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Sunday, January 22, 2023 | 11:01 AM
Five members of the Quaker Valley hockey team have been selected to participate in the PIHL all-star showcase event this year.
Only two are pensioners.
It’s a testament to the youth of the QV squad and the success the Quakers have experienced so far this season.
Two forwards, seniors Ben Carlson and Braedan Steffey, two defensemen, freshman Jacob Keisel and junior Will Watson, and sophomore goaltender Landon Buterbaugh represent QV on the Varsity A Gold all-star team.
The showcase event will be held on January 29 at the Robert Morris Island Sports Center.
Games are played at 12:00 (Varsity D2), 1:50 PM (Class A, Group 1), 3:40 PM (Class A, Group 2), 5:30 PM (Class 2A) and 7:30 PM (Class). 3A).
On January 17, Carlson led Quaker Valley in scoring while serving as team captain. He is a two-time PIHL all-star.
“I’m very proud to be named an all-star for the second year in a row and I’m excited to play in the game later this January,” Carlson said. “And I’m really proud of how well our team has played this year, especially with a lot of our younger players who have stepped up and excelled in their first year at the varsity level.
“It means a lot to me to be able to lead this team and I’m very optimistic about our chances going forward and in the postseason.”
A four-year starter for the Quakers, Carlson had scored 14 goals and 10 assists, or 24 points, through mid-January.
“Ben is a big senior center who has been solid all year,” QV coach Kevin Quinn said. – He scores goals and leads our team in so many ways.
Steffey is also a four year varsity player and is the Vice Captain this season.
“I’m very excited to be named an all-star,” he said.
Steffey is among the top forwards on the team with five goals and 11 assists for 16 points. He led the Quakers in scoring last season.
“Braeden is having another good year offensively,” Quinn said, “but he does so much for us defensively as well.”
Keisel and Watson are key to a QV defense that surrendered just 25 goals in 13 games, the lowest total allowed in the Varsity A Gold Division.
“They’re our best defensive pairing,” Quinn said. “The pairing has been dominant this year and they need to be even better in the rest of the season and the playoffs.
– They play a lot of hockey for us, both offensively and defensively. We are very happy with their game. They are excellent skaters and play the game the right way.
Watson (5 goals) and Keisel (3 goals) were productive in addition to their defensive skills, second and third in scoring with 17 and 16 points.
“I can’t remember a freshman skater that made the all-star game (in the past) for us,” Quinn said. “Jacob is an advanced player who has all the tools to be a great player. He is eager to learn and improve.
“And Will has been exemplary at all stages. He brings it every night.”
Buterbaugh had a 7-3 record in 10 decisions with 19 goals against, a 2.02 goals-against average, an .884 save percentage and one shutout.
“Landon has been a rock out there (in goal),” Quinn said. “He pushes himself hard, and I love his competitiveness.”
The three other top scorers for the Quakers in 2022-23 are freshmen forwards Ben McHenry and Jace Vasbinder and senior forward Riley Moore.
Quaker Valley started the long PIHL season with a tepid 2-2 record, but then reeled off six straight wins to take an 8-2 record into the new year. The Quakers improved to 10-2-0-1 by the middle of the month.
During the streak, Buterbaugh recorded one shutout and held five other opponents to one goal.
“We’ve relied on a combination of senior management and young players to contribute in all areas,” Quinn said. – We have a balanced attack and the defense is very strong.
“I have to mention the solid defensive play of Carter Siuciak and Liam Welge and the key offensive contributions of Riley Moore, Noah Kenneweg and Coleman Carey.”
The QV coach said the freshman’s strong performance has been a boost for the program this season.
“Our big freshman class of Ian Lorang, Jace Vasbinder, Ben McHenry, Luke Koehler, Max Modrovich, Colin York and Jacob Keisel has been a pleasant surprise,” Quinn said. “They all play a lot and have contributed to our success.”
QV beat Avonworth 4-3 on penalties on January 16 for their eighth win in nine games. The Quakers were in second place, trailing only North Hills in the division standings.
“We have a lot of tough games coming up,” Quinn said, “and we want to get as high a seed as possible for the playoffs.”
The Quakers have four games in February before the postseason.
Five all-stars lead the way.
Tags: Quaker Valley
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