High school ice hockey in Pennsylvania

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Teams from 150 high schools competed as varsity ice hockey teams in Western and Eastern Pennsylvania. [1] Unlike many 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 Pittsburgh Penguins and Philadelphia Flyers organizations through the Penguins Cup and the Flyers Cup. However, it is still considered a school sport and it is still just as much a part of the High School as any other sport, and is affiliated with the school. Some high schools with lower hockey participation may combine with other schools to have sufficient rosters. Most schools with a varsity ice hockey team also field a junior varsity team as well

Contents

Format

Varsity teams are divided into four divisions, AAA, AA, A, and B (Open). Western divisional champions earn a bid to the Penguins Cup playoff tournament. Eastern divisional teams earn a bid by invitation to the Flyers Cup playoff tournament. All varsity teams are eligible except non-pure and second varsity teams.

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, Pennsylvania, lasted a single season, with only the 2005 series being held at the historic Hersheypark Arena. The first Pennsylvania Cup was held at the University of Pennsylvania's Class of 1923 Ice Rink under the auspices of The Philadelphia Flyers "Hockey Central" organization. USA Hockey's Mid America Director Frank Black and The Flyers' Andy Abramson organized the championship, after Flyers President Robert "Bob" J. Butera and Penguins EVP Paul Martha agreed to sponsor the event annually. Now the game alternates venues from East to West. Archived 2016-11-16 at the Wayback Machine in State College, PA.

Alumni

Notable professional players that have participated in Pennsylvania high school hockey include Chad Kolarik, Colby Cohen, Brian O'Neill, Ray Dilauro, Mike Richter, Ryan Malone, R.J. Umberger, Mike Weber, Nick Foligno, Eric Tangradi, Nate Guenin, Brandon Saad, Dylan Reese, Shane Ferguson, Matt Bartkowski, John Zeiler, Christian Hanson, William Thomas, Grant Lewis, Tony Voce, Ray Staszak, Matt Clackson, Rob Madore, Ryan Mulhern, John Gibson and Ryan Gunderson. The state has also produced alumni that went on to play minor professional and elite collegiate levels.

Historical timeline

Divisions

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[ when? ] 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[ when? ] 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.[ needs update ]

Leagues

Eastern PA

(note: Phillipsburg High School from New Jersey also plays in LVSHL.)

Western PA

(note: teams from West Virginia also play in PIHL.)

