skip navigation

Vikings News 2022-2023

CCVHC Hosts "Record-breaking" 50th Anniversary Senior Night!

It was an evening to remember!

The Central Catholic Vikings Hockey Club's 50th Anniversary graduating class is also its largest ever. The February 15, 2023 senior night recognized 18 exceptional young men and talented hockey players.

The senior night events were held at Alpha Ice Complex (USA Rink) in Harmarville, PA.  The 5 pm senior recognition ceremony was followed at 6:30 pm by an all-senior scrimmage against another local program which calls Alpha Ice home, Fox Chapel Hockey. 

Due to the large number of seniors and that they are rostered multiple CCVHC teams, scheduling the ceremony prior to any regular Pennsylvania Interscholastic Hockey League (PIHL) game was not feasible.  Given that the 18-player graduating class consists of 16 skaters and 2 goalies, the idea of an "all senior" scrimmage was born.

Knowing that the club wanted to do something fun and special, CCVHC contacted Fox Chapel about a scrimmage.  "Given that all of these kids know each other, have played with, and against, one another over the years – they are all very excited," said CCVHC President Caroline West. "The local hockey community is small and a lot of good-natured chirping is already going on!"

The 18 graduating seniors are:  Beckam Alger, Douglas Burek, Riccardo Castracani, Jakob Dold, Daniel Donahue, Joel Fabian, Samuel Gaffney, Tyler Gaffney, Clayton Kepperling, Aaron Krackow, Patrick Lettieri, Antonio Moret, Ethan Pievach, Rocco Salvitti, Alex Sarkis, Dante Scalise, Joseph Silvaggio, and Dante Talerico.

These talented seniors have added maturity, strength and leadership in all facets of the program. 

Good Luck to the 50th Anniversary CCVHC Class ... the CCHS Class of 2023! 

CCVHC Senior NIght 2023 Photos

The official senior night photos were taken by Simply Sisters Photography.  To see all of the photos from that evening and to order, go to https://www.simplysistersphotography.com/ and click on "client login." In the field under "Central Catholic High School" box, enter the following: CCHockeySeniorNight2023 to open the gallery and to access all Senior Night photos shot by Simply Sisters. To order digital files, please see: https://www.simplysistersphotography.com/Pricing/Sports-Fun-Pricing .

Seniors waiting for the all-senior group picture on CCVHC Photo Day.

Seniors waiting for the all-senior group picture on CCVHC Photo Day.


Senior Night LIvestream!!

On February 15, 2023, we honored our Central Catholic Vikings Hockey seniors ... and all of it is on YouTube!

 

Highlights included

Opening Prayer - CCHS Principal Bro. Michael Andrejko, FSC, '86

National Anthem -- Vocalist Grace Gouwens, FCHS

Special Remarks - CCVHC Head Coach Bill Connelly, ‘04 Vikings Team

Ceremonial Puck Drop - Fred Jacob (A), '73 Vikings Team

In the ALL SENIOR GAME, the Vikings Hockey seniors took on the Fox Chapel Hockey Club with a 6:30 puck drop.

This broadcast and game administration featured the Vikings News Network and multimedia students at Central Catholic High School.

Livestream Link:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2YTvTEImlss

* Link features a special interview with inagural team captain and alternate, Bob Arturo and Fred Jacob. Interview conducted by Susan Sarkis on November 21, 2022 prior to the CCVHC varsity game against Pine Richland.



The 50th Anniversary 2022-23 banner is hanging at Alpha Ice Complex. The Class of 2023 is pictured in the center. They are framed by the varsity, junior varsity and middle school teams. The first CCVHC class from 1972-73 is pictured at the bottom.


Members of the senior class on CCVHC Photo Day.


Vikings Varsity Hockey Topples Mt. Lebo, 7-1 

CCVHC Honored to Welcome Former Varsity Coach Pat McQuillan

Sitting in first place in the AAA division of the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Hockey League (PIHL), the Central Catholic Vikings varsity hockey team dispatched the Mt. Lebanon Blue Devils on Monday, January 30 Alpha Ice Complex in Harmarville, PA.

