December january 2017 18 nyhol

NY HOCKEY NY HOCKEY December/January 2017-2018 Volume 7, Issue 2

E-MAGAZINE Happy Holidays and a Blessed New Year from Everyone at NYHOL Magazine

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In This Issue...

Buffalo Stars/Regals..................53 Buffalo Thunder.........................49 Cazenovia.....................................54 Central NY....................................15 Coaching in His Blood.............47 East NY..........................................23 Fire On Ice Photo Spread....8-10 Gropp Feature............................... 6 Guhle Is Patient............................ 7 Hockey at ECC.............................43 Hockey Day in Lockport..........44 Iroquois Hockey News.............39 Marrello Happy...........................29 McDonald At Nazareth............36 Milano Feature...........................24 Nichols Signings........................40 North NY.......................................31 NWHL News.................................11 Raptors Report...........................28 Scamurra Feature........................ 5 West NY.........................................37 WNYGVIH......................................38 WNY Notes...................................54 Womens College Hockey Strengthens................... 4

Dear Reader:

It is December and one of the busiest times of the year. Coaches, parents and players are squeezing their daily schedules and hockey into the busy Christmas season.

This issue of NY Hockey OnLine Magazine will feature stories on Hockey Day In Lockport, Hayley Scamurra of the Buffalo Beauts and long-time hockey coach Edd Kirchberger.

Koz has his usual reports on the colleges West, East, Central and North sections of New York State.

He has also written a couple of features on New York Rangers prospect Ryan Gropp and Massapequa native Sonny Milano.

Janet is reporting on the WNY Girls High School Hockey, NYS Women’s College Hockey as well as other news and notes from around the State.

As always we continue to look for stories from around New York State. If you have any ideas, feel free to contact us. If you would like to submit a story for publication send that to us as well.

We ask you again to please pass the magazine along to as many readers as you can. We are also looking for more advertising to help support the cause.

As always, safe journey’s to all of you as you hit the road for this hockey season.

Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays and Happy New Year!

Best Wishes, Randy Schultz Publisher/Managing Editor NY Hockey OnLine Magazine

NY Hockey On-Line (E-Magazine) 3663 Irish Road Wilson, New York 14172 716-751-6524 nyhockeyonline@ nyhockeyonline.com Publisher &Managing Editor Randy Schultz Randy@nyhockeyonline.com Designer/Photographer Janet Schultz Janet@nyhockeyonline.com

Columnists Warren Kozireski, Wkozires@brockport.edu Janet Schultz Randy Schultz Rob Sedia Chuck Gridley NY Hockey OnLine is an equal opportunity employer.

Contents 2017-18 NY Hockey Online All rights reserved 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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orrisville State and SUNY Canton will join the competitive and well-respected women’s hockey leagues Northeast Women’s Hockey League (NEWHL) in the nation,” Randy B. Sieminski, SUNY Canton director beginning with the 2019-20 campaign. of athletics, said. “We look forward to regularly compet The NEWHL aning against some of the nounced the additions top programs in the from its league headquarcountry, including the ters in Syracuse on Friday, current defending naNov. 3. tional champions from The two institutions Plattsburgh.” will join Buffalo State,

The Kangaroos Cortland, Oswego, Plattsposted a strong 2016burgh State and 17 campaign.

Potsdam – all State “Our women’s University of New hockey team had York (SUNY) instiits best season ever tutions. last year,” Siemin The addition ski said. “Not only of Morrisville and did the team set a Canton will bring new school record the fledgling conwith 14 wins (14ference to the min11-2), it also was imum seven instiour top team acatutions required demically recordto maintain an ing a 3.67 grade automatic qualipoint average this fier to the NCAA past spring - the Division III Tourhighest team GPA nament. in my seven-year “Adding Mor- Canton and Morrisville will join the NEWHL next season. Among their opponents will tenure as athletic risville and Canton director. They are be Buffalo State College and Potsdam. (janet Schultz Photo) to the conference a great source of is a crucial composchool pride both on nent in solidifying the automatic qualifier for the league,” and off the ice.”

NEWHL Commissioner Tom Di Camillo stated. “This was The geographic location of both Canton and Morristhe top priority for the conference and now allows the NE- ville will have a positive impact on all of the institutions in WHL to build toward the future with a strong foundation.” the NEWHL. Formerly known as the ECAC West, the conference “This move will dramatically decrease travel time for continued its rich history in 2017-18 with the five remain- our women’s hockey team,” Sieminski added. “So in ading programs under a new banner (NEWHL) with a new dition to saving on travel costs, it will result in less time administrator in Di Camillo who also serves as commis- on the bus and more available time for the classroom and sioner of the State University of New York Athletic Confer- library.” ence (SUNYAC).

Morrisville director of athletics Greg Carroll echoed Si The league received a two-year waiver to keep the au- eminski’s thoughts on joining the NEWHL. tomatic qualifier with just five teams while it sought out “The formation of the Northeast Women’s Hockey new members to reach the seven-team threshold. That League represents a tremendous step for women’s hockey, clock has stopped ticking. “he said. “Morrisville State is thrilled to join some of the “It was extremely important for the league to secure best programs in all of Division III. While we are still in two more institutions and maintain the AQ,” Tom Cran- our infancy with women’s hockey with three seasons befield, the senior associate athletic director at Cortland and hind us, we look forward to the challenges that lie ahead. I the president of the NEWHL, said. “Bringing Morrisville know this opportunity will help us to continue to build on and Canton into the fold makes sense from a geographic the success our young program has enjoyed in our first few standpoint, while it also continues us toward our goal of seasons.” being the premier women’s ice hockey conference in Division III.” Both Canton and Morrisville are thrilled about joining the NEWHL. “SUNY Canton is excited to be joining one of the most

Women’s Collegiate Hockey Strengthens!

4

ley, who played most of her youth hockey for the Wheatfield Blades and Buffalo Bisons organizations. “I think it helped me develop good skills, work ethic and grit that you have.

“It got me used to the hard hitting and physical part of the game. But once I got to play girls hockey, I had to learn how to handle the puck more and play a less physical game.

“There was an adjustment period, but I think it was worth it.”

And getting the chance to play pro hockey with the Beauts has topped it all off for Hayley.

“When I began playing college hockey, pro hockey hadn’t even been thought of,” said Hayley, 23. “But then the NWHL came along a couple of years ago and here I am.

“To win the Isobel Cup in my first season, that was amazing.”

Does Hayley consider herself a pioneer of sorts for girls and women’s hockey?

“Yes, I think so,” remarked Hayley.

“You now see girl’s leagues popping up all over, which wasn’t around when I was playing youth hockey.

“There are a lot more opportunities for girls to play hockey today than when I was younger. And I think that’s great.”

Hayley plans to go back to college next year to get her Master’s Degree in Speech and Language Pathology. But she’s not quite ready to give up hockey.

“I would like to continue playing the game for as long as I can,” concluded Hayley. “I’m not sure what I will be doing outside the game.

“I just know I’m not ready to hang up my skates.”

By Randy Schultz Randy@nyhockeyonline.com

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he 201617 hockey season was a “Dream Come True” for Hayley Scamurra. It wasn’t based totally on the fact that she had helped her National Women’s Hockey League team, the Buffalo Beauts, win the Isobel Cup. No, it was actually the fact that she got to play professional hockey just like her dad, Peter Scamurra did over 40 years ago.

“It’s really cool,” remarked Hayley. “It’s a unique experience in that I never thought that could happen that we could have that same connection and play professional hockey.

“He helps me with my game and gives me tips on how to get better. More importantly, he’s taught me how to look at the game.”

Peter played in parts of four seasons with the Washington Capitals (1975-80). Hayley knew about her dad’s hockey career and played the game just like her dad.

But until the 2015-16 hockey season began, Haley thought her hockey career would end with Northeastern University, where she looked to get her college degree as well as play hockey. But then along came the NWHL. The NWHL not only gave Hayley a chance to play pro hockey, but a chance to play in her hometown.

The Williamsville, NY native was thrilled to sign with the Beauts.

Hayley grew up playing hockey with boys.

“I think that was a positive for me,” recalled Hay-

Hayley Scamurra Follows In Her Father’s Footsteps

5

FUTURE RANGERS:

RYAN GROPP

intensity compared to camp and it’s a man’s league.” any young players get a cup-of-coffee The 6’3, 205 lb. left wing averaged better than call-up to the professional ranks on ei- one point per game and one goal every other ther an amateur tryout contract or a game through his last two juniors seasons in Seprofessional tryout in the spring after their junior attle, so the Rangers bumped up his draft projecseason ends to give them a taste of what the next tion, which has received criticism from some. But level will bring.

Gropp is using that as motivation.

But Ryan Gropp’s Seattle Thunderbirds made “I think when you’re trying to play a little deep runs into the postseason in each of the last pissed off, or with a chip on your shoulder, whattwo seasons capped off last year with a trip to the ever you want to call it, you want to get to the Memorial Cup. dirty areas.

That has added to his learning curve in this, “Obviously if you’re an offensive guy you his first professional campaign with Hartford in want to score and you pressure on yourself to the AHL. Add that he was a second round draft score and bury your chances. It’s definitely a choice (41st overall) by the New York Rangers shock when you’re not scoring every night, but when he was projected to go at least one round you can’t get discouraged and you have to keep later and it is understandable why he might be working.” feeling some pressure.

“It’s going good, I’m learning quite a bit as I go,” Gropp said in mid-November. “It’s obviously a big jump from junior hockey and I’m just kind of learning new things every day and working on my game.

“As one of the new guys I’m just trying to soak up all of the info from the coaches and other guys and build every game and I think I’m getting better and better.

Through his first 16 games as a pro, Gropp had one goal and one assist with 19 shots.

“It’s definitely hard to score in this league for sure. I think once they stop going in you have to find other ways to impact the game whether it’s playing physical or defensively and that’s what I’m working on.

“Just being a part of training camp and coming her and starting the season it’s definitely high

By Warren Kozireski

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SABRES PROSPECT:

GUHLE BEING PATIENT

By Warren Kozireski

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ven though Rochester Americans defenseman Brendan Guhle is only 20 years old, he entered this season with 12 games of American Hockey league experience under his belt.

And though he has been tagged as one of Buffalo’s most touted prospects and some thought would have a chance at making the NHL roster this season, he is happy to build his resume in Rochester, at least for now.

“It’s been awesome,” Guhle said after a recent home game.

“We’re winning lately, getting a lot of points in the standings and playing a lot so it’s fun to be out there.

“Confidence; just going out there and playing and having fun. Start of the year I was just kind of adjusting a little bit I think and lately I’ve found my groove a little bit more so I’m just rolling with it.

Through his first 15 games this season the 6’3”, 192 lb. defenseman had two goals and seven assists and had taken the second most shots on goal on the team.

During his four year junior career in the WHL, the second

round draft pick in2015 scored 103 points in 233 games.

By his own account, he did not have a strong training camp this past September.

“I was definitely disappointed not so much that they sent me down, just more that I didn’t play as well as I could have. But it’s nice to come down here and be able to work on parts of my game that I can hopefully use back up there sometime.

With all of the injuries on the Buffalo blueline this season, multiple Rochester defensemen have been recalled but Guhle has stayed put to this point, something he says is fine with him.

“You see it and you hear about it (players being called up) but I try not to focus on it too much. There is nothing worse than getting in your own head and having it distract you.

“It’s not up to me so it’s not for me to say, but I’ happy with where I’m at right now and I would be happy up there so they are doing what they think is best for me and I totally believe in that.”

And while many young players 7

spend their time away from the ice laying video games, Guhle and Rochester roommate C.J. Smith have “gotten into crosswords lately.

“We both have our own book and ask each other if the other knows that answer. We used to do New York Times, but we went USA Today thinking it would be easier, but it’s actually way harder.”

Name a Sabres second round draft pick that can skate better than some forwards and has a solid NHL future ahead of him that has five letters first letter “G”?

