Here’s the Lineup

Here’s the cast of characters for the Suburban High School Hockey League’s 48th season.

National/Continental Divisions

Council Rock South

Coach: Joe Houk (15^thseason)

Last Year: 14-6-0-1

Key players: Jr. Jimmy Sweeney (G); So. Carson Lopez (G); Sr. Brennen Wright (D); Sr. Kyle Schneider (D); Sr. Doug Lopez (F); Sr. Jeremy Purcell (F).

Outlook: The defending SHSHL Class AA champions will be dealing with numbers issues this season. Five players who played key roles on last year’s team and were eligible to return did not. But there is experience on hand, including Sweeney and Lopez in goal, Wright and Schneider on the blue line and Purcell up front.

“We’ll be competitive,” Houk said, “but we’ll need to work for every win. It’s a good group of hardworking boys and I look forward to getting started.”

Central Bucks East

Coach: Jeff Mitchell (first season)

Last year: 10-6-1-1

Key players: Sr. Chris McIntyre (G); Sr. Conner Keiser (D); Sr. Conner Hausner (F); Jr. Phil McIntyre (F).

Outlook: Mitchell takes over for Ken Latchum who in two tours of duty spent a total of 12 years behind the Patriots’ bench. His roster will feature a solid corps of seniors led by Chris McIntyre in goal and Keiser on the blue line.

“These young men are looking to make a statement this year” Mitchell said. “They have a lot to prove before they move onto their everyday lives”

Central Bucks West

Coach: Dave Baun (17^thseason)

Last year: 7-7-2

Key players: Sr. Keith Orlando (F); Jr. Evan Hee (D); Jr. Grant Funseth (D); Sr. Ben Morris (F); Jr. Reese Dalzell (D).

Outlook: Baun, the senior coach in the SHSHL in terms of longevity, will be directing one of the youngest teams he’s ever had.

“We are as young and as new as we’ve been in years,” he said. “But, we also have some of the best attitudes and hardest workers we’ve seen in a while and when you have that, a lot of good things are possible.”

Central Bucks South

Coach: Shaun McGinty (seventh season)

Last year: 21-4

Key players: Sr. Mason Moyer (G); Jr. Daniel Kevecher (F); Jr. Aidan Gaffney (F); Sr. Owen Mendham (D); So. Matt Crouch (D). 

Outlook: The Titans suffered some graduation hits in the off season but dome key veterans return, including Moyer in goal. The seven-time SHSHL Class AA champions should be as dangerous as usual.

“Our goal each tear is to win,” McGinty said. “Our focus is on hard work, sacrifice, and discipline. There is no other way.” 

Neshaminy

Coach: Matt DeMatteo

Last year: 12-4-0-1

Key players: Sr. Robbie Seewagen (F); Sr. Thomas Gallagher (F); Sr. Matt Buchinski (D); So. Brian Nelson (G); So. Nolan Geria (F); So. J.J. Hathaway (D).

Outlook: The ‘Skins blossomed into a potent offensive force and that trend should continue this season. Four of the top five scorers on last year’s team return, led by Seewagen, perhaps the league’s premier sniper, along with Gallagher and Geria. Buchinski is solid on the blue line and Nelson was impressive in goal last year.

“Our goal is to build on the success of the last few years,” DeMatteo said, “and take another step forward this season.”

North Penn

Coach: Kevin Vaitis (12^thseason)

Last year: 15-4-0-1

Key players: Sr. Ryan Cunningham (D); Sr. Chase Mueller (D); Jr. Nicholas Ebbinghaus (G); Jr. Tony Tuozzo (F); Sr. Jeromy Porubski (F); Sr. Zach Cline (F); So. Ryan Kaufhold (F).

Outlook: The Knights lost some key pieces from last year’s roster but they will not be bereft of talent. Cunningham and Mueller are two of the SHSHL’s top defensemen Ebbinghaus is an experienced goaltender.

Pennsbury

Coach: Ryan Daley (fourth season)

Last year: 10-6-1

Key players: Jr. Shane Siegmound (F); Sr. Erik Eisler (F); So. Brendan Macainsh (F); Jr. Reece Millman (D); Jr. Connor Coyne (D).

Outlook: The Falcons continue to improve on the offensive side of the puck with some young freshman talent coupled with some veteran leadership.

“We’ve made big moves in the right direction every season since I took over as head coach,” Daley said, “and we expect to do the same this year.”

Pennridge

Coach: Jeff Montagna (third season)

Last year: 9-6

Key players: Sr. Blake Stewart (F); Sr. Jeff Manto (F); Sr. Conner Frisch (D); Jr. Jack Lowery (F); Jr. Aiden Boyle (D); Jr. Ryan Schuler (D); Jr. Ryan Pico (G).

