Aberdeen Wings forward Peter Krieger named Central Division Star of the Week
Michigan Warriors goaltender Trevor Gorsuch named North Division Star of the Week
Amarillo Bulls goaltender Paul Berrafato named South Division Star of the Week
Kenai River Brown Bears forward Alex Jackstadt named West Division Star of the Week
FRISCO, TEXAS – The North American Hockey League (NAHL) today announced the Divisional Stars of the Week presented by Combat Hockey for the week ending February 3, 2013. The Divisional Stars of the Week is a weekly feature during the 2012-13 regular season that honors the top performing players in each of the four NAHL divisions as nominated by their respective teams.
Central Division Star of the Week: Peter Krieger, forward, Aberdeen Wings
The Wings snapped an 18-game losing streak this past weekend as they got a much needed home sweep of the Coulee Region Chill thanks in large part to 19-year-old forward Peter Krieger. The native of Oakdale, Minnesota had six points (3 goals, 3 assists) in the weekend sweep that got the Wings back on the right track. “Peter played really well this weekend. He is a guy that plays with a lot of pace and energy,” said new Wings head coach Travis Winter. “He has enough skill that he can really make a difference when he is out there.” Krieger (5’11/180) had two assists in Friday’s 6-5 win over Coulee Region. On Saturday, he was even better as he recorded a hat-trick and an assist in a come-from-behind 5-3 win. Krieger leads the Wings in scoring this season with 39 points in 41 games.
2nd Star: AJ Reid, forward, Austin Bruins
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Justin Parizek, forward, Aberdeen Wings – Derek Smith, defenseman, Coulee Region Chill.
North Division Star of the Week: Trevor Gorsuch, goaltender, Michigan Warriors
The Michigan Warriors are right back in the playoff hunt in the North Division and got a big boost this weekend thanks to a road sweep of the Springfield Jr. Blues. Warriors goaltender Trevor Gorsuch, 18, started and won both games over the weekend as the native of St. Charles, Missouri, stopped 81 of a combined 83 shots in the two games and allowed just two goals all weekend, which included his second shutout of the season. On Friday, Gorsuch (6’2/205) made 49 saves in a 4-2 win. On Saturday, he was even better making 32 saves in a 3-0 shutout of the Jr. Blues. “Trevor has been as solid as ever for us and this weekend was another great example,” said Warriors head coach Moe Mantha. “He doesn’t get rattled easily and uses his size to his advantage.”
2nd Star: Brandon Adams, forward, Soo Eagles
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Ryan Atkinson, forward, Springfield Jr. Blues – Brett D’Andrea, forward, Port Huron Fighting Falcons – Rick DeRosa, forward, Port Huron Fighting Falcons – Martin Gruse, forward, Michigan Warriors – Parker Johnson, forward, Springfield Jr. Blues – Denver Pierce, forward, Soo Eagles.
South Division Star of the Week: Paul Berrafato, goaltender, Amarillo Bulls
The Amarillo Bulls moved back into 1st place in the South Division with a weekend home sweep of the Texas Tornado. Backstopping the Bulls in both wins was 19-year-old goaltender Paul Berrafato. The native of Buffalo, New York, stopped a combined 42 of 44 shots during the weekend as the Bulls outscored the Tornado 7-2 in the two games. On Friday, Berrafato (6’0/180) made 18 saves in a 5-1 win over Texas. On Saturday, Berrafato made 24 saves in a 2-1 win, which included some big saves during a 5 on 3 penalty kill for the Bulls. “Paul has been the backbone of our team this year and made some really big saves for us this weekend,” said Bulls head coach Dennis Williams. “They were great games and times in both when the outcome was in question and he made some very timely saves and gave us momentum.”
2nd Star: Eliot Grauer, forward, Wichita Falls Wildcats
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Tyler Gernhofer, forward, Amarillo Bulls – Tyler Groat, forward, Topeka RoadRunners – Drew Kariofiles, forward, Topeka RoadRunners – Tyler Ledford, forward, Wichita Falls Wildcats.
West Division Star of the Week: Alex Jackstadt, forward, Kenai River Brown Bears
18-year-old rookie forward Alex Jackstadt and the Kenai River Brown Bears posted a big, three-game weekend road sweep against the Monsters in Fresno this past weekend. The native of Anchorage, Alaska, had five points during the weekend, which included three goals and two assists and scoring at least a point in all three of the wins. On Friday, Jackstadt (5’7/153) had an assist in the Bears 6-1 win. On Saturday, he had the game-winning goal in the 3rd period and an assist in a 3-2 win. On Sunday, he scored twice, including yet another game-winning goal in a 3-2 win. “Alex has developed at a rapid pace this season and has been a solid and consistent forward for us this year,” said Brown Bears head coach Oliver David. “His play this weekend was great. He put himself in good position to score goals and make his teammates successful and we really thrived off his play and leadership.”
2nd Star: Robert Nichols, goaltender, Wenatchee Wild
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Jono Davis, forward, Wenatchee Wild – Marcus Zelzer, goaltender, Kenai River Brown Bears.
About the NAHL
The NAHL, the only USA Hockey-sanctioned Tier II Junior league boasting 24 teams from across North America, prides itself on the social maturity and skill development of student-athletes ages 16-20 with aspirations of advancing to collegiate and/or professional hockey. So far during the 2012-13 season, over 60 NAHL players committed to NCAA schools. The NAHL also had two players selected in the 2012 NHL Entry Draft. Famous alumni of the NAHL include: Buffalo Sabres goaltender Ryan Miller and Chicago Blackhawks forward Patrick Kane. For more information, visit www.nahl.com.