There’s Fire On the Ice in Rochester

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The 2017 Bauer Fire On Ice Tournament for girls hockey was played at the Bill Gray Ice Complex in Rochester in November. This was the first year LEGACY Global Sports operated this event. Over 100 teams took part in the threeday event. This year they included a NWHL game between the Buffalo Beauts and Metropolitan Riveters.

Here’s just a few shots from Saturday by NYHOL Photographer Janet Schultz

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The Rochester Grizzlies took to the ice during intermission between the Buffalo Beauts and Metropolitan Riveters at the Fire On Ice Tournament in Rochester in November.

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10

NWHL

DEVILS ENTER AGREEMENT WITH RIVETERS

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he New Jersey Devils organization, through parent company Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment (HBSE), has become the first National Hockey League franchise to form a strategic partnership with a National Women’s Hockey League team.

This agreement marks the first time an NHL team is partnering in the business of a NWHL franchise.

The goal of the new strategic alliance is to support the growth of the NWHL, and increase the development and visibility of girls’ and women’s hockey in New Jersey and across the metropolitan area. In addition, the Devils and Prudential Center will share their vast resources in order to enhance the Riveters’ operations – including marketing, sales, events, game presentation and facilities.

As part of the alliance, the Devils and Riveters will have a unique NWHL-NHL doubleheader on Saturday, Oct. 28. Prudential Center will be the site of the Riveters’ season opener against the Boston Pride at 1:30 p.m., followed by the Devils hosting the Arizona Coyotes at 7:00 p.m. Riveters season ticket holders will receive tickets to the Devils game that night, and Devils season ticket holders will get their usual Prudential Center seats as a bonus for the RivetersPride game. For non-season ticket holders of the two clubs, there will be a special ticket available for purchase for this unique doubleheader. An affordable $40 ticket offer grants access to the Riveters game that afternoon and upper level seats for the Devils game that evening. Additionally, a $150 package includes lower level tickets to the Devils game and a season ticket membership to all Riveters games this season.

The new alliance begins this weekend at Prudential Center in support of World Girls Hockey Weekend. The Riveters will join 60-plus local girls youth hockey players from the AHAA for the Devils home

opener against the Colorado Avalanche. In addition to taking in the game and a special Q-and-A with all the Metropolitan Riveters, the young players will participate in an exclusive skating clinic after the game.

“The partnership between Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment and NWHL’s Riveters presented itself as an extraordinary opportunity to support youth and women’s professional ice hockey at the Prudential Center,” said Hugh Weber, President of Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment, and the New Jersey Devils and Prudential Center. “We are confident that New Jersey Devils fans and those supporting the development of young women in athletics are as proud as we are for the Metropolitan Riveters to call the Prudential Center home. Under the continued leadership and guidance of HBSE Founders, Josh Harris and David Blitzer, we will continue to champion innovative partnerships that promote youth hockey in the Tri-State area.”

Riveters Lead

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he Metropolitan Riveters are leading the league this season with 5 wins and no losses to December 4. The defending Isobel Champion Buffalo Beauts are in second with 2 wins and 3 losses followed by the Whale with 2 wins and 3 losses and the Pride with 1 win, 4 losses.

Overall the Riveters are leading in every category with Alexa Gruschow with 6 goals and 11 assists for 17 points, Courtney Burke leading with 8 assists and Goalie Katie Fitzgerald with all 5 wins to her credit posting a .943 save percentage and 1.40 GAA.

In other News.... ...Boston’s Hayley Skarupa has signed with the US Women’s National Team Residency Program.

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Fitzgerald leads the NWHL goaltenders list with all 5 of the Riveters wins to her credit. (Photo by Janet Schultz) The Riveters Alexa Gruschow leads the NWHL in scoring.

(Photo by Janet Schultz)

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NWHL Commissioner Dani Rylan joined some young fans in the stands at the Beauts vs Riveters game during Rochester’s Fire On Ice Tournament.

She had them doing the wave! (Photo by Janet Schultz) 12

The Buffalo Beauts are defending their championship this season with hopes of keeping the Isobel Cup in Buffalo. They began the season with a banner raising the the presentation of championship rings to the 2016-17 team at ceremonies held earlier in November at HarborCenter.

Presenting rings to their players were Co-Coaches Rick Seiling and Craig Muni, along with former General Manager Linda Groff-Mroz.

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he Buffalo Beauts hosted the Metropolitan Riveters at Rochester’s Bill Gray Ice Complex in November as part of the Fire On Ice Tournament.

What made it even more special was the return of Hilton’s Jordan Ott on the Beauts and Victor’s Jenny Ryan on the Riveters.

Ott played for the Rochester Edge and then went to Potsdam. At Potsdam she played four years, 75 games and had 47 goals and 37 assists. She is third in Potsdam’s AllTime Scoring List.

She is the daughter of Jeffery and Rebecca Ott. Ryan played four years at Wisconsin University after graduating from the North American Hockey Academy, where she served as captain her senior year.

At NAHA she played in 183 games garnering 19 goals and 66 assists.

She is the daughter of Michael and Joan Ryan.

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CENTRAL NEW YORK

Elmira Youth Hockey

Central Outlaws

The Youth Hockey Web Store is now live. Here is the link: stores.inksoft.com/elmira_youth_hockey/ shop/home

The Central Outlaws 16U boys hockey team moved one step closer to the State Championship after defeating the three-time defending champion Onondaga Thunder 4-2 in October.

The Outlaws now advance to State Tournament play March 23-25 at HarborCenter in Buffalo. They will face 16U tams from other sections in New York State.

The Outlaws are comprised of student athletes from the Southern Tier Region including Quinn Bowler, Corning; Trevor Jubran, Cortland, Connor McCarthy, Horseheads; Keven Morse, Ithaca, Alex Travis, Ithaca; Dawson Feienchek, Horseheads; Dennis Kang, Ithaca; KC Medinosky, Conklin; AJ Prudence, Lansing; Morgan Somchanhmavong, Lansing; Adam Jubran, Cortland, Gavin Krusen, Elmira, Parker Mitchell, Ithaca and Nikko Tallman, Ithaca.

They are coached by Russ Johnson and Sean McCarthy.

2017-18 NY HOCKEY ONLINE MAGAZINE Publishing............................Deadline February/March............... January 21 April/May........................... March 21

Early Summer 2018................June 21

Late Summer 2018.............August 21 Submit material to: Janet@nyhockeyonline.com Randy@nyhockeyonline.com Tryout Ads Due January 14 and March 14.

These dates are subject to change!

Contact Randy@nyhockeyonline.com 716-751-6524 Lysander at Fire On Ice in Rochester 16

Central Men’s College Ice Hockey Report

by Warren Kozireski Wkozires@brockport.edu

COLGATE Freshman defenseman Nick Austin was named ECAC Rookie of the Month for October after he began his collegiate career with three goals and

two assists.

The Raiders opened 4-1-1 to ECAC conference play, their best start since the 2009-10 season.

Colton Point needed just 20 saves Oct. 28 to earn his first career shutout over Arizona State.

CORNELL Cornell started the season 7-0 for the first time since the 1971-72 season, and was the last team in the nation to suffer a defeat Nov. 18 against Clarkson.

“You really don’t know what kind of team you have until Thanksgiving,” head coach Mike Schafer said about his seventh ranked team.

Junior defenseman Matt Nuttle (Marilla) had a career-high three assists Nov. 21 against Niagara.

Freshman Morgan Barron set a school record for consecutive games with at least one point to start his career.

Freshman goaltender Matthew Galajda started the first eight games of the season and already is tied for second among freshman in Big Red history in shutouts with two. David McKee (2203-04) has the record with five.

CORTLAND Freshman Tom Ritchie (Spencerport) netted his first collegiate goal Nov. 3 at Oswego while Michael Faliero (West Seneca) and Scott Donahue (Commack) both scored their first Nov. 11 versus Morrisville.

ELMIRA Sophomore forward Nick Ford was leading the nation with ten goals through his first nine games this season as of Thanksgiving.

HAMILTON Sophomore Cameron Radziwon (East Aurora) netted his first collegiate goal Nov. 17 at Amherst in his first start.

Senior goaltender Evan Buitenhuis entered the Skidmore tournament the final weekend in November needing 58 saves to move past Joe Quattrocchi (2011-14) into fourth place in school history in career saves with 1,634. Former NHLer Guy Hebert is third with 1,943.

HOBART Freshman defenseman Michael Faulkner (Bronx) had nine points over his first six collegiate games including his first goal Nov. 3 at Southern Maine.

After registering 27 points in 34 games as a freshman, sophomore Zach Sternbach (Loudonville) has amped up his production to one point per game through the first eight games this season with four goals and four assists.

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UTICA MORRISVILLE Freshmen defensemen Aidan Conolly (Spencerport) and Michael Hennekens (Vestal) were seeing regular playing time though the season’s first nine games.

Junior forward Gil Burmaster (Clinton) has doubled his career goal total with two and added two assists over his first six games this season.

2017-18 NY HOCKEY ONLINE MAGAZINE

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Publishing............................Deadline

With just one blemish on their record through November, and that was an overtime loss on the road, the Lakers haven’t missed a beat despite losing 14 seniors last season.

“They’re gaining confidence and we’re heading into the second portion of the season with four games in December, so it’s an important time for us,” head coach Ed Gosek said. “It’s a good time for us to maintain our focus and continue the process, but with a young team they have matured in a hurry and are finding ways to get it done.”

Sophomore Michael Gillespie (New City) scored his first collegiate goal Nov. 3 at Cortland.

Sophomore Josh Zizek recorded his first collegiate hat trick and equaled his goal total from all of last season Oct. 28 versus Elmira.

The Lakers honored Blueline Club Hall of Fame inductees Dr. William Mahon and Mike Lukajic prior to their Nov. 18 game versus Fredonia. Dr. Mahon was the men’s ice hockey team’s doctor for 25 years and Lukajic was a member of the class of 2004, appearing in 120 games and scoring 144 points.

February/March............... January 21 April/May........................... March 21

Early Summer 2018................June 21

Late Summer 2018.............August 21 Submit material to: Janet@nyhockeyonline.com Randy@nyhockeyonline.com Tryout Ads Due January 14 and March 14.

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Cortland The Red Dragons are 2-6-2 in their second year under Coach Rick Filighera.

Despite the record Cortland sophomore forward Miranda Kolb (Watertown/Syracuse Nationals) and sophomore goalie Rachael Farmer (Grand Island/Niagara Jr. Purple Eagles) have by honored by the Northeast Women’s Hockey League (NEWHL) for their play during the week ending Nov. 12. Kolb was chosen as the NEWHL Player of the Week and Farmer was tabbed as the league’s Goalie of the Week.

Kolb scored a shorthanded goal with less than three minutes remaining in regulation to tie the game in Cortland’s 2-1 overtime victory at Potsdam Friday. The following afternoon she scored the Red Dragons’ lone goal in a 1-1 overtime tie at home versus the Bears. For the season, Kolb leads Cortland with five goals in six games played.

Farmer finished the weekend series with Potsdam with a 0.95 goals-against average and a .957 save percentage. She made 18 saves in 61:34 in Friday’s 2-1 overtime road win, and she totaled 27 saves in 65 minutes in Saturday’s 1-1 tie at home. Farmer has a 3.39 GAA and .880 save percentage this season.

The Red Dragons held a Teddy Bear Toss for Cortland’s Santa at Waterworks.

In addition to Farmer and Kolb New York State is represented by Katelinn Cummings (Johnson City/Northwood School), Emily Rose (Clayton/Syracuse Nationals), Katy Kennedy (East Greenbush/Troy Albany Ice Cats), Abbey Paduano (Massena/Massena High School), Allyson Edwards (Buffalo/Buffalo Bisons), Claire McCarthy (Buffalo/ Buffalo Regals) and Nadine deNiis (Buffalo/Ontario Hockey Academy).

