Mars, Freeport and Seneca Valley hockey have all been major players in the PIHL in recent years, reaching the Penguins Cup finals at one time or another.

Now Butler appears primed to join the party.

The 2013-14 season gets under way this week. The Golden Tornado are coming off a 10-11 season that saw them reach the PIHL playoffs for the first time in years, dropping a 3-0 decision to Canon McMillan in the first round.

Butler entered last season coming off a one-win campaign and losses in 31 of its previous 33 games. The Tornado didn't even have a varsity team three years ago.

Mike Guentner is in his second full season as head coach.

“We've got plenty of offensive firepower this year ,” assistant coach Ian Hammonds said. “We feel like we're ready to make a move and be right there with North Allegheny, Seneca Valley, Bethel Park and the other top teams in Class AAA.”

The Tornado lost the championship game of the preseason St. Margaret's Tournament to Seneca Valley in a shootout. The team's top line of Troy Double, Nick Whann and Tanner Chuba excelled in that tourney.

That trio combined to score 38 goals last year. Matt Tomasovic scored 13 goals last season and also returns.

Butler's biggest graduation loss was leading scorer Tanner Gilliland (21 goals, 23 assists).

“Tanner is a tremendous hockey player and a big loss,” Hammonds said. “But we've got 11 seniors on this roster, three good lines and five good defensemen.”

Jonathan Fair (four goals, six assists) tops a defensive corps that includes Justin Wehrli, Dalton Scott, Chris Campbell and Dylan Rice. Logan Rothbauer (4-6, 3.81 goals against average) returns in goal.

“Logan will be in the nets for every game,” Hammonds said. “We're looking for some real consistency there.”

Seneca Valley

The Raiders were 14-6-1 last year, losing to State College in the first round of the playoffs. They return plenty of scoring as well.

Team captain Chris Marziotto (13 goals-11 assists) centers the top line with Spencer Schutte (6-12) and Alex Crilley. Ethan Kipin, a 10-goal scorer from a year ago, centers nine-goal scorers Andrew Gagnon and Brendan Macfarlane on the second line.

“We go three lines deep with two other guys who are interchangeable on the third or a fourth line,” SV coach Anthony Raco said. “We need to do a better job defensively, get more physical.”

Gagnon is coming back from a concussion. He didn't play during the Raiders' run to the St. Margaret's tourney title.

Tanner Pfeffer (8-6-1, 3.12 GAA, 1 shutout) returns as SV's goaltender.

“We've got a lot of veterans on this team,” Raco said. “With Bethel Park, Canon Mac, Peters Township, NA, and Butler coming on, there will be plenty of good competition in Triple-A.”

Mars

The Planets have built up a pretty solid resume in recent years.

Mars has played in six consecutive Penguins Cup Class A title games, won three of them and claimed a pair of state championships. The Planets were 17-3-1 last year, losing the Cup title game to Quaker Valley.

“We're in good shape this year in terms of experience,” Mars coach Steve Meyers said.

Despite losing 14-goal scorers Max Master and Ed Schwadron, Mars returns 12 players who scored at least one varsity goal last season. Top returning scorers include Craig Mazzotta (22 goals-19 assists), Nick Makozy (19-19), Trevor Tisdale (9-10), Beau Heakins (8-9) and Owen Vasbinder (7-9).

Ian Houk-Graves, Jason Schwartz, Mike McCann and Ian Newman anchor the defense. Alex Stepke (5-2, 3.00 GAA) is a returning goalie with experience.

“I think we're primed to make another run,” Meyers said. “Our recent streak of success has been helped by brother acts like the Tisdales and the Heakins.

“The younger brothers coming through want to keep the tradition. Most of our guys have been playing amateur hockey for a while and that's a big plus.”

Freeport

Veteran coach Dave Hepler guided the Yellowjackets to a 16-5-1 record and section title last season. Like Mars, Freeport brings back 12 players who scored at least one varsity goal in 2012-13.

Greg Newman (12 goals, 35 points) is gone, but returning are Cole Hepler (22 goals-16 assists), Mike Frazetta (17-13), Brendan Zack (14-9), Stone Haberstroh (13-3), Hunter Kepple (6-7) and Nick Rusak (5-8).

“We don't have a lot of numbers this year,” Hepler said. “We've got 13 skaters and three goaltenders on the varsity squad.

“Right now, we don't have a No. 1 goalie. All three will get playing time and we'll go with whoever has the hot hand.”

Freeport's netminders are Matt Huston (6-3-1, 3.50 GAA), Dominic DiGiacobbe (5-2, 3.50 GAA) and Katie Hill (5-0, 1.60).

“I'm hoping our strength will be our offense,” Hepler said. “We don't have any first-time skaters on this team and it shows. These guys know the system and understand how we're trying to get things done.

“You've got your Class A powers in Quaker Valley and Mars, but it's pretty jumbled up after that. I expect us to compete with anybody this year.”