Pittsburgh Post Gazette Preview ~ Courtesy of Chris Adamski with contributions from Pa Hockey

 http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/09289/1005813-364.stm 

Western Pa Hockey 2009 – 10 Interscholastic Preview

     Seneca Valley’s Logan Pfeffer can convert a breakaway or wide open chance nine out every ten times in his head and  is also pretty good at doing it in person as well. For that one time he missed the open opportunity in overtime at the Mellon Arena against Shaler and then Shane Shiring scored to propel the Titans to their 1^st Penguins Cup title in 38 years, it has made the Raiders a hungrier team in the two pre-season contests and also influence the coaches to rank Seneca Valley the # 1 Team in Western Pa Hockey. The Raiders return Pfeffer, goaltender Ryan Schutte, Brandon Platt, Tyler Messica and others in an attempt to return to the Penguins Cup in 2010. Shaler fell short and they were closer than many think to unseating LaSalle as Pennsylvania Class AAA Champions and return Zac Lynch, Patrick Schaefer and Shane Shiring to try to repeat.  Upper St Clair returns e Matt Wregget to bolster its Semi-Final appearance from a year ago with James Kline and rising underclassmen Justin Selep and C.J. Murray to raise the Panthers chances for a Penguins Cup.  North Allegheny has Lindsay Holdcroft back between the pipes and Tyler Wright and James Ogle to lead a stong contingent for the Tigers in 2010.

Pine Richland lost a little luster from a year ago missing the Penguins Cup for the first time in four years, but Nolan Trombetta, Bryan Watt and goaltender Dan Szymnaski will lead Richland this year to return to form. Bethel Park, McDowell, and Canon McMillan round out the Elite 8 in Class AAA.

Pa Hockey 2009-2010 AAA Penguin Cup Champions = Seneca Valley Raiders

Pa Hockey 2009-2010 AAA Penguins Cup Darkhorse =  Canon McMillan Big Macs

CLASS AA

  Latrobe has ruled the Pennsylvania Class AA crown for the past two years and according to the coaches that reigh is coming to an end. The Wildcats return Zach LaDuke, Jayson Angus and Dillon Hunter and shoud be a very good team in Class AA.

Peters Township is the coaches choice to unseat Latrobe and the Indians will have Matt Lison from Canevin joining a potent attack with Kevin Hough and Jake Boss in front of goaltender Matt Madore. Montour returns Michael Zagari, Zach Milnarcik and Andy Beck to try to lead the Spartans back to the Penguins Cup final. Meadville will have to regain the scoring touch with returnees Bill Espy, Dean Wisinski and Drew Finton leading the Bulldogs who are now on a 7 year drought since their last State Championship. Canevin is a team that keeps knocking on the Penguins Cup door and will rely on Vince Nicollella, Frankie Vance and Jon Kostial to lead another run at the Penguins Cup. West Allegheny, Franklin Regional and Moon round out the Elite 8.

Pa Hockey 2009-2010 AA Penguin Cup Champions = Peters Twp Indians

Pa Hockey 2009-2010 AA Penguins Cup Darkhorse = Canevin Crusaders

     Mars won their first Penguins Cup in school history a year ago after some mid-season turmoil and a coaching change. The Planets appear to be favored again as goaltender Tyler Stepke, Michael Mazzotta and Tyler Whiteford lead a strong team in to the Class A season. Serra Catholic returns Erik Manetta and Jarrett Ruchka to a team that fell short to rivals Bishop McCort in the Semi-Finals. The Crimson Crushers will lean on the goaltending of Jimmy Stenger and offense of Bryan Scott, Zach Barto and Dane Domonkos and should be a strong final 4 candidate. The newcomer to Class A is Kittanning and the Wildcats are an interesting choice in their first season in this classification with Willy Koster and brothers Jurgen and Deiter along with Troy Schall to run the table against a stronger Class A field. Hampton’s hopes rest with the goaltending of Sam Wilson and an offense led by Alex Mueller to round out the top 5. Westmont-Hilltop, Knoch and Quaker Valley are all teams who should finish in the Elite 8 in 2009-2010.

Pa Hockey 2009-2010 A Penguin Cup Champions =  Mars Planets 

Pa Hockey 2009-2010 A Penguins Cup Darkhorse =  Kittanning Wildcats