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 October 1, 2023. The Divisional Stars of the Week is a weekly feature during the 2023-24 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: Klayton Knapp, Goaltender, Bismarck Bobcats
Bismarck Bobcats goalie Klayton Knapp, 19, was lights out during the Bobcats weekend home sweep of the North Iowa Bulls. The NAPHL grad and native of Sylvania, OH, posted back-to-back shutouts in two wins. Knapp (6’0/190) made 22 saves in a 1-0 win on Friday and 21 saves in a 5-0 win. For the season, Knapp is 4-1-0 with a 1.80 goals against average and .929 save percentage. “Klayton was exceptional all weekend. He made big saves when we needed them all weekend, and to go 120 minutes without giving up a goal is a huge accomplishment,” said Bismarck head coach Layne Sedevie.
2nd Star: Lucca Munoz, F, St. Cloud Norsemen
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Adam Dybal, G, Aberdeen Wings – Patrick Johnson, F, Bismarck Bobcats – Ryan Mazella, G, St. Cloud Norsemen – Nikolai Tishkevich, F, Aberdeen Wings
East Division Star of the Week: Kareem El-Bashir, Forward, Maryland Black Bears
Maryland forward Kareem El-Bashir, 19, helped his club to a weekend home sweep of the Danbury Jr. Hat Tricks. The 5’10/176 lbs. native of Reston, VA, had five points in the two wins. On Friday, El-Bashir had a goal and an assist in a 4-0 win. On Saturday, he scored two goals and added an assist in a 6-0 win. For the season, El-Bashir is tied for 2nd in team scoring with 13 points in 10 games played. “Kareem has taken huge strides this season, and his growth has been meteoric. Based on how much effort this kid puts into the weight room, and his off-season training, as well as his willingness to learn, this is not a surprise to be coaching staff. Not only is he a great teammate and high-level hockey player, but his academic profile is elite as well. He will be a very nice NCAA Division I student/athlete,” said Maryland head coach Clint Mylymok.
2nd Star: Colin Ronan, G, Maryland Black Bears
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Jake Bernadet, F, Maine Nordiques – Zack Ferris, G, Johnstown Tomahawks – Dexter Kichline, D, Rochester Jr. Americans – Jeremy LaCroix, F, Johnstown Tomahawks – Arseni Vorobyov, F, Maine Nordiques
Midwest Division Star of the Week: Will Schumacher, Forward, Wisconsin Windigo
Wisconsin forward Will Schumacher, 19, had a weekend to remember as he lit up the scoreboard in a weekend home sweep of the Kenai River Brown Bears. The 5’11/175 lbs. native of Prior Lake, MN, had eight points in the two wins, which included an amazing seven goals and an assist. On Friday, Schumacher had a hat-trick and an assist in a 9-2 win. On Saturday, he scored four goals in a 10-3 win. For the season, Schumacher is 3rd in team scoring with 11 points in six games played and his 10 goals is currently tops in the NAHL. “Our team had breakthrough weekend offensively and Will led the way. He’s added layers to his game this season and it’s nice to see him rewarded on the scoresheet and with this award,” said Windigo head coach Blake Hietala.
2nd Star: Max Martin, F, Wisconsin Windigo
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Nick Blood, F, Fairbanks Ice Dogs – Reece Cordray, F, Fairbanks Ice Dogs – Cam Davis, F, Chippewa Steel – Ajay White, G, Chippewa Steel
South Division Star of the Week: Jack Ivey, Forward, Amarillo Wranglers
Amarillo forward Jack Ivey, 19, had a big weekend as the Wranglers split a home-opening series with the Corpus Christi IceRays. The Army recruit and native of San Diego, CA, totaled six points on the weekend. On Friday, Ivey (6’3/200) had a goal and an assist in a 5-4 shootout win. On Saturday, he added another goal and two more assists in an 8-5 loss. For the season, Ivey is tied for the team scoring lead with 11 points in six games played. “Jack is having a breakout season after the dedicated work he put in last season, and during the summer. Jack is beloved by his teammates and is quickly becoming one of the fan favorites in Amarillo. It will be exciting to watch his continued growth this season and how it impacts our team daily,” said Wranglers head coach Ryan Anderson.
2nd Star: Kaden Nelson, F, Oklahoma Warriors
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Anthony Cafarelli, F, Corpus Christi IceRays – Hayden DeMars, F, Odessa Jackalopes – Jack Erickson, G, Colorado Grit – Luca Fasciano, D, Corpus Christi IceRays – Ben Ivey, F, Amarillo Wranglers – Brock James, F, Lone Star Brahmas – Michael Kadlecik, F, Odessa Jackalopes – Dillon Kuntz, F, New Mexico Ice Wolves – Olivier Lamothe, F, New Mexico Ice Wolves – Hayden Nichol, F, Shreveport Mudbugs – Nathan Rickey, D, Oklahoma Warriors – Deivs Rolovs, G, Lone Star Brahmas – Eliot Seguin Lescarbeau, G, Shreveport Mudbugs
