Seneca Valley's Braden Morin (13) leads the undefeated Raiders in goals (10) and points (19) and was named the PIHL Class 3A Player of the Month in November. Butler Eagle file photo

Braden Morin devotes much of his time to hockey, and the Seneca Valley junior is reaping some very impressive results.

He was recently named the PIHL Class 3A Player of the Month after scoring nine goals and adding five assists in November. The goals came during an incredible stretch when he managed a hat trick in three straight games.

“It’s a great honor, but what makes it even better is that I earned it while helping the team win,” said Morin, a forward. “We’re the best team in the league right now.”

Facts support his claim. The Raiders, defending Penguins Cup and state champions, are unbeaten and untied through 11 games entering Monday’s clash with Upper St. Clair.

But playing for Seneca Valley is just half of Morin’s hockey story. He also skates for the Pittsburgh Predators, a travel team that will be competing this weekend in Scottsdale, Ariz.

“Hockey takes up most of my life,” said Morin, a Zelienople resident. “There always seems to be a practice or game to get to, but I love it. I’d be on the ice every day if I could.”

Morin leads the Raiders in goals (10) and points (19), and is tied with Jacob Gilbert for the lead in assists (nine).

“Braden’s got a great shot, is fast and has a very high hockey IQ,” SV coach Tyler Mesisca said. “His game continues to develop.”

In his first season of varsity hockey last year, Morin contributed 15 goals and five assists. In the biggest game in program history, he tallied three goals in SV’s defeat of Holy Ghost Prep for the state title.

“He gained a lot of momentum the second half of last year and it’s carried over into this season,” Mesisca said.

“I’ve been a forward ever since I started playing hockey, but really didn’t know what to expect at the start of my sophomore season,” Morin said. “Once I got a feel for varsity, I knew I could hang with those guys and started to learn what I was capable of.”

Morin is part of an incredibly balanced offense. The Raiders feature six players with at least five goals, and eight players with at least five assists. A strong defense is headed by senior goalie Chris Nichols, who starred during last year’s postseason run.

“We have a similar, if not better, team than last year,” Morin said. “We’d like to go out and dominate against every team we play, but our games are getting closer and closer. We have a target on our backs and the focus is simply finding a way to win every night.”