Franklin Regional hockey looks to replace veteran leaders in defense of PIHL title

By: HSSN Staff
Friday, October 12, 2018 | 7:03 PM

The two-time defending PIHL Class A champion Franklin Regional Panthers have their sights set on defending their crown, but expect to experience growing pains.

Franklin Regional has graduated eight seniors over the past two seasons which left a void of leadership and veteran experience that is sure to have an impact.

Coach Brian Kurtz said the preseason goals were the same, but tempered with the knowledge that certain players will need to step in and fill important spots on the ice and in the locker room.

“Obviously, every season as we go in, our goal is to make the playoff run and get into the playoffs,” Kurtz said. “This year is a little bit different than the past couple of years because we’re a very young team.

“We knew going in that in order to accomplish that goal, we have to get these young guys all on the same page, understanding what it takes to play at the varsity level and to get back to the playoffs.”

The Panthers got off to a rough start, losing a 4-3 overtime game to Peters Township and suffering a 5-0 loss to Latrobe. Kurtz said the Peters Township game had a lot of positives because Franklin Regional battled while behind to force the extra period.

Kurtz said having the entire team, from seniors to freshman, committing to a gritty style of hockey that may see them undersized on certain nights will be vital in progressing throughout the season.

“We have to have that leadership, which we’re going to find, but we also need the younger guys to be committed to the style play we’re playing and to want to be able to work at it and get to where we needed to be heading into the season,” Kurtz said.

“One thing we are trying to stress even to the young guys, we have to play with some grit and intensity on the ice in terms of playing a defensive style on both ends of the ice to try to make up for the lack of size that we do have.”

Seniors goalie Danny Soltesz and forwards Oldrich Virag and captain Mathieu Sliva have experienced championship hockey and will be relied upon to teach the younger players what it takes to win at the varsity level.

Sliva said he was proud to put the “C” on his sweater and will convey the leadership qualities the upperclassmen in year’s past taught him.

“Most of the kids aren’t the biggest, so they’ll look up to us who have letters on our jersey, and with no leadership, there’s no one for them to follow,” Sliva said. “I like to be a vocal leader, but I also like to hit and use my body, and I think that’s something we need to start doing sooner in games.”

Kurtz said playing sound defensive in both zones will be key to another deep postseason win. Sliva agreed with his coach’s sentiment, going as far to refresh the memories of his teammates that this style has won multiple championships.

“If we are buying into this style, we can at least get into the playoffs because the system of hockey works,” Sliva said. “It’s won championships before. As long as these young guys buy into it, I think we’ll have success this year.”

Brian Graham is a freelance writer.

Tags: Franklin Regional