Pittsburgh, PA - The Esmark Stars AAA Midget Teams will be in Blaine, MN, this weekend, Sept 14 - 17, as the U18, U16 and U15 Stars take to the ice for the opening event of the NAPHL Tier 1 Season.

The U18 Midget Major Stars (5-1-0-0) will open play on Thursday, Sept 14, against the Maine Nordiques at 8:45 a.m. On Friday, Sept. 15, the Stars square off with Belle Tire at 2:30 p.m. On Saturday, Sept 16, the Stars take to the ice to face Compuware at 6:00 p.m. The Stars close the league's first showcase on Sunday, Sept 14, 11:00 a.m., against the Nashville Jr Predators. All games will be at the SuperRink in Blaine, MN.

The U16 Midget Minor Stars (3-0-0-1) will open play on Thursday, Sept 14, against the Nashville Jr Predators at 10:15 a.m. On Friday, Sept. 15, the Stars return to the ice to face the Minnesota Green Giants at 10:30 a.m. On Saturday, Sept 16, the Stars square-off with the Philadelphia Hockey Club at 12:00 p.m. The Midget Minor Stars close the league's first showcase on Sunday, Sept 14, 9:00 a.m., against the Florida Alliance. All games will be at the SuperRink in Blaine, MN. 

The U15 (only) Stars (2-0-0-0) will open play on Thursday, Sept 14, against the California Golden Bears at 10:15 a.m. On Friday, Sept. 15, the Stars will face the Minnesota Blue Ox at 2:00 p.m., back at Fogerty Ice Arena. On Saturday, Sept 16, the Stars take to the ice to face the Minnesota Walleye at 8:00 a.m., SuperRink in Blaine, MN. The Stars close the league's first showcase on Sunday, Sept 14, 7:30 a.m., against Belle Tire, at the SuperRink Arena. 

The 20th annual North American Hockey League (NAHL) Showcase ... the "Greatest Show on Ice" ...  which will be held from September 13-16, 2023, at the Super Rink in Blaine, Minnesota ... and will feature all 32 NAHL teams, playing three and four regular-season games, in what has become one of amateur hockey's most prominent and popular events of the entire season.

The NAHL Showcase attracts over 9,000 people in overall attendance, including more than 300+ professional, college and junior scouts.  For scouting purposes, the NAHL Showcase is the premier event of its kind and is a yearly gathering for every NCAA program and NHL team as they get their first look at some of the best and brightest hockey talent North America has to offer.

“We continue to raise the bar and the 2023 NAHL Showcase will be our biggest and best one yet. It is a thrilling four days of competition and no other event in the hockey world brings people together like the Showcase. The opportunity it represents for our teams and players is one that unique to the NAHL and NAPHL, and we always look forward to seeing a new crop of players and talent showcase their skills. It truly is the Greatest Show on Ice,” said NAHL Commissioner and President Mark Frankenfeld.

In addition to all 32 NAHL teams playing in the event, the United States National Team Development Program (NTDP) of the United States Hockey League (USHL) will be playing in the event in two exhibition games and it will be the first event of the season for the North American Prospects Hockey League (NAPHL) T1ER League.

Entering its 15th season in 2023-24, the NAPHL is made up of USA Hockey-sanctioned teams that compete in the 18U, 16U, 15U and 14U levels. NAPHL teams will compete at the NAHL Showcase from September 14-17.

The Super Rink is the largest ice arena of its kind in the world. The state-of-the-art facility, a $21 million project totaling over 300,000 square feet, features eight sheets of ice under one roof. With all its varied amenities and services, the Super Rink is absolutely unique in the world of ice sport facilities.