Under new head coach, young Latrobe hockey team has sights on playoffs

By: Ted Sarneso
Monday, October 16, 2023 | 11:45 AM

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The 2023-24 season is one of change for the Latrobe hockey team.

The IceCats have a new coach after Josh Werner stepped down after nine years. He will serve as an assistant coach this year.

The new man behind the bench is a familiar face.

Adam Ferguson played at Latrobe from 2010-14 and won Penguins Cup and Pennsylvania Cup titles his junior season in 2013. Ferguson played collegiately at Saint Vincent.

His coaching résumé includes a two-year stint as an assistant at Saint Vincent and three years as an assistant for Latrobe’s middle school team.

“There’s no other place I’d rather be,” Ferguson said. “Born and raised here. My heart just bleeds the orange and black.”

Ferguson inherits a young team that graduated 14 seniors from last year’s squad. Captain Peyton Myers, Fletcher Harvey, JD Robinson, Nik Manolakos, Noah Guidos and Jack Beddick were six of the top seven scorers from last year.

Senior forward Nik Guidos and senior defenseman Louie Amatucci are players Ferguson will rely on to be leaders and a calming presence for the young IceCats.

“Louie is capable of bringing the kids together,” Ferguson said. “As a coach, you can only do so much, so you need a player that will come in and get the kids fired up and organized.

“Nik has been a veteran voice in the locker room. He’s been showing the younger kids the ropes.”

Guidos and junior forward Dylan Morris will lead an offense that includes junior Adam Pellis and standout freshman Joey Crimboli.

“From the preseason tournament to now, Crimboli’s confidence in his game and his playmaking ability on the ice has improved,” Ferguson said. “Adam has done a real nice job adapting to the speed of the varsity level. He’s become a really smart player.”

Ferguson preaches defense first, and Amatucci will head a defensive group that has plenty of playing experience. Juniors Robert Rossi, Kaleb Trice and Bryant Dumnich have prominent roles along the blueline.

New goaltenders, senior Sawyer Ruffner and junior Brock Pflugh, will share duties. Pflugh will get the bulk of the playing time, and because he also plays on multiple traveling teams, Ruffner will have plenty of opportunities.

“Brock’s the real deal. There’s no question about his abilities,” Ferguson said. “Sawyer will mature with more reps as the season goes on. Brock’s also done a great job mentoring him.”

Ferguson has faith in every one of his players and believes, even though they don’t have a lot of experience, they can accomplish their goals, including another appearance in the Penguins Cup playoffs.

Latrobe made it as a sixth seed in last year’s playoffs and lost to Bishop McCort in the first round, but McCort was disqualified for using an ineligible player.

The IceCats lost to eventual champion South Fayette in the semifinals.

“We expect a Pens Cup appearance this year for sure,” Ferguson said. “Nothing short of a one or two seed.”

To make it back to the playoffs, Latrobe will need to be resilient.

Latrobe exemplified resiliency with a 4-3 shootout win against Franklin Regional in the season opener Oct. 2.

The teams traded goals all night, and Latrobe went 2 for 3 on the power play and scored shorthanded. Crimboli and freshman defenseman Preston Miller scored in the shootout to secure the win.

“I think that was a crucial lesson for them,” Ferguson said. “They’ll get knocked down, but they have to get right back up. I’m very proud of the way we’ve battled.”

Latrobe will be tested in a tough Class 2A that includes South Fayette, Thomas Jefferson, Penn-Trafford, Franklin Regional and Hempfield.

“Franklin Regional has a good group of kids and a good coaching staff,” Ferguson said. “They run a very good penalty kill. They’ll be one of our tests for sure. South Fayette will give us a run for the money, and Hempfield plays us very well because they’re our crosstown rival in the class.”

Ferguson is excited for the season and to see how his team will develop.

“These kids are great hockey players,” Ferguson said. “I’m looking forward to the season and seeing how things progress.”

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