Elmira

The Soaring Eagles are undefeated as they head into the New Year.

Here is their season preview: With the return of the bulk of its roster from a season

Central New York Women’s College Hockey Report

By Janet Schultz Janet@nyhockeyonline.com

ago, the No. 4 nationally-ranked Elmira College women’s ice hockey team is in prime position to make some serious noise on the national stage in 2017-18. The Soaring Eagles opened the campaign Saturday, November 4, as they took on former ECAC West rival Oswego State.

“I’m really excited about the group as a whole and I think we have some really good upperclassmen and some good freshmen that I think are going to help pitch in right away,” said Head Coach Tim Crowley, who begins his second year at the helm of the program. “I’m really excited about our captain group. They’ve done a really great job of leading the way so far and I can’t say enough about our upperclassmen as well. They’ve been there before in regards of having successful seasons, getting to 20 wins and playing in the NCAA Tournament. We want them to lead the way and show the freshmen how we do things here.”

Crowley also shares his thoughts on Elmira playing in the newly formed United Collegiate Hockey Conference (UCHC) this season, after spending the past 16 years as affiliates of the now-dissolved ECAC West Conference.

“I think when you look at our league from top to bottom, we will certainly miss being a part of the West and the Plattsburgh rivalry, but I think we will be able to establish new ones,” Crowley stated. “If you look at Utica, that’s somebody we have had really close games and competitive games as of late. So I am really looking forward to the new league and so is the team.”

Goaltender

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Elmira will have the luxury of returning one of the top goaltenders in the country in senior captain Kelcey Crawford ‘18. The Purcellville, Virginia, native assumed the starting netminder role during her junior campaign, and for good reason. Crawford ended the year with the nation’s fifth-best goals-against average (1.21) and save percentage (.951), after going 10-4-2 in 17 total appearances. She ended her third year between the pipes with 389 saves and six shutouts. In order for Elmira to make another national title run, the Purple and Gold will need Crawford to be at her best from the opening puck drop in early November.

Backing up Crawford this season will be Stoughton, Massachusetts, native Elizabeth Hanson ‘21. The rookie backstopped the varsity hockey team at Tabor Academy, where she posted a solid 1.92 goals-against average and a .916 save percentage in 24 games as a senior. Look for Hanson to vie for minutes between the pipes as the season progresses.

Defensemen With just five blueliners listed on the roster, there is no surprise that this is thinnest position in terms of skaters for the Soaring Eagles. Four of the five defensemen are veterans that played in all 28 games for the Purple and Gold during the 2016-17 campaign.

Headlining the group is captain Meg Lahey ‘19, who is coming off of a 17-point season a year ago that helped her garner ECAC West All-Conference Second-Team accolades. Lahey produced three goals and 14 assists as a sophomore, a whopping 14 points higher than her freshman year total. The 14-point increase in production was the most by a second-year defenseman in Elmira’s illustrious history, so keep an eye on the Latham, New York, native to have a special season for EC from the blue line.

Rachel Grampp ‘18 is also back for Elmira, after spending the fall portion of the 2017-18 academic year as EC’s starting goalie for the women’s soccer team. Grampp, who spent the majority of her junior year alongside Lahey as her linemate, returns to the ice after racking up 12 points on three goals and nine assists a season ago. Nine of her 12 points were registered in conference games.

Linemates Kristin Chivers ‘19 and Kiana

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Melvin ‘20 will be looking to continue their strong play from last season. Chivers, a 2016 AHCA First-Team AllAmerican and a 2017 ECAC West Honorable Mention selection, racked up 15 points during her sophomore season on three goals and 12 assists. She enters her third year with the Soaring Eagles with 40 career points (10g-30a). Melvin, on the other hand, had nine points on one goal and eight helpers during her freshman season in 2016-17. Look for her to become more of a threat from EC’s blue line during her second go-around with the team.

The only other blueliner listed on this year’s roster is Pueblo, Colorado, native Sydney Harris ‘21. Standing at 5-feet-9-inches, Harris is the second-tallest skater on EC’s roster. Harris skated in 36 games for the Colorado Rampage during her lone season with the team and finished the year with one assist.

Although just five skaters are listed on EC’s roster as defensemen, do not be surprised to see one of Elmira’s talented forwards make the switch to serve as a part of the team’s d-corps.

Forwards Elmira’s biggest strength heading into the new season is undoubtedly its talented group of forwards. The nine returning forwards accounted for 65-percent of the team’s point production and 72.5-percent of EC’s goal scoring during the 2016-17 campaign. If the Soaring Eagles want to return to the NCAA Division III Championships final site, they will need another strong performance from this crop of skaters.

Captain Maddie Evangelous ‘19, Katie Granato ‘19 and Maddy Jerolman ‘19 ended the year as one of the nations most feared lines, as the trio combined for 36 goals and 46 assists for 82 points. Evangelous led the Soaring Eagles with 28 points (10g-18a) and produced nine multi-point games during her sophomore season. Four of those nine multipoint performances saw the Hudson, Massachusetts, native log three points.

Granato, a 2017 ECAC West All-Conference Second Team honoree, finished the year as the team’s leading goal scorer with 14 tallies. She registered three power-play goals, three game-winning goals and a pair of shorthanded tallies.

Jerolman was an ECAC West Honorable Mention

selection a year ago, after totaling 27 points (12g-15a). The Hamden, Connecticut, native ended her sophomore season strong with three goals in her last four games, two of which came in postseason play.

Captain Louisa Lippiatt Durnell ‘18 is also back for the Purple and Gold, after leading EC with 19 assists a year ago.

Lippiatt Durnell tied for second on the team in points with 27 (8g-19a), 21 of which came against conference opposition. The product of East Sussex, England, enters her senior season with 70 points (19g-51a) in 83 career games and will strive to become just the 12th player in program history to join the 100-point club.

Also adding firepower to the Elmira lineup are seniors Sarah Hughson ‘18 and Meghan Fonfara ‘18. Both players produced career highs in points in 2016-17, as Hughson reached the 20-point mark for the first time in her career and Fonfara concluded her junior year with 18 points. Not only were Hughson’s 20 points a career best, so were her nine goals and 11 assists. Fonfara, on the other hand, was one goal shy of tying her career-high mark with nine tallies, but was able to produce a career-best nine assists.

The scoring threats continue with returning forwards Shannon Strawinski ‘19, Ari Smith ‘18 and Tiia Hertto ‘20, all of whom played a significant role in EC’s run to the NCAA Tournament. With eight tallies last year, Strawinski doubled her goal total from her freshman season and finished her second year with the Soaring Eagles with 15 points (8g-7a). Although she ended the year eighth on EC’s points leaderboard, Strawinski was one of the most productive forwards down the stretch for Elmira last year, as she capped off the 2016-17 campaign on a five-game point streak (2g-3a).

Smith played in all 28 games for Elmira a season ago, while Herrto played in all but one contest as a freshman.

The Soaring Eagles went 6-0-0 in games in which Smith scored, as she ended her junior year with six points on four goals and two assists. Hertto logged three points on a trio of assists during her rookie season, all of which were registered against conference opposition. Keep an eye on Herrto to possibly double as a defensive skater for EC this season.

Outside of the talented group of returning forwards, Elmira fine-tuned its offensive arsenal with the addition of four freshmen skaters in Tristen Tolan ‘21, Devyn Gilman ‘21, Emma Crocker ‘21 and Jess Adams ‘21.

Tolan and Gilman traveled the furthest to play their collegiate hockey, as Tolan is a native of Anchorage, Alaska, and Gilman hails from Yorba Linda, California. Tolan played her junior hockey for the Alaska All-Stars and is the first Alaskan to play for the Soaring Eagles in their 17-year history. Gilman spent her junior career playing for the Cali-

fornia Wave Hockey Club and the Anaheim Lady Ducks 19U AAA teams. She is just the third California native to don the Purple and Gold since the program’s inception in 2001-02.

Crocker and Adams had much shorter drives to begin their collegiate hockey careers, as both rookie skaters hail from The Bay State of Massachusetts. Crocker was a standout hockey player for the Worcester Academy in Worcester, Massachusetts. During her time there, she was named to the 2016 Boston Globe Hockey All-Scholastics Team. Adams was a three-sport athlete at the St. Mark’s School in Southborough, Massachusetts, competing in softball and soccer, in addition to ice hockey.

Honors this season have gone to Sarah Hughson, UCHC Player of the Week and also D3hockey.com National Team of the Week early in November; Devyn Gilman, UCHC Rookie of the Week for November 21; Emma Crocker, UCHC Player of the Week for November 28 and Kelcey Crawford, UCHC Goalie of the Week for that same week.

Crocker and Crawford were also named to the D3hockey. com National Team of the Week, along with Kristin Chivers.

Elmira is ranked second in the national polls posted by USCHO and D3hockey.com Among the New York State natives playing for the Soaring Easgles are Rachel Gramps (Williamsville/Buffalo Bisons), Meghan Fonfara (Elma/Buffalo Bisons), and Meg Lahey (Lathan/Millbrook School).

Syracuse

The Orange are 5-9-2 on the season thus far with Abbey Miller taking CHA Goaltender of the Week honors on November 13 and being named CHA Goaltender of the Month for November. She had a 4-1-0 record in November.

Playing for the Orange is East Amherst’s Maddi Welch.

Maddi played for Nichols School and for the Niagara Junior Purple Eagles.

Utica The Pioneers are 7-3 this season as they head into the New Year.

Honors going to Rebecca Brown, UCHC Player of the Week November 12; Katrina Cornich, UCHC Rookie of the Week, November 12 and Lexi Stanisewski, UCHC Rookie of the Week November 19.

Familiar to New Yorkers are Senior Amanda Lupo from Auburn and the Syracuse Nationals; Sophomore Kayla Rios, 21

Hamilton

Dexter, Northern Cyclones and Freshman Ryann Stripp from Holland Patent and the Clinton Warriors. They are all goaltenders.

Timary Malley scored her first collegiate goal in a 4-0 victory over Colby.

Andrea Rochery was named NESCAC Women’s Player of the Week for December 4.

Playing for Hamilton is New Rochelle’s Karina Sirabin.

She played for the NJ Colonials.

Hamilton is 4-2 overall.

Colgate Colgate has posted an impressive 15-3 record as they move to 2018.

Julia Vandyk was named ECAC Hockey Goaltender of the Week for November 7 and followed that up with being named ECAC Hockey Goaltender of the Month for November.

Shae Labb had a natural hat trick in a 7-1 victory over the New Hampshire Wildcats and Niagara Falls native Olivia Zafuto (Nichols and the NJPE) had the only goal in a 2-1 loss to #7 Cornell.

Annika Zalewski of New Hartford and the Buffalo Bisons and Nichols School is captain this season.

William Smith Maggie Salmon took the UCHC Inaugural Goalie of the Month honors on November 1 and then was honored with the same award on December 5.

Lexi Nottke was named to the D3hockey.com National Team of the Week on November 1 and Emily Martino was named to the D3hockey.com team on November 21.

Brewerton’s Gina Scibetta was named UCHC Player of the Week on November 21. The former Syracuse Nationals layer had a team-high 6 points in 2 wins over Chatham. She was also named to the D3hockey.com National Team for her performance.

In addition to Scibetta hailing from New York are Jordan Roetzer, a junior from Wiliamsville/Williamsville High School; Maura Mulligan, junior from Troy and the Albany Academy; Kelsey Bannister, a freshman from Clayton and Northwood School; Egan Sachs-Hect, junior, Plainview/Lawrenceville School; Julia Mings, a freshman from Tonawanda and Clarence/Amherst/SweetHome of the WNYGVIH and Alison Weiss a freshman from Skaneateles and Skaneateles High School.

Oswego

The Lakers are 5-6 as they head into the New Year under Coach Diane Dillon, a native of Western New York.