Programs

SchoolNicknameColorsEstablishedLeagueClassDistrict League TitlesState Championships
Abington High School Galloping GhostsRed and White1974SHSHLAA1974, 1975, 1976, 1978, 2003, 20041976
Allentown Central Catholic High School VikingsGreen and GoldLVSHL
Altoona Area High School Mountain LionsMaroon and WhiteLMHLA
Annville Cleona High School DutchmanRed, Black and WhiteCPIHLAA
Ambridge Area High School BridgersGarnet and Grey1993PIHLAA
Archbishop Carroll High School PatriotsRed and WhiteEHSHLAAA1981, 2004
Archbishop Ryan RaidersRed, Black and Gold1974LCSHL & LBCSHLAAA
Archbishop Wood VikingsBlack, Green and Gold1975SHSHLAAA2013, 2017
Armstrong Junior/Senior High SchoolRiverhawksRoyal, Orange, and White2015PIHLAA2018
Avon Grove High School Red DevilsBlack, Red, and Gold1999ICSHL - Chester CountyAA
Back Mountain (Lake Lehman HS/Dallas HS) NEPASHL
Baldwin High School HighlandersPurple and White1973PIHLAA1974, 1975, 1988, 2021
Bayard Rustin High School Golden KnightsBlue, Gold and WhiteICSHL - Chester CountyA2009, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019
Beaver Area High School BobcatsMaroon, Gray and White1985PIHLB (Open)1987, 1988, 1991, 1994, 1995, 2001, 20161991, 2001
Bensalem High School OwlsBlue, Gray and WhiteLBCSHLAAA
Bethel Park High School BlackhawksOrange and Black1972PIHLAAA1997, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2005
Bethlehem Catholic High School Golden HawksBrown and Gold1991LVSHLAA
Bishop Canevin High School CrusadersNavy Blue, Columbia Blue and White1972PIHLA1983, 1984, 1989, 2011
Bishop Guilfoyle High School MaraudersPurple and GoldLMHLA
Bishop McCort High School Crimson CrushersCrimson and Gold1985PIHLA1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1999
Bishop McDevitt High School LancersBlack and GoldSHSHLAA
Bishop Shanahan High School EaglesGreen and BlackICSHL - Chester CountyAAA
Boyertown Area H.S. BearsRed and WhiteICSHL - IndependentA
Butler High School Golden ToronadoBlue and Gold1974PIHLAAA
Canon-McMillan High School Big MacsGold and Blue1994PIHLAAA
Cardinal O'Hara LionsRed and Blue1969EHSHLAAA20102010
Carrick High School CougarsBlue and Gold1996PIHLOpen
Cathedral Prep RamblersOrange and Black1974PIHLAA1984, 1997, 20151984, 1997, 2015
Cedar Cliff High School ColtsBlue and Gold1994CPIHLAA
CentralWolvesRed and WhitePIHLOpen
Central Bucks High School East [13] PatriotsRed, Blue and WhiteSHSHLAA2011
Central Bucks High School South [14] TitansBlue, Black and WhiteSHSHLAA2005, 2012, 2013, 2015, 2016. 2017, 20182014, 2016
Central Bucks High School West [15] BucksBlack and GoldSHSHLAA2005
Central Catholic VikingsGold and Blue1972PIHLAAA
Central Valley High School WarriorsBlue and White2010PIHLOpen
Central Dauphin High School RamsGreen and White1994CPIHL Tier 1AA
Central York High School PanthersOrange and Black1997CPIHL Tier 1AA2011
Chartiers Valley ColtsRed and Blue1972PIHLA19861986
Chichester High School EaglesMaroon and GreyICSHL - IndependentA
Conemaugh Valley High School Blue JaysBlue and White1998LMHLA
Conestoga High School PioneersGarnet and Gray1969ICSHL - CentralAA1985, 19861985, 1986
Connellsville Area High School FalconsBlue and White1995PIHL(B) Open
Conwell-Egan Catholic High School EaglesBlue and White1974LBCSHLAAA19991995, 1999
Council Rock High School North [16] IndiansBlue, White and Silver1976SHSHLAA
Council Rock High School South [17] Golden HawksBlue, Gold and White2003SHSHLAA2010, 20202012
Crestwood High SchoolCometsRed, White, and BlackNEPASHL
Cumberland Valley High School EaglesBlack and RedCPIHL Tier IAA
Downingtown High School East CougarsBlue and YellowICSHL - Chester CountyAA2017, 20182017, 2018
Downingtown High School West WhippetsBlue and YellowICSHL - Chester CountyAA
Easton Area High School Red RoversRed and WhiteLVSHLAA
Emmaus High School Green HornetsGreen and GoldLVSHLAA1991, 1992
Fairview High School TigersRed and White1975LKSHL1977, 1981, 19821977, 1981, 1982
