Nyhol may june 2015

NY HOCKEY May/June 2015

VOLUME 4 ISSUE 8

E-MAGAZINE

TRAINING FOR ALL LEVELS OVER 45 CAMPS & CLINICS TO CHOOSE FROM: ADULT 路 ELITE AAA 路 BEGINNER 路 INTERMEDIATE 路 ADVANCED

PROGRAMS FROM NOW THROUGH AUGUST 2015

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In This Issue: AAU............................................42 Central Section......................21 Coaching w/Gridley.............18 Duffett Award........................51 East Section............................27 ECC Honored..........................54 Frozen Four.............................19 Janosz Goaltending.............17 North Section.........................33 Nichols Summer Camp.......49 NWHL.......................................... 4 NY at Nationals........................ 7 NY Draftees.............................16 Roller Hockey.........................48 West Point...............................28 West Section..........................37 USA Hockey News................55

Dear Readers,

We’ve combined our May/June issues into one due to several families situations that arose in April.

This issue is filled with photographs from the USA Nationals in Buffalo and Michigan.

While we were not able to cover each game, we did manage to attend several games in a single day and have also published a recap of the entire National Tournament.

The editorial staff has also decided that the next issue will be the July/August issue and the following will be Late August/September issue. We will return monthly in October and continue monthly through the regular hockey season. Our readership numbers confirm that the highest readership is during that time and slacks off during the summer months.

However we will continue to update our website daily, as press releases and notes from organizations come to us. So please make sure to make www.nyhockeyonline.com a regular visit when you are surfing the net.

We are continuing to enjoy serving the hockey community!

Best Wishes for a Happy and Safe Summer!

Randy Schultz Publisher NY 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 4

NWHL: Women Going Pro! Season Starts October 2015

By Janet Schultz

janet@nyhockeyonline.com

“W

here was this 15 years ago?”

That’s the question one coach/player in WNY wanted to know.

It’s here now, it’s here for those girls that want to play ice hockey, professionally, following their collegiate career and haven’t taken the USA National Development path to the Olympics, which is limited in number of players.

The National Women’s Ice Hockey League was launched April 13 at Chelsea Piers in New York City.

Founder Dani Rylan has been very careful in her planning, announcements and launching of this historical part of women’s hockey history; and ice hockey in general.

It’s another move forward.

A little about Rylan, named Com-

missioner at that event.

Born in Tampa Bay, Florida she and her family became avid fans of the Tampa Bay Lightning the year they arrived. She played for he Tampa Bay Junior Lightning before taking off to play for Assabet Valley, the Metro State Men’s Club team in Colorado and eventually Northeastern University.

“Hockey is the best game on earth,” said Rylan. “My brothers played and it has become a big part of my life.”

Following graduation she headed off to work for the NHL. Unfortunately is was the year of the lockout and she ended up with no job.

So she moved on, opening her own coffee shop, Rise and Grind, in East Harlem, New York. Her brother, a coffee distributor, found her a store front which she renovated herself and then staffed the shop by herself.

Currently, her brother is managing

the Coffee Shop while she launches the NWHL. Hockey was near her in the coffee business. During their first year 5 cents of each cup of coffee purchased went to Hockey in Harlem.

She had the idea for a pro league, she talked about it and then began getting a lot of encouragement “to go for it.”

Originally she planned to bring a Canadian Women’s Hockey League franchise to New York, but then decided to create a paid professional league in the U.S. Rylan has worked for months raising capital, working to get ice time and sponsors. She is also looking for investors or owners.

The NWHL will begin with four teams, with expansion plans for across the U.S. as they move forward.

(Continued on next page)

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www.nyhockeyonline.com The four teams include the Boston Pride (Boston), Buffalo Beauts (Buffalo), New York Riveters (NYC) and Connecticut Whale (Stamford).

Free agent and Draft applications became available April 15 and as of a telephone interview with NY Hockey E-Magazine, they had 60 verbal commitments less than a week later.

During this first season, the players will come on board as Free Agents. They will be selected by the teams and while players may prefer one city over another, the ownership will select their players.

Free agents must have completed their college degree prior to the 2015 Entry Draft. Free agency ends August 17 and any player not signed by then is ineligible for the upcoming season.

A 2015 Draft will be held (date and place to be announced) for players who will graduate from college in 2016.

“At the present time I can’t release who the ownership groups are,” said Rylan. “We also have a rough idea of coaches and general managers and they will be announced soon.”

Rylan feels that the Buffalo and New York teams are coming into place.

Rylan has set up the team to hold two practices a week and play their games on Saturday or Sunday. They will play a nine home and nine away game season.

“We will be accommodating women who have jobs,” said Rylan.

While these players will be paid, they most likely will have to have other employment.

“The top pay will be $15,000 for the season and each team will be capped at $270,000,” explained Rylan.

Around New York State / Page 5 “The Player will be responsible for their living situation, but if they need assistance we will do our best to help them,” she said.

