NY HOCKEY APRIL 2015
VOLUME 4 ISSUE 7
E-MAGAZINE
Plattsburgh Women National Champs
A Championship 42 Years in the Making!
Dear Reader:
In This Issue: 42 Years Coming.......................... 6 Bethlehem Trip...........................27 Bridget Smith..............................16 Buffalo Stars................................46 Buffalo Sabres.............................59 Cazenovia Moving Ahead......50 Central Section...........................14 Center State Stampede...........19 Coaching with Gridley.............11 East Section.................................23 Janosz Goaltending.................... 8 LaFontaine Comes Home.......28 Lockport Express.......................42 Lukey’s Legacy............................45 NA3EHL.........................................60 North Section..............................31 NY to Nationals............................. 4 NY to NHL.....................................59 NYC Women.................................24 Plattsburgh Champs.................32 Putnam Awards..........................56 Red Army Review........................ 7 Scott Tourney..............................51 SuperTy.........................................26 Syracuse Nationals....................22 Usiak: The Michigan..................39 West Section...............................37 WNYGVIH Rap.............................38
March as been a pretty big month for those of us involved with NY Hockey OnLine Magazine and Web page. There has been a great deal of hockey activity going on across New York State. I would like to take a moment to thank all of you who have been contributing articles, photos and hockey information for us to use in the magazine. It has been amazing and very helpful. Please keep up the great work of submitting information, articles and photos, to use in future magazines. If you have any ideas for stories, please feel free to contact us. We included as much as we could for the April issue. Please note that we will put results in from the Nationals, as well as any other championships that took place in late March, in our May issue. If you know of anyone who might want to advertise in our magazine or web page, please have them contact us. When you receive our magazine pass it along. The more readership we have the better it is for everyone. Again, thanks for your continued support of our magazine. Best Wishes, Randy Schultz Publisher/Managing Editor NY Hockey OnLine Left: NYHOL’s Randy Schultz receives a Putnam Award for service to the organization from Lindsey and Shannon Putnam. We thank them for their kind gesture!
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 State / Page 4
Off To the Nationals
Congratulations to the NYS teams playing for a National Championship! Tier I Youth: Amherst Knights 14U; Buffalo Jr. Sabres 14U; Amherst Knights 16U; Syracuse Stars 16U; Amherst Knights 18U; Buffalo Jr. Sabres 18U. Tier II Youth: Niagara Jr.Purple Eagles 14U; Cheektowaga Warriors 16U; St. Lawrence Thunder 18U Tier I Girls: Rochester Monarchs 14U; Syracuse Nationals 16U; Niagara Jr. Purple Eagles 19U Tier II Girls: Amherst Knights 14U; West Seneca Wings 16U; Cazenovia Chiefs 19U. Women’s: Lasker Lady Hawks Sr. A; Rochester Edge Sr. B; Buffalo Ice Breakers Sr. C. Juniors: NY Aviators
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he Plattsburgh State women’s ice hockey team captured their second-straight and fourth National Championship defeating the Elmira Soaring Eagles 3-2. Plattsburgh State would take a penalty 6:32 into the game but it was the Cardinals that struck first on a Giovanna Senese breakaway short-hand goal. The Huntley, Ill., native deked forehand before roofing one backhand over Elmira goaltender Kyle Nelson. Elmira would respond quickly in the second period as 2015 Laura Hurd winner Ashley Ryan would slip one through the legs of Leon-
Around New York State / Page 5
ard to tie the game 1-1, 1:51 into the middle frame. Junior, Bridget Balisy would put the Cardinals back on the top 2-1 when she collected a loose puck off an Elmira defenseman in front of the net before making a move beating Nelson five-hole. The Cardinals would add to their lead making it a 3-1 game when Kayla Meneghin received a cross ice pass right at the bottom of the right circle putting it short side over Nelson. Elmira wouldn’t go down quietly and would take back some of the momentum when Olivia Nystrom beat Leonard just 29 sec-
onds after Plattsburgh State score its third goal. Elmira would pull their goalie to try to gain the equalizer but the Cardinals defense wouldn’t break steering away every Elmira opportunity. Leonard would make 22 saves on 24 shots while Nelson would make 27 on 30 shots. The 2015 NCAA All-Tournament team featured Norwich’s Kaycie Anderson and UW-River Fall’s Paige Johnson. From Elmira was Ashley Ryan and representing Plattsburgh State was Balisy, Leonard and tournament MVP Giovanna Senese. Plattsburgh State finished 262-2 and hoisted its second National Championship in the Stafford Ice Arena in as many seasons. Elmira ended the season 26-31 and in second place. It was the fifth time Plattsburgh State and Elmira with the Cardinals claiming a slight edge 3-2 on the season. With the win Plattsburgh State becomes the all-time leader in National Championships claiming its fourth title.
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Around New York State / Page 6
Maine Endwell Spartans Make History --First Broome County High School Hockey Association League Championship Win In 42 Years!
no, Taylor Savage, Austin Savage and Rebecca Reynolds. Head coach is Alfred Gorick, and assistants are David Schoonover, Lou Giordano and Bill Reifler. Wilber led the league in goals and points for the playoffs with 13 goals and 18 points in six games. Reifler tied for the lead in assists with nine and was second overall in scoring with 13 points. The task seemed rather daunting for the MaineEndwell hockey team. Relegated to the los(Photos and Story by Jennifer Lasher) er’s bracket of the Broome County High School Hockey As- three straight games in order to win its first league championship. he Maine-Endwell hockey sociation playoffs following a 4-1 team defeated Vestal, 4-1, to loss to Vestal, M-E needed to win (Continued on Page 13) win the Broome County High School Hockey Association title at SUNY Broome Community College. It is their first title in 42 Years! Team members include Jeremy Wilber, Ryan Reifler, Colin Wenzel, Noah Woodsinger, Cody Kicsak, Nick Giordano, Matt Mancini, Alex Robitaille, Matthew Malone, Hunter Gorick, Will Harrison, Devin Lasher, Chris McVannan, Kyle Balmer, Sam Giorda-
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NYHOL Screens “Red Army” by Randy Schultz Randy@nyhockeyonine.com
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n the documentary, “Red Army,” director Gabe Polsky scores a hat trick. The documentary is based on the history of one of the most powerful hockey teams ever assembled on the face of the earth: The Soviet Red Army Team. Polsky’s center character in this documentary is Slava Fetisov, considered the greatest hockey players to ever lace up a pair of skates in the Soviet Union. The former defenseman is one of the most decorated hockey players in the history of the game, including induction into the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto, Canada. First, Polsky gives the viewer a look at post-World War II Soviet history. It goes from Soviet leader Joseph Stalin, who helped develop the Soviet hockey machine, through the Cold War, to the decline and fall of the Soviet Union to the country today.
Around New York State / Page 7
Second, an informal history of the Soviet Red Army Team is also presented. Fetisov is shown as a young boy of 10 being chosen to play in the Soviet hockey system that had been established right up through his days in the National Hockey League. Third, and probably the most important part, Polsky portrays all of the sacrifices the Red Army Team had to make that people on the outside never saw. An example would be of how a married member of the team would be sent away from his family to a hockey camp for 11 months and only be able to see his wife and children for a mere 34 days. That included isolation at Christmas, birthdays and other holidays. The “Russian Five,” which are considered the best five hockey players ever assembled to play on a sheet of ice, are also highlighted. They include Alexei Kasatanov, Sergei Makarov, Igor Larionov, Vladimar Krutov and Fetisov. This is a hockey documentary worth watching. It is one that all hockey fans, historians and young players should go and see. It will open a lot of eyes.
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J A N O S Z G O A L T E N D I N G
Janosz Goaltending / Page 8
IMPROVE PUCK TRACKING By: Bob Janosz
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n previous articles we discussed the necessary footwork, basic positioning, and save techniques required to give the goaltender the best possible chance to make the save. A necessary and often neglected part of actually making the save is Puck Tracking. This is the ability of the goaltender to read the release of the stick and follow the puck all the way to the body, and away from the body. Reading the puck off the stick early will allow the goaltender more time to be able to react and determine what save skill to use. Puck tracking is a simple concept, but there are some common causes of why it is often neglected. Goaltenders who do not concentrate on every shot in practice can develop bad habits of “looking past the puck” and focusing on where the shot came from instead of where the puck is going. This leads to inaccurate reaction save attempts and difficulty refocusing on where the puck is after the save. Another reason is that too many rapid fire or multiple shot drills will negatively train the goalies to make save attempts without watching the puck all the way into their body. Reading the release is part of puck tracking. Good players try to open up goalies and change the shooting angle with a deceptive release. In order for the goalie to stay square and “in the lane” they must readjust to the shooters stick blade. If they do not readjust the shooter will have more available net to the side they moved the puck to. Reading if the blade is open or closed on the release will also help the goaltender determine if the shot is going to be high or low so they can make the appropriate
save selection. The goaltender must be able to readjust from both a standing and a butterfly position since good players will also change the angle on a rebound or in tight attempt. More concentration on tracking the puck as it leaves the stick will greatly improve reaction time. The goaltender should “slow the release down” and try to “read the writing” on the puck. They should also remember to watch the puck all the way to the body, and after the save, watch it away from the body. Reading the shooters body language and reading the puck release point in relation to shooter foot placement will help determine shot height and direction. Here are the benefits of improved puck tracking: 1. Better positioning by always being square to the puck. 2. More time to react to the puck 3. Better rebound control by tracking pucks into and away from the body Puck tracking is integral part of the goaltenders “react” game and can constantly be improved upon. Goaltenders weak in puck tracking tend to “block” more often than necessary; causing poor rebound control and ultimately an increase in goals.
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Janosz Goaltending/ Page 9
Figure 1 - Goaltender tracking on high shot- no rebound
J A N O S Z G O A L T E N D I N G
Figure 2 - Goaltender tracking puck on low shot-rotate rebound to corner
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Janosz Goaltending / Page 10
Figure 3 - Tracking puck early off stick (more time to react)
J A N O S Z G O A L T E N D I N G
Figure 4 - Tracking puck late off stick (less time to react)
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Now Go Play Something Else!
Coaching with Gridley / Page 11
COACHING WITH CHUCK GRIDLEY
much is too much? This phenomenon ockey season has come New York District Coach in Chief has not always existed. I to an end for most youth graduated high school in hockey players. Leagues 1977, and I can tell you have wrapped up their playoffs that most of my friends and soon the National tournaments will be in the books. and fellow athletes played multiple sports. It was normal Many of our kids have been practicing and playing games back then to play 2 or 3 varsity sports. Bobby Orr never since October...that’s a 5-month season…even longer in attended a hockey camp until he was asked to be an instrucsome cases. So what do you think many of these kids will tor after he turned pro. Wayne Gretzky didn’t play summer be doing in the next few weeks? Playing baseball?...la- hockey...he played baseball and lacrosse. The lack of year crosse?...golfing? Believe it or not, many of them will be round hockey did not destroy their careers. In fact, some going right back to the rink for tryouts for next season’s would argue that playing multiple sports helped them beteam. Some of those teams will even start practicing and come better athletes. playing games. There are spring leagues, summer leagues, The truth about specialization seems to be counter-inskill clinics and hockey camps. For many kids, hockey nev- tuitive. You would think that a player is bound to improve, er ends. and (theoretically) attain their potential by playing a sport Hockey is not the only sport that has fallen victim to the as much as possible. Research tells us that this is not nec12-month season. There are kids out there “specializing” in essarily true. In fact, studies show that multi sport athletes almost every sport. We have 12-month baseball players. We actually develop better in terms of overall athleticism. Playhave 12-month soccer players. We have 12-month Lacrosse ing multiple sports is also likely to help develop a child into players. No youth sport is immune to this problem. It has a more well-rounded person. become the norm in our society for a number of reasons. Another argument against kids playing one sport year Rinks (and other sports facilities) push the idea because round is the increase in injuries. The number of “overuse” they are in the business of making money. Coaches like the injuries has risen dramatically in the last few years. These idea because they think it will help make their teams more types of injuries are now responsible for nearly half of the competitive. Parents go along because they think it will sports related injuries for middle school and high school help their kids get scholarships. And kids buy in because athletes. everyone around them is telling them that they should. We are all guilty of this to some degree, myself included. And (Continued on Page 12) in many cases our kids are very happy to comply because they love the sport and enjoy playing. The question is...how
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Around New York/ Page 12
Women’s Game Gets Boost!
n thrilling news for elite women’s hockey and young women playing the game at all levels, the Montreal Canadiens strengthened the NHL’s connection to the Canadian Women’s Hockey League by announcing a partnership with the league’s most successful team, the Montreal Stars. “With the growing popularity of women’s hockey over the last decade, I think this is the right time to concretely support women who play professional hockey, and, at the same time, promote the sport among up-and-coming players,” Canadiens president Geoff Molson said in a news release. “Entering into a partnership with the Montreal Canadiens affords the CWHL an opportunity to grow women’s hockey hand in hand with one of the most storied franchises in professional sport,” added Brenda Andress, CWHL commissioner. “Female hockey players in Quebec and around the world, along with fans of the CWHL, will be the ultimate beneficiaries of the work we do together.” The Stars are the third of the CWHL’s five current
teams to receive support from an NHL franchise: since 2012, the Toronto Furies receive $30,000 annually from the Toronto Maple Leafs to help offset the costs of travel, uniforms and equipment; and for the same duration, the Calgary Flames have worked with theCalgary Inferno on a number of fronts, including branding and marketing. Since the league’s inception in 2007, the Stars – whose lineup this season included Olympians Charline Labonté, Caroline Ouellette and Julie Chu – have won three Clarkson Cup championships, including the inaugural trophy and consecutive wins in 2011 and 2012, and lost in this year’s final to the Boston Blades. Given that the Canadiens are the NHL’s most successful franchise, the new partnership with the Stars seems especially appropriate. Kudos to the Habs for backing a professional league young women can aspire to play in, or simply, to watch and enjoy.
