CORPUS CHRISTI, TEXAS – The North American Hockey League (NAHL) has named Corpus Christi IceRays forward Nathan Bryer the NAHL South Division Star of the Week and forward Andy McGlynn the NAHL South Division 2nd Star of the Week, the league announced this afternoon.
Bryer, 20, was a large aspect of the IceRays’ five-point weekend against the Topeka RoadRunners, recording a career-high nine points in three games including four goals and five assists with two coming on the power play. The Clarkston, Mich., product scored a goal in each of those games, which extends his goal-scoring streak to four games and matches a career-high set from Oct. 31, 2014 through Nov. 8, 2014 but eclipses that mark for total goals in that span with five tallies. All ten points earned have come in his last four games, recording five goals and five assists, moving him atop the IceRays roster as the only player with at minimum one point per game and double-digit points.
“It’s definitely a big honor,” said Bryer on the recognition. “I kind of got put on a line that was filled with good players. Obviously, [Andy] McGlynn and [Cole] Filler had a big part in it. It wasn’t just me but the whole line. We had a good weekend and clicked really well.”
Between the line of Bryer, Cole Filler and Andy McGlynn, the trio recorded 23 points of the team’s 40 total points on the weekend including all 21 points possible on even-strength play, amounting to seven goals. The boost in five-on-five production vaulted McGlynn into a share of the team points lead and Filler to a share of second on the roster. Bryer notes that he ran into troubles last season, recording six goals and 11 assists for 17 points after a 25-point season in his rookie year, but last weekend’s production has helped confidence in getting started this season.
“For the first six games and even the whole season last year, I kind of struggled to put the puck in the net. My goal this year is to get five shots each game and put every shot on net. Coach Flynn pulled aside early in the season, saying to work hard and put pucks on net, and good things will come. I took that advice, and it’s been working out well for me.”
“We are very proud of Nathan,” said IceRays Head Coach Brad Flynn. “As a veteran 20-year-old, Nathan has made a seamless transition from center to the wing. Being a high character, hard working player, it’s always great to see someone like Nathan to be rewarded on the scoresheet from his hard work and, more importantly, be a big contributor to our team’s success this weekend.”
McGlynn was also named to the 2nd Star of the Week, recording five goals and two assists for seven points and a +4 rating throughout the weekend. He led the way in even-strength goals and picks up his third league honor in two seasons as well as the first full two player sweep of South Division honors in junior franchise history. Both recognitions are the first time this season the IceRays have been awarded a weekly honor. Over the franchise’s seven-year history, the IceRays have earned 11 NAHL South Division Star of the Week honors as well as 13 league-wide top honors and six total top honors in the 2015-16 season.
The IceRays return home and open the 2016-17 home schedule on Friday, Oct. 14 at 7:05 p.m. against the Odessa Jackalopes at the American Bank Center. Purchase your 2016-17 season ticket membership ahead of opening night! Reserve yours by contacting the IceRays Front Office at 361-814-PUCK. In addition, stay connected with the IceRays on Facebook (/CorpusChristiIceRays), Twitter (@goicerays), YouTube (IceRays TV), Instagram (CorpusChristiIceRays), Vine (@goicerays), and Periscope (@goicerays).
