Here are your Tier 1 Hockey Federation Players of the Week for the week ending October 20th, 2024. Each week, we spotlight standout players from across all divisions, selected from coach nominations.
Nominating Coach: Chris Galiotti
Player Name: Summer Stromeyer
Team: Jersey Hitmen
Division: 9U
Player Jersey Number: 5
Position: Defense
Summer has been a defensive force all year long. This weekend not only was she relied on defensively she stepped up and scored an end to end goal that ended up being the game winner. This makes it the second consecutive game where Summer scored the GWG.
Nominating Coach: Jon Davidson
Player Name: Giovanni Calandra
Team: Utica Jr. Comets
Division: 11U
Player Jersey Number: 11
Position: Forward
Nominating Coach: Yevhenni Pastukh
Player Name: Gabriel Furman
Team: Rockets Hockey Club
Division: 12U
Player Jersey Number: 98
Position: Forward
Nominating Coach: Bobby Barbera
Player Name: Robbie Fenn
Team: NY Arrows
Division: 14U
Player Jersey Number: 14
Position: Goalie
Robbie backstopped the Arrows to a 3-2 victory over the Flyers Elite with rock solid goaltending in a strong and steady performance
Nominating Coach: Mark Hagen
Player Name: Braden Meeks
Team: Utica Jr. Comets
Division: 15U
Player Jersey Number: 91
Position: Center
Braden worked hard for 2 games . Had a hat trick in the second game and an assist . Worked hard in every end of the ice and logged a ton of minutes .
Nominating Coach: Nick Fritz
Player Name: Kaleb Wehr
Team: Palmyra Black Knights
Division: 18U
Player Jersey Number: 78
Position: Defense
Kaleb was strong in our own end and showed flashes on the offensive side of the ice as well.
HONORABLE MENTIONS
All players nominated by a coach receive an Honorable Mention
| Declan Stefanski | Palmyra Black Knights | 9U |
| Sean O’Donnel | Westchester Express | 12U |
| Zach Palik | Rocky Mountain RoughRiders | 18U |
The Tier 1 Hockey Federation’s third showcase of the season kicks off this weekend with THF Michigan, taking place at the Biggby Coffee Ice Cube Ann Arbor in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
Teams in the 10U through 14U Divisions will hit the ice in Ann Arbor this weekend in the first showing for the 10U, 11U and 12U divisions.
All games will be streamed exclusively on Black Bear TV and you can keep up with schedules, scores and standings at the THF Game Center.
Merch will be available online to order here!
Don’t miss out on the action this weekend as our teams take the ice in Michigan!
Tier 1 Hockey Federation’s NY Dynamo alum Steven Townley has been named captain of the Dartmouth Big Green Men’s NCAA Division I hockey team for the 2024-25 season. This role highlights Townley’s exceptional leadership, dedication, and steady growth throughout his hockey career.
Now a senior at Dartmouth, Townley’s journey to this achievement has been remarkable. Before joining the Big Green in 2021-22, he played his final season of youth hockey with the NY Dynamo, where his development paved the way for a successful transition to junior hockey in the Central Canada Hockey League (CCHL) and the National Collegiate Development Conference (NCDC).
During his collegiate career, Townley has proven to be a vital asset to Dartmouth, appearing in 86 games and tallying 16 points over three seasons. His appointment as captain for his final season is a testament to his commitment, work ethic, and leadership on and off the ice.
Photo courtesy of dartmouthsports.com
The Tier 1 Hockey Federation (THF) is excited to announce the start of the 2024-25 Game of the Week series, starting with the upcoming Pittsburgh Showcase this weekend. Running from September 20th to 22nd, teams from the 15U, 16U, and 18U Divisions will converge in Pittsburgh for the second THF Showcase of the season, with matchups taking place across multiple arenas.
The Game of the Week will debut with a triple-header, showcasing top-tier talent from across the divisions. Action starts at 8:00 am sharp with a 16U Division showdown between the Pittsburgh Stars and the PAL Jr. Islanders. Following this matchup, the 15U Division will see the Pittsburgh Stars face off against the Colorado Thunderbirds at 10:00 am. The triple header concludes with a thrilling 18U Division contest between the Pittsburgh Stars and Compuware at noon.
All games at the Pittsburgh Showcase will be streamed exclusively on Black Bear TV, where you can tune into the three Games of the Week for free by creating a Black Bear TV profile.
