November 2013 nyhol

NY NY HOCKEY HOCKEY

ONLINE

NOVEMBER 2013 VOLUME 3 ISSUE 2

Try Hockey For Free Day November 2

This Month... ...The Emmy Goes To...

FIRE ON ICE PICS

An Armchair Tour of

HARBORCENTER

Your Source For NYS Hockey News!

NY HOCKEY E-Magazine

In This Issue Amerks..................................... 61 Central Section......................... 22 Central Men............................. 23 Central Women........................ 26 Central News/Notes................. 29 Coaching With Gridley............. 8 College Club............................. 48 East Men................................... 34 East Women.............................. 35 East Section.............................. 31 East News/Notes....................... 32 Emmy Award Winner...............11 From the Bench with Sedia....... 5 HARBORCENTER................. 18 Hockey Insight........................... 9 NHL.......................................... 62 North Section............................ 36 Northwood Hockey.................. 37 North Men................................ 39 North Women........................... 41 North News/Notes.................... 42 Olympic Star/Hockey Dad...... 28 Player Profile............................ 33 Photo Page............................... 65 St. Francis High....................... 14 Tournaments............................ 63 West Section............................. 44 West News/Notes...................... 45 West Men.................................. 56 West Women............................. 58 WNY Women............................ 49 WNYGVIH............................... 51

Dear Readers,

Well, this looks like our biggest issue ever, with a cross-section of stories from every part of the State.

We’ve received several emails from Associations providing us with photos and stories, and are hoping that all of you take a minute to send a short note or photo from one of your events/tournaments.

Please make sure to share this issue with all your players and coaches; they may want to see if they are in any of the photos or stories--or know someone who is.

We’ve managed to do some traveling around and had a great day at the Fire On Ice Tournament in Rochester. Met up with several friends from around the State including Dave Mensi from the North and Coach and former Olympian Andrea Kilbourne-Hill and her Northwood Huskies.

Photos of that game against Ridley are included in this issue.

Then we traveled over to RIT to see the women play Colgate, and again met up with another acquaintance and former Olympian from the Miracle on Ice Team. There’s a story in this issue.

Enjoy the magazine and remember to “Friend” us on Facebook and if you want to receive monthly notifications of NY Hockey OnLine, make sure to send us your email address. Also check out www.nyhockeyonline. com regularly for updated press releases.

Best Wishes, 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 Tom Barnett 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

www.nyhockeyonline.com

NY Hockey OnLine

Sedia / Page 5

From the Bench!

by Rob Sedia / Professional Hockey Instructor

Concentrated Training – A Golf Analogy Helps Explain It

T

here are many different developmental phases hockey players will experience throughout their careers and the most common phase is “plateauing”. This is when you feel like you are not getting better and you feel less effective on the ice. Don’t let this become a mental road block for you. If you understand what is going on and what to do about it, you will move out of this phase and into a very exciting one.

Understanding Skill Variance Before I get into the “golf analogy”, I will explain skill variance and its relationship to perceived plateauing. This very basic chart helps us visualize how skill variance works. At the 7-year old house level, you will have the largest separation of skill, 1 being the least skilled to 10 being the most skilled. The 9-year old AA level shows the skill variance reducing and when you jump to the 13-year old AAA bracket, the skill variance is dramatically reduced.

This simply means the higher the level of competition, the more even the skill level of the players. This makes it much more difficult to recognize developmental progress, and stand out. It is quite common to feel as if you are plateauing when you move into a tighter skill variance bracket. This is the time when concentrated training will help and this golf analogy helps explain concentrated training.

www.nyhockeyonline.com

NY Hockey OnLine

Sedia / Page 6

Golfers use a handicap system which is a numerical measurement of a golfer’s playing ability relative to par.

Here is a very generic example, if par for a golf course is 72 and a golfer regularly shoots 92, he would be considered a 20 handicap golfer. A 20 handicap golfer can improve and become a 15 handicap golfer with very basic training.

Playing more golf and hitting balls at the driving range on a somewhat regular basis will usually do the trick. It is unlikely a 15 handicap golfer will improve to a 10 handicap by doing the same basic training the 20 handicap golfer did to improve to a 15. The 15 handicap golfer needs better information and better training. A 10 handicap golfer needs even better information and better training to improve and a 5 handicap golfer needs exceptional information and exceptional training to improve. The lower the golfer’s handicap, the greater the need for concentrated, specialized training to improve.

Much like golfers, hockey players need to identify their “hockey handicap” and train accordingly. The higher the level of the hockey player - the closer the skill variance, and the greater the need is for concentrated and specialized training. It is very important to understand improvement comes in MUCH smaller increments as players move up the skill scale.

Concentrated Training Example: The 15 handicap golfer sees a professional golf instructor and is advised to keep track of all relevant statics each time he plays a round of golf, something he has never done before. These statistics include fairways in regulation, greens in regulation, up and down percentage, sand saves, number of putts and number of three putts.

After 10 rounds of golf, the statistics show an average of 37 putts per round and an average of 7 three putts per round. He then has a series of putting lessons and changes his regular 2 hours per week of driving range practice to 1 hour of driving range and 1 hour of putting practice. He has identified an area in need of improvement, adjusted his practice time to address it, and is applying the “better” information obtained from the golf professional. The 15 handicap golfer is now practicing better. This will dramatically increase his chances of lowering his average score.

This is concentrated training.

Does this mean you should hold off on concentrated training until it feels like you are plateauing? Absolutely not! Hockey players develop at the pace THEY decide – the old saying “if you keep doing what you’re doing, you will keep getting what you’re getting” is as true as it gets for hockey players when it comes to their development. Ask yourself this question as it relates to your development;

“What are you doing to improve OUTSIDE of your set environment?”

For example, if your team practices 1 time per week, and plays 1 game per week - that would be considered your set developmental environment. For the purposes of this topic we will consider all developmental environments are equal although we know they are not. If you feel like you are not developing appropriately or are at a plateau, and do nothing additional, your improvement percentage will be at the smallest rate possible if any development at all. The “additional” will vary depending on age and skill level and can be as easy as doing push-ups and sit-ups everyday to getting private professional on and off ice instruction. The hockey training needs to be concentrated, as above with the golf analogy. Here is a real life “hockey” example of concentrated training; We (NewEdge Hockey) took in a 12 year old travel player who’s development environment consisted of 2 on-ice practices and 1 (to 2) games per week. This player signed up for 10 weeks of private on-ice and off-ice (training center) sessions. Similar to the 15 handicap golfer who started keeping statics and was able to isolate “putting” as an area of improvement, we were able to identify some areas that needed specific attention. In reference to his shooting, video analysis showed hand placement issues, technical issues and most importantly, he was using only 1 of 3 of his shot power sources. Although we were able to help in other areas, his shooting improved dramatically by adding concentrated training to his development environment.

www.nyhockeyonline.com

NY Hockey OnLine

Sedia / Page 7

Development Environment PRIOR to Concentrated Training

This player was at a plateau. Although he was practicing, he was reinforcing bad shooting habits and therefore was unable to improve. If this player added to his practice environment by shooting 500 pucks a week at home, he would have improved but would have still been practicing wrong and his improvement rate would not have been as aggressive.

Development Environment AFTER Concentrated Training

By identifying and isolating his developmental needs in relation to his shooting, we were able to make corrections and create better shooting habits that helped maximize his shooting efficiency. The best part of the improvement is that when he is in his regular practice environment, and/or adds the 500 pucks per week, he will be practicing better.

Plateauing is a stage that all athletes hit and moving on from that stage is a choice. Add to your development environment and live by this statement;

If you train better, you will play better.

Your Source For NYS Hockey News!

NY Y HOCKEY E-Magazine

NY Hockey Online Magazine is a FREE, Monthly On-Line ONLY Magazine

To receive monthly notification of it’s availability please send your name and email address to nyhockeyonline@nyhockeyonline.com We will not share your email! www.nyhockeyonline.com

NY Hockey OnLine

Coaching With Gridley / Page 8

In my conversations with my CEP staff here in NY, it seemed like there was a hunger for more information on the subject. So we (NY CEP) decided to host a full day clinic specifically devoted to Goalie coaches. This clinic was held a few weeks

by Chuck Gridley ago in Skaneateles, NY. Twenty coaches attended, with only a handful actually qualifying for a Level 3 Refresher. All the others Here’s a question for you... were there simply to learn more about coaching their What does every Stanley Cup winning team have goalies.

I was encouraged to see that coaches would in common?? pay 40.00 and take a day out of their busy schedule, If you answered “A hot goalie”, you’re right!

In fact, almost every successful team can point to without the expectation of receiving some kind of certhe solid play of their goalie as one of the big reasons tification credit. for that success. Despite that fact, many coaches fail We had three very qualified presenters involved to devote sufficient time and energy to their goalten- in this clinic. Earl Utter, the Head Coach of Cortland State Woman’s team was the lead Instructor. Earl is ders.

Coaching With Gridley!

The Puck Stops Here This is not a local problem. This seems to have been an issue throughout the country for a number of years. Maybe it stems from the fact that most coaches were not goalies themselves, and just don’t have a good handle on what to do with their goalies in practice or in games. Another factor may be that a large percentage of goaltenders attend goalie camps in the summer. I think this gives coaches the idea that these players know more about their position than the coach does….even at a very young age.

USA Hockey’s Coaching Education Program has begun to address this problem by including Goaltending in the Level 1 – 3 presentations. There are also high level goaltending presentations at most Level 4’s, as well as a goaltending piece in the Age Specific Modules. I think that all of these things are a step in the right direction.

a long time goalie and goalie coach. He has been involved in USA Hockey’s Player Development Program for many years, working at those camps with the goaltenders. Dave Starman played goal throughout his career, which included a stint in professional hockey. He has also worked as a coach and a scout at the professional level. You may know him as a color analyst for college hockey on CBS Sports. Pat Ruggiero is one of our CEP Instructors. He presents the Goaltending pieces at the West Section clinics. Pat has been coaching goalies for a number of years, and specializes in the mental aspect of playing the position.

The clinic was very informative, with the presenter’s delivering their material and the attendees asking questions and relaying their own experiences about

www.nyhockeyonline.com

(Continued on Page 10)

NY Hockey OnLine

Hockey Insight / Page 9

Hockey Insight

by Tom Barnett

A

s the 2013-2014 hockey season commences and we are all preparing for the play ahead and striving to reach our goals, there are a couple topics that had drawn my attention much of the past season and that will most certainly continue to be among the more interesting topics to watch: girls’ hockey and the first year of the mandated cross-ice game for mites.

It is nice to see the growth of girls’ hockey nationally, but also across the region and those involved being proactive and taking their interests and initiatives into their own hands, such as the recent group of high school girls from Frontier and Orchard Park who petitioned the school board for funding for a girls’ hockey team. The funding would eliminate the need for the girls to conduct their own fundraising efforts to pay for their coach and ice time.

Certainly this exemplifies a trend in recent years on the growth of girls’ hockey across the country. While Western New York was probably one of the earliest regions to see a growth and popularity of girls’ and women’s hockey, it is only in perhaps the last

10 years which has seen more girls take up the game.

You may see it, too, as you drive around Western New York. These days, it’s not uncommon to see a girl or three involved in a street hockey game with boys.

It’s great to see and it’s great for the sport.

I get questions from parents on when the “right time” is for the girls to separate from their male counterparts. Like most things when it comes to kids’ development, there is no set formula, and it depends on the individual. Some girls play along with the boys’ team as long as they can, and other girls may get the itch to play with their own gender at a younger age.

Girls will realize on their own when it’s time for them to be with other girls, share the same experiences and locker room banter without the boys being around.

Luckily, the local hockey community has responded, and the opportunities for girls to begin their hockey experience continue to expand. It’s why many organizations now have girls’ programs. It’s why the WNY Federation now has a girls’ high school league.

It seems that some girls are still timid to try out the game, especially if they’re older than eight or nine years old. To answer the call and provide opportunity many organizations have implemented a learn-to-play day or a session where girls can jump

on the rink and try the game out.

Every year, more and more parents contact me about the opportunities that girls have after they’ve reached a certain age. As a side note, like many organizations, ours has responded by introducing a girls’ program and the interest has been significant.

The other topic is the move to cross-ice.

The debate over the cross-ice format for mites and younger is no doubt still going on, and will continue for some time.

Maybe there’s a place for it somewhere in the hockey world, maybe not. But maybe, too, there are some modifications that can be considered.

First, the Blue Puck. It bounces.

It sticks onto the ice. It does not travel commensurate with the speed of the game and inhibits accurate passing. My concern is that it fosters poor shooting mechanics (it appears that substituting a snow shovel may be more appropriate than a hockey stick) at an age when kids are sponges and it will be difficult to re-teach the proper technique several years later when they are able to play with black pucks.

Second, maybe a hybrid model might do. Importantly, there should be a clear distinction between ‘crossice’ --which many consider the umbrella term, tool and format for the 8 under mandate-- and the engine room: ‘small area games’, which can be dramatically effective and utilized by hockey teams at the highest international levels. Spend time teaching kids and playing games on a cross-ice format --small area games are great, truly mimmic the close encounters of the way the game is actually played today, more touches and also (Continued on Pge 10)

www.nyhockeyonline.com

NY Hockey OnLine

Gridley and Barnett Continued / Page 10

playing and coaching the position. There was an “On (Gridley Continued from Page 8) ice session”, complete with 3 goalies and 12 shooters. Each instructor demonstrated drills and games they use to develop their goalies. It was nice for the coaches to see the actual drills in action on the ice in a simulated practice environment. At the end of the day, we had a panel discussion with all 3 presenters.

There was a real diversity of styles and opinions, and great discussion on a wide variety of subjects. The feedback I have received so far has been very positive.

You might be asking yourself “Why is he telling us this….the clinic is over!” The reason is this; We plan to repeat this clinic again next season…..maybe more than once. I want coaches throughout the state to know that this will be available. I think a clinic like this is valuable, and I want as many coaches as possible to take advantage of it. If you have questions or comments regarding this, or anything else related to “Coaching”, don’t hesitate to contact me at chuckgridley@aol.com.

(Barnett Continued from Page 9) encourages creativity-- and let them learn on the big rink. It gives kids a taste of what hockey is like, helps teach fundamentals, and also lets the kids feel like “real hockey players.” I’ve heard positive things from organizations that are employing this type of hybrid model.

Girls’ hockey; cross ice or full ice for mites: ongoing conversations of interest among the hockey community.

Both are signs of our passion and commitment to growing a stronger sport.

Tom Barnett, a native Western New Yorker, participated as a player from the youth through collegiate level, and has been involved in coaching hockey and program development for more than 30 years. As founder and president of The Buffalo Shamrocks Hockey Club, a USA Hockey program, Tom was recognized by the National Hockey League as the 2009 recipient of the inaugural Mark Messier Youth Leadership Award.

Chuck Gridley New York District Coach in Chief 14 E. Elizabeth St. Skaneateles, NY 13152 (315) 569-2778

For All Your New York State Hockey News Go to www.nyhockeyonline.com Like us on FACEBOOK nyhockeyonline Follow us on Twitter @nyhockeyonline www.nyhockeyonline.com

NY Hockey OnLine

Emmy Award Winning Coach / Page 11

Above George A Lars, Frank Stettner and Mark DeSimone with the Emmy for Outstanding Sound Mixing for a Comedy or Drama Series (One Hour) for Boardwalk Empire. 2013 Primetime Emmy Awards at the Nokia Theatre, Los Angeles.

Photo by Phil McCartnel, Invision for Academcy of Television Arts and Sciences/AP Image. Provided by Mark DeSimone.

By Randy Schultz

H

ockey has awarded many outstanding coaches awards over the years. In the National Hockey League there is the Jack Adams Award for NHL Coach of the Year.

The American Hockey Coaches Association presents several different coaching awards each year including the John “Snooks” Kelley Founders Award and the John Mariucci Award.

But how about having a coach behind the bench who is an Emmy Award winner? Meet Mark DeSimone.

DeSimone, who is the East Section Girls/Womens Section Coordinator for the New York State Amateur Hockey Association (NYSAHA), recently won a Primetime Emmy Award from the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences. It was for outstanding mixing for a comedy or drama series (one hour).

DeSimone, who is a re-recording mixer for Soundtrack New York Recording in New York City, won with the rest of his mixing team for their work in the HBO series, Boardwalk Empire and an epi-

...And The Emmy Goes To...

Coach DeSimone! sode entitled “The Milkmaids Lot.” The Hell’s Kitchen, NY native has been coaching girls/women’s hockey for several years. He is currently a coach with the Westchester Wild U19 team.

So just exactly what is this Emmy Award winning “other” job DeSimone has?

“The hard part is trying explain what I’ve been doing for the past 30-plus years,” joked DeSimone.

“Even my mother didn’t know what I did until recently.

“Basically I’m a recording engineer/sound mixer. I mix audio for film and television programming. I used to mix for commercials and music.

“It’s basically the post-production part of television and movies. I take sound and replace dialog for certain actors.

“For instance, there may be a movie made where a scene was shot and there were planes overhead. But there shouldn’t have been planes in that particular movie and the period of time it was supposed to take place in.

“So I would take the plane sounds out, re-record with other sounds and put it back in place in

www.nyhockeyonline.com

NY Hockey OnLine

Emmy Award Winning Coach / Page 12

Mark DeSimone at the 2013 Primetime Creative Arts Emmy Awards, Nokia Theatre, Los Angeles (Photo Provided by Mark DeSimone)

the movie in one final mix that will be scene either in a theatre or on television.”

DeSimone will be the first to admit that he was quite surprised when he and his group won their Emmy.

“Being on the audio side of a production you are usually not the ‘cream in the coffee’ but the ‘sugar,’ said a smiling DeSimone. “Remember, sugar sinks in the coffee but it’s still a part of the coffee.

