High school ice hockey in Pennsylvania

High school ice hockey in Pennsylvania
Teams from 150 high schools competed as varsity ice hockey teams in Western and Eastern Pennsylvania. 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 although it is considered a club it is still a part of the High School as a 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

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.

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. Starting in 2014 the state championship is now being playing at Pegula Ice 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. in State College, PA.

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.

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.

SchoolNicknameColorsEstablishedLeagueClassDistrict League TitlesState Championships Abington High School Galloping Ghosts Red and White 1974 SHSHL AA 1974, 1975, 1976, 1978, 2003, 20041976Allentown Central Catholic High SchoolVikingsGreen and GoldLVSHL Altoona Area High School Mountain Lions Maroon and White LMHL A Annville Cleona High School Dutchman Red, Black and White CPIHL AA Ambridge Area High School Bridgers Garnet and Grey 1993 PIHL AA Archbishop Carroll High School Patriots Red and White EHSHL AAA 1981, 2004 Archbishop Ryan Raiders Red, Black and Gold 1974 LCSHL & LBCSHL AAA Archbishop Wood Vikings Black, Green and Gold 1975 SHSHL AAA 2013, 2017 Armstrong Junior/Senior High School Riverhawks Royal, Orange, and White 2015 PIHL AA 2018 Avon Grove High School Red Devils Black, Red, and Gold 1999 ICSHL Chester County AA Back Mountain (Lake Lehman HS/Dallas HS) NEPASHL Baldwin High School Highlanders Purple and White 1973 PIHL AA 1974, 1975, 1988, 2021 Bayard Rustin High School Golden Knights Blue, Gold and White ICSHL Chester County A 2009, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 Beaver Area High School Bobcats Maroon, Gray and White 1985 PIHL B (Open) 1987, 1988, 1991, 1994, 1995, 2001, 2016 1991, 2001 Bensalem High School Owls Blue, Gray and White LBCSHL AAA Bethel Park High School Blackhawks Orange and Black 1972 PIHL AAA 1997, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2005 Bethlehem Catholic High School Golden Hawks Brown and Gold 1991 LVSHL AA Bishop Canevin High School Crusaders Navy Blue, Columbia Blue and White 1972 PIHL A 1983, 1984, 1989, 2011 Bishop Guilfoyle High School Marauders Purple and Gold LMHL A Bishop McCort High School Crimson Crushers Crimson and Gold 1985 PIHL A 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1999 Bishop McDevitt High School Lancers Black and Gold SHSHL AA Bishop Shanahan High School Eagles Green and Black ICSHL Chester County AAA Boyertown Area H. S. Bears Red and White ICSHL Independent A Butler High School Golden Toronado Blue and Gold 1974 PIHL AAA Canon McMillan High School Big Macs Gold and Blue 1994 PIHL AAA Cardinal O'Hara Lions Red and Blue 1969 EHSHL AAA 2010 2010 Carrick High School Cougars Blue and Gold 1996 PIHL Open Cathedral Prep Ramblers Orange and Black 1974 PIHL AA 1984, 1997, 2015 1984, 1997, 2015 Cedar Cliff High School Colts Blue and Gold 1994 CPIHL AA Central Wolves Red and White PIHL Open Central Bucks High School East Patriots Red, Blue and White SHSHL AA 2011 Central Bucks High School South Titans Blue, Black and White SHSHL AA 2005, 2012, 2013, 2015, 2016. 2017, 2018 2014, 2016 Central Bucks High School West Bucks Black and Gold SHSHL AA 2005 Central Catholic Vikings Gold and Blue 1972 PIHL AAA Central Valley High School Warriors Blue and White 2010 PIHL Open Central Dauphin High School Rams Green and White 1994 CPIHL Tier 1 AA Central York High School Panthers Orange and Black 1997 CPIHL Tier 1 AA 2011 Chartiers Valley Colts Red and Blue 1972 PIHL A 1986 1986 Chichester High School Eagles Maroon and Grey ICSHL Independent A Conemaugh Valley High School Blue Jays Blue and White 1998 LMHL A Conestoga High School Pioneers Garnet and Gray 1969 ICSHL Central AA 1985, 1986 1985, 1986 Connellsville Area High School Falcons Blue and White 1995 PIHL (B) Open Conwell Egan Catholic High School Eagles Blue and White 1974 LBCSHL AAA 1999 1995, 1999 Council Rock High School North Indians Blue, White and Silver 1976 SHSHL AA Council Rock High School South Golden Hawks Blue, Gold and White 2003 SHSHL AA 2010, 2020 2012Crestwood High SchoolCometsRed, White, and BlackNEPASHL Cumberland Valley