The Esmark Stars AAA Hockey Club of the Tier 1 Hockey Federation (T1HF) have announced that 18U Esmark Stars AAA Hockey forward Timur Naletov has signed a North American Hockey League (NAHL) tender agreement with the Danbury Hat Tricks.
The 17-year-old forward from St. Petersburg, Russia, has recorded 7 points (1 goal and 6 assists) in 12 T1HF games (through Nov 30) so far this season.
Overall to date, the (6’1″ / 185 lbs.) forward has tallied 27 points (6 goals, 21 assists), including one power play goal, in 34 games played for Esmark’s U18 AAA Midget Major squad (through Nov. 30).
The 2023-24 season is Naletov’s first season with Esmark’s U18 Midget Major squad and second season overall with the Esmark Stars program.
During the 2022-23 season, Naletov registered 48 points (18 goals, 30 assists), including four power play goals and two shorthanded goals game-winning goals, in 31 overall T1HF appearances (12 T1HF regular season, 17 Elite Prospects Cup Series and two THF Playoff games) for Esmark’s U16 AAA Midget Minor squad.
Overall during the 2021-22 season, Naletov tallied 103 points (32 goals, 71 assists), including four power-play and three short-handed goals, in 65 games played for the 16U Esmark squad.
“Timur is very talented player with a great set of offensive skills,” said Esmark 18U head coach Dave Kosick. “Eclipsing the 100-point mark, last season, was quite an accomplishment and demonstrated his ability to get on the scoresheet and make an impact in all games he plays in. He will present Danbury with a young talented forward who is a high-end offensive threat.”
Naletov becomes the third member of the 2023-2024 Esmark 18U AAA team to sign a tender with a Junior A club. Teammates Alex Thomas, Colorado Grit, and Max Rutkowski, Oklahoma Warriors, had both previously signed tender agreements with the NAHL teams.
The Hat Tricks, who play in the NAHL’s nine-team East Division along with the Johnstown (PA) Tomahawks, 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 Danbury Ice Arena in Danbury, CT, and are led by new Head Coach Patrik Stefan.
As always, the Tier 1 Hockey Federation is committed to celebrating and supporting the success of talented young athletes like Connor. 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.