The North American Hockey League (NAHL) today announced the Divisional Stars of the Week presented by Bauer Hockey for the week ending February 11, 2024. The Divisional Stars of the Week is a weekly feature during the 2023-24 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: Matthew Wisener, Forward, Aberdeen Wings
Wings forward Matthew Wisener was a key in the Wings weekend sweep over North Iowa where he played in two games. Wisener, a native of Winnipeg, AK, started the weekend series off by adding an assist in three Aberdeen goals for a 6-2 final. On Saturday, Wisner scored a third period goal in the Wing’s 3-1 victory. Wisener has played in 39 games this season where he has totalled 25 points. “Matt has a high end skill set that allows him to be a difference maker night in and night out for this team,” Head Coach Scott Langer said. “His work ethic and ability to put the team first fits right into what we want in a Wing “
2nd Star: Stephen Peck, G, Bismarck Bobcats
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Leo Bulgakov, F, Aberdeen Wings – Damon Furuseth, F, Austin Bruins – Alexandr Kim, F, Bismarck Bobcats – Jackson Luther, F, Austin Bruins – Nicholas Sewecke, F, Minot Minotauros – Lukas Swedin, G, Minot Minotauros – Max Weilandt, G, St. Cloud Norsemen
East Division Star of the Week: Massimo Gentile, Forward, Rochester Jr. Americans
Rochester Jr. Americans forward Massimo Gentile was outstanding for his squad over a two game series against the New Hampshire Jr. Mountain Kings. The Montreal, Quebec native added two goals and handed out two assists in the Jr. Americans 6-4 victory on Friday night. On Saturday, Gentile added an assist on the game-tying goal as Rochester won, 2-1. Gentile is the second leading scorer on the Jr. Americans roster with 53 points and is fifth in the NAHL. “Massimo came up big offensively and defensively for us in key moments this past weekend,” Head Coach Francois Methot said. “From day one he has been one of our leaders on and off the ice. His infectious compete level is as high as can be every single day. We can trust that Massimo will show up every weekend ready to play, any school who gets him next year will have a great player.”
2nd Star: Charles Panchisin, F, Philadelphia Rebels
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Stefan Carney, G, New Hampshire Mountain Kings – Sonny DiNubile, D, Philadelphia Rebels – Lukas Fursten, G, Danbury Hat Tricks – David Helledy, D, Maine Nordiques – Jaden Johnson, F, Johnstown Tomahawks – Will Lawrence, F, Johnstown Tomahawks – Tommy McDonough, D, New Hampshire Mountain Kings
Midwest Division Star of the Week: Nick Erickson, Goalie, Minnesota Wilderness
Wilderness netminder Nick Erickson stood tall between the pipes picking up back-to-back wins against the Kenai River Brown Bears. Erickson, a native of Apple Valley, MN, started the weekend with a 25 shot shutout win. Saturday night saw an overtime game where Erickson stopped 30 shots and the Wilderness were victorious, 3-2. Nick has played in 19 games this season where he has a record of 11-7, a 2.14 GAA and a .932 SV%. “As a team we are very proud of Nick earning the award for star of the week,” Head Coach Colten St. Clair said. “He has gone through a lot of adversity in his young career and throughout the last couple of months we have seen tremendous growth in his maturity as a person and as a player. This just shows the strides he is taking throughout the process.”
2nd Star: Will Schumacher, F, Wisconsin Windigo
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Linards Lipskis, G, Wisconsin Windigo – Nate Murray, F, Minnesota Wilderness – Nick Sajevic, F, Janesville Jets – Tomas Trunda, F, Chippewa Steel – Carter Wishart, G, Chippewa Steel
South Division Star of the Week: Yusaku Ando, Forward, New Mexico Ice Wolves
New Mexico forward Yusaku Ando lit up the scoresheet for the Ice Wolves over a three game series against Odessa. Ando, a native of Tomakomai, Japan, found the scoresheet on Thursday night’s 5-4 win adding a goal and an assist. On Friday night’s 3-2 overtime loss, Yusaku dished out an assist, and followed that performance up with a four point night on Sunday with a hat-trick and an assist in a 5-2 win. Ando leads the Ice Wolves in points with 49 in 45 games. “Yusaku has been outstanding for us all year,” Head Coach Phil Fox said. “He’s been one of our most consistent forwards all season. It’s great to see his consistency get noticed this week. It started with his Top Prospect performance and carried into a big weekend for our group. He’s leading by example on the ice every night and we look forward to seeing him help lead this group for the rest of the year.”
2nd Star: Brayden Cook, F, Shreveport Mudbugs
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Micheal Kadlecik, F, Odessa Jackalopes – Owen Kerr, F, Lone Star Brahmas – Oliver Lamonthe, F, New Mexico Ice Wolves – Nick Marino, F, Shreveport Mudbugs – Luke Morris, F, Amarillo Wranglers – Topi Puikkonen, F, Amarillo Wranglers – Ivan Zadvemyuk, F, Lone Star Brahmas