By Ross Porubski
Flyers Cup History
4/11/2026
The North Penn Ice Hockey Program began in September of 1973 in it’s innaugural season, the Knights hockey club was sponsorless, operating mainly on donations, in which the greatest portion of the expenses was paid for by the team members. They played in an unofficial league called the Wintersport High School League, run by the owner of the rink, Ray Reinl.
On Thursday, June 6, 1974, the North Penn Ice Hockey Club was approved by the school board as an extracurricular activity for the 1974-75 school year. The school district agreed to pay up to $2,500 for ice rental for the club and would appoint a supervisor. Students participating in the club would have to carry accident insurance. at their own cost, if required. On August 22, 1975, the SHSHL files with the PA Dept of State for non-profit status listing the five ‘founding fathers’ as league members. The league adds Central Bucks, North Penn, Germantown Academy, Archbishop Wood, Cheltenham, Bishop McDevitt, William Tennant, LaSalle, Roxborough, and Council Rock.
Over the entire existence of the Knights program, they have seen change at the helm twelve times. The current coach, who is number twelve, is Kevin Vaitis. Vaitis is what can be considered a legacy. He is the only coach in the league who went to, played, and coached his entire career at his alma mater.
“Kevin was always interested in “hockey” from a young age. He would often play street hockey with the neighborhood kids as young as 5 years old. As he moved into middle school, street hockey became roller hockey, on roller blades, out in the street. Kevin started ice hockey with LSYA (Lower Salford Youth Association) in 7th grade. He played a few years for LSYA and then joined the high school JV team in 9th grade. Kevin played on the North Penn JV team all 4 years in high school. Vaitis grew his love for ice hockey, frequenting many Flyers games over the years. One of his favorite all-time players was Eric Lindros. Kevin was also an avid trading card collector (the crates of cards are still at his parents’ home).
Kevin graduated from North Penn in 2001, and after his first year in college, he took on a role as an Assistant Coach on the JV B team with NPIHA. Kevin spent 3 seasons with the Middle School teams and then was an Assistant Coach at JV again in 2005-2007. Kevin was asked to help assist Ken Haas on Varsity during the 2007-08 and 2008-09 seasons, and then took over as the Varsity Head Coach during the 2009-2010 season.” ~ Dan Vaitis
Vaitis has been a part of the program for over 30 years as both a player and coach at all levels, from middle school to Varsity. He is not only the longest tenured at almost 20 years, he is also the all-time winningest North Penn Ice Hockey coach ever, and is currently the fourth all-time winningest coach in SHSHL history. The program, without a doubt, has seen its best-ever production over the past 3 years. The Knights have been run like a professional organization from top to bottom over it’s 50 year existence. As long as Vaitis continues, he will very easily move up the coaching ladder in overall SHSHL all-time status.
Coaching Resume:
Season record as Head Coach (not including OTL or OTW)
181 wins | 105 losses | 21 ties
- 1 Class AA Pennsylvania Cup Championship title (As head coach)
- 2 Class AA Flyers Cup championship titles (As head coach)
- 3 SHSHL championship titles (Two as head coach, one as assistant)
- 3 Division titles (One as head coach, two as assistant) —
- 2 Flyers Cup runner-up (Both as assistant)
- 1 Pennsylvania Cup runner-up (As head coach)
SHSHL All-Time top five:
*The wins list only includes regular and postseason wins combined.
Joe Houk – Council Rock South Golden Hawks – 244 wins
Paul Gilligan – Council Rock Indians – 236 wins (retired)
Andy Richards – Central Bucks East Blazers/Patriots – 203 wins (retired)
Kevin Vaitis – North Penn Knights – 173 wins
John Ioia – Germantown Academy Patriots – 161 wins (deceased)
Records:
2026
SHSHL National Division – 22- 1- 0 – 0 – 0- 88 PTS | first place | National Division Champions
(SHSHL League Champion)
(Class AA Flyers Cup Champion)
(Class AA Pennsylvania Cup Runner-Up)
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2025
SHSHL National Division – 17 – 2 – 0 – 1 – 1 – 64 PTS | second place
(Class AA Flyers Cup / Pennsylvania Cup Champion)
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2024
SHSHL National Division – 11 – 7 – 1 – 23 PTS | fifth place
(Flyers Cup round 1)
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2023
SHSHL National Division – 5 – 10 – 1 – 1 – 11 PTS | eleventh place (last)
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2022
SHSHL Continental Division – 1 – 13 – 0 – 0 PTS | sixth place (last)
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2021
SHSHL Continental Division – 5 – 7 – 0 – 1 – 11 PTS | third place
(Flyers Cup first round)
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2020
SHSHL Continental Division – 13 – 3 – 0 -1 – 24 PTS | second place
(Flyers Cup quarter-finals)
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2019
SHSHL Continental Division – 11 – 4 – 3 – 24 PTS | third place
(Flyers Cup quarter-finals)
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2018
SHSHL Continental Division – 11 – 6 – 2 – 24 PTS | third place
(Flyers Cup quarter-finals)
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2017
SHSHL Continental Division – 9 – 10 – 0 – 18 PTS | fourth place
(Flyers Cup round 2)
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2016
SHSHL Continental Division – 8 – 8 – 1 – 17 PTS | fourth place
(Flyers Cup round 2)
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2015
SHSHL Continental Division – 10 – 4 – 2 – 22 PTS | third place
(Class AA Flyers Cup runner-up)
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2014
SHSHL Continental Division – 17 – 6 – 1 – 35 PTS | third place
(SHSHL Champion)
(Flyers Cup quarter-finals)
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2013
SHSHL Continental Division – 13 – 3 – 1 – 27PTS | second place
(Flyers Cup semi-finals)
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2012
SHSHL Continental Division – 12 – 3 – 3 – 27PTS | third place
(Flyers Cup quarter-finals)
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2011
SHSHL Continental Division – 10 – 6 – 4 – 24 PTS | third place
(Flyers Cup quarter-finals)
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2010
SHSHL Continental Division – 6 – 12 – 4 – 16 PTS | fifth place
(Flyers Cup round 2)
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2009
Head Coach: Ken Haas
Assistant: Kevin Vaitis
SHSHL National Division – 18 – 3 – 1 – 37 PTS | first place
(Division champion | SHSHL Champion)
(Flyers Cup runner-up)
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2008
Head Coach: Ken Haas
Assistant: Kevin Vaitis
SHSHL National Division – 15 – 4 – 0 – 30 PTS | first place
(Division champion)
(Flyers Cup semi-finals)
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