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Recent U13 AAA Esmark Stars News

T1HF "Player of the Week"

By DLG 02/10/2023, 6:00pm EST

Stars Volski and Zamias Honored for Week 22

Pittsburgh, PA - Nikita Volski, a member of the Midget U18 Esmark Stars, has been selected as the Player of the Week, Midget 18U Major, for week 22 (Feb 3 - 5, 2023) of the Tier 1 Hockey Federation (T1HF) season.

Volski was recognized for his work in a pair of games the Stars Midget Major club played in Pittsburgh, PA at the North American Prospects Hockey League (NAPHL) - Pittsburgh Showcase.

Volski recorded a pair of wins as he turned aside 19 of 21 shots he faced in securing a 4-2 win over the Madison Capitols and all 30 shots he faced to record the win and a shutout in a 1-0 overtime / shootout win against the Pittsburgh Penguins Elite in front of a standing room only crowd at the UPMC Lemieux Center in Pittsburgh

"The game against the PPE was a high-end action-packed see-saw affair and both Nikita and the PPE goalie were awesome," said 18U AAA Stars head coach Dave Kosick. "He put our team on his back and shut the door on a very good PPE team and gave us a chance for the W.”

Additionally, Xypher Zamais was selected as an honorable mention for the Player of the Week award in the 12U division for his performance in helping lead the U12 Stars to the NAPHL - Pittsburgh Showcase Championship. Zamias collected nine points (4G, 5A) in four games.

The T1HF announces the Players of the Week for each age classification at the conclusion of each week of play.

Pee Wee Major Stars Win League Showcase

Pittsburgh, PA  - The Esmark Stars U12 (2010) Pee Wee Major squad captured the second NAPHL 11U AAA Showcase Tournament of the season this past weekend, Feb 3 - 5,  in Pittsburgh.

The Stars opened the league event with a 10 - 2 win over the Jersey Shore Whalers on Friday, Feb. 3. Xypher Zamias (2G, 2A), Beau Ritson (2G, 1A) and Jordan Lucca (2G) led the offense. Asan Abdygulov (1G, 2A), Caden Biddle (1G, 1A), Ryder Martin and Caleb Nehnevajsa also scored for the Stars. Patrick Mahoney (2A) Conner Eich (2A), Liam Lehneke (2A), Connor Zuri, Quinn Mitchell, and Nathan Ross all picked up assists. Xavier Haduch was the winning goaltender.

The Stars would then grab their second win of the day on Friday, a 3-0 blanking of the Sylvania North Stars. Jordan Lucca maintained the hot hand as he scored a pair of goals. Beau Ritson scored the other Stars goal. Ryder Martin (3A) and Xypher Zamias picked up assists. Haduch picked up his second win of the Showcase and the shut-out in goal for the Stars.

The Stars closed round-robin play Saturday picking up a 3-1 win over the Pittsburgh Predators. Xypher Zamias (2G) and Nathan Ross scored for the Stars. Asan Abdygulov and Cole Schwartz picked up assists. Zeke Fagan was the winning goaltender.

The win advanced the Stars to the championship game as the number one seed and a showdown with CarShield AAA.

Asan Abdygulov would collected a hat-trick, three goals, to pace the offense as the Stars skated to a 6-2 Championship win over CarShield. Caden Biddle (1G, 1A), Beau Ritson and Jordan Lucca also scored goals for the Stars. Xypher Zamias (2A), Patrick Mahoney, Quinn Mitchell and Nathan Ross all earned assists in the win. Zeke Fagan picked up his second win of the showcase in goal for the Stars.

The Showcase title was the fifth championship banner the Stars U12 squad has earned during the 2022-23 season.

MEMBERS OF U12 AND U18 STARS SELECTED AS TOP PEE WEE MAJOR AND MIDGET MAJOR PLAYERS FOR WEEK 18

Pittsburgh, PA - Nikita Volski, a member of the Midget U18 Esmark Stars, and Asan Abdygulov, a member of the Pee Wee Major U12  (2010) squad, were each selected as the Player's of the Week, Midget 18U Major and Pee Wee 12U Major, for week 18 (Jan 6 - 8, 2022) of the Tier 1 Hockey Federation (T1HF) season.

Abdygulov was recognized for his outstanding play, leading the Stars Pee Wee Major team in scoring with 14 points (9G, 5A) in six games played, as the U12 AAA Stars captured the SuperSeries - Pittsburgh Pee Wee Major AAA title.

"Asan had a great weekend," offered Esmark Stars U12 head coach Nate Nehnevajsa.

Volski was recognized for his work between the pipes as he appeared in three games for Esmark's U18 AAA squad, starting two games and making a relief appearance in the third game, recoding wins in both of his starts. Volski stopped 63 of 67 shots he faced in the three games.

"Nikita turned in a stellar performance," said Esmark Stars U18 head coach Dave Kosick.

The T1HF announces the Players of the Week for each age classification at the conclusion of each week of play.