April 2016 NY Hockey Online

NY HOCKEY APRIL 2016

VOLUME 5 ISSUE 7

E-MAGAZINE

Congratulations to All Players and Coaches!

Every Season is a Winning Season When Playing Together!

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IN THIS ISSUE: AHCA..............................................19 Brewster........................................30 Buffalo Stars/Hornets...............52 Central NY....................................20 Coaching W/Gridley.................10 East NY..........................................29 ECC Kats........................................60 Janosz Goaltending..................16 Kasdorf Signs................................ 5 NAHC.............................................47 NYSAHA Champs..............6, 7, 13 NY Boys Varsity................................

8, 11, 12, 27, 35, 43, 44, 45, 46, 49 NWHL.............................................19 North NY.......................................36 OHL.................................................14 Outlaws Win................................28 Putnam Awards..........................57 Raptors Rap.................................31 RIT Special....................................50 Syracuse Draft.............................21 West NY.........................................41 WNYGVIH......................................48

Dear Reader: As usual March is a very busy month, hockey-wise.

Hockey leagues of all kinds are coming to their conclusion.

In this April issue of NY Hockey OnLine Magazine you will be reading about the boys high school championships, men’s and women’s college hockey playoffs, as well as New York State Amateur Hockey State championships that lead to the Nationals.

Our usual columnists are here as well including Janet, Koz, Chuck and Bob.

Unfortunately, we are coming out a bit late due to the fact that our layout and design person, Janet, was a bit under the weather for a couple of days. It happened to hit just when we were on deadline. We Thank You for your understanding. (Special note to Sarah and Brianna, your stories next month!)

Because of these circumstances we have decided to hold a couple of features, and many photos, that we had promised to run for this issue and run them in our May/June issue. We thank you in advance for your understanding.

Next month’s issue will be jam packed with season-ending stories including results from the Nationals, Frozen Four news, USA sled hockey results, the Jeffrey Scott Memorial Tournament as well as well as the Luke Gould Memorial Tourney.

I would also like to welcome a new sponsor, Perry’s Ice Cream. If you live in the Western New York area or visiting, check out some of Perry’s Ice Cream. It is a fan favorite and a favorite of the NY Hockey OnLine staff.

As always, thanks for your continued support and keep sending in your story ideas as well as hockey results from games or tournaments your team may be involved with.

Best Wishes, Randy Schultz

Publisher/Managing Editor

NY Hockey On-Line (E-Magazine) 3663 Irish Road Wilson, New York 14172 716-751-6524 nyhockeyonline@ nyhockeyonline.com

Columnists Warren Kozireski, Wkozires@brockport.edu Janet Schultz Randy Schultz Rob Sedia Chuck Gridley

Publisher &Managing Editor Randy Schultz Randy@nyhockeyonline.com

NY Hockey OnLine is an equal opportunity employer.

Contents 2015-16 NY Hockey Online All rights reserved

Designer/Photographer Janet Schultz Janet@nyhockeyonline.com

NY Hockey OnLine is published monthly at no charge and can be accessed via the publication’s website www.nyhockeyonline.com

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Around New York State / Page 4

NY Hockey Welcomes Our Newest Advertiser/Sponsor Perry’s Ice Cream NY Hockey was at First Niagara when the Perry’s crew introduced One Buffalo and Sabretooth served up samples.

Editorial Note: Photographer/Women’s Columnist Janet Schultz has made this her favorite flavor. It includes her favorite candy--Sponge, along with caramel and chocolate covered pretzels. It’s a great combination.

alt s a th secandy ls i w am onge retze e r c e c i p sp Vanilla el swirls, -coated caramand fudge pieces

Try it today!

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ecord-setting goaltender Jason Kasdorf, who just completed his senior season with the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) men’s hockey team, has signed a National Hockey League contract with the Buffalo Sabres. Kasdorf, who was originally drafted by the Winnipeg Jets and then had his contract rights traded to Buffalo, had a year of eligibility remaining due to a medical hardship. He signed an entry-level contract with the NHL club.

“I am extremely grateful for the opportunity that RPI has given me over these past four years,” Kasdorf said. “Without Coach Appert, the coaching staff and my teammates, I wouldn’t be the goalie or the person I am today. I am extremely fortunate to have been surrounded with amazing people at RPI and the community of Troy. There is no other place I would have rather spent my last four years and I want to thank our fans and everyone who supports RPI Hockey, because without them the program wouldn’t be what it is today.

“I am very excited to take this next step with Buffalo. It is a great organization and I am thrilled to be a part of it.”

“We are thrilled to see Jason earn his opportunity at the NHL with the Sabres,” said Rensselaer head coach Seth Appert. “He has been a great daily example in our program of what work ethic, competitiveness and love of being an RPI Engineer looks like. Our program is grateful for what Jason gave and the manner in which he gave it and we wish him the very best with Buffalo.”

Kasdorf, who is on track to complete his degree in business and management in May, departs Rensselaer with the lowest single season (1.62 in 2012-13) and career (2.39) goals against average in school history. He is second (.935 in 2012-13) and third (.931 in 2015-16) in single season save percentage, as well as second in career save percentage (.920). He is in the top five in 10 other categories, including fourth in career shutouts (7) and fifth in season saves (916 in 2015-16).

“I am delighted that Jason has decided to take his

Around New York State / Page 5 skills and talents to the NHL,” said RPI Director of Athletics Dr. Lee McElroy. “He has been a model student-athlete during his tenure at RPI, who excelled in academics, athletics, and leadership. I wish Jason and his family the best as they take the next steps in their journey.”

This season, which concluded on Saturday in the ECAC Hockey Quarterfinals, Kasdorf played 30 games, going 12-12-5 with a 2.30 goals against average and the .931 save percentage, which is ninth in the nation. His 916 saves came on 984 shots in 1777:19 minutes with two shutouts.

Eighteen games were league games, in which he was 6-6-5 with a 1.99 GAA and .939 save percentage.

Both of his shutouts were in conference contests, including a 43-save performance in a 0-0 tie against No. 8 Harvard University on December 5 and a 44-save effort in a 1-0 win over No. 8 Cornell University on January 15.

He registered a career-high 49 saves in a 2-1 win over the No. 9 Crimson onFebruary 12.

As a junior, Kasdorf started 33 games, going 11-19-2 with a 2.97 goals against average and a .902 save percentage a season after missing all but two games the previous year due to injury.

In his freshman season, the Winnipeg, Man., native had a 14-5-2 overall record, a 1.62 goals against average and a .935 save percentage. He played each of the last 16 games after returning from an injury, and ranked among the leaders in the nation in goals against average, save percentage, winning percentage (.714) and shutouts. In 17 league contests, he was 122-2 with a 1.39 average, a .945 percentage and three shutouts. Among the honors he collected were Hockey Commissioners Association national Rookie of the Month, ECAC Hockey Rookie of the Year, All-League Second Team and ECAC Hockey All-Rookie Team.

Kasdorf was drafted by Winnipeg in the sixth round, 157th overall, in 2011. His rights were traded to the Sabres in February 2015.

Jason Kasdorf Signs With Sabres

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Around New York State / Page 6

New York State Champions ON TO NATIONALS!

Jr Sabres 18U and 14U Teams Take States (Story submitted by Buffalo Jr.Sabres)

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wo teams in the Buffalo Jr. Sabres Youth Hockey Organization won USA Hockey New York State Amateur Hockey Association Championships. The Jr. Sabres 18U and Bantam Major 14U teams both claimed the top spot respective divisions at the state championships this past weekend at the Northtown Center in Amherst.

“This was a tremendous weekend for the entire Buffalo Jr. Sabres organization,” said Kevyn Adams, president of the Jr. Sabres. “The accomplish-

ments of our teams at the 14U and 18U age levels is a result of the hard work that our athletes have put in to maximize their development opportunity. The success of these two teams provides an example for every player in the organization as we continue to grow and further establish ourselves as a hockey development destination.”

The Jr. Sabres 18U team won their second straight NYSAHA championship, capping off the state tournament with a 6-2 win over the Long Island Gulls in the championship game.

The hockey club advances to the USA Hockey 18U National Championships March 31 – April 4 in San Jose, California. The 18U squad posted a perfect 5-0 record at the Northtown Center in Amherst, with an unbeaten opening round followed by exciting victories in the semifinal and championship games.

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Around New York State / Page 7

New York State Champions ON TO NATIONALS! Niagara Junior Purple Eagles Girls 19U head to USA Nationals.

N

ew York State is being well represented at the Nationals at Press Time.

The New York State 2016 Champions are: 12U Youth: Tier 1: Rochester Youth; Tier 2: Rochester Grizzlies; Tier 3: White Plaines.

14U Youth Tier 1: Buffalo Jr. Sabres; Tier 2: Massena/ St. Lawrence; Tier 3: North Franklin.

16U Youth Tier 1: Syracuse Stars; Tier 2: Massena/St. Lawrence; Tier 3: Palisades 18U Youth Tier 1: Buffalo Jr. Sabres; Tier 2: Center State; Tier 3: Palisades

12 U Girls Tier 1: Valley Eagles; Tier 2: Potsdam 14U Girls Tier 1: Midstate; Tier 2: Potsdam 16U Girls Tier 1 Buffalo Bisons; Tier 2: Brewster Lady Bulldogs 19U Girls Tier 1: Niagara Jr. Purple Eagles; Tier 2: Skaneateles Womens B: Saratoga Storm Womens C: Buffalo Regals Our best to those teams traveling to the Nationals!

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Around New York State / Page 8

Congratulations: NY STATE BOYS VARSITY HOCKEY CHAMPS

Starpoint Varsity Wins State Championship (Story & Photo submitted by SCS Hockey)

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he road was not easy, an uphill battle all the way. After a disappointing Super Sunday loss to Depew in the 3rd overtime, the Starpoint Spartans Head Coach Clayton Wilson had to re-focus the team with the help of senior Co-Captains Jake Wildt and Patrick Miklinski. Starpoint had to play the Large School Super Sunday OT loser Orchard Park for the last seed in the State Tournament.

Starpoint was down by a goal before exploding for 3 quick goals in the second period. Orchard Park scored late in the third period to cut the lead until Starpoint iced the game with an empty net goal.

Entering as the final tournament seed, Starpoint faced the formidable first seed Bellmore – Merrick Bulldogs who was undefeated this year.

Coming off the emotional play-in game, Starpoint came out flying Friday afternoon scoring twice in

the first period with goals from Jordan Meisenburg and Patrick Miklinski. They added two more in the second from Josh Krupczyk and Miklinski’s second of the game. Bellmore-Merrick battled back in the third but Starpoint held on for a 4-3 win. Pinning Bellmore-Merrick with their first defeat of the year.

Early Saturday morning Starpoint faced Beth Page. Starpoint had 2 goals each by Miklinski anKrupczyk. Other goals added by Luke Kenyon and Josh Maiolo. A solid team effort and strong defensive play by Justin Bender resulted in a 6 – 2 victory over Beth Page.

The final preliminary game took place Saturday night against cross State rival Long Beach.

Starpoint had eliminated Long Beach from the State Tournament last year in a tough fought Semi-Finals game. To put it simply, there is no love between these two teams. The team came out a little flat on our second game of the day versus Long Beach who had a

www.nyhockeyonline.com full day of rest only having to play this game on Saturday. Long Beach controlled the majority of the play into the middle of the third period where they built a 4 – 0 lead on Starpoint. The game was hard hitting and tempers were starting to boil. In defense of Starpoint’s goalie Morgan von Hedemann, a melee in sued in front of the net resulting in multiple penalties and ejections on both teams. This seemed to ignite Starpoint as they scored 3 late goals by Matt McMullen, Jake Wildt, and Patrick Miklinski. Time was not on their side and Starpoint fell to Long Beach 4 – 3.

Sunday morning Semi-Finals game brought a rematch with Bellmore-Merrick Bulldogs. Head Coach Clayton Wilson knows how difficult it is to beat the same opponent twice in a tournament, not to mention a previously undefeated opponent. Missing their second leading scorer due to suspension from the Long Beach game, the Starpoint coaching staff devised a defensive and counter punch scheme to derail the Bulldogs high scoring offense. Starpoint opened the scoring in the first when David Littlefield buried the puck after a cutting hard to the net. Bulldogs answered that goal late in the first. Starpoint took the lead into the third period clutch goal by Patrick Miklinski. The Bulldogs again answered midway through the third period to tie the game 2 – 2. Less than two minutes later, Nick Surdej sniped the top corner from the slot and the Spartans were back on top 3 – 2. The strong defense, Mike Pearson blocking shots, and spectacular play between the pipes by Morgan von Hedemann held off the Bulldogs to secure the victory and a shot at the State Championship.

The State Championship Game featured a rematch of Super Sunday as the Depew Wildcats beat St. Joes to move on to the finals. The Spartans vowed not to let history repeat itself. After a scoreless first period, Starpoint tallied two quick goals by Josh Krupczyk and Jordan Meisenburg. Krupczyk added 2 more goals in the third for the hat-trick. Miklinski and Wildt each with 2 assists. Depew finally managed to one by Morgan von Hedemann but it was too little, too late. Starpoint with the 4 -1 victory and Morgan von Hedemann was named tournament MVP. The awards ceremony and locker room was an emotional farewell for the senior players coming off

Around New York State / Page 9 their last game and biggest game in Starpoint history: Jake Wildt (C), Patrick Miklinski (C), Morgan von Hedemann (A), Justin Bender (A), Josh Krupczyk, Dominic Farace, Matt Dickerson, Matt McMullen, and Garrett Pietrzak.

Congratulations to the Starpoint coaching staff, Clayton Wilson (HC), John Luby (AC), Mike Lenhard (AC), Dennis Lenhard (AC), and franchise holder Rick Schumacher on bringing home Starpoint’s first ever State Championship.

