Players of the Month
Goalie of the Month: Andrei Nikolaev - New Jersey Titans
Bauer Hockey Goaltender of the Month: Andrei Nikolaev, New Jersey Titans
The young but extremely talented Andrei Nikolaev continues his starlight work between the pipes and earns a monthly honor. The 16-year-old from Moscow, Russia, featured a league-leading two shutouts in the month of November. Those shutouts were done in back-to-back fashion for the Titans and happened in the final weekend of the month. Thanks to that 120 minutes of domination between the pipes, Nikolaev is also coming off being named the East Division Star of the Week. The 6-foot-4 lefty spotlighted a 2.04 goals-against average and a .929 save percentage for November. He played in the blue paint in eight games, notching five wins for New Jersey. The Boston University commit is riding a four-game win streak, with his last three games being lights-out performances. He first came in relief on November 22, 2025, around the 10-minute mark of the opening frame for the Titans. He turned away all 24 shots on net, helping New Jersey secure the victory. Nikolaev would then secure his back-to-back shutouts on November 28, 2025, and November 29, 2025, stopping a total of 34 shots between both games.
“I’m very honored to be selected as the Star of the Month. I did not know what to expect playing in this NAHL when I first came here,” stated Nikolaev. “Now that I’m here, I feel relaxed in a fun-filled environment where I can just be myself and stop the puck while helping the team have a chance to win. Playing with this group of Titans has made it really easy for me to transition to the North American Hockey League. The support I have received and the style of hockey we play make it easy for me to show up.”
The Russian netminder was acquired by the Titans over the summer through the inaugural NAHL Futures Draft. His defensive dominance has ranked him as one of the top goaltenders in the league. Right now, he ranks fourth overall in the league with his 2.24 goals-against average and fifth overall with his .927 save percentage. Nikolaev also sits tied second overall in the league with 10 wins between the pipes.
Head coach of the Titans, George Haviland shares his excitement for the young netminder.
“A well-deserved honor for Andrei. We continue to be impressed with Andrei’s ability to play consistently between the pipes! His ability to approach every game as if it’s a championship game with a calm demeanor is absolutely incredible. I haven’t seen someone like him go through our program and the NAHL since NHL goaltender Anthony Stolarz. Andrei is a power-play first-line guy for us in his position. Congratulations from the entire Titan organization.”
Runner-Up: Zack Ferris, Johnstown Tomahawks
Defenseman of the Month: Tommy Shore - El Paso Rhinos
Bauer Hockey NAHL Defenseman of the Month: Tommy Shore, El Paso Rhinos
Hailing from the Sunflower State, Tommy Shore roared through the month of November on the scoresheet, spotlighting league-leading numbers among defensemen. The 5-foot-11 lefty featured 13 total points for the month, sporting a 1.3 points per game average. The second-year blueliner recorded three goals while producing 10 assists. His offensive production on the power play was crucial for the Rhinos because six of his points for the month were notched on the man advantage (one goal and five assists). Shore was also a critical piece of the team’s success in overtime matchups. He tallied a goal and three assists in extra minutes. In his 10 games played in November, the blueliner showed up on the scoresheet in eight of them. Shore showcased four multi-point games for the Rhinos and two game-winning goals in the month. His highest-scoring contest occurred on November 8, 2025, when El Paso faced the Corpus Christi IceRays. Shore tallied three assists in the Rhinos’ 9-3 decisive victory.
“Being named Defenseman of the Month is a huge honor. I’m thankful for my coaches, teammates and the supporting cast around me that would make this possible,” said Shore. “My success comes from focusing on the simple things and playing with confidence. Having a great team around makes it easy for me to have this success.”
On the season, the Kansas native leads the Rhinos' defensemen with six goals, 17 assists, and 23 total points. He leads all El Paso skaters in scoring on the power play. Shore has notched 13 total points on the man advantage. Three of those points come from power-play tallies, while the rest of the 10 points are from power-play assists. The 20-year-old blueliner is additionally tied first on the roster with his +5 rating on the year.
Head coach of the Rhinos, Mike Rivera, explains more about Shore’s impact.
“Shoresy has been a big piece to our room this season. He consistently drives offense from the back end and plays big minutes for us in all situations. When Shoresy goes over the boards, it’s like having four forwards on the ice at times, and he has learned to manage it well with his defensive responsibilities. His growth as a complete defenseman has been nothing short of impressive over the course of this season, and we hope he continues to trend in this direction.”
