Mike Guentner remembers the glory days of Butler High School hockey. He was part of it.

Guentner was an offensive defenseman for Butler in 2003-04, the Golden Tornado’s last winning season. He was a teammate of Spencer Crouse, the program’s all-time leading scorer.

Now Guentner is entering his first full season as Butler head coach, having assumed the position midway through last season.

“I know how things were back when I played, some of the achievements our players had and it’s good to hold those types of goals up to the players now,” Guentner said. “We feel like we’re going to surprise a lot of people.”

Butler was only 1-21 last season, but returns a solid corps of players. Among them, are team captain and center Tanner Gilliland (17 goals-9 assists last year) and center-winger Troy Double (5-11-16).

“Those are two of the best players in the WPIHL right now,” Guentner said. “I wouldn’t be surprised if they’re both among the top 10 in league scoring this season.”

Assistant captains are winger Tony Harpel and defenseman C.J. Campbell. Logan Rothbauer returns as a goaltender along with Clay Bachman, who is rejoining the program.

Forward Nick Whann and defenseman Dalton Scott are other former Butler players who have come back to the team this year.

“We’re going to ride the hot hand in goal,” Guentner said. “When a goalie wins, we’ll keep starting him until he loses a game. Then we’ll switch.”

Butler has set three goals for this season. Finish above .500, have a team academic grade point average above 3.0 and have a goals-against average of 3.0 or less.

“I guarantee the chemistry on this team is tighter than any other team in the league,” Guentner enthused. “These kids have been together since summer conditioning in July.

“We have three solid lines and a good defense. We want to get off to a good start and build confidence right away.”

Butler’s season opener is at 9:10 p.m. today, hosting Shaler at the Ice Connection.

Seneca Valley

The Raiders are coming off a 3-19 season and have a new head coach in Anthony Paco.

Paco is in his fifth season overall at Seneca Valley, spending two years coaching the freshmen and two years with the junior varsity squad.

“We’re setting the standard high. We feel like we can make a run at the Penguins Cup,” Paco said. “We have a number of key returning players.”

Among them are winger Luke Reed (10-11-21), forward Andrew Gagnon (10-8-18), centers Chris Marziotto (9-8-17) and Ethan Kipin.

Top defensemen returning are Casey Kramer (3-8-11) and Jacob Sarachine (1-6-7). Tanner Pfeffer is a first-year goaltender.

“We’re going to start with Tanner and work from the back on up the ice,” Paco said. “Our defense looks good at breaking out with the puck and our top two lines need to get the puck to the net.”

The Raiders also open tonight, traveling to Peters Township.

Mars

The Planets (17-2) had their run of three successive Penguins Cup Class A championships end last year with a loss to Quaker Valley in the title game.

Last year’s leading scorer, Austin Heakins (26-38-64) is also gone, opting to play for the Penguins’ Under-18 elite team this winter.

“We’re proud of Austin and we wish him well,” assistant coach Mike Manganello said. “But we’re gonna miss him.”

Max Master, a 16-goal scorer last year, returns as does 10-goal scorer Craig Mazzotta. Alex Stepke (8-0, 1.68 GAA, 8 shutouts) returns in goal along with Christian Knapp.

Manganello said sophomore Ian Houk-Graves figures to play a key role as well.

“We’ve got some ability here, we’re just young,” Manganello said. “Our goal is always the Penguins Cup and it will be more of a challenge to get there this time around. But in Class A, we should still be very competitive.”

Mars plays South Fayette in its season opener tonight at Bethel Park.

Freeport

Veteran coach Dave Hepler returns his top four scorers from a team that finished 10-7-2 a year ago.

Forward Cole Hepler had 18 goals and 18 assists to lead the Yellowjackets in 2011-12. Center Greg Newman chipped in 12 goals and 14 assists. Nicholas Zidek and Justin Brzemiecki were nine-goal scorers.

“We’re a little thin on defense with only five defensemen, but it’s a good group,” Hepler said. “We have a junior goalie who has played very little and two freshmen vying for time there.”

Freeport graduated Cody Lee, a four-year starter who had a 2.47 GAA last year.

“With Cody in there, there wasn’t much room for anyone else,” Hepler said.

Dominick DiGiacobbe is the returning netminder while the freshmen are Katie Hill and Matthew Huston. Hepler said the starting job is wide open.

“How we perform between the pipes will be a big key. You’re only as good as your goaltending,” Hepler said.

Freeport opens the season against Serra Catholic tonight at Kittanning’s Belmont Arena.