(NY Hockey Thanks Starpoint for submitting this story and photos.)

To Have Your Team’s Story Printed: We welcome submissions from every Team. Just send to Randy@nyhockeyonline.com by the 23rd of the month for the following month’s issue. Or if you think you might forget, send as soon as the game ends.

NY Hockey reserves the right to edit content to fit the needs of the magazine.

Submit as an attachment in a word document Photos must be submitted as attachments, jpeg format at least 300 dpi and 3” x 5”. Do not just drop in in the word document.

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Coaching With Gridley

by Chuck Gridley

Exciting New Coaching Education Opportunity in New York There is a new and exciting coaching education opportunity for youth hockey coaches coming to New York in June. The NHL Coaches Association has hosted a clinic in conjunction with the NHL Draft for a number of years now. This clinic has always been given by professional coaches, to professional coaches.

Two years ago, the NHLCA invited USA Hockey to partner with them to broaden the scope of the clinic to include amateur coaches as well. This year, the NHLCA Draft clinic will be hosted by the Buffalo Sabres at the Adams Mark Hotel in Buffalo on June 23, 2016.

I attended last year’s clinic in Ft. Lauderdale, hosted by the Florida Panthers. It was a great event!

All of the presenters were professional coaches, and the quality of their presentations was excellent. As

Around New York State / Page 10 an amateur coach, it will probably be the only opportunity you will ever have to sit in a classroom next to an NHL coach (Mike Babcock perhaps) learning about coaching hockey. The clinic continues with an afternoon session dominated by “breakout sessions”.

This unique format allows groups of amateur coaches to sit with 1 or 2 professional coaches for around 15 – 20 minutes each. The amateur coaches set the tone for these discussions. Your group will get the opportunity to speak with 10 or 12 professional coaches. I particularly liked this part of the clinic.

This cost of this clinic is 150.00, and includes lunch, and a ticket to the Draft on Friday night. For those wishing to receive USA Hockey certification, you can get a Level 2, a Level 3, or a Level 3 Recertification for attending this clinic.

In addition, we are offering a Level 4 for those who attend Thursday’s clinic, as well as a second day of presentations on Friday June 24th at Canisius College.

Those wishing to receive certification will need to register for Thursday’s clinic through the Buffalo Sabres, and also through USA Hockey for the clinic level they wish to receive from these clinics. More information about the registration process will be available from both USA Hockey and the Buffalo Sabres in a few weeks. Watch the USA Hockey clinic registration page for details.

This is a once in a lifetime opportunity for youth hockey coaches. I hope that many of you are able to take advantage of it.

Chuck Gridley NY District Coach-in-Chief

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Around New York State / Page 11

NYS BOYS DIVISION II CHAMPIONSHIP GOES TO:

KENMORE EAST BULLDOGS KENMORE, NY

By Randy Schultz

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n all the years I’ve covered hockey including the NHL, minor league, college, junior, high school and youth hockey I can’t remember a post season quite like the one that Trevor Pray had this year. The Kenmore East Bulldogs boys ice hockey captain seemed to carry his team on his back throughout the playoffs.

It began with his “Super Monday” five-goal performance and continued on until his team’s final game nearly two weeks later.

The road for the Bulldogs began with the Division II regionals. Seeded number six, Ken East pushed past St. Lawrence Center, 6-1. Number two seeded Queensbury was upset by Lake Placid, 2-1.

Number one Pelham Memorial doubled up number five AL Notre Dame, 4-2. Number three Skaneateles blanked Victor, 5-0.

Moving on to the semifinals gave up their first goal but defeated Pelham Memorial, 3-1. The Bulldogs overwhelmed Lake Placid, 11-0 with Pray and Co. putting on quite a scoring display.

Going into the Division II championship game the Lakers seemed to have an edge over the Bulldogs. But as the game played out, when the buzzer sounded the two teams were deadlocked, 2-2.

But once again it was Pray stepping up to the plate scoring the winning goal in the first overtime to give

Kenmore East a NYS championship. The scene that took place following the goal was typical with player after player jumping on a big pile, with Pray at the bottom.

But once the unpiling took place, Pray made his way quickly to his coach, as well as his father, Kyle Pray. It was quite an emotional moment as the two embraced on the ice.

And without missing a beat, Pray finally made his way to the goal where he fished out the game-winning puck. He then skated over to the Kenmore fans and tossed it into the waiting hands of a designated receiver.

Drama, emotion, class all wrapped into one name: Trevor Pray. It will be a day none of us who had the privilege of being on hand will ever forget.

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Around New York State / Page 12

NYS BOYS HOCKEY DIVISION I CHAMPIONSHIP GOES TO:

MAMARONECK TIGERS MAMARONECK, NY

By Randy Schultz

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he Mamaroneck Tigers are champions of the NYSPHSAA Ice Hockey Division I. But the road that they used to get there was not an easy one.

If you are a team seeded number one in any tournament, no matter what the sport, you are a marked team. You become a team that everyone is going after.

The pressure is on.

That is exactly what the Tigers must have felt like going into the Division I Regionals for the NYSPHSAA Boys Hockey playoffs. Seeded number one the only place the Tigers could go was down.

In the opening round Mamaroneck easily handled the 10th ranked Massena High School, 5-1. Number five Pittsford downed number six Williamsville

North, 2-1.

In the two other opening round games number two Saratoga Springs blanked Monroe-Woodbury, 5-0. Number three West Genesee downed Ithaca, 6-2.

Going into the Semifinals it became a four-team race. Saratoga Springs took on West Geneva, getting crushed in the process, 5-1. Meanwhile Mamaroneck continued on their way downing Pittsford, 5-2.

Going into the championship game Mamaroneck found that they had their hands full with West Genesee. While the Wild Cats held the Tigers to just one goal, Mamaroneck netminder Tommy Spero played like the Great Wall of China, blanking West Genesee, 1-0.

At 5-9 Spero stood tall in the net for the Tigers.

Time and time again he would come up with the big save to keep the Wild Cats off the board.

In the end the Tigers skated off the HarborCenter ice as champions.

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Around New York State / Page 13

Top Row, Asst. Coach Ron Adimey, Manager Jay Cavarello, Asst. Coach Shelley Looney, Casey Adimey(Amherst), Gabby Demeo(Hamburg), Jenna House(Kenmore), Emily Kromer(Angola), Sophie Robinson(Buffalo), Sirena Fitzery(Hamburg), Taylor Gehen(Hamburg), Morgan Henry(Pendelton), Asst. Coach Don Murphy, Head Coach John Cleary Bottom Row, Lindsey Browning(Rochester), Elizabeth Brashich(Rochester), Courtney Cavarello(Amherst), Alexandra Banas(Buffalo), Gabriella Cleary(Buffalo), Leah Czerwinski(Williamsville), Haley Miller(Orchard Park), Isabella Battaglia.

Not pictured: Renne Lauer(Amherst)

Buffalo Bison’s 16u Tier 1 Girls Win NYS Championship As the Buffalo region was coming out of one of its toughest winters on record in spring of 2015, the hockey tryout season was underway.

The Buffalo Bison’s 16u Tier 1 girls’ team was picked and the practice and game calendars took shape.

The Bison’s set a goal to obtain a New York State Championship.

Coach John Cleary made this message clear to both his players and their parents that the team’s goal was to get better and compete at a higher level each game throughout the season with the endgame focus on winning the state tournament.

The road to the State Championship was a long grueling trek for everyone involved with the team.

Most weeks had a team practice and skills practice, and a practice or game on the weekend. The Bi-

son’s traveled to Canada for most games while playing in the Canadian Lower Lakes Female Hockey league. The Bison’s stayed around mid-pack heading into the Canadian playoffs, and that’s when the team really began to hit its stride.

With some very impressive wins over some very good Canadian competition, the Bison’s had the Canadian hockey chat rooms a buzz. The team was peaking at the right time as the Canadian playoffs and the State Tournament were one after the other. Coach Cleary on his team, “The coaching staff is so very proud of the girls based on their improvement, growth, determination, and commitment to the team and their season”. Helping Coach Cleary along the way was his coaching staff of former Olympic

Gold Medalist in Women’s Hockey Assistant Coach Shelley Looney, Ron Adimey, and Don Murphy.

During the State Championship weekend the Bison’s solid team play from each girls, with stellar goal tending all came together on March 12th when they beat the Buffalo Regal’s 1-0 to advance to the State Championship game verse the Rochester Monarchs.

The Bison’s then sealed the deal as college coaches and prep school scouts looked on, beating the Monarchs 3-1 clinching the state title and earning a trip to the USA Hockey National Tournament in Blaine, Minnesota March 31stApril 4th.

(Continued on Page 18)

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he Ontario Junior Hockey League announced the OJHL First and Second All-Star Teams.

The OJHL All-Star Team is comprised of the very best players in the OJHL this season and is selected by the OJHL General Managers, as well as an Awards Committee comprised of one media member in each OJHL market.

Around New York State / Page 14

OJHL Announces Season Awards

The 2015-16 OJHL First and Second All-Star Team recipients are: 1st Team All-Star G – Daniel Urbani (Trenton Golden Hawks) D – Patrick Kudla (Oakville Blades) D – Brennan Roy (Cobourg Cougars) F – Luc Brown (Wellington Dukes) F – Zach Evancho (Buffalo Jr. Sabres) F – Anthony Rinaldi (Kingston Voyageurs) 2nd Team All-Star G – Andrew Masters (Georgetown Raiders) D – Ryan DaSilva (Stouffville Spirit) D – Willy Paul (Burlington Cougars) F – Thomas Beretta (St. Michael’s Buzzers)

Photo Credit: OJHL

F – Jack Jacome (Georgetown Raiders) F - Josh Kosack (Oakville Blades) Jodi Lanzarotta of the Markham Royals has been named the recipient of the OJHL Volunteer-of-the-Year Award.

Involved in the game of hockey for more than 20 years at various levels, Lanzarotta was one of the first people brought on board when the Hamilton Red Wings moved to Markham last spring; becoming the Royals. She became the club’s Head of Marketing, but has gone more than above-and-beyond the call of duty for the team since taking on the new role.

One of the most enthusiastic people you will run into at the Markham Centennial Community Centre; humble, loving, unselfish, dedicated are but a few of the other adjectives you will hear when Lanzarotta’s name arises in conversation.

With decades of experience within the minor hockey ranks, as well as previ-

ously with the Pickering Panthers and Hamilton Red Wings of the OJHL, she is known for constantly giving back to the game, her team, her players and especially her community.

Facing some health issues this year did not slow Lanzarotta down one bit and she was a permanent fixture at the rink throughout her treatment. This dedication became obvious to everyone when she became ill on a flight to Las Vegas for a rookie prospect camp, yet, despite spending the trip in a wheelchair, continued to volunteer her time at the camp each day.

Back in Markham, along with billeting four of the Royals players, Lanzarotta spearheaded many of the club’s off-ice initiatives and efforts this season, while also contributing her own personal funds for many ‘in-house’ extras. She was the driving force behind the creation of “Reggie,” the Royals cuddly lion mascot, which she also helps take to many special events around the City of Markham.

Some of the special events that Lanzarotta played a huge role in initiating include Armed Forces Night, in which officers and uniformed cadets were given free admission, and the club’s annual ‘Pink-in-the-Rink’ Night in support of Breast Cancer.

As if all this wasn’t enough, Lanzarotta also spent countless hours behindthe-scenes doing the somewhat mundane and non-glamorous jobs that are required for a junior franchise to operate. From driving players to appointments, organizing team functions and even taking jersey

John McDonald of the Trenton Golden Hawks has been named the recipient of the 2015-16 OJHL Executive-of-the-Year Award.

McDonald’s six year tenure with the Golden Hawks has seen him

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evolve into the franchise’s leader, spearheading the business operations that consistently rank among the league’s elite, while also helping build a club that captured its second OJHL regular season title in the past four years.

Building the ‘Golden Hawks’ brand within the Quinte West community has become a passion for the 73-year old, who is the club’s Director of Hockey Operations, Community Liaison and Media Coordinator, or basically, ‘Mr. Everything.’ With a brand that is extremely well-regarded around the region, sponsorship sales are an integral part of Trenton’s program, which has translated into one of the OJHL’s best attendance marks, leading the league with 16,042 fans this season for an average of 594/game. During McDonald’s time in Trenton, the Hawks have never ranked lower than eighth in overall attendance numbers.

The club’s incredible fan support and leadership has allowed the team to also become one of the leading locations for hosting events. McDonald and his team were the first to step to the plate and offer to host the new Conference Showcases this season, successfully running the North-East Conference Showcase from January 15-17, 2016. Prior to the showcase, Trenton hosted a sold-out exhibition game in preparation for the 2015 World Junior ‘A’ Challenge and later,

Around New York State / Page 15 with McDonald leading the charge, the Golden Hawks were awarded the 2017 Central Canadian Junior ‘A’ Championship, Dudley-Hewitt Cup. With more than 40 years of experience in the game, the longstanding volunteer understands the importance of involvement in the community and has more than nurtured it throughout the Quinte West region. His vision sees the club take part in numerous events and fundraisers each year, raising thousands of dollars for charitable endeavours such as the Canadian Cancer Society, Canadian Armed Forces, Kinsman Club, Salvation Army, Trenton Youth Centre, Highland Shores Children’s AID and local school reading

Stefano Durante of the Cobourg Cougars has been named the 2015-16 recipient of the OJHL Humanitarian-of-theYear Award.

The 19-year old Brampton, Ontario native combined his skill and work ethic with a willingness to become integrated into his new community, being involved with all aspects of the club’s community outreach program.

Almost always one of the first Cougars to offer his time to community endeavours, Durante has selflessly and continuously given his free time over the past two years for the smalltown on the shores of Lake Ontario.