The financing will come from owners, but she has also set up the NWHL Foundation which will support growing women’s ice hockey in general.

The mission of the Foundation is to put a spotlight on positive role models for all women to look up to; inspire the daughters of tomorrow to dream bigger and aim higher than what was previously possible and to create a dramatic and lasting social impact.

“I want to reach out to girls and provide them with role models of their own gender,” said Rylan. “This league will do that.”

Rylan is emphasizing players need to have completed their college education. She feels that the best players are coming from the NCAA. It also allows for house, travel and high school programs to continue as they are and give the girls an avenue to strive for once they finish with those programs.

“The girls need to work hard on and off the ice,” advises Rylan. “The NWHL hopefully will keep their passion alive for the game.

“For the younger girls, have fun,” said Rylan. “For the older girls work hard to get to that scholarship to play on a college team.”

The puck drops October 17, 2015.

But before that Training Camps have been set for May. First up and on the ice are the Connecticut Whale, May 9 and 10 at Chelsea Piers I Stamford Connecticut.

(6:30 on Saturday; 1:10 p.m. Sunday).

The following week, May 16 and 17 both the New York Riveters and the

Boston Pride take to the ice. New York will be playing out of Twin Rinks Eisenhower Park in East Meadow.

They will begin camp at 4:45 p.m. both days. The Boston Pride will hold their camp that same weekend at 11:30 a.m. both days at Ristuccia Arena in Wilmington. In Buffalo, the Beauts take to HarborCenter at 6:15 on Saturday, May 23 and Sunday, May 24 at 3:45 p.m. The camps last an hour and half each day.

Locally NYS is embracing being one of the “Original Four.”

With two teams located in New York State and one just minutes from the NYC, girls will have no problem picking a team and role model from the Beauts, Riveters or Whale.

“Where was this 15 years ago,” said Linda Groff-Mroz, a DI player with Niagara University and now a Coach for the Monsignor Martin Girls Varsity Ice Hockey Team in WNY. “I’m super excited to have a team in Buffalo and will do anything to help promote the team and the League,” said Mroz.

“This is another opportunity for the women who play college to continue on playing the sport they love, and get paid for it,” she continued.

“I think the league has the potential to positive affect women’s hockey in New York and the entire East Coast,” said Joe Eppolito, NYS Women’s Ice Hockey Coordinator.

“The founders of this league seem to have an aggressive, yet realistic business model in place and have a detailed long term plan for implementation,” said Eppolito.

“Any kind of league that can attract top female talent will definitely help shine a better light on the quality product that is out there,” he continued. (Continued on Next Page)

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“A quality female league can provide role models for young aspiring athletes and grow the game at the younger levels.”

“This is an exciting and very positive step for women’s hockey,” said Niagara University 19U Head Coach Scott Welch.

“The fact that Buffalo will have a team in the league is a testament to the growth of Girls Hockey in WNY,” said Welch, who has coached with Nichols School and the Buffalo Bisons.

“The success the US has had at the National level by winning the U18’s and the IIHF Championship with WNYer Emily Pfalzer helping lead the way to a Gold Medal over Canada has also led to growth,” he continued.

Welch also addressed concerns that somehow the League would dilute girl’s hockey.

He responded that because the league is small and that the girls must be College graduates makes it competitive for the girls after college. He feels that each year the level of play will improve and that will translate back to the college and youth levels.

WNY Girl’s Coordinator John Cleary concurs.

“I don’t see this effecting or diluting the local talent pool at all,” said Cleary. “All four teams in the league will be selected to be extremely competitive and to put the best possible product on the ice. While you will have players at varying age levels, I

Around New York State / Page 6 expect this will be o par with DI hockey which includes current and former Olympians in the mix.”

“With Buffalo’s proximity to the Canadian border, I think you will see some fantastic talent on the ice,” he said of the NWHL. “In addition to our local talent, players from many different points, Chicago, Detroit and of course, Southern Ontario, will come to Buffalo.

“Overall, the league will, like any new venture, encounter some bumps in the road, but I think their approach of jut nine home games is the right start,” he added.

“If they have the right mix of quality on ice, proper marketing and sponsorship, they should do just fine.”

Said Cleary.

“This can only increase the awareness about the girl’s game which is a positive,” he concluded.

Mroz is telling the girls to work hard and know that a spot in the NWHL won’t be just handed to them.

Mroz was one of the first female players coming out of the Amherst program to receive a scholarship and play DI hockey.

“Only the elite 20 will make a team,” Mroz continued. “Playing against elite women past college and being paid for it is unbelievable.

“The girls need to keep their heads on their shoulders and work hard. I think its fantastic Dani has made education first.”

“I’m so excited Buffalo is having a team. I think that all the Buffalo fans will be impressed.

“And it’s also great the girls will be able to have female heroes,” said Mroz.

“These girls are going to have a new opportunity to have those heroes in their backyard.”

