February 2015 by NY Hockey OnLine

NY HOCKEY FEBRUARY 2015 VOLUME 4 ISSUE 5

E-MAGAZINE

It’s Championship Season!

TIC, TAC, Toe-Save Be There. Be Square.

bobjanosz.com (716) 308-9224

In This Issue: AAU....................................................... 48 Bailey, Justin...................................... 15 Buffalo Regals/Bisons..................... 49 Buffalo Regals Review.................... 54 Buffalo Stars...................................... 45 Central Section................................. 21 Coaching with Gridley................... 13 East Section....................................... 28 Girls Moving Up..................................7 Hamburg Hawks.............................. 52 Hilton’s Coon..................................... 16 Hudson Valley High........................ 29 Iroquois Hockey............................... 42 Janosz Goaltending...........................9 Janosz on Summer.......................... 12 Lockport’s Cornerstone................. 39 Lockport’s Dillon Hayes................. 11 McCollum Called Up....................... 19 North Section.................................... 32 NYS Honoree Brandon................... 14 Queens (NY)Greco.......................... 17 Troy Albany Skate............................ 36 USA Women.........................................4 West Section..................................... 37 Who’s Clendening........................... 18 WNYGVIH..................................... 38, 44 WNY Girls Select.............................. 56

Dear Readers: Here we are in the middle of winter as well as being in the middle of the hockey season. There is no doubt that large amounts of snow and very cold temperatures have hit the State of New York from coast to coast. It seems as though nobody has been spared. In this issue of NY Hockey E-Magazine we have covered a wide range of hockey topics ranging from the NHL right down to the grass roots of the game. We offer our heartfelt condolences to our longtime friend a hockey columnist, Chuck Gridley. Chuck’s father, a great hockey enthusiast, passed away. Please take a moment to read Chuck’s column as he pays tribute to his dad. We also want to take a moment to also offer condolences to a young hockey player, Dillon Hayes, who also lost his father unexpectedly. Dillon, who plays hockey for the Lockport Express, a junior team, is an amazing young man who paid a tribute to his dad in a different way, as you will find out when you read his story. Congratulations go out to the four high school girl’s hockey teams that participated in this year’s New York State Girls HS Hockey Championships at Harborcenter in Buffalo. The young ladies from Thousand Islands/Alexandria Bay, Beekmantown, Kenmore and Massena High Schools put on great performances, with Massena eventually winning the State title. Koz also has a heartwarming story of a young hockey player who plays the game with only one good eye. You will also be introduced to one of NYS newest hockey rinks in Lockport. You may also notice that Janet isn’t the only person supplying us with photos. We would like to thank all of you who have contributed photos, as well as stories, for us to use in the magazine. It is truly appreciated. Please continue to send us your stories and photos. We would also like to thank all of our advertisers for their continued support. Finally, please continue to spread the word of our magazine and web page. Pass it along to your friends so that our readership continues to grow. For now just hang in there with the snow and cold. Remember, baseball’s spring training begins this month. Spring and warm weather is just around the corner. Best Wishes, Randy Schultz Publisher, NY Hockey E-Magazine

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

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

Publisher &Managing Editor Randy Schultz Randy@nyhockeyonline.com

Designer/Photographer Janet Schultz Janet@nyhockeyonline.com

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

www.nyhockeyonline.com

USA Hockey / Page 4

USA Women Take Gold!

U.S. Women’s National Under-18 Team captain Jincy Dunne scored the goldmedal clinching goal in a thrilling, 3-2, overtime victory against familiar foe Canada in the 2015 International Ice Hockey Federation Under-18 Women’s World Championship at HarborCenter in Buffalo. Canada took the lead, scoring at 3:14 of the first period. However, the U.S. tallied the equalizer when Dunne skated end-toend and roofed a backhand shot in the top right corner in with 33 seconds left in the frame. In the second stanza, the U.S. notched the go-ahead goal at the 15-minute mark when Alyssa Gorecki, standing between the hash marks, one-timed a shot between the pads of Canadian goaltender Marlene Boissonnault. Canada rallied and evened the game at two just 3:28 later. The score would stand through the third period filled

with end-to-end action, including another Dunne scoring chance that was kept out only by the knob of Boissonnault’s stick, sending the game to overtime. In the extra frame, Dunne wristed a shot from the top of the right circle through traffic, giving the U.S. its first Under-18 Women’s Worlds gold medal since 2011. In the Bronze medal game it was Russia over Czech Republic 5-1. Russia got on the boards at 40 seconds into the first period on a shot by Alevtina Shtarysisted by Anna Shokhina and Fanuza

ova, asKadirova. The scored remained 1-0 until 20:27 of the second when Kadirova got one past Czech’s netminder, Blanka Skodova. However, Czech answered back at 22:50 with their first only goal of the game off the stick of Kkaterina Bukolska. The assist came from Noemi Neubauerova. Russia’s Yekaterina Likhachyova scored what was the game

Have NYHOL Sent to YOUR E-Mail Box! Send Janet@nyhockeyonline.com your address NOW!

www.nyhockeyonline.com winner at 30:18 and the second period ended 2-1. It was all Russia in scoring in the third with goals by Kristina Korotkikh and Anna Shokhina. That period was also marked with the most penalties. Russia’s Valeria Tarankanova faced 24 shots-on-goal and Czech’s Blanka Skodova stopped 29 of the 34 shots put in by Russia. Finland faced Sweden in the consolation matchup and beat them 3-0. For the USA the top three players of the game were Jincy Dunne, Melissa Samoskevich and Kaitlin Burt. For Canada, Micah Hart, Elizabeth Giguere and Sara Potomak. Dunne also was named the top defensive player of the Tournament. The top Goaltender went to Russia’s Valeria Tarakanova and for Forward it was Canada’s Potomak. The 2016 competition will be held in St. Catherines, Ontario.

USA Hockey / Page 5

USA’s Jincy Dunne took Player of the Game and Defenseman of the Tournament honors.

USA’s Melissa Samoskevich was named Player of the Game in the Gold Medal round. Below, a familiar face to some of us was Canada’s Sarah Quaranta, a native of Niagara Falls, Ontario.

Goldtender Kaitlin Burt was named a Player of the Game in the Gold Medal Round.

Have NYHOL Sent to YOUR E-Mail Box! Send Janet@nyhockeyonline.com your address NOW!

www.nyhockeyonline.com

USA Hockey / Page 6

Have NYHOL Sent to YOUR E-Mail Box! Send Janet@nyhockeyonline.com your address NOW!

www.nyhockeyonline.com

By Janet Schultz

Around New York/ Page 7

Moving to the Next Level!

earn to Skate, Mites, Pee Wee, Squirts, boys or girls. All on a path to where? For four girls from New York State the path is leading them to training with the USA Developmental program. They will then look at futures in collegiate hockey and perhaps on the National Team or in Europe. Jenny Ryan, Emily Pfalzer, Dana Trivigno and Emily Janiga were selected to attend the USA 2015 Training Camp in Minnesota earlier this season. USA Hockey has scouts and coaches that travel throughout the year watching players in their college or professional games. “I hadn’t been selected for a camp since the U18 World Championship,” said Ryan. “In December I received a call saying they thought my season was going well and invited me to the Winter camp.” Trivigno has been involved with the USA Program and invited to several camps and tournaments. “As a player continues to perform well, they will invite you back to camp,” said Trivigno. So what types of backgrounds is USA hockey looking at. Ryan began playing beginner hockey at 3 years of age. She played with the boys in the Perinton Blades program for the majority of her youth hockey. She also played a year with the Rochester Americans before making the move to girl’s hockey and the Rochester Edge. “In my sophomore year of high school I decided I wanted to leave home and play for the North American Hockey Academy,” said Ryan, who now plays for the University of Wisconsin Badgers. “I really like the competition and the fast pace of the game,” she continues. “It is very unique and I love being on the ice every day.” Pfalzer learned to skate on a backyard rink when she was two years old. At four she began playing for the Amherst Knights and up until 8th grade she

played for the boys. Heading for girl’s teams

she played for the Buffalo Bisons, Nichols School and ended her travel career playing for the Mississauga Junior Chiefs in Canada. “When I was little I wanted to do everything my two older brothers did. They would go out and skate and I’d be at the back door banging on it to go out,” said Pflazer. “My Mom wanted me to be a figure skater but I wanted to play hockey like my brothers.” Pflazer also played lacrosse, golf and softball but hockey was the sport she loved. “My brothers would always let me play, whether it was street hockey, knee hockey or ice hockey on our backyard rink.” Another little three year old took to the ice and instantly fell in love with the sport. Janiga began her career with the Depew Saints program where she was on the first girls team the organization sponsored. As organizations and women’s hockey grew in the Buffalo area she went to the Buffalo Bisons and then to the Rochester Edge. “I finished my travel years with the Burlington Barracudas of the PWHL. That led to me my current collegiate career at Mercyhurst,” she explained. Trivigno learned to skate in preschool at age 3. She grew up on Long Island playing for the Tier I AAA

NYHOL Wants Your News and Photos! Send it to Janet@nyhockeyonline.com

www.nyhockeyonline.com Long Island Royals from Squirt Major to Bantam Major. She then left home for Shattuck-St. Mary’s Prep School in Minnesota. She played for them from ninth to 12th grade, winning two national championships. She is now at Boston College. All four made commitments to the sport earlier on in their careers. All four, along with another New Yorker, Kelly Steadman, spent a week building their hockey skills and interacting with girls from across the country. We asked them what a typical day at training camp is like. “You usually get up between 6:45 and 7:30 a.m. to go to breakfast and then the rink,” explains Ryan. “There’s a warm-up and practice that lasts about an hour. Then its back to the dorms for lunch. “Usually I would try and take a nap during the down time because at 4 p.m. we were back to the rink to play a game against another team. “There are also meetings with the coaches at some point during the week.” she continued. Ryan says is an amazing opportunity to attend any type of USA function. The coaching staff, the strength and conditioning coaches and everyone at the camp has one goal--to make you a better hockey player. This was Ryan’s first camp and she felt the experience of being around girls who have been on the National team is a great opportunity. “Just playing at that level and at the speed makes you better,” said Ryan. “You are forced to make quicker decisions and play at a faster pace.” “I gain something different from every camp I attend,” said Pflazer. “The coaches watch and give you tips on different plays and I look forward to the opportunity to play against the best players in the country.” “Being invited is such as honor and I could not be more blessed,” said Janiga. “Being on the ice with some of the best girls in the country pushed me and helped develop my awareness and speed for the game.” “It was such a learning experience,” said Janiga. “I could not be more grateful to be among the smartest and most talented players in the country.” Trivigno agrees. “They bring out the best in me and make me a better player,” she says. “The coaches have an immense knowledge of hockey and it’s great learning from them for the week.” Up next for these girls is taking things day by day and developing their hockey skills.

Around New York / Page 8 All four have collegiate teams that are vying for playoff spots. “It’s always been my dream to play on the National Team, said Pfalzer, who will continue chasing that dream. Janiga, a junior at Mercyhurst, is looking to continue her career with the CWHL or possible heading off to Europe to play professionally. “I hope to one day play for Team USA in the Olympics,” said Trivigno. “But in the short term, I want to win a National Championship with Boston College. All four have a common thread running through them. They are competitors, they want to be the best in a sport they love. They love the speed of the game and the team and family atmosphere of the sport. “Through the friends I have made I realize how supportive and connected the hockey world is,” said Pfalzer. Ryan is the daughter of Michael and Joan Ryan and has one older sister, Megan. Her hometown is Victoria. Pfalzer, who is a native of Getzville (a town in North Buffalo) is the daughter of David and Jill. Her brother Matt played college hockey for SUNY Fredonia is now a law student at the University of Buffalo. Her brother Tom is at Boston College studying law. Janiga is a name familiar to those of us in WNY when it comes to hockey. Her parents are Leonard and Mabel. Her eight siblings include Michael, Austin, Katielynn, Marissa and Margaret who all played hockey in the Buffalo area. Marissa is at Chatham and Katielynn continues to play men’s club at the College of Charleston. She also has two other sisters, April and Catherine and a brother Nathan. Bob and Nancy Trivigno are Dana’s parents. Bob coaches hockey on Long Island and her 16-year-old brother Bobby followed her to Shattuck-St. Mary’s where he plays hockey as well. Watch for these young ladies as they work to fulfill their dreams of playing at the next level.

NYHOL Wants Your News and Photos! Send it to Janet@nyhockeyonline.com

www.nyhockeyonline.com

Around New York / Page 9 NET PLAY EVOLUTION By Bob Janosz

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

There have been recent advances in save techniques goalies use on plays around the net. I consider net plays as any shot or risk of a shot from the bottom of the circles to behind the net. See diagram below. The new save technique is called a “Post Lean” or “Reverse VH”. When used properly and in the right situation it can be a very effective save that provides a tighter post seal and better rebound control. Post leans have several parts and variations but I will try to keep the purpose and teaching points as simple as possible. It is important to note that the age, size, and flexibility of each goaltender will dictate how often and when to use this save skill.

Purpose. The purpose of this save is to seal the short side post from a down position while maintaining strength, balance, and mobility to be able to move laterally and vertically. The photo below shows a post lean on the blocker side. This is actually considered a “high” post lean because the goalie’s upper body is more upright. It should be used on plays further away to cover the top of the net better.

www.nyhockeyonline.com

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

Around New York/ Page 10

As you can see the goaltender has the short side sealed with the post leg down. The goaltender should also keep their inside leg up. This is to help provide strength on the post by the skate pushing the upper body into the post. Having the inside leg up also helps to transfer weight when moving laterally. The post side skate can seal the post 3 different ways. 1. Toe gap to post (the area of the pad between the toe of the skate and the bottom of the pad.) 2. Skate blade to post; 3. Shin of pad inside post. There are pros and cons with each method and ultimately the goaltender could end up using all 3 methods throughout the course of a game. Flexibility and size usually determine the best method to seal the post for each individual goaltender. The game situation may also determine what method to use. Below is a “paddle down” post lean used on wraparounds and when there is a backdoor option. The paddle provides a good seal and can also take away the passing lane.

Below is an example of a goaltender using a post lean to the glove side. Remember that this technique is only used when the puck is in the “net play” zone and there is a risk of wrap, jam, or pass out in tight. To the glove side the goaltender should have their backhand turned out to help block passes.

