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 29, 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: Denis Hodas, Forward, North Iowa Bulls

The 21-year-old from Zilina, Slovakia, Denis Hodas, featured a dominant five-goal performance last week for the Bulls. Hodas first tallied two goals midweek against the Minnesota Mallards on Wednesday night. The second-year veteran first took advantage of a loose puck at the 5:45 minute mark in the second frame and tied up the game 2-2. The alternate captain would then go on to show up on the scoresheet again, this time on the power play in one-timer fashion. The Bulls would skate to a 4-3 overtime win with his help.

Moving into Friday night, the Bulls were down 3-1 in the final 10 seconds of the night. With a pulled goalie, North Iowa was looking to take advantage with an extra man on the ice. The 6-foot-1 lefty with two seconds on the clock would score in one-timer fashion from the faceoff circle, just like he did on Wednesday night for North Iowa. The Bulls would skate away with a 3-2 loss; however, that push in the final seconds helped to keep the contest tight. Heading into Saturday night, the Bulls would end their Watertown road trip with a bang. A trio of North Iowa goals would be scored in the opening frame, with Hodas finishing out the trio of tallies. With 50 seconds left in the first period, Hodas takes advantage of a turned-over puck in the neutral zone and scores on the Shamrocks. The Slovakia native would show up on the scoresheet once more, this time in the second frame. The 6-foot-1 skater would score in his iconic one-timer fashion while on the power play. The Bulls would eventually skate to a 6-2 win with the help of their alternate captain on the ice.

For the season, Hodas ranks third on his roster with 21 tallies on the year. In addition, the 21-year-old ranks in the top five of skaters with his 44 points on the season.

Head coach of the Bulls, Nick Bruneteau, went into detail on Hodas’ domination on the weekend.

“Denis had an excellent weekend! He has found different ways to generate offense for our group all year. His poise and puck skills have been a big reason why our power play is towards the top of the league, all while continuing to exhibit great leadership.”

2nd Star: Mate Tardi, F, St. Cloud Norsemen

3rd Star: Christian Garrity, F, St. Cloud Norsemen

 

East Division Star of the Week: Logan Poulin, Forward, Northeast Generals

Earning his second Star of the Week distinction this season, Logan Poulin notched his first junior career hat trick over the weekend with the Generals. The 5-foot-10 forward started his weekend off helping his team to a 5-3 victory on Friday night over the Elmira Aviators. The ‘06 skater gave the Generals their first lead of the night with a power-play tally in the final five minutes of the contest. Poulin’s goal was a snipe from the faceoff circle. His offensive prowess would continue into Saturday night. The Generals’ leading goal-scorer started the scoring with a tally at the 5:27 minute mark of the opening period. He continued his offensive prowess into the second frame, this time scoring from the point with five minutes left on the clock. Poulin would then, 17 seconds later, provide an assist on Rich Rucireto’s tally. Finally, the Massachusetts native would secure a career-first after turning over the Elmira puck. The 5-foot-10 skater found twine on a breakaway while his team was shorthanded. He notched his hat trick with a backhanded tally for Northeast. The Generals skate to a 6-0 shutout win, thanks to Poulin’s four-point night.

For the weekend, Poulin featured five points, tallying four goals while making one assist. His offensive prowess helped to lift his team to a weekend sweep as well. The first-year skater leads his roster with 26 goals on the year, while he sits second with 47 points.

Head coach of the Generals, Bryan Erikson, shares more on what he has seen from Poulin all season.

“Logan has been fantastic all year. He is an elite goal-scorer who continues to develop into a 200-foot player. After this weekend, Logan has 26 goals in 42 games, which is a crazy pace in a full season. He scored the game-winning goal on Friday while on the power play. And then on Saturday, he finished off the hat trick to lead us to victory again. His game is becoming so complete; he plays great on the defensive side of the puck, while being great in transition on the forecheck. He is an elite special teams player. We look forward to Logan continuing to put pucks in the net and playing a smart 200-foot game as we push towards the playoffs.”

