Stars of the Week
Bethel University's Stars of the Week Week of September 29, 2025
Central Star of the Week: Jace Fitzgerald - West Bend Power

Jace Fitzgerald has earned weekly honors for the second time this season after another standout performance against the Wausau Cyclones. Fitzgerald was the difference-maker as the Power skated to a two-game sweep on the road. In Friday’s 5-1 win, the veteran forward tallied his team’s third goal and later added a power-play assist. He raised the bar even higher on Saturday, recording his first hat trick of the season in a 7-4 victory, scoring once in each period, including a second-period power-play goal. With goals in three straight games and five of his first six to start the season, the Rice Lake, WI native continues to be a driving force for West Bend.
The impact Jace has had early season is clear, and Head Coach Jason Woods highlighted just how impressive his play has been: "Jace has been absolutely electric this season, and it’s no surprise to see him recognized by the league again, especially after dominating the series against Wausau. Averaging two points per game in his age-out year shows just how hard he works and how dangerous he is every time he’s on the ice. He’s a game-changer for us now, and there’s no doubt even bigger things are coming for him this season and beyond."
2nd Star: Brody Josselyn, D, West Bend Power
3rd Star: Jace Jordan, F, St. Louis Jr. Blues
East Star of the Week: Hayden Brown - Maine Nordiques

Making his NA3HL debut, ‘07 forward Hayden Brown wasted no time making an impact, helping the Nordiques sweep their home-opening series against the New Jersey Titans. The hometown product was a force on special teams all weekend, starting with his first career goal in Friday’s 4-2 win, sealing the night with the team’s fourth tally in the third period. He carried that momentum into Saturday, where he stole the show with a dominant second period. He recorded a natural hat trick, all three goals coming on the power play to fuel the Nordiques’ to a commanding 8-2 victory.
Head Coach Dylan Farrell-Reny praised Brown’s early impact and future potential: “Hayden is the definition of a Nordique, a true leader with a relentless work ethic on the ice. He’s only scratching the surface of his potential, and I’m very excited to see his development throughout the rest of the year. He’s a true goal scorer and allowing him to play his game is exactly what he needed.”
2nd Star: Kolin Krizan, F, Norwich Sea Captains
3rd Star: Ilya Baldin, F, Binghamton Buzz
Frontier Star of the Week: Loghan Weber - Butte Irish

The Butte Irish saw mixed results this weekend, but one constant was the performance of veteran forward Loghan Weber. Friday, in front of the home crowd, he set the tone against the Helena Bighorns, scoring the game’s first goal and fueling the team’s momentum. He didn’t stop there, with Butte holding a 2-1 lead entering the third, Weber picked up two assists on the team’s fourth and fifth goals, helping seal the win. Despite losing 7-4 on Saturday, the Irish gave Bozeman a battle as Weber found his way onto the scoresheet yet again. He opened the scoring on the first-period power play, added a second power-play goal later in the game, and contributed an assist, finishing the weekend with six points.
His effort and dedication haven’t gone unnoticed by Head Coach Marc Brodeur stating: “Whether it’s in practice or a game, Loghan is always the hardest worker on the ice. He is a great teammate and a true student of the game.”
2nd Star: Lex Steckelberg , F, Bozeman Icedogs
3rd Star: Joshua Sauro, F, Gillette Wild
South Star of the Week: John Scharf - Texas Brahmas

The Texas Brahmas remain the only undefeated team in the South Division after sweeping in-state rivals Austin Ice Bats in a two-game series. NA3HL rookie John Scharf made a big impact for Texas all weekend. In Friday’s nailbiter, the Brahmas fell behind 1-0 early, but Scharf sparked the comeback with back-to-back goals, one of which came on the power play. Scharf also set up the fourth goal on another power-play opportunity, with the Brahmas eventually winning 5-4 in a shootout. Saturday saw a commanding 5-1 win, highlighted by Scharf’s assist on the third goal and his own goal to close out the game, giving him five points on the weekend.
It wasn’t just the points that stood out this weekend, Head Coach Michael Rooney highlighted what makes Scharf a complete player: “John had a great weekend. He’s just beginning to crack the surface of his potential. He’s a true two way player, he doesn’t cheat the game. What makes him a dangerous player is not only his ability to shoot the puck, but his vision as well. He sees the ice and plays that not many can. He’s not overly flashy, but does everything the right way. He’s a silent assassin with the puck. We’re extremely proud to see him recognized with this honor!”
2nd Star: Nicholas Catalano, F, Texas Brahmas
3rd Star: William Andegren, F, West Texas Wranglers
Southeast Star of the Week: Matthew Hunter - Pelham Prowlers

