High school ice hockey in Pennsylvania
Ice Hockey is a popular and growing sport in the state of Pennsylvania. 194 teams hit the ice as varsity teams competing in Western and Eastern Pennsylvania and numbers seem to be growing every year. Unlike every other high school sport, hockey is not run under Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association umbrella.
Format
These teams are divided into three divisions, AAA, AA, A. Although Western Pennsylvania has open division of non-pure schools and teams not able to compete at their respected division with Open Division champion earning a bid to Penguin Cup AAA playoffs. Western Pennsylvania has set divisions prior to season while Flyers Cup has open AAA, AA, and A. All teams are eligible except non-pure and second varsity teams.
State Tournament
The state tournament pits the champion from Penguins' Cup and Flyers' Cup in host-city each year. The location changes every year rotating from Western and Eastern cities. Although attemps to copy PIAA state championship by hosting the games in Hersey, PA ultimately didn't work out as planned.
Alumni
R.J. Umberger, Ryan Malone, Bill Thomas, and Mike Richter are among the many players that participated in Pennsylvania high school hockey.
Historical timeline
1975 - Pennsylvania Cup forms and play begins in Erie, PA
1996 - PA Hockey Scholastic Showcase begins play
2000 - Pennsylvania Interscholastic Hockey League forms
Pennsylvania Teams
| School | Nickname | Colors | Established | League | Class | Championships |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Altoona | Mountain Lions | Maroon and White | PIHL | Open | ||
| Ambridge | Bridgers | Garnet and Grey | 1993 | PIHL | AA | |
| Archbishop Carroll | AAA | 1981,2004 | ||||
| Archbishop Ryan | AAA | |||||
| Archbishop Wood | Vikings | Green and Gold | AAA | |||
| Baldwin | Highlanders | Purple and White | 1973 | PIHL | AAA | 1975,1988 |
| Beaver | Bobcats | Maroon and White | 1985 | PIHL | AA | 2001 |
| Bethel Park | Blackhawks | Orange and Black | 1972 | PIHL | AAA | 1997,2000-2002,2005 |
| Bishop Guilfoyle | Marauders | Purple and Gold | PIHL | Open | ||
| Bishop McCort | Crimson Crushers | Crimson and Gold | 1985 | PIHL | A | 1994-1997, 1999 |
| Bishop Shanahan | AAA | |||||
| Butler | Golden Toronadoes | Blue and Gold | 1974 | PIHL | AAA | |
| Cardinal O'Hara | Lions | Red and Blue | ICSHL | AAA | ||
| Cathedral Preparatory | Ramblers | Orange and Black | 1974 | PIHL | AAA | 1984, 1987 |
| Canevin | Crusaders | Navy and Blue | 1972 | PIHL | AA | 1983,1989 |
| Canon McMillan | Big Macs | Gold and Blue | 1994 | PIHL | AA | |
| Carrick | Cougars | Blue and Gold | 1973 | PIHL | Open | |
| Central Catholic | Vikings | Gold and Blue | 1972 | PIHL | AAA | |
| Central | Wolves | Red and White | PIHL | Open | ||
| Chartiers Valley | Colts | Red and Blue | 1972 | PIHL | AA | 1986 |
| Conemaugh Valley | Blue Jays | Blue and White | 1998 | PIHL | A | |
| Connellsville | Falcons | Blue and White | 1995 | PIHL | Open | |
| Elizabeth Forward | Warriors | Red and Black | 1989 | PIHL | AA | |
| Fairview | Tigers | Orange and Black | 1975 | LKSHL | 1977,1981-1982 | |
| Father Judge | Crusaders | Blue and Red | LBCSHL | AAA | 1993 | |
| Ferndale | Yellow Jackets | Gold and Black | 1996 | PIHL | A | |
| 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 | |
| Gateway | Gators | Black and Gold | 1972 | PIHL | AAA | |
| Germantown Academy | Patriots | Blue and Red | SHSHL | AAA | 1983 | |
| Greensburg Central Catholic | Centarians | Maroon and Silver | 1982 | PIHL | AA | 1992,1993,1996 |
