Nyhol december 2015

NY HOCKEY DECEMBER 2015 VOLUME 5 ISSUE 3

Merry s a m t s i Chr

Happy s y a d Holi

E-MAGAZINE Jo yeu x No el

Hap Han py ukka h

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In This Issue: Road to Utica................................. 5 AHL All Stars.................................. 6 Amherst........................................42 Aviators.........................................31 Buffalo Stars................................43 Canisius HOF...............................47 Central New York.......................18 Clinton Warriors.........................19 Coaching with Gridley.............16 East Aurora...................................46 Eastern New York.......................28 ECC..................................................40 Family Affair.................................13 IIHF.................................................... 7 Iroquois.........................................41 Juneau Honored........................14 Janosz Goaltending..................17 Lockport Hockey.......................10 Meet Mundinger........................29 NWHL............................................... 8 NJPE................................................49 Nichols...........................................52 Northern New York...................35 Putnam Awards..........................55 Raptors Rap.................................31 Silver Sticks..................................26 Westchester.................................34 Western New York.....................39

Dear Readers,

The staff of New York Hockey E-Magazine wish all of you a very Merry Christmas, Happy Holiday and Joyous New Year.

We want to thank you for your support by way of sending stories and photos, inviting us to your events and giving us some great story leads; many which we are still working on.

We are welcoming Michael Meyers, as a columnist from the New York Raptors. Michael plays with the team and will keep NY Hockey in tune with what the team is doing. If there are any players out there that would like to share news of their team, we’d love to have them join our staff. It’s all volunteer, but they would get a by-line and their photo posted.

We also welcome back this season the Buffalo Stars and Iroquois Varsity/JV who submit stories on a regular basis.

Look at the Table of Contents to the left, if you’d like your organizations listed, send us your news! Also, if possible, put us on your mailing list for newsletters and team updates. Send it to either Janet@nyhockeyonline.com (womens) or Randy@nyhockeyonline.com (mens).

As we head into the New Year I will be retiring from my full time job after 37 years at Niagara County Community College. I now can devote more time to this publication and have more opportunity to visit the youth organizations in the State.

I will also be dedicating more time to finding advertisers for this publication.

After five years we are still struggling in that area. If you have a business, or know of a business, that would like to advertise, please let me know.

NY Hockey has also dedicated this issue to two individuals who have made hockey a part of their lives and now have passed. NYSAHA North Section President Mario Pusatari and Buffalo Hornets/Stars coach/manager/volunteer Ed Gajewski. We were saddened to learn of their sudden deaths in November. Our condolences to the family and the Associations.

Again, enjoy the holiday festivities; and be safe.

Randy Schultz Publisher New York Hockey E-Magazine

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

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

Publisher &Managing Editor Randy Schultz Randy@nyhockeyonline.com

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 5

HORSEHEADS NATIVE WETMORE

The Road to Utica!

By Warren Kozireski

D

ivision III college hockey rosters throughout New York State are dotted with players from all provinces of Canada, Pittsburgh, Buffalo, Michigan and Massachusetts. But not too many over the years from Horseheads, NY. Except Utica senior forward Joel Wetmore. And it wasn’t an easy road.

Since Elmira area high schools don’t offer hockey, Wetmore played youth hockey throughout until his senior year of high school when he played Atlantic League junior hockey in Binghamton.

That led to one year in the Golden Horseshoe league and two years in the Ontario Junior Hockey League in Lindsay.

“From where I was in New York there wasn’t an easy local team or anything, so moving to Boston or moving to Canada wasn’t that much different,” Wetmore said. “Except I didn’t have to pay up there which helped my parents out.”

Now in his fourth season as one of only three seniors with the Utica College Pioneers, he is one of the veteran voices in the locker room and on the ice.

“It (Utica) was a perfect fit honestly; close to home, playing in front of 3,500-4,000 fans and the winning tradition was attractive.”

With ten goals and 23 assists over his first 75 collegiate contests, Wetmore isn’t a top goal scorer and likely won’t lead the team in points. But he is one of the Pioneers the coaching staff will depend on this season taking key face-offs, killing penalties and protecting leads late in games.

“There aren’t a lot of us (seniors), but everyone from freshmen up to seniors steps up,” the Business Economics major summarized. “If you heard us on the bench tonight,

everyone is vocal. There is definitely a little added pressure being one of the few seniors, but the team is really good about picking up each other.

“Over four years you learn through the experiences and eventually you become the guy they’re going to lean on to start making the simple plays like blocking a shot or something.”

The Pioneers won the ECAC regular season title before falling in the conference finals in Wetmore’s sophomore season and the 2009 graduate of Elmira Notre Dame High School and son of Bridget and Weeden Wetmore had four multi-point games last season.

“He is definitely one of our go-to guys with only a few seniors on the roster,” Utica head coach Gary Hennan said. “Up a goal or down a goal, he’s a guy on the ice.

“I can’t say more about his character and the class that he has—he’s as good as they get and is a great person. He skates like the wind and he’s going to bang home some goals for us. He’s like a 3.8 in the classroom and loves the weight room; we’re leaning on him this year no question about it.”

(Photos courtesy Utica Hockey) Your Source For NYS Hockey News!

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Around New York State / Page 6

New Game Format For 2016 AHL All-Star

SPRINGFIELD, Mass....American Hockey League President and Chief Executive Officer David Andrews announced a new game format for the 2016 Toyota AHL AllStar Classic, scheduled for January 31 and February 1 at the Onondaga County War Memorial Arena in Syracuse, N.Y. The 2016 Toyota AHL AllStar Challenge will take place on the evening of Feb. 1. Instead of a traditional 60-minute game, the league’s all-stars will be divided into four teams, one representing each of the league’s divisions (Atlantic, North, Central, Pacific). The teams will then play a round-robin tournament featuring six games of nine minutes each; the first half of each game will be played at 4-on-4, and the second half at 3-on-3. The two teams with the best records at the end of the round-robin tournament will face off for the championship, a six-minute game played at 3-on-3.

“We have been working on developing an All-Star Challenge concept since last spring, and this tournament idea is the result of many discussions with players, coaches and general managers around the league,” said Andrews.

“We all believe that this will be an exciting showcase event for our players and fans alike as we highlight the skill, energy and excitement that has been a hallmark of the AHL for 80 years.”

Rosters for each team will be composed of 11 skaters and two

goaltenders each. All 30 AHL teams will be represented by at least one All-Star player. The coach for each team will be the AHL head coach whose team has the highest points percentage in each division at the end of play on Dec. 31.

The 2016 Toyota AHL All-Star Skills Competition on Jan. 31 will keep its traditional format, with the All-Stars from the two Eastern Conference divisions squaring off against the All-Stars from the two Western Conference divisions in seven skills events.

Tickets for the two-day 2016 Toyota AHL All-Star Classic are on sale now. Ticket prices range from $40-60 and can be purchased either in person at the Syracuse Crunch office located in the War Memorial Arena at 800 South State Street in Syracuse, by calling (315) 473-4444 or through all Ticketmaster outlets.

The 2016 Toyota AHL All-Star Classic in Syracuse will feature the top young talent in the American Hockey League: Of the 679 players to take part in the AHL All-Star Classic since 1995, more than 93 percent have competed in the National Hockey League, including

Patrice Bergeron, Ben Bishop, Troy Brouwer, Ryan Callahan, Zdeno Chara, Logan Couture, Jiri Hudler,Tyler Johnson, Chris Kunitz, Ryan Miller, Gustav Nyquist, Zach Parise, Tuukka Rask, Pekka Rinne, Bobby Ryan, Cory Schneider, Patrick Sharp, Jason Spezza, Eric Staal, P.K. Subban and Mats Zuccarello.

In operation since 1936 and celebrating its 80th-anniversary season in 2015-16, the AHL continues to serve as the top development league for all 30 National Hockey League teams. More than 88 percent of today’s NHL players are American Hockey League graduates, and for the 14th year in a row, more than 6 million fans attended AHL games across North America in 2014-15

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NHL Network To Broadcast All US Games At IIHF World Juniors COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – The NHL Network will provide exclusive live broadcasts of all U.S. games at the 2016 International Ice Hockey Federation World Junior Championship and up to 25 games total. The tournament is set for Dec. 26 – Jan. 5 in Helsinki, Finland.

NHL Live co-host Steve Mears, longtime NCAA hockey analyst Dave Starman and veteran reporter Jill Savage will provide commentary for every Team USA game, starting with its tournament-opening contest against Canada on Saturday, December 26 at 1:00 p.m. ET. The tournament’s popularity stem from its reputation as a showcase for the game’s best up-and-coming young players from around the world. Three current American-born NHL rookies, including Jack Eichel (Buffalo Sabres), Noah Hanifin (Carolina Hurricanes) and Dylan Larkin (Detroit Red Wings), played for Team USA in the tournament last year. Additionally, many current American-born NHL stars have played in the tournament, including Seth Jones (2013/Nashville Predators), Patrick Kane (2007/Chicago Blackhawks), Zach Parise (2003-04/Minnesota Wild) and Ryan Suter (2003-05/Minnesota Wild).

The full NHL Network broadcast schedule for the preliminary round is below: Date Game Time (ET) Saturday, Dec. 26 Czech Republic vs. Russia 7:00 a.m.

Switzerland vs. Sweden 9:30 a.m.

United States vs. Canada 1:00 p.m.

Finland vs. Belarus 3:30 p.m* Sunday, Dec. 27

Around the State / Page 7

Belarus vs. Slovakia 9:00 a.m.

Denmark vs. Switzerland 1:00 p.m.

Monday, Dec. 28 Sweden vs. United States 9:00 a.m.

Canada vs. Denmark 1:00 p.m.

Slovakia vs. Czech Republic 3:30 p.m.* Tuesday, Dec. 29 Belarus vs. Russia 9:00 a.m.

Switzerland vs. Canada 1:00 p.m.

Czech Republic vs. Belarus 7:00 a.m.

Wednesday, Dec. 30 Sweden vs. Denmark 9:30 a.m.

United States vs. Switzerland 1:00 p.m.

Slovakia vs. Finland 4:30 p.m.* Thursday, Dec. 31 Denmark vs. United States 9:00 a.m.

Canada vs. Sweden 3:30 p.m.* *Game aired on tape delay

On-air schedule for Quarterfinal, Semifinal, Bronze and Gold Medal Games from Jan. 2-5 is TBD Notes: Team USA’s pre-tournament training camp will be staged in two phases: Dec. 14-18 in Boston and Dec. 19-23 in Vierumaki, Finland.

The U.S. will play two exhibition games in preparation for the 2016 IIHF World Junior Championship — at the University of Massachusetts on Dec. 18 at 7 p.m. ET and vs. Finland in Vierumaki on Dec. 22 at 12 p.m. ET. The final U.S. National Junior Team roster is expected to be announced on Dec. 24.

Follow @USAHockeyScores on Twitter for live scoring updates throughout the tournament.

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Around New York State / Page 8

Around the NWHL NWHL 2016 ALL-STAR EVENT The National Women’s Hockey League announced details for the inaugural NWHL All-Star Weekend, to be held at Buffalo’s HarborCenter on January 23 and 24, 2016.

The All-Star Game will pit a local hero vs. a national icon as Getzville’s, New York’s Emily Pfalzer (Buffalo Beauts) and two-time Olympic silver medalist Hilary Knight (Boston Pride) lead their respective teams as player captains.

In early December, they will choose 11 of the 14 total players on their team from the full pool of NWHL players. Fans will be able to vote for two players on each team via social media shortly after.

The game’s format will be fouron-four for two 20 minute periods.

The winning team will receive 20% of the ticket sales profits, to be split equally among its members.

The All-Star Game will also feature a skills competition with shooting accuracy, fastest skater, trick shot and agility obstacle course events.

Following the on-ice festivities, select All-Star players will be available for autographs and photos with fans. League, team, and special edition merchandise featuring the 2016 NWHL All-Star Logo designed by Marce de la Vega will be available for purchase during the weekend.

All-Star festivities commence on Saturday evening with a VIP Skate With The Stars featuring the players themselves. This ticketed event, limited to 80 people, allows fans to get on the ice with the NWHL’s All-Stars and runs from 8:45 PM - 10:30 PM. Fans should bring their ice skates, as rentals will not be provided.

Tickets for the inaugural NWHL All-Star Game are just $25 and can be purchased at www.nwhl.co/buytickets. Ticket packages that include access to the 2016 NWHL All-Star Game and Saturday’s Skate With The Stars will also be available for $125 and make the perfect holiday gift for the fan in your life.

Captains Named by NWHL

N

ine women will go down in the history of the NWHL as wearing the “C” or “ A” for the 201516 season.

In Buffalo Emily Pfalzer will be assised by Meghan Duggan and Shelby Bram.

“It is very humbling to be selected as captain of the Beauts. I’ve always been very

proud to be from Buffalo and to have the opportunity to represent my city, in this capacity, is something I am very grateful for,” said Pfalzer.

The New York Riveters will be headed by Ashley Johnston, assisted

by Madison Packer and Morgan FritzWard.

“I was really shocked, honored and happy. Having Madison (Packer) and Morgan (Fritz-Ward) who each bring something different to the table, I think it really creates a well rounded leadership team along with the support of every other member of the club,” said Johnston Boston’s Brianne Decker and Hilary Knight will serve as co-captains

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Around the State / Page 9 NWHL Names Players of Week

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he National Women’s Hockey League today announced that New York Riveters goaltender Nana Fujimoto has been named Player of the Week.

Fujimoto made 42 saves on 44 shots against Boston’s league-leading offense, helping the Riveters win their first game in franchise history.

Highlights from New York’s 3-2 victory, including Fujimoto’s biggest saves, can be found here: https://youtu.be/NbvyQtG6fIA for the season.

Decker accepted by saying “I’m excited to help lead this pack throughout the season, however our team is full of so much experience and so much leadership from everyone. I am excited about how hard our team works on and off the ice and know that we will do well this season!”

Jessica Koizumi will be assisted

by Kaleigh Fratkin for the Connecticut Whale.

“Through coaching several years at a rebuilding Division I program, I have learned how important it is to have a strong leadership core. We’ve had some unbelievable captains at Yale that have helped change our culture including current Whale teammate, Tara Tomimoto, who was captain for me two seasons ago,” remarked Jessica Koizumi.

