Welcome to a new feature at Pittsburgh Hockey Digest called Hockey’s Headwaters. Throughout the season we’re going to take a look at the players who have either gotten their start or passed through one of the many amateur teams in Western Pennsylvania. From mites all the way to collegiate game, the sport of hockey at the grassroots level in Pittsburgh has developed some of the brightest young talent in the NHL.
A Headwaters article will try to keep you up to date about the players from the region that are continuing their trek to the top tiers of the sport. Let’s get the game moving with Hockey’s Headwaters update for Oct. 17.
Stephen Johns
Former Pittsburgh Hornets star and Wampum, Pa., native Stephen Johns scored the first goal of the season for the Dallas Stars, and added three additional shots in his team’s 4-1 victory over the Anaheim Ducks. It was Johns’ second goal in only his 15th NHL game played.
The big defenseman snuck in the back door and took a pass from Patrick Eaves.
Johns’ goal came against Anaheim Ducks goaltender John Gibson (Whitehall, Pa.), who started the Ducks’ season opener, giving up four goals in a 4-1 loss. He fared better Sunday night, stopping 27 of 30 shots in an overtime loss to the New York Islanders.
Columbus Blue Jackets forward Brandon Saad has two assists over his first two games. … Florida Panthers forward Vince Trocheck scored his first goal of the season Saturday night against Detroit. … New York Rangers Forward J.T. Miller netted his first goal in an opening night win over the Islanders.
Defenseman Nate Guenin played in two games for the San Diego Gulls this week, registering two penalty minutes. … Riley Barber registered an assist in two games for Hershey.
Robert Morris Class of 2016 forward Brandon Denham made the opening roster of the Manitoba Moose. He did not play in their games this past week. Adam Brace (Toronto) and Henrik Samuelsson (Tuscon) both also made opening AHL rosters this season.
Jake Hildebrand
Butler, Pa., native Jake Hildebrand started his season off in impressive fashion, securing two wins for the Indy Fuel. He allowed only two goals and stopped 56 of the 58 shots he faced.
Hildebrand was named the ECHL’s Goaltender of the Week on Tuesday.
He is playing in his first professional season after graduating from Michigan State. He is playing this season on a two-way contract with the AHL’s Rockford IceHogs.
Adirondack Thunder forward Ty Loney kicked off his season the right way, accumulating two goals and an assist over two games. … Mt. Lebanon native Tyler Murovich scored a goal for the Atlanta Gladiators.
Greg Gibson (Starbulls Rosenheim, DEL2) has played 10 games and has a line of five goals and four assists. The 2016 Robert Morris grad is in his first season in Europe and Gibson already leads Rosenheim in scoring.
Dylan Reese (HV71, SHL) scored a goal and had 4 assists over 7 games. … Jesse Root (HC Bolzano, EBEL) has 6 goals and an assist over 8 games. … Cody Cartier (Manchester Storm, EIHL) has 4 goals and an assist over 10 games. … Andrew Blazek (Aalborg, Denmark) has 3 goals and 6 assists in 7 games. … Goaltender William King (Tyringe SoSS, Swe D-1) has a 3.01 GAA in 5 games.
Three former Robert Morris Colonials will suit up for the Buffalo Beauts this season. Brianne McLaughlin has played in three games this season, with her only setback coming in a 41-save effort in a 2-1 loss.
Ashley Vesci made her professional debut in the same game. Morgan Beikirch made the Beauts as a practice player.
Two more former Colonials have signed with the CWHL’s Brampton Thunder. Rebecca Vint registered an assist in 2 games played. Kristen Richards has played in all 4 games.
William Casey (Soo Eagles, NOJHL) has 3 goals and 4 assists in 5 games. … Alex Gritz (Sault St. Marie, OHL) has 2 assists in 5 games played. … Connor Quinn (Brockville Braves, CCHL) has 3 assists in 13 games. … Dustin Rinaldo (Brockville Braves, CCHL) had 6 goals and 4 assists to start his season. … Shawn Baird (Cornwall Colts, CCHL) scored a goal and two assists. … Adam Alavi (Kemptville 73’s, CCHL) has 3 goals and 8 assists over 16 games. … Austin Tonkavich (Trenton Golden Hawks, OJHL) had 2 goals and 4 assists over his first 10 games. … Nick Long (Elliot Lake, NOJHL) had 3 goals and 4 assists over 12 games played.
Franklin Regional grad Alexander Berardinelli (Colorado College, WCHA) scored 2 goals and an assist in 4 games. Berardinelli, a freshman, is tied for the team lead in goals and points. One of his tallies came shorthanded, the only such goal for the Tigers this season.
Peters Township grad and Esmark Stars alumnus Trevor Recktenwald (Ferris State, WCHA) has 2 assists in 5 games. His teammate, Bethel Park’s Tyler Andrew (Pittsburgh Hornets), has a goal in five games. … Ohio State’s Luke Stork (Upper St. Clair) has an assist in 3 games.
Jordan Timmons (Bridgeville, Pa.) has a goal and three assists in three games for the Muskegon Lumberjacks. Timmons, who played in the PIHL for South Fayette and was a member of the Penguins Elite U16 and U18 teams, was named to the NHL Central Scouting Service’s players to watch for the 2017 NHL Draft. … Liam Walsh (Bridgeville, Pa.) and Carter Ekberg (McMurray, Pa.) also made USHL squads.
Forward Dalton Hunter (Greensburg, Pa.) is third on the Johnstown Tomahawks with 8 goals and 6 assists in 11 games. Two of his tallies have been game-winners for the 9-1-1 Tomahawks. … He’s joined on the squad by forward Tomas Horn (Mt. Lebanon, Pa.), who has 3 goals and 3 assists in 9 games, defenseman Adam Pilewicz (Sewickley, Pa.), who has a goal and 5 assists in 10 games and Alex Singley (Latrobe, Pa.).
Brendan Walkom has 4 goals and 4 assists in 13 games for the Amarillo Bulls. The Bulls also have local players Jonathan Dagnal (2 goals, 1 assist), Eric Cooley (2 assists), Luke Edgerton (1 assist) and goaltender Kyle Madore (1-4, 4.31 GAA).
Butler’s Paul Maust has 2 goals and 3 assists in 8 games for the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Knights. … Logan Stork (Upper St. Clair, Pa.) has four goals and three assists for the Minnesota Wilderness. … Matts Thielemann (Esmark Stars) has a goal and three assists for the Kenai River Brown Bears.
