Stars of the Week
Bauer's Stars of the Week Week of October 20, 2025
Central Star of the Week: Matthew Martin - Aberdeen Wings

Central Division Star of the Week: Matthew Martin, Forward, Aberdeen Wings
The 6’6 lefty from Montreal, Quebec, Canada, Matthew Martin featured an impactful performance for the Wings over the weekend. The ‘05 skater kicked off Friday night at the Mason City Arena. Martin showed up big on the scoresheet with a three-point performance. He secured two power-play assists on Owen Pitters’ goals in the first period, and he finished off his night scoring his first short-handed goal of the season with 1:42 left on the clock. Aberdeen walked away with a dominating 8-4 victory over North Iowa.
Moving into Saturday night, the second-year veteran was crucial in keeping Aberdeen in the matchup. In the first frame, he produced an assist on Easton Edwards’ goal. Following that early goal, North Iowa was able to tally three goals to give them a 3-1 lead. The Canadian helped to tighten up the contest in the third frame with a power-play goal at the 14:14 minute mark in the game. The Wings would eventually fall 3-2 to the Bulls; however, Martin’s ability on the ice was noticed.
The ‘05 lefty ended his weekend with five total points, and his offensive prowess is prevalent through the start of the year, because he has shown up on the scoresheet in nine out of the 11 games played this season.
Head coach of Aberdeen Wings, Scott Langer, shares his thoughts on Martin.
“Marty is a very talented hockey player that puts a lot of time into his game. He is a difference maker every night!”
2nd Star: George Poirier, F, Bismarck Bobcats
3rd Star: Owen Pitters, F, Aberdeen Wings
East Star of the Week: Braydon Hudtloff - Northeast Generals

East Division Star of the Week: Braydon Hudtloff, Forward, Northeast Generals
The 18-year-old from the Old Dominion, Braydon Hudtloff, featured an offensively dominant weekend with the Generals. On Friday night, the 5’10 righty featured a career-high six-point performance. Northeast secured a 7-5 victory over the Danbury Hat Tricks, and Hudtloff had the magic touch, contributing to every goal except one during the matchup. He tallied a goal while making five assists, showing up big on the scoresheet.
Moving into Saturday night, the ‘06 skater replicated his performance by contributing to every goal except one for the Generals. Heading into the third period, the Generals were down 3-1. With five minutes on the clock, Hudtloff got to work. He first found the back of the net at the five-minute mark. The Virginia native comes in extremely clutch to equalize the contest with another goal at the 20-second mark. Those back-to-back goals kept the Generals alive and helped them take the game into extra time. As the contest eventually moved into a shootout, the 5’10 righty came in clutch once again. He finds the back of the net in the shootout and secures Northeast a 4-3 win and a sweep over the Danbury Hat Tricks.
The second-year veteran spotlights eight points from the two games, thanks to his three tallied goals and five assists. He additionally featured a +6 rating from the weekend. This year, Hudtloff ranks as one of the top skaters in the league, currently tied in second with 24 total points.
Head coach of the Generals, Bryan Erickson, dives into detail on the impact and success he has seen from Hudtloff.
“Braydon has had an incredible amount of success recently. It feels like every time his line is on the ice, they score a goal. But it is his work away from the puck that is exceptional. He just plays the game the right way in all three zones. He has been fantastic, and his play was a huge reason that we were able to win both games this weekend against a very good Danbury team. His third period was amazing on Saturday. He scored when there were five minutes left, 15 seconds left to tie it, and then again in the shootout. It was a huge performance when his team needed it most.”
2nd Star: Lukas Fursten, G, Maine Nordiques
3rd Star: Adam Gionta, F, Rochester Jr. Americans
Midwest Star of the Week: Jakeb Lynch - Minnesota Wilderness

