November 2014 nyhol

NY HOCKEY NOVEMBER 2014 VOLUME 4 ISSUE 2

E-MAGAZINE

e h t g n i t a r e b h e l t e f C o g n i n n o e s p a O e S 5 1 4 201

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Around the State / Page 2

2015 New York State Tournament Venues and Hosts February 27 - March 2, 2015 High School

HS Division

Saugerties

March 6 - 8, 2015 Youth Youth Youth Youth Youth Youth Girls Girls Girls Girls Girls Girls

Tier I Tier I Tier I Tier II Tier II Tier II Tier I Tier I Tier I Tier II Tier II Tier II

Bantam 14U Midget 16U Midget 18U Bantam 14U Midget 16U Midget 18U 14U 16U 19U 14U 16U 19U

Rochester Youth Amherst Youth Amherst Youth Rochester Youth Amherst Youth Amherst Youth Rochester Youth Amherst Youth Rochester Youth Rochester Youth Amherst Youth Rochester Youth

March 13 -15, 2015 Youth Youth Youth Youth Youth Youth Girls Girls

Tier I Tier II Tier III Tier III Tier III Tier III Tier I Tier II

Peewee 12U Peewee 12U Peewee 12U Bantam 14U Midget 16U Midget 18U 12U 12U

Rochester Youth Rochester Youth Amherst Youth Amherst Youth Amherst Youth Amherst Youth Rochester Youth Rochester Youth

March 6 - 8, 2015 Sr. Women Sr. Women

Sr. B Sr. C

Advertise Your Tournaments Here!

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TBA TBA

Your Source For NYS Hockey News!

NY HOCKEY E-Magazine

In This Issue: Bison Beat........................................... 48 Bisons 16U......................................... 42 Buffalo Stars Beat............................ 43 Central NY.......................................... 18 Central News..................................... 25 Coaching With Gridley................... 10 Collegiate Men............ 19, 29, 37, 52 Collegiate Women...... 22, 31, 34, 46 Depew Builts It................................. 15 East NY................................................ 28 Gene Harrington Tourney............. 55 Genesee Valley....................................6 HarborCenter Photo Page............ 57 Looney Comes to Buffalo............. 40 Medaille Mavericks......................... 56 NJPHL Showcase................................7 North NY............................................. 32 NU Jr. Purple Eagles........................ 44 NYS Announcements........................5 NY Goalies Rise................................. 11 PEP Scores Big.................................. 12 Sled Tourney...................................... 15 STX 68.....................................................4 Titans Success................................... 33 Troy Albany LTS................................ 36 West NY............................................... 39 West News.......................................... 45 WNYGVIH............................................ 49

Dear Readers, Well the season is in full swing. We’ve been to several tournaments and organization home openers, managed to get hundreds of photographs that we’ll be sharing over the course of the year.

We also want to thank the College Sports Information personnel who have been so willing to send us their press releases so we can post their stories on a regular basis to our website. This way you can enjoy their successes everyday.

Another thanks to those organizations who have been so helpful in sharing their stories and photographs. Keep it coming and don’t forget to share the magazine and website with your PLAYERS. Those are the people we are doing this magazine for; so they can see themselves in print or, in our case, on-line. However, you are all most welcome to save the magazine in whatever format you need and print it out.

This issue is full of photographs, the majority taken by Janet and they are for sale.

Just contact her. In addition, she has many, many, many more that haven’t been printed. Keep in mind, whatever we didn’t use this month could show up with your organization’s news in future editions. Plus we will use photographs for fillers throughout the year.

Lastly we need to apologize to those who try and print the magazine from the Issuu website. It seems they don’t allow that unless you join or order a printed copy (and that seems a bit expensive to us). So if you want a copy so you can print it out and read it with your morning coffee, or the kids can read it on the way to practice, contact Janet@nyhockeyonline.com and she will send you a pdf version that you can print on your home printer.

Again our thanks for your support and Skate ON!!!

Randy Schultz Publisher/Editor/Writer - NY Hockey OnLine Magazine

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

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

Publisher &Managing Editor Randy Schultz Randy@nyhockeyonline.com

NY Hockey OnLine is an equal opportunity employer.

Contents 2014-15 NY Hockey Online All rights reserved

Designer/Photographer Janet Schultz Janet@nyhockeyonline.com

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

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Around New York/ Page 4

“It was an honor to be invited,” remarked Doyle.

“It was just cool to be around ix New York State born such a great group of players. hockey players attended

“It was an intense three the STX 68 2014 Hockey days. There was a lot of talent Camp this summer in Chicago, at this camp.”

IL. Presented by 200 x 85 For Rehbaum, LLC, this is the premier like the others, it Bantam Major camp in was a once-in-aNorth America. lifetime opportu The six that atnity. tended included Zach “It was a good Rehbaum (forward, step-up for me beWilliamsville, Bufcause the players falo Jr. Sabres 14U), were so great it Josh Graziano (goalie, lifted my level of Williamsville, Buffalo competition up,” Jr. Sabres 14U), Matt stated Rehbaum.

Doyle (defenseman, “It was a lot hardWheatfield, Buffalo er than what I was Jr. Sabres 14U), Jack used to.

Babbage (defenseman, “We would Zach Rehbaum (Williamsville), Josh Graziano (Williamville), Matt Doyle Syracuse, Boston Jr. have off ice and (Wheatfield), Jack Babbage (Syracuse) Kevin Wall (Fairport) Eagles 14U), Kevin on ice training.

(Missing is Trevor Peca (Clarence) Wall (forward, FairThat was folport, Syracuse Nationlowed by a game als 14U) and Trevor at the end of the Peca (forward, Clarence, Buffalo Jr. Sabres 14U). day. We had different coaches for each of the three Only 68 players were chosen for the camp and days.” only the best of the best received invitations to this Graziano looked it from a different point of view, year’s 2000 camp. that of a goalie.

What the 68 athletes did was get a taste of how to “I arrived with my family a day early and got a be better athletes and players at the highest levels of chance to see a bit of Chicago,” recalled Graziano. junior, college and even professional hockey.

“It was a non-stop three days, from early morning to This was the only Bantam Major national camp night. that offered athletes a state-of-the-art education in “And as a goalie, I’ve been used to maybe one both off and on ice training. The event was the largest or two guys on each team I face that could shoot the gathering of Bantam Major age players of its kind to puck hard. At that camp every player could shoot the be offered this year. puck hard.”

Every position and aspect of hockey was high- Peca, like the others, knew right away that this lighted over the course of the three-day program camp was going to be a different type of hockey than through a variety of drills and competitions. It was what he had been used to. held at Benedictine University, Lisle, IL and Seven “The pace of the hockey there was so much faster Bridges Ice Arena, Woodridge, Ill. than any of us had played before,” said Peca. “But it According to the New York State players that par- was pretty much what I thought it was going to be. ticipated it was three exciting, yet very tiring days.

“I would like this experience to help me get to

by Randy Schultz Randy@nyhockeyonline.com

S

NY Players Attend STX 68

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Around New York/ Page 5

the goals I’m setting for myself. I would like to eventually get to the play on a Developmental Program.

“From there I would like to play D1 hockey and from there try to make it to the NHL someday.”

Which is a dream that all the players have.

But for now it is just the next step in the development of a hockey career.

“I think it put things into a different prospective for each of us,” concluded Graziano. “The four of us from the Buffalo area were considered the best from our area.

“But when you go to a camp like this you come away with the idea that if you have higher goals for yourself, you are going to have to get better.

“If you want to stay at the top of your game Trevor Peca, Matt Doyle, Josh Graziano and Zach Rehbaum, all members of the Buffalo Jr. Sabres at the Combine you have to work hard. That’s what success is based on.

“This was a great experience for all of us as (Photos provided by Sam Graziano.) we move up in our hockey careers.”

It will be interesting to see where it takes all of them from this point on.

New York State Tournament Announcements USA Miracle Holiday Classic at Lake Placid, December 19-21 for Squirt Pee-Wee and Bantams. Email marye@orda.org Valley Youth Hockey 4th Annual Turkey Tourney, November 29 & 39 at Tsha’hon’nonyen’dakhwa’ (Onondaga Arena) and Meachem Arena. Contact Trish Porer Cianci217@gmail.com or go to https://leagueathletics.com/Page.asp?n=81453&org=valleyyouthh ockey.com Registrations due November 7.

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Genesee Valley Hockey Arena-Rennovations Complete Ready for Season!

On a beautiful Fall day, the Genesee Valley Sports Complex was rededicated after ungoing rennovations to the ice arena, swimming pool, outdoor path, lockerrooms, and entrance.

Officials cut the ribbon and gave the audience a tour of the facility.

The facility is also features enhanced mobility with the installation of a ADA ramp and portable lift (for the pool).

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Around New York

By Randy Schultz Randy@nyhockeyonline.com

T

Buffalo Stars Host NJPHL

/ Page 7

The teams play for the Frank Black Memorial Cup, named after Frank J. Black, a former USA Hockey Director and lifelong hockey administrator, coach and official.

Current Executive Director and Commissioner of the NJPHL, Bob Black, explained what the League is all about.

“First and foremost, this is a showcase league,” remarked Black.

“We may appear to be a tournament.

“All these teams get together in September and play through February.

It’s a 16-game regular season schedule.

“There are four showcases leading up to the fifth.

Teams will play at least four games.

“Some of the teams will play for a league championship. Those teams that don’t play for the championship will then play in a league tournament that runs along side the playoffs.

“By the end of the weekend all the teams are playing for something. It is a

he National Junior Prospects Hockey League Showcase came to the Western New York area for two days in mid-October.

The East Regional Showcase was held at the Holiday Twin Rinks and featured six teams from the U16 Midget Minor Division and six teams from the U18 Midget Major Division of the NJPHL. The 2014-15 hockey season marks the fifth anniversary of the NJPHL The League is a Showcase Hockey League and was created and designed by coaches for coaches.

Two of the six U16 teams were New York State based including the Buffalo Stars and the Southern Tier Xpress, as were two of the six U18 teams including the Wheatfield Blades and Buffalo Stars.

The main purpose of the League is to develop and promote hockey players who are committed to enhancing their skills Jack Niesyty in preparation for the next level of hockey.

That can include Prep School, Junior A, NCAA Division I and Division III unique format. hockey.

“There aren’t many leagues in the US or Canada There are three levels of hockey played by the that are formatted like this.

NJPHL including U14 Bantam Major, U16 Midget Mi- “A lot of teams that are at the top level of Triple nor and U18 Midget Major.

A hockey find themselves in a unique situation. They

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Around New York / Page 8

Detroit’s Anthony Montante Wheatfield Blade Jason Swan

A Southern Tier player with Pittsburgh Vengeance’s Michael Lamison

Wheatfield Blades Goalie Samuel Gugino

are part of a league but at the same time they are playing in different venues across the country.

“That includes Minnesota, Michigan and Upstate New York, among others. We encourage the players, as well as their families, to not just go to the rink for the game.

“We tell them to go and visit colleges or universities that have hockey programs including Niagara

Southern Tier Express Goalie Zakary McMurray and Forward Zane Porterfield

University in Western New York, the University of Michigan or any of the universities or colleges in Minnesota.

“It makes the expense of travelling to these areas worthwhile. It’s part of a life experience for the players.

“We are making progress in the league. We are sending players to the US Jr. Hockey League as well as the OHL and some are ending up in college.”

What about practices?

“Most of these teams are on the ice five out of seven days of the week,” responded Black. “They get

Buffalo Stars 18U Team

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Around New York / Page 9

quality time on the ice.

“And they are training off the ice, as well on it. It is a great mix.

“Plus, we help the player when it comes to marketing themselves.”

There is even an All-Star Showcase at the end of the league’s season. The last one held was in Toronto where the players got to see the city, including the Zachary Levenstein of the Southern Tier Express U16 Hockey Hall of Fame.

Education is also a big part of this hockey picture.

“We end our showcases on Saturdays,” said Black.

“We make sure that players are home by Sunday so they are not a Zombie by Monday.

“They will only miss five Fridays throughout the season.”

So what is the future of the NJPHL? “As long as there are players out there who are looking at moving up in the hockey ranks, we will be around. We are a big resource for these players to use to move up.

“We just want to be a part of their success.”

Pittsburgh Predator Dakota Becker faces off

Buffalo’s Jack Niesyty Makes a Save on Pittsburgh’s Dakota Becker

with Buffalo Star Cody Zajaczkowski

Buffalo’s Mark Granatire takes the Faceoff

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Coaching With Chuck Gridley NYS District Coach-in-Chief

What’s The Rush?

