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 10, 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.
Central Division Star of the Week: Kyle Miller, Defenseman, St. Cloud Norsemen
St. Cloud defenseman Kyle Miller posted five points over two games in the Norsemen’s weekend sweep over Austin. The San Jose, CA native kickstarted the weekend with a two point game, adding a goal and an assist in the game winning goal. In the following contest on Saturday night, the blue-liner added the first goal of the game, and two assists in a 5-1 final. Miller has played in 50 games this season, and has totalled 33 points on the year. "As a staff, we are extremely proud of Kyle’s recognition from the league," Associate Head Coach John Mitchell said. "What has impressed us the most is his feel for the game. He’s extremely intelligent and thinks the game at a high level. Coach Mike Holenko leans on him heavily, and plays him in all situations. He’s extremely coachable and professional in his approach to his craft. I believe that is what has earned him his success.”
2nd Star: Max Weilandt, G, St. Cloud Norsemen
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Adam Dybal, G, Aberdeen Wings – Klayton Knapp, G, Bismarck Bobcats – Matt Weisner, F, Aberdeen Wings
East Division Star of the Week: Jacob Osborne, Goalie, Johnstown Tomahawks
Tomahawks goalie Jacob Osborne played a vital role in the team’s success over the week picking up two wins. After coming in to relief on Wednesday against the Rochester Jr. Americans, the Ottawa, Ontario native was called on to start in back-to-back games against the Northeast Generals. Osborne started the weekend off with a shutout win, stopping all 29 shots he faced. The following night, Osborne turned away 34 of the 37 shots in a 5-3 win. Those numbers were good for a 2.45 GAA and a .923 SV%. Osborne has played in 36 games this season and holds a 24-6-1-0 record. “Jacob came up great for us in his two starts this weekend helping us secure wins both nights,” Head Coach Mike Letizia said. “In each game, he was a difference maker with timely saves, routine saves, and some big ones. He has been such a vital piece to our team all season long, and we are going to need him at the top of his game as we close out the final month of the regular season in such a strong division.”
2nd Star: Dominik Bartecko, F, New Jersey Titans
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Zach Aben, F, Johnstown Tomahawks – Nick Bernardo, D, Maine Nordiques – Damon Bossie, D, New Hampshire Mountain Kings – Jared Coccimiglio, F, Philadelphia Rebels – Matthew Croxall, F, Maryland Black Bears – Ryan Friedman, F, New Jersey Titans – Matt Hale, F, New Hampshire Mountain Kings – Samuel Stitz, F, Maryland Black Bears – Bryce Strand, D, Philadelphia Rebels – Charles Tardiff, F, Maine Nordiques
Midwest Division Star of the Week: Liam Beerman, Goalie, Anchorage Wolverines
Anchorage goaltender Liam Beerman was fantastic in the crease over a two game set against the Springfield Jr. Blues, where he took back-to-back wins, including a 32 shot shutout. The Marquette, MI native stopped a total of 57 shots over two games, which was good for a .500 GAA and a .987 SV%, and included Beerman’s fourth shutout of the year. Beerman’s play in net was a driving factor in the Wolverines clinching a spot in the postseason. This season so far, Beeerman holds a record of 22-9-1-2, a 2.37 GAA and a .924 SV%. “Beers was a rock for us in net this weekend playing two out of the three games,” Head Coach Nick Walters said. “What impressed me most was his scope of work on Sunday that earned him a shutout and our team's 11th consecutive victory that also clinched a playoff spot. Three games in three days are always tough mentally and physically, and he was dialed yesterday. When assignments were missed he was there to bail us out a few times. The way that he and the entire team is playing gets me excited for the remainder of the season and a playoff push.”
2nd Star: Carter Wishart, G, Chippewa Steel
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Wyatt Carlson, F, Fairbanks Ice Dogs – Erick Comstock, D, Wisconsin Windigo – Dylan Conteras, F, Kenai River Brown Bears – Avega Hovsepyan, F, Anchorage Wolverines – Jacob Jastrzebski, F, Wisconsin Windigo – Joe Kelly, D, Chippewa Steel – Mason Kesselring, F, Janesville Jets – Ian Norkevicus, D, Fairbanks Ice Dogs – Marks Slavinskis Repe, G, Kenai River Brown Bears – Max Wagener, F, Janesville Jets
South Division Star of the Week: Joey LoVullo, Goalie, El Paso Rhinos
El Paso goalie Joey LoVullo was outstanding between the pipes for the Rhinos where he picked up two consecutive wins over Oklahoma. In a weekend showdown against the Oklahoma Warriors, the Amherst, NY native outshined the competition. LoVullo turned away 79 of 80 shots, which also included a 26 shot shutout win, a .500 GAA and a .981 SV%. LoVullo holds a 10-4-1-1 record this season with El Paso.
2nd Star: Hayden Nichol, F, Shreveport Mudbugs
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Camden Bajzer, F, El Paso Rhinos – Josh Belz, F, Oklahoma Warriors – Jack Ivey, F, Amarillo Wranglers – Rasmus Leijonhielm, F, New Mexico Ice Wolves – Nathan Rickey, D, Oklahoma Warriors – Ryan Seelinger, F, New Mexico Ice Wolves – Eliot Seguin-Lescarbeau, G, Shreveport Mudbugs – David Skuhrovec, F, Lone Star Brahmas – Jack Wieneke, G, Lone Star Brahmas
