NAHL Announces Bauer Hockey Stars of the Week

The North American Hockey League (NAHL) announced today the Bauer Hockey Divisional Stars of the Week for the week ending March 16th, 2025. Only players that are nominated by their respective teams are considered for the Divisional Player of the Week awards.

Central Division Star of the Week: Luc Malkhassian, Forward, Austin Bruins

The 5’11 righty from Toronto, Ontario, Luc Malkhassian, helped to lift the Bruins to a sweep over the weekend. Malkhassian has served as a cornerstone scorer on his squad. Starting on Friday night, the first-year skater helped to cut the deficit for the Bruins in the second period. The Wings were leading 3-1 when Luc Malkhassian found the back of the net around the 13-minute mark and then sunk his second goal of the game with less than 30 seconds on the clock in the period. Heading into the third period, Malkhassian helped longtime teammate, Alex Laurenza, with the game-winning goal in the final frame. Austin ends the matchup with a 6-4 victory while punching their ticket to the postseason. 

Moving into Saturday night, the 19-year-old got the scoring started for Austin. He notched the Bruins's first goal within the first two minutes of the game and then went on to log his second goal with 30 seconds left on the clock in the first period. During this matchup, he scored the game-winning goal, helping the Bruins win 5-1 over the Aberdeen Wings.

For the weekend, he orchestrated four goals, three of them on the man advantage, and made one assist. His offensive prowess is felt by Austin. Malkhassian trails behind longtime teammate, Alex Laurenza, with 69 total points and 24 goals on the year. The ‘05 skater features the most assists on his squad with 45 and was a 2025 Top Prospect. 

Head coach of the Bruins, Steve Howard, shares more on how Malkhassian has served as a key asset. 

“Luc had another great weekend. He’s an ‘all situations’ player for us. He can make plays, score goals, and has a high hockey IQ. We look forward to Luc continuing to play well down the stretch and hopefully earning a commitment to a Division I school.”

This weekly award marks the fourth time that a Bruin has been named. 

2nd Star: Tomas Anderson, G, Bismarck Bobcats

3rd Star: Denis Hodas, F, North Iowa Bulls

 

East Division Star of the Week: Nick Avakyan, Goaltender, Johnstown Tomahawks

Serving as the star in the blue paint and in the East Division, Nick Avakyan, had one of his best weekends in the league. The ‘04 netminder from Glendale, California helped to lift his squad to fourth place over the New Jersey Titans in the East Division standings. His dominant weekend between the pipes started on Friday night for Johnstown. He faced 25 shots in the game with 14 of them happening in the first period. The Hat Tricks were coming off a weekend sweep against the Maryland Black Bears and their hero and last week’s East Division Star of the Week, Brendan Boring, got the scoring started for the Hat Tricks. Heading into the second period, the 6’1 goaltender gave up his last goal of the weekend to Danbury’s leading scorer, Niko Tournas. The Tomahawks walked away with a 4-2 victory. 

Moving into Saturday night, Avakyan orchestrated a season first with his performance between the pipes. The first-year player turned away all 43 shots, making it his first and the Tomahawks’ first shutout of the season. This matchup featured the second-most number of shots he has faced by an opponent this season while notching his second sweep when he was in the blue paint during a series. Johnstown skated away with a 2-0 win and a step closer to solidifying a spot in the postseason. 

The ‘04 netminder picked up two wins this past weekend, featuring a 1.00 goals against average and a .971 save percentage. Avakyan faced a total of 68 shots between the two games against the Hat Tricks. For the season, Avakyan spotlights an 11-4-1-2 record and a .933 save percentage over 20 games. 

Head coach of the Tomahawks, Jared Kersner, shares more on what he has seen from the California native.

"Nick has had a great season since joining us. His calming presence in the net gives our team confidence, knowing he's behind them. He reads the game at a high level and is an excellent skater, allowing him to stay in position for the first save. His rebound control and retention rate keep him steady on his skates and pads. He's also an intense competitor and incredibly athletic, with the ability to make spectacular saves when needed.”

This weekly award marks the second time that a Tomahawk has been named.

2nd Star: Oli Genest, F, New Hampshire Mountain Kings

3rd Star: Charlie Spencer, F, Philadelphia Rebels

 

Midwest Division Star of the Week: Matic Percic, Forward, Chippewa Steel

First-year Slovenia skater, Matic Percic, notched a season-first over the weekend with the Steel. Chippewa is in the hunt to solidify a postseason spot. After coming off a split series with the Wisconsin Windigo, the Steel were looking to pick up some crucial points in the Midwest Division standings. Kicking off their series on Friday night, the 6’3 lefty got the scoring started for Chippewa in the second period when the squad was down by one. Percic sunk two goals within six minutes of each other in the middle frame. With less than a minute on the clock in the third period, the 18-year-old found the back of the net and produced his first hat trick of the season. His work on the ice also marked his first three-point game of the season. The Steel walked away with a 5-2 victory over the Janesville Jets. Heading into Saturday night, the ‘06 skater got the scoring started again for Chippewa. He scored the first goal of the matchup and ultimately helped his squad to a weekend sweep over Janesville.

Thanks to his offensive prowess on the ice, this marked his second four-point weekend this season. Percic ended his weekend with four goals and a plus-four rating for the series. 

Head coach of the Steel, Cory Hunt, explains how Percic has become a key piece of the Chippewa Steel skaters.

“Matic’s performance this weekend has become the norm for him as he has adjusted to junior hockey. His combination of skating, size, and skill makes him a difficult player to defend, and that showed this weekend. His work ethic is second to none as he is always one of the last players off the ice each day. We look forward to Matic being a difference maker as we look to clinch our spot in the Midwest division playoffs.”

This award marks the third time that a Chippewa Steel player has been honored.

2nd Star: William Lubimov, G, Anchorage Wolverines

3rd Star: Mason McElroy, G, Fairbanks Ice Dogs

 

South Division Star of the Week: Brendan Holahan, Goaltender, El Paso Rhinos

The Army commit, Brendan Holahan, worked his defensive dominance in the blue paint as he helped to lift his squad to a weekend sweep over the Oklahoma Warriors. The 6’3 netminder was stopping shots on both nights during this series. Starting on Friday night, the New Canaan, Connecticut native kept the Warriors at bay through the first 50 minutes of the matchup before giving up his only goal of the night to Oklahoma. His Friday night performance featured Holahan turning away 29 out of 30 shots and featuring a .967 save percentage. Moving into Saturday night, the ‘04 netminder was blocking all shots by the Warriors until around the ten-minute mark when he allowed his one and only goal of the matchup again. This time he saved 25 out of 26 shots and lifted his squad to a 2-1 victory in back-to-back nights. 

Holahan is currently riding a four-game win streak between the pipes. On the weekend, he features a 1.00 goals against average and a .965 save percentage. Thanks to his work on the ice, he has helped to continue El Paso’s hunt for the Robertson Cup. 

Head coach of the Rhinos, Mike Rivera, went into detail on what he has seen from Holahan. 

“Brendan has really found his rhythm as of late, coming off hip surgery earlier this season. He has been lights out for us over the past few weeks and took another step only allowing two goals against this weekend. We love our chances through the rest of the season with him between the pipes.”

This award marks the third time that an El Paso Rhino player has been honored.

2nd Star: Jordan Larkee, F, Odessa Jackalopes

3rd Star: Owen Kerr, F, Lone Star Brahmas