Shady Side Academy is excited to have 17 veterans returning to the line-up for the 2018-19 winter season.  Despite those numbers SSA is still fairly young being that they only have five seniors.  The team will look to Seniors Brendan Gaffney (4 year man and Captain Pittsburgh, PA), Matt Cottiero (Alt Captain Jupiter, FL), Keegan Wolfe (Alt Captain Pittsburgh, PA), Ryan Jochims (4 year defenseman Pittsburgh, PA) and Bradin Zaba (2nd year Goalie Salt Lake City, UT) for leadership and experience.  On the front end SSA will rely on some very skilled forwards who are back for their second campaign with the team, including Jake Mancz  (Pittsburgh PA), who led the team in points as a sophomore.  Joining Mancz will be Michael DiMarsico (Jr. Pittsburgh PA), Eric Evensen (Jr. Medina, OH) and Will Laychur (So. Jensen Beach, FL) who was drafted by Niagara in last year’s OHL Priority Draft.  Newcomers to lookout for up front are Ethan Tamborski (Irwin, PA) and Ethan Agostoni (Greesnburg, PA). 

On the backend, Bradin Zaba returns in goal while being joined by newcomers Carson Frye and Parker Dietz.  Sawyer Smith (Jr. Pine Richland PA) and Chip Strano (Jr. Sewickley PA) are back for their junior year on the blueline and will be paired with Jean- Michael Gilbert (So. Valle_Jonction QC) and Romyk Soltys (So. Georgetown, ON) who both joined the squad this year from north of the boarder. 

Head Coach Jonathan Johnson returns for his 11th season behind the Shady Side Academy bench.  Last year Johnson notched his 200th win.  Associate Head Coach, Stu Smith returns for his 8th season working with the blue and gold defenseman and special teams.

In Alumni news, Peter and John McDonagh will skate for Assumption College again this winter with Peter being named team Captain.  Wyatt Glover returns to Williams College for his junior season and Goalie Ryan Wagner is a freshman at Wisconsin Stevens Point.  From last year’s team, Goalie Jarrett Fiske is playing for Kemptville in the CCHL and Defenseman Jackson Clark is skating for Nepean in the CCHL.  While Forward Spencer Smith is playing for the Islanders Hockey Club in the USPHL.