The Esmark Stars AAA Hockey program is proud to announce that Jared (JT) Schimizzi and Blake Rossi, both members of the 2018-19 Esmark Stars AAA Hockey U18 squad, have  committed to continue their athletic career at the American Collegiate Hockey Association (ACHA) Div I level at Ohio University in Athens, OH.

Schimizzi, a native of a native of Greensburg, PA, has skated for Esmark for the past five seasons. First with the Esmark Stars U14 Bantam squad (2014-15), then two season with the Stars U16 squad (2015-16 & 2016-17), and finally the last two seasons with the Stars U18 squad.

He was tendered by the Fairbanks Ice Dogs of the North American Hockey League (NAHL) at the end of the 2017-18 season and saw action with the Ice Dogs early in the 2018-19 season before returning to the Stars to complete his final season of midget major AAA hockey.

This season, Schimizzi has posted 14 points (6G, 6A), including 2 power play goals, in 16 NAPHL regular season and playoff  games for Esmark.  Overall, he has recorded 39 points (18G, 21A), including 3 power play goals, 1 short-handed goal, and a +/- rating of +28 in 41 games played for the Stars.

Last season, Schimizzi recorded 21 points (6G, 15A), including 1 shorthanded goal, in 26 NAPHL regular season and playoff  games, helping lead the Stars to the 2017-18 NAPHL 18U AAA Dixon Cup Championship. He was also a member of Esmark's NAPHL 2016-17 16U AAA Dixon Cup Championship team. Overall last season, Schimizzi recorded 51 points (19G, 32), including 6 power play goals, 1 shorthanded goal in 61 games played.

"JT has a hockey IQ that is off the charts that he matches with size, speed, and tenacity," said Stars 18U head coach Dave Kosick. "He is an extremely gifted young man who will enjoy great success at Ohio University ... on and off the ice."

Rossi, a native of Youngstown, PA, has been a teammate of Schimizzi's and has also skated for Esmark for the past five seasons. First with the Esmark Stars U14 Bantam squad (2014-15), then two season with the Stars U16 squad (15-16 & 16-17), and finally the last two seasons with the Stars U18 squad.

He was tendered by the Amarillo Bulls of the North American Hockey League (NAHL) at the end of the 2017-18 season and saw action with the Bulls early in the 2018-19 season before returning to Esmark to complete his final season of midget major AAA hockey.

This season, Rossi posted 10 points (3G, 7A) in 16 NAPHL regular season and playoff  games for the Stars.  Overall, he has recorded 22 points (10G, 12A), including 5 power play goals and a +/- rating of +32 in 43 games played.

Last season, Rossi recorded 14 points (8G, 6A) in 22 NAPHL regular season and playoff  games, helping lead Esmark to the 2017-18 NAPHL 18U AAA Dixon Cup Championship. He was also a member of Esmark's NAPHL 2016-17 16U AAA Dixon Cup Championship team. Overall last season, Rossi recorded 37 points (19G, 18A), including 8 power play goals in 57 games for the Stars.

"Blake is a great kid who will find success on and off the ice," said Stars 18U head coach Dave Kosick. "Ohio University is getting a world-class skating D-man who will bring a high level offensive threat to their line-up ... as well as a great young man."

The Bobcats are currently ranked the number 5 team in the country in the American Collegiate Hockey Association Men's Div. I level rankings.

Rossi and Schmizzi will be joining former Esmark Stars players Alex Singley and Austin Heakins  in uniform for the Bobcats.