I

n my role as Coach–in-Chief for New York I have the opportunity to speak with many parents of hockey player’s. I also speak with coaches at clinics throughout New York State and around the country. In addition, I have run the Initiation Program for my association for a number of years, so I have had the opportunity to observe parents and coaches of young hockey players who are just starting out. It never ceases to amaze me how many people seem to be pushing their kids into highly competitive situations at a very early age, and subsequently rushing their development.

Now don’t get me wrong…..I’m as competitive as the next guy. That’s one of the things that draw’s us all to this sport. We like to compete, and we like to win. It’s not competition that worries me, but rather the practice of rushing kids into that competition before (I think) they’re ready.

Putting the “cart before the horse” so to speak, by teaching game concepts (tactics and systems) before kids have a good handle on the basic skills of the game.

There is science that addresses this very issue. The American Development Model is based on the principles of Long Term Athlete Development. These principles guide what we teach and when we teach it. There has been much written about the subject of LTAD and I would highly recommend it to anyone with interest in this subject. I’m not a scientist or an academic, but I am a coach. Here is my simple take on LTAD and how it addresses the development of our youngest players.

Hockey is a simple game, but the skills involved are complex. It’s the only sport where you need to learn a separate sport (skating) before you can master the game. In addition there are the technical skills of stickhandling, passing, shooting, and body contact. Not to mention the whole tactical side of the game. Needless to say, there is a lot for a young player to absorb. Every coach has seen the graphic of

Around New York / Page 10 the pyramid, with skills at the bottom and systems at the top. The point of this graphic is to illustrate that the development of every player is based on the mastery of basic hockey skills.

Teaching these skills is our first priority….it has to be. When we place 7 and 8 yr. olds on a team that’s playing a 40 game (or more) competitive schedule, you can assume that some of that teams practice time is being spent on tactics and systems, which mean’s that the focus has been taken away from skill development.

The truth is, most 7 or 8 year old kids are not developmentally ready to learn the concepts involved in tactics and systems. But let’s assume for the sake of this discussion that they are. My question is this……What’s the big rush?

I encourage all parents to take a “mile high view” of your child’s hockey career. Most of you would envision your child involved in the game for many years to come, and becoming a pretty good player. We all want that for our children. The best path to a long, happy and successful career in hockey is through skill development, and the best time for that to happen is right now, while they are young. They will have many years to learn the game, and it will be more fun doing it with good skills under their belt. The Coaching Education Program released an updated version of the Skill Progression Handbook this season. It’s being given to coaches attending our clinics. It does a good job of spelling out to coaches exactly what to teach and when to teach it.

The idea is to meet kids where they are with our programs, and make every minute on the ice fun and productive. Our new tag line is this……… “Do the right thing at the right time, and don’t be in a hurry!” I think that says it all!

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Around New York / Page 11

NY Goalies Rise to Top! Janosz Goalie Evaluation 2014 Lewczyk

Randy Schultz Randy@nyhockeyonline.com

I

B y

t was a really big summer for New York State born goalies making USA Hockey National Camps. Seven Janosz School Of Goaltending students were among those selected.

Nick Vilardo and Aaron Fanti were selected to the Select 17 camp.

“Nick Vilardo (Buffalo Sabres 18U) had a great camp,” said Bob Janosz, Director of the JSG. “He made the All-Star Game.

“He finished with the best goals-against-average in the camp, as well as having the second best save percentage.

“Aaron Fanti (plays at Nichols School) is a real athletic goalie. He tracks the puck very well.

“He finished with the best save percentage at the camp, as well as tieing for the best goal-against-average. He has really good foot work and is very competitive.”

At the 16U level Steve Dhillon and Alex Camarre competed.

“Steve (who plays for the Niagara IceDogs of the OHL) made the All-Star Game,” continued Janosz. “He had a shot at making the USA National Team, but chose to go the OHL route instead.

“Dhillon is a big goalie who reads plays very well.

“Alex (Buffalo Sabres 16U) is a very athletic goalie.

He’s very sound and very quick.”

Justin Stotz and Cameron Cassidy were selected for the 15U.

Dhillon

Fanti

“Justin (Buffalo Jr. Sabres) made the camp for the first time,” said Janosz.

“He’s improved a great deal going from AA to the Jr. Sabres.

“Cameron is from Lake Placid. He has been a student at our Rochester Camarre camp.

“Both of these players got their feet week, so to speak, for the first time.

Cameron also came from AA and has made some big improvements.“

Bailey Lewczyk made the 18U Select Girls camp.

“Bailey has made National camps every year they have been available to her,” remarked Janosz.

“She played for Little Caesars last year and is back in Buffalo with the Bisons this year.

Vilardo “She’s looking at going Division I in college and hopefully will have a decision on that made very soon.”

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F

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Around New York / Page 12

rom two by fours, into a digital format for the chairs, sticks, pylons coaches to take on the ice with and other make-shift them. The players watch the apparatus to a single video and then immediately get piece of equipment that allows up and do those drills. Not only several players to use a puck and that, but the players can access skate hard on the ice! That’s the these drills on their electronic Power Edge Pro Hockey Trainequipment at home and have ing program, better known as a head start on practice. ParPEP. ents are also aware of what will Not only does this piece of happen on the ice when they equipment provide great trainget to practice. ing, but there’s a digital piece “This is a total hockey team that takes the white board away system,” said Quinn. “It’s not and replaces it with an iPad, and just equipment you can buy at very shortly iPhone and Android any local retailer.”

by Janet Schultz devices.

“These are plays that Janet@nyhockeyonline.com The Buffalo Regals 10U youngsters see in the NHL and boys are the only team in WNY they keep their interest because to have this program in place unthey are learning those skills der Coach Jim Ward. They recently demonstrated it at a media and it challenges them to go to the next level. event at Holiday Twin Rinks.

“It’s based on repetitions,” continued Quinn. “Plus the The Ultimate On-Ice Trainer (pictured) can be used for content keeps growing as coaches come to me with suggesthe beginner to the NHLer who wants to work on keeping the tions for drills and we incorporate those. It’s only limited by puck close and moving it in high traffic areas to get to another one’s creativity.” player or the net.

There’s always another level to work on, so a coach can PEP focuses on stick handling and puck movement in use this with a team at any level and with players at different confined area, edge control, upper body coordination, constant levels on the same team. quick feet action, how to read and react, change of direction, “Regardless of the training a coach has had, everyone creativity, speed training and game situations. using this is Founder Joe Quinn started the program in a Prep School teaching the in Canada. He used the two-by-fours, chairs and other make- same thing,” shift equipment that many coaches throughout the world use said Quinn. to teach youngsters.

Q u i n n ’s He then took the two-by-fours, cut slot in them for the goal is to kids to pass the puck through. He would place the boards ei- make this acther farther apart or closer together for the lanes but there were cessible and problems with the wood. affordable for Looking at what he was creating he came up with the Ultimate On-Ice Trainer.

But along with that, he PEP Founder/Owner Joe Quinn demonhas taken all his strates the Ultimate Training device! skills and drills and put them

PEP Scores Big With Players;

They’ll Score Big On and Off the Ice!

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Buffalo Regals 10U Captains Nathan Stachowiak, Trevor Ward and Miles Brown

everyone so that future hockey players can be developed.

A number of NHL players have used this program and Quinn had encouragement from former NHL player Doug Gilmore, who encouraged him to market it.

The name that now stands out is NHL Draft Prospect Connor McDavid. McDavid has been using the system since he was nine years old. Quinn knows that McDavid’s stick handling and puck movement are due to his training with the Ultimate On-Ice Trainer.

“The PEP system taught me how to make plays at high speed and trust the edges,” said McDavid.

“The big difference for me came in the corners because I was only 160 pounds coming into the OHL and coming up against guys that were 220,” he continued.

“The advantage was trusting the edges.”

McDavid says the training also helped him build confidence in his turning and pushing off.

“I knew it was working when I could go through the drills with a lot more speed and not mess up so much.”

It also taught him to move in high traffic with the puck on his stick, and at a high rate of speed.

“It’s a unique system because the practice is a gametype situation.

“It’s a tool to be used to combine speed, puck handling and using your edges,” he concluded.

McDavid has entered into an endorsement agreement with Power Edge Pro and the McDavid Skill Series and the McDavid Dangler have been created.

The McDavid Skill Series includes exclusive train-

ing footage of Connor demonstrating and providing voice over comments and the McDavid Dangler is a tool that develops stickhandling and puck movement in a limited space.

Coach Ward explained how he was always trying to find drills that met the needs of the team. He was on-line researching when he found PEP. “I clicked on the site and said ‘Oh my gosh’ this is what I’m looking for,” said Ward, who has now went from a pile of papers with drills on them to his iPad. “Today’s youth are video oriented,” said Ward. “Combine that with the apparatus and they pick up the drills and skills quickly. Plus the number of repetitions they get in a practice is phenomenal.”

Ward has been certified by PEP, implemented the program with his team and everyone, including parents, have seen a vast improvement in just a few months.

“Ages 10 to 14 are the important years to get skill development because this is when their brain is harnessing it,” said Quinn. “Because of what you learn here you will become a top player.”

Ward smiles when he says he’s tricking the team into training hard. That’s because the drills are fun to do.

“It’s fun and helpful for our playing on the ice,” said Buf-

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falo Regals 10U player Trevor Ward. “I thought it would be really hard, but once we did the drills a couple times, it’s way better.”

“The best part is pushing yourself to do a better job,” said Nathan Stachwoiak, another Regal.

“I like it,” said teammate Miles Brown. “I’ve improved a lot.

They enjoy the Crosby On the Fly drill the best, with one liking the Ovechkin Pull Push.

The parents of all three boys agree that their training is more fun, they are gaining skills they need and they are enjoying it.

All three are looking at collegiate careers and possibly the NHL and OHL. “Overall I think it’s a good skating aid,” said Bobby Brown, Miles dad. “I think he’s definitely doing a lot of things

Buffalo Regals 10U Team

Around New York / Page 14 on the ice and developing his skill. It’s helping the kids a lot.

“I think sometimes as parents it’s hard to see them getting better when they are with the same boys; but my son participated in a separate clinic with another clinician and grouped with 40 other boys doing the same thing and that was a Wow moment because he was above and beyond the other skaters,” said Kim Mankowski.

“We’ve certainly seen improvements since the training and it’s a great aid for improvement and they enjoy doing it” said Leanne Dirisio. “When you bring something new for them to do, it changes up the norm for practice.”

Brown continued that what they have done in practice has most definitely translated to game situations.

“Overall they have all benefited,” said Brown.

Now for those of you that have questioned cost as you went along.

The training system is $3,959 per year and includes the video instruction for coach and all players, the equipment usage, and certified instructor to train the coach.. It’s a leasetype situation. Currently the program includes 61 different skills and patterns.

For information go to their website: www.poweredgepro. com or call Joe Quinn, 416-991-1510.

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“I

Around New York / Page 15

f you build it, they will come.”

That is one of the more famous lines ever uttered in a sports-related movie on the silver screen. While the line came from the baseball movie, “Field of Dreams,” this time the phrase centers on hockey.

Thanks to the efforts of a group of determined and caring people in Depew, the Depew Rink is now equipped with player bench areas and penalty boxes that can handle sled hockey players.

Because of those efforts the Randy@nyhockeyonline.com Depew Saints hosted its First Annual Sled Hockey Tournament in mid-October. As part of the weekend the USA hockey sled truck arrived at the rink, equipped with 30 sleds for the First Annual “Try Sled Hockey For Free” Day. Several sled hockey teams from the Watertown Region (which featured veterans on the team), Ohio, Canada and the Buffalo area participated in the tournament.

Norm Page, a National Sled Hockey Representative for USA Hockey who lives in the Western New York area, explained how all of this came about.

“The Depew Saints came to us because they were looking at converting their rink to sled hockey,” recalled Page. “It was very exciting for us to think that another rink in Western New York (the first being in Am-

Depew Built It And They Came!

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herst) was being converted.

“What they actually did was to take a negative and make a positive out of it.”

A year ago a member of the Saints organization had stolen money from them. The money had been returned and was used to help fund the rink conversion to sled hockey.

Once the rink was complete, the idea of a sled hockey tournament became a reality.

“We want exposure for the sport,” continued Page. “We want to expose sled hockey to as many kids, adults and veterans as we can.

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Around New York / Page 17

“We’re simply trying to grow the game.”