Dillon has recruit three New Yorkers for this season including Jordan Emerson (Potsdam/Nepean Wildcats), Leah Czerwinski (Buffalo/Buffalo Bisons and Williamsville) and Natalie Giglio (Ogdensburg/Northwood School. Also with the team is Orchard Park’s Mikaela DiTonto, now in her junior year and an outstanding goaltender when she played for Orchard Park high school in the WNYGVIH league.

Cornell

Morrisville

The Big Red are logging a 8-4-1 record ending 2017.

Freshman Willow Slobodzian was named to the Canadian IIHF U18 Women’s Championship Roster.

Cornell also boasts some honors with Mariene Baissonnault being named Goaltender of the Week; Maddie Mills, Rookie of the Week and Kristin O’Neill Player of the Week by the ECAC. In addition O’Neill was named NCAA Second Team of the Week on December 6 and also ECAC Player of the Month.

Junior Pippy Gerace from Jamestown and the Etobicoke Jr Dolphins is in her junior year and Coach Derraugh has recruited Penfield’s Lindsay Browning. Browning comes from the Buffalo Bisons organization.

Currently in the Colonial Hockey Conference, next season Morrisville will move the the NEWHL. They are 7-4-2 overall.

Karoline Aavik was named CHC Goaltender of the Week November 6 and on November 27 took Rookie of the Week honors.

Playing for the Mustangs from New York State are Bailey Dillabough (Massena/Massena-Potsdam), Megan Kick (Breezy Point/NJ Rockets) and Shanley Austin (Rochester/ Walpole Express).

22

East Hockey

MASSAPEQUA’S MILANO BREAKING OUT

By Warren Kozireski

T

he dream for Massapequa native Sonny Milano is now closer than ever.

In his third season of professional hockey, he is playing more regularly than ever at the National Hockey league level, albeit on the fourth line recently with the Columbus Blue Jackets.

The 2014 first round selection (16th overall) opted to leave the U.S. National Development Program in his second year and sign with the Plymouth Whalers of the OHL. After their season ended, he saw his first ten games professionally with Springfield in the AHL where he registered five assists.

The majority of his 2015-16 and 2016-17 seasons

were spent with the Blue Jackets AHL affiliate in Cleveland with seven NHL games sprinkled throughout, but this season he has played 20 games (as of Nov. 25) with the NHL club and registered his first NHL goal Oct. 6 against the New York Islanders.

“I still have a couple things to learn to, but good so far,” Milano said after a game in Buffalo.

He did have a brief one game send-down to Cleveland after playing only five minutes the night before. He was playing on the fourth line in Columbus, but was manning the point on one of the power play units.

“That’s not really something that I ever really had trouble with, so that’s definitely where Torts (head coach John Tortorella) likes me.

“Working most on simple plays like getting pucks deep, stops and starts, just a lot of little things that will help my overall game in the long run. “(Captain Nick Foligno) has been helping me a lot.

He said he’s been through it and to just be patient and gain some trust slowly and things will start working out.

“It’s not going to be easy; Torts expects a lot out of his players, but little by little I’ll get there.”

Aviator Squirt Major with second place trophy (Aviator Photo) 24

East Women’s College Report

by Janet Schultz Janet@nyhockeyonline.com

Manhattanville

(Sparta, N.J./N.J. Colonials) finished third on the team with nine goals and 17 points. Sophomore Amanda Sabia (Freehold, N.J./The Gunnery) posted a balanced seven goals and seven assists in her first collegiate season. Seniors Cassie Kent (Lake Placid, NY/Northwood), Melissa Stys (Pequannock, N.J./The Kent School), and junior Morgan Wilm (West Chester, Pa./Millbrook Mustangs) rounded out the 10-point forwards for the Valiants.

On defense, seniors Monika Molnar (Budapest, Hungary/Vasas HC), Maeve O’Brien (Chicago, Ill./Loyola Academy) and Kristi Peters (Newport Beach, Calif./Anaheim Lady Ducks) lead a group of nine returners, including two forward/defenders. Peters posted a /- of 18, good for second on the team, while O’Brien increased her point total for the third straight season. Other blue line notables include sophomores Zoey Pellowitz (Arlington, Va./Washington Pride), who finished fourth on the team with 15 points in her first collegiate season, and Ashley Lougheed (Vancouver, B.C./ Pacific Steelers) who added three goals and five assists for eight points.

Between the pipes, junior Rose Pijaca (Worcester, Mass./Worcester Academy) and sophomore Taylor Elias (Winnipeg, Man./Canadian International Hockey Academy) combined to start 19 of the team’s 28 games last season.

Each finished the season with a sub-2.40 goals against average and save percentages above .865.

Oh Captains, My Captains: There will be four Valiants wearing letters for Manhattanville this season. O’Brien and Mensi will serve as co-captains, while Kent and Molnar will serve as assistant captains Newcomers: Turco welcomes six freshmen to the women’s hockey program this season, all of whom will be looking to contribute toward a UCHC Championship run: Lexi Crites (Middleboro, Mass/Kents Hill School) Goalie Diana Piacquadio (Port Washington, NY) Forward Ashley DeFusco (Cranston, R.I./LaSalle Academy) Defense Tianna Lopes (West Vancouver, British Columbia) Forward Adelle Clark (Lantzville, British Columbia/Ontario Hockey Academy) Forward Madison Gneo (Ithaca, NY/Northwood School)

Fresh off their first conference championship game appearance since 2012-13, the Manhattanville College women’s hockey team’s next chapter begins in a pair of new conferences in 2017-18, as the Valiants will compete for conference titles in both the United Collegiate Hockey Conference (UCHC) and the Middle Atlantic Conference (MAC).

Manhattanville finished last season 17-9-2 overall, good for a .643 winning percentage, the best by the team since the 2012-13 ECAC East runners-up. After dropping the conference opener, the Valiants won their next four and nine of their next 10 conference games en route to a 12-4-1 mark in the NEHC. Manhattanville’s season ended in the NEHC Championship with a loss to #4 Norwich.

New Conferences: The Valiants join the new United College Hockey Conference this season, made primarily up of teams from the former ECAC West Conference.

Chatham, Elmira, Lebanon Valley, Neumann, Stevenson, Utica, and William Smith will all join Manhattanville in the UCHC, along with first-year program King’s (Pa.), forming the nine-team conference.

The Valiants will also compete with King’s, Lebanon Valley and Stevenson in the new MAC conference, with the conference championship going to the school with the best regular-season record among the four teams.

Preseason Polls: Head Coach David Turco’s squad was picked to finish third in the UCHC preseason poll behind Elmira -- the unanimous first place choice and the #4 team in all D-III -- and Utica. Stevenson, William Smith, Neumann, Chatham, King’s, and Lebanon Valley rounded out spots 4-9 in the poll, respectively.

Key Returners: Manhattanville returns 20 of 25 players from last year’s team, as the team brings back more than 87% of its goal scoring, including the top eight scorers from 2016-17, and ten 10 point-scorers in all. Junior Nicole Mensi (Mamaroneck, N.Y./SUNY Plattsburgh) ranked 11th in D-III with 20 goals, adding seven assists for a team-best 27 points, earning a spot on the NEHC Second Team. Senior Sarah Sinning (Southold, N.Y./National Sports Academy) added 10 goals and 15 assists for 25 points while posting a team-best /- of 21. Senior forward/defender Karly Kapur 25

Forward Senior Karly Kapur (Sparta, N.J./N.J. Colonials) and junior Rose Pijaca (Worcester, Mass./Worcester Academy) were rewarded for their efforts in Manhattanville College women’s hockey’s season-opening win with the Middle Atlantic Conference Women’s Hockey Offensive and Defensive Player of the Week, the conference office announced on Monday morning.

Kapur scored two goals, including the eventual gamewinner, while Pijaca stopped 32 of 33 shots in a 4-1 Valiants road win over the Utica Pioneers. Kapur was the beneficiary of both assists from junior Nicole Mensi (Mamaroneck, N.Y./SUNY Plattsburgh), scoring first on a slap shot at the 3:30 mark of the second period, then tapping in a pass from Mensi, finishing off a three-on-one rush, at the 16:58 mark of the third period.

Pijaca stopped the first 23 shots she faced, including 12 in the first period, before Utica converted on the power play just shy of the midway mark of the final period. Pijaca stopped the final nine shots from the Pioneers, giving her 15 third period saves, to close out the victory.

Manhattanville College has appointed Ed Manetta as the seventh Director of Athletics in school history, Manhattanville President Dr. Michael E. Geisler, Ph.D, announced.

Manetta will be responsible for maintaining the rich tradition of Valiant athletics at Manhattanville College. This includes ensuring competitive men’s and women’s sports teams, while maintaining high academic standards for Valiant student-athletes. Manetta’s duties also include ensuring compliance with NCAA standards, coaches and staff, and overseeing fundraising and partnership opportunities for the college’s Department of Athletics.

Manetta brings many years of valuable experience in college athletics and sports marketing to the Valiant community. Most recently, Manetta served as the Director of Sports Programming at the Barclays Center and Nassau Coliseum. His career includes senior management positions at both Edelman Worldwide and Hill and Knowlton, both leading public relations agencies, where he directed all client services in sports related campaigns including the Olympic Games, 1994 FIFA World Cup and Chicago Marathon. He began his career as an Assistant Athletic Director at Fordham University, and later served as Athletic Director at both DePaul University and St. John’s University.

“We are pleased to appoint Edward Manetta as the Director of Athletics,” said Geisler. “He has a wealth of proven leadership experience in developing and overseeing programs and events (including Olympic events and the World Cup), and creating relationships and securing corporate

sponsorships.”

“I am excited and honored to be joining the Manhattanville College community as athletic director,” said Manetta. “Manhattanville has a strong history of athletic excellence and I look forward to working with our talented coaches, staff, student athletes, Nicole Mensi campus and community partners, alumni, and fans to continue this rich tradition.”

– Nicole Mensi (Mamaroneck, N.Y./SUNY Plattsburgh) earned her first career MAC women’s hockey Offensive Player of the Week Award, as announced by the conference office Monday morning, following a three-point performance in the Valiants’ 3-1 victory over Wesleyan last Friday night.

The junior assisted on the game’s first goal by sophomore Amanda Sabia (Freehold, N.J./The Gunnery), a power-play goal, midway through the first period. After Wesleyan tied the game at the end of the first period, Mensi responded with a pair of goals, both assisted by Sabia, in the second period, including a lightning-fast wrist shot just inside the pipes.

The two-goal performance gave Mensi the team lead with four, while her assist tied her with Sabia for the team lead with three. Mensi also joined senior Maeve O’Brien (Chicago, Ill./Chicago Fury) as the only Valiants to record a point in three of the team’s four games on the young season.

Union Union’s own Coco Francis was named the ECAC’s Rookie of the Week, for her performances against Brown and Yale.

Francis made her Messa Rink debut on Friday Oct. 27, against Brown University. She had 31 saves and helped lead the Dutchwomen to a 6-3 victory over the Bears. The match up, which also served as the ECAC conference opener, made Francis the first Dutchwoman in program history to win her first ECAC start.

The following night, Francis had 30 saves and earned 26

her second win of the season as the Dutchwomen defeated Yale University, 3-1. With the win, Francis naturally became the first Union goalie to win her first two ECAC starts. Over the course of the weekend, she tallied a .928 save percentage.

Francis’ performances, along with Union’s wins, made it the first time in program history that the Union College women’s ice hockey team has swept back-to-back ECAC opponents and opened up ECAC play at 2-0.

From New York are Ali Howard (South Rye/Rye High school), Cassie Kent (Lake Placid/Northwood), Diane Piacquadro (Port Washington/Gilmore Academy) and Sarah Sinning (Southold/National Sports Academy).

Brandy Streeter is in her final year at Union. Streeter comes from Morrisville and played for the Buffalo Bisons.