Midwest Division Star of the Week: Jakeb Lynch, Forward, Minnesota Wilderness
The 5’9 righty from Nebraska, Jakeb Lynch, clinched the Midwest Division Star of the Week honors thanks to a dominant performance over the weekend. Lynch is a second-year veteran of the Wilderness and showed up big on the scoresheet starting Friday night. The contest kicked off with the Wilderness lighting the lamp five times in the first period. The Miami University commit notched a power-play assist on Noah Dziver’s goal before finding the back of the net himself on the man advantage. His offensive dominance showed up again in the third period, where he secured another power-play assist, this time on Talan Blanck’s goal, before he delivered the last goal of the matchup at the 11-second mark. Thanks to his help, Minnesota secured a 9-1 victory over the Chippewa Steel.
Heading into Saturday night, the Northwoods Credit Union saw another huge win by the Wilderness. Lynch tallied a power-play goal in the second period. Later on in the contest, he went on to secure another power-play assist on Talan Blanck’s goal during the third period. Minnesota featured a 7-1 victory over Chippewa and currently features the longest win streak in the league at eight consecutive wins.
The ‘07 forward has only hit the ice in seven games this season, with five of them as multiple-point games. He tallied three goals and three assists from this past weekend’s series while notching his first two power-play goals of the season.
Head coach of the Wilderness, Zach Stepan, explains what it means to have Lynch on the roster.
“As much as we love getting Jakeb back from the USHL, and he has jumped right in to help us win games, he is proving why he was in the USHL in the first place. He is an extremely smart hockey player with elite vision and an elite release that is allowing him to continue his scoring prowess. I also have a ton of respect for the fact that when he did come to us, he just put his head down and went to work. It is no surprise that he is getting rewarded for it.”
2nd Star: Teddy Richardson, F, Wisconsin Windigo
3rd Star: Kyle Rohrer, F, Fairbanks Ice Dogs
South Star of the Week: Kyle Sorensen - Oklahoma Warriors

South Division Star of the Week: Kyle Sorensen, Forward, Oklahoma Warriors
Soaring to the top of the South Division, Kyle Sorensen featured a career-high weekend with the Oklahoma Warriors. The 5’9 righty from Council Bluffs, Iowa helped his team dominate the Amarillo Wranglers. Starting on Friday night, Sorensen notched his second two-point game of the year with a goal and a power-play assist. Thanks to his work on the ice, the Warriors secured a big 7-2 win against the Wranglers. Moving into Saturday night, the ‘06 forward notched a career-first, a hat trick. The contest kicked off with Oklahoma firing on all cylinders, notching five goals in the first frame. Sorensen first produced an assist on Chance Burlison’s goal at the 12:29 mark. He then goes on and tallied back-to-back goals with his first goal scored at the 4:34 mark and then his second goal scored a minute and a half later. Sorensen and the Warriors pick back up their scoring in the third period where Sorensen secures his track less than a minute into the final frame. Less than 20 seconds later, the 19-year-old secures a power-play assist on William-Francisco Parent’s goal. Oklahoma notches a 7-1 victory over Amarillo and walks away with a sweep on the weekend.
Sorensen is an alumnus of the T1ER, playing for the Omaha Mastery for two seasons. His seven-point weekend was huge for the Warriors veteran. He tallied four goals and three assists in two games played. Right now Sorensen leads his team with eight goals on the year and sits in second with 14 total points.
Head coach of the Warriors, Mick Berge, shares his excitement for Sorensen.
“Kyle is very deserving of this award and we could not be happier for him. He has consistently been a player we rely on offensively every night. He has committed to working on all areas of his game and is being rewarded on the scoresheet for all of his hard work.”
2nd Star: Leo Isaksson, F, Lone Star Brahmas
3rd Star: Ben Likeness, F, Oklahoma Warriors
Bauer's Stars of the Week Week of October 13, 2025
Central Star of the Week: Noah Ziskie - Bismarck Bobcats

Central Division Star of the Week: Noah Ziskie, Defenseman, Bismarck Bobcats
The 6’2 righty from Macomb, Michigan, Noah Ziskie, spotlights a four-point weekend with the Bobcats. Starting on Friday night, the Bobcats exploded offensively in their 9-1 victory over the St. Cloud Norsemen. Ziskie showed up on the scoresheet in the third period of this Friday night contest. He first notched a power play assist on Cooper Williams' goal at the 15:21 mark before finding the back of the net himself nine minutes later. That goal marked his second of the season.
Moving into Saturday night, Ziskie’s offensive ability in the final frame was shown off again. Heading into the third period, the Bobcats were down 3-1 against the Norsemen. After a power play goal by St. Cloud, the Michigan native halved the Norsemen’s lead to 4-2 with his goal at the 9:51 mark. He then went on to notch an assist on Charlie Kresl’s goal with less than three minutes on the board. The Bobcats would eventually fall to the Norsemen 4-3; however, Ziskie’s ability to help his team battle back from a large 4-1 deficit is why he would be named the Central Division Star of the Week.
Ziskie finished his weekend with two goals and two assists. He currently rides a three-game streak of notching a goal and an assist in each contest.
Head Coach of the Bobcats, Garrett Roth, shares more on Ziskie’s ability on the blue line.
“Noah has done a great job helping lead our defense core this season. He has been really responsible for us defensively and brings a tenacity and edge every day in practice. It was awesome to see him rewarded offensively this weekend with how impactful he has been for us in all situations.”
2nd Star: Will Esterbrooks, D, St. Cloud Norsemen
3rd Star: Drake Maresca, F, North Iowa Bulls
East Star of the Week: Jon Dukaric - Danbury Hat Tricks