Runner-Up: Jack L’Esperance, Odessa Jackalopes
Forward of the Month: Luc Bydal - Anchorage Wolverines
Bauer Hockey NAHL Forward of the Month: Luc Bydal, Anchorage Wolverines
A skater that is offensively lethal on the ice is the one and only Luc Bydal. The 6-foot-2 lefty from Grand Forks, North Dakota, has been on an offensive tear this season, especially this past month. The 20-year-old spotlights a league-leading 21 total points in November, tallying nine goals and 11 assists. He tallied three of his goals on the man advantage and spotlights a +7 rating for the month. The second-year NAHL veteran has shown up on the scoresheet in every contest this past month, currently riding a 13-game point streak. His offensive prowess features him also securing eight multi-point contests in the month. His highest-earning night was on November 22, 2025, against the Fairbanks Ice Dogs, where he found the back of the net while notching three assists. His scoring ways also featured the ‘05 skater showcasing his smooth moves during the month. On November 14, 2025, the North Dakota native scored a SportsCenter-worthy, between-the-legs goal to tie up the contest for the Wolverines.
“Being named Forward of the Month is a great honor. I have to give a huge credit to my teammates and coaches for helping put me in situations to succeed,” said Luc Bydal. “I think what made me successful was playing with confidence and playing the right way, by staying consistent every shift and every game.”
Scoring is nothing new for the 6-foot-2 skater. Out of 24 contests played this season, Bydal has shown up on the scoresheet in 20 of them. His offensive prowess is in large part due to the help of his linemates. Bydal has a special situation in Anchorage because he plays alongside his little brother, Rylan Bydal. Nine of his 21 total goals this season come with helpers from his little brother. The second-year NAHL veteran currently leads the league with his 21 tallies on the season.
Our whole organization is happy for Luc to receive the Player of the Month honor. He has been a huge part of our team's success in the month of November. I know team success is more important to him than any individual honors he receives, and he would be the first person to give credit to his teammates.
Runner-Up: Harrison Smith, Maryland Black Bears
Goalie of the Month: Dom Gatto - Maryland Black Bears
Bauer Hockey Goaltender of the Month: Dom Gatto, Maryland Black Bears
The ‘05 netminder hailing from the state of Illinois, Dom Gatto, stayed calm between the pipes and delivered a dominant performance in the month of October. The 20-year-old featured a shutout and four games with one or fewer goals scored this past month. He is spotlighting a .913 save percentage and 1.81 goals-against average. His first NAHL win happened in his second game of the year on October 3, 2025. Gatto backstopped his team against the Maine Nordiques, stopping a career-high 34 shots. His dominance in the blue paint continued in October, as he secured five back-to-back wins for the Black Bears. His contribution to his team helped Maryland secure league-standing points in all six contests played the past month.
Gatto explains what it means to play with his teammates and how they are as much a part of his success between the pipes.
“Playing behind this group of guys every night is awesome. I could not have done it without them. Being a part of the Black Bears organization has been amazing. Everyone has been so welcoming from the start. I am looking forward to the rest of the season.”
Gatto is a first-year goaltender in the League of Opportunity. His success between the pipes has helped to propel Maryland to the top of the East Division standings.
Head coach of the Black Bears, Clint Mylymok, explains the dedication and work ethic he sees from the ‘05 netminder.
“Dom is a consummate professional, and nobody works harder than this kid. He is extremely talented, detail-oriented, and one of the most competitive players to put on the Black Bears jersey. Congrats to him for such a great start to the season, but knowing him, he is not going to be satisfied.”
Runner-Up: Lukas Fursten, Maine Nordiques
Defenseman of the Month: Noah Ziskie - Bismarck Bobcats
Bauer Hockey NAHL Defenseman of the Month: Noah Ziskie, Bismarck Bobcats
Hailing from Macomb, Michigan, Noah Ziskie held the offensive key to success from the blue line. The 6-foot-2 righty featured a league-leading six goals among defensemen. Ziskie is also tied first overall for blueliners with 13 total points and his 1.63 points-per-game. The 20-year-old veteran showed up on the scoresheet for the Bobcats in seven out of eight contests played in October. Ziskie played a huge role against the Central Division leader, the Aberdeen Wings, on October 31, 2025, while notching a season-high three-point performance. The 6-foot-2 righty notched a buzzer-beater in overtime fashion for the Bobcats, giving them a 5-4 overtime victory against the Wings.