Outlook: The Rams may be the most experienced team in the SHSHL. All but one player returns from last year’s team. Stewart, Manto, and Lowery are solid up front and there is a wealth of experience on the blue line with Boyle and Schuler, and in goal with Pico.
“As always, how well we play defensively will dictate how successful we are as a team,” Montagna said.

Souderton

Coach: Ryan Uchniat (third season)

Last year: 3-7-1-1

Key players: Jr. Carter Povazan (D); So. Tim Alexander (F); So. Noah Connor (G); Sr. Amanda Kaminsky (G)

Outlook: The Big Red will be a young team; there are eight freshmen on the roster. Circumstances will require they play major roles.

“Our goal is to continuously improve,” Uchniat said, “and bring a high compete level. We’ll be relying on good defense and goaltending.”

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American Division

Plymouth Whitemarsh

Coach: Matt Aiello (seventh season)

Last year: 18-2

Key Players: Sr. John Cubbin (F-D); Sr. Zach Spera (F); Sr. T.J. Corcoran (D); Sr. Jack Mishkin (D); Jr. Luke Weikel (F); Jr. Aidan Keogh (F).

Outlook: The defending division champions likely won’t display the firepower they did a year ago, but with seven seniors returning the Colonials should still be formidable.

“We have high expectations for the coming season,” Aiello said.

Weikel and Keogh figure to be the top offensive threats.

Abington

Coach: Ken Brzozowski(fourth season)

Last year: 4-13

Key players: Sr. Colin Bruton (F), Sr. Holden Brooker (D); Jr. Tommy Rourke (D-F); Jr. Joe Stelacio (D-F); So. Griffin Carpenter (F).

Outlook: The Galloping Ghosts move back to the American Division this year and bring an abundance of experience with them. Bruton will offer a veteran presence up front and Carpenter saw a lot of ice time there last year as a freshman. Brooker will head up the defense corps while Rourke and Stelacio will utilize their experience in a variety of roles.

“The team will look to grow from its experience last year at the AA level,”Brzozowski said. “They’ve been working hard off the ice withindividual training and zoom team sessions through the pandemic and are looking forward to getting back on the ice.”

Hatboro-Horsham

Coach: Gianni Lafratta (third season)

Last year: 12-5-1

Key players: Sr. Aidan Esack (F-D), Sr. Seth Lerner (F-D), Sr. Alex Howieson (F) Sr. Vincent Tarsi (F-D), Hannah Gurt (D).

Outlook: The Hatters will have an abundance of experience in the lineup. Lafratta is hoping to add some scoring punch to go with a traditionally strong defense corps.

Quakertown

Coach: Keith Krem (second season)

Last year: 2-12-1

Key players: Sr. Eric Orezehoski (D); Jr. Anthony Pagliei (F); Fr. Kira Shaw (F).

Outlook: The Panthers return for their second SHSHL season skating in the American Division and featuring a mix of experienced veterans and eager newcomers. Pagliei will be the primary scoring threat but Krem is also excited by Shaw, who is making her high-school debut.

Truman

Coach: Bill Keyser (10^thseason)

Last year: 4-12
Key players: Sr. Frank Gallagher (F); Sr. Brent McGoldrick (D); Sr. Sean Doughery (D); Jr. Justin Reid (F).

Outlook: The Tigers are customarily lacking in numbers but they traditionally make up for it with sustained effort.

“We hope to have a good showing,” Keyser said. “Our goal is to play hard and have fun.”

William Tennent

Coach: Nick D’Aurizio (11^thseason)

Last year: 5-11

Key players: Sr. Zach Devor (D); Sr. Justin Carrelli (F); Sr. John Kreider (D); Jr. Matt Castan (F); Jr. Tom Lomas (G). 

Outlook: The Panthers shift into the American Division this season and are primed to compete for a division title against schools of similar size.

“We’re excited to compete against some really good teams in the American Division,” D’Aurizio said, “and hopefully be in the position by the end of the season to play for a league championship. We have a strong core of seniors this year that have been 4 year lettermen and I’d love nothing more than to send them off with a title.”

Wissahickon

Coach: Ken Harrington (sixth season)

Last year: 10-10

Key players: Jr. Michael Bonanni (G); Sr. Bryan Garry (F); Jr. Nick Hussa (F); Sr. Nolan Ryan (D); Jr. Ty Schiff (D); Sr. Chris Shea (G).

Outlook: The Trojans scored a lot of goals last year in a division where goals are traditionally plentiful. With Garry and Hussa returning, this year’s team should score a lot of goals as well but Harrington believes the strength of his squad will be on the blue line where Ryan and Schiff return. Bonnani and Shea should both see time in goal.