Not only does he spend countless hours volunteering his time, but he is also someone that is remembered by most who cross his path. Genuinely

cheerful, excited and appreciative of the opportunities he has been given, Durante has made an impact on the numerous children, and even the adults, that have crossed his path.

Durante, who was also the 201415 OJHL Top Goaltender by posting the fourth best goals against average (1.79) in league history, has combined his volunteer and community service between both on and off the ice activities. From autograph signings, to public reading and literacy at a local library or school, and charitable undertakings that have helped raised thousands of dollars, including the annual ‘Pink in the Rink’ night.

Along with all these requests, of which he rarely turns down, Durante also took time of his own volition and with no fanfare to assist a local family with disabilities, helping shovel the driveway and walkway, while also acting as a big brother to the daughter that has an intellectual disability.

Last season, when a member of the family’s extended family was diagnosed and later passed away with brain cancer, Durante immediately chipped in to help raise nearly $7,000 at a benefit and was there to offer support at the funeral; once again without being asked to do so.

Perhaps his greatest enjoyment, however, comes from spending his time at the rink, helping future generations of hockey players.

Continued on Page 18

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J A N O S Z G O A L T E N D I N G

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By Bob Janosz

Janosz Goaltending / Page 16

GOALTENDER CONSISTENCY

onsistency is what every coach is looking for in his or her goaltender. Coaches want goalies to make all of the routine saves and the big save at key times.

Giving up a soft goal can deflate the team. So how can a goaltender become more consistent? There are several steps they can take to improve their play and avoid having mental lapses leading to soft goals.

Practice Like You Play. Every practice should be viewed as if it was a game as much as possible. Goalies should compete on every shot to not only make the save but also to strive to control and follow every rebound. Angles, appropriate depth, save selections, recovery, and edgework should be worked on every practice at every level. This will improve muscle memory so that the save is automatic during a game.

It also eliminates getting caught “in between saves”. Goalies should also hate to give up goals in practice. They don’t have to break a stick every time they do, but should use it as motivation to try harder on the next shot. Goalies should have a “next shot philosophy” or “one shot a time” mentality at games and practices. Don’t be a spectator and watch the puck go in without attempting to save it. I still see too many goalies simply “getting hit” with pucks without tracking properly and trying to control rebounds.

Work Ethic. Everyone knows the importance of hard work. Goalies ultimately have the biggest impact on the outcome of the game. Therefore they should be the hardest workers on the team. Not just for their own good, but also to gain the trust and respect of their teammates. Cutting corners and cheating drills in practice will show up in the long run. Not to mention the effect it has on what

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J A N O S Z G O A L T E N D I N G

Janosz Goaltending / Page 17

teammates and coaches think. Make the most out of the ice time by practicing crease drills and technical skills when the play is in the other end during slow practices.

Coaches can’t always design practices where the goalies get a lot of work so goalies have to take the initiative to work on their own.

Game Preparation. Find a routine that works. At the college and pro level players normally have the same ritual every game-day. This helps to get in the right mindset.

Pro players generally have a pre-game meal around lunchtime, take a nap, and arrive at the rink early to warm up and stretch. Youth players probably don’t have that time so they’ll have to develop a routine that works for them. They should eat a good meal early enough for their stomach to settle, warm- up with a tennis or soccer ball, stretching in the locker room, listening to music, and mentally visualizing situations where the goalie is successful are things they should be do to prepare for the game.

There are several ways to become more consistent. By working hard at every practice on not only making the save, but also on proper technique and controlling rebounds will help goalies become more consistent. Game preparation does not start when the puck drops; it should begin with mental visualization the night before and continue with a positive and confident mindset until game time.

www.nyhockeyonline.com OJHL Continued from Page 15 With older mentors making an impression on his career when he was a youngster, Durante ensures that he offers his service and expertise, along with an understanding of his position as a role-model for impressionable youngsters, to spend countless hours on the ice helping young netminders. From attending and working at a number of different goaltender clinics, to helping on-ice at various minor hockey team practices, his enthusiasm is overwhelming and he quickly became a fan favourite among the youngest of Cougar fans. Always there for a quick word and willing to discuss the finer points of the game, there are innumerable netminders in the Northumberland region that count him as their hero and idol.

Joe Aiello of the Cobourg Cougars has been named the 2015-16 recipient of the OJHL Trainer-of-the-Year Award.

Wrapping up his fifth season with the Cougars organization, Joe Aiello had one of the busiest seasons of his 15-year career as a junior hockey trainer. The club lost more than 130 man games to injury, putting the consummate professional to the test with the task of often dealing with multiple injuries at the same time.

Aiello started his career as a trainer in 2001-02 with his hometown Port Hope Predators (now Trenton Golden Hawks) organization. Having never been in the profession before, he quickly received his Level I and Level II Ontario Hockey Association (OHA) Trainers Certification and was taken under the wing of the club’s other trainers, Mike Bryant and Ken Johnston, soaking up information and gaining experience that would later make him one of the best at his profession in the OJHL. During his tenure, he would earn his Level III Trainers Certification, the highest level the OHA offers, and the Predators would capture the 2004-05 East Division regular season title.

After eight seasons as one of the Predators trainers, the franchise transferred to Trenton and Aiello would remain at home joining the new Junior ‘C’ Port Hope Predators, where he would spend the next two seasons from 2009-11. Ultimately, Aiello was looking to move back up the junior hockey chain and return to the Junior ‘A’ game and that opportunity arose in 2011 with the nearby Cobourg Cougars under new management.

Aiello has been with the club ever since and has become an influential member of the Cougars dressing room. Mentoring many of the club’s young players during his tenure, he maintains a professionalism that saw him named as one of the trainers for Team Canada East at this past year’s World Junior ‘A’ Challenge that was held in Cobourg and Whitby, Ontario. Aiello was also previ-

Around New York State / Page 18 ously the trainer for champion Team OJHL East at the 2012 Central Canada Cup All-Star Challenge held in Wellington, Ontario.

He is also a recipient of the Hockey Development Centre for Ontario’s (HDCO) Hockey Trainer Recognition Award for the 2015-16 season. Aiello received the award that is presented to an individual in recognition of their outstanding contributions to the ideals of safety, enjoyment, fairplay, sportsmanship, education and honesty in the game of hockey. The HDCO presents the Hockey Trainer’s Recognition Award in partnership with its respective Member Organization, in this case, the OHA in cooperation with the OJHL.

Outside of hockey, Aiello sits on the Port Hope Parks, Recreation and Culture Advisory Committee and fills-in as the trainer for the Clarington Green Gaels Junior ‘B’ Lacrosse Club when needed.

Bisons Continued from Page 13 Coach Cleary commented on the games, “The girls improved each week of the year and that cumulated on the Saturday of the State Championship. Both games were fantastic to watch and certainly the 615AM game versus Regal’s could have gone either way. Goalies for both teams stole the show.

The Bison’s will now make their way to Minnesota to play against the best female hockey players and teams in the country. All of their hard work, dedication, and sacrifice have paid off.

“The icing on the cake is certainly the opportunity to participate at the USA Hockey National Championship in Blaine MN. This was the team’s goal and they made that dream a reality” Said Coach Cleary.

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Around New York State / Page 19

NYer’s Receive AHCA Honors Players from 18 different schools, including 5 from New York State were named 2016 CCM Division I-III Men’s Hockey All Americans.

Named to East First Team were Plattsburgh State’s Rich Botting, a senior from Binghamton and Geneseo State’s Stephen Collins, a junior from Pittsford.

Trevor Hills, a junior from Geneseo State and Honeoye Falls was named to East Second Team.

Geneseo’s Pat Condon, a sophomore from Merrick was named to East Third Team.

Also named from New York State Colleges were: East First Team: Mac Olson, Sr. Hobart College.

East Second Team: Lino Chimienti, Sr. Hobart College; Carl Belizario, Jr. Hobart College and Chase Nieuwendyk, Sr., Brockport State.

East Third Team: Brad Robbins, Sr. Hobart College.

NWHL Inaugural Season Ends

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he first-ever National Women’s Ice Hockey League season has come to an end. History was made the minute the league was formed, players signed and they hit the ice.

Early on they had their first trade, they’ve had their first resignation and even their first tragedy during their first ever outdoor game.

But with that said, the league looks toward the second season, with some recent changes.

First and foremost for those not following closely, the Boston Pride became the regular season champions and their names go on the first Isobel Cup. Leading scorer was Hilary Knight, Boston Pride; Foundation Award went to Denna Laing, Boston Pride; Best Defenseman, Gigi Marvin, Boston Pride; Best Goaltender, Brittany Ott, Boston Pride, Perseverance Award, Denna Laing, Boston Pride and MVP, Brianne Decker, Boston Pride.

Commissioner Dani Rylan has announced that Lisa Giovanelli was named General Manager of the Connecticut Whale. She was their assistant coach last season guiding the team to a 13-5-0 record.

Chad Wiseman has been named General Manager of the New York Riveters. Wiseman brings 14 years of NHL experience with the New York Rangers.

In Buffalo, Ric Seiling, co-coach with Shelley Looney, has been named General Manager. Seiling played 10 years in the NHL with the Buffalo Sabres and Detroit Red Wings.

Boston Pride GM Hayley Moore will return to her role next season. The Pride finished with a 14-3-1 record and the Isobel Cup. The restricted free agency period has begun and is the time when players can choose to resign with their former organization and 2015 draft choices can commit to the club which drafted them. On May 1, restricted free agents who have not signed contracts and draft picks who have not signed with the team that drafted them become free agents and can sign with any organization in the league.

All contracts signed are for one year.

In addition to restricted free agency, the league has announced a new Draft Tax. The Draft Tax will affect clubs who sign other team’s draft selections.

Restricted free agency begins April 1 through April 30. Free agency runs May 1 through July 31. The 2016 Junior Draft is June 18.

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CENTRAL NEW YORK

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Central Hockey / Page 21

hrough Team IMPACT, 11-year old Molly McIntyre was recently drafted to the Syracuse women’s ice hockey team, earning a spot as the newest member of the Orange. Molly was diagnosed with mitochondrial dyfunction, which is a disease that results from failures of the mitochondria.

According to the United Mitochondrial Disease Foundation (UMDF), Mitochondria are responsible for creating more than 90% of the energy needed by the body to sustain life and support growth. With this disorder, Molly is unable to participate in most athletic activities because she does not have the energy to do so.

By teaming up with Team IMPACT, Molly was recently drafted to the Syracuse women’s ice hockey team, becoming an honorary member of the team.

When schedule permits, Molly will join the Orange for every home game. In her first weekend with the Orange, Syracuse swept Lindenwood in a two-game series by the final scores of 6-1 and 2-0

in College Hockey America play.

“This is awesome. I never thought that it would go this far,” Molly said. “The best part about being here is everybody. Everybody just being so nice to me.”

Along with Molly, parents Kelly and Rob and siblings Griffin and Ella will be a part of the Orange family moving forward.

Team IMPACT is a nonprofit chartered to improve the quality of life for children facing life-threatening and chronic illnesses through the power of team. Team IMPACT children are drafted onto college athletic teams and are a part of the team from Draft Day through to Graduation. The child joins the athletic team and the student athletes join the child’s support team.

“I think people have to understand how important Team IMPACT is for the children involved, but also for the athletes,” father Rob McIntyre said. “What they do for their community and what they do for the children affected is incredible.”

For more information on mitochondrial disease, visit the United Mitochondrial Disease Foundation.

Orange Draft 11-Year-Old

(Story & Photos supplied by Syracuse University Athletics.)

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Central Men’s College Ice Hockey Report

by Warren Kozireski Wkozires@brockport.edu

COLGATE

The Raiders extended their ECAC First Round playoff series with Dartmouth to three games, but a pair of overtime losses ended their campaign and the careers of five seniors in Tyson and Tyler Spink, Mike Borkowski, Darcy Murphy and Kevin Lough.

Senior forward Tyson Spink was named Third Team All-League in ECAC for the second straight season. He appeared in all 22 conference games this season compiling a team-best eight goals and eight assists for 16 points. He also contributed 19 points (5g, 14a) during the Raiders’ 12 non-conference games to finish the regular season with a team-best 35 points. Spink ranked in the top 10 of the ECAC in points, goals and assists during the regular season, highlighted by a tie for fourth place in points.

Charlie Finn recorded his first shutout of the season Feb. 26 against RPI. It marked the eighth of his career, moving him into a tie for second place on the program’s career shutout list with Steve Silverthorn (2002-05). Mark Dekanich (2005-08) holds the program’s alltime shutout mark with 11.

CORNELL

After a First round sweep on home ice over

Central Hockey / Page 22 Union, the Big Red fell in three games to topseed Quinnipiac to end their hopes for an atlarge NCAA bid.

The Big Red’s fourth 1-0 victory of the season, against Union Mar. 4, extended their school record. The shutout was also Mitch Gillam’s seventh of the season, which both moves him into a tie for second-most in the country and a tie for third-most in program history for a single season, equaling Ben Scrivens’ seven shutouts in both the 2008-09 and 2009-10 seasons.

Senior defenseman Reece Willcox signed a two-year entry-level contract with the Philadelphia Flyers and will join former teammate Cole Bardreau (Fairport) with the Lehigh Valley Phantoms on the AHL on an amateur tryout contract.

Other senior completing their careers are John Knisley (Pittsford), Christian Hilbrich and Teemu Tiitinen.

ELMIRA

Four third-period goals by Utica ended the Pioneers season in the ECAC quarterfinals.

Third-year winger Alexander Taulien signed a Professional Try-out (PTO) contract with the Missouri Mavericks of the East Coast Hockey League (ECHL) following Carter Shinkaruk, who signed with the Idaho Steelheads.