The team was honored to welcome game sponsor and former CCVHC Head Coach Pat McQuillan. McQuillan served as head coach of the varsity program from 1988-1992. Offering his congratulations to the hockey club on reaching the 50-year milestone, he reflected on his experience with the program: "I had the privilege of coaching Paul Sciullo during that time and it’s important to me to continue to honor his memory and legacy. Paul was my captain and he was a joy to coach."

Prior to the game, he met with the coaches and players in the locker room. He said this is the first time he has been back in a coaching environment since moving to Texas 30 years ago. It was evident from his locker room comments that "once a coach, always a coach" and he didn't miss a beat. 

Introducing Coach McQuillan, Coach Connelly reminded players that there is a lot of tradition, honor and sacrifice in playing for CCVHC, and reflected not only on Sciullo, but in the effort and sacrifice that Coach McQuillan made to travel for this one game.

Coach McQuillan graduated from Westmont Hilltop in Johnstown and played hockey in college at Penn State. He now lives in Dallas, TX. His brother, Art, still coaches in Western PA, recently taking the Bishop McCort Head coaching job after many years at Westmont.

After the handshake at center ice, the varsity team honored Coach McQuillan with a stick-tap salute.

Due to league and rink scheduling complexities, the varsity team has entered a three-week break until its next (and last) regular season game on Feb. 23 against Seneca Valley. See https://www.facebook.com/CCHSVikingsHockey for information about the team's season.


Event Schedule:

Here's the anticipated schedule:
➡Game 1 @ 6:00pm - CCVHC Old Timers vs Pittsburgh Bureau of Police Team 


➡Family Skate at ~7:15pm - Take your tots out and laugh at their wobbly feet.

➡Game 2 @ 8:15 - Blue vs Gold CCVHC Alumni (expect a faster pace of play!)

CCVHC Sciullo Alumni Game Returns to Hunt Armory on Dec. 17!

We are excited to announce the 2022 Paul J. Sciullo Memorial Alumni Game!

Join us for a special night of hockey, friendship, and some good old fashioned Vikings spirit in honor and remembrance of our friend and former teammate Paul.

The night kicks off at 6 pm with the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police Team taking on the Central Catholic Vikings Hockey Club Alumni Team. After that, at 8:15 pm, two Vikings Alumni teams battle it out on the ice.

Recently, we heard from the CCVHC varsity coach from 1988-92, Pat McQuillan. "I had the privilege of coaching Paul Sciullo during that time and it’s important to me to continue to honor his memory and legacy.  Paul was my captain and he was a joy to coach."

All proceeds from this game benefit the Paul J. Sciullo Scholarship for first responders at Central Catholic High School.


For more information or to support, please see www.centralcatholicvikingshockey.com/fundraising or contact hockey-fundraising@centralcatholichs.com.


CCVHC Welcomes Members of '72-73 Team; Varsity Routs PR

It was a special one.
We were honored to have three players from the inaugural season of Central Catholic Hockey in attendance at the November 21 game versus Pine Richland.

Thank you, Bob Arturo and Fred Jacob, captain and assistant captain from the 1972 team, and player Steve DiGiacomo for the stories and inspiration. 

The varsity boys and coaches were thrilled to meet you and happy to beat Pine Richland 4-0 in your honor.

CCVHC onslaught topples Canon Mac; Varsity goes 3-0 on season

The varsity team improved their record to 3-0 on the season, with a 7-2 win over Canon Mac on Oct. 17.

Goals were scored by Josh Moline (2), Dante Scalise (2), Beckam Alger, Alex Sarkis, and Anthony D'Orazio. Assists were tallied by Nathan Cox, Sam Gaffney (2), Griffin Lewis, Doug Berthold, Evan Benscoter, Noah Hritz (2), Alger, D'Orazio, Scalise (2) and Sarkis. Goaltender Jake Dold stopped 20 shots.

Game photos taken by Bill George (https://link.shutterfly.com/A78ShW13dub). 

Varsity takes down NA in 3-2 OT shootout

The Central Catholic varsity team clinched the CCHS trifecta on Oct. 13.

With its 3-2 shootout win over North Allegheny, all three Central Catholic high school teams secured home-opener victories to start the club's 50th Anniversary season. 

With this win, the varsity team moves to the top of the PIHL AAA standings.

