Alumni Game a Smashing Success ! !

Wow, what a night. The Pittsburgh Hornet alumni came flying back to the Island Sports Center to participate in the latest holiday version of this alumni classic, and arguably constitute what could perhaps be categorized as one of the top College Hockey Teams in the country today. On the ice were 4 NHL draft picks, a couple of college All Americans, some NCAA Team Captains, the list goes on an on. The Alumni donned the old black hornet jerseys and won the game, but nobody was really tracking the score as it was great to see the current Midget Major Pittsburgh Hornets compete against such accomplished alumni.

Clearly, this was the greatest collection ever of college hockey talent in Western Pennsylvania and another testament as to why the Pittsburgh Hornets are one of the best amateur hockey programs in the country today, developing talent and helping elite athletes realize their dream to play in juniors, college, and even the NHL. Other organizations will boast and sell the bug juice about how they will "help your kid get scouted" or "get your kid into a certain college" because they "know somebody" blah, blah, blah, blah blah. But in Western Pennsylvania, the proof is in the pudding (as the Alumni game demonstrates) and it is only the Hornets that have a demonstrated track record of helping young hockey elite athletes become the best player they can be and make their hockey dreams become reality.

The action was fast and furious featuring the great goaltending of Shaun Williams (headed to Union College next year) and a strong defense anchored by Nate Guenin (Ohio State/New York Rangers{NHL}), Grant Lewis (Dartmouth/Atlanta{NHL}), Dylan Reese (Harvard/Rangers{NHL}), Eric Trax(Robert Morris), Denny Kirstein(Mercyhurst) and Denny Urban (Mahoning Valley). Offense was pretty electrifying as well with the likes of crafty JB Bittner (Ohio State/Portland {AHL}, speedy Lou Garritan(Bemidji St.), Justin Depretis, David Donatelli, Sean Kenney, (all of Penn St.), Christian Hanson(Norte Dame), Jim Fuhs (Ohio U.), Joe Federoff (Robert Morris), Dane Hetland(Baystate), and the mixture of finesse and brute force brought by Matt(Flyers/NHL) and Chris Clackson (Chicago/Western Michigan). After the exciting alumni victory, long time head coach Joe Gaul handed the Alumni Game Trophy to the victors, and you would swear there wasn't a dry eye in the house as the chests of the Alumni filled with pride at winning the game, and being a Pittsburgh Hornet Alumni.

See the list below of all the alumni that competed in this great game and set the standard for all aspiring hockey athletes from Western Pennsylvania to achieve. Way to go guys, we are all so very much proud of each and every one of you.

(Current Hornets below in absolute awe of the Alumni)

(Hornet Alumni crowding the bench)