NWHL Players Of The Week Week 1 (October 11) - Kelli Stack, Connecticut Whale Week 2 (October 18) - Zoe Hickel, Boston Pride Week 3 (October 25) - Brianna Decker, Boston Pride Week 4 (November 15) - Nana Fujimoto, New York Riveters

NESN To Telecast NWHL Games

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he National Women’s Hockey League (NWHL) and New England Sports Network (NESN), announced today that NESN will air eight (8) Boston Pride games for the remainder of the 2015-16 season. This new partnership marks the NWHL’s first broadcasting agreement during the league’s inaugural season.

The NESN schedule begins this Sun-

day, November 22 when the Boston Pride host the New York Riveters at 3:00 pm on NESN. “The broadcast value of the women’s game has never been better, and we’re happy NESN is providing a stage for and shining a spotlight on some of the best players in the world,” said NWHL Commissioner Dani Rylan.

The following Boston Pride games will be broadcasted on NESN and/or NESNplus: 12/6 vs. New York Riveters 3:30PM (ET) – NESN 12/20 vs. Buffalo Beauts 3PM (ET) – NESNplus 1/3 vs. Buffalo Beauts 3PM (ET) – NESNplus 1/10 vs. New York Riveters 3PM (ET) – NESNplus 1/17 vs. Connecticut Whale 3PM (ET) – NESN 2/14 vs. Connecticut Whale 3PM (ET) – NESNplus

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Around the State / Page 10

Celebrating Hockey In Lockport!

By Randy Schultz Randy@nyhockeyonline.com

T

o say that the Inaugural “Howell Motors Hockey Day In Lockport” was a success would be an understatement. If the overwhelming number of people who passed through the doors of the Cornerstone CFCU Arena is an indicator, then the “Day” could be considered one of the greatest in the history of Lockport.

Period!

Hosted by the Lockport Hockey Club, the Day began at 8 a.m. with a “Taylor & Reynolds” Hungry Hockey Player Community Pancake Breakfast and ended with a Lockport Express Jr. Hockey Game over 12 hours later.

Besides the Kids Zone activities with face painting, balloon animals and games, there was also an NHL Silent Auction and Basket Raffles in the rinks second floor main hallway.

The highlight of the day came at 3 p.m. with the banner unveiling for Lockport’s Ted Darling, the original “Voice of the Buffalo Sabres” for over two decades. It was a very special moment for the Darling family in attendance.

“This day means a couple of things for us,” remarked Joel Darling, Ted’s son, now a CBC Sports

Ted Darling ...The Voice of the Buffalo Sabres...

Honored!

Executive. “First, it’s great to see hockey in Lockport again.

“I grew up in the age of the Kenan Center. To see hockey flourishing like this in this new building and having a great celebration like this is terrific.

“For my dad to be honored here, we are very thankful to the committee for them remembering my dad as his home here in Lockport.”

So how was it that Ted Darling, a native of Canada, brought his family across the boarder to the city of Lockport?

“We took a ride one day and ended up in Lockport,” remembered Dar-

ling’s widow, Sheila. “We found this big old house on Locust St. that we fell in love with.

“Remember, we had six kids so we needed lots of room.”

Sheila admitted that Lockport will always have

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Around the State / Page 11

a special place in her heart.

“It meant the most to me when Ted was sick (Darling died of Picks Disease at the age of 61 in 1996),” continued Sheila. “He used to wonder around Lockport.

“I had a hat made with his name and phone number on it.

He would wear the hat and people would call me and tell me that he just walked into their house and that he was with them.

“To me, all those people were the ‘Angels of Lockport.’ In a small town like Lockport, everyone knew Ted and they were wonderful to him.

“Something like that would never have happened in a large city. We were lucky to have chosen Lockport.”

Also on hand for the event was Rick Jeanneret, a broadcast partner of Darling and the play-by-play voice of the Sabres today.

“This event today shows just what hockey means to the people in Western New York and Southern Ontario,” remarked Jeanneret. “This building we’re in is awesome.

“To be standing at the players benches and see the entrances and exits for sled hockey is truly amazing. To remember to do something like that when planning a new hockey arena is just absolutely awesome.

“And to be a part of this special celebration today in honor of Ted is an honor for me. He was and always will be the ‘Voice of the Sabres.’”

A special announcement was made during the Darling ceremony announcing the fact that the William R. Kenan, Jr. Charitable Trust awarded a $1.2 million grant to the Lockport ice Arena and Sports Center, Inc. Rink 2 will now bear the name of Kenan.

In addition two Lockport High School hockey alumni games were held as well as a free family skate.

The day was topped off with the announcement of the initial group of inductees to go into the new Howell Motors’ Lockport Hockey Hall of Fame.

Top: Rick Jeanneret with Sheila Darling; Bottom: Judge Watson presents commemorative jerseys to the Kenan family (l) and Mike Landers of Howell Motors (r); Center: The banner is unveiled honoring Ted Darling, the Voice of the Buffalo Sabres.

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Hockey Day In Lockport Photos by Janet Schultz, NYHOL

Around the State / Page 12

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Around the State / Page 13

A Family Affair in the NHL!

By Randy Schultz, randy@nyhockeyonline.com

early years.

“As parents, my wife and I exposed our children (Mike also has two daughters) to different things in their lives,” recalled Mike, who played for 15 seasons in the NHL. “Sports was one of them.

“Both boys played different sports growing up in the Buffalo area, including soccer and baseball. But they both took a shine to hockey.

“They slowly began to excel in the sport of hockey. They were able to develop into the players that they are today in the National Hockey League. ike thousands of other “Honestly, as a parent, all I men across the United States and Canada, Mike tried to do was to make sure our Foligno is a hockey dad. Foligno kids were busy and led good, active lives. It just so happened has two sons that play hockey.

The big difference be- that both of the boys eventutween Mike and many of the ally took a shine to hockey.”

When Mike retired other hockey dads is that his as a player from hockey, he son’s play in the National Hockey League. An even bigger dif- returned to his hometown ference is that Mike is a former of Sudbury, Ont. where he coached the Junior Hockey player himself in the NHL. Nick Foligno is captain of Sudbury Wolves of the OHL. “When I knew that they the Columbus Blue Jackets and brother, Marcus, plays for the were becoming serious about the game, I was able to coach Buffalo Sabres.

Mike explained that even both boys through their juthough he played hockey at the nior hockey-playing years,” NHL level, he never thought stated Mike, who today is a that his sons would eventually scout for the New Jersey Devfollow in his footsteps in their ils. “I had my chance to work

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with each of them, one-on-one.

“The greatest thing about all of this was that these two individuals really wanted to become better than what they already were at that stage of their life. They worked hard at developing themselves into becoming the players that they are today.

“That is probably the biggest thing I talked to both boys about and that was amount of dedication needed to become a professional hockey player. To their credit, they were able to see a lot of the professionals because of the environment they had been raised under growing up with me.

(Continued on Page 15)

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Around the State / Page 14

Joe Juneau Honored!

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oé Juneau ’91 has been selected as one of six recipients of the prestigious NCAA Silver Anniversary Award for his collegiate and professional achievements. The Silver Anniversary Award annually recognizes distinguished individuals on the 25th anniversary of the conclusion of their college athletics careers.

Joining Juneau as 2015 recipients are Abby Cheng, Chris Howard, Russell Maryland, Dikembe Mutombo, and Steve Smith. The NCAA will recognize the honorees at the Honors Celebration during the 2016 NCAA Convention on Jan. 15 in San Antonio.

Juneau, an aeronautical engineering major from Pont-Rouge, Que., who spoke very little English upon arrival to campus, enjoyed a tremendous collegiate career before having an outstanding tenure in the National Hockey League. mong his on-ice accomplishments while at Rensselaer were: *Scoring 69 goals with 144 assists for 213 points in 124 games … He also had 57 penalties for 157 minutes Serving as captain in 1990-91 *Leading the team in assists all four years (29, 23, 52, 40) *Leading the team in points all four years (45, 35, 70, 63) *Leading ECAC Hockey in points in 1989-90 (70 in 34 games, including 50 in 22 league games) *Ranking third (52 in 1989-90) and eighth (40 in 199091) in school history for single season assists *Ranking second in school history for career assists *Ranking fifth in school history for career points *Selection to the league’s All-Rookie Team in 1987-88 *Earning All-League First Team in 1989-90, AllLeague *Second Team in 1990-91 and All-League Honorable Mention in 1987-88 *Earning National All-America First Team in 1989-90 and National All-America Second Team in 1990-91

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*Being named a Hobey Baker Award finalist in 198990 and 1990-91 *Being named to the ECAC Hockey All-Decade Team of the 1990s *Earning Rensselaer’s Male Freshman Athlete of the Year in 1988 *Earning Rensselaer’s Male Career Athlete of the Year in 1990 *Being drafted by the Boston Bruins in the fourth round of the 1988 NHL Entry Draft *Playing for Team Canada in 1990, 1991 and in the 1992 Olympics, where he won a silver medal while leading the tournament in scoring with 15 points (6 goals, 9 assists) in nine games *Rensselaer Athletics Hall of Fame in 2005 *Rensselaer Hockey Ring of Honor in 2005 *Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Honorary Degree in 2005 *ECAC Hockey Top 50 Player of All-Time in 2010 *University of Ottawa Honorary Degree in 2011 rofessionally, Juneau had a distinguished 13-year NHL career, during which he: *Played for Boston, Washington, Buffalo, Ottawa, Phoenix and Montreal *Amassed 156 goals and 416 assists for 572 points in 828 games … He also had 272 penalty minutes *Scored 25 goals with 54 assists in 112 career playoff games *Registered 70 assists and 102 points in 1992-93 with the Bruins – both team rookie records and NHL record for assists by a left wing

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www.nyhockeyonline.com *Was named to the 1993 All-Rookie Team *Finished second in voting for 1993 Calder Memorial Trophy as NHL’s top rookie, behind only Teemu Selanne Jacques Beauchamp Trophy, presented annually to the player having been instrumental in the team’s success without any particular honor as chosen by sports journalists of Montreal, in 2002 *Two Stanley Cup Finals appearances ince retiring following the 2003-04 season, Juneau has been active as a humanitarian, working with the youths of the Canadian Arctic, creating the Nunavik Youth Hockey Development Program, which encourages academic progress and provides Inuit children with avenues to play and enjoy the sport of hockey. Ten years later, Juneau remains active as an instructor, coach, educator, coordinator and director of the program, which has had more than 500 participants.

He has also served his native Canada in a variety of ways, including as Assistant Chef de Mission for the Canadian Olympic Team at the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games. dditionally, he has been awarded: *Honorary member of the Order of Quebec’s Social Workers, for defending and promoting values of equity and social justice in the exercise of its functions (June 2010) *The Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal, an acknowledgement to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II

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Around New York State / Page 15 for her service to the country, and to pay tribute by the same means to outstanding Canadians who have built and continue to build the nation through the services they provide, as well and their achievements and contributions. (March 2013) *The title and role of Honorary Witness with respect to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada, with a mandate to explore the history of ‘Indians’ residential schools in Canada. Juneau and others agreed to join the work of reconciliation following the unfortunate legacy of those residential schools, considering all the injustice and wrongs caused to Aboriginal people for over 150 years in Canada. (March 2013) *The Medal of Honor of the Quebec National Assembly, a distinction awarded by the president to individuals from different backgrounds who, through their career, their work or their commitment, have deserved the recognition of all members of the National Assembly.

(November 2013) *The medal of Cavalier of the National Order of Que bec, a tribute by the Premier of Quebec to outstanding individuals who, through their achievements, values ??and ideals, marked the evolution and influence of Quebec. The National Order of Quebec is the highest and most prestigious distinction awarded by the Quebec government. (June 2014)

Happy Holidays Happy Holidays!

Foligno Continued from Page 13

“I think it’s important for parents, who might think that their kids can play pro hockey, to take their kids to an NHL game and see how hard these athletes work. Sometimes those things will stick with a young player.”

Mike will also be the first to admit that he stays in touch with his boys every day.

“If I’m not talking with them on a daily basis, I talk with them almost every second day,” continued Mike. “We’re a close family and care a lot about each other.

“The communication lines are always opened and I always try and make each conversation as posi-

tive as I can.

“Positive communication is important in a pro athletes life. It’s important in any athlete’s life.

“You have to have that if you are going to be successful in sports or in life.”

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Coaching With Gridley / Page 16

Goalie Coach Clinic to be held in New York

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ne of the toughest positions in hockey for most coaches to deal with is goaltending. Most of us just don’t know enough about the position to effectively teach it. I have been coaching for over 20 years, and I vividly remember my struggles early on in my coaching career, trying to figure out what to do with my goalie. Back then I think my player had a better handle on what he should be doing in practice than I did (mainly because he had already attended 2 or 3 Goalie Camps!). Since that time I have researched the subject, and certainly have a better handle on it than I did back then. I have to say that it’s still something I’m not completely comfortable with.

This is not a “local issue”, or a new one for that matter. We have struggled nationally to develop programs to train goaltenders, and the coaches who work with them. We do address Goaltending in our Level clinics, but we have always thought it would be great to devote an entire clinic to educating coaches on how to better work with their goalies.

On Dec 13th, the USA Hockey Coaching Education Program will be holding a Goalie Coach Clinic at the Wright Start Skating Academy, 200 Marbledale Road , Tuckahoe, NY. The fee for the clinic is the same as all other USA Hockey clinic…$40.00. If you want to use the clinic for USA Hockey certification, it can be used as a Level 2, a Level 3, or Level 3 Refresher.

If you have already attended a clinic this season, or if you do not need credit for certification, you can still attend the class. Just contact Mike Bonelli at mbonelli@usahockeycep.org, or Chuck Gridley at chuckgridley@aol.com.

The clinic will be directed by long time USA

Coaching With Gridley

by Chuck Gridley

Hockey CEP Instructor Dave Starman, as well as our National Coach in Chief Mike MacMillan.

You might recognize Dave from his role as a color analyst CBS Sports covering college hockey. He also works as a scout for the Montreal Canadians.

In addition to his position with USA Hockey, Mike is currently serving as an Assistant Coach at Hamline University. Both Dave and Mike have been instrumental in redesigning USA Hockey’s approach to teaching Goaltending. They will be joined in the clinic by Tony Luizzi and others.

We are very excited about this clinic. It will be a good opportunity for coaches to hear a wide variety of ideas on goaltending, and to share their ideas and experiences with other coaches.

The link to the clinic registration page is http:// www.usahockey.com/coachingclinics , then select “Skills Workshop” and New York. We hope that many of you will take advantage of this opportunity.

Chuck Gridley New York Coach in Chief

Your Source For NYS Hockey News!