For those in Buffalo, a Beaut “isn’t necessarily a man or woman, it’s a way of life, deeply imbedded in hockey culture and is anything or anybody that is amazing.”

NWHL Teams Play for The Isobel Cup

T

imed to the kick-off of the 2015 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs, the NWHL announced its league trophy would be called The Isobel Cup.

The trophy is named after Lord Stanley’s daughter, Lady Isobel Stanley, one of the first women to play the game of hockey. Lady Isobel shared her love and passion for ice hockey with her father Lord Stanley and was instrumental in convincing him to create the Stanley Cup, one of the most storied trophies in professional sports.

The NWHL will begin its regular season on October 17, 2015 and playoffs will conclude in March 2015 when the first NWHL championship team will raise the Isobel Cup.

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Around New York State / Page 7

NEW YORK AT THE NATIONALS

Amherst’s Ethan Louisos battles with Rangers Michael Kane at 14U in Amherst

N

ew York State sent several to the Nationals. The players traveled to Michigan, Amherst (NY), Wisconsin and Utah.

An experience for each and every one!

At the Tier I Youth 14U the Amherst Knights and Buffalo Jr. Sabres fought hard. Amherst, host team, lost all three games; but they were close. Their foes included Honeybaked, Mid Fairfield and Oakland Jr. Grizzlies. The Buffalo Jr. Sabres managed to make it to Pool Play by beating the Colorado Thunderbirds 6-3 and the Cleveland Barons 8-2. Their loss in regular play came at the hands of the Chicago Mission. In Pool Play they faced Honeybaked once again and lost 7-3.

Honeybaked took home the Championship.

The Amherst Knights, as hosts, played at the Youth 16U division. They lost all three games, as did the Syracuse Stars.

Familiar teams at the 18U level.

The Host Amherst Knights lost all three regular games at the hands of Shattuck St. Mary’s Chicago Mission and NJ Avalanche. However, the Buffalo Jr. Sabres stepped it up from NY and beat Central CT, Culver Academy and the Ontario (CA) Avalanche to take them to Pool Play where they met up once again with Shattuck, losing 4-2. The Championship went to the CT Wolfpack.

In Utah at the Salt Lake City Sports Complex the Tier II 14U Niagara Junior Purple Eagles fell to the Steel City Ice Renegades, the Springfield (MA) Rifles and the LA Junior Kings.

The Cheektowaga Warriors represented the State at the Tier II 16U level and found themselves dropping their first two games. It was Team Toledo 4-2 and the Hyland Hills Jaguars 1-0 over the Warriors. They came back in the third and

beat the Orange County Hockey Club 2-1. Hyland Hills made it to the Championship round but lost to St. Clair Shores.

At Tier II 18U (3A) it was the Long Island Edge and the St. Lawrence Thunder representing the Empire State.

The Long Island Edge lost their first game to the Anaheim Jr. Ducks in a tight 7-6 game. They came back and beat the Grundy Senators 5-4 and the Lansing Senators 5-1.

St. Lawrence beat the Channel Islands Riptide 11-1, West Chester Quakers 8-3 and the Troy Sting 6-2 as they headed into pool play. There they beat Anaheim 9-3 pitting them against Mid State, where they lost 4-2. MidState was the Champion.

The Tier I Girls 14U were in Wisconsin and representing NY were the Rochester Monarchs. They lost their opener to Mid Fairfield Stars 3-1 but came back to beat the Dallas Stars 4-0 and Little Caesars 4-3. As a Wild Card team they took on Pittsburgh Penguins, losing 3-0 and sending Pittsburgh to the Championship round. Their the Penguins lost to the Boston Jr. Eagles.

At 16U it was the Syracuse Nationals taking on the Madison Capitals (2-1 Win); Chicago Young Americans (6-1 Loss) and Mid Fairfield (4-0 Loss). Shattuck St. Mary’s won the Championship.

The Niagara Jr. Purple Eagles took on the Chicago Young Americans (4-1 W), Pittsburgh Penguins Elite (5-0 L) and the Southern CT Stars (4-2 L) at the Tier I 19U division.

In Michigan the Amherst Knights 14U team headed to the Championship round after defeating the CT Polar Bears, 3-2 and the RM Lady Roughriders, 4-2.

They lost to the KV Ravens 6-2 but made it into a Wild Card Playoff spot and beat the Cape Cod Storm 3-2. It was then off to the semi-finals against the KPHA Ice Hawks and a 6-1 win took them to the Championship Game facing Assabet.

They lost 2-1 in a close game.

With two losses and their only win against the RM Lady Roughriders, the West Seneca Wings Tier II 16U team end-

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ed their season in Michigan.

At 19U it was Cazenovia taking on the Portland Pirates in their first game.

They lost 3-0 to the eventual Champion. They beat the Utah Lady Grizzlies 4-0 and then lost a 6-1 game to Marquette. In a Wild Card Playoff game they drew Boston and lost 1-0.

