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 February 2, 2025. Only players that are nominated by their respective teams are considered for the Divisional Player of the Week awards.
Central Division Star of the Week: John Small, Forward, Minot Minotauros
Leading the charge for the Minotauros’ sweep over the Watertown Shamrocks was John Small. The 5’10 second-year skater tallied two goals, made two assists, and featured a plus-four rating over the weekend. On Friday night, the Minotauros played from behind after an early first-period goal by Watertown’s William Shephard. In the second period, Minot charged ahead of the Shamrocks thanks to three goals within seven minutes of each other. Small scored the third and final goal of the matchup, allowing Minot to win 3-1. Heading into Saturday night, Small’s offensive prowess was felt by the Minotauros in the first period. The 5’10 lefty scored the first goal of the game and then tallied two assists during the first frame. Both of those assists were made on Ian Spencer’s goals. The Minotauros walked away with a 5-2 victory thanks to his work on the ice.
For the season, Small is ranked second on his squad in goals (19) while ranks first with his plus-minus rating (+34). He has additionally registered 23 assists and 42 total points on the year.
Head coach of the Minotauros, Cody Campbell, shares more about Small’s work on the ice.
“John has been great for us all season long. His consistent play for us was rewarded on the scoresheet this past weekend. We look forward to John continuing his high-level play as he works towards earning a Division I opportunity.”
2nd Star: Ian Spencer, F, Minot Minotauros
3rd Star: Kyle Miller, D, St. Cloud Norsemen
East Division Star of the Week: Owen King, Forward, Rochester Jr. Americans
Serving as the king of the ice over the weekend was Owen King of the Rochester Jr. Americans. This weekend series was a season-high performance for the 5’11 skater. King tallied three goals, registered two assists, and notched a +2 rating over the weekend.
Starting on Friday night, the Jr. Americans battled from behind against the Maine Nordiques. Maine started the scoring late in the first period with a goal by Cole Estey. The goal-scoring went back and forth in the second period. When Rochester would tie the game, Maine would be right behind them with a goal. Rochester’s Jordin Palmer and Owen King registered goals during the second period, however, with a late second-period goal by Ethan Wongus, Maine would be ahead, three to two, as the squads headed into the final frame. King scored the game-tying goal in the third period, allowing the matchup to go into overtime and eventually to a shootout. This shootout went nine rounds, where Rochester was able to clinch the win thanks to Keanan Dewberry. Rochester walked away with a hard-fought 4-3 win.
Moving into Saturday night, Rochester had a scoring affair during their ‘First Responders Appreciation Night.’ The hometown kid tied his single-game season-high of three points during this 7-0 shutout against the Nordiques. King scored a goal on the man advantage and made two assists. This series ended with Rochester sweeping Maine and helping the Jr. Americans stay at the top of the East Division with the Maryland Black Bears.
Head coach of the Rochester Jr. Americans, Francois Methot, talks about the determination he has seen from King to return to the ice.
“Owen had an exceptional weekend, going up against one of the top teams in the league. After missing an entire season due to injury, he’s put in an incredible amount of work to get back to his best, and it’s clearly paying off. Since Christmas break, Owen has been one of our most consistent players. No matter the competition, he’s been logging major minutes and making an impact on both ends of the ice.”
2nd Star: Jordin Palmer, D, Rochester Jr. Americans
3rd Star: Zack Ferris, G, Johnstown Tomahawks
Midwest Division Star of the Week: Michael Manzi, Goaltender, Anchorage Wolverines
The 6’1 netminder from Delaware, Michael Manzi, notched his second Star of the Week honors with his work between the pipes against the Fairbanks Ice Dogs. Over the weekend, Anchorage raged at home with a weekend sweep versus Fairbanks. Starting on Friday night, the Wolverines could tally a goal in every period. Fairbanks was scoreless until the last two minutes of the matchup where Wyatt Carlson could find the back of the net on the power play. Manzi saved 31 out of 32 shots, helping Anchorage to win 3-1.
Leading into Saturday night, Fairbanks was able to get on the board first with a goal, however, this lead was short-lived with Anchorage responding. The first period went back and forth with the teams tied two to two heading into the middle frame. In the second period, Anchorage was able to find the back of the net twice, versus Fairbanks’ one goal. The Wolverines’ Cole Frawner produced the game-winning goal in the second period, while Manzi battled between the pipes saving 21 out of 24 shots on Saturday night.
The weekend sweep marks the first two wins as a Wolverine for Manzi. He ended the weekend with a 2.00 goals against average and a .929 save percentage.
Head coach of the Anchorage Wolverines, Nick Walters, shares more about working with Manzi and his quick adjustment to being on the Anchorage squad.
“It was a unique situation getting Manzi to Anchorage, and we are still only two weeks into that venture, but we could not be happier that he’s here. He has proved early on that he can be the backbone of the team when between the pipes. He could not be more deserving of the award this week as he made some big-time saves and bailed us out when we missed our assignments. He is a big reason we got two important wins this week.”
2nd Star: Brady Engelkes, F, Kenai River Brown Bears
3rd Star: Zachary Cline, F, Wisconsin Windigo
South Division Star of the Week: Kirill Evstigneev, Forward, Amarillo Wranglers
Making his Wranglers debut, Kirill Evstigneev had a season-high performance. The 5’11 lefty dished three goals and made an assist over the weekend against the El Paso Rhinos. On Friday night, Amarillo was playing from behind during the whole matchup. In the first period, Evstigneev found the back of the net in the second period to tie the game. However, El Paso extended their lead in the second and third periods to make the matchup four to one. With less than three minutes left in the game, Evstigneev produced an assist on Noah Ribeiro’s goal helping Amarillo to cut El Paso’s lead in half. Amarillo did walk away with a 4-2 loss, however, Evstigneev played a role in both goals scored that night.
Looking at Saturday night’s rematch, Amarillo was hungry for a win. El Paso first took the lead early with two first-period goals. However, the Wranglers responded with a late first-period goal and a game-tying goal in the middle frame by Evstigneev. Amarillo was able to extend their lead in the final frame thanks to a goal by Cole Saterdalen and an empty-netter by the 5’11 lefty in the final seconds of the game. The ‘06 first-year skater produced his first two-goal game on Saturday night and registered his first four-point weekend in the league. He ended his weekend debut with a plus-three rating.
Head coach of the Wranglers, Corey Wogtech, shares more about having Evstigneev on the team.
“In just two games, Kirill has made a huge impact on our team. He is a dedicated athlete, whose desire to improve is infectious. It’s nice to see a player's hard work pay off on the score sheet, and I’m excited for his future as a Wrangler!
2nd Star: Kristo Pitkanen, F, Lone Star Brahmas
3rd Star: Jackson Fuller, G, New Mexico Ice Wolves
