18U FORWARD COMMITS TO NAHL CLUB

Pittsburgh, PA - The Pittsburgh Stars AAA Hockey Club of the T1ER North American Prospects Hockey League have announced that Esmark Stars 18U AAA Hockey forward Nathan Burlando has signed a North American Hockey League (NAHL) tender agreement with the Minnesota Mallards.

"Nathan is a great addition for the Mallards,” said Star’s U18 head coach, Dave Kosick.

“He is a gifted player who can fill several roles. An outstanding face-off man who wins a majority of his face-offs; a gifted offensive player who is creative with the puck and scores goals; and an outstanding penalty killer, from face-off to reading an opponent’s power play and understanding how to disrupt it.”

The 18-year-old forward from Canonsburg, PA, recorded 7 points (3 goals and 4 assists), in 12 T1ER North American Prospects Hockey League regular season games and 5 Dixon Cup Playoff Games, including one (1) powerplay goal and two (2) game winning goals, in helping lead the U18 Stars to the NAT1HL’s Regular Season and Playoff Championships.

Overall the 5'10" / 170 lbs. forward tallied 49 points (24 goals, 25 assists), including one power-play goal, in 65 games played for the Star’s U18 AAA Midget Major squad.

The 2023-24 season was Burlando’s fourth season with the Esmark Stars AAA Hockey program.

During the 2022-23 season, Burlando recorded 13 points (9 goals and 4 assists), in 11 T1ER North American Prospects Hockey League regular season games for Esmark’s U18 squad.

Overall during the 2022-23 season, Burlando tallied 44 points (23 goals, 21 assists), including five power play goals and one shorthanded goal, in 49 games played for Esmark's U18 AAA Midget Major squad.

During the 2021-22 season, Burlando recorded 28 points (17 goals and 11 assists), including two power play goals, in 30 NAPHL North American Prospects Hockey League regular season games and Dixon Cup Playoff Games in helping lead Esmark’s U16 squad to the NAPHL’s Dixon Cup Championship.

Overall during the 2021-22 season, Burlando tallied 53 points (25 goals, 28 assists), including one power-play goal and two shorthanded goals, in 67 games played for Esmark's U16 AAA Midget Minor squad.

During the 2020-21 season, Burlando recorded 10 points (5 goals and 5 assists) in 17 NAPHL North American Prospects Hockey League regular season games and Dixon Cup Playoff Games for Esmark’s U15 squad.

Overall during the 2020-21 season, Burlando tallied 36 points (17 goals, 19 assists), including five power-play goals and two shorthanded goals, in 65 games played for Esmark's U15 AAA Midget Minor squad.

“Joining a new franchise in the NAHL should afford Nathan a great chance to establish himself from the start of a new team,” Kosick added.

The Mallards will join the NAHL's eight-team Central Division along with the Aberdeen Wings (SD), Austin Bruins (MN), Bismarck Bobcats (ND), Minot Minotauros (ND), North Iowa Bulls (IA), St. Cloud Norseman (MN) and Watertown Shamrocks (SD).

The 2024-25 season will be the inaugural season in the NAHL for the Mallards, along with their fellow Central Division opponent Watertown Shamrocks. The Mallards will play in the Forest Lake Sports Center in Forest Lake, MN, and are led by Head Coach Terry Watt.

16U DEFENSEMAN COMMITS TO NAHL CLUB

Pittsburgh, PA - The Pittsburgh Stars AAA Hockey Club of the T1ER North American Prospects Hockey League have announced that Esmark Stars 16U AAA Hockey defenseman Talan Del Signore has signed a North American Hockey League (NAHL) tender agreement with the Minnesota Wilderness.

"Talan is an extremely gifted player,” said Star’s U16 head coach, Yuri Krivokhija. “His skill set at his age is off the charts.”

The 17-year-old defenseman from Trafford, PA, recorded 5 points (3 goals and 2 assists), in 12 T1ER North American Prospects Hockey League appearances.

Overall the 5'8" / 165 lbs. defenseman tallied 30 points (10 goals, 20 assists), including four power-play goals and one shorthanded goal, in 45 games played for the Star’s U16 AAA Midget Minor squad.

