Carly - Tier 1 Hockey

The Tier 1 Hockey Federation is thrilled to announce the commitment of Gabriel Simpson, a standout defenseman from Team Illinois, to Lindenwood University. Hailing from Lafayette, Colorado, Simpson has showcased remarkable talent throughout his hockey journey, and his decision to join Lindenwood marks an exciting new chapter in his career.

Throughout the current season, Simpson has been a force on the ice, playing in 80 games for Team Illinois. His impressive statistics speak volumes about his skill and dedication, with 14 goals and 24 assists contributing to a total of 38 points.

What adds an extra layer of excitement to this announcement is the timing. Simpson will be joining the Lions for the 2026-27 season, a significant milestone for the program. This season marks the first time the Lions will be eligible to compete in the NCAA tournament since the inception of their NCAA team in the 2022-23 season.

For Simpson, Lindenwood University presents an opportunity not only to excel in his athletic pursuits but also to pursue his academic goals. Lindenwood’s commitment to fostering both athletic and academic excellence aligns perfectly with Simpson’s aspirations, making it an ideal fit for his collegiate journey.

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 Connor Stratton, hailing from Richboro, PA, has committed to playing college hockey with West Chester’s American Collegiate Hockey Association (ACHA) team. Stratton, currently playing for the Philadelphia Revolution, will bring his formidable skills to the Golden Rams of West Chester for the 2024-25 season.

Stratton’s journey to this commitment has been marked by dedication and standout performance. During the current season, he has exemplified his prowess on the ice, appearing in 76 games for the Philadelphia Revolution. In that time, he has showcased his versatility, tallying an impressive 20 goals and 42 assists, accumulating a total of 62 points.

The Golden Rams, who compete in the Eastern Collegiate Hockey Association (ECHA) within the ACHA Division 1, are set to gain a valuable addition to their roster in Stratton. His combination of scoring ability, playmaking skills, and work ethic will undoubtedly bolster the team as they strive for success in the upcoming season.

For Stratton, this commitment represents the culmination of years of hard work and dedication to his craft. It’s a testament to his talent and potential that he has earned the opportunity to compete at the collegiate level, further honing his skills and making strides towards his athletic goals.

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 United States Premier Hockey League (USPHL) National Collegiate Development Conference (NCDC) tender agreement with the Northern Cyclones.

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 Esmark 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 such a tenacity and desire to succeed to each game and practice that will not allow him to be outworked. That skill set and his drive to succeed should afford him a bright Junior opportunity.”

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 becomes the eight member of the 2023-2024 Esmark Stars AAA Hockey program to sign a tender with a Junior A club for the upcoming season, and the first to sign a NCDC tender, as he joins 18U teammates Aiden Petroff (New Hampshire Mountain Kings), Alex Thomas (Colorado Grit), Timur Naletov (Danbury Hat Tricks), Max Rutkowski (Oklahoma Warriors) and Mykyta Yalovyi (Lone Star Brahmas), as well as 16U Esmark forwards Emmet McClaine and Vitaliy Ulianov, who both signed with the Johnstown Tomahawks, who have all previously signed tender agreements with the NAHL teams.

The Norther Cyclones are in the six-team New England Division of the USPHL’s 18-team NCDC Division, along with the Boston Junior Bruins, Islanders Hockey Club (MA), Twin City Thunder (ME), South Shore Kings (MA) and Utica (NY) Comets.

The Northern Cyclones play in the Cyclones Arena in Hudson, NH, and are led by Head Coach Bill Flanagan.

In a move that underscores the rising talent within Tier 1 junior hockey, the Tier 1 Hockey Federation (THF) has proudly announced that Holden Ward of the Tri State Spartans has been tendered by the Shreveport Mudbugs of the North American Hockey League (NAHL). This announcement not only highlights Ward’s exceptional skill but also serves as a testament to the promising prospects nurtured within the THF.

