PITTSBURGH — Robbie Sigurdsson's desire to succeed in hockey contributed to a number of memorable seasons on the ice, including an incredible 3-year stretch at Mars Area High School.

During his sophomore, junior and seniors seasons (2009-11), the Planets won three straight Class A Penguin Cups, reached the state final three times, won back-to-back state crowns and compiled a record of 71-5.

"A lot of us had been playing hockey together since we were very young and you look at the success we had in high school, so much of it was due to the chemistry we had," said Sigurdsson. "We made each other better."

A defenseman as a freshman, he played forward the next three seasons and his scoring ability was a big reason why the Planets met with the success that was unprecedented and not matched since.

Sigurdsson was part of the latest class to be inducted into the Mars Athletic Hall of Fame.

He hit the ice competitively for the first time when he was 5.

"I gained a passion for the game right away. Every moment I spent with my teammates on the ice and on the bench, I loved it," he said.

Sigurdsson was also the starting goalie on the Mars boys soccer team's WPIAL title team as a junior.

"My dad, Stefan, was born and raised in Iceland and played on the men's national soccer team there," he said. "For me, soccer was a way to stay in shape, but I was definitely better at hockey."

Sigurdsson scored 24 goals in the 2010-11 season to help the Planets win their second straight state championship, but it was when he scored during his scholastic career that made him stand out.

He tallied two goals in a 4-1 Pens Cup semifinal win over Westmont Hilltop his senior season. The year before, he tallied three combined goals in the Pens Cup final and state championship game, both played at Mellon Arena.

"Scoring in the games that matter the most, scoring goals in the same arena where Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin played, it's hard to explain how that feels. It was just pure joy," he said.

The Planets defeated Bayard Rustin for the state title in 2010 and downed Springfield in 2011.

"We knew where each other would be on the ice and had a belief that we would get the job done," Sigurdsson said.

After graduating, Sigurdsson first played junior hockey in Boston for the Bay State Breakers for two years.

"I wanted to play Division I hockey and for most players, first playing junior hockey is the route they take to get noticed," said Sigurdsson. "But I also had a dream of playing for the Icelandic national team. It was always in the back of my mind and I figured if I had a shot, I had to take it at that time."

In 2014, he tried out for the team and was one of 25 players to make the roster. He was also named an assistant captain.

"I couldn't speak Icelandic at the time and it was a long process (to learn), but on the ice I was comfortable and knew I'd be able to showcase my skills," said Sigurdsson, who spent eight years on the team, culminating with a gold medal at the 2022 International Ice Hockey Federation Division II World Championships, held in Reykjavik, the capital of Iceland.

Iceland defeated Belgium, 3-2, in the final.

"Being part of that was one of my greatest achievements," said Sigurdsson. "I'm a down-to-earth guy, but put me in a competitive atmosphere and I want to win. I'll do what it takes to make that happen."

He also coached amateur hockey in Iceland at the same time he was playing.

"Some of the players I coached are now on the national team," he said. "I've heard them tell stories of watching videos of me playing and that's a good feeling. It's great to see players I worked with now competing at such a high level."

Sigurdsson recently returned to the United States, lives in Lawrenceville and is employed by The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation.

"Not playing anymore eats at me, but it's time for the younger players to have their chance," he said. "When I first moved back, my main focus was to figure out my career path, but I do plan on coaching hockey again."

Sigurdsson is very appreciative of his induction.

"Being recognized like that at Mars is an honor," he said. "That's where I grew up, where I was shaped into the person I am today."