NYHOL Wants Your News and Photos! Send it to Janet@nyhockeyonline.com

www.nyhockeyonline.com

By Randy Schultz

Around New York / Page 11 especially under the circumstances. “But Dillon told me that his father had told him the night before that he was coming to the game. I think Dillon believed that his father would be there in some way for his game. “So I let him play. I made it Dillon’s night. “I let him pick the starting lineup. His lineup included Ryan Logar, Anthony Merante, Alex Bottenfield and Justin Durkee. Tyler Shotwell started in goal.” What happened next, according to Vecchio, could only have happened in Hollywood. Or maybe Brett Farve, as a starting quarterback for the Green Bay Packers during a nationally televised football game, only hours after his father had died. “You have to understand that Dillon is normally a third line player on our team,” stated Vecchio. “But what I’ve always liked about Dillon is that he plays with a lot of heart and determination. “He scored both of our regulation time goals, including the game tieing goal with just 47 seconds left in the game. We had to go to a shootout. “Don’t ask me why, but I put Dillon in as our fifth shooter. We went through our first four shooters without scoring. “Roc City went through all five of theirs and didn’t score. Dillon stepped up and scored the gamewinning goal. “The arena just exploded. Nobody could believe what they had just witnessed. “I couldn’t believe what I saw. There is no doubt in my mind that there was something special going on in our arena that night.” What Vecchio witnessed next left him speechless. “Right after Dillon scored, everyone came off our bench and mobbed him,” said Vecchio. “But then the entire Roc City team came over to Dillon, one by one, hugged him, shook his hand and offered up words of condolence to him. “Considering how the teams play against each other on the ice, hitting and fighting and all, this was just unbelievable. “It was a night that all of us in attendance will remember for a long time to come. It was special.”

Hayes Plays A Special Game

ockport Express coach Frank Vecchio says that he has seen a lot in his 30-plus years of being involved in hockey. But he will be the first one to admit that what he witnessed during an Express game in late January topped it all. Imagine that a young hockey player loses his father just hours before a game. The player goes out and plays the game of his life, scoring all three goals for his team in leading them to victory. What Vecchio was referring to happened over the course of a full day. It began early on the morning of Saturday, January 31. As the day began, the Lockport hockey coach’s thoughts drifted to the idea that the Express had a big game that night against their archrivals, the Roc City Royals. But Vecchio received a message from Dillon Hayes, a player on the Express team. The young Hayes’ father, Tim, had a massive heart attack and had died. For Vecchio the message had twice the impact that it should have. Not only was he feeling sorrow for his young player, but Tim Hayes was also Vecchio’s best friend. The elder Hayes was only 52. Just a year earlier he had a liver transplant. While the recovery was at times difficult, to say the least, things had been looking up for Tim. That was, until, the early morning hours of January 31. The Express coach headed immediately to the hospital where he spent a good portion of the afternoon with the Hayes family. “While I was there Dillon came over to me and told me that he was planning on playing that night,” recalled Vecchio. “I told him that he didn’t have to,

NYHOL Wants Your News and Photos! Send it to Janet@nyhockeyonline.com

www.nyhockeyonline.com

Summer Camps Can Make A Difference By Randy Schultz

ach summer hundreds of young hockey players go off to hockey camps. There are many hockey camps held throughout the United States and Canada for these young skaters to attend. Bob Janosz hosts one of these camps, with his specializing in goaltending. The veteran netminding coach pointed out why summer camps can make a difference in a youngster’s life. “The biggest thing is that a youngster will get the entire package with a summer camp,” said Janosz, using his camp as a key example. “The kids get two ice times per day. “The first one focuses on fundamentals. The second one in the afternoon deals more with game situations. “Plus we have classroom sessions where we deal with mental preparations. We do NHL game situations as well as NHL preparations. “We use a HD projector as well as other Stateof-the-Art equipment. We can draw on the screen as well as do slow motion. “We also video the students each day so they can see themselves. A lot of kids don’t get to see themselves very often when they are practicing. “We show them what they are doing right, as well as showing them what they can make improvements on.” Janosz also talked about all of the off-ice time students will spend at his camp. “It is all goalie specific,” continued the former pro netminder. “We deal with things that they should be doing off the ice. “We deal with things like dynamic warm-ups, flexibility, hand-eye coordination, strength and quickness.” Janosz also talked about those who prefer private training to summer camps. “There is a place for private training,” stated Janosz. “We do both. “But I think what is cool about a camp is that you

Around New York / Page 12 are learning from other goalies. You are constantly around a group of goalies, both as instructors and participants in the camp. “You’re talking with other goalies between drills, seeing what is working and what’s not working. That can be a really effective training tool. “We make sure that the ratio of instructor to student is 1:2 or 1:3. It is a personalized camp “Most of the staff members are goalies and have participated in this camp themselves when they were younger.” Janosz also admits that there isn’t really a lot of “down time” when it comes to his camp. “It goes from ice time, to class room to lunch then video analysis to back on the ice again,” remarked Janosz. “We do have fun throughout the day. “I think these kids are pretty well spent by the end of the day. We’ve learned a lot over the years of holding camps. “We’ve scaled a lot of things back to make things more interesting for the kids. We pack a lot into a week-long camp.” Janosz pointed out something new for his camp for the summer of 2015. “We email each participant a copy of their tape of what they have done,” said Janosz. “It features a voice-over made by the coach, as well other helpful tools to help each young goalie. “They will also get a written report each day. A lot of kids like that. “They get all of this at the end of each day. It helps them to prepare for the next day.” This year Janosz will be having a AAA camp, a camp that they had years ago, discontinued but they’re bringing it back again. They are also having clinics that are offered just once a week. “We try and cover everybody,” concluded Janosz. “We have camps for adults. “We also have camps for beginners. We have something for everyone. “We’ve been around for a number of years now. We run it like a well-oiled machine. “I think participants will enjoy it.”

NYHOL Wants Your News and Photos! Send it to Janet@nyhockeyonline.com

www.nyhockeyonline.com

Around New York/ Page 13

Hockey Dad

f you’re reading this article, I’m guessing that hockey is a big part of your life. It has played a very positive role in my life since my childhood. Most of the credit for that goes to my Father. He’s the one who got me involved in organized hockey, drove me to practices and games, then later paid to send me to hockey camp. I guess he did all the things that most hockey parents do for their kids. But our mutual connection to Blazers, the Syracuse the game did not end when I stopped Stars, and more recently playing competitively. It lasted a the Crunch. We cheered lifetime. My Dad died 3 weeks ago. New York District Coach in Chief on the Big Red at Lynah I was with him when he passed. Rink and Oswego at the Some of the last conversation’s we old barn. We saw a Stanhad involved hockey. It was part of ley Cup Final, a Calder our relationship right up to the end. Cup Final, the World Jr. Championships, and many college My Dad did not grow up playing hockey. In fact, he didn’t get interested in the game until he was in his 30’s. games. In recent years we attended local high school games, Some of the kids in my neighborhood played hockey, and and of course we went to watch “Pop Pops” grandchildren so I started skating and playing street hockey with them. I play in their youth hockey games. My Dad supported and quickly fell in love with the sport, and my Dad obviously cheered for each one of them, just as he had done for me. saw that. When I was 10 he signed me up to play at the local One of the teams I coach is an Initiation team…..4, rink. I loved it so much that I convinced him to let me play 5,and 6 yr. olds just starting to play hockey. Many of them on 2 teams the following year. Like all hockey parents back come to the rink with their Dad’s. I watch the Dad’s getting then, Dad would have to get me to the rink at ridiculous their sons ready for practice, and I remember those days 40 hours in the freezing cold. He drove me all over New York some odd years ago. I think of the many years of happiness and Canada so that I could play the game I loved. When I these father’s and son’s will get from their mutual love of got older, I ended up going to a Catholic high school that the game, and it makes me smile. did not have a hockey team. My Dad worked to bring hock- I was blessed to have had a great Dad. I was also blessed ey to the school. I was able to play 4 years of high school to have had the opportunity to share my love of hockey with him. I thanked him for that on many occasions. I want to hockey because of my Dad’s passion and hard work. After my playing career was over, I started coaching. take this opportunity to do it one last time. Dad was often in the stands, there to lend his support (and sometimes his advice). He loved the fact that I enjoyed Thanks Dad! coaching. As time went on, I became very involved with Chuck Gridley USA Hockey in the Coaching Education Program. He was New York District Coach in Chief very proud that, and was happy to tell anyone who would ask him about the “USA Hockey” emblem on his jacket. We loved watching hockey games together. In the last 30 years I have gone to countless games with my Dad. We saw NHL games together. We went to see the Syracuse

COACHING WITH CHUCK GRIDLEY

NYHOL Wants Your News and Photos! Send it to Janet@nyhockeyonline.com

www.nyhockeyonline.com

Around New York / Page 14

Story and Photo By Janice Cavaretta

New York’s Tom Branden Recognized

om Branden was the recipient of the USAH President’s Award of Excellence which was presented to him Sunday January 18, 2015 in Orlando Florida at the USAH winter meeting. USA Hockey President Ron DeGregorio honored Tom with the award recognizing his outstanding leadership, dedication, contributions and service to youth hockey, USAH and NY hockey stating, “Tom has given tirelessly to registration, member services and most importantly to the game. He has gone above and beyond expectations on behalf of USAH in promoting our sport”. Tom has been involved with many aspects of the game, and has seen it develop into the sport we know now. In his second term as the chair of the registrars section, Tom has embraced and assisted in the transition to the new web based registry which is making registration and the duties of the registrar much easier. He will continue assisting USAH in long term planning, centralizing data and using technology to further evolve the role of the registrar. Tom Branden started in hockey in 1987 when his son Mark began playing in the Buffalo Regals House Program. It did not take long for the club to recognize his leadership, talents and his willingness to volunteer and get involved. Over the next 14 years, he served as manager for various teams, board member and assisted with tournaments, local hockey events and fund raisers with both the Regals and Saints hockey clubs. He broadened his horizons as a board member of the Empire West Hockey League before being appointed USAH Associated Registrar in 1994 where he served for 6 years before his promotion to USAH District Registrar for NY in 2000. Tom has also managed the Empire State Hockey teams over the years and is an integral part of the player development for NY. Additionally, he is a level 4 coach, has taken many of the age specific module training, has been a team leader and has traveled with the U20 National Team overseas. Currently he is serving on the board of the Buffalo Sled Vets and when he is not working on something administratively for hockey you can find him at HARBORCENTER assisting with tournaments and providing guidance to the next generation of hockey volunteers. Even though Tom Branden has never played the game,

his impact over the last 28 years has been tremendous. His leadership, dedication and passion to this great game, along with the countless volunteer hours, administrative skills, the instilling of direction and mentorship in whatever he does to help the hockey community, the game and most importantly the players, is above all others. Congratulations to Tom on the reception of this prestigious award and recognition of all his efforts. The President’s Award is selected by USA Hockey President, Ron DeGregorio. Since 2008, these awards have been presented at the USA Hockey Annual Congress and the Winter Meeting. The award is presented to an individual who has performed outstanding service and dedication to USA Hockey.

NYHOL Wants Your News and Photos! Send it to Janet@nyhockeyonline.com

www.nyhockeyonline.com

Around New York/ Page 15

FUTURE SABRES: JUSTIN BAILEY By Warren Kozireski Photo Credit: Dan Hamilton, Kitchener Rangers Hockey Club

ustin Bailey had ties to Buffalo before he even realized that hockey was his calling instead of following in his father, former Buffalo Bills linebacker Carlton’s footsteps. He and his mother lived in the same condo complex as Matthew Peca, Matthew Barnaby and Rob Ray. And the Sabres second round selection (52nd overall) in the 2013 National Hockey League Entry Draft and former Buffalo Regals player also found former Sabres Pat Lafontaine, who coached him to a 2012 Under-16 national title with the Long Island Royals midget team while allowing the youngster to live with his family. Fast forward several years and Bailey is in his final junior hockey season now in Sault Ste. Marie after a January trade from Kitchener, where he was the leading scorer. “There is always room for improvement,” Bailey said in early January. “A couple of times I had grade A chances that I didn’t execute, but overall I’m doing all I can to help the team. I had a good start and now I’m looking forward to the rest of the season.” Part of that was the disappointment at not making Team USA for the 2015 World Junior tournament. “My end goal is not to be a world junior hockey player, but an NHL hockey player with a long career, but I think I deserved to be on that team 100%. I don’t think I’m trying to prove them wrong as much as playing my game and maybe they’ll look back and see what could have been if I was on that team.” Bailey would have brought his 6’3”, 202 lb. frame to the World Junior team and, as the tournament played out, Team USA could have used his big body to control play a

little more in the corners and along the boards. But he is now part of the Greyhounds build up to compete for a Memorial Cup this spring. “That’s how it is in the NHL, get it deep and getting on the body. There are times where I could be a little more physical, but I think that’s part of the learning process for me.” The Sabres, and likely the Rochester Americans, may be wise to consider using Bailey on any future shootouts as he stood among the league leaders in shootout goals as of early January. Prior to the 2013 draft, The Hockey News Draft Preview had one anonymous scout say about Bailey that “if he can become the sum of his parts, he’ll be a home run pick. If not, he’ll be a prospect on a longer curve with lots of upside.” “I had a really good summer working out with the Sabres and that paid off for me huge in the beginning of the year,” Bailey said about his brief time in Sabres prospect camp.