Dave Borkowski, President of the Saints organization, explained what went into the thought process for converting the rink.

“Dave Santoro (from the Saints organization) and myself got together with Norm and Adam (Norm’s son and two-time Paralympic gold medalist in sled hockey) Page and discussed the situation and said why can’t we host a sled hockey tournament here.

“With the help of many people, including Steve Hoffman (the mayor of Depew) we got the conversion done.

“So now we have a hockey rink that can handle all kinds of hockey players. And in the end it is all about promoting the game of hockey.”

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CENTRAL NEW YORK

Hobart Announces Captains Syracuse Blazers Bring Home Championship (Contributed Photos)

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Central Hockey / Page 19

The team opened their season Oct. 24 against the U.S. Under-18 team and, like rival Colgate, has four of their six ECAC contest on home ice in November.

and junior captain Ryan Wagner (Buffalo) plus Kyle Herring.

In goal, the team lost both seniors and return sophomore Michael Staversky, who played just 15 minutes last season. But “we recruited nine freshmen this year, including two goaltenders Kollyn Jones (Cazenovia) and Drew Weigman, who I expect to significant upgrade the position,” Cardarelli said.

The squad will face a tough go early on with five consecutive road conference games to begin the season starting with Fredonia and Buffalo State Oct. 31-Nov.1.

CORTLAND

ELMIRA

The Red Dragons extended their streak of missing the playoffs to six consecutive seasons and now embark on a new era with new head coach Joe Cardarelli taking over after being an assistant coach under interim head coach Tom Cranfield last season. He previously was an assistant coach at Oswego.

Manlius native Nick Zappia returns after he led last year’s squad in goals and assists, but the proven offensive numbers drop off quite a bit after that. Juniors Mike Davie (Brooklyn) and Brant Sherwood (Rochester) and sophomore Matt Esposito (Fayetteville) were the only other returning players to surpass ten or more points last season.

Defense should be a strength led by seniors Jeff Vanzant, Kevin Antonik (Central Islip)

As has happened several times in recent years with the ECAC West, the Soaring Eagles won the league title after sweeping Hobart and Utica in the playoffs, but did not receive an at-large bid to the NCAA tournament.

Their 16-win campaign was the most since the 2010-11 season and could be repeatable after losing just two primary seniors. The offense should again be plentiful with leading scorer Josh Brunell back for his senior year and sophomore Michael Collins plus junior Jarryd ten Vaanholt all with 29 or more points.

Secondary scoring will come from juniors Carter Shinkaruk, Greg Whittle, Brian Depp and Tommy Sumi along with sophomore Alexander Taulien.

Senior Eric Da-

Central New York Men’s College Hockey Report

by Warren Kozireski Wkozires@brockport.edu

COLGATE

The Raiders jumped out to a 3-1 start and will need to take advantage of having four of their six conference games in November on home ice.

Head coach Don Vaughan, in his 22nd season as bench boss of the Raiders, earned career win 350 Oct. 18 in a shutout over Northeastern. He is one of only 11 active coaches in NCAA Division I Hockey to reach the milestone.

Charlie Finn was named ECAC Goaltender of the Week for the period ending Oct. 18 after he stopped all 52 shots faced in leading the Raiders to back-to-back shutouts of Northeastern. The shutouts were the second and third of his career.

He became first Colgate goaltender since Mark Dekanich in 2007-08 to record consecutive shutouts.

The Raiders return a whopping 275 of their 286 points scored from a season ago.

CORNELL

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www.nyhockeyonline.com vid and juniors Liam Burtt, Rob Simpson and Taylor Love provide a veteran presence on the blueline plus sophomores Eddie Nolan and Nick Owen.

Sophomore goaltender Sal Magliocco won 11 games last season and will likely see the bulk of playing time with senior Ryan deMelo also in the mix.

“I am) looking forward to another challenging year in the ECAC West,” head coach Aaron Saul said. “Newcomers will supply us with much needed depth.”

There is no room for a slow start-up with four of five road conference games to begin the season starting Nov. 7 at Neumann. They will also battle tough SUNYAC opponents for six of their non-conference games during the intersession.

HAMILTON With just 11 wins over the past two seasons combined, the Continentals look to 2014-15 with a handful of go-to players and a lot of question marks.

Sophomore Robbie Murden had a breakout freshman season leading the team in goals and finishing second in assists. He will be joined up front by junior Kenny Matheson, senior Pat Curtis and sophomore Truman Landowski as forwards surpassing ten points last season.

Junior defenseman Marco Brelih and sophomore Conor Lamberti (Kings Park) will be called on to improve their offensive numbers from the blueline and are joined by juniors Scott Vasquez and Tyler Lovejoy plus a trio of sophomores in Brad Smelstor, Xavier Morin and Jon Carkeek.

Sophomore Charlie Fennell (Elmira) and senior Zach Arnold will fight for the top spot in goal after starting nine and seven games respectively last season.

“We’re deep in goal and bring back our entire Dcorps,” said head coach Rob Haberbusch. “We believe we have the group to take a big step forward.”

The NESCAC later season opening has the Continentals hosting Amherst for the season and conference lid-lifter Nov. 15. They will also head to UMass-Boston Jan. 4-5 for the 50th annual Codfish Bowl Tourna-

Central Hockey / Page 20 ment with Lake Forest and Connecticut College.

HOBART After defeating eventual ECAC West champ Elmira twice on the road, the Statesmen’s season ended to the same team a little over a week later. But after losing just one everyday senior, optimism is high in Geneva. “(I am) very excited about the returning group and the focus they have coming into this season to accomplish some goals they have yet to accomplish,” 15-year head coach Mark Taylor said. “We had some stretches of some real good hockey last year and we are focused on getting rid of the dips that we experienced last year that were uncommon for us. (I) like the depth we have and the personal. We need to bring it together and consistently and we should do so good things this year.”

Leading scorers Mac Olson, Simon Gamache and Bo Webster are all back for their junior campaigns.

With seniors Brad McBride, Robert Sovik and Tommaso Traversa plus sophomores Nick Bingaman (Bedford) and Bobby Sokol the Statesmen are three lines deep up front.

But defense should be the team’s strength this year led by seniors Ryan Michel (Camillus), Bronson Kovacs, Terrance O’Neill, Ian Coleman (Northport) and Peter Ryan plus sophomores Carl Belezario, Jon Neal and Mitch Beyer (Clifton Park) all vying for playing time.

Junior goaltender Lino Chimienti won 13 games last season with a .912 save percentage, but needs to be more consistent in conference games.

Head Coach Mark Taylor announced that seniors Bronson Kovacs, Terrence O’Neill and Peter Ryan will serve as team captains, while juniors Mac Olson and Ben Gamache will be alternate captains for the 201415 season.

The season begins with four consecutive road tilts including the ECAC West opener at Manhattanville Nov. 7 before the home opener with Nazareth one week later. The team

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www.nyhockeyonline.com will play in Lake Placid New Year’s weekend against Southern Maine and Middlebury as well as travel to top SUNYAC teams Oswego and Geneseo as part of their non-conference schedule.

MOHAWK VALLEY CC The Hawks have a pair of tune-ups against club teams before their league and home opener Nov. 5 against Hudson Valley CC.

MORRISVILLE The Mustangs earned just two conference wins and five overall in 24 games last season, but with just four seniors departing (plus two underclassmen) and their top five scorers back, hope for a quick turnaround into playoff contention.

“Our staff has high hopes for this coming season,” head coach Kevin Krogol said. “With our returning class, along with our incoming group, we feel we have the right guys in place to have a very successful season. We are in the midst of a culture change with our program and we have a great group of guys who are on board and dedicated to the direction we are heading in.

“As a staff we feel that our program has not quite reached it potential to this point, and we strongly feel that with work ethic and dedication of this year’s group we should not only be able to reach our potential but overachieve.”

Seniors Steve Dol and Matt Beer will mentor the younger forwards including top scorers Jorden Carvalho, John Doyle, Darren Young and Joe Santino plus junior Zach’s—Baker and Bayer.

The defense is a little thin, but returns juniors Marc-Antoine Chaput and Tyson Avery with sophomores Alex Huizenga and Joe Ftoma.

The top spot in goal is wide open among returnees Jacob Rasmussen and Zac McMichael plus recruit Steve Dombrosky.

“We have a number of new guys who are all expected to contribute. We have added some skill and grit to our back end with guys like MJ Maerkl and Max Sund. Up front we have high expectations for

Central Hockey / Page 21 guys like Layne Martin, Brad Holman, and transfer Ty Simmons, who are all smart, skilled players who can bring some needed components and compliment some of our other guys very well.”

The team opens on home ice in a series with defending SUNYAC regular season champ Geneseo Oct.31-Nov. 1 and will compete in the Skidmore tournament Thanksgiving weekend.

OSWEGO

Dressing 18 freshmen for at least one game each isn’t usually the recipe for postseason success, but March found the Lakers in the NCAA national semi-finals for the fifth consecutive season.

Those freshmen are now seasoned sophomores having played in six postseason contests and, after losing just two seniors, are primed to make it six straight.

“It will be an exciting year for our program as we celebrate our 50th anniversary season,” head coach Ed Gosek said. “We open up with the US-18 team on Parents Weekend Oct. 25th with arguably one of the best players in the world projected #1 NHL draft pick, Austin Mathews. If that isn’t enough excitement we are part of the first hockey games ever played in the Carrier Dome versus Utica College; looking forward to setting a new indoor attendance record for D3 hockey and the AHL.” Leading scorers Matt Galati, Alex Botten, Shawn Hulshof , Kenny Neal and local Fulton product Mike Montagna should lead the way offensively along with Chris Waterstreet.

Captain Bobby Gertsakis and assistant captain Nick Rivait should anchor a blue line that also features Stephen Johnson, Andrew Barton, Chris Raguseo, Denton King and Mac Scott.

Starting goaltender Matt Zawadzki should be pushed by junior Justin Gilbert and freshman Mackenzie Sawyer from the NJ Hitmen.

(Continued on Page 24)

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Central Women’s College Ice Hockey Report

by Janet Schultz Janet@nyhockeyonline.com

Utica

The Pioneers opened October 25 against Ancaster and defeated them 7-0 on home ice. Here is a preview for the season: LAST SEASON: UC wrapped up its most successful season in six years as it finished 17-9-1 overall. The Pioneers made their 12th ECAC West tournament appearance in program history, before being knocked out in the semifinals by eventual conference and National Champion, Plattsburgh State.

Utica finished the year in the receiving votes category in the final D3hockey.com National Rankings. The Pioneers remained just outside the top-ten as they received two votes, two behind St. Norbert and eight behind tenth-ranked Oswego State.

CAPTAINS: Utica welcomes back 16 players from last year’s squad including captains Nikki Kieffer (Rome, NY/Rome Free Academy), Nicole Schwartz (Danville, CA/San Jose Sharks), and Kelsey Dowdall(Smiths Falls, ONT/Nepean). Kieffer, who is also a member of the field hockey team, registered 11 points on two goals and nine

Central Hockey / Page 22 assists in 23 games last season. She will provide veteran leadership on the Pioneer blue line. Schwartz averaged just under one point a game as she had five goals and six assists in 12 games before missing the second half of the season due to injury. Dowdall will add power up front and looks to improve upon her five goal, 11 assist production from a year ago. The 5’3” center dished out nine assists during an eight-game scoring streak as a junior.

OFFENSE: On the offensive end, the Pioneers return ECAC West All-Rookie selection Gabrielle Schnepp (Northville, MI/Belle Tire), who finished second on the team with 15 goals and 26 points. She ranked fifth in the nation in rookie scoring with 1.00 points per game. Junior Morgan Reed (Fort Myers, FL/Cushing Academy) is coming off a solid sophomore season in which she lit the lamp 11 times and added 14 assists to finish third on the team in scoring.

ON THE BLUE LINE: Apart from Kieffer, senior Samantha Pucci (Pearl River, NY/Connecticut Polar Bears) will also provide much needed experience on the Utica defense. Pucci has played in 72 games for UC, the second-most among active players, and has registered ten career assists. She is a solid D who can jump into the rush when needed. Junior Janessa Haasbeek (Grand Forks, ND/Canadian International Hockey Academy) tallied eight assists in 25 games as a sophomore. As one of only four returners of the defensive core, she will look to step into a bigger role this season.

