NAHL announces Combat Hockey Divisional Stars of the Week

Press Release

The North American Hockey League (NAHL) today announced the Divisional Stars of the Week presented by Combat Hockey for the week ending November 11, 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: Adam Knochenmus, forward, Bismarck Bobcats
Bismarck forward Adam Knochenmus, 20, recorded a point in all but one of Bismarck’s eight goals this past weekend as the Bobcats split a pair of games on the road against Brookings and Austin.  On Friday, the native of Roseau, Minnesota, had a goal and two assists as the Bobcats were edged 4-3 by the Blizzard.  On Saturday, Knochenmus (5’9/175) chipped in with four assists as the Bobcats beat the Austin Bruins, 5-1.  For the weekend, Knochenmus had a goal and six assists for seven points and was a +5.  He is tied for the team lead in points with 20.  “Adam is our leader and we had been struggling a little to score, so it was nice to see him produce some points,” said Bismarck head coach Layne Sedevie.  “What is more important is that he played well against two really good teams that are at the top of our division right now, so that really makes a statement about his ability to come through in the clutch.”
2nd Star: Drew Weigman, goaltender, Brookings Blizzard
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Cody Marooney, forward, Brookings Blizzard – Patrick Moore, forward, Bismarck Bobcats – Paige Skoog, goaltender, Aberdeen Wings – Brandon Wahlin, forward, Austin Bruins.

North Division Star of the Week: Tyler Dunagan, forward, Jamestown Ironmen
The Ironmen lead the NAHL with 15 wins and picked up two more with a weekend home sweep of Janesville, thanks in large part to forward Tyler Dunagan, 19.  The native of Maple Grove, Minnesota, had two goals (including a game-winner) and two assists and was a +3 this weekend as the Ironmen increased their lead in the North Division.  On Friday, Dunagan (5’11/178) had a two assists on both Jamestown goals in a 2-1 win.  On Saturday, Dunagan had two goals, including the game-winner, in a 5-2 win.  His 14 points in 20 games this season is one short of his point total all of last season.  “Tyler is a very hard working player and it was nice to see that hard work pay off with a great performance this past weekend,” said Ironmen head coach Dan Daikawa.  “He has really been an important part of our success lately and has continues to improve each weekend.”
2nd Star: Andrew McDonald, forward, Johnstown Tomahawks
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Nate Chasteen, forward, Springfield Jr. Blues – Mike Fazio, forward, Springfield Jr. Blues – Max Milosek, goaltender, Port Huron Fighting Falcons – Zach Nagelvoort, goaltender, Soo Eagles – Robbie Payne, forward, Kalamazoo Jr. K-Wings – Daniel Rehnstrom, forward, Port Huron Fighting Falcons – Eric Rivard, forward, Soo Eagles.

South Division Star of the Week: Sean Gaffney, forward, Topeka RoadRunners
No one in the NAHL has more points to date than Topeka forward Sean Gaffney.  The 20-year-old from Plymouth, Michigan, had another point-producing weekend as the RoadRunners split their home series with the Amarillo Bulls.  On Friday, Gaffney (6’2/188) matched an NAHL season-high with five points in one game as he recorded five assists in Topeka’s 5-2 win.  On Saturday, he recorded a goal in a 4-2 loss.  For the weekend, Gaffney had six points and he currently leads the NAHL in points with 30.  “Sean is one of the best two-way forwards I have had the opportunity to coach,” said RoadRunners head coach Scott Langer.  “He continues to be one of the hardest working players day in and day out. He also takes a lot of pride in his academics and is a very driven player in every aspect from the game. Sean's play has brought a lot of college attention and it is very deserving. This past weekend’s performance proved that when your best players are needed, he will show up.”
2nd Star: Eliot Grauer, forward, Wichita Falls Wildcats
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Scott Coway, forward, Texas Tornado – Evan Cowley, goaltender, Wcihita Falls Wildcats – Collin Delia, goaltender, Amarillo Bulls – Ryan Doucet, forward, Odessa Jackalopes – Tyler Gernhofer, forward, Amarillo Bulls – Kyle Sharkey, forward, Topeka RoadRunners – Blake Wojtala, goaltender, Odessa Jackalopes.

West Division Star of the Week: Kyle Lee, forward, Fairbanks Ice Dogs
19-year-old forward Kyle Lee was the offensive star of the weekend for the Ice Dogs as they split a weekend home series with in-state rival Kenai River.  The native of Wausau, Wisconsin, registered two goals and three assists for five points over the weekend.  On Friday, Lee (5’8/170) scored both Fairbanks goals in a close 3-2 loss to the Brown Bears.  Both of Lee’s goals came on the power play.  On Saturday, Lee had three assists and was a +3 in a 5-2 win.  His 21 points to date leads the Ice Dogs in scoring.  “Kyle had a great weekend, but it resulted from a lot of hard work on his part,” said Ice Dogs head coach Trevor Stewart.  “He is proving each passing weekend that he can be an elite player at this level.”
2nd Star: Brad LeLievre, forward, Kenai River Brown Bears
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Jayson Angus, forward, Fairbanks Ice Dogs


(Nathan can be reached at nathanfournier@mainehockeyjournal.com)