Rachel dePerio is a sophomore from East Amherst and the Niagara Junior Purple Eagles. Last season she played in all 34 games and recorded 3 goals and 5 assists.

Coming into Union this season is Alli First from Niskayuma. She graduated from Northfield Mt. Herman School and served as captain both her junior and senior years. She is the recipient of the first Sarah P. Hoffman Girls Varsity Ice Hockey Award recording 31 goals and 40 assists in four years.

27

Sophomore Haley Shugart has been named the ECAC’s Player of the Week, the league for December 2.

Shugart scored three goals over the course of two games last weekend, leading the league in scoring for the week.

With a goal against Yale and two against Brown, Shugart now has five goals on the season, and two assists. She was one of just seven Division I women’s hockey players to score three or more goals over the weekend.

Despite missing the first six games of the season due to injury, Shugart has contributed immensely to the Dutch’s success, as Union has gone 4-5-1 since her return.

RPI At 5-7-4 overall as they head into the New Year the Engineers have two NY State players including Ana Orzechowski from Tonawanda.The Junior Defenseman plahyed for the Pittsburgh Penquins Elite and comes from Tonawanda. She played 19 games last season and recorded an assist.

Jenn Gregg comes from Altamont and played for the Troy Albany Ice Cats. She is in her freshman year as a goalie.

In 2012-3 through 2016 she attended the USA Development Camp.

27

T

he New York Raptors have had a busy hockey schedule since playing their first home game back in late October. The Raptors lost that game to the Long Island Blues, 12-4.

The Raptors then travelled to New Jersey to play the Brick Stars. New York defeated New Jersey, 6-3 for their first win of the season.

The Raptors were scheduled to host the New Jersey Mercer Bull Dogs. Unfortunately, the game was cancelled.

But New York found another opponent to play on that date, playing against the high school coaches.

The Raptors defeated the coaches, 6-2.

The Raptors then got ready for their Turkey Tournament. In their first game of the tourney the Raptors lost to the New Jersey Devils, 9-7.

New York then played the Ct. Storm, beating them, 7-6.

The Raptor record currently stands at three wins and five losses.

Raptors Report CONTRIBUTED BY MICHAEL MEYERS --

CP Dynamo at HarborCenter, Buffalo NY

28

S

Brady Wiffen along with sophomore and fellow New York native Patrick Polino (Buffalo).

“I think everyone has bought into the same thing,” the ECAC Hockey All-Academic said after an early season game about the coaching change this season.

“Last year we struggled a bit, but this year everyone is on the same page working hard and things have started really well for us.”

“Just working hard doing the little things and keeping it simple and bringing the same intensity every day.

Before college Marrello played for the Albany Junior Rats, who skate at the Albany County Hockey facility near the airport until his bantam year on Long Island with the Islanders in the USPHL Premier league where he netted 17 goals with 45 points over 43 games.

Then he decided to stay near home and join Rensselaer.

“It wasn’t the plan all along, but the fact that it happened is awesome. Just having your family there every day is something that not everybody gets to do and I’m really grateful for it.”

MARRELLO HAPPY AT HOME

ophomore and Slingerlands native Jake Marrello spent many games last season on Rensselaer’s fourth line with occasional games on the third or even second lines. Fast forward to 2017-18 and a new coaching staff for the Engineers, and he has skated on the first or second line through the first four games of the season.

“Speed, energy and a really good stick,” new head coach Dave Smith said about what Marrello brings to the Engineers. “Great kid, great work ethic and so far this year is finding a very important role as a left winger on a very important line and one of our top penalty killers.”

“To me numbers can be overrated— he’s valuable, he plays hard and at his size he needs to do certain things like be tenacious and he is. Being a good player is the number one priority, but the fact that he’s local means he gets a few meals at his house.”

Marrello netted his first collegiate goal last Feb. 17 versus Princeton and his second in the ECAC playoffs against Clarkson. He was playing on a line with junior

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ARMY The Black Knights headed to Turkey Day tied for first place in the Atlantic Hockey Conference with all six wins coming on the road.

“We’re 6-2 on the road and when we started this thing with eight out of ten on the road I was a little concerned because it’s hard to win on the road,” head coach Brian Riley said. “We don’t have another overnight trip in this league until February. T doesn’t guarantee anything that you’re playing a home, but it will be good to get home for an extended period of time.

With the departure of three year starter Parker Gahagen, Army entered the season with questions about their goaltending. But senior Cole Bruns has squashed those concerns with six wins and one tie with one shutout in 13 starts and sporting a .921 save percentage.

“It’s not a question mark anymore. He’s given us an opportunity to win every game. Parker was great for us, but Brunsy has been waiting for this opportunity and he has been great for us.”

East Men’s College Report

by Warren Koziereski

R.P.I. With only two wins over their first 12 games, the Engineers were struggling offensively with one or fewer goals in five of those games.

Sophomore Patrick Polino (Buffalo) played in every game through Thanksgiving since his freshman season—49 consecutive.

SKIDMORE The Thoroughbreds managed just one tie through their first six contests and had scored more than two goals in a game just once.

MANHATTANVILLE A 3-1 conference start had the Valiants in the hunt at the top of the UCHC standings heading into the December portion of the slate.

Sophomore Ken McLean (New Rochelle) stood second on the team in assists at Thanksgiving.

Freshman goaltender Brian Kowalski (Buffalo) made 27 saves to register that tie in his collegiate debut at Southern Maine.

UNION The Dutchmen were off to a 5-1 conference start after beginning the season 0-5 behind forward Brett Supinski, who stood top-15 in the nation in points and assists per game.

Freshman goaltender Darion Hansen took over the top spot in goal and went 6-1 in his first seven starts.

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30

North Hockey

Northern New York Men’s College Hockey Report › Warren Kozireski

Wkozires@brockport.edu

CANTON If the independent Roo’s were in the SUNYAC conference, they would be tied for fourth place with wins over Plattsburgh and Brockport.

Oswego native Josh Sova leads the team with five goals and entered the Skidmore Tournament with 29 career goals and 65 points in 82 games.

CLARKSON The fifth ranked Golden Knights already had five shutouts behind sophomore goaltender Jake Kielly, who was first in the nation in goals against, save percentage and shutouts.

Senior defenseman Terrance Ammorosa was named ECAC Player of the Month and sophomore Jake Kielly Goaltender of the Month for October. Ammorosa scored twice and added five assists while Kielly picked up four victories with a 1.62 GAA. Sophomore Sheldon Rempal netted his first career hat trick Nov. 3 against RPI and was third in the nation in goals.

PLATTSBURGH Queensbury native and sophomore defenseman Charles Barber netted his first collegiate goal Nov. 10 against Brockport.

Freshman goaltender Lawrence Fenton (Medina) was credited with his first collegiate win Nov. 3 against Morrisville while classmate Jimmy Poreda (Tonowanda) got his first win and first shutout one night later, also against Morrisville.

POTSDAM The surprising Bears were 6-1-1 heading into December.

Freshman forward Jacob Juron (Latham) collected his first career goal Nov. 11 at Brockport. Classmate Joey Sollazzo (Ottawa, NY) got his first in the opener Oct. 27 against St. Michael’s.

Dylan Vander Esch’s netted his fifth career hat trick Oct. 28 at St. Michael’s College.

ST. LAWRENCE Scoring one goal per game in five of their six November contests is not generally a recipe for success and the Saints headed to the December portion of the schedule with one win and one tie. They were ranked last in the nation in goals per game and second from last in goals allowed per game.

Sophomore forward Carson Gicewicz (Buffalo) was the only player on the roster on the plus side in plus/minus through November.

32

Northern New York Women’s College Hockey Report

by Janet Schultz Janet@ nyhockeyonline.com

Potsdam 2017-18 Prevew Last season, the SUNY Potsdam women’s hockey team posted a 12-13-1 overall record and an 8-9-1 mark in the ECAC West. The Bears matched the program’s single-season record for wins, set one for conference victories and ended a two-year postseason drought.

The 2017-18 campaign marks the beginning of a new era for Potsdam, one that finds the Bears members of the brand-new Northeast Women’s Hockey League (NEWHL).

Joining Potsdam in the new conference are Plattsburgh State, Buffalo State, Oswego State and SUNY Cortland.

While the league looks to expand, the teams will become even more familiar with each other as they match up four times per season instead of two as they have in the past.

Bears 11th year head coach Jay Green knows the new alignment won’t make things less challenging.

“Just in terms of difficulty of schedule, it’s not going to change really,” said Green. “It’s going to be a very competitive situation, with the traditionally strong programs of Plattsburgh, Oswego and most recently Buffalo State.”

This season will be the first time since 2012-13, that Potsdam will take the ice without program all-time leading scorer Jordan Ott. Ott, with her 107 career points, has graduated and become the first Bears women’s hockey player to compete professionally. Ott will skate for the Buffalo Beauts of the National Women’s Hockey League this season (NWHL).

Potsdam’s 2017-18 squad will consist of 12 veterans 33

and six freshmen. The Bears will be guided by senior captains Anna-Rose Bertin (Marathon, Ontario/Canadian International Hockey Academy) and Brenna Wilson (Kanata, Ontario/Ottawa Senators) senior assistant captain Jaci Morr (Monroe, Mich./Monroe). The program’s players and coaching staff have complete faith in the trio to provide the necessary leadership in this period of transition.

“Anna-Rose is as quality as anyone could ask for,” Green said. “She’s very composed and has a very mature demeanor. She’s highly respected by all of our players as well as by us the coaches. We expect her to provide quality leadership and we are quite confident she’ll be able to deliver. Brenna and Jaci will be a great compliment to Anna-Rose. Again, both of those athletes are highly respected. Both have super work ethics and are just quality people. That goes a long way in the locker room. We’re looking forward to working with all three and it should be a very solid leadership group for sure.”

Forward Ott and graduated captain Amanda Peterson’s absences will be felt on the scoreboard this season, but the next four top scorers are back. Four seniors, two juniors, one sophomore and three freshmen will be tasked with generating points up front this year. Bertin had career-highs in points and goals last season, scoring 12 times and recording four assists for 16 points, while playing in all 26 games. Morr also set personal bests in goals, assists and points with six, six and 12 and suited up for every contest. Wilson led the team in assists with nine and scored three goals for a careerhigh 12 points in 26 games. Junior Jenna Patterson (Boissevain, Manitoba/Westman Wildcats) scored four goals and assisted on five others.

Senior Taylor Marcellus (Waddington, N.Y./Ontario Hockey Academy), junior Tatum Walber (Orchard Park, N.Y./Buffalo Regals) and sophomore Lucy Condon (Kitchener, Ontario/Waterloo Ravens) are also back on offense.

Marcellus and Condon played in every contest last season and Walber missed just one. Green expects his experienced forwards to match or exceed their 2016-17 production.

“Our biggest challenge has been offense,” said Green.

“The loss of Jordan Ott will be will have an effect I’m sure, but I’m hoping players such as Anna-Rose, Brenna, Jenna Patterson and other returning players will start to score

some goals. Tatum Walber, Jaci Morr and Taylor Marcellus can score goals when they get in the groove. Lucy Condon is also goal-scoring threat. She just needs to shoot the puck a little more often and have confidence in her shot. They’re all good returning players that make solid contributions one way or another.

The three freshmen include Natalie Wasielewski (Carnegie, Pa./Pittsburgh Penguins Elite), Alexis Clark (Niagara Falls, N.Y./Buffalo Bisons) and Allie Banas (Buffalo, N.Y./ Buffalo Bisons). Green believes the newcomers will make an immediate impact.

“Natalie Wasielewski we feel is a genuine goal scorer,” Green said. “She has a great shot and can take advantage of goal-scoring opportunities. Alexis Clark and Allie Banas are both solid freshmen that we hope can contribute as well.

Allie Banas brings flexibility to our lineup as she can play forward and defense and will be effective in both positions.

