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 October 25, 2026. 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: Lucca Ori, Forward, Minot Minotauros

There was nothing boring about Lucca Ori’s performance over the weekend. The NAHL veteran spotlighted a two-goal performance for the Tauros, lifting the North Dakota-based team to the top of the Central Division standings. The Illinois native recorded his first goal against the Austin Bruins on Friday night. With the game tied 1-1 until the final moments of the contest, Ori found twine in game-winning fashion with a little over two minutes on the clock.

His next point of the weekend was on Saturday night when Ori opened the scoring for Minot five minutes into the second frame. The NAHL veteran lit the lamp with a backdoor goal. The ‘06 forward helped his team to a 3-1 win and a weekend sweep over the Austin Bruins.

Head coach of the Minotauros, Cody Campbell, explains how valuable Ori was for the Tauros over the weekend.

“ Lucca had a great weekend for us. His production was evident on the scoresheet, and he had a huge goal to give us the lead late on Friday. Additionally, his play away from the puck has improved significantly from last year, and he has become a reliable player on the penalty kill for us. We are excited for Lucca’s success to be recognized and look forward to him continuing to develop as he pursues opportunities at the college level.”

2nd Star: David Hruby, F, Aberdeen Wings

3rd Star: Axel Kylin, G, St. Cloud Norsemen

 

East Division Star of the Week: Paxton Couture, Forward, Philadelphia Rebels

Hailing from Providence, Rhode Island, Paxton Couture earned his first Star of the Week honors thanks to a four-point performance last week. The ‘09 forward got his scoring started on Wednesday with a two-point night for Philadelphia. He first showed up on the scoresheet with an assist on Oscar Djurberg’s tally midway through the opening period. As the contest progressed, the score would even to 2-2, forcing the game into overtime. The 17-year-old would deliver big for the Rebels in the extra frame as he lit the lamp in top-shelf fashion. The 5-foot-11 forward secured the 3-2 victory while recording his third consecutive two-point performance.

Moving into Saturday night, Couture would play a big role in the Rebels’ 3-2 win over the Elmira Aviators. The Rhode Island native opened the scoring two minutes into the contest by finding twine backhanded on the power play. Couture would light the lamp one more time in the matchup, this time scoring early into the third period to help retake the lead. This two-goal performance marked the first time the ‘09 skater recorded a multi-goal night in his junior hockey career.

For the week, Couture spotlighted a four-point performance, tallying three goals while recording an assist.

Head coach of the Rebels, Justin Hale, went into detail on what he has seen from Couture so far this season.

“We’re really proud of Paxton and the work he continues to put in every day. His performance this past week is a reflection of his commitment to daily improvement. He’s been a big part of our team’s success, and it’s great to see him recognized for his efforts. He’s earned this honor.”

2nd Star: Aidan Patton, F, New Hampshire Mountain Kings

3rd Star: Ethan Moser, G, New Hampshire Mountain Kings

 

Midwest Division Star of the Week: Ben Green, Forward, Fairbanks Ice Dogs

The 16-year-old from Scottsdale, Arizona, Ben Green, put on an offensively dominant performance over the weekend for the Fairbanks Ice Dogs. The first-year Ice Dogs showed up on the scoresheet twice on Friday night. Green recorded his first point with an assist on Christopher Hodges’ second-period tally. The ‘09 forward would go on to add a helper on Oliver Barna’s power-play goal in the final frame. The Ice Dogs skated to a 4-1 victory with the help of Green’s two-point night.

Moving into Saturday, the 6-foot righty recorded an NAHL-career high for himself. Green recorded his first point of the night with a tip-in goal for the Ice Dogs late into the third period. The 16-year-old continued to show off his offensive scoring on a breakaway early into the second frame, scoring five-hole on the Wisconsin Windigo. The Arizona native added to the Ice Dogs’ lead later in the period when he secured a hat trick. Green’s night did not end there as he provided the primary feed to Gage Leonard’s tally early into the third period. His final point of the night would be recorded with another primary helper, this time on the power play for Dub Eunice III’s goal. Green skated to a five-point performance, helping to lift the Ice Dogs to a dominating 9-2 win.

For the weekend, Green posted a seven-point weekend. The 16-year-old scored three goals and recorded four assists for the Alaska-based club.