The 2023-24 season was Del Signore’s first season with the Esmark Stars AAA Hockey program.

“Talan has only truly begun to tap into his talent,” Krivokhija added. “It will be fun to see how he progresses.”

The Wilderness play in the NAHL's eight-team Midwest Division along with the Anchorage Wolverines (AK), Chippewa Steel (WI), Fairbanks Ice Dogs (AK), Janesville Jets (WI), Kenai River Brown Bears (AK), Springfield Jr Blues (IL), and Wisconsin Windego.

The Wilderness play in the Northwoods Credit Union Arena in Cloquet, Minnesota, and are led by Head Coach David Boitz.

Pittsburgh, PA - The Esmark Stars AAA Hockey Club of the T1ER North American Prospects Hockey League have announced that Esmark Stars 18U AAA Hockey defenseman Mark Trischler has signed a North American Hockey League (NAHL) tender agreement with the Kenai River (AK) Brown Bears.

"Mark is a gifted player,” said Esmark 18U head coach Dave Kosick, “who matches his physical talent with a highly cerebral approach. He is an outstanding two-way defenseman who can both contribute in the offensive zone, while applying a solid defensive approach.”

The 18-year-old defenseman from Canonsburg, PA, recorded 14 points (2 goals and 12 assists), in 12 T1ER North American Prospects Hockey League regular season games and 5 Dixon Cup Playoff Games in helping lead the U18 Stars to the League's Regular Season and Playoff Championships.

Overall the 6'1" / 170 lbs. defenseman tallied 43 points (8 goals, 35 assists), including one power play goal, in 61 games played for Esmark's U18 AAA Midget Major squad.

He was also named to the 2024 NAT1HL U18 Top Prospects event and picked up an assist in that showcase event.

The 2023-24 season was Trischler’s third season with the Esmark Stars AAA Hockey program.

During the 2022-23 season, Trischler recorded 10 points (2 goals and 12 assists), in 12 T1ER North American Prospects Hockey League regular season games and 4 Dixon Cup Playoff Games for Esmark’s U18 squad.

Overall during the 2022-23 season, Trischler tallied 41 points (16 goals, 25 assists), including seven power play goals, in 70 games played for Esmark's U18 AAA Midget Major squad.

During the 2022-23 season, Trischler recorded 11 points (4 goals and 11 assists), including two power play goals, in 24 NAPHL North American Prospects Hockey League regular season games and Dixon Cup Playoff Games for Esmark’s U16 squad.

Overall during the 2022-23 season, Trischler tallied 19 points (4 goals, 15 assists), including two power play goals, in 53 games played for Esmark's U16 AAA Midget Minor squad.

“Mark is well respected within the locker room,” Kosick added. “Combining his leadership capabilities with his high hockey IQ and you get a kid with a maturity level off the charts, who is determined to succeed … all attributes that should help him succeed in Kenai River” 

Kenai River is in the NAHL's eight-team Midwest Division along with the Anchorage Wolverines (AK), Janesville Jets (WI), Chippewa Steel (WI), Wisconsin Windego (WI), Minnesota Wilderness (MN), Fairbanks Ice Dogs (AK) and Springfield Jr Blues (IL).

The Brown Bears play in the Soldotna Regional sports Complex in Soldotna, AK, and are led by Head Coach Taylor Shaw.

16U FORWARD COMMITS TO NAHL CLUB

Pittsburgh, PA - The Esmark Stars AAA Hockey Club of the T1ER North American Prospects Hockey League have announced that 16U Esmark Stars AAA Hockey forward Emmet McClaine has signed a North American Hockey League (NAHL) tender agreement with the Johnstown Tomahawks.

The 16-year-old forward from Chicora, PA, has recorded 7 points (4 goals and 3 assists), including two shorthanded goals, in eight T1ER North American Prospects Hockey League games to date.

Overall the 5'10" / 170 lbs. forward has tallied 42 points (16 goals, 22 assists), including three power play and three shorthanded goals, in 36 games played for Esmark's U16 AAA Midget Minor squad (through Jan. 1).

