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 March 3, 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: Kyle Doll, Forward, Bismarck Bobcats
Bismarck forward Kyle Doll found his name all over the scoresheet over the two games he appeared in over the weekend. The Lakeville, MN native had an outstanding showing to start the weekend where he scored a hat-trick and dished out an assist. In game two, Doll handed out another assist to end the weekend with five points under his belt. Doll has played in 45 games this season where he has totalled 19 points with 9 goals and 10 assists. “Kyle had a great weekend for us and was our best player all weekend,” Head Coach Layne Sedevie said. “He always plays hard and has been working on his game offensively so it was nice to see it start to translate for him”
2nd Star: Trent Wiemken, G, Austin Bruins
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Colby Bear, F, Minot Minotauros – Will Dawson, F, Minot Minotauros – Kade Kohanski, F, Bismarck Bobcats – Gustav Noren, F, Austin Bruins – Riley Sharun, F, Aberdeen Wings – Max Weilandt, G, St. Cloud Norsemen – Grant Winkler, D, Aberdeen Wings
East Division Star of the Week: Dominik Bartecko, Forward, New Jersey Titans
New Jersey forward Dominik Bartecko was outstanding over three games to earn the East Division Star of the Week honors. Bartecko, a Brentwood, TN native, added a goal in Tuesday’s 7-2 loss to Philadelphia. Bartecko then combined for six points in a weekend sweep over the Maryland Black Bears. The Mercyhurst commit added the opening goal and final assist in the Titans 4-2 win Friday. On Saturday night’s game, Bartecko netted two goals and dished out two assists as New Jersey won 8-4. Dominik has played in 48 games this season where he has combined for 58 points. “Dom continues to lead the way offensively,” Head Coach Craig Doremus said. “He has continued to grow and develop this year. I have witnessed him raise his game to another level as we wind down the regular season and approach the playoffs. Dom has taken his game on and off the ice to a different level. I am proud of his weekend as he stepped up for us big time on a huge home weekend coming off a loss on Tuesday night. We need him to continue to lead the way for us as we have another busy three game week coming up.”
2nd Star: Carter Richardson, G, Maine Nordiques
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Zach Aben, F, Johnstown Tomahawks – Sean Bradley, F, New Hampshire Mountain Kings – Stefan Carney, G, New Hampshire Mountain Kings – David Helledy, D, Maine Nordiques – Ivan Korodiuk, D, Danbury Hat Tricks – Will Lawrence, F, Johnstown Tomahawks – Lucas marshall, D, New Jersey Titans – Sam Stitz, F, Maryland Black Bears
Midwest Division Star of the Week: Matt Schoephoerster, Goalie, Springfield Jr. Blues
Springfield netminder Matt Schoephoerster picked up a big win in net for the Jr. Blues. The Crosslake, MN native backstopped 35 shots while on the road in Fairbanks Alaska where the Jr. Blues took a 2-1 win. His performance in net was good for a 1.00 GAA and a .972 SV%. This season, Schoephoerster holds a record of 3-3, a 4.00 GAA and a .882 SV%. “Matt has been playing solid on the back end for us,” Head Coach Todd Pococke said. “He competes hard and you can see his confidence continue to grow every day.”
2nd Star: Tyler Grahme, F, Wisconsin Windigo
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Daniel Astopovich, F, Minnesota Wilderness – Nick Hatton, D, Chippewa Steel – Hadley Hudak, F, Springfield Jr. Blues – Joe Kelly, F, Chippewa Steel – Linards Lipskis, G, Wisconsin Windigo – Riley Mullens, D, Kenai River Brown Bears – Kota Tsutsumi, F, Kenai River Brown Bears
South Division Star of the Week: Ryan Burke, Forward, Shreveport Mudbugs
Mudbugs forward Ryan Burke was great for Shreveport over the weekend where he combined for six points in two games. The London, Ontario native handed out three assists in the Mudbugs 6-4 loss on Friday. The following contest, Burke and the Mudbugs went to work where the forward scored a goal and added two assists in a 5-2 win. Burke, who played on Team South in the 2024 NAHL Top Prospects Tournament, has played in 49 games this season and has totalled 49 points with 21 goals and 28 assists. “Ryan’s game has come so far since he joined us last year,” Head Coach Jason Campbell said. “He’s always had great offensive tendencies and poise with the puck. He’s developed a nice edge to his game, improved his defensive game, and has improved his skating. By committing himself to improving these parts of his game it has helped him explode with nice offensive output this year. His +25 rating is a testament to his commitment to rounding out his game.”
2nd Star: Jack Fuller, G, New Mexico Ice Wolves
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Cameron Dunn, F, Odessa Jackalopes – Graham Harris, F, New Mexico Ice Wolves – Bryce Ingles, D, Lone Star Brahmas – Jacob Jerman, D, El Paso Rhinos – Brock James, F, Lone Star Brahmas – Stepan Kuznetsov, F, Corpus Christi IceRays – Brent Litchard, F, Shreveport Mudbugs – Kaden Nelson, F, Oklahoma Warriors – Pierson Sobush, F, Corpus Christi IceRays – Frank Tafelski, D, El Paso Rhinos – Max Vig, D, Oklahoma Warriors
