Pittsburgh, PA - The Esmark Stars of the North American Prospects Hockey League (NAPHL) are pleased to announce that 18U AAA goaltender Parker Rey has signed a tender agreement with the Jersey Hitmen of the USPHL's "National Collegiate Development Conference" (NCDC) Division.  The Hitmen are located in Wayne, NJ.

The 2018-19 season was Rey's first year with the U18 AAA Stars. Prior to his season with the Stars, Rey skated for the U18 Cleveland Barons of the TOEHL during the 2017-18 season.

For the 2018-2019 season, the 18 year old net-minder appeared in 36 games for the Stars, finishing with a 24-10-0-1 record, including five shutout wins. Rey finished the season with a goals against average (GAA) of 2.11 and a 92.92% save percentage.

He backstopped the 18U Stars to the Mid-American District Championship running off three straight round-robin wins ... Cleveland Barons (4-3), Ohio AAA Blue Jackets (4-3 OT/SO win), Gilmour Academy (6-5 OT/SO win) ... and then earning the win in goal and the Mid-American title with a 2-1 overtime win over Culver Military Academy in which he stopped 48 of 49 shots he faced.

"Parker's performance against Culver was a masterpiece and a clear showing of his capabilities," said Esmark 18U head coach Dave Kosick.

"He brings a great work ethic and mindset to the rink every day. Add that to his physical size and athletic ability and you have a goaltender who checks off all the boxes that elite junior and collegiate teams seek," Kosick added.

Post-season, Rey was selected to participate in the NAPHL's Top Prospects Tournament, which was held in conjunction with the NAHL's Robertson Cup Championship in Blaine, MN. That event brought together ten elite all-star teams, including teams from the NAPHL, AYHL, TOEHL, NA3HL, Minnesota, Michigan and Europe.

Rey joins four other members of the 2018-19 Esmark 18U club (Andrew Jacobs, New Mexico Ice Wolves; Raman Yerameichyk, Chippewa Steel; and Tyler Stewart and Jackson Dobbs, Johnstown Tomahawks, all of the North American Hockey League), in signing junior tenders.

The Esmark Stars AAA Hockey Club, proud members of the North American Prospects Hockey League (NAPHL), are pleased to announce that former Esmark forward Parker Brown has committed to play NCAA Division I hockey for the Air Force Falcons of the Atlantic Hockey Conference.

Brown a Hanahan, SC, native, skated for the 18U AAA Esmark Stars during the 2017-18 season, during which he registered 57 points (21 goals and 36 assists) in 61 games played.  Those numbers included 27 points (12 goals, 15 assists) in 23 games in NAPHL action. 

He signed a tender with the Fairbanks Ice Dogs of the North American Hockey League (NAHL) during his 18U season for Esmark. 

During his 2018-2019 campaign with Fairbanks, his rookie season, Brown (160 lbs., 5’9"), registered 41 points (15 goals, 26 assists) in 57 regular season games and helped lead the Ice Dogs to first place in the Mid-West Division.

“I was extremely excited to hear Brownie committed to Air Force,” said Esmark Stars U18 head coach Dave Kosick. "He has world-class skating ability and always comes to the rink prepared to play."

Brown becomes the 9th Ice Dog this season to commit to play Div I NCAA Hockey next season.

Brown will join former Esmark defenseman Carter Ekberg in Colorado Springs.  Ekberg, who tendered with the Janesville Jets, during his 18U season with the Stars, committed to the Air Force Academy last season and appeared in 27 games with the Falcons during his freshman year last season.

"Much like Carter, Parker will be a great addition to the Air Force roster," Kosick said. "He is a solid young man ... on and off the ice."

The Falcons play at the nearly 2,500-seat Cadet Ice Arena in Colorado Springs, CO.  Head coach Frank Serratore has held the reigns since 1997, and two seasons ago joined a group of just 22 with his 400th career NCAA Division I win.

With his NCAA D-I commitment secured, Brown can now focus on helping the Ice Dogs drive for a long playoff run.