(Coaching with Gridley Continued from Page 11)
NY Teams Head to Quebec
Hockey was my favorite sport growing up, and certainly remains so today! I remember as a kid the feeling I would get late in the fall, when football was ending and winter was upon us. I couldn’t wait to get back on the ice. My biggest fear with kids playing year round hockey is that they never have the opportunity to miss the game. I think being away from hockey for a few months helps instill the passion that has kept many of us so close to the game for so many years. My plea to parents and coaches is this…allow your kids to get away from the hockey for a bit. Encourage them to play other sports. They might find that they like the break. They might also find themselves loving the game of hockey a little more.
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even NY teams took part in the 56th Annual Pee Wee Quebec International Tournament in February. The Syracuse Nationals (AAA) won 2; lost 2; the Adirondack Red Wings went 1-1; Long Island Stars went 1-1 and lost in the semi-finals; the Buffalo Jr. Sabres, also 1-1 and the NY Rangers went 1-2. At the AAA Elites it was Dix Hills beating Columbus but losing to Czech and SSF Quebec in consolation match; the NY Islanders losing to Slovakia and Lehigh Valley. Syracuse Goalie Pieter Bartelese ranked #4 in the tournament with 2 games played and a .937 average.
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Furthermore, two of those victories would have to come against a (Vestal squad that not only was the defending champion, but which had lost just once in 24 games over both the regular season and postseason. And yet, on the final night at SUNY Broome Ice Center, it was M-E celebrating with the league championship. “I give the kids a lot of credit,” M-E coach Al Gorick said. “We’re not as deep as Vestal, so we had to do it more as a team. “Our kids were determined they weren’t going to lose again.” M-E had lost to Vestal, 4-3, in last year’s BCHSHA title game. It entered this year’s BCHSHA playoffs as the second seed after going 15-4-2 during the regular season, despite losing the services of one of its key players, Kyle Balmer, for the second half of the season due to shoulder surgery.
Around New York/ Page 13 inger, the team’s third-leading scorer, during the playoffs when he took a puck to the knee in a 2-1 loser’s bracket victory over Union-Endicott. Still, M-E rolled to a 7-1 victory on Friday over Vestal following the win over U-E, setting up Saturday’s winnertake-all finale. In Saturday’s victory over Vestal, Jeremy Wilber scored a pair of goals and Ryan Reifler tallied the game-winner late in the second period, while goalie Chris McVannan made 28 saves. “We really made it a point to pressure the puck, and focus on defense first,” Gorick said of the game plan against Vestal. “And we did everything we could to move the puck around as much as possible.” Colin Wenzel (58 points) and Jeremy Wilber (47 points despite missing eight games) were M-E’s leading scorers during the regular season. In the playoffs, Wilber continued his dominance with 18 points in six games, including 13 goals. “Jeremy is a great player, he is the leader.” Gorick said. “The kids look up to him, and we kept saying he had to be that leader and he was. He and Reifler really came up big in the playoffs.”
M-E also lost another key player when Noah Woods-
Around NY Season Memories
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CENTRAL NEW YORK
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Central Hockey / Page 15
Central New York Women’s College Hockey Report by Janet Schultz Janet@nyhockeyonline.com
Utica
The Pioneers pied their coach for America’s Greatest Heart Run and Walk. They headed to Elmira for the ECAC West Final Four after defeating Buffalo 4-1 in the quarters. Elmira beat them 6-3 in the semifinals. They end their season 11-11-5 overall after their 13th appearance in ECAC West Conference Tournament. Former Utica player Megan Myers took home the Clarkson Cup Championship as a member of the CWHL Boston Blades. She is the first Utica player to be drafted into the CWHL. She graduated from Utica in 2014. Eleven players made the All Academic Team including Gabrielle Abbott, Madison Christoff, Keley Dowdall, Marissa McNamara (Camillus/Lysander Lightning), Nicole Schwartz, Janessa Haasbeek, Morgan Reed, MacKenzie Roy (Clinton/Clinton), Emily Coope, Halle Donoko and Victoria Pelton.
Syracuse
Laurence Porlier was named Syracuse Athlete of the Week after her first career goal versus Robert Morris. The Orange headed to the CHA Tournament against Penn State. This was their 12th appearance as they went in 5--6-0 in tournament play. They beat Penn State 2-0, advanced to the finals and lost 2-1 to RIT. Stephanie Grossi was named CHA Rookie of the Year; Coach Paul Flanagan took CHA Coach of the Year. Grossi led all rookies with 29 points during the regular season and Flanagan led the Orange to a #2 seed in the CHA Tournament.
Colgate
Named to the ECAC Academic Honor Roll were Katie Case, Taylor Craig, Mirian Drubel, Nicole Gass, Melissa Kueber, Cat Quirion, Breanne Wilson-Bennett and Annika Zalewski (New Hartford/Nichols School).
Elmira
Elmira advanced to the ECAC West playoffs after downing 4th seed Utica 6-3. Elmira waited for an atlarge bid (March 8) and received it, seeded #2. They had to face NESCAC Trinity. Beating them 26 seconds into overtime on a goal by Brooke Wilgosh and a power play by Erin
Weston advanced to the semi-finals for the second time in three years. Elmira had 11 Soaring Eagles on the ECAC W All-Academic Team including Ashley Ryan (Rochester/Rochester Edge). Also Lindsay Burrows, Cassidy Delainey, Johanna Eidensten, McKenna Farole, Ashton Hogan, Marissa Mongillo, Olivia Nystorm, Phoebe Piku, Anna Tude and Brooke Wilgosh.
Oswego
Buffalo’s Rachel Lenard dropped in both goals in a 2-1 win over Cortland to advance to the ECAC West Quarters. Oswego (#3) ended their season 19-7-1 against #2 nationally, Plattsburgh. They lost 4-2. Named to the ECAC All Academic Team were Lockport’s Ashley Lyman (Nichols School), Bridget Smith (Hamburg/Mississauga Chiefs AA), Tori Trovato (Fulton/ Millbrook) along with LIzzy Marks, Bridget Hamlin, Jayne McCreary, Monica Patten.
Cortland
The Red Dragons closed out their season with a 4-0 loss at Willliam Smith. They then faced Oswego in the ECAC W Quarterfinals, losing 2-1. Thirteen players were named to the ECAC West All-Academic team including New Yorkers Abbie Adams (Potsdam), Sydney Carlucci (Baldwinsville), Maggie Corbett (Queensbury), Katie Gill (Brooklyn), Chelsie Hausberger (West Seneca), Katie Ryan (Windsor) and Ashley Terry (Redford).
(Continued on next Page)
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Central Hockey / Page 16
(Continued from Page 15) Also Taylor Arenz, Kelly Farinella, Sarah Hamilton, Deanna Meunier, Niamh O’Connor and Corey Temple. Adams, Corbett, Hausberger, Meunier and O’Connor are repeat selections from last year, while Hausberger was also named to the team in the 201213 season.
Cornell
Jillian Saulnier was named ECAC Player of the Week and Player of the Month for February after a five-game goal-scoring streak.. In the ECAC Semi-Finals Cornell beat Clarkson 3-1 in the first of two Semi-final games and then lost 7-3 to Harvard in the ECAC Championship Game. (Continued on Page 21)
Smith is Oswego’s First All-American for Women’s Hockey
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he Oswego State women’s ice hockey program earned its first All-American as the Lakers’ lone senior, Bridget Smith, was named First Team All-America East by the American Hockey Coaches Association (AHCA) at the 2015 NCAA Division III Championship pre-tournament banquet in the Angell College Center’s Warren Ballrooms on Plattsburgh’s campus. In 20 appearances for Oswego,
the goaltender compiled a 13-5-1 record and a goals-against average of 1.69. She ranked in the top five nationally in several categories, including third in save p e rce nt a g e (.946) and a tie for third in shutouts (6). Smith also held the 11th spot in the country for minutes played (1172:35) and was 13th with her aforementioned GAA. A pivotal tone-setter as an assistant captain, Smith anchored a defense that was also among the country’s best. Oswego is ranked eighth in Division III in team defense for holding opponents to just 1.67 goals per game. Even more impressive was the squad’s ability to kill penalties,
ranked in the top spot in the country for allowing just six goals in 91 power-play chances for Laker foes. That comes out to a 93.4% success rate in killing penalties, a full 2% higher than the next closest penalty-kill unit. Smith averaged 28.9 saves per game, boasting three 40-save outings, including a season-high 48 saves in a close 4-2 loss to Plattsburgh in the ECAC West Semifinal. Over the Hamburg, N.Y. native’s career, Smith owns a .638 winning percentage, holding a 35-19-4 mark. She finishes her time as a Laker with a .935 save percentage, a 1.79 GAA and 13 shutouts in 58 starts. The Lakers set new program marks behind Smith’s leadership during the 2014-15 campaign, posting more wins overall (19) and within league play (12) since the reboot of women’s ice hockey at Oswego in 2006. Smith will graduate in May with a degree in Chemistry.
(Photo by Michael Bielak)
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Central Men’s College Ice Hockey Report by Warren Kozireski Wkozires@brockport.edu
COLGATE The Raiders advanced to the ECAC Hockey Championship Weekend for the fourth time in five seasons, before losing to Harvard in the title game to end their campaign. Senior forward Joe Wilson (East Syracuse) became just the 12th player in Colgate history to play 150 career games. The milestone came in the ECAC playoff semi-final win over St. Lawrence. In addition to Wilson, captain Spiro Goulakos, John Lidgett, Daniel Gentzler, Brendan Corcoran and Brooks Herrington finished their collegiate careers.
CORNELL The Big Red were swept by Union in the first round of the ECAC playoffs to end their campaign. The series loss marks the first time Cornell has lost in the first round of the ECAC Hockey Championships since the league first implemented its current 12-team playoff format for the 2002-03 season. Senior forward Cole Bardreau (Fairport) has signed a two-year entry-level contract with the Philadelphia Flyers beginning this fall. He started with an Amateur Tryout Contract in March with their AHL affiliate in Lehigh Valley. Bardreau netted 18 goals and 35 assists for 53 points over 103 career games and was Cornell’s leading scorer for the
Central Hockey / Page 17 2014-15 season, scoring five goals with a team-high 17 assists for 22 points. He served as an alternate captain for both the 2013-14 and 2014-15 seasons. Cornell senior defenseman Joakim Ryan has been named to the All-ECAC Hockey First Team, and Bardreau won the league’s Best Defensive Forward Award as well as a spot on the All-ECAC Hockey Third Team. Bardreau, Ryan, John McCarron, Jacob MacDonald, Joel Lowry and Madison Dias completed their eligibility.
CORTLAND Senior forward Nick Zappia (Manlius) was named to the SUNYAC all-conference first team, while freshman forward Dan Broderick (White Plains) has been named the SUNYAC Rookie of the Year. In addition, Broderick and freshman goalie Drew Weigman earned spots on the SUNYAC All-Rookie Team. Zappia, who was a third-team All-SUNYAC choice last season, led Division III nationally through the end of the regular season with 24 goals and 47 points in 25 games. He also tied for first on the Red Dragon squad with 23 assists. He finished his Cortland career sixth all-time in scoring with 109 points on 58 goals and 51 assists. Once the season concluded, he signed a professional contract with the Bakersfield Condors of the ECHL. Broderick finished tied for second in the conference with 40 points. He also tied for first on the team with 23 assists and was second with 17 goals.
ELMIRA After falling to eventual champion Hobart in the semi-finals, the Soaring Eagles said goodbye to seniors Andrew Chiampichini, Eric David plus goaltenders Gavin Gretzky and Ryan DeMelo.
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Central Hockey / Page 18
HAMILTON
MORRISVILLE
Forward Robbie Murden was selected for the 2015 NESCAC Men’s Hockey AllConference Second Team as one of 12 players that received all-conference hon-
The Mustangs missed the SUNYAC playoffs and will see four seniors depart in Alex Lewis, Matthew Beer, Robert Molinaro (Yonkers) and Zac McMichael.
ors. He helped the Continentals advance to the 2015 NESCAC Championship quarterfinals and ranked second in the conference with 15 goals, fifth with 17 assists and third with 32 points.
