KITTANNING - When Greg Rogerson went from support player to standout scorer, the transformation didn't happen overnight.

The Butler senior scored 19 goals a year ago and was one of six Golden Tornado hockey players to score 40 or more points.

This year, he's scored 37 points and leads the team in scoring.

"This is a different team and Greg's a different player," Butler coach Leo Cancilla said.

The Tornado won a school-record 17 games last year and won a WPIHL playoff game for the first time ever. Spencer Crouse set school records with 30 goals and 53 points.

Butler is 6-17 this season, lost its first 10 games and Crouse's production has fallen to 14 goals and 27 points as he's missed a few games to play for the Junior Penguins.

"We lost so many seniors last year and had a killer schedule to begin this year," Cancilla said. "We've all had to adapt."

Cancilla is in his first year as head coach after serving as an assistant under Bob Hoehn, who resigned after last season for family reasons.

Crouse was named team captain this season and Rob Ramirez was named the alternate. Rogerson had hoped to get either the "C" or "A" on his jersey.

"I was disappointed when it didn't happen," he admitted. "I guess I didn't view myself as being a leader."

That changed after a talk with the coach.

Rogerson played on Butler's No. 2 line last year with Tyler Druschel and Jared White. His linemates graduated and Rogerson was elevated to the No. 1 line this year with Crouse and the latter's younger brother, Fletcher.

"Coach talked to me about needing to step it up," Rogerson said. "With Spencer missing some games, I had to step into the forefront."

Nobody knew Crouse's game better than Rogerson. Before last year, they had been linemates every year dating back to age 7, when they played Dek hockey together.

Crouse and Rogerson are the only two players to be involved in Butler hockey for eight years. Both played Butler developmental hockey in fifth grade.

"We're two of a kind on the ice," Crouse said. "It was important for Greg to have a big year. We were counting on that."

Rogerson broke loose against Norwin, scoring four goals and adding two assists in the Tornado's first win of the season.

"After that game, I knew I could do it again," he said of his offensive production.

Rogerson has 16 goals and 21 assists this season. He averages 2.06 points per game and has scored three of his team's six shorthanded goals.

Spencer and Fletcher Crouse rank second and third on the team in scoring with 27 and 23 points, respectively.

"Greg only had 10 points or so after our first 11 games," Cancilla said. "He took off after that."

Rogerson said his production picked up after he decided to play for a second team - Butler Valley's Midget Class AA squad. He has played amateur hockey for nine years.

"I didn't play (for Butler Valley) at first this year because I wanted more time for hunting, fishing and to ride my quad," he said.

"I went back to it because I missed it. Playing for two teams helped get my rhythm back."

If Butler fails to make the WPIHL playoffs, Rogerson will miss his final high school game. Because he took five penalties for at least 15 minutes in Wednesday's 10-2 loss to Central Catholic, he received a game misconduct and has to sit out the next game.

The Tornado end the regular season against Plum next Wednesday at Belmont Arena.

Either way, Rogerson's hockey career likely isn't over. He plans to attend Butler County Community College next year, then possibly transfer to Penn State.

"Penn State's assistant coach has talked to me and they want me to play there," Rogerson said. "I'll probably go that route."