“In our job we will get certificates and other acknowledgements throughout the course of our careers. The Emmy’s are usually designed for certain other groups, the actors or the leaders of the divisions.

“So when we won this it came totally out of the blue. We were up against some

other strong opponents.

“I almost didn’t go to the ceremonies in Los Angeles. But I was talked into it and worked it out so I would be there with the rest of the team.

“It was a wonderful surprise when you are sitting there and your name is called and you go up on this enormous stage with the rest of our team. I relate this very much to

hockey, which is a team sport.

“It was a tremendous thrill and honor.”

So how did DeSimone get involved in hockey?

“I was born and raised in Hell’s Kitchen in New York and I still live there,” recalled DeSimone. “I played a lot of roller hockey there.

“Joe and Brian Mullen played hockey with me

Backstage with Frank Stettner, Tom Fleichman, Geroge Lara and Mark. Photo by Phil McCartenl, Invision for Academy of Television Arts and Sciences/AP Image provided by Mark DeSimone

www.nyhockeyonline.com

NY Hockey OnLine

Emmy Award Winning Coach / Page 13

NYHOL’s Randy Schultz talks to Mark DeSimone.

(Photo by Janet Schultz, NYHOL)

there. They’re good friends of mine to this day, as well as being great linemates of mine when we played hockey together.

“I played some junior hockey in the Metropolitan Junior Hockey League with the New York Westsiders. But after I realized that hockey wasn’t the way to go as a career, I got involved in music and guitar playing.

“Then I got into mixing and I started out in the music field. After that is when I got into postproduction with films and television.

“I had stayed away from hockey for awhile after I got working. Then I got back into it through a men’s hockey league.

“Then my daughter was born. By the time she was two, my wife would bring her by my games and watch me play.

“By the time she was six, she wanted to play hockey. I held her off a year.

“But by the time she was seven she was really insisting that she wanted to play. So I put her on the ice, she fell a few times, came off the ice and said when could she go out again.”

The rest, as they say, is history.

“I got her in a house league with boys and I began coaching. We then got her into a girl’s league.

“I continued coaching there. After she graduated from high school she stopped playing hockey.

“But I continued coaching and my daughter has assisted me as a coach.”

If there is one thing you learn about DeSimone it’s that he isn’t going to get a swelled head with his Emmy. He keeps things in perspective.

“A trophy doesn’t make you important,” commented the 52 year-old DeSimone. “It’s the same with winning and losing.

“The only time my girls will hear me talk about winning and losing is at the opening of the season.

After that I just want them to do their best and have fun.”

DeSimone’s involvement in girl’s hockey in the East Section impressed enough people to get him elected as Section Coordinator.

“Working with Joe Eppolito (NYSAHA Girls/ Women’s Coordinator) has been great,” added DeSimone. “It’s a lot of work with my role.

“My hours in my job are not set. So that helps.”

For now, DeSimone will continue to coach his 19U women’s team as well as continue to be the East Coordinator.

“It always seems like I end up having two or three players that I want to end up seeing off to college,” concluded DeSimone. “That’s important to me.

“I do my best to help them get into a Division I, Division III or Club hockey team, whatever is a good fit. And I make sure that it is academics, then where they want to live or go to college and then hockey, in that order.

“I just want to somehow make a difference in their lives, no matter how small or big it may be.”

Your Source For NYS Hockey News!

NY Y HOCKEY

www.nyhockeyonline.com

E-Magazine

NY Hockey OnLine

St. Francis / Page 14

St. Francis High School--A Balance of Academics and Hockey!

Its hockey program has become well known throughout the Western New York area. It is a program that has a long, rich tradition but needed some fine-tuning.

“About six years ago we decided

By Randy Schultz that we needed a Photos Supplied by St. Francis High School place for our St. Francis kids to play travel hockey thol Springs, NY is a hamlet and midget hockey. It was needed bein the town of Hamburg. Locause of the split seasons and school cated near the shores of Lake hockey.

Erie, it is home to St. Francis High “Nik Fattey envisioned and beSchool, a private, all male, Roman gan to lay the groundwork for all St. Catholic institution.

Francis Hockey players to continue to Founded in 1927, St. Francis develop their skill level and compete High School has a student population together in an organization they could of almost 600 students and particicall their own. pates in 15 sports at the freshman, JV “The St. Francis Red Raiders and Varsity levels.

Hockey Program was formed.”

Among its most notable alumni That is how Scott Diebold, the include Aaron Miller, former NHL new Director of Hockey and Prep defenseman who won the Stanley Team head coach at St. Francis, deCup with the Colorado Avalanche; scribed how the foundation for future Todd Krygier, who played 10 seasons hockey success was developed. in the NHL and Tom Telesco, current This season marks the 40th sealy the general manager of the NFL’s son of play for the St. Francis High San Diego Chargers.

A

School Red Raiders. Since 1974 the school has developed a rich tradition of fielding varsity teams.

Since their beginnings, St. Francis hockey has won six championships against its Catholic School rivals in the former Monsignor Martin League. They won six championships as part of the Western New York Federation League.

Then in 2000 the Red Raiders joined the Mid-West Prep Hockey League as a founding member. The league now has 10 teams in two divisions and features some of the best high school prep programs in North America.

St. Francis hockey has had their share of success there as well, winning the league championship in 2002 and 2006 and finishing second twice.

They would like that success to continue. That’s why the Red Raiders Hockey Program was formed.

“When Nik began the program four years ago, he began with three teams at the midget level including 18U, 16UAAA and 16UAA,” continued Diebold. “In the last four years Red Raiders hockey has continued to grow and is now offering 15UAAA and 15UAA teams for incoming freshmen.

“We are tournament bound status

www.nyhockeyonline.com

NY Hockey OnLine

St. Francis / Page 15

with our Red Raider Midget teams.

We compete for playdowns and States at every level.”

“The Red Raiders midgets play in independent schedule competing with top midget programs both locally and nationally. The Midget schedule also allows for the student athlete to showcase his talents in front of numerous college and junior coaches at the tournaments they attend, particularly in Boston, Chicago and Detroit, to name a few.

Now that Diebold has taken over, where does he see St. Francis hockey going?

“Nik Fattey took us to this level of play. Nik has now moved on.

“Now it’s my turn to continue to build on this. My goal now is to take the Red Raider program and the St. Francis High School program and merge them into one.

“It’s a place for our players to develop we’ve had a lot of players already come through the four-year program already.

“We’re looking for more. Our athletic director, Steve Otremba, and I see it as one program. This program runs year round.

“You have to be a St. Francis student to be involved in the Red Raider hockey teams and the school teams.

“And we actually have a St. Francis Hockey League (SFHL) during the spring of the year. It’s a place to introduce sixth and seventh graders to St. Francis Hockey.

“We work on the skill part of their game for part of the program. Then we play games for the other half of the program.

“We had six teams this year at Leisure Rinks with over 80 kids participating. Our St. Francis coaches run it. They have fun and at the same time they are introduced to St. Francis hockey.

“We also have a program for eighth graders during the spring. “ Once a player is in the Red Raiders four-year program, coaches determine, through evaluations and player

assessments, proper team placement.

Coaches develop their player’s skills through practice and games as they advance through the Red Raiders fall Season and into the St. Francis High School season.

Coaches work with players and their parents to determine what course is best for them to continue playing hockey after high school.

So what is the bottom line for all of this development of hockey players?

“Our goal is to have these players play for St. Francis for four years, graduate and then play junior hockey,” responded Diebold. “If they want to play hockey at a higher level, they have to play junior hockey before going on to play college hockey.

“We get these players noticed so that they have a chance to play at a higher level of the game. But it is also about the schooling as well.

“We stress the importance of education at St. Francis. We have found that when our players go on to the junior level (which includes the NAHL, USHL and EJHL), all those teams want to see is their academic transcripts.

“The junior teams know what our players can do hockey-wise. But it will be the academics that get them into a college or university, no matter if it is at the DI or DIII level.”

Among the St. Francis Alumni who have come through the Red Raiders Hockey Program and are now playing college hockey today include Scott Diebold (RPI), Michael Benedict (Niagara University), Pal Sullivan (Canisius College), Kevin Ryan (Niagara University) and Vincent Scarsella (Canisius College).

Then there is Anthony Day. “Anthony played for Yale University last season when they won the

www.nyhockeyonline.com

NY Hockey OnLine

St. Francis / Page 16

National Championship,” said Diebold. “He came back this summer to visit and brought the National Championship trophy with him.

“Everybody got a big thrill out of that. It was a great moment for Anthony and for St. Francis.”

What type of players is St. Francis looking for?

“We will welcome any student/athlete who is willing to make a commitment for St. Francis hockey for four years,” concluded Diebold. “We look locally and we’re looking in Southern Ontario.

“We will welcome any student/athlete from any place in the country. If they want to commit to St. Francis hockey for four years, I can’t ask for anything more than that.

“I will welcome them with open arms.”

Photos supplied by St. FrancisPage 14: St. Francis High School Page 15: The 15U AAA Rumble in the Rink Championship picture from this year.

Above: St. Francis springtime training program for 6 and 7th graders.

Bottom Left: New SF locker rooms and Right: Scott Diebold, director of hockey and varsity hockey coach.

www.nyhockeyonline.com

NY Hockey OnLine

Feature / Page 17

WOW! -It’s HARBORCENTER!

By Janet Schultz

T

he “WOW” factor continues on the Harbor Front in Buffalo, that’s according to HARBORCENTER President John Koelmel.

While Koelmel brought the media together to clarify some of the speculation surrounding the development of the HARBORCENTER and the relationship of the Buffalo Sabres organization to the hockey community, he also made three major announcements.

The announcements of the establishment of the HARBORCENTER Academy of Hockey and the naming of Kevyn Adams as vice president and director of the Academy come as the Buffalo Sabres organization put hockey at the core of everything they will be doing at HARBORCENTER. The next was the announcement that the Buffalo Junior Sabres had been awarded a New York State Amateur Hockey Association franchise and would expand the program to include two Pee Wee, two Bantam and two Midget teams under the direction of Larry Playfair and Michael Peca.

Koelmel introduced the team as a group that looks forward to building an organization that is the best they can be and providing leadership across the region.

“We want to ensure you that you (local hockey organizations) will fit

into the partnerships and be part of the collaborations,” said Koelmel. “We will show you what this means to your teams, your organizations and your children.”

“We are in the hockey business now,” said Koelmel.

Koelmel went on to describe the hockey complex which includes two ice rinks on the sixth floor; above that a 12 story hotel and below the rinks, a two-story parking ramp. There will be retail shops, a restaurant own and operated by the Pegula group.

“Next year at this time the rink, restaurant, retail and parking ramp will be up and running.

“The hotel is scheduled to open in Spring 2015,” continued Koelmel.

“This is a source of pride for the area and an anchor for the canalside and downtown Buffalo.”

In continuing the “walk-thru” of the hockey complex, Rink 1 will extend to the 7th floor with seating for 2,000 spectators. Rink 1 will be used

by Canisius College’s D1 program and Rink 2 will be used by the Buffalo Junior Sabres and the Sabres Youth Program. There are 11 locker rooms with two of them designated for the Junior Sabres and Canisius.

A high performance off ice workout area that is twice the size of the one

the Buffalo Sabres use in First Niagara will also provide opportunities to develop players year ‘round.

There will be classrooms for office training along with administrative offices for coaches and hockey rink staff.

“We want to make this the best destination for hockey across the country,” said Koelmel.

“We have the unique combination of talent, facilities and technology to set new standards,” he continued.

“You will see us innovative and incredibly supportive.”

“There’s a lot of great hockey going on in Buffalo and Western New York, “ said Nik Fattey, vice president and director of hockey, HARBORCENTER. Fattey explained that there are 28,000 hockey players, coaches and referees in WNY. With 44,000 in New York State, 50% are coming from the WNY area. NY is the third largest state in the United States for hockey.

“We’ve got talent and location,” Fattey went on. “Twenty-six percent of the NHL players are from New York State or Southern Ontario.

“Five members of the 2010 Olympic Team were from this area.”

With that said, Fattey went on to explain that the organization is plan-

www.nyhockeyonline.com

NY Hockey OnLine

HARBORCENTER / Page 18

ning to create a world class training facility using expertise, innovation, leadership, technology and opportunity to provide players a place to develop to their fullest potential.

“The Academy is a place to learn,” said Fattey.

In addition Fattey announced the Youth Partnership Program with the Sabres organization partnerning with local youth organizations and providing those organizations with the expertise of HARBORCENTER coaches.

“We see you bringing your players to the arena for a day,” Fattey explained. “There would be Junior Sabres here, you could use our coaching experience to develop your player’s skills and develop practice plans are are age appropriate.”

“Everyone would be learning together,” said Fattey. “We would also send our coaches to your rink and work with your team.”

They are also looking at a Coaching Program that would allow youth organization coaches to come to the Academy of Hockey and learn how to run practices, learn the technology of breaking down video, and how to run tournaments as well as coaching techniques.

“I’m really excited about this opportunity,” said Fattey.

Adams, who grew up playing hockey in the WNY area, played for the NHL, won a Stanley Cup and coached at the NHL level. He is also a Dad who has coached.

“I’ve come full circle and now can share what I’ve learned with the next generation,” said Adams. “Combin-

ing a world class facility with expert teaching and coaching instruction will give players locally and from around the world a place to develop and learn the game of hockey.

“We want to be known as a development destination, premiere as you can find,” he continued.

“It’s hard to coach youth hockey,” Adams went on. “We want to help association’s coaches with what a practice plan is, a game plan, learn hockey systems and arm them with the knowledge so they can go back to their association and help their players, which ultimately helps hockey at the grassroots level.”

During the hockey season the Academy will be available for players to come for power skating, skill development or position-specific training.

“We want to make them better during the season,” said Adams.

The off-season, which Koelmel sees as being the busiest time of the year, Adams sees more for the elite player who wants to continue their development. It may include bringing in world-class players and coaches to share their knowledge and expertise with those players.

“The vision of the Pegula’s and John matches my vision,” said Adams.

“I’m energized, excited and looking forward to the challenge and to the changing landscape of hockey and its future in WNY.” Larry Playfair, president of the Buffalo Junior Sabres, explained that earlier this year there was plans to purchase the Buffalo Regals Tier I team.

“That never finalized and in April we were awarded a franchise in the NYS Amateur Hockey Association,” explained Playfair.

“This town needs a junior team,” he continued. “Players need a place to play.”

“The success of the Junior Sabres has come from good coaching and Peca has taken the team to a first place finish last year and they are in first place this season.

“College scouts come to see our boys and consequently, they look at other teams while they are here.

“We measure our success in the Junior Sabres by asking ‘are we moving our kids along?’” said Playfair.

The answer is yes!

Junior Sabres players are playing at Niagara University, Canisius and currently five are committed to NCAA schools.

Playfair explained that in the early years the Junior Sabres were the perennial last place team. But with structure, quality coaching and “a little bit of money,” they slowly have moved up.

“We started to give boys in WNY that thought that they didn’t have to go someplace else to play to get noticed,”

www.nyhockeyonline.com

NY Hockey OnLine

Feature / Page 19 built and will open next Fall.

Prior to this press conference the Buffalo Sabres provided the media with a tour of the construction site. NYHOL’s Janet Schultz was there climbing the construction stairs and standing on one of the parking ramps under construction and visualizing what it would be like in one year.

Here is her story and photographs:

HARBORCENTER Coming in on Time he said.

Playfair went on to explain that the OJHL has taken notice of the HARBORCENTER plans and the league is looking forward to bringing events to Buffalo.

“The new building will be the envy of the League and I’m not going to apologize for that,” said Playfair with a smile.

Playfair also acknowledged the Northtowns Center of Amherst for being an excellent landlord to the team over the years.

“It’s easy to understand why we want to partner,” said Michael Peca, head coach and general manager of the Buffalo Junior Sabres.

“When kids reach age 11 they begin to come into their own and we want to nurture and bring them along as players,” said Peca.

“Coaching is crucial to developing young players,” he continued. “It’s not about being the best, it’s about being the most successful.”

“One of the most important things this facility will provide is making sure this community is held in high light because NY has a lot of tremendous hockey players,” said Peca.

“We will provide a leadership role,” he emphasized.

“There are a lot of great organizations with tremendous volunteers that put in a lot of time over the years. That doesn’t go away.

“We want our program to be included in the outreach.

We want to make sure we are part of this community and will provide whatever we can.”

More information on what HARBORCENTER will look like and provide to the community can be found at the newly established website: www.harborcenter.com Over the years people have asked when would the Sabres take part in the youth hockey movement in WNY. The Pegula’s have taken the step and as Koelmel would say, “The WOW factor” is here in not only in theory but is being

By Janet Schultz

T

he media had a unique experience recently, touring HarborCenter. We talked up several flights of stairs to what will be the parking ramp. Covered in plywood and tubing, the workers are readying it over many, many yards of concrete.

Walking to the edge of the ramp we looked over what will be retail shops, a restaurant and the hotel.

The view of the city in the distance, the Skyway traveling just to the West and above and the reflection the crane in the building to the East was breathtaking.

We could feel the excitement as John Koelmel, HarborCenter president and Cliff Benson, chief of development officer for the Buffalo Sabres talked about the project.

“We are on time,” said Koelmel. “Next October we will be ready to go with the rink, restaurant, retail and ramps.

“Mortenson Construction is doing a great job of keeping us on track.”

“There is passion in this workforce,” said Benson.

“This team is proud of what they are doing and what they

www.nyhockeyonline.com

NY Hockey OnLine

HARBORCENTER / Page 20 are bringing to life.”

“This is moving as fast as any construction project anywhere in the country,” said Benson. “Seventy-five percent of the workforce comes from within a 100 mile radius.”

More than 120 construction workers are on site six days a week totaling more than 58,000 hours of work thus far.