East Division Star of the Week: Jon Dukaric, Goaltender, Danbury Hat Tricks
The first-year netminder from Slovenia, Jon Dukaric, showed off his dominance between the pipes for the Hat Tricks over the weekend. On Friday night, Dukaric spotlighted a season-best performance against the Philadelphia Rebels. The 6’3 goaltender stopped 24 out of 25 shots, allowing only one third-period goal in the contest. The Hat Tricks secured a 2-1 victory thanks to his work in the blue paint. Heading into Saturday night, Dukaric had another season-high performance. He stopped 39 out of 41 shots, marking the most shots faced in one game. Thanks to his help in the net, Danbury notched a 3-2 win against Philadelphia and the Hat Tricks’ first weekend sweep of the season.
For the weekend, Dukaric spotlighted a .954 save percentage and a 1.50 goals against average. These back-to-back victories are the ‘05 netminder’s first consecutive wins of the season as well.
Head Coach of the Hat Tricks, Lenny Caglianone, explains what he saw from Dukaric.
“Jon was stellar in net. He provided us consistency throughout the weekend, and his maturity allowed us to weather the storm at times. He continues to grow each game and has become a dangerous force in net.”
2nd Star: Nick Jarmain, F, Johnstown Tomahawks
3rd Star: Ryan Shaw, F, Rochester Jr. Americans
Midwest Star of the Week: Noah Dziver - Minnesota Wilderness

Midwest Division Star of the Week: Noah Dziver, Forward, Minnesota Wilderness
Hailing from Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, Noah Dziver featured another offensively dominant weekend during Wilderness’ road trip in Alaska. The 6’0 righty showcased a three-point performance on Thursday night against the Anchorage Wolverines. The ‘05 forward first registered an assist on Zach Homer’s goal in the second frame before notching his own two goals in the period. His first goal in the contest was notched at the 3:49 mark. Less than two minutes later, he delivered a power play goal at the 1:35 mark. The Wilderness secured a 9-2 victory over the Wolverines. Heading into Friday night, the Wilderness continues their winning ways with a 4-3 victory. The second-year veteran, Dziver, produced an assist late into the first period on Caleb Kim’s goal.
Rounding out his Alaska road trip on a high note, Dziver spotlights another three-point performance on Saturday night, and his offensive prowess was featured in the second period of the contest. Dziver first finds the back of the net on the man advantage for the Wilderness and then delivers a shorthanded game-winning goal two minutes later in the middle frame. He would then show up on the scoresheet again with an assist on Zach Homer’s goal at the 3:06 mark in the same period.
Dziver currently rides a seven-game point streak and featured a seven-point performance against Anchorage. He tallied four goals and three assists over three games at the Sullivan Arena. Also, the ‘05 righty currently leads his team with 19 points on the season.
Head Coach of the Wilderness, Zach Stepan, explains the impact Dziver has had on the Minnesota roster.
“Dziver has been a driving force since day one of this season, helping us get to where we are in the standings right now. The way he handles himself both on and off the ice, and his willingness to do the intangible things daily, are why he is producing at the rate he is. He continues to prove why he is one of the top players in the league right now, and I look forward to watching him continue to progress!”
2nd Star: Zach Homer, F, Minnesota Wilderness
3rd Star: Drew Berres, D, Springfield Jr. Blues
South Star of the Week: Carter McKay - Shreveport Mudbugs

South Division Star of the Week: Carter McKay, Forward, Shreveport Mudbugs
Third-year Shreveport veteran, Carter McKay, played an influential role on the Mudbugs roster over the weekend. Kicking things off on a high note on Friday night, the 5’10 lefty produced a career-first, a hat trick. He showed up on the scoresheet quickly in the first frame with a power play goal scored in the first minute of the game. The ‘05 lefty went on to score another goal in the first period, but this time shorthanded. As the game progressed, the Corpus Christi IceRays were able to find the back of the net and tighten up the contest. Heading into the final frame, the Mudbugs were tied with the IceRays 4-4. In the final 10 minutes of the game, McKay logged his third goal of the contest, shorthanded again. With his work, he helped to lift his team to a 6-4 victory.
Heading into Saturday night, the Mudbugs played from behind in the contest. With Corpus Christi taking a 2-1 lead heading into the third period, Shreveport had to battle. At the 16:05 mark in the third frame, McKay notched an assist on Evan Hoglund’s game-tying goal. The contest eventually would head into a shootout, and the Mudbugs would fall to the IceRays 3-2.
McKay’s offensive prowess was on display this past weekend. The Alternate Captain spotlighted a four-point performance and has shown up on the scoresheet for the Mudbugs in eight out of 10 contests played this season. He additionally leads his roster with 12 points on the year.
Head Coach of the Mudbugs, Jason Campbell, explains how important McKay has been for Shreveport.
“Carter has been a difference maker since day one this year. He impacts every game and practice that he is a part of. If he’s not getting points, he’s defending well and killing penalties. If the team needs some energy, he’s defending well and ups his physical game by winning battles. Carter is a full-package player, and it’s been on display for some time now. He’s off to a great start!”
2nd Star: Sam Lussier, F, Lone Star Brahmas
3rd Star: Vladislav Bryzgalov, G, Corpus Christi IceRays
Bauer's Stars of the Week Week of October 6, 2025
Central Star of the Week: Carter Sproule - Watertown Shamrocks

