July 2013 magazine

July 2013 Vol. 2 Issue 10

* New York State Meeting and Awards * An Arena Grows in the Bronx! * College Outlooks for 2013-14

In This Issue Amerks News...................35 Bronx Arena...................... 6 Central..............................19 Challenge Yourself............ 5 East...................................24 Home Grown....................17 Islanders...........................28 Northern Educate............15 NYSAHA Meeting............ 9 North.................................29 Rochester News................38 Sabres News.....................34 USA Hockey.....................41 West..................................33

Dear Readers, Summer is here. We thought we’d have difficulty finding enough hockey to report about; but you all proved to us that hockey people have hockey in some shape or form year ‘round.

Numerous camps and special hockey programs for boys and girls are held throughout the summer and throughout the US. Next month we will bring you some of the special events our youth have been involved in including the NAPS and NAHA. This month we have news of a new arena in the Bronx that will put NYC on the map once again. We also have some outlooks on the upcoming season schedules and new recruits at the college level, and a great photo story and write-up on all the activities from the NYSAHA Annual Meeting held in Amherst. (Yep, rainy picnic and all).

We are going to be including NHL stories next season and to kick it off we have a Draft Report from the Draft Floor in New Jersey from our partner and senior writer, Warren Kozireski.

We are also welcoming a new advertiser to our magazine, Northern Educate. They will be opening a Hockey Academy in Rochester and you can learn all about it on Page 15. This is an opportunity for youth to grow both academically and in the sport of hockey.

Make sure to check out our website on a regular basis for up-todate hockey news and send us YOUR NEWS regularly for posting on the site and/or in the magazine. Our readership has been growing steadily and we look forward to your continued support.

This is also a good time to email us your special events/tournaments/showcases, etc. for next season so we can make our travel plans.

Sincerely, Randy Schultz Publisher

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

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

Contents 2012 NY Hockey Online All rights reserved NY Hockey OnLine is published monthly at no charge and can be accessed via the publication’s website www.nyhockeyonline.com

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Around New York State / Page 5

hank you very much for the emails and positive comments about my last article; “Travel Tryouts – Proper Preparation for Your Athlete”. Your feedback has been fantastic and is very much appreciated!

Research has shown that setting goals increases success. In this article, I will discuss how having the right mindset can impact personal development and help young hockey players reach their goals for the upcoming season.

Goals are about energy, positivity, and challenge – they are passion and desire channeled into direction and action. Setting personal goals will help keep you focused, energize your work habits and stimulate a positive mental attitude.

To make your goals a reality, write them down, stay organized and refer to them daily. Although there are many electronic ways to do this, I suggest a 3 ring binder organized by sections. Sections can/should include titles such as; Strength & Conditioning, Skill Development, Systems Improvement, Better Nutrition, Being a Better Team Mate, and Having a Positive Attitude etc. List specific improvement areas within these titles and when possible, measure the results. Load your binder with articles, notes, and motivational elements such as a copy of a score sheet when you had 3 assists in a game, etc.

Define the work you will have to do to realize your goals, work your tail off and enjoy the challenges. I encourage players of all ages to couple every personal goal with one sentence “Be The Hardest Worker Today” and own it.

Challenge Yourself This Season

by Rob Sedia / Professional Hockey Instructor rob@newedgehockey.com

You will NEVER get this time back and years from now, the last thing you want to say to yourself is “I wish I worked harder”. Your opportunity is now, embrace it and take everything possible from it. Regardless of where you end up (or don’t end up) in hockey, you will be a better person for it.

Effort is one of the few controllables in the game, how much or how little starts between your ears and ends up in the heart. Effort (not skill) is the driving force in development, greater effort equals greater results.

You’re in the catch 22 generation, a wealth of knowledge is at your fingertips, training technology and coaching is better than ever but good old, old fashioned work ethic is at an all time low. You have grown accustom to “instant” everything – when results are not instant, most of today’s youth want nothing to do with it. There are no cheat codes for success in hockey, you have to work harder than every player on the ice, set goals, and push yourself out of your comfort zone.

Reflect on why you play the game and dedicate your energy to it as well as define what you want to do long term. We have all heard the old saying “There is No “I” in Team” but the truth of the matter is this; a “team” is filled with “I’s” and the only time

a “team” reaches its full potential is when every “individual” makes the following commitments; “I” will be the hardest worker today.

“I” will set goals.

“I” will stay positive and motivated.

“I” will be the best team mate.

“I” will not point fingers.

“I” will hold myself accountable.

“I” will go above and beyond.

“I” will not quit – ever.

“I” will be relentless in my efforts.

“I” will respect my team mates, my coaches, the officials, and the rules of the game – always.

Goals direct our energy. If you are clear that your goal is to be the best you can be, make it part of your daily routine, manage and measure the process and you will absolutely become the best you can be.

Make this season your best ever!

Rob Sedia is a Partner/Professional Instructor with the NewEdge Hockey Training Company and will be writing a monthly column for NY Hockey Magazine. If you would like to comment on this article, ask questions, provide feedback, or share your thoughts, please send an email to: rob@ newedgehockey.com

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Bronx To Be Home To Largest Indoor Ice Facility

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ingsbridge National Ice Center Will Feature Nine Year-Round Indoor Ice Rinks, Including a 5,000Seat Feature Rink for Major Ice Hockey and Skating Events KNIC Partners LLC Will Invest $275 Million to Redevelop the Vacant Building, Creating More Than 260 Permanent Jobs and 890 Construction Jobs Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg today announced plans to transform the iconic Kingsbridge Armory in the Bronx – vacant since 1996 – into the world’s largest indoor ice facility. The landmark armory, which occupies a full City block at 29 West Kingsbridge Road, will be redeveloped into a 750,000-square-foot ice sports facility to be known as Kingsbridge National Ice Center (KNIC). KNIC will feature nine year-round indoor regulation size ice rinks, including a feature rink that can seat approximately 5,000 people and be used to host national and international ice hockey tournaments, figure and speed skating competitions and ice shows. The project will also include 50,000 square feet of space designated for community uses. It is expected that KNIC will draw more than 2 million visitors a year, vastly increasing the options of ice facilities in New York City, where there are currently only seven year-round ice rinks, none of which are located in the Bronx. The project represents a private investment of $275 million, which will generate 890 construction jobs and 267 permanent jobs.

Mayor Bloomberg made the announcement at the Kingsbridge Armory and was joined by KNIC Partners LLC Founder Kevin Parker, New York Rangers hockey legend Mark Messier, Olympic Figure Skating Gold Medalist Sarah Hughes, Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr., City Council Member Cabrera and New York City Economic Development Corporation President Seth W. Pinsky.

“Through this redevelopment the Kingsbridge Armory will now have an interior program befitting its iconic exterior architecture,” said Mayor Bloomberg. “The construction of the world’s largest indoor ice rink facility will create recreational opportunities for millions of visitors and local residents, and most importantly create hundreds of jobs for the local community. This plan is proof that working together we can put aside our differences and do what’s best for the city.”

“This project is further proof that the Bloomberg Administration’s efforts to bring economic investment to the Bronx are paying dividends,” said Deputy Mayor for Economic Development Robert K. Steel. “Soon this building, which has been vacant for more than a decade, will be brought back to life through hundreds of millions of dollars in private investment, becoming a destination for millions of visitors each year.”

“This historic announcement represents a great achievement for the Bronx and the entire City,” said New York

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City Economic Development Corporation President Seth W. Pinsky. “The Bloomberg Administration has long been committed to revitalizing the Bronx, and this $275 million private investment is another step forward, bringing a landmark building back to life with the largest ice sports facility in the world, while creating nearly 1,200 permanent and construction jobs that will contribute the area’s longterm economic growth.”

“Today marks the beginning of a new chapter for the historic Kingsbridge Armory,” said Kevin Parker, founder of KNIC Partners. “I thank Mayor Bloomberg and the New York City Economic Development Corporation for this tremendous honor and for believing in our vision, and look forward to working with the community throughout this process to ensure the Armory’s future is as incredible as its past. This project is about opportunity, first and foremost, and we are confident the Kingsbridge National Ice Center will become a source of pride for the Bronx and all of New York City for generations to come.”

“This is a fantastic project, one that will bring living wage jobs and new recreation opportunities to the northwest Bronx while completely

transforming a long-vacant space into a new amenity that will complement the surrounding community,” said Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. “This project shows the tremendous opportunity the Bronx has to offer, and I am proud to have helped move the redevelopment of the Kingsbridge Armory forward.”

“I’m pleased to see the outcome of what my office initiated with the efforts and early-stage-discussion in the very beginning, paving the way for the deal that has been brokered,” said Councilmember Fernando Cabrera. “Back in 2010 I asked Seth Pinsky, President of the Economic Development Corporation, to consider releasing the Kingsbridge Armory Request for Proposals.

I want to thank President Pinsky for his willingness to constructively engage the community in the redevelopment of the Kingsbridge Armory. The EDC selected the developer based on the people’s best interest. I’m glad to see that the project has a comprehensive community benefits agreement that is going to bring changes to District 14, the Bronx and beyond.”

“Today we are one step closer to transforming the Kingsbridge Armory into an important economic engine for the surrounding Kingsbridge commu-

nity and the Bronx as a whole,” said State Senator Gustavo Rivera. “I am incredibly pleased that we were able to reach an agreement with the Kingsbridge National Ice Center that addresses the needs of the community I serve.”

“I commend Mayor Bloomberg for his leadership in reaching this decision,” said New York Rangers legend and NHL Hall of Famer Mark Messier. “As a hockey player, I believe the Kingsbridge National Ice Center will change the sport in the metropolitan area. As a New Yorker, I know it will also change this city, providing invaluable educational and athletic opportunity to thousands of young people, and transforming the Bronx into the new center of ice sports in the United States.”

“Today is a day for New York City to celebrate,” said Olympic Champion figure skater Sarah Hughes. “The Kingsbridge National Ice Center – and the educational and fitness initiatives it will create – represents new possibilities for so many children, including those who dream of one day becoming Olympic champions. This is the start of something incredible for the Bronx and I am proud to be part of it.”

Of the nine ice rinks, five will be located on the main floor and four will be constructed on two platforms elevated approximately 40 feet above the main floor. At least two rinks at KNIC will be sled hockey-compatible for people with disabilities. The facility is expected to be open 365 days a year.

In addition to the ice rinks, the facility will feature: a wellness center, with off-ice training fitness, rehabilitation and sports therapy programs; dressing rooms and lockers with storage for individual hockey equipment; concession space; retail space for ice sport goods; and parking for approximately 480 cars. Renderings are available at www.flickr.com/nycmayorsoffice.

