NAHL announces Bauer Hockey Stars of the Week
The North American Hockey League (NAHL) today announced the Divisional Stars of the Week presented by Bauer Hockey for the week ending October 30, 2022. The Divisional Stars of the Week is a weekly feature during the 2022-23 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: Colby Joseph, Forward, Minot Minotauros
Thanks to a weekend home-and-home sweep of Bismarck, the Minot Minotauros moved into a tie for 1st place in the Central Division. Leading the way this past weekend was veteran forward Colby Joseph. The 19-year-old from Elkhorn, MB, extended his point streak to five straight games as he contributed a key goal in each of the two wins. On Friday, he had a power play goal in a 5-2 win. On Saturday, he had the game-winning goal late in the 3rd period in a 2-1 win. For the season, Joseph (5’11/182) is 3rd in team scoring with 13 points in 15 games played to date. “Colby has been very effective for us all season long on the ice and as a leader. This past week he was rewarded for his consistent effort scoring two very big goals for us. We look forward to Colby’s continued success and helping him in his pursuit of playing NCAA Division 1 college hockey,” said Minot head coach Cody Campbell.
2nd Star: Trent Wiemken, G, Austin Bruins
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Logan Dombrowsky, F, North Iowa Bulls – Alexander Gullichsen, F, Aberdeen Wings - Byron Hartley, F, North Iowa Bulls – Linards Lipskis, G, Bismarck Bobcats - Hunter Longhi, F, Minot Minotauros – Cole Moore, G, Aberdeen Wings – Gavin Morrissey, F, Austin Bruins – Alexander Palchik, F, Bismarck Bobcats
East Division Star of the Week: Christian Catalano, Forward, Maryland Black Bears
Thanks to a three-game weekend home sweep of the Johnstown Tomahawks, the Maryland Black Bears now own an 11-point lead atop the East Division. Black Bears forward and current NAHL leading scorer Christian Catalano, 19, had a big weekend with five points in the three wins. On Friday, the 6’1/185 lbs. native of Mississauga, ON, had a goal and an assist in a 6-2 win. On Saturday, he had another goal and an assist in a 4-2 win. On Sunday, he had a goal in a 4-2 win. For the season, the RIT recruit leads the NAHL in scoring with 26 points in 19 games played. “Christian is an absolute competitor and extremely talented. He brings it every single time he steps onto the ice and scores some of the most exciting goals our fans have seen in Maryland. He battles every night and is a rare blend of power and skill. Congrats to him on some well-deserved recognition,” said Black Bears head coach Clint Mylymok.
2nd Star: Sean Kilcullen, D, Maryland Black Bears
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Anthony Achille, F, Maine Nordiques – Anthony Galante, F, Johnstown Tomahawks – Ryan Johnson, F, Danbury Jr. Hat Tricks – Jake LaRusso, F, Northeast Generals - Emerson Miller, D, Northeast Generals – Patrick Schmiedlin, F, Maine Nordiques
Midwest Division Star of the Week: Carter Wishart, Goaltender, Chippewa Steel
Chippewa Steel goalie Carter Wishart, 17, picked up a pair of wins this past weekend as the Steel took two of three games in their weekend series in Kenai River. The 6’2/172 lbs. native of Chaska, MN, won both of his starts and stopped 69 of 73 shots in the two wins. On Thursday, Wishart made 29 saves in a 5-1 win. On Friday, he made 40 saves in a 5-3 win. Wishart has now won his last four starts and has a 5-2-0 record overall with a 2.12 goals against average and .931 save percentage so far this season. “Carter has had a tremendous start to his junior hockey career. He’s a quiet, but relentless worker. His hockey IQ is extremely high, which allows him to be ahead of the play. He exudes a sense of calmness while in the net and allows the rest of our team to play with confidence. He made some big saves, at key times this weekend,” said Steel head coach Casey Mignone.
2nd Star: Aiden Westin, F, Anchorage Wolverines
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Jake Cameron, F, Fairbanks Ice Dogs – Kayden Hargraves, G, Fairbanks Ice Dogs – Konrad Kausch, G, Minnesota Wilderness – Cameron Morris, F, Anchorage Wolverines – Aksel Reid, G, Springfield Jr. Blues – Sam Rice, F, Chippewa Steel – Gunnar Thorson, F, Minnesota Wilderness
South Division Star of the Week: Camden Benson, Defenseman, New Mexico Ice Wolves
Thanks to a weekend sweep of the Amarillo Wranglers, the New Mexico Ice Wolves extending their winning streak to three straight games as they occupy 2nd place in the South Division. Having a breakout weekend was defenseman Camden Benson, 20, who contributed in both wins. The 6’2/200 lbs. native of Stillwater, MN, scored his first NAHL goal, which was shorthanded, and also added an assist in Friday’s 5-2 win. On Saturday, he added an assist in a 3-1 win. Benson was also +4 for the weekend. For the season, Benson has four points in 12 games played to date. “We’re very happy for Cam being selected player of the week. He had a great last weekend for us against Amarillo. Scoring his first ever junior goal was huge and it came and a big moment in the game for our team. It’s great to see Cam have success and we’re looking forward to seeing him continue to grow as a player,” said New Mexico head coach Phil Fox.
2nd Star: Gergely Orosz, G, Odessa Jackalopes
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Max Dronen, F, Oklahoma Warriors – Daniel Duris, G, Oklahoma Warriors – William Gramme, G, Lone Star Brahmas – William Howard, F, New Mexico Ice Wolves – Nate Mann, F, Lone Star Brahmas – Niklas Miller, F, Shreveport Mudbugs – Garrett Steele, F, Shreveport Mudbugs
