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 April 5, 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: Jack Solomon, Goaltender, Austin Bruins

Hailing from the Show-Me State and showing off his moves between the pipes, Jack Solomon featured back-to-back shutouts against one of the Central Division’s top teams over the weekend. Solomon is a second-year veteran of the Bruins, playing 72 career games in that span. This past weekend was straight domination for the ‘05 netminder. Kicking things off on Friday night, the Air Force commit stood tall in the blue paint, turning aside all 30 shots on goal. Solomon lifted his team to a 2-0 victory thanks to his work in the crease. Moving into Saturday night, the 6-foot-2 goaltender would feature a repeat from the night before, this time earning a 29-save shutout against the Bismarck Bobcats. Thanks to his smooth moves between the pipes, the 21-year-old backstopped his team to a Central Division Regular Season title. This series was crucial for the Bruins in clinching the number one seed in the Central Division, and Solomon defended in back-to-back nights.

For the weekend, Solomon was perfect, notching a 0.00 goals-against average and turning aside all 59 shots by the Bismarck. For the season, the ‘05 goaltender has produced 23 wins in his 29 games played. Right now, the St. Louis, Missouri native is on a seven-game heater. He features a league-leading 1.92 goals-against average while ranks second amongst goaltenders with his .931 save percentage on the year. 

Prior to playing in the League of Opportunity, the Air Force Commit played in the T1ER with the CarShield AAA program. 

Head coach of the Bruins, Steve Howard, dives into detail on why Solomon has been a keystone piece for Austin this season.

“Jack had a great weekend. He made some really big saves and he’s a big reason that we have had success so far. We want to see him continue to play well into the playoffs.”

2nd Star: Izaak Kalis, G, St. Cloud Norsemen

3rd Star: Denis Hodas, F, North Iowa Bulls

 

East Division Star of the Week: Will Mizenko, Goaltender, Northeast Generals

Hailing from the Empire State, Will Mizenko helped to lift his team to a home ice advantage in the East Division Play-In Series thanks to his work between the pipes. Mizenko is in his second season playing in the NAHL. The 6-foot-5 netminder got his weekend started on Friday night against the Maine Nordiques. The New York native stopped 22 out of 24 shots on net, helping his team secure a 3-2 victory. Moving into Saturday night, the ‘05 goaltender continued his dominance in net, this time notching a 33-save performance against the Nordiques. With his ability to make timely saves, Mizenko aided the Generals in securing a sweep over Maine.

For the weekend, the 6-foot-5 goaltender spotlighted a 1.50 goals-against average and .948 save percentage. His work in the blue paint also earned him the recognition this season, being named as a Top Prospect for the East Division roster at the 2026 Top Prospects Tournament. For the season, Mizenko features a .916 save percentage and 2.64 goals-against average during his time with the Generals.

Bryan Erikson from the Northeast Generals shares why Mizenko played a crucial role for Northeast over the weekend.

“We knew going into the weekend that we needed two wins in regulation to get home ice advantage during round one of the playoffs. Will stepped up big for us. He played incredibly in both games, allowing us to secure the points needed. He made numerous highlight reel saves that gave the entire team confidence.  He has been a game changer all season. He is a great young man whose teammates love and trust him. He and his goalie partner, Keagin, and goalie coach, Ian, continue to put in the work needed to be ready to put us in the best position to win! We could not be more excited to have Will backstop us in the Robertson Cup Playoffs!”

2nd Star: Billy Sheridan, F, Philadelphia Rebels

3rd Star: Maxim St. Pierre, D, Rochester Jr. Americans

 

Midwest Division Star of the Week: Zach Homer, Forward, Minnesota Wilderness

The 6-foot-2 forward from Michigan, Zach Homer, featured a big eight-point performance for the Minnesota Wilderness against the Janesville Jets. He kicks off his weekend on Friday night with a secondary assist in the second period. The ‘05 skater carried the puck across the blue line into the Wilderness’s offensive zone. From there, he started the tic-tac-toe play that ended with Talan Blanck finding twine six minutes into the middle frame. Following that, Homer would light the lamp himself on the power play thanks to a rebound off of Janesville’s netminder, Kaenan Smith. Moving into the final period, the NAHL veteran was crucial in carrying the momentum and the puck on the breakaway for the Wilderness. With Homer’s setup, Noah Dziver would deliver a tally for Minnesota. The Michigan native continued his play-making ways in the final period with another primary assist, this time for Robinson Djian. Homer enters the ice at the 4:20 minute mark and then carries the puck across the neutral zone, setting up the goal for Djian 10 seconds later. The Wilderness skated away with a 5-3 victory, thanks to Homer’s work.