KNIC also plans to create a foundation to establish free after-school ice sports and academic tutoring programs for disadvantaged youth. The program will be modeled after the Ed Snider Youth Hockey Foundation in Phila-

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delphia with the goal of providing 12 hours of ice time each weekday during the school year and 9 hours each weekday during summer.

The project will now begin a comprehensive public and environmental review with an anticipated groundbreaking in late 2014. The entire project will be built in two phases, with the first phase, consisting of five ice rinks, 50,000 square feet community space, concessions and parking, expected to be complete by September 2018. The remainder of the project will be built in the second phase which is expected to open by September 2019.

KNIC Partners LLC was selected through a competitive public process that began with the issuance of an RFP by NYCEDC in January 2012, and will now enter into a 99-year lease for the property. The RFP sought a redevelopment plan that would promote economic growth in Kingsbridge and surrounding neighborhoods, provide quality jobs for local residents, and create an exciting destination for people throughout the Bronx and the City.

Built between 1912 and

1917, the Kingsbridge Armory was designed by the architecture firm of Pilcher and Tachau and is an outstanding example of military architecture featuring Romanesque arches, vaulted ceilings, decorative brick and terra cotta, and large battlement towers.

Thought to be the largest armory in the world, Kingsbridge Armory is an approximately 575,000 square foot landmarked building. The 180,000 square foot main drill floor measures 300 feet by 600 feet – more than a full New York City block – and is spanned freely by pairs of vaulted steel trusses that rise 110 feet above the drill hall floor. Beneath the drill floor, a 105,000 square foot basement level and a 207,000 square foot sub-basement formerly housed offices, a garage, rifle and pistol ranges, a dining room, a gymnasium, and an auditorium. In addition, on the Armory’s south façade is a 35,000 square foot head-house, the central feature of which is a double-height entrance foyer with a vaulted ceiling. The Armory has not been used for military purposes since 1993. The City has invested about $30 million in capital funds for environmental cleanup in the building, replacement of its roof and repairs to the façade.

(Photos provided by KNIC Partners and the NYC Mayor’s Office)

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NYSAHA Induct First Hall of Fame Class

by Randy Schultz

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he first class of the newly formed New York State Amateur Hockey Association Hall of Fame was inducted at the Associations annual meeting held in Buffalo.

The trio included Bob Allen, Paul Furman and Dick Brinkman.

To many associated with NYSAHA these three are the foundation on which the Association was built.

Joe Baudo, president of the NYSAHA, explained how the Hall of Fame came about.

“About a year and a half ago Bill Hall (a NYS Director Emeritus) and I began discussing the idea of how we could recognize people on a permanent basis that have been around for a long time and have helped develop our Association,” recalled Baudo. “Out of that came the idea for the Hall of Fame.

“We talked about the criteria for it, as well as location for it. We didn’t come up with a location for

it, but we decided to still go ahead with the idea.

“Last December we sent out the applications for it. We received many responses back.

“After reviewing the nominations, we narrowed it down to three candidates. Others who were nominated will be kept on file and reviewed again for the next class.”

The review committee was made up of the NYS Directors Emeritus that included Hall, Larry McCauley, Doug Ackley and the late Paul Furman. Baudo automatically sits on the committee as President of the Association.

Baudo will be the first to tell you that the three entering the Hall are all very deserving.

“Bob Allen was one of the founding fathers of New York State Amateur Hockey,” said Baudo. “I think he was president of the Association for almost 27 years.

“He then moved on to USA Hockey, where he remained for many years. We also consider Bob the ‘Father of Female Hockey.’

“Bob was very instrumental in starting girls/women’s hockey. He was the team leader for the USA Women’s Ice Hockey Team at the 1998 Winter Olympics.

“He helped bring the Winter Olympics to Lake Placid in 1980, which was great because he was from Lake Placid.

“He was a great leader who was highly respected throughout New York State, the United States and around the world.”

Another person who knew Allen quite well is Mario Pusateri, North Section President.

“Bob Allen was all about the kids,” commented Pusateri. “He always wanted to help the kids and promote the kids.

“He was a down to earth person and never above anyone

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else. He was very involved at the New York State level of developing grassroots players for girl’s hockey.

“Bob was also very instrumental in helping with the development of the Empire State Games. “ Furman was involved in the NYSAH for almost 35 years and hailed from Oswego. He was president of the Central Section for many years.

For 24 years he was tournament director for NYSAH. “Paul was a good friend to many,” commented Baudo.

“In the days before computers, we had Paul Furman,” added Pusateri. “He would write everything out by hand.

“With Paul everything was either black or white. There was no grey area.

“When I first met Paul faceto-face I was truly amazed at the knowledge this man had about the game. He knew his job in the game and he knew yours.

“With Paul you made sure that you crossed your T’s and dotted your ‘I’s’ because if you didn’t he could correct you on it.”

Pusateri told a story that was

told to him by Furman’s wife.

“At four in the morning, Paul would have a pot of coffee brewing,” continued Pusateri. “The kitchen table would be cleared and all of the schedules for the entire state were laid out on the table.

“Eighty some tournaments were laid out on that table. And if you called Paul, before the first ring would quit he would be answering the phone and asking how he could help you.

“Paul was also the guiding light for many of the State Tournament rules we have in today’s game.

“The sad thing about Paul is that we lost he too early. He passed earlier this year just before the start of the State Tournaments.

“He is missed.”

Brinkman, who was from Tonawanda, was very big in officiating. He organized three officiating groups in the Western New York area.

Brinkman was also supervisor for the 44 off-ice officials for the ’80 Winter Olympics.

“Dick helped establish officiating in New York State. Again, one of the founding fathers of New

York State Hockey.”

One person who benefitted from Brinkman’s expertise is Rick Pratt. Pratt is the Central Section Referee In Chief.

“I attended his first seminar when I was just 13,” said Pratt.

“At that time we were strictly volunteers.

“Dick had a way with his seminars. You would come of them and made you want to be on the ice.

“With Dick being so stiff and strong he inspired me to move on with my referring career. His great qualities as a person pushed me to be the person I am today in the game.

“It was an honor to have studied under him.”

Pusateri remembered Brinkman.

“Dick would travel on his own ticket throughout New York State.

Nobody paid his way.

“He would go area to area training officials. People he knew from the NHL would travel and meet with Dick for two or threeday seminars.

“You have to remember that this was in the days before USA Hockey mandated seminars. He

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was a man ahead of his time.

“Dick was constantly on the phone with people from around the State always asking what could he do to help train officials in their area.”

Pusateri summed it up best.

“These three gentlemen that we honored this year

for the Hall of Fame were the foundation of the New York State Amateur Hockey Association. They are truly what could be called ‘Founding Fathers’ for amateur hockey in New York State.

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NYSAHA Honors Volunteers

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David Mensi (left) accepts Sandy Irwin Award from President Joe Baudo.

Story By Randy Schultz; Hall of Fame and Award Winner Photos by Doug Ackley, Massena, NYS Director Emeritus; Other Photos by Randy Schultz, Janet Schultz

ne of the highlights of the New York State Amateur Hockey Association Annual Meeting is the awards and presentations.

The six awards given out include the Sandy Irwin Award, Tom Korpolinski Award, Peter Rush Award, the USA Hockey New Young Leader Award, Bob Allen Scholarship Recipients and a Special Recognition Award given out by USA Hockey.

The Sandy Irwin Award, which goes to a person who goes above and beyond the call of duty for volunteerism, went to Dave Mensi, President of the Hudson Valley Hockey League.

“Dave puts a lot of time into what he does as a volunteer,” said Joe Baudo, President of the NYSAHA. “He is a very valuable member of the Eastern Zone.”

The Tom Korpolinski Award, given for dedication to the sport of hockey, was awarded to Larry McCauley.

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“For years Larry was a member of local organizations in the Alexander Bay area,” stated Baudo. “He was Northern Zone president for many years.

“He always seemed to be the voice of reason when there would be chaos all around him. He was a calming influence.”

The Peter Rush Award was given to Alan Elia. It is given for dedication to youth hockey in New York State.

“Alan has been a valuable member of the Niagara Jr. Purple Eagles and has set a solid example for others to follow,” said Baudo.

The USA Hockey New Young Leader Award was given to George Caswell, who also received recognition for the award at the National Hockey Meetings this spring in Colorado Springs, CO. He is the tournament director for the Northern Zone.

The Special Recognition Award, given out by the girls/women section of USA Hockey, was awarded to the Buffalo Bisons organization. The award is given out to the organization that shows true dedication to the sport of girls/women’s hockey.

The Bob Allen Scholarship recipients included: Andrew Barreca, Pittsford; Michael Harris, Lancaster; Jordon Ott, Hilton; Matthew Wagner, Appilation Central.

Photos: Top--Alan Elia accepts the Peter Rush

Award from NYSAHA President Joe Baudo; Center--John Clearly accepts the USAH Female Honors Award for the Buffalo Bisons from Baudo and Bottom--George Caswell receives the USAH New Young Leader Award from Baudo.

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2013 NYS Meeting Memories

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t is amazing the effect a couple of free hockey tickets to a National Hockey League game. It became the defining moment for what has become a revolutionary experience in hockey and education.

From those tickets came the idea for the Northern Educate Hockey Academy. Developed in Minnesota the Academy is now coming to New York State.

Northern Educate Hockey Academy has signed a five-year agreement for ice time, classby Randy Schultz room space and office space at Bill Gray’s Regional Iceplex in Rochester. The Academy was established in Eagan, MN in 2009.

When it opened in Eagan two years ago there were only seven students enrolled. Today there is a continuous wait list of over 200 children, grades K-12, awaiting word of when they can get in.

So just what is the Northern Educate Hockey Academy?

“We prepare young people for excellence in sports and academics,” answered Dr. Shawn Black, president of Northern Educate Sports Academy. “We develop leadership and prowess both on and off the ice.

“We focus on developing the whole student, not just the skills for playing the game. We want to provide an opportunity for children, ages five to 18, to develop to their fullest potential both as students and athletes.”

Prior to joining the Academy, Black served in the United States Air Force for several years, where he was a pilot and trainer. Following that he joined an online university as Dean of the School of Management and helped increase the student population to over 100,000.

But it was while Black was serving in the Air Force at a base near Tampa, Fla. that the hockey bug bit the family.

“We got some free tickets from the (Tampa Bay) Lightning,” recalled Black. “I took my family to the game.

“We watched the game and by the time it was over my oldest son wanted to play the game. After that he wanted to learn as much as he could about the game.

“We relocated a great deal because of my duties in the Air Force. But each city we went to we would look for a hockey school.

“That’s when I came up with the idea of some kind of

Academics & Hockey = Northern Educate Hockey Academy

an academy. A place where children could go to a high quality school and to excel as a hockey player at the same time.