Stay up to date on scores and standings throughout the weekend by visiting the THF Game Center.
The Tier 1 Hockey Federation (THF) is excited to launch the 2024-25 season with the highly anticipated Minnesota Showcase, taking place from September 13-15th in the Minneapolis area. This weekend event marks the first THF showcase of the season, offering an exciting opportunity for top-level competition as teams from across the nation converge to compete in this unique showcase.
In a special collaboration, the THF is partnering with the Minnesota High Performance League, the sole Tier 1 league in the state. This partnership allows THF and Minnesota High Performance teams to face off in an exclusive setting, where these high-caliber teams will challenge each other for the first time this season. With matchups across the 13U to 18U divisions, fans and scouts alike can expect fast-paced, competitive hockey as the future stars of the game hit the ice.
The Minnesota Showcase will be hosted at various rinks throughout the Minneapolis area, creating a dynamic atmosphere of hockey action all weekend long. Whether you’re a local fan or following from afar, live updates, scores, and highlights will be available through the THF Game Center on our website, keeping you connected to all the action as it unfolds.
Don’t miss out on the excitement as the THF Minnesota Showcase sets the stage for what promises to be an unforgettable season of THF hockey!
The Tier 1 Hockey Federation (THF) is pleased to announce the commencement of the 2024-25 regular season, starting today. This season boasts a remarkable lineup of 54 organizations and over 200 teams, ranging from 9U to 18U, demonstrating exceptional talent across the United States. While the majority of teams are concentrated along the East Coast, the THF’s influence extends into the Midwest with teams in Michigan and Illinois, and as far afield as Colorado and California.
The THF will host a series of showcases throughout the season for various age groups, providing teams with the opportunity to compete at the highest level. The season will culminate with the championships in late February, where top teams will vie for the prestigious title.
Please note that the Tier 1 Hockey Federation does not have a centralized agreement with a streaming service. Instead, each rink selects its own streaming partner. Starting September 16, 2024, games played at certain venues will be streamed exclusively on Black Bear TV. For details on video streaming options at individual rinks, please contact the rinks directly.
Prepare for a thrilling season filled with intense competition and memorable moments on the ice! Stay updated on all the action by following the THF on social media.
Pittsburgh, PA – The Pittsburgh Stars AAA Hockey Club of the Tier I Hockey Federation (THF) have announced that Esmark Stars 18U AAA Hockey forward Jack Ammons has signed a United States Premier Hockey League (USPHL) National Collegiate Development Conference (NCDC) tender agreement with the Railers Junior Hockey Club.
The 18-year-old forward from Raleigh, NC, recorded 8 points (2 goals and 6 assists), in 23 THF regular season games and 4 THF Playoff Games in helping lead the U18 Stars to the League’s 18U AAA Championship game.
Overall, the 5’11” / 175 lbs. forward tallied 29 points (7 goals, 22 assists), including one power play goal, in 68 games played for the Star’s U18 AAA Midget Major squad.
The 2023-24 season was Ammon’s first season with the AAA Stars program.
“Jack is a solid get for the Railers,” said Stars 18U head coach Dave Kosick. “His skill set will allow him to check many boxes in terms of finding and securing a role and place at the junior level. Jack’s desire to succeed will serve him well as he makes the jump to the next level.”
Ammons becomes the second Star’s player to sign a tender with a NCDC Club for the ’24-’25 season, joining teammate Jackson Furman, who previously signed with the Northern Cyclones.
Overall, Ammons becomes the thirteenth player from the 2023-24 Esmark Stars AAA Program to sign a tender with a Junior A Club for the 2024-25 season. He joins 18U teammates Nathan Burlando (Minnesota Mallards), Jackson Furman (Minnesota Mallards), Timur Naletov (Danbury Hat Tricks), Aiden Petroff (New Hampshire Mountain Kings), Max Rutkowski (Oklahoma Warriors), Jacob Stock (Watertown Shamrocks), Alex Thomas (Colorado Grit), Mark Trischler (Kenai River Brown Bears), and Mykyta Yalovyi (Lone Star Brahmas), as well as 16U Esmark forwards Emmet McClaine and Vitaliy Ulianov, who both signed with the Johnstown Tomahawks, and 16U defenseman Talon Del Signore, who signed with the Minnesota Mallards, who all signed tender agreements with North American Hockey League (NAHL) Junior A Clubs for the upcoming season. Additionally, teammate Hudson Howard signed a tender agreement with the New Jersey 87s of the Eastern Junior Hockey League (EHL).