Central Division Star of the Week: Carter Sproule, Forward, Watertown Shamrocks
Leading the team on the scoresheet and in the locker room, Carter Sproule featured a standout performance over the weekend against the Minot Minotauros. Sproule is the Captain of the Shamrocks and is a third-year veteran of the NAHL. On Friday night, the 6’3 skater notched two goals and an assist against the North Dakota team. He found the back of the net within the first minute of the contest for the Shamrocks and then produced an assist 10 minutes later on Junior Podein’s goal. Moving into the second period, Sproule recorded his first power-play goal of the season and helped to even up the contest 3-3 against the Tauros. The Shamrocks would eventually fall 5-3 to Minot, but the North Dakota native’s offensive prowess was shown off during the matchup.
Moving into Saturday night, the ‘05 forward played a vital role on the scoresheet again. He first notched a goal for the Shamrocks with less than 30 seconds on the clock in the first period. Sproule went on to register his second power play goal of the season in the third frame to tie up the contest 2-2. The matchup eventually moved into a shootout, and Sproule was the hero again and scored a goal in the shootout.
His offensive dominance was evident in Prairie Lakes Ice Arena, and he played a role in every goal scored by the Shamrocks. His five-point weekend featured a total of four goals in two games. Sproule extends his point streak to six-straight games, and he now leads his roster with five goals, seven assists, and 12 total points. His weekend performance spotlights a +4 rating on the weekend.
Head Coach of the Shamrocks, Casey Kirley, explains what he has seen from Sproule.
“Carter has been both a great player and leader for us since he arrived in Watertown last season. He impacts the game in many ways, including his physicality, playmaking, and goal-scoring abilities. He is also a natural leader, whom others look up to and try to emulate. We are grateful to see Carter be rewarded for his efforts this past week and look forward to his continued success throughout the season.”
2nd Star: Eddie Revenig, D, Bismarck Bobcats
3rd Star: Nathan Williams, D, Austin Bruins
East Star of the Week: Harrison Smith - Maryland Black Bears

East Division Star of the Week: Harrison Smith, Forward, Maryland Black Bears
The second-year veteran, Harrison Smith, played a crucial role in the Black Bears' success against the Maine Nordiques. The Sacred Heart commit notched his first career hat trick on Friday night. Smith got the scoring started quickly in the first period, notching his first goal within the first two minutes of play. He then found the back of the net again in the first frame with a goal in the final three minutes of the period. The 19-year-old sealed his hat trick with a goal in the second frame. His offensive prowess helped Maryland secure a 6-1 win against Maine.
Heading into Saturday night, the 5’9 forward from Florida kept the scoring going. He first finds the back of the net, scoring his first power play goal of the season in the first period. Smith goes on to notch two primary assists during the contest, allowing the Black Bears to secure a 3-2 overtime win.
Smith currently rides a six-game point streak and is one of the top skaters in the league. The veteran is currently tied for first in the league with 15 total points and spotlights 2.14 points per game. The Florida native sports a four-goal and two-assist performance from the weekend.
Head Coach of the Black Bears, Clint Mylymok, explains more about Smith’s hot start this season.
“Smitty has had a great start and is extremely motivated to be a dominant player this year. His leadership and competitive drive set him apart from a lot of players. He consistently wants to be a difference maker for us. We are lucky to have Harrison and look forward to seeing what he has in store for us, each and every day he puts on the Black Bears jersey!”
2nd Star: Will Mizenko, G, Northeast Generals
3rd Star: Johnny Conlin, F, Philadelphia Rebels
Midwest Star of the Week: Oliver Barna - Fairbanks Ice Dogs

