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 March 8, 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: Teddy Richardson, Forward, Bismarck Bobcats

Earning his fourth weekly honor this season, Teddy Richardson has featured a dominant campaign in his third season in the League of Opportunity. The 6-foot-2 forward was influential in his team’s success over the weekend. Kicking things off on Friday night, the University of Alaska-Fairbanks commit produced three assists in the 6-3 win over the Watertown Shamrocks. Richardson notched two primary assists in the second, with both goals from Mark Evans. In the final frame, the St. Louis, Missouri native produced a setup on Alex Lunski’s tally. He ended the night with a three-point performance.

Moving into Saturday night, the Bobcats were scoreless throughout almost the whole contest. With a postseason berth on the line, the Show-Me State skate showcased his offensive skillset in a down-to-the-wire fashion. 19 seconds were left in regulation, and Richardson scored through the scramble to even the scoreboard 1-1. As the matchup was forced into overtime, Richardson had the puck on his stick. With 2:42 on the clock, the third-year NAHL veteran would light the lamp in game-winning fashion thanks to a top-shelf goal. The Bobcats skate away with a 2-1 come-from-behind overtime victory and a ticket punched to the postseason.

The 19-year-old has been on an offensive tear since joining the Bismarck Bobcats. In his 12 games with the team this season, he has shown up on the scoresheet in the last 10 contests. He features eight multi-point contests with Bismarck, and this past weekend was no different. The 6-foot-2 right-handed shot scored two goals, made three assists, and finished with five total points on the weekend. Earning weekly honors is something that Richardson knows very well. This marks the third Central Division weekly honor in his six weeks played with the team. Prior to joining the Bobcats, Richardson played with the Wisconsin Windigo, where he was named a Midwest Division Star of the Week on December 1, 2025.

The future Nanook is an alumnus of the T1ER, playing with the CarShield program for three seasons.

Head coach of the Bobcats, Garrett Roth, went into detail on Richardson’s qualities on and off the ice.

“Teddy helped lead the charge offensively for us this past weekend and came up huge for us late in Saturday's game. His ability to show up in critical moments of a game has been evident since his arrival. Teddy has continued to prove how committed he is to our group and has shown leadership qualities that have helped our group be more consistent in our approach.”

2nd Star: EJ Paddington, F, Austin Bruins

3rd Star: Matthew Martin, F, Aberdeen Wings

 

East Division Star of the Week: Nicolas Vrtiel, Forward, New Hampshire Mountain Kings

The 6-foot-1 forward from Bjonice, Slovakia, Nicolas Vrtiel, went on an offensive tear over the weekend for the Mountain Kings. Kicking things off on Friday night, Vritel showcased a season-high single-game performance. The matchup started with the Maine Nordiques striking first and taking the lead. However, a strong second-period push by Vrtiel helped the Mountain Kings to have the edge. The 20-year-old first provided the primary assist on Aidan Petroff’s one-timer. As the lead was cut in half, the first-year skater would tap in a power-play tally a little over a minute later. The Mountain Kings would take the lead heading into the final frame. The Nordiques would even the scoreboard in the final minutes of the game; however, Vrtiel had some more scoring to do. With 1:52 left in regulation, the Slovakia native scores off the face-off to give the Mountain Kings the lead and the eventual victory. His three-point performance marked a season-high night.

Heading into Saturday night, the Mountain Kings were looking for a weekend sweep on home ice, and they were able to get it done thanks to Vrtiel. The first-year skater opened the scoring in the first period with a power-play tally at the 6:19 minute mark. As the contest progressed, the Nordiques would score three goals between the first and second period, securing themselves the lead heading into the final frame. However, New Hampshire showcased a third-period push with a four-goal frame. Just like the night before, Vrtiel would score the game-winner in the same fashion. Midway through the period, the first-year forward would score off the face-off to give his team the lead in the third period. The Mountain Kings would end the night with a 5-3 win and a weekend sweep.

The ‘06 skater was drafted this year in the 2025 NAHL Entry Draft by the Mountain Kings in the first round, 13th overall. This weekend marked a dominant five-point weekend, featuring back-to-back two-goal nights. Vrtiel scored the game-winner in both games, lifting his team to an exciting sweep over the Nordiques. This past weekend marked his best weekend performance in the NAHL.

Head coach of the Mountain Kings, Cam Robichaud, explains what it means to see Vrtiel be named to the honor.

