Pennsylvania high school hockey

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Ice Hockey is a popular and growing sport in the state of Pennsylvania. Teams from 150 high schools competed as varsity ice hockey teams in Western and Eastern Pennsylvania [1]. Unlike every other high school sport in Pennsylvania, hockey is not run under Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association umbrella. However, Pennsylvania's high school ice hockey is sanctioned by USA Hockey and varsity-level programs are marginally overseen by the NHL[citation needed] Pittsburgh Penguins and Philadelphia Flyers organizations through the Penguins Cup and the Flyers Cup.

Contents

[edit] Format

Varsity teams are divided into four divisions, AAA, AA, A, and Open. Western divisional champions earn a bid to the Penguins Cup playoff tournament. Eastern divisional champions earn a bid to the Flyers Cup playoff tournament. All teams are eligible except non-pure[not specific enough to verify] and second varsity teams.

[edit] State Championship

The Pennsylvania State High School Ice Hockey Championship is awarded through a state tournament. The tournament pits the champions from the Penguins Cup and Flyers Cup with the winners receiving the AAA, AA, or A Pennsylvania Cup. The location changes every year rotating between Western and Eastern cities. Attempts to mirror the PIAA state championships by hosting the games in Hershey, PA lasted a single season, with only the 2005 series being held at the historic Hersheypark Arena.

[edit] Alumni

Ray Staszak, R.J. Umberger, Ryan Malone, Bill Thomas,Tony Voce, Mike Richter, Tyler Kolarik, Nate Guenin, Mike Weber and Ryan Gunderson are among the professional players that have participated in Pennsylvania high school hockey.

[edit] Historical Timeline

  • 1969 - Inter-County Scholastic Hockey League forms
  • 1970 - Western Pennsylvania High School Hockey League forms in April at the Alpine Ice Chalet. Teams include Allderdice, Churchill, Mt Lebanon, Penn Hills, Upper St Clair and West Mifflin North
  • 1971-1972 - Western Pennsylvania High School Hockey League completes first season of play at the Alpine Ice Chalet as Allderdice, Churchill, Mt Lebanon, Penn Hills, Shaler, South Hills Catholic, Upper St Clair and West Mifflin North. Mt Lebanon defeats Penn Hills to capture the first WPHSHL Championship.
  • 1972-73 - Western Pennsylvania High School Hockey League expands to 19 schools as Richland, Chartiers Valley, Central Catholic, Bethel Park, Peabody, Fox Chapel, Lawrenceville Catholic, General Braddock, Armstrong, Gateway and Canevin participate. Churchill wins the WPHSHL crown over Richland in 4-3 in overtime.
  • 1972-73 - Ohio Valley League forms out of the Sewickley Ice Arena and South Penn High School Hockey League forms out of the Rostraver Ice Garden
  • 1975 - WPHSHL becomes Western Pennsylvania Interscholastic Hockey League
  • 1975 - Lake Shore Hockey League forms
  • 1975 - Lower Bucks County Scholastic Hockey League forms
  • 1975 - Inaugural Pennsylvania High School Hockey Championships in Erie, Pa at the Glenwood Ice Arena
  • 1980 - First Flyers Cup tournament
  • 1981 - First Pennsylvania Cup, State High School Ice Hockey Championship
  • 1991 - Lehigh Valley Scholastic Hockey League forms
  • 1994 - CPIHL forms
  • 1996 - PA Hockey Scholastic Showcase begins play
  • 1999 - WPIHL, LKSHL and SHIHL merge to form PIHL
  • 2000 - Pennsylvania Interscholastic Hockey League forms
  • 2004 - Eastern High School Hockey League forms
  • 2005 - AAA League forms for Flyers Cup
  • 2007 - Inter County Scholastic Hockey League splits into three divisions, ICSHL Central, ICSHL Chester County and ICSHL Independants, to copy the divisions PIAA uses to organize schools in other sports

[edit] Divisional Breakdown

While the western part of the state has been divided into fairly equal levels at the AAA, AA, and A levels, the eastern part has mostly been run by the independent leagues that compete for Flyers Cup. A change was made recently in an effort to provide more uniformity throughout the eastern portion of the state. Whereas the levels were previously determined by where a team finished in its respective leagues, the Flyers Cup recently restructured the system were AAA is all open enrollment schools, AA is the larger public schools, and A is the smaller public schools. The open enrollment schools are not forced to play AAA, but if they do not they cannot qualify for the Flyers Cup. Changes are still being proposed for the 2008-2009 season that could create a second varsity level for open enrollment schools that do not wish to play at the AAA level.

