 2.61 goals against average and .899 save percentage. “Tyler really went to another level in December. I think we are fortunate that we have a great tandem of goalies in Tyler and Kayden Hargraves that are both playing well right now and giving us a chance to win every game. We are hopeful that momentum and improvement can continue during the second half of the season as we make a run towards the playoffs,” said Fairbanks head coach Trevor Stewart.
“The success of our team in December was what helped my personal success. When the Dogs get on a roll you get in a good rhythm and just have fun playing. We have a tight group that supports each other, and our coaching staff is top tier,” said Krivtsov. “I look to continue to develop into a better version of myself and to gain tons of experience which would put me on path to NCAA Division I hockey.”
Runner-Up: Devon Bobak, Shreveport Mudbugs
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Tommy Aitken, Kenai River Brown Bears – Damon Beaver, Corpus Christi IceRays – Ben Behrens, Bismarck Bobcats – Tomas Bolo, St. Cloud Norsemen – Carter Clafton, Minot Minotauros – Hunter Garvey, North Iowa Bulls – Max Gutjahr, Amarillo Wranglers – Konrad Kausch, Minnesota Wilderness – Klayton Knapp, Austin Bruins – Croix Kochendorfer, Chippewa Steel – Henry Levy, Minnesota Magicians – Michael Morelli, Maryland Black Bears – Will Proctor, Odessa Jackalopes – Raythan Robbins, Anchorage Wolverines – Jan Skorpik, Lone Star Brahmas – Avery Sturtz, Maine Nordiques – Andrew Takacs, New Jersey Titans
