NAHL announces Combat Hockey Divisional Stars of the Week
The North American Hockey League (NAHL) today announced the Divisional Stars of the Week presented by Combat Hockey for the week ending November 18, 2012. The Divisional Stars of the Week is a weekly feature during the 2012-13 regular season that honors the top performing players in each of the four NAHL divisions as nominated by their respective teams.
Central Division Star of the Week: Brandon Wahlin, forward, Austin Bruins
Austin Bruins forward Brandon Wahlin, 20, is on pace for a record-breaking month. The native of White Bear Lake, Minnesota, got his 1st place Bruins back on track with three wins in three games this past week. In those three games, Wahlin (5’9/175) recorded eight points (2 goals, 6 assists) and was a +3. In the process, he increased his current point streak to six straight games. On Monday, Wahlin scored the first and last goal and assisted on the game-winner as the Bruins beat the Coulee Region Chill, 6-3. On Friday, Wahlin had an assist in a 4-1 home win over visiting Brookings. On Saturday, Wahlin saved his best game for last as he racked up four assists in a 7-5 win over the Blizzard, completing the weekend sweep. For the season, Wahlin has 32 points, which ties him for the NAHL lead and his 23 assists leads the NAHL. “Brandon was instrumental in getting the team back on track this past week,” said Bruins head coach Chris Tok. “He is working hard on playing a good two-way game, which will be instrumental at getting him to the next level. You can’t coach or teach speed and Brandon has a ton of it along with great vision and hard work.”
2nd Star: Blake Cates, goaltender, Coulee Region Chill
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Hunter Anderson, forward, Coulee Region Chill – Eric Brenk, forward, Brookings Blizzard – Drew Brevig, defenseman, Brookings Blizzard – Mike Dockry, forward, Bismarck Bobcats – Jadin Martin, forward, Minot Minotauros – Tyler Parks, goaltender, Minot Minotauros – CJ Smith, forward, Austin Bruins.
North Division Star of the Week: Robin Hoglund, forward, Soo Eagles
The Soo Eagles continue to stay on the heels of Jamestown for 1st place in the North Division. This weekend, the Eagles split a home series with the Michigan Warriors and forward Robin Hoglund, 19, did most of the damage offensively for the Eagles. The native of Molndal, Sweden, recorded four points (2 goals, 2 assists) and was +4 in the pair of weekend games. On Friday, Hoglund (6’1/180) assisted on both of the Eagles goals in a 4-2 loss. On Saturday, he scored the first and the third goals in a 3-1 win over Michigan. Hoglund played the first two games of the season with Fairbanks and then was traded to Soo. Overall, he has 10 points in 16 games played this season. “Robin has been an impact player right off the bat and this weekend really proved that,” said Eagles head coach Bruno Bragagnolo. “He does a very good job at being physical, using his size and playing the body. He has an excellent shot and knows how to score goals.”
2nd Star: Dylan Rosen, defenseman, Springfield Jr. Blues
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Taylor Burden, forward, Kalamazoo Jr. K-Wings – Matt Leon, goaltender, Springfield Jr. Blues – Kody Polin, forward, Port Huron Fighting Falcons – Easton Powers, forward, Port Huron Fighting Falcons.
South Division Star of the Week: Scott Conway, forward, Texas Tornado
It was a big week for 17-year-old Tornado forward Scott Conway, who had the best individual week of his NAHL career last week as the Tornado posted a 2-2-0 record in four games. The native of Kessimmee, Florida, began the week with two goals and an assist in a 9-1 win in Odessa against the Jackalopes. The next night, Conway had two more assists in an 8-2 win and sweep against Odessa. Over the weekend against the Amarillo Bulls, Conway assisted on both Tornado goals in a 5-2 loss to the Bulls on Thursday. He posted another assist on Friday in a 7-2 loss to Amarillo. Conway has now recorded a point in eight straight games. For the week, Conway had eight points (2 goals, 6 assists) in four games and was a +7. His +12 rating leads the Tornado this season and his 21 points are tied for 4th in team scoring. “Scott is one of many young players we have on the roster who have really developed nicely in a short period of time and will be a good future NCAA Division I player,” said Tornado head coach Tony Curtale. “For being only 17-years-old, he sees the ice very well and has the ability to make great passes and find the open man.”
2nd Star: Tyler Deresky, forward, Amarillo Bulls
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Kyle Bauman, forward, Wichita Falls Wildcats – Paul Berrafato, goaltender, Amarillo Bulls – Evan Cowley, goaltender, Wichita Falls Wildcats – Peter Halash, forward, Topeka Roadrunners – Brandon Hawkins, forward, Texas Tornado – Kyle Sharkey, forward, Topeka RoadRunners.
West Division Star of the Week: Kevin Aldridge, goaltender, Fairbanks Ice Dogs
When Fairbanks goalie Steve Perry went down with a broken finger in early November, the job of carrying the work load fell on the shoulders of 18-year-old rookie Kevin Aldridge. The native of Beverly Hills, Michigan, has responded in big fashion, winning four out of his last five starts including this weekend’s road sweep in Corpus Christi against the IceRays. Aldridge (5’8/150) stopped a combined 60 of 63 shots and allowed just three goals in two games as Fairbanks posted the weekend sweep. On Friday, Aldridge made 40 saves in a 3-2 overtime win. On Saturday, he made 20 saves in a 3-1 win. With the wins, Aldridge improved his record to 8-2-0 on the season with a goals against average of 2.17 and a save percentage of 92.4%. “Kevin has been given the opportunity to be the main guy in net because of Steve Perry’s injury and he has responded very well,” said Ice Dogs head coach Trevor Stewart. “He controlled his rebounds this weekend and kept his composure in a tough environment to play in. Each passing game, he is playing with more confidence and his teammates are also confident knowing he is behind them.”
2nd Star: Garret Clemment, forward, Fairbanks Ice Dogs
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Alex Jackstadt, forward, Kenai River Brown Bears.