The Pelham Prowlers made history this weekend, earning their first-ever set of wins and completing their first weekend sweep by taking all three games against the Bayou State Rougarou. ‘06 forward Matthew Hunter led the charge, finishing as the team’s top goal scorer. Hunter was unstoppable, tallying eight goals on the weekend, including hat tricks on both Friday and Saturday. Two of his goals came on the power play, while another two ultimately stood as game-winners on Saturday and Sunday. He also added two assists, rounding out a dominant all-around performance with a total of 10 points.
2nd Star: Carter Tymchak, F, Louisiana Drillers
3rd Star: Marlon Derksen, F, Pelham Prowlers
West Star of the Week: Grady Stallman - Alexandria Blizzard

The Alexandria Blizzard stormed past the Minnesota Wilderness, bouncing back from last weekend to earn their first sweep of the season. Hometown product Grady Stallman was the standout, especially in Friday’s high-scoring opener. He lit up the scoresheet with five goals, one in the first, two in the second, and two more in the third, leading Alexandria to a 7-3 victory. Stallman carried that momentum into Saturday’s tighter contest, which ended 6-4. After trailing 1-0 heading into the second period, the Blizzard erupted for five goals, including back-to-back power-play goals, one of which proved to be the game-winner. Across the weekend, Stallman finished with an impressive +8 rating, highlighting his impact at both ends of the ice.
It was a weekend to remember for Stallman, and Head Coach Jeff Crouse was quick to highlight his impact on the ice: “Grady had a great weekend for us. He brought energy and enthusiasm to the team and it obviously paid off on the ice. A 5 goal performance is almost unheard of and it was just a game as a Coach where you sit back and enjoy the show. We look forward to watching him continue his success.”
2nd Star: Ty Smith, F, Granite City Lumberjacks
3rd Star: Stone Resch, F, Mason City Toros
Bethel University's Stars of the Week Week of September 22, 2025
Central Star of the Week: Mason Decker - Rochester Grizzlies

Second-year forward Mason Decker put on a show this past weekend as the Rochester Grizzlies swept their two-game series against the Peoria Mustangs.
Friday’s opener was a scoring frenzy, with 11 goals total, five of them coming off Decker’s stick. He netted back-to-back goals in the first period (including a power-play tally), added another in the second, and capped it off with two more in the third for an unforgettable five-goal performance.
While he didn’t match that output in game two, Decker still played a major role in Rochester’s 4-0 shutout. He picked up three points, assisting on the first and fourth goals while burying the team’s third.
With eight points on the weekend, Decker now leads the Grizzlies in scoring through two weeks of play.
Head Coach Marty Raymond said the following when asked about Decker earning league honors: “Mason, a true veteran, dominated both ends of the ice this weekend while leading our team on and off it. Spectacular play and a truly well-deserved honor.”
2nd Star: Eiji Hofmann, F, Wausau Cyclones
3rd Star: Brody Josselyn, D, West Bend Power
East Star of the Week: Brendan Dalton - Long Beach Sharks

The Long Beach Sharks opened the 2025-26 season strong, winning two of three, topping New Jersey on Wednesday before splitting a weekend series with Maine.
Rookie forward Brendan Dalton wasted no time making an impact, leading the team in scoring after the first weekend with six points (2 goals, 4 assists). In Wednesday’s opener, he recorded a pair of points, setting up the Sharks’ second goal to give them a 2-1 lead before adding one of his own to cap off a four-goal first period.
Dalton continued to shine on Saturday, quarterbacking the power play with two assists on the man advantage. He capped off his breakout weekend on Sunday, carrying that momentum into a tight matchup with the Nordiques by netting a shorthanded goal and adding another power play assist.
Sharks head coach Jeff Tory praised Dalton’s early impact, pointing to his composure and playmaking ability as keys to the rookie’s strong start: “Brendan has tremendous poise with the puck and a knack for making high-level plays under pressure. He not only creates scoring opportunities for himself, but he also elevates the players around him.”
2nd Star: Jacob Landry, F, New Hampshire Jr. Mountain Kings
3rd Star: Jace Tourillot, F, Long Beach Sharks
Frontier Star of the Week: Chase Berg - Helena Bighorns

