VARSITY COACHING STAFF
Coach Mesisca comes to the Raiders after having a decorated career for Seneca Valley as a student-athlete. As an SV graduate, Mesisca lettered four years for the Raiders. During those four years, he helped lead the Raiders to the 2009 & 2010 Penguins Cup Finals, the 2008 & 2009 St. Margaret Tournament Champions, and was the 2009 St. Margaret Tournament MVP. He was also the Raider Team Captain and MVP in 2009. After his decorated high school career, Mesisca attended Slippery Rock University where he continued to play hockey and study K-12 Health and Physical Education. He helped lead SRU to a Conference Championship (2011), was Conference Rookie of the Year (2011), 2nd Team All Conference (2013), Assistant Captain (2014), and ended his playing career as the 3rd All-Time Leading Scorer.
Mesisca's passion for hockey continued as he has been coaching youth hockey around the area for 10+ years now, all of which has been with SVHA including head coach for JV1 for 3 seasons and 7 years as an assistant with the Varsity team. This will be his first season as Varsity head coach for SVHA. In addition to coaching at Seneca Valley, he has spent the last two seasons coaching Peewee and Bantam AA at the North Pittsburgh Wildcats. He’s also coached previously at the Pens Elite and PHA Icemen ranging from 12u-16u.
Outside the rink, Coach Mesisca has taught Physical Education for 9 years at the Seneca Valley School District. He resides in the district with his wife, Chelsea, and their 3 children, Luca, Lakyn and Taytum.
A former Seneca Valley Varsity player in 2014 and 2015, Coach Faix returns to the Varsity Coaching staff for a second straight season. He previously spent 2 years coaching with our Middle School Program, 2 years with our Junior Varsity Program, and the previous year with our Varsity Program as the Defensive Assistant Coach. Coach Faix is excited to work with the offense this season, to help in pursuit of a Pens Cup Championship.
Outside of coaching for Seneca Valley, Coach Faix is going on his 5th year of coaching with the PHA Icemen organization where he is returning as the Head Coach for the 2012 AA Icemen team.
Coach Faix graduated from Penn State Behrend in 2019, majoring in Project & Supply Chain Management as well as Management Information Systems. He currently works in IT as a Senior Business Analytics Consultant at PNC Bank. He currently resides in McCandless Township with his girlfriend, Hayley.
Coach Jarrett comes to the Raiders after having a decorated career for Seneca Valley as a student-athlete. Jarrett lettered four years for the Raiders, playing alongside Head Coach Tyler Mesisca. During those four years, he helped lead the Raiders to two Penguins Cup Finals (2009 and 2010), two St. Margaret Tournament Championships (2008 and 2009), and the PA Hockey Scholastic Showcase "Directors Cup" Finals. During his playing career, Sam was an Assistant Captain, two-time PIHL Pittsburgh Penguins Player of the Month (2009 and 2010), two-time PIHL All Star (2009 and 2010), chosen to the Directors Dozen of the Directors Cup showcase, and the Raiders leading scorer his senior season. Sam graduated as the co all-time leader in points with Head Coach Tyler Mesisca. Coach Jarrett also lettered four years on the Seneca Valley lacrosse team.
After his high school career, Jarrett attended West Virginia University where he continued to play while obtaining an undergraduate degree in Accounting. He helped lead the Mountaineers to Conference Championships in 2012 and 2014, National Championship tournament appearances in 2012 and 2014, and Top 25 National Rankings.
Coach Jarrett will be bringing 25+ years of playing and coaching experience, with his most recent coaching role with the Bantam AA North Pittsburgh Wildcats.
Sam also attended Penn State University, receiving his MBA. He recently returned to the area and resides in the district with his wife.
JUNIOR VARSITY BLUE COACHING STAFF
Coach Parise started his coaching career with SVHA as an assistant coach with middle school back in 2016 and currently sits as the head coach of the JV Blue team. Coach Parise has over 20+ years of hockey experience as a player and coach. He began his hockey career at Seneca Valley at the age of 8 and continued playing up until his time at Kent State University, where he served as assistant captain for the team from 2013-2016. Upon graduating with a degree in Visual Communication Design and a minor in Photo-Illustration, Parise returned home to start his professional & coaching careers. Currently he sits as the Creative Services Manager for a marketing firm based in Pittsburgh, and after 7 years as an assistant coach with SVHA, is stepping into the head coach role with the JV team.
Coach Salak is entering his 7th year with Seneca Valley Hockey Association. He’s been an Assistant Coach on the JV Blue team for the last few seasons and previously coached the JV White team. Coach Salak graduated from Bethel Park High School in 2014. Throughout high school, he played for the Varsity team and AAA Ice Hockey. Coach Salak played one year of Junior Ice Hockey after high school. He then attended Slippery Rock University, and once finished, moved to the City of Pittsburgh. Outside of hockey, he is currently pursuing a career change to Law Enforcement, and he enjoys spending time with his 1yo Shetland Sheepdog.