“I knew how to put together the academic part. It was finding the right hockey school to add to it. I searched all over the United States and Canada and finally found the one I was looking for.”

What he found was the Northern Edge hockey program run by Craig Woodcroft.

Woodcroft, born in Canada, played college hockey at Colgate University.

Drafted by the Chicago Blackhawks, Woodcroft never made it to the Windy City or NHL. He spent several seasons in the American Hockey League before crossing the Atlantic Ocean and playing in Europe for nine seasons.

Arriving back in North America Woodcroft established his Northern Edge hockey program and has locations all over North America.

Then he met Black.

The rest, as they say, is history. Northern Educate Hockey Academy opened its first facility in Eagan, MN. “When Kathy (Black’s wife) and I opened we had seven kids the first day, and two of them were mine. Very quickly it grew to 13.

“Then it hit 22 and to 34 by the end of the year. When we opened up the second year we had 54 kids.

“By Christmas of that second year we had 93 kids. Now we even have a waiting list.”

“We are very excited to partner with the Rochester community and bring the Northern Educate Hockey Academy to the east,” said Black. “We look forward to establishing an academy culture of Integrity, Character and Excellence (ICE), which are the three core pillars of our school.”

While Black handles the academic side of the academy, Woodcroft takes care of the hockey side.

“This academy creates the best environment suited

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for teaching and developing hockey players,” commented Woodcroft. “It is a development model that we are now taking to the east coast in Rochester, NY. “Every day we will have three hours on the ice to implement our development play for each player, with the mandate being; build their skill set, increase their hockey IQ, fuel their passion. With over 500 hours of development each school year, there really is no limit to how good somebody can become.”

From the academic side, the school is divided into three groups. The first two consist of grades kindergarten to eighth grade.

The third group is nine through 12. Students are allowed to choose curriculum similar to that, which is offered through public, private, or charter schools.

“The student to faculty ratio is approximately three to one,” said Black. “Our students get personalized attention.

“In addition, our students can excel at their own pace.

We have many students taking classes beyond their grade level.

“So you can see this is not your traditional type of schooling.”

With the hockey training it is all training.

“Our students spend over 500 hours a year on the ice,” remarked Woodcroft. “They do various drills and exercises.

“We have some of the best coaches around training the students. They range from having NHL experience, to minor league, European leagues to juniors.

“And everyday is different for the students. It doesn’t matter if they are on the ice, off the ice or in the classroom.

“We feel it is a way of keeping the students fresh.

“It should also be understood that we don’t have hockey teams at the academy. Students train as hockey players.

“They can still play on their individual teams from their communities. It can be with travel, house or high school teams.

“The academy provides the time and our curriculum is designed for that.”

Black explained one other detail about the Minnesotabased academy.

“The families who have children participating in the academy are not all from the Minnesota area,” said Black.

“They have come to Minnesota from all over the country.

“Families actually picked up and moved to Minnesota to go to this academy. I think we will see the same thing in Rochester.”

Maybe Woodcroft summed it up best.

“If a student is willing to dedicate themselves to hard work, responsibility and leadership this academy will provide that,” concluded Woodcroft. “There are no guarantees here.

“We are in the business of developing successful people that will be successful out in the world in whatever they want to do.”

“Shawn Black and Craig Woodcroft have established the industry best in class hockey academy,” commented Chris Woodworth, Director of Programming and Marketing at Bill Gray’s Regional Iceplex. “As demonstrated at their Eagan, MN location, student/athletes come to Northern Educate for the advanced hockey development, but they stay for the academic’s.

“We are thrilled that Northern Educate chose Bill Gray’s Regional Iceplex for their expansion.”

For more information on Northern Educate Sports Academies contact Scott Bell, 585-672-3855.

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LEGENDS OF THE GAME:

KEVYN ADAMS

By Randy Schultz

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he relationships you build, the memories, the friendships, the tournaments, the swimming in the pools, the knee hockey you do is really what it is all about. That is what youth hockey is all about.

That is how former National Hockey League star, Kevyn Adams described his feelings about youth hockey. Adams was the keynote speaker for the New York State Amateur Hockey Association luncheon.

Although born in Washington, D.C., Adams grew up in Western New York in Clarence where he played his entire youth hockey. That included two seasons with the Niagara Scenics (now Buffalo Jr. Sabres).

Adams first experience in youth hockey was at the now defunct Keenan Center Ice Arena in Lockport.

After a couple of years there, it was on to the Wheatfield Blades organization where he played until joining the Scenics.

Adams played for 10 seasons in the NHL for the Toronto Maple Leafs, Columbus Blue Jackets, Florida

Panthers, Carolina Hurricanes, Phoenix Coyotes and Chicago Blackhawks. He was a member of the 2006 Stanley Cup champion Hurricanes team.

But after accomplishing all of that Adams still considers his youth hockey days the most memorable. The former number one draft pick of the Boston Bruins (the 25th player taken overall) in the 1993 NHL Entry Draft remembered those days.

“To this day, even playing hockey at a much higher level, losing the National Championship as a BantomMajor still bothers me,” commented Adams with a smile on his face. “That wrist shot that went over our goalies glove.

“You never forget things like that.”

Four players that played together at the age of seven on that championship team went on to play Division I hockey, including Adams who played four seasons with the Miami of Ohio University RedHawks.

Adams admits that playing on the Niagara Scenics Jr. team of the North American Hockey League was one of the more challenging experiences in his life.

“I was 15 at the time,” remembered Adams. “There were some who said I wouldn’t make it and would be cut.

“Maybe I should have been because I was only 5-6 at the time and not very big. It was a 15 year-old playing against a group of 18 to 20 year olds.

“Actually it wasn’t a case of playing, but surviv-

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ing. It was a tough league.

“But I was able to stay at home and go to school at Clarence High School. And I grew, both on and off the ice.

“I remember one of the items I always packed for my road trips with the team was my book bag. I had to study on the bus.

“There was one rule in my house with my parents.

If I didn’t have certain grades in school, there would be no hockey.”

When it came time for college hockey, Adams’ parents were very big into education. Several colleges talked to Kevyn, including the legendary hockey coach, Tim Thomas, of Yale University.

“I had the hockey skills to get into Yale,” said Adams. “Unfortunately I didn’t have the SAT scores to go with it.”

Following his first year at Miami of Ohio, Adams was drafted by the Bruins. For the next three summers it was a debate of Adams returning to college or turning pro.

For three consecutive summers he chose to return to college.

“I can’t lie, it was because of my parents,” admitted Adams. “But it was the best decision I could have

made.

“I’m very proud of the fact that I have my college degree today.”

Adams has some advice for those youth hockey coaches who work with today’s young hockey players.

“To me, one of the most important parts of working with young players is to teach them the passion of the game and give it all you got,” remarked the 38 year-old Adams. “When kids come to play a game or practice, you want them to have a smile when they come in and a smile on their face when they leave.

“Hockey should be a fun experience.”

Adams also has one other strong belief.

“I believe in practice,” stated Adams, who resides with his wife and family in Bemus Point. “I was never the best player on any of the teams I ever played for.

“I remember shooting puck after puck after puck to make myself better. I practiced hard and enjoyed practice.

“Practice is how you will get better. Develop your skating.

“If you can skate you will be off to a great start.”

Adams is also a believer in not playing hockey all year long.

“As a kid, when my hockey season ended, the bag got zipped up and put away. I played baseball, soccer and basketball during Adams as a NHL Draftee in 1993 (Janet Schultz Photo) the summer months.

“Other sports are fun too.

But in the end hockey should be an enjoyable life experience.

“It has been for me.”

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Central Hockey

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Central News and Notes Syracuse

The Syracuse Blazers are proud to announce that six players have been named to NYSAHA Player Development teams this coming spring/summer: For the ‘98 team - Tommy Bianchi, Stanley Kubis and Nick Skidmore. For the ‘99 team - Tanner Coleman, Matt Frye and Jeffrey Gentile.

Congratulations to these players and all the Blazers who attended the March 23rd tryout and represented SYHA well. The selection of SYHA players is a testament to their hard work and the commitment from our organization to player development.

Valley Hockey

2013 Kurt Kemp Friend of Youth Hockey Award Winner: Pat Karins

Pat Karins has served as the Valley Registrar for the past 4 seasons. In addition, Pat has helped as the Kitchen Coordinator. Pat goes above and beyond in her role as Registrar, helping keep things running smoothly for our association. Through Pat’s efforts, the teams at Valley Hockey are able to play and compete, representing Valley across NYS.

Lysander

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Lysander Golf Tournament, Friday, Augustm

Southern Tier

Thank You Southern Tier for NYHOL link.

Liverpool High School

Below is the 2013-2014 Regular Season Schedule.

Thursday November 21st: vs. WEST GENESEE (7:00pm) Friday November 22nd: vs. WATERTOWN (7:00pm) Tuesday November 26th vs. MOHAWK VALLY (7:00pm) Tuesday December 3rd vs. BALDWINSVILLE (7:00pm) Friday December 6th @ Ontario Bay Tournament TBA Saturday December 7th @ Ontario Bay Tournament TBA Wednesday December 11th @ CNS (8:40pm) Saturday December 14th @ Scarsdale (NYC Trip) - 5:00pm Sunday December 15th @ Rye (NYC Trip) 12:30pm Wednesday December 18th vs. ROME (7:00pm) Monday December 23rd vs. AUBURN (7:00pm) Friday December 27th @ Oswego (1:00pm) Thursday January 2nd @ Watertown (5:30pm) Tuesday January 7th vs. FAYETTEVILLE MANLIUS (7:30pm) Friday January 10th @ West Genesee (7:30pm) Tuesday January 14th vs. FULTON (7:00pm) Thursday January 16th @ Syracuse (7:00pm) Tuesday January 21st @ Baldwinsville (7:00pm) Friday January 24th vs. CNS (7:00pm) Tuesday January 28th @ Ithaca (7:30pm) Friday January 31st @ ROME (7:00pm)

Send your news to nyhockeyonline@nyhockeyonline.com each month!

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Central New York Men’s College Hockey Report

by Warren Kozireski

BROOME CCC Former Associate Coach Jim Lalley takes over as head coach for the 2013-14 season after Patrick Collins stepped down. Lalley played collegiately for Cortland State. He has been with the Hornets program for seven years.

COLGATE Colgate alum and 12-year National Hockey League veteran Andy McDonald has decided to retire after a career of over 700 games played.

The 35-year old had seven goals and 14 assists in 37 games this past season. He played 685 regular season games with 489 points on 182 goals and 307 assists for both the St. Louis Blues and the Anaheim Ducks and appeared in a combined 56 playoff contests with 37 points on 18 goals and 19 helpers.