While fans may find some inconvenience traveling to Sabre games this season, the “WOW” factor will take over when they see updated renderings of the buildings on display in the First Niagara Center and as they walk past the construction of this $172.2 million project.

Come October 2014 fans will park in the parking ramp and utilize a pedestrian bridge that will link the third floor of HarborCenter to the second floor of the First Niagara Center.

The first floor will contact retail shops that are still in the negotiation stage as to who the tenants will be.

“We have had numerous inquiries from groups that want to partner with us,” said Koelmel.

We stood in the “kitchen” of the sports-themed restaurant that will be run by the HarborCenter and not a franchise The photos here depict the towers being constructed to hold the structure, one of the two large cranes with the Buffalo Skyline in the background, a view from the one parking ramp looking down onto another ramp, view of the restaurant area under construction, walking down the retail area toward the restaurant and hotel; machinery located in “the kitchen.

www.nyhockeyonline.com

NY Hockey OnLine

HARBORCENTER / Page 21 restaurant.

“This will be under the Pegula umbrella,” said Koelmel.

“We have been working with Erie County Harbor Development and other constituencies around here because we want this to be as user friendly as possible,” said Benson.

They are looking at traffic flow and how to move people in and out of the area easily and safely.

In Fall of 2014 both harbor projects will be complete, the Casino has come on board and there are new restaurants in the Cobblestone District and the NFTA renovated their station.

All of this will make Downtown Buffalo and the Harbor Front the place to be for years to come.

A few facts:

•There is a special elevator just for the Zamboni.

•5,672 cubic yards of concrete have been placed, a standard driveway uses six cubic yards.

•89,818 feet of post-tensioned cables have been installed (the green tubing in the photos)

•Three-quarters of a mile of underground plumbing and 1.7 miles of underground conduit have been installed.

•Shoring towers to support the pedestrian walkway over Perry Street are up to 32’ 4 1/2” at the tallest points.

•This will be the first three-rink facility in the NHL.

Photos on this page show the the Zamboni’s personal elevator shaft, shoring towers, a view from the parking ramp with the skyway in the background. some of the cables being installed and the mles of scaffolding being used in the project.

www.nyhockeyonline.com

CENTRAL NEW YORK HOCKEY

NY Hockey OnLine

Central Hockey / Page 23

Central New York Men’s College Hockey Report

by Warren Kozireski

COLGATE Freshman Andrew Black (Buffalo) netted his first collegiate goal in the opener against Ferris State.

Senior net-minder Eric Mihalik became the 10th goalie in Colgate history to reach 30 wins in a career.

The shutout win over Ferris State in the season’s second game was the earliest blanking to start a season since the 1989-90 campaign.

The Raiders shutout loss to Bowling Green October 19th was their first since last November at the hands of Princeton.

November is filled with eight conference contests with half on home ice. The first round of the rivalry is December 7th at Cornell.

CORNELL

Junior defenseman Joakim Ryan was selected to the All-ECAC Hockey Coaches Preseason Team, and the team was predicted to finish fifth in both the coaches’ and media polls.

With the Ivy League later start, the Big Red will make up some time with nine games in November—at but one ECAC contests and five at Lynah Rink.

CORTLAND After winning just three conference games overall with only one over the second half of last season, the Red Dragons

embark on their 2013-14 season unexpectedly with a new/old head coach.

Joe Baldarotta resigned this past summer due to health issues and former head coach Tom Cranfield will step behind the bench for one season while a search for a new head coach begins next spring. Cranfield previously coached the team from 2001-2007.

Seniors A.J. Moyer and Adam Bevilacqua with junior Nick Zappia finished 3-4-5 on the team in scoring last season and will be called on to provide the bulk of the offense. They will need increased secondary scoring as the team got only six other goals from the non-senior forward class last year.

A young defense of juniors Tyler Virgoe, Jeff Vanzant and David Moore with sophomores Ryan Wagner, Adam Diorio and Kyle Herring will battle in front of senior netminder Lyle Rocker (Buffalo), who accounted for all seven of the team’s victories last season.

“With the experienced roster we have returning, we fully expect Cortland to be a SUNYAC playoff team,” said Cranfield. “We are a junior and senior laden team and expect the experience gained over the past few years will begin to pay dividends.”

Forwards Casie Garrison (Cortland) via Philadelphia in the EJHL and Matt Esposito (Fayetteville/Rochester Stars) and goaltender Michael Staversky (Penfield) make up the small recruiting class.

The Red Dragons will spend most of the first half on home ice with ten of 14 including the first five of the season (all conference) starting November 1st. They follow with just four home games during the 2014 portion of the schedule.

ELMIRA Elmira, please send us your information for December! Love to have you on board!

HAMILTON The Continentals won just one of their last eight regular season contests before bowing out in the NESCAC quarterfinals to Bowdoin.

“We’re bringing back a lot of experience particularly at forward and in goal, so we believe we have a strong

www.nyhockeyonline.com

NY Hockey OnLine

Central Hockey / Page 24

team capable of an excellent season,” said head coach Robert Haberbusch.

Sophomore defenseman and NESCAC Second Team selection Marko Brelih was one of the few blueliners to lead his team in scoring last year. Senior Bennett Schneider with sophomores Tyler Lovejoy and Scott Vazquez help anchor the defense in front of senior goaltender Joe Quattrocchi, who figured in on all seven of Hamilton’s victories last season.

Up front, senior Mike DiMare is hoping to rebound from injuries. Evan Haney, Kenny Matheson, Pat Curtis and Dom Jancaterino provide upperclassmen leadership, but all need to put the puck in the net more often as the Continentals finished second to last in the conference in goals scored.

Forward Robert Murden with defensemen Brad Smelstor, Bennett Hambrook and Conor Lamberti (Kings Park) are among the newcomers.

compete.

Forwards Bobby Sokol and Tyler Hanzlik both arrive from the Rochester Stars with Nicholas Bingaman (Bedford) and Connor Simon. On the blueline, Mitch Beyer (Clifton Park), Carl Belizario and Jonathan Neal (Rochester Stars) arrive.

There is no warm-up period as the Statesmen open at home November 1-2 against Manhattanville and Neumann in home ice conference tilts.

HOBART

No news from Morrisville. Please forward us your information for the December issue. We want you on board sharing your news with the State.

With the third-most wins in program history, the Statesmen fell in the ECAC West semi-finals and were again snubbed for an at-large berth in the NCAA playoffs.

Now the coaching staff will rebuild from the back-end out after losing their All-American goaltender and four key defensemen including a pair of All-Americans.

Juniors Ryan Michel (Camillus) , Terrence O’Neill and Bronson Kovacs will see the bulk of blueline minutes with a trio of other returnees fighting the recruits for the other three starting spots.

Sophomore Lino Chimienti is the only goaltender with collegiate experience back—albeit only two games and 73-plus minutes. Freshman Tim Keegan enters the crease picture out of Williston-USPHL. “I don’t embrace the ‘being young’, ‘rebuilding’ or ‘being favored’,” said head coach Mark Taylor. “You better be the best we can be on the given day and come after it every day or it will be a long year.”

There is some depth and experience up front in sophomore Mac Olson, who finished second on the team in scoring last season, Tommaso Traversa and Tommy Fiorentino (New Hartford), who each tied for fourth in goals. The team also lost four forwards to graduation, so there is room for last season’s extras and recruits to

MOHAWK VALLEY CC The Hawks begin their conference schedule on the road October 30th at Monroe CC and have their home conference opener against Broome CC November 20th.

MORRISVILLE

OSWEGO After four consecutive seasons making the NCAA final four and the last two losing in the national championship game, the Lakers retool after saying goodbye to 14 seniors including national Player of the Year Paul Rodrigues, their top nine scorers, four-sixths of their starting defense and starting goaltender.

Senior captain David Titanic, senior Kyle Badham and juniors Chris Carr, Eli Kim Swallow and peter Rodrigues will now get their chance to shine up front.

Junior Nick Rivait and sophomore Denton King will be the key cogs in a very inexperienced defense corps along with Canisius transfer Mackenzie Scott and Merrimack transfer Mike Willis in front of sophomore goaltender Justin Gilbert, who played in three games his freshman campaign.

One the largest recruiting classes in memory includes 13 forwards, four defenseman and two goaltenders.

Matt Zadwadzki and Simon Jasmin join the goaltening competition while freshmen JJ Hart, Chris Ragueso, Beau Orser and Stephen Johnson battle for blue-

www.nyhockeyonline.com

NY Hockey OnLine

Central Hockey / Page 25

line minutes.

Division I transfers Evan Shultz (New Hampshire), Matt Montagna (Fulton/U. Vermont), Brandon Adams (Holy Cross) and Morgan Bonner (Sacred Heart) will be at forward with 12 freshmen including Matt Galati, Alex Botten and Chris Waterstreet.

The Lakers open at home with Fredonia and Buffalo State November 1-2 with White Out Weekend December 6-7 with Plattsburgh and Potsdam in town and the Oswego Classic January 3-4.

UTICA The Pioneers program-first trip to the NCAA playoffs ended in the semi-finals to eventual national champion Wisconsin-Eau Claire, but despite losing six seniors, a return trip is certainly in the cards.

“We are coming off our best season to date and expectations are high with a majority of our club returning,” said head coach Gary Heenan.

“That being said, the ECAC West is brutally tough and a bounce one way or another can make all the difference come playoff time.”

For All Your New York State Hockey News Go to www.nyhockeyonline.com Like us on FACEBOOK nyhockeyonline Follow us on Twitter @nyhockeyonline

All-American forward and leading scorer Louis Educate is back along with seniors Jon Gaffney, Ridge Garbutt, Trevor Hertz and Adam Graff, junior Peter LaFosse and sophomore Joel Wetmore (Horseheads) provide plenty of experienced firepower up front.

Senior defensemen Mike Slowikowski and Steve Zappia (Buffalo) with sophomore and leading defensive scorer Donny Olivieri and junior Mike Baird will anchor the blueline.

Buffalo native Kevin Kirisits, Ryan Walker and Jordan Hanth arrive to battle for blueline time while freshmen forwards Luc Boby, Zac Lazarro, Easton Powers and Mikhail Bushinski all join from their NAHL programs. The squad is carrying four goaltenders with the arrival of freshman Marcus Zelter, also from the NAHL. Nick Therrien returns for his final collegiate season after netting 19 of the team’s 21 wins last season and sporting a .921 save percentage.

The team opens at Nazareth before hosting Brockport November 2nd. The annual Teddy Bear Toss is December 7th with Salve Regina in town and the Pioneers have the advantage of hosting the final five conference games of the regular season.

CORTLAND YOUTH HOCKEY BANTAM PANCAKE BREAKFAST. (Pancakes, Eggs, Bacon, Homefries, Sausage, OJ and Coffee) More than Pancakes, there will be great food and the boys will be setting and clearing tables!

Let’s Keep Them Busy!!!!

November 17 8 a.m. to 11 a.m.

Elks Club, Cortland Cost: $6 per person; 5 and under free!

Contact Lori Shager for Tickets.

Proceeds support the Bantam Youth Hockey Team.

www.nyhockeyonline.com

NY Hockey OnLine

Central Hockey / Page 26

Central Women’s College Ice Hockey Report

by Janet Schultz Janet@nyhockeyonline.com

Utica

The Pioneers open November 1 against the Oakville Hornets in an exhibition match-up. They open their ECAC West play in Elmira on November 9 and then return home the following day to meet the Soaring Eagles once again.

New York players to watch are Marissa McNamara from the Lysander Lightning. The Goalie is a junior from Camillus and is studying Health Studies.

McKenzie Roy comes from Clinton High School and played in the Clinton Hockey association. She is a sophomore forward studying Cyber Security Information Assurance.

Junior Defenseman Samantha Pucci comes from Pearl River and played for the Connecticut Polar Bears.

She is a student in Public Relations.

Caitlyn Moccaldi played for the Clinton High School boys team and is a senior defenseman. She is a student in the chemistry department.

Nicole Kieffer played for the Lysander Lightning and calls Rome home. She is a junior defenseman studying Public Relations.

Senior Goaltender Jennifer Hamel graduated from Northwood School and calls Ithaca hometown. She is in Health Studies/Physical Therapy.

Pioneers Coach Dave Clausen is in his 13th season and has a 172-122-20 overall record and the distinction of being named the ECAC Coach of the Year twice.

Syracuse

The Orange opened their season on September 29 with a 3-1 win over the University of Guelph. They continued with a 4-1 win over Northeastern followed by a loss to the University of New Hampshire (32) and a double loss, one in Overtime, to Clarkson. They split with Providence with a 1-2 loss and a 4-1 win.

In November they face Penn State on November 9 and 10; Mercyhurst, Nov. 15 and 16; Robert Morris University, Nov. 22 and 23 and Colgate on Nov. 26.

Kallie Billadeau was named CHA Goaltender of the Week for October 17 for stopping 60 of 64 shots in games against Northeastern and New Hampshire.

Notable New Yorkers on the Orange Roster include Julie Bengis, Stormville/Kent School; Brittney Krebs, Marathon/National Sports Academy; Kaillie Goodnough, Mannsville/National Sports Academy; Erin Brand, Long Beach/Northwood School and Eleanor Haines, Huntington/Canterbury School.

Colgate

The Raiders opened the season with a tie against Western University in exhibition and followed that with two losses to the University of Minnesota and Connecticut. They beat Connecticut in the second game. On to RIT they lost one and then won in overtime the second night.

Susan Allen, who played for Spencerport High School and comes from Rochester is in her junior year as a goaltender.

T h e Raiders face Quinnipiac on November 1; Princeton, Nov. 2; Union, Nov. 8; Rennsselaer, Nov. 9; Dartmouth, Nov. 15; Harvard, Nov. 16, Syracuse, Nov.

www.nyhockeyonline.com

NY Hockey OnLine

Central Hockey / Page 27

26 and Vermont on November 30 and December 1.

Elmira

The Soaring Eagles open their season on November 2 against Manhattanville and Norwich at Northfield Vermont and have their home opener on November 9 at 3 p.m. against Utica.

They also face Utica, SUNY Potsdam and Williams College in November before heading to the Cardinal-Panther Classic in Middlebury, Vermont. They are scheduled to play Middlebury and Amherst Colleges at the tournament.

Oswego

The Lakers took part in a 3.1 mile Platelet Disorder Support Association 5K run in October.

They open the season with their own Oswego State Classic Tournament on November 2 and 3. Coming to play are Cortland, Castleton, and New England College.

Cortland

Cortland opens its season at the Oswego State Classic on November 2 and 3. Teams playing are listed above.

Their regular season begins on the road at Canton on November 8 and 9. The Red Dragons open at home on November 16 against Utica, following a game at the Pioneers the evening before. Their only other competition in November is Potsdam at home on November 22 and 23.

Cornell

Mayor Svante Myrich declared October 19 Cornell Women’s Ice Hockey Team Day “for their long and enduring roots in community organizations and those they serve.”

Their game against Northeastern that evening was for the United Way. One dollar of each admission was donated to the United Way. The team opened October with a three-

win record. First a 13-0 over Brock University followed by a 6-2 and 3-0 over Northeastern.

The Big Red play Princeton on Nov. 1; Quinnipiac, Nov. 2; RPI, Nov. 8; Union, Nov. 9; Harvard, Nov. 15; Dartmouth Nov. 16 and Boston College on Nov. 29 and 30.

Churchville’s Anna Zorn is the lone New Yorker on the roster. Zorn played for the Rochester Edge and is a sophomore forward.

Hamilton

Hamilton opens season play on Friday, Nov. 15 against Amherst College at home. They then follow Amherst back to their ice arena for a game the following day.

The Continentals then face Connecticut College on November 22 and 23 at home; Oswego on Nov. 26 at home and Utica at Clinton Arena on December 6.

William Smith Announces Inaugural Season The William Smith College Athletic Department announced the inaugural conference schedule for the Heron ice hockey team. The 2014-15 conference season will begin on Nov. 7, 2014, when William Smith hosts Utica for an ECAC West contest at the Geneva Recreation Complex.

“I’m excited to drop the puck on the inaugural William Smith ice hockey season,” said Head Coach Jaime Totten.

“I’m looking forward to the challenge of competing in the well-respected ECAC West Conference and rounding out the schedule with competitive non-conference games.”

With the addition of the Heron hockey team, the ECAC West will be comprised of 10 teams. William Smith’s 2014-15 conference schedule features two contests against each of the other nine ECAC West teams: Chatham, Elmira, Neumann, Buffalo State, Cortland, Oswego, Plattsburgh, Potsdam and Utica.

(Continued on page 30)

www.nyhockeyonline.com

NY Hockey OnLine

Central Feature / Page 28

Then: Olympic Star Now: Hockey Dad!

I

t is nearly an hour before the Colgate Raiders women’s hockey team plays the RIT Tigers women’s hockey team. Inside Ritter Arena, located on the RIT campus in Rochester, fans begin to gather.

Among those standing on the walkway behind the last row of seating in the arena is former 1980 U.S. Olympian Jim Craig. Craig is best remembered as the goaltender for the gold medal winning U.S. Olympic Men’s Ice Hockey Team.

Many fans remember Craig skating around the ice inside the Olympic Arena at Lake Placid with an American Flag draped around his shoulders following his team’s gold medal victory over Finland.

On this particular evening, Craig goes almost unnoticed, except for the group of five people he is standing with. Craig is in Rochester to watch his daughter, Taylor, play for Colgate.

Taylor is a 5-9 junior forward. She has been playing hockey for as long as her father can remember.

And on this evening she gives Jim something even more to cheer about as the Raiders win in OT, 2-1.

Craig, like any other hockey dad, is proud of his daughter.

“Taylor made her progression up by playing as a little girl and working her way up,” said Craig. “She played in her share of hockey tournaments growing up like the Fire On Ice Tournament that is held in Rochester.

