Though limited to two assists during Sunday's PIHL Class AA all-star game, Walsh has already equaled his offensive output from last season and he has Bishop Canevin on a trajectory to repeat as Penguins Cup winner as well as state champion.

During the 2010-11 campaign, Walsh led the Crusaders to the district and state titles. He registered a team-high 23 goals and dished up 29 assists. This winter, he already has 23 tallies to go along with 22 assists.

The Crusaders have benefited. To start the week, they sported an 11-2 record and stood atop the Section 2 standings.

"By being the state champions," Walsh started, "we are always seeing everyone's top game. We always have to be at our best. People want to make a statement against us. We can't let them walk all over us.

According to Walsh, the Crusa-ders handle pressure the old-fashioned way. While their long-range objective is a second straight title run, the Crusaders are taking it one step at a time.

"The main goal is to repeat," Walsh admitted, "but the aim is to just get through the season. Not give up any more losses. Every game is going to be a good game."

Rare is the bad game for Walsh. He has scored at least one point in every contest this winter. He has registered three hat tricks and five power play goals. Twice, in wins over North Hills and Montour, he had seven-point games, hat tricks with four assists.

Walsh developed his penchant for scoring and passion for hockey visually. With his parents, Walsh watched the Pens play on television.

"We didn't know much about hockey except from what we saw on T.V.," said the son of Gary and Kelly Walsh of South Fayette. "I knew I really wanted to be part of the game though."

At age 5, he started skating. While he attended St. Louise de Marillac School, Walsh honed his skills by playing for South Fayette. Though just a sixth-grade student, he competed on the Lions' freshman team.

Walsh also competed in amateur hockey. Currently, he plays for the SHAHA Panthers.

"It's kept me focused," he said.

Because he is a forward, Walsh is focused on scoring.

"I like to score goals," he admitted. "By contributing goals and assists, that is how I help my team.

"But," he added, "I would like to play better defense because good defense turns into offensive opportunities."

At every turn in his life, Walsh has taken advantage of his opportunities. He opted to attend Bishop Canevin for both the athletic, as well as, academic options. "I wanted to continue my Catholic education," he said. The fact that the Crusaders "had a good hockey program" didn't hurt either. "I wanted to take a part in that," he said.

At Canevin, Walsh participates in more than just hockey.

Academically, he excels, maintaining a 4.5 weighted GPA. He belongs to the National Honor Society, Future Business Leaders of America and Interact Club.

While already accepted at Pitt and Penn State, Walsh is hoping for a positive response from the University of Notre Dame. He hopes to major in international business. He'll have opportunities to study and travel abroad to Europe, even Australia.

In addition to hockey, Walsh also competes in golf, tennis and track at Canevin. While he can cover a mile in well under six minutes and play either doubles or singles, he prefers golf second-best to hockey. In fact, he's fairly decent. He was an individual qualifier and a member of Canevin's WPIAL championship team in 2009.

"When hockey season ended, I took up tennis last season with a couple of friends and I loved it," Walsh said.

"With golf, there are a lot of similarities with hockey. Hockey players have a lot of free time in the summer and they naturally pick up the game. The swing, mechanics and movement is natural."

Walsh's talent hasn't come naturally. They are a product of hard work. His father fueled his ethic.

" My dad set the standard high on and off the ice, in and out of school," he said. "He reminds me what I'm capable of doing. Hard work makes everything you earn worth it and I'm grateful to my father for teaching me that and looking after me."

Long after his scholastic playing days are done, Walsh looks forward to more days on the ice. He knows that he will not make a career out of his sport, however, he said that he would continue to play the game until he is physically incapable of doing so.

"I won't get away from it too far," he said. "I love the game."

Walsh has loved the winning best. Nothing compares to playing in the Consol Energy Center and winning the Penguins Cup nor capturing the state championship as the Crusaders did so last March.

"To begin with, winning in general, is great. There is no feeling like it. It was a greatest feeling skating at Consol and trying to imitate Sidney (Crosby) and winning the Cup and then went to go on and win the state was amazing."

Finally, Walsh said that the league does an amazing job of promoting the sport of high school hockey. "The PIHL is great. They're doing a great job of getting out the word. They put a lot of time and effort into promoting hockey.

"It's the greatest sport. I could go on forever. But one of the hardest, but best things, about hockey is that it's both a mental and physical sport. You are thinking and moving all of the time."

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Matt Walsh

Parents: Gary and Kelly

Siblings: Liam, 12; Alexa, 15

Hometown: South Fayette

School: Bishop Canevin

Sports: Hockey, golf, tennis, track

Clubs: National Honor Society, Future Business Leaders of America, Interact.

GPA: 4.5

College choices: Notre Dame, Pitt, Penn State.

Pittsburgh's best kept secret: Hockey. It's still growing and gaining followers. The youth hockey, including high school, is amazing.

Best golf course: Tidewater, S.C.

Best ice rink: Consol Energy Center.

Favorite player: It had been Sidney Crosby but since he's been out, I'd have to say Brooks Orpik

Favorite food: Steak