CCVHC Sled Hockey Volunteer Opportunities!

The sled hockey component of the USA Hockey "Disabled Hockey Festival" continues this weekend at various rinks throughout the Pittsburgh area.

Central Catholic Vikings Hockey Club members will be volunteering all weekend long, both on-ice as sled hockey pushers and off-ice in scorekeeping and other capacities.

Volunteers are still needed! Please see https://www.midamhockey.com/usahdfest to volunteer. Even if you cannot volunteer, if you have some free time over the weekend, come out to watch some of the games. Please support these amazing athletes!

Ricky Castracani, CCHS '23, works with New York Sled Ranger Nunes. After the Rangers and the Mighty Penguins battled to a 3-3 tie at the end of regulation, Nunes scored the first goal of the nearly 7-round thrilling shoot-out. The Sled Rangers took the 4-3 victory in their first round robin game of this weekend's national sled hockey tournament.

During the 2022 USA Hockey Disabled Hockey Festival, a group of 12 Central Catholic Vikings Hockey players scrimmaged a team whose players are all deaf/hard of hearing and other CCVHC players volunteered as sled-hockey pushers for the sled hockey games, scorekeepers and fulfilled other needed roles during the multi-week international festival. 

During the scrimmage, to give the CCVHC players an opportunity to experience what it is like to play an ice hockey game without being able to hear, earplugs were given to our players to wear. 

CCVHC participants in the Deaf/Hard of Hearing scrimmage ... Thank you to CCVHC coaches Bill Connelly and Bro. Paul! Thank you to goalies Patrick Lettieri, Ben Balla and skaters Nic Jesso, Luke Jesso, Phinneas Hammer, James Zdarko, Anthony Smith, Cain Phillip, Colton Jackson, Ricky Castracani, DJ Burek, Antonio Moret and Cam Cardiff (who played for the Deaf/Hard of Hearing team in one of its other games) for being part of USA Hockey and CCVHCs commitment to ensuring that Hockey is for Everyone and Everyday is a Great Day for Hockey!

CCVHC Encourages Children To Experience the Thrill of Ice Hockey

Throughout the 2021-22 hockey season, CCVHC volunteers showed up in "full force" to help out all four Pittsburgh Penguins "Try Hockey for Free" sessions at Hunt Armory Ice Rink. Players from every team -- Middle School, JV-2, JV-1, and Varsity -- helped hundreds of kids ages 4-9 don hockey equipment and skate for the very first time. 

CCVHC volunteers included: Ben Balla, DJ Burek, Ricky Castracani, Ben Cox, Nathan Cox, Phineas Hammer, Coline Hughan, Michael Huwar, Colton Jackson, Clayton Kepperling, Aaron Krackow, Patrick Lettieri, Luke Nuzzo, Cain Phillip, Ethan Pievach, Nathan Radkowski, Alex Sarkis, Dante Scalise, Joe Silvaggio, Anthony Smith, Santino Strobel, Massimo Sunseri, Gavin Watson, William White, Matt Weber, James Zdarko. CCVHC also thanks parents Doug Burek and Bill Sunseri who dusted off their skates to help out, too!  Joining the CCVHC players to help out were coaches Bill Connelly and Bro. Paul.  

The Central Catholic Vikings Hockey JV-1 team takes on first-seed North Allegheny in Round 2 of the PIHL playoffs tonight, March 22, at Alpha Ice Complex in Harmarville, PA. Puck drops at 7:50 pm. Come support your fellow Vikings!

** Gino's Pizza across from the rink will give a 10% discount for CCVHC fans! Show your CCHS spirit and wear your Vikings gear to the game! ** 

If you missed the St. Hatrick's Day PIHL Quarterfinal ... The JV-1 hockey team advanced to tonight's semi-final in thrilling fashion, beating Seneca Valley, 2-1, in a shoot-out that went to seven rounds.

Goaltender  P. Lettieri recorded 29 saves in the hard-fought battle.  A. Williams notched the tying goal (C. Kepperling and J. Ochwat with the assists) midway through 2nd. After a scoreless 3rd and a nail-biting 3v3 OT, the shootout went to seven rounds.  

Lettieri stayed composed between the pipes … the 3 CCVHC shoot-out tallies … one by A. Moret and two from N. Hritz — the 2nd being the game-winner— sealed the deal for Cental's on St. Patrick's Day.
 

Check out these great photos!!

To see photos from the Quarterfinals, go to Simply Sisters Photography (https://www.simplysistersphotography.com).  Click on "Client Login." In the field after "Central Catholic High School" enter the following password: CentralHockey2021-2022

Please note that this gallery includes every game shot by Simply Sisters Photography for all four of our club's teams this season. Simply Sisters is the exclusive photographer of Central Catholic High School.   So, for pictures from the St. Patrick's day QF, scroll to the very bottom of the gallery. Enjoy! 

(Please note, any photos taken by parents are shared within sportsengine.)