“She also played for her high school team on the boys hockey team. She then went to Taber Academy (in Marion, MA) where she really got her athletics and

academics up very well.

“From there it was on to Colgate where now she is a first line, power play player. She is also an Academic All-American.

“Taylor has done a great job and we are really proud of her.”

While Craig is still indirectly involved in hockey, today he is owner of his own business, Gold Medal Strategies. He just finished his first business book.

The former goaltender also does motivational speaking and still has a home in the Massachusetts area as well as Florida. Craig still finds time to catch as many of his daughter’s games as possible.

www.nyhockeyonline.com

(Continued on page 30)

Taylor Craig

NY Hockey OnLine

Central Hockey / Page 29

...Tournaments are listed on page 63. If you are holding a tournamnet and it is not listed, please email informaiton to nyhockeyonline@nyhockeyonline.com ...Center State Hockey is holding a Try Hockey For Free Day on November 2 from 10 to 11 a.m. Make sure to register at www.tryhockeyforfree.com

NYHOL thanks Center State for the link to our magazine. ...Snowbelt has 23 associations, 89 teams and 712 games for this season. ...Geneva Hockey held their 5K Ghostly Ghouls run on October 19. ...Don’t forget Ryan’s Wristropes.

Ryan can make you any size in any colors you want. Show your support for your own team, or your favorite NHL team. Check it out at Ryanswristropes@.com

Syracuse Pee Wee Jamboree Results (Photos provided by Syracuse)

The #2 (USA 02 Tier I) Syracuse Nationals swept the 2013 Early Bird Jam outscoring their opponents 17 to 5 over four games on September, 28 and 29.

Each of the five elite teams played each of the four opponents once over the weekend.

This year’s field of five AAA Elite teams included three teams currently in the USA’s Top 8 for Tier I minor peewees (2002 birth years) and all rated within the Top 20 USA including:

Central New York Hockey News and Notes

...Cortland will host their 13th Fire On Ice Tournament on February 28 through March 2, 2014.

All games will be held at the JM McDonald Sports Complex in Cortland.

Applications are being accepted for Mite and Tyke teams. All games are Cross-Ice. If you have questions or want registration information conact Jennifer Hillman at hillman.jennifer@gmail. Information is also available on their website. Registrations are due December 13.

Syracuse Blazer Tournament Results

The 12th Annual Syracuse Blazers Tournament was held October 12-14 at the Cicero Twin Rinks. Thirtytwo teams in the 16U and 18U levels participated including from New York, the Binghamton Jr. Senators; St. Lawrence Thunder, St. Francis Red Raiders, Nassau County Lions, Monroe County Eagles, LI Edge, LI Ice Cats, Rochester Americans, Hamburg Hawks, Southtown Stars, Amherst Knights, Troy/Albany Engineers, Jefferson Jaguars, Ithaca, Niagara Purple Eagles, Clarence Mustangs, Bear Mountain, Hudson Valley and Perinton Blades.

The Long Island Edge won the 16U Championship and the Clarence Mustangs took the 18U Championship.

#2 (USA Tier I) Syracuse Nationals (US Indep.) #7 (USA Tier I) South Shore Kings (EHF Elite) #8 (USA Tier I) Mid Fairfield Yankees (EHF Elite) #20 (USA Tier I) Boston Bandits (EHF Elite) #22 (Ontario AAA) Mississauga Senators (GTHL)

Game Results: Game 1: Boston Bandits - 0, Syracuse Nationals - 5 Game 2: South Shore Kings - 4, Mississauga Senators - 3 Game 3: Mid Fairfield Yankees - 7, Boston Bandits - 1 Game 4: Syracuse Nationals - 3, South Shore Kings - 2 Game 5: Mississauga Senators - 0, Mid Fairfield Yankees - 4 Game 6: Mississauga Senators - 3, Boston Bandits - 5 Game 7: South Shore Kings - 7, Mid Fairfield Yankees - 1 Game 8: Syracuse Nationals - 4, Mississauga Senators - 1 Game 9: Boston Bandits -1, South Shore Kings - 4 Game 10: Mid Fairfield Yankees - 2, Syracuse Nationals - 5

www.nyhockeyonline.com

NY Hockey OnLine

Central Feature / Page 30 (Craig Story Continued from Page 28)

What role did Jim play in the development of Taylor as a player?

“I coached Taylor, as well as our son, for a long time. My role as a dad was to not drive the passion out of her before she knew what passion was.

“I also made sure that when she played, she did it like I did, for the love of the game. We had her play a lot of other sports.

“And, as far as I know, she still loves the game (hockey) today.”

So what advice would Craig give to other hockey parents?

“You have to let your children have the passion they need,” answered Craig. “You can’t have a business plan for your child.

“You can be a mentor. You can guide them.

“They need to experience the sport or sports and then decide what their passion is going to be.”

Back in 1980 when Craig helped win the gold medal, women’s or girls hockey for that matter, was in its infant stages of growth. Does Craig feel that the 1980 U.S. men’s Olympic Ice Hockey Team was an inspiration for girls and women playing hockey?

“When I was a kid growing up in Boston (MA), Bobby Orr was my big mentor,” remarked the 56 year-old Craig. “I know our ’80 team did a lot for hockey in the United States.

“Then in ’98 the U.S. Women’s Hockey Team that won a gold medal did a lot for hockey. I think each year women’s hockey seems to get better, better and better.

“The girls themselves seem to get better as athletes. There are more team’s forming around the U.S. “I think the opportunities are endless for these women.”

(Williams Smith Announcement Continued from Page 27)

After opening the year with two back-to-back games against the Pioneers at The Cooler, the Herons will take their first road trip to Potsdam, N.Y., to face the Bears on Nov. 14 and 15. The 2015-16 ECAC West schedule is also available on the Heron ice hockey web page.

William Smith is working to add seven additional non-conference games for a full 25-game slate.

Ice hockey will be William Smith’s 12th varsity sport when it begins play in 2014-15.

The ECAC is the nation’s largest athletic conference and the only multidivisional conference, with 302 DiviYour Source For NYS Hockey News! sion I, II and III colleges and universities from Maine to North Carolina and westerly to Utah.

Established in 1938 the ECAC is celebrating its 75th E-Magazine Anniversary in 2013.

NY Y HOCKEY

www.nyhockeyonline.com

East Hockey Long Island vs Hudson Valley at 2013 Empire State Games, Lake Placid

NY Hockey OnLine

East / Page 32

...Brewster is holding several Cross Ice Jamborees this year. Go to the Tournament Page for information ...Bronxville’s PeeWee and Bantam teams took part in the Haunted Shoot Out at the New England Sports Center on October 25-27. Also taking part were West Seneca Wings, Bedford Bears, Long Island Edge, Long Island Royals, Hudson Valley Polar Bears, Rye Rangers and SYHA.

East Hockey News and Notes

...The Westchester Dragons went to the Midget Classic at Foxboro and won the first game and lost a close game to the NJ Rockets and PEAC Prep, who eventually won the tournament. ...The 16U Palisades Predators are the Silver Stick Champions and opened their 2013-14 season with five of six games won.

...Saugerties Hockey is holding Try Hockey for Free ...Great Neck Bruins will be holding Try Hockey For on November 2 from 8 to 9:15 a.m.

Free on November 2 from 5:15 to 7:15 p.m. at the Andrew Stergiopoulos Arena. ...The Lady Islanders held their annual Pink the Rink Touranment in early October. This was for the ...The Long Island Gulls Squirt Tier III won the Phila- 19/14/12U teams and all proceeds went to the Ameridelphia Early Season Challenge Tournament by beat- can Cancer Society. ing the Capitals Academy 5-3, Jersey Penquins 11-0 This is the second year they have held this and Reading Jr. Royals 8-0. The went 3-0 in the Round event that teaches their players that community serRobin advancing to the finals against the Capitals. The vice and giving back to others builds the team on and Gulls were up 2-0 when the Capitals scored at the end off the ice. This season they kicked off the event with of the second period. With five minutes remaining the a walk around the Dix Hills Park.

Gulls iced it and won 3-1. ...Millbrook Hockey will hold Try Hockey For Free on November 2 from 11 a.m. to 1:45 p.m. for ages 4 through 9.

For All Your New York State Hockey News Go to www.nyhockeyonline. com

New York Raptors News The New York Raptors played in a tournament in New Jersey. They lost three games but played hard!

They lost to the Buck County Admirals 6-0 and to the Nova Cool Cats 4-1.

Submitted by Michael Meyers New York Raptors

www.nyhockeyonline.com

NY Hockey OnLine

East Feature / Page 33

Player/Coach Profile:

Mo Raffery

F

or a young woman who is pushing the tender age of 26, Monique Rafferty has certainly built up an impressive hockey resume’.

As a player, Rafferty played two seasons (2004-2006) for Northwood Preparatory School in Lake Placid. During that time she accumulated over 100 scoring points, was team captain and voted MVP in 2006. During that same time period the Saratoga Springs native played for the Gold Medal winning Team Adirondack in the 2004 Empire State Games.

From there it was on to Manhattanville College in Purchase for four more seasons of hockey (2006-2010). While there Rafferty played on two ECAC East Championship teams, was a two-time ECAC East All Academic Team member, played on two NCAA Tournament berth teams, an NCAA Division III National Championship game runner-up, and was an ECAC East All Conference player.

On top of that Rafferty was team captain in 2010 and was the recipient of the Christopher J. Blackwell Extra Effort Award in 2010.

In addition the former forward has been an instructor in several

hockey camps as well as a coach.

Whew!

While the former hockey forward is always looking ahead with great anticipation for hockey, Rafferty also looks back fondly on what she has already accomplished.

“I went to Northwood when I was a junior,” recalled the 5-4 Rafferty, who played for the TroyAlbany Ice Cats prior to her arrival at Northwood. “It was the best experience and best decision I’ve ever made.

“I had looked at some other prep schools. But Northwood was a perfect fit for me.

“It’s in a perfect hockey town (Lake Placid). The Olympic facility there is amazing, as is the staff at Northwood.

“It also helped that I had played some youth hockey for the Lake Placid Rockets. I was already in love with Lake Placid before getting to Northwood.

“From there it was on to Manhattenville College for four more years of great hockey. That is where I grew up both as a player and a person.”

Today Rafferty is head coach of the Westchester Wild U-14 team.

How did Rafferty get involved in hockey?

“My older brother (Justin) played the game,” remembered Rafferty. “My brother used to shoot on me in net and then he would let me play.

“I would tag along with him as his little sister and eventually just fell in love with the game.”

What does the former right winger love about the game?

“I love everything about it,” responded Rafferty, who lives in Port Chester, where she works for

Sotheby International Real Estate in their marketing division. “I love the team dynamics, the locker room, to be around the players.

“It is just so much fun.”

Being a player is one thing.

Making the move over to coaching is another.

What does Rafferty feel she brings to the table as a coach?

“I look at it more from a management perspective,” said Rafferty. “I try to make sure that things flow smoothly with the girls on the team.

“I try to make sure that their attitudes are in the right spot, that they are building good character.

Plus, we want to make sure that we are improving together as a team.

“In addition, I’ve run into coaches who coached me during my playing days. That helps me because now I can pick their brains to help make me a better coach.

“It’s great being on the same level as they are.”

Rafferty also remembered a player who had a big influence on her as a player.

“Rush Zimmer (who played at Providence College) was a counselor at a hockey camp I attended at Dartmouth,” stated Rafferty. “I loved watching her play hockey.

“She was a great hockey player and a great person.”

What advice does Rafferty have for other female hockey players?

“Follow their dreams,” she concluded. “If they want to play college hockey someday, start preparing now.

“Eat well and have a good exercise program to follow. And I hope I can play a small part in their future success.”

www.nyhockeyonline.com

NY Hockey OnLine

East Hockey / Page 34

Eastern New York Men’s College Hockey Report

by Warren Kozireski

HUDSON VALLEY CC

UNION Eli Licthenwald (October 11th against Bowling Green) and Michael Pontarelli (October 12th versus Bowling Green) scored their first collegiate goals over the first two weekends.

Pontarelli was chosen as the ECAC Hockey Rookie of the Week for the first week as he jumped started his collegiate career with back-toback multiple-point games.

The Vikings have three home conference games in November and one on the road.

MANHATTANVILLE Freshmen Matt Coleman (Brentwood) and Nick Giuffrida (Shoreham) are among seven newcomers to the Valiants roster.

R.P.I. The ECAC Hockey Preseason Coaches and Media Polls had the Engineers finishing second and first, respectively. The Engineers received two first-place votes and placed second in the Coaches’ Poll and 18 first-place votes by the media to rank first. Sophomore goaltender Jason Kasdorf was named to both Pre-Season All-ECAC Hockey teams.

Senior forward Matt Tinordi was chosen as captain for the 2013-14 season with classmates Brock Higgs and Johnny Rogic the alternate captains.

Freshman Jimmy DeVito scored his first collegiate goal October 13th at Boston College.

Ryan Haggerty had his first career hat trick October 19th against Sacred Heart. It was the first three-goal effort for the Engineers since February, 2010. Freshman defenseman Parker Reno netted his first collegiate goal in the same game.

For All Your New York State Hockey News Go to www.nyhockeyonline. com Like us on FACEBOOK nyhockeyonline Follow us on Twitter @nyhockeyonline

www.nyhockeyonline.com

NY Hockey OnLine

Union College

East Hockey / Page 35

mile race that begins on the Brooklyn side

of the Battery/Hugh Union College opened L. Carey Tunnel and their season on Septemfinishes a block away ber 21 with a exhibition

by Janet Schultz from Ground Zero. game win over the Ottawa Janet@nyhockeyonline.com

The mission of Jr. Senators. They then beat the race is that, in runthe University of Connectining along his path, runners honor the memory of all cut, 3-2, and Providence, 5-2. the Firefighters, Policemen and Policewomen, and Three losses followed before EMS workers who performed their duty that day. they split a weekend series at Manhattanville had 52 runners participate in the Penn State. race, combining to raise nearly $1,200 for the Ste Haley Welch of East Amphen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation. In all, the herst is a junior defenseman.

25,000 runners in this year’s race combined to raise Welch played for the Buffalo over $2 million for the foundation.

Bisons and spent a year at Elmira College.

The Dutchwomen face Dartmouth (11/1), Har- The Valiants were also active in the community Octovard (11/2), Colgate (11/8), Cornell (11/9) Brown ber 9 with the hockey teams taking part in an annual ball hockey tournament to raise funds for the Jack (11/15) and Yale (11/16) in November.

Jablonski Fund.

The Valiant hockey teams hosted a ball hockey tourRPI nament in support of the Jack Jablonski Fund, which

is named after a Minnesota high school hockey play The Engineers are 3-3-1 as er who was paralyzed from the neck down. The fund they close out October. In Nosupports spinal cord injury care and recovery for all vember they face ECAC rivals those affected by spinal cord injuries.

Harvard, Dartmouth, Cornell, The two teams hosted and participated in the Colgate, Yale and Brown before event, with all money raised going directly to the ending the month in a double-header against St. Jack Jablonski Fund. The hockey teams will also be Cloud State in Minnesota. sponsoring a Jack Jablonski Night during the sea Jenn Godin, Clarence Center, is a sophomore deson, with all ticket proceeds and donations from that fenseman who played at Tabor Academy. night also going directly to the fund.

The Valiants open their season on November 2 Manhattanville and 3 in Northfield, Vermont in the ECAC East-West

Classic. They will face Elmira and Plattsburgh State.

The Manhattanville hockey programs participat- Their home opener is scheduled for November ed in the 12th Annual Stephen Siller Tunnel to Tow- 22 against Plymouth State at Terry Conners Rink in ers Run in New York City, helping to raise money for Stamford, Ct. Terry Conners will be their home rink the Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation. again this season, after Hurricane Sandy destroyed

The weather gods co- Playland Arena in Rye. operated with a beautiful sun- Following Plymouth they will face Southern ny day for the Tunnel to Towers Maine at home on Nov. 23 and Neumann on NovemRun, which retraces firefighter ber 26.

Stephen Siller’s footsteps on September 11, 2001: a 5K/3.1-

East Women’s College Report

www.nyhockeyonline.com

North Hockey Northwood School Gets Ready for Game at the Rochester Fire On Ice Tournament

NY Hockey OnLine

North Feature / Page 37

Northwood School Hockey

N

orthwood School is located just across Mirror Lake from the village of Lake Placid, famous for its winter sports, especially ice hockey.

The Northwood Huskies started their women’s ice hockey season at one of the largest tournaments in the State, the Rochester Fire On Ice. Their first game in the tournament was against St. FX Hockey Academy, Edmonton, Alberta.

They beat them with a breakway with only minutes left and giving Northwoods goalie Megan Messuri a shut-out in the last half.

The Huskies then faced and beat Gilmour Academy with goals from Cailey Hutchison, Nicole Mensi and Katey Snyder.

Their next game was against league rival Ridley, which ended in a tie.

Two wins and a tie was good enough to earn Northwood the third seed of the playoff round and put them up against the New Jersey Rockets, a #14 seed.

The game ended with a 0-0

tie going into overtime which consisted of 3 on 3 action. Nicole Mensi put in her second rebound goal of the tournament for the win.

In the semi-final game they faced Team Detroit, a new all-star team that combined the best of three former Tier One programs. The Detroit Team kept pounding away and the Huskies lost.

The seniors and juniors gained a lot of visibility from collegiate coaches attending the tournament and they toured D1

www.nyhockeyonline.com

NY Hockey OnLine

North Feature / Page 38

RIT’s facilities.

Oh, and Mr. Mensi furnished ice cream! (Nice touch Dave!)

Northwood’s team features New Yorkers Katey Snyder, Grace Durham, Grace Nardiello, Cassie Kent, Nicole Mensi, Sara Donatello, Cailey Hutchison, Bridgit Sullivan, and Sabryna Strack.