The Women headed to Wisconsin and in Senior A it was the Lasker Lady Hawks with a win and 2 losses in their first appearance at a National Championship. They beat the Arctic Bears 1-0 but lost to Team Air Stack and McGoverns. McGoverns were the National Champs.

The Rochester Edge continued their winning streak up to the end. They beat the Lady Sharks 3-2, Detroit Revolution 5-1 and the Carolina Aces 2-1 before facing Victor Honda in the quarterfinals and beating them 4-1. Then in the semi’s they took on and beat the MN Blue Jackets and finally in the end lost to Anaheim 8-2 in the finals.

The Buffalo Breakers lost all three games in the Women’s Senior C Division.

They lost to the Midwest Mustangs (6-1), Rooftop Rebels (4-1) and the LA Traffic (52).

There were two girls from WNY playing in the Championship rounds that were not with NY teams. Maureen Mur-

Around New York State / Page 8

phy and Natalie Buchbinder played for Shattuck St. Mary’s 16U team and Abby Cleary played on the Shattuck U19 team.

(Photos: Top left Amherst 14U, Center, Amherst 16U and Bottom Syracuse 16U by Janet Schultz; Right top: Amherst Girls 14U by Andrea Burke)

Throughout this issue there are photo pages of NY teams that traveled to Nationals. We were unable to acquire photos from every team but thank Andrea Burke for sending photos of the Girls 14U, 16U and 19U games in Michigan.

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Around New York/ Page 9

Amherst 14U March 28, 2015 Photos by Janet Schultz

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Central Hockey / Page 10

Syracuse 16U vs Team ComcastMarch 28, 2015 Photos by Janet Schultz

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East Hockey / Page 11

Amherst 16U vs Central Connecticut March 28, 2015 Photos by Janet Schultz

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East Hockey / Page 12

Cazenovia 19U Girls Photos by Andrea Burke

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East Hockey / Page 13

West Seneca 16U March 28, 2015 Photos by Andrea Burke

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North Hockey / Page 14

Amherst 14U March 28, 2015 Photos by Andrea Burke

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North Hockey / Page 15

Amherst 14U vs Oakland Grizzlies March 28, 2015 Photos by Janet Schultz

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Around New York State / Page 16

FOUR FROM NYS IN FINAL 2015 NHL DRAFT RANKINGS

By Warren Kozireski

A

year after Syracuse native Alex Tuch and Mahopac’s Sonny Milano were first round NHL draft picks, there are four more who hope their name is called when the 2015 National Hockey League Entry Draft is held June 26-27 in Miami.

If the projections hold, none will be called on Day One of the draft, but Day Two should prove fruitful in pursuit of their hockey dream.

Potsdam native Jordan Greenway was ranked 22nd among North American skaters in the mid-term rankings in January, but fell to 47 in the final rankings. The 6’5”, 222

Jeremy Bracco, Freeport

Jordan Greenway, Potsdam

lb. forward is currently skating for the U.S. National Development Program in Ann Arbor, Michigan where he had five goals with 15 assists and was a +15 in just 22 games.

Teammate Jeremy Bracco of Freeport was ranked 36th in January and fell to 60th in the final rankings among North American skaters. The 5’9”, 173 lb. forward was tied for third on the team lead with 14 goals, tied for the team lead in plus/minus at +20 and stood fifth with 32 points over 24 games.

Defenseman Joseph Cecconi, ranked 70th in January, fell to 88th for the final. The 6’2”, 205 lb. native of Youngstown had three goals

and 14 assists and was the only player to play in all 59 games this season with the Muskegon Lumberjacks in the USHL. And Williamsville’s Dennis Gilbert jumped 14 spots from the mid-term rankings--from 72nd to 58th. Playing for the Chicago Steel, the defenseman had four goals with 23 assists and 89 penalty minutes in 58 games. The Buffalo Jr Sabres product stands 6’2, 195 lb. and is the nephew of Buffalo Sabres Vice President of Public and Community Relations Michael Gilbert.

Joseph Cecconi, Youngstown

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

H

Janosz Goaltending / Page 17

SUNDAY FOOTWORK CLINIC PAYING OFF

aving good footwork helps a goaltender to be square and set for the shot more often. Being square and set leads to a more fundamentally sound save selection with an increased chance of controlling the rebound. Footwork skills are often overlooked at team practices because the focus is on more shooting and team play drills. Pro, College, and Junior scouts look at a goalies footwork and save technique as a main evaluation requirement.

JSG has been running the Sunday Footwork clinic for over 10 years. Over that period of time it has been very evident that the clinic greatly improves the skating ability, quickness/ explosiveness, lateral movement, and overall fundamentals of the goaltenders that have regularly attended. This clinic also improves each goaltender’s efficiency of movement and save technique skills in order to become a more consistent goaltender capable of advancing through the hockey ranks.

The common theme with just about all of the goaltenders that have been advancing to the next level is that they were

regular attendees of the Sunday In-Season and Summer Footwork Clinics.