HOBART The Statesmen (pictured below) captured their third ECAC West Championship by defeating Neumann University, 2-1 in overtime. Senior forward Sean Rudy was named the tournament Most Outstanding Player after wristing home the game-winning goal in overtime to clinch Hobart’s third ECAC Men’s West Championship title. They lost to Oswego in the first round of the NCAA playoffs. Brad McBride, Tomasso Traversa, Sean Rudy, Ryan Michel (Camillus), Robert Sovik, Bronson Kovacs, Peter Ryan, Terrance O’Neill and Brendan Fitzgerald all completed their collegiate careers.
OSWEGO The Lakers lost to Plattsburgh in the SUNYAC final, but earned an at-large bid to the NCAA playoffs and were seeded sixth. They defeated ECAC West champ Hobart in the first round and put on a furious rally in the third period, but lost to top-seed Adrian in the national quarterfinals. Sophomore Shawn Hulshof and Bobby Gertsakis earned First Team All-SUNYAC honors with Hulshof also named the conference’s Herb Hammond Most Valuable Player. Alex Botten and Matt Zawadzki were named to the Second Team and Mike Montagna Third Team. Hulshof recorded 40 points on the year, leading all Lakers and tying him for fourth in the nation. Of those 40 points, 20 are goals, which once again leads the team and ranks him fifth in the country.
UTICA Senior forward Louie Educate and freshman defender Dalton Carter were named to ECAC Men’s West All-Conference teams. Educate, who capped his collegiate career with 122 career points (63 goals, 59 assists) in 108 games played, was named to the second team as a forward while Carter earned second team status and allrookie team honors as a defender. In addition to Educate, others seniors finishing their collegiate careers include Peter Lafosse, Mike Taffe, Mike Baird and Justin Hogan.
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Togetherness by Pam Bianchi
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ommy Bianchi is on a travel team with hockey players from many Central New York high schools. These boys have played on their high school teams as well as the Center State Stampede this past year and some of them have played together for 6 years on this team.
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he players on our roster are: Patrick Major, Ben Russell and Jacob Patalino (Skaneateles), Matt Frye (Syracuse Cougars), Nick Skidmore (Camillus goalie for West Genesee), Tommy Bianchi, Kyle Terzini (Liverpool), Steven Kozikoski (Liverpool goalie), Kaiden Tubbert (Auburn), Jameson Simmonds (Oswego) and Austin Vashaw (Fulton). Joey LaGuardia, Sean Gaffney, Jacob Hyer, JoVon Mucitelli (Whitesboro), Eddie Allen, Peter Burke (Clinton), and James Holmes, Zach Cole (New Hartford) and Jacob Stowell (Cazenovia). This is a 16U travel team and the kids actually face off against each other on the ice during regular season games, but yet come together to play as one skilled team at Center State. The home rink for the team is Morrisville IcePlex, and just to get to practice the families are driving
Central Hockey / Page 19 no less than 45 minutes. The team faced a lot of adversity this year with a short bench due to injuries and conflicting games. On Saturday, 2/21/15, the three Liverpool players competed in 2 games of sectionals in Morrisville (one at 8:00 am, arriving at 7:00 am), and one in the afternoon before driving from Morrisville to Camillus in a snowstorm for their third game of the day to face West Genesee at Shove Park that evening at 7:30 PM for high school sectionals. Another amazing fact is that many of these kids play
other sports (football, baseball, lacrosse) and face off against each other on these playing fields as well. They are truly talented athletes! Many have been selected as First and Second All League and Honorable Mention, as well as First and Second team All State athletes. Center State Stampede won all their games on 2/21/15 in the USA Hockey NYS AHA Central Section, making them the 2015 Tier 2 16U Central Section Champions. They also competed at the State Tournament in Buffalo 3/6-8 and won against all teams faced, except Cheektowaga. (Continued on Page Next Page)
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Central News & Notes Rome Youth Hockey Congratulations to the Rome Youth Hockey Board for 2015-16: Peter Kirk, President Gary Millington, Vice President Marcus Smith, Secretary Kristin Haag, Treasurer Kim Millington, Registrar Dean Millington, Travel Scheduler Chris Narolis, Snowbelt Scheduler Nate Van Wie, Mite Director Rob Kopek, Coaching Coordinator Chris Graziano, IP Director Returning Directors: Tracey Burris Mic Occhipinti Chris Sharrow New Directors: Kurt Parry
Central Hockey / Page 20 Angie Narolis Bob Gulla Congratuations to Rome’s Kim Millington and Kristen Fleet Haag on receiving the 2015 Bob Miller Volunteer Award. The Rome Grizzlies won the Scottsville Tournament.
Camillus Hockey
The Camillus Girls brought home the Championship from the Gretzky Tournament and from the Boulter. They were the only USA team at the Gretsky and won five games of the five games they played! Coaches were Dave Harter, Jess Poope, Emily Tanzella and Mark Powless.
(Center Stampede Continued from Page 19)
The Skaneateles boys drove all the way from their high school regional games in NYC, arriving around midnight on Saturday(everyone losing an hour of sleep due to Daylight Saving Time) and played in an 8:00 am game Sunday morning against the Rochester Grizzlies. It was a physical game where Center State won by only one goal that was scored in the second shift of the first period! These boys come together as one team and play with a lot of heart and respect for one another. The last game for the State title was against Cheektowaga that same Sunday afternoon and the boys took second. As a result, Center State Stampede is the runner up
At the Boulter Team Captain Sophia burns brought home the MVP award after scoring both goals in a 2-1 victory against Webster.
in NYS with an invitation to compete for the National Title in Plano, Texas at the 2015 Toyota USA Tier II National Hockey Championships beginning March 26th! Throughout this entire hockey season, including high school hockey, this team has learned to handle adversity through hard work and dedication. The Center State team, their coaches and their families are the definition of commitment, friendship, and respect, all for the love of our kids and hockey!
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he Valley Mites won the Syracuse Mite Invitational Tournament. (Submitted photo)
Central Hockey / Page 14
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he Camillius Girls take the Gretzky Tournament. (Submitted photo)
(Continued from Page 16)
Brianne Jenner was named ECAC Hockey Player of the Year for the second time; Emily Fulton and Erin O’Connor were named to the All ECAC Second Team. O’Connor was also named to the ECAC All-Rookie Team. Jenner and Saulnier were named to the First Team.
William Smith
William Smith closes out its Inaugural year 3-21-1 overall and 2-15-1 in the Conference. They shut-out Cortland 4-0 in their final game. Maggie Salmon had 42 saves and Rebecca Begley and Rachel McKay led the team with 2 points. Salmon was named ECAC Co-Rookie of the Week on February 23 and Begley was named to the ECAC AllRookie Team after leading the Herons with 2 goals/6 assists on the season.
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Syracuse Nationals Story and Photos By Dennis Golis
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he 2002 Syracuse Nationals scored three goals in the third period to defeat the LIAHL Champion (#7 USA) Westchester Express, 5-4, and win the NYSAHA Tier I 12U Championship at Bill Gray’s Regional Iceplex. To make their way to the Championship game, the ‘02 Nats defeated the hometown favorite, the Rochester Monarchs, 5-1, in the semi-finals. The Nationals finished first in division I after defeating all three AAA opponents in the preliminary round by a combined score of 27-3. On Friday, they beat the Rochester Americans, 12-1, and the Long Island Royals, 12-0. Saturday, the Nats skated past the (#10) Buffalo Jr. Sabres in a tight battle, 3-2. The 2002 Nationals did well during the event going 5-0-0 and outscoring their opponents 37-8. The
Central Hockey / Page 22
Nats end the season 50-10-2 and ranked #2 in the USA and #3 in North America among all youth teams age 12 and under. The players on the Syracuse Nationals 2002 AAA team are: #32 Peter Bartelse #10 Kaleb Benedict #9 Zachary Bookman #30 Nicholas Golis #5 Michael Herrera #81 Blake Humphrey #44 Ryan Kirwan #66 Nate Mann #6 Hunter McDonald #2 Eamon Powell #21 Niko Rexine #77 Ben Ritter #89 Luke Tuch The coaches are: Terry Kirwan, John Humphrey, Michael Herrera, Michael Rexine, Mark Bookman.
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East Hockey
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East Hockey / Page 24
NYC Women And Their Journey to Wisconsin!
t is hard to believe that about four months ago, the Lasker Lady Hawks were beginning preparations to participate in the Empire State Games, hosted in by Randy Schultz; Photos Courtesy Lasker Ice Hockey the northern section of New York State. Thoughts of going on to any type of USA Hockey National Championships were the farthest thing from the player’s minds. But one gold chosen and taken to the Empire State medal championship later and the Lady Hawks Games where they were undefeated were on their way to the USA Hockey and won the gold medal. Championships in Green Bay, Wis- “Once we were qualified, we then found ourselves preparing and trying consin. So where did this team come to put together another select team from? To find the answer to that and to go to the USA Hockey Nationals to the origins of the Central Park held in Green Bay, Wis.” Hawks Ice Hockey program one has The building blocks for all of this to go to Alan Strachan, Director of began several years when Strachan Hockey for Central Park Hockey in the organized the Central Park Hawks boy’s hockey. He began with an inheart of New York City. “The Lasker Lady Hawks are a t r o d u c t o r y volunteer team of college educated program and woman new to the working envi- built it up from ronment of New York City,” said Stra- there with the chan, who has been the Director of different age Central Park Ice Hockey for 13 years. levels. “All played a high level of hockey The next step came throughout college. “Unfortunately there was no with the Lady and other venue for all women to play in Hawks once they graduated. Most played in Strachan got coed adult leagues and were usually them off the ground. Again the only female on the team. started “At Lasker Rink they created an they all-female and competitive envi- with introduchockey ronment in which over 40 of these tory skilled players play organized hockey and built up together. From that a select team was from there.
“We could not continue to play hockey in a competitive all female environment without the Lady Hawks program providing the spring board for the senior team,” continued Strachan. “Without the effort of Central Park Ice Hockey at Lasker Rink, none of this would be possible. “Ice is donated, coaches are volunteers and all expenses are solely up to the players. The Senior Lady hawks are an offshoot of the girls Lady Hawks.” The girls program consists of U8, U12 and U14 and is currently NYC’s only all-girl hockey teams. The senior team was created from the Thursday Night Skate where over 40 female college grads that played a high level of hockey could have their own sheet in an all-female environment so as to continue their passion.
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Strachan gives a great deal of credit for how successful the women’s hockey program has been Ryann Geldner. “She is the one who brought the women and got them together,” recalled Strachan. “She’s one of my coaches and she also played college hockey. “She helped spread the word to the other women that were playing hockey in and around the New York City area. She put the word out there that Lasker Rink was woman and girl friendly.” Last year a women’s team was basically thrown together to participate in the Empire State Games. They won a bronze medal.
East Hockey / Page 25
From there it was on to the USA Nationals in Massachusetts. We lost, but we also realized that we had something special going on at Lasker Rink in Central Park at the women’s level. From there came the 40 women who came together to play this season on a weekly basis with refs and scorekeepers. But it was kept very informal. Two nights were dedicated to women’s hockey. Thursdays were for A and B level players and Monday were for the beginners which is where Ryann came in.” From there a select team was chosen to represent NYC at the Empire State games and they won a
gold medal. From there it was on to the Nationals (unfortunately that select team lost). “We are very happy with the success we have had here,” concluded Strachan. “We play on twin outdoor rinks at the north end of Central Park. “We hope that the senior team continues to thrive so as to mentor the girls Lady Hawks teams and to provide an extension to their playing careers when they graduate.”
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East Hockey / Page 26
The 2015 SuperTy Invitational
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hen the hockey community gathers together for a tournament you know all the teams will have fun, but this tournament was more than fun! The 2015 SuperTy Invitational was an opportunity for players, families and teams to join as one to spread awareness and raise money for pediatric cancer. Brewster Ice Arena, in Brewster New York hosted the tournament on March 13-15. The Squirt teams who participated in this wonderful event were: Kinnelon Colts, Mamaroneck Tigers, Scarsdale Raiders, Long Island Arrows and SuperTy (Westchester Express). Ty Louis Campbell was known as SuperTy. “We call him SuperTy because he was our little fighter, he graced this earth for five beautiful years, and before he left he made it a better place to live,” responds mom, Cindy Camp-
bell. The tournament raised money for the Ty Louis Foundation, by having a bake sale, candy sale, raffles, Chuck-a-Duck, charity skate, Mite Jamboree and a silent auction. To top off the weekend, Tom Laidlaw, former NY Ranger was present for some autographs and pictures. Luana Kottman says, “What a wonderful way to teach our children about giving back. Working as a team does not always mean on the ice.” The SuperTy team plays hard for all the children that are not able to. The players and their families realize how fortunate they are and are trying to help spread awareness and raise funds for pediatric cancer. This tournament was the perfect opportunity to do that. The Kinnelon Colts were the winners of the 2015 SuperTy Invitational.
