April 1, 2024
The North American Hockey League (NAHL) today announced the Division Star of the Week presented by Bauer Hockey for the week ending March 31, 2024. Division Star of the Week is a weekly feature for the 2023-24 season that recognizes the best-performing teams. A player in each of his four divisions in the NAHL. Only players nominated by their respective teams will be eligible for the Division Player of the Week award.
Central Division Star of the Week: Dylan Cook, Forward, Austin Bruins
Austin forward Dylan Cook played in two games over the weekend, scoring a total of 10 points. The Princeton, Minn., native assisted on all five of the Bruins' goals in a 5-1 win over North Iowa to start the weekend. In Saturday's second matchup, Cook scored a goal and had four assists as the Bruins won 5-1. He played in 55 games this season with the University of Massachusetts and Lowell, posting 14 goals and 37 assists for 51 points.
2 stars: Max Vaillant G, St. Cloud Norseman
Honorable Mentions (in alphabetical order): leo bulgakov F, Aberdeen Wings – tommy cummin F. Bismarck Bobcats – Peyton Mituanno F, St. Cloud Norse – Tamas Toss F. Bismarck Bobcats — wes turner D, Aberdeen Wings – ocean wallace, F. Austin Bruins
East Star of the Week: Dominik Barteko, Forward, New Jersey Titans
Dominic Bartecco scored eight points in three games and was named East Star of the Week. Bartecco had a goal and an assist as the Titans defeated the Rebels 4-0 on Tuesday. The Titans played back-to-back and split with Johnstown. Bartecco added an assist on Friday and added two goals and three assists in a five-point game on Saturday. The Mercyhurst University player has played in 56 games this season, scoring a total of 76 points. “Bert continues to drive our offensive bus,” head coach Craig Doremus said. “He took his game to a whole different level. He and his line found great chemistry and it worked for us every night. Because of Dom's ability as our leader, Over the past two months, our team has been able to build a solid brand of hockey. We are very proud of him and look forward to his continued leadership as we head into the Robertson Cup Playoffs. I’m looking forward to it.”
2 stars: Jakub Krubecek G. Philadelphia Rebels
Honorable Mentions (in alphabetical order): Niris Forcelius F, Maine Nordic State – dylan gordon G, Maryland Black Bears – Klaus Jogi F. Philadelphia Rebels – Nikita Meshcheryakov F. New Jersey Titans – logan nickerson F, Danbury Hat Trick – carter richardson G, Maine Nordic State – Riley Lou F, Maryland Black Bears – Wyatt Stephan F, Danbury Hat Trick – Dylan Shane D. Johnstown Tomahawks
Midwest Division Star of the Week: Landon McDonald, forward, Kenai River Brown Bears
Landon McDonald contributed to the Brown Bears' success over the weekend, adding seven points in three games. In three consecutive games against the Jets in Kenai, the Brown Bears won 2 wins and 1 loss. McDonald started the weekend with three assists and helped lead the Brown Bears to a 10-5 win. Saturday was another high-scoring game, with Kenai winning 8-7 in overtime, with McDonald leading the scoring with two goals and one assist. Janesville won Sunday, but McDonald also added an assist in a 7-2 loss. This season, McDonald played in 38 games and scored a total of 14 points. “Landon was an integral part of our success last weekend and the last few weeks,” head coach Taylor Shaw said. “He is serious about finding his identity as a player and it showed with his great play last weekend. Landon is an outstanding person and we look forward to watching him continue to develop his skills. I’m excited to see it.”
2 stars: conor brown D. Janesville Jets
Honorable Mentions (in alphabetical order): Josh Austin F. Fairbanks IceDogs – max beckford G, Windigo, Wisconsin – nick blood F, Minnesota Wilderness – J.J. Cataldo G, Springfield Junior Blues – Jacob Jastazebski F, Windigo, Wisconsin – Jacob Rizzi F, Chippewa Steel – Adam Prokop G, Minnesota Wilderness – laundry schmuck F, Springfield Junior Blues – Samuel Sisik F. Kenai River Brown Bear – adam tim F. Fairbanks IceDogs – Carter Wishart G, Chippewa Steel
South Star of the Week: Ryan Seelinger, forward, New Mexico Icewolves
Icewolves forward Ryan Seelinger played a key role in New Mexico State's four-point sweep over Corpus Christi over the weekend. On Friday night, the Icewolves defeated the IceRays 5-4, with Seelinger scoring four points with one goal and three assists. In the next game, the Downers Grove, Illinois native added two goals and the Icewolves won 6-3. The University of Miami player played in 56 games this season, accumulating 49 points. “It's great that Ryan was named Player of the Week,” head coach Phil Fox said. “The way he played in the second half of the year was huge for us. He's a 'new guy' who has never played like LaBelle. He took the second half step that all first-year players should take. He really used the strengths of his game to give our team and himself a big four points in the standings last weekend. ”
2 stars: Owen Bartoszkiewicz G, Oklahoma Warriors
Honorable Mentions (in alphabetical order): Auntie Autere D, Lonestar Brahmas – Medric Bolduc F, El Paso Cy – Cameron Dunn F, Odessa Jackalopes – block james F, lonely star Brahmas – Oliver Lamonte F. New Mexico Icewolves – mason level F, El Paso Cy – hayden nichol F. Shreveport Mudbugs – Elliott Seguin-Lescarbeau G, Shreveport Mudbugs – Blanco VukasD, Oklahoma Warriors
