Vikings Alumni
Central Catholic Vikings Hockey Club Alumni Update
VIKINGS ALUMNI NEWS
Central Catholic Vikings Hockey (CCVHC) has launched a "VIKINGS ALUMNI" section on its new website and we want to hear from you! Please contact us! Let us know about your Central Catholic Vikings experience and what you have done -- on or off the ice -- since leaving the quadrangle! Have you returned as a coach, mentoring and guiding Vikings? Have your family members participated -- and/or currently participate -- in Vikings Hockey? Please check the page on occasion, we will be updating it as we collect and digitize more information about all of the teams ... going back to the inaugural season, 1972-73!!
If you have remained in contact with the program over the years, we appreciate it and always welcome your support and involvement! If you haven't had a lot of contact with Vikings hockey since graduation, please check out the CALENDAR section. If you are in Pittsburgh, come watch a game and reconnect with the program. CCVHC is celebrating its 50th Anniversary season!! We hope that you will be a part of the excitement! Roll Vikes!
Calling all CCVHC alumni!
Please let us know where you are now and what you are doing. Whether it be a hockey-related update or general "regular life" information, we want to hear from you! Please send us an email. As we celebrate our program's 50th Anniversary, please share your memories of CCVHC with us ... we welcome your stories and any photos you may wish to share.
If you have not been involved with CCVHC in years or are no longer living in Pittsburgh, we welcome you back to the fold ... please follow the program online through this website, which is continually updated throughout the season.
The First Central Catholic High School Ice Hockey Team, 1972-1973.
The Inaugural Season: 1972-1973
The Hockey Team: Kneeling: James Bente ('74); Ralph Massaro ('74) J. Marburger (Alternate Captain, '76)), John Murphy ('74); Steven DiGiacomo ('75); Joe Beradone ('75); Jeffrey Balogh ('75). Standing: Jeffrey Kramer ('73); Alfred Zangrilli ('75); Tom Hile ('75); Mark Doerfler (Alternate Captain, '74); Lawrence Wenko ('75), R. Brown, Joeseph Bucci ('73); Robert Arturo (Captain, '73); Frederick Jacob (Alternate Captain, '73), John Ammon, Martin Teague ('74); Alex Sanchioli ('76). Not Pictured: David Lewandowski ('75); Paul Fischione ('74); John McKeating ('76); David McKinney ('73); C. Barton; Coach Bro. Patrick Carney ('58), Trainer Robert Zepfel. Source: CCHS 1973 Yearbook.
Tradition Never Graduates:
Skating Strong Together After 40+ Years
Central Catholic Vikings Hockey Club heard recently from alumni John Paxton and Jack Murphy ... they are proof-positive that "Tradition Never Graduates!"
A CCVHC Alternate Captain, Murphy graduated from Central Catholic High School in 1979. His teammate, Captain John Paxton, graduated in 1980.
Some 40-plus years later, they are still skating together. In September 2022, they were teammates again ... playing in the 60+ braket of the Carolina Classics Touranment in Greensboro, NC. The two played for a Virginia team, the "Rusty Blades." Paxton wrote to CCVHC, "43 years later and still playing!"
After graduating from CCHS in 1979, Murphy went to the University of Pittsburgh and, later, Virginia Tech, where he received degrees in Architecture Studies and Architecture, respectively. Hockey was never far from his mind and he played club hockey for both college teams. Today, he is the Sr. Vice President of Project Management and Business Development for Thompson & Litton Engineers, Architects, Surveyors and Planners in Radford, Va. He is married and has three children.
A 1980 CCHS graduate, Paxton went to Ohio State University. Hockey, likewise, remained close to his heart and he played on the school's ACHA team. After receiving his B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from OSU, he went on to receive an M.B.A. from Kent State University. Today, in addition to still playing ice hockey, he is the CEO of the Material Handling Industry Trade Association (MHI). He currently lives in Charlotte, NC with his wife and two children.
We welcome all CCVHC alumni to share their stories with us (hockey@centralcatholichs.com) ... and hope that all still have both Central Catholic and hockey in their hearts!
From left, Jack Murphy (A), '79, and John Paxton (C), '80. Photo submitted by John Paxton.
1978-79 CCVHC Varsity Team. Source:1979 Central Catholic High School Yearbook.
Sitting: Paul Walsh, Mike Palmiere, John Carr, Bill Gavin, Mike Panian. Kneeling: Nick Parslow, John Paxton, Jeff Lankewicz, Matt Simpson, Carl Sanchioli, Larry Gale. Standing: Ed Himish, Tom Fisher, Tom Najewicz, Alternate Captain Jack Murphy, Dave Brown, Captain Chris Bowden, John Gault, Coach Tom Zunic.
Reuinted! Jack Murphy and John Paxton still playing together in 2022! Photo submitted by John Paxton.
Central Catholic Vikings Hockey ... Flashbacks!
Senior Snapshots:
From 1979-80 to 2019-20
The 1979-1980 CCVHC Varsity Team
Sitting: Dan Welsh, Chris Stockhausen, Keith Chemiel, Charmen Trovato, Roy Paxton. Kneeling: Ron Karrenbauer, Paul Walsh, Mike Palmieri, George Starz, Chuck Brooks, John Paxton, Tom Finely. Standing: Coach Dan McGovern, Mike Simpson, Mark Ritchie, Garris Graham, Kai Olander, Jeff Lankiewicz, Rob Mewhirter, Jon Willey, George Sugar, Coach Tom Zunic.
The CCVHC 1979-80 team. Source: Central Catholic High School 1980 Yearbook.
Fast forward forty years!