Have FOMO? Well, check out our Facebook page!! 

https://www.facebook.com/CCHSVikingsHockey

CCVHC Varsity to Tackle Rams in March 7 PIHL Playoff Quarterfinals

Although Pine Richland took the win in Central Catholic's two regular season meetings, the contests were closely matched. Anything can happen in the playoffs!

The puck will drop Monday, March 7 at 8 pm at Baierl Ice Complex in Warrandale, PA. Admission is $5 for adults and students. Children under age 12 are free.

The Central Catholic Vikings Hockey Club varsity team defeated reigning AA Pens Cup and State Champion Baldwin 4-1 on Feb. 21, clinching a Pennsylvania Intershcolastic Hockey League playoff berth in the process. 

Prior to the game, CCVHC celebrated its six 2022 seniors -- Varsity Captain Alex Paluso; Junior Varsity-1 Captain Aidan O'Shane; Cam Cardiff; Michael Huwar; Colin McCarthy and Mario Misiti.   

The emotions were high as Central Catholic High School Principal Bro. Tony Baginski opened the ceremony by delivering the "athlete's prayer" and each player cycled through an honor guard of junior varsity and middle school players.  

The stirring Senior Night ceremony helped carry the team's emotion into the game. Striking first, early in the first period, CCVHC  went up 1-0  on an even-strength goal from George Acklin and Dante Scalise. After Baldwin rallied to tie the game up a few minutes later, Varsity Captain Paluso tallied the go-ahead goal, with assists from Beckam Alger and Rocco Salvitti. Ultimately, this power play goal proved to be the game winner. 

Refusing to let up its intensity, insurance goals were scored in the 3rd period by Acklin and Sam Gaffney, with an assist from Huwar. Standing tall between the pipes, goaltender Jake Dold faced 40 shots on goal. 

With this win, the last regular season home game, the varsity team clinched a PIHL AAA playoff berth. The team will finish its regular season with two awry games against AAA powerhouses North Allegheny and Pine Richland on Feb. 24 and Feb. 28, respectively.

For video and pictures from the Feb. 21 game and senior night, check out the CCVHC Facebook page ... https://www.facebook.com/CCHSVikingsHockey

 Special thanks to all of the parents on the Senior Night Committee who worked so hard over the past several months to make this a special night for all!  We appreciate your effort on behalf of the kids! 

The puck dropped at 6:40 pm on December 21, 2021 at the Hunt Armory Ice Rink in Shadyside for a hockey double-header of epic proportions!

The Central Catholic High School hockey alumni faced off against the Pittsburgh Police Hockey Icemen for Game 1 of the double-header. Game 2, at 7:50 pm, featured two CCHS alumni hockey rosters (players listed below). 

Alumini player and current Central Catholic Vikings Hockey Head Coach Bill Connelly, '04, observed:

"Highlight reel goals were scored by Ryan Haag, Hugh Gallagher, Ronan Junker and Tim Schuster - with plenty of great saves by Nate Cava and Coyne McDermott.

As tradition, flowers were presented to Mrs. Sciullo while both the alumni and police team saluted Paul’s family. 

Playing the game in the Armory added a special atmosphere for both the Alumni and Police teams. Police team members shared stories of having their training held at the Armory. For an event that is used to celebrate the legacy of Paul, it was certainly special to play the game in a building that connected both teams in rich history. 

It’s always great to see so many families come back to the rink that I’ve been grateful to know both as a player and a coach. Beyond that, seeing generations of Vikings laugh and skate together, sharing stories of their time at Central, as well as stories to remember and honor Paul is truly something that we all feel so fortunate to be a part of. We’re already looking forward to next year’s game, as the Sciullo family is with us in our hearts every day in between."

* * * 

The alumni games are held annually in the honor of Paul J. Sciullo II. A 1991 CCHS graduate and Pittsburgh Police Officer, Sciullo (1972-2009), along with fellow officers Stephen Mayhle and Eric Kelly lost their lives on April 4, 2009, in one of the deadliest days in the history of the Pittsburgh Police Department.

Scuillo played for CCHS Vikings Hockey from 1988-91, graduating as its varsity captain.  After graduating from Duquesne University in 1995, he joined the Pittsburgh Police force in 2007.

CCVHC President Kevin Acklin, '94, reflected, "We honor the memory of our friend and teammate Paul Sciullo, who lived his life as an example of public service and remains and inspiration for all of us.  While Paul made the ultimate sacrifice for safety of the residents of Pittsburgh, his beloved parents Max and Sue gained all of us as their sons."

With the exception of 2020, this game has been held annually since 2009. "This event holds an incredible special place in our hearts," said Todd Bowlus, '92.  "Paul was my teammate, friend, and Captain.  He embodied everything that you would want in all three of those things.  It’s truly an honor to wear the name Sciullo on our backs for this game.  Every day, Max and Sue Sciullo, and the Sciullo family, continue to be in our hearts, thoughts and prayers.  Those of us lucky to know Paul will forever be impacted by him, and we take the utmost pride in passing along stories about him to those who did not know him.