This is Coach Austin's second year coaching with Seneca Valley. He played ice hockey for 14 years, playing Varsity hockey for Coach Raco in 2014 and 2015. He then played college volleyball at the University of Kentucky, while also coaching some volleyball while in Lexington. After a brief break from the sport, Coach Raco and Coach Parise convinced him to hop on board and get back into the game. Being back in Pittsburgh has made him glad to be a part of the organization once again.
JUNIOR VARSITY WHITE COACHING STAFF
Coach Zac has been playing hockey since second grade, and his journey has taken him through high and low-level teams, providing a diverse understanding of the sport. He's been coaching for two years now, sharing his extensive knowledge and fostering a love for the game. Whether on the ice or behind the bench, his dedication to hockey is unconditional.
As a former Seneca Valley player, Austin brings over 15 years of hockey experience and a deep passion for the game to his coaching role. After spending three years on the Seneca Valley Varsity team, he went on to play at a high level with the Robert Morris University Division 1 hockey team, where he further honed his skills and competitive spirit.
In addition to his hockey background, Austin showcased his versatility as a member of the Varsity golf team, illustrating his commitment to athletics across different sports. He has also coached for the Little Penguins program, where he enjoyed introducing young athletes to the game and helping them develop essential skills.
Now, Austin is eager to share his love for hockey with the next generation, focusing on building their skills, sportsmanship, and confidence both on and off the ice. His enthusiasm and dedication to fostering a positive, encouraging environment will inspire young players as they embark on their own hockey journeys.
MIDDLE SCHOOL BLUE COACHING STAFF
Coach Fatta is entering his second season with the Seneca Valley Hockey Association. He also assists in coaching for the North Pittsburgh Wildcats. He grew up in Pittsburgh and began playing hockey in Mt. Lebanon at the age of 8. He graduated from Central Catholic High School. Upon graduation he pursued a career in law enforcement and graduated from the Allegheny County Police Academy. He currently holds the rank of Lieutenant. Coach Fatta places an emphasis on work ethic which will develop players on and off of the ice. In his free time he enjoys spending time with his wife and three children.
MIDDLE SCHOOL WHITE COACHING STAFF
Coach Dan is in his first season coaching with Seneca Valley Hockey Association. However, he has been a part of the Association since 2014 when his son Dylan joined the Middle School Team. Coach Dan has been playing hockey since he was 6 years old. He played deck, inline and ice hockey in his youth and continued to play at Duquesne University and after in Adult Leagues (both Inline and Ice). Coach Dan has coached the Seneca Valley Inline Elementary, Middle and High-School Teams from 2011 through 2017 and was on the Seneca Valley Inline Board from 2013 through 2020 including serving as the President for the last 5 years. Additionally, he coached multiple AAA/AA inline hockey travel teams over that same timeframe. Dan also coached for the North Pittsburgh Wildcats Pee Wee and Bantam AA teams for 3 years from 2014 through 2017. He stepped away from coaching from 2017 to 2020 to watch his son play AAA hockey.
In addition to teaching the game of hockey, Coach Dan enjoys promoting the core values of Teamwork, Sportsmanship, Respect and Having Fun with all of the players he coaches. He shares the message with all of his players to focus on the details and to always finish strong. No matter if you are in a game (winning or losing) or in practice, finish strong in every drill, shift, warmup, exercise, rep, etc… It matters!
Coach Dan resides in Cranberry Township and is the CEO of a Pittsburgh privately held company that helps consumers in a financial hardship. Coach Dan’s hobbies include physical fitness, volunteering his time on a handful of Boards in the consumer finance industry and coaching up and coming leaders in the business world. While not coaching or at work, Coach Dan enjoys spending time with his wife Tracey and his children Dylan and Ava.
This is Coach Zander's first year coaching for Seneca Valley. He has played hockey for 15 years at both Seneca Valley and the North Pittsburgh Wildcats, where he always had a drive and passion to be a goalie. Coach Zander cherishes the memories that were created from playing for SV, and couldn't be happier that his first year coaching will be with the team.
Coach Zander is currently partaking in a Steamfitters Local 449 Building Trades Apprenticeship. He values and aspires to be not only a coach for the kids, but a role model for them on and off the ice.
Rob is a first-year hockey coach to Seneca Valley Hockey Association. As a graduate from SV, he has played in the SVHA for 7 years and has played ice hockey for 10 years total. Rob helped lead the 2018 Varsity team to their first Penguins Cup victory and has won a total of 4 championships with SV Hockey as a player. Rob is a recent graduate from the Pennsylvania State University with a degree in Finance, which has brought him back to Pittsburgh to begin his professional career. Rob’s goal is to develop the players to their full potential and to give back to an organization that gave him so much.