Net-minder Charl Pretorius made the South African National Team’s final roster for 2016 IIHF Division III World Championship, which is set to be played in Istanbul, Turkey, from March 31st-April 9th. He made one appearance for Elmira during his debut season posting 38 saves in the regular season finale against nationally-ranked Hobart College, which marked the most stops by an EC rookie in their collegiate debut dating back to at least 1999-2000 season.

In addition Brian Depp, Tommy Sumi, Michael Collins, Jarryd ten Vaanholt, Greg

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Central Hockey / Page 23

Whittle, Rob Simpson and Jordan Robertson finished their time in a Soaring Eagles uniform.

HAMILTON

An overtime loss on home ice to Middlebury brought to a halt the best season for the Continentals in recent memory, though they managed just one win after January.

Tyler Lovejoy, Kenny Matheson and Scott Vazquez are the only seniors lost to eligibility.

HOBART

Senior Night at Oswego included Brandon Adams and Mac Scott celebrating with their families. Photo Credit: Jim Feeney.

The Statesmen won their second consecutive and fourth overall ECAC West title tying a team record for wins in one season with.

They received an at-large bid and a first round bye in the NCAA playoffs before falling to UMass-Boston 2-0 in the quarterfinals.

ECAC West Player of the Year Mac Olson was also named one of nine finalists for the 2015-16 Sid Watson Award, which is given annually to the best NCAA Division III men’s ice hockey player in the country.

Head coach Mark Taylor was named one of 11 finalists for the Edward Jeremiah Award, given annually to the College Division NCAA Division III Men’s Ice Hockey Coach of the Year.

In addition to Olson, Ben Gamache, Brad Robbins, Sean Rudy and Lino Chimienti all completed their collegiate careers.

OSWEGO

The Lakers demolished Brockport 8-0 on home ice in the quarterfinals of the SUNYAC playoffs before falling in overtime to first place Plattsburgh in the semi-finals to end their campaign.

Shawn Hulshof earned a spot on the All-Confer-

ence Second Team while Stephen Johnson holds a position on the third team.

Brandon Adams, Mac Scott and Justin Gilbert are the only three seniors.

UTICA

The Pioneers advanced to its second ECAC West title game in the last three years and fourth overall in the program’s 15-year history. There they lost to top seeded and nationally-ranked No. 5 Hobart College 5-0 to close out their season with a 14-10-4 overall record.

Joel Wetmore (Horseheads, Nick Miglio and Dylan Wells completed their collegiate careers.

Freshmen classmates Hayden Dawes and Michael Fredrick were named to ECAC West All-Conference team and All-Rookie teams. Dawes also became the third Pioneer in program-history to earn the Conference’s Rookie of the Year award while Fredrick was named to the All-Conference Second Team.

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Central Hockey / Page 24

Central New York Women’s College Hockey Report

By Janet Schultz Janet@nyhockeyonline.com

Elmira

The Elmira College women’s ice hockey team concluded the 2015-16 season at the 2016 NCAA Division III Women’s Ice Hockey Championships in Plattsburgh, NY, with a third-place finish. As a result, the Soaring Eagles wrapped up the season with a No. 3 national ranking according to the final U.S. College Hockey Online (USCHO) poll, marking the fifth straight season EC has ended with a Top-10 ranking.

Elmira jumped two spots from the last ranking period from five to three, EC’s third-highest year-end national ranking in the last five seasons. Since the last ranking period, Elmira picked up wins over former No. 2 Adrian College in the NCAA First Round and No. 4 Middlebury College in the thirdplace game.

After opening the NCAA Final Four with a heartbreaking loss in overtime to tournament runner-up University of Wisconsin-River Falls, the Soaring Eagles bounced back nicely with a dominant 4-1 win over the Panthers of Middlebury to win the NCAA Third-Place trophy. With the win, Elmira improved to 3-0 in NCAA Third-Place games, and concluded the

Syracuse took a number of CHA awards in Buffalo with Melissa Piaentini taking the Player of the Year Award. With her are (l to r) Nicole Renault, Piacentini, Megan Quinn and Jessica Sibley. (Syracuse Photo)

2015-16 campaign with a 23-5-1 overall record.

Graduating are Olivia Nystrom, McKenna Farole and Phoebe Piku.

SYRACUSE

Senior Melissa Piacentini headlined all College Hockey America award winners, earning herself CHA Player of the Year at Thursday’s CHA banquet. Five players in total from the Syracuse women’s ice hockey team won major awards.

Although Piacentini was named to the CHA Second Team, she was awarded player of the year honors after finishing fourth in the conference with 30 points to go with a CHA-high 21 assists. The senior helped lead Syracuse (18-13-3, 14-4-2 CHA) to a second place finish in the CHA; only one point behind first-place Mercyhurst.

The senior concluded the regular season holding every program offensive record for Syracuse. She is first in points (112), goals (53), assists (59) and plus/minus (61). In addition, Piacentini became the first player in Syracuse women’s ice hockey history to crack 100 points.

Joining Piacentini as a major award winner was classmate Nicole Renault.

Renault was named the CHA Defenseman of the Year while also earning a spot on the CHA All-Conference First Team. The senior finished the regular season with 18 points, including four goals and 14 assists. Renault currently resides in second at Syracuse for the program’s all-time assist lead with 58 assists, which is only one behind Piacentini.

Joining Renault on the All-Conference First Team was sophomore for-

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ward Stephanie Grossi. Grossi finished the regular season third in the CHA and first on Syracuse with 33 total points that includes 12 goals and 21 assists. The sophomore earned Rookie of the Year honors last season, recording 30 points as a freshman. This season, Grossi had two hat tricks, including a program-high performance against RIT, registering five points in a 7-1 win.

Grossi and junior teammate Jessica Sibley also took home the CHA Scoring Trophy. Sibley was named to the CHA Second Team as a forward, finishing the regular season tied with Piacentini for fourth in the CHA with 30 points. The junior recorded 12 goals and 18 assists, including a league-high six game-winning goals, which ranks fifth nationally. To go with the CHA Scoring Trophy, Sibley was also awarded the Best Defensive Forward award.

Sophomore Megan Quinn joined Sibley on the CHA Second Team as one of the conference’s top defenseman.

Quinn put together a stellar season for Syracuse, tallying 18 points. The sophomore scored six goals and dished out 12 assists in her second season with the Orange that included a game-winning goal against Penn State in CHA play.

Syracuse sought the first CHA Championship and received a bye in the first round. Their first game in the playoffs was against Penn State which took the Orange 3 overtimes but they won 3-2. It was the longest game in CHA program history taking 116 minutes an 10 seconds to play.

In the finals they lost to Mercyhurst 4-3. Again in Overtime after battling back from a 3-1 deficit to a 3-3 tie with 2 goals in the third taking the game to overtime.

Graduating this season are Renault, Danielle Leslie, Nicole Ferrara, Piacentini and Jenn Gilligan.

UTICA

Samantha Husak was named to the D3Hockey.com National Team of the Week on March 2. She had 2 assists in a 5-0 win over Cortland in the Quarterfinals.

Utica had its most successful season in program history setting a new program record and advancing to the finals

Central Hockey / Page 25

for the second time ever. They ended ranked 10th nationally.

In the ECAC West Championship game they met up with Plattsburgh who scored 3 power play goals in their 8-0 victory over the Pioneers and taking the ECAC West 2016 Championship North.

Junior Keira Goin (Dobbs Ferry) made 42 saves in net and Camille Leonard stopped 17.

Utica graduates two seniors. Morgan Reed and Janessa Haasbeck. Reed is the fourth all-time scorer with 11 points and Haasbeek was team Captain and led Utica’s defense.

COLGATE

Colgate held their annual March Mania securing gifts and athletic participation from Alumni. Their goal is to obtain 1,013 contributors and $50,000.

Megan Sullivan was named ECAC Player of the Week for March 2. She scored 6 goals in a weekend stand against Harvard in the quarterfinals of the ECAC playoffs.

Colgate hosted Harvard, the first time they had home ice advantage in post season play. In the best-of-three series the beat Harvard 4-1 in game 1; lost 4-1 in game 2 and with a forced game 3, beat Harvard 3-2 taking them to the ECAC Championship Weekend, their first since 2007.

They lost to Clarkson 5-2 and ended their season.

Also ending their careers at Colgate are seniors Ashlynne Rando, Nicole Gross and Katelyn Parker.

OSWEGO

Alli Ulrich was named to the D3 Hockey.com National Team of the Week for March 3. She scored the first goal 1:13 into the first period to give them a 5-0 victory over Buffalo State and sending them to the playoffs. After upsetting Buffalo in the Quarters they took on Plattsburgh and lost 5-0.

Graduating this season are Jayme McCreary (Waterloo/ Lysander), Bailee Goodon (Manitoba) and Lizzy Marks (Penfield/Rochester Edge).

www.nyhockeyonline.com CORTLAND

Cortland ended their season with a 5-0 loss to Utica and a 11-3-1 record.

Deanne Meunier, the all-time save leader with 2,261 career total, will be graduating.

Other seniors include from New York: Kaitlyn Ryan, Windsor/Adrian College; Maggie Corbett (Queensbury/ Queensbury) and Katie Gill (Brooklyn/NJ Rockets). Also Madison Fischi, Laura Drew, Corey Temple, Lauryn Gillis, Niamh O’Connor.

CORNELL

Micha Hart was named to the ECAC All Rookie Team for 2015-16. She had a goal and 17 assists, led the league and nation in points per game in a season.

Cornell fell to #5 Clarkson in game one of the quarterfinals. Clarkson was undefeated.

Cornell’s Senior Class includes Cassandra Poulnier, Jess Brown, Anna Zorn (Churchville/Rochester Edge), Morgan Richardson, Taylor Woods and Stefannie Moak.

Zorn had 4 goal/4 assists in her first season as a Big Red player. Her first goal game against Boston University and then she missed a chunk of the season due to injury. In 2013-14 as a

Central Hockey / Page 26 sophomore she played third line but made an appearance in 34 games. In her junior year she had 5 points. This season with 43 shots-on-goal she had 2 goals and 1 assist.

HAMILTON

Hamilton ended their season with a 3-0 loss to Connecticut College at the 2016 NESCAC Women’s Hockey Championships. They had a 15-7-3 record and were seeded sixth.

Named to the NESCAC All NESCAC Team were Hannah Barrett, Sara Taffe an Sam Walther.

Megan Fitzgerald was named to the NESCAC Winter All Sportsmanship Team.

Graduating this year are Casey Brown, Naomi Woolfenden, Barrett, Fitzgerald, Alysia Racicot and Inathe Lekometros.

WILLIAM SMITH

William Smith closed out its season with a 4-2 loss to Cortland and a 8-15-2 record in their second season of play.

All players will be returning.

Congratulations to the Oswego Seniors Jayme McCreary (Waterloo/Lysander), Bailee Goodon and Lizzy Marks (Penfield/Rochester Edge)(Oswego Photo)

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Central Hockey / Page 27 Skaneateles Boys Varsity Defeated by Kenmore East in NYS Varsity Championships Score: 3 - 2 in Overtime!

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Outlaws Are Pepsi Champs!

Central Hockey / Page 28

the Jordan Lions out of Ontario who came into the game only giving up 2 goals the entire weekend.

This was it for our kids for the Fall/Winter season, he Fingerlakes Regional Hockey Association they were fired up and ready to end the year on Central Outlaws Squirts took home the Chama high note. The game start out with the Outlaws pionship trophy March 24-26 in the “House peppering the Jordan goalie but just couldn’t get the “Select” & “AA” Squirt/Atom Travel Team Pacific puck by him. Finally in the middle of the first a Outdivision! The kids battled all weekend and ended law defender let one rip from the blue line and hit with a 4-0-1 record and hosted the Pepsi Trophy the upper corner for the first goal of the game. The when the final buzzer went off! They battled Eastsecond period the Outlaws were able get another ern Ontario, West Seneca and the Southtowns Stars one past the Jordan’s goalie to go up 2-0 heading in the round robin portion of play. They went into into the 3rd. The 3rd period had everyone on the the Semi Final round as the number 2 seed and had edge of their seats, it was back and forth the entire a battle on their hands with Amherst. The Outlaws period. With a minute left the Outlaws put in anjumped out to a nice 4-0 lead, then the break beother to seal the deal! The were ending their season tween the 2nd and 3rd period cooled them off and and making the drive home Champions! ignited the Amherst offense. Amherst came out on As Coach Jay said, “Seven months ago we sat in fire and scored 2 quick goals within the first 2 mina locker room in Canandauquia and all the kids and utes of the 3rd, they put in another one shortly after. coaches had a look of deer in head lights for the first The Outlaws were able to regroup, gain their comgame. Seven months later they sit in a locker room poser and move onto the Championship game that as champions.” afternoon. The Championship game was against NY Hockey Thanks Shannon Coffin for this article and photo

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East Hockey

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East Hockey

/ Page 30

Brewster Raises Awareness With Hockey Tournament

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hat a wonderful weekend, full of great hockey and raising awareness for pediatric cancer supporting the Ty Louis Campbell Foundation. Brewster Ice Arena hosted the 3rd annual SuperTy Invitational on March 4, 5 & 6 in Brewster New York. Hockey teams from all over the New York/Connecticut area attended. The SuperTy ’05 team won their division. The players wore their SuperTy uniforms with great pride as they entered the rink. “These players had a reason to skate and were honored to be skating for Ty,” said Jimmy Girolamo.

There was something for everyone from raffle items to silent auction items, to a bake sale that had Ty cookies, to chuck a duck that raffled tons of gift cards.

On Saturday evening there was a Charity Skate/ Free Skate.