(Continued on Page 20)

Have NYHOL Sent to YOUR E-Mail Box! Send Janet@nyhockeyonline.com your address NOW!

www.nyhockeyonline.com

HILTON’S COON OVERCOMING OBSTACLES By Warren Kozireski

f you sit in the stands and watch a Hilton high school hockey game, you wouldn’t notice much different about Hilton junior forward Jake Coon. He skates well, is aggressive on the fore-check, covers the point when a defenseman is moving up into the offensive zone, is on the first penalty killing unit and isn’t afraid to set up camp at the side of the net and fend off opposing defensemen. Just like dozens of other players in Section V and high school hockey leagues across the state. But Coon does it all with one eye. “I was two years old and my dad noticed a little white spot in my eye,” Coon said. “He took me to the doctors and I was diagnosed with Retinoblastoma, which is cancer in the eye. “The only way to get rid of it was to remove my eye, but they couldn’t find a doctor (locally) to do it and finally we found one in Philadelphia that would do the operation.” But having one eye hasn’t deterred or kept him from pursuing the game of hockey that he loves. “I have to keep my head on a swivel more, but I wouldn’t really know the difference in the first place. I’ve never had a concussion or anything. “I grew up and was taught to play the game physical. Growing up (in the Monroe County Youth Hockey system) my coach has always been Scott Metcalfe, so he really put that into my head about the physical game.” His name is on a banner hanging on the wall at Lakeshore Hockey Arena for the 2010-11 Blue Division Champions in Pee Wee Major AA team he was on that was coached by Metcalfe, among others. “Jake and my son (Tanner) started playing hockey together and were on the ice together since they were three or four years old,” the Rochester Americans Hall of Famer and former first round draft pick of the Edmonton Oilers Scott Metcalfe said. “At a young age he was an unbelievable skater, so we

Around New York

/ Page 16

focused on that he could fly like the wind and the fact that he loves the game and he plays so hard. “You could see early on that sometimes, if he was in a certain area, that he didn’t see the ice very well. But later he adapted his game to his body’s ability.” Coon was a team manager for Hilton in his freshman year, a third-line player as sophomore and now is seeing a regular shift on the second line as well as the penalty kill and second power-play unit as a junior. And selected by his teammates as an assistant captain this season. “He is a great student and a tremendous leader, and the fact he is one of our assistant captains this year wasn’t because of anything that happened as a kid,” Hilton head coach Chris Monfiletto said. “It’s because he is a true leader.” “Every single thing we do in the summer he is participating and is the hardest working guy we have. This year was great to see because, even in our summer workouts, he was one of the more vocal guys getting guys going and the other players look up to him. “It’s funny because, being high school kids, they spend more time busting each other’s chops rather than being positive, but the other guys truly respect him and listen when he speaks.” As with every high school hockey player in New York State, Coon wears a full face shield to protect the entire head and facial region, critical for his situation. On their website, the New York State Health Department recommends that “If your child has functionally lost the use of one eye, make sure they wear appropriate protection (e.g., safety glasses) to protect their other eye during all sports and recreational activities.” Obvious, but the risk doesn’t stop Coon from pursuing his love of the game. He had two goals with two assists over 20 games in his sophomore season and already had three assists and one goal over the first 13 games this season. He netted his first varsity goal Dec. 13, 2013—the game-winner in a 4-2 win over Spencerport. He registered his first assist two games later. “He really lets his actions speak on the ice, the way he just goes each and every shift,” added Monfiletto. “There is no ‘down’ button on him. He plays the game the way the game should be played with everything he does. (Continued on Page 20)

Have NYHOL Sent to YOUR E-Mail Box! Send Janet@nyhockeyonline.com your address NOW!

www.nyhockeyonline.com

BIG Road to The Joe Chasing the hockey dream has been a long run for Buckeyes’ Greco Friday, 01.16.2015 By Craig Peterson Editorial Assistant | DetroitRedWings.com

ost adolescent boys are consumed by video games, TV show schedules and junk food, not yet responsible enough to manage their laundry and hygiene, let alone fend for themselves on a daily basis. But for Ohio State forward Anthony Greco, his pursuit of a hockey dream was just beginning at 12 years old when he decided to move away from the comforts of home in Queens, N.Y., and attend one of the nation’s most elite hockey schools in the country, Shattuck-St. Mary’s in Faribault, Minnesota. “I went on a visit and ended up getting into the school,” Greco said. “I went and lived in the dorms with two guys I actually knew from New York and it was definitely an adjustment. I think at the time at the age I was that I thought I was mature and old enough to go off on my own and didn’t really understand why my mom was so upset when she saw me leave. It was definitely a learning experience.” At SSM, Greco faced a rigorous seven-month schedule playing between 50-75 games per season and often skating seven days a week. The school has groomed the likes of Jonathan Toews, Sidney Crosby and Nathan MacKinnon but for the undersized, pre-teen Greco who was barely 5-foot tall and 100 pounds, the pressures were overwhelming at times. “It was just being away from my family and not getting to go home and have mom’s meals and see dad and talk to

Around New York / Page 17 dad about hockey,” he said. “It was basically one phone call every day. The transition was easier because I was around some guys I knew. I had two really good roommates. But a bad game was the end of the world at that age, there’s no one to bounce it off of because you’re trying to figure things out on your own. It took me a pretty long time to mature and I think it’s still a process that I’m working at.” Now a third-year forward for the Buckeyes and still somewhat undersized (5-foot-10 and 171 pounds), Greco has developed into a lethal goal scorer and is off to the strongest start to a season in his career. With nine goals, Greco leads Ohio State and surpassed his previous career high of five goals from a season ago. He has become a difference maker in Columbus, having recorded the gamewinning goal in three of the team’s seven wins this season including an overtime goal in last Friday’s 5-4 win against Penn State. After spending nearly half of his life pursuing an opportunity to play at the next level, Greco finds himself on the cusp of making the dream a reality thanks to his clutch play and timely goal scoring. Fueled by the support of his family, Greco is motivated to fulfill his aspirations of playing professional hockey whether it is in the NHL or in Europe. “That’s the reason why I’m playing,” Greco said. “To make it as far as I can for them and for all the sacrifices that they have made and my brothers have made and that’s a motivating factor for me aside from actually loving the game and wanting to make it for myself. In the end, I want it to be worth it for everyone who had a part in it.” Sacrifices may be putting it lightly as his mom, Mary Jane, at one point moved to Minnesota to support her son and his dream, while his father, Paul, remained in New York City working as a fire fighter. Then, just as Paul retired from the fire department and joined his family in Minnesota, Mary Jane landed a position as a registered nurse back in New York. Torn between their own professions and their child’s dreams, the Grecos were reduced to a few holiday breaks and summer vacations to enjoy family time together. “My parents are the hardest working people I know,” Greco said. “To sacrifice not being with each other for this long and not getting to see each other as much as some other families, I want to do everything I can to make them know that it was worth it and I’ve appreciated it the whole way.” (Reprinted with Permission)

NYHOL Wants Your News and Photos! Send it to Janet@nyhockeyonline.com

www.nyhockeyonline.com

Around New York / Page 18

Who Is Adam Clendening? By Tyson Giuriato With Permission of Vancouver Canucks

hen the Vancouver Canucks acquired Adam Clendening from the Chicago Blackhawks Thursday night, many took to Google to figure out more about the newest member of the organization. Puck-moving defencemen that can quarterback the power-play. Highly-skilled. Can get his shots through to the net. Top prospect. NHL-ready. Those are just some of the things floating around about the 5-foot-11, 190-pounder. He is listed as being from Niagara Falls, NY, as well as Wheatfield, NY, and is also mentioned to be from North Tonawanda, NY… He was born on October 26, 1992. He is the son of Ann and Frank Clendening. He was on the varsity golf team at Niagara-Wheatfield High School before moving to Toronto where he lived with former NHL forward Steve Thomas, and at the time of this writing, he has 8,360 followers on Twitter (@Clenny5). Oh, one more thing: According to an article in the Niagara Gazette, he won a handwriting contest back in 2001. Timeline of Adam Clendening: 2007-08: Clendening decided to move up to Toronto to play midget hockey in a more competitive environment with the Toronto Marlboros, where he lived with, and was coached by, former NHL player Steve Thomas. 2008-09: Joined the U.S. National Development Program as an underage player on their Under-18 squad, where he won a gold medal at the 2009 Under-18 Championship. 2009-10: Again played on the U.S. Under-18 squad, winning another gold medal at the 2010 Under-18 Championship. He led the tournament in goals, assists, points and plus/minus by a defenceman. 2010-11: Enrolled in his freshman season at Boston University, where he was a teammate of Justin Courtnall, son of former Canucks great, Geoff, and an invitee to the 2011 Canucks Prospects Development Camp. That season, Clendening led the Terriers in assists, while also tallying the

most points among blue-liners. He was named to the Hockey East All-Rookie Team, and was an honorable mention for the Hockey East All-Star team, the lone freshmen to receive that recognition. June 2011: His freshman season led to him being drafted in the second round, 36th overall, by the Chicago Blackhawks. Upon being selected, Clendening was asked my media to give a scouting report on himself: “I am a guy that can quarterback the power play, a puck-moving defencemen that can make a good first pass out of his own zone, but also be responsible in his own end. Just an all-around efficient guy.” 2011-12: Again led the Terriers in points among defencemen, this time being named a Hockey East First Team All-Star. That same season, he was named to the U.S. World Junior squad, where he amassed five points (1-4-5) in six games. 2012-13: Clendening decided to forego his final two seasons at Boston University in order to turn pro. In his first professional season, he led all Rockford IceHogs defencemen with 46 points (9-37-46) in 73 games and played in the AHL All-Star Game. His 37 assists led the entire league among blue-liners, helping him be named to the AHL Second All-Star Team. 2013-14: Put up impressive numbers one again, leading the IceHogs in scoring with 59 points (12-47-59) in 74 games. He was named to the AHL First All-Star Team. 2014-15: Played 38 games with the IceHogs, while also suiting up in four games with the Chicago Blackhawks, scoring one goal and added one assist, before being acquired by the Canucks.

Have NYHOL Sent to YOUR E-Mail Box! Send Janet@nyhockeyonline.com your address NOW!

www.nyhockeyonline.com

McCollum Gets First Win By Bill Roose – Managing Editor, DetroitRedWings.com Photos by Janet Schultz

he back of Tom McCollum’s goalie mask serves as a reminder to him. The green freeway sign painted on the back panel with an off-ramp arrow and the word “Detroit” was quite meaningful Sunday night for the 25-year-old who has played in 155 minor-league games before earning his first victory in the National Hockey League. “Took a lot of different exits, about 17 different detours and I think it went the wrong way 10 times too,” McCollum said. “Fortunately I found my way on the right path and the team played fantastic in front of me, which really made it a lot easier.” Once considered the heir apparent to the Wings’ starting spot, the former first-round draft pick plummeted on the

Around New York / Page 19 organization’s depth chart following his only other NHL appearance nearly four years ago. Now the team’s fourth-string goalie, McCollum basked in a night, which he often thought may never come. “At one point I was starting to (wonder), but after hearing that Howie’s gonna be out for a couple of weeks I was sort of hoping that I was going to get a chance,” he said. “Obviously you’d like that to come from a start, but things happen and fortunately we were able to take advantage of the situation.” McCollum got that chance in a relief appearance as the Red Wings scored five straight times to overcome a threegoal deficit en route to a 6-4 win over the Buffalo Sabres at Joe Louis Arena. McCollum’s work load wasn’t overly labor intensive. He faced just nine shots in 46:23 with a lone blemishing coming at 8:31 of the third period on Tyler Ennis’s second goal of the game. “After this journey it’s extremely exciting,” McCollum said. “It definitely makes you hungry for more and hopefully I can get another crack at it.” McCollum was pressed into service after starter Petr Mrazek surrendered three goals on six shots to the worst scoring team in the league. The Sabres did something in the first 20 minutes of a game that they’ve managed to do just 11 times in regulation this season – that’s score at least three goals. Goals by Drew Stafford, Ennis and Chris Stewart chased Mrazek from the crease at 13:37 of the opening period. Enter McCollum, just the third goalie in team history ever selected in the first round of the NHL draft. He was the No. 30 overall selection in the 2008. With long-term injuries sidelining starter Jimmy Howard (groin) and veteran backup Jonas Gustavsson (shoulder), the Red Wings were forced to dip into their minorleague system for goaltending help. The plan was to let Mrazek be the workhorse in the absence of the team’s top two netminders, but Buffalo’s first-period blitzkrieg made it necessary to insert McCollum, who had little time to prepare for his second career appearance. “I really didn’t have any time to think about it,” he said. “Honestly didn’t even see the third goal go in. I was looking down at the face-off sheet then I heard everybody kind of groan, and then (coach Mike Babcock) was telling me to go in. So I didn’t really have time to think about it. Just get your stuff and get out there. Make the best out of it.” (Continued on Page 20)

Have NYHOL Sent to YOUR E-Mail Box! Send Janet@nyhockeyonline.com your address NOW!

www.nyhockeyonline.com (Bailey Continued from Page 15)

“I think every summer I get bigger and stronger because obviously every kid who is 19 can add more size so hopefully when I play in the NHL I’ll have another 10-15 lbs. on me. “My first year (summer camp) was an eye-opener. I just got drafted and I’m kind of the new guy. I worked all summer with the Sabres and I grew pretty close to some of the guys. My first year was just kind of an experience and my second year (summer) my goal was to make the team. That was my mindset and I felt a lot more comfortable knowing a lot of the guys and now I’m just looking forward to next (Hilton Continued from Page 16)

“He’s 5’4” and maybe 130 lbs. and he plays like he’s 6’5”, 250 lb. He is truly an impact player for us on our team.” Evidence of that in a January game at Lakeshore against Webster-Schroder. An offensive zone faceoff with Coon at left wing. As his center is winning the faceoff back to the point, he screens the defenseman from pursuit of the puckcarrier, who has an open lane to the net where he puts his wrist shot behind the goaltender. No official assist on his team’s goal since he didn’t touch the puck, but he was an integral part of the scoring play, just as it was drawn up by the coaching staff and gone (McCollum Continued from Page 19)

The Red Wings rallied from their three-goal deficit as four different forwards scored, including captain Henrik Zetterberg, who produced the sixth hat trick of his career. McCollum didn’t have much work, making two saves in the first, one in the second and five in the third. He made his only save of the second, stopping Andrej Meszaros’s 66-foot slap shot at 14:46. The Red Wings out-shot Buffalo, 9-1, in the second period while tying the game on goals by forwards Gustav Nyquist, Drew Miller andTomas Tatar. “We really talked about how we needed to play our game,” said McCollum, of the team’s mood during the first intermission. “The first period wasn’t the Detroit Red Wings. It was just a really bad period for everybody and we got pucks in deep and then starting shooting the puck on net and then you saw what happened.” McCollum’s only other NHL game – which occurred

Around New York / Page 20 year. “I was a huge Sabres and Max Afinogenov and Daniel Briere fan and being lucky enough to be drafted by my hometown team adds a bit of motivation for me. When that day comes, I’m sure it will be a special one.” The top trio of that 2013 draft—defensemen Nikita Zadorov and Rasmus Ristolainen in the first round and Bailey with an early second round selection—may prove to be part of the future core of the team. Good thing for the Sabres and their fans that not too many Buffalo Bills lived in that condo complex.

over in practice many times over. And Coon proves again that it doesn’t take 20/20 vision, or even two eyes, to have a positive impact on your team. “I just like to play hockey.”

nearly four years ago – didn’t go so well. He allowed three goals on eight shots in a 14 ½ minute relief appearance as the Red Wings lost, 10-3 to St. Louis. Since then, McCollum has been relegated to the minors where he has drifted between AHL Grand Rapids and ECHL Toledo. “Four years ago I was a little unsure,” he said. “This time I went out there and I wasn’t worried at all. I was honestly excited because I knew I could play in this league.

I’ve just been itching for that opportunity for the last couple of years. “Fortunately they decided to bring me back and I think hard work and perseverance really paid off. I can’t thank the people who had faith in me enough for believing in me and sticking with me.”

Have NYHOL Sent to YOUR E-Mail Box! Send Janet@nyhockeyonline.com your address NOW!

CENTRAL NEW YORK

www.nyhockeyonline.com

Central Hockey / Page 22

Central New York Women’s College Hockey Report by Janet Schultz Janet@nyhockeyonline.com

Utica

With the season winding down Utica finds itself with a 6-7-4 overall record and facing ECAC rivals Canton (Feb. 10), Plattsburgh (Feb. 14 & 14) and Buffalo State (Feb. 20, 21) still seeking a place in the playoffs.

