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 November 17, 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

The Aberdeen Wings moved into sole possession of 2nd place in the Central Division thanks to their weekend road sweep of the Minnesota Magicians. Wings goaltender Chad Catt, 19, was in goal for both wins, in which he allowed just two goals in 123+ minutes of action. For the weekend, Catt (5’10/185) stopped 76 of 78 shots for a 97.4% save percentage and a goals against of just 0.98. On Friday, the native of Williamstown, Michigan, made 37 saves in regulation and overtime, then stopped all four shooters in the shootout in a 3-2 win. On Saturday, Catt was even better as he stopped all 39 shots that came his way in a 3-0 shutout. For the season, Catt ranks tied for 2nd in the NAHL with a 95.5% save percentage and ranks in the top five in both shutouts and goals against average. “Chad was great for us this weekend,” said Aberdeen head coach Travis Winter. “Our guys played great in front of him and he make some big saves when we needed them.”

2nd Star: Jacob Howie, forward, Minot Minotauros

Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Colton Kramer, forward, Minot Minotauros – Nick Lehr, goaltender, Austin Bruins – Michele Marchetti, forward, Brookings Blizzard – Austin Priebe, goaltender, Brookings Blizzard – TJ Roo, forward, Aberdeen Wings

Midwest Division Star of the Week: Tanner Barnes, forward, Wenatchee Wild

It was a breakout weekend for newly acquired Wenatchee Wild forward Tanner Barnes. Since being picked up in a trade with Coulee Region, Barnes, 19, had yet to find his stride. However, he did this weekend as the Wild posted a weekend split in Johnstown against the Tomahawks. The native of Burnsville, Minnesota totaled six points (2 goals, 4 assists) in the two games and was a +4. In Friday’s 6-4 loss, Barnes (6’1/170) chimed in on three of the four Wenatchee goals as he recorded a goal and two assists in the close loss. On Saturday, Barnes scored again and registered two more assists, including on the game-winning goal, in a 5-1 win. His six points in the two games represents all of his points to date this season. “This past weekend Tanner and his line were very solid. They played well in all areas of the ice and created a lot of our offensive production,” said Wenatchee head coach Bliss Littler. “Tanner brings some much needed experience to the team and he has been a welcome addition. He is a big player that skates very well.”

2nd Star: Kevin Aldridge, goaltender, Fairbanks Ice Dogs

Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Nathan Colwell, forward, Kenai River Brown Bears – Mike Coyne, forward, Wenatchee Wild – Jacob Hetz, forward, Fairbanks Ice Dogs – Kris Oldham, goaltender, Kenai River Brown Bears

North Division Star of the Week: Matt Seidel, forward, Port Huron Fighting Falcons

Although he played in just one game this past weekend, it was hard to ignore the performance from Port Huron forward Matt Seidel. The 19-year-old forward from Troy, Michigan, had a career night as he scored four goals and added two assists and was a +3 in Port Huron’s 10-4 win in Janesville against the Jets on Saturday. The six points in one game in tops for a player in the NAHL this season and his four goals also equals a single-game high. Seidel (6’3/185) scored a goal in the 1st period and three more in the 3rd period. In 10 games with the Fighting Falcons this season, Seidel has seven points, six of which came on Saturday night. “I think there was a period to time that Matt needed to get himself acclimated with the team and now that he understands the system, he is a very important piece to our success,” said Port Huron head coach Michael Gershon. “When he is at his best, he is a pure goal scorer and Matt has a tremendous amount of talent.”

2nd Star: AJ Marcinek, forward, Michigan Warriors

Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Kristofers Bindulis, defenseman, Soo Eagles – Patrick Curry, forward, Springfield Jr. Blues – Jon Farkas, forward, Michigan Warriors – Stefanos Lekkas, goaltender, Springfield Jr. Blues – Austin Romzek, forward, Port Huron Fighting Falcons

South Division Star of the Week: Chase Munroe, goaltender, Wichita Falls Wildcats

Thanks to a weekend sweep of the Kenai River Brown Bears in Alaska, the Wichita Falls Wildcats find themselves back on track and now in a 2nd place tie in the South Division. Rookie goaltender Chase Munroe, 18, arguably had his best weekend of the year as he started and won both games. The native of Naperville, Illinois, faced a total of 79 shots and stopped 76 of them, which was good for a 96.2% save percentage and 1.44 goals against average during the weekend. On Friday, Munroe (6’3/210) made 38 saves in a 3-2 win. On Saturday, he made 38 saves through regulation and overtime, then he stopped all five Brown Bears shooters in the shootout in a 2-1 win. For the season, Munroe has a 7-4-2 record with a 2.04 goals against average and a 92.4% save percentage.“Chase made a lot of big saves when he had to and that’s what a contending team needs,” said Wildcats head coach Paul Baxter. “We have great goaltending depth and it has made both of them better. Chase has good rebound control and the more he utilizes his size, the more effective he is in goal.”

2nd Star: Eric Hancock, goaltender, Odessa Jackalopes

Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Lucas Bennett, forward, Corpus Christi IceRays – Jasen Fernsler, forward, Topeka RoadRunners – Tyler Gernhofer, forward, Amarillo Bulls – Ben Greiner, forward, Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees – Lucas McDiarmid, forward, Corpus Christi IceRays – Sean Mostrom, defenseman, Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees – Sam Piazza, defenseman, Wichita Falls Wildcats – Andrew Roye, defenseman, Topeka RoadRunners – Matt Sieckhaus, forward, Amarillo Bulls


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