Pittsburgh, PA – The Esmark Stars AAA Hockey Club has announced that their Tier I program has rebranded as Pittsburgh Stars AAA Hockey, effective immediately, for the 2024-2025 season.

The Pittsburgh Stars AAA Hockey program, the oldest Tier I AAA program in the Mid-American District (founded in 1984 and continuously providing elite training and showcase opportunities for amateur hockey players since) and one of the oldest Tier I AAA programs under the USA Hockey umbrella, will be celebrating their 40th season during the 2024-2025 campaign.

General Manager Dave Kosick announced the rebranding and name change. “We are excited for the next chapter of Stars Hockey,” Kosick said. “In celebration of our 40th season of providing elite level training and instruction, we have traveled back to our roots and reintroduced our original name … Pittsburgh Stars,” Kosick continued.

As part of the rebranding the Stars have unveiled a new logo, will don new uniforms, and will update and revise all branding efforts, including their website, to the new Pittsburgh Stars AAA Hockey brand.

The Stars Program, which plays out of the Pittsburgh Ice Arena in New Kensington, PA, is a nationally recognized program, offering elite-level coaching.

Former Stars players have gone on to play hockey at every level, including the NHL, OHL, AHL, IHL, USHL, NAHL, NCDC, NCAA Div. I & III, and ACHA, Div. I & III.

For the 2024-25 season, the Pittsburgh Stars will be fielding seven Tier I AAA teams, including 18U Midget Major (2006-2007 birth-years), 16U Midget Minor (2008), 15U Only Midget (2009), 14U Bantam Major (2010), 13U Bantam Minor Red (2011), 13U Bantam Minor White (2011), and 12U Pee Wee Major (2012).

“We have enjoyed our relationship with Esmark and thank them for their support and recognition
of our efforts for the past decade,” Kosick offered. “The new branding effort will allow our program to better identify with our home city, Pittsburgh, and celebrate our history and ties to the area.”

The Stars are proud members of the Tier 1 Hockey Federation (THF).