Father Judge CrusadersBlue and RedLCSHLAAA1990, 1993
Ferndale Area Senior High School Yellow JacketsGold and Black1996LMHLA
Forest Hills High RangersDark Green, Gold, and White1991, 2018LMHLA
Fort Leboeuf High School BisonsLKSHL
Fox Chapel FoxesRed and Black1972PIHLA
Franklin Regional PanthersNavy and Gold1981PIHLAA
Freedom High School PatriotsBlack and YellowLVSHL1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2005, 2007
Freeport Yellow JacketsBlue and Gold1973PIHLA
Garnet Valley High School JaguarsBlack and Maroon1993ICSHL - CentralA
Gateway High School GatorsBlack, Vegas Gold, and White / Dark Grey1972PIHLAA1976, 1991, 1996 (AAA)
Germantown Academy PatriotsBlue and RedIndependence Hockey League (Western Pennsylvania)AA1983
Great Valley High School PatriotsBlue and WhiteICSHL - Chester CountyA
Greater Latrobe High School WildcatsBlack and Orange1981PIHLAA2008, 2009, 20102008, 2009, 2010, 2013
Greensburg-Salem High School Golden LionsBrown and GoldPIHLA
Hampton High School TalbotsGold and Blue1973PIHLAA1985,
Harbor Creek High School HuskiesOrange and BlackLKSHL
Hatboro-Horsham High School HattersBlack, Red and White1973SHSHLA2018
Haverford High School FordsRed and White1969ICHSL-CENTRALAA2005, 2006, 20071992
The Haverford School FordsMaroon and GoldIHLIndependent Prep League
Hempfield Area High School SpartansBlue and Grey1995PIHLAA
Hempfield High School Black KnightsRed, Black & White1994CPIHL Tier IAA
Hershey High School TrojansOrange and Blue1994CPIHL Tier IA2024
Holy Ghost Preparatory FirebirdsRed and BlueLCSHL & LBCSHLAAA2015
Holy Redeemer
Indiana Area High School IndiansRed and Black1992PIHLA2021
Interboro High School BuccaneersBlack and GoldEHSHLA
Kennett High School Blue DevilsBlue and WhiteICSHL - Chester CountyA
Kiski Area HS CavaliersNavy and Gold1994PIHLA
La Salle College High School ExplorersNavy and GoldICSHLAAA1998, 2008, 2009, 2012, 2016, 20191998, 2008, 2009, 2012, 2016, 2019, 2023, 2024
Liberty High School HurricanesRed and BlueLVSHL
Lower Dauphin High School FalconsBlue and WhiteCPIHLAA
Lower Merion High School BulldogsWhite, Grey, Maroon and BlackICSHL - CentralAA
Malvern Preparatory FriarsBlue and GrayICSHL - Chester CountyAAA1990, 20041990, 2004, 2021
Marple Newtown HS TigersOrange and Black1969, 2016ICSHLA
Mars Area High School PlanetsBlue and Gold1988PIHLAA20112010, 2011
McDowell High School TrojansBlue and White1972PIHLOpen
Meadville Area Senior High School BulldogsRed and Black1979PIHLA1987, 1989, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 20031987, 1989, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2003
Methacton High School WarriorsGreen and WhiteICSHL - IndependentAA
Monsignor Bonner FriarsGreen and WhiteICSHLAAA19911991
Montour High School SpartansBlack and Gold1972PIHLAA
Moon Area High School TigersBlack and Red1972PIHLOpen
Mt. Lebanon School District Blue DevilsBlue and Gold1971PIHLAAA1976, 20061976, 2006
Nazareth Area High School Blue EaglesBlue and WhiteLVSHL
Neshaminy High School RedskinsRed, Blue and WhiteSHSHLAA
Neshannock High School LancersRed and White2018PIHLB (Open)
Neuman-Goretti High School SaintsBlack and GoldICSHL - IndependentA
North Allegheny TigersBlack and Gold1973PIHLAAA2007, 20132007, 2013
North Catholic High School TrojansScarlet and Gold1972, 2016PIHLA1977, 1981, 1986, 1992, 1993, 1995
Northampton Area High School Konkrete KidsOrange, Black, and White1990LVSHLA1997, 2003, 2021, 2023, 2024
North Hills Senior High School IndiansRed and White1973PIHLAA
North Penn High School KnightsBlue, Gray and White2005SHSHLAA2002, 2009, 2014
Norwin High School KnightsBlue and Gold1974PIHLA
Palmyra Area High School CougarsOrange and BlackCPIHLAA
Parkland High School TrojansRed and White2000LVSHLAA2004, 2006, 2008, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020
Wallenpaupack High School BucksPurple, white and blackNEPASHL1998, 2007
Penncrest High School LionsRed and GoldICSHL - CentralA

