T1ER announces Peak Performers for Central Showcase

The North American Prospects Hockey League (NAPHL) has announced the T1ER League Peak Performers from the T1ER Central Show at the UPMC Lemieux Sports Complex. Players were chosen based on their performances in the 18U and 16U regular season games that took place from January 31st - February 2nd in Cranberry, Pennsylvania.

18U:

Forward: Wyatt Ezman, Madison Capitols

Wyatt Ezman was outstanding for the Capitols' offense, driving the team forward with eight points in four games. The Middleton, WI native averaged over two points per game this weekend, finding his way onto the scoresheet in every contest, with a goal in each game, including two, three-point performances. On Saturday, Ezman and the Capitols faced off with the Tri-State Spartans and Philadelphia Little Flyers where the ‘07 forward put up identical showings, scoring one goal and adding two assists in each. After a stellar outing on day two, he capped off the weekend coming up huge for his team, scoring his second game winner of the season as they defeated the Pittsburgh Stars by a final score of 3-1.

Defense: Ethan Bombalski, Pittsburgh Stars

Second year T1ER defenseman Ethan Bombalski had another solid weekend from the blueline, accumulating three points in four games. The Apollo, PA native kicked off the weekend dishing out an assist to teammate Danila Shiriaev, who banked home the overtime winner as the Stars defeated the Buffalo Jr. Sabres 2-1. Bombalski continued to contribute to the scoresheet during Sunday’s set of games as he and the Stars faced off with Madison and Pens Elite. In each game, Bombalski scored once and capitalized on the power play to tie the game against the Stars' cross-state rivals. 

Goaltender: Will Zinnen, Madison Capitols  

Goaltender Will Zinnen anchored the Capitols' defense, boosting his record to 3-1-1 with two wins over the Little Flyers and Stars. Over the course of the weekend, the Madison, WI native was faced with a total of 56 shots, making 53 shots for a weekend save percentage of .95%. His most impressive performance of the 2024-25 season came on the 2nd against Pittsburgh, where he faced 32 shots, surrendering just one goal while his team netted three. A standout goaltender at the 18U level, Zinnen has signed an NAHL tender for the 2025-26 season with the Minnesota Mallards of the Central Division.

16U: 

Forward: Joseph Crimboli, Pittsburgh Stars

As the Stars’ overall leading scorer, Joseph Crimboli continues to be a high impact player, racking up six points in four games. After recording an assist during game one against Madison, the Latrobe, PA native posted his best performance of the season, putting up four points against Biggby. He recorded three of his four points in the second period, scoring Pittsburgh’s fourth goal, assisting on the fifth, and then adding another tally to extend the Stars’ lead to 6-4. He followed up with another assist, capping off a stellar game for his team. Wrapping up the event, Crimboli potted his third goal of the weekend against Indiana Elite. With these six points, the 2008 forward now has 19 points in 12 games, averaging 1.58 points per game.

Defense: Reid Parker, CarShield

Reid Parker not only held the blueline for CarShield, but also made an impact on the scoresheet, recording two multi-point games. During game one against Indy Elite, the Granite City, IL native opened up scoring, netting the first goal of the game at the 1:27 mark of the first. Parker would go on to notch an assist, dishing the puck to Jackson Morgan on the game winning goal. He replicated his performance in his final game of the weekend, as CarShield secured a 5-1 victory over the Pittsburgh Vengeance.

Goaltender: Nikita Oleksiienko, Pittsburgh Stars

The 6'2" Stars' goaltender, Nikita Oleksiienko, improved to 6-2 on the season after securing three wins over the weekend against the Madison Capitols, Biggby Coffee, and Indiana Elite. Over the course of the weekend, Oleksiienko was tested heavily, facing a total of 131 times, making 122 saves. His standout performance of the event came against Indiana Elite, where he made 35 saves on 36 shots, allowing just one goal for a .972 save percentage, leading his team to a 3-1 victory.