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 March 13, 2022. 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: Ryan O’Neill, Forward, St. Cloud Norsemen
St. Cloud Norsemen forward Ryan O’Neill, 21, helped his club widen their lead atop the Central Division with a weekend home sweep of the Minot Minotauros. The 5’10/175 lbs. native of Roseville, MN, recorded five points in the two wins and was a +6. On Friday, the St. Thomas recruit had a pair of assists in a 4-0 win. On Saturday, O’Neill had two goals, including the game-winner, and an assist in a 5-2 win. For the season, is 5th among all NAHL players in scoring with 61 points (27 goals, 34 assists) in 45 games played to date. “Ryan had a nice weekend and gave us an offensive boost,” said Norsemen head coach Corey Millen.
2nd Star: Ethan Robertson, G, Austin Bruins
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Jacob Bosse, F, Aberdeen Wings – Nico Chmelevski, F, Bismarck Bobcats – Greg Japchen, D, North Iowa Bulls – Michael Mesic, F, North Iowa Bulls – Quinn Rudrud, F, Bismarck Bobcats – Max Strand, F, St. Cloud Norsemen – Ronan Walsh, F, Aberdeen Wings – Walter Zacher, F, Austin Bruins
East Division Star of the Week: Michael Young, Forward, New Jersey Titans
New Jersey Titans forward Michael Young, 19, had a big weekend to help the Titans pick up a weekend sweep of their road series against the Maine Nordiques. The 5’11/180 lbs. native of Kings Park, NY, had five points in the two wins. On Friday, he had a goal and an assist in a 4-3 overtime win. On Saturday, Young had another goal and added two assists in a 7-6 overtime win. For the season, Young is currently 6th in team scoring with 41 points (18 goals, 23 assists) in 45 games played to date. “Michael continued his strong play this past weekend. Michael has continued to grow and progress throughout his first season of junior hockey. He has really come on strong for our team and he is a big part of our group in all phases of the game. He had another big weekend for us in Maine as we had to battle from behind each night,” said Titans head coach Craig Doremus.
2nd Star: David Andreychuk, F, Northeast Generals
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Laker Aldridge, F, Maryland Black Bears – Ignat Belov, F, Maine Nordiques – Reese Farrell, F, Maine Nordiques – Levente Keresztes, F, New Jersey Titans – Michael Morelli, G, Maryland Black Bears – Evan Orr, D, Northeast Generals
Midwest Division Star of the Week: Josh Seeley, Goaltender, Minnesota Magicians
The Minnesota Magicians stayed in the Midwest Division playoff race thanks to a weekend sweep of their home-and-home series with the Chippewa Steel. In goal for both wins was 20-year-old netminder Josh Seeley. The 6’4/201 lbs. native of Trenton, MI, stopped 64 of 66 shots in the two wins. On Friday, Seeley mad 23 saves in a 4-2 road win. On Saturday, he posted his first shutout of the season and made 41 saves in a 4-0 win. Since joining the Magicians in February, Seeley has posted a 3-0-2 record with a 2.86 goals against average and a .919 save percentage. “Josh had a great weekend for us. We got Josh right before the trade deadline because we were looking for an experienced guy to come in for the playoff push and so far he’s been solid for us. We look to continue our success from this past weekend as a team and goaltending is obviously a big part of that. He’s been a good addition on the ice as well as off the ice. He likes to keep it loose, have fun and has fit right into the room like he’s been here all by year.
2nd Star: Alexander Malinowski, F, Fairbanks Ice Dogs
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Cole Crusberg-Roseen, D, Minnesota Wilderness – Chris Kernan, F, Minnesota Magicians – Tyler Krivtsov, G, Fairbanks Ice Dogs – Jan Lasak, F, Janesville Jets – Bryant Marks, G, Kenai River Brown Bears – Hunter Newhouse, F, Kenai River Brown Bears – Jackson Reineke, F, Anchorage Wolverines – Raythan Robbins, G, Anchorage Wolverines – Matthew Smith, G, Minnesota Wilderness
South Division Star of the Week: Devon Bobak, Goaltender, Shreveport Mudbugs
Shreveport Mudbugs goalie Devon Bobak, 20, helped his team pick up a weekend home sweep of the Lone Star Brahmas to stay in 4th place in the South Division and holding onto the final playoff spot. The 6’4/194 lbs. native of Northwood, OH, stopped 52 of 56 shots in the two wins. On Friday, Bobak made 28 saves through regulation and overtime and then stopped seven of nine shooters in a 3-2 shootout win. On Saturday, he made 24 saves and then stopped two of three shooters in the shootout in another 3-2 shootout win. For the season, Bobak has a 22-9-4 record with a 2.08 goals against average and a .919 save percentage. “Devon’s play was crucial this past weekend. Our team needed 4 points and he was a big reason we accomplished that. He made some big saves and really settled things down for us when we needed him too. He stood poised and confident in a long shootout battle Friday night and bounced back with two big saves to help seal another shootout win Saturday night. Both of our goaltenders have a great relationship, pushing each other to be better and it paid off for Devon and our team this weekend,” said Shreveport head coach Jason Campbell.
2nd Star: Rylan Brady, F, Wichita Falls Warriors
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Owen Baumgartner, D, Wichita Falls Warriors – Christopher Duclair, F, Odessa Jackalopes – Jake Mack, F, Shreveport Mudbugs – Mike Manzo, F, Odessa Jackalopes – Matt McQuade, F, Lone Star Brahmas – Artur Turansky, F, Lone Star Brahmas