NY HOCKEY E-Magazine

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

Janosz Goaltending / Page 17

Edgework for Goalies By: Bob Janosz

F

or years everyone has heard that goalies need to be good skaters, perhaps the best on the team. This is still true, but too often overlooked. Goalie specific crease movements should be quick and efficient. Unfortunately, many young goalies that haven’t been trained properly are sometimes the worst skaters on the team. Being a poor skater will greatly reduce the ability to get square, which leads to a number of problems.

A goalie needs great balance, edge control, and the ability to stop and start quickly and efficiently. These skills are necessary to stay square to the puck, be able to use proper save selection, recover square to the puck, and handle any pucks outside of the crease area. Many young goalies have neglected the skating portion of their development by lack of knowledge or sometimes effort.

They need to make a conscious effort to continue to improve all aspects of their skating to be able to “arrive early” to make more 1st and 2nd saves and to be able to help out their team by handling the puck proficiently.

There are several aspects of skating goaltenders should be working on. Position specific crease movements should be quick and controlled in order for goalies to get to the best possible position to make the save. Therefore shuffles, T-pushes, and push-outs should be automatic without the goalies having to look down at the crease to know where they are in relation to the net. Having good edgework also helps goalies to be able to move while down to be able to make 2nd saves. The recent use of the of the Reverse VH post play has also increased the importance of edgework.

Another area that greatly affects skating ability is how deep the hollow should be when the skates are sharpened. The hollow should be as deep as possible as long as the goalie can still shuffle. As the goalie acquires more leg strength they can go deeper with the hollow so they can push hard and get set quick, trying to “arrive early” to make the difficult saves become routine.

For more information on the Janosz School of Goaltending or Private Training go our new video website at www. bobjanosz.com or call (716) 308-9224.

CENTRAL NEW YORK Camillus Girls Collect Bottles

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Central Hockey / Page 19

Clinton Warriors -Inaugural Season Underway

he Clinton Warriors Girls Varsity Ice Hockey Team is on the ice and looking to meet up with their competition in Section III of the NYS Girls Varsity Ice Hockey League. Ten school districts have girls playing on this team under Head Coach Nicole Ruddy.

“We began in March with the support of parents and went to find a host school,” said Ruddy. “The team is funded by the booster club and pays for all their expenses including the ice time, coaches and the bus.”

Clinton School District, and the other districts the girls come from, do not take on any of the financial burden.

They were looking for sponsors and a host school when Clinton stepped up and agreed to be the host in August.

Tryouts were held with 25 girls showing up and Ruddy kept all 25.

In November they took to the Clinton Arena and won their first game 4-2 against Albany Academies.

New Hartford 10th grader Hannah Cooke is enjoying this new part of hockey in her life.

“It’s more competitive and nice to be connected to a school,” said Cooke, who also plays for the CNY

Bobcats.

She started playing hockey 7 years ago through the Learn to Skate program in New Hartford and then joined up with the Bobcats as a right wing.

Senior Mariesa Cozza from Utica is excited about playing her senior year on the squad.

“In the past it was like going dutch. I was doing my own thing,” said Cozza. “Now I found a fit and it’s cool to represent a school doing what we like.”

Cozza started playing when she was 11 years old and, like most girls, was on the New Hartford Boys team and then played girls hockey with Rome and Syracuse.

Looking toward the future, she’s not sure but whatever comes her way, she will be ready.

All the girls will be ready because Ruddy plans on helping them in whatever way she can,on and off the ice.

“We want to promote girls hockey and also give back to the community,” said Ruddy. “I will also help support them in any way they I can to achieve their goals.”

(Continued on Page 26)

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Central Men’s College Ice Hockey Report

by Warren Kozireski Wkozires@brockport.edu

BROOME CCC The Hornets were off to one of their better starts recently at 5-3 overall and 2-2 in NJCAA league competition. Geno DeAngelo (Binghamton) and Austin Campbell (Binghamton) were acing the offensive attack with 14 points respectively with Owen Miller (Endicott) among the top-four nationally in save percentage.

COLGATE One conference win and one tie is far from what was expected from the Raiders heading into the season, but four losses have come against ranked teams. The team was having little trouble scoring goals versus non-conference opponents, but had only nine goals over their first six ECAC games.

The Spink brothers—Tyson and Tylor— stood atop the team stat sheet along with fellow seniors Darcy Murphy and Mike Borkowski plus junior defenseman Brett Corkey.

Rookie defensemen Ken Citron recorded his first collegiate tally against Yale Nov. 21.

Hunter Racine made his first the initial goal of the season back on Oct. 3 versus Mercyhurst.

Central Hockey / Page 20 The penalty kill was among the 11 worst in the country heading to the Friendship Four tournament with Brown, UMassLowell and Northeastern Thanksgiving weekend in Belfast, Ireland.

CORNELL Trying to put last year’s disappointing season well in the rearview mirror, the Big Red exploded out of the gate with a 4-1-1 conference record. They were also back to playing the brand of hockey they have been known for with three shutouts and allowing only one goal in two other of their first nine games.

Junior Mitch Gillam was named the ECAC Hockey Goaltender of the Week after making 49 saves in backstopping the Big Red to a home-and-home sweep of Colgate Nov. 13-14. With his third shutout of the season and fourth of his career Nov. 21, he became the first Cornell goalie to post consecutive shutouts since Andy Iles blanked St. Lawrence and Clarkson on Dec. 2-3, 2011.

Freshman forward Anthony Angello, a 2014 draft pick of the Pittsburgh Penguins, is the Big Red’s first player to have points in his first four collegiate games since Ryan Moynihan from Nov. 8-16, 1996. He scored his first collegiate goal Oct. 30 at Niagara.

Christian Hilbrich, John Knisley (Pittsford), Teemu Tiitinen and Reece Willcox will serve as captains during their final season on East Hill.

Mitch Vanderlaan netted his first career goal Halloween night against Niagara. Beau Starrett got his first collegiate goal Nov. 6 versus Princeton.

Head coach Mike Schafer won his 250th regular season game in a 3-2 victory Nov. 14 at Colgate.

(Continued on Next Page)

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Central Hockey / Page 21

CORTLAND

HAMILTON

The team had just one win and one tie through their first five SUNYAC games, but they came against traditional powerhouses Oswego and Geneseo respectively to demonstrate that they can compete with everyone.

The defeat of seventhranked Oswego 4-2 Nov. 6 was their first over the Lakers since the 2005-06 season.

Freshman Shane Bennett (Grand Island) led the team with four goals, including two in the season opener, while Darren McCormick (Buffalo) and freshman Michael Crowley (Buffalo) had combined for 12 helpers.

Freshman Sean Brown (East Amherst) netted his first collegiate goal—the go-ahead tally—in the Oswego win while Zach Felser scored his first Nov. 20 versus Canton.

Sophomore goaltender Evan Buitenhuis made 22 saves to register his second career shutout in just his seventh appearance to even the Continentals record at 1-1. They play in the latestarting NESCAC. Junior forward Robbie Murden and junior defenseman Conor Lamberti (Kings Park) stood atop the team scoring chart in the early going to no one’s surprise.

ELMIRA The Soaring Eagles struggled out of the gate, but recovered with a pair of wins over a three game stretch heading into the Thanksgiving holiday.

Senior Carter Shinkaruk stood among the top-ten nationally with six goals over his first six contests.

HOBART A one-goal loss to Elmira was the only blemish to a 5-1 ECAC West conference start for the Statesmen while averaging almost five goals scored per game.

The senior forward quartet of Mac Olson, Brad Robbins, Ben Gamache and Sean Ruby were lined up 1-4 on the team scoring chart.

Classmate Lino Chimienti was dominant through the early going with a .952 save percentage and 1.48 goals against average.

MOHAWK VALLEY CC The Hawks won three of their first seven games, but were still looking for their first conference win entering December.

Individual stats are

not made available by the school.

MORRISVILLE The Mustangs were allowing goals at an alarming rate with 36 over their first eight contests. That resulted in just one conference win and last place with a stretch of seven no-conference games ahead.

Danny Liscio stood among the top freshmen in the nation with five goals and ten points over his first eight games with classmate CJ Stubbs trialing him by only two points. Jordan Carvalho was setting up many of those goals with eight helpers.

Brett Johnson (Bronxville) netted his first collegiate goal Nov. 6 in their only victory against Brockport.

OSWEGO Off to an uncharacteristic 3-3-1 beginning to their SUNYAC schedule, the Lakers recovered with a weekend sweep of Morrisville just prior to Thanksgiving, but put themselves in a bit of a hole behind Potsdam and Plattsburgh.

The junior class is dominating the scoring with seven atop the team list led by reigning SUNYAC MVP Shawn Hulshoff along with

www.nyhockeyonline.com Alex Botten.

The Lakers are captained by junior defenseman Chris Raguseo with senior assistants Brandon Adams and Mac Scott.

UTICA An undefeated 3-0-1 start evaporated with three straight conference losses put the Pioneers tied for third as they prepared to host their Thanksgiving tournament.

Sophomore Alex Brissette gained national attention for his first goal against Castleton, which was netted just seven seconds into the opening period. It was the second fastest goal in the history of Division III men’s hockey and the fastest in over 25 years. The fastest goal in DIII men’s hockey history is listed at five seconds by Chris Palin from Brockport back on January 11, 1989 against Oswego State.

Central Hockey / Page 22 Freshman goalie Michael Fredrick was named the ECAC West Rookie of the Week on Nov. 8 after making 54 saves over a 1-0-1 weekend.

LJ Fellows and Hayden Dawes each scored their first collegiate goals against Castleton Oct. 30. Alex Roberts netted his first Nov. 7 against Nazareth. Justin Derlago netted his first Nov. 21 against Manhattanville.

15-year head coach Gary Heenan was five victories shy of 200 career toward the end of November.

OTHER AREA NOTES:

• Robert Morris junior Dalton Izyk (Oswego,) was named Atlantic Hockey Goaltender of the Month for October. One of the two Atlantic Hockey goalies to be named to the Mike Richter Award watch list, has opened without a loss in three games played, going 2-0, which included a 4-0 shutout of #10 Michigan at Yost Arena.

The Geneseo Livingston Blues Squirt A team had a fundraiser the month of October. They sold breast cancer awareness bracelets and auctioned off a scarf at their November 1st game vs Monroe County South (won 5-2) and donated the money to Breast Cancer Awareness.

Shown are: (back) coach Mike Harding, coach Matt McDonald, coach Todd Travaglini; (middle) Thomas Keysa, Tyler Ballinger, Ethan McGowan, Josh Middleton, Gianni Travaglini, Brody Hinrich, James Hy; (front) Evan Frazo, Nathan McDonald, Aidan Harding, Logan Diver, Jack Ruter

Geneseo Livingston Blues Squirt A Team (Geneseo Photo)

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Central Hockey / Page 23

Central New York Women’s College Hockey Report

By Janet Schultz Janet@nyhockeyonline.com

Utica Pioneers

Gabrielle Schnepp was named ECACW Player of the Week for November 2 after garnering 6 points in a weekend sweep of Canton.

Lauren Patterson was tapped as Rookie of the Week twice in November for her 4 points in the Canton contest. She had her first collegiate goal in game one, as well as two points. The following weekend he had 5 points in a sweep of William Smith including the game winner in game 1. In game 2 she had 3 assists and is fourth nationally in rookie scoring.

Morgan Reed and Schnepp were named to the D3hockey.com National Team of the Week for November 17.

The Pioneers are 5-0-1 overall and 3-0-1 in the ECACW. They close out December with games against Cortland, Morrisville and Williams Smith.

Following the holiday break they will return home against Norwich on January 10.

Syracuse Orange

The Time Warner Sports Channel will broadcast three games for the Orange

women’s ice hockey team this season, Syracuse University announced on Tuesday afternoon.

All three games are against College Hockey America opponents, including two games aired live on the road at RIT. The first television broadcast is scheduled for Wednesday, Nov. 18 at 7 p.m. at RIT. The Orange’s only home game to go over the Time Warner Sports Channel airwaves is against Mercyhurst on Friday, Jan. 15 at 3 p.m. On top of being broadcast live via Time Warner, both sides will play inside War Memorial Arena at the Oncenter located in Syracuse, N.Y. Syracuse will have its third and final game on the Time Warner Sports Channel on Friday, Jan. 22 at RIT at 7 p.m.

Stephanie Grossi was named Syracuse Scholar/Athlete for November 16. Grossi leads in assists with 12 and is second on the team with goals with 5. She had her first hat trick in a 7-1 win over RIT in October and then was named CHA Hockey Player of the Week.

With a 6-8-1 overall record the Orange face Penn State and Boston College in December. They return home on January 4 against Colgate.

Colgate Raiders

The Raiders are 7-2-5 overall and 0-14 in the conference. They close out the year with Clarkson and St. Lawrence and are on break until January 4.

Bailey Larsen leads the scoring with 4 goals and 9 assists in 14 games.

Freshman Olivia Zafuto (Niagara Junior Purple Eagles) has 10 assists in 14 games and Nichols School alumn Anna Zalewski has 4 goals and 3 assists in 12 games.

Elmira Soaring Eagles

Two Soaring Eagles were selected by EC as Scholar/Athletes in November including Olivia Nystrom and Meghan Fonfara.

Nystrom is tied in points in this season and opened the season with 2 goals and an assists in the East-West Classic. She was named to the EastWest Classic All Tournament Team.

Fonfara had a hat trick in a 5-1 win over Cortland and her first hat trick of the season and first for Elmira since February 2015.

Fonfara and Kristin Chivers were named to the D3 Hockey.com National Team for November 7.

Elmira is ranked #2 in the USCHO poll as of November 16. Pittsburgh is #1.

Currently 3-1 overall and 2-0 in the conference, the Soaring Eagles

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play Potsdam on December 5 and 6 before breaking for the holidays. They return to the ice January 2 against Williams at home.

Oswego Lakers

3-2-2 overall and 2-1-2 in the conference, the Lakers close out December with games against Neumann. They will be holding their United Way Food Drive on December 4 and celebrate Teal Day on December 5. Their next game is January 15 againts Chatham.

Olivia Ellis is leading scorer with 3 goals and 4 assists in six games.

Freshman Brianna McFall (Falconer) has two goals/ two assists in six games.

Buffalo’s Rachel Lenard (Monsignor Martin) has 3 goals and 1 assist in 5 games.

Other New Yorkers on the scoring list are Kendall Appelbaum (Eden) 1 goal; Lizzy Marks (Penfield) 2 assists and Alyssa Brockman (Fairport) 1 assist.

