Wildcat hockey teams reach nationals
Mark Pittman knew the talent was there, but the desired result eluded his North Pittsburgh Wildcats hockey team in 2019.
That year, his 14U squad went 20-0 in the regular season, but did not win a district tournament that would have sent it to USA Hockey's Tier II Youth National Championships.
“After that season, I told the kids: 'Don't give up. Keep working and I'll get you there,'” said Pittman.
Only three age divisions in Tier II are eligible to make nationals — 14U, 16U and 18U. Many of the 2019 team's players were on Pittman's U16 squad this season that went 20-12-1 in the regular season before winning at districts, earning for it a spot at the national event, which was held April 29-May 2 in Grand Rapids, Mich.
The team, which included a number of Butler County residents, won two of its three games.
“We obviously wanted to win, but our goal was to get there and we did,” said Pittman, whose team dealt with several practice and game stoppages during the season due to quarantines from COVID-19.
North Pittsburgh's U14 team, which included Adams Township resident Ethan Lipchin, also reached its national tournament in Dallas, marking the first time in its history that the organization sent two of its teams to USA Hockey's final event in the same season.The U16 Wildcats lost their opener in Grand Rapids to a team from Illinois, then defeated squads from California and Texas.“Coach Pittman made sure that our goal was always in sight,” said Ryan Mitchell, a defenseman from Mars High School. “The competition we faced at nationals was good and it was nice to play for something bigger.”The atmosphere in Michigan provided a unique experience.“Every time we stepped on the ice, there were scouts watching us and the games were broadcast on TV,” said Max Weaver, a center from Mars. “The environment was crazy and there were some nerves involved.
“All of the players on the team, we're all friends. Most of us have been playing together since our parents were tying our skates for us. To play at nationals with these guys, it was a great experience.”Also playing for the U16 Wildcats were Seneca Valley's Patrick Dolan, Alex Neff, Jack Smelscer and Butler's Kyle Grasha, Knoch's Cale Patten and North Catholic's Rosario Alessandro.The U14 team lost its three games in Dallas against teams from Texas, New Jersey and Massachusetts. Lipchin scored a goal on a wrist-shot against Massachusetts.The Wildcats finished the season with a record of 35-11-1.U14 coach John Kaltenecker said reaching Dallas evolved from a dream into a goal last fall when the team realized how much talent it had, including Lipchin, a right wing.“His game evolved as the season went on,” Kaltenecker said. “He has a nose for the back of the net and can skate like the wind.”The experience of playing on such a big stage can only help a player's development.“Those teams we played were good, but we could've won more than we did,” Lipchin said. “It was pretty cool to get that far, though. Only 16 teams get there every year.”
