Mavrik Goepfert

BUTLER TWP — Mavrik Goepfert is coming home with lofty plans for his alma mater's hockey team.

Goepfert, 27, a 2008 Butler graduate, was recently hired as head coach of the Butler High School varsity hockey team. He replaces Cory Sakolsky, who resigned after two seasons.

“Cory got married recently and wants to spend more family time,” Butler hockey president Mike Ackelson said. “He felt he didn't have the necessary time to devote to the program.”

Butler was 15-18-3 under Sakolsky, including a 10-8 season this year that ended with an 8-3 first-round PIHL playoff loss to North Allegheny.

Goepfert played hockey for the Golden Tornado. He was Offensive Rookie of the Year his freshman year, defensive MVP his junior year and one of the top scorers on the team his senior campaign.

But Butler never reached the PIHL playoffs during his playing career.

“I feel like I have unfinished business here,” Goepfert said. “I've been anxious to come back here and not only lead Butler to the Penguins Cup title, but to the state championship as well.

“This is a big school and there are a lot of quality hockey players here. The program is in a good place right now. I see no reason why we can't contend for a championship next year.”

Goepfert had not been a varsity head coach before accepting the Butler post. He spent the past five seasons coaching Knoch's freshman and junior varsity teams.

The Knights' junior varsity finished 12-5 in winning its division two years ago. The Knoch JV finished 11-5-1 this past season.

“It was tough to leave there because you develop a bond with the players as you watch them develop,” Goepfert said. “We pretty much started from scratch there and developed a good program.

“I know those kids are going to succeed. And I got the experience I needed to come into this (Butler) job and succeed.”

There were five other candidates to fill the Butler coaching vacancy. Ackelson said Goepfert “scored very well in the interview.

“He easily could have stayed at Knoch, where he was a big success,” Ackelson said. “We were lucky to get a guy who wants to coach his hometown team.

“Mavrik has shown he can build a program and he knows the game extremely well.”

After graduating from Butler, Goepfert played hockey for Slippery Rock University. He still plays in adult leagues at the UPMC Lemiex Complex, the Belmont Complex in Kittanning, and plays dek and roller hockey at Family Sports Center.

“I've been able to build a lot of relationships through continuing to play hockey,” Goepfert said. “Most guys, when they're done playing high school, join adult leagues. I have a lot of contacts.”

Goepfert is uncertain who his assistant coaches will be at Butler.

“I'll go through that process in the next few weeks,” he said.

Ackelson is anxious to see what the next few months bring to the program.

“Mavrik played in the program, knows the program and has developed as a coach,” he said. “We feel like this is a great hire.”