After three consecutive Class A Penguins Cups and two straight state titles, what's left for the Mars varsity hockey team to accomplish?

Do we hear four?

“We should be able to load up and go after another Cup,” assistant coach Mike Manganello said. “Maybe not the state title ... We do have a lot of new faces.”

Goaltender Tyler Stepke and his three Cup championships have graduated, as has 33-goal scorer Elliot Tisdale. But plenty of speed and scoring punch remain.

The Planets opened play in the St. Margaret's preseason tournament with a 9-4 triumph over Shaler. The regular season begins Nov. 1 against Thomas Jefferson at Warrendale Bladerunners.

Mars' top line of Austin Heakins, Joe Bender and Nick Blaney combined to score 48 goals last season. Blake Friday, a 21-goal scorer, returns as well.

Alex Stepke, Tyler's younger brother, takes over the No. 1 goalie spot as a sophomore.

“He reminds me a lot of Tyler when he was that age,” Mars coach Steve Meyers said. “Alex needs to get his feet wet and grow into the position. The potential and ability are definitely there.

“We've got two pretty good lines right now. We'll develop depth as we go. It's fun working with a lot of new people.”

The Planets finished 24-1 last season.

Ian Houck is a young defenseman being counted on to develop his game, as is winger Craig Mazzotta.

“Maybe we're not as deep as we've been, but there's still a lot of talent here,” Manganello said.

Seneca Valley

The Raiders stumbled to a 3-16-1 record last season, but fourth-year coach Denis Kirstein has playoffs on his mind this time around.

“Our freshmen and sophomores last year are juniors and seniors now,” Kirstein said. “That will make a big difference.”

So, too, will the return of center Brandon Wehner to the team. The son of former Pittsburgh Pirate infielder John Wehner missed last season with a ruptured achilles heel. Wehner scored a goal in each of SV's first four preseason games this year.

Kirstein's college roommate, Jamie Hunt, has joined his staff as an assistant. Hunt was a defenseman for a number of years in the Washington Capitals' organization.

“He knows his stuff and the kids listen to him,” Kirstein said.

Ethan Helbig is the Raiders' goaltender after playing five varsity games last year. Other key returnees are Luke Reed (6 goals-7 assists), Chris Marziotto (6-3) and Logan Rose (3-4).

“Our motto this year is work ethic, will and skill,” Kirstein said. “Last year was tough on the kids. We had opportunities to win games last year and didn't finish.

“Our stength is our team speed and creativity of our forwards. It should be a fun year.”

Seneca Valley opens the regular season Oct. 25, hosting Bethel Park at Warrendale Bladerunners.

Butler

The Golden Tornado returned to varsity play last year and finished 4-16. Brad Posey returns for his second year behind the bench.

Seventeen-goal scorer Cody Bachman is playing amateur hockey this year and defenseman Jake Whann, a 4.0 student, is spending more time on his studies and not playing high school hockey this season. But Posey still has plenty of returnees.

“We have a number of guys who will build off last year,” he said.

Jake Tomasovic scored nine goals and 24 points in 2010-11. Tanner Gilliland was a nine-goal scorer while Robbie Barnhart and Corey Chuba scored a pair of goals each.

Logan Rothbauer (2-6, 6.41 GAA) will take over as the No. 1 goalie.

“We got started in late July and we're headed in the right direction,” Posey said. “We have a young defensive corps and our strength is our team unity.

“I'm looking for us to play .500 hockey and push for the playoffs. We have 15 players, so our bench is a little short.”

The Tornado open the season Oct. 27 at State College.

Freeport

The Yellowjackets are coming off a 7-13-1 season, but return leading scorer Cole Hepler (13 goals, 12 assists) and senior goaltender Cody Lee (3.10 GAA, 2 shutouts).

“We've got a solid team,” veteran coach Dave Hepler said. “We'll trot four lines out there and we've got a full roster of 20 players.”

Defense and goaltending anchor Freeport this season. Nick Spangler is a senior defenseman who leads the ‘Jacket blue-liners.

“Cody's been our goalie for four years and he's a good one,” Hepler said. “Our goal is to make the playoffs. Once you're there, one bad game and you're out. Anything can happen.”

Freepoprt opens the season Oct. 25 at Bishop McCort.

Knoch

Pete Donnelly takes over as head coach after five years as an assistant. The Knights are coming off a 6-15 season and 25-goal scorer Michael Rykaczewski is not returning to the team, opting to play for the Pittsburgh Viper Stars amateur squad instead.

“We've got a short bench, only 11 skaters, so that will be a little challenging. But we'll be OK,” Donnelly said.

Nicholas Brubach and Zach Naples return after scoring six goals each last season. Senior Grant Donnelly (3-14, 6.32 GAA) is the primary netminder.

Alex Fuerst and Neil Shearer head Knoch's defensive corps.

“Everybody wants to get to the final four and play at the arena,” Donnelly said. “We're short on depth, but we'll go out there and compete.”

Knoch hosts Freeport in its season opener Oct. 31.