Goalie and Fulton native Tori Trovato has played in 3 games ending with 2 losses and 1 tier. She had 61 saves in three games.

Cortland Red Dragons

The Red Dragons are 1-4-1 overall in mid-November. They play Utica on December 4 and 5 and take on Hamilton at home on January 5.

Former Cortland Red Dragon Nicole Ruddy has been named the first Head Coach of the Clinton Girls Varsity Ice Hockey Team. (See related story).

Another alum, Maggie Giamo, is a member of the NWHL Buffalo Beauts. She had 45 points in 76 games as a member of the Red Dragons.

Central Hockey / Page 24

Hamilton Bulldogs

With an opening loss to Williams followed by a 1-0 win over Williams Hamilton faces Morrisville in their Inaugural season on December 1 and then Colby on December 4 and 5.

One NY native appears on the roster with Megan Ahern, a junior, from Oswego and Millbrook Hockey.

William Smith Herons

The Herons are 2-3-2 overall as they enter December. Following a December 5 and 6 weekend stance with Chatham at home, the Herons are on break until January 5 when they play Morrisville.

Grace Dunham (St. James/Northwood) has a goal in 7 games played; Maura Mulligan (Troy/Albany Academy) has an assist and Egan Sachs-Hecht (Plainview/Lawrenceville) has two assists.

Morrisville Mustangs

There is much anticipation and excitement on the Morrisville State College campus for the upcoming winter season, as the Mustangs hit the ice for the first time in college history with a women’s ice hockey team.

Head coach Melissa Lomanto, a native of Clinton, N.Y., has been busy at work in the year leading up to the Mustangs inaugural season, laying the foundation with 15 newcomers who are expected to lead the young program forward for years to come. Players that have found their way to the college hail from New York, Idaho, Alaska, New Jersey, British Columbia, Alberta, Ontario and Quebec.

“It’s a very exciting time for us and we look forward to our first season,” Lomanto said. “Being a new program, we have a roster full of newcomers, some with college hockey experience prior to Morrisville, but most experiencing college hockey for the first time.”

“We want to establish ourselves as a hard team to play

www.nyhockeyonline.com against,” she stated. “Our expectation is to be competitive all season long.”

That expectation is nothing short of how hard the team has been working on and off the ice from the start of the semester and continuing throughout preseason.

“We want our team to be competitive,” Lomanto said. “That includes being accountable on and off the ice, succeeding in the classroom, and wanting to be a role model in the community, leading by example.”

As a coaching staff, she said that they have been striving to implement a work ethic that the girls take pride in and transitions to their play on the ice this season.

Morrisville will play in the newly established Colonial Hockey Conference.

The CHC is comprised of programs from Becker College, Daniel Webster College, Endicott College,

Central Hockey / Page 25 Johnson & Wales University, Salem State University, Stevenson University, SUNY Canton, along with Morrisville State. SUNY Canton and Stevenson are the lone programs in the conference to have had a program prior to this season.

The Mustangs played nine of their (first semester) scheduled 11 games before the Christmas break.

They resume play on Tuesday, Jan. 5 hosting William Smith College to kick off the second half of the schedule which includes eight home contests.

“Every season, our goal as a program is to compete for a conference championship,” said Lomanto. “We need to work hard on and off the ice as a team to accomplish these goals.”

New York natives playing for the Mustangs are: Taylor Pincheson (Corinth/Troy-Albany Ice Cats).

Pincheson played for the Bethlemen Eagles Boys.

CENTRAL YOUTH HOCKEY NEWS... ... The Syracuse Blazers hosted their annual Columbus Day Midget tournament in Syracuse Oct 10-12. Taking home the medals were Syracuse with the 16U division over Long Island Edge and Tonawanda won the 18U division over St. Lawrence in overtime. ...The Camillus Girls Team collected bottles, and even did some dumpster diving, to raise money for their tournament travel. Thanks to Christie Casciano Burns for the photos.

Bailey Dillabough (Massena/ Massena-Potsdam). She played four seasons for the Potsdam Ice Storm and four seasons with the Massena Red Bombers.

Kalei Feldman (Rodman/Jefferson Jaguars). She was a forward with Jefferson for two seasons.

Megan Kirk (Breezy Point/New Jersey Rockets) spent four seasons with Avaiator.

In a historic day for both squads, the Morrisville State Women’s Ice Hockey team proved victorious as they posted a 5-0 win over host Salem State in both teams’ first Colonial Hockey Conference competition on November 5.

Morrisville continues play in December against Hamilton and Utica before the holiday break and return to the ice January 5 against William Smith.

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Rome Hosts Northeast Silver Stick Tournament (Submitted by Kristin Fleet Haag, CPA)

T

he Rome Youth Hockey Association is proud to be hosting the Northeast Regional International Silver Stick Tournament this weekend, December 3rd - December 6th at the beautifully renovated Bill Fleet Rink at the John F. Kennedy Arena, in Rome, New York.

A competitive and exciting weekend of hockey is planned, as we finalize our preparations to host 19 teams, across 4 divisions, with almost 300 players.

New this year, Rome will host a Squirt house division.

Rome will field one team in this division, with 13 players, coached by Kurt Parry. As in the past, Rome will also host teams in the traditional divisions of Squirts, Pee Wees and Bantams. Rome will field 2 teams in the Squirt division, one coached by Nate Van Wie and the other coached by Dan Pylman. Rome will field one team in the Pee Wee division, coached by Mark Gualtieri, and one team in the Bantam Division, coached by Peter Kirk.

Clinton Warriors Continued from Page 19

Central Hockey / Page 26 Teams attending by division are as follows: Squirt House (10U): Rome, Oswego, Salmon River, and Valley Squirt Travel (10U): Rome Red, Rome White, TroyAlbany Titans, Finger Lakes Central Outlaws, Bethlehem Eagles Pee Wee (12U): Rome, Binghamton Jr. Senators, Tonawanda Lightning, New Hartford Spartans Bantam (14U): Rome, West Seneca Wings, Oswego Buccaneers, Finger Lakes Central Outlaws, Onondaga Thunder, Bethlehem Eagles Teams will compete in the Rome Regional, and the winner of each division will advance to the International Silver Stick Finals in either Forest or Pelham, Ontario, Canada in January 2016. Rome has seen many teams advance to the finals, the latest being the Rome Bantams in 2014, coached by Glen Bielby.

The Rome Youth Hockey Association has hosted this tournament for over 30 years. Last year, we only had enough teams to field the Bantam Division. We are excited this year to host so many players at our beautiful venue.

Full schedule on next page!

“It’s cool to play different high school teams and be more competitive,” said Cooke.

They also know they will meet up playing against girls they’ve faced during their travel hockey and Cozz a sees it as a wrap-around for the 16U teams.

“It’s a privilege to play on a high school team,” ssaid Cozza.

Coach Ruddy is a graduate of Cortland College, where she also played for the Red Raiders. She is a native of Utica and during her four years at Cortland Ruddy compiled 31 points on 12 goals and 19 assists in 95 games.

She played her youth hockey in the Utica area on both boys and girls teams. She is a guidance counselor with the Frankfort-Schuyler School District.

The Inaugural team includes Addy Barr, Frankie Bartolomie, Anna Buehler, Hannah Cooke, Mariesa Cozza, Christina D’Ambro, Sarah Dzeigiel, Bella Facciolo, Devyn Farrell, Sophie Goris, Sarah Hughes, Stephanie Husnay, Morgan LeBuis, Emily Marsh, Libby Militello, Katie Nellis, Sarah Owens, Alana Phillips, Luciana Robertelli, Alexis, Romeo, Bella Ruddy, Ryann Stripp, Aria Treadway, Sky Walter and Claire Wiley.

Silver Stick Regional Qualifying Tournament Schedule for December 3rd ‐ 6th (by division) www.nyhockeyonline.com Central Day

Start

End

Thursday 7:00 PM 8:00 PM Friday 2:00 PM 3:00 PM Saturday 7:00 AM 8:00 AM Saturday 11:40 AM 12:40 PM Saturday 5:30 PM 6:30 PM Sunday 7:00 AM 8:00 AM Sunday 2:00 PM 3:30 PM Thursday 6:00 PM 7:00 PM Friday 10:30 AM 11:30 AM Friday 11:40 AM 12:40 PM Friday 3:10 PM 4:10 PM Saturday 8:10 AM 9:10 AM Saturday 9:20 AM 10:20 AM Saturday 3:10 PM 4:10 PM Saturday 4:20 PM 5:20 PM Sunday 8:10 AM 9:10 AM Sunday 9:20 AM 10:20 AM Sunday 3:45 PM 5:15 PM Friday Friday Friday Saturday Saturday Saturday Sunday

8:10 AM 12:50 PM 4:20 PM 10:30 AM 6:40 PM 7:50 PM 5:30 PM

9:10 AM 1:50 PM 5:20 PM 11:30 AM 7:40 PM 8:50 PM 7:00 PM

Friday Friday Saturday Saturday Saturday Saturday Sunday Sunday Sunday Sunday

9:00 PM 10:10 PM 12:50 PM 2:00 PM 9:00 PM 10:10 PM 10:30 AM 11:40 AM 7:15 PM 12:50 PM

10:00 PM 11:10 PM 1:50 PM 3:00 PM 10:00 PM 11:10 PM 11:30 AM 12:40 PM 9:00 PM 1:50 PM

Division Home Squirt House Squirt House Rome Squirt House Rome Squirt House Oswego Squirt House Valley Squirt House Salmon River Squirt House Valley Squirt House Championship Squirt Travel Squirt Travel Rome Red Squirt Travel Troy Squirt Travel Central Outlaws Squirt Travel Rome White Squirt Travel Rome Red Squirt Travel Bethlehem Squirt Travel Bethlehem Squirt Travel Central Outlaws Squirt Travel Bethlehem Squirt Travel Rome White Squirt Travel Championship Pee Wee Pee Wee New Hartford Pee Wee Rome Pee Wee Binghamton Pee Wee Tonawanda Pee Wee Rome Pee Wee New Hartford Pee Wee Championship Bantam Travel Bantam Rome Bantam West Seneca Bantam Bethlehem Bantam Oswego Bantam Onondaga Bantam Central Outlaws Bantam Consolation Game Bantam Cross Over 1 Bantam Championship Bantam Cross Over 2

/ Page 27

Away Salmon River Oswego Salmon River Oswego Valley Rome 1st vs. 2nd Rome White Bethlehem Rome Red Troy Troy Central Outlaws Rome White Troy Rome Red Central Outlaws 1st vs. 2nd Rome Tonawanda New Hartford Binghamton Binghamton Tonawanda 1st vs. 2nd Bethlehem Oswego Central Outlaws Onondaga West Seneca Rome 3rd Div 1 vs. 3rd Div 2 1st Div 1 vs. 2nd Div 2 Winner CO1 vs. CO2 1st Div 2 vs. 2nd Div 1

East Hockey

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EAST Hockey / Page 29

MEET MUNDINGER!

ometimes a known quantity can still hold a lot of unknowns. Aviators head coach Mike Stanaway knew goaltender Stephen Mundinger was big, really big and had been impressive against the Aviators former USPHL team in 2014-15 despite playing on a bad team.

The unknown, just how good could this raw, still developing goaltender be?

Oh, one other thing Stanaway knew and let’s face it, everyone knows, Mundinger is big, really big.

At 6’7 (nearly 7’0 on skates), Mundinger is easily one of the biggest, if not THE biggest goaltender in junior hockey, for sure at the Tier III level, but the impressive thing to Stanaway is not so much how big Mundinger is, but his athleticism.

“When you watch him play, the fact that he is 6’7” obviously stands out,” said Stanaway. “However when you watch him play you can see how athletic he really is and how well he moves for a big man. Like we often say to describe him, he is 6’7 but plays like he has the athleticism of a player that is 5’9.”

It hasn’t come easy to Mundinger however, having started playing hockey at a young age, it wasn’t until a few years ago he started playing organized hockey. It was primarily inline Stephen had been playing up until that point.

Since the full-time transition to the ice, the Smithtown, NY-native has had plenty of help, including former New York Islanders skating coach Barbara Williams and his goaltending

goal Ken Boyce.

“Williams has been a huge help making me into the skater I am today,” said Mundinger. “Also training with Boyce has also helped me in a huge way. My biggest help with the Aviators would be assistant coaches always helping me on things I would like to work on.”

But, after playing with the Islanders, a program noted for it’s USPHL prowess at the Premier division and the addition of an Elite program his season, why did Mundinger choose the Aviators?

“One of the biggest selling points was Coach S t a n away,” said Mundinger. “Having a coach who recruited you and believes in you is a perfect situation.

My biggest plus is being on a great team with even better surroundi n g s , coaches and staff.”

Clearly the feel-

ing was mutual for Stanaway, who’s top goaltender from 2014-15, Loren Sawyer, aged out and headed off to college.

“Anytime you have a player like Loren Sawyer you wonder at the end of the season how you’re going to find someone as good to replace him,” said Stanaway. “Fortunately for us, Mundinger was right in our back yard the entire time.”

Along with his impressive stature, Mundinger’s play over the last couple seasons is starting to gain some attention at high levels of hockey. Having already turned down a profes-

www.nyhockeyonline.com sional contract in the ECHL to maintain his eligibility for NCAA Div. I hockey, Mundinger is clearly set on his future goals.

It’s a rarity for a Tier III junior player to gain the interest of NCAA Div. I schools. It’s hard enough to find quality Div. III programs in fact. But Mundinger is a rarity, with his size and athleticism, that Div. I interest is there and Stanaway thinks, rightfully so.

“I really think he does deserve that type of interest,” said Stanaway. “At that level he would be a player that would have to get in and be developed but I think the risk for a lower Div. I or upper Div. III institution is well worth the reward. You have to remember, he hasn’t been playing hockey for a long time so I think we are just scratching the surface of his ability.”

Stanaway also leans towards Mundinger’s off-ice character as a big selling point for teams at the next level, but admits, as with any young hockey player, there’s lots of room to grow.

“I think what he needs to focus on is being the most dominant player on the ice every night,” said Stanaway.

“It can be difficult because we rely on him nearly every night. However, competing to be the best every night will help him and his teammates find more success. He has the off-ice character as well as the academic scores that any school would love to have; now he is showing he has

EAST Hockey / Page 30 the ability on the ice to compete with anyone.”