ELMIRA Josh Burnell was given the team Most Valuable Player award at the endof-the-year athletic banquet. Rookie of the Year went to Greg Whittle and the Coach’s Award went to Tyler Campbell.

OSWEGO The Lakers were one of the first Division III programs to publicly release their 2013-14 schedule and they will host the annual PathFinder Bank/Oswego State Classic on January 3-4 with Curry, Utica and Wisconsin-Stout participating in the tournament.

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Cortland

Central Hockey / Page 22

and was a member of Team Manitoba.

She scored seven goals and had 32 assists last season.

The State University of New York Porlier played for both BrewsAthletic Conference has recognized ter Academy and Team Quebec. She 197 Cortland winter and spring is from Maria, Quebec and had 33 sports student-athletes on its Allpoints off of 22 goals and 11 assists.

Academic and Commissioner’s List She was the 2012-13 MVP. teams for the 2012-13 season.

Coming from Rumford, RI, Scala

Among them are women’s played for the National Sports Acadice hockey players Margaret Corbett emy. She had 21 goals and 16 assists (Queensbury), Caralie Fennessey in 2012-13.

(Fairport), Kaitlin Friel (Oswego), At forward Schwarz scored 16 Chelsie Hausberger (West Seneca), goals and had 10 asissts for the BosDeanna Meunier (Booton, NJ), Erton Shamrocks last season. She comes ika Osborne (Sharon Springs), Juby Janet Schultz from Naugatuck , Conn. and was lia Rapp (Vienna, VA) and Chelsey Janet@nyhockeyonline.com named the team’s MVP and played in Wright (Medord). the JWHL All-Star Game.

Athletes earn a spot on the Sibley was named JWHL OffenList by recording at least a 3.3 GPA during the most recent sive Player of the Year after scoring 41 goals and 26 assemester and are chosen to the Commissioner’s List if they sists for 67 points last season.

She played for the Warner have at least a sumulative 3.3 GPA over the past three seSchool and comes from Lusewland, Saskatchewan. She mesters combined. also played in the JWHL All-Star Game and was a member of Team Saskatchewan.

The Orange open their 2013-14 season by hosting

Head Coach Paul Flanagan welcomes eight new the University of Guelph in an exhibition game on Friday, additions to the Orange for the upcoming season.

September 27. They then head out east to Northeastern Uni Eleanor Haines, a forward from Huntington, NY versity and the University of New Hampshire the weekend is among those recruits. Hians was a two-year All-New of October 4.

England Selection at the Canterbury School. She was team captain and in the 2011-12 season cored 15 goals and nine assists for 24 points.

Season tickets for Oswego Women’s Ice Hockey

Another New York native, Erin Brand hails from are now on sale. Current season ticket holders may renew Long Beach and comes from Northwood School. She is a their tickets beginning Tuesday, July 9 at 10 a.m. In order to forward and defenseman and took the coaches and sportsretain your current seats, your renewal mut be received by manship honors this season.

Other recuits include Morgan Blank, Larissa Mar- the Campus Center Box Office on Thursday, July 25. The tyniuk, Laurence Porlier, Elizabeth Scala, Heather Schwarz Office is open Tuesdays and Thursdays, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

New season ticket requests will be available beginand Jessica Sibley.

Blank is from Fort Mitchell, Ky and played with ning Tuesday, August 6 and Thursday, August 8 from 10 the Pittsburgh Penguins Elite last season. She scored 45 a.m. to 2 p.m. Season ticket forms will be accepted by mail before August 6 with the Box Office Staff contacting you points with 24 goals and 21 assists.

Martyniuk is a defenseman from Shaftsbury School after that date.

Central Women’s College Ice Hockey Report

Syracuse

Oswego

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Women’s ice hockey ticket packages are $91 for the general public, $78 for Oswego faculty, staff and Emeriti.

The Box Office will be closed from August 9 until Monday, August 26 when regular hours resume.

Single game tickets will be available to the general public Monday, October 7 at 10 .m.

Colgate

Colgate Women’s Ice Hockey Player Caroline Potolicchio was named as one of the marketing and promotions interns for the summer.

Potolicchio is a three-year letterwinner for the team plaing as a Forward for the Raiders. She has played in 31 of 35 games last season and in over 30 contests during her last two seasons. She also made an impact away from the ice as a leader in the Autism Awareness Campaign for the past two seasons.

After giving then No. 2-ranked Cornell a run for its money in last year’s ECAC Hockey Quarterfinals, Colgate head coach Greg Fargo and his women’s hockey team are preparing themselves for what they hope will be the best season in program history.

“We have a well-balanced, strong non-conference schedule during the upcoming season,” Fargo said. “In the ECAC, we are looking to get off to a strong start. To be a playoff team, we will have to earn points in the first half of the season. There is no doubt we are striving to get back to the playoffs and position ourselves as high as possible in the standings at the end of the regular season.”

Colgate starts out with a minimum 34-game schedule during the 2013-14 regular season. Heading into his second year, Fargo has compiled a very competitive schedule for his Raiders’ squad. They kick off their first game of the season and home opening weekend against two-time defending national champion Minnesota on Oct. 4-5.

“We are looking forward to hosting the defending national champions in Starr Rink to kick off the season and to get our year started in the right direction,” Fargo added.

“Anytime you get a chance to compete against the very best that your sport has to offer, it’s a great opportunity.”

In addition to the two-game set against Minnesota, the Raiders also have 10 other non-conference games with

two-game matchups against Connecticut, RIT, Syracuse, Vermont, and Penn State.

The ECAC Hockey season begins Oct. 25 when Colgate faces St. Lawrence in Starr Rink during Family Weekend. The Raiders also welcome Clarkson the next afternoon. Colgate’s league schedule features games against top programs like Quinnipiac, Dartmouth, Harvard, and neighboring rival Cornell.

“There is no doubt that the highlight of our schedule will be when ECAC league play begins,” Fargo said.

“The league is so tight from top to bottom and every game has playoff implications, which makes for exciting games all season long.”

Colgate travels for most of January with six of 10 games during that month away from home ice. The Raiders start the month at Yale on Jan. 3 and then follow that up with a contest against Brown on Jan. 4. The Raiders are back on the ice when they head to second-year program Penn State for games on Jan. 10-11. They are finally back at Starr Rink on Jan. 14 when they welcome Syracuse. Harvard and Dartmouth then come to town Jan. 17-18 before Colgate is back on the road again at Clarkson and St. Lawrence for the Jan.24-25 weekend. The Raiders finish the month at home against Brown on Jan. 31.

The Raiders’ regular season ends during Senior Weekend on Feb. 21-22 with games against Princeton and Quinnipiac. Colgate is hoping to continue their season the following weekend at the ECAC Hockey Tournament, which starts March 1 with the quarterfinal round.

Utica

Utica’s teams had a very successful season academically. The Women’s Ice Hockey Team was one of 17 teams named to the Empire 8 Conference President’s List.

They had a combined GPA of 3.01.

Individually Carmen Johnson, Lindsay Norton (Eden/Buffalo Bisons) and Meredith Tice were recognized.

Norton, a senior, graduated with a Health Studies Occupational Therapy degree.

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East Hockey

Largest Indoor Ice Facility Comes To The Bronx!

See Page 6

NY Hockey OnLine

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Eastern New York Men’s College Hockey Report

by Warren Kozireski

ARMY Army hockey head coach Brian Riley was named to the NCAA Division I Men’s Ice Hockey Committee. The committee is responsible for the management of the NCAA Championship, including team selection and operations as well as future site selections for NCAA regionals and the Frozen Four.

Riley’s term on the committee will expire in 2014, though he is eligible to be re-appointed.

Army’s 2013-14 schedule features 14 home games including Air Force and Providence, non-conference games at Penn State, Merrimack, Boston College and the Royal Military College and 27 Atlantic Hockey Association games.

After opening the campaign with the annual Black vs. Gold Game on October 5th, the regular season begins at Penn State in the first game at the new Pegula Ice Arena October 11th.

R.P.I. The Engineers released their 36-game 201314 season schedule, which includes 17 games at the Houston Field House, three at neutral sites and 11 games against schools that played in the 2013 NCAA Tournament.

The Engineers travel to Boston College for the first time since January 1997–to play the five-time national champion Eagles October 13th and return six days later when to battle Boston University. Harvard opens the ECAC Hockey schedule on October 29th.

UNION

The Dutchmen released the 2013-14 schedule and it includes 34 contests against six non-league opponents, the 11 other members of ECAC Hockey and at least one game against a team from every Division I conference.

Union will play a season-opening set against Bowling Green of the WCHA on October 11-12 at Messa Rink, followed by a home series against another WCHA opponent, Lake Superior State.

The schedule also includes a two-game series at Penn State of the Big Ten on November 30-December 1, and a two game series at 2013 Frozen Four finalist St. Cloud State of the newly formed National Collegiate Hockey Conference on December 13-14.

Union will take an after holiday break from league action to take on perennial Hockey East power New HUDSON VALLEY CC Hampshire in a two game series in Durham, NH on The Vikings will hold a general interest meeting January 17-18.

Wednesday, August 28th at 4:30pm in MCD 202 for those interested in playing the 2013-14 season.

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East Women’s College Report

by Janet Schultz Janet@nyhockeyonline.com

Union College

Head Coach Claudia Barcomb released the 2013-14 schedule for the Union College women’s ice hockey team today which includes 34 contests against eight non-league opponents and the other 11 members of ECAC Hockey.

Union will open up the 2013-14 season with five straight Hockey East opponents, beginning with a road contest at Connecticut on Sept. 28 at 2:00 p.m. The Dutchwomen earned a 3-2 win against the Huskies at Messa Rink on Sept. 29, 2012 in their 2012-13 season opener.

“We beat them last year but it was a close, hard-fought game,” Barcomb said. “I think it will be another close game this year. It will be nice to get our kids on the road early on in the season to get an idea of what we’re all about.”

Union will then return home to take on Providence at Messa Rink on Oct. 4-5 before games against Northeastern and NCAA Championship finalist Boston University on Oct. 11-12, also at home. The Terriers are defending Hockey East regular season and tournament champions.

“BU was in the finals of the national championship game last year, and they’ll be really good again this year,” Barcomb said.

The Dutchwomen will continue non-conference play with a road series at Penn State on Oct. 18-19 before another game against a CHA opponent on Oct. 26 at Syracuse.

Union opens ECAC Hockey play at home against Dartmouth and Harvard on Nov. 1-2, beginning a run of eight straight games in league play.

“I think we’ll play a good variety of teams before we start league play,” Barcomb said. “With eight games in a row to start league play, it will be a very important stretch for us in the overall picture of our league.”