All the teams played hard but all left with a deeper meaning. They were all winners because they came together to help the fight for pediatric cancer. The Westchester Express Mite Majors and Squirt Minors skate throughout the year wearing their SuperTy jerseys. Our players our honored to bring Ty to all the rinks they skate at! For more info on the Ty Louis Campbell foundation please go to www.superty.org. (Story and photo submitted by Organization)
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East Hockey / Page 27
Bethlehem’s Road To a State Championship!
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he Bethlehem Youth Hockey Association PeeWee A Team won the New York State Tier II Championship. Over the recent years, BYHA has participated in several state tournaments which are great accomplishments, however the 2014-2015 PW A Team marks the first in BYHA history to win a State Championship!! This season was a journey that 14 players, 5 coaches, all parents and countless fans will never forget. The Championship Players: #2, Michael Cochran, #3 Ethan Mash, #4 Grace Spath, #5 Maddie LeBel, #11, Anthony Denison, #13 Jack Lucey, #14 Dylan Kowalsky, #17 Chris Gallagher, #21 Michael Bievenue, #22 William Bievenue, #27 Justin Chenaille, #40 Matthew Conforti, #53 Josh Coburn, #62 Owen Hebert. The Championship Coaches:
Head Coach Ken LeBel assisted by, Paul Hebert, Rusty Gallagher, Brian Lucy, and Rick Kowalsky. At the start of this season, over 100 Pee Wee A teams throughout NY State competed to qualify for the State Tournament. However only 8 teams comprised of the 1st and 2nd place finishers from each of the 4 zones ultimately get that chance. The Eagles first game was a rematch from last year’s state tournament with a much different outcome this weekend. They beat the 1st place team from the West Zone, Niagara Purple Junior Eagles 5 to 2. The second game of the weekend marked the Eagles second win with a convincing 6 to 3 victory over Lysander who finished 1st in the Central Zone. This win gave the Eagles 6 points and guaranteed them an opportunity to play in one of the two
state semifinal games. The weekend’s third game was the only loss which came at the hands of the NY Aviators who were the 2nd place team from the East Zone. Loosing this game placed the Eagles in the crossover game vs. rival, St. Lawrence Thunder who finished 1st in the North Zone. Also, St. Lawrence was the 1st place seed from their bracket in Sunday’s crossover game with the winner advancing to the championship game. An exciting game that was never in question, the Eagles won 6 to 0. The fifth game of the weekend was a pressure packed rematch pitting the Eagles against the NY Aviators. The final score of 9 to 2 was an exhibition of teamwork and hockey with a purpose resulting in STATE CHAMPIONSHIP!! Overall the PW A team finished with an impressive record of 50 wins and 8 loses which includes wins vs. teams from across the northeast, MA, CT and VT. The state championship speaks to the dedication of many volunteer across the organization and coaches who work to put together the developmental environment that challenges and brings out the best in each player. Finally, thank you to the parents who without your commitment none of this is possible. Submitted by Keith Conforti, BYHA Volunteer, PW Coordinator
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LaFontaine Comes Home! By Cory Wright - Islanders.com
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ans were literally sleeping through Pat LaFontaine’s shining moment as an Islander. It came during Game 7 of the Patrick Division semifinals – the 1987 Easter Epic – against the Washington Capitals. The game was in its sixth hour and its seventh period and the theme from the Twilight Zone was playing over the organ as the clock approached 2 a.m. A weary LaFontaine had taken oxygen between OT periods to get through the exhaustion, but several fans in the stands at Washington’s Capital Centre had succumbed, falling asleep in their seats. LaFontaine still remembers the vivid details of his game-winning goal. He can still see Gord Dineen’s pass hit a stick and land on his backhand before spinning around and shooting – the only time he said he’s spun and shot in his career – in a desperate attempt to get the puck on net. He heard the puck hit the post and prepared to skate back down the ice, until he saw Capitals goalie Bob Mason drop to one knee in defeat. LaFontaine recalled many surreal moments as he greeted the media Tuesday morning, ahead of being honored by the Islanders at center ice that night. He spoke of being a teenager in Michigan and watching John Tonelli pass to Bobby Nystrom on May 24, 1980, only to center the
East Hockey / Page 28 duo four years later in his first NHL game. “Never in my wildest dreams did I think I’d be centering John Tonelli and Bobby Nystrom in my first game,” LaFontaine said. “I had to pinch myself every day because it exceeded my wildest dreams.” LaFontaine scored 566 points (287 goals, 279 assists) in 530 games for the Islanders over eight seasons with the team. As a 19-year-old he learned from what he called the greatest team in sports, citing the Islanders dynasty roster, Head Coach Al Arbour and General Manager Bill Torrey. He said Arbour taught him what it meant to truly earn your ice and that left a life-long impression on LaFontaine, both on the ice and off of it. “I left this game with gratitude and it was a privilege for me to play because nothing early on was handed to me. I thank Al Arbour for that,” LaFontaine said. “I always joke with the kids, if you can pass Al Arbour’s mental boot camp for two weeks, you can play 15 years in the league.” From the players, he learned attention to detail and hard work, two key factors in their Cup runs, but the most important thing he learned was the importance of giving back to the community. “Each guy was involved in doing something in the community and giving back,” LaFontaine said. “That’s something I learned early on – the position you’re in as a player and as an athlete and the difference you can make and to always understand and recognize that and try to give back in the community where you play.” LaFontaine still carries that responsibility of giving back, as the founder of the Companions in Cour-
age Foundation, which builds interactive playrooms in hospitals across North America. While his reach extends beyond the shores of Long Island, LaFontaine remains close with the community. His wife is from Huntington, his son grew up playing for the Long Island Royals and he continues to make a life here. “I’ve been on Long Island for 31 years,” LaFontaine said. “Long Island is near and dear to me. This is our home. This is where it started for me.” So as the Islanders continued to celebrate and honor their past, LaFontaine got his chance to say goodbye to Nassau Coliseum. And unlike his shining moment on Easter Sunday in 1987, everyone was awake, alert and hung on his every word. Reprinted With Permission of Islanders. com
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Eastern New York Men’s College Hockey Report by Warren Kozireski
Wkozires@brockport.edu
ARMY
Tyler Pham ended his first campaign with 29 points, led the Black Knights in points with nine goals and 20 assists and was named to the Atlantic Hockey Association All-Rookie Team and Rookie of the Year. Joe Kozlak recorded his 50th career point in a Feb. 20 with Bentley. Seniors Maurice Alvarez and Mac Lalor, Josh Richards and Zak Zaremba skated in their final game in an Army uniform with their first round loss to Sacred Heart. The rookie class finished with 30 goals and 53 assists for 83 points this season.
MANHATTANVILLE
Their season ended by Nazareth in the first round of the ECAC West playoffs, the Valiants finished with just two conference victories and only one after the season opener. Freshman Stephen Gaul earned a spot on the ECAC West AllRookie Team
East Hockey / Page 29 Seniors Jake Mooney, Eric McClure, Anton Racklin, Kevin Struempfler, Rich Meyer, Jason Rosenberg and Brian Fleming all completed their college careers.
R.P.I. The Engineers had their season ended with an ECAC quarterfinal loss to St. Lawrence after defeating host Clarkson in the first round. Under the current ECAC Hockey playoff format, which was implemented in 2002-03 and features all 12 teams qualifying, the Engineers are 4-13 in best-of-three series. All four victories have come in the first round. RPI has played in six quarterfinals. Drew Melanson was named to the ECAC Hockey All-Rookie Team. He is RPI’s sixth All-Rookie Team selection in the last eight seasons. Jacob Laliberte, Matt Neal, Mark McGowan, defenseman Luke Curadi, Curtis Leonard and goaltender Scott Diebold (Buffalo) all finished the collegiate careers. Senior forward Zach Schroeder has another year of eligibility due to an injury he sustained earlier in his career and thus will return to the Engineers in 2015-16. Leonard made his professional debut March 22 for Rochester of the American Hockey League and registered an assist on a long out pass.
UNION After defeating Cornell on the road in the first round of the ECAC playoffs, the Dutchmen played their final game at the earliest date in several years with a three-game loss to topseed Quinnipiac in the quarterfinals.
Goaltender Colin Stevens (Niskayuna) made 29 saves March 7th at Cornell to record his 11th career shutout, tying Kris Mayotte for the school record. He later signed an entry-level contract with the Florida Panthers of the National Hockey League. Stevens completed his four-year career as Union’s all-time leader in wins (53), while sharing the school record for career shutouts (11). He ranks second in career goals-against average (2.12) and save percentage (.924). Senior forward Daniel Ciampini (pictured) was named to the AllECAC Hockey First Team, sophomore defenseman Jeff Taylor (Clifton Park) chosen to the All-ECAC Hockey Third Team and freshman forward Spencer Foo selected to the ECAC Hockey AllRookie Team. Union’s seven-member senior class of Mark Bennett, Ciampini, Sam Coatta, Max Novak, Dillon Pieri, Stevens and Charlie Vasaturo completed their collegiate careers. Ciampini signed an amateur try-out agreement with the Worcester Sharks of the American Hockey League. This season he tied the school single-season record for points (50) and scored the second-most goals (26) in a season. U n i o n set a school season record with eight short-handed goals this season.
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East Hockey / Page 30
East Women’s College Report by Janet Schultz Janet@nyhockeyonline.com
Union
Manhattanville
The Union Athletic teams raised over $5,700 for Kristen’s Kause in their year-long fundraising effort. They raised $3,000 at the 8th Annual Pink the Rink game. The donations go to an effort to raise awareness to cancer, especially those affected in the Union community. This year’s effort was dedicated to Kristen Schinebarger, Men’s Assistant Coach Nate Greeberg and Cross Country and Track and Field Member Kaitlyn Saurez. Union has named the Dutchwomen Captains for 2015-16 including Kathryn Tomaselli, Elizabeth Otten, Jessica Kaminsky and Alli Devins. Union recognized several athletes with the annual awards including George Morrison MVP which went to Goalie Shenae Lundberg. Lundberg started in all 34 games, finished with 1,110 saves, .918 save percentage and 2.95 GAA. The Hana Yamashita Coaches Award went to Christine Valente, as well as the Unsung Hero Award. Valente played in 34 games for the fourth straight year. She tied with 136 games played and had 5 goals and 8 assists, she was first on the team with SOG at 87 and won 297 faceoffs. Erica Kelly was named Rookie of the Year with 3 goals and 2 assists. Elizabeth Otten was MVP and Nicole Russell took the Ashley Kilstein ‘08 Community Service Award.
Several players were recognized by the ECAC East Conference for their All-Academic Honors including Smithtown’s Melissa Hauptmann and Chestnut Ridge’s Michaela Murdoch. Others included Sydney Asseltine, Aubrey Bachard, Scotia Bellavance, Lindsay Diot, Taryn Harris, Kyra Herbert, Michele Meggiolaro, Kayley Romano, Kirsten Shaughnessy and Alla Traun.
East Notes:
...Setauket native Dana Trivigno is with the USA Women’s National team playing in the International Ice Hockey Federation Women’s Worlds in Malmo, Sweden.
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North Hockey Congratulations Plattsburgh women 2015 NCAA National DIII Champions Second Consecutive Title! All-Time Leader with 4 Titles!
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North Hockey / Page 32
he Plattsburgh State women’s ice hockey team MVP Giovanna Senese. captured their second-straight and fourth Na- Plattsburgh State finished 26-2-2 and hoisted its tional Championship after defeating the Elmira second National Championship in the Stafford Ice Soaring Eagles 3-2. Arena in as many seasons. Plattsburgh State would take a penalty 6:32 into Elmira ended the season 26-3-1 and in second the game but it was the Cardinals that struck first on place. a Giovanna Senese breakaway short-hand goal. The It was the fifth time Plattsburgh State and Elmira Huntley, Ill., native deked forehand before roofwith the Cardinals claiming a slight edge ing one backhand over Elmira goaltender 3-2 on the season. Kyle Nelson. With the win Plattsburgh State Elmira would respond quickly becomes the all-time leader Plattsburgh in the second period as 2015 Lauin National Championships ra Hurd winner Ashley Ryan claiming its fourth title. would slip one through the legs utes played (1172:35) and Takes Second of Leonard to tie the game 1-1, was 13th with her afore1:51 into the middle frame. mentioned GAA. Consecutive Junior, Bridget Balisy would (Team photo by Gage Dickput the Cardinals back on the ens, Plattsburgh) top 2-1 when she collected a National loose puck off an Elmira defenseman in front of the net Championship before making a move beating Nelson five-hole. The Cardinals would add to their lead making it a 3-1 game when Kayla Meneghin received a cross ice pass right at the bottom of the right circle putting it short side over Nelson. Elmira wouldn’t go down quietly and would take back some of the momentum when Olivia Nystrom beat Leonard just 29 seconds after Plattsburgh State score its third goal. Elmira would pull their goalie to try to gain the equalizer but the Cardinals defense wouldn’t break steering away every Elmira opportunity. Leonard would make 22 saves on 24 shots while Nelson would make 27 on 30 shots. The 2015 NCAA All-Tournament team featured Norwich’s Kaycie Anderson and UW-River Fall’s Paige Johnson. From Elmira was Ashley Ryan and representing Plattsburgh State was Balisy, Leonard and tournament
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Northern New York Men’s College Hockey Report by Warren Kozireski
Wkozires@brockport.edu
CLARKSON
A three-game series loss to visiting RPI ended the Golden Knights year. The team will say goodbye to only two seniors in Joe Zarbo (Grand Island), and James Howden. Hockey Canada Chairman of the Board Joe Drago ‘63 will be awarded an honorary doctor of science degree at Clarkson University’s 122nd commencement on May 9. Drago, a Clarkson alumnus who received his bachelor of science degree in business administration, became the first chairman of the Hockey Canada board of directors under its new governance model on December 6, 2014.
