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 15, 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: Gavin Morrisey, Forward, Austin Bruins
Austin Bruins forward Gavin Morrisey, 19, had a big weekend as the Bruins widened their lead atop the Central Division with a weekend home-and-home sweep of the St. Cloud Norsemen. The 5’11/180 lbs. native of Rochester Hills, MI, recorded five points (1 goal, 4 assists) in the two wins. On Friday, he had the game-winning goal and three assists in a 6-3 win. On Saturday, he had an assist in a 2-1 road win. For the season, the Minnesota State recruit is 2nd in team scoring with 32 points in 35 games played. “Gavin has been consistently making plays for us and he played great this weekend. He is a 200-foot player with skill, and we are looking for him to continue playing well down the stretch,” said Bruins head coach Steve Howard.
2nd Star: Hunter Longhi, F, Minot Minotauros
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Kyle Contessa, F, Aberdeen Wings - Mitch Day, G, North Iowa Bulls – Kyle Doll, F, Bismarck Bobcats – Hunter Garvey, G, Bismarck Bobcats – James Goffredo, D, Austin Bruins – Cole Moore, G, Aberdeen Wings – Joe Sweeney, D, North Iowa Bulls – Lawton Zacher, G, Minot Minotauros
East Division Star of the Week: Alec Rajalin-Scharp, Goaltender, Johnstown Tomahawks
Johnstown Tomahawks goalie Alec Rajalin-Scharp, 19, led his team to a weekend home sweep of the Maine Nordiques. The 5’11/175 lbs. native of Stockholm, Sweden, stopped 59 of 62 shots in the two wins. That included a 30-save shutout in a 2-0 win on Friday and 29 saves in a 4-3 win on Saturday. For the season, Rajalin-Scharp has a 9-8-1 recprd in 19 games played with a 3.24 goals against average and a .896 save percentage. “I don’t think it was any secret that this past weekend was really big for our club, and Alec delivered an outstanding two-night performance. He can give our team a chance to win every night when he is on his game. We are hoping that his play this weekend can springboard into more success for our team as we climb the back half of the season,” said Johnstown head coach Mike Letizia.
2nd Star: Klaus Jogi, F, Philadelphia Rebels
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Dominik Bartecko, F, New Jersey Titans – Tyler DesRochers, D, Johnstown Tomahawks – Jakub Krbecek, G, Philadelphia Rebels – Brad McNeil, F, Maryland Black Bears – Brian Robertson, D, New Jersey Titans – Luke Van Why, D, Maryland Black Bears
Midwest Division Star of the Week: Kayden Hargraves, Goaltender, Fairbanks Ice Dogs
Fairbanks goalie Kayden Hargraves, 20, was on fire this past weekend as the Ice Dogs posted their first weekend home sweep of the 2022-23 season as they beat Kenai River. The 6’1/175 lbs. native of Cheyenne, WY, was in goal for both wins and stopped 58 of 60 shots. On Friday, he posted his third shutout of the year, making 25 saves in a 2-0 win. On Saturday, he made 33 saves in a 3-2 win. For the season, the Augustana recruit is 19-8-2 in 29 games played with a 2.44 goals against average and a .930 save percentage. “Kayden continues to take care of his responsibilities, which plays an important role in our team’s success,” said Ice Dogs head coach Dave Allison.
2nd Star: Aksel Reid, G, Springfield Jr. Blues
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Edvards Bergmanis, F, Springfield Jr. Blues – Frank Jenkins, D, Wisconsin Windigo – Max Martin, F, Wisconsin Windigo – Ben Monson, D, Kenai River Brown Bears – Billy Renfrew, F, Fairbanks Ice Dogs – Nils Wallstrom, G, Kenai River Brown Bears
South Division Star of the Week: Brendan Williams, Forward, Oklahoma Warriors
Oklahoma Warriors forward Brendan Williams, 20, had another big weekend as the Warriors picked up a weekend road sweep in Shreveport of the Mudbugs. The 5-9/161 lbs. native of San Juan Capistrano, CA, had five points in the two wins. On Friday, Williams had a goal and three assists in a 5-4 win. On Saturday, he picked up an assist in a 6-3 win. For the season, Williams is 2nd in team scoring with 32 points in 27 games played. “Brendan has been an impact player from the moment he came to our organization last year. What he brings to our team and his compete level to help the team have success is what will help him have success in college next year. This weekend was no exception to the way he has played all season. He is everything as a coach you would want in a player and I couldn't be more excited to see what his future has in store for him,” said Warriors head coach Garrett Roth.
2nd Star: Gergely Orosz, G, Odessa Jackalopes
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Yusaku Ando, F, New Mexico Ice Wolves – Carter Clafton, G, Amarillo Wranglers – Ben Ivey, F, Amarillo Wranglers – Cameron Korpi, G, Oklahoma Warriors – Ray Murakami, D, Lone Star Brahmas – Sully Scholle, F, New Mexico Ice Wolves – David Skuhrovec, F, Lone Star Brahmas