Union will face Colgate and defending ECAC Hockey champion Cornell on the road on Nov. 8-9 before returning home to take on Brown and Yale on Nov. 15-16. The early

season stretch of league contests concludes at Quinnipiac and Princeton on Dec. 6-7.

Maine returns to Union for a non-conference series at Messa Rink on Dec. 13-14 before the team’s traditional winter break leading up to the New Year.

Union opens up 2014 with a home series against RIT on Jan. 3-4, marking the first time the Dutchwomen and Tigers meet as Division I opponents. Union and RIT last played as Division III rivals in ECAC East, with the Dutchwomen sweeping a two-game series at Messa Rink on Jan. 31-Feb. 1, 2003.

Union College head women’s ice hockey coach Claudia Barcomb has named Nicholas Carpenito as an assistant coach for the upcoming season. Carpenito joins Union after serving as the Assistant Women’s Ice Hockey Coach and Head Women’s JV Ice Hockey Coach at Elmira College for two seasons, where he helped the Soaring Eagles capture the 2013 Division III National Championship.

“We are excited to have Nick join our staff,” Barcomb said. “He brings a great deal of energy and experience to our team and comes from a highly successful Division III program. I look forward to what he is going to add to Union Women’s Ice Hockey.”

In Carpenito’s two seasons at Elmira, the team posted a combined record of 44-10-2, with a 29-5 mark in ECAC West contests. Last season, Elmira had the No. 1 scoring defense in all of Division III women’s ice hockey, allowing just 1.10 goals per game and second best penalty kill in the nation at 92.7%. Elmira also had the nation’s No. 4 scoring offense at 4.10 goals per game.

While at Elmira, Carpenito helped with the development and execution of practices, recruiting, game film editing and all aspects of strength and conditioning, among other responsibilities.

Carpenito will earn his Master’s degree in General Education at Elmira College in June. A 2011 graduate of Northeastern University, Carpenito was a four-year member of the Men’s Club Ice Hockey team.

RPI

The Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) women’s ice hockey schedule for the 2013-14 season has been finalized. The Engineers will play 35 games, including 16 at

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the Houston Field House. Highlighting this year’s schedule are seven games against 2013 NCAA Tournament teams, including six against ECAC Hockey foes Cornell, Harvard and Clarkson.

“We’re excited about the upcoming season and the challenging schedule we have put together,” said head coach John Burke, who enters his 11th season at the helm of the Engineers. “We will have four NCAA Tournament teams in the Houston Field House this year, including NCAA finalist Boston University and our ECAC Hockey schedule promises to be as competitive as ever.”

RPI kicks off the season at the Field House with a pair of exhibition games against the Ottawa Jr. Senators and Brock University on September 22 and 29, respectively.

The Engineers then travel to Pennsylvania to open the regular season with a two-game series at Robert Morris on October 4 and 5. RPI returns home for two non-conference games against 2013 NCAA Championship runner-up Boston University and Northeastern, the following weekend.

The Engineers conclude the brief three-game homestand on October 19 against the University of Vermont.

Rensselaer plays a pair of non-league contests at UConn on October 25 and 26, before beginning their ECAC Hockey schedule at home against Harvard and Dartmouth on November 1 and 2. The Engineers visit league regular season and tournament champions Cornell and Colgate the next weekend, before hosting Yale and Brown on November 15 and 16.

The Engineers begin a six-game road trip by flying to Minnesota over Thanksgiving (Nov. 29-30) for a pair of games at St. Cloud State. RPI then opens the month of December at league-foes Princeton and Quinnipiac, before traveling to Providence College for a non-conference series on December 4 and 5.

Following a 35-day layoff, RPI opens the 2014 portion of its schedule against Quinnipiac and Princeton at home, followed by a home-and-home series with Route-7 rival Union College on January 17 and 18. The Engineers are home on Friday night, before heading to Schenectady on Saturday afternoon.

RPI concludes a three-game road trip at Dartmouth and Harvard on January 24 and 25, before taking on North Country foes St. Lawrence and NCAA Tournament participant Clarkson for the first time, the following weekend.

The Engineers open the final stretch of the season on

the road at Brown (Feb. 7) and Yale (Feb. 8), and is back at the Field House the following weekend against Colgate (Feb. 14) and Cornell (Feb. 15). Rensselaer returns home to conclude its regular season schedule against Clarkson (Feb. 21) and St. Lawrence (Feb. 22).

Rensselaer posted a 10-22-4 overall record in 2012-13 with an 8-12-2 ECAC Hockey mark. RPI finished seventh in the conference standings, making its fourth postseason appearance in five years.

RPI Takes Part in You Can Play Project

RPI Athletics, a member of the Liberty League for its 21 Division III athletic teams, and ECAC Hockey for its two Division I programs, has joined the You Can Play Project in supporting diversity and inclusion for all studentathletes, coaches, and fans.

Participating in the video is RPI Vice President for Student Life, Tim Sams, Athletic Director Jim Knowlton, and representation from all 23 Varsity sport teams.

The video was produced by athletic department intern Caitlin Crowley, and Associate Athletic Director Karen Hansen.

RPI is committed to ensure that athletes are judged solely on talent, heart, desire, and work ethic, and not on the basis of sexual orientation or other discriminatory factors.

We will guarantee that athletes are given a fair opportunity to compete, judged by other athletes and fans alike, only by what they contribute to the sport or their team’s success.

You can team up to help promote equality and respect in sports by taking a stand with You Can Play today: http:// youcanplayproject.org/

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Islanders Prospects Play to Benefit Children’s Foundation

he New York Islander the team will play their Orange and Blue scrimmage at Nassau Coliseum on Thursday, July 11 at 7 p.m.

Fans will have the opportunity to see the organization’s top prospects compete in the game and then take part in a post-game skills competition that will feature a prospect shootout. Fans can visit http://www.newyorkislanders.com/ to purchase their tickets, which are $10, with all proceeds going towards the Islanders Children’s Foundation.

Season ticket holders will have exclusive VIP access throughout the event. Access includes preferential seating along the glass, meet and greet opportunities and the ability to high five the players as they enter and exit the ice.

This year’s Orange and Blue scrimmage will feature top prospects such as forwards Anders Lee (2009, 152nd overall selection), Brock Nelson (2010 30th overall selection), Ryan Strome (2011, 5th overall selection) and defensemen Griffin Reinhart (2012, 4th overall selection), Scott Mayfield (2011, 34th overall selection) and Andrey Pedan (2011, 63rd overall selection).

Each year, the players compete in the Orange and Blue scrimmage, showcasing their skills for fans. Ryan Strome brought the game national attention when his move in the 2011 post-game shootout was selected on ESPN Sportscenter Top 10 Plays of the Night. To go along with the shootout, the players will take part in a skills competition with events such as the hardest shot, breakaway relays and fastest skater.

Doors for this summer’s scrimmage are scheduled to open at 6 p.m. For fans that are not able to attend the game, MSG Varsity will stream the game live on the team’s web-site.

The Islanders Children’s Foundation was founded in 2003 to provide opportunities to children in areas of education, health and youth hockey development. The

ICF has raised over $5 million, assisting thousand of children and their families on Long Island, as well as around the world.

Founded in 1972, the New York Islanders Hockey Club is the proud winner of four Stanley Cup Championships. Keep up with breaking Islanders news on Facebook at www.facebook.com/NEWYORKISLANDERS and on Twitter @NYIslanders. Don’t forget to Yapp with the team all season long with SportsYapper on your smartphone or tablet. For further information on any individual/group ticket options or sponsorship opportunities, contact the team’s office at (516) 501-6700 or e-mail customerservice@newyorkislanders.com. For more team information, log on to newyorkislanders.com.

For more information or ticket availability, please contact an Islanders representative. Call: 1.800.882.

ISLES Ext. 2 or E-mail: customerservice@newyorkislanders.com.

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North Hockey

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Northern New York Men’s College Hockey Report

ST. LAWRENCE

The Saints 2013-14 schedule will include teams from the new National Collegiate Hockey Conference, the reconstituted Western Collegiate Hockey Association and a set of teams

by Warren Kozireski from Hockey East in addition to its regular Eastern College Athletic Conference schedule.

The Saints will host the University of Maine on PLATTSBURGH October 11-12 as part of Homecoming and Hall of Fame weekends, play two at new WCHA mem Goaltender Mathieu Cadieux ber Ferris State on October 18-19 and close out the was named to the Capital One first month of competition with Northeastern at Academic All-America Division Appleton for two on the 25th and 26th.

III Men’s At-Large Team, which is selected annually by the College Sports Infor- A four-game road trip opens ECAC conference mation Directors of America (CoSIDA). Cadieux play for the Saints at defending national champiwas named to the Third Team, earning the first on Yale on November 1, at Brown on November 2 and at Harvard and Dartmouth November 8-9 Academic All-America award of his career.

Cadieux finished his junior year with a 15-7-1 before hosting Cornell and Colgate on November record and became the ninth two-time AHCA All- 15-16.

American in program history. He ranked fifth in Division III with a 1.78 goals-against average and was tied for 12th in the nation with a .929 save percentage. He allowed 41 goals and recorded 534 saves during the 2012-13 season. In just two seasons with the Cardinals, he has posted a 31-12-4 record with 1,097 saves.

In addition to his contributions on the ice, The Albany Devils will open on Saturday, Cadieux is a business major with a 3.75 grade- October 12. The time and opponent will be anpoint average. Cadieux is the lone State Univer- nounced at a later date. sity of New York Athletic Conference (SUNYAC) Tickets for the 2013-14 season are now on sale representative on the 2013 Capital One Academic and can be purchased by calling (518) 4-DEVILS All-America Division III Men’s At-Large Team or log on to thealbanydevils.com. and is one of six ice hockey players to be recog- The American Hockey League will release the remaining schedule and opponents later this nized.

To be eligible for Academic All-America con- summer. sideration, a student-athlete must be a varsity starter or key reserve, maintain a cumulative grade-point average of 3.30 on a scale of 4.00, have reached sophomore athletic and academic standings at his/her current institution and be nominated by his/her sports information director.

