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

and the Hollidaysburg Scholastic Ice Hockey Program

Golden Tiger Hockey History

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, a local bean pot style of scholastic ice hockey tournament was established by Ken Koronowski. The tournament took on the name of its sponsor, Dean Patterson and the Dean Patterson Little Stanley Cup tournament was born with Hollidaysburg claiming what would be the first of five consecutive tournament championships.

In their second year in the Laurel Highlands High School Hockey League, the Golden Tigers won their division, advanced through the playoffs, and had 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.

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 Golden Tigers also claimed their third Dean Patterson Little Stanley Cup title.

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. Senior Josh Wolfe and Junior Tyler Robertson were named to the Open Northeast Conference All-Star Team.

The 2006-07 season saw the Varsity Golden Tigers post a very respectable 13-6-1 regular season record and earn the 5th seed in the playoffs; however, the Golden Tigers were not able to make it out of the first round once again falling to Woodland Hills. The Varsity again won 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 Northeast Conference All-Star Team while Varsity 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 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.