Ziskie shares what it means to receive this award and how his teammates are a huge contribution to his success on the ice.
“Being named Defenseman of the Month is an incredible honor and means a lot to me personally. My hockey career has had ups and downs, but the Bismarck Bobcats have been one of the best experiences. I have been able to have success on the ice with Bismarck by staying focused every day, working hard on and off the ice every day in practice, and by helping this team be the best it can. I believe none of this would be possible without my teammates. They make it a lot easier by playing hard, communicating, and supporting me along with my other teammates every shift. My success is really a reflection of the whole team working together. I am going to keep pushing myself every day to help this team and to continue improving. Together we push each other to our best potential.”
The Michigan native is one of the leading goal-scorers for defensemen in the NAHL. He ranks second overall with six tallies. On the year, he has produced eight assists and features 14 total points in his 14 games played. The 20-year-old also knows the League of Opportunity well, specifically the Bobcats. He started his NAHL career with Bismarck during the 2022-23 season.
Head coach of the Bobcats, Garrett Roth, dives into detail on Ziskie’s work ethic and leadership skills on and off the ice.
“Noah has had a great start to the season and has been impactful in helping us create our identity this season. His leadership qualities and work ethic have been instrumental in the success we have had up to this point in the season. The ability he has shown to create and make players around him better has been on display every day. Noah's been a great voice in our locker room and has led by example through hard work and commitment to the team's success. His play on the ice has created a lot of interest with Division I schools, and he is proving how reliable he is in every situation for a team. With Noah helping lead this group, I'm excited to see what is in store for him and our group for the remainder of this season.
Runner-Up: Blake Jones, New Jersey Titans
Forward of the Month: Noah Dziver - Minnesota Wilderness
Bauer Hockey NAHL Forward of the Month: Noah Dziver, Minnesota Wilderness
The 6-foot righty from Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, Noah Dziver delivered in the month of October and featured a league-leading 2.1 points-per-game performance. The second-year veteran dominated offensively on the ice for the Wilderness. The 20-year-old has shown up on the scoresheet in every game this past month, with seven of his 10 games played featuring a multi-point contest. His highest-scoring matchup was on October 3, 2025, against the Kenai River Brown Bears. The Canadian tallied two goals and two assists in his team’s 6-4 victory. The ‘05 skater featured a league-leading 11 goals in October and is tied in first with his teammate, Talan Blanck, with five power-play goals in the month.
Dziver explains what it means to be named to this honor.
“It means a lot to get this award; the success comes from a great locker room with great teammates and coaches. We have so many resources in our program that allow me to be successful and perform to a standard.”
On the season, the captain is one of the top forwards in the League of Opportunity. He has notched 12 goals and 17 assists. He ranks second overall with his 12 tallies and 29 total points on the season. Additionally, his ability to produce on the man advantage puts him tied for first among skaters with six power-play goals.
Head coach of the Wilderness, Zach Stepan, shares more on why Dziver is deserving of the accolade.
“Noah Dziver is an incredibly deserving recipient of this award — not only because of his impressive on-ice production over the past month, but also because of the example he sets every day as our captain and leader. His influence extends far beyond the score sheet. Noah has played a crucial role in shaping our team culture, holding himself and his teammates to a high standard that has directly contributed to the strong start we’ve had this season.”
Stepan went into detail on Dziver’s dedication to development.
“He approaches every practice and game with professionalism, intensity, and consistency. Whether it’s through his preparation, communication, or compete level, Noah sets the tone for our group. His ability to lead by example and maintain a steady, composed presence has been invaluable, especially in tight games and challenging moments. Noah’s commitment to doing things the right way — both on and off the ice — has earned him the respect of his teammates and coaching staff alike. He embodies what it means to be a leader in our organization, and his performance this month is a reflection of the effort, discipline, and heart he brings every single day.”