PLATTSBURGH
The Cardinals defeated rival Oswego in the SUNYAC championship game to win their 22nd crown. Ranked third in the nation and fourth in the tournament, they lost to fifthseed Trinity in the national quarterfinals. Emery received his seventh SUNYAC Coach of the Year of the year award and first since 2012 after guiding the Cardinals to a 20-5-2 overall record that included a 132-1 conference record that was tops in the SUNYAC. As the No. 1 seed in the SUNYAC Tournament, Emery helped Plattsburgh State claim its 22nd SUNYAC Championship with a 2-1 victory over Oswego State. Four Cardinals were selected to the SUNYAC All-Conference second team in seniors Brandon Beadow, Michael Cassidy (West Seneca) and Connor Toomey plus junior defenseman Anthony Calabrese. Junior forward, Kevin Emmerling was selected to the third team.
North Hockey / Page 33 POTSDAM
A 6-2 loss to Buffalo State in the SUNYAC quarterfinals brought to a close the careers of seniors Kevin O’Connor, Trevor Cope, Zach Blake, Ken Simon, Dan McCamey, Erick Ware and Shane Talarico. Jon Hall (Dexter) was named to the All-SUNYAC Conference first team. Hall is the Bears’ first first-team selection since Connor Treacy ‘10 in 2010 and the first Potsdam goalie to receive the honor since Dave Dragone ‘97 in 1996. The junior had the finest season in his three-year career and one of the best for a Bears’ goaltender ever. He went 12-8-2 with a 3.04 goals-against-average. His 12 victories were the most by Bear since Ryan Venturelli ‘04 won 14 in 2002-03. Hall also set the program single-season record for save percentage with .919.
ST. LAWRENCE
The Saints en-
tered the playoffs as the second seed in the post-season tournament, their best finish since the 2007 season. They defeated RPI in the quarterfinals to advance
to the ECAC final four, but fell to Colgate in overtime in the semi-finals. Freshman goaltender Kyle Hayton and defenseman Eric Sweetman were named to the ECAC All-Conference Second Team. Hayton and defenseman Nolan Gluchowski were named to the AllRookie team with Hayton selected as ECAC Rookie of the Year. Head coach Greg Carvel was named the Tim Taylor Coach of the Year. The Saints will say goodbye to seniors Patrick Doherty, Gunnar Hughes, Chris Martin and Justin Bruckel,
www.nyhockeyonline.com POTSDAM
The SUNY Potsdam women’s hockey team matched a program best by placing 12 of its players on the 2014-15 Eastern College Athletic Conference West All-Academic Team. The Bears were one of four teams out of nine to have 12 or more players honored. In order to be eligible for the All-Academic Team, student-athletes must carry a cumulative grade-point-average
North Hockey / Page 34
Northern New York Women’s College Hockey Report by Janet Schultz Janet@ nyhockeyonline.com
Plattsburgh’s All Academic Team: Top: Kriwox, Hart, Marsman Bottom: Ott, Peterson, Tardelli, VanWagner
of 3.0 or higher and have completed at least one full year at their current institution. Junior goalie Abby Tardelli (Potsdam, N.Y./North Country Ice Storm) makes her second straight appearance on the squad. This season, Tardelli was 2-6 in 10 games played with seven starts. The Bears’ assistant captain recorded a 4.94 goals-against-average and a .885 save percentage. Sophomore forward Jordan Ott (Hilton, N.Y./Hilton) was also named honorable mention All-ECAC West this season. Ott, last year’s conference and USCHO.com Division III Rookie of the Year, led the Bears in scoring again this season. She scored 10 goals and added 12 assists for 22 points. Ott already ranks fifth on the program’s scoring list with 58 points on 32 goals and 26 assists.
Sophomore defenseman Kaylen Van Wagner (Red Hook, N.Y./Hotchkiss Prep) has been a fixture for Potsdam on the blue line. In two seasons with the Bears, she has played in every one of their 51 contests. Sophomore defenseman Kady Hart (Potsdam, N.Y./ North Country Ice Storm) suited up for her hometown team this season. She also saw action in all of Potsdam’s 25 games during 2014-15. Sophomore forward Roberta Beatty (Prince Albert, Saskatchewan/Ontario Hockey Academy) scored a goal and had three assists for four points in 25 games this season. Junior defenseman Katie Marsman (Wantagh, N.Y./ Wyoming Seminary) is on the all-academic team for the second year in a row. Marsman, an assistant captain this
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www.nyhockeyonline.com year, made another big leap forward and proved herself to be a top defenseman. While providing solid defense all season, she also had a breakout year offensively with 10 assists. Sophomore forward Amanda Peterson (West Chazy, N.Y./Chazy Flyers) played in every game this year. She had personal best nine points on three goals and six assists. Senior forward Izzy Fayerman (Calgary, Alberta/The Edge) has earned a spot on the all-academic team in each of the three seasons she’s been eligible. The three-season captain was second on the Bears in scoring in 2014-15 with eight goals and nine assists for 17 points. Fayerman wrapped up her career with 30 goals and 34 assists for 64 points, placing her fourth on the Potsdam all-time scoring list. The Bears’ leader also played in 100 games, the second most in program history. Junior defenseman Emily Kriwox (Tupper Lake, N.Y./Tupper Lake) was also on the all-academic team last year. Kriwox showed great improvement on the blue line, while playing in 24 games. Junior defenseman Rachel Grefke (Livonia, Mich./Victory Honda) has been on the all-academic team for two years in a row. Grefke again proved to be a no nonsense defender, while playing in all 25 games. Junior forward Sally Mooney (New Albany, Ohio/Wyoming Seminary) was healthy for the first time in over a season this year. She scored five goals and assisted on four others for nine points. Known for her leadership, Mooney served as an assistant captain for the second straight year. She has also been on the all-academic team twice. Junior goalie Alexane Rodrigue
North Hockey / Page 35 gan and Britni Smith, the Golden Knights have a 24-10-3 record and are ranked seventh nationally. Clarkson skated to a 24-11-3 overall record, a first-place 16-42 ECAC Hockey mark and made its third straight appearance in the NCAA Tournament in 2014-15. Savannah Harmon and Shea (Photos courtesy Plattsburgh Women’s Ice Tiley, a pair of freshmen who played key roles in one of the ClarkHockey) son University Women’s Hockey Clarkson A remarkable season program’s best seasons ever, were came to a close for named to the All-USCHO Women’s the Clarkson Univer- All-Star Rookie team. sity Women’s Hockey team in the NCAA Quarterfinal St. Lawrence round on Saturday afternoon as #2 Three members of the St. Lawseed Boston College defeated the rence women’s hockey team earned Golden Knights 5-1 at Kelley Rink All-League recognition from ECAC Hockey. Senior defenseman Amanin Chestnut Hill, MA. The Clarkson University Wom- da Boulier and sophomore forward en’s Hockey team makes its third Brooke Webster were named to the straight appearance in the NCAA third team, while first-year student Tournament on Saturday when the Kennedy Marchment received Alldefending National Champions Rookie honors. play at Boston College in a quarter- Boulier was a first team selecfinal game. Faceoff is 1:00 p.m. at tion in 2012-13 and an All-Rookie team member in 2011-12, while Kelley Rink in Chestnut Hill, MA. After a loss against Cornell in Webster was named to the Allthe ECAC Hockey semifinals, the Rookie team a season ago. seventh-ranked Clarkson Univer- “We are happy to see the coachsity Women’s Hockey team was not es vote Kennedy, Brooke and ‘Boo’ sure if it would have a chance to de- [Boulier] to their respective Allfend its 2014 National Champion- League teams,” Head Coach Chris ship. However, the Golden Knights Wells said. “What an incredibly found out that they had made the deep pool of players it was this eight-team field and would travel year. It is safe to say there are some very good players on to No. 2 seed Boston College for a all the teams selected quarterfinal matchup. and some very good Guided by seventh-year head players who were very coach Matt Desrosiers and first-year close.” assistant coaches Meghan Dug-
finished her second season for the Bears with her second straight appearance on the all-academic team. She was 5-7 in 14 starts, while playing in 15 games. She also recorded personal bests in save percentage (.922) and goals-against-average (2.78). Potsdam finished the season with 9-15-1 overall, with a 5-12-1 mark in the ECAC West.
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Boulier, who was a finalist for the league’s Best Defenseman award, finished the season with six goals and 17 assists for 23 points and recorded six multi-point games. Additionally, she led the team in power play points with five; she blocked 49 shots and played at a +13 for the season. A reliable two-way player, her poise with the puck and vision on the ice proved to be a huge asset to the Saints. The Watertown, Conn. native currently sits third in program history in both points and assists by a St. Lawrence defenseman. Webster led the team in scoring during her sophomore year, finishing with 17 goals and 14 assists for 31 points, finishing ninth in the conference. She recorded seven multi-point games and tallied at least a point in seven consecutive conference games from November 14 to January 9. A consistent, top-line center for the Saints, the Aurora, Ont. native was 53 percent on draws this season. Marchment made an immediate impact for the Saints this season, scoring in her first collegiate game against Clarkson. She finished tied for second on the team with 29 points on 14 goals and 15 assists and led the team in game-winning goals with four. The Courtice, Ont. native recorded seven multi-point games and had a seven-game points streak in the middle of the season.
versity on November 21, 2014 and a 3-1 victory against SUNY Cortland on January 13, 2015. In addition to those wins SUNY Canton also earned a 4-4 overtime tie against the University of New England and took SUNY Potsdam to overtime. Grace Lyon (Brasher Falls, NY scored the eventual game-winner against the Mustangs, while captain Lora Ardoin (Houston, TX) added an insurance tally in the 2-0 win. Lindsey Hall (Ancaster, ON), Robyn Carroll (Bowmanville, ON) and Ardoin each scored in the Roos 3-1 win against the Red Dragons. Rebecca DiNardo (Ottawa, ON) was a force combining to stop 72 shots in goal during the wins. Four players finished the season with double digit points for SUNY Canton led by a sophomore, junior and two freshmen. Ardoin tallied 14 points on teambests of eight goals and six assists. Carroll finished second with 11 points on seven goals and four assists. Margret Troiano (Morristown, NY) posted six goals and five assists for 11 points, while Hall recorded four goals and six assists. The Roos lose lone senior Caty Darling (Oswego, NY) to graduation but with the rest of the roster eligible to return combined with a strong recruiting class the future for women’s ice hockey is bright as SUNY Canton as they begin play in a brand new conference Canton during the 2015-16 season. The SUNY Canton women’s ice hockey team had “The future is bright for this program, we have such a successful season under first year Head Coach Dave a solid core returning to this team and recruiting has LaBaff during the 2014-15 season. The team built gone exceptionally well so far,” LaBaff noted. “These great chemistry throughout the season and received strong contributions from both its returners and new factors are setting us up for some big things next season and beyond. It will be our first year competing in players. “Obviously this season wasn’t where we wanted it the ECAC North Atlantic, and it feels great to have a to be in terms of wins and losses, but we created a fam- conference to call our own. We are very excited and ily culture this year that I could not be more proud of,” our goal is to be the first ever champions of the conferCoach LaBaff said. “It is rare to see such a tight knit ence.” team when the win loss columns are uneven like they were this year. The family mentality has set the ground work for success in the future and a great example for all future players to follow.” The Roos earned a 2-0 win against Stevenson Uni-
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West Hockey
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West Hockey / Page 38
WNYGVIH Rap! By Janet Schultz Janet@nyhockeyonline. com
All Federation Team Named! All Federation Team (Bill Pavone Photo)
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amed to the All Federation Team for Western New York Girls Varsity Ice Hockey were: First Team Forwards Olivia Smith (Kenmore), Sarah Scolnick (Williamsville), Kaitlyn Drew-Mead (Monsignor Martin). Defense: Ana Orzechowski (Kenmore) and Megan Reukauf (Lancaster/Iroquois). Goalie: Lauren Pray (Kenmore) Second Team Forwards: McKenna Rushford (Amherst/ Sweethome), Jordan Roetzer (Williamsville), Tatum Walber (Frontier/Orchard Park). Defense: Grace Simmons (Kenmore) and Brianna Colucci (Lancaster/Iroquois). Goalie: Maddy Norton (Lancaster/Iroquois). Honorable mention went to: Julia Mings (Amherst/ Sweethome), Renee Doherty (Lancaster/Iroquois), Emily King (Kenmore), Brianna Keppner (Lancaster/Iroqouois), Amelia Gajewski (Monsignor Martin), Jessica Urbank (Frontier/Orchard Park), Olivia Jacobos (Frontier/Orchard Park), Casey Adimey (Amherst/Sweethome), Nichole Harris (West Seneca/Hamburg), Catie Martinez (West Seneca/ Hamburg), Mikaela Ditonto (Frontier/Orchard Park), Brianne Gawronski (Monsignor Martin), Madison Aston (Amherst/Sweethome) and Abbie Mutton (West Seneca/Hamburg).