So with the individual success he had in 2014-15 with the Islanders, second in the league in minutes played while leading the league by over 200 shots face and still maintaining a .904 save percentage, along with the team and individual success he’s had in 2015-16 so far, leading the NA3EHL in minutes played, wins and third in save percentage, what’s big his best moment so far?

“My best moment so far would just everything put together,” said Mundinger. “Anytime I’m with the boys it’s a blast. Beating the undefeated Jersey Shore Wildcats was a great moment as well. A full team win.”

After some time off, Mundinger and the Aviators are back on the road to western New York Dec. 4-6 to face the Lockport Express. The Aviators are 1-0-1 against the Express this season.

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By Michael Meyers NY Raptors

Janosz Goaltending / Page 31

Raptors Rap

T

he New York Raptors played in the October Frankenfest Tournament hosted by the New Jersey Dare Devils.

In Game One the Raptors lost 5-2 to the Dare Devils.

The Raptors were losing 5-0 in Game two when they scored with 36 seconds left making it 5-1, then another three goals and it was 5-4 when Kimberly Jones had a penalty shot and tie the game 5-5. That was the final.

The Raptors then lost to the Virginia Ice Cats 8-2 and the New Jersey Woodbridge Warriors 5-4.

In an October 25 rematch, the Raptors beat Woodbridge Warriors 8-2.

The Raptors play the New Jersey Dare Devils on December 12 and the Albany Cougars on January 16.

T

he New York Aviators are having a great start to their inaugural NA3EHL season, but its work they are doing off the ice that is winning the hearts of the Brooklyn and surrounding communities.

Over the past few weeks a number of Aviators players have been lending a hand to local organizations and individuals in need. Augie Onorato, Jr., Ricky Regala, Gunther Stange, Sam Shaheen and Sam Marolda have spent the past few weeks in the Flatbush area helping local churches and soup kitchens.

With an annual rummage sale on the horizon, the players helped a church in Flatbush prepare for the sale by covering the gym floor to protect it. The boys also lent a hand to a 95-year-old woman who was returning home from rehabilitation from hip surgery by helping move furniture in her home. Onorato also volunteered at a local soup kitchen.

The Aviators have made it a point throughout the history of the program, whether in its days with the USPHL or now in the NA3EHL to reach out to the community, including helping a local family move items following the passing of their father.

Nearly the entire Aviators roster will continue their community efforts in the coming weeks, including helping with a fall cleanup at a church in Flatbush and preparing floors in a church building that will be used by a Farm Share CSA to distribute fresh fruits and vegetables throughout the winter. Leftover food will be donated to local soup kitchens.

Aviators Score Off Ice!

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East Women’s College Report

by Janet Schultz Janet@nyhockeyonline.com

Union Dutchwomen

Melissa Black was named ECAC Goalie of the Week for November 3 after make 58 saves against Colgate and 39 saves against Cornell in two road ties. Black has tied 4 of 7 Union games this season.

Brandy Streeter (Morrisville/ Nichols School) has had 2 assists in 13 games as a sophomore defenseman.

Union is 0-9-4 on the season with upcoming games agsint Providence, Brown, Yale and the University of Maine.

RPI Engineers

Lovisa Selander was named ECAC Goalie of the Week for November 9 after she went 1-1 against Clarkson in a weekend stand. She stopped 76 or 79 shots in the two games.

She compiled a 1.52 goals against average and a .962 save percentage in 118:22 of action. Her weekend was highlighted by making a season-high 45 saves in RPI’s 2-1 win over fourth-ranked Clarkson on Saturday - the team’s first win over the Golden Knights since 2010.

Selander has started eight of Rensselaer’s 10 games between the pipes, posting a 3-4-1 record with a 2.06 goals against average and a .935 save percentage. The former SDE Riksserien standout is second among ECAC Hockey goaltenders in total saves (259), sixth in save percentage and eighth in goals against average.

In four ECAC games, Selander is 2-1-1 with a 1.71

East Hockey / Page 32 goals against average and a .951 save percentage, recording 137 saves in 245:56. She has made at least 30 saves in every conference game.

RPI faces Yale and Brown in December and returns to the ice January 2 at Mercyhurst for a weekend series.

RPI has signed on Ana Orzechowski of Tonawanda as a defenseman. She played for hte Pittsburgh Penn Elite team. She was named to the All WNY High School Girls Ice Hockey Team after Kenmore Varsity Girls took the Sectional Championship.

RPI is 4-7-1 overall.

Manhattanville Valiants

The Valiants are off until January 2 when they meet Holy Cross in Vermont. They closed out the first semester with a 2-3 overall and conference record.

Joining the Valiants this year are Jordan Roetzer of Buffalo and the Niagara Junior Purple Eagles. She was named to All WNY as a junior and senior high school player with the Williamsville Girls Varsity Ice Hockey Team.

Kat Reilly of Holbrook played with the Boston Shamrocks and the Northern Cyclones. She was the highest scoring girl in her high school hockey league.

Ellis Smith is also from Buffalo and played for the Nichols School Prep Team. Her team took the Bronze and Silver during her four years with Nichols. She also played for the Buffalo Bisons.

News and Notes:

...Three New Yorkers from the East are members of the University of Delaware Women’s Ice Hockey Team including Melanie Waller, JR, Forward, Jericho; Emily Becker, SO, Goalie, Bayside and Sydney Ostrofsky, SO, Forward, New City.

Emily is ranked #2 in the ACHA Women’s DII program and Ostrofsky is currently on the disabled list due to a knee injury.

UD is currently ranked #1 in the ACHA DII program in the East.

www.nyhockeyonline.com ARMY The Black Knights had just one victory over their first ten games, but three ties were all they could muster in conference contests.

11 different players had scored goals led by junior defenseman Ryan Nick and junior forward Clint Carlisle with three each.

Junior Parker Gahagen (Buffalo) made 23 saves to register his second career shutout 2-0 over UConn, 2-0 on Nov. 10.

Tipper Higgins scored in his first collegiate game on Oct. 31 against Bentley.

Senior forward Shane Hearn skated in his 100th career game as a Black Knight in late October.

HUDSON VALLEY CC The Vikings were 2-3 in November with wins over Mohawk Valley and Broome CC led by freshman Tyler DeMarco’s four goal-one assist start.

Freshmen Nate Muller and JeffSmith (Plattsburgh) were splitting time in net, but weren’t seeing much offensive support with the team outscored 30-14.

Just one game on the slate in December (12/9 against Mohawk Valley) before the five week semester break.

East Hockey / Page 33 M A N H ATTANVILLE

East Men’s College Ice Hockey Report

One of the surprise teams in Division III so far, the Valiants took only five games this season to exceed all of last year’s

by Warren Kozireski conference win Wkozires@brockport.edu total as they started 3-2 inbest conference cluding a pair of start to a season one-goal wins. since the 1970 The young71 team opened sters are producECAC Hockey play ing with sophowith a 6-0-2 record. mores Stephen Gaul and Charlie Ryde along Williamsville native and sewith freshmen Cory Anderson nior defenseman Chris Bradley and Jeff Beck all scoring three or has been named the team capmore goals over the first seven tain for this season.

Goaltender Cam Hackett games.

Sophomore Kyle Redmond was named ECAC Rookie of is seeing his first collegiate the Week Nov. 15 after making game action this season, but is a career-high 41 saves in a 3-2 being challenged by freshman overtime win over 10th-ranked Yale.

Tyler Feaver.

Senior forward Matt Cole- Freshman Evan Tironese man (Brentwood) reached the earned ECAC Hockey Rookie of 60-career point mark and was the Month honors for October, 15 games from 100 played in his leading the Engineers in scoring with a goal and six assists for career. seven points.

Junior Jimmy DeVito is exR.P.I. pected to regain his eligibility in early January 2016. He has The Engineers six-game unbeatpracticed but not played this seen streak (4-0-2) was the fourthmester due to failure to meet the longest in the country and their NCAA’s mandatory progress-

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East Hockey / Page 34

toward-degree requirement.

Joe Juneau ‘91 has been selected as one of six recipients of the prestigious NCAA Silver Anniversary Award for his collegiate and professional achievements.

The award annually recognizes distinguished individuals on the 25th anniversary of the conclusion of their college athletics careers.

UNION The Dutchmen stumbled through November with only one win with one game remaining. The team already has played in five overtime contests, but has only three ties and two losses in those tilts.

Sophomores Ryan Scarfo and Spencer Foo lead the team with six and four goals respectively, but the five player senior class was a collective -11 plus/minus through the first 12 games.

Westchester Express Take Gold The Westchester Express Squirt Majors took home the Gold in October in Lake Placid. The players skated in the Can/Am Lake Placid Tournament, which was held on the 1980 Olympic rink. The players walked into opening ceremonies with their eyes lit up, ready to take on the challenge of the games ahead.

The Westchester Express faced the East Coast Wizards to clinch the Championship, 4 -1. Brian Nicholas, was the leading goal scorer for the tournament with 7 goals.

Another highlight of the tournament was when goalie, William Warren had a shutout versus the Clarence Mustangs.

The team also placed 2nd in the speed skills.

The legs behind this team consisted of Colby Baldwin, Alex Whalen, Tommy Greenhaw and Christopher Frey. Overall, it was a fabulous weekend led by Coaches Chris Lombardo, Paul Whalen and Stephen Nicholas.

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(NY Hockey thanks Paula Frey for her story and photos)

North Hockey Abby Tardelli Potsdam In Goal for Potsdam Bears vs Buffalo Bengals

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Northern New York Men’s College Hockey Report

by Warren Kozireski

Wkozires@brockport.edu

CANTON The Roos were porous defensively through the first eight games of the season allowing more than five goals per game resulting in just one win and one tie heading into Thanksgiving weekend. But underclassmen accounted for 12 of the top 15 scorers on the team.

Joe Deveny and J.P. Langlois both scored their first collegiate goals against Buffalo State Nov. 14. Gabe Flood got his first Nov. 7 versus Geneseo after Dylan Rosen and Nick Lepone slotted their firsts one night earlier.

CLARKSON A five-win non-conference October start dwindled to a winless conference slate in November (two ties) with two games left in the month.

A.J. Fossen was among the nation’s best with five power play tallies while junior classmate Jordan Boucher was pacing the team with nine points including a team-high six assists.

Nov. 13 marked the 200th meeting between Clarkson and St. Lawrence in their rivalry. St. Lawrence won, but the Knights lead the all-time series 121-6811.

North Hockey / Page 36 Freshman Marly Quince scored his first collegiate goal in the 6-2 win over Western Michigan.

PLATTSBURGH The Cardinals were off to a 6-0 start and had allowed more than two goals only once—in a 5-4 come-frombehind, overtime thriller at rival Oswego.

Senior Kevin Emmerling stood among the leaders nationally with seven goals and tied atop the team leaderboard with seniors Dillon Fox and defenseman Rich Botting (Binghamton) with eight points. Freshmen Pat Egan (Gates-Chili) and Cole Stoddard were both off to strong starts offensively. Nick Belger (Yorktown Heights) scored his first collegiate goal Nov. 7 against Buffalo State. Egan netted his one day prior versus Fredonia.

POTSDAM The Bears earned the No. 12 national ranking in midNovember—the first time they have cracked the rankings since March 5, 2001 when they finished the season seventh in the nation. It’s the second time the Bears started a season 6-0, before a loss to Plattsburgh, and the first time since 1995-96.

Dylan Vander Esch was named the SUNYAC Player of the Week after a four-point opening weekend against Morrisville State including his third career hat trick and one assist as the Bears completed their weekend sweep of the Mustangs.

Sophomore goalie Brendan McMeniman stopped 21 shots to win his collegiate debut Oct. 30 versus Morrisville.

Both were also recognized again Nov. 15 as SUNYAC Player and Goaltender of the Week. Vander

www.nyhockeyonline.com Esch recorded another four points and McMeniman stopped 91 of 94 shots for a .968 save percentage and a 1.50 goals-against-average in the weekend sweep over Cortland and Oswego.

Freshman forward Tom Plese scored his first collegiate goal Nov. 14 against Oswego. Tyler Donaldson scored his first one day prior at Cortland.

Senior captain Todd Thomas recorded his first career hat trick in a win over Fredonia Nov. 7. Senior defenseman Brad Campagna (Monroe) is again serving as assistant captain.

ST. LAWRENCE The Saints ended November 3-1-1 in ECAC play and

North Hockey / Page 37 8-3-2 overall as they continue their strong showing from a year ago.

Their offense was being led by their defense—juniors Gavin Bayreuther and Eric Sweetman in particular—who sat atop the team scoring chart through the first 13 games.

The power play was struggling with only four tallies over the first 54 chances.

The Saints and Quinnipiac played to a 0-0 tie Nov. 21—the first scoreless tie in Saints history, and it came in the 2083rd game since 1925-26.

Michael Ederer (Lancaster) scored his first collegiate goal at Merrimack Oct. 17 while Jacob Pritchard scored his first in game two of the Miami series and Michael Laidley scored his first shorthanded against Niagara.

December Issue NY Hockey E-Magazine Dedicated to NYSAHA North Section President Mario Pusatari and NYSAHA West Section Ed Gajewski Mario passed away suddenly. He served as President of the North Section of NYSAHA for many years. He was a Potsdam football and hockey referee and trained hockey refs. He also was an avid Clarkson Knight fan and served as goal judge for the Knights.

Ed also passed unexpectedly. He was a coach/manager/volunteer for many years with the Buffalo Hornets/Stars organization.

Our condolences to their families and organizations.

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North Hockey / Page 38

Northern New York Women’s College Hockey Report

by Janet Schultz Janet@ nyhockeyonline.com

Potsdam Bears

A full December schedule faces Potsdam as they take on Plattsburgh, Elmira, New England College and Becker before taking a break. The Bears open 2016 at Hamilton.

They are 3-3-2 overall and 1-3-1 in the conference with Hilton’s Jordan Ott leading the scoring with 6 goals and 1 assist in 8 games.

Joining the team this season from Orchard Park is Tatum Weber. The Freshman Forward had an assist in 8 games.

Clarkson Knights

The Knights are ranked fourth in the nation this sea-

son and had a 7-game winning streak going until Quinnipiac handed them a 3-0 loss. The Knights are 13-2-2 as they head into December to face Colgate and Cornell.

Olivia Howe was named Clarkson’s Athlete of the Week for November 15 after scoring a goal in each of the three wins as they went 7-0-0. She scored her seventh goal of the season, a power-play tally with 63 seconds remaining in regulation, to lift the Knights to a come-from-behind 3-2 victory over UCONN on Saturday, and finished with a +7 for the week. Olivia is a senior, forward from Moose Jaw, SASK.