Keira Goin (pictured) was named ECACW Goaltender of the Week for January 12. This is her second honor this season as she stopped 43 of 46 SOG. 15 came in a 3-1 win over Canton and 28 came in a 2-1 loss to Norwich. Utica hosted their Third Annual Gold Ribbon Game on Febuary 10. The event raises awareness and funds for Childhood Cancer. Proceeds from a special gold uni-

form auction go to the Shawn Grady Fund created by the Grady family of Clinton.

Syracuse

H o n o r s went to Melissa Piacentini on January 5, Nicole Renault on January 12 and Alysha Burriss on January 19. Piacentini was named Syracuse Athlete of the Week as the leading scorer for the Orange with 10 goals on the season. Renault was named Syracuse Athlete of the Week the following week as the assistant captain had 10 points with 4 goals and 6 assists this season. Burris was named CHA Rookie of the Week following the lone goal scored in a 1-1 tie with Mercyhurst. She has 9 goals and 8 assists on the season. Syracuse is 6-13-9 overall and ending the season against Lindenwood and RIT.

Colgate

With a 7-19-1 overall record the Raiders are looking at games against Dartmouth, Harvard, Union and RPI to close out

the season. Leading the scoring this season are Megan Sullivan with 8 goals

and 6 assists and Breanne WilsonBennett with 6 goals and 8 assists.

Elmira

The Soaring Eagles are boasting several honors this month with Cassidy Delainey named ECAC West Player of the Week for a pair of goals in a 5-3 win over Norwich; Ashley Ryan was named Elmira’s Athlete of the Week with her 5 point weekend in the sweep of Neumann and Ashton Hogan was named Elmira’s Athlete of the Week after scoring her 100th career point in a 4-2 victory over William Smith and for dropping in 4 goals in 3 Elmira wins increasing her total to 23, leading the NCAA. Ryan and Hogan were also featured in an USCHO article. Elmira is 161-1 overall heading to the playoffs. Before they get there they face off with William Smith and Oswego.

Oswego

The Lakers held their Athletic Challenge and the Department raised over $85,000 from 619 donors plus $40,000 from two alumni totally over $125,000. Sitting with a 12-5-0 record, the Lakers face Stevenson and Elmira to end their season before the plahoffs. Hamburg (NY) native Bridget Smith was named ECAC Goalie of the Week

Have NYHOL Sent to YOUR E-Mail Box! Send Janet@nyhockeyonline.com your address NOW!

www.nyhockeyonline.com for January 21 after she dominated between the pipes in a win over Chatham. She had 38 saves in two games giving her a .974 save percentage; had a shut-out in the first game and making 22 saves in the second. She is nationally ranked second overall in save percentage at .971 and her .75 gaa is third nationally.

Cortland Deanne Meurnier was named ECACW Goaltender of the Week for January 27 after she had her first shutout of the season and third of her career in a 1-0 win over Neumann. She was also named Cortland’s Athlete of the Week. Cortland is 5-11-2 on the season and play Buffalo Stae on February 14 and 15 and Williams Smith on February 21 and 22.

Central Hockey / Page 23 Hamilton

Hamilton is 7-8-3 overall and face Bowdon on February 14 and then a two-game home stand against Colby on February 21 and 22.

William Smith

The Herons are closing out their inaugural season with a 2-16-1 record. They face Elmira away and then bring the Soaring Eagles to their rink on February 14 before playing their final games on the road against Cortland on February 21 and 22.

Cornell

The Big Red continue to play strong and have a 12-7-3 overall record as they close out their season against Harvard, Dartmouth, RPI and Union in February. Brianne Jenner was named ECAC Player of the Month and Erine O’Connor was name ECAC Rookie of the Month. Jenner had 2 goals and 9 assists in four games before the holiday break and O’Connor is noted as being one of the best freshmen blueliners with a point in all four games in December. Emily Fulton took ECAC Player of the Week and Paula Voorheis was named ECAC Goaltender of the Week for January 20. Fulton had 6 pts (3g/3a) and a +4 rating in December and Voorheis stopped 107 of 110 shots on goal in December.

Kristen Federow (pictured above) leads the Herons in scoring with 8 goals and 7 assists.

Have NYHOL Sent to YOUR E-Mail Box! Send Janet@nyhockeyonline.com your address NOW!

www.nyhockeyonline.com

Central Men’s College Ice Hockey Report by Warren Kozireski Wkozires@brockport.edu

BROOME CCC

The Hornets were playing playoff hockey down the stretch with three shutouts over a six game span heading into February. Cory Della Stua (Pittsford) had 44 points over the first 16 games—more than double of Michael Ferranti’s (Port Crane) 20 as the runner-up. The team will host the NJCCA national championships Feb. 21-22.

COLGATE

The team battled to a .500 record in January and were sitting in the middle of the pack in the tight ECAC just points away from a first round playoff bye and virtually assured of a home series to open if needed. This was in spite of injuries that have plagued the Raiders. The latest was captain and senior defenseman Spiro Goulakos scheduled to be out at least until the middle of February with a lower-body injury. With the season ending injury to Mike Borkowski after just nine games, and Tylor Spink missing the early stages of the season, the man-games lost number is playing a huge factor in the Raiders season of below expectations to this point. Charlie Finn was named ECAC Goaltender of the Week Jan. 13 after stopping 49-of-50 shots in road victories over Clarkson and St. Lawrence.

Central Hockey / Page 24 CORNELL

Despite having three defensemen and two goalies who entered this season with a combined three games of college experience, the Big Red were second in the country behind Yale in team defense allowing 1.81 goals per game and had the third best penalty kill. Sophomore Mitch Gillam entered February leading the nation in goals against (1.46) and save percentage (.946). Hayden Stewart was named ECAC Rookie of the Week Jan. 13 after recording his second career shutout, making 36 saves to anchor the Big Red’s 2-0 road victory at Clarkson.

CORTLAND

Trying to secure on of the last few playoff spots, the Red Dragons only had four conference games remaining in which to make up ground and break their six-year postseason drought. Forward Dan Broderick (White Plains) was chosen SUNYAC Rookie of the Week for the week ending January 25 after scoring four goals during the weekend. Freshman goalie Kollyn Jones (pictured) (Cazenovia) turned aside 23 shots to earn his first collegiate win Jan. 9 versus Becker College. Senior forward Nick Zappia (Manlius) and freshman goalie Drew Weigman were honored by SUNYAC as Player and Rookie of the week ending Jan. 11. Zappia recorded five points on four goals and one assist in a 2-0 week for the Red Dragons. With those efforts, he moved

Have NYHOL Sent to YOUR E-Mail Box! Send Janet@nyhockeyonline.com your address NOW!

www.nyhockeyonline.com into 15th place in career scoring at Cortland with 89 points on 51 goals and 38 assists. Weigman posted a 35-save shutout in his only appearance in goal in the win at Worcester State.

ELMIRA

Jarryd ten Vaanholt stood seventh nationally in assist per game and 13th in points per game as February unfolded to lead the Soaring Eagles, but they would likely be on the road for the postseason as they attempt to defend their 2013-14 ECAC West title.

HAMILTON

The Continentals burst out of the second half gate with four wins and a pair of ties over a nine-game span with the line of Robbie Murden, Kenny Matheson and Pat Curtis accounting for a combined 61 points—just short of half the team total of 126 points through the first 18 games. Sophomore defenseman Connor Lamberti (Kings Park) scored his first collegiate goal Jan. 4 at the 50th annual Codfish Bowl at UMass Boston. David Barmish scored his first as well in the same game.

HOBART

The Statesmen were rounding into form at the right time with an 8-2 record since the second half began including 3-1 in conference to earn a share of first place with just five games in February. Fully 11 players had ten or more points on the season with several more on the cusp of joining the crowd which was led by Bo Webster’s 22 points and 14 assists. Senior defenseman Ryan Michel (Camillus), second on the team with 13 assists, was two helpers short of 60 in his career while Nick Bingaman (Bedford) had a career high 10 goals after 20 games.

Central Hockey / Page 25 MORRISVILLE

Three consecutive wins late in January launched the Mustangs into the thick of the SUNYAC race in their attempt to reach the postseason for the first time in three seasons. Ten different players had 12 or more points this season led by sophomores Joe Santino and Darren Young with 21 and 18 respectively. MJ Maerkl (Binghamton) was the leading scorer on the blueline with five goals and 13 points.

OSWEGO

The offense began clicking as the Lakers netted 20 goals combined over their final three games in January and were in the hunt with Plattsburgh for first place and for a first round bye. The sophomore class hogged the top four positions in team scoring led by Shawn Hulshof’s 14 goals and 28 points. Mike Montagna (Fulton) was seven games shy of 100 career as February began.

UTICA

Three conference wins and one tie in January helped the Pioneers put a rough November in the rear-view mirror as they climb the standings hoping for home ice in the first round of the playoffs at least. Senior Louie Educate eclipsed the 60 career goal and the 100 career game marks last month. Junior Dylan Wells was named the ECAC West Conference Goalie of the Week in two consecutive weeks—the second after making 27 saves to guide the Pioneers to a 2-0 victory over visiting Manhattanville and his first shutout of the season. Freshman Vinny Stefan recorded his first collegiate goal Jan. 10 versus Castleton.

OTHER AREA NOTES:

• Oswego native Dalton Izyk was named Atlantic Hockey Goaltender of the Week Jan. 13 after he made 34 saves against Bentley in recording his third shutout of the season.

Have NYHOL Sent to YOUR E-Mail Box! Send Janet@nyhockeyonline.com your address NOW!

www.nyhockeyonline.com

Central Hockey / Page 26

CENTRAL NEWS AND NOTES Rome Youth Hockey Association is rebuilding their girls hockey program and are led by head coach Rob Kopek. In the 6 team, 10u division the girls went undefeated beating: Canton Black 3-1 Canton Blades 7-2 Odgensburg Leafs 6-1 The Championship game against the Canton Blades was won in dramatic fashion. Down 5-4 with less than 5 minutes to play Rome put in three quick goals to win the final 7-5. Twelve of the girls contributed to the multiple points over the weekend! The Elmira Jackals Congratulate the Squirt White as they became Center State Stampede Champs last weekend! The Elmira Bantam Travel played at the International Silver Stick Finals in Port Huron, Michigan and won their 3 pool games to advance to the quarter finals where they lost to the Kapuskasing Ice Hawks. on voted into these positions will only be filling the remain The Valley Ice Hockey Girls 12U Travel Team (Tier 1) won the York Lady Devils MLK Tournament! “We won in the championship game this morning 4-0 vs the Lady Islanders Girls 12U Travel team. The goalies

Valley Girls 12U (Photo Courtesy Valley Hockey)

Valley Squirt Majors 2015 Capital Winter Classic Champions (Sensplex Photo)

split the game for shutout. We outshot them 25-8. The girls played well all weekend and only allowed one goal in four games,” said Coach Mucha. “In goal were Maddy Erno and Breese Burlingame. The scorers included McKenzie Schmidt, Tessa Mucha, Molly MacQueen and Macey DeOrdio. Assists went to Riley Calhoun, Molly MacQueen, Hannah Partigianoni, and McKenzie Schmidt. In fact, every player on our team scored a goal this weekend!” The Valley Squirt Majors (pictured above) “The odds were never in their favor, but the Squirt 04s emerged as champions!” Here’s why us parents are particularly proud of this win. Their division had 14 teams, and only 6 would make the quarterfinals. Valley had a much smaller team than any other team in their bracket -- they have 10 skaters and the five other teams all had 3 full lines. The Canadians kept asking us if we had a lot of kids sick with flu -- they seemed incredulous that we would have entered a tournament with so few skaters. Valley won the first game and lost the second. 8 minutes into the 2nd period of Game 3, Valley was down 0-3 against the Stittsville Rams and it looked like we were going to get to sleep in the next morning! However, the boys did not give up but somehow started scoring and managed to win that game 4-3! The next morning they won the 8am quarterfinal game against the West Island Royals. In the 11:40 am semifinal game, Valley spent a good part of the game playing with only 3 or 4-on-5, due to, shall we say, markedly uneven

Have NYHOL Sent to YOUR E-Mail Box! Send Janet@nyhockeyonline.com your address NOW!

www.nyhockeyonline.com

Central Hockey / Page 27

calls by the refs who called 11 penalties on Valley, but only 3 on the Leitrim Hawks, the #1 seed and home team. Leitrim only managed to score on power plays and Valley won that game in overtime. The 3:25pm championship game was with the Stittsville Rams again, who were probably anxious to beat Valley after their unexpected loss (they are first in their league and have only had a few losses all season). It was a very tough game, especially since Valley spent the last 6 minutes with only 3 or 4 players against 5. Stittsville managed to score one more power play goal, but Valleyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s defense was tough for the rest of the game, and they almost even scored an empty netter in the last couple minutes. It was a very fierce last few minutes! Stittsville did get a lot of shots off our goal but our goalie was excellent, and our defenders even blocked shots with their bodies. Those boys earned that 3-2 victory! Syracuse Nationals at The Cup The Syracuse Nationals lost in the quarterfinals of The Cup, held in Western New York. Nonetheless, the team and the Adirondack Junior Wings are heading to Quebec City for the 56th Annual Pee Wee Quebec International tournament February 11 through 22. http://www.tournoipee-wee. qc.ca/ is the website.

Valley Pee Wee Squirt 04 winter classic 2015 Champions in Ottawa (Photo Courtesy Valley Hockey)

Syracuse Bruins

The Syracuse Bruins Pee Wee White team won the Center State Invitational, and our Squirt Major (04) team won the Capital Winter Classic in Ottawa (B/A Major Atom Division). Below are all the teams that took part in the Jamestown Cup including Amherst Knights, Buffalo Saints, Syracuse Valley Bruins and Pittsburgh Predators. (Syracuse Photo)

Above: Valley Pee Wee White Center State Invitational 2015 Champions (Photo Courtesy Valley Hockey)

NYHOL Wants Your News and Photos! Send it to Janet@nyhockeyonline.com

East Hockey

www.nyhockeyonline.com

East Hockey / Page 29

Hudson Valley High School Hockey Standings Week 11 Hudson valley varsity

OCW

GP W L T PTS GF GA PCT SO 17 12 4 1 25

83 38 0.706 2

Arlington

16 11 5 0 22

68 46 0.688 0

John Jay

15 7 5 3 17

49 50 0.467 2

Washingtonville

17 6 10 1 13

49 62 0.353 0

Cornwall

16 0 16 0 0

27 80 0.000 0

Team:

1-16-15 John Jay 6 Vs Washingtonville 6

1-17-15 Arlington 4 Vs Washingtonville 5

Hudson valley Junior Varsity

GP W L T PTS GF GA PCT SO

Team:

6 3 0 12

54 31 0.667 0

FDR JV

13 8 2 3 19

36 23 0.615 3

Arlington JV

10 4 5 1 9

30 28 0.400 1

Kittatinny JV

10 4 5 1 9

15 46 0.400 2

Cornwall JV

2 5 15

27 30 0.250 1

Washingtonville JV

8 1 7 02

22 31 0.125 0

OCW JV

1-16-15 FDR 3 Vs Arlington 2

1-16-15 Cornwall 6 Vs OCW 3

1-17-15 FDR 1 Vs Kittatinny 3

1-18-15 Arlington 0 Vs FDR 1

Have NYHOL Sent to YOUR E-Mail Box! Send Janet@nyhockeyonline.com your address NOW!

www.nyhockeyonline.com

East Hockey / Page 30 MANHATTANVILLE

Eastern New York Menâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s College Hockey Report

by Warren Kozireski

Wkozires@brockport.edu

ARMY

It was looking more and more that Army would be on the road for the first round of the Atlantic Conference playoffs for the fourth consecutive season. Top four teams in the conference receive first round byes and then it is a 5 vs 12, 6 vs 11, etc. format. The Black Knights ended a 13game unbeaten streak against RIT dating back to 2008 with a 4-2 road win Jan. 30. Tyler Pham, (pictured below) second in the country in points per game among freshmen as of

Feb. 1, is only the second rookie since the 2007-08 season to have 20 or more points, joining teammate C.J. Reuschlein, who tallied 22 points. Goaltender Parker Gahagen (Buffalo, pictured above), with six games remaining in the regular season had already surpassed his games played and wins totals from his freshman season. Rookie netminder Cole Bruns earned his first collegiate win Jan. 3 in the win over American International.

