The Franklin Regional hockey team not only has a new coach for the 2024-25 season, the Panthers also are in a higher classification.
The Panthers are now under the direction of Bryan Bearly, who was assistant coach for former coach John Winebrenner, who was fired after the season. The team also was elevated to Class 3A after having success in Class 2A.
The Panthers reached at least the semifinals three times in the last four seasons and fell in 2022 to Thomas Jefferson and 2021 to Baldwin in the championship game.
Bearly’s sons played for Franklin Regional. After his son Damian died in a vehicle accident, the middle school and junior varsity teams named an award for the top player on the team after him.
“When the job became open, after what Franklin Regional had done for my family, I wanted to give something back to the organization,” Bearly said. “I wanted to keep the program stable.”
Franklin Regional opened the season by defeating Thomas Jefferson, 2-1. The Jaguars were the 2024 Class 2A champion and defeated Franklin Regional in the semifinals last spring. South Fayette, the 2023 Class 2A champion, was also moved to Class 3A.
“Thomas Jefferson is a solid team, and we played well,” Bearly said. “It was nice to open the season by beating them. It was a good game.”
Junior forward Brenden Yohe and junior defenseman J.J. Tensuan scored the goals in the opener. Junior forward Joey Casella and senior defenseman Marc Gray added assists and senior goalkeeper Ashton Rothrauff stopped 23 of 24 shots.
“When I found out the PIHL was moving us to Class 3A, I embraced the challenge,” Bearly said. “What I like about our team is that we do not have a star player. When have a bunch of talented players and that usually makes a stronger team.”
Bearly said he is counting on the nine seniors to lead the way. The other seniors are forwards Luke Anderchak, Liam Copeland, Tyler Spears, Max Williams, Nolan Savinda and Nick Matus (captain).
“These guys are a family,” Bearly said. “They pick each other up and do things for each other. That is the difference between last year’s group.
“I have a mentality that we should win every game and get into the playoffs. Last year, we should have been in the finals, but Thomas Jefferson’s defense was outstanding.”
Bearly said he learned a lot about his team in the preseason St. Margaret tournament. His team went 3-1 and defeated Pine-Richland (Class 3A champion), Neshannock and Baldwin. The Panthers dropped a 3-2 decision to Mt. Lebanon.
“Beating Pine-Richland was big, especially after they had beat us the week before in a scrimmage,” Bearly said. “We preach to the seniors this is their final season and it will go quickly. Make it memorable.”
Bearly said he was happy that Rothrauff decided to return to the team for his senior season.
“He’s a solid goalie,” Bearly said. “He’s also a vocal leader in the room, and he works with the younger goalies in the program.”
Franklin Regional graduated six starters from last year’s squad — Casey Schraeder, Derek German, David Valentino, Egor Khaklin, Jackson Falkner and Max Rutkowski, the team’s leading scorer with 28 goals and 12 assists.
The other top scorers returning include Williams (seven goals, 13 assists), Matus (five goals 12 assists), Yohe (nine goals, six assists), Anderchak (six goals, nine assists) and Spears (four goals, nine assists).
Franklin Regional was to host South Fayette on Oct. 14 and travels to Upper St. Clair on Oct. 21.