Holden Ward, a forward hailing from Oceanside, California, has made waves within the junior hockey circuit with his remarkable performance on the ice. Over the course of 65 games for the Tri State Spartans, Ward has exhibited his prowess, tallying an impressive 19 goals and 26 assists, totaling 45 points.

Ward’s journey from California to Louisiana reflects the diverse and expansive nature of junior hockey, where players from across the country converge to pursue their passion for the sport. His dedication, coupled with his natural talent, has earned him this opportunity to take the next step in his hockey career.

For the Tri State Spartans, Ward’s tender with the Shreveport Mudbugs marks a proud moment, affirming their commitment to nurturing and developing top-tier hockey talent. It serves as a reminder of the vital role that tier 1 hockey organizations play in shaping the future of the sport, providing young athletes with the guidance and resources needed to thrive at higher levels of competition.

As Holden Ward embarks on this new chapter with the Shreveport Mudbugs, the Tier 1 Hockey Federation extends its congratulations and best wishes for continued success. His journey exemplifies the essence of junior hockey – a relentless pursuit of excellence, fueled by passion and determination, with boundless opportunities for growth and achievement.

The Tier 1 Hockey Federation (THF) is thrilled to announce a significant milestone in the career of Henry Dougherty, a forward hailing from Southington, CT. The talented player, currently representing the Tri-State Spartans, has been tendered by the El Paso Rhinos of the North American Hockey League (NAHL).

Dougherty’s exceptional performance throughout the season has not gone unnoticed. In 66 games played for the Spartans, he showcased his prowess on the ice by netting an impressive 16 goals and contributing 19 assists, accumulating a total of 35 points. His dedication, skill, and determination have undoubtedly caught the attention of scouts and teams alike, leading to this exciting opportunity with the El Paso Rhinos.

Being tendered by an organization like the El Paso Rhinos is a testament to Dougherty’s hard work and commitment to his craft. It marks a significant step forward in his hockey journey and opens up new avenues for growth and development in his career.

The THF extends its congratulations to Henry Dougherty on this achievement and wishes him the best of luck as he embarks on this exciting new chapter with the El Paso Rhinos.

Join us for the THF Game of the Week, an exhilarating live-streamed hockey match every weekend on the Federations Hockey YouTube Channel. Throughout the season, family, friends, coaches, and scouts can tune in to catch the action-packed U18 THF matchups via the THF Mobile App or Website.

This week’s featured game, our final Game of the Week of 2023-24, features the Westchester Express vs. Islanders Hockey Club.

In case you missed the last thrilling matchup on Saturday, February 10th, where the PHA Icemen took on the Rockets Hockey Club, you can watch it here.

The THF has partnered with Play-by-Play Productions of Princeton, NJ to produce the HD telecasts. Play-by-Play is an industry leader in Live-Streaming elite youth and amateur sporting events, serving dozens of clients from throughout the U.S. and overseas.

This week’s featured game showcases the PHA Icemen vs. Rockets Hockey Club. Don’t miss out on this exciting matchup, happening this Saturday, February 10th, at 7:10 pm at Bridgewater Sports Arena.

In case you missed the last thrilling matchup on Friday, February 2nd, where American Hockey Academy took on the Philadelphia Revolution you can watch it here.

Pittsburgh, PA – Esmark Stars AAA Hockey U18 forwards Alex Thomas and Timur Naletov were both called up to North American Hockey League (NAHL) Junior A Clubs for action this past weekend.

Thomas was called up to the Colorado Grit, who had previously tendered him for the 2024-25 season, and saw action in games against the New Mexico Ice Wolves.

Thomas, who hails from North Huntington, PA, has registered 28 points (16 goals, 12 assists), in 23 Tier 1 Hockey Federation (T1HF) appearances so far this season (through Jan 21), including four power-play goals for Esmark’s U18 AAA Midget Major squad.

Overall, this season to date, Thomas has tallied 54 points (28 goals, 26 assists), including nine power play goals and one shorthanded goal, in 48 games played for Esmark (through Jan. 21).

