NAHL announces Easton Divisional Stars of the Week
The North American Hockey League (NAHL) today announced the Divisional Stars of the Week presented by Easton Hockey for the week ending January 24, 2016. The Easton Hockey Divisional Stars of the Week is a weekly feature during the 2015-16 regular 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: Troy Degler, forward, Minot Minotauros
The Minot Minotauros stayed right in the race for the top spot in the Central Division with a weekend road sweep in Minnesota against the Magicians. Forward Troy Degler, 20, played a big role in the two wins as the native of Fort Meyers, Florida recorded five points and was a +6 in the two wins. On Friday, Degler (5’8/155) had the game-winning goal in a 4-2 win and on Saturday, he had a goal and three assists in a 6-3 win. For the season, Degler has 14 points in 36 games played. “Troy is a player that brings his boots to work everyday and works hard. It was nice to see him rewarded for his hard work and score the timely goals that he did. He will be a valuable player down the stretch for us,” said Minot head coach Marty Murray.
2nd Star: Peter Thome, G, Aberdeen Wings
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Oskars Batna, F, Bismarck Bobcats – Kevin Fitzgerald, F, Aberdeen Wings – Griff Jeszka, F, Brookings Blizzard – John Peterson, F, Minnesota Magicians – Max Reisinger, F, Minot Minotauros – Hunter Shepard, G, Bismarck Bobcats
East Division Star of the Week: Colton McMenamin, forward, Aston Rebels
Although they had their Saturday game postponed, the Aston Rebels did well last week with two wins over the New Jersey Titans on Monday and Friday. Forward Colton McMenamin, 20, had one of his best weeks of the year as the native of Collegeville, Pennsylvania, had four points and was a +4 in the two wins. On Monday, McMenamin (5’9/180) had an assist in a 4-0 shutout of the Titans and on Friday, he had two goals and an assist in a 4-1 win. For the season, McMenamin has six points in 23 games played. “Colton has been the consummate teammate all year. I cannot think of another player more deserving. It says an awful lot of his growth, but rewarding because he is the last player that looks for an individual award. He is an unbelievable young man,” said Aston head coach Joe Coombs.
2nd Star: Darion Hanson, G, Aston Rebels
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Dalton Hunter, F, Johnstown Tomahawks – Luke Lynch, F, Johnstown Tomahawks
Midwest Division Star of the Week: Dominik Florian, forward, Coulee Region Chill
The Coulee Region Chill picked up wins this past week over the Austin Bruins and Janesville Jets and forward Dominik Florian, 20, played a vital role in the wins. The native of Vlasim, Czech Republic had four points and was a +4 in the two wins. Florian (6’3/200) began the weekend with two goals, including the game-winner, and an assist in a 4-1 road win on Friday in Austin. On Saturday, he had an assist in a 3-2 win in Janesville over the Jets. For the season, Florian is 2nd in team scoring with 23 points in 26 games played and he was recently selected to play on the Midwest team at the 2016 NAHL Top Prospects Tournament. “Dominik has worked extremely hard since coming back from injury to start the season. He is a high level player who has attracted the attention of numerous college coaches,” said Chill head coach AJ Degenhardt.
2nd Star: Ryner Gorowsky, F, Fairbanks Ice Dogs
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Koby Bender, F, Minnesota Wilderness - Brennan Blaszczak, F, Springfield Jr. Blues – Sam Craggs, F, Springfield Jr. Blues – Jack Forbort, F, Minnesota Wilderness – Isaac Theisen, F, Coulee Region Chill – Tyler Tomberlin, F, Fairbanks Ice Dogs
South Division Star of the Week: Dean Shatzer, goaltender, Odessa Jackalopes
Thanks to a weekend sweep of the Bulls in Amarillo, the Odessa Jackalopes stayed in the hunt for the fourth and final playoff spot in the South Division. Jackalopes netminder and Dartmouth College recruit Dean Shatzer was very good in goal as the native of Castle Rock, Colorado started and won both games, stopping 66 of 69 shots in the series. On Friday, Shatzer (5’11/175) stopped all 36 shots that came his way for his first NAHL shutout in a 4-0 win. On Saturday, Shatzer made 33 saves in a 4-3 shootout win. For the season, he has a record of 6-10-3 with a GAA of 3.41 and a save percentage of 89.9%. “Dean really stepped up his play this weekend when we needed him to. He battles extremely hard for the team and has had a great attitude on and off the ice. Hopefully this can elevate his game, as well as, the entire Odessa Jackalopes team,” said Odessa head coach Greg Gatto.
2nd Star: Tyler Drevitch, F, Lone Star Brahmas
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Tyler Gernhofer, F, Amarillo Bulls – Adam Goodsir, F, Wichita Falls Wildcats – Tyler Johnson, G, Topeka RoadRunners – Justin Kapelmaster, G, Wichita Falls Wildcats – Drake Lindsay, F, Corpus Christi IceRays – Brennen Miller, F, Odessa Jackalopes – Quinn Preston, F, Topeka RoadRunners