IN THE CREASE: The Pioneers will have to fill the void left by the graduation of last season’s starting goalie, Jennifer Hamel (Ithaca, NY/ Northwood School). Senior Marissa McNamara (Camillus, NY/Lysander Lightning), junior Gabrielle Abbott (Scottsdale, AZ/St. Marks), and sophomore Keira Goin (Dobbs Ferry, NY/Hotchkiss School) will all battle for the starting spot, which is currently up for grabs. McNamara has seen action in seven games in her career, while

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www.nyhockeyonline.com Goin got one start in net last season.

NEWCOMERS: Utica welcomes 10 new faces to the squad including forwards Taylor Osowski, Carlie Smith, Nikki Clover, and Jennifer Arts, defenders Veronique Lortie, Samantha Husak, Allison Buch, Kelly Kritzer, and Emily Holtshouser. Amanda Lupo will also challenge for playing time between the pipes this season.

LOOKING AHEAD: The Pioneers open regular season play Nov. 8 and 9 with a home-and-home series against ECAC West newcomer, William Smith College.

UC will travel to Geneva, NY on Saturday, Nov. 8 for a 4 p.m. game. Both teams will then travel to Utica for a 3 p.m. face off on Sunday, Nov. 9.

NATIVE NEW YORKER: Five New Yorkers fill the roster for the Pioneers including Senior Marisa McNamara (Lysander Lightning); Junior MacKenzie Roy (Clinton); Senior Samatha Pucci (Conn Polar Bears/ Pearl River); Senior Nicole Kieffe (Lysander Lightning) and Sophomore Keera Gloin (Hotchkiss School/Dobbs Ferry).

Coach Dave Clausen is in his 14th season, the only coach in the history of the program.

Syracuse The Orange opened play with a 2-1 victory over Colgate followed by a loss at Boston and four ties. In November they will face Penn State, Mercyhurst, Vermont, Robert Morris and Lindenwood.

Freshman Alysa Burris was named CHA Goaltender of the Week after a 1-1 game against Northeastern and Jessica Sibley was named CHA Player of the Week after the 2-2 tie with the University of Connecticut.

Representing the State of New York on the roster this season are Kaillie Goodnough, (Mannsville/NSA); Erin Brand I(Long Beach/Northwood School) and Eleanor Haines (Huntington/Canterbury School) Coach Paul Flanagan is in his sixth season at the helm.

Colgate

Colgate is 2-3 overall after just five games. In November they face Quinnipiac, Princeton, Penn State, Yale Brown, Cornell and Mercyhurst.

In the nets for her final year is Rochester’s Susan Al-

Central Hockey / Page 23 len from the Rochester Edge 19U team and joining the squad from NYS is Annika Zalewski, New Hartford, Nichols School. At Nichols Zalewski served as captain during her senior year and scored 26 goals and 26 assists in her career. Her brother Steve played for the San Jose Sharks and New Jersey Devils and is currently playing in Finland with Rauman Lukko. Brother Mike played at RPI and is now with the Utica Comets.

Coach Greg Fargo is in his third season and assistant coach Josh Sciba, formerly of Ohio State and Niagara University, is in his third season.

Elmira

The Soaring Eagles open November 11 against Norwich and then play Manhattanville the following day at a tournament in Vermont. Their home opener will be November 15 against Cortland.

Oswego

The Lakers opened with a win over the Toronto Midget Aeros in an exhibition game and then played Castleton on Halloween. Their home opener is scheduled for 7 p.m. November 7 against Cortland in the Marano Campus Center Arena; followed by Potsdam and Hamilton to close out November.

Watch for NY players Jayme McCreary (Waterloo/ Lysander Lightning); Lizzy Marks (Penfield/Rochester Edge); Alyssa Buckmann (Faiport/Potsdam Bears); Ashley Lyman (Lockport/Buffalo Bisons; Nichols); Brennan Butler (Lake Placid/Northwood School); Lydia Cosgrove IMalone); Rachel Lenard (Orchard Park/Buffalo Bisons and Monsignor Martin); Kendall Appelbaum (Eden/Buffalo Bisons; Nich ols); Bridget Smith (Hamburg/Mississauga Chiefs AA) and Tori Trovato (Fulton/Troy-Albany Ice Cats).

Coach Diane Dillon, a native of North Tonawanda, has been coaching since 2006. She is a Cornell graduate where she is 8th in all-time scoring with 65 goals, tied for 7th in assists and sixth in points with 144.

Cortland

The Red Dragons open at home against Oswego on November 7 and 8.

(Continued on page 24)

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www.nyhockeyonline.com (Men’s College Continued from Page 21)

“All newcomers will be pushing the returners for ice time. Mitchell Herlihey, Trent Durocher (Canton), David Ferreira and Alaska-Anchorage transfer Joey Davies” will be added to the front line. ( Continued on Page 24) “New to the d-core, Alex D’Oliveira and AIC transfer Sean Federow.”

UTICA The Pioneers won their second consecutive ECAC West regular season crown, but fell to Elmira in the title game and now have quite an uphill battle to repeat.

“We have graduated 13 players, 66% of our scoring and our starting goalie so we are very young,” head coach Gary Heenan said. “Starting league games so quickly given the abbreviated calendar will be quite a challenge.”

Senior Louis Educate, coming off his worst offensive season, plus sophomore Luc Boby and senior Justin Hogan are the only forwards returning to score ten or more points last season.

Newcomers and players such as senior Peter LaFosse, junior Nick Miglio

(Women’s College Continued from Page 23)

Cornell

Cornell dropped their season openers against No. 3 Boston College. In game one Boston took off with a 6-2 win and fell the following day by the same score.

The Big Red face a heavy November schedule with league rivals Quinnipiac, Brown, Yale, Colgate before a trip to the University of Minnesota/Duluth.

Anna Zorn (Churchville/Ontario Hockey Academy) is in her junior year a a goaltender.

This is the 10th season for Coach Doug Derraugh.

Hamilton

The Hamilton women take to the ice November 15 at Amherst before returning home to face the same team the following day.

Central Hockey / Page 24 and sophomore Easton Powers will have dibs on increased offensive roles.

The defensive unit is deeper after losing just two seniors with Mike Baird and junior Donny Olivieri, who transferred from Nazareth at midseason, plus sophomores Kevin Kirisits and Jide Idowu.

With 15 recruits, it will take fans a little time to familiarize themselves with new faces using the same jersey numbers.

The team will have a group of brand new goaltenders to choose from for the top spot.

The team played four games in Slovenia and Austria in August and will regroup for a tune-up with Castleton State Nov. 1 before playing five conference games.

The Frozen Dome Classic in Syracuse is Nov. 22 versus Oswego and the annual teddy bear toss is Dec. 5 against Trinity. The Pioneers also will play at Plattsburgh in the Winter Classic right after New Year’s.

OTHER AREA NOTES: Robert Morris goaltender Dalton Izyk (Oswego) was named Atlantic Hockey Goaltender of the Week for the period ending Oct. 12. He recorded a 28-save shutout in his first career start at home.

William Smith

In it’s inaugural season William Smith played their first game on Halloween at the University of Massachusetts (Boston).

Their first home opener will be November 8 against Utica at 4 p.m. and then they travel up to Utica the following day. Playing in the ECAC West they will then face Potsdam Neumann and New England in November.

Head Coach Jaime Totten is from Stafford (NY) and played in the Buffalo Bisons organization. She is a graduate of Northeastern. Her assistant coach Kate Gallagher played for the Syracuse Stars.

William Smith’ Season Preview came in at press time and is posted at www.nyhockeyonline.com

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Central Hockey / Page 25

CENTRAL NEWS

C Syracuse Bantam Minor Brings Home Championship

T

he 2001 Syracuse Blazers Bantam Minor team took the championship game of the 2014 NST Columbus Day Tournament in a 11 round shootout thriller against the Woolwich Wildcats.

The Wildcats capitalized on powerplay opportunities putting the Blazers down by two after the first period. The boys in red battled back in the second to even the score powered by a relentless forecheck, disciplined defensive play, and outstanding goal tending. The third period and ensuing overtime brought more of the same effort across the board but the score remained unchanged.

It took 11 rounds of shootout play to bring the championship hardware home for the Blazers!

Veterans Day Tournament

T

he Southern Tier Hockey Association and Binghamton Jr. Senators will be hosting a Veterans Day Tournament from November 7 to 9 for all Pee Wee A and Bantam A level travel teams. If there is enough interest in a 16U A division, the tournament will include 16U A. Tournament fee is $900.

Current and Active Duty Military members are welcomed at the champion tournament game on November 9th. The time is TBD. Please contact the tournament director Sara Cohen with any questions.

Another Successful Skate4Sophie

amillus Youth Hockey held their Third Annual Sophie Skate-a-Thon on October 4. Over 420 people came to the skate-a-thon with all proceeds going to Sophie’s Giving Tree.

Sophie’s Giving Tree uses the money to help support families (with gas and food cards, bills, traveling expenses) both during their hospital stay and while they are undergoing treatment at the cancer center. Some of the money raised will go to research for a cure for pediatric brain tumors.

The Skate-A-Thon is done in memory of Sophie Kawejsza, a third grader at Stonehedge Elementary School in Camillus before she passed from the disease. Not only did she play ice hockey but she was involved with Moo Crew through 4-H, showing cows at fair.

She was diagnosed with a large brain tumor just 5 days short of her 8th birthday. After the tumor was removed she underwent Proton Beam Radiation in Indiana and then returned to Golisano Children’s Hospital at Upstate Medical Center where she received multiple rounds of chemo-

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Central Hockey / Page 26 therapy. Unfortunately the tumor prevailed and she passed away on January 27, just two weeks shy of her 9th birthday.

F o r more info visit.www.skate4sophie.com ( P h o t o s courtey Camillius Hockey Association)

T

Elmira Jackals Try Hockey For Free

he Elmira Jackals Youth Hockey Association will be holding a Try Hockey For Free Skate on Saturday, November 8 from 10:30 a.m. to 112:30 a.m. at the First Arena Ice Pavilion. This is for non-EJYH members only. Skates, helmets and sticks will be available for those who need them. Jackals are asked to tell their family and friends who might be interested that this is an opportunity to try the sport with no obligation!

The first 40 kid to register will receive a goodie bag and a USA hockey jersey.

Also EJYH members are asked to assist with the planning of their annual Banquet. Anyone interested in helping is welcome to join the committee. The first If you would like to help but couldn’t make the October meeting let Lynn Bassler know so she can include you in future communications.

Rome Celebrates 50 Years!

T

he John F. Kennedy Civic Arena at 500 West Embargo Street will be celebrating its 50th anniversary when as it opens the 2014-2015 season.

The new season also marks the 50th year of the Rome Youth Hockey Association, also known as the Rome Grizzlies who will celebrate this landmark anniversary with a new logo.

The American Hockey League’s Utica Comets and Adirondack Flames kicked off the anniversary year with a sold-out exhibition game at the arena on October 3.

Fans who attended the game were able to see some of the awards won by teams over five decades displayed in a new trophy case built by Dan Danti of Rome.

The Rome Youth Hockey Association will be celebrating their anniversary over the Thanksgiving Weekend.

In addition their Silver Stick Tournament will be held December 5-7 Pee Wee House Tournament on Thanksgiving Weekend and their Annual Roy Austin Mite Tourney is February 7-9. They are also planning a 50th Anniversary Rock and Skate Event.

Construction of the arena began in 1963, and it was named in memory of President John F. Kennedy when it opened in 1964.

In 1967 the original arena was enclosed and a warming room, rest rooms, concession stand and locker rooms were added to the front of the building.

A $3 million dollar renovation was completed two years ago.

The arena is the home rink of the Rome Free Acad-

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Central Hockey / Page 27

emy Black Knights hockey team and over the past 50 years it also has been home to the Copper City Chiefs and the Rome Catholic High School Redwings hockey teams.

Rome Administrative Services Director Brandon Lovett said that during the off-season the arena has hosted roller derby, professional wrestling, a circus, baseball tryouts, the Rome Hospital Health Fair, and the recent Who Let the Dogs Out pet program.

He said the city is planning a 50th anniversary celebration later this year and all season long it is offering free public skating on Monday nights from 6:30 p.m. - 8 p.m. and Sunday afternoons from 1 p.m. 2:45 p.m.,. Skate rentals are not included in the free skating program.

Lovett said visitors may rent skate from the arena’s Mark Kotary Hockey Pro Shop, which has a full line of hockey and skating equipment sales, skate rentals and skate sharpening.

