NAHL announces monthly player awards for September

The North American Hockey League (NAHL) has announced its monthly player awards for the month of September.  The Combat Hockey NAHL Forward of the Month is Jono Davis from the Wenatchee Wild.  The Combat Hockey NAHL Defenseman of the Month is Mark Evan Auk from the Port Huron Fighting Falcons.  The Brian’s Custom Sports NAHL Goaltender of the Month is Drew Weigman from the Brookings Blizzard.  Only players who are nominated by their respective teams are considered for the NAHL monthly awards.

Combat Hockey NAHL Forward of the Month: Jono Davis, Wenatchee Wild
Wenatchee Wild forward Jono Davis, 20, had a September to remember as he helped the Wild to a perfect 8-0-0 record during the month.  The native of La Verne, California, led all NAHL players in scoring in the month of September as he registered 14 points during the month (8 goals, 6 assists) in eight games played.  Davis (5’8/155) scored at least a point in seven of the eight games he played in during the month and had four multi-point games.  Davis leads the NAHL in several categories including, goals (8), points (14), plus/minus (+10) and game winning goals (3).  Davis is currently riding a five-game point streak.  “Jono plays exactly how we want to play… quick, fast-paced and smart,” said Wild head coach Bliss Littler.  “He has world-class speed and can finish his scoring chances.  He is an experienced leader at this level and is a player who will get a chance to play at the NCAA Division I level.”

“I think when it comes to my success in September, it is because of a great set of teammates I have around me,” said Davis.  “I think the team is really close right now and everyone has a role and knows what they need to do in order for us to be successful.  We worked hard this summer to come into camp in shape and ready to go.  The NAHL Showcase went really well for us and the support from my teammates, the coaches and the staff in Wenatchee has been the best.”

Runner-Up: Luc Boby, Kalamazoo Jr. K-Wings
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Lawrence Cornellier, Odessa Jackalopes – Nick Horne, Port Huron Fighting Falcons – Jackson Leef, Texas Tornado – Devin Loe, Fairbanks Ice Dogs – Lucas Oliver, Minot Minotauros – Kyle Sharkey, Topeka RoadRunners - Brett Skibba, Springfield Jr. Blues – Rudy Sulmonte, Corpus Christi IceRays – Austin Vieth, Janesville Jets – Thomas Williams, Brookings Blizzard.

Combat Hockey NAHL Defenseman of the Month: Mark Evan Auk, Port Huron Fighting Falcons
For a team that is leading the North Division with an 8-2-0 record, one may not expect their leading scorer to be the second youngest player on the team and also a defenseman.  However, that’s exactly what Port Huron Fighting Falcons defenseman Mark Evan Auk, 17, did during the month of September.  The native of Gross Point Park, Michigan, recorded eight points from the blueline (2 goals, 6 assists) in 10 games played during the month.  His eight points leads the Fighting Falcons in scoring and is second among NAHL defensemen.  Auk (6’0/170) leads all NAHL defensemen in shots with 24 and is 2nd in plus/minus rating with a +6.  “We knew Mark had a lot of skill coming from playing high school hockey in Michigan, but you are never really sure until he is put in a game situation,” said Port Huron head coach Steve Shannon.  “We have tried to make sure that he is playing two-way hockey, but his offensive abilities have shined through.  He takes good care of the puck and continues to be a very pleasant surprise for us this season.”

“It has been the best year so far for me in hockey wise and I have learned a lot in just the couple of months that I have been here,” said Auk.  “At this level, mistakes can really cost you so I have tried to make smart decisions with and without the puck.  I think we have a smart and experienced team.  We get better as the game goes along and I think that has played into our success thus far.”  

Runner-Up: Josh Hartley, Wenatchee Wild
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Brett Beauvais, Kalamazoo Jr. K-Wings – Jake Clifford, Minot Minotauros – Cody Dixon, Springfield Jr. Blues – Nick Hinz, Fairbanks Ice Dogs – Bryan Kronberger, Janesville Jets – Tyler Minx, Odessa Jackalopes – Anthony Mousseau, Texas Tornado – Brandon Parker, Brookings Blizzard - Phil Pietroniro, Corpus Christi IceRays.

Brian’s Custom Sports NAHL Goaltender of the Month: Drew Weigman, Brookings Blizzard
Brookings Blizzard goaltender Drew Weigman, 18, has been named the Brian’s Custom Sports NAHL Goaltender of the Month for September.  The native of Arnold, Maryland, made his NAHL debut in Blaine at the NAHL Showcase, which turned out to be a 29-save performance in a 4-2 win over the Johnstown Tomahawks.  As Brookings tried to finalize their search for a #1 goalie the remainder of the month, Weigman (6-1/185) got his chance this past weekend in a home-and-home series with their rival, the Aberdeen Wings.  Weigman stopped 71 of a combined 73 shots in a weekend sweep, which included a shutout on Saturday, in which he made 37 saves.  For the month, Weigman posted a perfect 3-0-0 record with a 1.00 goals against average and stopped 101 of 104 total shots for a 97.1% save percentage.  “Drew has earned the #1 spot and has played even better since we gave him that role,” said Blizzard head coach Cory Laylin.  “He continually comes up with the big saves and important times in the game.  Sometimes you need your goalie to make saves to change the momentum of games and that’s what Drew has allowed us to do.”

“I knew it was going to be a battle with three goalies here to start the season, so I tried to focus as best I could in practice and in games,” said Weigman.  “That first game of the NAHL Showcase was played in front of a lot of fans and scouts, so I just tried to focus and stop the puck.  I think the weekend against Aberdeen was a bit different, especially on Saturday night at their place.  It was a crazy atmosphere and something I had never seen.  I knew if I could team my team in the game and whether the storm we would have a good chance at success and that’s what happened.”

Runner-Up: Spencer Viele, Topeka RoadRunners
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Brock Kautz, Janesville Jets – Hunter Leisner, Texas Tornado – Matt Leon, Springfield Jr. Blues – Max Milosek, Port Huron Fighting Falcons – Robert Nichols, Wenatchee Wild – Steve Perry, Fairbanks Ice Dogs – Ryan Ruck, Minot Minotauros.

About Combat Hockey
The Official Equipment Supplier of the NAHL, Combat Sports has been extremely successful the past 10 years as the fastest-growing North American baseball/softball bat, hockey stick and lacrosse shaft manufacturing company.  Visit Combat online here.

About Brian's Custom Sports
The Official Goaltending Equipment Supplier of the NAHL, Brian's has been a leading Canadian supplier of custom built goal equipment since 1984. The factory is located in Kingsville, Ontario near the Southern tip of Canada with ready access to supplying the North American market. As one of the original and remaining custom goal equipment manufacturers Brian's remains committed to continuing to lead the industry with exceptional design and quality.  Visit Brian’s online here.