2nd Star: Sean Leetch, F, Johnstown Tomahawks

3rd Star: Ryan Denes, G, Maryland Black Bears

 

Midwest Division Star of the Week: Joey Hyten, Forward, Janesville Jets

The second-year veteran with a highlight-worthy performance, Joey Hyten, helped his team lift the America’s Dairyland Milk Can trophy over the weekend against the Chippewa Steel. Hyten got his weekend started on Friday night with an assist on Murray Marvin-Cordes’ goal less than a minute into the second frame. Following that, Hyten would show up on the scoresheet again, this time finding twine himself while his team was shorthanded. The captain carried his offensive skill set into Saturday night’s game against the Steel. The Illinois native lit the lamp first for the Jets with a power-play tally seven minutes into the contest. His play-making continued in the opening frame when he produced the setup on Hans Hedlund’s goal while the team was on the man advantage. Hyten’s leadership and offensive prowess helped to lead his team to a sweep over the Steel.

For the weekend, Hyten skates away with a four-point performance, tallying two goals and two assists. On his roster, the ‘06 skater leads the team in all offensive categories. He features a team-leading 28 goals, 35 assists, and 63 points. This season, the 6-foot skater was named as a Top Prospect on the Selects White roster for the 2026 Top Prospects Tournament. Hyten played a role in lifting the Selects White team to a victory over the National Development Program. In addition, this recognition marks the second time the Illinois native has been named the Midwest Division Star of the Week.

Head coach of the Jets, Lennie Childs, shares more on why Hyten played a critical role for Janesville this year.

“Joey is the most consistent player I have been on the ice with. His ability to control the game using his skill and compete has been his biggest asset. He is now ranked fifth all-time for the Janesville Jets single-season points record and fourth for all-time goals scored in a season.”

2nd Star: Matt Hauser, D, Minnesota Wilderness

3rd Star: Easton Cody, G, Wisconsin Windgio

 

South Division Star of the Week: Leo Isaksson, Forward, Lone Star Brahmas

Playing against an in-state rival, Leo Isaksson played an offensive key in lifting the Brahmas to a sweep over the Odessa Jackalopes. The 6-foot lefty had a big eight-point weekend in his three games played. He started his offensive domination on Friday night at the Ector County Coliseum. He first finds twine on the power play with a one-timer midway through the opening frame. Isaksson would show up on the scoresheet again when he provided the setup for Dylan McFadden’s goal in the final minute of the first period. Moving into the second period, the ‘05 skater notches another assist, this time on Gustav Lexell’s goal with 33 seconds to spare in the middle frame. The Brahmas skate to a 4-2 win thanks to his three points in the contest.

Moving into Saturday night, the Swede would showcase a repeat from the night before by lighting the lamp in one-timer fashion while on the power play. Isaksson, later on, would create scoring opportunities by providing a feed on Jackson Vaites’ goal in the final four minutes of the period. The first-year Brahma would continue on creating scoring chances in the third period, this time on Dylan McFadden’s goal. Isaksson carried the puck from the defensive to the offensive zone on the ice, providing the setup for McFadden’s tally. Isaksson skates to another three-point night, helping his team to a 4-3 victory.

To round out his dominant weekend, Isaksson notched a two-point performance on Sunday afternoon against the Jackalopes. In the opening frame, the first-year forward got the scoring started with a one-timer on the man advantage two minutes into the contest. He would help to extend the Brahmas’ lead later in the game with a primary assist on Jackson Vaites’ goal in the second period. His offensive play-making led to his team skating to a 4-3 win over Odessa.

The Swede finished out the weekend with an eight-point performance, tallying three goals while making five assists. This award marks the second time to be named the South Division Star of the Week this season. He was also named to the South Division roster for the 2026 Top Prospects Tournament this season. In addition, Isaksson has been one of their leading scorers on Lone Star this season. He ranks first with his 54 points and 37 assists, while he sits in second with his 17 goals. 

Head coach of the Brahmas, Dan Wildfong, explains why Isaksson is deserving of the award.

“Leo has been playing some of his best hockey the past few weeks. The timing of his performance is just in time for the playoffs. We look forward to him continuing his work on the ice and in his pursuit of a Division I opportunity.”

2nd Star: Sean Gibbons, F, New Mexico Ice Wolves

3rd Star: Charlie Burchfield, F, Shreveport Mudbugs