“Vrtiel had a huge weekend for us, and we are happy to see him get rewarded for his work! He has been a constant for us all year and is really growing and adapting to the North American style of play. Looking forward to seeing what he accomplishes the rest of the way.”

2nd Star: Zack Ferris, G, Johnstown Tomahawks

3rd Star: Joe Stauber, D, Philadelphia Rebels

 

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

In a battle for hockey supremacy in the 49th State, Dean Andrews played a big role in securing a Friday night victory for Fairbanks this past weekend. The 6-foot blueliner kicked off his weekend on Friday night at the Big Dipper Ice Arena. The second-year NAHL veteran opened the scoring for the Ice Dogs with a quick tally at the 18:46 minute mark. The contest would progress with a back-and-forth battle between the two Alaskan teams, and the matchup would eventually be moved into overtime. In that extra frame, Andrews would strike in the first 30 seconds, scoring the game-winner for the Ice Dogs. Fairbanks would skate away with a 4-3 overtime victory thanks to the NAHL veteran.

Moving into Saturday night, the contest would ultimately not go Fairbanks’ way; however, the defenseman played an offensive role from the blue line. Andrews notched two assists for the Ice Dogs in the second frame. He first provided an assist on Dub Eunice III’s tally, and then, a little over a minute later, the Illinois native produced the set-up for Gage Leonard’s power-play goal.

For the weekend, Andrews skates away with a four-point weekend, tallying two goals while making two assists. The ‘06 blueliner leads defensemen on his roster in goals (6), assists (20), and total points (26).

Head coach of the Ice Dogs, Dakota Bell, shares how Andrew’s dedication to development is getting rewarded with this honor.

“Dean being named Star of the Week is a testament to his work ethic and development over the past year. Dean has worked relentlessly on his craft day in and day out, and now he’s reaping those rewards.”

Bell went on to explain what it means to see Andrews deliver the victory on Friday night.

“Being able to see the fans at the Big Dipper happy on Friday night with an overtime winner was a special moment for him and important for our team. Dean has stepped up in clutch situations multiple times this year by using his skating and vision. We are excited to see what else he can help us accomplish in the final few months of the season.”

2nd Star: Luc Bydal, F, Anchorage Wolverines

3rd Star: Alex Ballard, D, Kenai River Brown Bears

 

South Division Star of the Week: Duke Ehrhard, Forward, Shreveport Mudbugs

Spotlighting a dominating performance on home ice, Duke Ehrhard produced a career-first on Friday night. The 6-foot-2 lefty from California played a critical role in securing a big win against the Jackalopes in game one of the series. Ehrhard first showed up on the scoresheet with an assist on Grayson Gerhard’s tally in the opening frame. The second-year veteran was on the blue line and kept the puck in the offensive zone for the Mudbugs, providing the secondary assist for the goal. In the second frame, both teams lit the lamp and Odessa had the one-goal advantage heading into the final period. The final 20 minutes of the contest were where the Manhattan Beach, California native produced a career-first, a hat trick. The 6-foot-2 skater first goes top-shelf to even the scoreboard at the 18:09 minute mark of the frame. The period would be silent until Ehrhard scored his second of the night, this time on the power play at the 5:45 minute mark, to give Shreveport their first lead of the game. The ‘06 skater would tack on one more in the final moments of the contest as the Jackalopes pulled their goaltender. From the defensive blue line, Ehrhard finds the back of the net, sealing his team's 6-3 come-from-behind victory.

Moving into Saturday night, the second-year skater would contribute to half of the offensive production for the team. He first provided an assist on William-Alexis Tremblay’s goal in the second frame to give the Mudbugs the 2-1 advantage. The 6-foot-2 lefty would tally a power-play goal off a rebound at the 12:31 minute mark of the final period. The Mudbugs would secure a series sweep thanks to his offensive prowess.

For the weekend, he tallied four goals while making two assists. His four-point game on Friday night was a season-high performance for a single game. On his roster, Ehrhard is the leading goal-scorer. He has tallied 18 goals on the year.

Head coach of the Mudbugs, Jason Campbell, went into detail on why Ehrhard is an all-around player for the Mudbugs.

“Duke has been strong all season for us. His best asset is how consistent he is. We can play him on any line, in any situation, and he will be impactful. This weekend, he was great offensively but also played a major role on our penalty kill.”

2nd Star: Jackson Silverberg, G, New Mexico Ice Wolves

3rd Star: Christian Venticinque, F, Lone Star Brahmas