Game photos were taken by Bill George (https://link.shutterfly.com/CjKk7Iuu7tb) .

 


Sam Gaffney, '23, with the game winner in 3-2 shootout vs. North Allegheny on Oct. 13. Photo by Bill George.


Varsity team defeats Mt. Lebanon, 1-0, in season opener!

On the strength of senior goaltender Jake Dold's 27 saves, the Central Catholic Vikings Hockey varsity team shut out Mt. Lebanon 1-0 on Oct. 10. Sophomore Noah Hritz tallied the game winner, with an assist from senior Ethan Pievach.

The highly-anticipated game was televised by Tenband.tv. If you missed the game -- or simply want to watch it again -- it is still available!   CCVHC game photos were taken by varsity parent Bill George (https://link.shutterfly.com/wn2xCXDw2tb). When you see Bill, please thank him for his generousity!

You are welcome to save any of these photos to your Shutterfly account. However, if you decide to order any of pictures or other items through Shutterfly, please go to Shutterfly through our personal storefront -- CentralCatholicVikingsHockey.ShutterflyStorefront.com -- and then click on "SHOP SHUTTERFLY" on the custom page to be redirected to the Shutterfly website. Eight percent of every order will come back to the Club!!

The varsity team home opener is on Thursday, October 13 against North Allegheny. The puck drops at 9:00 pm at Alpha Ice Complex in Harmarville, PA.  

 



Happiness is ... Antonio Moret, '23, in 4-3 JV-1 home opener win. Photo by Simply Sisters Photography.

Season Snaps ... so far!


Denied by netminder Jake Dold, '23, the varsity took its season opener, 1-0. Photo by Bill George.


Aaron Williams, '24, threads the needle in JV1 win over Canon Mac. Photo by Simply Sisters Photography.

PIHL Regular Season Games Begin!
Varsity goes 2-0 to start season; JV1 and JV2 each notch home opener victories

On the strength of senior goaltender Jake Dold's 27 saves, the Central Catholic Vikings Hockey varsity team shut out Mt. Lebanon 1-0 on Oct. 10. Sophomore Noah Hritz tallied the game winner, with an assist from senior Ethan Pievach.

Later that week, the varsity team also won its home opener, 3-2, on Oct. 13 in a shootout over North Allegheny. Regulation goals were scored by Sam Gaffney, '23, and Josh Moline, '24. While Gaffney snuck one by NA's goalie in the shootout, Dold stopped all three to secure the win.

For CCVHC, the varsity win at Mt. Lebo was especially sweet as the old adage "third time's the charm" was proven true. In addtion to varsity, both middle school and junior varsity-1 teams all had to travel to Mt. Lebo for their season openers over the past two weeks ... and all fell to the Blue Devils.

Although the CCVHC junior varsity-1 lost their season opener, they rebounded to win their home opener, 4-3, on Oct. 6 against Canon-Mac.  The Junior Varsity-2 team also took its home opener, 4-2, with a win over Hempfield on Sept. 19.

For more team-related information and photos, please see each team's individual page under the "CC Teams" menu tab.

 

 

JV-1 Splits:

Loses First Game to Mt. Lebanon; Wins Home Opener against Canon Mac

After losing it's first game against the Mt. Lebanon Blue Devils, 3-0, the JV-1 team rebounded the following week to capture the win, 4-3, over Canon Mac. The team's next game is Monday, October 24 against North Allegheny (9:50 pm @ Baierl Ice Complex). 

Simply Sisters Photography was on hand for both the Mt. Lebo and Canon Mac games. Go to https://www.simplysistersphotography.com/ and click on "client login." In the field under "Central Catholic High School" box, enter the following: CCHockeyJV12022-2023 to open the gallery and to access all JV-1 photos shot by Simply Sisters during the course of the 2022-23 season. To order digital files, please see: https://www.simplysistersphotography.com/Pricing/Sports-Fun-Pricing .


UPCOMING CENTRAL CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL EVENTS FOR MIDDLE SCHOOL HOCKEY PLAYERS

Eighth grade members of the Central Catholic Vikings Hockey middle school-bantam team are invited to participate in Central Catholic's annual "Viking for a Day" programming on Friday, October 14, 2022.