Coach of the Year; Jim McCarthy (Orchard Park/Frontier The Federation first team was also selected at the All Bee Team sponsored by Bee Publications, with the exception of Goalie Lauren Pray. Bee named Maddie Norton to the First Team as Goalie.
Off to College Next Season!
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ongratulations to Seniors from the WNYGVIH league on heading off to college. Mikaela Ditonto, SUNY Oswego; Tatum Walber, Potsdam; Grace Page, Canton and Ana Orzechowski, RPI. Another of level of hockey for us to keep our eyes on.
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IAN USIAK DOES THE MICHIGAN By Randy Schultz Randy@nyhockeyonline.com
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hroughout the history of hockey players of all ages have had dreams of scoring a goal in the most unimaginable way ever. Back in 1996, during the NCAA Hockey Tournament, Mike Legg of the University of Michigan scored a goal lacrosse style (carrying the puck on the blade of the stick and then firing it in the net). It became known as “The Michigan.” Over the years several players have attempted the same move with success. Most recently, a local player, Ian Usiak, successfully scored a goal using the same method. Usiak plays for the Cazenovia Chiefs U-14 team. They were playing in a Bantam AA Tournament at Harbor Center vs. the Hamburg Hawks. The Chiefs had a commanding lead near the end of the contest and Usiak had already scored two goals. With time running down the unexpected happened. “My friend Shawn passed me the puck while I was behind the net,” recalled the 14 year-old Usiak. “I had a lot of room and nobody was attacking me. “I just tied it and it worked out. I was actually surprised and shocked when it went in.” It was something that Usiak had given some thought to. “I would think about it on the bench during games,” continued Usiak, who is in eighth grade and attends the Discovery School in Buffalo. “I had been working on it for a couple of years while playing pond hockey or just messing around on the ice.
“I saw the goal by Mike Legg so I was thinking about it.” After scoring the goal the entire team and those in attendance went wild. After the game, Ian’s father, Chris, who coaches the team, gave some advice, “I told the players that they had played a great game and had done a lot of things well,” explained Chris. “But then I looked at Ian and (trying not to smile too much) said very simply, ‘Don’t ever do that again.’ “But I have to admit that I’ve never seen anything like it locally during a game. It was amazing.” To see the goal Google “Ian Usiak” or go to U Tube and look up Bantam AA Player does the Michigan.
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Around WNY Niagara Jr. Purple Eagles The NJPE boys 14U tier II coached by Mike Woods, and girls 19U Tier I, coached by Scott Welsh both won their state championship game and are headed for Nationals. The 18U boys tier II finished one game from going to Nationals coached by John Nichols, and our 14U girls tier II, coached by Jeff Showers, had a nice showing at states. Our 12U boys tier II team, coached by Matt Spameni, will be playing for the state championship this weekend. NJPE in WNYAHL Squirt major, championship, coached by Craig Chenaille Squirt Mix, championship, coached by Keith Harlock Peewee mix, finalist, coached by Josh Montalbo. The bantam mix and bantam minor teams qualified for the WNYAHL playoffs as well. NJPE has had a incredible season this year.
Newsworthy Notes: ...Jen Ryan, University of Wisconsin and native of Victor received the 98 Elite Award at the NCAA Frozen Four. Ryan, holds a 3.9 cumulative grade point average while majoring in kinesiology. She was named a WCHA Scholar Athlete and earned a spot on the WCHA All-Academic team earlier this month.
Canandaigua Freeze 14U with GLGHL Championship! (Submitted photo)
On the season, Ryan has three goals and 19 assists for the Cardinal and White, including a power-play strike in the Badgers’ 5-1 win over No. 5 Boston University last Saturday to propel UW to its eighth Frozen Four appearance. Her 0.56 points per game average ranks 25th in the country among defensemen, and her +30 plus/minus rating is the best mark among UW blue-liners. ... Maksymum Goaltending instructor Jeff Mansfield will be competing in the Deaf Olympics in Khanty-Mansiysk, Magnitogorsk, Russia March 28th - April 5. Jeff also competed in the last Olympics in 2007 helping team USA to the Gold Medal! ...The Depew Lady Saints 12U team won the NTB Tonawanda Lightning Tournament in Overtime. ...The Cazenovia 12U team lost to the Lady Islanders in semi-final play. The Islanders beat Potsdam 4-1 for the
NYS Championship. ...Getzville’s Emily Pflazer is with the USA National Women’s Team at the IIHF Women’s World Championships in Malmo, Sweden.
Rochester’s Jeff Mansfield (Rochester Photo)
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Cazenovia’s Simmons in the NYS Championship Hamburg Hawks, GLGHL Championship (Submitted Photo) game! (Photo by Jim Simmons)
Around NY Season Memories
Tonawanda Lightning won at their own tournament (Jim Simmons Photo)
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Norm Page and Gold Medalist Adam Page accept a check from Express Coach Frank Vecchio Jr. for the Sled Hockey Team! (right) Adam Page drops the puck at the Express vs Wilkes Barre Playoff Game in Lockport. (Ceremonial Photos by Lockport Express) (Game photos by Janet Schultz)
First-Year Express Make Playoffs
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espite winning the opening game of the best-ofthree playoff series, the Lockport Express lost the opening round of their playoffs to the Wilkes-Barre Miners, two games to one. The 2014-15 NEA3HL hockey campaign saw the Express make the playoffs in their first year of play. In the opening game goaltender Tyler Shotwell made 55 saves while Mark Friol scored a hat-trick to lead the Express past the Miners, 6-2, at the Cornerstone CFCU Arena. The Miners opened the scoring in the first period on a goal by Daniel Leisser. The Express came right back to tie the game, 1-1, on a goal by Frank Vecchio, Jr. The Express took the lead, 2-1, late in the first period when Chris Gasiewicz tallied. Lockport opened up a two-goal lead early in the second period when Friol scored to make it 3-1. But Wilkes-Barre came back within one when Guillaume St. Germain scored. Moments later Friol scored his second goal of the con-
test to give Lockport a two-goal advantage, 4-2. Friol opened the third stanza with his third goal of the night, a natural hat-trick, that gave the Express a commanding lead, 5-2. Nick Siracuse rounded out the scoring for Lockport in the final period. The Miners outshot the Express for the game, 57-36. Shotwell was the number one star of the game. Friol was the games second star. Jordan Pocobello had three assists on the night, while Dillon Hayes added two. In game two Dillon Hayes and Ryan Logan each scored two goals apiece but it was not enough for the Lockport Express as they lost to the Wilkes-Barre Miners, 9-8, in triple overtime. The playoff series was tied at one game apiece. The Express never lead in the game until early in the third period. The Miners came back to take the lead. Lockport tied the game, 8-8 in the closing moments of regulation time on a goal by Anthony Merante. Following two five-minute overtimes Jan Mendel scored at the 1:56 mark of the third OT to give the Miners another game. Other goal scorers for the Express included Justin Durkee, Mark Friol and Justin Blake. In the third and final game of the series, also played in Lockport, another wild finish was in store for the Express.
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With five minutes to go in regulation time in the third period, Lockport held a three-goal lead on Wilkes-Barre. But as the Express would find out, no lead is ever safe. As hard as it would be to believe, with just a little over a minute remaining in regulation, the Miners had tied the game at 6-6. This game, like game two, would go into OT. With less than five minutes into OT the Miners scored the game-winning, as well as playoff ending, goal. The first season of the Express was officially over. Goal scorers for the Express included Anthony Merante (who scored twice), Daniel Golba, Dillon Hayes, Justin Durkee and Ryan Logar. (Right: Adam Page drops ceremonial puck)
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Lukey’s Legacy Tournament Photos by Janet Schultz Have NYHOL Sent to YOUR E-Mail Box! Send Janet@nyhockeyonline.com your address NOW!
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Lukey’s Legacy Tournament By Randy Schultz
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he Second Annual Lukey’s Legacy Memorial Hockey Tournament was held in March. Sixteen teams participated in the four-day tourney that was held at the West Seneca Town Rink. It is hard to believe that over three years has gone by since Luke Gould died unexpectedly. He died of Myocarditis. Myocarditis is an inflammation of the heart muscle. It occurs when one of a variety of infections reaches that individual’s heart. While symptoms can occur, that is not always the case. “Lukey,” as Guild was known as by family and friends, died suddenly, and unexpectedly, in the early morning hours of November 16, 2011. His cause of death was Myocarditis. Thanks to the efforts of many people, led by Lukey’s mom, Amy Voit Skowronski, more and more people are becoming aware of this disease. “Thanks to the efforts of a lot of people we celebrated the first Myocarditis Awareness Day on November 16, 2012,” recalled Skowronski. “This year they lit up the Electric Tower in downtown Buffalo in colors. “My goal is not only to make people in the Western New York area aware of the disease, but those across New York State as well. And
I won’t stop there either. “I would like to see testing for this to become mandatory.” Many things have already been done to honor the memory of Lukey. Locker Room number one at the West Seneca Ice Rink was renamed in his honor. A team bench in the Arena has Luke’s name on it. There is a soccer field in the West Seneca area that was dedicated in his name. The first hockey tournament in Lukey’s name was held last year. It grew even more this year. “We had a total of 16 teams this year,” said Jim Bowen, Tournament chair. “I didn’t know how we would do it over a week with just one pad of ice. “But we pulled it off with a great deal of success. A portion of the proceeds went to ‘Luke’s Legacy’ and the Myocarditis Foundation. “We awarded medals for the first and second place finishers. It was a great week of hockey and all for a good cause.” Sixteen teams participated in the four-day event. The teams were divided into two conferences (Kane and Kaleta) and four groups (Girgensons, Stempniak, Ennis and Hasek). The teams included the Bradford Owls, Depew Black, West Seneca Penguins, Wheatfield Green Hornets, Batavia Ramparts, Niagara Sharks, West Seneca Blackhawks,
Wheatfield Blue Hawks, Buffalo Stars, Depew Red, Hamburg Flyers, West Seneca White Sabres, Aurora Ice, Jamestown Lakers, West Seneca Blue Sabres and Wheatfield Gold. The Bradford Owls took the Championship after scoring a goal in overtime. “We will continue to work to help make a difference in the lives of people affected by Myocarditis,” concluded Amy. “Through these efforts, Lukey’s memory will live on. “Lukey’s Legacy is no longer saving goals on the ice, but saving lives from above.”
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Buffalo Stars Beat Stars Introduce No Player Left Behind Initiative
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he Buffalo Stars are introducing our No PLAYER LEFT BEHIND initiative. This is for those boys and girls who are late starters but still want to learn how to skate and play ice hockey. GROUP 1: Boys and Girls ages 9-12 GROUP 2: Boys and Girls ages 1315 *Twice Weekly on ice skills sessions October through February *Up to 40 on ice sessions *Fun no check games *Learn skills while having fun *Full Equipment is required *USA Hockey Registered and Sanctioned Program *Program alternates between Holiday Rink and Hyde Park Rink $425 per player :: Space is limited to 32 participants Register on line at www.buffalostars.com Contact us at 491-0375 or sportsniag@aol.com for more details
Buczek Heads to 2015 Deaflympics
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uffalo Stars U18 AA Defenseman Christian Buczek will represent Team USA at the 18th Winter Deaflympics to be held March 28-April 5in Khanty-Mansiysk, Russia. Christian is one of only two players from New York. Christian was selected to play for Team USA by the American Hearing Impaired Hockey Association at a tryout last summer. The team has a geographically diverse roster with players representing 12 different states. Team USA won the Gold in 2007 at the Deaflympics in Salt Lake City, but was denied a chance to defend the gold when the 2011 games were
canceled. The team operates under the governance of the USA Deaf Sports Federation. To qualify for the games, an athlete must have a hearing loss of at least 55 db in the “better ear”. Assistive devices, including hearing aids and cochlear implants are not allowed in competition, in order to assure that athletes are on an even playing field. “We are very proud of Christian” said Stars President/GM Pete Preteroti. “He is a hard working player and a true team leader on our U18 squad” “Everyone on the team looks up to him” added U18 Head Coach Jerry Wheeler. Participant countries will include: USA, Canada, Finland, Kazakhstan and the Russian Federation. Christian is 18 years old and resides in Hamburg. Information about the American Hearing Impaired Hockey Association can be found at: www.ahiha.org Information about the Deaflympics can be found at:www.2015deaflympics.org
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Buffalo Stars Honor Players and Volunteers!
