The Tier 1 Hockey Federation and the Pittsburgh Stars AAA Hockey Program is proud to announce that former Stars goaltender Nikita Volsky has formally committed to and signed to play NCAA hockey for the Lake Superior State Lakers Division I Men’s Ice Hockey Team.

Volsky, a native of Minsk, Belarus, first joined the Esmark Stars U16 AAA squad for the 2020-2021 season. He finished his U16 season with a 18-11-1-1 record, including two shutouts, in 32 appearances.

For the 2021-2022 season, Volsky manned the nets for the Esmark Stars U18 AAA squad. He finished that season with a 22-12-2-0 in 36 appearances, including five shutouts.

Volsky returned to the Stars Midget Major U18 team for the 2022-23 season. He completed that season with a 29-7-1-2 record in 39 appearances, including eight shutouts.

Post his career with the Stars AAA program, Volsky signed and spent time with both the Pueblo Bulls and Ogden Mustangs of the USPHL’s NCDC, leading the Mustang’s to the NCDC 2023-24 Finals.

For the 2024-25 season, Volsky signed with the Corpus Christi IceRays of the Junior A North American Hockey League (NAHL). To date this season, Volsky has posted a 14-3-0-0 record in 17 games, including one shutout. That includes a 1.91 goals against average (GAA) and .937 save percentage, which sits him comfortably inside the top 10 in the NAHL …while being the only goalie that has faced more than 500 shots this season.

“We are all very excited and proud of Nikita,” said Stars U18 Head Coach and General Manager, Dave Kosick. “He is an awesome young man who truly worked his tail off.”

“When he came to the States, his goal was to earn a chance to play NCAA Division I hockey,” Kosick added, “and he stayed focused and dedicated to that goal, no matter what hurdles he had to overcome.”

“I’ve been going for a scholarship since I came to America. I am really thankful for my parents who afforded me this opportunity, and for their early wake up calls to watch me play this season,” said Volski.

“The Stars gave me a chance and believed in me,” Volsky added. “Coach Yuri and Coach Kosick provided me with the opportunity and guidance to chase my dream.”

Lake Superior State University, located in Sault Ste Marie, MI, under the direction of head coach Damon Whitten, is a member of the Central Collegiate Hockey Association (CCHA) along with Augustana University, Bemidji State University, Bowling Green State University, Ferris State University, Michigan Tech, Minnesota State University, Northern Michigan University, and St. Thomas University.

“We are extremely happy and proud for Nikita,” offered IceRays Head Coach Sylvain Cloutier. “He’s been the best goalie in the NAHL this season and it’s a great get by Lake Superior State.”

The Pittsburgh Stars AAA Hockey program, the oldest Tier I AAA program in the Mid-American District, was founded in 1984 and has continuously provided elite training and showcase opportunities for elite-level amateur hockey players since. The program, one of the oldest Tier I AAA programs under the USA Hockey umbrella, was founded in 1984 and is celebrating its 40th season during the 2024-2025 campaign.

As always, the Tier 1 Hockey Federation is committed to celebrating and supporting the success of talented young athletes. If you have a player whose achievements you would like to see featured in our announcements, please fill out the form here. We are eager to share the stories of these rising stars as they advance in their hockey careers.