By Ross Porubski
Flyers Cup History
3/7/2026
Joe Houk serves as the head coach for Council Rock South hockey, overseeing all coaching decisions and player development for the team. He is recognized for a strict, businesslike approach to coaching, emphasizing fundamentals, teamwork, and disciplined play, similar to the style of former notable SHSHL head coach Paul Gilligan, [retired], who coincidentally was the head coach of the Council Rock Indians for twenty years and is the former all-time SHSHL winningest coach. Houk is actively involved in reviewing and approving coaching staff for the program, ensuring a consistent and effective coaching philosophy.
The Beginning
The Council Rock South Golden Hawks ice hockey program was founded in 2003, one year after the school opened. Joe launched his coaching career, quite literally from the ground up, starting at the middle school level, then moved on to a few years at JV. He then began his abbreviated varsity first campaign at the helm in 2007-08. Joe was coaching JV before he stepped in as an interim coach for the playoffs and Flyers Cup that year. Houk’s first full season behind the bench was 2008-2009.
That season, the Council Rock South program had come together. The pieces of the puzzle were all in place. In Houk’s inaugural season, the Hawks were National Division Champion, Class AA Flyers Cup Champion, and Pennsylvania State Championship Runner-Up.
Over the next three seasons, the Hawks won the SHSHL Championship once and would return to the Flyers Cup Championship three straight times, winning two times, and losing once, including one Pennsylvania State High School Championship, and one Runner-Up. Houk’s career would progress from there up to the current date, solidifying the Golden Hawks ice hockey program as not only one of the most successful in SHSHL History, but also solidifying his place as the Council Rock Ice Hockey all-time winningest coach, and the SHSHL’s all-time winningest head coach!
Onward and upward!
Under Houk’s leadership, Council Rock South has achieved strong results in the Suburban High School Hockey League (SHSHL). His teams are known for depth across all lines, solid defensive play, and effective goaltending. For example, CR South has achieved multiple mercy-rule victories, demonstrating both skill and strategic execution. Houk emphasizes teamwork, puck movement, and forechecking, which contribute to the team’s consistent success.
After twenty-years Joe Houk has staked his claim, replacing Paul Gilligan as the all-time winningest coach in SHSHL history. Think about that for a second, the Suburban High School Hockey League has been in existence for fifty-two years, and only two head coaches have held the record for most league wins, both from the Council Rock School district, North and South, numbers one and two all-time!
The records
2026 15W 5L 0T 1OTW | 2nd Place
2025 17W 1L 0 3OTW 0 | National Division Champion | SHSHL Champion | Flyers Cup Runner Up
2024 17W 1L 0 1OTW 0 | National Division Champion | SHSHL Champion | Flyers Cup Runner Up
2023 9W 0 0 1OTL | National Division Champion | SHSHL Champion
2022 13W 1L 2T 1OTL | National Division Champion | Flyers Cup Runner Up
2021 7W 3L 0T 1OTL | National Division Champion
2020 13W 3L 0T | National Division Champion
2019 6W 8L 3T | National Division 3rd Place
2018 9W 7L 1T | National Division Champion
2017 12W 4L 0T | National Division 2nd Place
2016 14W 3L 1T | National Division Champion
2015 11W 4L 1T | National Division Champion
2014 9W 6L 2T | National Division Champion
2013 14W 2L 0T | National Division Champion
2012 19W 4L 2T | National Division Champion | Flyers Cup Champion & PA Cup Champion
2011 18W 1L 1T | National Division Champion I Flyers Cup Champion & PA Cup Runner Up
2010 19W 0L 3T | National Division Champion | SHSHL Champion | Flyers Cup Runner Up
2009 19W 6L 1T | National Division Champion | Flyers Cup Champion & PA Cup Runner Up
League season totals
246 Wins (includes 5 OTW) 61 Losses (includes 3 OTL) 17 Ties
The Hardware & Notable Achievements
15-time division champion (best record)
4-time SHSHL League champion
3-time Flyers Cup champion
1-time Pennsylvania Cup champion
4-time Flyers Cup Runner Up
1-time Pennsylvania Cup Runner Up
2-time SHSHL Coach of the Year 2009 and 2010
1 Undefeated season, 2010
Player achievements
2-200 points club players, Jake Weiner, and Patrick Grilli
9-100 points club players
About a dozen NCAA players combined who played D1 or D3
Countless players who went on to be successful players in college club hockey
1-Professional player
