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 January 7, 2024. The Divisional Stars of the Week is a weekly feature during the 2023-24 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: Jack O’Hanisain, Forward, Minot Minotauros
Minot forward Jack O’Hanisain, 19, helped his team to another weekend sweep as the 1st place Minotauros pushed their current winning streak to nine straight games. The 5’11/175 lbs native of Troy, MI, had five points in the two wins. On Friday, O’Hanisain had a goal in a 7-1 win at St. Cloud against the Norsemen. On Saturday, he recorded two goals and two assists in a 6-3 win. For the season, O’Hanisain is currently 2nd in team scoring with 36 points in 33 games played, which includes a team-leading 19 goals. “Jack had a great weekend of production for us and played a key role in our team's success this weekend. He continues to be a 200-foot player that is consistently providing offense in a variety of different ways. We look forward to Jack continuing to play at a high level as he pursues a NCAA Division I opportunity,” said Minot head coach Cody Campbell.
2nd Star: Nikolai Tishkevich, F, Aberdeen Wings
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Julian Beaumont, F, Bismarck Bobcats – Connor Beckwith, F, Austin Bruins – Michael Coleman, F, St. Cloud Norsemen – Tyler Dysart, F, St. Cloud Norsemen – Klayton Knapp, G, Bismarck Bobcats – Austin Salani, F, Austin Bruins – Weston Turner, D, Aberdeen Wings
East Division Star of the Week: Charles Panchisin, Forward, Philadelphia Rebels
Philadelphia forward Charles Panchisin, 19, continued his hot play over the weekend as the Rebels split a road series against the Northeast Generals. The 5’7/150 lbs native of Vernon Hills, IL, had five points in the two games. On Friday, Panchisin had a goal and two assists in a 6-4 win. On Saturday, he had two of Philadelphia’s three goals in a 6-3 loss. For the season, Panchisin currently leads the Rebels in scoring with 30 points in 32 games played. “We are excited for Charles. He’s steadily improving as the season progresses. Night in and night out, we know what we’re going to get. This is a well-deserved honor after a strong showing this past weekend,” said Rebels head coach Justin Hale.
2nd Star: Owen Lepak, G, Maryland Black Bears
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Zach Aben, F, Johnstown Tomahawks – Matteo Disipio, F, Rochester Jr. Americans – Cole Hipkin, F, Maine Nordiques – Luke Janus, F, Maryland Black Bears – Joey McGraw, F, Northeast Generals – Jacob Osborne, G, Johnstown Tomahawks – Carter Richardson, G, Maine Nordiques – Thomas Rockey, F, Rochester Jr. Americans – Jacob Wilson, F, Northeast Generals
Midwest Division Star of the Week: Jacob Jastrzebski, Forward, Wisconsin Windigo
Windigo forward Jacob Jastrzebski, 18, put up some big numbers this past weekend as Wisconsin picked up a weekend home sweep over the Kenai River Brown Bears. The 6’0/180 lbs native of Chicago, IL, posted seven points and was a +5 in the two wins. On Friday, Jastrzebski assisted on both Windigo goals in a 2-1 win. On Saturday, he had a goal and four assists in a 7-4 win. For the season, Jastrzebski is currently 4th in team scoring with 31 points in 33 games played. “Jacob has been a huge part of our success this season and it’s great to see him rewarded for another great weekend. He plays a very honest and mature game for a first-year player and helps us in all situations. He’s got a bright future and we’re happy to be a part of his development,” said Windigo head coach Blake Hietala.
2nd Star: Haden Kruse, F, Janesville Jets and Max Martin, F, Wisconsin Windigo
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Conner Brown, D, Janesville Jets – Brock Devlin, D, Anchorage Wolverines – Nick Erickson, G, Minnesota Wilderness – Luke Hause, D, Kenai River Brown Bears – Tyler Krivtsov, G, Fairbanks Ice Dogs – Bryce Monrean, F, Anchorage Wolverines – Ian Norkevicus, D, Fairbanks Ice Dogs – Mason Peapenburg, D, Chippewa Steel – Peyton Platter, F, Chippewa Steel – Peteris Purmalis, F, Minnesota Wilderness – Nicholas Stevens, F, Kenai River Brown Bears
South Division Star of the Week: Topi Puikkonen, Forward, Amarillo Wranglers
Amarillo forward Topi Puikkonen, 20, helped his club pick up five of a possible six points in a three-game weekend road series in Colorado against the Grit. The 6’3/205 lbs native of Tampere, Finland, racked up seven points in the three games. On Friday, Puikkonen had a goal and an assist in a 7-6 overtime win. On Saturday, he had two goals and an assist in a 4-1 win. On Sunday, he scored two more goals and had a shootout goal in a 6-5 shootout loss. For the season, Puikkonen currently leads the Wranglers in scoring with 33 points in 36 games played. “It is fantastic to see that Topi's hard work and play has earned him this award. Topi has great hockey sense and puck protection abilities. Off the ice he conducts himself in a professional manner and does not shy away from doing the extra work required to get to the next level. In my mind, he is ready to play at the NCAA Division I level, and hopefully this award helps him on his path because he is very deserving of the chance,” said Wranglers head coach Ryan Anderson.
2nd Star: Brad Walker, F, El Paso Rhinos
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Owen Carlile, F, Oklahoma Warriors – Dominic Elliott, D, Oklahoma Warriors – Graham Harris, F, New Mexico Ice Wolves – Justin Kerr, F, Lone Star Brahmas – Tory Lund, F, El Paso Rhinos – Jack McDonald, F, Amarillo Wranglers – Hayden Nichol, F, Shreveport Mudbugs – Michael Schermerhorn, F, New Mexico Ice Wolves – Eliot Seguin-Lescarbeau, G, Shreveport Mudbugs – Jack Wieneke, G, Lone Star Brahmas