Plattsburgh Cardinals

Camille Leonard was named ECACW Goalie of the

Week for November 3 as she made 15 saves on 16 shots to take the Cardinals to the East-West College Showcase.

Leonard was also named to the D3hockey.com Team of the Week along with teammates Erin Brand and Giovanna Senese on November 10.

The Cardinals also received honors as Melissa Sheeran was named ECACW Player of the Week on November 12; Caitlin Gilligan and Kayla Meneghin were named to the

D3Hockey.com Team of the Week on November 17 and Meneghen and Leonard were named ECACW Player of the Week and Goalie of the Week, respectively on November 17.

Two New York natives have joined with Nicole Menei from Mamaroneck/Northwood and Ashley Songin (Springville/Nichols School). Both are Forwards.

In six games played Melissa Ames Rochester/Wilson Magnet School) has 3 goals and 5 assists for 8 points and Meneghen is the top scorer with 7 goals and 9 assists in 6 games.

St Lawrence Saints

The Saints are 7-6-1 overall as they faceoff against Cornell and Colgate to close out 2015. Their New Year opener is against Merrimack at home on January 6.

Kailee Heidersbach was named ECAC Player of the Week for November 10 after scoring two goals and the game winners at RPI and Union.

Canton Kangaroos

The Roos are 4-4-1 overall in the newly established Colonial Hockey Conference. They play the University of New England early in December and then take a holiday break.

They return to the ice January 3 against the University of Mass at Boston.

Freshman Forward Grace Page (Buffalo/Frontier) has played in six games and posted a goal and an assist.

Wheatfield’s Rhea Coad has played in nine games as a Junior Forward and posted 2 goals/4 assists for 6 points.

Noelle Niemiec of Staten Isalnd has 2 goals/3 assists in 9 games; Sydney Kinder (New York/Manhattanville) has posted one goal this season.

West Hockey

A Tim Bit Goalie Makes Save at November 25 Sabres game!

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Hockey Team Helps Support Cancer Teen Article by: Mark Jagord

E

rie Community College hockey player Aaron Wanat is having a good week. The sophomore was named as one of the National Junior Collegiate Athletic Association Region III’s top weekly athletes and he is one of a handful of returning players this season trying to bring the first back-to-back NJCAA hockey national championships to ECC. Although his efforts on the ice through individual and team recognition get their share of publicity,

West Hockey / Page 40 what doesn’t are his efforts off the ice.

Wanat took it upon himself to ask his ECC teammates to help support a neighborhood boy battling brain cancer. The entire team rallied around 15-year-old Simon Krywcun by purchasing “Simon Strong” t-shirts to help defray medical costs associated with his cancer treatment.

“When I brought up the idea, the whole team was on-board immediately, “ Wanat said.

“We really have a great group of guys that understand the importance of things in the real world beyond our efforts on the ice.”

Simon is recuperating after having a brain tumor removed and is presently receiving radiation and chemotherapy.

The ECC hockey team may battle

2015 AAA 16 U Midget Sectionals Results November 16 16 U 1. Jr. Sabres 2. Buffalo Regals 3. Perinton 4. Amherst (Host Seed)

Cleary Heads to Quinnipiac Abby Cleary, Buffalo, has signed a letter of intent to play for Quinnipiac College. Cleary plays forward with Shattuck St. Mary’s Prep team.

November 6-7 AAA Midget Sectionals.

for wins this season, but they know there are some battles more important than those on the ice. Yet, despite the rigors of athletic and academic schedules, they found time to show support for someone in need.

18 U 1. Jr Sabres 2. Buffalo Saints 3. Wheatfield 4. Buffalo Regals 5. Rochester Note: NY Hockey E-Magazine appreciates tournament results. Just send to Janet@nyhockeyonline.com for publication.

16 U Your Source For NYS Hockey News!

1. Jr. Sabres 2. Buffalo Regals 3. Perinton 4. Rochester

NY HOCKEY E-Magazine

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West Hockey / Page 41

Iroquois Off to Stellar Start

I

n their first game of the season, the Iroquois Chiefs Varsity Hockey Club team secured a solid win over East Aurora/Holland at The Healthy Zone Rink in East Aurora, Tuesday, November 17, 2015. Offensively, the Chiefs held the lead throughout the game with a 1-0 lead in the first period, a 2-1 lead in the second finishing with a 3-1 victory. Forward Alex Held demonstrated strong stick handling skills scoring the first two of three Chiefs goals while Freshman forward Dylan Giancarlo sealed the Chiefs victory early in the third period with a shot from the slot. Backed by the confident and calm performance of senior goaltender Tyler Fredette, the defensive core was able to hold the East Aurora/Holland team to only one goal. Varsity Chiefs Off To A Stellar Start On November 22, 2015, the varsity Iroquois Chiefs played against the Lancaster varsity team. The first period was a scoreless defense battle with neither team gaining an advantage. The Chiefs regrouped in the second period to put up three unanswered goals. Gage Mueller (Alden) started the scoring with an assist from Alex Held (Iroquois). The second goal came from Jake Vitello (Iroquois) with an assist from Spencer Hrynczak (Alden).

The third Chiefs tally was a breakaway from winger Jamie Bonn (Iroquois) with roughly 4:35 left on the clock.

Iroquois kept the scoring streak rolling in the third period with Jake Vitello (Iroquois) scoring his second of the game with an assist from Gage Mueller (Alden). Lancaster came storming back in the by putting up two goals in a late push. Iroquois Chiefs answered with another goal by Vitello, giving him a hat trick, with assists from Held and Hrynczak.

The Iroquois defense was lead by Garrett Miller (Iroquois) and Tim McCormick (Iroquois) with fine performances from Owen Creighton (Iroquois), Cameron Giancarlo (Iroquois), Cole Miller (Iroquois), and superb goal tending by Tyler Fredette.

The varsity Iroquois Chiefs were back in action on November 24th, 2015, against City Honors varsity in an away game at Riverside rink in Buffalo. This was a strong defensive outing for both teams. Iroquois forward Jake Vitello (Iroquois junior) scored a first period goal late in the period with tough zone play by both teams.

Iroquois opened the game up in the second period with two goals. Forward Joe Russo (Alden) had one goal and Jake Vitello (Iroquois) had another tally. City Honors kept the game within reach by scoring one goal in the second period.

The third period had Iroquois holding on with strong goal tending by Colton DeGrace (Iroquois junior) and stiff defensive plays by Garrett Miller (Iroquois junior), Owen Creighton (Iroquois junior), and Tim McCormick (Iroquois sophomore). City Honors scored their second goal early in the third period with a hard push from the opening face off coming within one goal of the Iroquois Chiefs.

The Chiefs held on for their third victory of the season.

On November 28, 2015, the varsity Chiefs clenched their fourth win of the season with a 7-3 victory over the Depew Wildcats. In by far, the most exciting and high scoring game for the Chiefs this season, former goalie Nathan Efstation (Iroquois), playing out of the crease for his first season, whipped the team and fans into a frenzy when he scored an impressive initial game goal early in the first period. Spencer Hrynczak (Alden) added another goal followed quickly by Alex Held (Iroquois) assisted

by Gage Muller (Alden), 42 seconds later, furthering the Chiefs lead to 3-0 at the end of the first period.

Gage Muller(Alden) tacked on a fourth goal for the Chiefs assisted by defenseman Garrett Miller (Iroquois) early in the second period. Answered by only one for the Wildcats in the second, Iroquois entered the third period with a 4-1 lead.

The third period, jam packed with scoring, saw Iroquois jump to a 6-1 lead with goals from Jamie Bonn (Iroquois) assisted by Gage Muller and Joe Russo (both of Alden) and Alex Held (Iroquois) assisted by Gage Muller (Alden) and Jamie Bonn (Iroquois) before Depew managed to sneak one in past the strong goal tending of senior Tyler Fredette (Iroquois). Three minutes later, freshman Dylan Giancarlo (Iroquois) with Spencer Hrynczak (Alden) and Jake Vitello (Iroquois) on the assist sealed the Chief win.

The varsity Iroquois Chiefs tally up another win at home on November 29th, 2015, to make it 5-0. Iroquois

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West / Page 42

played Jamestown varsity in a home game at Leisure Rinks. The game was scoreless throughout the first period. Both teams seemed to be feeling the other out with strong goal tending.. Iroquois goaltender Matt Majeski (Iroquois junior) and Jamestown goaltender Tommy Chapman turned away several scoring opportunities from both teams.

The second period was all Chiefs. Alex Held (Iroquois junior) opened the scoring up with a rip of a shot short side over Jamestown goaltender’s left shoulder on a hard drive to net. Assisting on the goal was Iroquois goaltender Matt Majeski (Iroqouis junior) with a pass from his crease. Iroquois second goal came from Gage Mueller (Alden senior). Mueller received a beautiful cross ice pass from freshman defenseman Cole Miller (Iroquois) and drove the net from the left side with a hard wrist shot.

Iroquois Chiefs third goal came from Sam Rider (Iroquois sophomore). Rider attempted a wrap around which was initially stopped by the Jamestown goaltender, but Rider tenaciously followed up his own rebound and stuffed the puck into the net. Assisting on the play was defenseman Owen Creighton (Iroquois junior) and forward Dylan Giancarlo (Iroquois freshman). Iroquois’s fourth goal was a power play goal from Cole Miller (Iroquois freshman).

Miller received a pass from Gage Mueller (Alden senior) and ripped a slap shot from the point with a great screen

Amherst Youth Hockey hires Grant Ledyard as Hockey Director.

A

on the net from Jamie Bonn (Iroquois junior). Also assisting on the goal was Alex Held (Iroquois junior).

The third period was scoreless. Iroquois goaltender Matt Majeski earned Iroquois their first shutout of the year with a great performance. Iroquois defenseman Garrett Miller (Iroquois junior) assisted Majeski with his shutout late in the period by laying down and stacking his legs to block a slap shot from the high slot area on an open net after Majeski was knocked down during a scramble to the left side of the net.

The Chiefs next game will be Sunday, December 6, 2015 at 8:45 PM against Cheektowaga at Leisure Rinks.

(NY Hockey OnLine thanks Carl and Shelley Miller for submitted information on Iroquois Hockey)

mherst Youth Hockey is excited to announce the newly created Hockey Director position and the hiring of Grant Ledyard, former NHL star and Buffalo Sabres Alumni.

The Director of Hockey is responsible for the on and off-ice development of all players and coaches within Amherst Youth Hockey through a unified plan.

Ledyard played 19 years in the NHL, served as Head Coach and General Manager of the Buffalo Jr. Sabres from 2007 to 2012, was Director of Youth Hockey for the Buffalo Sabres from 2010 to 2012 and Director of the Buffalo Jr. Sabres Developmental Camp for three years.

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Amherst’s Hockey Director will develop a long term plan with vision and objectives for the Hockey Program, both Travel and House; to provide the appropriate skills and attitudes of the players and coaches to be competitive at all levels of play.

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West Hockey / Page 43

Buffalo Stars Hockey

The Buffalo Stars Youth Spotlight Player of the Week is Trey Hoerner of the Bantam Major Team Trey is developing into a solid goaltender. After coming off a knee injury, Trey played a stellar game against Brockport. He left the other team shaking their heads by stopping some point blank shots that wud have Dominic Hasek smile.

Keep focused and work hard. Awesome job.

Age: 12

Height: 5’8” Weight: 226 lbs.

Position: Goalie Grade: 8 Hometown: Depew Hobbies: Hockey Favorite subject: Science Favorite Movie: American Sniper Favorite Food: Tacos Career interest: Sports Manager Favorite Music: Rap Favorite TV Show: Family Guy Nickname: T-Rex

Our first Mite of the Week (for the week of November 9th) is Ty Yohannes .

Age: 6 Years Old Height: 3’ 11 1/2”

Weight: 53.6 lbs

Position: Center

Hometown: Cheektowaga

Grade in School: First Grade

Favorite Subject: Math

Career Interest: Train Engineer

Favorite NHL Player: Jack Eichel Favorite Hobbies: Drawing, Legos, Video games

Favorite Food: Lunchables

Favorite Music: Hip Hop

Favorite Movie: Toy Story Favorite TV Show: Dog with A Blog

Favorite Superhero: Spider-Man

Other Sports I Play: Soccer, Swimming

What are my goals for the season: Continue to learn the Game and Learn how to lift the puck

The Buffalo Stars Youth Spotlight Player of the Week ending November 9th is Xavier People of the Bantam Major Team.

Xavier is a strong and an extremely tough defenseman. He showed his toughness against a very good Southtowns Stars team.

Xavier drew a line in the sand.

That line was the blueline. He set the tone for the game by shutting down the Southtowns best player.

For an added bonus, he scored two goals. He has made all of his teammates better by leading by example. Way to go Xavier.

Age: 14

Height: 5’6”; Weight: 160 lbs.

Position: Defense Grade: 9 Hometown: Tonawanda Hobbies: sports and camping Favorite subject: Theater Career interest: Animation Favorite Music:

Alternative,Punk

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West Hockey / Page 44

Buffalo Stars Hockey Favorite TV Show: Steven Universe

Nickname: Dante

Buffalo Stars/HPHD Prospects Academy Spring AAA Team Program The Buffalo Stars and HPHD High Performance Hockey Development have teamed up to offer a high level, intense hockey training opportunity for boys in the 1997 to 2001 age group.

The Buffalo Stars/HPHD Prospects Academy will offer a Spring/Summer Program which will challenge the top athletes with skill and physical development.

The players will participate and be networked within high level Showcase Events in Canada and the East Coast.

Tryouts will be held December 28-29 at Holiday Rink (time TBA).

Preliminary information contact Steve Thompson at 716393-3663

under) level for the season. The Buffalo Stars Mites are on the ice 2-3 times per week through February.

For information contact the Buffalo Stars Mite/Squirt Director Mike Vertino at 331-9331.

amount of $1167.00 and a check to HONOR Flight Buffalo in the amount of $1255.00 The Buffalo Hornets is a non profit youth hockey organization made up of volunteers.

Our program is in our 44th year of service to the WNY The Buffalo Stars have an open- Hockey Community. ing for a Minor Bantam AA team Our next Charity event will for our Christmas Tournament. be our Food Drive for the Food The Minor Bantam AA division Bank which will run in conjuncruns December 26-28 at Holi- tion with our Christmas Party day Twin Rinks. Contact Pete on December 19th.

Preteroti at 491-0375 for details.