[edit] Leagues

[edit] Eastern PA

[edit] Western PA

(note: teams from WV also play in PIHL. see [2])

[edit] Pennsylvania Teams (Partial List)

School Nickname Colors Established League Class Championships
Abington High School Galloping Ghosts Red and White
Altoona Mountain Lions Maroon and White PIHL Open
Ambridge Bridgers Garnet and Grey 1993 PIHL AA
Archbishop Carroll AAA AAA Flyers Cup Champions 1980, 1981
Archbishop Ryan Raiders Red, Black and Gold 1974 LBCSHL AAA AAA Flyers Cup Champions 1984
Archbishop Wood Vikings Green and Gold AAA
Baldwin Highlanders Purple and White 1973 PIHL AAA AAA Penguins Cup Champions 1975, 1982, 1988
Bayard Rustin High School Golden Knights Blue, Gold and White ICSHL - Chester County A
Beaver Bobcats Maroon, Gray and White 1985 PIHL A AA 1991 Penguin Cup Champions, AA 1991 State Champions
Bensalem High School Owls Blue, Gray and White
Bethel Park Blackhawks Orange and Black 1972 PIHL AAA AAA Penguins Cup Champions 1997, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2005
Bishop Guilfoyle Marauders Purple and Gold PIHL Open
Bishop McDevitt High School Lancers Black and Gold SHSHL AA
Bishop McCort Crimson Crushers Crimson and Gold 1985 PIHL A A Penguins Cup Champions 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1999, 2005
Boyertown Bears ICSHL - Independent A
Bishop Shanahan ICSHL - Chester County AAA
Butler Golden Toronado Blue and Gold 1974 PIHL AAA
Cardinal O'Hara Lions Red and Blue EHSHL AAA AAA Flyers Cup Champions 2006
Cathedral Preparatory Ramblers Orange and Black 1974 PIHL AAA AAA Penguins Cup Champions 1984
Bishop Canevin Crusaders Navy and Blue 1972 PIHL AA AA Penguins Cup Champions 1983, 1989
Canon McMillan Big Macs Gold and Blue 1994 PIHL AA
Carrick Cougars Blue and Gold 1996 PIHL Open
Cedar Cliff Colts Blue and Gold 1994 CPIHL
Central Catholic Vikings Gold and Blue 1972 PIHL AAA
Central Wolves Red and White PIHL Open
[3]Central Bucks East Patriots Red, Blue and White SHSHL
[4]Central Bucks South Titans Blue, Black and White SHSHL
[5]Central Bucks West Bucks Black and Gold SHSHL
Central Dauphin Rams Green and Teal 1994 CPIHL Tier 1 AA
Central York High School Panthers Orange and Black 1997 CPIHL Tier 1 AA
Chartiers Valley Colts Red and Blue 1972 PIHL AA AA Penguins Cup Champions 1986
Chichester Eagles Maroon and Grey ICSHL - Independent A
Conemaugh Valley Blue Jays Blue and White 1998 PIHL A
