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NAPHL 16U All-Star Game Shows Off the Future

By DLG, 12/16/19, 11:00PM EST

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Five Esmark Players and Head Coach Participate

A large crowd, including NAHL and NCAA scouts, was on hand for and took in the NAPHL's 2019-20 16U All-Star Game, this past Sunday, Dec. 15,  at the National Sports Center Super Rink in Blaine, MN.

The game featured 42 players (12 forwards, six defensemen and three goaltenders) from the league, who were selected based on player evaluations from NAHL Central Scouting from the first three months of the season.  Many of the players who participated are considered top prospects in North America in their respective birth-years and are leading the way in the NAPHL.  The players were divided onto two teams, Team Hockeywolf and Team Warroad.

The Esmark Stars U16 squad was well represented as five players, plus Esmark's U16 AAA Head Coach Yuri Krivokhija, participated on Team Warroad.

Stars forward Alex Keller and defenseman Egor Busygin, picked up assists on Team Warroad's fourth goal in the second period as Coach Yuri's squad grabbed a 4-3 lead.

Star's forward Ethan Zupanc scored 30 seconds into the third period to increase the lead to 5-3. After a Team Hockeywolf goal closed the lead back to one goal, Alex Keller would collect what would become the game winning goal with five minutes remaining in the third period. Stars' forwards Adis Ultanbekov and Justin Mettrick picked up assists.

For the game, all five Esmark Stars players got on the scoresheet in the 6-5 win for Team Warroad.

"Our boy's represented Esmark well," said Stars U16 and Team Warroad Head Coach Yuri Krivokhija.  "They quickly developed chemistry with their All-Star teammates and bonded well.  What a great experience."

The 16U NAPHL All-Star Game was held in conjunction with the final regular season event for the NAPHL's High Performance Division.