“The charity skate was an awesome time for my 2 girls to experience ice skating,” said Jen Maloney. On Sunday, the Brewster Bulldogs Pro Hockey Team had some players came to the event for a meet and greet . The kids had a blast getting their jerseys and pucks signed. (Brewster Photos)

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East Hockey / Page 31 New York Raptors column

New York Raptors 2016 winter classic

Raptor’s Rap

by Michael Meyers New York Raptors Hockey Team

The New York Raptors are an American Special Hockey Team for children with special needs who want to play hockey.

The New York Raptors hosted the fourth North America Hockey Winter Classic on March 5 at Playland in Rye, New York .

They invited the New York Fire Ants and New York Ice Breakers to the game as well a the Albany Cougars.

Opening Ceremonies were held at 1:30 pm with the National Anthem sung by Heather Sommer.

Dropping the puck were Tara Rosenblum, Nicky Tiseo, Dr Lanwehr and Elliot Root.

The first game featured the New York Fire Ants against New York Ice Breakers.

The New York Raptors had the two coaches in Ice Breakers is number 29 Steven Grossman and Goalies Coach number 1 Larry Hrbek.

The third period of the game was a Chuck-A-Puck.

The second game put the New York Raptors against Albany Cougars New York Raptors beat the Albany Cougars 8- 11.

Now the New York Raptors prepare for the big tournament in Lake Placid March 31 through April 3 2016 .

NY Hockey OnLine Magazine Your Source For All The Hockey News in New York State!

Submissions from ALL Hockey organizations from beginner to NHL and adult leagues is welcome.

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East Hockey / Page 32

East Women’s College Report

by Janet Schultz Janet@nyhockeyonline.com

Congratulations to Union Seniors: Jessia Kaminsky, Elizabeth Otten, Jamie Smith, Courtey Turner and Kathryn Tomaselli.

UNION Freshman goaltender Melissa Black was named the George Morrison MVP Award recipient. Black was tremendous between the pipes throughout the year as she competed in 31 games. She finished the season with 1,111 saves and a .931 save percentage, to go along with a 2.74 goals-against average. Her 1,111 saves ranks second in school history, and the first time a freshman had tallied 1,000 saves in Union history.

She completed her season ranked 12thin the NCAA in save percentage .931. In Union’s history, she ranks first in career save percentage, second in career goals-against-average and ninth in career saves. She also ranks second in single-season saves and single-season save percentage. Black also was named the team’s Rookie of the Year, after completing all the accomplishments in her freshman season.

Junior captain Alli Devins was recipient of the Hana Yamashita Coaches Award. Devins tallied her first career goal and six assists on the season. She competed in all 34 games. In her career she has played in 97 games, with one goal and seven assists and 21 shots on goal. The defensemen scored her first career goal at Maine on December 12.

Senior forward Jessica Kaminsky was voted as the team’s Unsung Hero Award. Kaminksy appeared in all 34 games, tallying two goals and three assists. She completed her career with 115 games played, 20 goals, 25 assists for 45 points. She ranks sixth in career assists and seventh in career points.

Sophomore Katie Laughlin was selected as the team’s Most Improved Player. Laughlin suited up in all but one game during her sophomore season, scoring her first career point on the year. She recorded an assist against Brown on January 23.

Kathryn Davis was awarded the Ashley Kilstein Award, which is given to the player that has given her time to volunteer in the community. Davis initiated the Love Your Melon crew on Union’s campus as well as helped promote Pink at the Rink. She also helped raise money for Do It For Daron and for local children during the holidays. Davis also was part of the team that was named STRIDE Corporate/Community Sponsor of the Year.

At the conclusion of the event, Coach Claudia Asa-

www.nyhockeyonline.com no Barcomb announced that rising senior Devins will serve as team captain for the upcoming 2016-17 season. Devins appeared in all 34 games, registering 21 shots on goal and blocking 39 shots for the Dutchwomen.

RPI

Lovisa Selander was named to the All ECAC Third Team and All Rookie Team.

The Swedish Goaltender is 9-16-7 as a starter in 31 games (out of 34 played) with a 2.11 GAA and .939 save %.

The Engineers season ended in a 2-1 double overtime loss to Quinnipiac.

Graduating this season are Sara Till, Lauren Walsh, Alexa Gutchow, Jenn Godin, Mari Mankey and Brandi Banks.

MANHATTENVILLE

A 4-0 loss to the University of Massachusetts/Boston in the NEHC Quarterfinals ended the Manhattanville season.

Thirteen members of the Manhattanville College women’s hockey team were named to the 2015-16 All-Academic team as announced by the New England Hockey Conference .

To be eligible for the All-Academic recognition, a student-athlete must carry a minimum 3.0 cumulative grade point average and must have completed at least one full year at their current institution.

In total, 141 student-athletes in the conference earned the recogni-

East Hockey / Page 33 tion.

The following student-athletes from Manhattanville earned the recognition.

Senior Melissa Hauptman (Smithtown, N.Y./Sound Shore Warriors (MAWHL)) Senior Kyra Cassandra Kent Melisssa Hauptman Herbert (Plainfield, N.H./Lebanon) in 2012-13 and was named Junior Olivia to the ECAC East All Academic Drew (York, Maine/Portland Jr. Team in 2013-14 and 2014-15.

Pirates) Junior Nicole Dudjak (Flemington, N.J./New Jersey Rockets) Junior Taryn Harris (Morrison, Colo./Colorado Selects) Junior Kayley Romano (Viera, NY HOCKEY Fla./Boston Shamrocks) E-Magazine Sophomore Lindsay Diot (Bethel, Conn./Boston Shamrocks) Sophomore Cassandra Kent (Lake Placid, NY/Northwood) Sophomore Jennifer Machin Sports Information (Brunswick, Maine/North YarDirectors: mouth Academy) Please make sure you have Sophomore Monika Molnar us on your media mailing (Budapest, Hungary/Vasas HC) Sophomore Maeve O’Brien list. All press releases will (Chicago, Ill./Loyola Academy) be posted on our website Sophomore Kristi Peters (Newas we receive them. port Beach, Calif./Corona del Mar) Sophomore Melissa Stys (Pequannock, N.J./Kent School) Send to Melissa Hauptman of SmithRandy@nyhockeyonline. town/Sound Shore Warriors will com or be graduating, along with Kyra Herbert of New Hampshire.

Janet@nyhockeyonline.

Hauptman had her first college com career goal against Nichols College Your Source For NYS Hockey News!

www.nyhockeyonline.com ARMY The Black Knights season ended with a 2-1 overtime loss to regular season champ Robert Morris—their school record 15th overtime game of the season—in the Atlantic Hockey Conference semi-finals. It marked their first trip to the conference final four since 2008 and the first time winning two playoff series in the history of the program.

Army finished sixth in the regular season—its highest spot in the league standings since 200910—and hosted a postseason series for first time since 2011—their first round series against AIC. They advanced to the semi’s after sweeping Holy Cross.

Parker Gahagen (Buffalo) was named Atlantic Hockey’s Second Team All-Conference and Goaltender of the Month in February after finishing the month with a 3-2-3 record and helped the Black Knights earn league points in all weekends in the month. He recorded a 1.71 goals against average and a .951 save percentage. He made 30 or

East Hockey / Page 34 more saves in five of his eight

East Men’s College Ice Hockey Report

starts in February.

Joe Kozlak, Christian Poby Warren Kozireski marico, Shane Wkozires@brockport.edu Hearn, Josh Roberts and Luke Jenkins completed their college ca- R.P.I. reers.

The Engineers first round playoff win against Brown was also the first time that RPI had won a home HUDSON VALLEY CC playoff series since 2004 when it Seeded third, the Vikings lost in beat Princeton. But their season the national semi-finals to Dakota ended with a quarterfinal series College at Bottineau 6-1 to end loss to 12th ranked Harvard.

Defenseman Chris Bradley their title hopes.

Sean Spohr scored a second (Williamsville) signed an Amateur period goal to tie the contest 1-1 Try-Out contract with the Orlanbefore Dakota poured in five, third do Solar Bears after wrapping up a four-year collegiate career. He period tallies. played in a career-high 40 games this season, tallying eight points (2g-6a) and four penalty minutes MANHATTANVILLE while serving as team captain. In After earning second place in the 145 career games for the Engineers, regular season, the Valiants al- Bradley logged 35 points (9g-26a) lowed a 3-1 third period lead and 22 penalty minutes. Prior to evaporate in an eventual 4-3 over- playing at RPI, Bradley played time loss to Utica in the conference two seasons of junior hockey with the Youngstown Phantoms of the semi-finals.

Matt Coleman (Brentwood) United States Hockey League unis the only senior having played der current Solar Bears head coach more than 20 games who complet- Anthony Noreen. ed his eligibility. Phil Lux, Andrew Record-setting goaltender JaSerpico and Kurt Williams were son Kasdorf has signed a National other seniors on the roster.

Hockey League contract with the Buffalo Sabres. The All-

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East Hockey / Page 35

ECAC Second Team selection departs Rensselaer with the lowest single season (1.62 in 2012-13) and career (2.39) goals against average in school history. He is second (.935 in 2012-13) and third (.931 in 2015-16) in single season save percentage, as well as second in career save percentage (.920). He is in the top five in 10 other categories, including fourth in career shutouts (7) and fifth in season saves (916 in 2015-16).

Freshman goaltender Cam Hackett was an ECAC All-Rookie team selection.

Milos Bubela, Zach Schroeder, Mark Miller (Massena), Phil Hampton, Sam Goodwin and Travis Fulton join Bradley and Kasdorf as seniors ending their collegiate careers.

UNION

“It is what it is,” head coach Rick Bennett said about being on the road for the first round of the postseason.

“We put ourselves there so there is no sense putting our head down.”

The Dutchmen’s season ended with a pair of one-goal losses at Cornell in the first round of the ECAC playoffs.

Junior forward Mike Vecchione was named Third Team All-League.

Senior captain Mike Wilkins signed with Adirondack in the ECHL. The team also loses seniors Sebastien Gingras, Nick Cruice, Theo Di Pauli von Treuheim and David Roy. Former Union and now Philadelphia Flyer defenseman Shayne Gostisbehere set an NHL record for rookie defenseman with a 15 game scoring streak.

Mamaroneck NYS Champs!

North Hockey

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Northern New York Men’s College Hockey Report

by Warren Kozireski

Wkozires@brockport.edu

North Hockey / Page 37 were second team All-SUNYAC. Dillan Fox rounded out the All-Conference awards earning a spot among the forwards on the All-SUNYAC third team. It is the first time for all five Cardinals on receiving conference team accolades.

Botting, Zach Popp (Schenectady), Connor Gorman, Anthony Calabrese, Dillan Fox, Luke Baleshta, Kevin Emmerling, Michael Radisa and Spencer Finney all completed their collegiate hockey careers.

CLARKSON

POTSDAM

After sweeping Princeton with two overtime wins, the Golden Knights ended their season with an ECAC quarterfinal loss at rival St. Lawrence.

Defensemen James DeHaas and Paul Geiger were Third Team All-League choices.

Senior defenseman Kevin Tansey signed an Amateur Tryout Agreement with the Binghamton Senators of the American Hockey League. The five-year player appeared in 34 games this season and registered four goals and two assists while also leading the Knights in blocked shots with 49. Two-year captain Paul Geiger also signed an ATO with the Albany Devils.

Jeff DiNallo, Christian Powers, Geiger, Pat Megannety, Tansey, Simon Bessette, Todd Christian and Greg Lewis finished their collegiate careers.

The Bears season ended with a 4-1 loss at Geneseo in the SUNYAC quarterfinals. The loss brings to a close the careers of seniors Billy Pascalli (Deer Park), Matt Thompson, Jake Rivera, captain Todd Thomas and assistant captain Brad Campagna (Monroe).

Dylan Vander Esch was named to the All-SUNYAC third team after the sophomore led the Bears in scoring for the second straight season with 17 goals and 10 assists for 27 points.

1998 alum David Dragone (Bronx) will be among the inductees as part of the Class of 2016 into the Potsdam Athletics Hall of Fame in ceremonies schedule for Oct. 1. He played two seasons for the men’s ice hockey team after transferring from North Country Community College. In 54 games with the Bears he posted a 29-20-4 record with a 3.38 goals-against-average and a .891 save percentage while earning first team AllSUNYAC honors in both 1995-96 and 1996-97. He was 15-9-2 during the 1995-96 season and backstopped the Bears to their first SUNYAC Championship and NCAA Tournament appearance. The next season he guided Potsdam to the SUNYAC Semifinals with a 1211-2 mark. Dragone was also enshrined in the hall of fame with his entire 1995-96 team in November 2014.

He is the 13th member of the men’s hockey program to be inducted individually and will join teammates

PLATTSBURGH An overtime win over rival Oswego in the SUNHAC semi-finals did not result in the Cardinals repeating in a loss to Geneseo on home ice in the final. In spite of their 20-4-1 record, they were not awarded an at-large bid for the NCAA postseason.

Rich Botting (Binghamton) was selected to the SUNYAC All-Conference first team while three Cardinals, Connor Gorman, Spencer Finney and Chris Taff

www.nyhockeyonline.com Steve Naughton ‘98 (2004) and Nathan Sunday ‘98 (2012), as well as Coach Ed Seney (2007).

ST. LAWRENCE After defeating rival Clarkson in the ECAC quarterfinals, the Saints season ended with an overtime loss to Harvard in the league semi-finals played in Lake Placid.

Defenseman Gavin Bayreuther was named to the ECAC First Team All-League and conference player of the month for February, while teammate Jacob Pritchard was the top rookie in the month. Bayreuther is the first defenseman to lead the Saints in scoring, finished the year on a nine-game scoring streak, scored in every February game and also became the first defenseman to win the league’s Player of the Month award since its inception.

Pritchard led all ECAC Hockey rookies in goals for the month with five and finished the regular-season on a 10-game scoring streak.

