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Regular Season 2024-2025
2024-2025 x Regular Season

U15 AAA Pittsburgh Stars

Recent U15 AAA Esmark Stars News

NAT1HL Recognizes Top Performers from Blaine Showcase

By DLG 01/11/2025, 2:30am EST

Several Pittsburgh Stars Recognized

Blaine, MN - The North American Prospects Hockey League (NAPHL) has announced the T1ER League Peak Performers from the T1ER / T1EHL Invitational event in Blaine, MN, and three members of the Pittsburgh Stars AAA Hockey Program were named.

Congratulations to Pittsburgh Stars AAA Hockey players Nikita Oleksiienko, U16 goaltender, Maxim Popienko, U15 forward, and Jacob Johnson, U15 goaltender, as all were honored as T1ER League Peak Performers for the T1ER / T1EHL Invitational event in Blaine.

Nikita Oleksiienko, U16 goaltender Peak Performer, posted a 2-0-0-0 record in Blaine, securing victories over the CarShield (2-1) and the Madison Capitols (3-2). Over the course of the two games, the Dnipro, Ukraine, native faced 75 shots, making 72 saves. Oleksiienko's standout performance at the T1ER event included making 40 saves on 42 shots against Madison and 32 saves on 33 shots against CarShield.

"Nikita came up big for us in Blaine," 16U Pittsburgh Stars head coach Yuri Krivokhija said. "His performance in both games was outstanding and he shut the door on both CarShield and Madison."

Maksim Popienko, 15U Forward Peak Performer, is the second overall leading scorer at the NAT1HL 15U level, second to teammate Brock Bienemann. Popienko added to his league total with another strong performance in Minnesota, tallying an impressive six points in four games. After notching one assist during game one, the New Kensington, PA, native went on a scoring frenzy, finding the back of the net in each of the remaining three games. Against both the Orange County Ice Dogs and Tri-State Spartans, Popienko netted a pair of goals as he rang up five goals over the course of the weekend.

Jacob Johnson, 15U Goaltender Peak Performer, posted back to back wins against the Orange County Ice Dogs and the Philadelphia Hockey Club, improving his NAT1HL season record to 3-1-0-0. Over the course of the weekend, the Johnstown, PA averaged just over 38 shots per game as he faced 77 shots, making 76 saves. In his two wins, Johnson earned his first shutout of the season after turning away all 29 shots against the Ice Dogs and posted an impressive  .979 save percentage, stopping 47 of 48 shots he faced, in a 5-1 win over the Philly Hockey Club.

“Both Maksim and Jacob had outstanding weekends," said U15 Stars head coach Chris Stern. “Their hard work paid off in both ends of the ice. And they certainly contributed to our team's overall success at the event."

Players were chosen based on their performances in the regular season games that took place from Dec 13 - 16.

NAT1HL "Peak Performers" are selected by the NAT1HL scouting service, following the completion of each event ... top forward, defenseman and goaltender ... at each age level of play at the showcase.

15U Pittsburgh Stars Capture Elite Prospects - Pittsburgh Crown

By DLG 01/05/2025, 11:15pm EST

Stars Run the Table with a 5-0-0-0 record

Pittsburgh, PA - The 15U Pittsburgh Stars welcomed the turning of the calendar to 2025 as they captured the U15 AAA title at the Elite Prospects - Pittsburgh Tournament this past weekend, Jan 3 -5.

The Stars went undefeated in the tournament, skating to a perfect 5-0-0-0 record.

The Midget Minor (15 only) Stars opened the tournament with a pair of wins on Friday, skating to a 5-3 win over the New Jersey Rockets in their opening game and a 7-0 shutout win over the New Jersey Devils in the nightcap.

The Stars would pick up their third win on Saturday, grabbing a 4-1 win over the New Hampshire Mountain Kings.

The Stars would close round-robin play early Sunday morning with their fourth victory of the event with a 7-1 win over the PAL Jr Islanders.

The Stars would complete the undefeated weekend as they skated to a 6-2 victory over the Pittsburgh Icemen in the Championship game at the Alpha Ice Complex in Harmar, PA, early Sunday afternoon.

Stars goaltender Jacob Johnson was named MVP of the Championship game

Pittsburgh Stars Community Service Initiative Nights Continue

By DLG 01/03/2025, 11:00am EST

15U Stars Recognize Ronald McDonald House Charities of Pittsburgh & Morgantown - Saturday, Jan 11

Pittsburgh, PA - The Pittsburgh Stars AAA Hockey Program, proud members of the North American Prospects Hockey League (NAPHL) and the Tier I Hockey Federation (T1HF), will continue their 2024-2025 Community Initiative Games on Saturday, Jan 11, as the U15 AAA Pittsburgh Stars will square-off with the Ohio Jr Blue Jackets at 3:00 p.m., at the Pittsburgh Ice Arena.

For their Community Initiative game on Jan 11, the 15U Pittsburgh Stars will wear special third jerseys, designed to recognize and honor Ronald McDonald House Charities of Pittsburgh and Morgantown as their Cause / Initiative.

Celebrating their 45th Anniversary of serving the Greater Pittsburgh area, the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Pittsburgh and Morgantown, Inc., provides families with a “home-away-from-home” for seriously ill children receiving medical treatment in both Pittsburgh and Morgantown. The charity is committed to helping children and their families lead happier, healthier and more productive lives.”

The evening will be filled with excitement and family-friendly activities, including:

  • A $5 Entry Donation: All proceeds will go toward supporting the Ronald McDonald House Charities.
  • 50/50 Raffle: A chance to win big while contributing to a great cause.
  • Chuck-a-Puck Contest: Fans can join in the fun between the second and third periods for a shot at a cash prize.
  • And Other Exciting Opportunities: To assist in raising funds for a great cause.


“This event is a great way for our program to kick-of the 2025 portion of our Community Initiative efforts,” said Dave Kosick, General Manager of the Pittsburgh Stars AAA Hockey program. 

“As we take a moment to recognize and celebrate the work and efforts of the Ronald McDonald House Charities,” Kosick added. “If gives us all a chance to pause and recognize those that this effort serves, as well as to provide some funding to assist the Ronald McDonald House in its continuing efforts." 

Doors open at 2:30, with the puck dropping promptly at 3:00 PM.

The Pittsburgh Stars 15U AAA Hockey Team encourages fans of all ages to attend and show their support.

The Pittsburgh Stars AAA Hockey Community Initiative games are designated to celebrate a local charity or cause and help raise awareness and funds for them. Each of the Stars seven AAA teams selected a recipient and have organized a “special home game” to recognize the cause / charity and raise money on behalf of them.

The list of dates, times and special selected local charities or causes, for the remaining Stars teams are as follows:

U12 AAA Pittsburgh Stars – North Hills Community Outreach – Saturday, Jan 25, 2025, 3:30 p.m., vs. Flyers Elite

U14 AAA Pittsburgh Stars – Ronald McDonald House – Saturday, Feb 8, 2025, 5:00 p.m., vs. Jersey Hitmen

All games will be played at the Pittsburgh Ice Arena in New Kensington, PA, home rink for the Pittsburgh Stars AAA Hockey program.

Additional information on the special Community Initiative Games will be announced as they become available and can be found on the Star’s website (www.pittsburghstarshockey.com).

The Pittsburgh Stars AAA Hockey program, the oldest Tier I AAA program in the Mid-American District (founded in 1984 and continuously providing elite training and showcase opportunities for amateur hockey players since) and one of the oldest Tier I AAA programs under the USA Hockey umbrella, was founded in 1984 and is celebrating their 40th season during the 2024-2025 campaign.

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