Pittsburgh, PA - The Esmark Stars AAA Hockey Program will head east to New Jersey this upcoming weekend, Feb 23 - 26, to pursue Tier I Hockey Federation Championships (T1HF) in T1HF Playoff action.

The Stars qualified teams for all "National Bound" levels of the T1HF Playoffs at which they host teams (18U Midget Major, 16U Midget Minor, 15U (only) Midget and 13U Bantam Minor). They also qualified teams for the 12U Pee Wee Major level (Gold Playoffs) and the 12U Pee Wee Major level (Silver Playoffs)

The T1HF Playoffs are a double-elimination tournament (at all levels excluding 12U Silver) that will feature eight teams at each age level. Teams qualified for the event based upon the league's KRACH Rating system (KRACH is a team's won/loss ratio multiplied by strength of schedule) and will feature teams from the THF East (which Esmark participates in), the THF North (USPHL) and the THF Central.

At the U18 Midget Major and U16 Midget Minor levels the top six teams from the THF East, and the top team from the THF Central and THF North (USPHL) qualified for the event.

The U18 Esmark Stars will face-off with Team Maryland at 8:15 a.m. at the Skyland Ice World in Stockholm, NJ, on Friday, Feb 23. The Stars remaining opponents and game times will be determined post each game. The U18 Championship game is set for Sunday, Feb 25 at 1:10 p.m., at Skyland Ice World.

The U16 Esmark Stars will face-off with the Jersey Hitmen at 8:30 a.m. at the SportsCare Arena in Randolph, NJ, on Friday, Feb 23). The Midget Minor Stars remaining opponents and game times will be determined post each game. The U16 Championship game is set for Sunday, Feb 25 at 2:30 p.m., at the SportsCare Arena.

At the U15 Midget (only) level, the top seven teams from the THF East and the top team from the THF North (USPHL) qualified for the event.

The U15 Esmark Stars will face-off with Team Maryland at 10:15 a.m. at the Pro Skate Arena in South Brunswick, NJ, on Friday, Feb 23. The Stars remaining opponents and game times will be determined post each game. The U15 Championship game is set for Sunday, Feb 25 at 12:30 p.m., at the Pro Skate Arena.

At the U13 Bantam Minor level and 12U Pee Wee Major level, the top eight teams from the THF East qualified for the event.

The U13 Esmark Stars will face-off with the Hartford Jr Wolfpack at 11:55 a.m. at the Ice Land Skating Center in Hamilton Township, NJ, on Friday, Feb 23. The Stars remaining opponents and game times will be determined post each game. The U13 Championship game is set for Sunday, Feb 25 at 12:45 p.m., at the Ice Land Skating Center.

The U12 Red Esmark Stars will face-off with the Mercer Chiefs at 11:55 a.m. at the Ice Vault in Wayne, NJ, on Friday, Feb 23. The Stars remaining opponents and game times will be determined post each game. The U12 Championship game is set for Sunday, Feb 25 at 1:00 p.m., at the Ice Vault.

The U12 White Esmark Stars will be participating in the T1HF U12 Silver Playoffs. That tournament, which runs Saturday, Feb 24 - Monday, Feb 26, at the Ice Vault in Wayne, NJ, will feature 14 teams divided into three brackets of round-robin play. The Stars open play on Saturday with a pair of games. First up will be the Connecticut Chiefs at 9:00 a.m. Game two will be against the Connecticut Jr Rangers at 2:15 p.m. The U12 White Stars close round-robin play on Sunday with a 10:00 a.m. face-off with the Revolution Elite. Semi-final and Championship games are scheduled for Monday, Feb 26, at 8:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. respectfully.

The 11U Pee Wee Minor Esmark Stars will enjoy an open weekend.