Runner-Up: Harrison Smith, Maryland Black Bears
Goalie of the Month: Lukas Fürsten - Maine Nordiques
Bauer Hockey Goaltender of the Month: Lukas Fürsten, Maine Nordiques
The 19-year-old netminder from Slovakia, Lukas Fürsten, showed off his prowess in the blue paint in the month of September. The 5’10 goaltender hit the ice in five contests for the Nordiques, spotlighting a 1.49 goals against average. His ability to prevent goals ranks him near the top of goaltenders in the league. He additionally features a .944 save percentage, stopping a total of 117 out of 124 shots in the first month of the season. What makes the netminder stand out among the rest in the league is his back-to-back shutout performances. He first shutout the New Jersey Titans in a 19-save performance and then went on to shutout the Fairbanks Ice Dogs on the first day of the Showcase in a 25-save fashion.
The goaltender went into detail on what it means to be back playing in the NAHL.
“I am happy to be back in the North American Hockey League, especially with the great group of guys we have. Looking forward to what the season holds.”
Fürsten is no stranger to the NAHL. He previously played in the League of Opportunity with the Danbury Hat Tricks and Philadelphia Rebels in the 2023-24 season.
Head Coach of the Maine Nordiques, Nick Skerlick, explains more about the excitement and anticipation of getting Fürsten on the roster.
"Lukas has been a guy we have wanted for 24 months. To see him in Maine is a long time coming. His constant compete day in and day out, as well as how he is as a teammate, is second to none.”
Runner-Up: Kaenan Smith, Janesville Jets
Defenseman of the Month: Ryan Coots - Lone Star Brahmas
Bauer Hockey NAHL Defenseman of the Month: Ryan Coots, Lone Star Brahmas
The 6’2 blueliner from Fort Bragg, North Carolina, Ryan Coots, showed off his ability on the ice in his first season in the NAHL. Coots featured two goals and five assists in his first seven games in the NAHL. The ‘05 righty has shown up on the scoresheet in six of seven games for the Lone Star Brahmas. One of his goals was scored on the power play against the Anchorage Wolverines while at the NAHL Showcase. His best contest was in game one against the Corpus Christi IceRays, where he notched two assists for the Brahmas.
Coots shares what it means to be named to this honor.
“Being Defenseman of the Month means everything to me. I owe this to my teammates, who've welcomed me into the organization with open arms since day one, and I couldn't have done anything without them. This award truly reflects the hard work that we've put in as a team. I'm also thankful for the opportunities that God has given me this year and the strength to face challenges along the way.”
Head Coach of the Lone Star Brahmas, Dan Wildfong, dove into detail on what it means to see Coots perform well.
"Coots has been really steady defensively and has created a lot of offensive opportunities for himself. We are excited for him and hope to see him get some good looks from Division I programs."
Runner-Up: William Esterbrooks, St. Cloud Norsemen
Forward of the Month: Siamion Marshchanok - Austin Bruins
Bauer Hockey NAHL Forward of the Month: Siamion Marshchanok, Austin Bruins
Hailing from Minsk, Belarus, Siamion Marshchanok has put on a scoring clinic in his short time in the NAHL. The 5’9 righty has notched a league-leading eight goals in five games with the Austin Bruins. His offensive prowess puts him at the top of scoring leaders at 2.4 points per game. Marshchanok is extremely effective on the man advantage and has notched five of his goals on the power play. His scoring ways are also effective when the Bruins are shorthanded. He has notched two of his goals on the season while on the penalty kill. The ‘05 forward features 12 points on the season and spotlights a +3 rating. Four of his five games played have seen Marshchanok tally two goals in each contest.
Marshchanok shares more on what it means to earn this honor.
“It means I am on the right path to reach my team’s and my own goals this season. The team system made me successful by allowing me to be on the right time and in the right spot on the ice. Also, I owe a lot of my success to my teammates. They played a role in helping the plays work smoothly.”
His best game of the season comes from out-of-division play at the NAHL Showcase. He featured a five-point performance, notching two goals and producing three assists against the Maine Nordiques. The Belarus native plays alongside his twin brother, Matsvei Marshchanok, and the twins are dominant forces on the scoresheet.
Head Coach of the Austin Bruins, Steve Howard, dives into detail on what he has seen from Marshchanok so far this season.
“Siamion has been outstanding this month, showing up consistently on the scoresheet. His creativity and speed have been a huge part of his success on the ice. We are proud that his performance has earned him the honor of being named Forward of the Month.”
Runner-Up: Emerson Marshall, Johnstown Tomahawks
