John Schierbaum began his high school playing career with the West Chester Henderson Warriors, which was a combined program of players from both Henderson and East, but ended with the West Chester East Vikings. Schierbaum was a high-scoring converted defenseman in high school, from his normal position at forward, to extend his playing time. John excelled from his freshman year through his senior year, a gifted player with great hands and vision of the ice that seemed second to none. During his freshman year, John played sparingly at the varsity level, as the coach’s philosophy didn’t align with first-year players seeing any or much ice time playing varsity. As a sophomore, Schierbaum collected a very respectable 36 goals and 18 assists for a total of 54 points. He was second to the team’s leading scorer, Leland Newell, who had 74 points. While his overall points were lower than the team […]

Sam Lipkin went to and played for the La Salle College High School Explorers from 2017 through 2019. He was an impact player on offense with exceptional speed, intelligence, and play-making ability. Lipkin played on and anchored one of the best offensive lines in the league with teammates Daniel Sambuco, and Michael Casey. Sam tallied 24G | 36A for 60 points in only 25 games as the leading scorer for the Explorers. In the 2018-2019 season, the Explorers raced through the APAC (Atlantic Prep Athletic Conference) winning the Class AAA Flyers Cup, and Pennsylvania Cup Championships. After the 2019 school year, Lipkin chose to leave La Salle, heading up the turnpike to play for the North Jersey Avalanche where he billeted with a family while he played for the club. I am uncertain where and how he completed his final two years of high school, unfortunately, I cannot elaborate. Sam […]

Jim Britt went to and played for the Holy Ghost Prep Firebirds of the Lower Bucks County Scholastic Hockey League, “LBCSHL.” Britt was a standout goaltender for the Firebirds, playing his entire high school career for prep. Britt’s story is a bit different than most. As a student at Kings College in Wilkes-Barre, his main interest in studying was to work in the sports industry in some capacity, which specifically didn’t really matter to him, so long as he did what he wanted to do for a career, in hockey. He began his career while still in college as an intern with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins, otherwise known as “The Baby Pens.” His first job was in ticket sales, though not the ideal situation, it was his foot in the door so-to-speak. Throughout his tenure with the minor league affiliate, Britt eventually went on to work in various roles for the […]

Joe Houk went to and played for the Council Rock Golden Hawks, otherwise known as “South”. He was an impact player on defense with impressive skills both on the blueline and with the puck offensively. Joe’s nickname was “Chippy” for his chipped tooth, in his freshman year he won the “Freshman Award”. Houk began his hockey career as a forward, playing for both South and the Philadelphia Junior Flyers of the Atlantic Junior Hockey League. But one day his high school coach, Marc Rago, approached him about filling in on defense. “The coach came up to me and said: ‘We need a defenseman for the next game.’ I was a youngster, the only freshman on the team, just happy to be there,” Houk recalled. “I said: ‘I’ll try’. I went out there against the other team’s best forward and completely shut him down. “The coach said I might as well […]

Mike Pietrangelo went to and played for the William Tennent Panthers of the Suburban High School Hockey League. He was a high-scoring forward who led his team and the league in points in the 1992, (39 goals and 41 assists for 81 points) season. Pietrangelo led the Panthers to an SHSHL title after beating Council Rock two games to one in the best-of-three championship series. Tennent went on to the Class AAA Flyers Cup final against Monsignor Bonner where they lost 3-1. In his senior year, 1993, Mike led his team again en route to another SHSHL championship winning the league title in back-to-back seasons. The Panthers went on to lose their Flyers Cup bid in the semi-finals against the Germantown Academy Patriots, 5-3. William Tennent Panthers highlights Mike moved on to Penn State University to complete his education. He played ACHA Division ll club hockey for the Icers. In […]

Barry Goers went to and played for the Council Rock Indians, (North) in both the SHSHL and ICSHL and was a standout defenseman. As a junior and senior, he was a two-time All-Star team member in high school. He was named Breakaway Magazine’s Defenseman of the Year as a senior when he graduated from Council Rock in 2004. After high school Barry played two seasons for the Green Mountain Glades of the EJHL in Burlington, Vermont. he appeared in 91 games for the Glades, recording 10 goals and 54 assists for 64 points, he was EJHL Defensive Player of the Year in 2005-06 and captained the Glades as well. Goers was a two-time EJHL All-Star in both seasons. He also played in the EJHL All-Star game against the USA U18 team. Barry played college hockey for the UMass-Lowell River Hawks from 2006 to 2010. During his freshman season, on January […]

Ryan Gunderson went to and played for Holy Ghost Prep of the Lower Bucks County Scholastic Hockey League, “LBCSHL.” The gifted Firebird forward played all four years of high school eligibility piling up milestones and achievements. In Ryan’s freshman year 1999-00, he posted almost 50 points with 14 goals, and 29 assists for 43 points. Additionally, his tier-one Valley Forge Minutemen won the coveted Silver Stick Tournament in Ontario, Canada. In 2000-01 Ryan suffered a shoulder injury which limited his playing time, but he still managed to compile 11 goals, and 24 assists for 35 points. In 2001-02 he went on a tear scoring 29 goals, and 47 assists for 76 points leading both the Firebirds and the LBCSHL as Leading scorer. At season’s end, Ryan was awarded the Breakaway Magazine Mike Condon Award (sportsmanship), Courier Times Ice Hockey Player of the Year, and Courier Times All-Area Ice Hockey first […]

Brian O’Neill went to and played for Germantown Academy High School of the Inter-County Scholastic Hockey League, “ICSHL.” Brian played three years for the Patriots, in which they won the ICSHL title in 2005. In his first season, Brian was named Breakaway Magazine Freshman of the Year. In his sophomore, and junior years he was named Breakaway Magazine “Player of the Year”, and while the Patriots went to the Flyers Cup Finals in those years, they were runner-up both times. However, Brian was named the 2005 Flyers Cup MVP, and leading scorer. In 2006 Brian was again the Flyers Cup leading scorer award winner. He was the ICSHL Class AAA leading scorer in both 2005 and 2006. O’Neill was also a Varsity golfer as well with the lowest score in all three years. Leading up to his senior year, O’Neill never seriously considered playing collegiately because it wasn’t a popular […]