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 January 8, 2023. 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: Chase LaPinta, Forward, Minot Minotauros
For the second straight week, Minot Minotauros forward Chase LaPinta, 18, has been named as the Central Division Star of the Week. The 5’9/167 lbs. native of Frisco, TX, had six points (4 goals, 2 assists) in the three games against the St. Cloud Norsemen. On Thursday, LaPinta had one of two goals in a 9-2 loss. On Friday, he had a goal and an assist in a 3-2 overtime win. On Saturday, he recorded his first hat-trick of the season in a 6-3 win. LaPinta currently has a goal-scoring streak of 10 straight games, which is the longest streak in the NAHL since the 2005-06 season. For the season, the Arizona State recruit is 2nd in team scoring with 31 points in 30 games played. “Chase had another very good weekend for us. His line continues to be a threat offensively and reliable defensively. We again are proud of Chase and look forward to his continued development,” said Minotauros head coach Cody Campbell.
2nd Star: Austin Salani, F, Austin Bruins
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Stefan Carney, G, North Iowa Bulls – Hunter Garvey, G, Bismarck Bobcats – Logan Gravink, F, Aberdeen Wings – Jake McLean, F, Bismarck Bobcats – Max Scott, F, North Iowa Bulls – Dylan Wegner, 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, 20, who was the NAHL’s Forward of the Month for December, picked up his hot play in January as the Titans picked up a weekend home sweep of the Johnstown Tomahawks. The 5’11/184 lbs. native of Kings Park, NY, had six points (2 goals, 4 assists) and was a +3 in the two wins. On Friday, Young had two goals, including the game-winner, and three assists in a 7-4 win. On Saturday, he picked up an assist in a 4-2 win. For the season, Young currently leads the Titans in scoring with 34 points in 26 games played to date. “Michael picked up in January right where he left off in December. Michael is a huge part of our team, and he was instrumental in getting two wins for us to start the new year. He paced the offensive attack for us and was excellent on the PK as well. We look forward to him continuing to be a huge part of our team moving towards the Robertson Cup playoffs
2nd Star: Connor Sedlak, F, Philadelphia Rebels
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Nicholas Bernardo, D, Maine Nordiques – Anthony Calafiore, F, New Jersey Titans – Christian Catalano, F, Maryland Black Bears – Santino DiNubile, D, Philadelphia Rebels – Adam Schankula, F, Maryland Black Bears
Midwest Division Star of the Week: Dylan Johnson, Goaltender, Janesville Jets
Janesville Jets goalie Dylan Johnson, 17, won both of his starts this past week in his best string of games to date in the NAHL. The 6’1/180 lbs. native of Dallas, TX, stopped 51 of 54 shots in the two wins. On Wednesday, he made 27 saves in a 4-2 home win over the Anchorage Wolverines. On Saturday, he made a career-high 34 saves in a 5-1 home win over the Chippewa Steel. For the season, Johnson has appeared in eight games to date with a 4-4-0 record, a 2.76 goals against average, and a .901 save percentage. “Dylan is continuing to play solid hockey. He comes to the rink every day with a great attitude and mindset to work at his craft. We are extremely proud to have him apart of our organization, community, and team,” said Jets head coach Joe Dibble.
2nd Star: Kayden Hargraves, G, Fairbanks Ice Dogs
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Justin Biraben, F, Fairbanks Ice Dogs – J.J. Grainda, F, Chippewa Steel – Cameron Morris, F, Anchorage Wolverines – Isak Posch, G, Minnesota Wilderness – Nick Stevens, F, Kenai River Brown Bears – Tomas Trunda, F, Chippewa Steel – Nils Wallstrom, G, Kenai River Brown Bears – Aiden Westin, F, Anchorage Wolverines – Ryan Williams, D, Janesville Jets
South Division Star of the Week: Logan Heroux, Defenseman, Shreveport Mudbugs
Shreveport Mudbugs defenseman Logan Heroux, 19, helped his team extend their winning streak to six straight games with a home sweep of the El Paso Rhinos. The 6’2/195 lbs. native of Middletown, NJ, put up four points (2 goals, 2 assists) and was a +6 in the two wins. On Friday, Heroux picked up an assist in a 5-0 win. On Saturday, Heroux scored two goals, including the game-winner, and added an assist in a 6-1 win. For the season, Heroux is currently on a five-game point streak and is tied for 2nd in team scoring with 20 points in 30 games played to date. “Logan is a dynamic defenseman capable of making any play. His motor is always running hot and competes his butt off in both ends of the ice. It was nice to see him get rewarded with a few points by making strong decisions all over the ice,” said Mudbugs head coach Jason Campbell.
2nd Star: Daniel Duris, G, Oklahoma Warriors
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Tanyon Bajzer, F, Odessa Jackalopes – Ryan Mansfield, F, Odessa Jackalopes – Drake Morse, F, Shreveport Mudbugs – Brendan Williams, F, Oklahoma Warriors