The arena schedule is available on the City of Rome website:http://www.huntcal.com/cal/view/ RomeRecreation/Arena-Schedule

Syracuse Nationals News

Coach Nick Golis and the Syracuse Nationals are the #1 ranked Pee Wee Major team according to My Hockey Rankings through the fifth week of the season. This is Coach Golis’s second season with the team. His record is 20-5-20.

als k c a J a r Elmi ! e t a k S o Learn t

Photos By Elmira Jackals

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East Hockey

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Eastern New York Men’s College Hockey Report

by Warren Kozireski

Wkozires@brockport.edu

ARMY Wi t h two wins over their first four games, the Black Knights were off to their best start since the 200607 season. Included was their first opening night win since the same season 2-1 over visiting Sacred Heart.

The captains for the 2014-15 season are seniors Mac Lalor and Josh Richards, along with junior Joe Kozlak. It is the first time in the history of Army Hockey that the team will be led by three captains.

There have been two captains, 12 different times.

Freshman Tyler Pham registered a point in each of his first four collegiate games including his first goal Oct. 12 against Sacred Heart.

Joe Kozlak and Brendan McGuire picked up their firsts Oct. 17 versus Canisius.

HUDSON VALLEY CC The Vikings open their season with three league road games starting Oct. 29 with Broome County.

Their home opener is Nov. 15 also

East Hockey / Page 29 R.P.I.

against Broome.

MANHATTANVILLE The Valiants won 13 games last year, but only three of those came after mid-January.

Four of their top six scorers graduated leaving plenty of toptwo line competition.

“We are all excited to get started,” head coach Arlen Marshall said. “We are the looking forward to getting things going right off the bat with a good test vs Hobart and Elmira. It looks like the ECAC West will again be competitive as ever.”

Senior Jake Mooney is the only forward back who scored in double-figures last season with juniors Matt Coleman (Brentwood) and Paul Allen Bamberg plus sophomores Teagan Waugh, Anthony Luzzi and Nolan Marshall expected to up their contributions.

Senior defenseman Anton Racklin will see plenty of minutes along with classmate Kevin Struempfler with sophomores Tanner Hicks and Phil Dinner as part of the expected top-four.

Senior Brian Fleming will likely get first shot at replacing starter Alex Scola in goal.

Forwards Stephen Gaul and Matt Smethurst (Rexford) plus defensemen Anthony Ragone (Babylon) and Swede Fabian Andark form the recruiting class.

Hobart and Elmira invade Playland Ice Casino Nov. 7-8 to open the season.

The Engineers opened with a win at Notre Dame, but scored just one goal over their next three games to start the year.

Viktor Liljegren netted his first collegiate goal in his first game.

UNION The Dutchmen picked up right where they left off with four wins to start the year extending their winning streak to 16 games and unbeaten run to 21 games. They outscored opponents 18-5 during the early run.

Sophomore center Mike Vecchione was named ECAC Hockey Player of the Week for the periods ending Oct. 13 and Oct. 20 after he scored both nights in Vecchione Union’s seasonopening sweep of American International and 19th-ranked New Hampshire as well as having a five-point weekend at Maine.

Freshman Spencer Foo scored a goal in his first collegiate game versus AIC Oct. 10. Ryan Scarfo and J.C. Brassard scored their first collegiate goals Oct. 18 at Maine.

Senior defenseman Charlie Vasaturo was named team captain for the team while senior forwards Daniel Ciampini and Sam Coatta will serve as alternate captains.

This marks the seventh straight season that a blueliner will handle captain duties.

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Union College raises its 2014 National Championship Banner at their home opener!

(Photos courtesy of Union College)

East Hockey / Page 30

With the I-7 Rivalry just days way from being renewed, Union College’s Rick Bennett and Seth Appert of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute took time out of their mornings to assist customers at a local Dunkin’ Donuts.

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East Women’s College Report

by Janet Schultz Janet@nyhockeyonline.com

Union Union opened with a 2-2 tie with the Ottawa Junior Senators and followed up with 4 losses, 1 win and a tie. In November they continue a tough line up facing Harvard, Providence, Princeton and Quinnipiac.

Joining the team this season is Freshman Brandy Streeter from Morrisville. Streeter played for the Buffalo Bisons and Nichols School, where she captained the team during her senior year. Nichols took the North American Prep Hockey Association title and the CISAA Championship.

Another NYer who will see her final year of action with Union is East Amherst (NY) Haley Welch (pictured). She also played for the Bisons and Nichols.

Coach Claudia AsanoBarcome is in her eighth season.

East Hockey / Page 31 Manhattanville Manhattanville returns to their home ice, Playland Arena. The Arena was severly damaged in Hurricane Sandy.

However, they open on the road against Plattsburgh, University of Vermont and Elmira in a tournament before a home opener on November 14 against Salve Regina. They then take on the University of Massachusetts, Castleton and Norwich before going on the road to Neumann; all in November.

Michaela Murdock, Chestnut Ridge/Mid-Fairfield Connecticut Stars will be joining the team this season.

RPI The Engineers have a 0-4-1 record overall as they move into November to face Dartmouth, St. Cloud, Quinnipiac, Princeton and RIT. The only native NYer on the team is Junior Jenn Godin of Clarence/Tabor Academcy. She was also a member of the West Team in the 2010 Empire State Game that took the gold.

RPI is coached by John Burke who was appointed in the 2003-04 season.

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North Hockey

Troy-Albany Take Mullins Center Win

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West Hockey / Page 33

Troy-Albany Titans Successful for Third Time!

The Troy-Albany Titans won the Mullins Center Fall Face-Off. Head Coach Chris Fess and his boys went undefeated in this years’ tournament en route to claiming the championship trophy. The Titans were just able to edge out the Minuteman Flames, who put up a valiant effort and finished as this years’ runner up.

The Titans Bantam Major Team has won the Fall Face-Off three of the five times.

The Mullins Center Fall Face-Off is an 8-team youth hockey tournament consisting of 2000 Bantam Minor AAA teams. Unlike any other youth hockey tournament in the country, the Mullins Center Fall Face-Off is completely student-run from students at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, who are dedicated to bringing players and fan the best hockey tournament experience they’ve ever had.

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North Hockey / Page 34

North Women’s College Report

by Janet Schultz Janet@nyhockeyonline.com

Potsdam

Kevin McFarland ’12, former Bears goaltender, was named assistant coach fo the women’s ice hockey team.

McFarland played for the St. Charles Chill and Brampton Beat of the Central Hockey League. He also played for the South Carolina Stingrays in the ECHL. He was known as the “Black Ace” with the St. Louis Blues in the 2013 playoff run.

The Bears open November 7 against Buffalo State at Maxcy Arena, with a second game the following day. They then take on William Smith, Oswego and Plattsburgh in November.

University.

Clarkson faces Yale, Brown, Harvard, Dartmouth, Quinnipiac, Princeton and UConn in a heavily scheduled November.

Plattsburgh

Plattsburgh opens on the road November 1 before returning home to open November 15 against Chatham. Their November schedule includes Castleton, Potsdam and their tournament.

A number of New York girls are on the roster including Freshman Elizabeth Viola of Williamsville.

She played for the Buffalo Bisons and Nichols School.

Also, Julia Duquette, a sophomore defenseman returns for her second year. Duquette is from North Tonawanda and played for the Buffalo Bisons and Monsignor Martin of the WNYGVIH Federation.

Melissa Ames, a sophomore forward from Rochester spent her career with the Pittsburgh Penquin Elite U19 team.

Clarkson ended with a 5-3 win for the Saints; but a loss the following day at the hands of the Knights.

They then lost and tied Boston College and took two wins from Robert Morris.

Coming up is Brown, Dartmouth, Harvard, Princeton, Quinnipiac and Colgate.

Goalie Mikaela Thompson comes from Webster and the Rochester Edge Hockey Association. She is a junior.

St. Lawrence players swept the October 7 ECAC honor roll with Brooke Webter named Player of the Week; Kennedy Marchment, Rookie of the Week and Carmen MacDonald, Goaltender of the Week.

On October 21 Kristen Padalis was named ECAC Player of the Week for her goal and 3 assists in a game over Robert Morris.

Canton

The Roos open November 1 and 2 against Chatman and then go on to Connecticut to play Sacred Heart Clarkson before returning for a home opener against Stevenson College on No Clarkson opened vember 21 and 22. The finish Nowith a 5-3 loss to St. St. Lawrence vember with Nichols College and Lawrence but came back to split the weekend when St. Lawrence opened their sea- the University of New England. son with an exhibition game loss to they beat St. Lawrence 2-1.

They also beat Providence and McGill University. However their Syracuse but fell twice to Boston home opener against league rival

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North Hockey / Page 35

se i a R en m o nW o s k r AA C Cla N ! r 4 e 1 n 0 n 2 a B p i h ns o i p Cham

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T

roy Albany Hockey Association held a Learn To Skate with Coach Randall explaining hockey to the group; Brian Spiak doing a push off exercise and the first-time skaters using a cart that assisted them maneuvering the ice.

(Photos submitted by Tammi Wagner).

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North Hockey / Page 37

Northern New York Men’s College Hockey Report CANTON

by Warren Kozireski

Wkozires@brockport.edu

The independent Roo’s open their campaign against Skidmore in Lake Placid on Nov. 1 and will play 11 games against SUNYAC opponents and 13 others against other conferences.

CLARKSON After a 2-2 start, the Golden Knights have a key stretch of four consecutive conference road games—their longest of the season—with Yale, Brown Cornell and Colgate.

Freshman Sam Vigneault netted his first collegiate goal in the Niagara opener. Classmate Nic Pierog got his first one night later.

PLATTSBURGH For the second consecutive year the Cardinals season ended in the SUNYAC playoffs at the hands of rival Oswego, this last time it came in the semi-finals.

That marks the first time since 2005-06 and 2006-07 they have missed the NCAA playoffs in consecutive seasons.

They return nine of their top 11 scorers from last year, but the big question will come in goal where Mathieu Cadieux completed his eligibility.

The team brought in Spencer Finney from Colgate midway through last season, but he did not fare well in his only two starts. They also welcome Brady Rouleau as a sophomore transfer from Quinnipiac along with freshmen Ryan Hubbard via the Bridgewater Bandits.

The team has balanced scoring from at least three lines in Dillan Fox, Mark Constantine, Kevin Emmerling, Connor Gorman, Luke Baleshta, Alex Brenton, Michael Radisa,

Michael Cassidy (West Seneca) and Kyle Hall all surpassing ten points last season.

Senior Brandon Beadow steps into a top leadership role with the defense with juniors Anthony Calabrese and Rich Botting (Binghamton) plus sophomore Patrick Hermans leaving room for newcom-

ers.

“Hope we can have a team that is balance, playing with a bit more toughness,” 26-year head coach Bob Emery, who is eight wins away from 550 career, said.

Freshmen forwards include Paul Freqeau, Matt Quilty and Brandon O’Quinn with Chris Taff, Avrton Valente and Andrew Rossy battling for spots on the blueline.

POTSDAM The Bears missed the playoffs despite earning points in five of their final seven regular season games, which they can blame on the two-point first half.

Their top two scorers—and the only two to net 20 points or more—are gone, but a balanced scoring attack remains with eight returnees scoring ten or more points last season led by Billy Pascalli, Kenny Simon and Todd Thomas.

Other forwards needing to contribute more offensivly include seniors Trevor Cope and Zach Blake, sophomore Vinny Caligiuri and junior Matt Thompson.

“We have a group of committed and hard-working players who will compete every night,” head coach Chris Bernard said. “I am proud of our team culture and our leadership...we will be counting on depth and contributions throughout our lineup to maximize our success.”

The defense will be led by a trio of seniors in Erick Ware, Dan McCamey and Max Fogel with junior Brad Campagna and sophomore Casacci.

The three-headed monster in goal features senior Shayne Tallarico and juniors Jon Hall and Austin Keiser, who all played in eight or more games last season.

The team added just two forwards and two defensemen including Dylan Vander Esch, leading scorer

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www.nyhockeyonline.com for the Hartford Junior Wolfpack plus offensive defenseman Sean Kacerosky from the NY Bobcats and Joe Gilhooly (Brooklyn), who split last season between the Bobcats and Des Moines in the USHL. The team opens with travel partner Plattsburgh on home ice for Halloween and will have seven consecutive non-conference contests between mid-December and mid-January.

West Hockey / Page 38 defenseman Mitch Eden and forward Drew Smolcynski each scored their first Oct. 18.

Freshman goaltender Kyle Hayton made 33 saves in his first collegiate shutout Oct. 18 against Ferris State.

