Pittsburgh, PA - The Esmark Stars AAA Hockey Club of the North American Prospects Hockey League (NAPHL) are pleased to announce that 18U forward Edward Pazo was drafted by the Northern Cyclones in the 2020 USPHL National Collegiate Development Conference (NCDC) Entry Draft.

A native of Jefferson Hills, PA, the 17-year old junior at Thomas Jefferson High School has skated for the Stars for a pair of seasons.

During the 2019-20 season, Pazo (6'3", 200 lbs.) registered 17 points (6 goals, 11 assists) in 16 regular season NAPHL games and 7 points (2 goals, 5 assists) in five NAPHL Dixon Cup Playoff games for the U18 AAA Stars. Overall, Pazo registered 92 points (33 goals, 59 assists), including 13 power play goals and a +57 plus/minus rating on the season in 62 games played, helping lead Esmark’s Midget Major squad to the Mid-American District Championship and a spot as District Champions in the 2020 USA Hockey 18U Tier I National Championships.

During the 2018-19 season, Pazo registered 16 points (6 goals, 6 assists), including 3 power play goals, in 15 NAPHL regular season games and 7 points (1 goal, 6 assist) in four NAPHL Dixon Cup Playoff games for the Stars U16 AAA squad. Overall, Pazo registered 57 points (25 goals, 32 assists), including 3 power play goals, in 53 games played for Esmark.

"During the past season, Eddie clearly demonstrated that he knows how to finish," said Esmark 18U head coach Dave Kosick. "And lots of teams have expressed interest in him because he brings physical size to that finishing touch."

The NCDC Conference of the USPHL is a 13-team tuition-free junior hockey league entirely located in the Northeastern United States.

The Northern Cyclones, skate out of the Cyclones Arena in Hudson, New Hampshire.