Frisco, TX - The North American Prospects Hockey League (NAPHL) has announced rosters for the third annual NAPHL 18U All-Star Game, scheduled for Saturday, Jan. 9, 8:15 pm, at the Troy Sports Center in Troy, MI.

The Esmark Stars 18U AAA club had three players selected to participate in the event: forwards Jacob Friedland, Brendon Johns and defenseman Ken Dee.

Friedland, a 5'9", 160 lbs., senior at Fox Chapel High School, is tied for third in scoring for the Stars in NAPHL play with 13 points (2 goals, 11 assists) in 20 games. Overall he is currently the leading scorer for Esmark with 34 points (14 goals, 18 assists) in 38 games played.

Johns, a 6'4", 180 lbs., senior at Greater Latrobe High School, is currently the leading scorer for Esmark with 15 points (9 goals, 6 assists) in 20 NAPHL league games. Overall, he is currently tied for second in scoring for the Stars with 30 points (14 goals, 16 assists) in 40 games played.

Dee, a 6'2", 215 lbs., senior at Baldwin High School, is a defensive specialist who currently has seven points (2 goals, 5 assists) in 20 NAPHL league games. Overall, he currently has 14 points (4 goals, 10 assists) in 36 Esmark games played.

The 18U All-Star Game is a part of the NAPHL’s fifth and final regular season event of the season, which will feature all 38 NAPHL teams, each playing their five final regular season games, Jan. 7-10, in Troy.

The All-Stars teams will be named Team Easton and Team OT Sports, with each team consisting of 12 forwards, six defensemen and two goaltenders. Final roster decisions were based on a combination of the current NAPHL 18U standings, along with NAHL Central Scouting staff input based on nominations by coaches and scouting evaluations throughout the first three NAPHL league events.  Players that were considered for the 18U All-Star Game selection process were part of a group of players nominated by each of the NAPHL 18U head coaches in the league.

"We are proud of and happy for the three players selected," said Dave Kosick, head coach of the Esmark U18 club and Esmark Stars AAA Hockey General Manager. "I had hoped for a few more players, as we nominated several players who we thought deserved strong consideration, but I am sure each team in the league could say the same."

"Of the 40 players who played in last season's 18U All-Star Game, 28 were drafted, tendered or signed out of camp by NAHL teams," said NAPHL Director Lucas Trombetta. "Not only is the 18U All-Stars Game an opportunity for individual players to showcase their talents, but the game also brings our sense of camaraderie to the NAPHL by having the vast majority of our team represented in the game."

"Narrowing selection down to 40 players was incredibly difficult. At the end of the process, we at the NAPHL feel as though we selected an excellent group of players who will undoubtedly represent their teams and our league at a very high level."

All games at the event in Troy, including the NAPHL 18U All-Star Game, will be broadcast live over the Internet through FASTHockey.

Like it has the past four NAPHL events, NAHL Central Scouting is preparing to evaluate NAPHL players with a team of 8-10 scouts. NAHL Director of Player Personnel Craig Barnett will have a team of scouts with NHL, NCAA, and Junior hockey coaching and scouting experience in the stands evaluating and submitting reports that Barnett will organize and disburse to all NAHL teams as well as NHL teams and NCAA schools.