2005

2005
Pennridge High School [18] RamsGreen, White, and BlackSHSHLAA2008, 20192022, 2024
Pennsbury High School [19] FalconsBlack and Orange1975SHSHLAA1986, 20211985
Penn-Trafford WarriorsGreen and Gold1993PIHLAA
Perkiomen Valley VikingsOrange, Black and WhiteICSHLAA
Peters Township High School IndiansRed and Black1973PIHLAAA2002, 2003, 2005, 2014, 20172002, 2003, 2005, 2014, 2017, 2022
Phillipsburg High School StatelinersGarnet and GrayLVSHL1998, 1999, 2001
Pine-Richland High School RamsGreen and Black1972PIHLAA2006, 2007, 20192006, 2007, 2019
Pittston PatriotsRed, White, and BlueNEPASHL
Pleasant Valley High School BearsBlue and WhiteLVSHLAA2002
Plum High School MustangsPurple and Gold1987PIHLAAA1989, 20171989
Plymouth-Whitemarsh High School ColonialsRed, White & Blue1976SHSHLA2009, 2020
Pope John Paul II High School PanthersBlue, Gold & White2010SHSHLA
Quaker Valley High School QuakersBlack and Gold1998PIHLAA2006, 2012
Quakertown High School PanthersBlue and WhiteSHSHLA2009
Radnor High School Maroon and WhiteICSHL - CentralA2002, 2003, 20042003, 2004
Richland Cambria Senior High School RamsBlue and Red1991LMHLA1999
Ridley High School RaidersGreen and BlackICSHL - CentralAA
Ringgold High School RamsNavy and Vegas GoldPIHLB1990, 1992, 1993, 2010, 2019
Roman Catholic CahillitesPurple and GoldLCSHL & LBCSHLAAA
Saint Joseph's Preparatory HawksCrimson and Grey1969EHSHLAAA2018
Scranton NEPASHL
Seneca Valley High School RaidersBlack and Blue1992PIHLAAA
Serra Catholic High School EaglesRed and Gold1987PIHLA2000, 2001, 20022000, 2001, 2002
Sewickley Academy PanthersRed and Black1973MPHL (Midwest Prep Hockey League) / ISHL (Independent School Hockey League)A
Shady Side Academy IndiansNavy and Gold1973MPHL (Midwest Prep Hockey League) / ISHL (Independent School Hockey League)A
Shaler Area High School TitansRed and Blue1971PIHLAA1985, 1989, 1990, 1994, 2009
Somerset HS EaglesOrange and Black1993LMHLA
Souderton Area High School IndiansRed and BlackSHSHLAA
South Fayette High School LionsGreen and White2001PIHLA2023
South Park High School EaglesBlue and White1973PIHLA1994, 1995, 1996, 1997
Southern Lehigh High School SpartansBlue and White2009LVSHL2022
Springfield HS CougarsBlue and GoldICSHL - CentralA
Spring-Ford High School RamsBlue and YellowICSHLAA
State College Area High School Little LionsMaroon and Gray1975LMHLA2006, 2019
Strath Haven High School [20] PanthersBlack and WhiteICSHL - CentralA
Stroudsburg High School River RatsBlue and GreenLVSHL
Susquehanna Valley High School NEPASHL
Sun Valley HS VanguardsBlue and GlodICSHL - IndependentA
Thomas Jefferson High School JaguarsBlack and Gold1981PIHLA1992, 1998, 1999, 2000, 20221998, 1999, 2000
Trinity HillersBlue and White1994PIHLB (Open)
Twin Valley High School RaidersGreen and Black2007ICSHL - IndependentA
Unionville High School IndiansBlue and GoldICSHL - Chester CountyA
Upper Darby High School RoyalsPurple and GoldEHSHLAA
Upper Dublin High School CardinalsBlack and RedSHSHLA2007, 2008
Upper Moreland High School BearsPurple and Gold1976SHSHLA2012, 2014
Upper St. Clair High School PanthersRed and Black1971PIHLAAA1980, 1987, 1990, 20111980, 1987, 2011
Warwick High School Warwick WarriorsRed& Black1996CPIHL Tier IIA
West Allegheny HS IndiansRed and Dark Grey1992PIHLAA
West Chester East High School VikingsRed, Gold and BlackICSHL - Chester CountyA2008, 2013 [21] 1982, 2008, 2013, 2021, 2022, 2023
West Chester Henderson High School WarriorsMaroon and BlackICSHL - Chester CountyA20072007
Westmont Hilltop HilltoppersRed and Grey1980PIHLA2003
Whitehall High School ZephyrsMaroon and Yellow1998LVSHL
William Tennent High School PanthersRed, Black and White1975SHSHLAA1977, 1979, 1992, 20061988
Wilmington High School GreyhoundsNavy and Gold2018PIHLB (Open)
Wissahickon High School TrojansBlue and GoldSHSHLA2003, 2006, 2010, 2015, 2019, 2021
Wyoming Seminary KnightsBlue and White2015NEPASHL
Wyoming Area High School NEPASHL
Wyoming Valley West High School NEPASHL

Records

Folded programs

SchoolNicknameColorsYear FoldedLast LeagueLast DivisionLeague TitlesState Championships
ChurchillChargersRed White & Black1986WPIHL1973, 1974, 1975, 1976, 1978, 1979, 1980, 1982, 19831977 and 1979; Finalists: 1975 and 1976
JP McCaskey High SchoolRed TornadosRed and Black1998
JeannetteJayhawksRed and Blue2001PIHL
Mercyhurst Prep (Erie)LakersDark Green, White, and Black2001LKSHL
HopewellVikingsNavy and Gold2002PIHL
Seton-La SalleRebelsGreen and Gold2003PIHLA1975, 1979, 1993, 1998, & 19991979 & 1998
Belle Vernon AreaLeopardsDark Green, Black, and Vegas Gold2004PIHL
Penn HillsIndiansRed and Vegas Gold2006PIHLB (Open)
West MifflinTitansRoyal Blue, Gold, and White/Black2007PIHL
Steel ValleyIronmenMaroon and Gold2007PIHL
Woodland HillsWolverinesTurquoise and Black2008PIHL
Valley (New Kensington)VikingsBlack, Vegas, and White2008PIHL
Center Area High School TrojansRoyal and White2009PIHLA
Ligonier ValleyRamsRed, Black, White2011PIHL
South AlleghenyGladiatorsNavy and Gold2012PIHLA (JV)
FrazierCommodoresRed and White2013PIHL
Quigley CatholicSpartansMaroon and Gold2013PIHLB (Open)
Taylor AllderdiceDragonsDark Green and Black2013PIHLB (Open)1980, 1981, 1987, 1988, & 1989
Keystone OaksGolden EaglesBlack and Vegas Gold2014PIHLB (Open)
Ford City Jr./Sr. High School (now Armstrong Junior/Senior High School)SabersPurple and Gold2015PIHLB (Open)
Kittanning High School (now Armstrong Junior/Senior High School)WildcatsRed and Grey2015PIHLA
Greensburg Central CatholicCenturionsMaroon, Silver, and White/Black2018PIHLA1992, 1993, 1994, & 19961993, 1994, 1996
Derry AreaTrojansRoyal, Gold, and White2018LMHL

References

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