All-star defenseman makes major impact for Quaker Valley hockey

By: Ray Fisher
Sunday, February 8, 2026 | 11:01 AM

Luke Koehler is in his fourth year of varsity competition on the Quaker Valley hockey team.

A skilled defenseman, Koehler was one of five QV players named as PIHL all-stars in Class A this season.

“Luke has always played wherever he was needed for us,” QV coach Kevin Quinn said. “He has grown into a standout defenseman the past two years.

“Luke is an excellent skater that plays with a high compete level, making him very difficult to play against. For that reason, Luke gets all the tough matchups and excels in every situation.”

The Quakers’ top defensive tandem consists of Koehler and junior Jack Watson.

“We started the year missing Jack Watson, and that made Luke have to play a ton of minutes,” Quinn said. “He stepped up, playing to exhaustion most games. He was a very deserving all-star selection this year.”

If given the option, Koehler said he would trade his all-star selection for a Penguins Cup championship.

“It was my first year as an all-star and that was nice,” he said, “but I would rather win the Pens Cup with my team. The goal is to win it all, and I think we have the pieces and drive to get it done this year.”

QV had a 15-1-1 record at the end of January and started this month on a six-game winning streak with 13 wins in its last 14 games.

The Quakers held a commanding 110-26 overall scoring margin on the season and was preparing for the PIHL playoffs down the season’s home stretch.

Not only has Koehler had a starring role on defense, he accounted for seven goals and 19 assists for the Quakers. His assists total ranked second on the team.

Koehler was credited with three assists Jan. 8 in a 9-0 shutout over Richland, a goal and two assists Nov. 24 in an 8-4 victory against Moon, two goals Nov. 10 in a 6-3 win against Hampton, a goal and three assists Nov. 3 in a 12-2 triumph against Richland, a goal and two assists Oct. 9 in a 6-0 shutout over Beaver and two assists Oct. 2 in a 5-0 win against Montour.

“I feel we have done well,” Koehler said, “but still have plenty to do since it all leads to the playoffs and anything can happen there.”

Yes, QV had a sparkling 7.5 goals-per-game offensive average, but the Quakers also were giving up just 1.5 goals per game on defense.

Along with posting seven shutouts, QV held four teams to one goal and two others to two goals.

The Quakers won four times in January by a combined 31-2 scoring margin, skating past Richland, 9-0, Indiana, 8-0, Blackhawk, 5-1, and Freeport, 9-1.

Koehler and Watson have become best friends with QV senior goaltender Ian Lorang thanks to their strong defensive performance game after game.

“Luke and Jack play over half of the games and get all the tough matchups,” Quinn said. “Luke’s value this year is in his puck movement, strong stick and physical play. He brings it every single game. I am very proud of the player he has become.”

Lorang was 11-1-1 with a 1.53 goals-against average, .924 save percentage and six shutouts.

QV’s freshman goalie Kian McKenna was undefeated in four decisions with a 1.00 GAA and .927 save percentage with one shutout.

Lorang, Koehler and forwards Matthias Lezama, Max Modrovich and Jace Vasbinder were PIHL all-star selections in Class A this season. Modrovich and Vasbinder are seniors; Lezama is a sophomore.

Lezama leads not only Quaker Valley in scoring but sits atop the entire PIHL Class A division in both goals scored and total points.

As of Feb. 1, he had 21 goals and 25 assists for 46 points. The next closest scorer in Class A was Elliot Moser of Canon-McMillan with 10 goals and 19 assists, good for 29 points.

“Our goal as a team is to try to win the Pens Cup,” Lezama said. “We’ve had a pretty successful season so far.”

Lezama was lauded as the PIHL Class A Player of the Month for November.

“It was an honor to be named player of the month,” Lezama said. “It was unexpected, and I was caught by surprise.”

Quinn anticipated a strong sophomore season from Lezama, who accounted for 14 goals and 11 assists on last year’s playoff squad.

“I did,” Quinn said. “Following up a great freshman season, Matthias brings it every night. He has been a quality player for us and is a great kid on and off the ice. We are very happy to have young players like Matthias to deliver for us.

“Matthias has great vision. He sees the ice well and is relentless in trying to produce offense. He’s a very smart player, and he’s unselfish.”

Another factor that has helped propel Lezama to the top of the PIHL Class A scoring column is he skates on a high-scoring line alongside Modrovich and junior Charlie Pyle.

“He plays with two other high-level players in Max and Charlie,” Quinn said. “Together, they can overwhelm an opponent.”

Lezama, who is involved in the investment and chess clubs at his school, said QV hockey has great expectations for the playoffs.

“With the group we have and the chemistry we have been building up over the years, our goal as a team is to win the Pens Cup,” he said.

Tags: Quaker Valley