Interscholastic Hockey Program

Jeremy Swegman grew up playing hockey in Pittsburgh and at Bishop Canevin High School, where he was part of the 1993 Penguin Cup Championship team. He began coaching at Bishop Canevin in 2002 and later coached with the Pittsburgh Predators AA program, including two teams that competed at USA Hockey National Championships. He was also part of Bishop Canevin’s 2016 Penguin Cup Championship team and is entering his ninth season with North Hills Hockey Club.

As Varsity Head Coach and Coach-in-Chief, Swegman’s philosophy centers on development, accountability, preparation, and a team-first culture. He believes development is about more than hockey—it is about developing young people who understand commitment, responsibility, and what it means to be part of a team. As Coach-in-Chief, he works to carry those standards throughout the organization and build a consistent player pathway from the youngest levels through Varsity.

Coach Swegman believes North Hills is the right place to build that vision, with the goal of developing players and people while ultimately competing for a Penguin Cup Championship. He is proud of the coaching staff North Hills has built and the growing pipeline of families committed to investing in the program.

Chris Skwortz began his coaching career with the RMU In-House ADM program in 2009 and has since served as both a head and assistant coach at every level from 8U through Midget and high school hockey. Coach Skwortz is a USA Hockey Level 4 certified coach and a Level 2 ice hockey official.

From 2016–2023, Coach Skwortz served as both the ACE Coordinator and Disciplinary Chair for the Arctic Foxes Amateur Hockey Organization. In his role as ACE Coordinator, he developed and led skill sessions across all age levels, provided guidance and development for fellow coaches, and helped manage disciplinary matters within the organization. He also served as Head Coach of the Moon Junior Varsity team from 2016–2019.

Coach Skwortz has continued to coach extensively within the Arctic Foxes program. His recent roles include Head Coach of the 2014 birth-year team (2025–present), Assistant Coach for Bantam AA Major (2024–2025), Assistant Coach for A Major Midget and Bantam AA Minor (2023–2024), and Head Coach for both A Major Midget and Bantam B (2022–2023).

Coach Skwortz’s coaching philosophy centers on developing strong hockey skills while emphasizing work ethic, accountability, and teamwork. He believes that great hockey players are built on the foundation of even greater individuals, and his approach focuses on helping players grow both on and off the ice.

Mike Hetzler brings a strong combination of coaching experience, player development, and championship success to the North Hills Hockey Club. A USA Hockey Level 4 certified coach, he is entering his fourth season with North Hills and has coached across multiple age levels throughout his career.

During his time with North Hills, Coach Hetzler has served as a head coach at the 10U level, leading two teams to Nutcracker Tournament championships. Last season, he also served as an assistant coach with the 14U team that captured the PIHL Postseason Tournament Championship.

Coach Hetzler has also spent five years with the North Pittsburgh Wildcats, serving as an assistant coach at the 10U, 12U, and 14U levels. As a 14U head coach, he guided his team to the PAHL Championship game and tournament championships in Ann Arbor and at Alpha Ice Complex.

A 1995 graduate of North Hills High School, Coach Hetzler was a multi‑sport athlete, competing in both baseball and football. Now in his fourth year as a head coach, he continues to bring his experience and commitment to player development to the North Hills Hockey program.