At the High School Varsity level, the team is 5-0-1 this year. The varsity team lost nine seniors last year, which has opened the door for younger players to step up this season.

“This is a team that has played together most of their hockey years and shows great teamwork,” said Andrew Hellwig, NCCYHA Vice President.

The varsity team is led by a dedicated coaching staff of Head coach Steve Olson and assistant coaches Michael Mead, Shawn Nowicki, and Brian Crawford.

But the success doesn’t just stop at the top level of the NCCYHA Steelers. The U14 Bantam Steelers are 9-0-0 this year and currently lead their division, while the U12 PeeWee Steelers are 9-1-0 and also lead their division. Despite the U10 Squirt division being dropped by WNYAHL, the Steelers U10 team has “barnstormed” to find other teams to play this year and has “had great success,” according to Hellwig.

Gabe Hellwig, a senior forward for the NCCYHA Steelers, recently scored twice in an 8-5 victory over the Saint Francis B Team.

The NCCYHA Steelers have highlighted players throughout the season at all levels by selecting Players of the Week on the club’s Facebook page, NCCYHA Steelers – Youth Hockey.

Among the older group of players highlighted include varsity forward Gabe Hellwig, who scored twice in an 8-5 victory over the Saint Francis B Team, along with varsity defenseman Ryan Cerrie, who had a three-goal weekend in a pair of Steelers victories in early December. Also highlighted were junior varsity goalie Lucas Davidson, who was given the starting nod in net for three straight games over the course of one weekend; 14U skater Ayden Wronski, who scored two goals and had two assists in a 7-2 victory over Hamburg; 12U skater Brycen Hovey, who scored his first Steelers goal against Cazenovia on Dec. 11, and 12U goalie Brendan Worczak, who has recorded nine victories and allowed just over two goals per game this season.

Among the younger Steelers recognized include 10U goalie Noah Dubois, who has “progressed immensely” since becoming a goaltender, along with 10U skater Eli Williams, who recently scored two goals with an assist in a win against Lockport; 8U skater/goalie Nicholas Manzella, who recently saw his first game action; 6U skater Mason Pickens, who in his second season “routinely finds himself around the puck,” and 6U Mite Ronan Brenecki, who was credited with helping the team’s community support with the Salvation Army.

The Steelers annual Learn to Play Hockey program begins Saturday at 11:15 a.m. at the Steelers’ home rink, Steele Hall Ice Arena. Ages 3 and above are welcome to register. More information is available online at www.nccyha.com/learntoplay