Eric Sweetman was a Second Team pick on defense.

Seniors Brian Ward, Tommy Thompson, Alex Hagen (Bronxville), Sean McGovern and Ross McMullen all completed their senior seasons.

Late Breaking News

After five years behind the bench at St. Lawrence, including the past four as head coach, Greg Carvel is leaving the Saints to take over as head coach at Massachusetts.

Carvel took over at SLU at the start of the 2012-13 season and led the Saints to a 72-63-15 mark over the past four seasons.

The UMass job was available when John Micheletto was fired back on March 6.

“I am very excited about the opportunity that exists for the University of Massachusetts hockey program and the potential for success here,” Carvel said in a news release. “I was very impressed with the vision and energy of director of athletics Ryan Bamford and his desire to succeed in Hockey East. I feel that I bring a wide range of coaching experience and proven success at the collegiate, professional and interna-

North Hockey / Page 38 tional levels.

“As an alumnus of St. Lawrence University, I leave with a heavy heart and great appreciation for what the university has done for me, in particular, Joe Marsh. The University of Massachusetts will provide me with the next opportunity to help rebuild a hockey program that has great potential for success.

Having earned my master’s degree from UMass, I am well aware of the prestige of the school and its desire to have a championship-caliber hockey program at a Top 30 Public Research University.”

Carvel began his professional coaching career as director of hockey operations for the Lowell Lock Monsters of the American Hockey League. He joined the Anaheim Ducks as scouting coordinator in May of 1999, adding video coordinator to his duties in 2002 and earning a promotion to assistant coach in 2003.

He joined the Ottawa Senators as an assistant coach in 2004 and was on the staff until the summer of 2011.

Both the Ducks and the Senators made it to the Stanley Cup Finals during his time as an assistant coach.

A former Saints captain and the first CoSIDA Academic All-American in SLU program history, Carvel had 38 goals and 85 assists for 123 points in 131 collegiate games.

Carvel played one year of professional hockey in Sweden and then became assistant athletic director and assistant hockey coach at Canterbury Prep. He went on to earn a master’s degree in sport management at UMass in 1998 and was an assistant coach at Amherst College in 1996 while pursuing his degree.

Your Source For NYS Hockey News!

NY HOCKEY E-Magazine

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Northern New York Women’s College Hockey Report

by Janet Schultz Janet@ nyhockeyonline.com

PLATTSBURGH THREE-PEATS Winning a national championship is easier said than done. Winning three straight national championships is something only a few individuals can say they’ve accomplished. That Plattsburgh State women’s ice hockey team can now be sorted into the category of dynasties after claiming its third straight NCAA Division III Women’s Ice Hockey National Championship after a 5-1 victory over the University of WisconsinRiver Falls Saturday night at the Ronald B. Stafford Ice Arena.

Plattsburgh State joins Middlebury College as the only NCAA Division III institution to win three consecutive national championships. Four seniors and five juniors have been on the women’s ice hockey team for all three championships.

The first period featured exciting back and forth action with few stoppages. UW-River Falls would jump out to a 1-0 advantage just past the halfway mark. After a shot by a Chloe Kinsel hit the post, Carly Moran gathered up the rebound and sent a backhanded shot past Cardinal goalie Camille Leonard.

Following several penalties, which resulted in a Plattsburgh State 4-on-3 power play, the Cardinals

North Hockey / Page 39 would knot the game at one goal apiece. Sophomore Melissa Sheeran found junior forward Jordan Lipson, who had skated in front of the net. The Davis, Calif., native buried one past Falcon goaltender Angie Hall.

The Cardinals kept up the pressure and struck for another goal with 1:51 left in the first. After a long possession in the offensive zone, which was prolonged thanks to a strong Plattsburgh State forecheck, Sheeran would finish off a beautiful sequence.

Kayla Meneghin cycled the puck down low to Giovanna Senese, who circled around the net and found Sheeran unmarked in front of the net for the easy tally.

Plattsburgh State outshot UW-River Falls by a 15-6 margin in the first period.

For the second straight game, the Cardinals completely owned the middle frame. At 12:20, Plattsburgh State struck for its first two-goal lead. After the puck was sent along the far boards behind the net, Karen Hudson sent a blind backhanded pass in front, where Ashley Songin, was positioned at the left post.

The Springville, N.Y., product clapped the puck past Hall for her fifth goal of the season, giving Plattsburgh State a 3-1 lead.

Last years’ NCAA Tournament Most Valuable Player Giovanna Senese capped the scoring in the second period for the Cardinals with 1:23 left. Melissa Sheeran would fake one defender and skate from behind the cage out front before sliding the puck across the goal mouth to Senese, who hit the unguarded side of the net with a backhanded shot.

Through two periods, Plattsburgh State had outshot UW-River Falls 28-12 and despite giving up the first goal of the game, led the Falcons 4-1 heading to the third period.

Just over six minutes into the third, junior Katelyn Turk posted just her second goal of the season to make the score 5-1 in favor of Plattsburgh State. After the puck was deflected in the air just outside the crease, Turk would chip at it several times, eventually getting it past the goal line.

www.nyhockeyonline.com The Cardinals close out the year with a 29-1-0 record, their best record in program history.

UW-River Falls, after coming in third place a season ago, takes another step forward as the national runner up in 2015-16. The Falcons close out their season with a 23-6-2 record.

Plattsburgh State adds its lead in national championships with its fifth in the program’s existence.

POTSDAM

A program record 15 SUNY Potsdam women’s hockey players have earned a spot on the Eastern College Athletic Conference West All-Academic Team. Nine of these player are New Yorkers! Of the 10 schools in the league, only SUNY Cortland (16) had more players honored than the Bears. The 15, or 75 percent of the roster, top the previous team record of 12 set in 2014 and matched last season.

In order to be eligible for the All-Academic Team, studentathletes must carry a cumulative grade-point-average of 3.0 or higher and have completed at least one full year at their current institution.

Senior forward Sally Mooney (Columbus, Ohio/Wyoming Seminary) served as a Bears captain this season. She played in all 25 games, recording three goals and seven assists for 10 points. She closed her career with 13 goals and 24 assists for 37 points in 86 games.

Senior forward Alison Greene (Massena, N.Y./Norwich University) scored five goals and led the team with 12 assists for 17 points in all 25 games. Greene spent just

North Hockey / Page 40 a season and a half with the Bears, but still managed to contribute 11 goals and 18 assists for 29 points in just 39 games.

Senior defenseman Emily Kriwox (Tupper Lake, N.Y./Tupper Lake Lumberjacks) manned the blue line in 23 contests this year.

She played in 71 games over three seasons with Potsdam.

Senior goalie Abby Tardelli (Potsdam, N.Y./North Country Ice Storm) served as an assistant captain this season. She played every second between the pipes for the Bears in 2015-16, the only Potsdam goaltender to own that distinction. She posted a 9-14-2 record with a .903 save percentage and a 2.92 goals-against-average.

Tardelli, who opened her career as a member of the ECAC West AllRookie team, was 13-26-2 with an .896 save percentage, a 3.47 goalsagainst-average and two shutouts in her three seasons with Potsdam.

Senior defenseman Rachel Grefke (Livonia, Mich./Victory Honda) scored a goal and recorded two assists in 25 games this season. She played in every one of the Bears’ 102 games in her career, totaling four goals and six assists for 10 points.

Senior defenseman Katie Marsman (Wantagh, N.Y./Wyoming Seminary) was Potsdam’s other captain this season. She scored had a goal and had nine assists, while playing in 25 games.

She had 25 career points on a goal and 24 assists in 101 games as a Bear.

Junior defenseman Madison Smith played in all 25 games this

season after transferring in from the College of St. Scholastica to give Potsdam another veteran presence on the blue line.

Junior defenseman Kaylen Van Wagner (Red Hook, N.Y./ Hotchkiss Prep) was an assistant captain in 2015-16. She also had a career-year offensively with a goal and six assists for seven points.

In her second season on the ice, junior defenseman Kady Hart (Potsdam, N.Y./North Country Ice Storm) saw time in all 25 games and scored a goal and assisted on another.

Junior forward Roberta Beatty (Prince Albert, Saskatchewan/Ontario Hockey Academy) had a goal in 23 games this year.

Junior forward Amanda Peterson (West Chazy, N.Y./Chazy Flyers) had five goals, including two on the power play, and three assists for eight points in 24 games.

Junior forward Jordan Ott (Hilton, N.Y./Rochester Edge) had another stand out year that ended with Honorable Mention All-ECAC West accolades. She led the Bears in scoring with 15 goals and 11 assists for 26 points. She set the program record with 47 career goals and is Potsdam’s third alltime leading scorer with 84 points (47g-37a). Ott has also been named to the All-USCHO third team as a defenseman.

Forward Brenna Wilson (Kanata, Ontario/Ottawa Jr. Senators) had a solid sophomore campaign.

She scored three goals and added two assists for five points in 25 games.

Sophomore forward Anna-

www.nyhockeyonline.com Rose Bertin (Marathon, Ontario/Canadian International Hockey Academy) easily topped her freshman season with eight goals and six assists for 14 points in 25 games. She was third on the team in scoring.

Sophomore forward Taylor Marcellus (Waddington, N.Y./Ontario Hockey Academy) had two assists in 15 games during her first season with the Bears.

This year, Potsdam posted a 9-14-2 (4-13-1 ECAC West) record, falling just short of the conference playoffs.

CLARKSON

The second-best season in Clarkson University Women’s Hockey history came to an end in the semifinal round of the NCAA Frozen Four as the Golden Knights fell to No. 1 Boston College in overtime, 3-2, in Durham, NH. The Golden Knights closed out a remarkable season with a 30-5-5 overall record and a second straight appearance in the NCAA Frozen Four in three years.

Graduating this season are Captain Shannon MacAulay, Renata Fast, Olivia Howe and Erin Ambrose.

North Hockey / Page 41 ST. LAWRENCE

With a 2-1 loss to Quinnipiac, St. Lawrence closed out its 2015-16 season 17-15-6.

Amanda Boulier was named to Second Team All ECAC Hockey after breaking the St. Lawrence record for goals and points in the quarterfinals against Princeton.

Seven Saints will graduate this season including Jenna Marks, Abbey McRae, Dominque Korakianitis, Megan Armstrong, Kailee Heidersbach, Victoria Leimgardt and Maekla Thompson.

Thompson come from Webster and played for the Rochester Edge.

CANTON

Five members of the SUNY Canton women’s hockey team were recognized on the Colonial Hockey Conference (CHC) All-Academic Team.

Lora Ardoin (Houston, TX), Rebecca DiNardo (Ottawa, ON) , Sydney Kinder (New York. NY), Steph Kushnir (Goshen, NY) and Margret Troiano (Morristown, NY) were all recognized to the CHC All-Academic Team for the Roos. (Pictured below/Canton photo)

West Hockey

CHAMPIONS!

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WNY Boys High School Hockey Super Sunday Crowns WNY’s Best HS Club Teams

By Randy Schultz

T

at that lead with David Mathew scoring a goal in the second period and Robert Robinson popping in the game tying goal in the third.

Andrew Short fired in the game winner for St. Joe’s with less than 31 seconds remaining in the first OT. Short was Game MVP for the winners, while Peters was MVP for Orchard Park.

hree champions were crowned at the 2016 Super Sunday High School Club Hockey Championships held at First Niagara Center. But it took three overtimes to crown the first, one OT to crown the second and a normal three period contest to establish the third.

In the Small Division Depew edged Starpoint, 3-2 in three OT period. In the Large Division St. Joe’s MaDepew with the Small Division roon topped Orchard Park, 3-2 but it took an extra OT (Club Hockey)Championship Trophy period to do it. In the final game of the afternoon Olean defeated Iroquois, 6-3 to win the Mixed

In the final game of the Division. day the final score did not tell Nick Grupp scored the game the whole story. Olean jumped winning goal just 93 seconds out to a first-period, 4-0 lead into the third OT, which saw on goals by Jack Pecora, Chris the two teams skating 3-on-3. It Byrne, Nathan Paar and Zane was Grupp’s second goal of the Porterfield. game.

But Iroquois came right Grupp and Bob Staniszewski back in the second period on had scored first period goals to goals by Gage Mueller, Garrett give Depew an early, 2-0 lead.

Miller and Alex Held to tightBut Starpoint stormed back to en the score to 4-3. The score tie the game in the second stanza remained the same until midwith goals by Pat Miklinski. way through the third period Morgan von Hedeman was when Paar scored his second solid in goal for Starpoint, as was St. Joe’s Maroon with Large Division Club Hockey goal of the game to give Olean Adam Bauer for Depew. a 5-3 lead.

Championship Trophy Miklinski was Game MVP for

Porterfield added his Starpoint while Grupp was the Game MVP for De- second goal of the game with an empty-net goal in the pew. closing seconds to make the final, 6-3 and give Depew In the second game Orchard Park got off to a the win. Paar was Game MVP for Depew while Held quick 2-0 lead in the first period on goals by Cam Pe- was MVP for Iroquois. ters and Marshall Cappelli. But St. Joe’s chipped away

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Olean took the Mixed Division at the WNY Club Hockey Championships on Super Sunday

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Super Monday WNY Section 6 Fed Championships Large Schools: Williamsville North 1-0 over Niagara Wheatfield Small Schools: Kenmore East 5-2 over Williamsville East Catholic Schools: St. Joe’s over Canisius 4-0

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Super Monday Champs!

By Randy Schultz

T

his year’s Super Monday, held at Buffalo’s First Niagara Center, saw three Western New York Hockey Federation boys team who lost last year skate away as champions this year. The trio of teams included Williamsville North, Kenmore East and St. Joe’s.

In the opening game Williamsville North defeated Niagara-Wheatfield, 1-0. Jake Zurat made 27 saves in recording the shutout for the victors, while Adam Batz tallied the only goal of the game in the first period.

