January 2026 | 3 Stars of the Month
- Danny Baum
- 8 minutes ago
- 4 min read
We’re rounding third and heading into the home stretch for the 2025-2026 CHS Regular Season! Playoffs are less than a month away, but before we pack our bags for Coral Springs, let’s recognize our 3 Stars of the Month for January 2026.
Women's Division
1st Star: Marisa Bonilla, University of Florida - 8 Goals, 7 Assists, 15 Points in 3 Games Played
The first year Florida Gators have turned heads in College Hockey South, winning seven straight games since losing their first two of the season. This streak has been led by Marisa Bonilla, who has scored 21 goals in nine games. Eight of these goals came in the month of January which led all of College Hockey South.
2nd Star: Kristina Bahl, University of Florida - 3 Goals, 7 Assists, 10 Points in 3 Games Played
Florida’s offensive explosion in January was not limited to Marisa Bonilla, as Kristina Bahl broke out in a big way. Bahl’s tour de force in January came in the Gasparilla Showcase against Clemson. Bahl scored three goals and two assists in Florida’s 9-3 win, perhaps the biggest of the season for the Gators.
3rd Star: Alyssa Laurino, Clemson University - 5 Goals, 4 Assists, 9 Points in 3 Games Played
The Tigers entered January as the undefeated toast of the town with hopes of a CHS championship on the horizon. While the CHS Championship is still within reach, Clemson finished January with a 1-2-0 record with less hype on its name. One thing remained true, though: Tigers forward Alyssa Laurino is one of the most dangerous players in the division, scoring at three point-per-game pace.
Division 2
1st Star: Jackson Nieuwendyk, Florida Atlantic University - 14 Goals, 5 Assists, 19 Points in 6 Games Played
If we named the first star of the month for the entire conference, Jackson Nieuwendyk would be the favorite for that title. The first year Owl forward dominated his competition, scoring over two goals and three points per game. Nieuwendyk scored more goals in January than any player in M2 CHS did the entire fall semester.
2nd Star: Jake Murphy, Florida Atlantic University - 2 Goals, 13 Assists, 15 Points in 6 Games Played
Rarely in hockey do you see a player switch back and forth between defenseman and forward as successfully as Jake Murphy has in 2025-2026. Murphy has primarily been a forward for FAU, including on their run to a National Championship last season. But the Owls have played Murphy on the back end to start 2026, and it has paid off. Murphy tallied over two assists per game in the month of January.
3rd Star: Michael McCoy, University of Florida - 5 Goals, 4 Assists, 9 Points in 5 Games Played
The Gators started 2026 in last place in the Division 2 standings and on the brink of missing the ACHA Southeast Regionals. Florida responded with a resounding January, going 4-1-0 and beating three teams ahead of them in the rankings. Much of this success is due to Michael McCoy, who scored a hat trick in the final game of the month against FAU.
Division 3
1st Star: BJ Riccardi, Florida Gulf Coast University: 6-1-0, 1.43 GAA, 0.952 SV%, 2 Shutouts
No goalie shone in January like FGCU’s BJ Riccardi. Riccardi led the Eagles to a crucial 7-1-0 January, shutting out the competition in two of his six wins. In seven starts, Riccardi allowed two or fewer goals in five games.
2nd Star: James Kravis, Kennesaw State University: 6 Goals, 3 Assists, 9 Points in 3 Games Played
One of Kennesaw State’s three European All-Stars, James Kravis enjoyed his best offensive month of the season in January. After a prolific series against Austin Peay, Kravis put up three points against M2 Georgia Tech in the Owls’ 4-1 win. Kravis and co. went 3-0-0 in that span, as they inch closer to locking down a playoff spot.
3rd Star: Sam Watson, Florida Atlantic University - 7 Goals, 1 Assist, 8 Points in 4 Games Played
Another European All-Star makes the list after coming back from France, as Sam Watson continued his stellar season. Despite FAU’s tough luck season, Watson has been a fixture on the scoresheet. The Culver Academy product has scored 26 goals in 23 games this season.
Men's ACDC
1st Star: Nick Naumov, Jacksonville University - 10 Goals, 9 Assists, 19 Points in 8 Games Played
Arguably, the most feel-good story of the season has been Jacksonville’s success in its inaugural season. At the center of this has been Nick Naumov’s goal-scoring prowess. No player in ACDC has scored consistently at the rate of Naumov, making him one of the front-runners for Division MVP.
2nd Star: James Pelini, Jacksonville University - 7 Goals, 10 Assists, 17 Points in 8 Games Played
The Dolphins' surge up the standings isn’t entirely due to Naumov, though, as James Pelini was scorching hot through 2026’s first month. The highlight of Pelini’s month came at Vystar Memorial Arena against Florida, when he scored with four seconds left to give Jacksonville a huge win over the Gators.
3rd Star: Jai Van Rij, Florida State University: Hat Trick vs Georgia Tech in Savannah Hockey Classic
Florida State’s return to the Savannah Hockey Classic didn’t come with high expectations, as all of its potential opponents were two divisions above them. However, the Seminoles gave Georgia Tech a scare on Day 1, leading by three goals on two occasions. The star of the game was Jai Van Rij, who netted a hat trick and was dangerous throughout the matchup. Florida State eventually lost 7-6 in the shootout, but Van Rij’s performance will be one to remember.
Congratulations to our January stars of the month!
ABOUT College Hockey South: Founded in 2008, College Hockey South is a 29-school, 45 team intercollegiate hockey conference spanning eight southeastern U.S. states. College Hockey South is a 501(c)3 not for profit organization.
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