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 February 5, 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: Ethan Dahlmeir, Goaltender, St. Cloud Norsemen
The St. Cloud Norsemen and goalie Ethan Dahlmeir, 19, picked up three out of four points this past weekend in a series against Bismarck. The 6’4/215 lbs. native of Lakeville, MN, allowed just a single goal in the two games, stopping 35 of 36 shots. On Friday, he stopped all 13 shots that came his way for his second shutout of the season in a 2-0 win. On Saturday, he made 22 saves and allowed just a single goal in regulation in a 2-1 shootout loss. For the season, Dahlmeir had an 8-7-0 record in 18 appearances with a 2.12 goals against average and .927 save percentage. “Ethan has been playing with more consistency and helping us have a chance every night,” said Norsemen head coach Corey Millen.
2nd Star: Lawton Zacher, G, Minot Minotauros
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Luke Backel, F, Aberdeen Wings – Mitch Day, G, North Iowa Bulls – Logan Dombrowsky, F, North Iowa Bulls – Hunter Garvey, G, Bismarck Bobcats - Linards Lipskis, G, Bismarck Bobcats – Landon Parker, F, Aberdeen Wings – Ocean Wallace, F, Austin Bruins – Walter Zacher, F, Austin Bruins
East Division Star of the Week: Brendan Gibbons, Forward, Maine Nordiques
Gibbons, 20, had a productive weekend to lead the Nordiques to a weekend home sweep of the Philadelphia Rebels. The 6’2/200 lbs. native of Wakefield, RI, had five points in the sweep, including three goals and two assists. On Friday, the Air Force recruit had two goals and two assists in a 7-2 win. On Saturday, he had the game-winning goal in a 4-1 win. For the season, Gibbons leads the Nordiques in scoring with 41 points in 37 games played to date. “The word commitment defines how Brendan goes about his business. He’s a committed teammate, student, and leader. To be so offensively consistent and still focus on the defensive side of his game is a testament to how much trust he will earn at the next level. Accountability and execution are a huge part of his game and what he brings to our room as our Captain. He’s never satisfied. The staff at Air Force has a true leader coming their way,” said Nordiques head Matt Pinchevsky.
2nd Star: Joe Harney, D, New Jersey Titans
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Drake Albers, F, Johnstown Tomahawks – Dylan Shane, D, Johnstown Tomahawks – Filip Wiberg, F, Maine Nordiques – Michael Young, F, New Jersey Titans
Midwest Division Star of the Week: Sam Rice, Forward, Chippewa Steel
Chippewa Steel forward Sam Rice, 19, had a big weekend as he helped his team to a weekend home sweep of the Kenai River Brown Bears. The 5’9/161 lbs. native of Prior Lake, MN, had four goals in the two wins. On Friday, Rice had a hat-trick, including the game-winning goal, in a 5-1 win. On Saturday, he scored again in a 6-2 win. For the season, Rice is 2nd in team scoring with 34 points in 38 games played to date. “Sam has been our most consistent forward over the last few weeks. He plays the right way every night and I’m happy to see some pucks go in the net for him. His progression and growth throughout his first year of junior hockey has been tremendous. We are excited to see how the rest of the season goes for him,” said Steel head coach Casey Mignone.
2nd Star: Tyler Borgula, F, Springfield Jr. Blues and Kevin Marx Noren, F, Minnesota Wilderness
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Zach Burfoot, F, Wisconsin Windigo – J.J. Grainda, F, Chippewa Steel – Samuel Groebner, D, Wisconsin Windigo – Hadley Hudak, F, Springfield Jr. Blues – Parker Mabbett, F, Janesville Jets – Fedya Nikolayenya, F, Anchorage Wolverines – Jackson Reineke, F, Anchorage Wolverines – Gunnar Thorseson, F, Minnesota Wilderness – Max Wagener, F, Janesville Jets
South Division Star of the Week: Daniel Duris, Goaltender, Oklahoma Warriors
Oklahoma Warriors goalie Daniel Duris, 19, backstopped his team to three wins this past week. The 6’1/180 lbs. native of Martin, Slovakia, gave up just three goals in three games, stopping 84 of 87 shots. On Wednesday, he made 21 saves in a 7-1 home over Amarillo. On Friday, he stopped all 36 shots that came his way for his third shutout of the season in a 5-0 win at Corpus Christi. On Saturday, he made 24 saves in a 7-2 win in Corpus Christi. For the season, Duris has an 18-3-0 record in 23 games played with a 2.06 goals against average and a .921 save percentage. His 18 wins is currently 2nd in the NAHL. “Daniel had a great weekend and has continued to give us a chance to win every night. He has been fantastic for us all season long and deserves this recognition,” said Warriors head coach Garrett Roth.
2nd Star: Garrett Horsager, D, Oklahoma Warriors
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Tanyon Bajzer, F, Odessa Jackalopes – Luca Ganz, G, Amarillo Wranglers – Tony Leahy, F, New Mexico Ice Wolves – Alfred Lindberg, F, New Mexico Ice Wolves – Jake Mack, F, Shreveport Mudbugs – Jack McDonald, F, Amarillo Wranglers – Hayden Nichol, F, Shreveport Mudbugs
