The Esmark Stars, proud members of the North American Prospects Hockey League (NAPHL), are pleased to announce that 18U forward Brendan Johns has signed an NAHL tender agreement with the Amarillo Bulls of the North American Hockey League (NAHL). The Bulls compete in the NAHL’s South Division.

The 18 year-old native of Greensburg, PA, led the Stars 18U AAA team in NAPHL scoring last season as he netted 17 points (9 goals and 8 assists) in 25 regular season games and added an additional point (1 assist) in four playoff games.

Overall, Johns finished as the U18 Stars second leading scorer as he tallied 48 points (22 goals and 26 assists) in 63 games played.

The 180 lbs., 6' 4" forward, also played for the U16 Stars during the 2014-15 season, recording 17 points in 20 NAPHL regular season games and five points in four NAPHL playoff games.

Johns was named to and played in the 2015-16 NAPHL 18U All-Star game and the 2016 NAPHL Top Prospects Tournament.

"Brendan's ability to find the back of the net mixed with his size makes him a legitimate candidate for Junior hockey," said Stars AAA U18 head coach Dave Kosick. "He has a knack and understanding in the offensive zone to find the open space and when given the puck is a dangerous offensive option."

A tender is a contract a player signs announcing his intentions to play for that particular NAHL team and that NAHL team only. Once a player signs a tender with an NAHL team, his playing rights belong to that team within the NAHL and he may not be recruited by any other NAHL team.

Johns is the second Esmark player to sign a NAHL tender for the upcoming season, as Caleb Ernst previously signed with the Johnstown Tomahawks.