Pittsburgh, PA - The Esmark Stars AAA Hockey program will have all seven of its teams back in exciting action this upcoming weekend, Jan. 20 - 22.

The U18, U16, U15 and U14 Stars teams will be in Tampa, FL, for the Elite Prospects Cup Series Championships, Jan 26 - 29, as the EPCS crowns its inaugural season champions.

The U18 AAA Esmark Stars open EPCS Playoffs on Thursday, Jan 26, with a 2:45 p.m. opening face-off against the New Jersey Colonials at the Lakeland Ice Arena in Lakeland, FL. Then on Saturday, Jan. 27, the Stars U18 AAA squad will face the Syracuse Nationals at the Ellenton Ice Complex in Ellenton, FL, at 8:00 a.m. Then later Friday afternoon, 5:45 p.m., the Midget Major Stars will square-off with Team Maryland at the AdventHealth Center Arena in Wesley Chapel, FL. The Stars close round-robin play on Saturday with a 2:00 p.m. opening face-off against the American Hockey Academy at the AdventHealth Center Arena. Semi-finals in the Midget 18U Division are set for 9:30 a.m. on Sunday, Jan. 29, at the AdventHealth Center Arena. The EPCS U18 AAA Championship game, featuring semi-final winners, is set for 2:30 p.m. on Sunday at the AdventHealth Center Arena.

The U16 AAA Esmark Stars open EPCS Playoffs on Thursday, Jan 26, with a 12:45 p.m. opening face-off against the Connecticut Jr Rangers at the Lakeland Ice Arena in Lakeland, FL. Then at 10:15 a.m., on Friday, Jan 27, the Stars U16 AAA squad will face the New Jersey Colonials at the Ellenton Ice Complex in Ellenton, FL. On Saturday, Jan 28, the Midget Minor Stars will square-off with the Syracuse Nationals at 10:00 a.m. at the AdventHealth Center Arena. The Stars close round-robin play later on Saturday with a 6:30 p.m. opening face-off against the Florida Alliance at the AdventHealth Center Arena. Semi-finals in the Midget 16U Division are set for 9:30 a.m. on Sunday, Jan. 29, at the Ellenton Ice Complex. The EPCS U16 AAA Championship game, featuring semi-final winners, is set for 2:30 p.m. on Sunday at the AdventHealth Center Arena.

The U15 AAA Esmark Stars open EPCS Playoffs on Thursday, Jan 26, with a 8:00 a.m. opening face-off against the Westchester Express at the Ellenton Ice Complex in Ellenton, FL. Then at 4:00 p.m., the 15U Only Stars will face the Mercer Chiefs at the AdventHealth Center Arena in Wesley Chapel, FL. On Friday, Jan 27, Esmark's 15U squad will face the American Hockey Academy, at 12:15 a.m., at the Ellenton Ice Complex in Ellenton, FL. The Stars close round-robin play on Saturday, Jan 28, with a 7:45 a.m. opening face-off against the Syracuse Stars at the Ellenton Ice Complex. Semi-finals in the Midget 15U Only Division are set for 7:30 a.m. on Sunday, Jan. 29, at the AdventHealth Center Arena. The EPCS U15 AAA Championship game, featuring semi-final winners, is set for 12:30 p.m. on Sunday at the AdventHealth Center Arena.

The U14 AAA Esmark Stars open EPCS Playoffs on Thursday, Jan 26, with a 8:00 a.m. opening face-off against American Hockey Academy, out of Boston, MA, at the AdventHealth Center Arena in Wesley Chapel, FL. On Friday, Jan 27, the Bantam Major Stars will face the Mercer Chiefs, at 8:15 a.m., at the Ellenton Ice Complex in Ellenton, FL. Then on Friday afternoon, 4:00 p.m., the 14U Stars will square-off with Team Maryland back at the AdventHealth Center Arena in Wesley Chapel. The Stars close round-robin play on Saturday, Jan 28, with a 6:30 p.m. opening face-off against the Syracuse Stars at the Ellenton Ice Complex. Semi-finals in the Bantam Major AAA Division are set for Sunday, Jan. 29, morning at the Ellenton Ice Complex. The EPCS U14 AAA Championship game, featuring semi-final winners, is set for 12:30 p.m. on Sunday at the AdventHealth Center Arena.

Meanwhile, the U13, U12 and U11 Esmark teams return to Tier 1 Hockey Federation (T1HF) league action this weekend.

The U13 AAA Esmark Stars will head east for three games this upcoming weekend. First up will be a stop in Annville, PA, on Saturday, Jan 28, and a 5:15 p.m. opening face-off against the Palmyra Black Knights at the Klick Lewis Arena. Then on Sunday, Jan 29, the Bantam Minor Stars move on to Dunellen, NJ, and a pair of T1HF games against the New Jersey Rockets. Opening face-offs for the Stars vs Rockets games are set for 8:40 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. at the Rock Ice Center.

The U12 AAA Esmark Stars will likewise travel east, to Woodbridge, NJ, for a pair of Saturday, Jan 21, Tier 1 Hockey Federation (T1HF) games. First up will be a 9:45 a.m. game against the Woodbridge Wolfpack.  Then at 4:00 p.m., the Pee Wee Major Stars face the Jersey Hitmen. Both games will be held at the Woodbridge Community Center in Woodbridge, NJ.

Meanwhile, the U11 AAA Esmark Stars will welcome Team Maryland to the friendly confines of Pittsburgh Ice Arena for the back end of a home and home weekend series with a pair of Saturday, Jan 28, Tier 1 Hockey Federation (T1HF) games. Opening face-offs between the U11 Pee Wee Minor squads are set for 12:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. on Saturday.