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 November 20, 2022. The Divisional Stars of the Week is a weekly feature during the 2022-23 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: Brandon Reller, Forward, Bismarck Bobcats
Bismarck forward Brandon Reller, 19, helped the Bobcats pick up three of four points in a weekend road series in Mason City against the North Iowa Bulls. The 6’4/210 lbs. native of Hanover, MN, had four points on the weekend, including a goal and three assists. On Friday, Reller assisted on two goals in a 4-3 overtime loss. On Saturday, he had a goal and an assist in an 8-1 win. For the season, Reller has six points in 11 games played to date. “Brandon has been a big addition in his return to the lineup. He has really helped our offense get clicking again. He is a big power forward that plays hard and that makes him very effective,” said Bobcats head coach Layne Sedevie.
2nd Star: Justin Dauphinais, F, Minot Minotauros
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Logan Dombrowsky, F, North Iowa Bulls – Jack Malinski, D, Austin Bruins – Eli Miller, F, North Iowa Bulls – Ethan Robertson, G, Austin Bruins – Luke Roelofs, D, Bismarck Bobcats
East Division Star of the Week: Jakub Krbecek, Goaltender, Philadelphia Rebels
Philadelphia Rebels goalie Jakub Krbecek, 19, started and won both games this past weekend as the Rebels snapped their losing streak with a road sweep of the Danbury Jr. Hat Tricks. The 6’2/180 lbs. native of Prague, Czech Republic, stopped 54 of a possible 56 shots in the two wins, allowing a one goal in each win. On Friday, he made 23 saves in a 2-1 overtime win. On Saturday, he made 31 saves in a 7-1 win. For the season, Krbecek has a 6-8-0 record in 15 games played with a 2.72 goals against average and a .916 save percentage. “Jakub was solid all weekend for us. He competed hard and made some timely saves for our group when we needed them the most. We are happy for him to get this award. He’s worked hard behind the scenes and been a consistent performer for our group to this point,” said Rebels head coach Justin Hale.
2nd Star: Zakari Brice, G, New Jersey Titans
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Zach Aben, F, Johnstown Tomahawks – Dominik Bartecko, F, New Jersey Titans – Patriks Berzins, G, Danbury Jr. Hat Tricks – Branden Piku, F, Maryland Black Bears – Connor Sedlak, F, Philadelphia Rebels – Johnny Ulicny, F, Johnstown Tomahawks – Gunnar VanDamme, D, Maryland Black Bears
Midwest Division Star of the Week: Gavin Moffatt, Goaltender, Wisconsin Windigo
Wisconsin Windigo goalie Gavin Moffatt, 18, had his best weekend of the season to date as he helped the Windigo to a weekend home sweep of the Janesville Jets. The 6’0/170 lbs. native of Darien, CT, allowed just one goal in the two wins, stopping 61 of 62 shots. On Friday, Moffatt made 33 saves through regulation and overtime then stopped all three shooters in the shootout in a 2-1 shootout win. On Saturday, he made 28 saves for his first shutout of the season in a 3-0 win. In six games played this season, Moffatt has a 3-3-0 record with a 2.30 goals against average and a .923 save percentage. “Gavin was great this weekend. He shows up every day and puts in extra work all week and is being rewarded for that. I’m happy for him,” said Windigo head coach Blake Hietala.
2nd Star: Peyton Platter, F, Chippewa Steel
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Matthew Brille, F, Chippewa Steel – Joe Cesario, F, Minnesota Wilderness – Garett Drotts, F, Kenai River Brown Bears – Caleb Huffman, D, Kenai River Brown Bears – Ren Morque, D, Minnesota Wilderness – Billy Renfrew, F, Fairbanks Ice Dogs – Cameron Ricotta, F, Fairbanks Ice Dogs
South Division Star of the Week: Luca Ganz, Goaltender, Amarillo Wranglers
Amarillo Wranglers goalie Luca Ganz, 19, was in goal for both weekend wins as the Wranglers picked up a weekend home sweep of the El Paso Rhinos. The 6’1/175 lbs. native of Kaufbeuren, Germany, stopped 39 of 41 shots in the two wins, allowing just a goal in each game. On Friday, he made 20 saves in a 5-1 win and then on Saturday, he made 19 saves in a 4-1 win. For the season, Ganz has a 8-2-0 record in 11 games played with a 2.44 goals against average and a .899 save percentage. “Luca has done a great job transitioning to the pace of play and rigorous schedule of the NAHL. He has given our team a boost the last few weeks with his steady play and leadership,” said Amarillo head coach Harry Mahood.
2nd Star: Yusaku Ando, F, New Mexico Ice Wolves
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Jack Dalton, D, New Mexico Ice Wolves – Chase Davis, F, Amarillo Wranglers – William Lawson-Body, F, Oklahoma Warriors – Lukas Malant, G, Corpus Christi IceRays – Hans Martin Ulvebne, F, Corpus Christi IceRays – Brendan Williams, F, Oklahoma Warriors