The win ended Niagara-Wheatfield’s record run of four straight Section VI Division I championships.

In the second game Kenmore East downed Williamsville East, 5-2. Actually the score should have read Trevor Pray 5 and Mike Steffan 2, as they were the only two players who scored during the game.

According to Mark DiFilippo, Federation Chairman, the five goals by Pray in a sectional final is a record. The Bulldogs senior had his natural hat trick completed in the first period. He added two more goals in the second stanza.

Steffan’s two goals were scored in the first and second periods, respectively.

In the final contest of the evening St. Joe’s blanked rival Canisius High School, 4-0. With the win the Marauders reclaimed the Niagara Cup and its third championship in four years.

Daniel Mikolajczak, a sophomore, recorded the shutout, making 15 saves. It was the 20th straight victory for St. Joe’s.

Bradley Herlan, Michael Greco, Nicholas Carbone and Maxwell McArthur scored for the Marauders.

It was estimated that over 5000 fans attended the trio of games at the home of the National Hockey League’s Buffalo Sabres.

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The North American Hockey Championships were held at Dwyer Arena on the Niagara Uni-

versity Campus on March 4-6.

Gold Medals went to: Minnesota (Pee Wee Purple); Conacher (Pee Wee Silver Gold) and Rochester (Squirt).

NY teams taking part included the Mighty Buffalos (Regals), West Seneca and Wheatfield.

Photos by Janet Schultz Janet@nyhockeyonline.com

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2016 WNYGVIH All-Fed Teams First Team: Pictured Above: Brianna Gawronski, Goalie, Monsignor Martin; Maeve Christ, Defense, Monsignor Martin; Grace Simmons, Defense, Kenmore/Grand Island; Kaitlyn Drew-Mead, Forward, Monsignor Martin; Julia Mings, Forward, Amherst/Sweethome/Clarence; Olivia Smith, Forward, Kenmore/Grand Island; Coach of the Year Linda Groff Mroz.

Second Team: Victoria Cottrell, Goalie, Frontier/Orchard Park; Brianna Colucci, Defense, Lancaster/Iroquois; Samantha Gaffney, Defense, Williamsville; Leah Dzerwinski, Forward, Williamsville; Emily King, Forward, Kenmore/Grand Island and Catharine Radwan, Forward, Monsignor Martin.

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Section V Boy’s High School Varsity Champions Pittsford-Division A Notre Dame- Division BB Victor-Division B (Submitted photos)

West Hockey / Page 49

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Back-to-back champions!

Tigers claim second straight Atlantic Hockey title ROCHESTER, NY – The RIT men’s hockey team (1814-6) is going to the NCAA Division I Men’s Ice Hockey Tournament for the second straight year and third time in seven seasons after knocking off top-seed Robert Morris (24-11-4) 7-4 in the Atlantic Hockey Championship from Blue Cross Arena.

The Tigers successfully defend their Atlantic Hockey title and find out who and where they play in the NCAA Tournament when the bracket is announced at noon on Sunday. The NCAA Selection show will be aired on ESPNU. The Tigers tied an Atlantic Hockey Championship game record with seven goals and also tied a seasonhigh with tonight’s offensive performance. RIT led 3-2 after one period and 5-3 after two periods, before putting the game away with two third period goals.

Sophomore forward Myles Powell (Courtenay, British Columbia/Cowichan Valley Capitals) was named the Atlantic Hockey Tournament Most Valuable Player after tying a career-high with four points on two goals and two assists. Freshman Liam Kerins (Caledon, Ontario/North York Rangers) tied a careerhigh with two goals and and was also named to the All-Tournament Team. Todd Skirving (Thunder Bay, Ontario/Sioux Falls Stampede) dished out a careerhigh three assists. Greg Amlong (O’Fallon, MO/ UMass Lowell), Danny Smith (Edmonton, Alberta/ Sherwood Park Crusaders), and Gabe Valenzuela (Brampton, Ontario/North York Rangers) added a goal and assist apiece, while Alexander Kuqali (Pittsburgh, PA/Sioux City Musketeers) and Erik Brown (Keene, Ontario/Kemptville 73’s) added two assists apiece.

In goal, Mike Rotolo (Rochester, NY/Cedar Rapids Roughriders) was tested often and made 30 saves for his fourth straight victory, all in the postseason. He improved to 8-7-2 on the season and was also named to the All-Tournament Team.

David Friedmann, an All-Tournament Team selection, led the Colonials with a goal and two assists.

Greg Gibson, Matt Cope and Brandon Denham also

scored for Robert Morris. In net, Terry Shafer took the loss, stopping 22 shots.

RIT tied a season-high with three power-play goals, going 3-for-6 with the man-advantage. Robert Morris was 2-for-6, as they out-shot RIT, 34-30.

“This is very rewarding, as battled a lot of adversity throughout the season,” said RIT head coach Wayne Wilson. “We believed in ourselves throughout the season and our senior leadership was outstanding.”

The two teams combined for five goals on just 16 shots in the opening period, as RIT held a 3-2 edge.

The Colonials opened the scoring just 1:23 into the contest, as Gibson intercepted a pass in the neutral zone, walked in and fired a shot past Rotolo to the far side.

RIT answered with two goals 2:33 apart to take a 2-1 lead. Just 4:59 into the contest, Kerins took a feed from Skirving in the slot and ripped a shot past Shafer for his 12th goal of the year to tie the game. Amlong one-timed a feed from Powell on the power-play at the 7:32 mark for his seventh goal of the season to give RIT its first lead of the game.

After Friedmann tied the game for Robert Morris at the 10:10 mark, Kerins gave RIT the lead for just five minutes later off a feed from Valenzuela, firing a shot through the legs of Shafer for his second goal of the game.

RIT poured it on in the second period, out-shooting the Colonials, 17-8, while upping its lead to 5-3.

Smith gave RIT a 4-2 lead 8:35 into the frame on a breakaway, as Powell sprung him up the middle of the ice. Smith skated in and beat Shafer with a powerful wrist shot off the post and in for his second goal of the year.

Denham would cut the RIT lead to 4-3 with 5:16 left in the period, getting open in the slot and firing a point-blank shot past Rotolo.

Powell put RIT back up a pair of goals with 3:12 left in the period, converting a feed from Josh Mitchell (Osoyoos, British Columbia/Alberni Valley Bulldogs)

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in the slot for his 14th goal of the year.

Midway through the third period, Powell would get his second of the night and 15th goal of the year, converting a no look feed from Skirving on the power-play to tap the puck into the open net to make it 6-3. Andrew Miller (Chicago, IL/Chicago Steel) also assisted on the goal.

Cope would cut the RIT lead to 6-4 with 6:58 left on the power-play.

Rotolo was forced to make two big saves with the RIT on the power-play moments later to maintain RIT’s two-goal lead. With 3:32 left, Valenzuela would tack on a big insurance goal converting a rebound off a shot from Kuqali to make it 7-4 Tigers.

Robert Morris would make one last ditch effort, but Rotolo and the RIT defense made the lead stand.

As the clock ticked down, RIT players mobbed Rotolo and the celebration was on.

RIT won the season series over Robert Morris, 2-1.

Robert Morris leads the all-time series between the two schools, 10-7-4.

It was RIT’s fifth appearance in the Atlantic Hockey Championship game and third league championship. RIT also won titles in 2010 and 2015. The Tigers are 28-12 all-time in the postseason at the Division I level and have won eight straight playoff games against Atlantic Hockey foes. The Tigers are 8-4 alltime in postseason games at Blue Cross Arena.

Last night, RIT defeated No. 2 seed Air Force, 2-1 in overtime to advance to the championship game.

Powell scored 12:18 into overtime and Rotolo made 36 saves.

RIT will be making its third NCAA Tournament appearance as a Division I program and 16th overall in program history. RIT won the Division II National Championship in 1983 and Division III title in 1985.

The Tigers advanced to the Division I Frozen Four in 2010 and Midwest Regional Championship game last season.

Atlantic Hockey All-Tournament Team MVP – Myles Powell (Courtenay, British Columbia/ Cowichan Valley Capitals), RIT (pictured above) F – Powell, RIT F – Liam Kerins (Caledon, Ontario/North York Rangers), RIT F – David Friedmann, Robert Morris D – Alexander Kuqali (Pittsburgh, PA/Sioux City Musketeers), RIT D – Chase Norrish (Strongfield, Saskatchewan/Yorkton Terriers), RIT G – Mike Rotolo (Rochester, NY/Cedar Rapids Roughriders), RIT

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West Hockey / Page 52

Buffalo Stars Hockey Buffalo Hornets Team With New NCPHL

T

he Buffalo Hornets have purchased a franchise in the new National College Prospects Hockey League which will begin play in the fall. The NCPHL was formed by the National Junior Prospects Hockey League Commissioner Bob Black to serve as a Junior path from which his leagues Midget players could advance to. The NCPHL will be sanctioned under the AAU and will be affiliated with the Tier 2 Junior A Western States Hockey League.

The NCPHL will begin play in October over the Columbus Weekend with a league wide Showcase at Holiday Twin Rinks. Current league members along with the Hornets are: Altoona Rail; Niagara Falls Red Cats; Monroeville Mallers; Pittsburgh Royal Travelers; and Rochester Rebels. There will be an announcement shortly adding at least 2 other teams to the league. Each team will compete in a 40-44 game schedule and will be a part of the Western States Hockey League Annual Showcase in December in Las Vegas.

Buffalo Hornets Hockey LLC will own and operate the franchise out of Holiday Twin Rinks and will serve as an advancement opportunity for the Buffalo Stars Full Season Midget Program. James Doersam, current Head Coach of the University at Buffalo Division 3 Men’s Club team has been named as Head Coach of the Buffalo Hornets Tier 3 Junior A squad.

Prior to joining UB, James served as Assistant Coach at the University of Iowa.

Buffalo Hornets President and General Manager Pete Preteroti is excited to be back in the business of Junior Hockey. “I regretted selling my Empire and Junior Franchises” said Preteroti “so I am happy to be back involved. I could not refuse when Bob Black offered me this opportunity. “I jumped on it” “The best part is that we will not be limited by the USA Hockey restrictions. This is an OPEN league which will al-

low us an opportunity to attract Canadian and European Players without any limits”. Preteroti will also serve as Deputy Commissioner and Executive Vice President of the new league.

The new league website and Buffalo Hornets website will be unveiled shortly as the league footprint is finalized.

The Hornets will conduct an initial Pre Tryout Evaluation Skate at Holiday Twin Rinks on Monday, April 4th from 3-5pm. The Hornets will also conduct the first of several Tryout Camps the weekend of April 9-10 at Holiday. Details on these Camps will be announced within the next few days.

The Hornets Management will also participate in the NTC Showcase event in Toronto starting Monday.

The Hornets will conduct conditioning skates in August and will have a full Training Camp in September. The season begins Columbus Weekend with the league wide Showcase at Holiday Rinks.

The first event for the new league will be the NCPHL Scouting Combine to be held at Niagara University March 31-April 3. Details and registration can be found at this link: http://www.ncphl.com/index. php/events/ncphl-scouting-combine The Combine will be limited to 150 participants and will include both on and off ice testing, 4 games per team and seminars on NCAA eligibility. You can also contact Commissioner Black at: 724-272-3206.

For more information about the Buffalo Hornets contact Pete Preteroti at 716-491-0375.

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West Hockey / Page 53

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Western New York Women’s College Hockey Report

by Janet Schultz Janet@nyhockeyonline.com JDSchultz3663@gmail.com

BUFFALO STATE

The Bengals had their bet season in program history ending with a 5-0 loss to Oswego in their firstever, home ice advantage, ECAC West playoff game.

They had penalty trouble early on and then a disallowed goal by Gehen six minutes into the game for goalie interference seemed to set the tone for the game.

Buffalo outshot Oswego 32-27, 14 shots in the third period. But just couldn’t overtake the Lakers.

Seniors include Buffalo’s Nikki Kirchberger who played for West Seneca West High School and the Buffalo Regals. With 103 games played she had 31 goals and 31 assists and was named to the All ECAC West Honorable Mention All Rookie Team in 2012-13.

Alison Mish comes from Canastotal and the CNY Bobcats with 102 game played she had a goal and 10 assist at Buffalo State.

Sara Quigley is from Massachusetts and the National Sports Academy. Quigley has served the Bengals as the back-up goaltender all four years.

RIT First-year defenseman Reagan Rust (Southaven, MS/Moon Area) was named to the 2015-16 College Hockey America All-Rookie Team, as the league held its annual awards banquet at the Pearl Street Grille in Buffalo on Thursday, March 3. She is the second Tiger to earn All-Rookie Team honors since RIT joined the CHA in 2012-13, joining Christa Vuglar (Crystal Lake,

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IL/Chicago Mission), who was honored last season.

Rust enjoyed an excellent debut season for the Tigers in 2015-16, finishing third on the team in scoring with 18 points on five goals and a team-best 13 assists from the blue line. She tallied two power-play goals and blocked 49 shots, third most on the squad. Rust was a two-time CHA Rookie of the Week (Nov. 24 and Jan. 19) and was the Rookie of the Month in November. She recorded nine points in 20 league contests.

Overall, Rust was seventh among CHA rookies in scoring and sixth in league play. She was tied for fourth among all CHA defensemen in points and fifth in conference play. Rust had three multiple-point outings, including a season-high three points on a goal and two assists in a 5-1 win over Brown on Nov. 20.

Freshman goaltender Jenna de Jonge (Abbotsford, British Columbia/George Elliot) of the RIT women’s hockey team, was named the College Hockey America Rookie of the Month for February on Wednesday, March 2. de Jonge enjoyed a strong February to end her rookie season, going 2-1 with a 1.75 goals against average and a .941 save percentage in four appearances.

