Tuesday, December 13, 2011

Pair of Viper Stars sign NAHL tenders

Press Release

Two members of the 2011-20121 Pittsburgh Viper Stars 18U AAA Tier I hockey club of the North American Prospects Hockey League (PHL_ have been tendered by North American Hockey League (NAHL) Junior A clubs for the 2012-2013 season.

Heinz Koster, a senior at Kittanning High School, has signed a tender sheet with the Aberdeen Wings (Aberdeen, SD) of the NAHL for next season.

Thru 41 games in the 2011-2012 season, the 6’0”, 180 lbs., forward, has scored 43 points (21 goals and 22 assists) in 36 games played, helping the 18U AAA Viper Stars to a record of 26-12-2-1.

Currently the leading scorer in the PHL league play with 20 points (11 goals and 9 assists), appearing in 11 league games, Koster a Kittanning, PA, resident, has helped lead the 18U Viper Stars into first place in the 17-team North American Prospects Hockey League (PHL), with an 11-1-0-1 record with 13 games of the 22 game regular season completed.

Koster will have an opportunity to skate next season for Aberdeen head coach and general manager Pete Sauer. The Wings, in their second year in the NAHL, are currently in fourth place in the NAHL’s Central Division.

Jake Pilewicz, a junior at Quaker Valley High School, has signed a tender sheet with the Minot Minotauros, (Minot, ND) of the NAHL for next season.

The 6’3”, 190 lbs., defenseman has scored 25 points in 39 games (9 goals and 16 assists) for the 18U Viper Stars so far this season. In PHL play, the Sewickley resident has tallied 11 points (5 goals and 6 assists) in 12 league games, including four power play goals.

Pilewicz will have an opportunity to skate next season for former NHL player Marty Murray, a 1993 draft choice of the Calgary Flames who played 261 games in the NHL with the Calgary Flames, Philadelphia Flyers, Carolina Hurricanes and the Los Angeles Kings. The Minotauros, an expansion franchise under Murray in their first year in the NAHL, are currently in fifth place in the league’s Central Division.

(Nathan can be reached at fourniern@students.nescom.edu)

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