BUTLER TWP — The stability of the Butler varsity hockey program will be challenged — again.

The Golden Tornado have qualified for the PIHL playoffs for four consecutive years — including the program's first-ever Penguins Cup finals berth in 2015. But the team will begin next season with its fourth head coach in six years.

Patrick Hammonds recently stepped down as coach after two seasons. He was 23-15-4 overall, including 12-7-1 this season. The Tornado were eliminated by a 5-0 loss to Peters Township in the first round of the PIHL playoffs.

“Every team wants to win its last game,” Hammonds said. “We entered the playoffs believing we had a legitimate shot at winning the Penguins Cup and we did. But so did a lot of other teams.

“There was incredible balance in the PIHL this year and that's great for hockey in this region.”

Hammonds, 31, is a local attorney.

He served on Mike Guentner's staff as an assistant coach for two years before succeeding him as head coach.

He played varsity hockey for Butler and graduated in 2003.

Hammonds is resigning as coach to pursue other hockey-related opportunities.

“I'm not at liberty to discuss all of my possibilities just yet, but one could be very exciting for hockey in this area,” Hammonds said. “I'll know how that pans out in a couple of weeks.

“There may be something out there for me in junior hockey as well. I have to wait and see what develops.”

Hammonds will remain as a board member for the Butler hockey program.

“I'll be around,” he said. “I care very deeply for this program.”

Guentner replaced Brad Posey as Tornado head coach during the 2011-12 season.

That team wound up posting a 1-21 record.

Hammonds joined Butler as an assistant coach the following year, helping the Tornado post a 10-11 record and reach the playoffs for the first time in nine years. Butler has not missed out on postseason play since.

“All of the hard work put in by the players and the organization has paid off,” Hammonds said. “The coaching staff and players have given this team reason to believe it can be a contender every year,

“The pieces are here — and so is the mind-set — to continue to do that.”

Butler had the top two scorers in PIAA Class AAA this season in Connor Scott (18 goals- 23 assists) and Trevor Gilliland (16-19). Scott is graduating and Gilliland, a sophomore, may move on to junior hockey.

Top defenseman Jonathan Fair (9-18) and goaltender Zach Schnur (11-6-1, 2.92 goals-against average) are graduating as well. But Butler returns solid players in Ben Rodgers (10 goals, 12 assists), Sam Gross (7 goals, 11 assists) and Chris Martin (five goals, two assists) who played on Scott and Gilliland's line.

Butler's top junior varsity team was 11-4-3 this season.

“The numbers and talent are here,” Hammonds said. “They will find a new leader. One of my assistants, Cory Sakolsky, is a teacher in the Butler district and has applied for the job. I know he'd be an excellent choice.

“Whoever the new coach is, there is an incredibly supportive board in place and a winning mind-set that will go on.

“I'll sorely miss going to the rink with all of these boys, plotting strategy ... Reaching the Penguins Cup finals last year is a memory that will last forever,” Hammonds added.