Monday, October 18, 2010

NAHL announces Players of the Week

Press Release

FRISCO, TEXAS - The North American Hockey League (NAHL) has announced its Players of the Week, sponsored by SBK Hockey, for the week ending Oct. 17.

SBK HOCKEY NORTH PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Joe Kalisz - St. Louis Bandits

St. Louis forward Joe Kalisz rang up four goals and two assists as the Bandits went 2-0-1 against Michigan. On Friday, the Davison, Mich., native potted a pair of goals in a 5-4 shootout loss. The next night, the 19-year-old put home two more goals as the Bandits bested the Warriors, 7-1. Kalisz wrapped up his weekend with a two-assist effort, including one on forward Ryan Stouffer’s game-winning goal, in a 4-1 triumph on Sunday. He was also a plus-5 on the weekend.

“Joe has been a consistent source of leadership and offense for us this season,” said Bandits assistant coach Trevor Stewart. “He hates to lose and it shows in his play.”

HONORABLE MENTION: Motor City forward Cody Wydo; Port Huron forward Kord Miller; St. Louis forward Ryan Stouffer

SBK HOCKEY SOUTH PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Sean Heidrick - Texas Tornado

Texas forward Sean Heidrick notched four goals in the Tornado’s 8-2 triumph over New Mexico on Friday. The 19-year-old from Plano, Texas, who was held scoreless the next night - a 3-1 victory over the Mustangs - was also a plus-2 on the weekend.

“Because of injuries, Sean has stepped in and made the most of his opportunity,” said Tornado head coach Tony Curtale. “He’s worked very hard to get into the lineup and improve as a player, so to see that pay off last weekend was a nice reward for Sean and his teammates.”

HONORABLE MENTION: Amarillo forwards Chris Cass, Michael Erickson and Danny Sherer; Topeka forward Dan Dupell; Wichita Falls forward Mac Olson

SBK HOCKEY CENTRAL PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Ben Persian - Owatonna Express

Owatonna forward Ben Persian connected for three goals and an assist as the Express fashioned a 1-1 record. After being held scoreless on Friday - a 7-1 loss to the Alexandria Blizzard - the Orono, Minn., native registered a hat trick and an assist as the Express bested the Aberdeen Wings, 6-5. The Air Force Academy (Atlantic Hockey) recruit was also a plus-2 for the weekend.

“Ben is a mature, responsible player, on and off the ice,” said Express head coach Chuck Linkenheld. “He’s willing to do whatever it takes to be an impact veteran for us now and a valuable newcomer for Air Force in the future.”

HONORABLE MENTION: Alexandria forward Jordan Nelson; Owatonna forward Lawrence Cornellier

SBK HOCKEY WEST PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Ben Carey - Wenatchee Wild

Wenatchee forward Ben Carey struck for three goals and an assist as the Wild celebrated a two-game sweep over Fresno. On Friday, the Centennial, Colo., native came through with a goal in a 4-2 victory. The next night, the 17-year-old tallied two more goals and an assist as the Wild downed the Monsters, 8-1. He was also a plus-3 on the weekend.

“Ben is a strong competitor and a very skilled forward,” said Wild head coach Paul Baxter. “He’ll continue to get better and become a leader as the season progresses."

SBK HOCKEY GOALTENDER OF THE WEEK
Jacob Meyers - Alexandria Blizzard

Alexandria goaltender Jacob Meyers backstopped the Blizzard to a 1-0-1 record, turning aside 41 of 43 shots. On Friday, the Minnetonka, Minn., native made 20 saves in a 7-1 victory over the Owatonna Express. The next night, the 18-year-old stopped 20 shots in regulation and overtime and three of six in the shootout as the Blizzard fell to the Austin Bruins, 2-1.

HONORABLE MENTION: Amarillo’s Nikifor Szczerba; Austin’s Keegan Asmundson; St. Louis’ Jimmy Hamby; Texas’ Jim Kruger; Wenatchee’s Brandon Jaeger; Wichita Falls’ Tyler Green

(Nathan can be reached at fourniern@students.nescom.edu)

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