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 March 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: Jack Mesic, Defenseman, North Iowa Bulls
North Iowa defenseman Jack Mesic, 20, helped his team climb into the 4th and final playoff spot in the Central Division thanks to two wins in three games this past weekend. The 5’10/170 lbs. native of Plymouth, MI, had six points in the three games and was a +5. On Friday, Mesic picked up three assists in a 5-4 shootout win at home over the St. Cloud Norsemen. On Sunday, he had a goal and two assists in a 3-1 road win in St. Cloud. For the season, the Ferris State recruit leads all Bulls defensemen in scoring with 25 points in 46 games played to date. “Jack's play recently has been tremendous. He's been very responsible defensively while producing offensively. Jack has been a catalyst in our effort to regain a playoff position.
2nd Star: Andrew Clarke, F, St. Cloud Norsemen
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Owen Benoit, D, Aberdeen Wings – Nico Chmelevski, F, Bismarck Bobcats – Mitch Day, G, North Iowa Bulls – Calvin Hanson, F, Bismarck Bobcats – Hunter Longhi, F, Minot Minotauros - Gavin Morrissey, F, Austin Bruins – Blake Perbix, F, St. Cloud Norsemen – Nikolai Tishkevich, F, Aberdeen Wings – Walter Zacher, F, Austin Bruins
East Division Star of the Week: Jakub Krbecek, Goaltender, Philadelphia Rebels
Philadelphia Rebels goalie Jakub Krbecek, 20, had literally a perfect week this past week in the three games that he started and appeared in. The 6’2/180 lbs. native of Prague, Czech Republic, posted a shutout in all three starts this past week, stopping all 92 shots he faced. His week started with a 45-save shutout on Tuesday in a 3-0 road win in New Jersey. On Friday, he stopped all 24 shots that came his way in a 4-0 home win over Danbury. On Saturday, he made 23 saves in another 4-0 shutout. Krbecek currently is riding a shutout streak of 191 minutes and :36 seconds and has posted a shutout in four of his last five games. He is currently 2nd in the NAHL with a .931 save percentage. “Jakub had an impressive week. He has been a rock for us all season and managed to find a whole new level of performance,” said Rebels head coach Justin Hale.
2nd Star: Nick Ahern, F, Johnstown Tomahawks
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Frankie D’Ancona, F, Northeast Generals – Cullen DeYoung, G, Northeast Generals – Dimitry Kebreau, F, Maryland Black Bears – Will Moore, F, Johnstown Tomahawks – Kellen Murphy, F, Maine Nordiques – Evan Orloff, D, Maine Nordiques – Trey Scott, D, Maryland Black Bears – Greg Spitznagel, F, Philadelphia Rebels
Midwest Division Star of the Week: Isak Posch, Goaltender, Minnesota Wilderness
The Minnesota Wilderness and goaltender isak Posch, 21, kept pace with the Midwest leaders thanks to a weekend road sweep of the Kenai River Brown Bears. The 6’3/210 lbs. native of Umea, Sweden, allowed just two goals in the two wins, stopping 62 of 64 shots. On Friday, Posch made 31 saves in a 4-1 win, and then on Saturday, he made 31 saves again in another 4-1 win. For the season, the St. Cloud State recruit has a 19-10-6 record in 35 games played, which includes a 2.25 goals against average and a .922 save percentage. “Isak continued his strong play he has showed all season for us this weekend. His consistent approach off the ice and professional mind set allowed him to play his best traveling up to Alaska and playing in a tough environment against a good opponent. Our strong team play in front of him gave him an opportunity to shut the door when needed and was an integral part of the two wins we had this weekend,” said Wilderness head coach Brett Skinner.
2nd Star: Adam Gajan, G, Chippewa Steel
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Tyler Herzberg, F, Fairbanks Ice Dogs – Revelin Mack, F, Anchorage Wolverines – Cole Mickel, D, Wisconsin Windigo – Cameron Morris, F, Anchorage Wolverines – Peyton Platter, F, Chippewa Steel – Sawyer Scholl, F, Minnesota Wilderness – Will Schumacher, F, Wisconsin Windigo – Brady Welsch, F, Fairbanks Ice Dogs
South Division Star of the Week: Carter Clafton, Goaltender, Amarillo Wranglers
Amarillo Wranglers goalie Carter Clafton, 20, led his team to a weekend road sweep of the El Paso Rhinos this past weekend. The 6’2/175 lbs. native of Grand Rapids, MN, allowed just one goal in the two wins, stopping 44 of a possible 45 shots. On Friday, Clafton stopped all 26 shots that came his way for his third shutout of the season in a 3-0 win. On Saturday, he allowed a single goal on 19 shots in a 5-1 win. For the season, the Air Force recruit has a 10-11-3 record in 27 games played with a 2.39 goals against average and .921 save percentage. “Carter has really benefitted from his work with our Goalie Consultant, Erik Schardt. Coach Schardt has continued to encourage Carter these last two seasons. Carter has continually pushed himself and adopted full responsibility for his play. A great example of the value of perseverance, resiliency, and hard work,” said Wranglers head coach Harry Mahood.
2nd Star: Nick Marino, F, Shreveport Mudbugs
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Simon Bucheler, G, Shreveport Mudbugs – Tony Leahy, F, New Mexico Ice Wolves – William Marshall, F, Odessa Jackalopes – Jack McDonald, F, Amarillo Wranglers – Johan Rosenquist, F, Lone Star Brahmas – Sully Scholle, F, New Mexico Ice Wolves – Ivan Zadvernyuk, F, Lone Star Brahmas