They are coached by Andrea Kilbourne-Hill, a former Olympian and assisted by Erin Farmer.

(Photos were taken at the Fire On Ice Tournament in Rochester. They were playing against the Ridley)

www.nyhockeyonline.com

NY Hockey OnLine

North Hockey / Page 39

Northern New York Men’s College Hockey Report

by Warren Kozireski

CLARKSON Freshmen goaltender Steve Perry registered his first collegiate victory and shutout October 6th at Niagara.

Freshmen Jordan Boucher and Troy Josephs scored their first goals October 19th at home versus RIT. Defenseman James de Hass earned his first October 11th against New Hampshire.

James deHaas vs NU

It will all start with senior netminder Mathieu Cadieux, who finished last season fifth in the nation in goals against and 14th in save percentage.

Sophomores Luke Baleshta and Kevin Emmerling were among the top-ten nationally in rookie scoring last year with 26 and 24 points respectively with classmate Dillan Fox not far behind with 20 points. Other forwards competing for offensive roles include juniors Mark Constantine, Mike Cassidy (West Seneca), Alex Jensen and Alex Brenton along with sophomores Connor Gorman and Andrew Smith among a deep forward corps.

“Not always the most skilled guys play here at Plattsburgh, they have to be sacrificial as well,” said head coach Bob Emery. “I just hope we can challenge for the league’s regular season title—our primary goal.”

Senior Barry Roytman (Staten Island) and juniors Brandon Beadow and Preston Kaye headline a relatively young defense with sophomores Rich Botting (Binghamton), Anthony Calabrese and Stephen Cook (Lancaster) looking to move into everyday roles.

Also looking to break into the defensive rotation are recruits Derek Patterson (Jr. Sabres) and Patrick Hermans. Goaltender Connor Creech will apprentice this season; forwards Dakota Mason, Joshua Koerner, Kyle Hall and Graham Yeo battling for limited minutes up front.

POTSDAM

PLATTSBURGH Leading scorer Jared Docking and top-four defensemen Mike Grace and Paul Puglisi are gone, but the Cardinals are loaded and the preseason favorite to claim their 22nd SUNYAC title.

The Bears essentially played all 26 games last season on the road with Maxcy Arena undergoing a facelift, so squeaking into the sixth and final playoff spot by a point shouldn’t be considered a disappointment.

The countdown clock to the home opener on November 2nd against the University of New England is prominently displayed on the Bears home page.

On the ice, the Bears said goodbye to just two seniors, so expectations are high heading into the season.

Leading point-getter Adam Place and leading goal scorer Mike Arnold will both see plenty of regular and power play time with juniors Trevor Cope, Kenny Simon and Zach Blake plus sophomores Billy Pascalli (Deer Park), Matt Thompson and Todd Thomas all back after scoring ten or more points last season.

Seniors Nick Avgerinos and Kevin Carpenter will anchor the veteran defense along with ju-

www.nyhockeyonline.com

NY Hockey OnLine

North Hockey / Page 40

niors Erick Ware, Dan McCamey and Max Fogel (Williamsville) in front of returning goaltenders Austin Keiser and Shane Talarico.

Freshmen trying to find the limited icetime available include forwards Tommy Telesca (Selden), Vinny Caliguiri (Shoreham), Alex Goodhue, Jake Butler and Logan Brown plus defenseman Nick Casacci.

“We are tremendously excited about the upcoming season,” said Bears head coach Chris Bernard. “Our return after a year of games and practices away from Maxcy Hall coupled with the opportunity to play in a brand new facility has provided an extraordinary enthusiasm level for our program.”

ST. LAWRENCE

Freshman Max Carey netted his first collegiate goal October 19th against Ferris State assisted by older brother Greg.

Woody Hudson (Greece) scored his first in the same contest. Drew Smolcynski scored his first the day prior, while defenseman Gavin Bayreuther and forward Brian Ward each scored their first in the season opener against Maine.

Seniors Matt Weninger and Greg Carey captured the ECAC Goaltender and Player of the Week awards for week one of the 2013-14 season following a Saint sweep of the University of Maine.

Weninger made 58 saves on 61 shots in the two contests --50th and 51st consecutive starts for the Saints as he continues to add to his records for career appearances and saves. Carey had a five-point weekend against the Bears.

Place Your Ad with NY Hockey OnLine Rate Sheet on Page 65

www.nyhockeyonline.com

NY Hockey OnLine

North Hockey / Page 41

North Women’s College Report

by Janet Schultz

Potsdam

Potsdam will open Maxcy Arena on November 2 with both a men and women’s game, along with an alumni event.

Nearly 40 years after Maxcy Hall Ice Arena’s opening, SUNY Potsdam undertook a $8.7 million project a year ago. The renovations feature several new amenities and a larger ice surface for the Bears, students and community members.

The women will take on St. Michaels at 2:30 p.m. in their home opener. The men take on the University of New England at 7 p.m.

In addition the 1995-96 SUNYAC Men’s Ice Hockey Team will be inducted into the Bear’s Hall of Fame.

Potsdam’s women’s ice hockey team will continue its November with games against Plattsburgh, Oswego and Elmira at home before going on the road to Hamilton and Cortland.

Clarkson

The Knights opened their season with a 12-1 win over RIT at Cheel Arena. Their season went undefeated through their October 18 against Mercyhurst. They lost one of the two match-ups with Mercyhurst 2-0 and in the second game ended it with a 1-1 overtime tie.

Clarkson faces ECAC rivals Brown, Yale, Dartmouth, Harvard and Providence in November.

Plattsburgh

Former Cardinal standout Danielle Blanchard returns to Plattsburgh State, rounding out Kevin Houle’s staff

as the new assistant women’s hockey coach for the 2013-14 season.

The only Cardinal women’s hockey player to earn All-American accolades four times, Blanchard is one of the finest players to have worn the red and white. She was named a Second Team All-American as a freshman before receiving First Team honors the next three seasons (2007-2009). A member of the 2007 and 2008 National Championship team, Blanchard was also named the 2008 Laura Hurd Winner which recognizes the top Division III women’s hockey player in the nation. In addition to her numerous awards, Blanchard ranks second all-time in points (177), goals (87) and assists (90).

Following the conclusion of her on-ice career, Blanchard took her expertise to the bench where she served as an assistant coach for the Willowdale Women’s Bantam AA Hockey team in Willowdale, Ontario for the 2009-10 season. Most recently, she worked with the Etobicoke Women’s Junior hockey team as an assistant coach. Blanchard has also worked as a hockey instructor at numerous rinks and camps since 2009.

Blanchard graduated from Plattsburgh State in 2009 with a bachelor’s in communication studies with broadcast management. She fills the spot left by the departure of Nicole Williams, who resigned over the summer after five seasons with the Cardinals.

The Cardinal women’s hockey team opens the 201314 campaign at the Norwich East/West Hockey Classic Nov. 2-3. Plattsburgh State will play Norwich on Saturday, Nov. 2 at 5 p.m. before closing out the weekend against Manhattanville at 1 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 3.

St. Lawrence

The Saints are having some season opening problems as they logged only two wins through October 25.

They beat New Hampshire 4-2 and the University of Montreal 7-0 in an exhibition game.

In November they face Yale, Brown, Harvard and Dartmouth at home. They have an exhibition game scheduled with McGill and then play Quinnipiac, Princeton and Mercyhurst on the road.

New Yorkers to watch are Carrie Wilder of Ithaca. Wilder is a junior forward who played for the Ithaca Shooting Stars.

Webster’s Mikaela Thompson is a sophomore goaltender and comes from

www.nyhockeyonline.com

NY Hockey OnLine

North Hockey / Page 42

the Rochester Edge. Thompson earned the shutout and made 23 saves for the Saints in the game against the University of Montreal.

Canton

The SUNY Canton Athletics department was out making a difference in the community once again as they took part in highway cleanup on Wednesday, Sept. 25th along Route 11 just outside of the village of Canton.

Members of the SUNY Canton women’s hockey, women’s basketball and softball teams were out picking up trash along a two mile stretch for two hours. The Roos have been sponsoring this stretch of Adopt a Highway cleanup since April of 2007.

The Roos open their season on November 2 against Stevenson University and play Stevenson again on November 3. Their home opener will be November 8 and 9 against Cortland.

On November 15 and 16 they play Chatham University, November 22 and 23, Buffalo State and November 26, Utica College.

The Roos boast several players from New York including Olga Russell, Rome/Northwood Prep; Becca Kieffer, Lee Center/Lysander Lightning; Caty Darling, Oswego/ Oswego; Karley Cree, Hogansburg/Salmon River; Maddy Hetman, Troy/Troy-Albany Ice Cats; Rhea Coad, Wheatfield/Ontario Hockey Academy; Isreal Tyler, Canton/ Hugh C. Williams; Tia Mitchell, Akwesasne/Scanlon Creek Hockey; Keri Dempsey, Wappingers Falls/SUNY Potsdam; Bernadette O’connell, Buffalo/Buffalo Stars; Devyn Hutcheson, Oswego/Oswego High School and Steph Kushnir, Goshen/Trinity Pawling.

Melissa Lomanto is the head coach of the newly formed women’s ice hockey team. She comes from DI Colgate University where she served as a volunteer coach.

Assisting Lomanto is Dave LaBaff.

Your Source For NYS Hockey News!

NY Y HOCKEY E-Magazine

North News and Notes... ...Chazy is holding Try Hockey For Free on November 2 at Scotts Memorial Rink. ...Plattsburgh Youth will hold Try Hockey For Free on November 2 at 4 p.m. at the AC North Rink. ..Saratoga Youth Hockey will hold three tournaments this season including the Bantam Tourney on December 1315; Mark Woodcock Pee Wee Tournament, January 10-12, 2014 and the Connor La France Squirt/Midget Tournament Jan. 17-19, 2014.

Their tournaments provide a four-game minimum in round robin format; consolation and championship games, website scoring updates, a momento for all players, shirt, photo vendors at every tournament. In addition their location is just minutes from hotels, restaurants, shopping, museums, movie theatres and other Saratoga attractions. There is a snack bar on premises and they enforce the USA Hockey Zero Tolerance Policy. For information go to www.syhi.org ...Malone Minor Hockey will hold the Jacob Dievendorf Memorial Hockey Tournament on February 8 and 9, 2014.

This is for Mites and Squirts. Team rosters and tournament fees must be paid by January 24. Interested teams need to reserve a spot early and can to so by emailing Nancy Legacy, northice816@yahoo.com ...Malone Minor Hockey will hold the Jacob Dievendorf Memorial Hockey Tournament on December 6 through 8 for Pee Wee and Bantam Youth Teams. Team rosters and tournament fees must be paid by November 22. Interested teams need to reserve a spot early and can to so by emailing Nancy Legacy, northice816@yahoo.com ...Clifton Park brought home some wins this season. The CP Dynamo 18U AAA were crowned Champions at the 2013 Compuware Honeybaked AAA Invitational - Silver Division. With a tournament record of 4-1-1, the Dynamo overcame an opening round loss to Little Caesars 18U AAA and got stronger as the weekend went on.

Despite leading Little Caesars, a five minute major allowed Little Caesars to score 3 power play goals and escape with a 3-1 victory. After a 1 - 1 tie with the Michigan Nationals, the 18’s got into gear with a 4 - 2 victory over the MIchigan Northstars AAA. A hard fought 1 - 0 victory over the Chicago Mission put the 18’s in the semi’s. In

www.nyhockeyonline.com

NY Hockey OnLine

North Hockey / Page 43

Clifton Park 2013 Jr. Dynamo Tournament of Champions AAA Invitational

T

he Pee Wee Major Gold Medal went to the Vermont Glades after they beat the Albany Titans 4-2 in the Gold Medal Game of the Jr. Dynamo Tournament of Champions.

In the Bronze Medal, Vermont beat the Southtown Stars, 4-0 and in the Consolation Game it was Adirondack over Syracuse Nationals, 8-3.

With six teams playing three games each, the Troy Titans walked away with 3 wins, but lost in the Gold Medal round. Vermont went into the Gold with a 2-1 record.

The Dynamo Black played to a 2-1 record; the Dynamo Orange went 1-1-1 while Syracuse lost 2 and tied 1 and Wheatfield lost all 3.

At the Squirt Major level it was the Dynamo Sq. Majors over the Long Island Royals 4-3 in overtime.

In the Bronze game it was the Syracuse Blazers 2, Dynamo Black 0 and in the consolation game the Dynamo Orange beat Wheatfield 11-2.

The Dynamo Squirt Major team went into the playoffs with a 3-0-1 record while the Green Mountain Glades had a 3-1-0 record. Long Island Royals ended the tournament with a 2-1-1 record and Adirondack ended 1-3-0; Syracuse, 1-3-0 and Southtown Stars, 1-3-0.

typical Dynamo style, they ground out a 3 - 2 win over the Oakland Elite 18U setting up a berth in the Final versus the Texas Tornado AAA. Not to be denied, the Dynamo emerged champions with a convincing 4 - 0 victory. Congratulations 18U!

Canton Hosting 4V4 League

T

he Canton Minor Hockey Association will be starting the 4v4 Attach House League. 4v4 was started in 2012 to get back to the old days of less structured hockey, promoting fun and competition. In addition to Canton players, Potsdam Squirts are invited to participate at a fee of $100.00 for a 10-12 game season (primarily weekdays). Once all have registered, players will be broken up into 4 or more teams. Go to the link below to register. If you have any questions, contact Brian Coakley at bcoakley@northcountrysavings.com. https://cantonminorhockey.sportngin.com/register/ form/690251599

The Staff of NY Hockey OnLine Magazine Wishes Everyone A

HAPPY THANKSGIVING! and Best Wishes to Everyone Participating in Thanksgiving Tournaments!

Travel Safe!

www.nyhockeyonline.com

West Hockey

WNY Native Thomas McCollum in Goal for the Grand Rapids Griffs in a game against the Rochester Amerks!

NY Hockey OnLine

West Hockey / Page 45

Around the West! ...Bud Bakewell Hockey is holding Try Hockey for Free on November 3 from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. at Riverside Rink, Buffalo. There will also be a free Novice/Learn to Skate session at 9 a.m. ...Buffalo Regals ‘99 AAA (1999) team won the Detroit Warrior Tournament by beating some of the best teams in the country. Their win was attributred to evenly disributed scoring and goaltending and a great team effort. ...The Buffalo Bisons traveled to Detroit to take part in the US/Canada Cup Tournament on October 25-27. (Results in the December issue). ...Canadaigua Knights are looking for layers ages 13-18 interested in officiating RWBB Cross Ice games on Saturday mornings at the GCCC rink. Contact John Millspaugh, Jmillspa@rochester.rr.com if you are interested. ...The Canadaigua Braves High School Hockey Team will be playing the Victor Blue Devils at 11 a.m. on December 21 as part of the Frozen Frontier Classic in Rochester. December 21 and 22 have been designated as Section V High School Rivalry Days. Ticket information is available at the high school’s athletic office. ...Cazenovia’s Pee Wee Mixed team finished second at the Philadelphia Early Season Challenge. They swept the round robin portion of the tournament with wins over the Metro Maple Leafs of Maryland 5-1, North Jersey Avalanche 1-0, Exton Kings 4-2 and NJ Stars 6-4. The championship game was a fiercely contested battle with the Chiefs finally being overtaken in the final minutes on a powerplay goal and empty netter in a 6-4 loss to the NJ Avalanche. The Chiefs had a balanced attack with all three lines finding the scoresheet along with solid defense and stellar goaltending. ...The Depew Saints are celebrating their 45th anniversa-

Nichols Hockey

T

he Nichols Prep School in Buffalo ices two girl’s ice hockey teams.

The Nichols Prep B team announced they will play in the WNY Girls Varsity Ice Hockey Federation this season. The WNYGVIH league is in its fourth season.

The Prep A team will participate in the NAPHA League as well as the CISSA Canadian Prep Hockey League.

The goal of Nichols Girls Hockey is to provide maximum college exposure and they accomplish this by playing in the above leagues, as well as making a trip to the Deerfield Tournament in December. They will also play in the Nobles in Boston, one of the top prep-school tournaments on the East coast and they will play in the Northwood Tournament.

ry this season. Congratulations and best wishes for many more years of youth hockey in Depew!

Depew held their Halloween Tournament on October 25-27 with teams from Perinton, West Seneca and the TNT Tornadoes participating. ...The Hamburg Hawks Girls 12U team competed in the Niagara Falls (Canada) Classic Girl’s Tournament. After dropping their first two games they tied their third game and then faced an undefeated Niagara Falls team in a rematch. They won 3-2 to move onto the championship game. They beat North Halton 2-0 to win the PeeWee BB Championship.

The Hawks Pee Wee Major AA team traveled to Cleveland to play in the Rock N Roll Cup in September. They lost 4-2 in the final to Ancaster Avalanche from Ontario. ...Livingston Youth Hockey announces the SIHA Winter Clinic will be coming to the Wilson Arena for a two-day clinic on December 29-30. SIHA Clinics are specifically designed to provide each student an opportunity to finetune their skills during the middle part of their season. This is the perfect time to help eliminate bad habits, revitalize existing skills and energize all players for the last half of their season. The clinic will consist of 1.5 hours of ice per

www.nyhockeyonline.com

NY Hockey OnLine

West Hockey / Page 46

day (2 days), concentrating on the following points of emphasis; POWER SKATING: Forward Stride & Backwards Skating PUCKHANDLING: Passing, Shooting & 1 on 1’s SPECIAL FEATURES: Musical Ice Sprints (increasing acceleration & explosiveness), Professional Demonstrations (showing all students proper skating & puckhandling techniques) and highly energized/fast paced drills (students are continually moving - no standing around!) Register at www.siha.com ...Monroe County Youth Hockey will hold Try Hockey For Free on November 2 at the Scottsville Arena beginning at 11 a.m.

