Pittsburgh, PA – As the Pittsburgh Stars AAA Hockey Club, a proud member of the North American Prospects Hockey League Tier I (NAT1HL) and the Tier I Hockey Federation (THF), prepare for its 41st season in 2025-26, the organization celebrated another season marked by significant player advancement in 2024-25.

With a focus on developing players for higher levels of competition, once again, the Pittsburgh-based program demonstrated its elite status among U.S. Tier I AAA hockey organizations and a strong record of player commitments to Junior A and NCAA Programs for the upcoming season, underscoring its effectiveness as a pathway for aspiring athletes.

Having established themselves as an elite training ground for high-level amateur hockey players, the Stars continued their strong national reputation as a “A Path of Advancement” program. And thanks to a consistent development model and a winning culture, the Stars have maintained their reputation as a premier destination for aspiring junior and collegiate hockey players.

However, the strength of the Stars program is reflected not just in the number of players signing Junior A tenders and NCAA Commitments, but in the impact these players have at the next level. And this past season, the achievements of alumni again stand out as Aiden Petroff received the NCDC Rookie of the Year award, and Dustin Geregach was nominated for the NCAA’s prestigious Hobey Baker Award.

NCAA Collegiate Commitments and Transfers

Several former Stars players committed to continue to play at the NCAA Collegiate level, including:

NCAA DIV I & III
Ian Amaranto – Hiram College
Owen Cross – SUNY Fredonia
Shane Kozlina – Colorado College
Ian Norkevicus – Chatham College
Brody Simko – Trine University
Nikita Volski - Western New England University (transfer)
Cole Mitchell – Hiram College (transfer)
Keith Smilowitz – Hiram College (transfer)

ACHA (DIV I)
Jack Ammons – North Carolina State

Junior A Level Success

The Stars had an impressive 16 players tendered or drafted in US-based Junior A programs, including the following players:

United States Hockey League (USHL) Junior A Draft
Nikita Konevych – Round 3 - Omaha Lancers

North American Hockey League (NAHL) Junior A Tenders
Ethan Bombalski – Colorado Grit & Kenai River Brown Bears
Bobby Boord Jr – New Mexico Ice Wolves
Marshall Hewitt – New Hampshire Mountain Kings
Aiden Moskovitz – New Hampshire Mountain Kings
Ian Morganti – Springfield Jr Blues
Evan Ng – Philadelphia Rebels
Matvei Stremiakov – Elmira Aviators
Landon Watson – Maryland Black Bears

NA3HL Junior A Draft Picks
Landon Buterbaugh – Round 2, Long Beach Sharks
Ian Morganti – Round 3, New Hampshire Jr Mountain Kings
Evan Ng – Round 3, Texas Jr Brahmas

NA3HL Junior A Tenders
Ethan Bombalski – Tulsa Jr Oilers

NCDC Junior A Draft Picks
Alex Patsilevas – Round 2, Jersey Hitmen
Nick Kim – Round 3, Utica Comets
Derek Schliebner – Round 6, Utica Comets
Evan Ng – Round 10, Idaho Falls

NCDC Junior A Tenders
Nikita Oleksiienko – South Shore Kings
Ethan Bombalski – New Jersey Hitmen
Nino DiPietro – Thunder Hockey Club
Aiden Moskovitz – Boston Dogs

Eastern Hockey League (EHL) Junior A
Liam Wiseman – Walpole Express
Landon Buterbuagh – Walpole Express

Central Canadian Hockey League (CCHL) Junior A Signings
Julian Kemp – Nepean Raiders

Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League (NOJHL) Junior A Signings
Michael Morascyzk – French River Rapids

Professional Hockey Signings
Dustin Geregach – Greenville Swamp Rabbits (ECHL)

The ongoing success of the Pittsburgh Stars AAA Hockey program is a testament to its focus on preparing players for the game's highest levels.

“Our goal for the past 40 plus years,” said General Manager Dave Kosick, “has been to provide an environment and coaching that emphasizes our commitment to player development and player advancement. The Pittsburgh Stars AAA Hockey mission statement is clear. And we work hard each day and every season to not only meet expectations, but to exceed them. We’ve built a complete program that prepares our players for success in both the game of life and the game of hockey.”

Founded in 1984, the Pittsburgh Stars AAA Hockey Program is the oldest Tier I AAA program in the Mid-American District of USA Hockey and is one of the oldest Tier I programs in the nation under the USA Hockey umbrella.

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