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 February 22, 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: Fuji Suzuki, Forward, North Iowa Bulls

Earning his second Central Star of the Week honors, Fuji Suzuki showcased his offensive prowess on Saturday night for the North Iowa Bulls. The alternate captain is coming off playing at the Top Prospect Tournament for the Central Division team last week. In his first game back with his NAHL team, Suzuki would light the lamp for the lone goal for the Bulls on Friday night. With a fire to turn the tides on Saturday night, the second-year veteran got to work and recorded a career-high night with North Iowa. Suzuki played a critical role in the Bulls’ 6-4 win over the Bismarck Bobcats. He secured his first hat trick while spotlighting a career-high four-point night. He found the back of the net twice in the opening frame and then completed his hat trick in the second period with a power-play tally. Six minutes following that third goal, Suzuki would provide the set-up to Denis Kuzmenkov’s game-winning goal.

For the weekend, the second-year veteran featured a five-point weekend, scoring four goals while making an assist. Suzuki is a native of Tokyo, Japan, and he has played a crucial offensive role for North Iowa this season. He leads his team with 29 goals and 52 points on the season. This award marks the second time this season to be recognized as the Central Division Star of the Week.

Head coach of the Bulls, Nick Bruneteau, explains why Suzuki continues to be a top skater not only for the Bulls, but for the league as well.

“Fuji had a great weekend, and continues to produce in critical moments. He has been a game-changer for us all season. His ability to change speeds and accelerate, along with his understanding of the game, has separated him from others. We believe he is one of the best players in the league, and he showcased that this weekend.”

2nd Star: Gavin Hruza, F, Austin Bruins

3rd Star:  Mason Gudridge, G, Watertown Shamrocks

 

East Division Star of the Week: Keagin Wilson, Goaltender, Northeast Generals

Hailing from Hingham, Massachusetts, Keagin Wilson dominated between the pipes in his first back-to-back starts in a weekend series. The 6-foot-1 goaltender is in his first season playing for the Generals. His weekend’s performance kicked off on Friday night against the Johnstown Tomahawks. Wilson allowed one early second-period goal, but after that, he was perfect in the crease. He stopped 26 out of 27 shots, allowing his team to skate away with a 4-1 victory on home ice. Moving into Saturday night, the ‘06 netminder earned his second consecutive win on the blue paint with a 24-save performance against the Tomahawks.

For the weekend, Wilson featured a 1.50 goals-against average and a .943 save percentage between the two games. Friday night spotlighted his second-best single-game save percentage this season. He featured a .963 save percentage from that contest. His two wins between the pipes helped the Generals tighten up the East Division standings, putting Northeast tied in fourth with 52 points on the season.

Head coach of the Generals, Bryan Erikson, went into detail on Wilson’s performance over the weekend and shares more on the type of person Wilson is off the ice.

“So proud of Keagin. He works so hard with our goalie coach, Ian Milosz, and really has become a calming presence in net. He makes huge saves and pushes his goalie partner, Will Mizenko.  The two of them make up an amazing tandem. We are playing a stretch of games that are incredibly important. Keagin this past weekend, played lights out on Friday in a 4-1 win and got the start on Saturday. He was outstanding again. We won 4-2 with both goals being power-play goals, and nothing he could really do. Keagin just keeps getting better. Every day, he shows up ready to go and compete. His teammates love him, and the staff trusts him. He is a great kid playing great hockey!”

2nd Star: Keanan Dewberry, F, Rochester Jr. Americans

3rd Star: Rich Rucireto, F, Northeast Generals

 

Midwest Division Star of the Week: Devin Rustlie, Goaltender, Kenai River Brown Bears

Picking up a big win against a top team on Friday night, Devin Rustlie showcased defensive dominance in the crease for the Brown Bears. The ‘06 goaltender is a second-year veteran of the NAHL, and this past weekend was his best between the pipes with Kenai River. Kicking things off on Friday night, Rustlie secured a 28-save performance against the top team in the Midwest Division, the Minnesota Wilderness. He was perfect between the pipes until a late third-period goal by Minnesota’s Talan Blanck. That late goal would not be enough, with the Brown Bears earning a 5-1 victory over the Wilderness. Moving into Saturday, the scoreboard would not be in favor of Kenai River; however, Rustlie’s work in the crease would not go unnoticed. The Wisconsin native would turn aside 32 out of 34 shots, with both goals scored by the Wilderness coming in the third frame, just a few minutes apart. His valiant effort in net kept the game extremely tight against one of the top teams in the NAHL.

For the weekend, Rustlie featured a 1.50 goals-against average and a .953 save percentage. For the Brown Bears, their two victories against the Wilderness this season have come with the help of Rustlie between the pipes.

Head coach of the Brown Bears, Darren Banks, dives into detail on what he has seen from Rustlie this past weekend.

“Rustlie played well this weekend and has had a high-compete level in practice. We are excited to see him get rewarded for it. He has been here for a little over a month and continues to get better week after week. He was a calming presence in the net and made some timely saves as well. It was exciting for our group.”

2nd Star: Joshua Sardo, F, Wisconsin Windigo

3rd Star: Ryan Gerlich, G, Minnesota Wilderness

 

South Division Star of the Week: Michael Modelski, Goaltender, El Paso Rhinos

Serving as a key piece in the Rhinos’ success this weekend, Michael Modelski showcased a dominant performance between the pipes, picking up a huge win on Friday night against the South Division leader. After coming off competing at the 2026 Top Prospects Tournament, Modelski got to work in his first game back with El Paso. Kicking things off on Friday night, the 6-foot-1 netminder produced a NAHL career-first. Modelski was perfect in the crease, notching a 36-save shutout against the Lone Star Brahmas. His work in net helped his team earn a 4-0 victory on home ice. Moving into Saturday night, the contest would be extremely tight and in a deadlock until the final frame, where Lone Star would find twine. Despite falling in a 1-0 fashion, Modelski’s timely saves helped to keep his team tight in the contest. He turned aside 30 shots from that lone contest.

The New Boston, Michigan native secured a 0.50 goals-against average and a .984 save performance from the weekend. He saved a total of 66 shots. For the season, Modelski leads the league with his .935 save percentage. His work in the blue paint has played a critical role in helping the Rhinos secure big wins against top teams.

Head coach of the Rhinos, Mike Rivera, went into detail on how Modelski has served as a keystone piece for El Paso this season.

“This is a well-deserved and long-time coming honor for Mo. He has been lights out for us all season, and his ability was on full display this past weekend in some big games. Our group hasn’t always helped Mo defensively to keep his goals-against average down, but the fact that he has the best save percentage in the league speaks for itself. He’s an absolute competitor, and we are happy to see him get the recognition he deserves.

2nd Star: Xander Miceli, G, Corpus Christi IceRays

3rd Star: Sean Gibbons, F, New Mexico Ice Wolves