The Monroe Midget Major TB Team won the Pittsburgh Pre Season Challenge. They went 5-0 and beat the Perinton Midget AAA team in the finals for the championship. ...North Chautauqua will hold a Spaghetti Dinner Fundraiser on December 15. More information to come.

may be an attractive option for those looking for more icetime without the commitment and expense of a travel program.vSessions will be held on Monday evenings at 7 pm.

The first session will be on November 4 and the program will continue for 7 weeks. A second session will resume on January 6 and continue for another 7 weeks These additional skill based practices will include Level IV USA Hockey certified coaches as well as WYHA’s most experienced staff. Practice plans outlined by USA Hockey and WYH’s ACE Coordinator will be used.

This program will consist of fun, high paced and progressive practices that will focus on age appropriate skill development as well as offer an additional ice touch every week for all 2003 and 2004 birth year house players.

The fee for this add-on program has been set at $90* for a half season. Registration is available on-line to registered 2013-2014 Squirt House participants. You may also contact WYHA’s ACE Coordinator, Jeff Hall at ace@ wyha.com with any questions about this new and exciting program.

...Perinton Youth Hockey took part in the Girls Hockey Day on October 12 and got their girl’s hockey program up and running. They held their first World Girls Try Hockey for free day and many of the girls across our PYH programs from the Intermediate level through the Bantam level were there to greet and work with families who were trying hockey for the first time.

The brand new Girls Club started with a skating clinic hosted by RHA’s Kristina Moss. ...Perinton will hold Try Hockey for Free on November 2 from 10 to 11 a.m. at the Thomas Creek Ice Arena. ...The Niagara County Coyotes have a new 18 and over women’s league and features four teams. They are looking for players from the WNY area. Games are played at the newly renovated Hyde Park Arena in Niagara Falls. This league is for beginners to experienced players.

League play is Friday nights at 7 p.m. and 8:15 p.m.

They currently have 40 players and are looking for about 18 more to become regulars.

For information contact Chris Rechin at ctpuckman@ aol.com. ...Webster Youth Hockey is excited to announce a Squirt Development Program. This program will offer all Squirt house players the opportunity for an additional skill based practice every week during the 2013-2014 season. This

...West Seneca--The Bantam Tier II Travel Team (above) won the A2 Division Championship at the Rock ‘N Roll Cup Tournament Series in Cleveland, OH October 11-13, defeating the Reston Raiders Silver Team from Reston, VA, 2-1 in a Shootout. The teams failed to score in OT, and tied in the first 2 Shootout Periods, before Max Dobrick scored on the final shot of the Third Shootout Period to seal the victory.

The Wing’s Squirt Tier II team swept the Rock N Roll Cup. They beat the Pittsburgh Vipers 6-1; Saginaw Badgers, 9-3 and the Allen Park Huskies 10-2. The championship game pitted them against the Vipers and they won 4-1.

The Pee Wee Tier II team also brought home a championship from that tournament.

www.nyhockeyonline.com

NY Hockey OnLine

West Hockey/ Page 47

...Buffalo Shamrocks held their own “Rocktober” training camp where they evaluate players for proper placement among their varsity (travel), JV (select) and club (house) squads at the mite, squirt, pee wee and bantam levels. They also have a girl’s program. ...The Buffalo Saints held their Halloween Showcase on October 25-26 with the Centre Wellington Fusion, Cleveland Alliance, Perinton Blades, Sudbury Wolves, TNT Tornados, Valley Forge Minutemen and West Seneca Wings taking part.

Monroe’s Sedia Named Player of the Month

Buffalo Regals Start Off Strong

B

S

am Sedia, 13, has been selected as MCYH’s Player of the Month for September 2013 due to his incredible work ethic on and off the ice.

Sam’s Bantam Minor AA Team #1 teammates voted Sam as a one of the team’s Captains this season due to his consistent and strong work ethic during practices and games. Prior to Sam’s injury, he accrued 7 points in his first 7 games and helped his team achieve a 5-1-1 starting record.

Sam’s hard work continues in the classroom where he averages grades in the 90’s and tested in the top 20% in New York State. Sam will be awarded a $50.00 Gift Certificate to Lakeshore Hockey Arena for his achievement.

Your Source For NYS Hockey News!

NY Y HOCKEY E-Magazine

oth the Buffalo Regals 14U & 16U teams went undefeated in round robin earning number #1 seeds at the Cleveland Ignite the Ice Tournament.

In the 16U (pictured above) semi-final game against the Buffalo Bison’s, the Regals out-shot them 32-11 and had goals by Tori Allard (2 assists), Zoey Perchaluk (1 assist) and Emma Ruggiero, with Brynn Wopperer adding two assists.

In the finals, they out-shot Team Detroit/Belle Tire 31-18, but lost 3-2 in a sudden death shootout after two scoreless OT periods. They had beaten them earlier 4 - 1 in round robin play. All this happened after Megan Reukauf tied the game for the Regals with the Regals goalie pulled and only 7 seconds left on the clock. “Just great theater and great way to start the season,” said Coach Tom Ruggiero.

The 14U girls won the championship, in which they allowed only 1 goal against all tournament. In round robin play they beat the Washington Pride, St. Louis Lady Blues and Ohio Flames before beating theri cross-town rival Buffalo Bisons in the semi-finals 4-0. The Regals beat the Columbus Blue Jackets 3-1 in the finals.

The 12U (photo on next page) girls play at the Tier II level and are led by leading scorer Jersey Phillips and the goaltending of Hannah Barrett. They earned the number one seed overall after going 2-1 in round-robin and beating the NU girls 2-1 in the semi-finals on goals by Jersey Phillips and Jenna Cavalieri. Although they lost to a good Michigan team in the championship game, they earned

www.nyhockeyonline.com

NY Hockey OnLine

West Hockey / Page 48 West Seneca Wings Bantam AA (Tier II) Hockey Fundraiser Friday, November 1st, 2013 7:30 - 11:00pm

Vigilant Fire Hall 666 Main St., West Seneca Beer • Wine • Pizza • Snacks Chinese Auction • 50/50 • Large Auction Items DONATION $10 Contact Len Drajem for tickets at 823-2149 or chiefws3@verizon.net

themselves a nice medal and Finalist trophy.

“Again, a great way to start the season if you are a Regal fan,” said Ruggiero.

Collegiate Men’s Club Hockey Medaille

The Mavericks are 3-3 as they close out October with wins over Hilbert, University of Pittsburgh/Bradford and St. John Fisher.

Leading the scoring are Erik Grzechowia, Matt Kieta, Matt Teruto and Isaak DeMaio. The Goalies have each played at least one game with wins going to Derrick Ford, and Robert Corbit.

D’Youville

The Spartans are struggling this season but with that said Justin Nelson, Zacharty Klapp, Mike Hirschauer and Mike Overhold are putting up some numbers.

In goal this season are Laura Orynawka and Trevor Taggart.

and Dick Thur has 6 goals and 6 assists putting them on the scoring leader board.

St. John Fisher

Leading the scoring for St. John Fisher after just two games are Adam Johnson with 2 goals and an assist; Brian Kelly with 2 goals and an assist and Zach Zamb (pictured below) with 3 assists.

Johnson is from West Seneca, Kelly from Pittsford and Lamb from Rochester.

University of Buffalo

The Bulls are 2-1 after three games with their wins coming from Cortland and St. John Fisher. Their only loss was to Fredonia.

Medaille, Brockport, D’Youville, Geneseo, St. John Fisher, University of Buffalo and University of Rochester/ Nazareth all play in the UNYCHLW.

RIT

RIT opened with losses to Slippery Rock and the University of Pittsburgh/Bradford. They came back to beat Penn State, Erie Community College, and Binghamton.

After six games Alex Nyzio has 5 goals and 6 assists

www.nyhockeyonline.com

NY Hockey OnLine

T

West Feature/ Page 49

he 2013-14 season starts off with four young women taking leadership roles at various levels of ice hockey. Three have a strong connection to the former DI women’s ice hockey program at Niagara University, while the third comes from Buffalo State College’s DIII program. They are going to lead women’s ice hockey teams from behind the bench.

The first announcement came from Buffalo State College when they appointed Candice Moxley as head coach.

Moxley played for Niagara University from 2001 to 2005. She was recruited by Niagara’s first Head Coach Margot Page and served as team captain in her Senior year. She racked up a career record of 34 goals and 78 points in 135 collegiate games. She was named Rookie of the Year in her Freshman year, named an All-College Hockey America honoree and was a three-time CHA All-Academic Team member.

After college she played for the CWHL and in her three seasons with the NWHL, earned a silver medal at the ESSO Nationals and at the 2007 Provincial Championships.

Moxley served as an assistant coach at Robert

Morris College, as a full-time Head Coach at Trinity College School and then as an assistant at Ohio State, under NU alumnus Nate Handrahan.

Moxley has also brought in a local assistant coach in Lucy Schoedel, an Ithaca native who played for the University of New Hampshire and for Syracuse University.

Schoedel spent the last two seasons as an assistant at Brown University.

Next up was the naming of Rachel Hauser as the Head Coach for Niagara University’s women’s club ice hockey team. Hauser made it through four years of DI hockey at Niagara before the program was eliminated. She was continuing her education in a graduate program and headed over to the team to play another year. That led to helping then-coach Jason Elliott and when he took a job elsewhere, she was appointed Head Coach.

Hauser comes with experience and passion.

“Club hockey is a lot different,” explains Hauser.

“There’s not as much of a commitment as there is at DI or DIII but it still gives players a chance to continue playing hockey after high school and youth hockey.”

Women Named to WNY Coaching Positions!

WNY’s newest coaches: Lucy Schoedel, Candice Moxley, Rachel Hauser, Melissa Jechovich, Linda Mroz

www.nyhockeyonline.com

NY Hockey OnLine

West Feature / Page 50

NU plays as an independent but looks forward to joining a league at some point in the future.

“This will be a rebuilding year for us,” said Hauser.

“We lost eight players to graduation and only have four returning.”

“Everyone will be new when they take the ice,” she remarked.

Hauser’s story can be found in the October 2013 issue of NY Hockey OnLine.

Next up is Melissa Jechovich, named head coach for the University of Buffalo Lady Ice Bulls.

Jechovich is a native of Niagara Falls. She began her hockey career at age six with Grand Niagara and then went to the Niagara County Coyotes in their inaugural season. She also played for Niagara Falls Boy’s Varsity before her collegiate career with Buffalo State College.

Wanting to stay in the game, Jechovich joined up with the Lady Ice Bulls as an assistant coach under Ron Adimey. Adimey resigned prior to the start of the season for employment reasons.

Jechovich feels that anyone who loves the game and knows it can coach.

“I’ve always been part of the game and wanted to stay in it,” she said.

This season UB is facing a lot of tough competition in the opening part of the schedule.

“It will be tough, but we will be getting better,” she said confidently.

Finally,one of the biggest announcements of the WNY Girls Hockey season, is the appointment of Linda Groff Mroz as head coach of the WNY Girls Varsity Ice Hockey League Monsignor Martin Team.

Mroz takes over from Chris Malicki, who left the position for family reasons. Malicki has coached the team to the league championship in 2012 and 2013.

However, you will still see him behind the bench for the Cazenovia 10U girls.

Mroz has been on the ice since she was 18 months old.

“I had an ambitious father,” she laughs.

She had brothers who played hockey and she wanted to be part of it.

“I went to my first practice and my skates were too small,” she remembers. “I didn’t want to skate because they hurt. My Mom made me stay on the ice. I cried.”

However, once she got bigger skates, she’s been unstoppable.

Her brother gave her a great piece of advice one day.

She missed a pass, he pulled her pigtails and told her he’d hit her if she missed getting the puck again.

So she punched the kid that took the puck from her the next time and got her first penalty at age 5.

She played three years of house at Amherst and then moved to travel at age 7. Mroz was on a boy’s team until she was 18 years old. However, during that time she also played for the Buffalo Bison’s Girls team and the Nichols Girls Varsity Ice Hockey Team.

‘On the boy’s team I was a forward, they would get me the puck and I’d put it in the net,” she explained.

“On the girl’s team she was on defense because I was the only one that could stand between the forwards.”

“I skated seven days a week, sometimes three times a day,” she says of her hockey career.

“I love it a lot, it was my sport.”

She was also recruited by NU Head Coach Margo tPage and had “a blast” during her four years with the Lady Purple Eagles.

During her junior year the Eagles went to the Frozen Four.

Following graduation she took a year off to recharge. She had played hockey for over 15 years and needed to “figure out life.”

She played roller hockey with the Wings organization and made it all the way to the National Tournament in Venice, California.

“It was a semi-pro league and we got paid in equipment,” said Mroz. “They took us on a truck and let us chose what we wanted.”

Mroz tried for the USA Olympic Women’s Hockey Team that went to Utah. When she didn’t make it she decided to go play some Senior Women’s Ice Hockey and ended with the Buffalo Saints Senior B Team.

“We won the nationals,” she said.

“That team was competitive and we wanted something less competitive, more fun and a place to build friendships,” she explains. So they formed another team with the Buffalo Regals organization.

Mroz also serves as director of the Regals Girls Development Program. This is a house program for girls ages 7 to 17. Skill doesn’t matter, it’s a place to develop that.

Mroz is a on-ice coach. She gets on the ice with her son’s Mite team and lets them have fun and they are skating all the time.

She has also coached Lacrosse and currently

www.nyhockeyonline.com

NY Hockey OnLine

West Feature & WNYGVIH / Page 51

coaches Field Hockey. She also gave Basketball a try, but found that is not her sport. She has coached both boys and girls ice hockey and when the opportunity to be an assistant coach with Monsignor Martin came up, she jumped.

When asked who she patterns herself after, it’s Page.

Her NU Coach always had things in place and the team knew what they had to do day-to-day. Her lineups were posted, as was the schedule for the day and her drills are ones that Mrox admits to using today.

“Every girls thinks she’s amazing so you bring her down to the level she can play at,” explains Mroz.

“And for the girl without confidence you build that up by pointing out what she does good .”

T

“A coach needs to be real and give you positive feedback, along with the negative, and then more positive,” she explains.

“Girls are visual learners and they are emotional,” she goes on. “Girls also ask a lot of questions and I would rather they do that than mess up.”

Mroz’s favorite holiday is Halloween, and this Halloween she spent it with tryouts for the 2013-14 Monsignor Martin Girls Varsity Ice Hockey Team.

Mroz lives in Amherst with her husband, Brian, and children, Josh, 10; Riley, 5 and Cooper, 1.

he Western New On Tuesday, York Girls Varsity Nov. 19 Amherst/ Ice Hockey League Sweethome will face takes to the ice on Novemoff against Nichols at ber 19 with two games.

4:50 p.m. at the NichBy Janet Schultz Opening it’s fourth ols Arena. At 8:15 p.m. season, the Orchard Park/ league has Frontier will play now increased Kenmore at Linto 8 teams with coln Arena.

Nichols School West Seneca putting their will play LanPrep B team caster/Iroquois into the mix. at East Aurora In addition, the following Iroquois Cenday (Nov. 20) at tral has joined 4 p.m.

Lancaster in Thursday, Nov. hopes of grow21 two games Monsignor Martin vs Williamsville in WNYGVIH Championship game and ing that team. will be played Kenmore takes on Beekmantown at the NYS Championships. (Photos by Janet Lancaster has with Orchard Schultz) strugged during Park at Monsithe Inaugural gnor Martin at Season and the last two, ending in the last spot each 4:30 p.m. at the North Buffalo Rink and Amherst/Sweet season.

Home at Williamsville, 5:30 p.m. at Amherst’s North Along with joining Lancaster, they will bring Pete towns Rink.

Tonsoline in as a co-coach with Lancaster/Iroquois.

Kenmore will play West Seneca at the West Seneca Other coaching changes include the appointment of Town Rink on Friday, Nov. 22 at 5 p.m. capping off the Nicola Adimey to the Amherst/Sweet Home Katz, Brian first full week of the 2013-14 schedule.

Hillery to West Seneca, Linda Mroz to Monsignor Martin The entire schedule will be posted at www.nyhockand Tom Iafallo with Nichols. eyonline.com and at www.girls4varsityhockey.com “It’s a great league to have women coaches,” said Kenmore will be defending their Section VI tittle and Richard Hopkins, head coach for Williamsville and the Monsignor Martin returns as the 2011-13 WNYGVIH force behind the formation of the WNYGVIH League.

League Champs.

WNYGVIH Grows!

www.nyhockeyonline.com

NY Hockey OnLine

West Hockey / Page 52

(The following stories were submitted by the Buffalo Stars)

T

his year the Buffalo Stars & Coaching and Player Development Director Tim O’Connor has not only taken strides toward player development efforts with the full season Midgets NJPHL Program, he has also brought to the organization three player development Skill Coaches: Mark Zarbo (left) , Mark Metzger and Jason Hill, all of which have played at a high level of hockey in Junior, College and Professional Levels. This gives all teams in the organization a chance to use these skill coaches during the season for skill development instead of going outside of the organization for specialized skill development camps.

This feature highlights our first of the three additions to the player development coaching staff, Mark Zarbo.

Mark has extensive hockey experience, playing Division 1 college hockey at Bentley in the AHA for 1 season and for 3 seasons at RPI in the ECAC. He graduated in 2010 from RPI with a BS in Business and Management.

In Junior hockey, Mark played for the Youngstown Phantoms Jr A in the NAHL and the CD Selects Jr A in the EJHL. In both leagues Mark was selected to play on the All-Star team.

In 2012, Mark interned with the Buffalo Sabres in their scouting department helping them sort and break down video on amateur players for the 2012 NHL Draft. Recently Mark was just announced as the new hockey column writer for Sports and Leisure Magazine.

Mark grew up playing hockey in the Buffalo area and recently moved back to Western New York to attend graduate school at UB. Currently he is a candidate to receive his Doctor of Physical Therapy degree and will graduate in May 2014.

