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 November 19, 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: Tyler Dysart, Forward, St. Cloud Norsemen
St. Cloud Norsemen forward Tyler Dysart, 19, had a big weekend as the Norsemen took three of four points in a weekend road series in Bismarck. The 5’9/170 lbs. native of Sunnyvale, CA, totaled six points in the two games. On Friday, Dysart had an assist in a 5-4 overtime loss. On Saturday, he exploded for a hat-trick and two assists for a five-point night in a 6-1 win. For the season, Dysart currently leads the team in scoring with 16 points in 17 games played. “Tyler has been moving his feet better the last few weeks and it’s beginning to translate on the scoreboard. He has the ability to be an impact guy,” said Norsemen head coach Corey Millen.
2nd Star: Austin Salani, F, Austin Bruins
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Leonid Bulgakov, F, Aberdeen Wings – Tommy Cronin, F, Bismarck Bobcats – Kai Dunits, F, Bismarck Bobcats – Joel Lehtinen, F, Minot Minotauros – Jack O’Hanisain, F, Minot Minotauros – Simon Pollock, F, Aberdeen Wings – Ocean Wallace, F, Austin Bruins – Wyatt Wurst, D, St. Cloud Norsemen
East Division Star of the Week: Grant Dietz, Forward, Danbury Jr. Hat Tricks
Danbury forward Grant Dietz, 19, helped his club pick up a weekend home split of their home series against Philadelphia this past weekend. Th 5’9/175 lbs. native of Chicago, IL, had five points in the two games. On Friday, Dietz had a shorthanded goal and two assists in a 6-4 win. On Saturday, Dietz scored a power play goal and added an assist in a 7-4 loss. For the season, Dietz has recorded eight points in eight games played with Danbury and 14 points in 18 games overall. “Grant has been contributing on both ends of the puck and had a great weekend producing five points in two games while also scoring on the PP and shorthanded situation,” said Danbury head coach Patrik Stefan.
2nd Star: Charles Panchisin, F, Philadelphia Rebels
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Matthew Croxall, F, Maryland Black Bears – Sonny Dinubile, D, Philadelphia Rebels – Will Lawrence, F, Johnstown Tomahawks – Justin Rapp, F, Johnstown Tomahawks – Carter Richardson, G, Maine Nordiques – Thomas Rockey, F, Rochester Jr. Americans – Charles Tardif, F, Maine Nordiques – Jeremi Tremblay, F, Maryland Black Bears
Midwest Division Star of the Week: Adam Prokop, Goaltender, Minnesota Wilderness
The Minnesota Wilderness widened their lead atop the Midwest Division thanks to a weekend sweep of the 2nd place Wisconsin Windigo. In goal both nights for Minnesota was 19-year-old Adam Prokop. The 6’2/185 lbs. native of Wausau, WI, started and won both games over the weekend, allowing just two goals on 70 shots. On Friday, Prokop made 30 saves in a 4-1 win and then on Saturday, he made 38 saves and then stopped 5 of 6 in the shootout in a 2-1 shootout win. For the season, Prokop has a 6-2-0 record with the Wilderness, which includes a 1.44 goals against average a .950 save percentage. “Adam is a great human being that prepares like each game is his last. His work ethic and determination is what separates him from a lot of other goalies and couldn’t be more proud of him earning this award,” said Wilderness head coach Colten St. Clair.
2nd Star: Cole Christian, F, Anchorage Wolverines
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Matthew Alberti, G, Janesville Jets - Anton Astashevich, F, Chippewa Steel – Nick Blood, F, Fairbanks Ice Dogs – Tyler Krivtsov, G, Fairbanks Ice Dogs – Jacob Ligi, F, Chippewa Steel – Trenton Powell, D, Anchorage Wolverines – Ryan Williams, D, Janesville Jets
South Division Star of the Week: Andy Vlaha, Goaltender, New Mexico Ice Wolves
New Mexico goalie Andy Vlaha, 20, won both his starts last week to help the Ice Wolves end the week with a four-game winning streak. The 6’0/180 lbs. native of Snohomish, WA, posted back-to-back wins on Wednesday and Friday, allowing just one goal on 52 shots. On Wednesday, Vlaha stopped all 26 shots that came his way in an 8-0 shutout of El Paso. On Friday, he allowed just a single goal in a 5-1 home win over the Colorado Grit. Vlaha, who has won his last five starts, has a 7-2-1 record with a 2.08 goals against average and a .934 save percentage so far this season. “We are very happy for Andy to receive this honor. He has been rock-solid for us in his last six starts. It's great to see him get recognized for his stellar play as of late. He's always working, been a great teammate and a pleasure to coach,” said Ice Wolves head coach Phil Fox.
2nd Star: Ryan Johnson, F, New Mexico Ice Wolves
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Mathieu Bourgault, F, Corpus Christi IceRays – Cameron Dunn, F, Odessa Jackalopes – Max Dronen, F, Oklahoma Warriors – Nolan Gagnon, D, Amarillo Wranglers – Kyan Haldenby, F, Shreveport Mudbugs – Max Hamstad, F, Lone Star Brahmas – Bryce Ingles, F, Lone Star Brahmas – Bryant Marks, G, Corpus Christi IceRays – Kaden Nelson, F, Oklahoma Warriors - Hayden Nichol, F, Shreveport Mudbugs – Topi Puikkonen, F, Amarillo Wranglers – Quentin Sigurdson, G, Odessa Jackalopes
