Ken Koronowski, Founder of the Altoona Area Youth Ice Hockey Association

and the Hollidaysburg Scholastic Ice Hockey Program

Golden Tiger Hockey History

Over the years, Hollidaysburg has established and continued its rich winning tradition while at the same time challenging its players and coaches by moving to more competitive scholastic ice hockey leagues. Hollidaysburg is the only local ice hockey program to place its varsity team in the playoffs regardless of the league it has played in since the inception of the program. The coaches are committed to the student-athletes' development on the ice but more importantly, to excellence in the classroom.

Hollidaysburg Ice Hockey began in 2002, a year after the amateur Altoona Tracker ice hockey organization was established. In the fall of 2002, Ken Koronowski, who was instrumental in establishing the Tracker organization, set his sights on establishing scholastic ice hockey in Hollidaysburg. Hollidaysburg iced varsity and junior high teams that played in the Laurel Highlands High School Hockey League based in Indiana, PA. Under first year coaches Mike Bowman, Tom Lantz, and Mike Magee, the varsity won the league championship and the first ever Kelly Cup, defeating Indiana 2 games to 1 in the best of three series. Sophomore Bryan Koronowski was the league scoring champion. Also in 2002, Ken Koronowski spearheaded the establishment of a local bean pot style scholastic ice hockey tournament. The tournament took on the name of its sponsor, Dean Patterson and the Dean Patterson Little Stanley Cup tournament was born with the Golden Tigers claiming what would be the first of five consecutive varsity tournament championships. Sophomore Bryan Kowonowski, Freshman Josh Wolfe, Senior Nate Beerbower and Freshman Goalie Jonathan Joseph were named to the Laurel Highlands Scholastic Hockey League All-Star team.

In their second year in the Laurel Highlands High School Hockey League, the Varsity Golden Tigers won their division, advanced through the playoffs, and afforded themselves the opportunity to defend the Kelly Cup only to fall short to a talented Greensburg-Salem team in straight games in the best-of-three finals. The Golden Tigers won their second consecutive Dean Patterson Little Stanley Cup title when Sophomore Josh Wolfe scored the title winning goal against the Central PA Wolves at the 1:29 mark in triple overtime. Junior Bryan Koronowski, Sophomore Josh Wolfe and Sophomore Jonathan Joseph were named to the Laurel Highlands Scholastic Hockey League All-Star team.

In the 2004-05 season, the Golden Tigers again won their division but were upset, 4-3, by Derry Area High School in the quarter finals. The Varsity Golden Tigers did however claim their third consecutive Dean Patterson Little Stanley Cup title. Senior Bryan Koronowski, Junior Josh Wolfe, Sophomore Tyler Robertson and Freshman Kevin Koronowski were named to the Laurel Highlands Scholastic Hockey League All-Star team.

Prior to the 2005-06 season, the decision was made to make the jump to the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Hockey League (PIHL) which would, in time, allow the Golden Tiger program to compete for a state title. Both the varsity and junior varsity teams began play in the PIHL's Open Division and Less Travel Division, respectively while the junior high team played an independent schedule. The Varsity Golden Tigers posted a very respectable 9-11-0 record in their first year in the PIHL and made the playoffs but were eliminated from the playoff chase in the first round by eventual champion, State College. The Varsity claimed their fourth consecutive Dean Patterson Little Stanley Cup title defeating Altoona in the finals. Senior Josh Wolfe and Junior Tyler Robertson were named to the Open Division Northeast Conference All-Star team.

The 2006-07 season saw a coaching change as Jeff Adams took over the reigns as the Varsity Golden Tigers posted a very respectable 13-6-1 regular season record and earned the 5th seed in the playoffs under Adams' guidance. The Golden Tigers were not able to make it out of the first round falling once again to Woodland Hills. The Varsity won "One for the Thumb" by claiming the Dean Patterson Little Stanley Cup for the 5th time defeating Altoona 3-2 in overtime with Senior Tyler Robertson scoring the title winning goal. Seniors Brandon Marasco and Tyler Robertson were named to the Open Division Northeast Conference All-Star Team while Head Coach Jeff Adams was selected as one of the bench bosses.

The 2007-08 season saw the Varsity post an 8-12-1 record earning their 6th consecutive playoff berth as they secured the 7th seed in a hotly contested playoff race. The first round of the playoffs was once again unkind to the Golden Tigers as they were eliminated in overtime by the eventual Chiefs Cup Champions Woodland Hills Wolverines. The Varsity lost their strangle hold on the Dean Patterson Little Stanley Cup as Altoona claimed the title by the score of 3-1. Seniors Michael Sell and Kevin Koronowski were selected to the Open Division Northeast Conference All-Star Team. The Freshman Golden Tigers made the playoffs as the 11th seed in their first year playing in the PIHL losing to Elizabeth Forward in the first round with a depleted line up due to spring sports. They ended the season 14-3-0. The Junior Tigers were also the runner-up for the Dean Patterson Little Stanley Cup.

The 2008-09 season saw Hollidaysburg short on numbers at the varsity level which led to creating a coop team with Central PA as they were experiencing a similar numbers problem. The varsity once again played in the PIHL Northeast Conference of the Open Division finishing with an 8-13-3 overall record and 7-12-2 league record earning the 7th seed in the playoffs. The first round playoff jinx once again reared its ugly head as the varsity Golden Tigers fell to Ligonier Valley. The Freshman Tigers had a very impressive 2nd season in the PIHL with a record of 14-2-0, an overall record of 19-2-0, and earned the #3 seed in the playoffs. The Junior Tigers however fell to Quaker Valley, 4-3, in the first round. The Junior Tigers did reclaim the Dean Patterson Little Stanley Cup defeating Altoona. The varsity made the finals of the Dean Patterson Little Stanley Cup for as many years as the tournament has been in existence (7) only to fall short for the 2nd consecutive year. Junior Alex Robertson was named to the PIHL Open Division Northeast Conference All-star team.

Stay tuned for the 2009-10 season which looks very bright.