Head coach of the Ice Dogs, Dakota Bell, describes what it means to see Green earn this honor.

“As one of the youngest players in the league, it’s great to see Ben recognized as Midwest Division Star of the Week. His performance this past weekend was a direct reflection of the tremendous two weeks of practice he put together since our last game. He played a mature, 200-foot brand of hockey, consistently moved his feet, and competed hard in all areas of the ice. When he plays that way his skill takes over as he is a natural goal scorer and he’s a lot of fun to watch.”

Bell went on to share his excitement for Green’s future.

“Ben has an extremely bright future in the game, and we’re excited to be a part of his development. He’s a young player who is only going to continue to improve as he gains experience, and he’ll be an important piece of our team throughout the season.”

2nd Star: Grant Dillard, F, Janesville Jets

3rd Star: Dub Eunice III, F, Fairbanks Ice Dogs

 

Mountain Division Star of the Week: Ty Simonet, Defenseman, Ogden Mustangs

The 19-year-old from the Garden State, Ty Simonet, showed off how he knows how to find the net for the Ogden Mustangs over the weekend. On Friday night, the 5-foot-9 blueliner helped to open the scoring when he provided the primary helper on Sam Gero’s power-play tally in the first period. The ‘06 NAHL veteran would light the lamp later on in the contest, marking his first one of the season, when he carried the puck across the whole sheet of ice in the third period. Simonet skated to a two-point performance, helping to keep the Mustangs in the battle against the Billings Cattle Punchers.

Heading into Saturday night, Simonet recorded another two-point performance for the Mustangs. The New Jersey native lit the lamp from the blue line early into the third period while on the man advantage. His next point would come in the final moments of the third period as he helped to even the score and force an overtime period. The 19-year-old provided the primary helper to Cooper Struckel’s one-timer goal on the power play. The Mustangs would eventually take the contest in overtime thanks to Simonet’s playmaking.

For the two-game set, Simonet featured a four-point weekend, recording two goals and two assists for Ogden.

Head coach of the Mustangs, Kenny Orlando, went into detail on how valuable Simonet has been for the Mustangs.

“Ty has been a staple for us on the back end so far this season. We are able to lean on him in crucial moments of the game, and he finds ways to step up at the right time. He had a big weekend this past weekend against Billings, especially with his opportunities on the power play. He brings a consistent threat from the blue line every shift he is out there.”

Orlando went on to explain how the NAHL veteran is a leader on the team.

“He has also been a leader who is in touch with the locker room, helping us set a standard within our group. Guys look up to him both on and off the ice. We are excited to see what Ty can bring moving forward this season.”

2nd Star: Tyler Atchison, F, Idaho Falls Spud Kings

3rd Star: Mykyta Bondariev, D, Pueblo Peppers

 

South Division Star of the Week: Antoine Cormier, Defenseman, Shreveport Mudbugs

The 18-year-old from Quebec, Canada, Antoine Cormier, played a major role from the blue line for the Mudbugs over the weekend. The ‘08 skater got his offensively strong performance started with a goal on Friday night. Cormier found twine from the blue line early into the second period to help break the scoring deadlock for the Mudbugs.

The next time the first-year Shreveport defenseman would show up on the scoresheet would be on Sunday afternoon against the Odessa Jackalopes. Cormier would find twine six minutes into the contest, scoring from the faceoff circle for the Mudbugs. Less than 10 minutes later, the blueliner helped to take the lead for Shreveport as he provided an assist on Duke Ehrhard’s tally. His final point of the contest would be the eventual game-winner for the Mudbugs as he went bar down late into the middle frame while on the man advantage. Shreveport skated to a 3-2 victory thanks to a three-point performance by Cormier.

For the weekend, the first-year NAHL skater recorded two goals and two assists for the Mudbugs’ Texas road trip.

Head coach of the Mudbugs, Jason Campbell, describes how valuable Cormier has been to the Shreveport organization on and off the ice.

“Antoine has been a great addition to the Mudbugs' d-core this year. He’s a young, dynamic defenseman who is playing with confidence. He’s a young man with great character who contributes in a major way to the positive culture in Shreveport.”

2nd Star: Ryan Staples, F, Odessa Jackalopes

3rd Star: Logan Hughes, G, El Paso Rhinos