Alexis is a hard-working kid that can generate scoring opportunities with her forechecking abilities. A lot of speed and a lot of grit and determination.”

Defense Defense has been a point of pride for the Bears over the last two seasons. Potsdam allowed just 2.90 goals-per-game in 2015-16 and lowered that to an even more impressive record of 2.52 last year. Potsdam also allowed a record low 66 goals in 2016-17. With his current personnel, Green expects that trend to continue.

“I think defensively, we’re as strong as we’ve ever been,” said Green. “We’ve got three solid returning defensemen in Delphine Léonard (Montreal, Quebec/Dawson College Prep), Shelbi Thacker (Chesterfield, Mich./Honeybaked) and Rylie Murray (Berkeley, Mich./Honeybaked). In my opinion, all three are among the best defensemen in the league. We have two freshmen in Keira Thacker (Oakville, Ontario/Hamilton Hawks) and Emily Burke (San Jose, Calif./San Jose Jr. Sharks). They’re young, but they’re talented and I can see them evolving into pretty solid defensemen for us as the year goes on.”

In addition to skillfully handling opposing attackers from the blue line, the sophomore Léonard scored three goals and added eight assists to earn a spot on the ECAC West All-Rookie Team. Thacker, another sophomore, totaled four assists, while playing in 26 games last season.

Murray, a junior, scored two goals and contributed five assists for seven points.

Keira Thacker comes to Potsdam from Oakville, Ontario and Burke crossed the continent from San Jose. The pair will combine with Banas to form a formidable group for sea34

sons to come.

Goal The Bears remain strong between the pipes in 2017-18.

Last season, led by all-rookie goaltender Alexa Pfeiffer (Sylvania, Ohio/Little Caesar’s), Potsdam goalies set the program single-record for save percentage at .914. Pfeiffer was 8-11-1 in 20 games with a 2.72 goals-against-average and a .910 save percentage. Sophomore Kayla McCabe (Watertown, N.Y./Syracuse Nationals) recorded a 3.05 g.a.a and a .912 save percentage. This year, they are joined by freshman Californian Samantha White (Oceanside, Calif./Anaheim Lady Ducks).

“Alexa Pfeiffer was an ECAC West All-Rookie team goaltending selection in 2016-17,” Green said. “We are hopeful that she continues to play at the level that she performed at last season. Quality goaltending is necessary for the success of any program. Kayla McCabe has proven to be capable in a supportive role for the Bears. She performed very well in all of her appearances last season. Samantha White possesses a solid goaltending foundation and is expected to see significant playing time. She played boys hockey through the Midget level and one year of girls hockey with the Anaheim Lady Ducks.”

Schedule “In nonconference play, our objective is to play a challenging schedule,” said Green. “You want to put

Utica. Sheeran was also named NEWHL Player of the Week for November 5 for her 10 point week.

Senior Brooke Wolejko was named NEWHL Goaltender of the Week for November 5.

Sheeran and Hannah Kiraly were named to the D3hockey.com Team of the Week for November 9 and Courtney Moriasty was named NEWHL Player of the Week for November 9.

Erin McArdle was named NEWHL Rookie of the Week and Kassi Abbot was named NEWHL Goaltender of the Week.

Playing for Plattsburgh along with Sheeran with New York links are Sarah Wolf from Fairport/Boston Shamrock Elites; Ashley Songin, Sprinville and Nichols School; Kaitlin Drew-Mead, Niagara Falls and the Buffalo Bisons. DrewMead also played for the Monsignor Martin High School team.

Elizabeth Giguere was named ECAC Rookie of the Week for November 7.

St. Lawrence

yourself in a situation where you can win some hockey games. That’s important for developing confidence as a team. The likes of Hamilton and Morrisville have been at the tops of their conferences. Saint Mike’s, Becker, and New England College are worthy opponents as well, and we must come ready to play in order to develop positive momentum within our nonleague slate.”

Honors have been bestowed on the Bears with Samantha White being named NEWHL Rookie of the Week October 30; Natalie Wasielewski, Rookie of the Week November 20.

New Yorkers on the roster include Tatum Walber (Orchard Park/Buffalo Regals) with 2 assists in 25 games last season; Alexis Park a freshman from Niagara Falls and the Buffalo Bisons; Taylor Marcellus (Waddington/Ontario Hockey Academy), Allie Banas a freshman from Niagara Falls and the Buffalo Bisons and Kayla McCabe a sophomore from Watertown/Syracuse Nationals who played in 2 games last year and recorded a 3.05 GAA and .912 save percentage--hopefully we will see more of her this season!

The Saints are 7-6-3 overall as they move into 2018.

Justine Reyes was named ECAC Hockey Player of the Week for November 7 and Sonja Shelly took the ECAC Goaltender of the Week honors on November 14.

New Yorkers include Kali Grant, Potsdam/Nepean Jr. Wildcats. Grant captained the Potsdam High School Hockey team.

Allison Compeau a junior Goaltender comes from Potsdam and the North Country Ice Storm.

Canton

Ashley Gillies was named Colonial Hockey Conference (CHC) Rookie of the Week November 6 for a pair of assists leading to a victory over Nichols College.

Brooke Susac and Sophia Koenig received CHC Goaltender of the Week and Rookie of the Week honors November 20, respectively, for November 20 after Susac stopped 55 of 56 SOG for a 13-1 weekend series win over Salem and Koenig garnered 3 goals and 2 assists in that same series.

Sydney Johnson took D3Hockey.com Natioal Team of the Week honors for November 21 for her 3 goals/2 assists in the weekend series against Salem.

Hamburg’s Grace Page, Derby’s Sophia Koenig and Staten Island’s Nicole Niemiec are all members of the Roos.

Niemiec is sporting the “C” this season as a junior defenseman.

Plattsburgh

Plattsburgh continues its winning ways and posting honors for their players.

Melissa Sheeran a senior forward from Schaghticoke/ Millbrook School was named to the First D3Hockey.com Womens Team of the Week , the fourth such honor in her career. She had 2 goals/1 assist in the 5-0 season opener over 35

POTSDAM NATIVE MCDONALD PLAYING KEY ROLE AT NAZARETH

and win 44 of 79 face-offs.

“Everyone wants to make a difference,” McDonald said. “You need to find your role and know what you’re good at. Shutdown line gets a lot of minutes at the end of the game making sure we win tight games, so I’m happy with where I am.

“Coach calls your number you do what you can. The boys get up on the bench when we’re killing penalties and it’s always fun out there blocking shots… good time.

“Everyone wants to score more, but I think that will come with time—I’m only a sophomore. I have time and you gain more confidence in your game and keep doing the simple things and hopefully you can build up and bury a couple more.”

McDonald went to Northwood Prep for the 2013-14 season before moving to Vermont in the EHL for two full seasons where he averaged almost one point per game his final year with 34 points (15 goals) in 36 games before starting his college career.

“One of my old coaches from youth hockey was a teammate of Vermont and hockey is a small world so I was looking for a place to play and Vermont called and I was there within a week.

“My old coach at Northwood used to be at Canton so I looked at going there a bit and obviously talked to Potsdam, but this (Nazareth) is close enough that my family can get here but far enough that I’m not living at home.”

And as for using not being heavily recruited as a motivator, McDonald said “yeah, especially when you go against the teams where maybe you wanted to go there you thought was a good school for you and maybe they didn’t want you. You don’t only prove to the coach and the guys (teammates) that you deserve to be out there, but maybe stick it to other team a little bit.”

By Warren Kozireski

S

ophomore James McDonald is centering the third line for Nazareth with one goal and one assist through the first five games of the season after registering six points in 25 games as a freshman.

But he is still a key cog in the Golden Flyers system.

“He’s one of those guys who, unless you watch him, you don’t know how valuable he is,” Nazareth head coach George Roll said. “He wins big face-offs, great on the penalty kill and if he chips in offensively great, but we can rely on him in all situations.

“There’s a kid who wasn’t heavily recruited and has come in here and done an incredible job, which is a credit to how hard he works. When you’re up a goal late in the game, he the one you want out there.”

Case in point a Nov. 10 win on home ice against conference opponent Elmira. McDonald had just one shot on goal and was even in plus/minus, but helped hold Elmira scoreless on four power plays chances 36

West Hockey

WNYGVIH Now in 8th Season

T

he eighth season of the Western New York Girls Varsity Ice Hockey League is underway. Once again there is not a clear first place team and each game as been exciting, fast-moving and filled with passionate players.

Into the record books will go the first goal scored this season was by Jenna Woods from Holly Schmelzer in a 2-0 Williamsville win over West Seneca/Hamburg/Eden at Buffalo’s Riverworks Arena. Taking the first 2017-18 penalty was WSHE’s Maddy Jurusik for a body check and getting the shutout was Williamsville’s Jenna Lukomski.

As the third week comes to an end Williamsville has just upset Monsignor Martin, beating them 2-1 and taking first place in the League. With 6 games placed Williamsville is 4-2-0.

Clarence/Amherst/SweetHome sits in second place. They have played just 3 games but have 3 wins, no losses and sit with 9 points.

Monsignor Martin is tied in points with CASH after four games played they have a 3-1 record.

Following in order are Frontier/Lake-

Shore/Orchard Park (3-1), West Seneca/Hamburg/ Eden (1-2), Lancaster/Iroquois/Depew (0-3) and Kenmore/Grand Island (0-5).

Williamsville’s Holly Schmelzer and Jenna Woods have the scoring leadership with 6 games played Schmelzer has 4 goals and 6 assists and Woods has 6 goals and 1 assist. Woods broke Wiliamsville’s school record for most goals scored in a game with 5 on December 1 against WSHE.

Charleigh Rondea, Kayla Blas and Brooke Becker each have 6 points.

Goaltending seems to be the key this season. Each team has at least two goalies on the roster and they all seem to have experience needed to keep pucks out of the net.

Heading up the goaltending, statistically, is Hannah Barrett of CASH. With just 45 minutes of playing time Barrett has a .971 save %, 1.00 GAA and one win.

FLOP’s Maggie Spyche has 90 minutes in the net and sits in second place with a .933 Save Percentage, 1.00 GAA and 2 wins and in third with 134 minutes between the pipes, Jenna Lukomski of Williamsville has a .929 save percentage and 1.67 GAA and two wins.

The league plays 13 games in December prior to the Holiday break. They return to the ice January 2 when FLOP takes on LID at Holiday and CASH plays Kenmore/Grand Island at Lincoln Arena.

FLOP is defending both the Section VI title that took them to the NYS Girls Varsity Ice Hockey Championships and the WNYGVIH League title. They lost to Skaneateles at the States.

Monsignor Martin is welcoming back Coach Chris Malicki after Linda Groff-Mroz resigned for family reasons.

Coach Malicki was the original coach of the MM team, coaching them to several championships. Malicki has a familiar face on his team, his daughter Riley, a tenth grade forward from St. Mary’s of Lancaster.

Coach Bob Klimowicz has to watch when calling out instruction to his players. He has three sets of sisters on the Frontier/LakeShore/Orchard Park squad. First is Mary and Emily Kromer,

38

both forwards; Sirena and Emery Fitzery, both on defense and Julia and Jessica Peters, another set of forwards.

Coaches Rick Hopkins (also founder of the league) and Jeff Orlowski are Inaugural Coaches.

Any girls interested in playing varsity hockey for their schools should contact Rick Hopkins. The League is looking to expand, especially into Niagara County.

Schools are welcome to combine, as the League has done for the past 8 years.

Iroquois Hockey News

and Ande Osuch were tough all night long playing against the EA/Holland top line all night. In goal was Zack Vitez who made many amazing saves down the stretch to give Iroquois a chance.