Throughout his career Mark was fortunate to have some of the best coaches and trainers from around North America including well known area coaches Gary Reeves, Darryl Belfry, and Jon Christiano. From his experiences as a player Mark has developed the ability to teach any type of individual or team skill in a detailed but simplified manner.

As a coach Mark prides himself on being very de-

tailed in all his teaching.

Mark believes that it is just as important that a player understands the “why” of a skill and not just the “how.” Players that do not understand why they are performing a skill will never fully understand how to correctly use that skill in a game.

Once Mark graduates this May 2014, his goal is to develop the best all-around hockey development program in WNY and Southern Ontario. His knowledge of on-ice mechanics, off-ice training, injury prevention and rehab methods will allow Mark to design efficient player specific programs. No program in the area has a coach or trainer who has as much combined playing, coaching and training experience as Mark. His goal is take that knowledge and put it into use for all players to benefit from.

Bantam Minor Takes Congressional Cup

T

he Buffalo Stars Bantam Minor team travel down to Washington DC over the Columbus Day Holiday Weekend and played in the Congressional Cup Tournament.

In their first game, the Stars faced off against the Long Island Rebels. The Stars won this game 8-5 in a very exciting back and forth contest. The Stars were led to victory

www.nyhockeyonline.com

NY Hockey OnLine

West Hockey / Page 53

by Matt Lucyshyn and Nick Walter each scoring a hat trick.

In Game two, the Stars faced off against the Pittsburgh Arctic Foxes.

Alex Bernas and Jacob Fort each netted a pair of goals leading the stars to a 7-0 victory. Jude Rajakrishnan earned the shutout for the Stars.

The Charlotte Jr Checkers were next up in game three. Once again the strong offense from Matt Lucyshyn scoring his second hat trick on the tournament led the Buffalo Stars to a 6 – 1 victory and placing the Stars into the Championship game.

In the Championship game the Buffalo Stars once again would face the Long Island Rebels. This game would prove to be a battle with faced paced end to end action. The Stars jumped out to a quick 1 – 0 lead on the goal scored by Lucas Prince and the first period would end that way.

The Rebels came out flying in the second period and tied the score 1 -1.

Several minutes later Jacob Grazen would push the Stars to a 2-1 lead.

Lucas Prince would tally his second goal of the game and give the Stars a 3-1 lead.

With a 3-1 lead going into the third period, both teams started dictating the pace as a non-stop back and forth action lead to the Rebels scoring and pulling within a goal.

However, the solid goal tending of Cameron Ruggiero and Alex Bernas and Jacob Grazen adding insurance goals would seal the deal for the Stars in a 5-2 win and winning the Congressional Cup Tournament.

Stars’ Players Honored

Adam Zaffram was named Buffalo Stars Youth Spotlight Player of the Week for October 6.

Zaffram is 12 years old and plays Center for the Buffalo Stars PeeWee Major Team. His favorite subjects are math and science and he hopes to be a hockey player. His favorite team are the Pittsburgh Penquins and his favorite player is Sid Crosby.

Zaffram also enjoys soccer, skateboarding, swimming, baseball, lacross and rip-sticking.

“My Mom and Dad are my role models because they push me to my max,” said Zaffram.

His personal hero is his Dad because he coaches and pushes his team.

Zaffram hopes to score at least 25 goals this season.

tenth grader’s favorite subject is Math. He also likes jet skiing, boating and hunting. In addition to ice hockey he plays lacrosse and is a wrestler.

His favorite team is Notre Dame College and his favorite NHL Player is newly retired Martin Biron.

Niesyty plans to play junior hockey and D1 hockey.

Niesyty’s goal for the season, “get as many wins as I can.”

Alex Lynch was named Buffalo Stars Student/Athlete of the Week for October 13.

Lynch is a defenseman for the Stars.

He is taking Advanced Placement

Jack Niesyty was named Buffalo Stars Player of the Week for October 13.

Niesyty plays on the U16 Split Season team and has been the only goalie for several weeks. Despite having a lot on his shoulders he goes out with a great attitude and gives his all every game.

Niesyty is 16 years old and attends Clarence High School. The

www.nyhockeyonline.com

NY Hockey OnLine

West Hockey / Page 54

U.S. History, honors pre-calculus; honors computer integrated manufacturing, honors digital electronics, honors chemistry and his grade point average last year was 97.2 Lynch is an 11th grader at Lancaster High School. He enjoys playing guitar, playing X box, skiing, snowboarding and fishing.

His future plans include doing great this season and going to college to become a “great” engineer.

This season, however, he plans to win tournaments, score and hve a great season.

Mary Kate Mullen is the Girls Spotlight Player of the Week for October 6.

Forward MK, as she is known by her teammates, started skating with the Stars/Hornets Organization at the age of 4. She comes from a hockey family where her three older brothers Justin, Tommy John and Ryan were also lifelong Stars/Hornets. Her younger brother Aaron is the Stars/ Hornets Little Ambassador.

MK is a junior at Cleveland Hill High School where she is an honor roll student and plays volleyball, basketball and softball. She is also involved in Student Government.

Since her younger brother is hearing impaired as well a friend on her hockey team, MK has become very interested in learning sign language so she can better communicate with them. It is something she is seriously considering to study when she attends college.

In her spare time she volunteers at SABAH. Hockey remains her favorite activity and she loves playing for Coach Dawn and Coach Norm.

Justin Evoy of the Buffalo Stars Pee Wee Major Team was named Youth Spotlight Player of the Week for October 20.

Evoy is 12 years old and resides in Lancaster. His favorite subject is math and he plans to become a businessman.

While the Buffalo Sabres are his favorite NHL team, his favorite player is Pavel Datsyuk. He also likes soccer and baseball and his favorite movie is “Miracle.”

Evoy’s role model and personal hero is his father, who has survived cancer.

His goal this season: to get 10 goals and 20 assists and a better shot!

Alejandro is maintaining a high honors average while taking AP courses in language arts, biology, computers science, history and calculus.

In spite of a season ending injury that cut his 2013 Midget season short, Alejandro is still an inspiration to his teammates and an important part of the U16 team.

Alejandro is an 11th grader at Clarence High School.

John “Gage” Muller was named Player of the Week for October 20.

Muller had a stellar game against the Buffalo Bisons. Muller scored 2 goals and 5 assists in a very closely contested game. The Stars preveiled when he scored the winning goal with 1:17 seconds left propelling the Stars to a 7-6 victory.

Alejandro Izquierdo is the Buffalo Stars Student/Athlete for the Week of October 20.

www.nyhockeyonline.com

NY Hockey OnLine

West Hockey / Page 55

Muller also had a hand in the typing goal feeding #71 Mike Broad.

Muller is the team’s leading scorer and is a very unselfish player, making the pass for the team, said the Buffalo Stars.

Muller has been playing with the 18U team for a while since the “injury bug” hit them. Coach Mike Flately has given him a regular shift.

Muller attends Alden High School and plans to pursue a career in hockey.

Stars Win Three Rivers

T

he Stars 15u team played in the 16u A division at the Three Rivers Tournament in October.

In their game against Port Perry they were losing 3-1 and came back to win the game 4-3 with 1.6 seconds left in the third period.

West Seneca Wings enjoyed a game at Niagara University.

(Photo by Janet Schultz)

Next up was the York Devels and the Star Goalie Sean Brown led the team to a 3-0 shut-out.

The Stars then beat North Pittsburgh 5-2 heading them to the Championship Game.

There they faced off against the Glaciers and tied them 0-0 when Michael Boller scored the winning goal with 38 seconds left in the third period.

The team is pictured here with their trophy.

NY Hockey OnLine Magazine INVITES YOU TO *Share this Publication with your Players, Coaches, Family, Friends, Colleagues *Ask Business You Deal With To Advertise With Us *Send us Your News, Photos, Logos and Web Links *Follow us on Facebook and Twitter *Watch www.nyhockeyonline.com for Daily Updated Hockey News from the State!

Thank You for All Your Kind Words and Support!

www.nyhockeyonline.com

NY Hockey OnLine

West Hockey / Page 56

BROCKPORT

second year in a row. They embark on the 2013-14 season after losing four of their top six scorers, but returning most of their defense and starting goaltender Kevin

Don’t tell the Golden Carr in his senior campaign.

Eagles that every second of Mike Zanella is the only player back who scored every game doesn’t matter. more than nine goals last season (16-10-26), so the They were four seconds from coaching staff will fill first line and offensive roles with defeating Potsdam last FebruBrett Hope, seniors Shane Avery and Mac Balson and a ary before the Bears tied host of others. the game and later won Sophomores Todd Grain overtime. Brockport finham, Ben Kramer and Sean ished one point out of the Hrivnak help solidify the final playoff spot behindblueline with seniors Jason --Potsdam.

Cleaver and Clay Lewis.

But it was a learning Carr played in all but experience for the uneight minutes last season derclassmen. Eight of the in net and either holds or team’s top-12 scorers from is closing in on every Benby Warren Kozireski last season are back along gals goaltending record. He with sophomore goaltenbegins this season 312 minder Jared Lockhurst, who utes away and 315 saves was the talk of the league away from moving into the during the first month before getting hurt in November. top spot. He already holds career records for save per Leading point-getter Jesse Facchini and leading goal centage (.917), goals against average (2.71), wins (35) scorer Shane Cavalier will try to improve on their freshand shutouts (7) set during his first three seasons as the man campaigns with offensive help from seniors Chris starter.

Cangro, Brendon Rothfuss (Webster) and Steve Sa Charles Lapierre joins the blueline corps with Taylor chman, junior Troy Polino with sophomore classmates Prince, Dan Turgeon (MCC), Jake Rosen (East Amherst), Jeremy DeFazio, Chase Nieuwendyk, James Ryan and Anthony Beaumont, Adam Rossi and Nick Berst key Michael Zagari. newcomers at forward. Goaltender Mike Delavergne Replacing departed senior Mike Heyward on the arrives after his championship run with Wilkes Barrepoint for the power play could hold the key to the seaScranton (AJHL) last season. son. Senior captain Mike Deluca, juniors Bobby Chayka and Marcus Farmer plus sophomores Chris Luker (Buffalo Jr. Sabres), Chad Cummings and Jonathan Demme will battle for that spot and top pair minutes.

Among the recruits, forwards Jake Taylor, Nick Marinac and Ryan Johnson arrive from the OJHL as does Seniors Tony Capobianco and Kyle Gibbons were defenseman Robbie Hall, who had 60 points over his both named to the Atlantic Hockey Preseason All-Star 106 games junior career. Goaltender Andrew Winsor Team as voted on by the league’s media. Canisius, also will fight for games after his 20-3-1 season with which was also placed fourth in the 12-team poll, was the only school with multiple players on the six-memTrenton last year. ber all-star team.

Gibbons led the Griffs with 43 points, 21 goals and 22 assists during the 2012-13 campaign—the third most in the program’s history. Overall, Gibbons

The Bengals won a quarterfinal ranked 12th in Division I in points, eighth playoff game for the second consecuin goals and sixth in power-play goals last tive season, but their season ended in season. the conference semi-finals also for the Capobianco was named the Griffs’ MVP

Western New York Men’s College Hockey Report

CANISIUS

BUFFALO STATE

www.nyhockeyonline.com

NY Hockey OnLine

West Section / Page 57

during the 201213 campaign after setting four school records in saves (1,256), save percentage (.929), goaltender wins (18) and shutouts (four) during the season.

Capobianco also led all players in the country with 1,256 saves, Capobianco which ranks 12th in NCAA history and the most since the 1988-89 campaign. He finished 12th nationally with his .929 save percentage to go along with a 2.40 goals against average.

ERIE CC The Kats begin their regular season November 2nd at Mohawk Valley with their home opener November 5th against national runner-up Monroe CC.

FREDONIA It’s a bit of a rebuild for the Blue Devils after ten players, including their top scorer and two goaltenders, departed. Add the scarcity of goals last season—ranked 72of-72 teams at 1.77 goals per game and scoring more than two goals in a game just six times over 26 games— and the objective is clear.

Scorecards will be needed for the home opener on November 8th with 14 newcomers.

Blake Forslund, Frankie Hart, Marcus Ortiz, Garrett Moore (Arcade), Travis Fernley, Mackenzie McAvoy, Hunter Long and Erik Moberg join the forward ranks while Zach White, Darrin Trebes (Buffalo), Marcus Moles and Kurt Gottschalk fighting for at least three openings on defense.

Goaltender Chris Eiserman also arrives via Bridge-

ton Academy.

Alex Perkins, Andrew Christ, Stephen Castriota, Taylor Bourne, John DeFeo, Chad Bennett, Jared Wynia and Matt Owczarczak (Buffalo) will battle the new forwards for top-line minutes.

Aside from Edens, returners on defense include sophomores Mitch Kaufman and Ryan Wilkinson with juniors Tyler Matecki (Buffalo) and Cory Melkert.

GENESEO The Knights won 12 of 14 games during a stretch from lateNovember to early-February, but their season ended during the conference semi-finals for the second time in three years.

They will retool a bit this year after losing three of their top six scoring forwards to graduation along with four of their top-six defensemen.

Leading scorer Zachary Vit is the go-to offensively and is back for one more season needing just five points to join the 100-point club. Junior Tyler Brickler, SUNYAC All-Rookie selection David Ripple, junior Justin Scharfe (Webster), senior Carson Schell, Gary Childerhose and Jonathan Sucese (Fairport) will be asked to step into offensive roles.

The key to the season will likely be the blueline with First Team All-SUNYAC defenseman Jack Caradonna and sophomore Nate Brown the only two starters returning with a quartet or more of newcomers filling the remaining spots, though Division I transfer Matt Solomon via Sacred Heart will help.

Among those freshmen blueliners are Derek Stahl, Cam Hampson, Matt Lee and J.D. Rassert along with sophomore returnees Dennis Playfair (Buffalo/Jr. Sabres) and Matthew Hutchinson.

The coaching staff is hoping one of Bryan Haude (Hilton), sophomore Nick Horrigan or freshman Matt Leon steps up to take over the number one goaltending job.

Fellow Sacred Heart transfer Ryan Stanimir arrives for his junior season with Jack Ceglarski, Stephen Collins (Pittsford) and Connor Anthoine other newcomers at forward.

www.nyhockeyonline.com

(Continued on Page 60)

NY Hockey OnLine

West Hockey / Page 58

sity and November 22 and 23 against Mercyhurst University.

The Tigers will then travel to Hamden, Connecticut for the Nutmeg Classic facing Quinnipiac, UConn or Yale.

Buffalo State

This is the Tigers last sea The Bengals open their son in Ritter Arena as the new season with a new head

by Janet Schultz Gene Polisseni Center will be Janet@nyhockeyonline.com coach and new assistant ready next season. The Tigers JDSchultz3663@gmail.com coach. Head Coach Candice will also play their first outMoxley comes to the Bendoor game during the Frogals after spending three zen Frontier series at Frontier seasons as an assistant Field in Rochester in December. They face Clarkson at coach at Ohio State.

12:05 p.m. on December 14.

She selected Ithaca native Lucy Schoedel as her assistant. Schoedel spent the last two seasons at the DI Brown University of Buffalo/Women’s Club Hockey University as an assistant coach. She also has worked with The UB Lady Ice Bulls welcome new head coach MeUSA Hockey in various capacities, including goaltending lissa Jechovich to the bench. scout for the national team.

Jechovich takes over from Ron Adimey who had to The Bengals open their season with an exhibition step down for personal employment reasons. game against Brock University on November 3. Their sea Jechovich joined the staff in 2010 as an assistant. She son opens Chatham on November 8 and 9. On November has played competitive hockey her entire life and had a 10 Adrian College comes to Buffalo and then the Bengals four year NCAA college career with the Buffalo State Bengo on the road to Plattsburgh, Canton and Utica. gals.

The Bengals have a number of local girls on their ros She holds the Bengals record for most games played ter including Megan Niesyty, East Amherst/Buffalo Stars; and is ninth on the Bengals All Time Scoring List. She is a Kathleen Ruggiero, Williamsville/Amherst Knights; MeLevel 3 certified coach and has coached at the U16 and lissa Ash, Binghamton/Syracuse Stars; Nikki Kirchberger, high school levels.

South Buffalo/Buffalo Regals; Jeyna Minnick, Rochester/ Assisting her is Michelle Donlon who has just joined Rochester Edge; Morgan Haettich, Buffalo/Cazenovia the Lady Ice Bulls. She played at the University of Vermont Chiefs; Heather Neuburger, Fayetteville/Troy Albany Ice and has previous experience coaching high school and Cats; Alison Mish, Canastota/CNY Bobcats; Christina Zancollegiate women’s ice hockey at the University of Finddri, Baldwinsville/Syracuse Stars. lay. She is working on a degree in Sports Nutrition from Niesyty, Ruggiero, Haettich and Neuburger are freshCanisius College. man.

Heather Bitgood is the Strength and Conditioning Coach and comes with core strength and plyometrics cirRIT cuit training in UB’s world class gym.

RIT, now playing its second season as a DI school in UB’s roster is made up of a number of girls from New the CHA opened with a win against the Toronto Aeros York State including Chelsea Peterson, Jamestown Lakers; Hockey Team. Then it’s been an up and down season for Christine Wolcott, West Seneca Wings; Courtney Miller, the first month with four losses and Troy Albany Ice Cats; Courtney four wins.

Thornton, Buffalo Stars; Fallon Their November schedule in- Waxman, Long Island Lady Icers; cludes Lindenwood in St. Charles, Gabrielle Caruso, Skaneateles Missouri and then a four game home Lakers; Kaithlyn Simmons, West stance at Ritter Arena on November Seneca Wings; Kasey Seidlinger, 15 and 16 against Penn State Univer- Troy Albany Ice Cats; Kate Al-

Western New York Women’s College Hockey Report

www.nyhockeyonline.com

NY Hockey OnLine

West Hockey / Page 59

bright, Lysander Lightning; Katelyn Bothwell, Buffalo Bisons; Rachel Scott, Geneseo Club and Shauna Clair, Oswego Club.