Sophomore blueliner Ben Masella scored his first and second against Niagara Oct. 11. Defenseman Nolan Gluchowski had his first in the same game.

ST. LAWRENCE

The Saints will spend the first five games in November on the road at Clarkson, Brown, Yale, Colgate and Cornell.

Freshman Mike Marnell (South Huntington) scored his first collegiate goal on the power play in the season opener at RIT. First year

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West Hockey

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Bisons Hire Gold Medalist

by Janet Schultz Janet@nyhockeyonline.com

S

helley Looney was a household name to many of us during and after the 1998 Olympics in Nagano, Japan. As a member of the USA Women’s Ice Hockey Team she scored the winning goal to bring the Gold to the USA, the first medal, as women’s ice hockey became part of the Winter Olympics.

Looney remembers being interviewed after the games and told the reporter that no one would care.

The reporter informed her that the whole world was watching and talking about this historic Olympic game.

“It was unbelievable,” said Looney, who had aspirations for the Olympics because she is an avid follower of both Winter and Summer Olympics.

Now she’s in Buffalo with the Buffalo Bisons Ice Hockey Organization working with our young players so they can not only fulfill their hockey dreams but also just enjoy the game they love.

Looney spent eight years as a girl’s hockey director in New Jersey. In many areas of the country Hockey Directors are common; here in WNY, not so much.

But Bisons CEO Barney Walsh has a vision and Looney fits that vision.

“The Bisons want to develop hockey players no matter what level they are at when they come to us,” said Looney.

“That’s why we have Majors to House Teams,” she continued.

“The Bisons say “here’s a place to play if you love the sport; and if you are here, we will do our best to grow your inner love for the game and at the same time help you get better as a player.”

The Bisons have a Board of Directors and Volunteers but Walsh saw a need for someone to bring it all together and also provide guidance for the coaches.

Her duties include being the organization’s ice scheduler which she sees as a great opportunity to

West Hockey / Page 40 control what’s going on.

With a wide range of coaching abilities and desires she sees it her job to make sure coaches aren’t overwhelming their players.

The Bisons run a skills session once a week for each team and she helps coordinate drills for the instructors. She sends out a practice plan to the coaches each week; of Hockey has developed informationalDirector books for coaches that Bison Hockey Association explains the growth of children at each age and she is also the ACE Coordinator.

Time USA Olympian “ As 19 a youth, one ofLooney the With plusI was teams, is on•• Two the ice every Appointed to USA Hockey’s day better players.

My team counted Board of Directors or at least at a game.

• Played on the women’s on me to produce and perform. national team for 14 years “I focus on the younger groups because that is But as I grew, I realized that • Formerly the Girls’ & Women’s Hockey Director for theto figour future,” she explained.

“I feel it’s my duty I needed the team — for all New Jersey Colonials ure outthe where I’mI couldn’t needed tasks that do and it’s nice to spend time scheduling, talking to the coaches and going to pracalone. When the competition intensified, playing as a team tices. was essential.”

“I also provide them with new ideas and give - Shelley Looney them new directions.”

Her philosophy is that yes, they teach hockey, but they also teach life lessons.

“If they don’t get to that pro level, they will still have the love of the game enjoy it, remember the experience and learn lessons along the way.”

Meet

Shelley Looney

Looney -On Girls Hockey

“I

t’s come a long way,” Looney remarks. “The growth is unbelievable.”

Looney began playing hockey when she was six.

Her brother was playing and when he decided to quit she told her parents she wanted to.

“There were no girl teams in the 1970’s so I played with boys and had male role models,” she said.

“Now the girls know Hilary Knight and when I

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West Hockey / Page 40

had her here in Buffalo, they wanted to meet her.” school in order to continue to play hockey. With her She laughs because Hilary was surprised that dream being the Olympics (which wasn’t even on the these girls didn’t know Looney. horizon when she was playing her early years), she Well, in 1998 these young ladies either weren’t worked hard. born or were very young.

She contributes her suc She explains that girls cess to family, friends and need to understand that if her school. they want to play college at

the DI or DIII level it is very competitive.

Shelley Looney For girls that also want Looney was born in a good academic life, they Brownstown, Michigan and may want to look at the Colraised in Trenton. lege’s club teams. There they

She played with Team can enjoy the sport they love USA teammate Cammi and still have time for their Granato for the Vancoustudies. ver Griffins of the Nation Hockey is time conal Women’s Ice Hockey suming and there are some League, finishing second on curriculums (nursing and the team and fourth in the athletic training were menWestern Conference with 10 tioned) that don’t allow the goals and 25 assists in 2002time for both.

03.

Looney also thinks that She participated for colleges need to start looking Team British Columbia at at players at a younger age. the 2003 Esso Women’s NaThat could be a two edged tional and was named B.C. sword but the reason being Player of the Game in the that often girls play more Bronze Medal Game; despite than one sport and several losing to Team Quebec.

1998 First Women’s Olympic Ice Hockey Team, of the sports look at girls at

She served a an assiswith the Gold and Shelley Looney! younger ages than hockey. tant coach to the U17 Boys’ “The number of young National Team Development girls playing needs to grow, Program in 2003 and then joined the University of Verand then we need to be able to keep them as they get mont as an assistant coach of the women’s ice hockey older,” said Looney. team in 2005-06. She left that position to train for the This is a situation which WNY and NYS have Olympics. Unfortunately she was one of the final cuts seen. As girls approach their teen years, they tend to from that team. They went on to win a Bronze. leave the sport.

She ended her USA Hockey career with 61 goals “My parents knew nothing about hockey but my and 136 points in 151 games. She was also a member brother wanted to play,” explains Looney. “When he of the 2002 Olympic Team that took the Silver in Salt quit and I began, I found that hockey helped me with Lake City. my school work.

Looney had a learning disability while in school and attributes time management learned in hockey to her success in academics. She also had to do well in

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West Hockey / Page 42

W

e arrived early at the Medaille vs Geneseo game at Buffalo State College on Friday, Saturday, October 25 and found the Buffalo Bisons Midget Boys 16U team taking on the Cheektowaga Warriors. Here are a few photographs from that game taken by NY Hockey OnLine Photographer Janet Schultz. Janet@nyhockeyonline.com

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West Hockey / Page 43

Buffalo Stars Beat Celebrating Opening Weekend

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West Hockey / Page 44

NU Jr. Purple Eagles News Niagara Girl’s 19U Team Quarter Finalist in Stoney Creek College Showcase Tournament

By Scott Welch Coach

T

he Niagara Jr Purple Eagles 19U Team continued their strong play this season by making it to the quarter finals in the Stoney Creek University Showcase Tournament in mid-September. The tournament features 64 of the best teams from across Canada and the U.S. along with over 100 college coaches and scouts in attendance.

Niagara started the tournament with a 3-3 tied against the Kingston Jr Wolves after leading for most of the game. The Purple Eagles dominated the nightcap game on the tournament’s opening day by defeating the Pacific Steelers from Vancouver, BC by a score of 3-1.

On day two of the tournament, Niagara played some of the best hockey of any team in the tournament by winning games against two PWHL power house teams. In the first game of the day, the Purple Eagles scored early and controlled most of the play to beat the Oakville Jr Hornets who two weeks earlier won the NAHA Labor Day Tournament and are currently undefeated in the PWHL this season. In the second game of the day and the first round of playoffs, Niagara scored two goals by mid-way through the game and held on to defeat one of the tournament favorites, the Toronto Aeros 2-1.

In Sunday morning’s quarter final match up, the Purple Eagles faced the eventual tournament winners, the Chicago Mission who is consistently ranked as one of the Top 3 Teams in the United States with a number of US U18 Players. Niagara took a 1-0 lead

making it 5 straight games in which the Purple Eagles struck first. Chicago tied the game late in the second period. Late in the third period, Chicago became the first team to take the lead against Niagara all weekend. The Purple Eagles put pressure on the Chicago goalie in attempt to even up the score, but gave up an empty net goal as time was winding down.

Niagara is next scheduled to play a 3 game series against the Boston Shamrocks and then will compete in the U.S. /Canada Cup Series Detroit in late October. The series is an invitational only tournament between 8 of the best U.S. teams vs 8 of the best Canadian teams.

Niagara’s record is 16 Wins, 4 Losses, and 1 Tie.

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News and Notes from WNY...

•The University of Buffalo ACHA DI team is #6 in the ACHA for the first time in team history. They are 10-2 after 12 games played. and face Syracuse, Oswego, Duquense, Pitt, IUP and Indiana in coming weeks.

West Hockey / Page 45 •The Buffalo Bisons U16 Midget Team won the Niagara Falls Columbus Day Tournament and the Pee Wee Minor Travel Team brought home the Rock and Roll Cup. •The Chautauqua Lakers took First Place at the Niagara Falls Columbus Day Early Bird Tournament.

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Western New York Women’s College Hockey Report

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

Buffalo State Looking to Competitive Season

B

engals Head Coach Candace Moxley is heading into her second year with the Buffalo State Women’s Ice Hockey Team.

She has a large recruiting class, 12 with a few more that may be trying out at press time. But she is confident fans will see a great game of hockey.

“This year, with a core of returning players and the new recruits, I’m really excited,” said Coach Moxley. “I know how we were last year, the strides they made throughout the season and if they did everything they could over the summer with strength and conditioning we will have a lot more combinations and can exploit other teams in our league.”

“So that’s just exciting itself.”

Her new recruits will also be exciting for WNY with four staying home to play collegiate ice hockey.

Caitie Horvatits (Red #10) comes from Elma and was a member of the Buffalo Bisons team. She is a 5’2” Forward who played for Lancaster/Iroquois of the WNY Girls Varsity Ice Hockey League (WNYGVIH). Iroquois joined Lancast-

West Hockey / Page 46 er last season. Lancaster, which for three years of the league ended in last place, made it to the finals of the Section VI championships before losing to defending champion Kenmore.

WNYGVIH leading scorer Erin Gehen (Yellow jersey #12)) will join the Bengals. She played for West Seneca. Gehen is a 5’2” forward and became the first player in the Section VI WNYGVIH Federation to score 100 goals. She had the lone goal in a 8-1 loss to Amherst/Sweet Home, scoring on a breakaway and beating the goalie on a backhand deke.

She was named to the 2013-14 Federation All Star Team.

“Erin did a lot of great things in the high school league and she’s a competitor,” said Moxley. “I’m very excited to see her play.”

Missy Mallon (Black jersey) of Amherst played for the Amherst/Sweethome Girls Varsity Team of the WNYGVIH League and the Cazenovia Chiefs. She is a 5’3” forward who was also named to the 2013-14 Federation All Star Team.

“Once Missy gets strong, she’s tiny right now, her skill with the puck make her a natural goal scorer and she is creative in the offensive zone. Her and Gehen are good additions that way.”

Maddie Toczek from North Tonawanda played for the Buffalo Bisons. She is a 5’3” forward.

Megan Sackett is a native of Williamsville and played for the St. Catharines Chaos. She attended A.N. Myer Secondary School in Ontario. She is a 5’10” goalie and is as tall as Coach Moxley in skates.

“We’re going to look to see how she adapts and adjusts to the quickness of the game but she has a ton of potential as a goaltender” said Moxley.

Justine Silva comes from the Anaheim Lady Ducks and Baldwin Park, California. She is a goaltender at 5’3”.

“Silva is very impactful on the backend and is like Jordan Lee (last season’s goalie),” said Coach. “She is someone that can step in right away and will be very impactful.”

Georgia Kleiner comes from Pelham NY and played for the Canterbury Saints while attending Canterbury High School in Connecticut.

She is a defenseman at 5’5”.

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www.nyhockeyonline.com Christine Harris comes from Mountain Top, Pennsylvania and played for the New Jersey Rockets and Bri Carroll come from the Anheim Lady Ducks and is a native of Peoria, Arizona.

Coach Moxley sited Harris’ quickness and her great slap shot as making her a threat all over the ice.

Brooke Krantz comes from Penticton, British Columbia and played at Okanagan Hockey Academy. The 5’7” forward was a late recruit but one that Coach Moxley sees as a natural leader, great on the ice and another recruit that will be able to step right up.

Other NY’ers rounding out the roster are Junior Forward Megan Niesyty from East Amherst and a former member of the Buffalo Stars; Nikki Kirchberger, a junior forward/ defensive player comes from Wet Seneca and played for the West Seneca Girls Varsity Team and the Buffalo Regals; Jeyna Minnick, a senior forward comes from Rochester and was a member of the Rochester Edge.