Submitted by Jim Banko

Iroquois 5 Kenmore 3

11/25/2017 Iroquois 5 Williamsville South 3

A

fter an exciting first game victory on Wednesday night the Iroquois Chiefs JV team looked to keep the momentum going against the Kenmore/ Sweethome team. Playing in their usual late Friday night slot the Chiefs played stuck to their successful game plan of outworking the opposition and winning many of the puck battles. While the season is still young there are many positives already taking shape.

Beating Kenmore/Sweethome 5-3 was not an easy task. The game was tight checking and filled with scoring chances on both ends. Leading the way in this game were Aaron Wojkowiak and Carl Wawrayniak each with a goal and an assist for a two point night.

Scoring their first goals of the season were Tyler O’Donnell, Jack Zeinski and Tyler Birdd. On defense Ande Osuch, Dustin Mazurek and Tyler Kaplewicz played thwarted the Kenmore/Sweethome attack throughout the night. Stepping up big in goal was Nicolas Capozzi, making many huge saves in the final few minutes.

The 2017-2018 season is off to a strong start because of the skill and ability of each player on this year’s roster. It is a pleasure to see their passion and ability achieve its potential.

Iroquois has two games this weekend 11/24 at home against EA/Holland at 9:15pm and 11/25 at NTC against Williamsville South at 8:30pm.

The Iroquois JV came out with a sour taste in their mouth after their first defeat the night before. Playing with a chip on their shoulder and only ten skaters the Junior Chiefs played strong offensively and stout defensively. Scoring for Iroquois was Jason Krestic (2), Trevor Mueller, Aaron Wojkowiak, and with his first high school goal Austin Baker. Defensively, Austin Ward and Ian Schrader played outstanding making many smart plays while logging a lot of ice time. In goal was Zack Vitez played well enough to get the win especially in the third period as the game tightened up.

12/1//2017 Iroquois 6 Hamburg 7 This game was always going to be a battle as both teams play a face paced offensively focused hockey.

Iroquois came out of the dressing room flying getting off to an early 3-1 lead in the first. Unfortunately, some unlucky bounces and busted defensive coverage allowed the Bulldogs to get back in the game taking a 5-4 lead. The third period was a draw with both teams scoring two goals leaving the final 7-6. Scoring for Iroquois was Jack Zienski with his first high school hat trick, Ben Plonka, Austin Baker, Phillip Mercurio.

Assisting on the goals were Nick Dicristafaro and Jason Krestic. Defensively, Tyler Bird and Tyler Kaplewicz were great making some nice defensive plays.

With an amazing open ice hit was Austin Ward who cleanly leveled a Bulldog player at center ice.

The Iroquois JV team record currently stands at 3-2.

11/24/2017 Iroquois 3 EA/Holland 5 In a battle of cross town rivals the Iroquois face a very difficult opponent in the EA/Holland team. Iroquois started slow but rallied late in the game to make it interesting. Iroquois had goals from new transitioned forward Jack Zienski, Aaron Wojkowiak, and Ben Plonka. . Assisting on these goals were Lackawanna native Carl Wawrayniak, Dalton Trites and Jason Kresitc. Defensively, Dustin Mazurek, Tyler Birdd 39

F

our Nichols High School (Buffalo) hockey players have signed Letters of Intent with plans to continue their hockey careers at the collegiate level.

Ciara Barone, Jada Brenon, Cole Donhauser and Taylor Pietrowski have signed on the dotted

Ciara

Nichols Players Continuing Hockey Careers

line.

Barone has natural instincts when it comes to hockey. She has a passion for success and is a gritty player, according to her coaches. Barone has signed to play with the Providence College team.

“I knew when I stepped on campus I was destined to go to Providence,” said Barone. “I fell in love with the coaches, the campus and the facilities.”

She began her hockey career at 11 with Coach Scott Welch, and according to Barone, he has pushed her to be the best that she can be and helped her in ways no other coach has.

“Just playing with older girls has helped me become the player I am,” she continued.

She feels that she will be a great teammate to the other players and plans to enjoy this final season at Nichols and the Niagara Junior Purple Eagles.

However, Barone does have one problem she will have to face. Her counterpart at Nichols, Jada Brenon has been her best friend since they began playing hockey.

Brenon has signed a letter to play at Holy Cross in their Inaugural Season as a D1 program in Hockey East.

“ W e go back to fourth grade, starting off with the Wheatfield Blades,” said Barone.

T h e y also played softball and baseball together.

So how

Jada

will she handle facing her best friend at the other end of the ice?

“We are going to win, oh yeah, no mercy,” said Barone smiling!

“But we will always be friends,” she concluded.

Brenon grew up starting with boys hockey with the Wheatfield Blades and then moved on to the Buffalo Bisons, Rochester Monarchs and currently is playing with the Niagara Junior Purple Eagles, as well as Nichols School.

“I chose Holy Cross for their academics and athletics,” said Brenon. “They also have a new athletic complex.”

Brenon is a passionate goalie and a leader. According to her coaches she is known to put fear into the opposing team.

“I will be excited to face Ciara on the opposing team,” said Brenon. “We will see what happens!”

Taylor Pietrowski is a natural born leader, according to her coaches. She will take that leadership ability off to Cornell University and the Big Red Women’s Ice Hockey Team.

In addition she is a natural hockey player who has skill and a good work ethic. Combine that with her motivation, strong physical play and 40

Cole

Taylor

good vision of the ice, she is a force to be dealt with.

Pietrowski played four years of hockey at Nichols School and also plays for the NJPE 19U team. Prior to that she played for the West Seneca Wings.

“I choose hockey because as the only girl on my street, that’s what the boys played. It was either street hockey or ice hockey,” said Pietrowski.

“The best thing about hockey is the team and you have a built-in group of friends,” said Pietrowski. “Even away from the rink, we all sit together at lunch.”

Pietrowski chose Cornell because it was her dream school since she was young.

“I got the feeling I belonged there when I stepped on the campus,”she said.

Cole Donhauser has made his mark on the Nichols Hockey program since his freshman year. He has been a leader in scoring and has signed to play for Yale University after completing a year of Junior Hockey.

“I’ve narrowed it down to two junior hockey leagues, the British Columbia Hockey League and the United States Hockey League (USHL), “ said Donhauser.

“It all depends on where I feel the most comfortable.”

“Yale encouraged it, but they’re pretty relaxed about where I choose to go and the decision I make.

They are behind me on what I do,” he continued.

“It’s pretty nice.”

Donhauser knows that wherever he ends up it will be a different brand of hockey.

41

“I know during the off-season I’m going to have to get tougher,” remarked Donhauser. “I know that kids I’m going to be playing against will be older and it’s not going to be high school hockey anymore.

“I think the competition I’ve faced here with the Nichols program has prepared me for my future in the game. A lot of kids I’ve played against have gone on to junior or college hockey.

“I’m not too worried. I know I have to keep working hard in the weight room and on the ice as well.”

Has Donhauser given any thought to being drafted by an NHL team?

“This is my draft year,” remarked Donhauser.

“We’ll see what happens with that.

“I haven’t thought too much about that. Right now I’m concentrating on getting my degree from Yale.

“If I do well during my four years at Yale and pro hockey is looking good for me, then that is what it is.

If not, I have my degree from Yale and I’m not too sad about that.”

Why Yale?

“Their business program is unbelievable,” commented Donhauser, who is considering majoring in Economics. “And their (hockey) coaches have been there for awhile and have implemented a system that fits my game.”

(Photos by Janet Schultz; Story By Randy and Janet Schultz)

Western New York Women’s College Hockey Report

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

Buffalo State

Under new head coach Jennifer Wilson the Bengals are struggling a little and have posted a 6-6-0 record as they move into the second semester. Add to that Goaltender Justine Silva has been out with an

Buffalo State’s Bri Gawronski.

Formerly with Monsignor Martin WNYGVIH (Photo by Janet Schultz)

injury.

But coming into the nets strong is former Monsignor Martin Goaltender Bri Gawronski. Gawronski received the NEWHL Rookie of the Week honor November 13 for her first collegiate victory, a 2-1 over Oswego with her 25 saves.

She then took NEWHL Goaltender of the Week honors December 12 when she made 54 of 56 saves in a weekend series with two wins over Canton. In the second game she had her second career shutout.

The Buffalo State Women’s team is made up of mainly local players, many of who played in the Western New York Girls Varsity Ice Hockey League during the past several years.

Of the top five scorers Erin Gehen has 7 goals and 3 assists putting her in first place; second is Rachel Lenard, 3 g/7 a; fourth is Emma Ruggiero, 4g/1a and Bri Carroll has 3 goals and 2 assists for fifth.

RIT Another struggle for the RIT Tigers this season as they are 4-12-2 overall heading into the New Year.

Terra Lanteigne had a career-high 59 saves in a loss to #10 Robert Morris.

University of Buffalo

The University of Buffalo is 8-0-0 in the ACHA and three of the five top scorers in the league are UB players.

Madeline Norton has 34 goals and 22 assists; Mamie Talty, 17 goals/30 assists and Alexis Peters, 20 goals and 26 assists.

In the nets are Finley VanHouten who has 6 wins in her 360 minutes of play and Theresa Meosky has the 2 wins in her 120 minutes of play.

The team is working hard under newly appointed Coach Mark Lauber.

42

By Randy Schultz Randy@nyhockeyonline.com Photos by Janet Schultz

I

YES, THERE IS HOCKEY AT ECC!

n the spirit of the Christmas season, “Yes Virginia, there is a men’s hockey program at Erie Community College.”

There was an eight-week period of time during this past summer, though, when the public, as well as ECC officials, weren’t sure if there would be a 2017-18 hockey season for the Kats or not.

It all began back in late spring when the ECC Board of Trustees recommended no increase in the College’s Student Activities fee. At the same time they made a recommendation that the College should drop hockey and baseball from it athletic program.

All for the sake of cost savings and a balanced budget.

But a couple of days later then ECC President Jack Quinn announced internally that hockey and baseball would not be cut from the budget and would remain.

The difference between the two announcements is that the first one made the newspapers and the second one didn’t. Well, at least not for eight weeks.

To say the least, recruiting was not easy for ECC hockey coach, Gary Rost.

“There was an eight-week period of time when I made contact with those players I had already contacted,” said Rost. “I sent them internal documents with the information saying ECC would have hockey for the 2017-18 season.

“But anyone else I didn’t hear from.”

After eight weeks of silence, the college finally released the internal information. Hockey, along with baseball, would be back at ECC for the 2017-18 campaign.

The only difference for ECC in hockey from last sea-

43

son to this is that the National Junior College Athletic Association no longer has hockey.

ECC would be in a new conference for this season.

“We are an independent team in the ACHA (American Collegiate Hockey Associa-

tion), Division Two” stated Rost.

“A n d they put us in the Southeast Region, although geographically, I don’t know why.

“The other New York teams in the ACHA are in the Northeast Division. But the important thing is that we are playing hockey.”

With a schedule in place, the Kats are once again playing hockey and are eligible to participate in ACHA postseason play.

“Because of the fact that we affiliated our team with the ACHA last season, even though we weren’t playing in the ACHA, that was considered our probation year. So this year we can play in the post-season.”

To be eligible to play in the post-season, ECC has to play18 games against ACHA teams. Twelve of them have to be against Division II opponents.

ECC is playing 26 games against ACHA opponents and 15 of them are against DII teams. So ECC has met the criteria, now they just have to win games, which they have been doing so far this season.

The great thing about this season for the Kats is that they had eight returning players from last season including five forwards, two defensemen and a goaltender.

Interestingly, ECC is the lone New York State-based junior college team that remains from the NJCAA. “I don’t know why the NJCAA did what they did,” concluded Rost. “We all knew it was coming last year.

“But we’re the only ones who still have a team still active this year. We plan for it to continue to be active for years to come.”

HOCKEY DAY IN LOCKPORT FEATURES HOWELL MOTORS HOCKEY HALL OF FAME INDUCTEES ANNOUNCEMENT

Alumni Hockey games and concluded with a Federation hockey game between Lockport High School and North To n a w a n d a High School.

