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 January 21, 2024. 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.
Earning NAHL weekly honors are Jack Seaverson (North Iowa Bulls), Lukas Fursten (Danbury Hat Tricks), Bryce Monrean (Anchorage Wolverines), and Louie Kamienski (Oklahoma Warriors).
Central Division Star of the Week: Jack Seaverson, Forward, North Iowa Bulls
North Iowa forward Jack Seaverson had a productive weekend as the Bulls picked up all four points up for grabs in a weekend series against the Springfield Jr. Blues. The Chaska, MN native totalled four points in two games. On Friday night, Seaverson scored two goals, including the overtime game winner, in the Bulls 4-3 victory. In the following contest, Seaverson netted two goals in the Bulls 5-1 win. This season, Seaverson has played in 36 games for Mason City, where he has combined for 17 points. “Jack has been one of our most consistent players all season,” Head Coach Nick Bruneteau said. “He’s constantly one of our top defensive forwards night in and night out, and has excelled as a leader within our locker. It was great to see him get rewarded with four goals. His offensive production has really taken off since break, and we expect him to have a big finish to the season.”
2nd Star: Stephen Peck, Goalie, Bismarck Bobcats
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Tyler Dysart, F, St. Cloud Norsemen -- Simon Pollock, F, Aberdeen Wings – Nikolai Tishkevich, F, Aberdeen Wings – Ocean Wallace, F, Austin Bruins – Trent Wiemken, G, Austin Bruins – Blake Ulve, F, North Iowa Bulls -- Max Weiland, G, St. Cloud Norsemen
East Division Star of the Week: Lukas Fursten, Goalie, Danbury Hat Tricks
Danbury goaltender Lukas Fursten was fantastic in net for the Hat Tricks picking up back-to-back wins, including a shutout, against the Northeast Generals. The Trencin, AK native started the weekend off with a 4-3 shootout victory where he stopped 39 shots. Fursten gave an encore performance the following night posting a 21 shot shutout win, where the Hat Tricks were victorious, 4-0. Fursten has played in three games with the Hat Tricks this season with a perfect 3-0 record, 1.29 GAA and a .955 SV%. “Lukas came in and wanted to prove he can be one of the better goalies in the league,” Head Coach Patrik Stefan said. “His commitment on and off the ice plus his drive to get better is outstanding which is showing already in just a few games he has been in Danbury.”
2nd Star: Matteo Disipio, F, Rochester Jr. Americans
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Dom Bartecko, F, New Jersey Titans – Grant Dietz, F, Danbury Hat Tricks – Jesse Horacek, F, Maryland Black Bears – Dimitry Kebreau, F, Maryland Black Bears Carter Richardson, G, Maine Nordiques – Dom Rivelli, F, New Jersey Titans – Charles Tardif, F, Maine Nordiques
Midwest Division Star of the Week: Bryce Monrean, Forward, Anchorage Wolverines
Anchorage forward Bryce Monrean was instrumental in the Wolverines weekend sweep over the Fairbanks Ice Dogs totalling five points over two games. Monrean, an Anchorage, AK native, had a two point night to start the weekend with a goal and an assist in the Wolverines 5-1 win. Monrean picked up right where he left off the night before, dishing out three assists in Saturday’s 7-3 win for Anchorage. This season, Monrean has played in 34 games where he has scored 14 goals and handed out 24 assists for 38 points. “Bryce has continued his hot streak as of late,” Head Coach Nick Walters said. “I give a lot of credit to him for doing the right things on and off the ice. When you’re doing those right things on a daily basis, I believe that you get rewarded when it matters. As a local boy, he always seems to rise to the occasion when we play our in-state rivals. For him to have that success, at home in front of our fans, and against our rivals, makes it that much more special.”
2nd Star: Peteris Purmalis, F, Minnesota Wilderness
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Ashton Astashevich, F, Chippewa Steel – Max Beckford, G, Wisconsin Windigo – Noah Gibbs, F, Janesville Jets – Jacob Ligi, F, Chippewa Steel – Linards Lipskis, G, Wisconsin Windigo – Fyodor Nikolayenya, F, Anchorage Wolverines – Max Wagener, F, Janesville Jets
South Division Star of the Week: Louie Kamienski, Forward, Oklahoma Warriors
Oklahoma forward Louie Kamienski is making his offensive skills known in the South division after combining for four points over two games. Kamienksi, a native of Elmhurst, IL, has only played in three NAHL games in his career. Louie was a big piece of the Warriors success over the weekend in a sweep against the Odessa Jackalopes. On friday, Kamienski dished out an assist in Oklahoma's 5-2 win. Saturday night, Kamienski scored his first NAHL goal of his career, then followed up by netting two more for a hat-trick in the Warriors 5-1 win. “We were able to bring Louie onboard for the 2nd half of the season and felt he did a great job getting himself ready for his first full weekend of games,” Head Coach Garrett Roth said. “Louie had an excellent weekend for us and showed the caliber of player he can be in this league. He adds a lot to our group on and off the ice and we are really excited to see his continued growth and development here in Oklahoma.”
2nd Star: Niko Goich, G, Shreveport Mudbugs
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Antti Autere, D, Lone Star Brahmas – Connor Bergeron, F, Lone Star Brahmas – Ryan Burke, F, Shreveport Mudbugs – Jackson Fuller, G, New Mexico Ice Wolves -- Ryan Johnson, F, New Mexico Ice Wolves -- Mason LeBel, F, El Paso Rhinos – Tory Lund, F, El Paso Rhinos – Drew Sutton, F, Oklahoma Warriors
