Tuesday, October 15, 2013

NAHL announces Easton Divisional Stars of the Week

Press Release

The North American Hockey League (NAHL) today announced the Divisional Stars of the Week presented by Easton for the week ending October 13, 2013.  The Divisional Stars of the Week is a weekly feature during the 2013-14 regular season that honors the top performing players in each of the four NAHL divisions. Only players that are nominated by their respective teams are considered for the Divisional Players of the Week award.

Central Division Star of the Week: Chad Catt, goaltender, Aberdeen Wings

One quick glance at the current NAHL goaltending leaders to date will see Aberdeen Wings goaltender Chad Catt at the top of the table. That is because the 19-year-old native of Willliamstown, Michigan, was literally perfect this past weekend as he posted two shutouts in a weekend road sweep of the Minot Minotauros. Catt (5’10/185) stopped all 30 shots that came his way in Friday’s 3-0 win and did it again on Saturday, stopping another 30 shots in a 3-0 win. With the two shutouts, Catt has now not allowed a goal in regulation in 155 minutes and 29 seconds. His .80 goals against average and 97.4% save percentage lead in the NAHL. “Chad was great for us this past weekend and has done a nice job so far this season,” said Wings head coach Travis Winter. “Chad is an extremely hard worker and his efforts in practice are getting rewarded in games. He has given us a chance to win every night he has played for us.”

2nd Star: Jonathan Grebosky, forward, Aberdeen Wings

Honorable Mention (alphabetical): None

Midwest Division Star of the Week: Mac Jansen, forward, Coulee Region Chill

Anytime a team can go into Fairbanks, Alaska and take two of three games against the Ice Dogs, they should consider it a success. That’s exactly what the Coulee Region Chill did this past weekend as they kept pace in the Midwest Division. Leading the way this season has been 20-year-old veteran forward Mac Jansen. The native of White Bear Lake, Minnesota, was paramount in the two Chill wins on Thursday and Saturday. On Thursday, Jansen (5’10/185) scored twice, including the game-winning goal in a 4-2 win.  After being held scoreless on Friday in a 3-1 loss, Jansen was back at it on Saturday as he racked up another game-winning goal in a 2-1 win. For the season, Jansen leads the Chill in scoring with nine points in 11 games. “Mac really stepped it up this weekend and scored some timely goals,” said Chill head coach AJ Degenhardt. “He provides this team with great leadership and he really does a good job of finishing his chances and taking advantage of the opportunities that present themselves.”

2nd Star: Adam Carlson, goaltender, Coulee Region Chill

Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Albin Karlsson, forward, Kenai River Brown Bears – Eetu Karvinen, forward, Minnesota Magicians – Kasimir Kaskisuo, goaltender, Minnesota Wilderness – Thomas Lindstrom, forward, Minnesota Wilderness – Vincent Stefan, defenseman, Kenai River Brown Bears – Atte Tolvanen, goaltender, Minnesota Magicians – Parker Tuomie, forward, Wenatchee Wild

North Division Star of the Week: Nick Belger, forward, Springfield Jr. Blues

Springfield Jr. Blues forward Nick Belger, 19, broke out in a big way this weekend as he helped the Jr. Blues complete a weekend home sweep of the Soo Eagles. The Sacred Heart University commit and native of Yorktown Heights, New York, had five points (1 goal, 4 assists) in the two wins and was also a +4. On Friday, Belger (6’0/180) assisted on the first two Springfield goals in a 3-2 win. The next night, Belger had a highlight reel goal and two more assists in a 7-4 win.  Five of his six points to date came this past weekend. “This weekend was great for us and Nick hasn’t slowed down and improved as a hockey players since his NCAA commitment,” said Jr. Blues head coach Tony Zasowski. “His entire line was great.  He is a great play-maker. The goal that he scored on Saturday was a example of his talent and ability.”

2nd Star: Logan Lambdin, forward, Port Huron Fighting Falcons

Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Kyle Loridon, forward, Soo Eagles – Mitch Maloney, forward, Port Huron Fighting Falcons – Trevor Stone, forward, Springfield Jr. Blues – Zach Szajner, forward, Michigan Warriors

 South Division Star of the Week: Cody Gylling, forward, Amarillo Bulls

It seemed like only a matter of time before another talented Bulls team was headed back up the standings after a slow start, but after Amarillo’s home sweep of Topeka this past weekend, the Bulls have now won six in a row and sit in 2nd place in the South Division. Newcomer Cody Gylling, 19, has made his mark with the Bulls since arriving in Amarillo a few weeks ago via a trade with Johnstown. This weekend was a perfect example for the native of Chandler, Arizona as he scored two goals and added two assists and was a +2 in the two wins. On Friday, Gylling (5’9/175) had the game-winning goal and an assist in a 4-0 shutout win. On Saturday, Gylling scored again and assisted on the game-winning goal in a 4-3 win. Since joining the Bulls, Gylling has eight points in six games played. “Cody has fit in great with the team. He manages the puck well, but best of all is his play-making ability,” said Bulls head coach Dennis Williams. “He is a proven goal-scorer in this league and that is hard to come by so we feel fortunate to have a player of his ability and talent.”

2nd Star: Tyler Bruneteau, forward, Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees

Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Kyle Bauman, forward, Wichita Falls Wildcats – Collin Delia, goaltender, Amarillo Bulls – Grant Hutton, defenseman, Corpus Christi IceRays – Aleksi Luhtalampi, forward, Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees – Jesse Shelton, defenseman, Corpus Christi IceRays – Will Vosejpka, forward, Wichita Falls Wildcats

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

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