The 2023-24 season is McClaine’s third season overall with the Esmark Stars program.

During the 2022-23 season, McClaine registered 16 points (10 goals, 6 assists), in 13 North American Prospects Hockey League (NAPHL) appearances (eight regular season and five Dixon Cup T1ER Playoff games) helping lead Esmark to the U15 AAA Midget Minor T1ER Dixon Cup Championship.

Overall during the 2022-23 season, McClaine tallied 60 points (40 goals, 20 assists), including two power play goals and six shorthanded goals, in 60 games played for the 15U Stars squad.

During the 2021-22 season, McClaine registered 27 points (17 goals, 10 assists), in 20 North American Prospects Hockey League (NAPHL) appearances (16 regular season and four Dixon Cup NAPHL Playoff games) for the Stars U14 AAA Bantam Major team.

Overall during the 2021-22 season, McClaine tallied 76 points (46 goals, 30 assists), including 13 power-play and five short-handed goals, in 60 games played for the 14U Esmark squad.

"Emmet is an extremely talented player who mixes a combination of offensive skills with grit and determination,” said Esmark 16U head coach Yuri Krivokhija. "His continued development will ultimately provide Johnstown with a very talented forward with the promise of being a solid offensive threat.”

The Tomahawks, who play in the NAHL's nine-team East Division along with the Danbury Hat Tricks (CT), Maine Nordiques, Maryland Black Bears, New Hampshire Mountain Kings, New Jersey Titans, Northeast (MA) Generals, Philadelphia (PA) Rebels and Rochester (NY) Jr Americans, play in the Johnstown War Memorial Arena in Johnstown, PA, and are led by Head Coach Jared Kersner.

18U FORWARD COMMITS TO NAHL CLUB

Pittsburgh, PA - The Esmark Stars AAA Hockey Club of the T1ER North American Prospects Hockey League have announced that 18U Esmark Stars AAA Hockey forward Mykyta Yalovyi has signed a North American Hockey League (NAHL) tender agreement with the Lone Star Brahmas.

The 17-year-old forward from Donetsk, Ukraine, has recorded 6 points, all goals (6 goals and 0 assists), including one power play goal in eight T1ER North American Prospects Hockey League games to date, helping lead Esmark’s 18U to a perfect 8-0-0-0 T1ER start to the '23-'24 season.

Overall the (6'2" / 190 lbs.) forward has tallied 41 points (19 goals, 22 assists), including four power play goals and one shorthanded goal, in 36 games played for Esmark's U18 AAA Midget Major squad (through Dec. 3).

The 2023-24 season is Yalovyi's first season with Esmark's U18 Midget Major squad and second season overall with the Esmark Stars program.

During the 2022-23 season, Yalovyi registered 23 points (15 goals, 8 assists) in 19 North American Prospects Hockey League (NAPHL) appearances (regular season and Dixon Cup NAPHL Playoff games) for Esmark's U16 AAA Midget Minor squad.

Overall during the 2022-23 season, Yalovyi tallied 60 points (31 goals, 29 assists), including six power-play and three short-handed goals, in 66 games played for the 16U Esmark squad.

"Mykyta is a man-child with tremendous strength who can dominate a game,” said Esmark 18U head coach Dave Kosick. "As he continues to mature and harnesses his game, the sky is the limit for him in terms of where he will end up playing. His style of play should fit in well with Lone Star and the Southern Division of the NAHL.”

The Brahmas, who play in the NAHL's nine-team South Division along with the Amarillo (TX) Wranglers, Colorado Grit, Corpus Cristi (TX) IceRays, El Paso (TX) Rhinos, New Mexico Ice Wolves, Odessa (TX) Jackalopes, Oklahoma Warriors and Shreveport (LA) Mudbugs, play in the NYTEX Sports Centre in North Richland Hills, TX, and are led by Head Coach Dan Wildfong.

18U FORWARD COMMITS TO NAHL CLUB

Pittsburgh, PA - The Esmark Stars AAA Hockey Club of the T1ER North American Prospects Hockey League and the Tier 1 Hockey Federation (T1HF) are pleased to announce that 18U forward Alex Thomas has signed a North American Hockey League (NAHL) tender agreement with the Colorado Grit.

