The Kiski Area Ice Hockey team

Not long agon, there were two years the winter was cold and lonely for the Kiski Area Varsity Ice Hockey Club, because there WAS NO varsity, due to low participation. But they did have enough for a freshman team. The freshman team went 14-1, only losing in the championship final.

That group of young men are now seniors. They have all played together for four years. The 10 seniors are tough. The squad is 8-0 before Christmas and ranked number one in the PIHL. And Kiski Area Varsity Ice Hockey is back.

Seven-year Kiski Area head Ice Hockey Coach Jeff Horvath says the success is due to team work. "They all play as a team, not one person. They all pass to each other and use each other to put the puck in the net. They worked over the summer to become better skaters, and their skating is good this year. Even the newer players worked over the summer to become better players." He attributes that to the unity of the boys, "They've been building a relationship over the past four years. They believe."

Senior Jeremy Zvonkovich is pacing the team in scoring, and also leads in assists with 24. Josh Horvath, a junior, is the team's second point leader.

These hockey players are tough off the ice as well. The coach pointed out the players are doing well in school. "The best thing of all, is the boys scholastically are doing well, above what the minimum. It's academic excellence as well as hockey excellence," Horvath says.

The high school hockey season goes through February 24, and you can catch the team at Center Ice. Horvath mentioned the guys "really enjoy spectators."

Keep a tab on Kiski Area's Hockey Club on the web at: http://www.sportability.com/spx/leagues/Team.asp?LgID=10036&TmID=78552

Above Photo

Row 1-Josh Horvath,Dan Hallwirth,Dustin Schrecongost,Ross Burkett,Gene Frederick.

Not Pictured, Adam Bowman and Bryan Szostak