The footwork clinics help to build a solid foundation to build on for years to come. It’s important to mention that you’re never too old to focus on footwork and save techniques Pro goaltenders continue to work on these areas on a daily basis.

Here are some of the goalies that have attended JSG footwork clinics: Steve Racine- University of Michigan Connor Knapp- Reading Royals- ECHL (formerly Miami of Ohio) Chelsea Knapp- Ohio State Blake Dougherty- Bentley College Tom McCollum- Grand Rapids Griffins AHL Steve Dhillon- Niagara Ice Dogs (OHL) Matt Ladd- Committed to Niagara University John Cullen- Windsor Spitfires (OHL)

Nick Vilardo- Jr Sabres 18 U (USA Hockey 4 nations Cup) Jake Moore- Springfield Pics USPHL-PR Anthony Borelli- Pro Italy (formerly Brown University) Terry Schafer- Robert Morris University Alex Camarre- Buffalo Jr Sabres 16 U (USA Hockey Select 15 and 16 camp) Kim Sass- Colgate University Evan Koleini- Tufts University Chris Paulin- Niagara University Anthony Tirabssi- Islanders (USPHL-Pr) Andy Lee- Burlington Cougars (OJHL) JSG Sunday Clinics begin July 12. Also be sure to check out the new AAA Elite Camps and Clinics. JSG has programs for all ages and skill levels from youth through adult. For more information go to www.bobjanosz.com.

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How do I become a USA Hockey certified coach?

T

his is the time of year when I start receiving calls and emails from people who are planning on getting involved in coaching next season. They have heard from their association or friends that there are things they need to do in order to become properly certified. It’s true….you can’t just walk into a rink and start coaching a youth hockey team. There are good reasons for this. The main reason is that USA Hockey wants to be sure that all coaches working in local programs throughout the country are properly insured, screened and educated. We do this in order to insure that every child that plays hockey has the best possible experience.

There are five steps that a new coach needs to follow in order to become properly certified. The first is to register with USA Hockey. This can be done online and will take about 5 minutes. The link for this registration is https://www.usahockeyregistration. com/login_input.action.

Coaching with Gridley / Page 18

COACHING WITH CHUCK GRIDLEY

be found at the following link: New York District Coach in Chief http://assets.ngin.com/ attachments/document/0045/4988/Coaching_Requirements.pdf The second step is to complete the The last step in the process is to NY screening process. This too will be complete the online age-specific done online and will take no longer module(s) for the age level of the team you are coaching. The modules than 5 minutes. The link is http://www.commercialinvestiga- are done online, and usually take 5 – 6 hours to complete. They can be tionsllc.com/VSSNYSAHA. The third step is to complete the done at your own pace. You do not “Safe Sport Training” module. This is need to complete these in one sitrequired every other year, and will ting. The modules can be found at: take about 90 minutes. The link is http://www.usahockey.com/page/ http://www.usahockey.com/safes- show/892966-age-specific-modules.

A list of all of these requirements porttraining.

The fourth step is to find, register can be found online at the link beand attend the required certification low: clinic. If you are just starting out, you http://w w w.nysaha.com/page/ will attend a Level 1 clinic. You can show/886617-coaching-education. only attend one clinic per season. All of the steps in the process Clinics in New York run from Septem- described above require fees. Most ber 1 to December 31. You can find of them are fairly inexpensive. Many and register for clinics at the link be- associations reimburse coaches for the cost of certification. Ask your lolow; http://www.usahockey.com/page/ cal association what their policy is on reimbursement. show/892976-coaching-clinics.

The certification guidelines (an (Continued on Page 20) explanation of how a coach pro- gresses through the Level clinics) can

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Around New York/ Page 19

NEW YORK IMPACT ON FROZEN FOUR

By Warren Kozireski

O

f the four teams who advanced to the NCAA Frozen Four in Boston—North Dakota, Nebraska-Omaha, Providence and Boston University—five players hailing from New York State dotted the rosters.

The New York City area can brag about three in Brandon Fortunato, a freshman defenseman for BU who is from North Hills, Providence junior defenseman Tom Parisi from Commack and senior co-captain and forward James Polk, who was born in Wyoming, raised in New York City and attended Shattuck St. Mary’s for three years prior to joining NebraskaOmaha.

The other two hail from the Rochester area in Providence junior forward Trevor Mingoia and BU junior forward Matt Lane.

Mingoia was the right wing on the Friars top line in the national semi-final. The Fairport native had a career-high 14 goals with 15 assists this season in 38 games. He tied for a team-best six power play goals and was second in game-winning goals with four.

He led his team with seven shots on goal and scored a huge goal in the semi-final win over Omaha just 24 seconds after they had cut the BU lead to just one goal.

He played two seasons for Fairport High School winning two Section V titles before departing for

Berkshire Prep School, where he was Team MVP, and the Tri-City Storm in the United States Hockey League.