The 2023-24 season is Thomas’ first season with Esmark's U18 Midget Major squad.

The (5'10" / 160 lbs.) 18-year-old from North Huntington, PA, has tallied 38 points (21 goals, 17 assists), including eight power play goals and one shorthanded goal, in 27 games played for Esmark (through Nov. 9) for Esmark's U18 AAA Midget Major squad.

"Alex is an extremely gifted player with an explosive skill set,” said Esmark 18U head coach Dave Kosick. "He has the tools to succeed in the NAHL and Colorado landed a talented player who will give them a high-end offensive threat.”

Thomas is the second member of the 2023-2024 Esmark 18U AAA team to sign a tender with a Junior A club. Teammate Max Rutkowski previously signed with the NAHL’s Oklahoma Warriors.

The Grit, who play in the NAHL's nine-team South Division along with the Amarillo (TX) Wranglers, Corpus Cristi (TX) IceRays, El Paso (TX) Rhinos, Lone Star (TX) Brahmas, New Mexico Ice Wolves, Odessa (TX) Jackalopes, Oklahoma Warriors and Shreveport (LA) Mudbugs, play in the Greely Ice House in Greely, CO, and are led by Head Coach Steve Haddon.

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18U FORWARD COMMITS TO NAHL CLUB

Pittsburgh, PA - The Pittsburgh Stars AAA Hockey Club of the T1ER North American Prospects Hockey League have announced that Esmark Stars 18U AAA Hockey forward Jacob Stock has signed a North American Hockey League (NAHL) tender agreement with the Watertown Shamrocks.

"Jacob is one of those players with an instinct to be in the right place at the right time,” said Star’s U18 head coach, Dave Kosick.

“He is a crafty and gifted offensive player who can score goals … in a variety of situations … while also getting under the skin of and creating chaos for an opponent.”

The 18-year-old forward from Clairton, PA, recorded 16 points (6 goals and 10 assists), in 17 T1ER North American Prospects Hockey League regular season games and five (5) Dixon Cup Playoff Games, including two (2) power-play goals, in helping lead the U18 Stars to the NAT1HL’s Regular Season and Playoff Championships.

Overall the 5'10" / 150 lbs. forward tallied 47 points (22 goals, 25 assists), including two power-play goals, in 68 games played for the Star’s U18 AAA Midget Major squad.

The 2023-24 season was Stock’s second season with the Esmark Stars AAA Hockey program.

During the 2022-23 season, Stock recorded 18 points (7 goals and 11 assists), in 20 NAT1HL regular season and playoff games for Esmark’s U16 squad.

Overall during the 2022-23 season, Stock tallied 57 points (31 goals, 26 assists), including one (1) power play goal and five (5) shorthanded goal, in 65 games played for Esmark's U16 AAA Midget Major squad.

“As this will be the Shamrocks inaugural season, Jacob has an opportunity from the beginning to establish a role with them,” Kosick added. “He is the style of player all teams are seeking … an agitator who can put up points.”

The Shamrocks will join the NAHL's eight-team Central Division along with the Aberdeen Wings (SD), Austin Bruins (MN), Bismarck Bobcats (ND), Minnesota Mallards, Minot Minotauros (ND), North Iowa Bulls (IA), St. Cloud Norseman (MN) and Watertown Shamrocks (SD).

The 2024-25 season will be the inaugural season in the NAHL for the Shamrocks, along with their fellow Central Division opponent Minnesota Mallards.

The Mallards will play in the new Prairie Lakes Ice Arena in Watertown, South Dakota, and are led by Head Coach Casey Kirley.

18U FORWARD COMMITS TO NAHL CLUB

Pittsburgh, PA - The Esmark Stars AAA Hockey Club of the T1ER North American Prospects Hockey League have announced that Esmark Stars 18U AAA Hockey forward Aiden Petroff has signed a North American Hockey League (NAHL) tender agreement with the New Hampshire Mountain Kings.

