Cranberry Twp, PA - The North Catholic Trojans had a successful 2024-25 season in the PIHL Class A. The team went 11-7-0 through 20 games in the regular season, finishing 5th in the Varsity A Blue Division. After graduating 8 seniors, the Trojans looked to their younger core as well as new additions to bolster the lineup. Two additions included junior Lukas Hixon (F/D), who had 16 points (7 G, 9 A) through 19 games and freshman Bryce Radeke (F) who put up 13 points (7 G, 6 A) in 18 games. The team had impressive offensive depth and a well-structured defense led now by three seniors, Beckett Dunn (F), Ryder Graff (D), and John Pontello (F).

The Trojans had four players represent North Catholic at the PIHL Class A All-Star game in January. Those players were juniors Wyatt Cleveland (G) and Anthony Neely (F), and seniors Beckett Dunn (F) and Ryder Graff (D). Beckett Dunn would eventually surpass the 100 point-mark later in the season, joining his old line mate Ryan Berry '24, with a new school record. In addition to the individual achievements of each of these players, the Trojans had the 7th best goaltending tandem in Class A with Wyatt Cleveland and Freshman Darren Riley (G) averaging a .907 SV%, allowing just under 3 goals-per-game. Also, the team ranked 9th in Class A in total score by period, out-scoring opponents 87-55. Aside from the score sheet, the Trojans picked up huge wins during the regular season and playoffs including an exciting victory over the #2 Mars Planets 4-2 on the road, and an upset win over #1 Moon Area Tigers 5-1. In playoffs, the team topped the Montour Spartans in a 5-0 shutout win, but would eventually fall to the #1 seed Chartiers Valley in the quarterfinal.

With the 2024-25 season now in the books, the Trojans have their sights set on the 2025-2026 hockey season.  That journey starts now in April and May as the program prepares to hold tryouts at the UPMC Lemieux Sports Complex.  Starting in April, all returning and incoming 9th-12th graders for 2025-2026 are able to participate in the "tune-up" practices that will be held on Wednesday evenings.  Tryouts for both JV and Varsity will take place in May.  Below is the complete listing of dates and times.  

TUNE-UP PRACTICES

• Wednesdays, April 23, 30, and May 7 | 8:10pm-9:10pm at UPMC

JV and VARSITY TRYOUTS

• Monday, May 12 | 8:00pm-9:30pm at UPMC
• Wednesday, May 14 | 8:10pm-9:40pm at UPMC

The North Catholic Middle School team will hold tryouts in May as well.  Students attending both Catholic grades schools and public schools entering grades 6-8 are welcome to tryout for the 2025-2026 season.  All players with birth years of 2011-2013 are eligible as middle school hockey is classified as U14 by USA Hockey. 

• Sunday, May 18 | 6:30pm-7:50pm

To register for tryouts, please use the link below.  

2025-2026 North Catholic Hockey Tryouts | Register Here