NAHL Announces Bauer Hockey Stars of the Week

The North American Hockey League (NAHL) announced today the Bauer Hockey Divisional Stars of the Week for the week ending December 8, 2024. 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: Cade Moxham, Forward, Aberdeen Wings

The 6’2 lefty, Cade Moxham, played a crucial role in Aberdeen’s Friday night victory against the North Iowa Bulls. The Wings entered the third period ahead of the Bulls, 3-2. However, with two back-to-back goals in the first 10 minutes of the third period, the Wings were down by one. That did not stop Moxham. With less than four minutes on the clock, Moxham found a way to produce a shorthanded game-tying goal. Heading into overtime, Moxham was clutch again. With 11 seconds on the clock, he handled the pressure and found the back of the net for the game-winning goal.

On the weekend, the 20-year-old skater produced three goals, one assist, four total points, and a +4 rating. Right now, Moxham sits first on his squad for assists (16) and plus-minus rating (+17), while he is second in goals (8) and points (24).

“Cade showed the value of his leadership this weekend,” said Aberdeen’s head coach, Scott Langer. “He seems to do it day in and day out. His speed, skill, and work ethic make him a true difference maker.”

2nd Star: Chase Reid, D, Bismarck Bobcats

3rd Star: Gustas Zemaitis, F, Aberdeen Wings

 

East Division Star of the Week: Andrew Gibbons, Forward, Danbury Hat Tricks

Living up to the squad’s name, Andrew Gibbons, picked up his first and second hat trick of the season in his first two games with the team. Over the weekend, the 5’10 righty was an offensive force for Danbury. He produced seven goals in the two-game sweep over the New Hampshire Mountain Kings. This past weekend was also a career-high affair for the Wakefield, Rhode Island native. 

In Friday’s night matchup, he found the back of the net four times. His first two goals came in the first 15 minutes of the game. He produced his third goal in the second period around the 14:40 mark. Finally in the third period, with less than 10 seconds on the clock, he found the back of the net for his fourth goal of the night. The 19-year-old was effective when the Hat Tricks had the man advantage. Two of the goals on Friday night occurred during power plays.

Heading into game two, Gibbons and the Hat Tricks were on a goal frenzy. In the 10-5 victory, Gibbons found the back of the net in each period. He was effective again on Saturday night when the Hat Tricks had the man advantage. Two of his goals were produced on power plays. 

The ‘05 skater ended his weekend with a weekend career-high of seven goals, seven total points, and a +4 rating. Gibbons also just joined the squad from the Rochester Jr. Americans. He was traded this prior week to the Danbury Hat Tricks. 

“Gibby was a polarizing force this weekend. His attention to detail with his 200-foot game opened up the offensive zone and allowed him to capitalize on his “grade A” chances,” said Danbury’s head coach, Lenny Caglianone. “His natural ability to find quality ice has also bolstered our power play as well. We’re happy to have him here in Danbury.”
 

2nd Star: Kai Elkie, F, Danbury Hat Tricks

3rd Star: Owen Crudale, G, Philadelphia Rebels

 

Midwest Division Star of the Week: Jakeb Lynch, Forward, Minnesota Wilderness

Career-high weekends must be in the water because Jakeb Lynch clinched a seven-point weekend with the Wilderness. The first-year player in the NAHL had an offensive-heavy weekend. During Friday night’s matchup with the Janesville Jets, he produced his second two-goal night of the season. He found the back of the net late in the third period with his first goal happening around the 15-minute mark, while his second goal happened with less than a minute on the clock. During Saturday night’s affair, he scored a goal quickly in the second period. The ‘07 righty also produced three assists during that matchup. Thanks to his work on the ice, the Wilderness produced a sweep over the Janesville Jets.

The skater from the “Cornhusker State” produced three goals, four assists, seven total points, and a +6 rating on the weekend. Thanks to those seven total points, he sits third on his squad with 21 total points on the season.

“Jakeb’s performance not only this past weekend but the last few weeks has been really enjoyable to see. As a smaller skilled forward he knows how to find those scoring areas and arrive at the right time to finish them off,” said the Minnesota Wilderness head coach, Zach Stepan. “My favorite part about his play is even though he is a smaller forward, a lot of his goals are coming around the net front because he is not afraid to get there. That’s why he is being rewarded and also why he has been called up to the Des Moines Buccaneers in the USHL this week. We are rooting for him!”

2nd Star: Roberto Leonardo Henriquez, G, Anchorage Wolverines

3rd Star: Cole Burke, F, Fairbanks Ice Dogs

 

South Division Star of the Week: Brent Litchard, Forward, Shreveport Mudbugs

A third-year veteran on the Mudbugs, Brent Litchard, played an integral role in Shreveport’s matchup against El Paso. Starting on Friday night, the 5’10 righty played a role in three of the four goals scored. He produced a season-high three assists during the matchup. However, on Saturday night, he turned up the heat and picked up his first career hat trick. The 20-year-old from Michigan produced all three goals in Saturday night’s 3-2 victory over the Rhinos. Each of his goals came in separate periods. Starting from behind, Litchard found the back of the net around the seven-minute mark to tie up the game. He then rolls into the second period and produces his second game-tying goal of the night around the 11-minute mark. Finally, immediately in the third period, he scored the game-winning goal in the first 19 seconds of the period. Thanks to his work on the ice, he helped the Shreveport Mudbugs split the series against the El Paso Rhinos and stay close in the standings with them.

On the season, Litchard is tied second on his squad for total points (21), while is third for goals (8) and assists (13).

“Overall, Brent has had a great year so far,” said Shreveport’s head coach, Jason Campbell. “This past weekend we were met with a few lineup changes and that’s when you expect your leaders to step up. Brent did exactly that by contributing to six of our seven goals on the weekend. He was also strong on the faceoff dot and did a phenomenal job on our penalty kill. He’s a great player and captain.”

2nd Star: Cooper Conway, F, Corpus Christi IceRays

3rd Star: Jack Erickson, G, Colorado Grit