Central Catholic Vikings

R. J. Umberger, the free-agent center from Plum, has accepted a contract with the Philadelphia Flyers. The two-year deal calls for a $1.185 million salary if Umberger plays in the NHL and a reduced salary if he is in the minors. Umberger was Vancouver's first-round draft choice in 2002, but the Canucks traded his rights to the New York Rangers March 9. When New York failed to sign him by June 1, Umberger became a free agent. Toronto made an offer similar to Philadelphia's and Umberger said it was a "very tough decision" to pick between the Flyers and Maple Leafs. "I was really impressed with both organizations," he said. "It could have gone either way." The Penguins - Umberger was a fan of the franchise while growing up - apparently also got real consideration, even though their contract prosposal is believed to have been worth only about $600,000 per season. "I was serious about the Penguins," Umberger said. "Right now, it just wasn't best fit for me." Umberger, a center, left Ohio State after his junior year and did not play during the 2003-04 season after failing to work out a contract with the Canucks or Rangers, but clearly does not regret the course he chose. "I feel like the whole year was worth it," he said. Umberger plans to go to Philadelphia next month to begin working out. And preparing for his first game action in well over a year. "I'll have to refresh my memory," he said. "It will be fun, to say the least."

January 2005 Meadville Bulldog Invitational Results January 14-16 2005 Pool Play Toledo St Francis 4 Meadville 1 St Ignatius 9 Cathedral Prep 0 Mt Lebanon 7 Thomas Jefferson 2 LaSalle 3 Central Catholic 1 St Ignatius 5 Thomas Jefferson 2 Mt Lebanon 6 Cathedral Prep 0 Central Catholic 1 Meadville 1 LaSalle 7 Toledo St Francis 1 Cathedral Prep 3 Thomas Jefferson 2 Mt Lebanon 3 St Ignatius 2 Toledo St Francis 6 Central Catholic 1 LaSalle 1 Meadville 0 Semi-Finals LaSalle 4 St Ignatius 1 Mt Lebanon 4 Toledo St Francis 1 Champiosnhip LaSalle 3 Mt Lebanon 2 OT FOR A COMPLETE WRAP-UP OF THE BULLDOG INVITIAIONAL..PLEASE VISIT GAME SUMMARIES

At the recently held American Hockey Coaches Association meeting in Naples Florida, Indiana University of Pennsylvania (IUP) ice hockey head coach Sam Kelly was named the ACHA (American Collegiate Hockey Association) Division II Coach of the Year for the 03-04 season. The American Hockey Coaches Association (AHCA) is the national coaches organization, which best represents, and promotes the development of the sport of ice hockey in America. It’s primary membership is from the Collegiate programs in the country, however membership is open to all those who have concern and interest in the success of the game. The AHCA recognizes at the yearly conference contributions to the sport in a number of awards and recognizes the Coach of the Year at the NCAA I and III and ACHA I and II collegiate levels. Sam Kelly from IUP is the ACHA DII award winner. Coach Kelly is the Head Coach/General Manager of the Indiana University of Pa. ACHA national program. The IUP program currently has teams competing at the ACHA DII and DIII level. His responsibility includes the overall operation and instruction of both teams. In 15 years under Kelly the DII team has an overall record of 237-160-33 while Kelly’s DIII team boasts a 5-year record of 82-31-8 for a combined record at IUP of 319-191-41. This record includes 14 league playoffs, 9 regular season championships, 10 playoff championship appearances, 3 playoff championships, and 6 ACHA National Championship appearances. In 03-04 both the DII and DIII team maintained a number one ranking in their ACHA respective regions throughout the entire season. The DII team finished with a record of 25-10-5, a regular season UHL championship, and a 9th place finish in the DII National Championships held in Washington D.C. The DIII team finished with a 22-2-2 record, a CHE regular season and playoff championship and a 4th place finish in the DIII National Championship held in Phoenix Arizona. 03-04 ended as the most successful season in IUP Hockey history.

The Pittsburgh Post Gazette has named the Stellar 6 hockey players for the 2003-2004 season. Congratulations from Pa Hockey to the following players on their selection: Eric Sloan - Mt Lebanon - 2003-04 PG Player of the Year Chris Clackson - Peters Township Timmy Johnson - Serra Catholic Ryan Noone - Serra Catholic Matt Quigley - Fox Chapel Dan Zabkar - Bethel Park The regional Stellar 6 will be named this week and we will release those selections as soon as they become available !

Bill Thomas of Fox Chapel, Jace Buzek of Hempfield and Christian Hanson of Peter Twp are currently playing for the Tri-City Storm of the USHL into the Clark Cup League Championship against Waterloo, which begins tonight. Thomas is the leading scorer for the Storm in the playoffs and was the 3rd leading scorer in the USHL Junior A league for the 2003-2004 season.