Also, Morgan Haettich of South Buffalo, a member of the Cazenovia Chiefs and played for the Monsignor Martin team of the WNYGVIH; she is a 5’6” forward. Heather Neuburger of So. Fayetteville played for the Troy Albany Ice Cat and plays defense at 5’5”; Aison Mish comes from Canastota and the CNY Bobcats; she is a 5’8” defenseman.

“We were looking for players that could step in and play right away,” said Moxley. “With the players we recruited I think we will be able to accomplish that right off.”

“We will have hurdles to overcome with 12 new players because it’s a new culture and trying to implement the direction we want to go as a coaching staff and program will be our focus.

“We did good in the recruiting process and laying out a plan that got us the right girls.”

“It will be an exciting game of hockey; we won’t have to trap anymore,” Moxley says. “Our game is going to be fast paced, in-your-face hockey.

“We have some gritty players that can get the job done and it’s exciting to have them on the ice.”

Moxley predicts that the Bengals will be in the middle of the pack in the League. She sees stiff competition with Plattsburgh and Elmira but notes that Oswego and Potsdam have lost some talent to graduation and are also bringing in a large number of new recruits.

In addition to playing the game the Bengals took part in the Breast Cancer Walk in October and they are working with the Buffalo Bisons U10 and U12 teams as mentors.

They will also be hosting their annual Breast Cancer Aware-

West Hockey / Page 47 ness Day and Maddie’s Game later in the season.

Buffalo State Coach Candice Moxley announced Kara Goodwin #3 (Avon Lake, OH/Avon Lake) will serve as the team captain, and Jeyna Minnick #12 (Rochester/GreeceArcadia) and Nikki Kirchberger #11 (Buffalo/W. Seneca West) will serve as assistants for the 2014-15 season.

Goodwin, a senior public communication major, will wear the “C” for the second-consecutive season. The forward enters her third and final season with the Bengals after transferring from Division I Lindenwood University.

Goodwin has 33 career points including 22 goals in 51 games at Buffalo State, and had a breakout season a year ago. In 26 games last season, Goodwin netted 16 goals, including a school record 14 in ECAC West play.

Minnick, a senior forward majoring in English, will serve as an assistant for the second-straight year. She is the only player on this year’s roster in her fourth season with the team, and has tallied 16 goals and 13 assists for 29 points in 74 career games.

Kirchberger will serve in a leadership role for the first time. The junior criminal justice major has split time on forward and defense over her first two seasons, and has put up 17 goals and 13 assists for 30 points in 51 career games.

(Shown at right are the Buffalo State Women’s Ice Hockey Team Captain Erin Goodwin and Assistant Captains Jenna Minnick and Nikki Kirchberger. (Photos by Janet Schultz, 2013-14 season!)

(Continued on Page 40)

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Bison Beat

Pink the Rink

I

n October the Buffalo Bisons U16/19 girls played the Wheatfield boys teams coaches as the Wheatfield organization honored Breast Cancer Awareness month by holding a number of events to raise awareness. They reached out to the Bisons girls for an evening of hockey. The jerseys were pink as was the dress of most of the spectators and the overall decorations of the rink. The United Materials pink cement truck was on hand along with the large breast cancer screening pink RV. The game provided tremendous entertainment for all.

The Wheatfield coaches got up to an early 2-0 lead and figured that they would settle down being out in front and go easy on the girls. Following several open ice “hits” where the younger girls were knocked to the ice at the extreme displeasure of the spectators, the tide and crowd turned against the obviously older and larger men. Truth be told, some of the collisions simply amounted to perhaps the fact that “some” of the skaters had primarily north/south movement

and limited east/west.

Somewhere in the second period after awarded a couple of penalty shots, and a couple of genuine “snipes” the girls found themselves up 5-3. The men also had their opportunities with penalty shots and several great goal scoring chances only to find themselves stoned by the U16 goalie, Lindsay Browning. The men decided to turn the heat up only to find out that Body and Mind were not exactly in sync post 30 years of age and about 20 minutes of fast paced hockey. The eventual outcome was with the girls winning 8-4. The girls had a special guest in player/coach Shelley Looney who came out of Olympic retirement to support her girls on the ice.

The game aside, the men and girls were so excited to participate in a fun filled evening with great sportsmanship and all for a wonderful cause. A special thanks to organizers Dave Cannon and Ken Franasiak from Wheatfield.

Bisons Girls U16

T

he Bisons girls season has kicked into full gear with participation in the Stoney Creek Showcase in September, and the beginning of the Lower Lakes Female Hockey League in Southern Ontario.

The team has an overall record of 5-8-3 and while they do not have a winning record they do stand 21st in myhockeyrankings.com in the US at the tier I level.

The team’s highlights revolve around some very close games against top talent. Specifically the U16 team lost to the Oakville Hornets 2-0 who are the number one ranked team in Canada at U17 and just lost 1-0 to the Stoney Creek team who is ranked 8th.

Coming up the team will be participating in the USA Canada Cup series in Detroit and will also play in the Rochester tournament in November.

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West Hockey / Page 49

Girls High School Championship Coming to Buffalo

School girls have joined with West Seneca and the combined team will have home ice out of The West Seneca Rink on Union Road.

Hamburg

Central High he Western New York Girls School girls Varsity Ice Hockey Federa- who want to tion hits the ice on Tuesday, play hockey are busy raising monNovember 18 at Nichols arena ey for the team. when the Nichols girls face Am- “You’ve got to give credit to herst/Sweet Home.

West Seneca,” Superintendent Vin It’s a 5:45 p.m. start followed cent Coppola said. by a game at the Lincoln Arena He said West Seneca has about between Kenmore and Orchard 12 players, and Hamburg will Park/Frontier at 8:15 p.m. probably have about six.

This season Hamburg High

“They need our girls to round Join the University at Buffalo Women’s out the team,” he said.

Ice Hockey team Hamburg girls and their parfor their First Annual Recruitment ents have been Day! pushing for a school team for at least three years. Parents said many of the Hamburg and West Seneca girls have played together on club teams.

The district said it will cost $3,000 to compete

in the Section VI Girls Ice Hockey November 15th, 2014 Federation.

Tour of North Campus, 11:00 AM Donations may be made to the Tour of Rink, 2:30 PM Hamburg Booster Team’s Game against UCal of Pennsylvania, 5:00 PM Club, with girls After Game Party, 8:00 PM hockey written on checks.

“Hopefully

T

next year it won’t be an issue,” one parent said.

The big news this season is that the New York State Girls Varsity Ice Hockey Championships will be played in HarborCenter. This is the first time Buffalo has hosted the event. Kenmore made it to the championships for the past two years traveling to Canton and Alexandria Bay for the Tournament.

The League is still looking for schools to participate in the Federation. The teams have different funding being school supported, partially school supported and supported through fundraising by the players and their families.

Several of the former WNYGVIH players have gDI DIII and club level.

For information on bringing your school into the Federation, contact Rick Hopkins at rhopkins@ williamsvillek12.org or rihop126@ roadrunner.com The full schedule of games can be found at grils4varsityicehockey. com

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West Hockey / Page 50

(Women’s College continued from Page 37)

RIT

T h e women’s ice hockey team had the pleasure of opening their season in the new Gene Polisseni Center against the Pursuit of Excellence Hockey Academy in an exhibition game.

While they lost the game 3-2 they made history Opening Faceoff in New Polisseni Center vs skating in that Union College (Photo by Janet Schultz) building for the first time before 1,042 fans.

In their first league season opener they beat Union 2-1 as Captain Lindsay Grigg and Sophomore Lindsay Stanason scored with Senior Goaltender Ali Binnington (pictured below) stopping 19 shots. In her 15th career shutout, RIT took Union in the second game 2-0.

The Tigers first loss came at the hands of New Hampshire but they came back to tie Northeastern the following day.

Freshman forward Darcy Henderson (Burlington Ont/ Burlington Barracuda) was named CHA Rookie of the Week for October 12. She scored her first collegiate goal in a 2-2 tie against Northeastern. With RIT goaltender Brooke Stoddart (Elmvale, Ontario/Elmvale) pulled for the extra attacker, Celeste Brown (Great Falls, MT/National Sports Academy) won a faceoff cleanly in the Northeastern zone and fired a shot on net that Huskies goaltender Chloe Desjardins stopped. Brown’s rebound came right to a wide open Henderson in front of the net, who calmly buried the shot into the open

side, sending the loud crowd into a frenzy.

The Tigers are 5-2-1 overall and head into November to face CHA rivals Lindenwood, Penn State, Mercyhurst and RPI as well as Princeton.

Veterans Day Celebrated at RIT

With Veterans Day approaching on Tuesday, Nov. 11, the Greater Rochester community always rises to the occasion to honor our veterans from all five branches of the service. This year, that Day of Valor will be extended to a full Valor Week that will be bracketed by contributions from the RIT men’s and women’s hockey teams with the online auction of special military themed game-worn jerseys. The men will wear the jerseys on Nov. 7-8 vs. Holy Cross, while the women will don them on Nov. 14-15 vs. Penn State, with all games taking place at RIT’s brand new Gene Polisseni Center. The jersey auction will start on Nov. 5 and end at 10 a.m. on Nov. 17. Visit www.ritathletics.comfor more information.

All funds generated from the auctions will be distributed to a number of local agencies serving veterans of the Greater Rochester area through the all-volunteer One Team One Fight effort. Each player’s jersey will bear a special patch remembering the men and women from the Greater Rochester area who made the ultimate sacrifice in Iraq and Afghanistan. The team will also honor fallen Rochester Police Officer and veteran Daryl Pierson on one sleeve, as well as the “One Team One Fight” phrase on the back. RIT is honored to be part of a larger community effort to recognize and remember all of our veterans.

The fourth annual RIT Veterans Day Breakfast and program for the RIT community veterans and families will occur from 8 a.m. – 10 a.m. in the Gordon Field House on Nov. 11.

University of Buffalo Preview The University of Buffalo Lady Ice Bulls moved from the DI division to D2 in their league.

“We did it so we are closer in skill with the teams we play,” said Head Coach Melissa Jechovich.

They are in the ACAH but in the CHE League.

“We are short on numbers this year so we can compete better at this level,” Jechovich explained. “We have only a couple of freshman so the core of our team is returning.

Jechovich has recruited Williamsville Varsity Ice Hockey Goaltender Theresa Meosky (Pictured). Meosky will provide

some great entertainment and a lot of saves for the Buffalo team

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www.nyhockeyonline.com if she continues her play from her four years with the WNY Girls Varity Ice Hockey Federation.

“We played a scrimmage against Rochester and she faced so many shots; she was awesome,” said Jechovich.

Joining the team this year are Catherine McCulle, a grad student coming from Buffalo State; Stephanie Pickard, Buffalo and and Lynn Copeland, Skaneateles.

Pickard played for Frontier/ Orchard Park of the WNY Girls Varsity Ice Hockey League. She had a goal and three assists in nine games in the WNYGVIHF.

Copeland played for the Skaneateles Girls Ice Hockey Team.

Skaneateles shared the 2013-14 NYS Championship with Potsdam. Copeland had 8 goals and 6 assists last season.

They will face some tough competition in the University of California (Pennsylvania). Penn State and U of CA were in the finals last season and Penn State moved to DI this season.

“It’s a lot better this season going in and know more about how everthing works,” said Jechovich, who took over the team as the season began last year.

She has also added Michelle Donlon as her assistant coach.

“The fans will see women working hard, having fun and enjoying the sport they love,” said Jechovich.

The UB Lady Ice Bulls play out of

West Hockey / Page 51 Northtowns Arena in Amherst with 20 game scheduled there.

This season’s roster includes Jessie Schreiber, Mamie Talty, Fallon Waxman, Courtney Thornton,Gabby Caruso, Kasey Seidlinger and Kaitlyn Simmons in addition to those mentioned above.

At press time Buffalo is 2-2-0 on the season. Talty has 3 goals/6 assists and Courtney Miller as 5 goals/3 assists.

Buffalo plays Liberty College November 1 and 2 on the road and then returns home to face West Chester on November 8 and 9 and California University on November 15 and 16. They are then off until after the New Year.

The photographs are from the UB vs Brockport game held at Northtowns. UB lost 8-6.

NIAGARA UNIVERSITY

The NU Women’s team lost their first two games this season.

The first loss came at the hands of Syracuse with a 3-0 shutout for the Orange and the second was a 6-1 loss to Cornell. They now look to face Geneseo, Oswego, Syracuse and Brockport in November.

