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Niko Tournas Danbury Jr. Hat Tricks

Bauer Hockey NAHL Forward of the Month: Niko Tournas, Danbury Hat Tricks.

Hailing from Redding, Connecticut, Niko Tournas turned up the heat in January and led the league with 19 total points. The 6’2 skater found the back of the net 10 times, with four of them as powerplay goals, produced nine assists, and sports a 2.11 points per game last month. Every time he hit the ice in January he was producing a point for the Hat Tricks. Tournas featured an 11-game heater in scoring points that started on December 20, 2024. Thanks to his work on the ice, he recorded a plus-nine rating in the nine games played in January. Additionally, six out of the nine games Tournas played in January were multi-point games, with his season-high four-point game coming on January 11. He produced a hat trick, and an assist while featuring a plus-four rating against the Elmira Aviators.

Niko Tournas shares more on what it means to win the honor of Forward of the Month and his goals leading into the rest of the season. 

“I am very humbled to win this award. Hockey is a game of hard work but more importantly teamwork, and to be recognized for my contributions is an incredible honor. I want to thank my teammates – they are the ones who make it possible and of course my coaches. While I felt I had a great month in January I hope to have a better one this upcoming month and help get my team to the playoffs.”

The New Hampshire commit has served as a keystone figure for Danbury. Tournas leads his squad with 52 total points, 26 goals, and 1.41 points per game. Tournas did not contribute to the stat sheet for only eight games out of 37 matchups this season. His work on the ice has helped to move the needle for the Hat Tricks in the standings. Before January, Danbury was at the bottom of the East Division standings, however, they are now sitting eighth, three points behind the sixth-place squad. To be in playoff contention in the East, teams must sit at or above sixth place in the standings. 

Head Coach of the Danbury Hat Tricks, Lenny Caglianone, shares more about Tournas’ work on the ice. 

“Niko without a doubt, had a tremendous month of hockey. He set the franchise season record for goals, assists, and points. He continues to be a major pulse for our team offensively while working on his 200-foot game along with his details. With all of that being said, he’s grown into his role as a captain and has provided both quality play and vocality. I’m so proud of what Niko has done on the ice but more importantly off it. His character is tremendous and he’s an incredible teammate. Congratulations Niko!”

Runner-Up: Kyan Haldenby, Shreveport Mudbugs

Brock Devlin Anchorage Wolverines

Bauer Hockey NAHL Defenseman of the Month: Brock Devlin, Anchorage Wolverines

Rockin’ at the top of the league is Brock Devlin of the Anchorage Wolverines. The 5’10 second-year Wolverines skater led all defensemen in January with his 14 total points and 1.40 points per game.  Devlin found the back of the net three times, made 11 assists, and sports a plus-seven rating over 10 games. This award marks the second time this season the ‘05 lefty has earned this honor. There has only been one month this season that the Dartmouth commit has not won the Defenseman of the Month award or was named the runner-up. 

Devlin shares his thoughts on winning the honor and hopes for the rest of the season. 

“I am very thankful to win Defenseman of the Month. It wouldn’t have been possible without my teammates and all the staff in Anchorage. I am very fortunate to be surrounded by people who push themselves and others to be their best every day. As a team, we are very confident that we can make it back to the Robertson Cup and ultimately win it all this year.”

Devlin has been dominant all season long. He leads the Wolverines and defensemen in the league with his 54 total points, 44 assists, 1.38 points per game, and five game-winning goals, and is tied first with his plus-26 rating. His offensive prowess has been felt on the ice for the Wolverines. 

Head coach of the Wolverines, Nick Walters, shares what he has seen from Devlin’s work on the ice.

“Again the Anchorage Wolverines are excited to see Brock get selected by the league for the Defensemen of the Month award. I feel like I am starting to run out of things to say about this young man. He has had a heck of a season, and I know it is only going to continue as we head into the last 20 games of the regular season. Seeing the work that he has put in the last couple of years, he has been deserving of the accolades and ultimately earning the college scholarship at Dartmouth.”

Walters continues to explain what it has been like to work with Devlin. 

“As a coach, getting to work with Brock daily is one of a kind. I feel like I learn just as much from him as I hope he is learning from me and the rest of the staff. I say it all of the time, but the way he sees the game and some of the things he can do offensively, I don’t think you can teach. He’s a humble kid, but we are lucky to have him a part of our organization and I am excited to see what this group can accomplish down the stretch.”

Runner-Up: Seth Murch, Shreveport Mudbugs

Lukas Swedin Minot Minotauros

NAHL Goaltender of the Month: Lukas Swedin, Minot Minotauros

The ‘04 netminder from Sweden, Lukas Swedin, has been dominant between the pipes for the Minotauros. Every game that he was in the net in January, he produced a victory. This hot streak started on New Year’s Eve when the Minotauros produced a 6-1 victory over the Bismarck Bobcats. He is currently on a 10-game win streak while producing two shutouts this past month. The 5’9 goaltender played in eight games, saved 211 out of 220 shots, and produced the best save percentage at .959 while tied for first with his 1.13 goals against average in January. Thanks to his ability between the pipes, the Minotauros are on a nine-game win streak and are now sitting in second place in the Central Division standings. 

Swedin shares what it means to win the Goaltender of the Month honor. 

“It means a lot, I have been working hard and tried staying consistent throughout the season and it feels good that it is paying off. I have had a good month but it goes along with the team's success too. The boys have been playing well lately.”

Swedin is a second-year netminder for the Minotauros. On the season, he has produced five shutouts while ranks second in the league with his .946 save percentage and third overall in the league with his 1.55 goals against average. His defensive dominance is felt by Minot, because out of Minotauro's 29 wins on the season, 22 of those games came with Swedin in the net. 

Head Coach of the Minotauros, Cody Campbell, shares what he has seen from Swedin this season.

“Lukas has been solid for us all season long. His play this month is something we have seen consistently throughout his time here. We look forward to Lukas continuing his strong play as he continues to work towards a Division I commitment”

Runner-Up: Ryan Cameron, Lone Star Brahmas