He was recruited to Union College for the 2011-12 season by current Providence head coach Nate Leaman—a SUNY Cortland graduate where he played for a couple of seasons with Rochester Amerks head coach Chadd Cassidy—and played as a freshman on the Dutchmen’s run to the Frozen Four semi-finals. He then followed Leaman to Providence, sat out the mandatory one year, and has had a major impact on the success of the Friars season.

“It was very motivating time for me,” Mingoia said about watching his former teammates at Union win the national title last season. “I couldn’t be happier for them. I’ve got a lot of great friends on that team and have a lot of respect for that team. I was happy when they won. But jealousy roles in. I want it bad, and I have the opportunity to do it this year with this team.

Lane played for the Greece Thunder high school team his freshman year before leaving for one season in Canada with the Mississauga Reps and living with his brother, Phil, a second round NHL draft pick by Phoenix (now Arizona) Coyotes who was then playing for Brampton in the Ontario Hockey League. He then joined the U.S. National Development program in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

Seeing regular time on the penalty kill and power play units, Lane set

career-best marks with eight goals and ten assists while playing on either the second or third line most of the season.

“Obviously this is the biggest stage of our college careers and the biggest this year, Lane said. “Seeing all of the Frozen Four decals sheds light on how big this event is and everything that goes into it.”

“I’m happy whenever I can chip in a goal and getting one (the second BU goal in the NCAA Northeast Regional Final at Manchester, NH) against Minnesota-Duluth was a good thing. It was a good feeling; it was a big goal and just being in the right place at the right time.”

Commack’s Parisi saw secondunit power play and penalty kill for the Friars and had 10 goals with 28 assists over 104 collegiate career games.

He helped lead the New Hampshire Junior Monarchs to the Eastern Junior Hockey League title in 201112 and was named to the All-Star team. Prior to that he played for four years at Portledge Prep on the Island.

And he played earlier junior hockey in the Atlantic Hockey League with the Long Island Bobcats.

“It’s a good feeling, obviously,” Parisi said about Providence advancing to the title game. “We had pretty lofty expectations going into this so I can’t say I was surprised. We expected to be here and we expected to be where we’re at—it’s a business trip.

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(Continued on Page 20)

www.nyhockeyonline.com (Gridley continued from Page 19)

The steps described above might seem complicated, but I think you will find the process easier than you think. Again, all of the steps exist for a reason…we want your child, and every child that plays hockey to have a safe and rewarding experience.

Each association in NY has an “ACE Director”. These volunteers help coaches navigate the certification process. Please talk with the ACE Director in your association and let them help answer any questions you might have.

Thank you for volunteering to become a coach. Coaches are the backbone of USA Hockey. Please let me know if I can help you in any way. Do not hesitate to call or email me with questions. I can be reached at (315) 569-2778, or email me at chuckgridley@aol.com.

Chuck Gridley New York District Coach-in-Chief

Around New York/ Page 20 (NY Draftees continued from Page 19)“

Every year (in Providence) it’s been a growing process and every year I feel a little more comfortable.

And when Parisi was a senior at Portledge, Fortunato was a freshman.

After Portledge, Fortunato, who won’t turn 19 until June 7, began his junior career with a national title with the Long Island Royals, helped Team USA win a gold medal at the 2014 U-18 World Junior championships and was the top scoring defenseman both years for the U.S. National Development Team. He had one goal and 17 assists for BU prior to the Frozen Four and was seeing time on the second power play unit.

“I’m not really a shot-first player, I just look to move the puck,” Fortunato said. “I’m taking more pride in my defense and trying to be more physical. “(The NDTP) is really special. The off-ice training is unbelievable and practicing and playing with the 20 best guys in the country, guys like (Jack) Eichel, (Sonny) Milano and (Alex) Tuch who were first round guys definitely improved my game so it was a great experience.”

And Polk served this season as an assistant captain for the Mavericks of Omaha. He is one of those accountable-type players who lead by example and played mostly an energy role.

In 33 games this season, he had two goals with one assist.

He also played prep school hockey at Shattuck St. Mary’s before a season with Penticton in the British Columbia Hockey League.

Other New York State influences at the Frozen Four included referee Peter Feola of Rochester, who worked the semi-final between Providence and Omaha, plus Providence forwards

Nick Sarracino and Brandon Tanev— both brothers to former Rochester Institute of Technology players Chris Sarracino and Chris Tanev, who played for the Tigers in their Frozen Four run in 2010.

Former Niagara University assistant coach Albie O’Connell is an assistant coach with BU, former Syracuse Crunch and Rochester American captain Dane Jackson is an assistant coach with North Dakota and former Crunch goaltender Karl Goehring is the goaltending coach at North Dakota.

And Providence also featured Buffalo Sabres draft picks Anthony Florentino and Mark Adams on their defense. Florentino was a fifth round selection in 2013 and Adams a fifth rounder in 2009. New York Islanders 2012 fifth round selection Doyle Somerly is on the Terrier defense.

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CENTRAL NEW YORK

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Central Hockey / Page 22 She also lettered in soccer and lacrosse.

