Players of the Month
Goalie of the Month: Tomas Anderson - Bismarck Bobcats
NAHL Goaltender of the Month: Tomas Anderson, Bismarck Bobcats
The Bismarck Bobcats are on franchise record setting pace so far this season and have yet to lose in regulation; there’s no question that netminder Tomas Anderson has been a key piece to that success.
“I'm honored to receive this recognition, but this award is really to be shared with my entire team,” said Anderson. “My teammates have been incredible in front of me, blocking shots and playing strong defense. This is a really special group of guys we have this year. The whole coaching staff has been important in helping me develop my game and stay focused. I just try to show up every day, work hard, and give our team a chance to win. There's still a lot of season left, and I'm excited to keep building on what we've started here in Bismarck.”
The league leader in goals against average had an incredible month between the pipes for the Central Division powerhouse, earning a win in five of his six starts. The Stillwater, Minnesota native did not allow more than two goals in any of his starts in October. In those games, Anderson maintained a GAA of 1.00 while holding an impressive .962 save percentage. Anderson earned his first two shutouts of the season consecutively, logging a 23 save shutout on the 19th against the Watertown Shamrocks, following that up with a 34 save shutout against the Minot Minotauros.
“Tomas has had a great start to the season for us and has been the backbone of our team,” said Bismarck head coach Garrett Roth. “His consistency and ability to make timely big saves has been a huge part of the success we have had as a team. His work ethic and practice habits have led the way in his development this year as a big time goaltender. We are excited for Tomas earning this award and looking forward to his continued development and success at our level and beyond.”
Runner-Up: Beck Liden, St. Cloud Norsemen
Forward of the Month: Jack Hillier - New Jersey Titans
Bauer Hockey NAHL Forward of the Month: Jack Hillier, New Jersey Titans
Heading into October with one win in seven regular season games, the New Jersey Titans have catapulted themselves up the East Division standings in October and veteran forward Jack Hillier has been a catalyst to that turnaround.
“I’m honored to be named the forward of the month, but credit goes to my teammates,” said Hillier. “We’ve done a great job flipping the script after returning from the showcase. We are beginning to make some noise in the East and I’m excited to see what this group brings falling into these next few weeks.”
Hillier’s offensive prowess broke out on the 5th of October against the Northeast Generals, tallying a goal and two assists in the Titans’ 4-3 victory. Following that Saturday night, the Petawawa, Ontario native logged at least one point in the next six games, four of those being multi-point performances. In that stretch, Jack found the back of the net seven times and dished eight helpers, co-leading the league in points throughout October with fellow Titan Ryan Shaw. The Sacred Heart University commit has 64 points in 73 regular season games so far in his NAHL career.
“There's no denying Hillier's point production in the last month of the season has been off the charts,” said New Jersey head coach George Haviland. “Jack is a big, strong power forward who has a scorer's touch as he enters the offensive zone. We are very proud of Jack's accomplishments to date."
Runner-Up: Niko Tournas, Danbury Hat Tricks
Defenseman of the Month: Brock Devlin - Anchorage Wolverines
Bauer Hockey NAHL Defenseman of the Month: Brock Devlin, Anchorage Wolverines
Anchorage blueliner Brock Devlin and St. Cloud’s Kyle Miller have much in common in the early part of this season: both lead the NAHL in scoring by defenseman and both now have earned Star of the Month honors.
“I am very thankful to win defenseman of the month,” said Devlin. “It couldn’t have been possible without my teammates and all the staff in Anchorage. Our team is off to a great start and it starts with the team chemistry. I am very fortunate to be surrounded by people that push themselves and others to be their best everyday. We are very confident that we can make it back to the Robertson Cup and ultimately win it all this year.”
For a franchise who has punched a ticket two out of their first three seasons, Devlin and the Wolverines know the expectations of success in Anchorage and they have met those expectations so far. Anchorage was victorious in six of their eight games this month and Devlin played a role offensively in seven of those games. Dating back to a matchup against the Chippewa Steel on October 5th, Brock has tallied at least one point in every game. His best performance came on the 19th on the road against the Fairbanks Ice Dogs, dishing out four assists in a dominant 7-1 Wolverines victory. Currently onn a 79 point regular season pace, we could be seeing some franchise records be broken by the defenseman from Mission Viejo, California.
“Brock couldn’t be a more deserving candidate for star of the month this month. We knew with him returning, he would play a big role for our team especially with pieces of last years D core departing,” said Anchorage head coach Nick Walters. “His commitment to learning and exceling on the defensive side of things has catapulted him into that next tier player. He kills plays on the blueline and corners, defends at net front, and retrieves pucks at an elite level. By doing these things the puck ends up on his stick more. What he is able to do with the puck on transition and on the offensive side of things can't be taught in my opinion. The way he sees the ice and distributes the puck has made him a go to player on the power play and in the offensive zone. Only being 13 games into the season, the sky is the limit for him, and we as an organization are excited to see what the rest of the season brings.”
