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 January 18, 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: Sam Crane, Forward, St. Cloud Norsemen

Hailing from Aurora, Illinois, Sam Crane dominated on the ice for the Norsemen over the weekend. The third-year veteran kicked off his weekend on Friday night during St. Cloud’s tight contest with the Watertown Shamrocks. First, Crane provided an assist on Samuel Misak’s goal in the second frame. Heading into the third period, the Shamrocks had the 2-1 edge over St. Cloud. Midway through the final period of regulation, the captain tied up the contest on the man advantage, forcing the game into extra minutes and an eventual shootout. The Norsemen would skate away with the victory in the shootout, looking to carry momentum into the next night.

On Saturday night, the 5-foot-8 forward featured a season-high night. Heading into the second intermission, the Norsemen had a 3-2 lead over Watertown. The Norsemen would add to their lead with major help from Crane. He would tally back-to-back goals 30 seconds apart while on the man advantage around the 11-minute mark. He would then notch an assist on Avry Shaw’s goal two minutes later before he provided the setup for Luke Pazzia’s goal in the final moments. His four-point night was spotlighted just in the third period of the game, helping to lift his team to a 7-3 win.

For the weekend, Crane sports a six-point weekend, tallying three goals and three assists. He leads his team with 12 tallies on the season, while ranks second with 26 total points.

Head coach of the Norsemen, Joe Exter, shares why Crane was a crucial skate in the Norsemen’s success this weekend.

“Sammy was a driving force behind our team’s success. The obvious part of his game was his production on the scoresheet. More importantly, Sammy stepped up in all situations playing detailed and physical which helped lead our team to four points.”

2nd Star: Matsvei Marshchanok, F, Austin Bruins

3rd Star: Cooper Williams, F, Bismarck Bobcats

 

East Division Star of the Week: Ryan Shaw, Forward, Rochester Jr. Americans

Securing his second Star of the Week honors, Ryan Shaw continues to show up big on the scoresheet, night after night. The 5-foot-10 lefty started his weekend off with a three-point night on Friday. He first tallied a goal with nine seconds to spare in the first frame to give his team the 1-0 lead heading into the intermission. Heading into the second period, Shaw would strike quickly, this time lighting the lamp a little over 30 seconds into the frame. The East Longmeadow, Massachusetts native would show up on the scoresheet once more with an assist on Keanan Dewberry’s tally in the final period. Rochester would skate away with a 5-1 victory.

Moving into Saturday night, Shaw would spotlight a two-point performance. He would tally a power-play goal in the opening frame to give the Jr. Americans a 2-0 lead. He would then provide the assist on Ryan Shaw’s tally less than a minute into the second period. Rochester would skate away again, with a big 8-1 victory.

Shaw sports a five-point weekend, tallying three goals while producing two assists. The ‘05 skater currently leads his roster with 29 goals and 54 points on the season as well. 

2nd Star: Aiden McKenna, G, Elmira Aviators

3rd Star: Jack Klevby, F, Maine Nordiques

 

Midwest Division Star of the Week: Amir Valiullin, Goaltender, Springfield Jr. Blues

The 6’0 netminder, Amir Valiullin, picked up his first and second shutouts in his NAHL career this past weekend. Starting on Friday night, the 20-year-old stopped all 30 shots on net, allowing his team to secure a 4-0 victory against the Wisconsin Windigo. Moving into Saturday night, the Ufa, Russia native went on to stand tall in net, spotlighting a 28-save performance. He aided his team to a 3-0 victory and a weekend sweep against the Windigo. Valiullin was perfect in the net, sporting a 1.00 save percentage and 0.00 goals-against average.

The ‘05 netminder for the season features 11 wins, sporting a .919 save percentage and 2.48 goals-against average.

Head coach of the Jr. Blues, Todd Pococke, explains what he has seen from Valiullin.

“Amir has started off the new year playing very well, with last weekend being his best. He was very sound all weekend and came up big when he needed to.”

2nd Star: Kai Weigel, G, Anchorage Wolverines

3rd Star: Kaenan Smith, G, Janesville Jets
 

South Division Star of the Week: Ben Likness, Forward, Oklahoma Warriors

Hailing from Fargo, North Dakota, Ben Likness dominated on the scoresheet for the Warriors over the weekend. Kicking things off on Friday night, Likness sported a four-point affair at the Blazers Ice Centre. The ‘06 skater first provided a power-play assist on Kyle Sorensen’s tally at the 15:38 minute mark of the opening period. He would then show up again on the scoresheet in the final period of the contest. Likness would tally two goals three minutes apart before providing an assist on Jackson Hone’s goal at the 2:20 mark of the frame. Oklahoma would skate away with a 9-5 victory, with Likness playing a crucial role in the victory.

Moving into Saturday night, the 19-year-old would produce a two-point game, scoring a goal and making an assist in the second frame. The Warriors would fall 4-3; however, Likness played a crucial role in keeping the team in the fight.

Head coach of the Warriors, Mick Berge, shares why Likness was an asset this weekend. 

“Ben has elevated his game this year and has been a huge part of our success as a team and he is very deserving of this award.”

2nd Star: Johnny Berndt, D, Shreveport Mudbugs

3rd Star: Sam Troutwine, D, Corpus Christi IceRays