The 17-year-old forward from Natrona Heights, PA, recorded seven points (3 goals and 4 assists), in 8 T1ER North American Prospects Hockey League regular season games and 5 Dixon Cup Playoff Games in helping lead the U18 Stars to the League's Regular Season and Playoff Championships.

Overall the 5'11" / 170 lbs. forward tallied 40 points (14 goals, 26 assists), including one power play, one shorthanded goal and three game-winning goals, in 53 games played for Esmark's U18 AAA Midget Major squad.

The 2023-24 season was Petroff's first season with the Esmark Stars program.

"Aiden is an extremely talented hockey player with an elite level skill set,” said Esmark 18U head coach Dave Kosick. "He combines an elite level skating ability, with an elite level stick handling skill set and a marksman shooting talent ... all skills that Junior A teams desire."

New Hampshire is in the NAHL's nine-team East Division along with the Danbury Hat Tricks (CT), Johnstown Tomahawks (PA), Maine Nordiques, Maryland Black Bears, New Jersey Titans, Northeast (MA) Generals, Philadelphia (PA) Rebels and Rochester (NY) Jr Americans.

The Mountain Kings play in the Tri-Town Ice Arena in Hooksett, NH, and are led by Head Coach Cam Robichaud.

18U FORWARD COMMITS TO NCDC CLUB

Pittsburgh, PA - The Esmark Stars AAA Hockey Club of the T1ER North American Prospects Hockey League have announced that Esmark Stars 18U AAA Hockey forward Jackson Furman has signed a United States Premier Hockey League (USPHL) National Collegiate Development Conference (NCDC) tender agreement with the Northern Cyclones.

The 18-year-old forward from Westerville, OH, recorded seven points (3 goals and 4 assists), in 12 T1ER North American Prospects Hockey League regular season games and 5 Dixon Cup Playoff Games in helping lead the U18 Stars to the League's Regular Season Crown and Playoff Championships.

Overall, the 5'11" / 170 lbs. forward tallied 46 points (15 goals, 31 assists), including one power play goal and two game-winning goals, in 68 games played for Esmark's U18 AAA Midget Major squad.

The 2023-24 season was Furman’s second season with the Esmark Stars program.

During the 2022-23 season, Furman recorded 15 points (10 goals and 5 assists), in 12 T1ER North American Prospects Hockey League regular season games and 4 Dixon Cup Playoff Games.

Overall during the ’22-’23 campaign, Furman tallied 35 points (17 goals, 18 assists), including two power play goals, in 62 games played for Esmark's U18 AAA Midget Major squad.

"Jackson is a true Swiss Army knife,” said Esmark 18U head coach Dave Kosick. "His skill set and on-ice compete level allowed us to use him in all settings … from special teams (penalty kill and power play) to end-of-game scenarios. He brings such a tenacity and desire to succeed to each game and practice that will not allow him to be outworked. That skill set and his drive to succeed should afford him a bright Junior opportunity."

In addition to his success on the ice, Furman was also selected as an All-State Lacrosse player in the state of Ohio last season.

The Norther Cyclones are in the six-team New England Division of the USPHL’s 18-team NCDC Division, along with the Boston Junior Bruins, Islanders Hockey Club (MA), Twin City Thunder (ME), South Shore Kings (MA) and Utica (NY) Comets.

The Northern Cyclones play in the Cyclones Arena in Hudson, NH, and are led by Head Coach Bill Flanagan.

16U FORWARD COMMITS TO NAHL CLUB

Pittsburgh, PA - The Esmark Stars AAA Hockey Club of the T1ER North American Prospects Hockey League have announced that Esmark Stars 16U AAA Hockey forward Vitaliy Ulianov has signed a North American Hockey League (NAHL) tender agreement with the Johnstown Tomahawks.

The 17-year-old forward from Yavoriv, Ukraine, has recorded six points (2 goals and 4 assists), in eight T1ER North American Prospects Hockey League games to date.

Overall the 5'11" / 175 lbs. forward has tallied 43 points (19 goals, 24 assists), including seven power play and one shorthanded goal, in 44 games played for Esmark's U16 AAA Midget Minor squad (through Jan. 20).

The 2023-24 season is Ulianov's third season overall with the Esmark Stars program.