Conestoga High School Pioneers Garnet and Gray ICSHL - Central AAA Flyers Cup Champions 1986 AAA PA State Champions 1985 AAA PA State Champions 1986
Connellsville Falcons Blue and White 1995 PIHL Open
Conwell-Egan Catholic High School Eagles Blue and White 1974 LBCSHL AAA AAA Flyers Cup Champions 1999 AAA State Champions 1999
[6]Council Rock North Indians Blue, White and Silver 1976 SHSHL AAA Flyers Cup Champions 1988, 1991 AAA State Champions 1991
[7]Council Rock South Golden Hawks Blue, Gold and White 2003 SHSHL
Cumberland Valley Eagles Black and Red CPIHL Tier I AA
Downingtown High School East Cougars Blue and Yellow ICSHL - Chester County AA
Downingtown High School West Whippets Blue and Yellow ICSHL - Chester County AA
Elizabeth Forward Warriors Red and Black 1989 PIHL AA
Fairview Tigers Orange and Black 1975 LKSHL
Father Judge Crusaders Blue and Red LBCSHL AAA AAA Flyers Cup Champions 1992, 2000
Ferndale Yellow Jackets Gold and Black 1996 PIHL Open
Forest Hills Rangers Green and White 1991 PIHL A
Fort Leboeuf Bisons LKSHL
Fox Chapel Foxes Red and Black 1972 PIHL AAA
Frankling Regional Panthers Navy and Gold 1981 PIHL AAA
Freeport Yellow Jackets Blue and Gold 1973 PIHL A A Penguins Cup Champions 2007
Garnet Valley Jaguars Black and Marron ICSHL - Central A
Gateway Gators Black and Gold 1972 PIHL AAA
Germantown Academy Patriots Blue and Red SHSHL AAA AAA Flyers Cup Champions 1982, 1983, 1994, 1995
Great Valley High School Patriots Blue and White ICSHL - Chester County A
Greensburg Central Catholic Centurions Maroon and Silver 1982 PIHL AA
Greensburg Salem Golden Lions Brown and Gold PIHL
Hampton Talbots Gold and Blue 1973 PIHL A
Harbor Creek Huskies Teal and Black LKSHL
Hatboro-Horsham High School Hatters Black, Red and White
Haverford High Hawks Red and Black EHSHL AA
Hempfield Area HS Spartans Blue and Grey 1995 PIHL AAA
Hempfield High School Black Knights Red, Black & White 1994 CPIHL Tier I AA
Hershey Trogans Orange and Blue 1994 CPIHL Tier I AA
Holy Ghost Preparatory Firebirds Red and Blue LBCSHL AAA AAA Flyers Cup Champions 2007, AA Flyers Cup Champions 2003
Indiana Indians Red and Black 1992 PIHL AA
Interboro Buccaneers Black and Gold EHSHL A
Johnstown Trojans Blue and Black 1983 PIHL Open AA Penguins Cup Champions 1990,1992
Kennett Square Blue Devils Blue and White ICSHL - Chester County A
Kiski Area Cavaliers Navy and Gold 1994 PIHL AAA
Kittanning Wildcats Red and Grey 1972 PIHL AA
LaSalle College High School Explorers Navy and Gold ICSHL AAA

