Joe Honzo has the coaching pedigree. Now he's got a coaching challenge.

Honzo, who won a WPIHLchampionship with Shaler in 1987 and guided Mars to three division titles, is taking the reins of a Butler varsity hockey program that won just one of 22 games last season.

The Golden Tornado open the season at 6:15 p.m. Thursday by hosting Shaler at Belmont Arena.

Honzo had been coaching with the Junior Penguins the past two years.

"I got word that Butler was looking for a hockey coach and I've missed high school hockey,"Honzo said. "I know the program's been down the past couple of years, but I like a challenge.

"And I like what I've seen so far."

Butler reached the finals of the Steve Bryan Tournament last weekend in Kittanning, defeating Baldwin 5-2 and Erie McDowell 5-4 before losing to defending Class AAFlyers Cup champion Conestoga, 3-2, in the finals.

The team's top two returning scorers from last year, captain Gereme Hensel and Steve Stepanian, have moved from forward to defense. A third senior, forward Zach Carben, joins Stepanian as an alternate captain.

"We're talking about two seniors who already made a major sacrifice for the team by changing positions,"Honzo said. "That's a good sign. We have to emphasize defense first, and that's where we want our best players.

"Those guys have the go-ahead to rush the puck up ice when they have the opening. I trust them that way."

Junior wing Beau Bechtel joins sophomore centers R.C. Double and Tanner Master and junior wing Tanner Master as promising underclassmen whom Honzo can use to build his program.

Double scored four goals in the Bryan tournament.

"Beau Bechtel is the heart and soul of this team,"Honzo said. "Every time he hits the ice, he gives 150 percent."

Butler reached the WPIHLplayoffs three years ago, but the program has faded since.

"There haven't been a lot of numbers in this program,"Honzo said. "We're trying to build up the freshman team that way. We're hoping that rink comes to Butler because that would be a tremendous boost for us.

"We're trying to change the attitude. These guys had been playing undisciplined hockey, taking a lot of penalties, not showing up for practice. They've been doing what we've asked of them since June. I think we're going to surprise some people."

Jeff Bummer, a longtime assistant coach with Honzo who specializes in defensive play, has joined him again in Butler.

Here's a look at other Butler County hockey squads:

Seneca Valley

The Raiders return 13 of 18 players, including junior captain and center Matt Jarrett. Senior right wing Mike McChesney scored 12 goals a year ago.

Senior Nick Miller and sophomore Tom Communale return at goaltender. A deep junior class features forwards Andrew Tang and John Raymus, defensemen Nick Jones, Rich Schutte and Ryan Dowd.

Freshman forwards Tyler Messinca and Brandon Platt may provide immediate help.

"We finished two points out of a playoff spot last year," coach Mike Schall said. "We have a lot of team speed and our forwards have to come back and back-check ... We need a total team effort."

Mars

Coach Eric Glover lost a bevy of seniors from a team that lost to Bishop McCort in the second round of the playoffs last season. Junior Ian Finney, a 20-goal scorer last year, anchors a line that includes wingers Sam Mashutta and Mike Kenitz.

Sophomore Jake Robash centers the Planets' No. 2 line that features wingers Jake Tachkett and Michael Heltman.

Senior Dave Anderson is the team captain, and Shawn Roach and Steven Tracy anchor the defense.

"We beat three Class AAAteams in the St. Margaret Tournament (at Harmarville) and lost by only a goal to North Allegheny,"Glover said. "I can't see many single-A teams being better than us.

"We've got three lines that can score and a freshman goaltender in Greg Lewis who's been outstanding. Our goal is to make a run at the Penguins Cup."

Knoch

After taking three years to build the program with freshman and junior varsity teams, Knoch will put a varsity team on the ice this season.

The Knights opened play Monday with an 8-1 loss to Thomas Jefferson.

"Our senior goaltender (Cameron Lang) has been with the program the past five years and is our biggest leader," coach John Nicholas said. "We have nine seniors on our roster, so we're pretty excited."

Junior forward Braden Beblo is the team captain. Junior center Chris Dowling had 17 goals and five assists for the Knights' junior varsity a year ago. Senior winger Wes Shaw rounds out the top line.

Senior forward Tyler Vietz joins freshmen Evan Corse and Neil Donnelly on the second line. Sophomores R.J. Hughes and Shane Donnelly anchor the defense.

"A lot of these kids have matured physically,"Nicholas said. "Dowling was 5-feet-11, 165 pounds last year. Now he's 6-1, 210, and just as fast. Shane Donnelly was 5-11, 190, now he's 6-1, 225."

Freeport

The Yellowjackets were bounced in the first round of the playoffs last year, but they return senior forward Patrick Spangler (46 points) and senior defenseman Zach Hepler (18 goals, 40 points). Senior center Beau Zack returns from an injury-riddled campaign.

Senior Bradon McQueen leads the defensive corps for the Yellowjackets, and junior Tim Sahumenski returns at goalie.

"We want to go deep into the playoffs this year," coach Dave Hepler said. "We've got good team speed and our team leaders have been playing hockey since they were 5 or 6 years old."

Here is a quick glance at Butler County high school hockey teams in 2006-07:<B>Butler</B>Coach:Joe Honzo, first yearLast Year:1-21Home Rink:Belmont Arena, KittanningDivision:Class AAA West with Meadville, McDowell, Seneca ValleyFirst Game:Shaler at Butler, Thursday, 6:15 p.m.<B>Seneca Valley</B>Coach:Mike Schall, third yearLast Year: 8-13-1Home Rink:Blade Runners, WarrendaleDivision:Class AAA West with Meadville, McDowell, ButlerFirst Game:Seneca Valley at Upper St. Clair, Thursday, 7 p.m.<B>Knoch</B>Coach:John Nicholas, first year (varsity)Last year: 9-8 (junior varsity)Home Rink:Valley Sports Complex, New KensingtonDivision: Class AAEast with Pine-Richland, Kittanning, Erie Cathedral Prep,<B>Hampton</B>Next Game:Moon at Knoch, Monday, 7:05 p.m.<B>Mars</B>Coach: Eric Glover, fourth yearLast Year: 15-5Home Rink:Blade Runners, WarrendaleDivision:Class ASouth with Serra Catholic, Deer LakesFirst Game:Serra Catholic at Mars, Tuesday, 6:30 p.m.<B>Freeport</B>Coach: Dave Hepler, third yearLast Year: 14-6Home Rink:Belmont Arena, KittanningDivision: Class A North with Bishop McCort, Westmont HilltopFirst Game:Bishop McCort at Freeport, Thursday, 8:15 p.m.