During the 2022-23 season, Ulianov tallied 58 points (29 goals, 29 assists), including four power play goals and six shorthanded goals, in 55 games played for the 15U Stars squad, helping lead Esmark to the U15 AAA Midget Minor T1ER Dixon Cup Championship.

During the 2021-22 season, Ulianov tallied 75 points (45 goals, 30 assists), including eight power-play and one short-handed goals, in 56 games played for the 14U Bantam Major Esmark squad.

"Vitaliy is an extremely gifted forward who mixes a combination of Eastern European skill with the North American style,” said Esmark 16U head coach Yuri Krivokhija. "Similar to McClaine, Vitaliy's continued development will provide Johnstown with a high-ended talented forward with the promise of being a solid offensive threat.”

Johnstown, who is in the NAHL's nine-team East Division along with the Danbury Hat Tricks (CT), Maine Nordiques, Maryland Black Bears, New Hampshire Mountain Kings, New Jersey Titans, Northeast (MA) Generals, Philadelphia (PA) Rebels and Rochester (NY) Jr Americans, play in the Johnstown War Memorial Arena in Johnstown, PA, and are led by Head Coach Jared Kersner.

18U FORWARD COMMITS TO NAHL CLUB

Pittsburgh, PA - The Esmark Stars AAA Hockey Club of the T1ER North American Prospects Hockey League have announced that 18U Esmark Stars AAA Hockey forward Timur Naletov has signed a North American Hockey League (NAHL) tender agreement with the Danbury Hat Tricks.

The 17-year-old forward from St. Petersburg, Russia, has recorded 7 points (1 goal and 6 assists) in eight T1ER North American Prospects Hockey League games to date, helping lead Esmark’s 18U to a perfect 8-0-0-0 T1ER start.

Overall the (6'1" / 185 lbs.) forward has tallied 27 points (6 goals, 21 assists), including one power play goal, in 34 games played for Esmark's U18 AAA Midget Major squad (through Nov. 30).

The 2023-24 season is Naletov’s first season with Esmark's U18 Midget Major squad and second season overall with the Esmark Stars program.

During the 2022-23 season, Naletov registered 20 points (6 goals, 14 assists), including two game-winning goals, in 16 North American Prospects Hockey League (NAPHL) appearances (eight regular season and four Dixon Cup NAPHL Playoff games) for Esmark's U16 AAA Midget Minor squad.

Overall during the 2021-22 season, Naletov tallied 103 points (32 goals, 71 assists), including four power-play and three short-handed goals, in 65 games played for the 16U Esmark squad.

"Timur is very talented player with a great set of offensive skills,” said Esmark 18U head coach Dave Kosick. "Eclipsing the 100-point mark, last season, was quite an accomplishment and demonstrated his ability to get on the scoresheet and make an impact in all games he plays in. He will present Danbury with a young talented forward who is a high-end offensive threat.”

The Hat Tricks, who play in the NAHL's nine-team East Division along with the Johnstown (PA) Tomahawks, Maine Nordiques, Maryland Black Bears, New Hampshire Mountain Kings, New Jersey Titans, Northeast (MA) Generals, Philadelphia (PA) Rebels and Rochester (NY) Jr Americans, play in the Danbury Ice Arena in Danbury, CT, and are led by new Head Coach Patrik Stefan.

18U FORWARD COMMITS TO NAHL CLUB

Pittsburgh, PA - The Esmark Stars AAA Hockey Club of the T1ER North American Prospects Hockey League and the Tier 1 Hockey Federation (T1HF) are pleased to announce that 18U forward Maxwell Rutkowski has signed a North American Hockey League (NAHL) tender agreement with the Oklahoma Warriors.

The 2023-24 season is Rutkowski’s third season with Esmark's AAA program and second season with the Star's U18 Midget Major squad.

The (5'10" / 180 lbs.) 18-year-old from Export, PA, has registered 28 points (9 goals, 19 assists), including two power play goals, in 27 games played for Esmark (through Nov. 9) for Esmark's U18 AAA Midget Major squad.

