NA3HL Announces Bethel University Stars of the Week

The North American 3 Hockey League (NA3HL) is pleased to announce the Divisional Stars of the Week for the week ending November 23rd, sponsored by Bethel University. This weekly award recognizes the top-performing players from each of the league’s six divisions, as nominated by their head coaches, for their outstanding contributions on the ice. 

Central Division Star of the Week: Michael Maillette, Forward, West Bend Power

The West Bend Power just keep rolling, pushing their win streak to 12 straight with another decisive weekend sweep, this time taking down the St. Louis Jr. Second-year forward Michael Maillette was the heartbeat of the offense, delivering a standout performance in both games.

Even with West Bend piling up 14 goals across the series, Maillette was the only player to record multi-goal efforts in each matchup. He opened the weekend in style on Friday, powering a 6–2 win with his first hat trick of the season, scoring once in every period.

He didn’t cool off on Saturday either. In an 8–3 victory, Maillette buried back-to-back goals in the second period, notching the Power’s sixth and seventh tallies, including a powerplay goal to cap his dominant weekend.

On Maillette’s all-around play this weekend, Head Coach Jason Woods noted: ​​“Mike was outstanding this weekend. He wasn’t just scoring, he was controlling the play and setting the tone offensively. In just three weeks back with the team, he looked fully dialed in. When Mike is playing at his peak, there’s no question how important he is for us!”

2nd Star: Breyon Maroney, F, Peoria Mustangs

3rd Star: Ty Paulios , F, Wisconsin Woodsmen

East Division Star of the Week: Ivan Korshikov, Forward, New Jersey Titans

The New Jersey Titans have hit their stride, picking up three straight wins as Ivan Korshikov earned back-to-back weekly honors and stretched his personal scoring streak to six games. New Jersey handled Maine twice and Norwich once, controlling all three matchups from start to finish.

In the first game against Maine, Korshikov was a force on special teams, scoring two shorthanded goals and assisting on another as the Titans secured a 4–2 win. Game two turned into a scoring surge for New Jersey, and the ’08 forward delivered his biggest performance of the season, opening with a first-period hat trick, then adding an assist and another goal to cap off a five-point night.

He closed the week with another multi-goal effort, striking twice in a 5–2 victory over the Sea Captains. With 10 points across three games, Korshikov has climbed to 23 points in 11 outings, continuing to drive the Titans’ momentum.

With Korshikov driving the offense night after night, Head Coach Ryan Swain shared his perspective: "Ivan has been on an absolute tear. He’s playing the right way, and he’s getting rewarded. He has been an amazing addition to our team. His ability to put the puck in the net in all situations has been impressive to watch, to say the least.”

2nd Star: Jaxson Sardinha, F, Maine Nordiques

3rd Star: Will Zinnen, G, Long Beach Sharks

Frontier Division Star of the Week: Dayton Niedert, Forward, Badlands Sabres

Dayton Niedert and the Badlands Sabres split their weekend series with the Bozeman Icedogs, with the rookie forward emerging as the driving force behind the Sabres’ offense. Badlands took game one in a tight 3–2 battle, rallying from a 2–0 deficit. Niedert kickstarted the comeback with a power-play goal in the final minute of the opening period, cutting the lead to 2–1. After Rhyland Olson tied things up, the Waterloo, IA native delivered again, this time shorthanded, burying the game-winner with under four minutes left in regulation.

Though the Sabres dropped game two, the ’06 forward stayed productive, scoring back-to-back goals, one in the final minute of the first period and another early in the second. He ended the weekend with two of Badlands’ three goals, capping off a solid five-point showing.

Speaking about the impact Dayton has had on the Sabres, Head Coach Brooks Mitzel stated: “Dayton is one of those players that I trust in every situation. From day one, he’s always been one of our hardest competitors. He has been the spark plug to our offense this year, while continuing to get better and better on the defensive side. He brings a great attitude to the rink everyday and has stepped up as a leader in our locker room. I look forward to seeing what he can do the rest of the year.” 

2nd Star: Reid Wilkinson, F, Bozeman Icedogs

3rd Star: Cole Murphy, G, Great Falls Americans 

South Division Star of the Week: Jake Bamback, Forward, Austin Ice Bats

The Ice Bats wrapped up a successful stretch, picking up one last win in New Mexico on Monday before returning home and securing a two-game sweep of the West Texas Wranglers. Jake Bamback has been at the center of it all, extending his scoring streak to 10 straight games as he continues to drive Austin’s offense.

