Esmark's Global Power Play: From US Steel to Slovakian Ice Hockey

SEWICKLEY, PA – January 19, 2026

A diversified American company with deep roots in the steel industry is making a significant move onto the international sports stage, but its latest venture is being played out on ice, not in a mill. Esmark Inc., through its subsidiary Esmark Sports Management and Entertainment, has become the team sponsor and co-owner of Hockey Club Esmark Košice, a newly established professional hockey team in Slovakia. The move represents a fascinating blend of strategic international expansion, a proven community-centric sports ownership model, and a heartfelt effort to bring a city’s homegrown talent back to its roots.

While Esmark's portfolio includes everything from steel services to oil and gas, its investment in a third-tier Slovakian hockey team is far from random. It is the latest chapter in a long-running corporate philosophy that views sports as a powerful vehicle for community development and brand building, a playbook the company is now taking global.

A New Team for a Hockey-Rich City

Košice is no stranger to high-level hockey. The city is home to HC Košice, a powerhouse in Slovakia's top-tier Extraliga with a record 10 championships to its name. The new club, HK Esmark Košice, is not designed to compete with this established giant. Instead, it carves out a unique and vital niche for itself in the 2. Slovenská hokejová liga (2HL), the third tier of professional hockey in the country.

The team’s mission, which began with its entry into the 2025-2026 season, is deeply personal. It was founded by Jergus Spodniak, who serves as a co-owner and also straps on the pads as the team's goaltender. Spodniak’s vision was to create an opportunity for players from Košice who had been competing for various clubs across Slovakia and even in other European leagues to return and represent their hometown. The initial roster reflects this, with the vast majority of its players being Slovak nationals, many with ties to the region.

“The HK Esmark Košice team will not only provide athletes with the chance to wear their hometown colors but also give fans a team that authentically represents the pride and spirit of their community,” said Spodniak in the initial announcement. Esmark's involvement provides the critical financial stability and professional resources necessary for such an ambitious grassroots project to succeed in the competitive European hockey landscape.

“The creation of this team is more than just hockey. It’s about pride, opportunity and giving the people of Košice a team of their own to cheer for,” added Richard E. Bouchard, President of Esmark Sports Management and Entertainment. “We’re proud to help bring talented athletes back home to represent their city, and to create a foundation that will inspire the next generation of players.”

The Esmark Playbook: A Proven Model of Community Investment

Esmark's venture in Slovakia is not a shot in the dark; it is the execution of a well-honed strategy. The company’s most prominent success story in sports management is its tenure as the majority owner of the Johnstown Tomahawks of the North American Hockey League (NAHL), beginning in 2012. Under Esmark's leadership, the Tomahawks transformed into a model franchise.

On the ice, the team achieved remarkable success, including a franchise-record 47-win season and a regular season title in 2018-19. Off the ice, its impact was arguably even greater. The team became a cornerstone of the Johnstown community, consistently drawing over 2,000 fans per game and fostering youth hockey development through its foundation and community events. This dual focus on competition and community is the hallmark of the Esmark approach.

“Jim [James Bouchard] and Esmark demonstrated an exceptional ability to build a program that was competitive, sustainable and community-focused,” noted Mark Frankenfeld, Commissioner of the NAHL. “Their work with the Johnstown Tomahawks had a lasting impact on the league, community and growth of the sport, and I’m excited to see that same passion and commitment brought to The Hockey Club Esmark Košice.”

This sentiment is echoed by one of hockey’s most revered figures, Mario Lemieux. The NHL Hall of Famer and former Pittsburgh Penguins owner praised the company's approach, stating, “Esmark and the Bouchard family have a proven track record of investing in sports and enhancing communities... they not only invest financially, but also with heart and commitment.” This philosophy extends across Esmark's sports portfolio, which includes FC Pittsburgh soccer, the Esmark Stars youth hockey program, and other initiatives representing over 2,000 student athletes.

From Industrial Roots to International Arenas

This foray into Slovakian hockey is a clear indicator of Esmark's broader ambitions. Founded in 2003, the privately-held family company built its name in the steel industry before diversifying into oil and gas, aviation, real estate, and technology. The investment in Košice is not an isolated sports venture but part of a deliberate international strategy.

This global push is evident in other parts of the business. In 2023, the company established Esmark Steel International in Mexico to supply the country's burgeoning industrial market, signaling a clear intent to expand its core operations beyond U.S. borders. The investment in HK Esmark Košice, therefore, can be seen as a parallel move in the sports and entertainment sector, extending the company’s brand and its community-focused model into a new international market.

By planting a flag in Eastern Europe, Esmark is leveraging a sport with deep cultural roots in the region to build goodwill and brand recognition. It’s a sophisticated form of corporate citizenship that aligns with the company’s history of philanthropy, which includes over $10 million in contributions to education, wellness, and youth sports programs.

The partnership in Slovakia is a long-term play, aiming to build not just a winning team but a lasting community institution. It reflects a modern corporate strategy where business growth and social impact are not mutually exclusive but are instead deeply intertwined, creating value that extends far beyond a simple balance sheet.