During the 2022-23 season, Rutkowski tallied 50 points (21 goals, 29 assists), including one power-play and one short-handed goal, in 47 games played for the 18U Esmark squad in a season in which he missed 23 games due to injury.

Rutkowski skated for Esmark's U16 team during the 2020-21 season and registered 43 points (25 goals, 18 assists), including two power play goals and one shorthanded goal in 67 overall games played.

"Max is going to be a good fit in Oklahoma,” said Esmark 18U head coach Dave Kosick. "He is a tough kid who can play in all situations … penalty kill, shut-down line, forechecker … who will thrive in a heavy, big body game.”

“He is the type of player who checks off a lot of boxes for a coaching staff and one who works each day to succeed on the ice,” Kosick added.

Rutkowski is the first member of the 2023-2024 Esmark 18U AAA team to sign a tender with a Junior A club. 

The Warriors, who play in the NAHL's nine-team South Division along with the Amarillo (TX) Wranglers, Colorado Grit, Corpus Cristi (TX) IceRays, El Paso (TX) Rhinos, Lone Star (TX) Brahmas, New Mexico Ice Wolves, Odessa (TX) Jackalopes, and Shreveport (LA) Mudbugs, play in the Blazers Ice Center in Oklahoma City, OK, and are led by Head Coach Garrett Roth.

18U FORWARD COMMITS TO EHL CLUB

Pittsburgh, PA - The Esmark Stars AAA Hockey Club of the Tier I Hockey Federation (T1HF) have announced that Esmark Stars 18U AAA Hockey forward Hudson "Huddy" Howard has signed a Eastern Hockey League (EHL) tender agreement with the New Jersey 87s.

"I am so very proud of Huddy,” said Esmark 18U head coach Dave Kosick. “Look in the dictionary under teammate and you will see his photo. Not only is a very talented hockey player, who can and does fill many roles, but he is also an awesome teammate and young man. He conducts himself with such a selfless nature making him the ultimate teammate.”

The 18-year-old forward from Anchorage, AK, recorded 7 points (4 goals and 3 assists), in 23 THF regular season games and 4 THF Playoff Games in helping lead the U18 Stars to the THF League Playoff Championship game.

Overall the 5'11" / 170 lbs. forward tallied 17 points (6 goals, 11 assists), including one power play goal, in 68 games played for Esmark's U18 AAA Midget Major squad.

The 2023-24 season was Howard's second season with the Esmark Stars AAA Hockey program and Midget Major squad.

During the 2022-23 season, Howard recorded 6 points (4 goals and 2 assists), in 12 THF regular season games and 4 THF Playoff Games.

Overall during the 2022-23 season, Howard tallied 22 points (10 goals, 12 assists), including seven power play goals, in 70 games played for Esmark's U18 AAA Midget Major squad.

“Don't let stats fool you,” Kosick added. “Huddy handles multiple roles that don't always show on a scoresheet, but are just as valuable to a winning formula.” 

Howard becomes the tenth member of the 2023-2024 Esmark Stars AAA Hockey program to sign a tender with a Junior A club for the upcoming season.

Howard joins 18U teammates Mark Trischler (Kenai River Brown Bears), Aiden Petroff (New Hampshire Mountain Kings), Alex Thomas (Colorado Grit), Timur Naletov (Danbury Hat Tricks), Max Rutkowski (Oklahoma Warriors) and Mykyta Yalovyi (Lone Star Brahmas), as well as 16U Esmark forwards Emmet McClaine and Vitaliy Ulianov, who both signed with the Johnstown Tomahawks, in signing tender agreements with the NAHL teams; and Hunter Furman, who signed a tender agreement with the Northern Cyclones National Collegiate Development Conference (NCDC) in the United States Premier Hockey League (USPHL).

The 87s play in the EHL's s six-team South Division along with the New Jersey Bears (NJ), Pennsylvania Huntsmen (PA), Philadelphia Hockey Club (PA), Philadelphia Little Flyers (PA), and Team Maryland (MD).

Overall, the EHL has 22 clubs split into four divisions.

The 87s call the Jersey Shore Arena in Wall, NJ, home and are led by Head Coach Adam Houli.