Midwest Division Star of the Week: Oliver Barna, Forward, Fairbanks Ice Dogs
The 5’11 lefty from Hungary, Oliver Barna, sports a stellar weekend for the Ice Dogs. Starting on Friday night, the second-year veteran spotlighted a career-high two-goal performance against the Windigo. Barna notched both goals within five minutes of each other in the first frame. The ‘06 forward then went on to produce an assist on the final goal of the Ice Dogs’ 5-2 victory.
Heading into Saturday night, Barna produced his first power play goal of the season with six seconds left on the clock in the middle frame. His work on the ice helped the Ice Dogs secure a 3-0 shutout win against the Windigo. The skater ended his weekend with three goals and an assist.
Head Coach of the Ice Dogs, Dakota Bell, dives into detail on the impact of Barna this weekend.
“Oliver is fully deserving of this recognition as he had an outstanding week. For us, everything starts with getting better in practice, and Oliver put in the work this past week to set himself up for a good weekend. This allowed him to reap the rewards as he collected three goals and an assist. He was a difference maker in each game against a strong Windigo team as he contributed on power play, penalty kill, and even strength.”
Bell explains more about the work ethic he has seen from the 5’11 forward.
“Oliver is someone who shows up to work every day with a purpose to get better and does so with a great attitude. As a second-year Ice Dog, Oliver knows what it takes to get the job done in our league, and we look forward to his further contributions towards our team's success.”
2nd Star: Rylan Bydal, F, Anchorage Wolverines
3rd Star: Mason McElroy, G, Fairbanks Ice Dogs
South Star of the Week: Jack L’Esperance - Odessa Jackalopes

South Division Star of the Week: Jack L’Esperance, Defenseman, Odessa Jackalopes
The 20-year-old from Howell, Michigan, Jack L’Esperance, moved to the blue line and is showing up big on the scoresheet. The 5’11 righty on Friday night notched an assist for the Jackalopes on the first goal of the contest. Odessa would eventually fall 5-4 in overtime to the IceRays. Moving into Saturday night at the American Bank Center, the third-year NAHL veteran played a vital role in the Jackalopes' success on the ice. The ‘05 skater first produced a power play assist on Caden Ghiossi’s goal in the second frame. L’Esperance then found the back of the net with 48 seconds left in the second period and sealed the eventual decider for the Jackalopes. His scoring did not finish in the middle frame. The Michigan native went on to score the final goal of the contest while notching his first power play goal of the season in the third period.
The ‘05 blueliner featured a four-point weekend with a two-goal and two-assist performance.
Head Coach of the Jackalopes, Scott Deur, shares more on the development of L’Esperance.
“Jack has really improved weekend to weekend since we moved him back to defense. His offensive ability has always been there and helped us this weekend, but his improvement in the defensive zone and learning when to jump into plays has been really special to watch. He had timely plays and timely goals, which helped us get three out of four points this weekend. He’s only getting better day by day.”
2nd Star: Nicolas Rempel, G, Lone Star Brahmas
3rd Star: Trenton Peterson, G, Amarillo Wranglers
Bauer's Stars of the Week Week of September 29, 2025
Central Star of the Week: Siamion Marshchanok - Austin Bruins

Central Division Star of the Week: Siamion Marshchanok, Forward, Austin Bruins
The 5’9 lefty from Minsk, Belarus, Siamion Marshchanok, was incredibly dominant on the ice during the NAHL Showcase. Marshchanok is a first-year skater in the League of Opportunity and plays alongside his twin brother, Matsvei Marshchanok. His offensive production has been tremendous throughout the first five games of the season, especially at the Showcase. On Wednesday, the ‘05 skater tallied back-to-back goals in the second period, with one scored on the power play, while the following notched a shorthanded goal. The Bruins fall to Janesville 3-2, but Marshchanok's offensive prowess carries into the next contest.
On Friday, Marshchanok continued his scoring frenzy with a two-goal and three-assist performance against the Maine Nordiques. His five-point performance saw him score one of his goals on the man advantage and another one shorthanded. Moving into Saturday afternoon, the Belarus native scored two goals on the power play against the Minnesota Wilderness. His offensive production was highlighted by notching a total of six goals and three assists over three games.
Marshchanok features a league-best 2.4 points per game and has scored five power-play goals. He is also tied in first in the league with eight goals on the season.
Head Coach of the Bruins, Steve Howard, explains the impact of Marshchanok on the roster.
“Siamion is a difference maker for us, and he showed it in each of our first five games. He’s a dedicated person both on and off the ice. We are excited to see what the future holds for both Siamon and his twin brother, Matsvei!”
2nd Star: Owen Pitters, F, Aberdeen Wings
3rd Star: Junior Podein, F, Watertown Shamrocks
East Star of the Week: Emerson Marshall - Johnstown Tomahawks