In Monday’s matchup with New Mexico, the Dallas, TX native assisted on the Ice Bats’ first goal to even the score at 1–1, then delivered the game-winner himself in a 4–2 victory.

Back on home ice against West Texas, Bamback stayed hot. On Friday, Austin rolled to an 8–1 win, and the ’06 forward put together his third four-point performance of the season, scoring back-to-back goals in the second period while adding two assists. In Saturday’s 6–3 win, Bamback continued to contribute, assisting a shorthanded goal and tacking on one of his own in the first period. 

With eight points added to his totals, Bamback stands at 51 points in 31 games, maintaining a strong 1.65 points-per-game average. 

Discussing Bamback’s growth and potential, Head Coach Josh Malin said: “Bamback has been a great acquisition for us during the off season. Through being a good leader through his actions on and off the ice he has excelled this year here in Austin. Consistently being attentive to the details has been a huge emphasis that he has excelled upon as he looks to rise into the ranks of tier 2 and college hockey. He has practiced in the NAHL this season already and would be a great addition into any NAHL locker room.”

2nd Star: Charlie Wilson, D, Texas Brahmas

3rd Star: Guhnar Hillman, F, Austin Ice Bats

Southeast Division Star of the Week: Ethan Tierman, Forward, Bayou State Rougarou 

The Bayou State Rougarou made history over the weekend, securing their first-ever program sweep with three straight home wins over the Atlanta Capitals. At the heart of the sweep was leading scorer Ethan Tierman, who turned in a standout weekend from start to finish.

Friday was a performance for the record books. Tierman scored seven goals, the most by any NA3HL player in a single game this season, accounting for all but one tally in Bayou State’s 8–1 win. He opened with a first-period hat trick, then followed it up by scoring four straight goals in the second.

Saturday’s matchup was the tightest of the series, a 5–3 Rougarou victory, but Tierman stayed red-hot. He turned in another hat trick and added an assist, contributing to four of Bayou State’s five goals.

He closed the weekend in style on Sunday, delivering his second consecutive four-point outing with two goals and two assists. In total, the ’05 forward piled up 15 points across three games, playing a massive role in a milestone weekend for the program.

On Ethan’s commitment and performance, Head Coach Paul MacLean noted: “Ethan’s commitment to improving every day has been remarkable. He’s used that drive to elevate every part of his game. He’s playing with confidence, competing hard, and earning every bit of recognition that comes his way. This is just the beginning for him, and we’re excited to watch him keep building.”

2nd Star: Brody Neish, F, Louisiana Drillers

3rd Star: Cole Schmidt, G, Louisiana Drillers

West Division Star of the Week: Gabe Otis, Goaltender, Minnesota Moose

Gabe Otis delivered a monster weekend in net, backstopping the Minnesota Moose to two more wins as they stretched their win streak to nine straight with victories over the Mason City Toros and Granite City Lumberjacks. Otis has now been in goal for seven of those nine wins, continuing to anchor one of the hottest teams in the league.

Across the two-game stretch, the second-year NA3HL goaltender faced 67 shots, 29 from Mason City on Friday and 38 from Granite City on Saturday. The 38-shot outing marked his second-highest workload of the season, yet he rose to the moment again, securing his seventh consecutive win while being heavily tested throughout.

Adding to the Moose’s strong defensive showing, neither opponent was able to convert on the power play, with the Toros and Lumberjacks going a combined 0-for-9 on the weekend.

Otis allowed just four goals while making 63 saves, finishing the weekend with a .940 save percentage. With the pair of wins, he continues to prove he’s among the league’s top-performing goaltenders, improving his season record to 10–2.

Head Coach Todd Sanden summed up Gabe’s value to the team stating: “Gabe is an elite competitor in goal! His relentless drive and high standards push him to perform at the top of his game, making him one of the premier goaltenders in the NA3HL. With Gabe between the pipes, our team plays with confidence and trust in every situation.”

2nd Star: Mitchell Gawel, F, Minnesota Moose

3rd Star: Stone Resch, F, Mason City Toros