Runner-Up: Ian Engel, Bismarck Bobcats
Forward of the Month: Jacob Ligi - Chippewa Steel
Bauer Hockey NAHL Forward of the Month: Jacob Ligi, Chippewa Steel
Chippewa Steel captain Jacob Ligi has been a leader both on and off the ice for the Steel thus far in his second season with the Midwest Division organization.
“It’s an honor to receive forward of the month. I could not have accomplished this without a great team and coaches supporting me,” said Ligi. “The team this year is coming together well. We have a lot of talent and everyone plays with heart. Our lines were clicking and we played as a team during this first month. I am super pumped for the rest of the season with this group!”
After a cold opening weekend for both him and the Steel against the Wisconsin Windigo, the South Lyon, Michigan native has been on a tear, tallying 13 points in his last five games. His offensive prowess kickstarted in a matchup on the 20th against the Kenai River Brown Bears, logging a pair of goals and three assists in Chippewa’s 5-1 victory. Ever since, Ligi has recorded at least a point in each game, three of those four games having multiple point performances. Ligi finished the month with 13 points (4 goals, 9 assists), placing him first amongst the league’s leading scorers. He also boasted a +5 rating over the course of those seven games.
“Jacob is off to a great start this season, taking a huge step from where he was at the end of last year,” said Chippewa head coach Chris Ratzloff. “His off-season training is really showing through his consistency and production so far. Jacob has become a complete player that we can use in all situations and has started to catch the eye of multiple colleges. Jacob continues to make his teammates better through his play and leadership. We are excited to see his continued success on and off the ice.”
Runner-Up: Peyton Mithmuagneua, St. Cloud Norsemen
Defenseman of the Month: Kyle Miller - St. Cloud Norsemen
Bauer Hockey NAHL Defenseman of the Month: Kyle Miller, St. Cloud Norsemen
Reeling in this season’s first Defenseman of the Month honor is also a member of their team’s leadership group, as second-year blueliner Kyle Miller earned the leaguewide distinction.
“I am super happy with our team’s start to the year,” said Miller. “It’s a privilege to be part of such a great group of guys. My success and the success we’ve had as a team to start the season is a testament to their work ethic and character. I’m excited to continue working and growing as a team.”
Miller got his confidence rolling early on this season, tallying a trio of assists in St. Cloud’s opening weekend against the Minnesota Mallards. His level of play only increased at the Showcase in Blaine, recording a point in all three games, highlighted by a three-point game on day one against the Rochester Jr. Americans. In only five games played so far this season, the San Jose, California native currently sits tied for fifth in league scoring for all skaters. His nine points and 1.80 points per game both lead all blue liners.
“Kyle is off to a fantastic start. He came into this season on a mission to prove that he is one of top 2-way defensemen in junior hockey,” said St. Cloud head coach Joe Exter. “His natural abilities and hockey IQ give him a chance to make an impactful play each shift. Most importantly Kyle has made a commitment to play strong defense. His defense first focus has led to him controlling the play in all three zones. It has also become a catalyst of not only his game but our team’s game. We will rely on Kyle to continue his strong play and most importantly be a leader for the Norsemen on and off the ice.”
Runner-Up: Ian Norkevicus, Fairbanks Ice Dogs
Goalie of the Month: Charlie Zolin - Amarillo Wranglers
NAHL Goaltender of the Month: Charlie Zolin, Amarillo Wranglers
It’s difficult to envision a better first month of a rookie NAHL campaign for Amarillo’s Charlie Zolin, as he’s earned a pair of Star of the Week honors and caps off September with earning the Goaltender of the Month.
“I am very thankful to be selected for this distinctive honor,” said Zolin. “My defensemen have been phenomenal in blocking shots and keeping grade-A chances to a minimum. Coach Harnett and the rest of the Amarillo coaching staff have supported me generously here, and I am excited to progress with the team as we look to bring the Robertson Cup to Amarillo.”
Zolin went undefeated in five starts for the South Division leaders, allowing just seven goals in over 300 minutes between the pipes. The Greenwich, Connecticut native has allowed only one goal in three of his five games, and throughout those three games he faced over 30 shots. He capped off the month allowing just one goal in Amarillo’s 2-1 victory against the reigning East Division Champions Maryland Black Bears. Over the course of the month, Charlie accumulated a 1.35 goals against average, .955 save percentage, and a perfect 5-0-0-0 record.
“So proud of Charlie, he had a great opportunity to put it all together during the showcase and he made the most of it with lots of eyes in the stands,” said Amarillo head coach Taylor Harnett. “His focus was to help us win, first and foremost. He has proven time and again that he will be focused, and prepared to do whatever it takes to help our team have success.”
Runner-Up: Nikita Volsky, Corpus Christi IceRays
