Bishop Canevin hockey returns to PIHL as part of co-op

By: HSSN Staff
Thursday, October 18, 2018 | 9:09 PM

The sweaters might say Bishop Canevin.

But the Canevin hockey team has more than just Crusaders this season. The roster also has Rebels, Golden Eagles and Chargers.

A year after the program went on hiatus because of low numbers, the Bishop Canevin hockey team is back. To help boost numbers, the team entered a co-op with three other schools: Seton LaSalle, Keystone Oaks and Our Lady of the Sacred Heart.

“Some situations can be tough with some players never playing together before,” coach Howard Smith said. “But we have a common ground in what we are looking to accomplish.”

The hiatus hit a program that is one of the most successful in the PIHL. Bishop Canevin has won more than 500 games and captured eight Penguins Cup titles, second only to Meadville’s nine.

“When I got the position, I said we are rebuilding,” Smith said. “It is a new era with a new tradition. But it is going to take one game at a time.”

Smith has a long history of coaching hockey. He was with the Carrick varsity, junior varsity and freshman teams from 2003-10. He also coached in San Diego during his time in the Navy and spent a season coaching in the Lehigh Valley.

He helped form Hockey in the Hood in 2000, a program that changed its name to Pittsburgh I.C.E. The program introduces hockey to children who might not have opportunities to afford the sport. He has worked with the Steel City Icebergs, a group that helps teach the sport to children and adults with disabilities.

Bishop Canevin has started the season 0-2 in Division II. The team opened with a 6-3 setback to Ringgold on Oct. 4 before falling 3-0 to Neshannock on Oct. 8.

Leading the team in points are Turner Anselm, with a goal and an assistand Evan Victor with a pair of assists. Ian Lecker, Jason Malesky and Evan Serakowski have each recorded a point.

Smith said a pair of players have stepped up as potential catalysts for the team’s success: team captain Cameron Ropchock and Matthew Tanczos.

“(Ropchock) has experienced playing for a AAA team with the Pittsburgh Hitmen,” Smith said. “We are looking for him for leadership. (Tanczos) is one of our students from OLSH, and I look at him as being a scoring threat.”

The Crusaders have three goalies who will see time. Henry Polley has played the first two games and recorded 53 stops with an 86.9 save percentage.

But with Polley being a senior, the staff is focused on getting Zachary Hartlep and Adam Serakowski experience.

Smith said he would like to see Bishop Canevin finish in the middle of the pack. While seemingly modest, a finish in the middle of the standings could have the Crusaders in postseason contention.

“If we’re in the middle of the pack, it means we’re sniffing a playoff spot,” Smith said. “I think that would tell myself, the staff and others ‘Wow. Look how far we have come in a rebuilding year.’ I think it is possible to be competitive and contend for a playoff spot.”

Nathan Smith is a freelance writer.

Tags: Bishop Canevin