The Railers Junior Hockey Club will join the NCDC’s eight-team New England Division, along with the Boston Junior Rangers (MA), Islanders Hockey Club (MA), Northern Cyclones (NH), Seacoast Spartans (NH), South Shore Kings (MA), Thunder Hockey Club (NH), Utica Jr Comets (NY), and Wilkes Barre Scranton Knights (PA).
The 2024-25 season will be the Railer’s inaugural season in the NCDC. The Railers will play in the Fidelity Bank Worcester Ice Center in Worcester, MA, and will be led by Head Coach Sean Bertoni.
As always, the Tier 1 Hockey Federation is committed to celebrating and supporting the success of talented young athletes. If you have a player whose achievements you would like to see featured in our announcements, please fill out the form here. We are eager to share the stories of these rising stars as they advance in their hockey careers.
The Tier 1 Hockey Federation is proud to announce that 23 alumni of THF clubs received invites and participated in NHL Player Development Camps this off-season.
What are NHL Player Development Camps?
NHL Player Development Camps are annual events organized by NHL teams to help develop and evaluate young talent within their organization and potential prospects. These camps typically take place during the summer and offer an opportunity for players, often recently drafted or signed, to train and improve their skills under the guidance of professional coaches and staff. The camps include on-ice training sessions, off-ice workouts, and educational seminars on nutrition, mental preparation, and other aspects essential for professional athletes.
This off-season, 23 players received invites to 17 different teams’ camps, including three players receiving invites from the reigning Stanley Cup Champions, the Florida Panthers. Colorado had three THF Club Alumni at their camp, while Nashville and San Jose had two each, and a single player attended camps in Boston, Buffalo, Columbus, Minnesota, Montreal, New York (Rangers), Ottawa, Philadelphia, Tampa Bay, Toronto, Vancouver, Vegas, and Winnipeg.
View a complete list of the THF Club Alumni who attended camps below:
| NHL Team | Player Name | Team |
| Boston Bruins | Gleb Veremyev | Rockets Hockey Club |
| Buffalo Sabres | Sean Keohane | South Shore Kings* |
| Colorado Avalanche | Chris Romaine | South Shore Kings* |
| Colorado Avalanche | Mick Frechette | Northern Cyclones* |
| Colorado Avalanche | Reilly Connors | Connecticut Jr. Rangers |
| Columbus Blue Jackets | James Fisher | Boston Junior Bruins |
| Florida Panthers | C.J. Foley | South Shore Kings* |
| Florida Panthers | Liam McLinskey | Jersey Hitmen |
| Florida Panthers | Tyler Muszelik | Rockets Hockey Club |
| Minnesota Wild | Nate Benoit | Northern Cyclones |
| Montreal Canadiens | Ben Merrill | Boston Advantage/South Shore Kings* |
| Nashville Predators | Caeden Herrington | CP Dynamo |
| Nashville Predators | Teddy Stiga | Islanders Hockey Club* |
| New York Rangers | Brett Berard | South Shore Kings* |
| Ottawa Senators | Nicholas Van Tassell | Rockets Hockey Club |
| Philadelphia Flyers | Ryan Remick | Jersey Hitmen/Rockets Hockey Club |
| San Jose Sharks | Collin Graf | Boston Junior Bruins |
| San Jose Sharks | Gregory Japchen | P.A.L. Jr. Islanders |
| Tampa Bay Lightning | Cooper Flinton | Northern Cyclones* |
| Toronto Maple Leafs | Brendan Fitzgerald | Islanders Hockey Club |
| Vancouver Canucks | Christian Felton | Skipjacks Hockey Club/Boston Junior Bruins* |
| Vegas Golden Knights | Cade Alami | Jersey Hitmen/Connecticut Jr. Rangers |
| Winnipeg Jets | Kyle Penney | Boston Junior Bruins* |
| *-Organizational Alumni |
Three alum of THF Clubs heard their names called in the 2024 NHL Entry Draft on June 28th and 29th at the Sphere in Las Vegas.
Kamil Bednarik – F – Elk Grove, Ill.
The 61st overall pick in the second round by the New York Islanders spent a season playing for the New Jersey Rockets before heading to the US National Team Development Program (USNTDP) for two seasons. The 2006 born forward put up 65 points in 61 games with the USNTDP’s U18 team this past seasons and will play for Boston College this fall.