The 1979-1980 Central Catholic varsity team had Mark Ritchie, Kai Olander, Jeff Lankewicz, and John Paxton at the helm.
Forty years later, the 2019-2020 team was anchored by another strong core of alumini, D. Veltri, M.Sewecke, D. Martin, M. Facchiano, M. Ciganik, and C. Simione.
CCVHC 2019-2020 Varsity Team. Matt Polk Photography.
Sitting: Alex Paluso, JoJo Palahunik, Beckam Alger, Mario Misiti, Colin McCarthy. Kneeling: Jake Dold, Alejandro Pietz, Alex Pampena, Nico Castracani, Ethan Iaccio, Adam Tabaka, Vinnie Cascone. Standing: Dayne Martin, CJ Simione, Michael Sewecke, Dom Veltri, Max Ciganik, Michael Facchiano.
A flashback to CCVHC Varsity Hockey almost 25 years ago ... where are they now?
As we embark on the 2022-23 season, CCVHC is looking back to teams from decades past ... where are these CCHS alumni now? While these men may have graduated from CCHS nearly decades ago, for Vikings hockey players, tradition never graduates!
Central Catholic High School Yearbook, 2000-2001
CCVHC Generations ...
Three generations of Vikings hockey! Julie and Joe Tabaka ('87) and sons Nick ('15) and Adam (Class of '21). Joe also served as head coach of the bantam/middle school team from 2014-17. Daughter, Jordan, is a graduate of Oakland Catholic. Photo by: Matt Polk Photography.
Ten Years and Still Going Strong: 1981-1982 Varsity Team
Left Kneeling: Mike Donahue, Scott Lipsitz, Bill Diskin, Eric Wilds, Phil Medsger, Tim Najewicz, John Michanowicz, Keith Chmiel, Eddie O’Palko. Standing: Asst. Coach Dan (Magoo) McGovern, George Sugar, Roy Paxton, Tim Ross, Aaron Duerksen, John Tomas, Jeff Stewart, Carmen Trovato, Chris Stockhausen, Greg Cummins, Coach Tom Zunic. Not pictured: Ronald J. Karrenbauer
The 1981-1982 Central Catholic Varsity Team
** CCVHC ALUMNI UPDATES **
Acklin, CCHS '94, Named Pittsburgh Penguins President of Business Operations
Kevin Acklin, a 1994 graduate of Central Catholic High School and a Central Catholic Vikings Hockey player was named in June 2022 the Pittsburgh Penguins President of Business Operations.
As a parent of CCVHC student athletes, Acklin served as president of the Central Catholic Vikings Hockey Club from 2019-2022.
While serving as president of CCVHC, his "welcome" message to hockey families will stand the test of time...
* * *
Dear fellow hockey parents–
It is with great excitement that I welcome you to the Central Catholic High School ice hockey. We have a strong and proud tradition as an organization, and we look forward to a great season.
Like many of you with Central ties, our son is starting Central this year as the fourth generation of our family to attend Central Catholic. As a player with my brothers in the late 1980s and early 1990s, I was more familiar with the penalty box than the scoring sheet, but Central hockey taught us the intangible life skills of teamwork, leadership, work ethic and overcoming adversity. We were fortunate to play alongside Paul Sciullo ’91, who lived his life as an example of public service and remains and inspiration for all of us. We stand on the shoulders of generations of players and alumni who helped to build our reputation, and we look forward to building upon that legacy.
Our commitment is to pursue excellence on and off the ice. Together, we are forming young men to become the next generation of leaders. We support our coaches and parents as mentors, and we expect that our players will exceed the high moral and behavioral standards incumbent of Central Catholic students.
On behalf of the Board and Administration, we encourage our coaches and parents to support each other in this mission, and we are available to address any issues or concerns that arise throughout the year.
Thank you for all that you do as hockey parents. We suffer early morning ice times and the expense of long trips and out-of-town tournaments. We appreciate your time and investment in our players, and we don’t take it for granted.
We look forward to another great season of Central hockey.
Kevin Acklin
CCHS ‘94
President, Central Catholic Hockey
Kevin Acklin, '94.
Kevin Acklin, CCVHC President, speaks at Senior Night (February 2022).
Kevin Acklin, CCVHC President, his wife, Katie, and (from left) CCVHC Coaches Mike Johnson, Bill Connelly, and Michael Petrella at the CCVHC Banquet (May 2021).
Beiber, '19, signs with Richmond Generals
CCVHC and CCHS alum Jonathan Beiber, '19, CCVHC signed with the Richmond Generals in the USPHL for the 2020-21, 2021-22, and 2022-23 seasons. In addition to posting strong stats as a defenseman with the CCVHC Varsity team, Beiber scored 12 Goals and added 26 Assists for 38 Points with a +28 in 60 Games for Pittsburgh Predators U18AA.
Jonathan Beiber, '19.
Alumni Update: Kris Mayotte
Congratulations to former CCVHC goalie Kris Mayotte on his appointment as an Assistant Coach at the University of Michigan!
CCHS 2012 yearbook.
Anthony Parucci, '13
Anthony Parucci, '13, pictured below (top row, fourth from left), during his CCVHC tenure. Still serving as CCVHC Head Coach, Bill Connelly, also was at the helm during the 2012, 2013 seasons (top row, second from left).
Congratulations to CCVHC alum, Anthony Parucci, '13, on winning Elmira College Men's Hockey program's Ellen Gibbs Matson Award. The award is given to a senior who has shown, in action, Ellen’s leadership, joy of life, and commitment to EC.
Parucci, who also served as the team's captain for three seasons, graduated in 2020.