Some 350 prospective CCHS students will explore the school through tours and sample classes, have lunch with peers and student mentors in the McGinley Dining Hall, and learn all about Central Catholic! Students who will make up the class of 2027 are invited to attend!

All middle School-Bantam hockey players  -- 6th through 8th grade -- are invited to attend Central Catholic High School's Open House is scheduled for Sunday, November 6, 2022.

Open to all middle school-aged boys, whether or not they currently play for the CCVHC Middle School-Bantam team, these are great opportunities to find out more about Central Catholic High School as a college preparatory high school option during the hockey season.  

Please see this link --  https://www.centralcatholichs.com/pages/admissions -- for more information about fall admission events and to register.  

Mark your calendars and register now!


The 2018-2019 8th Grade Class of CCVHC Middle School Hockey. Fast forward the years ...we just posted a snap shot of the CCVHC Class of 2023 on our FaceBook page. Can you identify the CCVHS seniors who are still with the CCVHC today?? Photo by Matt Polk.

Register For CCHS Admission Events

Please see this link --  https://www.centralcatholichs.com/pages/admissions -- for more information about fall admission events and to register.  

Mark your calendars and register now!


CCVHC Fields Largest Senior Class in 50-Year History

Central Catholic Vikings Hockey Club is marking two momentous occasions in 2022-23. Not only is this season the club's 50th Anniversary, the club will be graduating a record number of Central Catholic High School seniors in 2023.

Recognizing the strength and increasing demand for participation in the Club, CCVHC, with approval from Central  Catholic High School, created a Junior Varsity-2 team in 2020 (in the middle of the Covid-19 pandemic) to provide additional avenues wherein players would be able to participate and develop. For several preceding seasons, the club had been forced to turn away an increasing number of not only new 9th grade CCHS players, but cut returning CCHS upperclassmen, due to the lack of roster spots in a particular season.

This season, the Club will graduate 18 seniors. They are:  Beckam Alger, Douglas Burek, Riccardo Castracani, Jakob Dold, Daniel Donahue, Joel Fabian, Samuel Gaffney, Tyler Gaffney, Clayton Kepperling, Aaron Krackow, Patrick Lettieri, Antonio Moret, Ethan Pievach, Rocco Salvitti, Alex Sarkis, Dante Scalise, Joseph Silvaggio, and Dante Talerico.

As these talented seniors are members of all three high school teams, they add maturity, strength and leadership in all facets of the program. 

Good Luck to the 50th Anniversary CCVHC Class ... the CCHS Class of 2023! 


Happiness is ... Doug Burek scores against Baldwin in the opening game of the 2022 St. Margaret Fall Face-Off,, with helpers from Aaron Krackow and Ricky Castracani. CCVHC shut out Baldwin, 4-0. Photo By Bill George.


Dante Scalise, '23, battles for puck possession in the 2021 St. Margaret's game against Mt. Lebanon.Photo by Simply Sisters Photography.


Fun and games in the crease ...Photo by Simply Sisters Photography.

CCVHC Varsity Challenged Area Rivals in Annual Charity Tournament

Inquiring minds want to know  … “why didn't we have any team practices last week??”

Since 1993, the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Hockey League (PIHL) has sponsored a pre-season charity tournament at Alpha Ice Complex in Harmarville, PA to raise money and awareness for the St. Margaret Foundation. 

Dubbed the “St. Margaret Fall Face-off,” this tournament has served as an unofficial start to the high school hockey season in Western PA. Each year, over the course of one week in early September, 16 teams – four varsity teams in four divisions of “pool” play – face-off for bragging rights … but the real winner is the St. Margaret Foundation and all who it serves.

This year, preliminary games began on Tuesday, Sept. 6 and ran through Thursday, Sept. 8. After 30 preliminary games – all of which were held at Alpha Ice Complex – the winner of each “pool” will advanced to the semi-finals and championship game, which will be held tomorrow, on Monday, Sept. 12 at 5 pm and 9 pm, respectively.  To accommodate 30 games over three days, most of the practice ice time for amateur and school teams who call Alpha Ice Complex home is “blacked out” to accommodate the needs of this long-running PIHL charity tournament.