The Buffalo Stars still have room for a couple more Beginner Hockey Players in their Learn to Play Hockey Program. Contact Buffalo Stars Beginner Director Larry Dombrowski at 432-6854 Visit the Buffalo Stars on line at: www.buffalostars.com

Fundraising Successful

Efforts

The Buffalo Stars Youth Hockey Association recently conducted two Chinese Auction Fundraisers as part of our Opening Day for our Travel and Stars Openings House League Programs.

The Buffalo Stars House Through these activities we League Program has a couple of were able to send a check to openings at the Mite (age 8 and Wounded Warrior Project in the

Pee Wee Red Work for Charity

The Buffalo Stars Minor Peewee team conducted a Bottle and Can drive Saturday, December 5 at Holiday Twin Rinks in Cheektowaga. Proceeds benefit Patient Santa which assists families who have been touched with Autism.

Cash donations will also be accepted. The team goal is to raise $400 for Patient Santa.

For more information contact Andie Burton at andie@roi-marketplace.com

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West Hockey / Page 45

Buffalo Stars Hockey Buffalo Stars Pee Wee Red Name Molino Captain

D

rew Molino as b e e n named Captain of the Buffalo Stars Peewee Red Team.

Selecting a team captain is something coaches take very seriously and put a lot of time and effort in. The team captain choice is not a popularity contest, but rather a player who can represent the values, character and work ethic of the team.

Drew Molino is a player who can ALWAYS be counted on to display the heart and soul of Peewee Red. When on the ice, Drew plays every shift with tenacity, determination and skill. Even before the puck is dropped, Drew helps his teammates lineup in the proper position, ensuring complete coverage and always with an encouraging word.

Regardless of the mood in the locker room or the score on the board, Drew never lets his emotions get the better of him. He always has his teammates best interests at heart.

His life outside of hockey is just as remarkable. He is a 7th grade student who excels academically at Lancaster Middle School and is involved in baseball and basketball. So if you see Drew Molino around the rink with his signature number 11 jersey, give him a congratulatory salute. Peewee Red is honored to have him as the 2015-2016 team captain.

Buffalo Stars Youth Player of the Week November 29 Luke Stotz, Minor Peewee Team

L

uke Stotz is an 11 year-old Left Winger for the Buffalo Stars Pee Wee Minor hockey team. Luke has tremendous speed and skill and, standing 5’ 1” and 84 pounds, can use his frame to get into the dirty areas and possess the puck. Putting these skills to use will help him reach his target for this season, which is to score 15 or more goals.

A sixth grader from Hamburg, “Stotzy” (as his friends call him) is a solid all-around athlete, using his talents both on the ice and on the football field. He excels in physical education and has his sights set on a career in the NHL, after perhaps lacing up for his favorite college team, St. Lawrence University. Once he gets to the “Big Show”, he hopes to emulate his favorite NHL player, Jack Eichel. When asked why Eichel is his role model, Luke simply replied “Because he is so good at hockey.”

When Luke isn’t on the ice or field, he likes to spend time watching movies, such as Remember the Titans, or catching his favorite TV show American Ninja Warrior. Or, he’ll grab a slice of his favorite pizza and throw on some tunes like “Hit the Quan”. Luke definitely isn’t shy about jamming out to a tune!

In terms of heroes outside of the sporting world, Luke is a fan of Superman, but his pe sonal hero is Ryan Byrne. As Stotz put it, “Ryan Byrne is a great guy, he’s strong, teaches me lots of cool things and is fun to be around.” Sounds to us like that’s a great guy to look up to, Luke!

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/ Page 46

Keeping Warm in East Aurora!

by Randy Schultz, randy@nyhockeonline.com

B

ack in 2008 the Aurora Ice Association purchased the ice making equipment from the first-ever NHL Winter Classic Game held in the United States, specifically Buffalo. Since opening the outdoor rink in the Fall of 2008, a “pavilion” style roof was added, as was a refrigerated cement pad.

Now known as “The Healthy Zone Rink,” the private, not-for-profit ice skating facility has become a true asset to East Aurora, but to Western New York. It’s newest addition, a warming lodge, was recently dedicated.

“Lodge” is the key word here. For the past seven years, the warming house used at the rink was nothing more than a small, makeshift facility that consisted of plastic windows to see through.

Today, though, the finished product is much nicer and larger. It actually resembles a ski chalet.

According to Will McDonald, a member of the Aurora Ice Association Inc. (AIA), the warming lodge has been in the works for over a year.

“Obviously, we needed a warming lodge,” said McDonald. “I was on the board and on the committee on how this would be done.

“We met with architects and began going through designs. I just happened to be on the road for a hockey game for my son.

“As I was driving, I saw this company called Timbercrafters, who were building this incredible looking building for two doctors. (Continued on Page 49)

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Canisius Announces 2015 Sports Hall of Fame Induction Class

he Canisius athletic department announced that Genevieve Garcia Dispenza ’02, MBA ’05 – softball, Ryan Stewart ’97 – hockey, Jon Udwadia, MD ’93 – tennis, Matt Vinc ’05 – men’s lacrosse and former head hockey coach Brian Cavanaugh have been chosen as the 53rd induction class to the Canisius College Sports Hall of Fame. Additionally, Dennis Misko ‘67, the school’s director of external projects and major gifts, will be presented with the Rev. Paul J. Dugan, S.J., Award, an honor that recognizes individuals for their significant contributions to Canisius athletics.

The Canisius Sports Hall of Fame induction ceremony will be held Saturday, Feb. 20, 2016, when the men’s basketball team plays host to Marist in the Koessler Athletic Center. Game time is set for 3 p.m. The annual Hall of Fame Day will begin with a special “Induction Lunch” from 12:30-2 p.m., in the Montante Cultural Center. The cost is $25 per person and includes a buffet lunch, beverages and a ticket to the basketball game. Those interested in taking part in the “Induction Lunch” are asked to RSVP to the Canisius Office of Alumni Engagement by calling 1-800-201-4952 or register online by going to canisius. edu/alumni. The deadline to R.S.V.P. is Feb. 16, 2016.

To be eligible for the Canisius College Sports Hall of Fame, a former student-athlete must have completed his/her eligibility 10

all-time record book. He led the Griffs in goals in back-to-back seasons and helped lead the Blue and Gold to the ECAC West Championship game in 1995-96. Stewart is currently the Director of Pro Scouting for the Chicago Blackhawks and has been a part of the organization’s three most-recent Stanley Cups, including the spring of 2015.

years prior to induction, be a graduate of the College, been acclaimed as an undergraduate as one of the outstanding athletes in the history of the school and, since graduation, the student-athletes’ life must have continued to reflect favorably on the College. Non-athletes may be inducted if they have made outstanding contributions to Canisius College athletics.

The Canisius Sports Hall of Fame, which began in 1963, now boasts 188 individual members and four teams with the addition of this year’s group.

Ryan Stewart ‘97 – A four-year letterwinner who played 100 career games in a Canisius hockey sweater, Stewart is the 10th former member of the Canisius hockey program to earn a spot in Canisius’ Sports Hall of Fame.

Stewart tallied 131 career points on 55 goals and 76 assists to go with a plus-48 rating. A two-time team captain and a two-time team MVP, Stewart ranks 14th in school history with his 131 career points and his 55 career goals ranks 12th in the school’s

Brian Cavanaugh – The school’s winningest hockey coach, Cavanaugh posted a career record of 341-306-57 in 24 seasons as the bench boss for the Canisius ice hockey program. The first varsity head coach in program history, Cavanaugh recorded 15 winning seasons and led the hockey program to 16 postseason appearances, highlighted by the team’s berth in the 1996 ECAC West Championship final. Cavanaugh helped transition the program to the Division I level before the start of the 1998-99 season, where the Griffs advanced to the MAAC Hockey League Championship in the program’s inaugural Division I season. Cavanaugh, who is currently the Director of Athletics at D’Youville, is the 16th former Canisius head coach to be enshrined into the Sports Hall of Fame.

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Western New York Women’s College Hockey Report

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

Buffalo State Bengals

The Bengals are off to their best start in school history at 8-0 and are receiving votes in the national poll for the first time in the history of the program.

They face ECAC West rival Plattsburgh on December 5 and 6 before breaking for the holidays.

Nikki Kirchberger had her first Career Hat Trick in a 4-1 victory over Chatham and the 8th straight victory for the Bengals.

The game was also the Gold Ribbon Game for Childhood Cancer Awareness as the team collected donations and baskets for Carly’s Club at Roswell Park Cancer Institute.

Erin Gehen (West Seneca/West Seneca) was named ECAC West Player of the Week after posting 5 points in two wins over Chatham. Gehen ranks third in the nation with nine goals in just seven games played, and has set a school record and leads NCAA Division III with five shorthanded goals.

Sophomore goalie Justine Silva (Baldwin Park, CA/Arroyo) was also named to the weekly honor roll. The forensic chemistry major made 56 combined saves in the two wins, posting a 1.00 GAA with a .966 save percentage.

RIT Tigers

The Tigers are struggling this season as they move toward the New Year. At 4-12 overall and 0-6 in the conference they close out an 10 -game home stand December 4 and 5 against Lindenwood before taking

West Hockey / Page 48

a holiday break. They return to the ice at Providence on January 8 and 9 and back to the Gene Polisenni Center on January 15 and 16 against Penn State.

There was a silver lining with Freshman defenseman Reagan Rust (Southaven, MS/Moon Area) and junior goaltender Brooke Stoddart (Elmvale, Ontario/Elmvale) earning College Hockey America Weekly honors for the week ending Nov. 22, 2015. Rust was the CHA Rookie of the Week, while Stoddart was named the Goaltender of the Week. It is Rust’s first weekly honor, while Stoddart is being recognized for the third time in her career.

Rust enjoyed a tremendous weekend for the Tigers, recording four points on a goal and three assists.

Rust recorded a career-high three points on a powerplay goal and two assists in a 5-1 win over Brown.

The following day she assisted on Cassie Clayton (Pickering, Ontario/PEAC School)’s power-play goal in a 2-1 loss. Rust leads all RIT rookies and is second overall on the team with nine points on four goals and five assists this season.

Stoddart stopped 36 of 39 shots in a weekend split against Brown. She made 12 saves in a 5-1 win on Friday and stopped 24 of 26 shots in a 2-1 loss Saturday.

Stoddart is 3-6-0 this season with a 3.14 goals against average and an .889 save percentage.

“I don’t doubt that we are working hard, but we have to work smarter,” said Bruce B. Bates Women’s Hockey Coach Scott McDonald after a 2-1 loss to Brown University.

University of Buffalo

The UB Lady Ice Bulls are undefeated as they go into December in the ACHA. In addition several players have made it to the national scoring leader board including Mamie Talty with 10 goals and 12 assists for 22 points. She is eighth overall. At 16th is Alexis Peters

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West Hockey / Page 49

with 12 goals and 15 assists; 19th, Courtney Miller with 11 goals/3 assists; 24th: Caitlin Mitchell, 3 goals 9 assists and at 25th Maddie Norton, 10 goals and 2 assists.

Yes, for those remembering Norton played goalie for Lancaster High School and at UB has taken on the Forward role.

The first place scorer in the nation has 27 goals and 25 assists with 51 points and is from NMU. UB Goalie, and former Kenmore player, Kaitlyn Simmons has six wins in six games and a .874 save percentage.

(Stats are based on November 21 ACHA).

NJPE Squirt Majors sold 250 Chuck-A-Pucks at the Niagara University Game recently. (NJPE photo) Keeping Warm in East Aurora Continued from Page 46

“I stopped and talked to them. The next day I called our board members (other members besides McDonald include Anthony DiFilippo IV, Matt Garvey, Deb Healy, Peggy Cooke, John Cimperman, Susan Friess, Don Fishback and Mike Tehan) and told them that they should check this place out.

“It was a lodge that we thought would fit in, design-wise, with the East Aurora area. We wanted something that would last.

“We wanted to make a statement.”

And make a statement they did. The AIA knew that it would cost money.

“We got the business community involved,” continued McDonald. “We got Moog (contributed $250,000), Danforth (they donated the whole HVHC part of the lodge project), HV Sales and Services (contributed air conditioners, furnaces among other items), Great Lakes Building Systems (alarm and security system), as well as others who contributed through fund raisers and other fuctions.

“Thanks to all of these contributors we have this two-story lodge made of beautiful wood that makes a statement every time you see it from the outside. This is a building that will last a long time and will serve the skating community well.

“We now have a facility that includes the rink and warming lodge that is unlike any other I’ve ever seen. It is the coolest rink ever.”

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Western New York Men’s College Hockey Report

by Warren Kozireski

Wkozires@brockport.edu

BROCKPORT One of the goal heading into this season was avoiding a first half drought and putting themselves into scramble mode to make the postseason. Mission accomplished with three wins and two SUNYAC games remaining in the half.

First Team All-SUNYAC Chase Nieuwendyk again sits atop the team scoring chart while freshman Tim Kielich (East Aurora) has been an early surprise averaging one point per game.

Senior defenseman Chad Cummings doubled his first three year goal output with three goals over the first seven games—all on the power play.

BUFFALO STATE The Bengals saw their offense explode over a four-game winning streak heading into Thanksgiving with 28 goals.

And, after an early December road trip to Oswego and Cortland, will have only three conference road games remaining on the schedule.

Junior Taylor Pryce had six goals and 13 points over his first eight games while the team was getting lots of offensive support from their defense. The unit accounted for 26 points.

Junior goaltender Mike DeLaVergne had started all eight contests and was sporting a 2.70 goal against average.

West Hockey / Page 50 ERIE CC The defending national champion Kats were off to a 7-2 start to their season with both losses coming in non-conference tilts.

Trevor Evans (Newfane) and Aaron Wanat (Cheektowaga) were tied for the team lead in scoring. Timothy Duffy (West Seneca) and Jordyn Bellitto (Orchard Park) were also in double-figures.

Sophomore goaltender William Korczynski (West Seneca) earned six of the first seven wins and had a GAA under 2.00.

FREDONIA

A pair of November wins against Morrisville put the Blue Devils in position to fight for a playoff spot—a pleasant turnaround from last season.

Marcus Ortiz was scoring some clutch goals with linemate Taylor Bourne and freshman Luke Rivera while senior defenseman Ryan Wilkinson had already surpassed last season’s point total and was well on his way to a career best with seven assists over the first eight games.

GENESEO A loss on home ice to Buffalo State and a pair of seasonopening ties were the only blemishes for the Knights as they entered a key weekend hosting top-tier conference teams Potsdam and Plattsburgh the first weekend in December.