East Division Star of the Week: Emerson Marshall, Forward, Johnstown Tomahawks
The 5’10 lefty from the Bay State, Emerson Marshall, showed off his offensive prowess at the Greatest Show on Ice! Starting on Thursday, the former Lone Star Brahma skater understands what it is like to compete in South Division play. Marshall kept the Tomahawks alive in the second and third periods by tallying his first career hat trick. He scored two of those goals on the man advantage and helped to take the game into overtime. While the Tomahawks might have fallen 4-3 to New Mexico, he helped to secure a point for East Division standings purposes.
Heading into Friday, the ‘05 lefty showed up big on the scoresheet with a two-goal and an assist performance. He tallied his first goal shorthanded in the second period and then found the back of the net in the third on the man advantage. His second goal was named the decider in the contest, and his work on the ice helped Johnstown secure a 4-3 victory over the Norsemen.
On the final day of the Showcase, Marshall produced an assist on Nick Jarmain’s goal in the 4-2 win over the Wisconsin Windigo. The forward has six-straight games of showing up on the scoresheet and currently leads the league with 13 points on the year.
Head Coach of the Tomahawks, Adam Houli, went into detail on what he saw from Marshall’s performance at the Showcase.
“Emerson was fantastic all week. He played a complete 200-foot game, and his work ethic helped us secure five out of six points. He stepped up and scored timely goals while also playing stout defense. He believed in the team message all week, and he was rewarded handsomely. He was so fun to watch, and I expect his game to continue to rise.”
2nd Star: Nick Jarmain, F, Johnstown Tomahawks
3rd Star: Vladimir Pechenin, G, Elmira Aviators
Midwest Star of the Week: Hans Hedlund - Janesville Jets

Midwest Division Star of the Week: Hans Hedlund, Forward, Janesville Jet
The 5’11 righty from the State of Hockey, Hans Hedlund, produced a career-high performance on Saturday morning. The ‘06 Minnesota native showed off in his home state during the Jets’ 8-0 shutout victory against the Maine Nordiques. Hedlund started his game with a goal in the first period and then another goal in the second period. Following that, the second-year veteran stepped up his offensive production and scored the final two goals of the contest in the third and notched an assist on Sean Truby’s goal. His five-point performance is a first in his career, and he helped to seal the sweep on the weekend for the Janesville Jets.
Head Coach of the Jets, Lennie Childs, explains more about the development he has seen from Hedlund from last season to this year.
“Hans is a high-motor player who has tons of skill and competes in his game. He started a mature progression of his game towards the end of last season and has carried it over with a great off-season and a really good start. We are very happy to see him succeed so early and know that he will continue his success with his intense work ethic and enthusiasm for the game.”
2nd Star: Kaenan Smith, G, Janesville Jets
3rd Star: Valdemar Anderson, G, Minnesota Wilderness
South Star of the Week: Troy Hunka - El Paso Rhinos

South Division Star of the Week: Troy Hunka, Forward, El Paso Rhinos
The 19-year-old from North Canton, Ohio, Troy Hunka, featured a six-point weekend for El Paso at the NAHL Showcase. Hunka is a first-year skater for the Rhinos, and starting on Wednesday, the 5’11 righty scored his first goal of the season late into the first frame. He then went on to notch an assist on Diago Hotta’s goal in the second, helping to tie up the contest. The Rhinos were able to keep the contest tight with the defending East Division champions, the Rochester Jr. Americans; however, they would fall 3-2.
Heading into Thursday, the Rhinos were facing off with the Kenai River Brown Bears. El Paso came out victorious with an 8-4 victory, and Hunka played a major role in their team’s success. He secured his second goal of the season while producing two assists for his team. As the Rhinos were riding high from their large-margin win, they went on to face another East Division team, the Philadelphia Rebels. The contest was tight, and Hunka assisted on the game-tying goal for the Rhinks. However, with less than four minutes on the clock, El Paso would fall 4-3 to Philadelphia’s late scoring effort.
Head Coach of the Rhinos, Mike Rivera, explains more on what he has seen from Hunka.
“Troy really had his coming out party this past week at the NAHL Showcase. He’s had a solid 200-foot game and driven offense with his line all season. He just hadn’t found the back of the net yet. It’s nice to see him find his rhythm and we are excited to see where he takes it from here.”
2nd Star: Brandon Catalano, F, Odessa Jackalopes
3rd Star: Sean Gibbons, F, New Mexico Ice Wolves
Bauer's Stars of the Week Week of September 22, 2025
Central Star of the Week: Mike Malatino - North Iowa Bulls

