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 12, 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: Max Scott, Forward, North Iowa Bulls
North Iowa Bulls forward Max Scott, 20, helped his team stay hot and in playoff position with a weekend road sweep in Minot of the Minotauros. The 6’1/190 lbs. native of San Jose, CA, totaled seven points in the two wins, which included two goals and five assists. On Friday, Scott had a goal and an assist in a 3-1 win. On Saturday, he had a goal and four assists in a 5-4 win. For the season, the Brown University recruit is currently 2nd in team scoring with 42 points in 49 games played to date. Max’s work ethic is second to none. He is consistently our hardest working player. His production with his skill set, is effort based,” said Bulls head coach Todd Sanden.
2nd Star: Ethan Dahlmeir, G, St. Cloud Norsemen
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Kyle Contessa, F, Aberdeen Wings – Mitch Day, G, North Iowa Bulls – Vertti Jantunen, F, Bismarck Bobcats – Linards Lipskis, G, Bismarck Bobcats – Cole Moore, G, Aberdeen Wings – Gavin Morrissey, F, Austin Bruins – Kade Peterson, F, St. Cloud Norsemen
East Division Star of the Week: Ben Muthersbaugh, Forward, New Jersey Titans
New Jersey forward Ben Muthersbaugh, 19, had a big weekend as the Titans split their weekend home series against Maryland. The 5’11/209 lbs. native of Gilford, New Hampshire totaled four goals in three games last week. After the team was shutout on Tuesday in a loss to Philadelphia, Muthersbaugh scored two goals on Friday in a 3-2 win over the Black Bears. On Saturday, Muthersbaugh scored two more goals in a 4-3 loss. For the season, Muthersbaugh has recorded 31 points (19 goals, 12 assists) in 47 games played to date. “Ben was huge for us on the offensive side of the puck all weekend. Scoring two goals each night against a strong Maryland club were big in helping us get the split for the weekend. Ben’s release and shot are a huge weapon, and he has worked daily to improve in all aspects of the game,” said Titans head coach Craig Doremus.
2nd Star: Aidan Coupe, F, Maine Nordiques
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Nicholas Bernardo, D, Maine Nordiques – Max Hamstad, F, Philadelphia Rebels – Joe Harney, D, New Jersey Titans – Klaus Jogi, F, Philadelphia Rebels – Karlis Meszargs, G, Danbury Jr. Hat Tricks – Hunter Ramos, F, Maryland Black Bars – Brayden Stannard, F, Maryland Black Bears
Midwest Division Star of the Week: Sawyer Scholl, Forward, Minnesota Wilderness
Thanks to another big weekend from forward Sawyer Scholl, 21, the Minnesota Wilderness extended their winning streak to five straight games with a weekend road sweep of the Anchorage Wolverines. The 6’2/190 lbs. native of Green Bay, WI, had a five-point weekend, which included four goals and an assist. On Friday, Scholl had two goals and an assist in a 4-2 win. On Saturday, he scored two more goals in a 6-2 win. For the season, the University of Wisconsin recruit has 14 points in just 11 games since joining the Wilderness in early February. “Sawyer had another great weekend for us continuing his strong play since he joined us. Not only was he rewarded for his offensive abilities scoring some big goals, but he also played a strong 200-foot game playing all situations for us helping the team to two big wins on the road against a very tough opponent,” said Wilderness head coach Brett Skinner.
2nd Star: Sam Rice, F, Chippewa Steel
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Kory Diponio, F, Anchorage Wolverines – Adam Gajan, G, Chippewa Steel – Noah Holt, F, Kenai River Brown Bears – Kevin Marx Noren, F, Minnesota Wilderness – Gavin Moffatt, G, Wisconsin Windigo – Cameron Morris, F, Anchorage Wolverines – Carson Triggs, F, Kenai River Brown Bears
South Division Star of the Week: Therien Thiesing, Defenseman, Oklahoma Warriors
Oklahoma Warriors defenseman Therien Thiesing, 20, had a good weekend to help his team clinch a spot in the NAHL Robertson Cup Playoffs with a weekend home sweep of the Corpus Christi IceRays. The 6’0/178 lbs. native of Franklin, TN, had four points in the two wins, which included two goals and two assists along with a +3 rating. On Friday, Thiesing assisted on the game-winning goal in a 4-2 win. On Saturday, he scored twice and added an assist in a 6-1 win. For the season, Thiesing has recorded 24 points in 45 games played to date. “Therien had an excellent weekend for us and has been an impact player for us in the second half. He has proven he can be a difference maker for us in evert facet of the game. His confidence has been a huge part of his development this year,” said Warriors head coach Garrett Roth.
2nd Star: Garrett Steele, F, Shreveport Mudbugs
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Will Craig, G, New Mexico Ice Wolves – Malte Hasselgren, F, Oklahoma Warriors – Will Howard, F, New Mexico Ice Wolves – Mason Kelly, F, El Paso Rhinos – Hayden Nichol, F, Shreveport Mudbugs – Nolan Suggs, G, El Paso Rhinos
