JACKSON TWP — Playing for a Seneca Valley hockey team so deep in talent, it's easy to get lost in the crowd.

Senior right winger Sam Jarrett hasn't had that problem as he was named the PIHL Class AAA Player of the Month for November.

He was due to receive a plaque and scoreboard recognition at Mellon Arena, along with free tickets to the Dec. 11 Penguins game.

There was only one problem: The Raiders played Bethel Park that night.

"That was OK," Jarrett said. "They gave me tickets to the Dec. 23 game (vs. Ottawa). I'm pretty pumped about it. I haven't been to a Penguins game all season."

Jarrett is one of four hockey-playing brothers. Older brothers Andy and Matt both played at Seneca Valley. Andy went on to play at California (Pa.) University and Matt is currently playing at West Virginia University.

Younger brother Ben is a freshman in the Seneca Valley system.

"Hockey is a big part of our lives," Jarrett said. "I've been playing since I was 7. My cousins in Ohio introduced me to the game and when my family moved here, a lot of kids in my neighborhood were playing street hockey.

"I played defenseman when I was younger. That really helped me because I learned how to see the game unfold on the ice from that position."

Now Jarrett is a big part of Seneca Valley hockey.

He plays mostly right wing, but he has played some center, mans the point on the power play and kills penalties. He's scored two short-handed goals this year.

"Sam has good size (6-feet, 170 pounds), shoots well and has good hands," Raiders coach Denis Kirstein said. "He's a good skater and puck handler, too."

Jarrett leads the Raiders with 10 goals, 10 assists and 20 points. He is seventh in the PIHL Class AAA scoring race, only six points behind leader Bryan Watt of Pine-Richland.

Jarrett becomes the second Seneca Valley player to receive PIHL Player of the Month honors. Andrew Tang won the December award during Jarrett's sophomore year.

"I was very surprised to get that honor. ... There's so many good players in Triple-A," Jarrett said.

His coach wasn't as surprised.

"He's very deserving of it," Kirstein said. "He's well-deserving because of his points, but you also have to consider his leadership as an assistant captain and our team's record."

Seneca Valley is 9-2, enjoying a seven-point lead in Section 2-AAA and trailing only unbeaten Shaler in goals scored with 52 and fewest goals allowed with 18.

Jarrett plays on a line with center Tyler Mesisca and left wing Sean Sokolowski. That duo has combined to tally 11 goals and 16 assists.

"They're playing some of the best hockey of their lives right now. It's fun playing with those guys," Jarrett said.

The Raiders' team goals are to "get back to Mellon Arena and finish our business," Jarrett said. The Raiders lost the Penguins Cup title game in overtime last year.

As for personal goals, Jarrett's vary by the game.

"All depends on who we're playing," he said. "One game I may want to block at least three shots. In another, I want so many shots on net — whatever helps us beat that particular opponent."

Doing the little things on the ice are important to him as well.

"I like playing wing because you're in better position to block shots, battle for possession along the boards," Jarrett said. "That's the stuff not found in the stat book that makes you win games."