High School Eagles Black and Red CPIHL Tier I AA Downingtown High School East Cougars Blue and Yellow ICSHL Chester County AA 2017, 2018 2017, 2018 Downingtown High School West Whippets Blue and Yellow ICSHL Chester County AA Easton Area High School Red Rovers Red and White LVSHL AA Emmaus High School Green Hornets Green and Gold LVSHL AA 1991, 1992 Fairview High School Tigers Red and White 1975 LKSHL 1977, 1981, 1982 1977, 1981, 1982 Father Judge Crusaders Blue and Red LCSHL AAA 1990, 1993 Ferndale Area Senior High School Yellow Jackets Gold and Black 1996 LMHL A Forest Hills High Rangers Dark Green, Gold, and White 1991, 2018 LMHL A Fort Leboeuf High School Bisons LKSHL Fox Chapel Foxes Red and Black 1972 PIHL A Franklin Regional Panthers Navy and Gold 1981 PIHL AA Freedom High School Patriots Black and Yellow LVSHL 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2005, 2007 Freeport Yellow Jackets Blue and Gold 1973 PIHL A Garnet Valley High School Jaguars Black and Maroon 1993 ICSHL Central A Gateway High School Gators Black, Vegas Gold, and White / Dark Grey 1972 PIHL AA 1976, 1991, 1996 (AAA) Germantown Academy Patriots Blue and Red Independence Hockey League (Western Pennsylvania) AA 1983 Great Valley High School Patriots Blue and White ICSHL Chester County A Greater Latrobe High School Wildcats Black and Orange 1981 PIHL AA 2008, 2009, 2010 2008, 2009, 2010, 2013 Greensburg Salem High School Golden Lions Brown and Gold PIHL A Hampton High School Talbots Gold and Blue 1973 PIHL AA 1985, Harbor Creek High School Huskies Orange and Black LKSHL Hatboro Horsham High School Hatters Black, Red and White 1973 SHSHL A 2018 Haverford High School Fords Red and White 1969 ICHSL CENTRAL AA 2005, 2006, 2007 1992 The Haverford School Fords Maroon and Gold IHL Independent Prep League Hempfield Area High School Spartans Blue and Grey 1995 PIHL AA Hempfield High School Black Knights Red, Black & White 1994 CPIHL Tier I AA Hershey High School Trojans Orange and Blue 1994 CPIHL Tier I A 2024 Holy Ghost Preparatory Firebirds Red and Blue LCSHL & LBCSHL AAA 2015 Holy Redeemer Indiana Area High School Indians Red and Black 1992 PIHL A 2021 Interboro High School Buccaneers Black and Gold EHSHL A Kennett High School Blue Devils Blue and White ICSHL Chester County A Kiski Area HS Cavaliers Navy and Gold 1994 PIHL A La Salle College High School Explorers Navy and Gold ICSHL AAA 1998, 2008, 2009, 2012, 2016, 2019 1998, 2008, 2009, 2012, 2016, 2019, 2023, 2024 Liberty High School Hurricanes Red and Blue LVSHL Lower Dauphin High School Falcons Blue and White CPIHL AA Lower Merion High School Bulldogs White, Grey, Maroon and Black ICSHL Central AA Malvern Preparatory Friars Blue and Gray ICSHL Chester County AAA 1990,2004 1990, 2004, 2021 Marple Newtown HS Tigers Orange and Black 1969, 2016 ICSHL A Mars Area High School Planets Blue and Gold 1988 PIHL AA 2011 2010, 2011 McDowell High School Trojans Blue and White 1972 PIHL Open Meadville Area Senior High School Bulldogs Red and Black 1979 PIHL A 1987, 1989, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2003 1987, 1989, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2003 Methacton High School Warriors Green and White ICSHL Independent AA Monsignor Bonner Friars Green and White ICSHL AAA 1991 1991 Montour High School Spartans Black and Gold 1972 PIHL AA Moon Area High School Tigers Black and Red 1972 PIHL Open Mt. Lebanon School District Blue Devils Blue and Gold 1971 PIHL AAA 1976, 2006 1976, 2006 Nazareth Area High School Blue Eagles Blue and White LVSHL Neshaminy High School Redskins Red, Blue and White SHSHL AA Neshannock High School Lancers Red and White 2018 PIHL B (Open) Neuman Goretti High School Saints Black and Gold ICSHL Independent A North Allegheny Tigers Black and Gold 1973 PIHL AAA 2007, 2013 2007, 2013 North Catholic High School Trojans Scarlet and Gold 1972, 2016 PIHL A 1977, 1981, 1986, 1992, 1993, 1995 Northampton Area High SchoolKonkrete KidsOrange, Black, and White1990LVSHLA 1997, 2003, 2021, 2023, 2024 North Hills Senior High School Indians Red and White 1973 PIHL AA North Penn High School Knights Blue, Gray and White 2005 SHSHL AA 2002, 2009, 2014 Norwin High School Knights Blue and Gold 1974 PIHL A Palmyra Area High School Cougars Orange and Black CPIHL AA Parkland High School Trojans Red and White 2000 LVSHL AA 2004, 2006, 