NAHL announces Combat Hockey Divisional Stars of the Week
The North American Hockey League (NAHL) today announced the Divisional Stars of the Week presented by Combat Hockey for the week ending October 21, 2012. The Divisional Stars of the Week is a weekly feature during the 2012-13 regular season that honors the top performing players in each of the four NAHL divisions as nominated by their respective teams.
Central Division Star of the Week: Jay Dickman, forward, Austin Bruins
As one of the biggest players in the league, Austin forward Jay Dickman, 19, showed his offensive touch this weekend as he helped his 1st place Bruins take three of four points in a weekend series at Bismarck against the Bobcats. For the weekend, the native of Shoreview, Minnesota, had four points (4 assists) to lead the Bruins. On Friday, he recorded two assists and five shots in a 4-3 overtime loss. The next night, Dickman (6’6/225) again would record two assists in a 4-3 win. For the season, Dickman has nine points in seven games played. “Jay is a big guy that protects the puck well,” said Bruins head coach Chris Tok. “For his size he has great hands and vision. Although he is big, he would prefer to be creative on the offensive side rather than be just a physical forward. He really set up his teammates nicely this weekend.”
2nd Star: Tim Donohue, forward, Minot Minotauros
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Eric Brenk, forward, Brookings Blizzard – Johno May, forward, Bismarck Bobcats – Aaron Nelson, goaltender, Bismarck Bobcats – Tyler Parks, goaltender, Minot Minotauros – AJ Reid, forward, Austin Bruins – Derek Sand, defenseman, Brookings Blizzard.
North Division Star of the Week: Daniel Cesarz, forward, Jamestown Ironmen
Jamestown forward Daniel Cesarz, 20, was on a mission this past weekend against his former team, the Kalamazoo Jr. K-Wings. In a sweep of the K-Wings, not only did Jamestown take over 1st place in the North Division, but Cesarz burned his former team for two goals and two assists for a four-point weekend. The native of Redford, Michigan, had a goal and assist in each game. In Friday’s 2-1 win, Cesarz (5’10/185) also had the game-winning goal and in Saturday’s 7-3 win, he also chimed in with a goal and assist. Cesarz was +5 on the weekend. Cesarz is currently riding a five-game point streak and a four-game goal streak. “The entire team wanted to prove a point last weekend and Daniel led the charge,” said Ironmen head coach Dan Daikawa. “He was the best player on the ice all weekend. He creates so much offense with his speed and skating. He is also a great kid and we feel very fortunate to have him on the roster this season.”
2nd Star: Tyler Marble, goaltender, Soo Eagles
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Michael Covach, forward, Soo Eagles – Ryan Kellenberger, goaltender, Springfield Jr. Blues – Matt Leon, goaltender, Springfield Jr. Blues – Ian Miller, forward, Port Huron Fighting Falcons – Max Milosek, goaltender, Port Huron Fighting Falcons – Ruslan Pedlan, defenseman, Janesville Jets – Austin Priebe, goaltender, Janesville Jets – Patrick Spellacy, forward, Kalamazoo Jr. K-Wings.
South Division Star of the Week: Mike Davis, forward, Amarillo Bulls
Amarillo Bulls forward Mike Davis, 19, helped the Bulls keep pace in the South Division over the weekend as Amarillo took three of four points in the road weekend series at Corpus Christi. In Friday’s 3-2 overtime loss, he registered an assist and was +1. In Saturday’s 9-3 win, Davis (5’11/180) had two goals and an assist and was a +2. The native of Newark, Delaware, extended his point streak to seven straight games with his performance, and is second on the team in scoring this season with 12 points. Now in his second season with the Bulls in the NAHL, head coach Dennis Williams thinks Davis has really improved… “Mike has improved tremendously this season. We originally got him through the NAHL Draft and he really had a nice finish to the season last year that gave him some great confidence and momentum coming into this year. He is reaping the rewards right now for his hard work in the off-season.”
2nd Star: Brandon Hawkins, forward, Texas Tornado
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Tyler Deresky, forward, Amarillo Bulls – Joe Ginley, forward, Corpus Christi IceRays – Leo Lumm, forward, Texas Tornado – Spencer Viele, goaltender, Topeka RoadRunners.
West Division Star of the Week: None (no West teams played from Oct. 14-21)
