USC senior wins sled hockey championship
![Danny Shanholtzer playing sled hockey]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1732638843/uscsdk12paus/wljiuuhqbhlhgmc1cahv/Danny.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1732638843/uscsdk12paus/wljiuuhqbhlhgmc1cahv/Danny.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1732638843/uscsdk12paus/wljiuuhqbhlhgmc1cahv/Danny.png","width":800}])
Upper St. Clair High School senior Danny Shanholtzer is a sled hockey champion. His team – the Mighty Penguins Adult Black sled hockey team – won the 2024 USA Hockey Sled Classic Tier IV Championship on Sunday, Nov. 10, 2024. The event was held at the Children’s Health StarCenter rinks in Farmers Branch and Euless, Texas.
Established in 2010, the USA Hockey Sled Classic is an annual tournament between NHL-affiliated sled hockey teams. A record 525 players on 30 teams competed in the four-day event, hosted by the Dallas Stars.
The 12-player Mighty Penguins Adult Black team played five games over three days, finishing 4-1. Danny, who plays forward, recorded one assist.
“I am fortunate to be part of an awesome team,” Danny said. “I was so proud of our team because we lost the first game of the tournament, but then we were able to win against that same team in the championship!”
Sled hockey is a fast-growing internationally recognized sport and a key event in the Paralympic games. This is Danny’s 10th season playing the sport.
“I was initially drawn to the sport of sled hockey because of the physicality and the competitive aspect of it,” Danny said. “I really enjoy the ability to compete with a group of people that I have known for a long time.”
Danny is not sure exactly what the future holds for his sled hockey career beyond high school.
“A lot will depend on where I end up next year for college,” he said. “There is also the national championships in Florida this May which I am also looking forward to!”
The USA Hockey Sled National Championship is scheduled for May 1-4, 2025, in Coral Springs, Florida.
At Upper St. Clair High School, Danny is a member of Student Council and choir. He serves as a manager for the boys basketball team and the PA announcer for the girls soccer team. In addition, he has announced girls basketball games for the local cable network.
“It is important to be involved in school activities because it has given me the opportunity to make great friends and be an active member of my community,” Danny said.
According to the program’s website, “Mighty Penguins Sled Hockey is a fun, therapeutic and competitive program for physically disabled children and adults. We aim to develop character, sportsmanship and physical fitness – while promoting and encouraging both educational and cultural experiences.”
The Mighty Penguins practice and train at the UPMC Lemieux Sports Complex in Cranberry Township.
- USCHS