The Helena Bighorns enjoyed a big weekend, with wins over the Great Falls Americans and the Bozeman Ice Dogs.
Friday’s contest with Great Falls went back and forth before ultimately being settled in a shootout. While he didn’t record a point in regulation, second-year forward Chase Berg stepped up when it mattered most, burying the lone goal of the shootout to lift the Bighorns to victory and send Steed Arena into celebration.
On Saturday, Helena handed Bozeman their first loss of the season with a 4-1 win. Berg made his mark early with an assist on the opening goal, then followed it up with back-to-back tallies, including the eventual game-winner, for a three-point night that powered his team to the sweep.
Head Coach Damon Hanson spoke about Chase Berg’s strong start to the season and his role as a leader on the ice: “Chase Berg has started the season off very well and is looking to continue the little success he has had in the last few games offensively. While Chase also focuses on leading our group weekend after weekend in the right direction.”
2nd Star: Vincent Leaf, F, Sheridan Hawks
3rd Star: Carter Kilen, F, Badlands Sabres
South Star of the Week: Josh Reaska - Texas Brahmas

Under new head coach Mike Rooney, the Texas Brahmas made a statement in the South Division, knocking off the previously undefeated Texas RoadRunners before sweeping a two-game set with the El Paso Rhinos.
Newcomer Josh Reaska wasted no time making his presence felt, racking up seven points in his first week with the team. In a 6-1 road win down in College Station, he picked up two assists on Xavier Othon’s goals for two points on the day.
Against El Paso, Reaska kept rolling. In game one, he opened the scoring on the power play and later sealed the 3-1 win with his second goal of the night. On Sunday, he added two more power-play assists and, once again, scored the Brahmas’ final goal to cap a 6-4 victory and the weekend sweep.
Head Coach Michael Rooney exclaims his excitement on Reaska earning weekly honors and his contributions to the team: “Josh is a really talented player, he’s humble, and lets his play do his talking. It’s not just his abilities on the ice that make him one of the best players in the league, but his ability to absorb information and translate it to his play. Seeing him get this notoriety is something special. We’re certain there are more great moments to come from him and the team this season.”
2nd Star: Ryan Hoogsteen, F, New Mexico Ice Wolves
3rd Star: Jake Bamback, F, Austin Ice Bats
Southeast Star of the Week: Isaac Emmrich - Carolina Rage

The Carolina Rage broke through in a big way, earning a road sweep over the Atlanta Capitals. Isaac Emmrich was a steady force all weekend, finishing with five points in the three-game set.
The 2007 forward kicked off his junior career in style on Friday, scoring Carolina’s first goal of the night and adding an assist during their 4-2 win. He delivered a near repeat on Saturday, tallying another goal and assist in the Rage’s second straight 4-2 victory.
Emmrich capped off his standout weekend on Sunday by sparking the offense once again, netting Carolina’s opening goal on the way to a 2-1 win and the sweep.
Head Coach Mike DeCarle highlighted Emmerich’s style of play and the keys to his success:
"Isaac Emmerich is a versatile, all-around player who combines physicality with smart, disciplined play. He also brings strong offensive skills, as shown last weekend in Atalanta, where he tallied 3 goals and 2 assists across 3 games.”
2nd Star: Jaylen Fluhr, F, Atlanta Capitals
West Star of the Week: Gabe Otis - Minnesota Moose

West Division Star of the Week: Gabe Otis, Goaltender, Minnesota Moose
After joining the Moose late last season, 2006-born goaltender Gabe Otis returned for year two in Minnesota and opened the 2025-26 campaign on a high note. Starting Saturday against the Minnesota Wilderness, Otis was unbeatable, stopping all 26 shots he faced for his first shutout of the year. He was especially sharp on the penalty kill, denying the Wilderness on all four of their power-play opportunities.
Head Coach Todd Sanden reflected on “Gabe has a competitive nature and work ethic that drives his success. He works hard on and off the ice and is a great teammate.”
2nd Star: Luke Gustafson, F, Mason City Toros
3rd Star: Blake Breiland, F, Alexandria Blizzard
Bethel University's Stars of the Week Week of September 15, 2025
Central Star of the Week: Jace Fitzgerald - West Bend Power

Veteran forward Jace Fitzgerald wasted no time making an impact, picking up right where he left off last season as the West Bend Power opened the year with a sweep over the Peoria Mustangs.
Fitzgerald started things off on Friday, finding the back of the net on the power play to seal West Bend’s 4-1 victory. He cranked it up a notch on Saturday night, powering the offense with a four-point effort. Carrying momentum from the night before, he posted two points in the opening period, assisting on the first goal before scoring shorthanded to put the Power up 2-1. The second period was more of the same, setting up the team’s fourth goal and then burying his second of the night, which stood as the eventual game-winner in a 5-3 victory.
Power Head Coach Jason Woods credited Fitzgerald’s leadership and impact, saying, “Jace started the year off with a bang. To be able to score in all three phases of the game, on the penalty kill, power play, and five-on-five, really shows his ability to dominate in multiple ways. The tenacity he attacks practice and games with is a great opportunity and example for our younger guys to see how it’s done each and every day!”
2nd Star: Danny Jurcich, F, West Bend Power
3rd Star: Josh Kauppinen, F, Wisconsin Woodsmen
Frontier Star of the Week: Lex Steckelberg - Bozeman Icedogs

