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 September 20, 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: Maddox Malmquist, Forward, Bismarck Bobcats

The 5-foot-10 lefty, Maddox Malmquist, had a huge offensive debut in the League of Opportunity for the Bobcats. His offensive tear started on Friday night with two tallies in the opening frame for the Bobcats. His first goal was scored in short-handed breakaway fashion thanks to a feed by Will Harker less than two minutes into the contest. His second tally was notched on the man advantage and off a rebound in front of St. Cloud’s net with 2:01 left on the clock. The Bemidji State commit continued his scoring ways into the second frame with a one-timer on the power play for the Bobcats. In the span of the first 22 minutes of the matchup, Malmquist scored a hat trick for the Central Division club. The ‘08 forward’s night was not over on the scoresheet; Malmquist recorded one more point, this time providing the set-up for Harker’s tally in the second frame. The 5-foot-10 rounds out his debut game with Bismarck with a four-point night.

Moving into Saturday night, the Bemidji State commit continued his scoring ways on the power play for the North Dakota-based club. Malmquist gets the scoring started for the Bobcats in the first frame with a top-shelf tally on the man advantage. His second goal of the night would be the final marker of the night for Bismarck. With 7:16 left in the game, Malmquist lights the lamp with a backdoor power-play goal.

For the weekend, the ‘08 forward skated to a six-point performance for the Bobcats. He tallied five goals and an assist over the two-game set. The 5-foot-11 lefty was effective on special teams, scoring four of his goals on the power play and one tally short-handed. He ends his debut weekend with a +7 rating on the ice.

Head coach of the Bobcats, Garrett Roth, talks more about what impressed him from Malmquist’s performance.

“Our group had a nice start to the season, and Maddox was a huge factor in us getting two wins on the weekend. His goal-scoring and offensive ability were on full display, but he played with a ton of pace and energy to help lead our team in being hard to play against. Maddox was able to play in all three phases of the game for us, and we felt he was one of our best penalty killers, which added to the difference he was able to make in the games. It was a great start for him, his line, and our group. We are looking forward to him building on his performance heading into this week.”

2nd Star: Will Harker, F, Bismarck Bobcats

3rd Star: Kyle Sorensen, F, Austin Bruins

 

East Division Star of the Week: Matt Maglio, Forward, Elmira Aviators

The 6-foot-3 righty from Ringwood, New Jersey, Matt Maglio, was an offensive force for the Aviators over the weekend. Starting on Friday night, the third-year veteran recorded five points in Elmira’s 7-5 victory over the New Hampshire Mountain Kings. Maglio got his night started with a power-play assist on Timofei Korober’s goal in the opening frame. He continued his night with another assist, this time in the middle frame with 25 seconds on the clock for Lucas Novak’s goal. Moving into the final period of the contest, the game would be tied 4-4 between the two East Division clubs. New Hampshire would take the lead with a power-play goal with a little over five minutes on the clock. With the help of Matt Maglio on the ice, Elmira was able to battle back with three straight goals in the last four minutes of the contest. His playmaking started with a power-play assist on Cruz Ferguson’s tally. He then set up Nico Pohjola’s power-play goal. To round out his night, he scored the final tally of the contest, marking his first of the season.

Moving into Saturday, the alternate captain lit the lamp on two occasions for the New York-based club. Maglio opened the scoring with an unassisted power-play tally in the first period. The third-year veteran would finish up his weekend with another power-play goal, this time in the third frame for the Aviators.

For the weekend, the ‘06 forward registered seven points, tallying three goals and four assists over the two-game series.

Head coach of the Aviators, Leeor Shtrom explains what he saw from the Elmira veteran.

“Matt had a big summer, came back stronger and faster. He’s hard to handle in between the dots. We are looking forward to seeing him continue to keep getting better.”

2nd Star: Nico Pohjola, F, Elmira Aviators

3rd Star: Vincent Glos, D, Maryland Black Bears

 

Midwest Division Star of the Week: Dean Andrews, Defenseman, Fairbanks Ice Dogs

The ‘06 defenseman from Park Ridge, Illinois, Dean Andrews played a key offensive role from the blue line for the Midwest Division club. The third-year NAHL veteran got his weekend started on Friday night with a three-point performance. Andrews first showed up on the scoresheet with an assist on Ben Green’s tally in the opening frame. The Park Ridge, Illinois, native notched his next point of the night in power-play fashion. Andrews fired from the blue line in the second period, recording his first goal of the season for the Ice Dogs. His final point of the night against the Minnesota Mallards would come just seconds later in the middle frame as he provided the set-up to Dane Gatmaitan’s power-play goal.