Christian Guczek Pat Dlugoz Award
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Buffalo Stars Honor Players and Volunteers! The Mullen Family & Retired Hornets Jersey
Michael Georger Squirt Major Zero Award
Cameron Smith Jason Adler Award
Jerry Wheeler Flury Memorial
Greg Flury Hank Schroeder Award
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Western New York Women’s College Hockey Report by Janet Schultz Janet@nyhockeyonline.com JDSchultz3663@gmail.com
BUFFALO The Bengals went to the ECAC West Quarters, losing 4-1 to Utica. The Bengals finished the season with a 7-win improvement from last season and their 10 wins were just shy of matching the school record.
RIT
RIT lost to top seed University of Minnesota 6-2 at Ritter Arena in the NCAA DI National Quarterfinal. The loss snapped a 5-game winning streak overall and an 8-game winneng streak in post-season play. They were 15-19-5 overall.
University of Buffalo It was a historic year for the Lady Ice Bulls as they made it to the Nationals for the first time in their his-
tory. While they lost all three games, they finished second in the League and sixth in their Division. Marnie Talty lead the team with 19 points followed by Courtney Miller, 17 and Fallon Waxman, 12. Waxman is the lone senior.
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Cazenovia Youth Hockey; Successful & Growing! by Jim Banko
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uccess can be achieved many ways. If the “Miracle on Ice” proved anything it’s that a newly formed team with kids from various backgrounds could be successful against a more seasoned team which had been together for years. While having the same the teammates and linemates may be beneficial at the highest levels, playing neighborhood AA hockey on a new team offers many positive attributes. The chance to make new friends and learn from different coaches is not something young players should shy away from. The Cazenovia Park Chiefs 18U hockey team had success in the 2014-2015 season with a melting pot formula. Coached by young, non-parent, and experienced quintet of coaches, the Caz 18U Chiefs were able to reestablish themselves near the top of the Western New York Amateur Hockey League Tournament Bound 18U division. After taking a hiatus in the prior year, the Caz 18U Chiefs rebuilt under the concept of finding players from various backgrounds who were looking for a fresh start. With only five players moving up from the Caz 16U team, the coaching staff was able to leverage their high school coaching reputation to attract players from Williamsville to Fredonia and everywhere in between. While some parents and players may not like the idea of playing for a new team, the players on the 14-15 Chiefs may argue otherwise. Captain TJ Maloney is one believer. “I loved playing on this team,” Maloney said. “So much fun with so many new friends that I’ll have for life. I’m looking forward to playing for this team next year.” TJ was not alone in his enthusiasm. Jimmy Szefler came to the Cazenovia 18U tryout from another organization and didn’t know what to expect. His apprehension quickly subsided once he became familiar with the coaching staff and his teammates. “I was nervous at first and unsure of what to expect,” Szefler said. “It
West Hockey / Page 50 turned out it was one of the best hockey experiences I’ve ever had.” Caz 18U parents also had many positive things to say about the team. Ken Myers, father of forward Nick Myers, said “The Caz 18u team was tremendous. Besides being competitive in every game, playing on the team was affordable and truly prepared each player for their high school season.” The coaches played a big part in the Caz 18U success. This young staff of nonparent coaches all under the age of 35 came up with a solid game plan that utilized each player’s skills to their fullest potential. Out of a roster of 20 players 18 played high school hockey: 8 Varsity Federation players and 10 Varsity Club players including two state champions. These are numbers the coaching staff is most proud of. Moving on to the next level is what coaching at the youth level so rewarding. This upcoming year the Caz 18U team looks to improve on their previous success. With players aging out and moving onto college there are going to be plenty of open spots at all positions come the March 31 and April 1 tryout. With many happy players and parents, the Caz 18U team is looking to capitalize on its melting pot success. The 18U AA hockey landscape is competitive with every team vying for WNY best players, so players not be apprehensive to tryout for unfamiliar organizations or teams this upcoming season. It could be just the experience both the player and parent needs. Wayne Gretzky said it best when he stated “You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take.”
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Scott Tournament: Enjoyment for the Players Benefits for the Organizations! By Randy Schultz; Photos by Janet Schultz
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ou are only truly gone if you are forgotten. We will never forget…” That is an inscription found at the top of the third page of the program that was sold this year at the “14th Annual Jeffrey B. Scott Memorial Peewee Hockey Tournament.” The event was held March 5-8 at the Cheektowaga Recreation Center. Most of the teams that participated were youth teams located in the Western New York area. But this year a team from Clinton, NY played in the tourney for the first time.
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Jeffrey B. Scott died on March 27, 1982 at the age of 11. He died while playing street hockey and moments after scoring the game-winning goal. He died from a “sudden cardiac death due to a lethal rhythm disturbance related to a congenital heart valve defect.” Christopher J. Scott, Jeffrey’s brother and co-organizer of the event, explained the reason for the tournament. “I didn’t want my brother to be gone or his memory forgotten,” said Christopher. “So the tournament was created and it was to be for 11 and 12 year olds. “We would raise money for charities. But most importantly I wanted to help make a difference in at least one child’s life.” Since the tournament’s inception a total of $181,000 has been raised and donated to charity. Again this year the money raised was given to the Madison McCarthy Cardiac Care Coalition for Children. The Coalition is devoted to purchasing and placing Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) at facilities throughout the Western New York area. This year’s recipients included Aspire of WNY, Aurora Waldorf School, Blackrock Riverside Little league and Cheerleaders, Clinton Arena, Grand Island Middle School, Mathewson McCarthy Baseball and Miracle League of WNY. “Since 2006 our annual tournament has helped over 50 schools and organizations receive free AEDs,” added Christopher. One of the co-organizers for the event this year is Eric Godzich, an employee for the Town of Cheektowaga, who, in part, runs the Cheektowaga Warriors hockey program. “Over the past 15 years the Hockey Tournament has taken on a life of its own,” said Godzich. “This year we added a major sponsor with ‘Intense Milk.’ “In addition to that we expanded the usual number of travel teams that participate in the tournament from eight to 12. I wasn’t sure we would make that happen but we did. “We had 17 teams apply to play and unfortunately had to turn five away. We even had a team from Clinton, NY participate for the first time. “Plus we had our alumni game between the Cheektowaga Warriors (with teammates of Jeffrey on the team) and Buffalo Sabres Alumni. “It is truly amazing how this tournament has grown. Teams from across New York State are reaching out to us to play in the tournament.” The 12 teams that played this year included the Buffalo Bisons (D) Genco, Buffalo Bisons – Bradshaw, Cazenovia Chiefs, Cheektowaga Warriors (1) Red, Cheektowaga Warriors Pee Wee MOHL Black, Clinton Comets, Depew Saints (1), Depew Saints (2), Hamburg Hawks (Flyers), West Seneca Blackhawks, West Seneca Sharks and Wheatfield Blades. The championship game of this year’s tournament was played between the Cheektowaga Warriors 2 and Clinton Comets. The Warriors won, 5-0. “There are never any losers in this tournament,” concluded Godzich. “Everyone is a winner. “We are just looking forward to next year to see how we can grow this tournament even more. “We will continue to make a difference in at least one child’s life.”
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Western New York Men’s College Hockey Report by Warren Kozireski
Wkozires@brockport.edu
BROCKPORT
The Golden Eagles advanced to the SUNYAC semifinals for the first time since the 2009-10 season after their 6-4 victory over rival Geneseo in the quarterfinals largely thanks to a 59-save effort from senior goaltender Aaron Green. In the semi-final loss to eventual champion Plattsburgh, defenseman Bobby Chajka scored a hat trick in his final collegiate game in the 7-5 loss. Junior forward Chase Nieuwendyk and junior defenseman Chris Luker (Jr. Sabres) were both been named to the First-Team All-SUNYAC. Nieuwendyk led the Golden Eagles in points this year, scoring 18 goals and assisting on 12 others. Nine of his goals came on the power play and he finished the year tied for eighth in conference points with 11 goals and eight assists. Luker was second for Brockport in points on the season, totaling four goals and 19 assists. He tied for the SUNYAC lead in points amongst defensemen and led the SUNYAC defensemen in assists with 14 during conference play. In addition to Green and Chayka, Troy Polino also completed his collegiate career with 59 points in 99 career games.
BUFFALO STATE
The Bengals overwhelmed host Potsdam in the first round of the SUNYAC playoffs, but fell to eventual runnerup and NCAA participant Oswego in the semi-finals. Junior defenseman Ben Kramer was named third team All-SUNYAC for the second-consecutive season. He appeared in 20 games and recorded 10 assists for the Bengals. In 74 career games, he now has five goals and 25 assists for 30 points. There were no seniors on the Bengals roster at the end
West Hockey / Page 54 of the season. Former Bengal Dan Turgeon inked a contract with the Elmira Jackals of the ECHL in late February. He started this, his first professional season, with the Danville Dashers of the Federal Hockey League. In 39 games he recorded 37 points (16 goals, 21 assists) and a plus-18 rating. Prior to turning pro, the forward played one season at Buffalo State and led the team with 27 points (12 goals, 15 assists) in 25 games. Before attending Buffalo State, he played two seasons at Monroe Community College, recording 102 points (49 goals, 53 assists) in 51 games.
CANISIUS
The Griffs advanced to the Atlantic Hockey Association final four for the third consecutive season, but fell to eventual champion RIT in the semi-finals. Defenseman Chris Rumble was named First Team AllConference in the Atlantic Hockey Association becoming the first Canisius defender since 1998-99 to accomplish the feat. Ralph Cuddemi and Keegan Asmundson were Second Team choice with Asmundson also winning the league’s Goaltending Award with a 1.89 GAA and .931 saves % in 19 games. The Golden Griffins hosted a playoff quarterfinal series for the first time since 2005. In five home postseason games during the last three seasons, Canisius has allowed only one goal in 300 minutes of action. Ralph Cuddemi became the fifth Griff in the program’s Division I history to record 20 goals in a single season.
GENESEO
The third-seeded Knights dropped a 6-4 decision to Brockport to end their season in the SUNYAC quarterfinals for the first time in three seasons. Senior defenseman Jack Caradonna, senior goalie Nick Horrigan and senior forward Tyler Brickler were named to the SUNYAC All-Conference Third Team. Caradonna finished his career a three-time all-conference pick and capped his final campaign finishing tied for fifth on the team with eight assists and tied for 10th with nine points. The 2014 Academic All-America finishes his career with 57 points (6 goals, 51 assists) in 100 games played. Horrigan finished his career as Geneseo’s all-time leader with a .930 save percentage, including a .936 average that ranks seventh in Division III this year. Also moving
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www.nyhockeyonline.com into first-place on Geneseo’s career-shutout list (5) during the season, his 1.92 goals against average was 13th-best in the country. Brickler finished the season tied for 22nd nationally with 33 points, while his 20 assists were tied for the 27thbest total. He is slated to play next season for the South Korean National Team. Bryan Haude (Hilton), Justin Scharfe (Webster), Zack Cavallini, Zack Martin and Ryan Stanimir also completed their college careers.
NAZARETH
Year three as a program put the Golden Flyers on solid with their highest regular season finish (third place at 7-4-4 in conference) and first postseason victory (5-1 over Manhattanville) before falling in the semi-finals. Sophomore forward Ben Blasko was named first-team all-star in the ECAC West Conference with junior goaltender Ed Zdolshek a second-team selection, sophomore forward Dominik Gabaj honorable mention and freshman forward Oliver Janzen chosen as a forward on the All-Rookie team. Blasko led the team in overall scoring with 29 points on five goals and a league-high 24 assists. Zdolshek played in 19 games for the Golden Flyers in 2014-15 and had a 2.77 goals-against average and a .918 save percentage. Gabaj, of Bratislava, Slovakia, enjoyed a strong first season for the Golden Flyers after transferring from Monroe Community College. He played in 23 games and finished tied for second on the team in scoring with 21 points on nine goals and 12 assists. Janzen led the Golden Flyers with 11 goals and finished in a tie for second in points with 21. Tom Missert, Julius Tamsay and Tom Seravalli all finished their college careers.
NIAGARA
After the Purple Eagles surprised host Holy Cross in the first round of the AHA playoffs, their season ended in a two-game sweep to top seed Robert Morris in the quarterfinals. Defenseman Keegan Harper was named to the Atlantic Hockey Association All-Rookie Team as picked by the AHA coaches. Harper led all Niagara freshmen
West Hockey / Page 55 and tied for eighth in defensemen scoring in the AHA with 13 points (3g, 10a) in the regular season. Sophomore goaltender Jackson Teichroeb was the cornerstone of the Purple Eagle’s first round victory over Holy Cross, making a total of 136 saves on 142 shots and was named AHA Goaltender of the Week March 8. Senior defenseman Kevin Albers signed a contract to play for the Gwinnett Gladiators of the East Coast Hockey League (ECHL). Albers was a four-year member of the Purple Eagles from 2011-15 and served as captain since his junior season. He collected three goals and 17 assists for 20 points through his 121 career games.
R.I.T.