The Bozeman Icedogs continue to dominate, standing as the only undefeated team in the Frontier Division. After leading the way offensively in week one, second-year forward Lex Steckelberg kept his foot on the gas, shining once again during the weekend series against the Yellowstone Quake.
In Friday’s tight, low-scoring battle, the hometown standout delivered exactly what fans came to see, opening the scoring in the second period and igniting momentum for Bozeman’s 2-1 victory. Saturday, however, was Steckelberg’s night to shine. He filled the scoresheet with four points, starting with an assist on the first goal before turning into a special teams dynamo. He netted two power-play goals, including the game-winner, and added a shorthanded tally to mark his second hat trick of the season, leading Bozeman to a 4-1 win.
When reflecting on Lex Steckelberg’s strong showing, Bozeman Head Coach Mike Perkins said, "Seeing Lex continue to shine as a veteran player in our program is what it’s all about. He’s put in the work and delivered a huge performance yet again this weekend. We’re excited to watch him continue to grow, and we’re thrilled for him to earn these honors."
2nd Star: Easton Langemo, F, Butte Irish
3rd Star: Dominic Arndt, F, Gillette Wild
South Star of the Week: Josh Middleton - New Mexico Ice Wolves

The New Mexico Ice Wolves kicked off the 2025-26 season with a strong showing, collecting five points over three games, falling just short in Friday’s overtime opener before dominating in games two and three with regulation wins, both by shutout. Rookie goaltender Josh Middleton was a wall in net all weekend, proving he is a force to be reckoned with even in his first season of junior hockey.
After a tough overtime loss on Friday, Middleton bounced back in spectacular fashion, posting back-to-back shutouts, an impressive accomplishment in the South Division. Over the course of the weekend, the St. Louis Park, MN native faced 102 shots, allowing just six goals for a .941 save percentage. The highlight of his weekend came Sunday, when he stopped 35 shots for a commanding shutout to close out the series.
When reflecting on Josh Middleton’s strong showing, Head Coach Isaac Washburn shared, “We're extremely proud of Josh and the way he showcased his ability to compete relentlessly all weekend. His steady and calm presence was a big asset for our group throughout the weekend. I'm happy to see him recognized and honored as he continuously works hard to lead by example in the way he prepares each day and stays focused through the highs and lows of each game. We're really excited to work with Josh and watch him continue to develop his game.”
2nd Star: Jake Bamback, F, Austin Ice Bats
3rd Star: Liam Cardona, F, Austin Ice Bats
Southeast Star of the Week: Lucas Dyer - Texas RoadRunners

The Texas RoadRunners continue to light up the scoreboard, improving to 6-0 with a clean sweep of the Carolina Rage. Leading the charge for the offense is second-year forward Lucas Dyer, who currently sits atop the league scoring leaderboard thanks to an incredible weekend.
The Houston, TX native exploded for 19 points over three games, tallying nine goals and 10 assists. Not only did he record a hat trick in all three contests, including his first of the season, but this performance also pushes his season total to 24 points, already surpassing his entire 2024-25 campaign.
RoadRunners Head Coach Mike Beavis praised Dyer’s hot start, saying, “ Lucas has been on a tear over the first two weeks of the season. He’s determined to help his team make a statement. He should have some opportunities at the NAHL level during the season and will most likely have some choices to make for college. His high GPA coupled with his skill should create some interesting offers."
2nd Star: Brody Neish, F, Louisiana Drillers
3rd Star: Dayton Ruppel, D, Louisiana Drillers
West Star of the Week: Jason Williams - Mason City Toros

The Mason City Toros picked up three out of four points in their opening series against the Minnesota Wilderness, and rookie forward Jason Williams made a strong impression in his first taste of junior hockey. Despite a 2-1 overtime loss in game one, Williams scored his first-ever junior goal, opening the scoring for Mason City.
Williams truly made his mark on Saturday, helping propel the Toros to an 8-3 victory. The St. Louis, MO native was unstoppable, scoring one even-strength goal in each period to record a hat trick. At just an ‘07 birthyear, he is currently the youngest player in the league to achieve a hat trick this season.
Toros Head Coach Alex North applauded Williams’ weekend efforts, saying, “I couldn’t be happier for Jason earning this honor. He comes to the rink every day with the right attitude and work ethic, and it showed in both games. Jason plays the game the right way, and this recognition is a well-deserved reward for his efforts.”
2nd Star: Ty Smith, F, Granite City Lumberjacks
3rd Star: Max Jackson, F, Willmar WarHawks
Bethel University's Stars of the Week Week of September 8, 2025
Central Star of the Week: Caden Lindley - St. Louis Jr. Blues

