The Esmark Stars AAA Hockey program will return to the ice in full swing this upcoming week, Jan. 6-9, as they open the 2022 portion of their '21-'22 season and welcome in the new year.

The Esmark Stars U13 AAA team (18-19-2-0) will open the schedule with a home game on Thursday, Jan. 6, against the Florida Hockey Alliance. Opening face-off is 7:30 p.m. Admission is free and open to the public. The Bantam Minor squad then hits the ice Jan 7-9 at the Eastern Exposure Series - Pittsburgh Showcase. On Friday, the Stars face the Carolina Premier (12-11-6-0), 9:00 a.m. at the Rostraver Ice Garden in Rostraver, PA. Later Saturday evening, 5:00 p.m., the Stars return to the ice to face the Long Island Royals (13-15-5-0) at the Ice Castle Arena in Castle Shannon, PA. On Saturday, Esmark's U13 team will take to the ice at Ice Castle at 9:40 a.m. to face the Minuteman Flames (MA) (20-12-8-0) and at 3:30 p.m. to face the Florida Hockey Alliance - Blue (11-3-0-0). They close the five-game showcase with a Sunday, 11:10 a.m. face-off against the Syracuse Nationals (21-18-3-0) also at Ice Castle. Again, admission is free and open to the public at the Showcase.

The Stars Bantam Major squad (18-13-6-0) will also be in Pittsburgh for the Eastern Exposure Series - Pittsburgh Showcase, Jan 7 - 9. On Friday, Jan. 7, the Stars open the event with a 8:00 a.m. face-off against Team Maryland (21-16-3-0). Later Friday afternoon, 3:45 p.m., the Stars renew their rivalry with the Palmyra Black Knights (26-13-2-0). Then on Saturday morning, Jan. 8, the Stars return to action with a 9:45 a.m. game against the Philadelphia Revolution (13-11-4-1). Later Saturday afternoon, 2:15 p.m., the Stars will square-off with the Westchester Express (NY) (15-19-3-0). Esmark's Bantam Major team will conclude the five-game weekend on Sunday morning with a seeding game against a yet to be determined opponent at a yet to be determined time. All 2007 games will be played at the Stars home facility, Pittsburgh Ice Arena.

The Esmark U16 squad (26-8-1-2) will also be in Pittsburgh for the Eastern Exposure Series - Pittsburgh Showcase, Jan 7 - 9. On Friday, Jan. 7, the Stars open the event with a 2:15 p.m. face-off against Team Maryland (22-6-8-0) at the Alpha Ice Complex in Harmarville, PA. On Saturday, Jan. 8, the Stars will face the Boston Hockey Academy (24-1-5-2) at 8:00 a.m. at the Frozen Pond Arena in Valencia, PA.  Then Saturday evening, the Stars return to action against the Philadelphia Jr. Flyers (28-12-4-2), at 6:15 p.m back at the Alpha Ice Complex. The Midget Minor Stars close the event on Sunday, Jan. 9, with a 2:15 p.m. opening face-off at the Alpha Ice Complex against the Washington Little Caps (21-9-2-1).

Esmark's U18 Midget Major squad (25-5-5-2) will also be participating in the Eastern Exposure Series - Pittsburgh Showcase, Jan 7 - 9. On Friday, Jan. 7, the Stars open the event with a 4:00 p.m. face-off against Team Maryland (17-13-4-0) at the Alpha Ice Complex in Harmarville, PA. On Saturday, Jan. 8, the Stars will face the Philadelphia Jr Flyers (26-14-2-2) at 12:00 p.m. at the Baierl Ice Arena in Wexford, PA.  Then Saturday evening, the Stars return to action against the Westchester (NY) Express (14-19-1-3), at 8:15 p.m back at the Alpha Ice Complex. The 18U AAA Stars close the event on Sunday, Jan. 9, with a 9:00 a.m. opening face-off at the Frozen Pond Arena in Valencia, PA, against the Boston Hockey Academy (21-15-3-1).

Esmark's U12 AAA Stars (9-26-5-0) will also be home, participating in the SuperSeries AAA - Pittsburgh Showcase at the Palmer Imaging Center (formerly Center Ice Arena) in Delmont, PA, Jan. 7 - 9 . The Pee Wee Major Stars open the 2022 calendar with a 11:20 a.m. game on Friday, Jan. 7, against the Carolina Premier (12-11-6-0). Later Friday afternoon the Stars will face the Philadelphia Revolution (5-22-3-0) at 3:50 p.m. Then on Saturday, Jan. 8, the Stars will face Team Maryland (24-16-3-0) at 10:40 a.m.  Saturday afternoon the U12 Stars will play a game, time to be determined, post seeding from round-robin play. Esmark's Pee Wee Major team will conclude the five-game weekend on Sunday morning, game time and opponent to be determined, based on results from their fourth game of the Showcase.

And finally, the U11 AAA Stars (17-21-3-0) will head west to South Bend, IN, and the University of Notre Dame for the CCM Notre Dame Showcase, Jan. 7 - 9. They open play on Friday, Jan. 7, facing the Washington Little Caps (21-7-6-0), 1:30 p.m., and the Cleveland Barons (24-12-1-0) at 8:00 p.m.  Then on Saturday, Jan. 8, the Stars will face Victory Honda (MI) (11-24-1-1) at 12:00 p.m., and then return to the ice at at 7:30 p.m. to face the Milwaukee Jr Admirals 11-21-1-0).  The Pee Wee Minor Stars wrap-up the weekend showcase on Sunday, Jan. 9, at 9:25 a.m. against the Arizona Jr Coyotes (26-11-3-0). All games will be played at the Compton Family Arena, home to Notre Dame's Division I Fighting Irish Hockey team, on the campus of Notre Dame University.