Central Division Star of the Week: Mike Malatino, Forward, North Iowa Bulls
The 20-year-old from the Empire State, Mike Malatino, played an influential role in North Iowa’s success against the Minot Minotauros over the weekend. The second-year veteran started his 2025-26 campaign with a bang on Friday night. The Bulls initially played from behind; however, in the first period, Malatino got the primary assist on North Iowa’s first goal by Korolyuk and then scored the game-winning goal moments later in the first frame. Following his two-point period, Malatino finds the back of the net again 30 seconds into the second period. North Iowa clinches the victory with a 5-1 performance.
Heading into game two on Saturday night, Minot was hungry to clinch a win at home. The contest was tight and with most of the scoring happening in the second frame. Malatino served as the primary assist for Denis Kuzmenkov’s goal and helped to lift the Bulls into a 5-4 shootout victory. The ‘05 skater features 2.0 points per game and spotlights a four-point performance over the weekend.
Head Coach of the Bulls, Nick Bruneteau, explains the impact Malatino has had on the team.
"Mike’s leadership, both on and off the ice, has put himself and our group in a position to succeed every weekend. His ability to produce on both ends of the rink was on full display this weekend, demonstrating the complete player he is. We look forward to his continued success this season.”
2nd Star: Beck Liden, G, St. Cloud Norsemen
3rd Star: Owen Pitters, F, Aberdeen Wings
East Star of the Week: Nick Jarmain - Johnstown Tomahawks

East Division Star of the Week: Nick Jarmain, Forward, Johnstown Tomahawks
Serving as the Captain of the Tomahawks, Nick Jarmain showed off his moves on the ice, helping his team sweep the Northeast Generals over the weekend. On Friday night, Johnstown was playing from behind, heading into the third frame, being down 4-3. However, the Tomahawks turned up the heat and showed off their offensive prowess with a five-goal period. Two of the goals were scored by the Captain, helping to lift his team to an 8-4 victory.
Moving into Saturday night, the ‘05 forward from the Garden State played a crucial role in the Tomahawks' victory. Jarmain first served as the primary assist on Emerson Marshall’s goal in the first period. However, with less than 30 seconds on the clock, the Tomahawks and Generals were tied 2-2. Jarmain finds the back of the net with 26 seconds on the clock, clinching the game-winning goal for Johnstown. His work over the weekend spotlights a four-point performance as a second-year veteran of the Tomahawks.
Head Coach of the Tomahawks, Adam Houli, dives into detail on Jarmain’s work on the ice so far this year.
“Nick had an excellent weekend for us, and it makes sense as he puts his game fully together. This weekend, he was poised, smart, and his work ethic was off the charts. He had timely plays and timely goals that propelled us to a sweep. He is only getting better and better day by day.”
2nd Star: Harrison Smith, F, Maryland Black Bears
3rd Star: Shane Tronoski, F, Johnstown Tomahawks
Midwest Star of the Week: Declan Burns - Wisconsin Windigo

Midwest Division Star of the Week: Declan Burns, Defenseman, Wisconsin Windigo
The 6’1 blueliner from Chicago, Illinois, Declan Burns, featured a three-point performance against the Kenai River Brown Bears. On Saturday night, Burns helped the Windigo show off their offensive prowess by notching three assists in the 5-1 victory. The 19-year-old is a second-year veteran of the Windigo. His three-assist game marks the first in his NAHL career and the second time he has spotlighted a three-point contest. With his prior experience in the league of opportunity, the blueliner is looking to lead his team to another Robertson Cup appearance and Midwest Division title.
Head Coach of the Windigo, John Mitchell, shares more on the development he has seen from Burns.
“This is very exciting news. With Deco, I think it was only a matter of time. He checks every box at the defensive position and does them very well. His skating ability sets him apart, and as the season continues on we expect his confidence to grow more and more. It’s still early, and we are excited to see what level he can take his game to.”
2nd Star: Michal Liscinsky, F, Minnesota Wilderness
3rd Star: Easton Cody, G, Wisconsin Windigo
South Star of the Week: Trent Peterson - Amarillo Wranglers

South Division Star of the Week: Trent Peterson, Goaltender, Amarillo Wranglers
Hailing from the state of Wisconsin and representing the Ladder of Development, Trent Peterson helped the Amarillo Wranglers clinch a sweep against the Shreveport Mudbugs. The ‘05 netminder started the series with his first NAHL win on Friday night. Peterson faced 29 shots, stopping 26 in the blue paint. His ability on the ice helped the Wranglers clinch a 4-3 victory against the Mudbugs.
Heading into Saturday night, the former Granite City Lumberjack netminder continued to show off dominance in the blue paint. Peterson allowed one goal in the first period when Shreveport was on the power play. However, after that, Peterson went lights out stopping 32 out of 33 shots by the Mudbugs. His ability in the net helped to lift the Wranglers to a 4-1 victory and clinching a sweep against the Mudbugs.
On the weekend, he spotlighted his first two wins in the NAHL, a 2.0 goals against average, and a .937 save percentage. After having a dominant year in the NA3HL with the Granite City Lumberjacks, Peterson signed a tender with the Amarillo Wranglers and has earned a spot on the roster.
Head Coach of the Wranglers, Michael Hill, dives more into detail on what it means to see Peterson’s hard work pay off.
“Trenton has really seized his opportunity. The hard work he has been putting in at practice is showing up in games. It’s been great to see his preparation pay off when it matters most.”
2nd Star: Andy Earl, F, New Mexico Ice Wolves
3rd Star: Leo Isaksson, F, Lone Star Brahmas
Bauer's Stars of the Week Week of September 15, 2025
East Star of the Week: Lukas Fürsten - Maine Nordiques

