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 April 3, 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: Blake Perbix, Forward, St. Cloud Norsemen
St. Cloud forward Blake Perbix, 20, had a big week to help the Central Division Champion Norsemen pick up three more wins in four games this past week. The 5’9/165 lbs. native of Princeton, MN, had five points and was a +5 in the three games. The week began on Wednesday when Perbix had a pair of assists in a 4-3 overtime win in North Iowa. On Friday, he scored the game-winning goal in a 3-2 home win over the Bulls. On Sunday, he had a pair of assists in a 4-1 win in Janesville. For the season, the Northern Michigan recruit is tied for 4th in team scoring so far this season with 48 points in 53 games played. “Blake is a very smart player and has great offensive instincts. We need him to be a part of our scoring for success,” said Norsemen head coach Corey Millen.
2nd Star: Jackson Yee, F, Aberdeen Wings
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Tomas Bolo, G, St. Cloud Norsemen – Kyle Gaffney, F, Aberdeen Wings – Klayton Knapp, G, Austin Bruins – Jack Mesic, D, North Iowa Bulls – Owen Michaels, F, Bismarck Bobcats – Carter Rapalje, F, North Iowa Bulls – Ryan Taylor, F, Bismarck Bobcats
East Division Star of the Week: Egan Schmitt, Forward, Johnstown Tomahawks
Johnstown Tomahawks forward Egan Schmitt, 20, had a big four-point weekend to help the Tomahawks pick up a weekend road sweep of the division-champion New Jersey Titans. The 6’1/175 lbs. native of Cambridge, NY, began the weekend with two goals, including the overtime-winner, in a 4-3 win on Friday. On Saturday, he picked up a pair of assists in a 4-1 win in New Jersey. For the season, Schmitt has recorded 33 points in 41 games played to date. “Egan had a great weekend for us with offensive contributions and relentless play all over the ice. He has been such a valuable 200-foot player to our lineup this season, and he really delivered in a big weekend for us. We needed guys to step up, and he certainly was one of the guys that led the way. We will need that and more from him as we go forward. I am proud of the way he elevated his game and helped us pick up two crucial road wins in New Jersey,” said Johnstown head coach Mike Letizia.
2nd Star: Reid Lune, F, Jamestown Rebels
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Matthew Davies, D, Maryland Black Bears – Luca Di Pasquo, G, Maryland Black Bears – Brendan Gibbons, F, Maine Nordiques – Peter Lychnikoff, F, Danbury Jr. Hat Tricks – Matthew O’Donnell, G, Johnstown Tomahawks – Avery Sturtz, G, Maine Nordiques – Luka Sukovic, F, Danbury Jr. Hat Tricks
Midwest Division Star of the Week: Jan Lasak, Forward, Janesville Jets
With two wins in three games this past weekend, the Janeville Jets and forward Jan Lasak, 19, stayed in the hunt for the final playoff spot in the Midwest. The 6’2/180 lbs. native of Banska Stiavnica, Slovakia, had five point in the three games. On Friday, Lasak had a goal and two assists in a 5-1 road win against the Minnesota Magicians. On Saturday, he had an assist in an 8-3 win. On Sunday, he scored the lone goal for the Jets in a 4-1 home loss at St. Cloud. For the season, the St. Lawrence recruit in 2nd in team scoring to date with 50 points in 47 games played. “Jan was great for us this past weekend and has been all season long. He’s a leader and excellent teammate. We rely on him at both ends of the rink to provide offense while also being one of the most responsible and gifted defensive forwards in the division. He does so many things well and the attribute our staff appreciates the most from him is his consistency. Every single practice and game you can rely on him to do his job. We are very proud of him for being recognized for his play this weekend and all season long,” said Jets head coach Parker Burgess.
2nd Star: Nicholas Rexine, F, Minnesota Wilderness
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Sam Frandina, D, Chippewa Steel – Jake Hale, F, Fairbanks Ice Dogs – Barrett Hall, F, Minnesota Wilderness – Kayden Hargraves, G, Fairbanks Ice Dogs – Mack Keryluk, F, Janesville Jets – Kade Nielsen, F, Chippewa Steel – Carson Triggs, F, Kenai River Brown Bears
South Division Star of the Week: Devon Bobak, Goaltender, Shreveport Mudbugs
Behind another big weekend performance from goalie Devon Bobak, 20, the Shreveport Mudbugs clinched the final playoff spot in the South Division with a weekend road sweep of the Odessa Jackalopes. The 6’4/194 lbs. native of Northwood, OH, stopped 63 of 65 shots over the weekend, allowing just a single goal in each of the wins. On Friday, he made 33 saves in a 4-1 win. On Saturday, he made 30 saves in a 2-1 win. Bobak is among the NAHL’s league leaders in goal as he ranks 2nd in goals against average (2.02), and ranks 3rd in save percentage (.924) and wins (27). “Our team needed another huge weekend and Devon came through for us once again. We were fortunate enough to give him some good run support early in Friday’s game, then we leaned on him hard Saturday. Our goaltending has been an integral part of our team’s turnaround and this past weekend was no different with Devon leading the way for us and helping us clinch a playoff spot,” said Mudbugs head coach Jason Campbell.
2nd Star: Brandon Milberg, G, Wichita Falls Warriors
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Owen Baumgartner, D, Wichita Falls Warriors – Kyle Furey, D, Lone Star Brahmas – Jonathan Horn, F, El Paso Rhinos – Jeff Hutchinson, D, New Mexico Ice Wolves - Tony Leahy, F, New Mexico Ice Wolves - Jake Mack, F, Shreveport Mudbugs – Colby Seitz, F, Corpus Christi IceRays – Oliver Stumpel, F, Corpus Christi IceRays – Artur Turansky, F, Lone Star Brahmas – Jacob Zacharewicz, G, El Paso Rhinos