Heading into Saturday night, the third-year veteran repeats his second-period performance, this time against the Janesville Jets. While the Ice Dogs were on the penalty kill, Ryan Shanahan was able to force a turnover of the puck in Fairbanks’ defensive zone. Andrews would then carry the puck across the neutral zone and score in breakaway fashion for the Ice Dogs. His ability to aid Fairbanks’ offensive efforts continued minutes later as he provided the  primary assist on Dane Gatmaitan’s power-play tally in the middle frame. He skated to his second multi-point game for the Midwest Division club.

For the weekend, the 6-foot blueliner recorded five points for the Alaska-based club. He tallied two goals and recorded three assists for the Ice Dogs’ two-game set.

Head coach of the Ice Dogs, Dakota Bell, explains in detail what it means to see the Fairbanks veteran earn recognition for his work on the ice this past weekend.

“As one of our veteran players, it’s great to see Dean recognized on our first weekend of action for his performances. Dean put in a ton of work in the gym this offseason, and he’s come into camp from day one with a point to prove. Since we acquired him a couple of years ago, all he’s done is get better every day and continue to develop. Combine that with the experience and leadership he brings, and we have a pretty special player on our hands. Dean’s success this year will come from his skating, as he’s one of the most mobile defensemen in the NAHL. He plays in all situations for us and is someone we’ll lean on heavily as we prepare for the Showcase this coming week!”

2nd Star: Dane Gatmaitan, F, Fairbanks Ice Dogs

3rd Star: Ryan Lucarelli, F, Minnesota Mallards

 

Mountain Division Star of the Week: Nicolas Rempel, Goaltender, Billings Cattle Punchers

The 6-foot-2 NAHL veteran, Nicolas Rempel, takes home the first Mountain Division weekly honor with back-to-back wins in the blue paint. On Friday night, the ‘06 netminder turned aside 34 out of 36 shots in the Cattle Punchers’ inaugural game as a team. The two goals scored on him in the contest were both power-play tallies by the Grand Junction River Hawks. Rempel skates away with a .944 save percentage in the Friday night opener. Moving into Saturday, the third-year NAHL goaltender topped his previous night’s performance with 41 saves in net, marking an NAHL career high for him. He posted a .953 save percentage from the contest while earning his second win of the season.  

For the weekend, Rempel turned aside 75 out of 79 shots for the Montana-based team. He recorded a 2.00 goals-against average and a .949 save percentage for the Mountain Division club.

Head coach of the Cattle Punchers, Steven Haddon, explains why Rempel was a key piece in their Cattle Punchers’ success over the weekend.

“Remps showed his experience and the value of what he brings to our team this weekend. That’s why we went out and acquired him. He brings all those elements you need in a starting goalie. He allowed our team to find ourselves. Being brand new, we had some rough moments this weekend, and he was there giving us time to reset and find our game.”

2nd Star: Evan Foiles, F, Billings Cattle Punchers

3rd Star: Dylan McFadyen, G, Idaho Falls Spud Kings

 

South Division Star of the Week: Jakob Hanlan, Goaltender, Oklahoma Warriors

The 6-foot-1 netminder from Gatineau, Quebec, Canada, Jakob Hanlan spotlighted back-to-back dominating performances in the blue paint for the Oklahoma Warriors. Starting on Friday night, Hanlan turned aside 37 out of 39 shots in the Warriors’ 3-2 victory over the New Mexico Ice Wolves. He recorded a .949 save percentage from the opening night contest. Moving into Saturday night, the second-year NAHL veteran continued his dominance in the blue paint, this time stopping 33 out of 34 shots by the Ice Wolves. The ‘07 goaltender featured a .971 save percentage from the Saturday night affair.

Thanks to his work in the blue paint, Hanlan recorded a 1.50 goals-against average and a .959 save percentage for the Oklahoma-based club. He played a critical role in lifting his team to a weekend sweep over the Ice Wolves.

Head coach of the Warriors, Eric Ballard, shares more on the second-year veteran’s performance between the pipes.

“Hanlan was spectacular between the pipes for us all weekend long. He made saves that kept us moving forward and gave us the chances to win two big games. Extremely happy with his performance, to say the least.”

2nd Star: Oliver Czaja, F, Corpus Christi IceRays

3rd Star: Nikola Kharinov, F, Amarillo Wranglers