HUDSON VALLEY CC

At 2-7-1 with four games remaining in the regular season, the Vikings need to find some offense heading to the postseason. Freshman Brandon Doherty (Hopewell Junction) was the only player with ten or more points, though defenseman Nick Dennis (Latham) had contributed five goals including three with the man advantage.

Senior netminder Brian Fleming was named the ECAC West Conference CoGoaltender of the Week Jan. 26 after he stopped 36 of 37 shots against Elmira. The award is the first of his senior season and the fifth of his Valiant career, following three as a sophomore and one as a junior. Sophomore Teagan Waugh and freshman Stephen Gaul were recognized as the ECAC West Conference Co-Player of the Week and Rookie of the Week Jan. 12. Waugh scored four goals and Gaul also continued his solid rookie season with Manhattanville by scoring once with one assist and leads Manhattanville with 14 points on seven goals and seven assists.

R.P.I. The Engineers still were having trouble finding the net on a consistent basis with one of the five worst goals per game averages in the country entering the final month of the regular season. Matt Neal and Jason Kasdorf were named the ECAC Hockey Player of the Week and Goaltender of the Week, respectively Jan. 20. Kasdorf made 17 saves in a 4-1 win over No. 15 Colgate and all 26 shots he faced in a 3-0 shutout of Cornell. Neal had four points on the weekend. Junior defense-

Have NYHOL Sent to YOUR E-Mail Box! Send Janet@nyhockeyonline.com your address NOW!

www.nyhockeyonline.com man and Williamsville native Chris Bradley was eight games away from 100 career played. He had half of his career total of six goals this season.

East Hockey / Page 31 OTHER AREA NOTES:

• Jack Riley (West Point) equaled a career-best fourpoint game with a goal and three helpers and added an assist the next day to stretch his scoring streak to seven games and was named Atlantic Hockey Rookie of the Week Jan. 13.

East Women’s College Report by Janet Schultz Janet@nyhockeyonline.com

Union

UNION

Senior goaltender Colin Stevens (Niskayuna) earned his 47th career win Jan. 24 in the Mayor’s Cup win over Rensselaer to move into the top spot in the school’s record books. Stevens owns a 47-16-6 record in 76 career starts. Daniel Ciampini, (pictured above) who entered February leading the nation in goal-scoring, tied the Union single-game record for points (6) in a game Jan. 24, a feat accomplished just twice in 24 Division I seasons. The six points were also an NCAA season-best mark. Defenseman Jeff Taylor (Clifton Park) and forward Mike Vecchione were both tied for fifth in the nation in assists per game. Taylor was tied for the top spot in points per game by defensemen. Union is the only school in the country to have two players in the top five in NCAA scoring. Daniel Ciampini and Mike Vecchione both rank fifth, averaging 1.35 points per game. Junior defenseman Sebastien Gingras is one of 15 finalists for the Hockey Humanitarian Award.

Shenae Lundberg (featured in the January issue of NY Hockey E-Magazine) was named the December Goalie of the Month in the ECAC. She began December with 59 saves in a 1-0 shutout over Northeastern. Those saves were the most in a shut-out in NCAA D1 history since 2000-01. She then had 25 saves in a loss to Yale and went 2-0-1 in December. Lundberg leads the nation in saves at 161, 3 wins and 2 shutouts. She is ranked sixth nationally, second in the league with a 1.38 gaa and 4th in the country and first in the ECAC with a .958 save%. Union is 4-19-5 overall and face Brown on February 13; Yale, February 14; Colgate February 20 and Cornell on February 21.

RPI

The Engineers are 5-19-4 overall and face Yale, Brown, Cornell and Colgate to close our their seaosn.

Manhattanville

The Valiants are 8-7-5 overall and look at New England, Franklin Pierce, St. Michaels and St. Anselm to end 2014-15. Alla Traun is leading the scoring with 5 goals and 10 assists on the season.

Have NYHOL Sent to YOUR E-Mail Box! Send Janet@nyhockeyonline.com your address NOW!

North Hockey Learning to Skate In New York State!

www.nyhockeyonline.com

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

Wkozires@brockport.edu

CANTON

Junior goaltender Louie Puig stopped all 27 shots he faced en route to his first career shutout on the road against Franklin Pierce. Freshman Josh Sova (Oswego) stood second on the team in scoring and third in assists with five games remaining on the 2014-15 slate.

CLARKSON

The Golden Knights were in a tight race to earn one of the top four spots in the ECAC and a first round playoff bye. Grand Island’s Joe Zarbo was the top goal scorer through 24 games in his final college season while James de Haas was one of the few defensemen in the nation leading his team in scoring. Junior goaltender Greg Lewis became the ﬁrst Clarkson goaltender in 15 years to post shutouts in consecutive games when he blanked Brown and Yale Jan. 23-24. He was named ECAC Hockey Goaltender and Player of the Week, along with gaining NCAA 1st Star of the Week. Janick Asselin tallied his ﬁrst career goal in the win at Dartmouth Jan. 17.

North Hockey / Page 33 PLATTSBURGH

The Cardinals entered the final four games of their regular season with a three-point lead on Oswego, but had played two more games. And they had stumbled late in January with three losses in five games. All of their February games will be on the road until the playoffs. The three New Yorkers were having career-best offensive season with junior Zach Popp (Schenectady) exceeding his previous season high with three goals and six points, defenseman Rich Botting’s (Binghamton) four goals and senior Michael Cassidy (West Seneca) finishing his college career with a flourish netting eight goals with 18 points—second on the squad. SUNYAC named Patrick Hermans Player of the Week Jan. 19 after he recorded a hat trick against the No. 13 Williams.

POTSDAM

The Bears earned a much-needed three-point final weekend in January to put themselves back in the mix for one of the top-six playoff spots in the SUNYAC conference. Freshman forward Dylan Vander Esch was named the SUNYAC Rookie of the Week for the first time in his career and junior goaltender Jon Hall (Dexter) was selected as Goalie of the Week Jan. 19. Vander Esch registered his first collegiate hat trick while Hall stopped 33 of 34 shots against Western New England. Hall later shutout Geneseo 1-0 Jan. 30--the first for Potsdam since Kevin McFarland blanked Southern New Hampshire on Jan. 15, 2011.

NYHOL Wants Your News and Photos! Send it to Janet@nyhockeyonline.com

www.nyhockeyonline.com The victory also marked Potsdam’s first season sweep of Geneseo since 1999-00 campaign. Sophomore forward Tommy Telesca (Selden) (pictured #19) had a career-high four goals through 19 games this season and had matched his freshman total of six points.

North Hockey / Page 34 Freshman goaltender Kyle Hayton was named ECAC Rookie of the Week Jan. 20 after he backstopped the Saints to their second ECAC Hockey road sweep of the season making 36 saves against Dartmouth and 46 saves in a 5-1 win at No. 4/4 Harvard.

ST. LAWRENCE

The Saints lost just twice in January to launch themselves into second place with eight games remaining in their bid for a coveted first round playoff bye. The last time they didn’t play a first round series was in the 2008-09 campaign. And they were winning against the upper-echelon teams in the ECAC, some nationally ranked such as Harvard and Yale. The last time they allowed more than three goals in one game was Jan. 3—a span of seven games. And they had only allowed four or more goals four times all season; a recipe for success in the postseason.

Massena, Beekmantown, Alexandria Bay/Thousand Islands Girls Advance Alexandria Bay/Thousand Islands, Beekmantown and Massena all took their Section Championships and secured a place in the New York State Girls Varsity Ice Hockey Championships held in Buffalo. At press time these teams were competing in Buffalo. Full story on the outcome, with lots of photos, in the March issue of New York Hockey E-Magazine. Alex Bay/Thousand Islands beat Skaneateles 3-2 after Sydney Aubertine broke a 2-2 tie with 7 seconds left in the third period. Beekmantown beat Albany Academies 5-0 by taking an early lead with 3 goals in 1:30 minutes of the first period. Taylor Laurin kept Albany out of the net. Beekman outshot Albany 38 to 16. Massena went regulation and 2 overtimes to beat Potsdam (last year’s Co-Champion) for their first-ever Section X championship. It was 1-0 when Rachel Davis shot in a rebound. (Editors note: Ladies NY Hockey would love to hear from you on a regular basis next season with game stories, stats, photographs. Email me at Janet@nyhockeyonline.com. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter -- NYHockeyonline and our website: www.nyhockeyonline.com for daily hockey news.

Have NYHOL Sent to YOUR E-Mail Box! Send Janet@nyhockeyonline.com your address NOW!

www.nyhockeyonline.com Potsdam

North Hockey / Page 35

Northern New York Womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s College Hockey Report

T h e Bearsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Alexane Rodrigue was named to the ECAC Honor Roll after going 2-0 with by Janet Schultz a 1.75 gaa and .941 save% Janet@ nyhockeyonline.com in three games. She had 23 saves in a 0-6 loss to Hamand 34 saves in a 4-0 loss to the Badgers. ilton and 29 and 28 saves in Clarkson, with a 16-8-3 overall record, a two-game stand against is ranked eighth nationally. Their final Cortland. home game will be against Quinnipiac Potsdam is 8-10-1 overall as they seek a playoff on February 14. They also face Princspots. They face Chatham, Plattsburgh and Canton as eton, Harvard and Dartmouth this month. the season winds down. Leading the scoring for the Knights are Shannon MacAulay with 16 goals and 15 assists and Cayley Mercer with 15 goals and 16 assists. Plattsburgh

St. Lawrence

Kayla Raniwsky and Carmen MacDonald took ECAC honors January 27 as Raniwsky was named Player of the Week and MacDonald Goalie of the Week. This followed a sweep of Mercyhurst. Raniwsky had a four point weekend and MacDonald had her 59 and 60 career wins, allowing just two gaols against with 47 combined saves. The Saints are 16-8-3 overall as they Melissa Sheeran (pictured left) was named ECAC move to the playoffs. Up next are QuinniRookie of the Week. The Schaghticoke (NY) native had piac, Princeton, Harvard and Dartmouth. a goal and assist in a 10-0 win over Williams Smith in game one and a goal and 2 assists in game two. She is Canton third on the team with points at 10 goals/10 assists. The Roos are 2-19-1 and struggling this season. Bridget Balisy (pictured right) was named to the However Lindsay Hall was named Rookie of the Week ECAC Honor Roll for a 7 point weekend. by the ECAC as she scored her first collegiate goal and The Cardinals are 15-1-2 overall and secured a added an assist in a 4-3 loss to Chatham in the consolaplace in the playoffs. They round out the season against tion round of the Cod Fish Bowl. She was also named Utica, Potsdam and Middlebury. to the All-Tournament Team. Krjstin Hoberg also had her first college goal in the Clarkson Cod Fish Bowl. Shea Tiley was named ECAC Rookie of the Week Canton finishes out their season against Utica and on January 27 for her career high 34 saves in a 1-1 tie Potsdam.

Have NYHOL Sent to YOUR E-Mail Box! Send Janet@nyhockeyonline.com your address NOW!

www.nyhockeyonline.com The Troy-Albany Hockey Association had a very successful Try Hockey event on Saturday, January 3 at the Empire Skate Plaza! Sixty-two registered participants came out on the ice, equipped and ready to skate and learn the game. Several have now registered with the Learn to Skate program for the remainder of the year! Special thanks to: Ice Cats - Ali Wagoner, Shweta Mane, Daryl Clifford, Bill and Katie Kennedy, Sarah and Karen Limberger and Kaitlyn Pike Engineers - Arthur and James Stott, Jason Nitz, Brian Owens Titans - Chris, Chrissy and Sidney Fess, Andrew Clifford, Max and John Ronesi Bernie Jorgensen, VP and Rusty Gallagher, VP North Section The Association also received some great media coverage including: Fledgling players soak up instruction - Times Union - front page of sports section in Sun-

North Hockey / Page 36 day, January 4th paper! Empire State Plaza Events - Albany, NY ... - Facebook Empire State Plaza (@PlazaEvents) | Twitter Follow TAHA on Twitter: @TAHA_Hockey Like us on Facebook: Troy Albany Titans | Facebook Troy Albany Ice Cats Hockey | Facebook Troy Albany Hockey Association - Troy, NY ... - Facebook They are holding another Try Hockey for Free during Hockey Weekend Across America on February 21, 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. and 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. This is a free event. Photos below provided by Troy-Albany Hockey Association.

Have NYHOL Sent to YOUR E-Mail Box! Send Janet@nyhockeyonline.com your address NOW!

