Monday, January 13, 2014

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 January 12, 2014.  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: Tyler Dunagan, forward, Bismarck Bobcats

Bismarck forward Tyler Dunagan, 20, helped his team capture three of four points this weekend as they lost in a shootout at home to Aberdeen on Friday, 4-3 and rebounded for a 7-2 win at home over Brookings on Saturday. The native of Maple Grove, Minnesota contributed in both games totaling four assists along with a +3 rating. Dunagan (5’11/185) assisted on Bismarck’s first goal in Friday’s shootout loss. On Saturday, he had three assists, including one on the game-winning goal, in a 7-2 win over the Blizzard. In 36 games this season, Dunagan has 25 points. “Tyler has been a nice addition for us. We know he is talented offensive player with a lot of skill,” said Bobcats head coach Layne Sedevie. “He is really starting to produce offensive and when he is clicking, we are a much better team because of it.”

2nd Star: Jay Dickman, forward, Austin Bruins

Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Chad Catt, goaltender, Aberdeen Wings – Jacob McDowell, forward, Bismarck Bobcats – TJ Roo, forward, Aberdeen Wings

Midwest Division Star of the Week: Nick Hinz, defenseman, Fairbanks Ice Dogs

The Ice Dogs lead in the Midwest Division increased to eight points thanks to their three-game weekend home sweep of the Minnesota Magicians. Four-year veteran defenseman Nick Hinz, 20, was at his best in the three wins as the native of Oakdale, Minnesota was a +5 and had four points in the weekend sweep. On Thursday, Hinz (5’11/190) picked up two assists in a 4-1 win. He was +1 in the 6-5 win on Friday and on Saturday he had a goal and an assist in a 3-0 win. In 38 games this season, Hinz has 14 points.  “Nick understands what it takes to be successful at this level and he doesn’t take a night off,” said Ice Dogs head coach Trevor Stewart. “He is steady and consistent and will be very solid defenseman at the NCAA Division I level someday.”

2nd Star: Zach Quinn, goaltender, Kenai River Brown Bears

Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Blake Cates, goaltender, Coulee Region Chill – Nathan Colwell, forward, Kenai River Brown Bears – Blake Kelley, forward, Coulee Region Chill – Kyle Lee, forward, Fairbanks Ice Dogs – Troy Loggins, forward, Wenatchee Wild – Omar Mullan, forward, Wenatchee Wild

North Division Star of the Week: Sandis Zolmanis, forward, Soo Eagles

Thanks to their recent stretch of winning, the Soo Eagles are a playoff contender, which including taking three of four points this weekend at home against the 1st place Port Huron Fighting Falcons. With five points in his last five games, including three goals this past weekend, 19-year-old forward Sandis Zolmanis lead the way for the Eagles. On Saturday, the native of Riga, Latvia, scored the game-tying goal with :02 seconds to go in regulation and also scored in the shootout as the Eagles fell to the Fighting Falcons 3-2. On Sunday, Zolmanis (6’0/183) scored twice in a 5-2 win. After playing the first four games with the Minnesota Magicians, Zolmanis had scored 16 points in 20 games with the Eagles. “Sandis has been an impact player for us ever since he has joined the club,” said Eagles head coach Bruno Bragagnolo. “He is a very skilled and smart player. He is unselfish with the puck and he settles us down and really helps the power play.”

2nd Star: Alex Baskakov, defenseman, Springfield Jr. Blues

Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Shane Bednard, forward, Johnstown Tomahawks – Alex Blankenburg, goaltender, Port Huron Fighting Falcons – Scott Cuthrell, forward, Soo Eagles – Trevor Stone, forward, Springfield Jr. Blues

 South Division Star of the Week: Mike Davis, forward, Amarillo Bulls

The Bulls current seven-game winning streak has coincided with the recent good play of 20-year-old forward Mike Davis. The native of Newark, Delaware had six points in three games this past week to help the Bulls to a 10-point lead in the South Division. After being on the ice for the only Amarillo goal in a 1-0 overtime win over Odessa on Tuesday, Davis (5’9/185) was a major factor in Friday’s 4-2 win over Rio Grande Valley as he scored twice, including the game-winning goal, and assisted on the other two goals. On Saturday, Davis picked up two more assists in a 3-0 win. The three-year NAHL veteran now leads the Bulls in scoring with 42 points in 39 games played. His 42 points also ranks 2nd among all scorers in the NAHL. “Mike played really well this weekend.  His veteran leadership really has stood out lately and he rallied the team on Friday,” said Bulls head coach Dennis Williams. “Not only does he factor in the scoring, but he does the little things too. He leads our team in blocked shots and is one of the leaders in hits.  It goes hand in hand with how hard he works. He has the potential to be a solid NCAA Division I player.”

2nd Star: TJ Black, goaltender, Lone Star Brahmas

Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Collin Delia, goaltender, Amarillo Bulls – Nick Monfils, forward, Corpus Christi IceRays – Tony Roisum, forward, Corpus Christi IceRays – Alexey Solovyev, defenseman, Lone Star Brahmas

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

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