This year, the Central Catholic Vikings Hockey Club has been placed in “Division D” and faced Baldwin, Greater Latrobe and Mt. Lebanon in preliminary round play.  The team won its first game against Baldwin and lost the next two.

In other divisions, Group A comprised Canon McMillan, Pine-Richland, Shaler, and Thomas Jefferson. Group B included Armstrong, Butler, Bethel Park, and Upper St. Clair. Group C consisted of Seneca Valley, Franklin Regional, Mars, and defending tournament champion, North Allegheny.

Last year, North Allegheny defeated Mt. Lebanon, 5-4, in overtime for its 8th St. Margaret Fall Face-Off title. The 2020 tournament, unfortunately, was cancelled due to Covid-19 restrictions.

Through this tournament, PIHL raises several thousand dollars annually for the St. Margaret Foundation, giving it the means to “help St. Margaret patients with the essential needs not covered by insurance yet are necessary to heal, remain independent and have hope.” For more information about the foundation’s programs, please see: https://www.stmargaretfoundation.org/

ROLL VIKES!!


Nathan Cox controls the puck against a strong, deep-benched Greater Latrobe team on Sept. 7, 2022. GL took the game, 7-3. Photo by Simply Sisters Photography.

JV TEAM WINS DAMIEN BEARLEY PRE-SEASON TOURNAMENT
Topples Tier 1 Rival PR Rams, 2-1

Wearing their "throwback" jerseys to honor the late Paul J. Sciullo II and commemorate the club's 50th Anniversary, the CCVHC Junior Varsity-1 team defeated Pine-Richland 2-1 on Sunday, Sept. 18 to claim the 2nd Annual Damien Bearley Memorial Tournament Championship. 

In July 2021, Damien Bearley died in an automobile accident shortly after graduation.  Bearley, a 2021 Franklin Regional graduate, played many years for Franklin Regional Hockey and the Allegheny Badgers.  

photo of players wearing new middle school jerseys.

New CCVHC Middle School jerseys.

photo of players wearing new middle school jerseys.

New CCVHC Middle School jerseys.

CCVHC Middle School Team Gets New Game Jerseys!

Just in time for the 50th Anniversary Season, the CCVHC Middle School-Bantam team will be issued new home and away game jerseys. 

Thanks to an anonymous gift from a CCHVC benefactor, the team will be able to wear these jerseys for the entire 2022-23 season! 

These jerseys were designed by CCVHC Head Coach Bill Connelly to have the same clean "look and feel" of the Junior Varsity and Varsity jerseys ... but with a smaller range of sizes appropriate for 6th to 8th graders. 

Until this year, the jerseys used by the Middle School team were "well-loved" by the junior varsity and varsity teams that preceded them.

In order to reduce Middle School hockey families' hockey-related expenses, the Club loans both jerseys, practice jerseys, and an equipment bag to players to use for the season.  Home and away game socks are given to each player, as well.  The only apparel / equipment that team members are required to purchase is a CCVHC hockey shell and a gold helmet (for skaters, if the player doesn't already have one).

Middle School-Bantam team games will begin in mid-September. 

The 50th Anniversary Season Begins ...

CCVHC Announces 2022-23 Teams! 


VARSITY TEAM
Beckam Alger
Evan Benscoter
Douglas Berthold
Nathan Cox
Jakob Dold
Anthony D’Orazio
Joel Fabian
Samuel Gaffney
Tyler Gaffney
William George, Jr.
Noah Hritz
Patrick Lettieri
Griffin Lewis
Josh Moline
Ethan Pievach
Rocco Salvitti
Alex Sarkis
Dante Scalise

JUNIOR VARSITY-1 TEAM
Dante Albanese
Benjamin Balla
Judah Brophy
Douglas Burek
Riccardo Castracani
Aaron Daley
Daniel Donahue
Jay Donahue
Benjamin Jackson
Lukas Jesso
Nicholaus Jesso
Clayton Kepperling
Aaron Krackow
Brayden Lewinter
Jack Marcello
Antonio Moret
Jake Ochwat
Cain Phillip
Thomas Puhalla
Adam Sarkis
Joseph Silvaggio
Matthew Weber
Aaron Williams
Christian Zavacky

JUNIOR VARSITY-2 TEAM
Benjamin Balla
Giona Blasiole
Jacob Capezzuto
Benjamin Cox
Alexander Donihi