This season she played in 19 games with 3 goals and 7 assists for 10 points.

Zalewski is the daughter of James and Elizabeth Zalewski of New Hartford. She has three brothers and one sister with brother Steve who played for the San Jose Sharks, New Jersey Devils and now plays with the Rauman Lukko, and brother Mike playing for the Vancouver Canucks.

Central New York Women’s College Hockey Report

by Janet Schultz Janet@nyhockeyonline.com

Colgate

A total of 213 Colgate studentathletes, student athletic trainers and cheerleaders earned placement on the fall 2014 Dean’s Award list for academic excellence.

To earn the award, students must finish with a 3.30 grade-point average or higher while successfully completing at least 3.75 course hours.

Honorees from the women’s ice hockey team include: Katie Case, Taylor Craig, Miriam Drubel, Nicole Gass, Melissa Kueber, Breanne Wilson-Bennett and Annika Zalewski.

New Hartford (NY) Zalewski comes from the Buffalo Bisons organization and attended Nichols School.

She was the captain during her senior campaign and compiled 25 goals and 26 assists during the 2013-14 season with the Bisons. In 2014 Zalewski led the U19 girls in scoring at the USA Hockey Nationals, helped the team to a NAPHA League Championship, CISAA League Championship and the Deerfield Invitational Championship.

She was Named the team’s MVP and Heart of a Champion Player of the Year, while also notching All-Western NY Scholar Athlete and NAPHA All-League First Team accolade.

Oswego

Oswego State student-athlete Bridget Smith has garnered an award that reflects her work inside the classroom as well as in athletics, the Oswego Woman Scholar Athlete Award. These awards are presented to Laker student-athletes who have demonstrated athletic and academic success in at least two years of participation, while having earned a minimum 3.3 cumulative grade point average, as voted on by athletic department staff.

Smith, who has a 3.69 overall GPA in chemistry, has been a member of the women’s ice hockey team since freshman year. The goaltender has repeatedly been awarded for her performance in the classroom, as she has been on the ECAC West All-Academic team every year since 2012, the SUNYAC All-Academic list since 2011 and the SUNYAC Commissioner’s List since 2012.

On the ice, Smith is equally successful. The Hamburg native has received numerous awards for her

efforts in net including ECAC West First Team All-Conference 2014-15 and most recently ACHA First Team All-America. With the All-America selection, the goaltender becomes the first player in program history to receive that honor.

Aside from those prestigious accolades, Smith has also earned countless weekly awards from both the ECAC West and from Oswego State.

As a Laker, the senior’s 35 wins in net is also the most in Oswego State women’s ice hockey history. She was also named an assistant captain for the 2014-15 season.

Cornell

The Cornell women’s hockey team was well represented at the IIHF World Championships in Sweden.

Head Coach Doug Derraugh led the Canadian Women’s National Team, which included six former Cornell players.

Lauriane Rougeau and Laura Fortino anchor the blue-line, while Rebecca Johnston, Jessica Campbell, Brianne Jenner and Jillian Saulnier comprised a nearly a third of the squad’s dynamic forward group.

The Ivy League released its list of student-athletes selected for 2014-15 Academic All-Ivy honors in its winter sports.

Selected from the Cornell Women’s Ice Hockey Team were: Brianne Jenner, Sr., Oakville, Ontario, Canada) Jenner was the 2015 ECAC and Ivy League Player of the Year; FirstTeam All-Ivy and All-ECAC selection; and was a top 10 finalist for the Patty Kazmaier Memorial Award; Second-Team AllAmerica selection

by USCHO.

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Central Men’s College Ice Hockey Report

by Warren Kozireski Wkozires@brockport.edu

COLGATE

Colgate will play this fall in “The Friendship Four,” an international hockey tournament in Belfast, Ireland from November 27 - 28, 2015 along with Northeastern University, University of Massachusetts-Lowell and Brown University.

Senior defenseman Spiro Goulakos was selected as the 2014-15 Senior CLASS Award winner in NCAA Division I men’s hockey. Chosen by a nationwide vote of Division I men’s hockey coaches, national hockey media and fans, the award is given annually to the most outstanding senior student-athlete in Division I men’s hockey. To be eligible for the award, a senior student-athlete must have notable achievements in four areas of excellence: classroom, community, character and competition.

Junior forward Kyle Baun forfeited his senior season and signed an entry-level two-year contract with the Chicago Blackhawks.

Baun appeared in 113 games during his three years with the Colgate program, amassing 39 goals and 40 assists for 79 points. This past season he registered a career-high 29 points and was named an ECAC Hockey All-League Third-Team selection.

The Raiders announced the addition of Juliano Pagliero as an assistant coach. The former Niagara Purple Eagle goaltender will work primarily with the goaltenders and defensemen and oversee the program’s recruiting efforts while assisting in the day-today operations of the team.

