Gateway ice hockey alumni gather for Black vs. White game

Gateway ice hockey alumni from five decades gathered recently at Center Ice Arena in Delmont to celebrate an athletic tradition and to honor three past Gators greats.

Corey Perhac (2010), Shawn Jesih (1996) and Joe Kasper (2007) were recognized with induction onto the Gateway Hockey Honor Roll.

They are the 11th class to be inducted since the first group was enshrined in 2008.

“This is a really nice class this year,” Gateway hockey alumni organization president Steve Biancaniello said. “All three of these guys have been very active in the program. They have been very supportive over the years. The whole Perhac and Kasper families are iconic in this system. Shawn was a talented player in the 1990s, and now he is giving back as the current coach (of the Gateway junior varsity team). They are three very honorable guys who embody what the award is all about.”

Each year, several hundred votes are cast during the inductee election process that begins in June. Several rounds are conducted over a five-month period.

A final grouping of five is placed on an election ballot from which three are selected for induction.

In addition to individual inductees, past Gateway teams also are considered. Gateway’s inaugural team from 1972 was inducted in 2012.

More than 30 alumni came back for this year’s event, and two dozen of them laced up their skates and took part in the Black vs. White game. The Golden Gator trophy was presented to the winning team after the contest.

Before the game, several of the players tested themselves in a skills competition.

“Some guys come every year, and some are not skating anymore because they’re past their prime, so to speak,” Biancaniello said.

“They come for the camaraderie and to celebrate Gateway hockey. We’ve been working for many years as an organization to establish that connectivity so that people from the past are not forgotten and can continue to support the organization they belong to. It’s a celebration of the past and present of Gateway hockey.”

The winter alumni event is one of two annual fundraisers for the Gateway hockey alumni organization. A golf outing will be June 16 at Meadowink Golf Club in Murrysville.

For more information on the golf event or to become involved with any aspect of the alumni organization, contact Biancaniello at slbiancaniello1@gmail.com.

Michael Love is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Michael at mlove@tribweb.com or via Twitter @MLove_Trib.