Nikolas Halaburka
Phineas Hammer
Colton Jackson
Thomas LaVelle
Aidan Morgano
Luke Nuzzo
Ben Pasquarelli
Thomas Puhalla
Eli Rabinovich
Nathan Radkowski
Anthony Smith
Dante Talerico
Gavin Watson
William Wolf
James Zdarko

MIDDLE SCHOOL-BANTAM TEAM
Felix Aderholt
Henry Barmen
Shane Berthold
Nicholas Boden
Collinson Burgwin
Ryder Jackson
Jacob Litz
Brendyn McGurk
Garrett Noll
Luca Petraglia
Zachary Price
Isaac Sarkis
Dominic Schork
Timothy Shannon
Malachi Stahlsmith
Jeffrey Stipetic
Santino Strobel
Massimo Sunseri

*A few spots are still available on the middle school-bantam team for BY 2008-2009 players. Please see, https://www.centralcatholicvikingshockey.com/22-23tryouts for more information. 


    CCVHC Middle School Team Gets New Game Jerseys!

    Just in time for the 50th Anniversary Season, the CCVHC Middle School-Bantam team will be issued new home and away game jerseys. 

    Thanks to an anonymous gift from a CCHVC benefactor, the team will be able to wear these jerseys for the entire 2022-23 season! 

    These jerseys were designed by CCVHC Head Coach Bill Connelly to have the same clean "look and feel" of the Junior Varsity and Varsity jerseys ... but with a smaller range of sizes appropriate for 6th to 8th graders. 

    Until this year, the jerseys used by the Middle School team were "well-loved" by the junior varsity and varsity teams that preceded them.

    In order to reduce Middle School hockey families' hockey-related expenses, the Club loans both jerseys, practice jerseys, and an equipment bag to players to use for the season.  Home and away game socks are given to each player, as well.  The only apparel / equipment that team members are required to purchase is a CCVHC hockey shell and a gold helmet (for skaters, if the player doesn't already have one).

    Middle School-Bantam team games will begin in mid-September. 

    photo of players wearing new middle school jerseys.

    New CCVHC Middle School jerseys.

    photo of players wearing new middle school jerseys.

    New CCVHC Middle School jerseys.


    From Left, Asst. Coach Mike Lamison, Sam Gaffney, Alex Sarkis, Tyler Gaffney, and Head Coach Bill Connelly at the 50th Anniversary Pre-Season Picnic on Aug. 28.


    Viking Varsity Mini Camp (Aug. 17-19). Three days running around Oakland...planking, hill climbing, wall sitting, and team bonding (as in a shirts versus skins football game)!


    Any good 90+ degree day is even better with SpikeBall!

    2022-2023 Photo Archive Available

    Central Catholic Vikings Hockey 2022-23 team and individual pictures are online! To access these galleries, please proceed as follows:

    • Go to www.simplysistersphotography.com
    • Click on Client Login
    • In the field associated with Central Catholic High School, enter the password according to the team on which your son is rostered.

    CCHockeyVarsity2022-2023

    CCHockeyJV12022-2023

    CCHockeyJV22022-2023

    CCHockeyMiddle2022-2023

    • The above team galleries also contain any game photos taken by Simply Sisters Photography during the course of the season.
    • Photos can be purchased directly from the site and will be delivered to the address listed upon checkout.
    • To order digital files, please see: https://www.simplysistersphotography.com/Pricing/Sports-Fun-Pricing .

    CCVHC Sciullo Alumni Game Returns to Hunt Armory on Dec. 17!

    We are excited to announce the 2022 Paul J. Sciullo Memorial Alumni Game!

    Join us for a special night of hockey, friendship, and some good old fashioned Vikings spirit in honor and remembrance of our friend and former teammate Paul.

    The night kicks off with the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police Team taking on the Central Catholic Vikings Hockey Club Alumni Team. After that, two Vikings Alumni teams battle it out on the ice.

    All proceeds from this game benefit the Paul J. Sciullo Scholarship for first responders at Central Catholic High School.

    For more information or to support, please see www.centralcatholicvikingshockey.com/fundraising or contact➡
    hockey-fundraising@centralcatholichs.com