"After missing the 2020 game," game organizer Brian Dolan, '01, said, "we're excited to have a completely sold out Alumni game for 2021!"   He said he is thrilled that these games will be a reunion of-sorts for a few classes (2001, 2002, and 2004) and that there is a strong showing of recent graduates. "Us old guys might wish we were young after the game! It's going to be competitive hockey, I hope the goalies are ready!"

As there were no gate fees (and even if you could not attend the games), please consider making a donation to the Paul J. Sciullo II Memorial scholarship fund. https://www.centralcatholichs.com/pages/give  

Under Donation Designation, select Endowment, and choose Paul J. Sciullo II Memorial Fund.

For more information about Sciullo and the annual alumni game, please see, https://www.centralcatholicvikingshockey.com/remembering-paul-sciullo . 

2021 Alumni Game Players
(as of 12/21/21)

Tony Trovato, '87; Ray Cervenak Jr,  '94; Justin Beachnau, '99; Brian Dolan, '01; Hugh Gallagher, '01; Athony Scoleri, '02; Timothy Schuster, '02; Jim Donahue, '03; Bill Connelly, '04; Andrew Petnuch, '04; John Chmiel, '04; Joe Coulter, '04; Jake Roberts, '07; Jon Coulter, '09; Anthony Parrucci, '13; JK Freyvogel, '13; Nick Tabaka, '15; John Staley, '15; Jeff Race, '02; Ryan Haag, '17; Nick Veltri, '17; Michael Sewecke, '20; Dominic Veltri, '20; Dayne Martin, '20; Max Ciganik, '20; Alex Pampena, '21; Jacob Bon, '19; Ronan Junker, '19; Bill Freyvogel, '94; Mike Zajko, '01; Quinn Gable, '01; Michael Facchiano, '20; Jack Null, '19; Christian Caparelli, '19; Chris McCambridge; Alexi Hooks, '19; Coyne McDermott, '19; Nate Cava, '18.

Central Catholic Vikings Hockey welcomes Coach Tony Trovato, '87,  as head coach of its Middle School-Bantam team for the 2021-22 season.

Coach Trovato has been involved with USA Hockey since 1978. He has played in both the PAHL and Travel Hockey throughout his career. He played high school hockey for Central Catholic for all four years, winning a WPIHL Championship in 1987. See team pictures from his high school years to the right/below.

He then went on to play college hockey at the University of Pittsburgh at the ACHA Division I level, winning a WPCHA championship in 1988.

He also had the distinction of playing for the All-Army hockey team while serving his country from 1990 to 1992, playing against college and semi-pro teams. He served with the 82nd Airborne Division and served in the Persian Gulf War (Operation Desert Shield/Storm).

He is currently a Level 4 on-ice official and has been an on-ice official since 1988.  He has officiated at every level of hockey from the NHL to youth amateur games. He has officiated both national and state level championship games.

He is currently a certified Level 4 USA Hockey coach.  He has been both an assistant and head coach at the AAA and AA levels.  He has taken his teams to the post season at every level.

CCHS Towers Yearbook, 1986-87
CCVHC Varsity Team

FUN FACT!!! Coach Trovato skated in the Pittsburgh-filmed movie, Sudden Death! Curious? ... see below!

CCHS Towers Yearbook, 1984-1985
CCVHC Varsity Team

CCHS Towers Yearbook, 1985-86
CCVHC Varsity Team

Central Catholic Vikings Hockey Club is pleased to welcome Brother Paul Avvento to its coaching core.

Bro. Paul, who is in his first year teaching 10th and 11th grade history at CCHS,  will be assisting Junior Varsity -2 team Head Coach John Beiber. 

Bro. Paul's love for hockey began when he was eight years old. "At first, I played defense and at 11 became a full time goalie," he said. "I played in several leagues, and every Sunday my friends and parents would play at a large parking lot. After a few weeks other kids from the neighborhood would stop by, and 'Firehouse Hockey' became a staple for us."

In college, Bro. Paul transitioned to ice hockey to play for Manhattan’s club team. After college, he continued playing roller hockey after college before returning to ice a few years ago. After playing competitively on several teams, he plays in local pick-up leagues and fills-in for goalies, when needed.

While this is Brother-Coach Avvento's first year coaching ice hockey, he has been in education for 13 years.  Bro. Paul received his bachelor's degree in Education from Manhattan College and his master's degree in Education Leadership from St. Mary's College of California.  He is excited to be teaching CCHS student athletes both in the classroom and on the ice!

Indeed, CCVHC is fortunate that two of its coaches are at CCHS on a day-to-day basis.  Coaching CCVHC junior varsity teams for eight years, Guidance Counselor and Coach James Eller received received both his undergraduate and graduate degrees from Indiana University of Pennsylvania. In addition to holding a Masters in Education,  Coach Eller is a Licensed Professional Counselor and National Certified Counselor. 

Coaches Eller and Avvento are excited to develop joint programming to support and guide all of CCVHC's players. "I think it will be amazing that Bro. Paul can bring an even more in depth spirituality component for the boys," said reflected Coach Eller. "I think it’s invaluable that they will have the opportunity to have a Christian Brother as a coach/moderator. I’m really looking forward to him joining our Central Catholic organization."