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NAHL Announces Divisional Stars of the Week

March 2, 2020 - North American Hockey League (NAHL) News Release


DALLAS, TEXAS - The North American Hockey League (NAHL) today announced the Divisional Stars of the Week presented by Bauer Hockey for the week ending March 1, 2020. The Divisional Stars of the Week is a weekly feature during the 2019-20 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: Aaron Myers, Forward, Minnesota Wilderness

It was a big weekend for Wilderness forward and Bemidji State recruit Aaron Myers, 20, who led his team to two important overtime wins against the Chippewa Steel. The 5'11/175 lbs. native of Thief River Falls, Minnesota, had four goals and was a +5 in the two wins, which included two goals in a 7-6 overtime win on Friday night and two more goals, including the overtime-winner, in a 5-4 win on Saturday night. For the season, has 31 points in 30 games played this season. "Aaron's performance was exceptional this past weekend. Offensively, he created chances and capitalized on his opportunities. He was just as exceptional defensively and won key face-offs for us in our own zone," said Wilderness head coach Jon Vaillancourt.

2nd Star: George Grannis, F, Bismarck Bobcats

Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Nate Horn, F, Minnesota Wilderness - Hugh Larkin, F, Austin Bruins - Josef Mysak, D, Austin Bruins - Tim Piechowski, F, Bismarck Bobcats - Spencer Schneider, F, Aberdeen Wings - Henry Welsch, G, Aberdeen Wings

East Division Star of the Week: Cooper Black, Goaltender, Maryland Black Bears

Maryland Black Bears goalie Cooper Black, 18, had a big weekend to help his team pick up a weekend home sweep over the Jamestown Rebels and stay in the fourth and final playoff position in the East Division. The 6'7/195 lbs. native of Aplena, Michigan, allowed just a single goal in the two wins. On Friday, Black, who played in the 2020 NAHL Top Prospects Tournament, posted his second shutout of the season as he stopped all 18 shots that came his way in a 3-0 win. On Saturday, he made 17 saves in a 2-1 win. For the season, Black has a 9-6-3 record with a 2.58 goals against average and a .916 save percentage. "No one deserves this more than Cooper. He is a consummate teammate and has worked hard for us all year long. He is very talented, but his work ethic is what impresses us the most. He truly cares about his teammates, but it is nice to see such a team-first guy have a little individual success," said Maryland head coach Clint Mylymok.

2nd Star: Michael Outzen, F, New Jersey Titans

Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Ricky Boysen, F, Northeast Generals - Mick Henegan, D, Northeast Generals - Jon Howe, G, Jamestown Rebels - Kyle Jeffers, F, New Jersey Titans - Shane Murphy, F, WBS Knights - Hampus Rydqvist, D, Maryland Black Bears - Nick Siffringer, F, Jamestown Rebels - Artur Turansky, F, WBS Knights

Midwest Division Star of the Week: Dysen Skinner, Goaltender, Minnesota Magicians

Minnesota Magicians goalie Dysen Skinner, 21, had a big week as he backstopped the Magicians to three wins as they moved into the fourth and final playoff spot in the Midwest Division with just nine games remaining in the regular season. The 6'1/190 lbs. native of Billings, Montana, who is both an NA3HL and NAPHL graduate, stopped a total of 92 of a possible 97 shots in three wins. On Friday, Skinner, who began the season with the North Iowa Bulls in the NA3HL, stopped all 24 shots that came his way for his first NAHL shutout in a 4-0 road win in St. Cloud. On Saturday, he made 26 saves in a 7-3 home win over the Blizzard. On Sunday, he made a season-high 42 saves in a 3-2 win at Chippewa. For the season, Skinner has a 12-6-2 record with a 2.85 goals against average and a .914 save percentage. "We are incredibly proud of Dysen's performance this past week, as well as, his play since he arrived to play for the Magicians. He has truly embraced his opportunity here and the team believes in him. Dysen is a workhorse in the net and his competitive nature is admirable," said Magicians head coach AJ Bucchino.

2nd Star: Parker Lindauer, F, Janesville Jets

Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Trevor Kukkonen, F, Minnesota Magicians - Riley Sims, G, Janesville Jets

South Division Star of the Week: Brent Keefer, Forward, Shreveport Mudbugs

Shreveport Mudbugs forward Brent Keefer, 18, had his best weekend of the 2019-20 season as he helped the Mudbugs to a weekend sweep of the Odessa Jackalopes. The 6'0/160 lbs. native of Colorado Springs, Colorado, scored four goals in the two wins and had a +5 rating. On Friday, Keefer, who is an NAPHL graduate, recorded his first career NAHL hat-trick in a 6-0 win. On Saturday, he scored again in a 3-0 win. For the season, Keefer has 15 points in 37 games played. "Brent had a great weekend with a mixture of dirty goals and goals that allowed him exhibit the skill set he possesses. He's put a lot of extra time in at the rink lately, which translated to success on the score sheet this weekend. He has good feet, hands, shot, and poise with the puck. All these played a role in his play this weekend," said Mudbugs head coach Jason Campbell.

2nd Star: Maiszon Balboa, G, Shreveport Mudbugs

Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Cayden Bailey, G, Lone Star Brahmas - Guy Blessing, G, Topeka Pilots - Noah Carlin, D, Amarillo Bulls - Max Gutjahr, G, Amarillo Bulls - Josh Langford, G, Topeka Pilots

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