| Greensburg Salem | Golden Lions | Brown and Gold | PIHL | |||
| Hampton | Talbots | Gold and Blue | 1973 | PIHL | AA | |
| Harbor Creek | Huskies | Teal and Black | LKSHL | |||
| Hempfield | Spartans | Blue and Grey | 1995 | PIHL | AAA | |
| Holy Ghost Preparatory | Firebirds | Red and Blue | LBCSHL | AAA | ||
| Indiana | Indians | Red and Black | 1992 | PIHL | AA | |
| Johnstown | Trojans | Blue and Black | 1983 | PIHL | AA | |
| Kiski Area | Cavaliers | Navy and Gold | 1994 | PIHL | AAA | |
| Kittanning | Wildcats | Red and Grey | 1972 | PIHL | AA | |
| LaSalle College | Explorers | Navy and Gold | ICSHL | AAA | ||
| Latrobe | Wildcats | Black and Orange | 1981 | PIHL | AA | |
| Malvern Preparatory | Frairs | Blue and Gray | ICSHL | AAA | 1990,2004 | |
| Mars | Planets | Blue and Gold | 1988 | PIHL | A | |
| Meadville | Bulldogs | Red and Black | 1979 | PIHL | AAA | 1987,1989,1992-1996,2003 |
| Mercyhurst Preparatory | Lakers | Green and Blue | LKSHL | |||
| McDowell | Trojans | Red and Blue | 1972 | PIHL | AAA | |
| Monsignor Bonner | Friars | Green and White | ICSHL | 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 | 1976, 2006 |
| North Allegheny | Tigers | Gold and Black | 1973 | PIHL | AAA | |
| North Hills | Indians | Red and Black | 1972 | PIHL | AAA | |
| Norwin | Knights | Blue and Gold | 1974 | PIHL | AAA | |
| Penn Hills | Indians | Red and Gold | 1971 | PIHL | Open | |
| Penn Trafford | Warriors | Green and Gold | 1993 | PIHL | AAA | |
| Peters Township | Indians | Red and Black | 1973 | PIHL | AA | 2002,2003,2005 |
| Pine Richland | Rams | Green and Black | 1972 | PIHL | AA | 2006 |
| Plum | Mustangs | Purple and Gold | 1987 | PIHL | AAA | 1989 |
| Quaker Valley | Quakers | Black and Gold | 1998 | PIHL | A | 2006 |
| Quigley | Spartans | Maroon and Gold | 1990 | PIHL | A | |
| Richland Cambria | Rams | Blue and Red | 1991 | PIHL | A | |
| Ringgold | Rams | Blue and Gold | PIHL | Open | ||
| Roman Catholic | Cahillites | Purple and Gold | AAA | |||
| Saint Joseph's Preparatory | Hawks | Crimson and Grey | AAA | |||
| Seneca Valley | Raiders | Black and Blue | 1992 | PIHL | AAA | |
| Serra Catholic | Eagles | Red and Gold | 1987 | PIHL | A | 2000, 2001, 2002 |
| Sewickley Academy | Panthers | Red and Black | 1972 | PIHL | A | |
| Shaler | Titans | Red and Blue | 1971 | PIHL | AAA | |
| Somerset | Eagles | Orange and Black | 1993 | PIHL | AA | |
| South Park | Eagles | Grey and Blue | 1973 | PIHL | AA | |
| State College | Little Lions | Maroon and Black | 1975 | PIHL | AAA | |
| Thomas Jefferson | Jaguars | Black and Gold | 1981 | PIHL | AA | 1998, 1999, 2000 |
| Trinity | Hillers | Blue and White | 1994 | PIHL | Open | |
| Upper Saint Clair | Panthers | Red and Black | 1971 | PIHL | AAA | 1980,1987,1990 |
| Valley | Vikings | Black and Gold | 2002 | PIHL | Open | |
| West Allegheny | Indians | Red and Grey | 1992 | PIHL | AA | |
| Westmont Hilltop | Hilltoppers | Red and Grey | 1980 | PIHL | A | |
| West Mifflin | Titans | Blue and Gold | 1971 | PIHL | Open | |
| Woodland Hills | Wolverines | Teal and Black | 1993 | PIHL | Open |
Folded Programs
| School | Nickname | Colors | Folded | Championships |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Allderdice | Dragons | Green and White | 2005 |
References
PA Hockey. PA Hockey
PA Hockey History. PA Hockey History
Pennsylvania Interscholastic Hockey League. Pennsylvania Interscholastic Hockey League
External links
PA Hockey
PA Hockey History
[PA High School Hockey Message Board/Forum]