There was also a free public skating session which featured a laser light show.

There was a special appearance by Sabertooth and The Lock Monster.

By Randy Schultz Photos by Janet & Randy Schultz

T

he Third Annual Howell Motors Hockey Day in Lockport was held on Saturday, Nov. 25 at the Cornerstone CFCU Arena in Lockport. The annual event had activities going on beginning at 8 a.m. with a pancake breakfast and lasted until 9 p.m. with the Girls Hockey Showcase featuring Amherst vs. Cazenovia.

“It was a very successful day with everything we had going on,” said Hockey Day chairperson, Bill Watson. “There were activities going on for everyone, no matter what their age.”

“Hockey Day In Lockport is a chance to bring hockey from the past and present and join it with hockey’s future,” commented Mike Landers, owner of Howell Motors. “It was also a chance for people from around the Western New York area to come and see Lockport, it’s beautiful hockey arena and what the city has to offer.”

Local and national celebrities, clowns and hockey greats from the past, present and future played hockey throughout the day.

A Lockport Lock Monster Youth Hockey Jamboree kicked off the day and was followed by two Lockport 44

Free family activities were also held including face painting, cookie decorating, balloon animals and a table featuring the Lockport Public Library crafts and books.

A large number of baskets were raffled off and a silent auction featuring autographed NHL hockey jerseys, photos and memorabilia was held.

A Sled Hockey Challenge was played featuring the Buffalo Sabres Veterans Team taking on a sled hockey team comprised on Lockport celebrities. U.S. Paralympic gold medalist Adam Page also made a special appearance prior to the start of the sled hockey contest.

One of the big highlights of the day was the naming of the Howell Motors Hockey Hall of Fame Class of 2018. The class includes Contributors: Mike Flahrety, The Lockport Lions Club and The John Long, Jr. Family.

Coaches: Doug Puff, Paul Earl and Bob Klaus.

Players: Kyle Allen, Gerry Franco, Mark Goodenough, Don Wynes, Dudley Jackson, Jeff Moran and David Blackley.

The induction ceremony will take place on May 5, 2018 at the Cornerstone CFCU Arena.

28

51

BY RANDY SCHULTZ

A

lthough it may seem hard to believe, but for a quarter of a century Edd Kirchberger has been coaching hockey teams in and around the Western New York area. He is currently head coach of the University of Buffalo ACHA D2 men’s hockey team.

It’s a team that has won two consecutive ACHA D2 National Championships and saw Kirchberger receive the UNYCHL Coach of the Year in 2017.

“Twenty-five years? Wow, that’s hard to believe,” stated Kirchberger when he began looking back on his hockey coaching career. “All I know is that’s it’s been a great ride.”

Kirchberger has been involved in hockey, either as a player or a coach, for most of his 60 years.

Playing the game is the easy part.

But what would make somebody get involved in the coaching aspect of the game and then remain in it for a quarter of a century?

“I think there was always the thought of the need to help others, especially when it came to introducing people to the game or teaching them about the game,” replied Kirchberger.

“Then when my daughters came along and we found out that the Regals had a girl’s program, I got them involved in their program and they liked it.

“For me, it basically took off from there. I always thought that if I could help younger kids improve their game and not make the mistakes I made when I was a kid I was accomplishing something.

“I know that I’ve had my ups

and downs as a coach, but if I had to do it all over again I would.”

Over 25 years Kirchberger has coached at all levels of hockey. He began at the 10U and 12U levels with the Buffalo Regals. He also coached the 19U and 20U levels with the Wom-

Coaching Is In His Blood!

en’s Senior teams.

He moved over to Cazenovia where he coached the 16U, 17U and 18U teams. The East Lovejoy, Buffalo, NY native also coached the beginners.

“I really enjoyed working with the kids and teaching them how to skate,” said Kirchberger. “I wanted to teach them to enjoy the game.

“To me, enjoyment of the game is what hockey is all about.”

Not bad for a guy who learned to skate and play the game on an outdoor piece of ice at Hennepin Park in the Lovejoy District.

Kirchberger played Junior Hockey for the Blackhawks, West Seneca Cougars and then the Buffalo Jr. 47

Sabres.

After a year with the Decatur (IL) Blues, a semi-professional team in the Continental Hockey League, Kirchberger returned home to settle down.

As is the case with most hockey coaches, coaching doesn’t pay the bills. Being married with three daughters, Kirchberger needed a job.

For 30 years Kirchberger drove truck for a Buffalo, NYbased freight company. He retired eight years ago.

Besides the hockey that flows through Kirchberger’s blood, cars are also in his blood. For 10 years Edd raced cars at Holland Speedway.

Today, during his off-season, you can find Edd with his Corvette. And if he’s not with his Corvette Edd spends time with his grandson Dom. “He’s my little buddy who spends a lot of time with me,”

commented Edd. “Dominic, along with the rest of my family, was there when we won our second National Championship.

“That was extra special having family at an event like that. Family is number one with me.

”It was great holding the championship at home on your own turf.”

Three players who are “close” to Kirchberger are his three daughters including Ashley, Sarah and Nikki.

“I taught them to always play hard, be fair and skate your butt off,” stated Kirchberger. “And I also told them to always keep their feet moving and keep the puck moving.

“But I never interfered with any of their coaches on the teams they played for. That was my rule.”

And through it all Edd and his wife, Robyn, have had quite a ride.

“We have a lot of great memories,” added Edd. “We made a lot of friends along the way.

“It’s been great.”

Kirchberger summed himself up with one phrase.

Like Popeye says, “I am what I am and that’s all that I am.”

He’s Edd Kirchberger the hockey coach.

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BUFFALO THUNDER HOCKEY

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he Buffalo Thunder Special Hockey Team played in a weekend tournament at HarborCenter. Here they took on the Cougars and played them to a 4-4 tie.

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Western New York Men’s College Hockey Report

by Warren Kozireski

Wkozires@brockport.edu

BROCKPORT Freshman defenseman Casey Winn (Webster) netted his first collegiate goal Nov. 4 at Buffalo State and Ryan Romeo (Fairport) scored his first Oct. 27 in his first game at King’s.

The team defeated Plattsburgh on the road for the second consecutive season after not accomplishing the feat since the series began in 1977.

BUFFALO STATE Sloan native and senior Ian Sylves made 19 saves in his first collegiate shutout for Buffalo State--3-0 over Lebanon Valley Nov. 11.

Freshman forward Connor Zak (Amherst) scored his first collegiate goal Nov. 10 versus Chatham.

CANISIUS Junior forward Dylan McLaughlin (Lancaster) was named the Atlantic Hockey Conference Player of the Month for October after he recorded multiple points in four of five contests. Included was his first collegiate hat trick (the 20th player in the Division I history of the program).

Sophomore forward Nick Hutchison (Hicksville) was named the Atlantic Hockey Conference Offen-

sive Player of the Week Oct. 17 after he recorded three power play goals in a split of their season-opening series against Robert Morris.

Junior defenseman Jimmy Mazza (Kings Park) netted his first career shorthanded goal—the gamewinner Oct. 28 against Air Force.

Senior Ryan Schmelzer (Buffalo) recorded his 10th career game-winning goal with his third-period tally, moving him into sole possession of second place on the program’s career game-winning goals list.

FREDONIA Sophomore forward Tyler Riter (Orchard Park) netted his first collegiate goal Nov. 17 at Cortland while freshman Josh Biasillo (Orchard Park) did the same Nov. 10 against Lebanon Valley.

“We’re making progress and progress is good,” head coach Jeff Meredith said. “We played 30 minutes with a one-goal lead against a good Cortland team, so that’s good for your team to be in those situations.”

The team will send all of December and all but two dates in January on home ice.

GENESEO Sophomore Conlan Keenan (Penfield) stood among the top-15 in the nation in points per game and topten in goals per game to lead the Knights to a 7-1 start.

NAZARETH Freshman Ray Falso (Skaneateles) scored his first collegiate goal Nov. 10 against Elmira.

Senior Oliver Janzen stood two goals from 30 career and three points from the 70 mark as of the end of November.

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Niagara’s 6-3-1 start was the best in program history since the 2007-08 season and the fourth best in the 22 year history of the program.

Junior Taylor Lomsnes set a career high with nine goals in his first 11 games. He scored six goals over his first 52 games.

“First I have to give credit to my linemates, who are really helping me out,” Lomsnes said after the game in Cornell. I’ve been pretty lucky right now, so hopefully we can keep it going.”

Freshman Zach Mills netted his first collegiate goal at Cornell Nov. 21.

R.I.T. The Tigers were 6-2 to start their conference slate— their best start in many years.

Junior Erik Brown was top-five in the nation in goals per game as of the end of November with nine goals over his first 12 contests.

Former Tiger goaltender Mike Rotolo (Greece) has been named an assistant coach with Cedar Rapids RoughRiders of the USHL. Rotolo returns to his former junior stomping grounds—he played in 63 games in goal for the Green Bay Gamblers and Cedar Rapids during the 2011-2012 and 2012-2013 seasons.

NIAGARA

OTHER AREA NOTES:

Defenseman Noah Delmas stood tied for first in the nation in scoring by defensemen with 16 points and was top five among all players in assists per game.

“Honestly if you look at my assists, it’s never highlights or whatever, it’s just me moving the puck and my teammates doing the job,” Delmas said. “We play a whole new game that kind of fits my style a little more. Coach Lammers says he wants us to have the most points in the league as a d-corps, so we create a lot more offense and not as much chip and go like last year and we get more involved in the play.”

• Williamsville native Paul Berrafato was named Atlantic Conference Goalie of the Week for the period ending Oct. 23 and Nov. 14 after he totaled 44 saves and posted his seventh and eighth career shutouts.

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dressed the exact same way each time and doing the same stretch routine.

This season Ben hopes to score more goals and advance as a player becoming bigger, faster and stronger and to get on a college team.

Once graduated from college he hopes to land a stable job that he loves.

Buffalo Stars Buffalo Regals Players of the Week/ Month

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he Buffalo Regals Junior Team will “spotlight” a player on a weekly basis. Our first Spotlight Player for the week ending October 13th is Captain Ben Gallivan.

Ben is a forward from Kenmore and played with the NY Applecore. He graduated from high school in 2015 and plans to become a DEC Officer.

His favorite NHL team is the Buffalo Sabres and his favorite player is Patrick Kane, although he feels he resembles Ryan O’Reilly.

North Dakota is his favorite college team.

When not playing hockey he enjoys fishing and hunting and watching “How I Met Your Mother.”

Among his other favorites are the movie “Forest Gump,” chipotle food, EDM mustic.

Ben/Benny’s superhero/personal hero is his Dad because he is an overall great guy who gets along with everyone and can talk to you about anythig on top of just being a great Dad. Ben listed his role model as Jaromir Jagr because he never gives up and he defies odds every day that he still plays pro hockey.

Ben’s most memorable hockey moment is his first junor goal.

He has a pregame ritual which includes getting

he Buffalo Stars Youth Spotlight Player of the Week ending October 15 is Colin Thomas of the U16 AA team.

Colin is 16 years old and plays center. He resides in Buffalo and is an 11th grader.

Colin’s favorite subject is science as he works towards a career in the medical field.

His favorite NHL player is Sidney Crosby and his favorite college team is Boston University.

Colin enjoys anything that has to do with hockey but does take time for Rap music, “Gotham” and the movie “Shooter (2007).

His superhero is Batman.

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Congratulations Cazenovia Chiefs Bantam Mixed

Around WNY:

...North Tonawanda native Dina Allen has been selected as a referee for the women’s ice hockey competition at the 2018 Olympics in Pyeongchang, South Korea. We congratulate her and wish her well on this exciting venture. ...Our condolences to the family of William Patrick Lynch Sr., founder of the Depew Saints Hockey Association. Lynch passed away on December 5. Please keep him and his family in your prayers.

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