Blake Montgomery – F – Annapolis, MD
Montgomery, a fourth round pick by the Ottawa Senators, spent time with Team Maryland, SkipJacks Hockey Club and Seacoast Performance Academy before finding himself in the USHL with the Lincoln Stars. Montgomery put up 43 points in 58 games this season with the Stars.
Fisher Scott – D – Carbondale, CO
Scott, the seventh round pick by the Detroit Red Wings, played for the Colorado Thunderbirds before a two season stint in the USHL with the Dubuque Fighting Saints. The 2004 born defenseman put up 33 points in 61 games with the Saints this season and will spend next season with Colorado College in the NCAA.
The achievements of Kamil Bednarik, Blake Montgomery, and Fisher Scott highlight the exceptional talent and dedication fostered by THF Clubs. Their journeys from youth hockey to the NHL Entry Draft serve as a testament to their hard work and the support they received from their clubs and coaches. As they embark on the next chapters of their careers, their success continues to inspire future generations of players within the THF community.
Pittsburgh, PA – The Esmark Stars AAA Hockey Club of the Tier I Hockey Federation (THF) have announced that Esmark Stars 18U AAA Hockey forward Jackson Furman has signed a North American Hockey League (NAHL) tender agreement with the Minnesota Mallards.
The 18-year-old forward from Westerville, OH, recorded 12 points (5 goals and 7 assists), in 23 THF regular season games and 4 THF Playoff Games in helping lead the U18 Stars to the League’s 18U AAA Championship game.
Overall, the 5’11” / 170 lbs. forward tallied 46 points (15 goals, 31 assists), including one power play goal and two game-winning goals, in 68 games played for Esmark’s U18 AAA Midget Major squad.
The 2023-24 season was Furman’s second season with the Esmark Stars program.
During the 2022-23 season, Furman recorded 8 points (2 goals and 6 assists), in 12 THF League regular season games and 4 THF Playoff Games, helping lead the Stars to the THF Playoff Championship.
Overall during the ’22-’23 campaign, Furman tallied 35 points (17 goals, 18 assists), including two power play goals, in 62 games played for Esmark’s U18 AAA Midget Major squad.
“Jackson is a true Swiss Army knife,” said Stars 18U head coach Dave Kosick. “His skill set and on-ice compete level allowed us to use him in all settings … from special teams (penalty kill and power play) to end-of-game scenarios. He brings a tenacity and desire to succeed to each game and practice that will not allow him to be outworked. The combination of this drive and his skill set is what created this Junior opportunity and positions him for success at the next level.”
In addition to his success on the ice, Furman was also selected as an All-State Lacrosse player in the state of Ohio last season.
Furman is one of 12 players from the 2023-24 Esmark Stars to sign a tender with an NAHL Junior A Club for the upcoming season, as he joins 18U teammates Nathan Burlando (Minnesota Mallards), Timur Naletov (Danbury Hat Tricks), Aiden Petroff (New Hampshire Mountain Kings), Max Rutkowski (Oklahoma Warriors), Jacob Stock (Watertown Shamrocks), Alex Thomas (Colorado Grit), Mark Trischler (Kenai River Brown Bears), and Mykyta Yalovyi (Lone Star Brahmas), as well as 16U Esmark forwards Emmet McClaine and Vitaliy Ulianov, who both signed with the Johnstown Tomahawks, and 16U defenseman Talon Del Signore, who also signed with the Minnesota Mallards, in signing tender agreements with NAHL teams. Additionally, Hudson Howard, signed a tender agreement with the New Jersey 87s of the Eastern Junior Hockey League (EHL).
The Mallards will join the NAHL’s eight-team Central Division along with the Aberdeen Wings (SD), Austin Bruins (MN), Bismarck Bobcats (ND), Minot Minotauros (ND), North Iowa Bulls (IA), St. Cloud Norseman (MN) and Watertown Shamrocks (SD).
The 2024-25 season will be the inaugural season in the NAHL for the Mallards, along with their fellow Central Division opponent Watertown Shamrocks. The Mallards will play in the Forest Lake Sports Center in Forest Lake, MN, and are led by Head Coach Terry Watt.
As always, the Tier 1 Hockey Federation is committed to celebrating and supporting the success of talented young athletes. If you have a player whose achievements you would like to see featured in our announcements, please fill out the form here. We are eager to share the stories of these rising stars as they advance in their hockey careers.