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Recent U16 AAA Esmark Stars News

Safronov and Subach Honored

McKinney, TX - The North American Prospects Hockey League (NAPHL) has announced All-NAPHL T1ER 16U Teams for the Central, East and West Divisions, for the 2022-23 season.

Consideration and selection were based on player performance in all NAPHL regular season and playoff games throughout the 2022-23 season.

The 16U Esmark Stars AAA Hockey team had two players, forward Ivan Safronov and goaltender Hleb Subach, named to the All-NAPHL Tier I 16U-Central Team for the 2022-23 season. 

In 24 regular season 2022-23 NAPHL appearances, Safornov, who is from Kyiv, Ukraine, recorded 21 points (11 goals, 10 assists) in 16 regular-season games played for Stars U16 squad. He added three points (1 goals, 2 assists) in four Dixon Cup NAPHL Playoff games.

Overall, Safronov, a Junior at Bishop McCort High School, recorded 64 points (35 goals, 29 assists), including two power-play goals and one shorthanded goals, in 66 games played.

"Ivan 's craftiness and offensive prowess created a buzz about his game," said Stars 16U Head Coach Yuri Krivokhija. "When he had the puck in the offensive zone ... he created opportunities."

Subach, who is from Minsk, Belarus, recorded a record of 9-0-1-0, with a goals against average (GAA) of 1.35, an overall save percentage of .952, recording four shutouts in 10 regular season NAPHL games played. Additionally, Subach recorded a record of 1-1-0-0 with a goals against average (GAA) of 2.50, a save percentage of .861, in two NAPHL Dixon Cup Playoff games played.

Overall, Subach, a Junior at Bishop McCort High School, recorded a record of 23-12-1-0 with a goals against average (GAA) of 1.91, a save percentage of .924, recording 6.5 shutouts, in 37 appearances in goal. 

"Hleb had an outstanding season and provided our squad with solid goaltending," Krivokhija said. " He and his goaltending partner gave us a chance to win each and every time we hit the ice."

NAPHL Announces 2022-23 Academic Honor Roll

By DLG 08/18/2023, 9:00pm EDT

ESMARK PLAYERS ACKNOWLEDGED FOR ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE

The North American Prospects Hockey League (NAPHL) has announced its 2022-2023 NAPHL Honor Roll, recognizing academic excellence by its student-athletes.

To qualify for the NAPHL Honor Roll, student-athletes must have achieved certain academic standards during the 2022-23 school year ... including a minimum 3.5 GPA.

In total, 19 member of the 2021-22 Esmark Stars AAA Hockey program were honored. This included ten players at the U16 Midget Minor level and nine players at the U18 Midget Major level, and .

The following Esmark Stars players were recognized for their work in the classroom:

U16 - Landon Buterbaugh, Carson Cuddy, Noah Driscoll, Zac Goldfain, Camden Kiste, Jonathan Leishman, Evan Ng, Preston Phillis, Joseph Wateska, Carter Williams

U18 - Cole Bianchin, Nathan Burlando, Zachary Hardy, Colin Ruffner, Wesley Schwarzmiller, Aaron Stawiarski, Aiden Tarasovich, Mark Trischler, Nikita Volski

"I am incredibly proud of these young men," said Esmark General Manager Dave Kosick. "We celebrate these student-athletes for their ability to attain academic excellence, while meeting the extraordinary demands placed upon them as elite athletes.

Celebrating its 14th anniversary season in 2022-23, the NAPHL has established itself as one of the premier grounds for development and exposure for elite amateur hockey players. The success of teams on the National stage, as well as, the success of NAPHL players at the next levels of hockey, is further proof that the NAPHL is redefining exposure and has elevated itself to one of the premier training grounds for development and opportunity.

"We salute the NAPHL for celebrating and honoring their players academic accomplishments," Kosick added.

The NAPHL is operated by the NAHL's experienced staff and provides an organized and competitive experience guaranteed to benefit all of the participating student-athletes.

Sanctioned by USA Hockey, the NAPHL is designed to maximize the exposure of its Midget and Bantam participants through the NAHL's high-profile recruiting events which attract hundreds of college, junior and professional scouts.

Naletov and Wiseman Recognized

Pittsburgh, PA - A pair of U16 Esmark Stars AAA Hockey players from the 2022-23 16U squad have received post-season recognition from the Tier 1 Hockey Federation (T1HF) for their play in T1HF league action this past season.

Defenseman Liam Wiseman and forward Timur Naletov were both named to the T1HF's All-Season Second Team.

"Liam and Timur both played well in the T1HF," said Esmark Stars U16 head coach Yuri Krivokhija. "I was glad to hear both were recognized for their play."

The 2022-23 campaign was the inaugural season for the T1HF. The league named first and second team selections from the 18-team 16U AAA Tier I division.