Moving into Saturday night, Homer repeats with another four-point performance for the Wilderness. The ‘05 skater opens the scoring with a tally from the faceoff circle midway through the opening frame. The Michigan native would continue his play-making ways in the second frame, this time setting up Talan Blanck’s goal 24 seconds into the middle frame. Homer would show up on the scoresheet again while featuring his speed across the ice. He carries the puck from Janesville’s offensive zone to Minnesota’s offensive zone, providing the setup for Blanck’s second goal of the night. Moving into the final frame, Homer would finish off his weekend with a secondary assist on Noah Dziver’s power-play tally. The Wilderness skated to a 6-2 win thanks to the Michigan native on the ice.

For the weekend, the 6-foot-2 forward notched two goals while making six assists. He featured back-to-back four-point nights, contributing to eight out of 11 goals scored by Minnesota over the weekend. For the season, Homer is currently tied second overall in the NAHL with 38 goals. Additionally, the third-year NAHL veteran tallied 64 total points on the season, playing a key offensive role for the Wilderness.

Homer was named as a Top Prospect for the Midwest Division roster at the 2026 Top Prospects Tournament. He got the opportunity to compete back in his home state at the USA Hockey Arena. In addition, Homer is a longtime NAHL veteran, playing 166 career games in the League of Opportunity. He started his NAHL career with the Oklahoma Warriors, then joined the Corpus Christi IceRays in the 2023-24 season. Following his time down South, he was acquired by the Minnesota Wilderness before the 2024-25 season. Since then, he has played 114 games rocking the Minnesota sweater.

Head coach of the Wilderness, Zach Stepan, shares why Homer’s success on the ice is the direct reflection of his leadership off the ice.

“Zach Homer has been an integral part of our success during the second half of the season. His impact goes far beyond the scoresheet—he leads through a relentless, warrior-like mentality on the ice, setting the standard for compete level and determination every time he steps out there. What truly separates Zach is his passion for winning and the genuine care he has for his teammates, consistently putting the team above himself in every situation. It’s been extremely rewarding to see him find success, as it’s a direct reflection of his selfless, team-first mindset and the work he puts in day in and day out.”

2nd Star: Amir Valiullin, G, Springfield Jr. Blues

3rd Star: Clarke Nehmens, D, Fairbanks Ice Dogs

 

South Division Star of the Week: Nick Sinani, Forward, Corpus Christi IceRays

Earning his first South Division Star of the Week distinction, Nick Sinani delivered a dominating performance on Saturday night for the IceRays. After falling to the Oklahoma Warriors on Friday, Corpus Christi was hungry for revenge. Sinani opened the scoring two minutes into the contest. He carried the puck from the IceRays’ defensive zone to the offensive zone and then split the defensemen to score. Following that, the 5-foot-11 forward notched a secondary assist in the second frame on Islom Dzhabberganov’s tally. Sinani would use his speed once again in the middle frame, providing the setup for James Chase’s goal late in the period. Moving into the final frame, Sinani would notch one more for the IceRays. In a scramble in front of the net, the Michigan native finds twine, securing Corpus Christi’s seventh goal of the night.

Thanks to his offensive prowess, Sinani skated away with a four-point night, helping to lift the IceRays to a 7-5 victory over Oklahoma. The ‘05 lefty has played 104 career games for the IceRays, tallying 19 goals and 16 assists in that span. This season, Sinani is tied first on his roster with 17 goals on the year.

Ryan Gil from the IceRays explains why the Michigan native has been a key player for Corpus Christi heading into the postseason.

“Nick has caught fire these past weeks leading into the playoffs. He is a player I can trust to create offense and rely on to be a leader on and off the ice. Nick's speed and ability to find the back of the net are valuable assets to any team. I look forward to seeing what he will do next.”

2nd Star: Jacob Solano, F, El Paso Rhinos

3rd Star: James Chase, F, Corpus Christi IceRays