Albany Devils Open October 12

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Clarkson

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Clarkson then faces arch-rival St. Lawrence With 18 veterans returnUniversity in back-toing and another promising back non-conference freshman class added to games. The Knights the mix the Clarkson Unibattle the Saints in Potsversity Women’s Hockey dam on October 4 for team is looking forward to a the first of four meethighly successful campaign ings against their North in 2013-14. The Golden Country neighbor, folby Janet Schultz Knights, guided by sixthlowed by a game in year co-head coaches Matt Canton on October 5. and Shannon Desrosiers and A home-andassistant Matt Kelly, will face a challenging schedule home series with CHA foe Syracuse University on this winter as they strive to surpass the record-setting October 11-12 is followed by three consecutive games efforts of last season. against a pair of NCAA powerhouses. The Knights Coming off a school-record 28-10 record and an host CHA frontrunner Mercyhurst College, which has appearance in the NCAA Tournament, the Green and skated in the past nine consecutive NCAA TournaGold will play eight games against teams that skated in ments, in a weekend series on October 18-19. Clarkthe 2013 national playoffs. son, which has qualified for ECAC Hockey postsea “We are very excited for another great schedule son play in each of its first nine years in the highly this season,” stated co-head coach Shannon Desrosiers. competitive 12-team conference, opens the 22-game “We have many of the top teams in the country coming campaign against reigning league champion Cornell in to Cheel Arena and are fortunate to be invited to play Ithaca at Lynah Rink on October 25. in an outdoor game against RIT. We combine an im In other non-league games at Cheel, the Knights pressive group of rookies that will add depth in all powill host Providence College of Hockey East on Nositions with a strong veteran core that now has NCAA vember 15-16 and battle 2013 NCAA Tournament Tr. experience. Coupling it with a strong schedule like participant North Dakota of the WCHA in a weekend this, should be a formula for a very exciting season.” series on December 6-7.

North Women’s College Report

2013-14 Clarkson Women’s Hockey Schedule

Plattsburgh

In its 11th season of NCAA Division I hockey.

Clarkson opens the 34-game slate facing off against College Hockey America’s (CHA) Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) on Saturday, September 28 for the first of 20 regular-season games at Cheel Arena.

The awards continue to roll in for Teal Gove of the Plattsburgh State women’s hockey team as the recent graduate was named Capital One Academic All-American of the Year for the Division III Women’s At-Large Program. She was also selected as one of 58 winter student-athletes to receive an NCAA Postgraduate

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Scholarship.

The Berwick, Ontario native becomes the first Plattsburgh State student-athlete to be selected as a Capital One Academic All-American of the Year.

Gove was also named to the Capital One Academic All-America Division III Women’s At-Large First Team, which is a follow-up to her third team selection in 2012. She is one of just two women’s ice hockey players to be recognized on this year’s Division III AtLarge Team, which is selected annually by the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA).

In addition to achieving Capital One Academic All-America status, Gove was one of 58 student-athletes to receive an NCAA Winter Postgraduate Scholarship. Each winter 29 male and 29 female winter sports student-athletes from across all divisions are honored with each receiving an award of $7,500. Similar awards are given each season to fall and spring student-athletes, totaling 174 individual winners each academic year.

The two awards for Gove cap off arguably one of the best individual seasons put together by a Plattsburgh State women’s hockey player. Gove led the Cardinals to a third-place finish for the second-straight season as the nation’s leading scorer with 50 points and an average of 1.67 points per game. She was the 2013 American Hockey Coaches Association (AHCA) Laura Hurd winner, which recognizes the top player in Division III women’s hockey, and was named the D3Hockey.com Division III Women’s Player of the Year. A two-time AHCA First Team All-American, Gove was also named ECAC West Player of the Year for the second straight season and wraps up her career with 139 points, which is tied for fourth all-time in program history.

While Gove has served as a leader on the ice, she has been just as successful in the classroom. Gove graduated in May with a bachelor’s of science in biology, maintaining a 3.83 grade-point average during her time at Plattsburgh State. In addition to her two Capital One Academic All-American citations, Gove has been named to the ECAC West All-Academic Team three times, the SUNYAC All-Academic Team two times and the SUNYAC Commissioner’s List twice. Gove was also named a SUNY Chancellor Scholar-Athlete

in 2012. She will be continuing her studies in the fall at McGill University in Montreal, Quebec.

St. Lawrence

The Saints open their 2013-14 season with a double header against New Hampshire at home on Friday and Saturday, September 27 and 28. They wind down the first semester on Saturday, December 10 at Syracuse.

St. Lawrence is back on the ice on January 4 at Robert orris for a two-game stand, returning home to Clarkson on January 10 at 7 p.m.

Their regular season ends on Saturday, February 23 at home against Rensselaer.

Potsdam

Senior Katie Komsa is the recipient of a 2013 SUNY Chancellor’s Scholar-Athlete Award.

Komsa played in 96 games, scored 10 goals and 21 assists for 31 points during her career at Potsdam. She served as Team Captain this past season, playing in 25 games and tying her assist record best at 6.

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2013 BUFFALO DRAFT RECAP

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By Warren Kozireski

t turned out exactly as planned with three defensemen, one goaltender and seven forwards drafted by Buffalo in Newark, New Jersey but it didn’t go exactly as planned.

The Sabres selected a pair of defensemen in the first round taking Sweden’s Rasmus Ristolainen from TPS Turku eighth overall and then Russian Nikita Zadorov of London in the OHL with the selection acquired from Minnesota in the Jason Pominville deal.

“Getting two defensemen in the first round wasn’t our plan going in,” Kevin Devine said. “We did key on Ristolainen—he was the guy we wanted in the first round. We just sat back and waited for him and then looked to move up with three or four players at the 11-12-13 positions, but no teams were interested.

“The plan going in wasn’t to take two defensemen; we had those two guys neck and neck and some guys actually like Zadorov better. So to get those big guys is pretty nice.”

They traded defenseman Andrej Sekara to Carolina and acquired defenseman Andrew McBain and the 35th overall selection to add a third secondround pick and began by selecting forward J.T. Compher from the U.S. National Development Team Program who is heading to the University of Michigan this fall.

Connor Hurley was taken with the 38th overall pick out of state champion Edina High School in Minnesota and Muskegon of the USHL. Williamsville native and Kitchener Ranger Justin Bailey was selected with the 52nd pick in the second round.

“He (Compher) was a guy that we had targeted and we were thinking of moving up to get him when the phone rang with the offer from Carolina,” Devine said.

“We were hoping to get him with our 38th pick and here he was staring us in the face at 35 so that worked out nice.

“We looked at moving up into the late first round with our 38 and 52 picks but couldn’t find any takers and we would have lost Hurley and Bailey so it worked out good.

We kind of rolled the dice and it worked out.”

In the third round, right wing Nicholas Baptiste from Sudbury of the OHL was taken 69th overall after his 21 goal season with the Wolves.

The first of three fifth-round picks was used to select goaltender Cal Petersen of the Waterloo (USHL) at 129th overall. Petersen had a 21-11 record in 35 games with a 2.97 goals against average and a .906 save percentage. He was named to the USHL All-Rookie Team.

With the very next pick in the draft, the Sabres selected Swedish forward Gustav Possler, who recorded 40 points for MODO Jr. this past season, including a team-leading 19 goals and added a team-high eight points in seven playoff games.

Buffalo picked up its third defenseman of the draft 143rd overall, selecting Anthony Florentino of South Kent (CN) School where he netted 53 points.

He will attend Providence College this fall.

The Sabres selected another Buffalo native in the sixth round, choosing center Sean Malone (West Seneca) at 159th overall. Malone registered 27 points for the USNTDP team.

Buffalo rounded out the draft by selecting center Eric Locke in the seventh round (189th overall). He recorded 97 points in 68 games for the Saginaw Spirit in his third OHL season in 2012-13, ranking third among all OHL players in points and tying for fourth in goals.

“With so many picks and contract situations we don’t want to waste those picks because they all come up at the same time and we wouldn’t be able to sign three or four of them,” Devine summarized. “So we looked at the college route and European which with the new CBA gives us four years and that was part of the plan.”

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Amerks Open October 4

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he Rochester Americans announced that the Amerks’ Home Opener for the 2013-14 American Hockey League regular season will be played on Friday, Oct. 4 at The Blue Cross Arena.

While the full 2013-14 AHL regular season schedule with dates and opponents will not be announced until later this summer, the Amerks have six guaranteed home dates on the calendar for next season. In addition to the Home Opener on Friday, Oct. 4, other highlights of the schedule include a game at First Niagara Center, home of the Buffalo Sabres, on Wednesday, Oct. 30, as well as a game the day after Thanksgiving (Friday, Nov. 29). The Amerks’ first-ever outdoor game will be played on Friday, Dec. 13 at Frontier Field as part of Rochester’s outdoor hockey event.

The complete list of Rochester’s six guaranteed home dates for the 2013-14 season is as follows: • Friday, Oct. 4 • Wednesday, Oct. 30 • Friday, Nov. 8 • Friday, Nov. 29 • Friday, Dec. 13 • Friday, Jan. 10 The Amerks are also scheduled to participate next season in the prestigious Spengler Cup tournament in Davos, Switzerland, a six-team tournament that takes place each year from Dec. 26-31 and is hosted by HC Davos of Switzerland’s elite National League A. Amerks Full-Season, Half-Season, Freedom Packs and 12-Game ticket packages for the 2013-14 season are now on sale.

For more information, visit www.amerks.com or call 1-855-GO-AMERKS.

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Western New York Women’s College Hockey Report

excellent playmaker,” said McDonald, who is 151-38-15 at RIT. “Her skill set and vi H e a d sion on the ice should help us Coach Scott offensively right away. She McDonald has been a productive scorer and Assisduring her PWHL career, and tant Coach recently broke the 100-point Shivaun total. Brittany (St. James) is Siegl are proud to announce the a natural goal scorer, who

by Janet Schultz RIT have brought in their largJanet@nyhockeyonline.com is strong on the puck and est class in eight years at RIT, JDSchultz3663@gmail.com around the net. She is one which includes four forwards, of those players that always two defensemen, two who will seems to be in the right spot to score and has a provplay both defense and forward, and two goaltenders. en track record of scoring at every level. Her quick Eight players hail from the province of Ontario in Canrelease will definitely make her an offensive threat for ada, while two are from the United States. us.

“This is the largest freshman class we’ve brought in, knowing we would have to replace so many key Mackenzie (Stone) is an extremely smart player players due to graduation,” said McDonald, now en- in all three zones. She has great size and is gifted tering his eighth season at RIT in 2013-14. “All 10 athletically. Her skating ability will increase our overall players bring different skill sets and will fill different team speed, plus give us a strong fore-checking forroles, giving us a high level of competition at all three ward. Cassie (Clayton) is one of the toughest, grittiest positions. We feel this class will make us a stronger players we’ve seen this year. She plays with great enteam and bring us to another level as we progress as ergy and is extremely tough to play against. There’s no doubt Cassie will be a crowd favorite right away. a Division I program.