The St. Louis Jr. Blues opened their season in dominant fashion, sweeping the Peoria Mustangs in front of their home crowd. Rookie forward Caden Lindley made an immediate impact in his NA3HL debut, collecting five points across the two-game set. In Saturday’s 8-2 win, Lindley started quietly before erupting in the final two periods, notching two goals (including a power-play tally) and adding two assists. He followed up on Sunday by sealing the 6-2 victory with the game’s final goal, bringing his weekend total to five points in two games.
When asked about his week one performance and earning Weekly Honors Head Coach Matt Ocello said the following:
“Caden had a great opening weekend for being a newcomer into the league. Putting up 5 points on the weekend including 3 goals and 2 assists he contributed immensely. Caden is a player that we have been watching for a few seasons in our Midget program and was a target this past summer to lock in for this season. He brings good vision and skill assets to the team that are very beneficial to putting points on the scoresheet. We are looking forward to continuing to see great things from Caden this season.”
2nd Star: Joseph Lopiccolo, F, St. Louis Jr. Blues
Frontier Star of the Week: Jack Ryan - Bozeman Icedogs

2006 netminder Jack Ryan wasted no time making his mark in year two with the Bozeman Icedogs, earning back-to-back wins to start the 2025-26 campaign against the Butte Irish and Great Falls Americans. Starting both games, the Denver, CO native turned aside 75 of the 78 shots he faced, 33 from Butte and 45 from Great Falls. Despite numerous penalty minutes across the weekend, Ryan stood tall on the penalty kill, denying both opponents on the power play. In total, he allowed just one goal against the Irish and two against the Americans, finishing the weekend with a stellar .962 save percentage and a 1.50 goals-against average.
When asked about Ryan’s dominant performance between the pipes, Head Coach Mike Perkins said the following:
“We’re excited to see Jack’s growth and development from last year to this year. His play over the weekend not only gave us a chance to win both games, but also set the tone for our team to keep improving.”
2nd Star: Jackson Roethler, G, Badlands Sabres
3rd Star: Chase Berg, F, Helena Bighorns
South Star of the Week: Gavin Brown - West Texas Wranglers

The West Texas Wranglers made a strong first impression in their NA3HL debut, earning three of a possible four points on opening weekend. Friday’s matchup with the Austin Ice Bats was a thriller, with forward Gavin Brown leading the way. Brown assisted on the first goal in Wranglers’ program history and scored twice, including the game-tying goal that sent the contest to overtime before Austin ultimately prevailed in a shootout. On Saturday, West Texas captured its first-ever victory with a 4-2 win over Austin, as Brown once again made his mark by adding two assists, including one on the game-winning goal, to finish the weekend with five points.
When asked about the 07’s contributions on opening weekend Head Coach Austin Sutter said the following:
“We’re proud of Gavin for being named South Division Star of the Week. He and his teammates have fully embraced the standard we’re building in Amarillo, and his hockey IQ and relentless work ethic stood out in Austin. At just an ’07 birth year, Gavin has tremendous upside, and with continued development, we are confident he has the ability to play college hockey.”
2nd Star: Matthieu Leblanc, F, Austin Ice Bars
Southeast Star of the Week: Michael Garrett - Texas RoadRunners

RoadRunners newcomer Michael Garrett made an immediate impact on opening weekend, leading Texas’ offense in a three game sweep of the Pelham Prowlers. The Woodbury, MN native was all over the scoresheet, tallying an impressive nine points across the series. He kicked off the weekend with a hat trick on night one, scoring once in each period. Garrett kept the momentum rolling in game two, netting four more goals, two shorthanded and two on the power play, while adding an assist. He finished the weekend strong with another goal in the finale, closing out a dominant debut with nine points.
When asked about his lights out performance and joining the team Head Coach Mike Beavis said the following:
"Michael has been a tremendous addition to our program, and we are extremely pleased with his work ethic. His play has already helped elevate the team, and as a two-way, 200-foot player who gives his all every shift, he’s the kind of talented, dedicated kid who is sure to catch the attention of several NCAA teams right away."
2nd Star: Wyatt Mineheine, F, Texas RoadRunners