The Tigers advanced to the Atlantic Hockey Semifinals for the sixth time in eight seasons and won their second conference title with a 5-1 win over Mercyhurst in the championship game (see attached story). They advanced to the NCAA tournament as the 16th seed and had a first round tilt with top-ranked Minnesota State-Mankato in South Bend, Indiana. Matt Grabovsky was named First Team All-Conference, Best Defensive Forward and Player of the Year in Atlantic Hockey Association. Josh Mitchell was a Second Team choice while Brad McGowan and Alexander Kuquali were Third Team. Brady Norrish was an All-Rookie team selection. Defenseman Matt Abt scored his first collegiate goal in his 26th game on the final weekend of the regular season against Mercyhurst. Chase Norrish also netted the first of his collegiate career Feb. 20 versus Robert Morris. (Continued on Page 58)
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West Hockey / Page 56
T
yler Putnam was known for his high energy, incredible work ethic, and desire to achieve his goals. Unfortunately in July of 2011, Putnam’s hockey dreams ended when he died of an illness called “meningococcemia,” an infection that affects the bloodstream. Thanks to the efforts of Rob Sedia and the rest of the Tyler Putnam Awards Committee, Putnam’s memory lives on. On March 21 the Second Annual Tyler Putnam Awards Ceremony was held in Rochester at The Whittier House. Nineteen young boys and girls were recognized at the dinner for their hard work and dedication as hockey players. Eighteen of the players were from the Rochester area. The other recipient was from the Syracuse area, the first student outside of Rochester to be honored. “We knew that this event could grow each year,” said Sedia, Committee Chairman and Founder of the Tyler Putnam Awards. “It just happened that a team reached out to us from Syracuse and we took it under consideration.” Each of the players was presented with a plaque that had a golden hard hat attached to it. The hard hat has become a symbol of Putnam’s hard work and dedication to hockey. Putnam’s dream was to play for his high school hockey team, the Irondequoit Eagles, Junior Hockey, Division I Hockey and ultimately play the sport professionally. He was able to realize
man, full of enthusiasm, fun, always smiling, extremely competitive and caring. He encouraged all those he knew, and came to know regarding the role of being a good athlete and a good person. In addition to the awards that were presented to the hockey players, the Tyler Putnam Foundation donated 100 percent of the surplus funds to local and national charities. “We just felt that it was important that Tyler stay alive in the community,” concluded Tyler’s father, Lindsay Putnam. “It didn’t matter if it came from any type of support we could give a family who could be going through a tragedy or financial crisis. “We’ve been able to provide registration assistance (for hockey) to people who can no longer afford it. We are also continuing to get the word out there about the dangers of Meningitis. “We’ve also partnered with RCR (Rochester Clinical Research) which is working to find a vaccine for Meningitis. “The best part of all of it is that we are attaching Tyler’s name to all of it. We’ll keep working on these efforts each year. We will never give up.” (Awardees Listed on Next Page)
Tyler Putnam Awards Honor Players Work Ethic by Randy Schultz; Photos by Janet Schultz
two of those dreams, having played for the Eagles as an eight and ninth grader and then with the Maksymum Junior team in Rochester. The youngster was well on his way to realizing his third dream, being offered roster spots on five Junior A team from Rochester, MN to San Diego, CA. A second award, the Josh Opladen Goaltender Award, was given to a goaltender from the Rochester area. This year’s recipient was Jake Bellavia, who plays for the Greece Thunder. Opladen was a promising young
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The 19 Tyler Putnam Award winners were as follows: Luke Scorsone, 18,Aquinas High School Josh Hettinger, 18, Brockport High School Tim Ryan, 17, Canandaigua Youth Hockey Amanda Witscheber, 18, Rochester Edge Girls Hockey Nickolas Lucarelli, 17, Greece Athena High School Hockey Aidan Hooper, 14, GreeceOlympia/Arcadia High School Hockey Jake Palumbo, 18, Hilton High
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/ Page 58 School Hockey Anthony Thurston, 18, Irondequoit High School Hockey Tanner Woodruff, 19, Rochester Jr. Americans Raymond Werner, 14, Monroe County Youth Hockey Zac Fosdick, 16, Perinton Youth Hockey/Rochester Monarchs Jude Cole, 13, Rochester Grizzlies Hockey Patrick Carr, 12, Rochester Youth Hockey Tyler Decosse, 16, Spencerport High School Hockey Peyton Young, 14, Tri-County Youth Hockey Jack Donnelly, 17, Webster Youth Hockey Matthew Impallaria, 17, Webster Schroeder High School Hockey Derek Amann, 18, Webster Thomas High School Hockey Hunter McDonald, 12, Syracuse Nationals Hockey
(Mens College Continued from Page 55)
The Tigers 8-0 win over Mercyhurst Feb. 27 was their largest margin of victory since a 10-0 win at Sacred Heart in Jan. 2012. Brad McGowan became the first Tiger at the Division I level and first since Sam Hill on Feb. 1, 2003 to score four goals in game, doing so in a 7-3 win over Air Force in clinch-
ing game two of the Atlantic Hockey Quarterfinals series. He earlier became the eighth player since RIT moved to DI to reach 100 points in his career. He was also AHA Player of the Week Feb. 24 following a three goals-two assists series against Robert Morris. The hat trick was the first of his career. And he added conference Player of the Month honors for February as well. Mike Rotolo (Greece) was named
Atlantic Hockey Association Goaltender of the Week Feb. 3 after stopping 33 of 34 shots as RIT split a weekend series against Army. Josh Mitchell was named AHA Player of the Week Feb. 10 after he recorded five points on a goal and four assists in a win and tie for RIT against Niagara.
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Buffalo Sabres Work With Youth
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he Buffalo Sabres announced the team will be hosting more than 300 local students who are participating in the NHL and NHLPA Future Goals program at First Niagara Center today. Future Goals focuses on using the game of hockey to teach science, technology engineering and mathematics (STEM). “We are very excited to welcome these students to First Niagara Center for a morning of STEM education and hockey,” said Sabres chief development officer Cliff Benson. “We hope to showcase some of the many areas where hockey and STEM in-
NYS to NHL CIAMPINI INKS DEAL WITH WORCESTER SHARKS
I
n the course of a week, Ciampini finished his final term at Union College, made his professional debut in the American Hockey League, earned All-ECAC Hockey First Team honors, was named a Hobey Baker finalist, and scored his first pro goal. He added another item to his list of accomplishments, signing an AHL contract with the Worcester Sharks for the remainder of the 2014-15 season. Ciampini initially signed an am-
/ Page 59 tersect by giving the students some tangible examples of what they’ve been learning about this year.” Students will hear from a panel of former NHL players Kevyn Adams and Martin Biron, as well as broadcaster Brian Duff and equipment manager Dave Williams, as they discuss how hockey teaches fundamental STEM concepts. The students will then have a chance to watch the Sabres practice from the arena bowl. The program, which launched this year, consists of students from the Buffalo Public School District. These students are currently utilizing the Future Goals curriculum or are slated to begin with the Future Goals – Hockey Scholar course that will be available in the fall of 2015. “Events like this with high profile community figures make a big impact on our children,” interim superintendent Donald A. Ogilvie said.
“They illustrate the invaluable relationship between what they learn in the classroom and a prestigious and lucrative career ladder. STEM education, coupled with its application in real world situations and careers, helps students to understand that they can use what they know in order to pursue successful careers and become productive adults.” Future Goals is a partnership between the Buffalo Sabres, the National Hockey League and the National Hockey League Players’ Association. Through the Future Goals digital learning initiative, students will build their science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) skills using the fast-paced, exciting game of hockey as a learning vehicle. The program is committed to sparking student interest in STEM topics and helping students become college-ready, careerready and life-ready.
ateur try-out contract with Worcester on March 18. On Saturday, Ciampini compiled two points (goal, assist) to earn No. 1 Star of the Game honors in Worcester’s 6-1 win over Lehigh Valley.
assists for 53 points. In 2013, Bardreau represented the United States at the World Junior Championships in Ufa, Russia, helping lead the team to a gold medal while playing with Flyers prospect Shayne Gostisbehere. Prior to his time at Cornell, Bardreau spent three years playing in the U.S. National Team Program, including 24 games for the top-level USNDP team in the United States Hockey League in 2010-11.
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he Philadelphia Flyers have signed 5-10, 194-lb forward Cole Bardreau to an entry-level contract beginning with the start of the 201516 season, according to general manager Ron Hextall. Bardreau, 21 (7/22/1993), recently completed a four-year career at Cornell University. The native of Fairport, NY led Cornell in scoring with five goals and 17 assists for 22 points in 30 games as a senior. In 103 games over four seasons at Cornell, Bardreau recorded 18 goals and 35
C
olin Stevens signed with the Florida Panthers. He plays for Union and is from Niskayuna.
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/ Page 60
NA3EHL Season Awards Announced Lockport Named Organization of the Year
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oc City Royals defenseman John Wise was named the 2014-15 NA3EHL Most Valuable Player. The North American 3 Eastern Hockey League (NA3EHL) has announced its award winners for the 2014-15 season, which include: Most Valuable Player, Forward of the Year, Defenseman of the Year, Goaltender of the Year, Rookie of the Year, Coach of the Year, General Manager of the Year and Organization of the Year, along with its NA3EHL All-Star Team, Community Service and Academic Award winners as voted by the league’s coaches and general managers, based upon performance during the 2014-15 regular season. 2014-15 Most Valuable Player and Defenseman of the Year: John Wise, Roc City Royals In his final year of junior hockey the 20-year-old native of Rochester, New York, put together a memorable season. Wise (6’1/205) led all NA3EHL defensemen in scoring this season with 39 points and his 27 assists were also a league-high among defensemen. Wise also scored 12 goals, which ranked one behind the NA3EHL defensive leader. His 39 points was good for 3rd in the Roc City roster. He finished the regular season recording 10 points in his last eight games and also had two points in three playoff games. 2014-15 Forward of the Year: Wesley Austin, Roc City Royals Austin, 20, was second in league scoring this season with 67 points in 41 games played. His 33 goals tied for the NA3EHL lead this season and his 34 assists ranked him tied for 3rd. The native of Rochester, New York also led the entire NA3EHL in game-winning goals with six. Austin (6’3/175) also led the Royals in scoring with his 67 points this season and finished the regular season riding a 12-game point streak, in which he accumulated 31 points during that stretch. 2014-15 Goaltender of the Year: Claes Endre, New Hampshire Fighting Spirit Statistically, Endre (6’1/165) was
the league’s top goaltender this season, posting a league-best 1.70 goals against average in 18 appearances during the regular season. The 19-year-old native of Stockholm, Sweden also put together a 15-3 record with a league-leading four shutouts. His 15 wins ranked him tied for 3rd and his 93.9% save percentage also ranked him 3rd amongst all NA3EHL goaltenders. Endre gave up more than three goals just once during the regular season. 2014-15 Rookie of the Year: Anthony Merante, Lockport Express Merante, a 19-year-old rookie from Niagara Falls, New York, ended up leading the Express in scoring this season with 61 points in 41 games played. Merante (6’0/175) ranked tied for 5th among all NA3EHL players with his 61 points, while his 34 assists was tied for 3rd and his 27 goals ranked 7th. During the middle part of the season, Merante went on a 13-game scoring streak, in which he recorded 33 points during that time span. 2014-15 Coach of the Year: Eric Brule, Jersey Shore Wildcats The Jersey Shore Wildcats were dominant during the regular season led by Brule’s leadership. The Wildcats posted a league-best 40-1-0 record this season, remarkably losing just one game all season. They led the NA3EHL in offense, scoring 217 goals in just 41 games, an average of over five goals a game. At the same time, they had the league’s second-best defense, allowing just 1.92 goals against per game. They also had the league’s top-ranked power play and penalty kill. 2014-15 General Manager of the Year: Frank Vecchio, Lockport Express On the ice, Vecchio guided the Express to the 2nd place finish in the Western Division during the regular season with a 24-13-3 record. They also handed Jersey Shore their only loss of the season. Off the ice, the Express endeared themselves to their community and got tremendous support this season, leading the league in attendance. The
Express also enjoyed the comforts of their new home, the Cornerstone Arena, which opened midway through the season, with the Express hosting one of the league’s Showcases. 2014-15 Organization of the Year: Lockport Express Led by their Head Coach and General Manager Frank Vecchio, the Express had a great season on and off the ice. In addition to their on-ice success, the Express were a staple in their community, which included such events as a holiday food drive, hosting Santa for the kids at a home game, a charity hockey game involving local policemen and firefighters, post-game skates with fans and kids, development and growth of their youth hockey program and finally the opening and ceremonies surrounding their new state-of-the-art arena. 2014-15 Academic Achievement Award: Lewis Hackling, Wilkes-Barre Miners 2014-15 Community Service Award: Ian McNamara, New England Stars
2014-15 NA3EHL All-Star Team
Forward: Wesley Austin, Roc City Royals Forward: Nicholas Siracuse, Lockport Express Forward: Alexandre Racicot, Jersey Shore Wildcats Defense: John Wise, Roc City Royals Defense: Arthur Raevsky, Jersey Shore Wildcats Goalie: Claes Endre, New Hampshire Fighting Spirit