West Hockey Kenmore Girls Varsity Ice Hockey Team Takes WNYGVIH Section VI Championship

www.nyhockeyonline.com

West Hockey / Page 38

Kenmore FourPeats!

got her first of the game at 8:00, assisted by Lauren Pray. Williamsville answered back and at 12:44 Holly Schmelzer scored a shorthanded goal. The assist went to Amanda Gaffney. he Kenmore Girls Varsity Ice Hockey Team, one of the However Smith took the puck for the third time giving her a original teams in the WNYGVIH Federation, have four- hat trick and Kenmore goes up 5-1 at the end of the third. She was peated by claiming victory in the Section VI Champion- assisted by Story and Emily King. ships. Williamsville’s Leah Czerwinski scored just over 3 min They beat Williamsville 6-3 and at press time are heading for utes into the third period. Assist went to Sara Scolnick. Scolnick the New York State Girl’s Varsity Ice Hockey Championships be- wasn’t done . At 12:35 she scored on a pass from Maggie Fuzak ing held at HarborCenter, Buffalo. This is the first time the West and Williamsville closed in on Kenmore 5-3. has hosted this event, and only the third time a WNYGVIH team At 13:07 Kenmore’s Hannah Gallivan shot one down the ice has participated. Kenmore has been the team to represent the to an open net and the final score was 6-3. West for the past three seasons. Minding the net for Williamsville was The season ended with Monsignor Martin in first Jenna Lukomski and early in the third place. But due to a Section VI rulRose Quattro stepped in. Unofficially ing they are not eligible for it was 24 SOG for Kenmore and 14 for Sectional playoffs. Seeded Williamsville. #1 they will face their rivals Kenmore now faces Thouin the WNYGVIH Federation sand Islands/Alexandria Bay in the Championships being held first round of the NYS Girl’s VarFebruary 9-13 at Northtowns. sity Ice Hockey Championships at ltz Kenmore was seeded #2 u h HarborCenter. That game will be c S et m in the league and Williamsville By Jan eyonline.co played at 6 p.m. on Friday (Feb. #3. The points were close, howhock y n 6). @ t Jane ever, with Orchard Park/Frontier The second game that evening is at 8 giving all teams a good run and p.m. and pits Beekmantown against Massena. The Chamending fourth with 21.5 points in 7 pionship game will be held at 1 p.m. on Saturday (Feb. 7). wins, 4 losses and a tie. Kenmore and Beekmantown are making repeat perfor Lancaster/Iroquois, who has found themselves in the cellar mances. Last year the Championship ended in Co-Champions, in the past, moved to #5 with 6 wins, 5 losses and a tie. Skaneateles and Potsdam after four overtimes. (There is no shoot Amherst/Sweethome placed sixth and West Seneca/Ham- out). burg ended seventh. Hamburg joined West Seneca as a combined On Monday, Feb. 9 the WNYGVIH Federation Champiteam this season and Nichols, who placed only in 2013-14 chose onships begin with four games scheduled. At 4:30 p.m. West not to return to the league. Seneca/Hamburg takes on Kenmore; 6 p.m. it will be Amherst/ As Section VI came into the playoffs it was West Seneca/ Sweethome facing off against Williamsville and at 7:30 p.m. LanHamburg facing Orchard Park/Frontier and OPF winning; but it caster/Iroquois will take on Orchard Park/Frontier. took four overtimes to do after the originally scheduled game was The winners of those game will play at 7 p.m. and *;30 p.m. postponed due to weather and the game moved to another loca- on Wednesday, February 11 and the Championship will be at 5 tion on another date. p.m. on Friday, February 13. Amherst/Sweehome faced Lancaster/Iroquois and LI took the 5-2 victory. Moving into the semi-finals it was Kenmore over Lancaster/ Iroquois 2-0 and then a 4-3 victory in overtime for Williamsville, bringing us to the Championship Game on February 4. Olivia Smith got Kenmore on the Boards with an unassisted goal at 5:30 of the first period . That was to be the first of three for Smith. Lina Mirabella followed suit at 6:57, assisted by Taylor Story. Kenmore went up 2-0 at the end of the first. Smith opened the scoring in the second period on an assist from Nina Stockman and Mirabella at 3:40. Anna Orzechowski

H I V G Y WN Rap!

NYHOL Wants Your News and Photos! Send it to Janet@nyhockeyonline.com

www.nyhockeyonline.com

It’s Built y e h T d n a g n i m o C e ar

By Randy Schultz Photos by Janet Schultz

n the corner of Chestnut and Market Streets in downtown Lockport, there used to be a Twin Fair Store. Then it became a Sears store. Finally it was converted into a supermarket. After the supermarket closed that same building sat vacant for over 10 years. Today, the building that housed that trio of retail businesses is gone. In its place is the new Cornerstone Arena. It is a stateof-the-art facility that houses two NHLsized ice rinks, spectator seating for 630, a Performance Training Center, community room, concession stands, locker rooms, meeting rooms, as well as retail space. “We’ve come a long way since a local developer offered a million dollars to the city of Lockport to build an ice rink,” said John Ottaviano, the city attorney for Lock-

West Hockey / Page 39 port and President of Lockport Ice Arena and Sports Center Board. “With the opening of this building, this marks the first time the city has had an ice rink since the Kenan Center closed its doors back in 1986. “Seven years ago we formed Lockport Ice Arena and Sports Center, Inc., a non-profit board of nine people. Over the seven years they raised $15 million to build what is now called the Cornerstone Arena.” From the outside as well as the inside, it looks as though all 95,000 square feet of the facility has been used very wisely. There is a main entrance, an atrium, for the general public. We wanted parents, grand parents and the general public to come through a separate set of doors. On the second level of the facility is where a bus can go, drop off the athletes and they can enter through sliding doors. “We decided to separate things and have separate entrances, thus causing less confusion and congestion,” commented Ottaviano. There is also glass-enclosed area with tables and chairs to patrons to watch events from. Tenants are also being sought to fill some available retail space in the building. There are also community rooms, which can be broken out into three separate rooms at each end of the arena. Audio systems are set up in each rink for music and public announcements to be made. One of the biggest highlights of the arena is the $1

NYHOL Wants Your News and Photos! Send it to Janet@nyhockeyonline.com

www.nyhockeyonline.com

million ice plant. It includes an “echo chiller” and an “echo dryer” which will heat water, heat sidewalks outside the arena and pump warm air into the seating areas in the two rinks. “There is constant 55-degree heat being pumped into the seating areas, in which all the seats are fastened to an aluminum housing,” added Ottaviano. “We are considered

West Hockey / Page 40

a ‘green arena.’ “We have energy efficient lighting in both arenas. We also have a state-of-the-art heating and dehumidifying systems. “The system is glass enclosed. The reason for this is because we want the public to see what we have because it is the only one like it in the

country. “We also use two electric-driven Zamboni’s. And you will never find them dumping their ice shavings outside of the arena, like you see in most hockey arenas. “Instead, the ice is dumped into an area where it melts and the water is used and recycled to heat the arena. No door is ever opened down

NYHOL Wants Your News and Photos! Send it to Janet@nyhockeyonline.com

www.nyhockeyonline.com

in the area where the Zamboni’s are. When you enter the arena’s you will notice that there are Plexiglas cutouts at the player’s benches as well as the penalty boxes. This will allow sled hockey players to continually view the game while it is in progress. The scoreboards in the arenas are used and came from a rink in Michigan. The main tenant of the new arena is the Lockport Express Jr. hockey team. Walk into their locker room and you will find a big, spacious area for the players to dress in. Each player has his own stall, with a photo of the player hanging above the locker. It is a facility that is of the envy of other Junior teams. Maybe Tate Pitrello, a Lockport Ice board member, summed the building up best. “We consider this to be the best

West Hockey / Page 41

thing that’s happened in the city of Lockport in the past 50 years,” concluded Pitrello. “We want to reach out to those people who live north, south, east and west of the Lockport area, as well as Lockport itself. “We think we have a gem here in Lockport because we think we’ve done everything right. This building is going to be a center point for Lockport. “We know this is a hockey town. The people are supporting it already, just like they did in the past when we had the Kenan Center. “We’ve hosted one big tournament

already here and it was a great success. We’re reaching out to as many people as we can to show them what a first-class operation we have here in Lockport. “Lockport is a great hockey town and the Cornerstone Arena is a firstclass hockey arena.”

NYHOL Wants Your News and Photos! Send it to Janet@nyhockeyonline.com

www.nyhockeyonline.com

West Hockey / Page 42

Iroquois High School Hockey (Reports as submitted by Iroquois Hockey)

IROQUOIS JV STORIES

01/03/15 Iroquois JV 1 Ithaca 7 Making the long trip to Ithaca, NY the JV Chiefs played a spirited game with only 10 players on the bench. Playing his first JV game at forward, goalie Nate Efstation proved to be truly versatile. Freshman John Moeller also played some valuable minutes during the afternoon tilt. Filling in with stout defense was Sam Rider. Inbetween the pipes for the game was Matt Majeski who kept the contest close with several outstanding saves. The coaches were extremely proud of the way effort and attitude displayed throughout the game. 01/04/15 Iroquois 5 Starpoint 0 Rebounding from a previous night defeat

the Iroquois junior Chiefs might not have played their best game of the season but prevailed with a tremendous effort and strong offensive zone play. Scoring his first two goals of the year was Freshman Josh Harris. Wristing a shot from the blueline for a goal was defenseman Owen Creighton assists from defensive partner Tim McCormick. Continuing his offensive leadership was Jake Vitello who blistered a shot past the Starpoint netminder early in the third period. Finally, Cameron Giancarlo had the best statistical night for the Chiefs recording a goal and two assists. Defensively, Winger Sam Rundquist played outstanding by way of constantly clearing the puck off the boards and thwarting the Starpoint attack. Recording his second shutout of the year was rookie freshman Nate Efstation.

1/15/15 Iroquois JV 3 Grand Island JV 1 Playing with a full lineup in their usual Sunday night game slot the Junior Varsity Iroquois Chiefs held off solid Grand Island team 3 -1. Despite being outplayed and outshot in the first two periods the JV Chiefs never quit while displaying a mental toughness rarely seen in players of this age. Playing fantastic in the crease tonight was Sophomore Nate Efstation. His solid play in the first and second periods was the spark that the Chiefs needed coming into the third. The shift by shift effort displayed by Dylan Schiffhauer, Jack Patti and Owen Greene was impressive and solid examples of how hockey should be played. Providing the offense was Dylan Giancarlo with two goals and Jake Vitello while defensively, Owen Creighton was tough to beat all

Iroquois JV win at Starpoint (Iroquois Hockey Photo)

Have NYHOL Sent to YOUR E-Mail Box! Send Janet@nyhockeyonline.com your address NOW!

www.nyhockeyonline.com

West Hockey / Page 43

night long. If the JV Chiefs continue play every period like they played in tonight’s third winning will never be in question.

Iroquois Varsity Chiefs The Varsity Chiefs Down Two More The Iroquois Chiefs dropped two games on Saturday, losing by scores of 5-3 and 4-2. The Chiefs played both games in a 4-hour time span, the first at the HarborCenter against Jamestown, followed by a game against Lancaster in Depew. The first game against Jamestown was a rough one, with numerous penalties exchanged by both teams. Iroquois goals were scored by sophomores Jake Vitello, and Alex Held (2). Nice assists were had by Spencer Jones, Jamie Bonn and Sasha Hawkins. Despite being shorthanded for much of the game, goalie Tyler Fredette did all he could to keep the game close. He made terrific saves while constant action was played out in front of his net. Defensemen Eric Rogers, Jon Lavis and Garret Miller kept Jamestown at bay with great plays at the defensive end. Richard Karalus acted as the gatekeeper, protecting his goalie and teammates when the plays were rough. The Chiefs took the ice an hour later to take on Lancaster. The 1st period ended in a 2-2 tie, with Jake Vitello scoring both off assists from Garrett Miller and Tyler Hirsch. Vitello had an excellent day, tallying three total for his team between both games. From the second period on, Iroquois struggled and despite numerous scoring chances, the Chiefs couldn’t get another goal. Ryan Coulombe and Lavis offered strong physical plays, and Colton DeGrace played another great game in net. Pat Marrone, Pat Stenzel, Hirsch and Miller played solid defense for the Chiefs, despite the score landing at 4-2. The Chiefs play their final home game of the season, and will honor their Senior players on February 8th at Leisure Rinks at 8:15pm.

Chiefs Senior Jon Lavis celebrates his goal with fellow defenseman Richard Karalus against Lancaster Varsity Chiefs Drop Two to Cheektowaga The Iroquois Chiefs varsity hockey team lost two games to Cheektowaga/Orchard Park by scores of 3-0 on Sunday night and 7-2 on Monday. The first game was a standout one for goaltender Maverick Blachowicz who made numerous outstanding saves throughout the game to keep his team close. Although they were blanked on the scoreboard, offensive opportunities were created by Aiden Abraszek, Richard Karalus and Pat Stenzel. Solid defensive plays were supplied throughout the game by Eric Rogers and Jon Lavis. Alex Held and Jamie Bonn also worked hard to generate scoring chances, but the Chiefs could not net a goal. Monday’s game was a battle with Stenzel and Joe Giambra scoring for Iroquois but falling in the end. Solid goaltending was provided by Colton DeGrace and good defense was played by Lavis, Patrick Marrone, Tyler Hirsch and Garrett Miller. (Continued on Page 55)

Have NYHOL Sent to YOUR E-Mail Box! Send Janet@nyhockeyonline.com your address NOW!

www.nyhockeyonline.com

Kenmore Girls Varsity Seniors Anna Orzechowski, Kailyn Burke Shannon Munley, Alexi Ruggiero, and Lauren Pray (Photo by Jim Simmons)

West Hockey / Page 44

Monsignor Martin Seniors Katherine Lauber (Mt Mercy Academy), Amelia Gajewski (Sacred Heart) and Erin Stoklosa (Mt. Mercy) (Photo by Janet Schultz)IMG_7978.JPG

Congratulations to the WNYGVIH Class of 2015:

Frontier/Orchard Park Girls Varsity Seniors: (alphabetcally) Jordyn Buziak, Mikaela Ditonto, Laura Jankowski, Grace Page, Hannah Roche, Jessica Urbank, Megan Urbank, Tatum Walber, (Photo submitted by Mike Ditonto)

Amherst/SweetHome: Madison Aston, Melissa Goodman, Brittany Perdziak, Chloe Cottone, Rachel Brooks. Lancaster/Iroquois; Maria LoTempio, Renee Doherty, Megan Reukauf, Hannah Noble, Maddie Norton. West Seneca/Hamburg: Angela Johnson, Brianna Carlin, Oliva Stachowski, Williamsville: Lillian Markley, Jordan Roetzer, Sara Scolnick, We wish them all well as they continue in their lifeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s path.

Have NYHOL Sent to YOUR E-Mail Box! Send Janet@nyhockeyonline.com your address NOW!

www.nyhockeyonline.com

West Hockey / Page 45

Buffalo Stars Beat The Buffalo Stars Peewee Red team struck gold in Pittsburgh going undefeated to the Championship of the Annual MLHA Classic.

Buffalo Stars Peewee Red took first place at the 16th Annual MLHA Classic in Pittsburgh over the Martin Luther King weekend. Facing competition from Ohio and Pennsylvania, the boys came out charging and never looked back. Winning their first 2 games 6-2, and tying 2-2 in their third, the team captured 12 ½ of 15 possible points to become the first seed. In the championship, the Kent Cyclones were determined to change their fortune, but the boys took control early. Tenacious play from the forwards combined with great defense and stellar goaltending to produce a 3-0 shutout. “The boys should be very proud of themselves” said head coach Ed Karalus. “For a team composed mostly of first year Pee Wee’s, many at their first tournament,they played with poise and focus, and every player worked hard and contributed. It was a total team victory”

Congratulations to 3 of our Buffalo Stars teams as they reach Gold and win the Championship of their various tournaments in January!

