STAHL

WHEELING–Wheeling Central hockey coach Zack Stahl has left his mark on the program and the city of Wheeling.

He has spent his entire life in The Friendly City but on Wednesday, the 26-year old made the difficult decision to step down as the coach of the Maroon Knights.

“Growing up, I always had the ambition to move away from home and go down south,” Stahl said. “The timing in my life just seemed right and I received a job opportunity to teach at York Preparatory Academy in South Carolina and I couldn’t pass it up. I’ll be teaching high school Special Education.”

Stahl laced up the skates for Central in sixth grade and has been apart of the game and the program ever since.

He took over the head coaching position at his alma mater five years ago and has now led the Knights to three consecutive Bob Otten Tournament Championships.

“I had great coaches when I was in school and I have had great players as a coach,” Stahl said. “I have been lucky enough to coach the last five years at the varsity level with great assistant coaches, amazing kids and I still keep in contact with all of them.

“Winning the last three state championships has been amazing. It’s been a great run and it’s hard to leave. I have met some great people but I just felt like the timing was right.

“I can’t thank my family, the Board and Wheeling Central enough for giving me this opportunity to coach and do something I love to do.”

In the five years Stahl has spent on the bench at Central, he has coached and impacted the lives of many high school athletes but perhaps they made just as big of an impact on his life.

“I started coaching when I was in college and I have probably learned as much from them as they have learned from me,” Stahl said. “They taught me to be responsible.”

Stahl spoke about the decision to Central Athletic Director Donnie Murray, who has seen first-hand just how important the coach was to the school and his players.

“It is a huge loss for us,” Murray said. “He revitalized our program with a lot of passion and intensity.

“He developed a culture that the kids not only bought into, but displayed themselves.”

There is no doubt that Stahl will be missed by his hometown and his alma mater, but his memories of growing up, coaching and his friends and family will never be erased.

“I just had an amazing time here,” Stahl said. “It’s a special place and I wouldn’t trade it for the world. The people I have met along the way were amazing.

“The coaches, kids and parents have been such a positive part of my life and my passion for coaching. Also the people closest to me who believed in me and allowed me to do something I love was great and I’ll forever be grateful for that.”