Pittsburgh, PA - The Esmark Stars AAA Hockey Club of the North American Prospects Hockey League (NAPHL) are pleased to announce that 18U forward Brody Simko has signed a NAHL (North American Hockey League) tender agreement with the NAHL's New Mexico Ice Wolves.

The 2022-23 season was Simko's second season with the Esmark's AAA Hockey program, as he skated for Esmark's 16U AAA team during the 2021-22 season.

The (6'0", 195 lbs.) 17 year-old from Butler, PA, registered 17 points (4 goals, 13 assists), in 32 North American Prospects Hockey League (NAPHL) appearances (28 regular season and four Dixon Cup NAPHL Playoff games), including one power play goal, during the 2021-22 season for Esmark's U18 AAA Midget Major squad

Overall this past season, Simko tallied 43 points (18 goals, 25 assists), including three power play goals, in 61 games played for Esmark.

During the 2020-21 season, Simko registered 23 points (10 goals, 13 assists), including one game-winning goal and three power-play goals, in 25 North American Prospects Hockey League (NAPHL) appearances (20 regular season and five Dixon Cup NAPHL Playoff games) for Esmark's U16 AAA squad.

Overall during the 2020-21 season, Simko tallied 49 points (27 goals, 22 assists), including nine power-play goals, in 57 games played for Esmark.

He was also selected to participate in the 2021 U16 NAPHL AAA All-Stars game where he scored a goal for Team Demko.

"Brody has a great nose for the goal," said Esmark 18U head coach Dave Kosick. "When he has the puck in the offensive zone, he is a true threat to score."

"As his overall game continues to develop," Kosick added, "he has  the size and strength to be an extremely productive, successful and elite power forward."

Simko becomes the tenth member of the 2021-2022 Esmark 18U AAA team to sign a tender with a Junior A club.  He joins Shane Kozlina, forward, North Iowa Bulls (NAHL); Hunter Fairman,, forward, Springfield Jr Blues (NAHL); Justin Metrick, forward, Minnesota Wilderness (NAHL); and defenseman Liam Varmecky, Danbury Jr. Hat Tricks (NAHL) in signing NAHL tenders.  Additionally, teammates Ethan Zupanc, forward, and Logan Dittenhafer, defenseman, Wilkes Barre Jr Knights (NCDC); Ray Janik, defenseman, Islanders Hockey Club (NCDC); Keith Smilowitz, forward, and Liam McClaine, defenseman, Boston Jr. Advantage (NCDC); who all signed with NCDC teams.

The Ice Wolves, who play in the NAHL's South Division, captured the 2021-22 South Division Regular Season crown this past season.  They went on to win the South's automatic spot in the league's Robertson Cup Championship where they made it to the league's semi-finals.