NAHL Announces Monthly Player Awards for October

The North American Hockey League (NAHL) has announced its Bauer Hockey player awards for October. The Forward of the Month is Noah Dziver from the Minnesota Wilderness. The Defenseman of the Month is Noah Ziskie from the Bismarck Bobcats. The Goaltender of the Month is Dom Gatto from the Maryland Black Bears.

 

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

 

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

 

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