They are considered among the cream of the crop of high school hockey players in Western Pennsylvania.
And the PIHL all-star selection committee confirmed it.
Among the league’s all-stars this season are Quaker Valley’s Luke Koehler, Max Modrovich, Jace Vasbinder, Matthias Lezama and Ian Lorang in Class A; Sewickley Academy’s Arjun Kathju and Jacob Stanislaw in Division 2; Baldwin’s Jacob Kaercher, Nate Buys and Mack Dempsey in Class 2A; Bethel Park’s Caden Busch, Jack Hartman, Kevin Teamann and Peter Velisaris in Class 2A; and Thomas Jefferson’s Lucas Blose, Michael Burns, Cameron Lorenzi and Jacob Simon in Class 3A.
The PIHL all-star games will take place Jan. 25 at RMU Island Sports Center.
QV’s Koehler, a senior defenseman, Modrovich and Vasbinder, both senior forwards, Lezama, a sophomore forward, and Lorang, a senior goaltender, will play for the Class A Blue team at the all-star event.
“The all-star game is a nice recognition of their play this season,” QV coach Kevin Quinn said of the Quakers’ grouping. “We have many deserving (all-stars) this year, including Ben McHenry, Jack Watson, Charlie Pyle and more.
“Even though individuals get recognized here and there during the season, I know all of our players are primarily focused on our team success. We expect to come out of the break hungrier than last year. We have much to work on.”
Sewickley Academy will be represented by Kathju and Stanislaw, a pair of junior forwards.
“Arjun is our team captain,” Sewickley coach Jake Gradwell said, “and his play on the ice and leadership off it have grown tremendously this year. Arjun has had a very strong season and has taken noticeable steps forward in both his overall game and leadership abilities. He has consistently shown a high level of effort, improved decision-making and a strong willingness to be coached. His work ethic and compete level stand out, and he has continued to grow in confidence as the season’s progressed.
“Arjun’s selection is well deserved and reflects his consistent performance, leadership and impact in all situations. His ability to apply instruction and contribute effectively in a variety of roles has been a significant positive for our group this year. He is also involved in several non-hockey pursuits that speak to his character and commitment beyond the rink.”
Stanislaw is one of the Panthers’ alternate captains who adds end-to-end speed on the ice.
“Jacob has had an excellent season and earned his all-star selection,” Gradwell said. “He competes hard every shift and sets a strong example for his teammates as one of our assistant captains.
“His speed and ability to play at a high pace allow him to consistently apply pressure on opponents, impacting the game in all three zones. The all-star selection is well deserved and a direct reflection of the work he has put in throughout the year.”
Baldwin’s all-stars consist of two senior forwards, Buys and Dempsey, and one junior defenseman, Kaercher.
“My three all-stars are a huge part of my leadership group with this team,” Baldwin coach Chris Sinclair said. “Baldwin is a very young team with only three seniors and three juniors with two of those upperclassmen being goalies, so we don’t have a lot of experience out on the ice.
“Mack Dempsey is a senior and the team’s leading scorer, averaging just over a point a game. Mack is a no-nonsense type of player who combines a high level of skill with a great work ethic and just a real desire to win. Mack was a freshman the last time Baldwin had success and really wants to help get the team back to the playoffs.”
Buys suffered a broken finger earlier in the season but remained in the lineup. He has played hurt several times with other injuries.
“Nate is a true leader for this team,” Sinclair said. “Nate fills about every role you could ask for. He is one of our better offensive threats but also plays big minutes on the penalty kill and even steps back to defense when needed.
“Nate has a great motor and can bring the physical play when needed, which is great for this young team. He takes his role as captain very serious and is a big reason in the change of culture we have been seeing take place this season.”
Kaercher has become a defensive force for the Highlanders in 2025-26.
“Jacob has really stepped up this season, taking on the role of No. 1 defenseman and playing a ton of minutes and important situations,” Sinclair said. “He has been a great positive influence on the bench and has done a great job of taking the younger defensemen under his wing and helping them develop.”
Sinclair believes there are other players on the Baldwin squad who also have been competing at an all-star level.
“Overall, I think Baldwin has an exciting group right now,” he said. “I nominated two others for the all-star game who unfortunately didn’t make it — Zach Hunt, our senior goalie who has been playing most of the games and has been the backbone to our success, and freshman Ian Leuch, who is a great all-around player and might be the team MVP at this point. Ian is possibly the smallest guy on the team but leads in hits and also plays both offense and defense as needed.
“We have also gotten big contributions from underclassmen like Tim Bush, Sawyer Hodson, Austin Klein, Connor Seasoltz and Preston Kossler. The future is bright at Baldwin. The middle school team has been solid and with the youth already playing big roles (on the varsity), the team should take big steps the rest of the year and in coming seasons.”
For Bethel Park, the all-stars include Busch, a defenseman, Hartman and Velisaris, both forwards, and Teamann, a goaltender. All four are seniors.
“Having four players selected is a tremendous honor. This is a true reflection of their hard work, dedication and commitment they have shown all season,” said Mike Schall, Bethel Park’s coach. “We are proud of their accomplishments and excited to see them represent our team at the all-star level.
“The individual recognition is special. It also speaks to the teamwork, support and culture within our program. We want to keep improving every day, make a push for the playoffs and stay focused on playing the right way. Just as important, we want our players to enjoy the experience by having fun, competing hard and growing together as a team. It’s a great group of young men, and we’re excited to see how they continue to develop, building on the successes we’ve established, and represent Bethel Park down the stretch.”
Thomas Jefferson will be represented at the all-star showcase by two juniors: Blose and Burns, both forwards, and two seniors: Lorenzi, a forward, and Simon, a defenseman.