2008, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020 Wallenpaupack High School Bucks Purple, white and black NEPASHL 1998, 2007 Penncrest High School Lions Red and Gold ICSHL Central A 20052005 Pennridge High School Rams Green, White, and Black SHSHL AA 2008, 20192022, 2024 Pennsbury High School Falcons Black and Orange 1975 SHSHL AA 1986, 2021 1985 Penn Trafford Warriors Green and Gold 1993 PIHL AA Perkiomen Valley Vikings Orange, Black and White ICSHL AA Peters Township High School Indians Red and Black 1973 PIHL AAA 2002, 2003, 2005, 2014, 2017 2002, 2003, 2005, 2014, 2017, 2022Phillipsburg High SchoolStatelinersGarnet and GrayLVSHL1998, 1999, 2001 Pine Richland High School Rams Green and Black 1972 PIHL AA 2006, 2007, 2019 2006, 2007, 2019 Pittston Patriots Red, White, and Blue NEPASHL Pleasant Valley High School Bears Blue and White LVSHL AA 2002 Plum High School Mustangs Purple and Gold 1987 PIHL AAA 1989, 2017 1989 Plymouth Whitemarsh High School Colonials Red, White & Blue 1976 SHSHL A 2009, 2020 Pope John Paul II High School Panthers Blue, Gold & White 2010 SHSHL A Quaker Valley High School Quakers Black and Gold 1998 PIHL AA 2006, 2012 Quakertown High School Panthers Blue and White SHSHL A 2009 Radnor High School Maroon and White ICSHL Central A 2002, 2003, 2004 2003, 2004 Richland Cambria Senior High School Rams Blue and Red 1991 LMHL A 1999 Ridley High School Raiders Green and Black ICSHL Central AA Ringgold High School Rams Navy and Vegas Gold PIHL B 1990, 1992, 1993, 2010, 2019 Roman Catholic Cahillites Purple and Gold LCSHL & LBCSHL AAA Saint Joseph's Preparatory Hawks Crimson and Grey 1969 EHSHL AAA 2018 Scranton NEPASHL Seneca Valley High School Raiders Black and Blue 1992 PIHL AAA Serra Catholic High School Eagles Red and Gold 1987 PIHL A 2000, 2001, 2002 2000, 2001, 2002 Sewickley Academy Panthers Red and Black 1973 MPHL (Midwest Prep Hockey League) / ISHL (Independent School Hockey League) A Shady Side Academy Indians Navy and Gold 1973 MPHL (Midwest Prep Hockey League) / ISHL (Independent School Hockey League) A Shaler Area High School Titans Red and Blue 1971 PIHL AA 1985, 1989, 1990, 1994, 2009 Somerset HS Eagles Orange and Black 1993 LMHL A Souderton Area High School Indians Red and Black SHSHL AA South Fayette High School Lions Green and White 2001 PIHL A 2023 South Park High School Eagles Blue and White 1973 PIHL A 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997 Southern Lehigh High SchoolSpartansBlue and White2009LVSHL2022 Springfield HS Cougars Blue and Gold ICSHL Central A Spring Ford High School Rams Blue and Yellow ICSHL AA State College Area High School Little Lions Maroon and Gray 1975 LMHL A 2006, 2019 Strath Haven High School Panthers Black and White ICSHL Central A Stroudsburg High School River Rats Blue and Green LVSHL Susquehanna Valley High School NEPASHL Sun Valley HS Vanguards Blue and Glod ICSHL Independent A Thomas Jefferson High School Jaguars Black and Gold 1981 PIHL A 1992, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2022 1998, 1999, 2000 Trinity Hillers Blue and White 1994 PIHL B (Open) Twin Valley High School Raiders Green and Black 2007 ICSHL Independent A Unionville High School Indians Blue and Gold ICSHL Chester County A Upper Darby High School Royals Purple and Gold EHSHL AA Upper Dublin High School Cardinals Black and Red SHSHL A 2007, 2008 Upper Moreland High School Bears Purple and Gold 1976 SHSHL A 2012, 2014 Upper St. Clair High School Panthers Red and Black 1971 PIHL AAA 1980, 1987, 1990, 2011 1980, 1987, 2011 Warwick High School Warwick Warriors Red& Black 1996 CPIHL Tier II A West Allegheny HS Indians Red and Dark Grey 1992 PIHL AA West Chester East High School Vikings Red, Gold and Black ICSHL Chester County A 2008, 2013 1982, 2008, 2013, 2021, 2022, 2023 West Chester Henderson High School Warriors Maroon and Black ICSHL Chester County A 2007 2007 Westmont Hilltop Hilltoppers Red and Grey 1980 PIHL A 2003 Whitehall High School Zephyrs Maroon and Yellow 1998 LVSHL William Tennent High School Panthers Red, Black and White 1975 SHSHL AA 1977, 1979, 1992, 20061988 Wilmington High School Greyhounds Navy and Gold 2018 PIHL B (Open) Wissahickon High School Trojans Blue and Gold SHSHL A 2003, 2006, 2010, 2015, 2019, 2021Wyoming SeminaryKnightsBlue and White2015NEPASHL Wyoming Area High School NEPASHL Wyoming Valley West High School NEPASHL