She opened the month by making 36 saves in a 3-2 win at Lindenwood on Feb. 6. Two weeks later, on Feb. 20, she made 32 saves in a 3-2 overtime win at Robert Morris. She started game one of the CHA First Round series, stopping 18 shots in a 2-0 loss at Penn State. The next day, she came on in relief and stopped all nine shots she faced over the final 23 minutes in a 3-2 loss.

Overall, de Jonge finished her first season at RIT with three wins, a 3.54 goals against average and an .891 save percentage.

RIT finished the 2015-16 season with eight wins and advanced to the CHA First Round.

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Western New York Men’s College Hockey Report

by Warren Kozireski

Wkozires@brockport.edu BUFFALO STATE The Bengals earned a first round playoff bye for the first time in program history, but fell to eventual champ Geneseo in the SUNYAC semi-finals to end their campaign.

Six seniors ended their Buffalo State careers in forwards Cory Gurski (Hilton), Ryan Salkeld, Brett Hope plus defensemen Todd Graham, Sean Hrivnak and Scott Roy. Salkeld signed a contract with Norfolk of the East Coast Hockey League.

As of March 20, there was no job opening posted to search for a new head coach. Steven Murphy was interim head coach this past season.

CANISIUS The Golden Griffins had its season come to an end with a loss in game two of a best 2-of-3 Atlantic Hockey Quarterfinal series falling at second-seeded Air Force, 4-1. The Griffs finish the year with a 12-22-5 record.

The loss marked the end of the collegiate careers of seniors Ralph Cuddemi and Mathew Backhouse. Cuddemi finished just one goal shy of the program’s Division I record for career goals with his 61 career tallies just short of Cory Conacher’s mark of 62 from 2007 to 2011.

Junior Shane Conacher and Cuddemi were both named to the all-conference teams. Conacher earned first-team honors, joining his brother, Cory, as the only Canisius forwards to receive the accolade at the Division I level. Cuddemi earned second-team honors for the second-straight year, joining Carl Hudson and Cory Conacher as two-time Griff honorees.

West Hockey / Page 55 Freshman goaltender Simon Hofley recorded his first collegiate shutout in a 1-0 victory over rival Niagara in the first round of the Atlantic Hockey playoffs. He is the first Griff freshman to record a shutout since Dan Morrison on Nov. 15, 2008.

ERIE CC Aaron Wanat (Cheektowaga) tied the championship game 3-3 with a goal in the final minute, but Dakota scored in overtime to upset the top-seed and defending champion Kats for the national title.

Forward Trevor Evans (Newfane), defenseman Richard Procknal (Williamsville) and goaltender William Korczynski (West Seneca) were named to the All-Tournament Team.

GENESEO The Knights breezed through the SUNYAC playoffs defeating Potsdam, Buffalo State and Plattsburgh by a combined 17-3 count to gain the auto-bid to the NCAA Division III tournament. The title was the program’s fourth overall conference championship and first since winning back-toback in 2005 and 2006. Geneseo won its first crown in 1986.

In the NCAA playoffs they defeated Salve Regina 7-1 on the backs of an Anthony Marra hat trick and then Williams 2-1 in the quarterfinals to make the Final Four for the second time in three seasons.

NAZARETH Senior forward Uthman Samaai made the South African National Team’s final roster for 2016 IIHF Division III World Championship, which is set to be played in Istanbul, Turkey, from March 31st-April 9th. He appeared in 11 career games and registered two assists.

NIAGARA They won game one of their best-of-three first round playoff series at Canisius, but their campaign concluded with back-to-back losses in games two and three.

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Senior defenseman Nick Cecere signed with the Alaska Aces of the East Coast Hockey League (ECHL) for the remainder of the 2015-16 season. He recorded eight points (3+5) in 55 games played for Niagara from 2013 to 2015 after transferring from Michigan Tech. Cecere was one of the Purple Eagles’ best shot blockers over the past two seasons, finishing second on the team with 44 blocks in 2014-15 and 43 blocks this past season.

In addition to Cecere, the team said goodbye to one forward in Dan Kolenda and two other defensemen in Matt Dineen and Matt Chirantano.

West Hockey / Page 56 March 20th against Canisius.

OTHER NOTES: • Parker Gahagen (Buffalo) and Terry Shafer (Penfield) were named the second and third team All-Atlantic Hockey goaltenders for Army and Robert Morris respectively.

Shafer set a school record with his 43rd career victory. He already holds the mark for career shutouts with eight.

R.I.T. The Tigers tied an Atlantic Hockey Championship game record with seven goals to defeat top-seed Robert Morris 7-4 to win the title and advance to the NCAA playoffs for the second consecutive season and the third time in seven seasons. They defeated Air Force 2-1 in overtime in the semifinals on a Myles Powell goal. Powell added two goals and two assists in the final game and was named tournament MVP.

“We believed all year that we were going to come back here and defend our title,” senior Josh Mitchell said.

“This is a different kind of championship,” head coach Wayne Wilson summarized. “As went through some rough stretches…but we never complained and the guys never got dejected. We just believed in ourselves and it all kind of came together for us. I think it was the make-up in the room that we were able to survive, so I thought our leadership was outstanding.”

They were placed in the 16th and final seed for the NCAA tournament and slotted to face top-seed Quinnipiac in the East Regional in Albany. UMass-Lowell and Yale, where Wilson’s son Stu (Pittsford) is a senior forward, were the 2-3 seeds in the regional.

Sophomore defensemen Brady and Chase Norrish along with senior forward Josh Mitchell earned 2015-16 AllAtlantic Hockey honors. Chase Norrish was a first team selection, while Brady Norrish and Mitchell were third team picks. Mitchell broke the school record for games played with 153.

Forward Gabe Valenzuela was named to the 2015-16 Atlantic Hockey Conference All-Rookie Team. Entering the postseason he had 25 points on 12 goals and 13 assists in 34 games played. His 12 goals are tied for the team lead, while the 13 assists are tied for third.

Head coach Wayne Wilson got his 300th career win

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In Memory of Bill Chamberlain West Section NYSAHA NY Hockey OnLine sends their condolences to the family and friends of Bill Chamberlain. Chamberlain passed away March 10. He involved with Front Park Hockey, Bud Bakewell Bruins as a coach and board member and mentored many men and women to play and serve as hockety administrators.

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West Hockey / Page 57

“Memorializing a talented, hard working hockey player while recognizing our area’s finest young hockey players for their dedication to the sport” is the motto that honors Tyler Putnam, a player lost much too young. he

T

Third Annual Tyler Putnam Awards were held in March at the Whitter House in Rochester. This year’s event honored 23 players from 23 high schools and hockey programs from around the Rochester and Syracuse area and hosted a record breaking 300+ people. It was a great experience for all involved and raised thousands of dollars for local charities.

The players honored included: Alex Opladen, 17, Aquinas High School; Parker Lawrence, 17, Brighton High School; Andrew Harley, 16, Brockport High School; Damien Spitz, 17, Canandaigua Youth Hockey.

Sarah Farnand, 14, Edge Girls Hockey; Michael Modesti, 18, Fairport High School; Nick Curtis, 17, Greece Athena High School; Brett Frank, 17, Greece Olympia High School.

Hunter Howell, 17, Hilton High School; Carter

Whittemore, 17, Irondequoit High School; Zachary Schuler, 18, McQuaid High School; Brenden Howell, 15, Monroe County Youth Hockey.

Michael Streff, 17, Penfield High School; Colin Storrar, 17, Pittsford High School; Zach Gmerek, 13, Rochester Grizzlies Youth Hockey; Austin Ennis, 12, Rochester Youth Hockey.

Mathew Manning, 19, Rochester Junior Americans; Quinn Doyle, 16, Rochester Monarchs; Max Moran, 17, Spencerport High School; Blake Humphrey, 14, Syracuse Nationals Hockey.

Liam Schreiner, 14, TriCounty Youth Hockey; Patrick Donnelly, 17, Webster Schroeder High School; Zac Fosdick, 18, Webster Thomas High School.

The Josh Opladen Goaltender Award, given in memory of Loshua Opladen, was awarded to Luke Green, 17, Greece Thunder Hockey.

Four other special awards were also given out this year. The 2015-16 Coach of the Year went to Keven Yackel, Rochester Edge Girls Hockey Program; the 2015-16 Organization of the Year was awarded to Monroe County Youth Hockey; the 2015-16 Arena of the Year was given to the Lakeshore Hockey Arena. A special Community Service Award went to 8-year-old Colin Kosmicki who collected coats for needy persons in the Rochester area.

Tyler Putnam’s dream was to play for his High School Hockey

2015-16 Putnam Awards

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West Hockey / Page 58

team, The Irondequoit Eagles, Junior Hockey, Division I Hockey and ultimately Professional Hockey. Tyler was able to realize two of those dreams, having played for The Irondequoit Eagles as an eighth and ninth grader and then with the Maksymum Junior team here in Rochester, NY. At the conclusion of his first Junior season, Tyler was well on his way of realizing his next dream as he was offered roster spots on five Junior A teams from Rochester, Minnesota to San Diego, California.

In July of 2011, Tyler’s hockey dreams ended tragically when he died of an illness called “meningococcemia”, which is an infection that affects the bloodstream. Tyler Putnam was known for his high energy, incredible work ethic, and desire to achieve his goals.

Tyler has been memorialized with a banner hanging above the ice at a local hockey arena as well as by a memorial helmet sticker that dawns the symbol of a hard hat – a symbol of Tyler’s hard work and dedication to the game that he loved.

The NewEdge Hockey Training Company awards a Tyler Putnam Award to each player from the above listed organizations and programs who exemplifies hard work, commitment, and dedication to the game of hockey.

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West Hockey / Page 59

2015--16 Putnam Award Photos by Janet Schultz

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Kats on the Cusp of ECC Hockey History

By Mark Jagord / ECC Sports Information Director

In a winner take all scenario, the ECC hockey team fell short by the slimmest of margins on winning its first-ever back-to-back NJCAA hockey titles by falling in overtime to Dakota College, 4-3, Sunday, Feb. 28 in Binghamton.

Facing two tough western opponents with storied history of their own, the Kats looked impressive in the semifinal matchup against Williston State College.

The Tetons came out looking for revenge after the Kats foiled their three-peat national title hopes last season by coming from behind to take the crown 2-1 in the 2015

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championship game.

But in the 2016 semifinal game, both teams combined for 85 shots with Erie’s goaltender Will Korczynski stopping 39 of 40 shots. The Kats chased the starting Teton netminder and jumped to a 5-0 lead and never looked back.

Three Erie players combined for 11 points to pace the way. Trevor Evans (1 goal, 3 assists) and Christian Nati (2 goals, 2 assists)

each had a four-point night, while Brett Ross had an assist to go with a pair of goals with one being the official game winner.

Rounding out the scoring with the game’s final goal was Jordyn Bellitto, who finished with a twopoint night. Single assists were given on the day to Aaron Wanat, Ryan Hornberger, Brian Losel and Rick Procknal.

After Erie took a 2-0 lead into the first intermission, the game was decided when the Kats took advantage of a Teton major-penalty and the Kat power play registered two goals in 15 seconds between six and seven minutes into the second period. The Tetons never recovered.

The championship game was a back-and-forth affair with the lead changing and the game tied three separate times.

Korczynski held his team in the game after the Lumberjacks outshot the Kats by more than a 3-1 margin in the opening period.

Coming out in the second, the Kats looked rejuvenated and scored a pair of goals about five and a half

www.nyhockeyonline.com minutes apart to take a 2-1 lead. Michael Krause unleashed a laser from the right point that found the top corner of the net. Then, Evans walked in alone on goal and deposited the puck to the back of the net. Both goals were set up by Nati.

The Lumberjacks responded with a pair of goals of their own less than a minute apart to regain the lead at 3-2 to end the second period. Dakota held a 1710 edge in shots in the middle stanza and Erie would go all out in the third in an effort to tie the game.

Out-shooting the Lumberjacks 12-10 in the third, the Kats’ 12th shot would tie the game in the final minute of play. Tim Duffy’s shot lay in the crease and Wanat was there to poke it home with 47 seconds left and send the game to overtime. Dakota got the game winner in the first minute of overtime to end Erie’s comeback hopes and had to settle for runner-up for this campaign. The Kats were unable to get a fortuitous bounce on two shots that found metal behind the opposition goaltender.

Korczynski was peppered with 52 shots in the championship game and made 48 saves on the afternoon. Although officially the losing goaltender, his play was so outstanding that he was named to the official All-Tournament team along with teammates Evans and Procknal.

Nati led the tournament in scoring with six points, followed by Evans’ five.

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West Hockey / Page 61

WESTERN NEW YORK TIES TO HOBEY FINALISTS

By Warren Kozireski

U

niversity of New Hampshire sophomore Andrew Poturalski from Williamsville is among ten finalists for the annual Hobey Baker Award which is given to Division I college hockey’s best player.

Poturalski was second in the nation in scoring, including a nation best 24 points with the man advantage and led Hockey East in scoring. Twice named Hockey East Player of the Month, finished the season with 22 goals, 30 assists for 52 points in 37 games. He was eighth in the nation in goals and seventh in assists.

The son of Joseph and Diane Poturalski played two seasons with Cedar Rapids in the USHL after spending the 2011-12 campaign with the Buffalo Jr. Sabres. That followed two seasons with the Nichols School, which included a CISAA championship in 2010-11.

Poturalski signed a pro contract as a free agent with the Carolina Hurricanes after the Wildcats season ended.

The Hobey Hat Trick (three finalists) will be announced on March 31, 2016 and the Hobey Baker Award winner will be announced Friday, April 8, 2016 from Tampa, FL during the NCAA Frozen Four.

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