Pittsburgh, PA - The Pittsburgh-based Esmark Stars AAA Hockey Club has announced that Cole Bianchin, a member of the 2022-23 Esmark Stars AAA U18 squad was selected with the second pick in the ninth round by the Rochester Jr Americans in the 2023 North American Hockey League (NAHL) Entry draft, held on Thursday, June 14.

Bianchin  (5'10", 170 lbs), a left-handed shooting forward, who was a late-season addition to the the Stars Midget Major squad, helped the Stars U18 squad down the stretch to the Tier 1 Hockey Federation (T1HF) Playoff Championship (as well as the T1HF Regular Season Title) and the USPHL Cup Championship during the '22-'23 season.

Bianchin, from Franklin Park, PA, scored 18 points (8 goals, 10 assists), including 3 power-play goals in 20 games played.

"Cole was a great addition to our squad just prior to the USA Hockey deadline," said Stars U18 head coach Dave Kosick.

"Not only was he a high-end offensive addition to our squad," Kosick added, "he also added a calming maturity to our locker room that quickly was absorbed by our group."

The NAHL, which will be celebrating its 49th anniversary during the 2023-24 season, is the only USA Hockey-sanctioned Tier II Junior league. The league boasts 32 teams in 18 states across the United States.

The NAHL is part of the USA Hockey National Junior Development Model, which includes the USHL and the US National Team Development Program. The NAHL works closely with NCAA College Hockey, the NHL, the USHL, and USA Hockey's National Development Program in order to best serve as an imperative piece in the development system for collegiate and professional hockey.

The Junior Americans, who will begin play in the NAHL with the 2023-24 season, are located in Rochester, NY.

They will play their home games, under the direction of head coach Francois Methot, at the Rochester Ice Center.

The Junior Americans will play in the NAHL's eight-team East Division, along with the Danbury Jr. Hat Tricks (Danbury, CT), Johnstown Tomahawks (Johnstown, PA), Maine Nordiques (Lewiston, ME), Maryland Black Bears (Odenton, MD), New Jersey Titans (Middletown, NJ), Northeast Generals (Attleboro, MA) and Philadelphia Rebels (Sewell, NJ).

"Cole truly plays a solid and complete 200-foot game ... one who prides himself on his work in both ends of the ice" Kosick added.

"He will be a solid addition for coach Methot and will quickly become a favorite of the fans and coaching staff of the Junior Americans. "