They will be hosting an alumni game on December 5 at 9:30 in Dwyer Arena.

(Photos below from UB/Brockport Game in October)

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Western New York Men’s College Hockey Report

by Warren Kozireski

Wkozires@brockport.edu

BROCKPORT The Golden Eagles broke a three-year non-playoff streak by winning their final four games of the regular season before falling to Buffalo State in the SUNYAC quarterfinals.

They hope to build on that late-season momentum after losing just three primary layers to graduation.

“We’re looking to build on a very successful finish to last season,” head coach Brian Dickinson said.

“Playing five out of our first six games at home will be vital to us getting off to a quick start so that we can position ourselves well in the standings early and hopefully not wait to get hot in the second semester, which we’ve had to do the past couple of seasons.”

Freshman Jake Taylor led the squad in goals and will team with leading scorer Chase Nieuwendyk on the top line. Juniors Shane Cavalieri, James Ryan and Jess Facchini plus senior Troy Polino all return at forward after scoring ten or more points last season.

First Team All-SUNYAC defenseman Chris Luker (New Hartford / Buffalo Jr. Sabres), senior Bobby Chajka, juniors Jonathan Demme and Chad Cummings plus sophomore Robbie Hall will all see regular playing time on the blueline.

In goal, senior Aaron Thomas, who missed over two months last season, junior Jared Lockhurst and sophomore Andrew Wisner will battle for playing time.

According to Dickinson, top recruits Dylan Shapiro (Rochester Jr. Americans) and Ryan Kangas will compete for top six forward spots right away. Hilton native “Brian Hurlimann and Dylan Howatt (Buffalo Jr. Sabres) will look to provide a physical presence

West Hockey / Page 52 on Defense as well as help create some offense with their quick, heavy shots from the point.”

After opening with Hobart Halloween night and at Nazareth to start November, the Golden Eagles jump into conference action at home against Potsdam, Plattsburgh and Geneseo for three consecutive games. They will again play in the Castleton Tournament Thanksgiving weekend.

BUFFALO STATE

It is officially the post-Kevin Carr era for the Bengals as one of nine seniors and an underclassman who have left huge voids in the line-up and plenty of questions.

(I am) excited about the upcoming season,” head coach Nick Carriere, who enters his tenth season behind the bench three wins shy of 100 career wins, said.

“A fair amount of change for Buffalo State. We lost nine seniors to graduation, including the teams second ever all-American Kevin Carr. With a big class of new blood, it should be an exciting season for Buffalo State.”

Mike Delavergne (Pawling) will receive the first shot at the starting job in goal after seeing less than two periods of action his entire freshman year.

Leading scorer Dan Turgeon decided to forgo his senior season and Mike Zanella completed his eligibility leaving sophomores Taylor Pryce and Nick Berst (Depew) as the leading returning scorers along with juniors Brett Hope and Ryan Salkeld. Nick Melligan (Sanborn), who was the team’s leading scorer two seasons ago before taking a year off, also rejoins as a much-needed proven commodity on offense.

The blueline corp. will be led by a junior trio of Ben Kramer, Todd Graham and Sean Hrivnak plus sophomore Charles Lapierre with plenty of room for newcomers.

There is nothing jumping right into the deep end of the pool. The Bengals open Halloween weekend with Division III final four participant Oswego and Cortland on back-to-back nights. They also have a challenging non-conference schedule with two games at defending national champ St. Norbert Thanksgiving weekend and a trip to the Norwich Tournament

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www.nyhockeyonline.com with Colby and Neumann in early January.

CANISIUS The squad earned their second victory of the season at the earliest date in four seasons starting 2-2.

Included was their first win at the First Niagara Center (formerly HSBC Arena) with a win over Western Michigan Oct. 10. They are now 1-6-1 all-time at the arena.

Junior forward Ralph Cuddemi was named Atlantic Hockey co-Player of the Week for the period ending October 19th after netting a hat trick Oct. 17 against Army.

Freshman Nolan Sheeran (East Amherst) netted his first collegiate goal Oct. 17 against Army.

ERIE CC The Kats open with a pair of games against club teams before their conference opener Nov. 7-8 hosting Hudson Valley in their new digs at HarborCenter.

FREDONIA Squeaking into the final playoff spot after going winless in their final five regular season games, the Blue Devils season ended in the SUNYAC quarterfinals at Oswego.

The offense in general and the power play specifically proved to be an issue with a tied for last in the conference 45 goals, but Stephen Castriota and Jared Wynia are back for the final campaigns after netting 12 of the team’s 17 extra-man goals one year ago. Senior Brian Doust also will shoulder more of the offensive expectations.

“You go into each season very excited and optimistic,” head coach Jeff Meredith said. “Fredonia needs to get on the winning way track this year and do it right from the start....not waiting until the Christmas Break. Look for the Devils to have some sophomores break out and have good seasons after they experienced college hockey last year for the first time.

Among those second year forwards are Hunter

West Hockey / Page 53 Long, Blake Forslund and Frankie Hart.

Ryan Wilkinson, Zach White, Mitch Kaufman and senior Corey Meikert anchor the defense in front of the goaltending duo of Jeff Flagler and Chris Eiserman.

“Having two goalies who are no longer freshmen will be a big thing as they both got their feet wet last year.”

Among the new faces, “both Jamie Young and Oskar Gerhardson will contribute on the power play right away (from the blueline) as this was a sore point for us the last two years. Look for (forwards) Damien Kulynych and Marcus Andersson to help the Devils in the goal scoring department.” Goaltender Nick Harper (Baldwinsville) also arrives via the high school level and will be weaned on the college game.

The Blue Devils launch into conference action right away with hosting Cortland and Oswego opening weekend.

GENESEO After winning their first regular season SUNYAC crown since 1990, setting a school mark for wins in a season, winning their first NCAA playoff game and advancing all the way to the final four before falling to eventual champion St. Norbert, what do the Knights do for an encore?

Six of the team’s top seven scorers are back led by Tyler Brickler, Stephen Collins (Pittsford), Ryan Stanimir, Justin Scharfe (Webster), David Ripple and Jack Ceglarski, so the offense will likely be potent again.

Senior Jack Caradonna and a trio of juniors in Nate Brown, Matt Sullivan and Matthew Hutchinson plus sophomores Cam Hampson and Derek Stahl will see plenty of icetime on defense with junior Nick Horrigan and senior Bryan Haude (Hilton) playing the bulk of time in net.

The Knights open with five consecutive SUNYAC games beginning with a pair at Morrisville. Traditional top-tier teams Adrian, Elmira, Hobart and Neumann will provide a measuring stick during the January non-conference schedule.

The 2014 Geneseo Sports Hall of Fame class included 2001 grad Aaron Coleman in ceremonies held Oct. 18. Coleman (Buffalo) graduated 10th on the

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www.nyhockeyonline.com Knights’ all-time scoring list with 158 points, while finishing eighth in career goals (71) and 10th in career assists (87) despite missing his junior season with an injury. He was named the 1998 SUNYAC Rookie of the Year and a second-team conference selection after scoring 51 points (21 goals, 30 assists), before landing first-team All-SUNYAC honors as a sophomore (28 goals, 24 assists) and as a senior (22 goals, 33 assists).

In the 39-year history of the program, only 17 players have reached the 50-point plateau in a single season, while Coleman is one of only four players to do it three times.

NAZARETH The Golden Flyers embark on their third season in Division III after improving from six wins to eight last season and with the core of the team still on the roster.

“We feel we can improve on last year’s performance,” head coach George Roll said. “We lost a lot of close games and with more maturity and confidence we are hopeful we can turn those losses into wins. As we move into our third season we have more depth at every position and feel we do not have to rely on a few players to carry the load.”

Team captain Scott Dawson along with January transfer Donny Olivieri and James Redman are the mainstays on the blueline along with underclassmen Travis Hill and Geoff Bagnall.

Up front, leading scorer and ECAC West Rookie of the Year Ben Blasko, senior Julius Tamasy, who missed the second half of last season due to injury, and senior Tommy Seravalli will be called on to provide the offensive numbers. Secondary scoring should come from David Seward (Williamsville), Jon-Paul Durso (Penfield) and Niagara transfer Rocky Gruttadauria (Spencerport/Jr. Sabres), who played nine games with the team last year.

Sophomore goaltender Ed Zholshek returns for his junior year after making 23 starts last season.

“We feel good about our class. Transfers Marcus Moles (Fredonia), Dom Gabaj (Monroe CC) and Brandon Lane (Robert Morris) should make an immediate impact. Matt Mazella Dman from the junior Bruins should also be an impact guy for us.”

West Hockey / Page 54 The team opens with Brockport at home Nov. 1 before starting ECAC West action the following weekend at Utica. They will also be part of the Oswego Classic with Tufts and St. Scholastica the first weekend in January.

NIAGARA The Purple Eagles were winless in the first four games for the first time in the program’s history. They begin an important stretch of 14 straight conference games Oct. 31 leading up to a trip to North Dakota in January.

Freshmen Robert Angiolella and Derian Plouffe each netted their first collegiate goals. Angiolella’s came in the opening loss to Clarkson while Plouffe scored his the next night versus St. Lawrence.

R.I.T. The Tigers’ 5-2 opening night victory over St. Lawrence marked just the second time in the Division I era that they won the first game at home. Now 2-7-2, the only other win came at Michigan in 2012.

The team sold out Blue Cross Arena (10,000+) for the fifth consecutive year in their Brick City Homecoming loss to Boston College.

(Continued from Page Head coach Wayne Wilson and associate head coach Brian Hills’ alma mater Bowling Green will be the opponent next year.

OTHER AREA NOTES: • Army sophomore goaltender Parker Gahagen (Buffalo) was named Atlantic Hockey Goaltender of the Week for the period ending Oct. 19 after his 28save first career shutout effort against Canisius Oct. 18.

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West Hockey / Page 55

Gene Harrington Invitational at Hyde Park Arena 41 teams took part in the 2014 Gene Harrington 2014 Niagara Showdown on October 24-26.

For the Championship Group 1 it was the Valley Youth Hockey Bruins 6-2 over the Caldeon Hawks.

The Whitby Wildcats prevailed 4-1 over the Amherst Knights in Group 2.

Amherst beat the Binghamton Junior Senators to get to the final. The Senators beat Webster to get to that final against Amherst. The Senators and Cyclones were in the B Division of Group 2.

In Group 3 it was the Elmira Jackals beating Kitchener Rangers to get to the championship round; where they fell 3-2 to Duffield Devils.

In Group 4 it was the East Gwillimbuy Eagles 3-1 over the Whitby Wildcats.

The Suburgan Stars took Markham 5-1 in Group 5 and the Burlington Bulldogs beat the Toronto Aeros 5-0 in Group 6.

The Vaughn Rangers beat the Toronto Blues 5-4 to take the Group 7 Championship.

The tournament was held in the refurbished and remodeled Hyde Park Ice Arena in Niagara Falls, New York.

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Bisons Squirt Minor celebrate winning the Erie Fall Faceoff (Bisons Photo)

West Hockey / Page 56 On Page 57 are photos of HarborCenter and Dedication of Tim Horton Memorial.

The Tim Horton Bakery and Cafe is the only one of its kind dedicated to #2 Tim Horton. The decor pays tribute to the hockey player and his career. Across the street the statue has been placed just outside what was the Aud at the end he would have defended for two periods. His stick leads you to the coffee cafe.

Next door is 716, an upscale sports bar that features culinary delights that pay tribute to the 716 area code. The 38 ft. television is said to be the largest TV in North America and the walls contain trivia about each number.

The arena is the most exciting part of this Center. It’s bright, has an energy and will play host to some of the largest tournaments in the country including the USA Sled Hockey, US Women’s U18 and the USA Prospects.

HarborCenter is home ice to Canisius College DI program and Erie Community College as well as a state-of-the art training/fitness facility--Impact Sports Performance.

NY Hockey will share more photos in the coming months!

Medaille Mavericks

T

he Medaille Mavericks are off to a rough start losing their opener to Geneseo 6-2. They beat Daemen 6-2 and D’Youville 8-4 but took losses UB, Fredonia and an overtime loss to Geneseo. They tied Gannon.

They look for play St. John Fisher and Fredonia in November Leading the scoring are Austin Ford with 7 goals/3 assists and Nick Pagliacci 3 goal/5 assists.

Photographs are from the Geneseo game on October 25.

(Photos by Janet Schultz)

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West Hockey / Page 57

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