Peewee Red won their division in the Mount Lebanon Tournament in Pennsylvania Peewee Major won their division at the Empire Cup in Rochester, NY Bantam White won their division at the Amherst Top Gun Tournament.

Buffalo Stars Youth Spotlight Player for the week ending January 18

impressed by his size they quickly will be impressed by his stellar play. Mike has been a rock for us all season and played at a level that surpassed anyone’s expectations. Mike plays aggressive and confident hockey and his amazing saves will leave opposing teams scratching their heads about how that shot did not go in. Mike is all hockey all the time. He has decided to make it his only sport has high aspirations of one day playing in the NHL like his favorite player Ryan Miller. When he is not on the ice you can see him playing Xbox or collecting his favorite players hockey cards. He has set some lofty goals for himself this season and will work hard to make sure that he attains them. Mikey says “I want to get 8 shutouts this year and win all tournaments we play in”. He will get just that shot in the near future when the team travels to Pittsburg. Mike will be an important part of the puzzle if Bantam Blue plans on leaving that Tournament with hardware. When Mike was asked who his personal hero was he responded “My Dad because he works so hard”. Mike seemed to have gotten his father’s work ethic and we are sure between that and his great personality he will do great things both on and off the ice.

The Buffalo Stars Youth Spotlight Player for the week ending January 18 is Michael Stuhr of the Bantam Blue MOHL team. Mike is a 13 year old who stands 5’7” and weights 156 lbs. Mike has a towering presence in the net that makes other teams take notice the second they step out on the ice. If they are not

Have NYHOL Sent to YOUR E-Mail Box! Send Janet@nyhockeyonline.com your address NOW!

www.nyhockeyonline.com (Buffalo Stars Continued from Page XX)

Buffalo Stars Mite Spotlight Player for the week ending January 17 The Buffalo Stars Mite Spotlight Player of the week ending January 17,2015 is Preston Vertino Name: Preston Vertino Age: 7 Height: 4’ Weight: 48lbs

Position: Center Hometown: Buffalo Grade: 2 Subject: Art NHL player: Pat Kane Favorite NHL team: San Jose Sharks Hobbies: Hockey and drawing Food: Pizza Movie: Mighty Ducks TV Show: Austin & Ally Nickname: Bubba Super hero: Iron Man Role model and why: my mom and dad, they are smart. What are your goals this season: To score more goals and improve puck handling

West Hockey / Page 46 Buffalo Stars Youth Spotlight Player of the week ending January 11 The Buffalo Stars Youth Spotlight Player for the week ending January 11, 2015 is Connor Fetzer of the Bantam Blue MOHL team. Standing just 5’2” and weighing only 80 lbs Connor is not what many would consider a towering force in net. His lack of size though is made up for by this heart and stellar play. Connor, or Cujo as he likes to be called, is always in the right place and in the right position to make the save. His hockey sense and intelligence drives opposing teams crazy as he always makes even the most difficult saves look routine. When he is not on the ice you might catch Connor playing football or baseball. He is also very into all types of music and even excels at playing the Viola. An 8th grader who does well in all subjects but has a great interest in Spanish, Connor one day hopes to become a Gym Teacher. When asked about where he gets his success from he will tell you it’s from this parents. He considers his Dad is role model because “He always tells me to work hard and has confidence in me”. He also considers his Mother to be his personal hero because “She always tells me the right things to do”. Bantam Blue is truly a better team to have one of the best up and coming goalies in the area. Connor’s main goal of this year is to “step by step become a better goaltender”. He is meeting and exceeding those goals and has the stats and the confidence of his teammates to prove it.

Other Players of the Month for January:

The Buffalo Stars Youth Spotlight Player for the week ending January 25th is Danny Porzio of the Midget U16 Blue team. Name: Dan Porzio Age: 15 Height: 5’11” Weight: 140 Position: Center Hometown: Marilla Grade in School: 10th Favorite Subject: Science Career Interest: something involving the outdoors and/or environmental science Favorite NHL Player: Wayne Simmonds Favorite College Team: Michigan State University Favorite Hobbies: Hunting and Fishing Favorite Food: Chicken finger subs

Have NYHOL Sent to YOUR E-Mail Box! Send Janet@nyhockeyonline.com your address NOW!

www.nyhockeyonline.com

Western New York Women’s College Hockey Report by Janet Schultz Janet@nyhockeyonline.com JDSchultz3663@gmail.com

Buffalo State

The Bengals’ Kara Goodwin

was named ECAC Player of the Week January 26 for the second consecutive week. She had 5 goals and 2 assists in two victories over first-year William Smith. She is ranked second in DIII with 20 goals in 17 games. Brooke Krantz was name ECACW Rookie of the Week that same week for her 2 goals on Friday and 3 assists on Saturday in the victory over William Smith. She has 14 points in 17 games. The Bengals are 9-8-2 overall and face Cortland on the road and close out their season at home on February 20 and 21 against Utica.

West Hockey / Page 47 the Championship game is March 7, places to be announced.

Western New York Hockey Notes... ...Joseph Cecconi (Youngstown, NY) has committed to the Wolverines beginning next season. A 6’2”, 205-pound defenseman ... Currently playing with the Muskegon Lumberjacks of the United States Hockey League (USHL) ... Named a “B” skater on the NHL Central Scouting Preliminary 2015 Players to Watch list ... Competed in the 2014 CCM/ USA Hockey All-American Prospects Game. ...The Boy’s Section VI sectional playoffs begin Thursday, February 19 with the small school quarterfinals at Northtown Center, Amherst. Private semis will be February 23 at Niagara University; Large semis, February 24 at Northtowns and Small school semis on February 25 at Northtowns. The Championship games will be held at First Niagara Center on March 2 with small schools at 4 p.m., large schools at 6:15 p.m. and privates at 8:30 p.m. As of February 2 Williamsville East is first seed in the small school category with West Seneca East and North Tonawanda in 2nd and 3rd. In large schools its Williamsville North, Niagara -Wheatfield and Orchard Park and in the Catholic schools Canisius, St. Joes and Bishop Timon/ St. Jude are in first, second and third, respectively.

RIT

Darcy Henderson was recognized as the CHA Rookie of the Week January 13 for her game winning goal against Robert Morris. On January 30 Kolbee McCrea became the 13th player at RIT to record her 100th career point scoring the game winning goal over Lindenwood. Sitting at 10-15-3 overall, the Tigers face Robert Morris and Syracuse as their season closes. Their final home game is against Syracuse on February 21. CHA playoffs begin February 27 through March 1 with the first round being a best of three series. The Semi-Finals for the CHA are March 6 and

Have NYHOL Sent to YOUR E-Mail Box! Send Janet@nyhockeyonline.com your address NOW!

www.nyhockeyonline.com

Around New York / Page 48

AAU Takes Western New York By Storm

By offering full ice programs at all ages, a new youth Ice Hockey option has come to town. AAU – Amateur Athletic Union (This article was written and submitted by Brenda Eldridge)

he Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) is one of the largest, non-profit, volunteer, sports organizations in the United States. A multi-sport organization, the AAU is dedicated exclusively to the promotion and development of amateur sports and physical fitness programs. The AAU was founded in 1888 to establish standards and uniformity in amateur sports. During its early years, the AAU served as a leader in international sport representing the U.S. in the international sports federations. The AAU worked closely with the Olympic movement to prepare athletes for the Olympic Games. After the Amateur Sports Act of 1978, the AAU has focused its efforts into providing sports programs for all participants of all ages beginning at the grass roots level. The philosophy of “Sports for All, Forever,” is shared by over 670,000 participants and over 100,000 volunteers. Some of the many benefits include affiliation with one of the most respected and oldest youth amateur organizations in the United States, opportunities to participate in outstanding sporting events, and over 39 sports to choose among! World-class insurance coverage is also included in your AAU membership along with coaches’ training, and mandatory background checks for all adult members. AAU non-athlete members also have the ability to host events by becoming a club level 2 or 3. The club level 3 membership is an easy and fast avenue to become a 501c3 not-for-profit organization as a subordinate of the AAU. AAU members also have the right to participate in the governance of the organization, work with dedicated volunteers and staff for each specific sport, and can participate in a wide variety of events across the country. Along with the Western New York High School Leagues, youth hockey for mites, squirts, pee-wees, bantams, and

midgets is also offered by AAU Hockey. The Greater Niagara Amateur Hockey League (GNAHL) was formed to lead the charge to make this happen. AAU Hockey allows it’s participants to compete on full ice, giving each athlete a greater opportunity to learn the game of hockey, touch the puck and build speed and agility. Many teams have opted for this and thus the growth of AAU began in this area. A national tournament labeled as the North American Championships is now offered at all levels beginning this year with Mites being held in Minnesota, Squirts/PeeWee in Buffalo, New York, and Bantam & Midget taking place in Barre, Ontario, Canada. These events will include Minor, Major and Mixed divisions. Buffalo is also experimenting with an Elite division this year. Thus, allowing more teams the opportunity to win a national title. The playing rules are simple, no blue pucks (mite level), full ice (all levels), delayed off sides (all levels). If you are looking for an opportunity for your athletes to participate in AAU ice hockey, so why not register your team or association under AAU banner. Sports for All, Forever! www.aauicehockey.org

Have NYHOL Sent to YOUR E-Mail Box! Send Janet@nyhockeyonline.com your address NOW!

www.nyhockeyonline.com

West Hockey / Page 49

Bisons/Regals @ IIHF Local girl players from the Buffalo Bisons and Buffalo Regals orgaization served as flag bearers and assisted in the awards ceremony at the 2015 IIHF Womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s World U!8 Championship.

Have NYHOL Sent to YOUR E-Mail Box! Send Janet@nyhockeyonline.com your address NOW!

www.nyhockeyonline.com

Western New York Men’s College Hockey Report by Warren Kozireski

Wkozires@brockport.edu

BROCKPORT

The Golden Eagles entered February in a race to host a first round playoff game for the first time since the 2009-10 season. That would mean a third or fourth place finish in the tight SUNYAC conference. Junior Chase Nieuwendyk ended January fifth in conference scoring and to-30 in the nation in all games. Defenseman Chris Luker (New Hartford) was leading the nation in points per game by blueliners as of Feb. 1. An end-of-season road trip to Buffalo State and Fredonia Feb. 20-21 could dictate a lot about the postseason.

BUFFALO STATE

The Bengals end the regular season with five-of-six on home ice with the only exception their rescheduled Nov. 21 game at Fredonia which is now part of a home-and-home Feb. 13-14. Ryan Salkeld was atop the team scoring chart while Jason Zaleski was securing his spot on the SUNYAC All-Rookie team with the team-high in goals scored. Freshman Ian Sylves (Sloan) had taken over the top spot in goal and had six of the team’s first seven victories.

CANISIUS

West Hockey / Page 50 was a 7-10, 8-9 format. Junior Ralph Cuddemi and freshman Ryan Schmelzer (Buffalo) were honored with Atlantic Hockey Player and Rookie the Week respectively Jan. 25. Cuddemi totaled six points on four goals and two assists. Schmelzer helped the Griffs to a win on Saturday, setting career highs with three points and two goals, while also posting a plus/ minus of +5 tying the program’s record, last set during the 1998-99 campaign. His plus/minus of +14 during his rookie campaign leads the team. Senior Keegan Asmundson was named Atlantic Hockey Goaltender of the Week Jan. 20 after he posted a 0.96 goals against average and .963 save percentage as Canisius took 3-of-4 points versus Bentley. Freshman David Bennett netted his first collegiate goal Jan. 16 against Bentley. Junior defender Chris Rumble collected Atlantic Hockey Defensive Player of the Week accolades Jan. 13. He helped limit Holy Cross to just two goals during the weekend, while adding two points plus a team-best 10 shots and four blocked shots.

ERIE CC

The Kats entered February on a seven game winning streak and 15-1 since their 2-2 start. They had five games remaining in their regular season before heading to Broome CC for the NJCCA four-team playoff Feb. 2122. Tyler Riter (Orchard Park), Trevor Evans (Newfane), Bradley Jones (Chaffee), Edward Shantler (Buffalo) and Jacob Macchioni (Blasdell) had all reached the 30-point mark over the team’s first 20 games with Riter leading the way with 42.

FREDONIA

The Griffs entered the final month of the regular season unbeaten in their last seven games, the team’s longest streak in the regular season in 14 years (Feb. 11 to March 2, 2001). They were also attempting to secure a first round playoff bye for the first time since the 2009-10 season when there were ten teams in the conference and the first round

With five of their final six regular season games on home ice, the Blue Devils will need to do a quick turnaround if they are to make the playoffs for the sixth consecutive year. Bellport native Stephen Castriota was leading the team with ten goals and needed five more games to become the first Blue Devils forward since Bryan

NYHOL Wants Your News and Photos! Send it to Janet@nyhockeyonline.com

www.nyhockeyonline.com Ross to reach 100 career games played.

West Hockey / Page 51 Ben Blasko’s 18 assists through 20 games put him among the top-20 in the nation in assists per game.

GENESEO

Four points separated third from eighth in the tight SUNYAC as the Knights try to secure a home first round playoff match. Senior forward Tyler Brickler is one of 15 finalists for the Hockey Humanitarian Award. Brickler started working in the Geneseo admissions office three years ago under the supervision of interim director Kevin Reed. As their relationship has grown in the office, Tyler spent a lot of time with Kevin’s family, including 9-yearold daughter Abby and 7-year-old son Kyle. This past September, Kevin and his family welcomed their third child, Jack, into the world. However, born a month premature, he was diagnosed with Down Syndrome. Kevin met with Tyler and gave him a bracelet that he will never take off. Made with yellow and blue coloring that represents Down Syndrome, the band was also inscribed with “I Believe in Jack- Down Syndrome Awareness.” Being a captain of the hockey team, Tyler first wanted to take the bracelet idea to the next level. The team has since dedicated its season to spreading Down Syndrome Awareness throughout upstate New York in honor of Jack and the Reed family and Brickler spearheaded and effort to start selling the bands at home games with proceeds going to the Arc of Livingston-Wyoming: a local private, not-forprofit organization that provides services to developmentally disabled individuals and their families in the region. In addition, Brickler designed and ordered stickers for all his teammates to wear on their helmets with a blue and yellow ribbon that says “I Believe in Jack.” He also organized a Down Syndrome awareness game dedicated to baby Jack that will include a ceremonial puck drop with the Reed family on Jan. 24 vs. Canton.

NAZARETH

The Golden Flyers entered the final month with five wins in their past six games to launch them into a first place tie in their bid for an inaugural regular season title. A veteran defense of four juniors, one sophomore and one freshman anchored by Don Olivieri hadn’t allowed more than three goals in one game since Jan. 3 at nationally ranked Oswego.

