Mason City, IA – The North Iowa Bulls are excited to announce the leadership group for the 2025-26 season, the fifth season for the Bulls as a member of the NAHL. Forward Michael Malatino and Defenseman Brody Dietz will be donning the Captain’s C’s. Forwards Denis Hodas and Fuji Suzuki will sport the A’s.
All four players are in their second seasons with the North Iowa Bulls and bring considerable experience in the North American Hockey League to the Bulls’ current edition.
Michael Malatino arrived in Mason City after a successful prep school career at the Albany Academy. The Bethlehem, NY, native wore the C for the Cadets in his 2023-24 season, during which he led the Cadets in scoring with 26 goals and 22 assists for 48 points in 27 games. He also made his NAHl debut, earning a call up to the Rochester Jr. Americans. North Iowa selected Malatino in the 2024 NAHL Draft’s 2nd round, and he produced immediately. In 45 games, Malatino notched 17 goals and 13 assists for 30 points while earning a leadership role, wearing an A for the 2024-25 season. To start this season, Malatino has increased his scoring pace. In the first 11 games, Malatino has suited up for all of them while leading the team in scoring with 5 goals and 6 assists for 11 points. Currently, Malatino is tied for the Bulls’ career record in power play goals with former Captain and current University of Maine forward Max Scott.
Brody Dietz is no stranger to leadership roles either. The Hudson, WI, native wore the Captain’s C for the St. Thomas Academy Cadets in the 2023-24 season. Dietz was the Cadet’s leading blue line scorer and the fourth leading scorer among all skaters. Last season, Dietz made his junior hockey debut with the NAHL’s Anchorage Wolverines. He played 36 games and notched 2 goals and 4 assists for 6 points before a midseason trade brought him to Mason City, where he suited up for 19 games, recording 1 goal and 3 assists for 4 points. So far this season, Dietz has played in all 11 Bulls games and has 6 assists, tied for the second most on the team.
Denis Hodas made his debut on North American ice with the Bulls last season after years of playing in Czech and Swedish junior hockey leagues. The Zlina, Slovakia, native played 57 of the Bulls 59 games last season and scored 12 goals and 17 assists for 29 points. To start the new season, Hodas has recorded 3 goals and 7 assists for 10 points in 10 games played. He’s tied for 2nd on the Bulls overall scoring list and has the most assists on the team. Hodas is one of four Bulls skaters at a point per game pace so far this season.
Fuji Suzuki brings a decorated international career to the Bulls roster. Between the U-18 and U-20 levels, the Tokyo, Japan, native has represented his national team at the IIHF World Junior Championships five times. Suzuki has played 25 games at the World Juniors and scored 14 goals and 9 assists for 23 points. His efforts helped earn his nation a Bronze Medal at the U-18 level and a Gold and Silver at the U-20 level for three IIHF Medals in his junior international career. As a 20-year-old, Suzuki also earned a spot on Japan’s Men’s World Championships last season. He suited up for 5 games and scored 2 goals and 1 assist for 3 points playing against professional hockey players. At the junior hockey level, Suzuki made his North American debut for the Utica Jr. Comets of the NCDC in the 2023-24 season, scoring 12 goals and 29 assists for 41 points in 44 games and helping the Comets reach the NCDC playoffs. He moved to the Bulls for the 2024-25 season and skated in 50 games, piling up 11 goals and 18 assists for 29 points. So far this season, Suzuki has skated in 10 games and notched 4 goals and 5 assists for 9 points.
“We want to congratulate Mikey, Brody, Denis and Fuji on being named captains for the 2025-2026 North Iowa Bulls season,” said North Iowa Bulls Head Coach Nick Bruneteau. “All 4 players routinely exhibit a team 1st mentality showing a constant hunger and willingness to help every player on and off the ice. They provide us with the values and veteran experience needed to have success in a tough central division. We are excited to see what we can achieve collectively as a group and have all the confidence these players will help us reach our goals and maximize our team success.”
The Bulls will look to continue their recent success against the St. Cloud Norsemen in their next two game series this weekend. Friday night’s game at the Mason City Arena opens at 7:10 PM while Saturday’s matchup at the St. Cloud Municipal Athletic Complex starts up at 6:30 PM.