UB opened their season with losses to Rhode Island and Northeastern, both of the ACHA ECWHL. Coming in November they will play the Cazenovia U19 team on November 1; Cornell Women’s Club at Cornell on November 3 and the Wheatfield Women’s C at Holiday Twin Rinks on November 17. They have also scheduled a doubleheader at Keene State on November 23 and 24.

NU Women’s Club Hockey

The NU Purple Eagles opened their season with a 5-1 loss to Oswego’s club team. They play UB on November 2 at 5 p.m. and then Rochester on November 8; Syracuse on November 9 and go to Geneseo on November 15.

Rochester’s Bill Gray’s IcePlex Holds Grand REOPENING!

B

ill Gray’s Regional Iceplex announced plans for the facilities Grand Reopening. Dates for the event are November 1, 2 and 3 with a wide array of events taking place, many of them family friendly and free of charge.

“We have been hard at work since April making improvements to our facility and creating new programs available to the local community,” said Chris Woodworth, General Manager of the Iceplex.

“We know that the Iceplex is a huge asset to the Rochester area and one that can promote exercise and healthy lifestyles to members of the community.

“We plan to use our Grand Reopening weekend to showcase the improvements we have made, while offering multiple free events to immerse members of the community in some of our great programs.”

“The Grand Re-Opening of the Bill Gray’s Regional Iceplex symbolizes a fresh start of exciting changes to the facility,” said Ally Pawarski, Director of Client Accounts and Events at the Iceplex.

“Everyone associated with the Iceplex has been working very hard to prepare for this weekend and unveil the positive road ahead. We hope the community will support our efforts by joining us in this celebration and building for the future.”

www.nyhockeyonline.com

NY Hockey OnLine

West Hockey / Page 60

(Continued from Page 57)

MONROE CC The Tribunes play four of their five conference games in November on the road with Broome CC the opponent for the only at home contest November 14th.

NAZARETH The Golden Flyers won just one conference game and six overall in their first season as a Division III program, but the lessons of last year should provide help for this season.

There are 27 players back from last year’s roster.

Leading goal scorer and point-getter Mark Zavorin returns for his senior season along with sophomore Packy Jones (Skaneateles) up front.

The defense will be anchored by senior Jordan Ciccarello and sophomore and ECAC All-Rookie selection Scott Dawson, who finished third on the team with nine goals last season.

Sophomores Ed Zdolshek and ECAC All-Rookie pick Joe Gladnick will again battle for the top spot in net.

Ben Blasko—the second leading scorer in the CHL with Brockville last season—and Buffalo Jr. Sabres forward Dave Seward (Amherst) are among a small group of recruits.

The team opens at home November 1st against NCAA playoff team Utica and will be part of the Frozen Frontier outdoor event at Rochester’s baseball stadium Frontier Field in December when they play Geneseo on the 15th at noon.

NIAGARA

NU’s Matt Dineen and Jackson Teichroeb

derman’s (Greece) power play tally—his first goal as a Purple Eagle.

Sophomore defenseman Matt Dineen scored his first goal against rival Canisius and added his first career assist while TJ Sarcona (West Islip) scored goal one of his career.

Brock Edwards and Tyler Akenson netted their first collegiate goals October 19th against Robert Morris.

R.I.T. The Tigers were winless through the first five games of the season for the third time in the past five seasons.

It was announced that Bowling Green will be the opponent for the annual Brick City Homecoming contest at Blue Cross Arena in 2015. Boston College will be in for the 2014 contest.

Freshman goaltender Jackson Teichroeb swept the Atlantic Hockey weekly honors in week one as Atlantic Hockey Player, Goaltender and Rookie of the Week.

He made 39 saves against Clarkson in his debut and picked up his first career point assisting on Mike Con-

www.nyhockeyonline.com

NY Hockey OnLine

T

Amerks / Page 61

he Rochester Americans and the Monroe County Libraries are again partnering to provide the “Reading Power Play,” which teams Amerks players with local public librarians in support of reading. The 2013-14 season marks the ninth year of the program, provided exclusively by Wendy’s.

“We’re excited to again partner with the Monroe County Library System and offer this great program to our young fans here in Rochester,” said Amerks Vice President of Business Operations Rob Kopacz. “The Amerks are proud to be a part of the fabric of Rochester and we appreciate the opportunity for our players to become active members in our community.”

The “Reading Power Play, presented by Wendy’s” allows fans to meet players and The Moose, while also learning about hockey and the importance of reading. The program also rewards kids for reading and selects two grand-prize winners that will win dinner, suite tickets and the opportunity to participate in the ceremonial puck drop prior to Rochester’s home game on Sunday, Feb. 16 against the Texas Stars. For more details, go to www.amerks.com. “Linking books and the Amerks make reading all the more fun for kids,” said Fairport Children’s Librarian and Monroe County Library System representative Robin Benoit. “Plus, there is the added excitement of seeing their favorite player reading a book at their local library during the season. The Amerks are role models for kids all the way around.”

The Amerks will kicked off the 2013-14 program on Monday, Oct. 21 at the Sully Branch Library with the first of seven reading appearances with Amerks defenseman Matt MacKenzie. The “Reading Power Play, presented by Wendy’s” involves players stopping by local libraries, reading to kids and giving a

hockey demonstration. Each appearance also features a raffle for Amerks memorabilia and an autograph session by the visiting player and The Moose.

At each event, the Amerks will distribute ticket vouchers to each youth in attendance good for one complimentary ticket for the Feb. 16 home game vs. Texas. Vouchers can be redeemed at The Blue Cross Arena Box Office or the Amerks front office.

Additional discounted tickets for the game can also be purchased for as little as $16.00 for best available seating locations.

During the past eight seasons, Amerks players and their mascot, The Moose, have made over 200 appearances and accounted for over 20,000 books being read by kids from kindergarten and all the way through high school.

The second half of “Reading Power Play, presented by Wendy’s” enters kids into a grand-prize drawing. Using the hat trick as an educational incentive, youth participants fill out a form for every three books they read, which then qualifies them for an entry into the grand prize drawing.

The “Reading Power Play, presented by Wendy’s” runs through Tuesday, Jan. 28. A complete reading program schedule will be available at the Amerks Guest Services Booth in the upper atrium lobby on game nights and online at www.amerks. com. For more information on the reading program or to book player or Moose appearances, please contact the Amerks Public Relations department at (585) 454-5335.

Amerks Announce RPP Program

Matt MacKenzie

2013-14 Reading Power Play Appearance Dates November: Monday, Nov. 18 6:30 p.m.

Monday, Nov. 25 6:30 p.m.

Fairport Greece

December: Monday, Dec. 2 6:30 p.m.

Penfield

January: Monday, Jan. 27 4:00 p.m.

Monday, Jan. 27 6:30 p.m.

Tuesday, Jan. 28 6:30 p.m.

www.nyhockeyonline.com

Chili Henrietta Pittsford

NY Hockey OnLine

Around the NHL / Page 62

Around the NHL Buffalo Sabres Assist Community

T

he Buffalo Sabres launched a community program this season that will involve Sabres players, coaches, team officials, alumni and fans. The six-day endeavor took place October 18-23 whereby there were player visits to organizations and a fundraiser walk to benefit I AM. Organizations visited included Heritage Centers, delivering care to individuals with developmental disabilities; Vive Inc., an agency assisting refugees seeking protection in the US and Canada; Renaissance House, giving care to chemically dependent teens; the Buffalo City Mission, a life-line for Buffalo’s homeless and the I AM Walk which is raising funds to build a memorial to honor the brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country in Iraq and Afghanistan.

They concluded the week-long program with a tribute at the Bruins/Sabres game to Rowan Langille, a four-year-old from St. Catharines who lost his threeyear battle with cancer and was an avid hockey fan.

Madison Square Garden Unveiled

W

hen the unprecedented, $1 billion, threeyear Tranformation of Madison Square Garden was unveiled fans enjoyed a variety of unique photo displays and memorabilia exhibits throughout the Arena celebrating and commemorating The Garden’s incredible 134 history in sports, entertainment, politics and culture.

“Since 1879, Madison Square Garden’s four Arena complexes have played host to some of the greatest moments in the history of sports, music, entertainment and politics. One of the goals of the Transformation was to capture this rich history by celebrating our past throughout the building,” said Hank Ratner, president and CEO, The Madison Square Garden Company. “Through a variety of unique photo displays and memorabilia exhibits, we are able to share

with our fans, by bringing history to life, why Madison Square Garden is today known as The World’s Most Famous Arena.”

The Garden is a completely transformed Arena that includes numerous special areas honoring the building’s unequaled history. The remaining 10 of The Garden’s 20 “Defining Moments presented by SAP” will be unveiled on the Garden Concourse, where each moment will be commemorated with a special exhibit that features photos, one-of-a-kind memorabilia and additional artifacts.

The new Chase Square 7th Avenue entrance features seven new two-sided columns, each uniquely decorated with classic images celebrating the vast array of legendary athletes, performers and political figures who have been part of the events that have been held within The Garden walls the past 134 years.

Other areas celebrating the Arena’s great history in the transformed Arena, include the Event Level Suite hallways, where fans will see one-of-a-kind photo paintings by famed Garden photographer George Kalinsky, capturing many of the great performers who have graced The Garden stage, including Paul McCartney, Walt Frazier and Muhammad Ali. In addition, throughout the Lexus Madison Suite Level a series of seldom seen behind-the-scenes photographs line the walls that feature historic artists, athletes and personalities in a different light…off the court, ice and stage. On the new Signature Suite Level the walls are lined with memorabilia from people and events that have left their signature on The Garden, including the boxing scale that many greats like Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier were weighed in on, tracksuits the Beastie Boys wore during a 2005 concert at The Garden, and a classic suit from Walt “Clyde” Frazier.

In addition to all the special photo displays and memorabilia exhibits there are a variety of additional images throughout the Arena, totaling more than 1000 photos, that celebrate great historical moments as well as current athletes and performers. In addition, to pay homage to The Garden’s great fans, 1000 Blue Seats have returned that replicate the color of the original fabled blue seats that were installed in the current Garden when it opened in 1968 and removed in 1990.

www.nyhockeyonline.com

NY Hockey OnLine

NYS Tournaments / Page 63

2013-14 NYS Tournament* Schedule (We have compiled this list from your emails, websites and NYSAHA site. If your tournament is not listed and you wish to do so, please email us at nyhockeyonline@nyhockeyonline.com or Janet@nyhockeyonline.com

CENTRAL Camillus Thanksgiving Tournament November 29 - December 1 Center State Mite Festival January 3 - 5 Pee Wee AA Travel and B House January 10-12 Bantam January 18-20 Squirt AA Travel and B House February 14-16 Mite Shamrock Shootout March 15-16 lassitc@morrisville.edu Cortland Youth Hockey Fire On Ice Tournament February 28 - March 2 Mite, Red, White, Blue and Tyke Cortlandyouthhockey.com Lysander Lightning LYHA Thanksgiving Tournament November 29 - December 2 Onondaga Tournaments Thunder Reindeer Rumble December 14-15 King of the Rink January 17 - 20, 2014 thunder Rumble Tournament March 14-16 Rome Regional Silver Stick Qualifying Tournament December 6-8

Rome Continued Rich Leferve Squirt House Tier II B November 29-Decemer 1 Roy Austin Mite February 8-9 ejfree@gmail.com Oswego 25th Annual John”Maggie” Mulkerin Invitational Tournament January 22-24 Midget 16U Travel and Midget House B mattallie23@aol.com 19th Annual Oswego Power Play Invitational January 17-20 Squirt Travel, Pee Wee Travel and Bantam Travel CoachAHA@twcny.rr.com 31st Annual Novelis Invitational January 24-26, 2014 Squirt, Pee Wee, Bantam house level teams tournaments@oswegohockey.com Second Annual Girl Power Invitational, January 31-February 2 8U, 10U, 12U teams troman@nbtbank.com 24th Annual Port of Oswego Authority Mites Invitational February 14-16 Mites, (3 Divisions) tournaments@oswegohockey.com

Salmon River House Invitational Squirt January 18-19 Bantam February 1-2 Midget February 15-16 PeeWee March 1-2 Mite March 15-16 sbnewton@me.com Southern Tier Veterans Day Tournament November 9 - 11 Syracuse Fifth Annual Syracuse Blazers Thanksgiving Tournament November 29 - December 1 Schenectady i 2014 Shatterpoint Tournament for Squirts -- March 7-9 Pee Wees -- March 14-16.

Go to www.schenectadyyouthhockey.com for details

EAST Brewster Mite Cross Ice Jamborees Veterans Day, Nov. 11 Thanksgiving Weekend, Nov. 29 Holiday Weekend, Dec. 26 Martin Luther King Day, Jan. 20 Presidents Day, Feb. 17 March TBA These are for beginner novice teams following the ADM Model.

Go to Brewster’s website for registration information.

www.nyhockeyonline.com

NY Hockey OnLine

NYS Tournaments / Page 64

NORTH Saratoga Bantam Tournament Dec. 13-15 Mark Woodcock Pee Wee Tournament, Jan 10-12 Connor La France Squirt/Midget 18U Tournament, Jan. 17-19, 2014 Go to www.syhi.org More information on page xx of NYHOL. Saranac Lake Storm Ultimate Chili Pee Wee, January 3-5 Ultimate Chili Squirt, Jan. 3-5 Contact Craig Amell, craigamell7@gmail.com for Pee Wee and Josh Dann, joshdann@hotmail.com for Squirt.

Tri County Youth Hockey 13th Annual David Bidelow Memorial Tournament March 19-23, 2014 Mite B, Mite A, Squirt B, Squirt A, Pee Wee B, Pee Wee A Held at the SUNY Brockport Ice Arena Includes Saturday Skills Competition (like the NHL) Light/Music/MC show for Championship Sunday Coaches Game Go to www.tricountyyouthhockey.com for more information and registration.

WEST Jamestown Lakers Mid-Winter Classic, February 15-17.

The Mite Division is full ice. This is for Mites, Squirts, Pee Wee and Bantam teams. ccyhatournament@ stny.rr.com for information. Or call 716-969-7192.

Chautauqua Youth Thanksgiving Tournament November 29 - December 1 Niagara Junior Purple Eagles Thanksgiving Tournament November 29-December 1 Patriot Day Tournament February 14-17 For information on both email Tournamentdirector@ jrpurpleeagle.com Perinton Youth Hockey 24th Annual House Spring Tournament 2013/14 House A and B Teams In memory of Willard “Bud” Parker Jr. A Division: February 28 - March 2, 2014 B Division: March 7 -9, 2014 Thomas Creek Ice Arena, Fairport Contact Roger Salmons, BigThaw@perintonyouthhockey.org

NYHOL CLASSIFIED ADS WANTED: Elmira Jackals Need Equipment!

Hockey Families The Elmira Jackals is in need of Mite size goalie equipment!!!

This can be either ice hockey or street hockey equipment (either is allowed at the Mite level).

If you have outgrown equipment and it is in good shape we could really use the donation (and you can write it off as a donation on your taxes!).

We have many Mite players interested in trying out the goalie position and we would like to be able to offer them loaner equipment until they know for sure they like the position and want to invest in their own (expensive) equipment.

If you can help please contact our Equipment Manager, Michelle Fabian, at fabianmd@corning.com.

Sell or look for “stuff” on NY Hockey Online.

Email your listing to Janet@nyhockeyonline.com Free for the 2013-14 Season!

www.nyhockeyonline.com

NY Hockey OnLine

Photo Page / Page 64 Syracuse Nationals at Fire On Ice Tournament in Rochester

Wheatfield Blades played between periods at the Niagara University game!

UB Lady Ice Bulls In Action at Home

PHOTO PAGE West Seneca Wings at NU Game

Clarkson at NU & Canisius at NU

www.nyhockeyonline.com

Your Source For NYS Hockey News!

NY Y HOCKEY E-Magazine

Advertising/Publication Information for 2014 Issues of NY Hockey On-Line

-An electronic magazine covering all ice hockey in New York State!

Advertising Rates Full Page - 8” x 11” - $225 (11 Issues/$2,000) 1/2 Page - 8” x 5” - $150 (11 Issues/$1,000) 1/4 Page - 4” x 2.5” - $80 Business Card size - 2” x 3.5” - $50 Ads should be submitted as jpegs or pdfs (no changes can be made to pdfs) at 150 dpi or better. They should be designed to exact size, allowing us room to reduce for borders.

We an also design your ad for a set-up fee of $10.

Advertisers will also have their ad posted on the front page of our website.

We are currently averaging 2,500 views per month on the magazine and growing each month.

Deadlines are 23rd of month for upcoming issue. (i.e. September 23 for October issue)

Editorial Information Stories and press releases, try-out and tournament information should be sent to Randy@nyhockeyonline. com at least one week prior to publication. Deadline is generally the 23rd of each month for publication on the first of the following month.

Editorial copy must be sent as an attached word document or placed within an email message.

Photographs and graphics should be sent in jpeg format at least 4” x 6” with a resolution of at least 250 dpi.

PDF’s are acceptable but no additions or corrections can be made to them once they have been submitted.

Corrections would have to be made by the original designer and another copy sent.

NY Hockey On-Line reserves the right to edit copy and photographs and not publish material that the editorial staff deems inappropriate.

Contact us: Randy Schultz, Publisher/Owner/Advertising/ Editorial: Randy@nyhockeyonline.com Janet Schultz, Women’s Hockey/Photographer/ Designer: Janet@nyhockeyonline.com Warren Kozireski, College Hockey, Rochester Amerks; special assignments: Wkozires@brockport.edu