Last year we had 19 one-goal games that could She will be able to defend our opponents top players have gone either way. In order for us to compete on and has shown that she can put up some offensive the national level, we will need a couple more offen- numbers.” sive threats plus some reliable defensive players. We Both Caitlin Wallace (Brantford, Ontario/Stoney Creek Sabres) and Lindsay Stenason (Oakville, Onbelieve this class has a great combination of both.”

Forwards Dakota Waites (Whitby, Ontario/Durham tario/Oakville Hornets) will be expected to play both West Lightning), Brittany St. James (Orono, Ontario/ up front and on defense right away. Wallace and SteDurham West Lightning), Mackenzie Stone (Kars, On- nason, along with Taylor Thurston (Kanata, Ontario/ tario/Nepean Wildcats), and Cassie Clayton (Picker- Nepean Wildcats) and Lauren Klein (Shoreview, MN/ ing, Ontario/Mississauga Chiefs) will help improve an Mounds View High School) will need to fill the void RIT offensive unit that enjoyed long stretches of suc- of three graduating defensemen (Kristina Moss (Webster, NY/Buffalo Bisons), Danielle Read (Brantford, cess during its inaugural Division I season.

Waites and St. James were teammates with Dur- Ontario/Hamilton Hawks), and Ellesha Fortuna (Burham West of the Provincial Women’s Hockey League lington, Ontario/Burlington Barracudas)), who com(PWHL) in 2012-13. Waites, who stands 5-foot-6, re- bined to play in 352 games over the last four seasons. corded 40 points on eight goals and 32 assists, while Wallace put up 19 points on seven goals and 12 St. James, a 5-foot-8 forward, tallied 33 points on assists for Stoney Creek last season, while Stenason 15 goals and 18 assists in 37 contests. Stone, also recorded 12 points in 36 games for Oakville. Thur5-foot-8, tallied 20 points on eight goals and 12 assists ston, a junior teammate of Stone’s with Nepean, was in 38 games, Clayton, a 5-foot-6 forward, recorded 16 an assistant captain, tallying 12 points on four goals points on nine goals and seven assists, while adding and eight assists in 34 games. Klein led Mounds View a team-high 62 penalty minutes in 37 games for Mis- High School to a 26-2-1 mark last season, recording 29 points on 15 goals and 14 assists in 28 games. sissauga.

“Dakota (Waites) is a dynamic offensive player and She added six power-play goals.

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Western New York Men’s College Hockey Report

The award was announced earlier in the week by Dr. JoAnna Jacob, regional manager of Coaches vs. Cancer. The award was presented to Meredith during the opening ceremony of the 2013 Relay For Life of Dunkirk-Fredonia.

Head coach Dave Smith has signed a contract extension that will keep him as head coach of the program through the 2016-17 season.

by Warren Kozireski Smith is set to enter his ninth season in charge of the Golden Griffin program after leading R.I.T. Canisius to its first conference championship during the 2012-13 campaign. During the 2012-13 campaign, The Tigers unveiled its 2013-14 schedule with 34 Canisius advanced to the NCAA East Regional Semi- regular season games, including 16 regular season final. The Griffs also finished the season ranked 19th home games in its final season at Ritter Arena, one in the final USCHO.com Division I poll, the program’s regular season contest at the Blue Cross Arena against highest placement in the national rankings. the University of Michigan (10/12) and its first outdoor game in program history at Frontier Field, both in downtown Rochester.

The outdoor game will be Saturday, December FREDONIA 14th against Atlantic Hockey Association rival Niag 2013 grad Mat Hehr accepted a graduate assistant- ara. The venue is expected to hold at least 10,000 ship at SUNY Canton starting in the fall and will join seats and will take place at 7 p.m. as the nightcap of a the staff of first-year Canton head coach Trevor Gil- doubleheader with RIT’s women taking on Clarkson University earlier in the day. ligan.

Teammate Brett Mueller (Queensbury) was named graduate assistant at Franklin Pierce.

ECC Head coach Jeff Meredith was the 2013 recipient Erie Community

of the Coaches vs. Cancer award for organizing the College sophomore Ryan New York College Hockey Event of the Year.

Kaufman (Amherst, N.Y.) Meredith was cited for his involvement in Pink was chosen as a third-team The Rink, the annual men’s hockey game is which the selection to the 2013 Capital Blue Devils wear pink jerseys and socks. Each jerOne Academic All-America® sey is sold and the proceeds of all sales—and money College Division men’s atraised at other events held that night—are donated to large team, as selected by the the American Cancer Society’s fight against breast College Sports Information cancer.

Directors of America (CoSI The 2013 game raised nearly $9,000 and Pink The DA).

Rink donations since its inception are estimated at

Kaufman, a defenseman on the ECC hockey team, $30,000. The 2014 game is scheduled for Feb. 1 vercarries a 3.67 grade-point average while majoring in sus Morrisville. criminal justice.

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Locker Room Sports Signs 5 Year Agreement with Bill Gray’s Regional Iceplex

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ocker Room Sports, Rochester’s most popular sporting goods store specializing in ice hockey has signed a 5 year agreement with Bill Gray’s Regional Iceplex. The agreement is an extension of a current lease where Locker Room Sports operates a fully functional hockey proshop inside the Iceplex.

In addition, Locker Room Sports will be working on numerous enhancements to multiple growth of the game initiatives being launched by the Iceplex.

“We are excited to continue our relationship with the Iceplex and build upon it by contributing to their numerous growth of the game programming,” said Graeme Low, owner of Locker Room Sports.

“Whether it is Taste of the Game - a program designed to introduce kids to ice hockey, or the Never Ever League - a crash course hockey program for adults, we are excited to contribute to the efforts of the Iceplex team at growing participation of ice sports locally.”

“Anyone that knows hockey in Western New York knows Locker Room Sports, so having them operate within our walls is an honor,” said Chris Woodworth, Director of Marketing and Programming at the Iceplex.

“Locker Room Sports has really stepped up since our management team has taken over the facility and we are very excited to collaborate with them at growing participation of ice sports in Rochester.”

Bill Gray’s Regional Iceplex is a 170,000 square foot, multi-sport facility located on the campus of Monroe Community College. It is home to 4 NHL sized ice rinks, a Bill Grays Restaurant, Tap Room and Snack Bar, Abbotts Frozen Custard, Locker Room Sports Hockey Store, Maksymum Hockey, Northern Educate Hockey Academy and City Brew Coffee. It is also the training facility for the Rochester Americans and home to MCC Ice Hockey, Nazareth Ice Hockey, Rochester Youth Hockey and numerous other organizations. For more information, visit www.billgraysiceplex.com.

Located in Rochester New York, Locker Room Sports is locally owned and operated by Graeme Low. Outfitting beginners to pros since 1977, their goal has been to provide great selection, superior customer service and competitive pricing. Their West Ridge Road Store specializes in equipment and team uniforms for hockey, soccer, baseball and lacrosse. Their Hockey Store at the Iceplex has a wide selection of hockey sticks, equipment and apparel. For more information, visit lockerroomrochester.com.

Doubletree Bill Gray’s Hotel Sponsor

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oubleTree by Hilton Rochester, has just announced it will become one of the hotel sponsors for the Bill Gray’s Regional Iceplex. DoubleTree by Hilton Rochester realizes that without a facility like Bill Gray’s Regional Iceplex, Rochester could not continue to acquire the hockey tournaments that it does.

Bill Gray’s Regional Iceplex recognizes the value this partnership holds as well and will most certainly support it.

Both partners are working to provide more value to those teams who come into town for tournaments.

Patrick McGlasson, General Manager for DoubleTree

by Hilton Rochester said, “We, at the DoubleTree by Hilton Rochester, are pleased to be the closest, full service hotel to the Bill Gray’s Regional Iceplex. We have enjoyed wonderful success housing individuals, families and teams that patronize your facility and realize the immense growth to come. We look forward to working together to enhance the experience of those who visit the Rochester area.”

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“Both Caitlin (Wallace) and Lindsay edge is what separated her from the other prospects,” (Stenason) will said McDonald. “Jetta (Rackcontribute at leff) is a proven winner who is forward and dea fierce competitor, has excelfense,” said Mclent skills, and great maturity.

Donald. “CaitShe is a tall athletic goalie that lin is a strong player who has takes up a ton of net and limtremendous raw ability and its what offensive players can should excel at this level. She see. Both goalies are true has a strong shot when atstudents of the game and are tacking, plus she will be a big eager to learn, compete and Continued from PAge 35 physical presence in front of improve their personal skills. both nets. Lindsay has highBoth will vie for playing time end speed with and without the with Ali Binnington (Oakville, puck. She can get up the ice Ontario/Mississauga Chiefs) quickly; put instant pressure on the forecheck. Lind- right away and make our goaltending core stronger say’s combination of intelligence and speed will be than ever.” valuable during special team opportunities, as well as The Tigers finished their first Division I season playing any position on the ice. with a 16-16-5 mark, advancing to the College Hockey Taylor (Thurston) is an extremely smart and reli- America Semifinal. RIT placed third in the CHA standable defender. She is always in the right spot to de- ings and competed in a program record 19 one-goal fend and does all of the little things really well. She or tie games in 2012-13. The 2013-14 season will can play in all three zones, and any situation. Her RIT’s last at famed Ritter Arena before moving into Gold Medal experience with team Ontario Blue during the 4,500-seat Gene Polisseni Center in 2014-15. the Canadian National Women’s Under-18 Champi- “We played in so many close games last year and onship should be vital with the leadership traits she feel that the added depth of this year’s class will help has. Lauren (Klein) is a tough, gritty player, with great us win more of those close games and help us progoffensive ability and a big shot from the offensive blue- ress even further in the CHA standings,” said McDonline. Lauren isn’t afraid to get into the corners first and ald. battle for pucks. She has a strong first pass out of RIT Announces Schedule the defensive zone and is also a proven scorer at all The RIT women’s hockey team unveiled its schedlevels.” ule for the 2013-14 season on Tuesday, June 11. The In goal, Brooke Stoddart (Elmvale, Ontario/Bramp- Tigers, who enter their second season at the Division ton Thunder) and Jetta Rackleff (Bend, OR/Anaheim I level, will play 34 regular season games and one exLady Ducks) will vie for playing time with incumbent hibition contest. RIT will play 16 regular season home starter Ali Binnington (Oakville, Ontario/Mississauga games in its final season at Ritter Arena on the camChiefs). Stoddart played in 25 games for Brampton pus of RIT and its first outdoor game at Frontier Field. last season, recording a 2.91 goals against average On Dec. 14, the Tigers make history by playing its and .907 save percentage. In addition to playing for first outdoor game in program history, hosting ECAC the Anaheim Lady Ducks, Rackleff is a celebrated in- foe Clarkson, a 2013 NCAA Tournament participant at line hockey goaltender, helping lead Team USA to the noon. It is part of a doubleheader, with the men host2012 FIRS (Federation International de Roller Sports) ing Niagara that evening at 7:05 p.m. On Sept. 28, Gold Medal.

