Three River Hawks Selected to All-Star Game

By Jonathan Weaver

Three Armstrong River Hawks will represent the Eastern Conference in next week’s Pennsylvania Interscholastic Hockey League All Star-Game.

Kittanning’s Christian Miller and Nathan Grafton, and Ford City’s Josh Oliver made the 21-person squad that will play February 8 at Robert Morris University’s Island Sports Center.

Miller – a four year All-Star - said all three of the players were recognized and congratulated by Head Coach Doug Anthony before last week’s game against Hampton.

“It’s an honor – it’s basically like a fun pick-up game to have fun with guys you compete with,” Miller said. “You’re friends for a day, and then it’s back to being competitors again. It’s a fun time.”

Miller leads the River Hawks with 42 points – 31 of which are goals. The goal total also leads all Varsity Class AA athletes.

Grafton, a senior defenseman from Kittanning Senior High, found out about the selection from his coach and was surprised by the selection. He was an alternate last year, and got to play after a starting player couldn’t attend.

Even though the game’s all about fun, Grafton said his preparation will not change from any other game day.

Oliver is tied for the team lead in assists and is second in points (which included two during last week’s win against Hampton).

Coach Doug Anthony hopes to attend the game next week to watch his trio of all stars.

“They’re all very deserving of making the squad,” Coach Anthony said. “There’s a few more I wish were on (the team), but maybe that will add some fuel to the fire for those guys the rest of the season. I’m really proud of those three.”

Some of their teammates will be four Hampton players they just faced off against last week – Ethan Homitz, William Maguire, Ryan Hornung and Andrew Lynch.
Maguire – who has played hockey since he was in kindergarten in a developmental league – scored twice against the Riverhawks, but looks forward to his first all-star appearance.

“I feel great. I’ve never been to the all-star game yet – this is my first year, and it’s my last year of high school hockey so it’ll be a fun time to play hockey against all the better players in the league,” Maguire said.

Other players on the Eastern Conference squad include athletes from Shaler (current conference leaders), Greater Latrobe, Plum (who Armstrong plays this Thursday night), Fox Chapel and Norwin.

Face-off is at 3PM.