SchoolNicknameColorsYear FoldedLast LeagueLast DivisionLeague TitlesState ChampionshipsChurchill Chargers Red White & Black 1986 WPIHL 1973, 1974, 1975, 1976, 1978, 1979, 1980, 1982, 1983 1977 and 1979; Finalists: 1975 and 1976JP McCaskey High School Red Tornados Red and Black 1998 Jeannette Jayhawks Red and Blue 2001 PIHL Mercyhurst Prep (Erie) Lakers Dark Green, White, and Black 2001 LKSHL Hopewell Vikings Navy and Gold 2002 PIHL Seton La Salle Rebels Green and Gold 2003 PIHL A 1975, 1979, 1993, 1998, & 1999 1979 & 1998Belle Vernon Area Leopards Dark Green, Black, and Vegas Gold 2004 PIHL Penn Hills Indians Red and Vegas Gold 2006 PIHL B (Open) West Mifflin Titans Royal Blue, Gold, and White/Black 2007 PIHL Steel Valley Ironmen Maroon and Gold 2007 PIHL Woodland Hills Wolverines Turquoise and Black 2008 PIHL Valley (New Kensington) Vikings Black, Vegas, and White 2008 PIHL Center Area High School Trojans Royal and White 2009 PIHL A Ligonier Valley Rams Red, Black, White 2011 PIHL South Allegheny Gladiators Navy and Gold 2012 PIHL A (JV) Frazier Commodores Red and White 2013 PIHL Quigley Catholic Spartans Maroon and Gold 2013 PIHL B (Open) Taylor Allderdice Dragons Dark Green and Black 2013 PIHL B (Open) 1980, 1981, 1987, 1988, & 1989 Keystone Oaks Golden Eagles Black and Vegas Gold 2014 PIHL B (Open) Ford City Jr./Sr. High School (now Armstrong Junior/Senior High School) Sabers Purple and Gold 2015 PIHL B (Open) Kittanning High School (now Armstrong Junior/Senior High School) Wildcats Red and Grey 2015 PIHL A Greensburg Central Catholic Centurions Maroon, Silver, and White/Black 2018 PIHL A 1992, 1993, 1994, & 1996 1993, 1994, 1996 Derry Area Trojans Royal, Gold, and White 2018 LMHL