NAHL Power Rankings Week 1 Edition.
1 - Austin Bruins
3-0-1-0
Austin's Carson Riddle 01' started his 20-year-old season off right, accumulating 9 points at the NAHL showcase. The Bruins displayed a veteran group that plays a very aggressive style of hockey averaging only 17 shots against a game. Jens Richards, Carson Riddle and Dylan Gajewski have also been lighting up the score sheet, each with 5 points or more in 4 games played. Between the points, Hudson Hodges has shoulder the majority of the games thus far, posting a solid 1.95 GAA. Most impressive is the Bruins play in their defensive zone, currently averaging just 17 shots per game in the first 4.
Their only hiccup was a shootout loss to the Magicians after they won convincingly against Fairbanks, Wichita Falls and the New Jersey Titans.
2 - Aberdeen Wings
3-1-0-0
Aberdeen does not look like they are looking to rebuild this season, in fact they are looking to make another run. Wins over Johnstown, Springfield and Corpus at the showcase were impressive. Their lone loss was too Shreveport in 1-0 fashion. Bemidji State Commit Hugo Allais had himself a very solid showcase notching 3 assists from the Blue line.
Cade Neilson has been another great producer for the Wings, tallying 3 goals and 3 assists in the first 4 games of the season. Kyle Gaffney, Nate Mann and Jacob Bosse are all also producing over a point per game. Kyle Kozma and Jed Baliotti have been sharing the duties in net thus far, with very little to separate them. Kozma, who spent last season in the MJHL and USPHL Premier, has been an impressive talent the last couple seasons, consistently progressing his game.
3 - Springfield Jr. Blues
5-1-0-0
Early on Springfield has made a statement across the league that they are back after sitting last season out for Covid. Before heading to the showcase, they had an opening weekend sweep over Janesville. At the showcase they went 3-1 which showed off their deep offensive unit, as they have received scoring from every line early on.
The Jr. Blues currently have 4 players producing a point per game or better to open the season, with Connor Smith leading the team with 4 goals and 3 assists.
4 - Fairbanks Ice Dogs
4-1-0-1
Right behind Springfield falls the Fairbanks Ice dogs. A pair of 01' second year players for the Ice Dogs have been a bright spot for Fairbanks, Zachary Murray and Tyler Murray looked to have taken the next step in their careers. As a group Fairbanks showed toughness and the ability to find ways to win and once again will be a hard out this year.
5 - El Paso Rhinos
3-1-0-0
El Paso has a very well-constructed roster as it looks like the staff used their year in the NA3 to recruit all over the country. A pair of New England Prep Hockey standouts have gotten their NAHL careers off to a hot start, Alex Krause and Jonathon Horn. Defensemen Noah Van Vliet impressed scouts as a 04' and is a player D1 schools will monitor closely this season.
Outside Looking In
Amarillo
Chippewa
Northern Iowa