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 September 16, 2024. Only the East, Midwest, and South Divisions were represented in this week's selection as they were the only Divisions playing in the Regular Season. Only players that are nominated by their respective teams are considered for the Divisional Players of the Week award.
East Division Star of the Week: Gates Omicioli, Forward, Danbury Hat Tricks
Danbury forward Gates Omicioli was firing on all cylinders during the Hat Tricks’ 8-2 rout of the Elmira Aviators on Saturday. After falling to the Aviators 6-1 the evening prior, Omicioli and the Hat Tricks came out flying to start Saturday’s game. Gates scored the first goal of the game for Danbury late in the first period and added another goal to make the game 4-0 in the middle frame. In the third, Omicioli completed the hat trick and dished an assist on Sam Esposito’s goal. “Gates is a polarizing force that made an impressionable impact in his first weekend,” said Danbury head coach Lenny Caglianone. “To see a first year player come in and perform with the maturity and consistency throughout the weekend is remarkable. The ability to transition and score on the rush as well as being a physical identity makes him he a prototypical D1 prospect.”
2nd Star: Jake Gutwirth, F, Northeast Generals
3rd Star: Charles Panchisin, F, Philadelphia Rebels
Midwest Division Star of the Week: Greye Rampton, Forward, Kenai River Brown Bears
Kenai River forward Greye Rampton was an offensive force throughout the opening weekend, tallying four points to help the Brown Bears sweep the Janesville Jets on the road. On Friday, Rampton tallied his first career NAHL goal just minutes into the first period, which would be the decisive one in the 3-0 shutout. The following night, Rampton scored a pair of goals in the final frame, including the eventual game-winner in Kenai’s comeback victory. “We are expecting big things from Greye this year and he has started off on the right foot,” said Kenai River head coach Taylor Shaw. “His production offensively was great over our first road series of the year. Greye is a very responsible player at both ends of the rink and he didn’t compromise anything for his offensive output this past weekend. Our staff is excited to be a part of his development and we are looking forward to helping him earn a scholarship to an NCAA Division I school.”
2nd Star: Zachary Cline, F, Wisconsin Windigo
3rd Star: Thomas Corneillie, D, Fairbanks Ice Dogs
South Division Star of the Week: Charlie Zolin, Goalie, Amarillo Wranglers
Amarillo Wranglers netminder Charlie Zolin made quite the first impression in net for the Wranglers this weekend, collecting a pair of wins on the road to begin his NAHL rookie campaign. The Greenwich, Connecticut native was nearly perfect between the pipes on Friday night, stopping all but one of 31 shots in Amarillo’s 2-1 shootout win. In the shootout, Zolin kept out three of four Oklahoma attempts. On Saturday, Zolin kept up the momentum, stopping 22 of 24 shots faced in the Wranglers’ 3-2 victory to secure the sweep. He finished the weekend with a 1.44 goals against average and .946 save percentage. “Charlie was determined to battle for the start opening night these past few weeks leading up and did just that,” said Amarillo assistant coach Connor White. “After an outstanding performance to start off the weekend Friday night. We came to the conclusion to give him the net again Game 2 in OKC. And Charlie did not disappoint. You need your goalies to give you a chance to win each night and Zolin provided, while coming up with some timely saves allowing us to accomplish the weekend sweep.”
2nd Star: Rasmus Nousiainen, F, El Paso Rhinos
3rd Star: Jack Erickson, G, Colorado Grit