Naletov was called up by the Danbury Hat Tricks, who had previously tendered him for the 2024-25 season, for games against the Northeast Generals. He recorded an assist in two appearances.

Naletov, who hails from St. Petersburg, Russia, has recorded 13 points (3 goals and 10 assists) in 23 T1HF games to date, including one power play goal, for Esmark’s U18 AAA Midget Major squad.

The (6’1″ / 185 lbs.) forward has tallied 37 points (6 goals, 21 assists), including one power play goal, in 50 games played for Esmark’s U18 AAA Midget Major squad (through Jan. 21).

“It is a great opportunity for both of these guys,” said Stars head coach Dave Kosick. “It allowed them to get a taste of Junior A Hockey, spend some time with their respective clubs and coaching staffs, and get acclimated to the Junior experience.”

Pittsburgh, PA – The Esmark Stars AAA Hockey Club of the Tier 1 Hockey Federation (T1HF) have announced that Esmark Stars 16U AAA Hockey forward Vitaliy Ulianov has signed a North American Hockey League (NAHL) tender agreement with the Johnstown Tomahawks.

The 17-year-old forward from Yavoriv, Ukraine, has recorded 15 points (7 goals and 8 assists), including three power play goals and one shorthanded goal in 19 T1HF games to date (Jan 20, 2024).

Overall the 5’11” / 175 lbs. forward has tallied 43 points (19 goals, 24 assists), including seven power play and one shorthanded goal, in 44 games played for Esmark’s U16 AAA Midget Minor squad (through Jan. 20).

The 2023-24 season is Ulianov’s third season overall with the Esmark Stars program.

During the 2022-23 season, Ulianov tallied 37 points (23 goals, 14 assists), including five power play goals and one shorthanded goal, in 40 T1HF games played for the 15U Stars squad.

Overall the 2022-23 season, Ulianov tallied 58 points (29 goals, 29 assists), including four power play goals and six shorthanded goals, in 55 games played for the 15U Stars squad, helping lead Esmark to the U15 AAA Midget Minor T1ER Dixon Cup Championship.

During the 2021-22 season, Ulianov tallied 75 points (45 goals, 30 assists), including eight power-play and one short-handed goals, in 56 games played for the 14U Bantam Major Esmark squad.

“Vitaliy is an extremely gifted forward who mixes a combination of Eastern European skill with the North American style,” said Esmark 16U head coach Yuri Krivokhija. “Similar to McClaine, Vitaliy’s continued development will provide Johnstown with a high-ended talented forward with the promise of being a solid offensive threat.”

Ulianov becomes the second member of the 2023-24 Esmark Stars U16 Midget Minor team and the sixth overall 2023-2024 Esmark Stars player to sign a tender with a Junior A club for the upcoming season.

Ulianov joins 16U teammate Emmet McClaine in signing a tender with the Tomahawks and joins U18 Esmark Stars Alex Thomas (Colorado Grit), Max Rutkowski (Oklahoma Warriors), Timur Naletov (Danbury Hat Tricks) and Mykyta Yalovyi (Lone Star Brahmas), who had all previously signed tender agreements with the NAHL teams.

Johnstown, who is in the NAHL’s nine-team East Division along with the Danbury Hat Tricks (CT), Maine Nordiques, Maryland Black Bears, New Hampshire Mountain Kings, New Jersey Titans, Northeast (MA) Generals, Philadelphia (PA) Rebels and Rochester (NY) Jr Americans, play in the Johnstown War Memorial Arena in Johnstown, PA, and are led by Head Coach Michael Letizia.

This week’s featured game showcases the American Hockey Academy vs. Revolution U18 Premier. Be sure not to miss this exciting showdown, scheduled for Friday, February 2nd, 2024 at Revolution Ice Gardens.

In case you missed the last thrilling matchup on Saturday, January 27th, where the PHA Icemen took on Tomorrow’s Ice Selects, you can still catch the highlights and the full game replay right here.