Press Release
The North American Hockey League (NAHL) today announced the
Divisional Stars of the Week presented by Combat Hockey for the week
ending December 23, 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: AJ Reid, forward, Austin Bruins
The Austin Bruins picked up four more points in a weekend road
sweep in Aberdeen and now hold the biggest lead of any division leader
in the NAHL at 12 points. Bruins forward AJ Reid, 20, led the way in
the weekend sweep with five points (1 goal, 4 assists) in the two
games. On Friday, the native of Lakeville, Minnesota, picked up three
assists in a big 5-1 win. A night later, Reid had a goal and assist to
help Austin jump out to a 3-0 and hang on to win 4-3 and complete the
weekend sweep. Reid (5’10/190) is now second in team scoring with 34
points (11 goals, 23 assists) in 30 games played. He ranks in the Top
10 in the NAHL in both assists and points. “AJ uses his speed and feet
to create turnovers and has had some really good chemistry with his
linemates as of late,” said Bruins head coach Chris Tok. “That has led
to the entire team has been playing well, from goaltending to defense to
the forwards. We are learning that we have to manufacture and work
hard for goals.”
2nd Star: Adam Knochenmus, forward, Bismarck Bobcats
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Tim Donohue, forward, Minot Minotauros – Garrett Hendrickson, forward, Coulee Region Chill – Patrick Moore, forward, Bismarck Bobcats – Mason Morelli, forward, Minot Minotauros – Matt Williams, forward, Coulee Region Chill – Matt Youso, defenseman, Brookings Blizzard.
North Division Star of the Week: Aaron Scheppelman, defenseman, Jamestown Ironmen
Now in his third season with the Ironmen/Metal Jackets
franchise, defenseman Aaron Scheppelman, 20, has been a pillar of
strength and consistency along the blueline. The native of Hanover,
Michigan, has done what his coaches have asked each season and this
season and more specifically past week, have been the perfect example.
Although Scheppelman had registered just five points this season, three
of them came this past weekend as his 1st place Ironmen posted a weekend
home sweep of the Kalamazoo Jr. K-Wings. In Friday’s 3-2 shootout win,
Scheppelman (5’11/200) assisted on both goals in regulation for
Jamestown. In Saturday’s 3-2 overtime win, Scheppelman picked up
another assist. He was also +3 during the weekend sweep. “Aaron has
been the definition of a hard-working leader,” said Ironmen head coach
Dan Daikawa. “He doesn’t look for the glamorous type of role, he just
brings his lunch pail to work every day and does what we ask him to do.
He has accepted a different and more defensive role this year and he
has become a very well-rounded defenseman.”
2nd Star: Austin Priebe, goaltender, Janesville Jets
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Alex Archibald, defenseman, Port Huron Fighting Falcons – Luc Boby, forward, Kalamazoo Jr. K-Wings – Ryan Kellenberger, goaltender, Springfield Jr. Blues – Jonathan Kopacka, defenseman, Port Huron Fighting Falcons – Alex Okicki, goaltender, Kalamazoo Jr. K-Wings – Eric Rivard, forward, Soo Eagles – Alex Taulien, forward, Soo Eagles.
South Division Star of the Week: Rudy Sulmonte, forward, Corpus Christi IceRays
In the lone South Division match-up of the weekend, the Corpus
Christi IceRays picked up a weekend sweep on the road of the Odessa
Jackalopes, as they moved their record above .500. IceRays forward Rudy
Sulmonte, 20, was one of the major contributors in the wins. The
native of Leavittown, New York, racked up six points, which included
four goals (including back-to-back game-winners) and two assists in the
weekend wins. On Friday, Sulmonte (5’8/177) scored two goals, which
included the game-winner in the 1st period, and picked up an assist in a
convincing 8-1 win over the Jacks. On Saturday, it was a repeat
performance of two goals and one assist, but this time all in the 3rd
period as the IceRays scored five, 3rd period goals on their way to a
5-2 win. Sulmonte ranks 2nd on the IceRays roster in points this season
with 32 in 33 games played. “Rudy played very well and we needed that
type of great effort from our top line,” said IceRays head coach Justin
Quenneville. “He sees the ice so well and puts himself and his
linemates in good position to create scoring chances and make things
happen.”
2nd Star: Perry D’Arrisso, forward, Corpus Christi IceRays
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): None
(Nathan can be reached at nathanfournier@mainehockeyjournal.com)
Monday, December 24, 2012
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