East Division Star of the Week: Lukas Fürsten, Goaltender, Maine Nordiques
Hailing from Trencin, Slovakia, Lukas Fürsten showed off his abilities between the pipes and aided the Nordiques to a weekend sweep over the Philadelphia Rebels. Starting on Friday night, the ‘05 netminder helped to lift the Nordiques to a 5-1 victory. He stopped 22 out of 23 shots. Heading into Saturday night, the 5’10 19-year-old got the call to play in the blue paint a little over a minute into the second frame. Fürsten gave up a lone goal at the 17:38 minute mark in the second period and then went on to turn away every other shot. The Nordiques were able to turn things around after being down 3-0, coming back to win the contest in a shootout. He stopped 22 out of 23 shots and helped to clinch a sweep with a 4-3 victory over the Rebels.
For the weekend, Fürsten featured a .957% save percentage and a 1.17 goals against average.
Head Coach of the Nordiques, Nick Skerlick, explains what it means to have Fürsten in the locker room and on the team.
"Lukas is no stranger to the East Division. He is an ideal leader for those who want to improve every day. Lukas is pretty methodical with his process and preparation each and every night, and being a late pick up for us, we are excited for him to back stop this team into another winning season in Maine. Lukas showing up for the season was a surprise. Lukas executed a championship mentality while leading the team to two wins."
2nd Star: Tate Pecknold, F, New Jersey Titans
3rd Star: Joseph Gasperko, F, Maine Nordiques
Midwest Star of the Week: Talan Blanck - Minnesota Wilderness

Midwest Division Star of the Week: Talan Blanck, Forward, Minnesota Wilderness
The 5’11 lefty from Wisconsin, Talan Blanck, played a vital role in aiding the Wilderness' opening weekend sweep over the Springfield Jr. Blues. Starting on Friday night, the Nanooks commit scored his first goal of the season and was able to find the back of the net shorthanded on the ice in the second period. He then went on to notch an assist on the game-winning goal by Zachary Homer in the final frame of the contest, helping the team clinch a 4-2 victory. His two-point game performance continued into Saturday night, where Blanck tallied two assists for the Wilderness' 6-2 victory over Springfield.
The ‘05 forward is a third-year veteran of the NAHL, playing two seasons with the Chippewa Steel. The Wisconsin native featured a four-point performance while notching a +2 rating for the weekend.
Head Coach of the Wilderness, Zach Stepan, shares more on what he has seen from Blanck this past weekend.
“It was great to see Talan get off to a strong start in his opening weekend back in the league. He played a key role throughout the weekend and consistently demonstrated why the expectations are so high for him to be a difference maker each night. Talan proved that with his performance and helped our team get out of the gates on the right foot.”
2nd Star: Kevin Lysohir, F, Chippewa Steel
3rd Star: Valdemar Anderson, G, Minnesota Wilderness
South Star of the Week: Andy Earl - New Mexico Ice Wolves

South Division Star of the Week: Andy Earl, Forward, New Mexico Ice Wolves
Hailing from the State of Hockey, Andy Earl featured a five-point weekend for the Ice Wolves. Earl is a third-year veteran of New Mexico, and starting on Friday night, the 6’0 forward scored the team’s lone goal against the Amarillo Wranglers. Moving into Saturday night, the Minnesota native tallied a goal and two assists for the South Division team’s 4-2 victory. The ‘05 skater rounds out his weekend on Sunday afternoon with an assist on the game-winning goal by Anton Malyshev.
The 20-year-old notched a league-leading five points over the weekend with two goals and three assists over three games played.
Head Coach of the Ice Wolves, Kyle McKenzie, dives into detail on Earl’s performance.
“Andy had a great weekend. He puts a lot of work into molding his game, and that shows. It’s no surprise Andy is off to a hot start.”
2nd Star: Nicholas Rempel, G, Lone Star Brahmas
3rd Star: Tyler Tsoukalas, F, Amarillo Wranglers