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Thursday, 22 October 2009

PIHL News & Notes: 2009-10 CLASS AAA High School Hockey Preview
10/19/2009 - Adam Hoerner & Matt Popchock

 

Well, high school hockey fans, the wait is over. The PIHL opens the 2009-10 season Monday night (10/19), and we’re back again to help you gear up with the Class AAA portion of our complete preview. Last March saw a dynasty end, at least for now, and a first-time Penguins Cup champion crowned.

What surprises does this year hold? Can the Shaler Titans repeat? Will the Pine-Richland Rams reload? Can the upstart Seneca Valley program take the final step to a league title? Or will one of the perennial powers in the South Hills be the last team standing at Mellon Arena? Read on as we break down all 19 teams aiming to be the last to celebrate a gold medal at the Igloo.

2009-10 Alignment (Teams listed in order of 2008-09 winning percentage)

Section 1


Upper St. Clair Panthers
Canon-McMillan Big Macs
Mt. Lebanon Blue Devils
Bethel Park Black Hawks
Wheeling Park Patriots

Section 2


Pine-Richland Rams
Seneca Valley Raiders
Erie McDowell Trojans
North Allegheny Tigers
North Hills Indians

Section 3


Shaler Titans
Fox Chapel Foxes
Plum Mustangs
Pittsburgh Central Catholic Vikings

Section 4


State College Little Lions
Penn-Trafford Warriors
Hempfield Spartans
Norwin Knights
Gateway Gators

We say:

 

Of the four classifications, this is the one with the least amount of turnover as Sections 1-3 are identical to 2008-09. The South Hills powers will renew their annual struggle in Section 1 with Upper St. Clair the early odds-on favorite, but word is Canon-McMillan has a new recruit between the pipes while Mount Lebanon and Bethel Park should have plenty of talent coming up from the junior varsity level as usual despite being hit hard by graduation. In Section 2, expect Pine-Richland to try and reassert its dominance while Penguins Cup bridesmaid Seneca Valley has plenty coming back to make the battle for the crown interesting. Moving on to Section 3, the theme here has got to be “something to prove,” as Shaler looks to repeat as Penguins Cup champions, Fox Chapel will be playing for the memory of the late Jim Damp, Plum wants to avoid repeating the mistakes of last year’s second half and Pittsburgh Central Catholic wants to show its program is deep enough to overcome key graduations this time around. Section 4 sees the only switch, with Altoona moving back down to the Open Class after a rough go in ’08-’09 and the loss of eight seniors. Meanwhile, Hempfield returns to Class AAA hoping to improve on its stint from ’07-’08 after winning a section title back in the Open Class last year. Can they compete with stalwarts like State College this time around? We find out starting tonight.

 

North Hills Indians
2008-09 record: 0-22-0; 5th Section 2 

2008-09 playoffs: Did not qualify
 

Key departures: Gary Punzak (1 G, 1 A)

 

Key returning players: Everett Lederer (12 G, 4 A); Derek Belke (9 G, 3 A)


 

We say:

 

In 2008-09 the Indians took a not-so-proud place alongside South Park in Class AA and Ferndale in the Open Class as the only PIHL teams not to register a regular season victory, but they return a young coach, former player Brandon Dudt-Mulzet, and a young team that remains mostly intact, save for only three graduation losses, including Punzak. This should make the building process and the quest for respectability at least a little easier for North Hills. Lederer was arguably the team’s most consistent player at any position, and Belke shows up for work every night. Beyond that, expect a lot of fresh faces in different places, as Dudt-Mulzet tries to use the Indians’ very competent JV roster to help rejuvenate the varsity squad over the next few years. 

 

To read the full article please click the link below:

 

http://www.msasportsnetwork.com/articles.asp?region=1&id=6396 
Last Updated ( Thursday, 22 October 2009 )
 
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