Frisco, TX - The North American Prospects Hockey League (NAPHL) T1ER League has announced All-Tournament teams from the 2025 Dixon Cup Playoffs.

The 2025 T1ER Dixon Cup Playoffs, which were held in suburban Detroit, MI, Feb. 14-17, crowned the NAPHL Tier I 2025 Playoff Champions across six divisions of play (18U, 16U, 15U, 14U, 13U, and 12U).

This event marked the conclusion of the season, which began in September 2024 and featured several competitions across the United States during the regular season.

Congratulations to the following Pittsburgh Stars AAA Hockey players who were named to the respective team’s age classification “All-Playoff Teams” for their performance at the NAT1HL Dixon Cup playoffs.

U18 Midget Major - Ethan Bombalski, defenseman

U16 Midget Minor - Nikita Oleksiienko, goaltender, and Alex Patsilevas, forward

U15 Midget Minor – Christopher Sargo, forward

Bombalski recorded five points (2G, 3A) and a +5 rating in three round-robin wins (Madison Capitols, Wasatch Renegades, Philly Hockey Club) and a semi-final loss to the Lincoln Stars.

"Ethan continued to demonstrate and be recognized as one of the top D-men in the country," offered U18 head coach Dave Kosick. "His skill set, attitude, compete level and other intangibles are at an elite level."

Oleksiienko posted a 4-1-0-0 record in five appearances in goal for the Stars, including posting three consecutive shutouts, two in round-robin wins over the New Jersey Titans (5-0) and Seattle Jr Kraken (5-0), and a semi-final win over the Madison Capitols (4-0). He also posted a (4-2) win over the Las Vegas Jr Golden Knights in round-robin play. In total, Oleksiienko only allowed five goals, including one empty net goal, in five games, stopping 169 shots of the 173 he faced, to post a goals against average of 0.80 and shot save percentage of .977.

"Nikita was a stud," 16U Pittsburgh Stars head coach Yuri Krivokhija said. "He embraced the bright lights of the Playoffs and turned in a phenomenal performance in goal."

Patsilevas recorded 10 points (3G, 7A) and a +6 rating in the three round-robin wins (Las Vegas Jr Golden Knights, New Jersey Titans, and Seattle Jr Kraken), a semifinal win (Madison Capitols), and a Dixon Cup Championship loss to CarShield AAA.

“Alex had an outstanding showing at the Dixon Cup," said Krivokhija. “And while his work in the offensive zone was easy to recognize, his sweat equity and compete level helped separate him from the pack."

Sargo recorded 6 points (3G, 3A) in three round-robin game wins (Tri-State Spartans, Orange Co Ice Dogs and Philly Little Flyers) and a semi-final loss to the Philly Hockey Club.

"Chris had a solid performance in Detroit," 15U Pittsburgh Stars head coach Chris Stern said. "His offensive prowess made him a constant threat in the offense zone."

At the NAPHL’s Tier I Dixon Cup Playoffs, all three Pittsburgh Stars Midget teams (U18, U16 and U15) advanced out of round-robin play and to their respective division semi-finals. The U16 Pittsburgh Stars reach advanced to the Dixon Cup Championship game, but would drop a 3-1 decision to CarShield AAA in the finals.

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