NAHL Announces Monthly Player Awards for March

The North American Hockey League (NAHL) has announced its Bauer Hockey player awards for March. The Forward of the Month is Luc Bydal from the Anchorage Wolverines. The Defenseman of the Month is Jack Sullivan from the Johnstown Tomahawks. The Goaltender of the Month is Michael Modelski from the El Paso Rhinos.

 

Bauer Hockey NAHL Forward of the Month: Luc Bydal, Anchorage Wolverines

Skating to his second Star of the Month honors, Luc Bydal went on an offensive tear in the month of March for the Wolverines. The 6-foot-2 forward is the NAHL's leading goal-scorer. This past month, he registered a staggering 2.38 points-per-game with Anchorage, scoring eight goals and making 11 assists in the span. His 19 points in eight games played in March rank him first amongst skaters for the month. His scoring ways at crucial moments feature the North Dakota native notching three game-winning goals in March. In addition, six out of his eight games this past month were multi-point games, with a single-game season-high night on March 20, 2026. The second-year NAHL veteran recorded a six-point game against the Wolverines' in-state rivals, the Kenai River Brown Bears. He tallied two goals while making four assists for Anchorage. Bydal also features a +9 rating in March.

The second-year NAHL veteran shares what it means to be named to the honor.

“It’s great. Obviously, there are a lot of good forwards in this league, so it’s definitely a cool award to win. I just want to give a lot of credit to all my teammates and definitely my linemates for making it possible.”

He went into more detail on how he has seen his game grow while playing in Anchorage.

“I’ve seen my game grow in many different ways while playing here in Anchorage. With such a  great organization and a true family atmosphere, it makes it really easy to develop your game in such a great spot.”

The Grand Forks, North Dakota, skater leads the NAHL with 40 goals on the season, while ranking fourth overall with 77 points on the season. 24 out of his 55 games played this season have been multi-point games for the Wolverines. The Long Island commit earned his Division I opportunity thanks to his breakout season.  Bydal has earned three other distinctions this year. He was named as November’s Forward of the Month and a Midwest Division Star of the Week on November 11, 2025, and March 23, 2026. While playing in Anchorage, he gets the special opportunity to play alongside his little brother Rylan.

Head coach of the Wolverines, Mike Aikens, shares what he has seen from Bydal’s game has developed the most this season.

“Luc is a special player. He has been a huge part of our team’s success in the second half of the season. He has incredible offensive instincts and wants the puck on his stick in critical situations. He has always been a great goal scorer, but he has become a much better playmaker this season and taken pride in improving his play away from the puck.”

Runner-Up: Owen Drury, Maryland Black Bears

 

Bauer Hockey NAHL Defenseman of the Month: Jack Sullivan, Johnstown Tomahawks

Doing something that many defensemen do not do often, Jack Sullivan featured a dominating month from the blue line. The 6-foot-1 left-hand shot recorded nine points in eight games played with the Tomahawks. The first-year skater scored seven goals, leading all defensemen in the month. His ability to convert on the man advantage was prominent, registering five of his points in March on the power play. In addition, the University of Vermont commit recorded a season-first, a hat trick, on March 22, 2026, against the New Hampshire Mountain Kings. Additionally, the ‘06 skater produced a +6 rating in March from his offensive and defensive prowess.

Sullivan went into detail on what it means to earn this distinction.

“It is a huge honor to be recognized. I have worked very hard this year. I was traded to the Tomahawks over Christmas, and it has been awesome. We have a great coaching staff here and a great group of guys in the locker room. I think it is just consistency and trusting my teammates, making sure I take care of the d-zone first, then making plays in the o-zone when I get my chances.”

The Buffalo, New York, native joined the Tomahawks midway through the season, around Christmas Break. He started his 2025-26 campaign with the North Iowa Bulls, lacing up in 19 games for the Central Division team. While with the Bulls, he scored three goals while recording 11 assists in his tenure. With Johnstown, Sullivan has played in 22 games, finding twine in 10 games while making five assists.

Geoffrey Beauparlant from the Tomahawks went into detail on how Sullivan has played a crucial role in Johnstown’s success.

"Jack was a welcome addition to our defense corps midway through the season. A University of Vermont commit, he is a talented puck handler who drives offense from the back end. He has been a big part of our push for the playoffs down the stretch."

Runner-Up: William Esterbrooks, Maryland Black Bears

 

Bauer Hockey Goaltender of the Month: Michael Modelski, El Paso Rhinos

So nice he does it twice, Michael Modelski earns back-to-back honors as Goaltender of the Month. The 6-foot-1 netminder has continued his domination in the crease and secured four consecutive wins for the Rhinos this past month. The New Boston, Michigan, native featured a .960 save percentage and 1.40 goals-against average in his five games played in net for El Paso. His best weekend was the series against the New Mexico Ice Wolves on March 20-21, 2026. He kicked off his dominant weekend with his second shutout of the season, this time with a 28-save performance. He then allowed just one lone goal late in the third period the next night, turning aside 36 out of 37 shots on net. He lifted his team to a weekend sweep over the Ice Wolves and continued his team’s hunt for the postseason.

Modelski shares what it means to be named to back-to-back Goaltender of the Month titles and shares what in his game has grown the most during his time in El Paso.

“It means a lot to get named back-to-back awards, but it shows how the team has been trending in the right direction at the right time.  I think being in El Paso has been great for me, as it has allowed me to develop my game with good coaches and teammates. I think that my consistency has grown to a great level, with my play-reading contributing to my success.”

Modelski’s capability to lift his team to victories is in large part due to his skill to turn aside shots in net. The Michigan native leads the league with his .939 save percentage while spotlighting a 2.08 goals-against average. In his 30 games played with El Paso, he has earned 20 victories, only losing six games in regulation this season. The ‘05 netminder has earned three other distinctions this season. He is just coming off being named Goaltender of the Month in February while securing two South Division Star of the Week honors on February 23, 2026, and March 23, 2026.

Head coach of the Rhinos, Mike Rivera, dives into detail on how impactful Modelski has been in net.

“We could not be prouder of Mo for earning back-to-back Star of the Month awards. This is extremely difficult to do with the quality of goaltending in our league, and it speaks to how good he has been between the pipes. He is a dog and earned every accolade he has received up to this point.”

Runner-Up: Ethan Phillips, Shreveport Mudbugs