RIT also opens the regular season by traveling north “Brooke (Stoddart) is very technically sound and to play Clarkson. athletic. Her mobility in the crease keeps her square “We are so excited about the outdoor game in to the puck and gives her solid rebound control. Even December,” said RIT Head Coach Scott McDonald. though her junior team struggled to score goals, “To have the opportunity to play outside in downtown Brooke always kept the game close and gave her Rochester is an experience we will never forget. We team a chance to win. We feel that her competitive are truly blessed to have the support at RIT to play at

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Frontier Field.”

RIT competes in College Hockey America, alongside Lindenwood, Mercyhurst, Penn State, Robert Morris, and Syracuse. The Tigers will play four games against each opponent, two at home, and two on the road, and is eligible for the postseason tournament.

Last season, RIT advanced to the CHA Semifinals.

On Friday, Sept. 27, RIT hosts the Toronto Junior Aeros of the Provincial Women’s Hockey League in an exhibition contest at 5 p.m. After traveling to face New Hampshire and Northeastern of Hockey East on Oct. 4-5, the Tigers spend the rest of October at home, with six consecutive non-conference contests.

The Tigers welcome Vermont to Ritter Arena on Oct. 11-12 as part of Brick City Homecoming and Family Weekend. The following weekend, RIT will be the designated road team against Colgate at the Bill Gray’s Regional Iceplex on the campus of Monroe Community College on Oct. 18, then host the Raiders at Ritter Arena the following evening. RIT completes its home stand with a pair of games against Brown on Oct. 25-26.

Other non-conference contests include a trip to Hamden, Conn. Right after Thanksgiving to play in the Quinnipiac Tournament with Quinnipiac, Yale and the University of Connecticut on Nov. 29-30, then ring in 2014 with a pair of road games at ECAC foe Union on Jan. 3-4.

“I think this is another exciting schedule for this upcoming season,” said McDonald, now entering his eighth season at RIT. “We have a handful of new opponents plus a couple of return games from last season. Playing new opponents on the road every year will continue to grow our program by seeing different venues, campuses and competing against schools in different conferences.”

RIT plays its final 12 games against conference foes, including four against rival Syracuse in a span of six weeks. The Tigers host Syracuse for a single game on Jan. 10, then travel to face the Orange on the road a week later before playing a home-and-home to end the regular season on Feb. 21-22. The two teams developed a contentious, competitive rivalry, with all five meetings ending in either a tie or one-goal difference, three ending to overtime.

The Tigers open league play with two games in the central time zone at Lindenwood University on Nov. 8-9, The Lady Lions make the return trip to Rochester for a pair of games on Jan. 24-25. RIT hosts

Penn State, also in its second season as a Division I program in a pair of games at Ritter Arena on Nov. 15-16 before traveling to brand new Pegula Ice Arena for two games on Jan. 31 and Feb. 1. RIT defeated Penn State in a pair of hard fought CHA First Round playoff games en route to a 5-0-1 mark against them last season.

The Tigers welcome defending CHA Champion Mercyhurst to Ritter Arena for two games on Nov. 2223 before making the return trip to Erie for a pair of contests on Feb. 7-8. Mercyhurst is 365-99-30 since becoming a Division I program in 1999. The Lakers have made eight straight NCAA Tournament appearances and are 144-9-9 in CHA play. RIT also heads to Robert Morris for two games on Dec. 6-7, and hosts the Colonials on Feb. 14-15 at Ritter Arena. RIT went 3-0-1 against Robert Morris last season.

The 2013 College Hockey America playoffs begin with a best-of-three series for the third through sixth place finishers from Feb. 28-March 2. The top two teams get a first round bye. The CHA Tournament Semifinals and Championship will be held on March 7-8 at the home of the regular season champion. Mercyhurst was last season’s league champion.

RIT is ineligible to compete in the NCAA Tournament until the 2014-15 season due to a mandatory two-year probationary period when moving up from Division III to Division I. RIT enjoyed a very successful first season at the Division I level in 2012-13, finishing with a 16-16-5 record. RIT finished tied for third in the College Hockey America standings and advanced to the conference semifinals.

Beginning in 2014-15, RIT will move to the Gene Polisseni Center, a brand new, state of the arena that will seat 4,500 fans. RIT has played in Ritter Arena since its inception in 1975.

“We have a great upcoming home schedule for the RIT faithful,” said McDonald, who has a 151-38-15 record in seven seasons behind the RIT bench. “With this being our last season in Ritter Arena, we want to make sure this year is memorable for our alums and community. Opponents are aware of our great crowds and atmosphere in Ritter Arena and we are seeing more and more schools visiting RIT than any other year. This should be an exciting year to close out our time at Ritter Arena”

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USA Hockey News ated from Canisius College with degrees in communications and history.

He and his wife, Amy, reside in Amherst, NY, with their sons, Mark (13) and Jack (10), and their daughter, Grace (8).

NY Women Attend NAHA

Gilbert Named PR Bylsma Named Head Liaison for Olympics Coach of Men’s SA Hockey announced that Michael Gilbert, Buffalo SaOlympic Ice Hockey bres vice president of public and community relations, has been Team appointed as media relations liaison

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an Bylsma (Grand Haven, Mich.), head coach for the National Hockey League’s Pittsburgh Penguins, will be the head coach of the 2014 U.S. Olympic Men’s Ice Hockey Team.

“We’re thrilled to have Dan as coach of our men’s Olympic team” said Ron DeGregorio president of USA Hockey.

“He’s rapidly established himself as one of the most prominent coaches in our country today and we know he’ll help put us in the best position of achieving our ultimately goal of bringing home the gold medal.”

“In Dan, we’ve chosen someone that has had terrific success and relates well to players,” said David Poile, general manager of the 2014 U.S. Olympic Men’s Ice Hockey Team and also the GM of the NHL’s Nashville Predators.

for Team USA at the 2014 Winter Olympic Games, being held in Sochi, Russia.

“We’re extremely pleased to have Mike as part of our communications team for the Olympic Winter Games,” said Dave Fischer, senior director of communications for USA Hockey.

“His vast experience, as well as his passion for the game, will serve our sport well as we look to capitalize on the enormous stage that the Olympics bring with it.”

Gilbert, who is entering his 17th season with the Sabres organization, has worked in the NHL since 1995, when he was hired as director of public relations for the New Jersey Devils. He has twice been a part of NHL PR staffs that have been honored with the Professional Hockey Writers’ Association’s Dick Dillman Award for excellence in public relations (199697, New Jersey; 1997-98, Buffalo).

A Buffalo native, Gilbert gradu-

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everal New York women hockey players were part of the 2013 North American Hockey Academy held in Burlington, Vermont June 29-July 2.

Taking part were Madeline Kromer, Buffalo Stars; Alexandra Horton, Lady Islanders; Dana De Martino, Massapequa High School Varsity; Kathryn Darling, Buffalo Bisons and Nichols School; Sydney Parker, Syracuse Nationals, Grace Parker, Syracuse Nationals; Alexandra Krez, Brewster; Katherine Leonard, Brewster Lady Bulldogs; Cassidy Lefebvre, Glens Falls High School Indians and Adirondack Northstars; Lindsay Miller, Lady Islanders; Sydney Levy, Lady Islanders; Mikaela Ditonto, Buffalo Stars; Lauren Yakush, Adirondack Northstars; Erin Cunningham, Bufalo Bisons; Rachel Lustenring, Brewster Lady Bulldogs; Alyssa Franklin, Buffalo Stars and Eden and Lake Shore High School Boys JV; Kelsey Baldwin, Adirondack Northstars; Briana McFall, Southern Tier Storm and Allison First, Syracuse Nationals.

Among the Coaches were Plattsburgh’s Nicole Goguen, Colgate’s Josh Sciba; St. Lawrence’s Ted Wisner; RPI’s Brent Hill and Plattsburgh’s Kevin Houle.

We apologize if we omitted anyone and appreciate you letting us know.

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(ECC Continued from Page 36)

He recently was selected as a recipient of the 2013 The State University of New York Chancellor’s Scholar Athlete Award.

The Scholar Athlete Award recognizes a combination of academic excellence and outstanding athletic achievement at the NCAA Division I, Division III and NJCAA levels.

Kaufman also was named to the 2013 All-Region III hockey team as a secondteam selection after appearing in 16 games and recording 4 goals and 11 assists.

Kaufman, the team’s top scoring defenseman, helped lead the Kats to back-to-back NJCAA championship semifinal games.

He scored 13 points (1 goal/12 assists) in the 2011-12 season.

The Capital One College Division Academic AllAmerica® men’s and women’s at-large teams are comprised of student-athletes from NAIA, Canadian and two-year institutions. The at-large team for the Capital One Academic All-America® program includes the sports of fencing, golf, gymnastics, ice hockey, lacrosse, rifle, skiing, swimming and diving, tennis, water polo for both men and women; bowling, crew and field hockey for women; and volleyball and wrestling for men.

About the Academic All-America® Program

To be eligible for Academic All-America® consideration, a student-athlete must be a varsity starter or key reserve, maintain a cumulative G.P.A. of 3.30 on a scale of 4.00, have reached sophomore athletic and academic standings at his/her current institution and be nominated by his/her sports information director.

Since the program’s inception in 1952, CoSIDA has bestowed Academic All-America honors on more than 18,000 studentathletes in Divisions I, II, III and NAIA, covering all NCAA championship sports. For more information about the Academic All-America® Teams program, please visit www.cosida.com.

National Camp in Lake Placid

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oung female hockey players from across the north country had the priviledge of helping name the USA Hockey’s Womens National Team roster for the upcoming Olympic year in Lake Placid. The young athletes had the honor of welcoming each player to the stage as their selections were announced and broadcast over the internet via a live feed.

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“It has been a pleasure working with DoubleTree by Hilton Rochester thus far, and we are now pleased to announce this official partnership. Not only do they offer possibly the best cookies in town, but their hotel has so much to offer to those who will visit our facility for tournaments. It is an essential partnership with DoubleTree by Hilton Rochester being right down the road,” said Ally Pawarski, Sponsorship Sales/ Event Coordinator at Bill Gray’s Regional Iceplex.

Binnington Honored

RIT’s Ali Binnington (Oakville/Mississauga Chiefs) earned the 2013 CoSIDA/Capital One At-Large Third Team Academic All-American Honors. The sophomore goaltender has a perfect 4.0 GPA and is the second women’s hockey goaltender in the last two years to earn the prestigious award. Laura Chamberlain received the honor in 2012.

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