AAA Flyers Cup Champions 1996, 1998, 2008 AAA State Champions 1998 League Champions 1999, 2002, 2008
LaSalle College High School Explorers Navy and Gold ICSHL AA

AA Flyers Cup Champions 1999 League Champions 1999, 2001
Latrobe Wildcats Black and Orange 1981 PIHL AA AA 2008 Penguin Cup Champions, AA 2008 State Champions
Lower Dauphin Falcons Blue and White CPIHL AA Bears Cup Champions 2007
Lower Merion High School Bulldogs Maroon and Black ICSHL - Central A
Malvern Preparatory Frairs Blue and Gray ICSHL - Chester County AAA AAA Flyers Cup Champions 1990, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004
Marple Newtown Tigers Orange and Black EHSHL A
Mars Planets Blue and Gold 1988 PIHL A
Meadville Bulldogs Red and Black 1979 PIHL AAA AA Penguins Cup Champions 1987,AAA Penguins Cup 1989, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2003, State Champions AA 1987, AAA 1989, 1992-1996, 2003.
Mercyhurst Preparatory Lakers Green and Blue LKSHL
McDowell Trojans Red and Blue 1972 PIHL AAA
Methacton Warriors Green and White ICSHL - Independent AA
Monsignor Bonner Friars Green and White EHSHL AAA
Montour Spartans Black and Gold 1972 PIHL AA
Moon Area Tigers Black and Red 1972 PIHL AA
Mount Lebanon Blue Devils Blue and Gold 1971 PIHL AAA AAA Penguins Cup Champions 1976, 1985, 2004, 2006
North Allegheny Tigers Gold and Black 1973 PIHL AAA AAA Penguins Cup Champions 2007
Neshaminy High School Redskins Red, Blue and White
Neuman Goretti Saints Black and Gold ICSHL - Independent A
North Catholic High School Trojans Scarlet and Gold
North Penn High School Knights Blue, Gray and White
North Hills Indians Red and Black 1972 PIHL AAA
Norwin Knights Blue and Gold 1974 PIHL AAA
Palmyra Cougars Orange and Black CPIHL AA
[8]Pennsbury High School Falcons Black and Orange 1975 SHSHL AA AA State Champion 1986, A Flyers Cup Champions 1993, 2000
Penncrest Lions Red and Gold ICSHL - Central A A Flyers cup Champions 2005, 2006, 2005 State Champions A
Penn Trafford Warriors Green and Gold 1993 PIHL AAA
Pennridge Rams Green, White, and Black SHSHL AA
Peters Township Indians Red and Black 1973 PIHL AA AA Penguins Cup Champions 2002, 2003, 2005
Pine Richland Rams Green and Black 1972 PIHL AA AA Penguins Cup Champions 2006
Plum Mustangs Purple and Gold 1987 PIHL AAA
Quaker Valley Quakers Black and Gold 1998 PIHL A A - 2006 Penguins Cup Champions; A - PA 2006 State Champions A
Quakertown High School Panthers Blue and White
Quigley Spartans Maroon and Gold 1990 PIHL Open
Radnor Red and White ICSHL - Central A
Richland Cambria Rams Blue and Red 1991 PIHL A
Ridley Raiders Green and Black ICSHL - Central AA
Ringgold Rams Blue and Gold PIHL Open
Roman Catholic Cahillites Purple and Gold ICSHL - Independent & LBCSHL AAA
Saint Joseph's Preparatory Hawks Crimson and Grey EHSHL AAA
Seneca Valley Raiders Black and Blue 1992 PIHL AAA
Serra Catholic Eagles Red and Gold 1987 PIHL A
Sewickley Academy Panthers Red and Black 1972 PIHL A
Shaler Titans Red and Blue 1971 PIHL AAA
Souderton High School Indians Red and Black
Somerset Eagles Orange and Black 1993 PIHL A
South Park Eagles Grey and Blue 1973 PIHL AA
Springfield Cougars Blue and Gold ICSHL - Central A
State College Little Lions Maroon and Gray 1975 PIHL AAA
Steel Valley Ironmen Maroon and Gold PIHL OPEN
Strath Haven Panthers Black and White ICSHL - Central A
Sun Valley Vanguards Blue and Glod ICSHL - Independent A
Thomas Jefferson Jaguars Black and Gold 1981 PIHL AA AA Penguins Cup Champions 1998
Trinity Hillers Blue and White 1994 PIHL Open
Twin Valley Raiders Green and Black 2007 ICSHL - Independent A
Upper Darby Royals Purple and Yellow EHSHL AA
Upper Dublin High School Cardinals Black and Red SHSHL A SHSHL Season Champions 2007, 2008
Upper Moreland High School SHSHL A
Upper Saint Clair Panthers Red and Black 1971 PIHL AAA AAA Penguins Cup Champions 1980, 1986, 1987, 1990
Unionville High School Indians Blue and Gold ICSHL - Chester County A AA Flyers cup Champions 1998, A Flyers cup Champions 1995
West Allegheny Indians Red and Grey 1992 PIHL AA
West Chester High School Henderson Warriors Maroon and Black ICSHL - Chester County A A Flyers cup Champions 2007

A State Champions 2007
West Chester East High School Vikings Red, Gold and Black ICSHL - Chester County A 2008 Flyers Cup "A" Champions

2008 "A" State Champions
Westmont Hilltop Hilltoppers Red and Grey 1980 PIHL A A Penguins Cup Champions 2003
West Mifflin Titans Blue and Gold 1971 PIHL Open
William Tennent High Schools Panthers Red, Black and White
Wissahickon High School Trojans SHSHL A
Woodland Hills Wolverines Teal and Black 1993 PIHL Open

[edit] Folded Programs

School Nickname Colors Folded Championships
Penn Hills Indians Red and Gold 2006
Churchill Chargers Red White & Black
Seton-La Salle Rebels Green and Gold 2003

[edit] References

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[edit] External links