NIAGARA

The Purple Eagles nightmare season continued into the final month and having one of the two worst power plays (10 for 110) and sixth worst penalty kills (75.6) is not a good combination in the hopes of turning things around in the postseason. The team will be watching the race for a top-four spot in the likely event they will be traveling to the fifth place city for a first round playoff best-of-three series. Robert Angiolella was named Atlantic Hockey coRookie of the Week Jan. 25 after he returned to the ice and scored three points in a loss to Canisius. Freshmen Luke Edwards, Stanislav Dzahov and Lawrence Smith (Grand Island) each netted their first collegiate goals against Air Force Jan. 10. A Jan. 16 game at North Dakota was head coach Dave Burkholder’s 500th game behind the bench for the Purple Eagles. Sophomore defenseman Kevin Patterson scored his first collegiate goal Jan. 24 against Canisius. Niagara ranks last in their conference in both scoring offense (2.10) and scoring defense (3.75).

R.I.T.

The Tigers were in a good position to secure a first round playoff series heading into the final eight games of the regular season and games-in-hand on the bottom four squads, who will be on the road. Matt Garbowsky entered the final weekend in January leading the nation with 389 face-off wins, tied for second with 17 goals, and sixth with 32 points. Garbowsky has had a hand on 48.4 percent (32-of-66) of RIT’s goals this season, highest in the nation. With linemates Josh Mitchell and Brad McGowan, the trio has accounted for 50 percent of all RIT goals this season (33-of-66) and 45.4 percent of all RIT points (80-of-176). Miles Powell scored his first collegiate goal Jan. 17— the game-winner against Sacred Heart. Alex Perron-Fontaine did the same Jan. 30 versus Army in his 45th career game. (Notes continued on next page)

Have NYHOL Sent to YOUR E-Mail Box! Send Janet@nyhockeyonline.com your address NOW!

www.nyhockeyonline.com

West Hockey / Page 52

Congratulations to the Hamburg Hawks Women on their Gold medal at the 2015 Canlan Winter Whiteout Tournamnet in Ottawa. Hamburg was the only team from the United States to participate. They shut out the Terriors 6-0 then lost a game to the Puckers and in the Championship game beat the Ice Holes 3-1. Hamburg’s team included Brigid O’Gorman, who tallied 3 goals and 3 assists; Lauren McDermott with 2 goals/5 assists and Jasmine Marcucci with 1 goal and 4 assists in the tournament. Christine Wolcott also put in 3 pts; Michelle Donlon 2 pts, Danielle Gehen 2 pts and Carly Smith had a pt. In goal was Lauren Orynawka. Also playing for the Hawks: Annmarie Cellino, Cheryl Julicher, Shoshana Levine, Amanda Todd, Emily Wyse, Lauren Blas, Katelyn Bothwell, Blake Carbone, Alyssa Dollendorf, Alison Edwards, Melissa Jeckovich and Katie Stack. If these names sound familiar, they’ve been part of WNY Hockey for several years at youth and collegiate levels. Nice to see them playing together and continuing their passion for hockey!

(College continued from previous page)

OTHER AREA NOTES:

• Joseph Cecconi (Youngstown) has committed to the University of Michigan beginning next season. A 6’2”, 205-pound defenseman currently playing with the Muskegon Lumberjacks of the United States Hockey League (USHL), he was named a “B” skater on the NHL Central Scouting Preliminary 2015 Players to Watch list. He competed in the 2014 CCM/USA Hockey

All-American Prospects Game.

• Orchard Park native Charles Manley was named Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League Defenseman of the Week Jan. 25.The Estevan Bruin and RPI commit scored a goal against Battlefords on Friday and then registered a goal and an assist in a win over Humboldt on Sunday. For the season, he has 3-goals and 9-assists in 37-games.

NYHOL Wants Your News and Photos! Send it to Janet@nyhockeyonline.com

www.nyhockeyonline.com (Buffalo Stars Continued from Page xX) Favorite Music: Country Favorite Movie: Miracle Favorite TV Show: Top Gear Nickname: Danny Favorite Super Hero: Captain America Role Model and why: My parents because they teach me so many great things Your Personal Hero and why: One of my personal heros is my sister as she survived cancer and always remained in good spirits. Other sports you play: Soccer What are your goals for this season: Have fun and make some new friends Favorite Memory playing hockey:First goal

The Buffalo Stars Featured Player of the Week ending January 25, 2015 is William Galuszka of the Bantam Blue MOHL Team.

The Buffalo Stars Bantam Blue team would like to recognize defensemen William Galuszka II. William is a 5’3” 145 pound Freshmen at Lancaster High School. He is a second year Bantam player who has evolved his game to become an anchor on the blue line for Bantam Blue. William or Will Galush (as he likes to be called) has fought hard all season to earn himself top playing minutes on the team and become one of our top shut down defensive players. His physical and hard play in front of our net drives opposing forward crazy and his hustle and hard work has not been ignored by Head Coach David Lynch. More impressive than his play on the ice is what he does off of it. Will was student of the month for this computer technology class and is also a member of the DECA (National Business Club). He has high hopes of one day becoming a computer engineer or physical therapist. When not on the ice or in school you will most likely see Will playing Air Soft which many describe as his other passion in life.

Introducing Buffalo Stars Spotlight Player: Bryce Yorke of the Bantam Blue MOHL Team

The Buffalo Stars would like to recognize the hard work and dedication of Bantam Blue player Bryce Yorke. Bryce or Yorkie (as he likes to be called) is a big intimidating right winger that opponents fear going into the corners with. At 5’7” and 155 lbs Bryce is a dominating and intimidating force on the ice. He has

West Hockey / Page 53 worked hard all season and earned himself a spot on the top scoring line. Bryce is among the team leaders in scoring and assists and he is always relied on and put on the ice in key penalty kill situations. While he plays the game with a furious tenacity he is one of the most soft spoken and well-mannered kids on the team off the ice. He is always listening intently in the locker room and paying attention in team discussions. He is among the team leaders and one the coaching staff always expects to step up when called on. He knows that being a team player is more than just scoring goals and has high hopes of following in the footsteps of his role model Kevyn Adams. Bryce says “he’s a local guy who made it big in the NHL, won the Stanley Cup when he played for the Carolina Hurricanes and then came back to Buffalo w/ his family and still called it “Home”. Kevyn plays an important role at the Harbor Center in Management and is still giving back to the community through Youth Hockey. And, I am lucky enough to call him “Uncle Kevyn”!”. When asked what his goals are for this season he says “My goal for this season is to get in better shape, play to the best of my ability to help our TEAM win games and to learn how to give and receive proper checks to avoid injuring myself or anyone else.”

The Buffalo Stars Mite Spotlight Player for the week ending January 31, 2015 is Nathan Ziemba. Name: Nathan A. Ziemba Age: 7 AND a 1/2 Height: 4’ Weight: 48lbs Position: Forward Hometown: Lancaster, NY Grade in School: 2nd Favorite Subject: Gym Favorite Color: Black When I grow up I want to be: a hockey player Favorite Sports Team: Sabres Favorite Hobbies: hang out with friends, play video games, build with Legos, swim Favorite Food: tacos Favorite Movie: Star Wars Favorite TV Show: SpongeBob Favorite Super Hero: Captain America Favorite part about hockey: Games Role Model and why: Mommy and Daddy because they always do the right thing. What are your goals for this season: Score 12 goals

NYHOL Wants Your News and Photos! Send it to Janet@nyhockeyonline.com

www.nyhockeyonline.com

West Hockey / Page 54

Regals Review!

Regals Capture Motown Classic Championship

The girls team, led by strong defensive play by defencemen Jillian Blas, Haylee Tatar, Emily Matthew, Maddie Moell, Kate Morris and Catie Martinez held strong during the weekend during four competitive games where only six goals were scored against the Regals in route to the tournament Championship. The Regals opened the tournament with a come from behind 4-2 win over Michiganâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Troy Sting. Goal scorers for the Regals were Maddy Moran (2), Abbi Charvat and Cortney Staniszewski. The next game versus the Canadian Windsor Wildcats started strong with two goals in the first by Phoebe Palmisano and Anna

Pitz. Windsor rebounded with a powerplay goal in the second and tied the game midway through the period. Strong goaltending kept the game tied at 2 through the end of the game. In a must win game versus the Livonia Knights to make it to the finals, strong goaltending by Rose Quattro and goals by Jamie King and Heather Fitzgerald ensured a 2-1 victory and berth in the tournament finals. The final game was a rematch against the Livonia Knights. The team came out strong with two goals in the first by Captain Jamie King and defenceman Haylee Tatar. Livonia scored a goal in the second. Goalie Rose Quattro shut the opposition down even when the team got in penalty trouble in the third. Quattroâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s strong goaltending efforts throughout the weekend were rewarded with tournament MVP honors. The 19U girls have 6 young ladies playing in college next season (3 at Buffalo State, one at Oswego, one at a New England College and one at SUNY-Canton). Two of the girls (my daughter Emma and Megan Reukauf) have won two State Championships together in their career and played in a National Championship game at 14U and made National Quarterfinals last year at 16U. That same team finished in 5th place in the 17U AA Canadian league regular season, our highest finish ever at this level and we are gearing up for our two Q-games against NU on February 14th (10:00 am at Holiday and 3:15 at Buff State). The next day we play two against Gilmour Academy. The 12U girls just beat the Bisons in a Q-game yesterday 3-1, and we are 2-0-2 against them so far this season and we are ranked 15th nationally. (Pictured above are the 14U girls: Front Row (L-R) Phoebe Palmisano, Kate Morris, Abbi Charvat, Fiona Danahy, Rose Quattro, Emily Matthew, Maddy Moran, Jamie King (Captain) Middle Row (L-R) Catie Martinez , Jillian Blas Third Row (L-R) Anna Pitz, Heather Fitzgerald, Cortney Staniszewski, Maddie Moell, Emily Streczywilk, Haylee Tator Back Row (L-R) Bob Charvat, Larry Blas, Darren King, Mike Moran. Photo courtesy Buffalo Regals)

www.nyhockeyonline.com

West Hockey / Page 55

Chiefs goalie Colton DeGrace makes an outstanding save against Starpoint (Iroquois Continued from Page 43)

January 10 and 11 Game Reports Despite a difficult 6-0 loss to Starpoint at Hockey Outlet on Saturday night, Iroquois goalie Colton DeGrace did his best to keep his team in the game. Sunday afternoon ended on a better note, with the Chiefs earning an 8-4 win against Lancaster. Within minutes of the first period, the Redskins took a 1-0 lead over Iroquois. Senior Pat Stenzel scored a quick follow up goal for the Chiefs, assisted by Aiden Abraszek and Richard Karalus. The two teams were back and forth with Lancaster adding a second goal before Abraszek scored two power play goals (both assisted by Karalus), putting Iroquois up 3-2 going into the second period. Alex Held added another Chiefs goal early in the second (assist by Jamie Bonn), furthering the Chiefs lead, only to be answered by Lancaster a minute later. With a score of 4-3 mid way through the second period, the lead was kept safe by numerous defensive plays by Garrett Miller and Eric Rogers. Abraszek got the natural hat trick (Joe Giambra assisted on Abraszekâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s third goal) and Jon Lavis tacked on another to take the Chiefs to the third period with a comfortable 6-3 lead. Lancaster added a fourth, but Chiefs goalie Tyler Fredette shut the door after that, with continued saves against Lancaster forwards. Iroquois defensemen Jon Lavis played an outstanding game on defense with offensive contributions throughout the game.

Iroquois forward Jamie Bonn looking for the front of the net against Starpoint

The win would be sealed with Abraszekâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s fourth

Iroquois Senior Aiden Abraszek rips a slapshot for one of his four goals against Lancaster goal and a tallie by Sophomore Jake Vitello. Additional offensive plays by Ryan Coloumbe and Stenzel attempted to log more onto the board for the Chiefs, but the final was a nice 8-4 win to finish the weekend. (Photos Courtesy Iroquois Hockey)

NYHOL Wants Your News and Photos! Send it to Janet@nyhockeyonline.com

www.nyhockeyonline.com

Local U12 Players from Named to International Selects Hockey Program Saco, ME – The Selects Hockey organization has selected Brooke Becker, Mary Kromer, Alexa Carlon and Jersey Phillips, all from WNY, at their annual major peewee international tryout held January 1st in Buffalo, NY to join the international program with the East Coast Selects hockey team. More than 225 invited girls from across North America competed for 68 positions on 4 teams, with those selected to participate in the program’s international spring training development camp and the World Selects Invitational in Bolzano, Italy this May. Participants will be submerged into foreign cultures and face top international competition in this once in a lifetime experience. In 2013, Brooke, Mary and Alexa played together on the Buffalo Bison U12 girls team (pictured above) where they formed a lasting friendship and hockey connection, before splitting up again this current season. Mary plays 14U with the Buffalo Bison Girls, while Brooke and Alexa returned to the Bison boys Peewee Major AA team, and also play for the Pittsburgh Pens Elite 12U team. The paths of these young players have taken different routes to get to Italy, with Brooke and Alexa playing boys hockey with the Buffalo Bisons since their mite years for Coach Rob Kneer, and Mary starting at Hamburg along

Around the Buffalo Stars...

Girls 19U team lost to the Northern Lights 4-2 in the semi finals of the tournament on January 19. The Buffalo Stars March Madness 2016 Hockey Tournament will be held at the Hyde Park Ice Pavillion in Niagara Falls, NY the weekend of March 18-20, 2016.

West Hockey / Page 56 with her older sisters under Coach Rob Campise, and then moving to the Bisons in 2012. Jersey Phillips continues to play for the Buffalo Regals Organization under Coach Tom Ruggerio on the U12 girls team. Another player chosen for the Selects program Emma Roland plays for Coach Charlie Mendola at Amherst Youth Hockey for the boys Peewee Major AA team and will participate in the many regional tournaments offered this spring. All five players have played together in various spring tournaments over the years as part of the WNY Elite Hockey girls program. The selection committee consisted of independent hockey evaluators including ECS head coach and USA Hockey gold medalist Shelley Looney, Bill Driscoll of the North American Hockey Academy and Kathy Pippy, Director of Girls’ Hockey for Selects Hockey and other professional hockey scouts.

Buffalo Stars Alumni Honored

Buffalo Stars Alumni Joey Rohm is the recipient of the Ullom Award presented by the University of Alabama Frozen Tide. The award is presented to the player who most emitomize the spirt of hockey as voted by his teammates. Joey played his entire youth career with us as a Buffalo Hornet and finished as a Buffalo Stars Junior. Joey is one of 3 Buffalo Hornets/Stars players to have his jersey retired. It now hangs in the rafters of Holiday Twin Rinks.

NYHOL Wants Your News and Photos! Send it to Janet@nyhockeyonline.com