Butler hockey coach Patrick Hammonds finished off a plan years in the making by making Golden Tornado history in his first season as coach.

Butler won two playoff games, its first in 12 years, before the season ended with a 4-0 loss in the PILHL’s Class AAA Penguins Cup Finals to Canon-McMillan at the Consol Energy Center.

Now, Hammonds has the challenge of trying to do it again.

“That season will never be forgotten, but it’s time to move to a new team with a new makeup,” said Hammonds, who guided Butler to a 13-9-3 record. “We have a different team with a different cast of characters. While last season is something we will speak fondly of, it’s not on our radar this year.”

What is on the Golden Tornado’s radar this year will be finding sustained success.

Since Butler finished the 2011-12 season 1-21, the Golden Tornado have made three straight postseason trips.

Butler will open the season against Upper St. Clair Oct. 8 at the Ice Castle.

The PIHL’s season starts Monday when Mars takes on North Hills at 6 p.m. at the UPMC Lemieux Complex.

Butler will need to replace its top scorer, Dustin Davis, goaltender Clay Bachman, as well as two-way player Marcus McCall.

Zach Schnur and Jacob Curry are both in a competition to win the goaltending spot.

Senior Connor Scott (14 goals, 16 assists) and sophomore Trevor Gilliland (11, 11) will provide the Golden Tornado with some scoring punch.

“Every guy is going to have to buy into the system just like last year,” senior defenseman Jonathan Fair said. “That’s what got us so far. The new players are going to have to fill roles they didn’t last year.”

The Golden Tornado played well in the preseason St. Margaret’s tournament, reaching the semifinals.

Fair believes the tournament showcased where Butler needs to shore things up.

The Golden Tornado allowed 24 goals in four games, which Fair said isn’t going to get the job done.

“Our main problem last year was learning the defensive system and buying into it,” Fair said. “By the end of the year we mastered what we did. We’re starting from scratch again, but we’re not as far behind as we were last year.”

Hammonds is excited to see some of his guys grow into new roles.

Sophomore forward Clay Potochny didn’t make the cut last year, but will be a contributor this year.

“We want to refocus the group and want to be the best we can each year,” Hammonds said. “It’s not about getting back to Consol, it’s about developing the kids as players and people.”

Butler isn’t the only team chasing after a Penguins Cup. Here’s a look at what the rest of Butler County brings back:

Freeport

The Yellowjackets, who finished 12-9-2 and reached the quarterfinals last season, are hoping to take advantage of a wide-open Class A.

The Planets and Quaker Valley have been bumped up a class, meaning there will be a new champion for the first time since Freeport won in 2007.

“You can check with all the coaches and everyone can pick a different favorite for the first time in a long time,” Yellowjackets coach Mel Reichenbaugh said.

For Freeport to be the favorite, the Yellowjackets will need a strong season from senior goaltender Katie Hill.

Forward Stone Haberstroh and Rob Reichenbaugh will be counted on help score some goals for the Yellowjackets.

“We just need to not try and do too much and play as a team,” Mel Reichenbaugh said.

Mars

The Planets, who finished 20-5-1 and were state runners-up last season, will look to grab another Penguins Cup after moving up to Class AA.

Goaltender Tyler Spreng, who finished with a 16-3-1 record, including a 2.48 goals against average returns.

Forwards Beau Heakins, Keaton Hanna and Paul Maust also give Mars experience up front.

Planets coach Steve Meyers couldn’t be reached for comment.

Seneca Valley

The Raiders bring back their leading goaltender and scorer from a team that finished 13-9 and lost in overtime to the eventual state runner-up in the first round of the playoffs.

Center Alexander Crilley finished last season with 31 points (16 goals, 15 assists), while goaltender Alyssa Peterson finished 9-9 with a 2.41 goals against average.

“Alyssa’s been looking really good and I expect she won’t have a sophomore slump,” Seneca Valley coach Anthony Raco said. “I want her to be the No. 1 goalie in high school hockey.”

Raco also expects big things from Connor Williams, Chris Lipnicky and Shane Galis. Seneca Valley has a large group of seniors.

“I think it’s a humbling thing for our guys to put things in perspective,” Raco said. “The Penguins Cup isn’t the expectation, but we want to win the state title. We want to be motivated and take advantage of the opportunities given.”