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 19, 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: Dylan Cook, Forward, Austin Bruins
Austin Bruins forward Dylan Cook, 19, pick up five points as the Bruins split a weekend home series against Bismarck. The 6’0/180 lbs. native of Princeton, MN, began the weekend with the game-winning goal and two assists in a 4-0 win on Friday. On Saturday, Cook had a goal and an assist in a 4-3 loss. For the season, Cook is currently tied for 4th in team scoring with 32 points in 44 games played to date. “Dylan played fantastic this weekend. He made plays, finished checks and scored goals. We want him to continue to play well down the stretch,” said Bruins head coach Steve Howard.
2nd Star: Mitch Day, G, North Iowa Bulls
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Jackson Bisson, F, North Iowa Bulls – Owen Dubois, F, Aberdeen Wings – Logan Gravink, F, Aberdeen Wings – Daniels Mornieks, F, St. Cloud Norsemen – Adam Pietila, F, Bismarck Bobcats – Brandon Reller, F, Bismarck Bobcats – Anthony Ruklic, F, St. Cloud Norsemen – Austin Salani, F, Austin Bruins – Lawton Zacher, G, Minot Minotauros
East Division Star of the Week: Paul Minnehan, Forward, Northeast Generals
Northeast Generals forward Paul Minnehan, 19, was an offensive force this past week in three games against the Maine Nordiques. The 6’2/166 lbs. native of Cypress, CA, totaled nine points in the three games. On Thursday, he had a goal and four assists in a 6-5 home loss. The next night, he picked up a goal and two assists in a 4-1 win. On Sunday, he assisted on the lone Generals goal in a 2-1 loss. For the season, the Arizona State recruit is 2nd in league scoring with 64 points in 43 games played to date. “Paul has been great all year. We have hit a little bit of a rough patch as a team and Paul has really stepped up both on and off the ice. He has set the example of how to work hard shift after shift. Paul is not only a great player but a great captain that continues to produce game in and game out. We look forward to his contributions as we come down the stretch,” said Generals head coach Bryan Erikson.
2nd Star: Michael Young, F, New Jersey Titans
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Kael Depape, G, Maine Nordiques – Adam Johnson, G, Johnstown Tomahawks – Levente Keresztes, F, New Jersey Titans – Brad McNeil, F, Maryland Black Bears – Ryan Panico, F, Johnstown Tomahawks – Branden Piku, F, Maryland Black Bears – Filip Wiberg, F, Maine Nordiques
Midwest Division Star of the Week: Marcus Broberg, Defenseman, Springfield Jr. Blues
Springfield Jr. Blues defenseman Marcus Broberg, 19, had his best week in a Jr. Blues uniform as Springfield picked up a weekend home split against the Chippewa Steel. The 6’0/183 lbs. native of Orebro, Sweden, had four points in the two games. On Friday, Forberg had the game-winning goal and an assist in a 2-1 win. On Saturday, he assisted on both Springfield goals in a 5-2 loss. For the season, the Nebraska-Omaha recruit has six points in eight games with the Jr. Blues. “I thought Marcus had a great weekend. He has the ability to breakout the puck out with his feet and sees the ice very well in the offensive zone. He made some big plays for us all weekend,” said Jr. Blues head coach Tyler Rennette.
2nd Star: Cameron Morris, F, Anchorage Wolverines
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Maxwell Beckford, G, Wisconsin Windigo - Justin Biraben, F, Fairbanks Ice Dogs – Ryan Finch, F, Kenai River Brown Bears – Sam Frandina, D, Chippewa Steel – Peyton Platter, F, Chippewa Steel – Joey Potter, D, Fairbanks Ice Dogs – Jackson Reineke, F, Anchorage Wolverines – Will Schumacher, F, Wisconsin Windigo – Carson Triggs, F, Kenai River Brown Bears
South Division Star of the Week: Dayne Hoyord, Forward, Odessa Jackalopes
Odessa Jackalopes forward Dayne Hoyord, 20, led his club to a weekend road sweep of the Corpus Christi IceRays. The 5’10/194 lbs. native of Scandinavia, WI, began the weekend scoring all three goals, including the game-winner, in a 3-1 win on Friday. On Saturday, Hoyord picked up three assists in a 5-1 win. For the season, the Army recruit is 4th in team scoring with 34 points in 40 games played to date. “Dayne has been growing his game as the season has gone on. It’s great to see him compete and start scoring like we know he can do. He’s doing a great job of leading by example,” said Jackalopes head coach Scott Deur.
2nd Star: Jeff Hutchinson, D, New Mexico Ice Wolves
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Hunter Allen, F, Oklahoma Warriors - Simon Bucheler, G, Shreveport Mudbugs – Carter Clafton, G, Amarillo Wranglers – Logan Gotinsky, F, Shreveport Mudbugs – Will Howard, F, New Mexico Ice Wolves – Dylan Johnson, G, Oklahoma Warriors – Jakob Karpa, D, Lone Star Brahmas – Jack McDonald, F, Amarillo Wranglers- Dhillon Wilde, F, Lone Star Brahmas
