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 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: Mitch Day, Goaltender, North Iowa Bulls
North Iowa goalie Mitch Day, 21, kept his hot play going this past weekend as the Bulls picked up a home sweep of the Aberdeen Wings. The 5’10/180 lbs. native of Kirkwood, MO, allowed just two goals in the wins and pushed his personal winning streak to five straight games. On Friday, Day made 15 saves in a 4-2 win. On Saturday, he stopped all 24 shots that came his way for his 4th shutout of the season in a 4-0 win. For the season, Day has posted a 20-14-3 record in 38 appearances with a 2.60 goals against average and a .922 save percentage.“Mitch has been phenomenal for us in a push to get back into contention. His details and process are pro material and I believe he has NCAA Division I potential,” said Bulls head coach Todd Sanden.
2nd Star: Logan Valkama, F, Bismarck Bobcats
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Logan Dombrowsky, F, North Iowa Bulls – Tyler Dysart, F, St. Cloud Norsemen – Damon Furuseth, F, Austin Bruins – Will Ingemann, G, St. Cloud Norsemen – Nick Justice, D, Aberdeen Wings – Attila Lippai, F, Bismarck Bobcats – Cole Moore, G, Aberdeen Wings – Trevor Stachowiak, F, Minot Minotauros – Walter Zacher, F, Austin Bruins
East Division Star of the Week: Kareem El-Bashir, Forward, Maryland Black Bears
Maryland Black Bears forward Kareem El-Bashir, 19, had a big weekend as his team picked up a three-game weekend home sweep of the Johnstown Tomahawks and clinched a playoff spot in the process. The 5’10/175 lbs. native of Chantilly, VA, had five points and was +6 in the three wins. On Friday, El-Bashir had an assist in a 6-1 win. On Saturdaym he had a goal and an assist in a 5-1 win, and on Sunday, he had another goal and an assist in a 6-1 win. For the season, El-Bashir currently has 13 points in 39 games played to date. “Kareem is one of the hardest working kids we have and has earned everything he has gotten. Watching him continually progress and become a very strong NAHL player has been impressive, and benefited the Maryland Black Bears big time. This young man is only at the inception of what he’s going to become as a player. With his grades and work ethic, an NCAA Division 1 school would be adding a heck of a person and player to the program,” said Maryland head coach Clint Mylymok.
2nd Star: Brad McNeil, F, Maryland Black Bears
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Cullen DeYoung, G, Northeast Generals – Tyler Ramm, F, Northeast Generals
Midwest Division Star of the Week: Victor Widlund, Forward, Wisconsin Windigo
Wisconsin Windigo forward Victor Widlund, 21, had a big weekend as his team picked up a weekend home sweep of the Janesville Jets. The 5’11/190 lbs. native of Lerum, Sweden, had a huge offensive weekend, recording seven points in the two wins. On Friday, Widlund exploded for a hat-trick, including the game-winning goal, and two assists in a 10-2 win. On Saturday, he scored two more goals, including his second straight game-winner, in a 6-1 win. For the season, Widlund currently leads the Windigo in scoring with 42 points in 52 games played to date. “Victor has been a great 200-foot player and leader for us all season. His offensive game has developed as the season has gone on and he broke out this weekend leading us to another huge four points. I’m happy to see him rewarded for all his hard work,” said Wisconsin head coach Blake Hietala.
2nd Star: Benjamin Anderson, F, Wisconsin Windigo
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Carson Dorfman, G, Springfield Jr. Blues – Adam Gajan, G, Chippewa Steel – Adyn Merrick, F, Springfield Jr. Blues – Isak Posch, G, Minnesota Wilderness – Tomas Trunda, F, Chippewa Steel
South Division Star of the Week: Simon Bucheler, Goaltender, Shreveport Mudbugs
Shreveport goalie Simon Bucheler, 20, continued his fantastic season with another stellar weekend in a home sweep of the El Paso Rhions. The 6’2/185 lbs. native of Saint-Laurent, Quebec, posted back-to-back shutouts in the two wins. On Friday, Bucheler made 24 saves in a 3-0 win, and then in Saturday, he made 19 saves through two periods of play in a 2-0 win. The Mercyhurt University commit currently leads in the NAHL with 24 wins, is 2nd in shutout with five, 3rd in goals against average with a 1.88 mark, and has a current shutout streak of 101 minutes and 29 seconds. “One of Simon’s biggest strengths is his consistency with everything he does. Being consistent in his preparation to play is what helped him this past weekend. He had a great outing Friday night, then jumped in to finish the last two periods Saturday night with a very strong effort. He was simple, consistent, and prepared no matter what was thrown at him. We are blessed to have a guy like that as one of our leaders,” said Mudbugs head coach Jason Campbell.
2nd Star: Connor Brust, D, Corpus Christi IceRays
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): William Ahlrik, F, Oklahoma Warriors – Dylan Contreras, F, Corpus Christi IceRays – Nikolai Dulak, F, New Mexico Ice Wolves – Ben Ivey, F, Amarillo Wranglers – Dylan Johnson, G, Oklahoma Warriors – Alfred Lindberg, F, New Mexico Ice Wolves – Nate Mann, F, Lone Star Brahmas – Connor McNaughton, F, Amarillo Wranglers – Johan Rosenquist, F, Lone Star Brahmas – Garrett Steele, F, Shreveport Mudbugs