Pittsford native Stephen Collins was the go-to player offensively with six goals and six assists over seven games while freshman Anthony Marra had racked up nine assists

www.nyhockeyonline.com in the same number of games.

Freshman goaltender Devin McDonald was gaining the confidence of the coaching staff with all four wins and a goals against average below 2.00.

NAZARETH Winless over the first five games, the Golden Flyers picked up a pair of road wins in their final two conference games until the end of January to build some momentum.

13 different players had scored goals as of game seven led by Domink Gabaj (Monroe CC) while senior defenseman Scott Dawson, who missed half of last season with an injury was tied for the team lead with five assists.

Freshmen Brad Pizzy, David Powlowski (Greece Arcadia), J.R. Wojciechowski and Austin Romzek combined for six goals and 12 points.

NIAGARA The team had played only four conference games through Thanksgiving, but managed just one win and one tie to settle in near the bottom of the Atlantic Conference standings.

Freshmen Nick Farmer and Ryan Kuhn (Wheatfield) were off the quick starts to their collegiate careers along with junior defenseman Vince Muto (Niagara Falls) and sophomore forward Derian Plouffe, who scored three goals in the first ten games after netting five all of last year.

Tanner Lomsnes and Niko Kovachis earned the first goal of his Niagara career Nov. 13 versus Michigan. Freshman Sam Rennaker scored his first Oct. 24 against Robert Morris while Farmer and Kuhn netted their firsts Oct. 9 against St. Lawrence.

R.I.T. A pair of overtime losses on home ice to Bentley not only ended the Tigers modest four game unbeaten streak, but dropped them to the middle of the conference pack heading into December.

Sophomore Mark Golberg had nine assists over the first 11 games with senior defenseman Greg Amlong and senior forwards Josh Mitchell and Dan Schuler (Webster) combining for

West Hockey / Page 51 eight goals and 20 points through 11 contests.

Myles Powell set a Division I team record by scoring two goals 12 seconds apart Nov. 6 at Army.

Abbott Girduckis scored his first collegiate goal while Christian Short picked up his first collegiate victory in the AIC weekend series Oct. 30-31. Gabe Valenzeula netted his first earlier in October against Colgate.

CANISIUS

The young Golden Griffins struggled through the first 11 games at 3-8-0 overall, but all three wins came against Atlantic Hockey foes, which put them in the middle of the pack.

Former head hockey coach Brian Cavanaugh is among the 53rd induction class to the Canisius College Sports Hall of Fame. The induction ceremony will be held Saturday, Feb. 20, 2016. The school’s winningest and first varsity hockey coach, Cavanaugh posted a career record of 341306-57 in 24 seasons, recorded 15 winning seasons and led the hockey program to 16 postseason appearances.

Two of the top scorers in the British Columbia Hockey League have signed a National Letter of Intent. Forwards Nick Hutchison (Hicksville) and Matt Hoover are set to join the Golden Griffin in 2016-17.

Hutchison leads the Salmon Arm Silverbacks in scoring through 23 games, ranking 10th overall in the BCHL with 29 points on 11 goals and 18 assists and also played one season with Tri-City Storm of the USHL during the 2013-14 campaign.

Hoover has accumulated 31 points in 24 games with the Nanaimo Clippers, ranking third in the league with 18 goals to go along with 13 assists.

Freshmen Cameron Heath netted his first collegiate goal Nov. 14 against Ohio State. Dylan McLaughlin netted his first career goal Nov. 7. Freshman Simon Hofley earned his first collegiate victory between the pipes, stopping 39 Mercyhurst shots Nov. 20 and Felix Chamberland netted his collegiate goal in the same contest. Sophomore goaltender Reilly Tuner earned his first collegiate shutout Oct. 30 against Sacred Heart. Daniel LaFontaine (Lloyd Harbor) and Ian Edmondson netted their first goals against Holy Cross in the third weekend of the season.

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Canisius Makes History Nichols Girls Sign LOI Downs Mercyhurst For Program’s 500th Varsity Victory

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he Canisius College hockey team earned a 4-3 victory over long-time rival, Mercyhurst, on Friday night at HARBORCENTER, scoring a late winner after relinquishing a three-goal lead. The win moves the Griffs to 3-7-0 on the season and 3-2-0 in Atlantic Hockey play, while the Lakers drop to 7-6-0 and 5-2-0 versus league foes.

The win also marked the 500th victory for the Griffs in the program’s varsity history, which dates back to 1980.

“It was a special win tonight and a big congratulations goes out to every current and former Griff with our program’s 500th victory,” said Canisius head coach Dave Smith.

“You can’t get there in one night and it is a special accomplishment. Coach Cavanaugh was on the bench for most of these victories and was a big reason we reached this number today. Tonight, however, our team worked really hard and got us that one more win to get us to that magical number.”

Senior Ralph Cuddemi (Concord, Ontario), sophomores Mike Sabatini (Grosse Pointe Woods, Mich.) and Ryan Schmelzer (Buffalo, N.Y.) and freshman Felix Chamberland (Quebec City, Quebec) all found the back of the net for the Griffs in the winning effort.

Junior Shane Conacher (Burlington, Ontario) paced the Canisius attack with a season-best three assists on the night.

Freshman Simon Hofley (Ottawa, Ontario) earned his first collegiate victory between the pipes, stopping 39 Mercyhurst shots.

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nother exciting day at Nichols School in Buffalo as four female hockey players made their future choice to join four collegiate teams.

Rachel Deperio will head to Union College; Abby Welch to Penn State; Michele Robillard to Mercyhurst and Marissa Higgins to Holy Cross. Yes, they may now face each other across the ice at some time in the future.

Coach Scott Welch has been a force in their careers, especially daughter Abby. He has coached them from very young ages to now entering adulthood at the collegiate ranks.

Higgins came to Nichols in her sophomore year playing forward. The most fit player on the team, according to Welch, she suited in well to Holy Cross’ environment.

Higgins is versatile, she can play center or wing, and is always ready to step in to protect a teammate.

She has 11 goals, 16 assists during her two years at Nichols.

“I choose hockey following my Dad and cousins,” said Higgins, who played for Cazenovia and West Seneca before moving to Nichols.

Union-bound Deperio has speed, good hands and is very coachable, according to Welch.

“She makes up her size with heart,” said Welch.

“I’ve grown to appreciate her feistiness. When the biggest players go down she’s usually nearby, sometimes to my chagrin.”

Deperio started playing when she was 5 years old after watching and following her brothers to the arena. She began with the Amherst Youth Association boys teams and in fourth grade made the move to the Buffalo Bisons, and Coach Welch.

“I grew up playing with these girls. We push each other on and off the ice,” said Deperio.

Robillard was introduced to hockey in third grade by Higgins. She began with Cazenovia and then moved to the Bisons and Niagara Junior Purple Eagles.

“My dad was a goalie and he always wanted me and my sister to play. My sister tried ice skating

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West Hockey / Page 53

and didn’t like it. I tried other sports but found I loved hockey.”

Coach Welch has watched Robillard develop into a great hockey player.

“Early in her career she was known as the “Human Zamboni” because she would fall down so much her jersey would be covere in snow,” said Welch. “Now she has developed a cannon shot and has incredible hands around the net.

“She, too, is a fierce competitor.”

In her tenure at Nichols she has compiled 26 goals and 40 assists.

Robillard Deperio Finally Coach Welch introduces the last player, his youngest daughter,Abby.

Abby has had a tremendous career and Coach noted how she had to handle his frustrations of how the team was playing and how well she handled that.

“She is always the last person on the ice, doing extra sprints. Now I’ve noticed the younger players have picked up on that and many of them join her,” said Welch.

“She is one of the hardest working players on the ice and has been on the Varsity squad since her freshman year,” he continued.

Abby has tremendous speed, a rocket snap shot and has the ability to win faceoffs.

With 32 goals and 39 assists for 71 points, she heads into her senior year at Nichols.

“I played because all my sisters did, and Dad coaches,” said Abby. “My sisters inspired me.”

Abby began her career with the Buffalo Bisons and is now with the Niagara Junior Purple Eagles, as well as playing at Nichols.

These girls have been fortunate to have played on 4 New York State Cham- pionship teams, played in USA Nationals, as well as took league championships.

They have also been cited by USA Hockey as outstanding players and have been invited and attended USA Development Camps.

(Pictured Rachel Deperio, Union; Abby Welch, Penn State; Michele Robillard, Mercyhurst and Marissa Higgins, Holy Cross. Photos by Janet Schultz)

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Welch

Higgins

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Special / Page 54

SPECIAL TO NY HOCKEY

Trinity Women Open 2015-16 Season As Nation’s No. 7-Ranked Team New York’s Miller and Solimine Join Team Hartford, Conn. - The 2015 New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC) Women’s Ice Hockey Champion Trinity College Bantams will open the defense of their league crown in the same place they earned it with a 3-2 overtime road victory, as Trinity began the 2015-16 season with a two-game set at No. 2-ranked Middlebury . The Bantams, coached Keith Maurice who stepped in this summer after Jenny Potter was hired at Ohio State, return 16 players from last year’s squad that posted a 18-7-2 record and nearly reached the NCAA Final Four. Trinity enters the opening weekend ranked No. 7 in the D3Hockey.com National Poll and was ranked No. 9 nationally in the United States College Hockey Online.com (USCHO) in pre-season.

Trinity returns plenty of offensive firepower this winter, as senior forwards Cheeky Herrb (Princeton, N.J.), assistant captain Emma Tani (Orange, Calif.), and captain Shannon Farrell (Kennebunk, Maine) each totaled more than 20 points a year ago. Herr led the Bantams in scoring with 20 goals and 18 helpers, finishing second in the NESCAC in points per game (1.41), while Tani added 10 goals and 18 assists, and Farrell pitched in nine goals and 14 assists.

Both Herr and Tani are candidates to reach the 100-point plateau before

their college careers are done.

Sophomore forwards Kelcie Finn (Weymouth, Mass.) and Hannah Oganeku (Castle Pines, Colo.) both enjoyed promising rookie seasons that saw each of them improve throughout the year, and the pair should improve on their combined 12 goals and 19 assists . Junior Kate Fraley (Edina, Minn.) and sophomores Caroline Howell (Lyme, N.H.) and Kayla O’Connor (Springfield, Mass.) will also bolster the forward position, while first-year prospects Lindsay Miller (Manhasset, N.Y.) and Chandler Solimine (Pelham, N.Y.) have been impressive in preseason. Field hockey captain Elizabeth Caporale (Glastonbury, Conn.) has rejoined the squad after a year hiatus and not missed a beat, and sophomore forward Melissa Maffeo (Melrose, Mass.) is healthy and playing well after an injury-plagued rookie year.

The Bantam blue line also returns numerous seasoned veterans but also welcomes converted forward Brooke Heron (Ridgefield, Conn.) to the position and the senior assistant captain with seven career goals and 19 career assists, has made a seamless transition to defense. Senior Shelby Labe (Pine Brook, N.J.) and junior Alessandra Bravi (Montreal, Quebec) have been

dependable defenders over the last few seasons, and sophomore Tasha Adams (Reston, Va.) was the team’s top scoring blueliner in 2014-15 with two goals and five assists. Junior Jessica Stowell (Hadley, Mass.), who notched six assists a year ago, sophomore Delaney Harrop (Walpole, Mass.) and rookies Allison Slowe (Medfield, Mass.), Claire Foran (Stamford, Conn.), and Mandi Paine (Moultonborough, N.H.) provide quality defensive depth.

In net, sophomore Sydney Belinskas (Port Orange, Fla.) returns as the team’s starter after finishing last season with a .948 save percentage with 546 saves and a 1.56 GAA and emerging as one of the league’s top goalies. Sophomore Lauren Skinnion (Boxford, Mass.) and first-year Zoe Caouette (South Windsor, Conn.) are both capable backups who will push Belinskas during the year.

“I am pleased with how our preseason went. The competition has been intense and I am impressed with the talent level on this roster,” said Maurice. “I have been particularly happy with the leadership shown by our upper classes, starting with our captain Shannon Farrell.”

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Photo Page / Page 54

It’s Nomination Time!

T 3rd Annual Tyler Putnam Awards Ceremony!

NOTE: this is nomination round 2 of 3.

he 3rd Annual Tyler Putnam Youth Hockey Awards The response to the three new award categories has been outstanding! We have received a very large number of nominations and cannot wait to recognize the “coach of the year”, the “organization of the year” and the “arena of the year” at the

NEW AWARD CATEGORIES ANNOUNCED FOR THE 2016 CEREMONY COACH OF THE YEAR: recognizing an exceptional, dedicated, hockey coach who has had a positive, lasting impact on his/her players, parents of his/her players and organization/program he/she represents.

ORGANIZATION OF THE YEAR: recognizing a hockey organization/program that has met or exceeded the members expectations, delivers a consistent and enjoyable experience for its members, and has shown growth in all keys areas.

HOCKEY ARENA OF THE YEAR: recognizing a local hockey arena, it’s owners and staff for not only providing a safe, clean, comfortable arena for hockey players and parents but for offering additional amenities and resources for their customers at affordable prices.

Go to: http://kwiksurveys.com/s/hlrvpFwM The 2016 Tyler Putnam Awards Ceremony is scheduled for Saturday March 12, 2016 at the Whitter House in Rochester, NY. Last year’s award ceremony hosted over 200 of Rochester NY’s who’s who in youth hockey and celebrated over 20 award winners from 20 different hockey programs in the greater Rochester, NY area and Syracuse, NY. Tyler Putnam’s Story Tyler Putnam’s dream was to play for his High School Hockey team, The Irondequoit Eagles, Junior Hockey, Division I Hockey and ultimately Professional Hockey. Tyler was able to realize two of those dreams, having played for The Irondequoit Eagles as an eighth and ninth grader and then with the Maksymum Junior team here in Rochester, NY. At the conclusion of his first Junior season, Tyler was well on his way of realizing his next dream as he was offered roster spots on five Junior A teams from Rochester, Minnesota to San Diego, California.

In July of 2011, Tyler’s hockey dreams ended tragically when he died of an illness called “meningococcemia”, which is an infection that affects the bloodstream. Tyler Putnam was known for his high energy, incredible work ethic, and desire to achieve his goals. Tyler has been memorialized with a banner hanging above the ice at a local hockey arena as well as by a memorial helmet sticker that dawns the symbol of a hard hat – a symbol of Tyler’s hard work and dedication to the game that he loved--HOCKEY!