The North American Prospects Hockey League (NAPHL) has announced that Tyler Stewart, a forward with the Esmark Stars U18 team, was selected as the Apex Learning Virtual School Peak Performer U18 Number Two Star - Forward for the month of September.

The award was based upon player performance at the first NAPHL event of the 2018-2019 season which took place in Blaine, MN, Sept. 20-23.

Stewart, a native of Burrell, PA,  (5’10"/160 lbs.), recorded six points (3 goals, 3 assists) in four appearances in Blaine, in helping lead the Stars to a 2-2-0-0 record at the league's first regular season showcase.

Stewart opened the Showcase recording a goal and an assist in a 5-1 win over the Minnesota Magicians. He added a goal in a 7-5 loss to TPH Thunder in the second game. In game three, he recorded one goal and two assists in a 5-4 win over MDHL (TPH Hockey).

Overall, Stewart has recorded 25 points (10 goals, 15 assists) in 18 games to lead the Stars in scoring during the early season.

"Tyler demonstrated his high octane offensive skills in Minny," said Esmark 18U head coach Dave Kosick. "His performance captured the attention of quite a few people."

After each NAPHL league event, the league's central scouting staff selects top performers (three stars), for the 18U and 16U divisions, as well as the 15U division for events in which they participate, for offense, defense and goaltending.

The NAPHL's 18U AAA High Performance Division, in which Esmark participates, is comprised of four regular-season events leading up to its Championship Tournament, the Dixon Cup Playoffs. The next 18U NAPHL event of the 2018-19 season will take place from Oct. 19-22, 2018, at the Super Rink in Blaine, MN.

Now in its tenth season, the NAPHL is composed of Midget Major (18U) and Midget Minor (16U & 15U) teams from across North America that compete at the Tier I level.

The NAPHL provides an organized and competitive experience with an unrivaled scouting presence guaranteed to benefit all of the participating student-athletes and programs and has established itself as the premiere training ground for development and exposure.

Not only have players in the NAPHL gone on to play in the National Hockey League (NHL), they received recognition from NHL Central Scouting each year, dozens receive scholarships to NCAA Division I schools and hundreds more have been drafted and tendered by North American Hockey League (NAHL) and United States Hockey League (USHL) teams.

The NAPHL, which is sanctioned by USA Hockey, is designed to maximize the exposure of all the participants through the NAHL's high-profile recruiting events that attract hundreds of college, junior and professional scouts.

For more information on the NAPHL, visit www.naphl.com.