Central Hockey / Page 23 Pagliero comes to Colgate after two seasons as an assistant coach at Holy Cross and began his coaching career with a two-year stint as an assistant at nearby Utica College.

Team captains for the 2015-16 season were announced with senior Mike Borkowski serving as captain and classmates Kevin Lough and Darcy Murphy tabbed as alternate captains.

Borkowski and Lough also received awards during the banquet. Borkowski was honored with the Steve Riggs Memorial Award for the second consecutive season, given to the player who is most known for gentlemanly play and possesses a high standard of ability. Borkowski finished with six goals and 14 assists for 20 points in 21 games despite missing 17 games with what was originally through to be a season-ending injury.

Lough was named a co-honoree of the Dan Coley “Barrel” Award along with sophomore Jake Kulevich. Awarded to the team’s best defensemen, Lough took part in 37 games in 2014-15, finishing with nine points on two goals and seven assists. He was a +10 and blocked 45 shots to ranked fourth on the team in that category.

Kulevich turned in breakout sophomore campaign, compiling career highs of five goals, 10 assist and 15 points as he dressed for all 38 games this season. He blocked a team-high 69 shots during the season.

Senior alternate captain Joe Wilson (North Syracuse) once again took home the Rob Ries Award for his inspiration and leadership on the team. Wilson ranked fourth on the team in scoring with 24 points on 11 goals and 13 assists and was one of just seven players to dress in all 38 games for Colgate this season as he became just the 12th player in school history to dress in 150 games during his collegiate career.

Goulakos was recognized as the recipient of the prestigious Terry Slater Trophy. The trophy is awarded by the Silver Puck Club and goes to the senior whose performance, leadership, and dedication on and off the ice during his career had the greatest impact on Colgate hockey. He finished his Colgate career by being named to the All-Tournament Team at the ECAC Hockey Championship.

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www.nyhockeyonline.com Two Raiders, seniors Brendan Corcoran and John Lidgett, split the Whit Williams Award given to the most improved player throughout the season. Corcoran took part in 33 games as a member of the Raiders defense this season and finished with two assists.

Lidgett posted career highs of eight goals and 17 points as he dressed in all 38 games played this season.

The Best Offensive Player honors went to junior Tyson Spink as the top point-getter for the Raiders.

Spink earned the award for the second straight season with 31 points after pacing Colgate in both goals (14) and assist (17) in 2014-15. He was an ECAC ThirdTeam All-League selection.

Sophomore goaltender Charlie Finn was voted by his teammates as the Best Defensive Player for the second straight season. A four-time ECAC Goaltenderof-the-Week selection, Finn posted a 21-10-4 overall record in 2014-15. He matched the program mark for shutouts in a season with six.

The Coaches Award was given to senior Brooks Herrington. Completing his second season with the Raiders after beginning his collegiate career at Vermont, Herrington saw playing time in 11 games this season, helping Colgate post an 8-1-2 mark when he was in the lineup splitting time between forward and defense.

CORNELL

The Big Red announced that Boston University and Cornell will return to Madison Square Garden on Thanksgiving weekend (Nov. 28, 2015 at 8pm).

The first college hockey event to ever sell out the historic Garden in 2007, Red Hot Hockey also produced sell-out crowds in 2009, 2011 and 2013. The biennial showdown has quickly become the hot event for both schools’ hockey-centric fan base.

Senior defenseman Joakim Ryan was named the Nicky Bawlf Award winner as the team’s most valuable player in postseason awards were announced.

Ryan was also presented the Ironman Award, which is presented to the player who showed determination to overcome injuries. Ryan signed a contract with San Jose and reported to Worcester of the American Hockey League.

Cole Bardreau (Fairport) was presented the Mark Weiss Memorial Award, which is awarded to a senior with a career-long dedication

Central Hockey / Page 24 and passion for the sport of hockey and the Joe DeLibero-Stan Tsapis Award for skilled efficiency, unselfish dedication and hard-nosed competitive desire.

John McCarron was tabbed for the Bill Doran Sportsmanship Award after serving as the team’s sole captain for his final two seasons on East Hill.

The Cornell Hockey Association Award went to Madison Dias. The award is given annually to the player whose contributions to the team don’t show up in the box score, but rather are in the form of energy, heart and hustle.

The Sam Woodside Award for overall career improvement by a senior went to Jacob MacDonald, who was a work horse for the Big Red and one of just three defensemen to play in all of the season’s 31 games.

McDonald inked a professional contract with Elmira of the ECHL. Eric Freschi claimed the Crimson Cup, given to the player who was the standout performer in the season series against Harvard.

The Greg Ratushny Award for the most promising rookie went to Hayden Stewart, who won ECAC Hockey Rookie of the Week honors after each of his two shutouts on the season — Nov. 22 vs. Brown and Jan. 10 at Clarkson. He became the first Cornell freshman to earn at least two shutouts since future AllAmerican David McKee in 2003-04.

Joel Lowry, Christian Hilbrich, Ryan Coon and Dan Wedman were presented The Wendall and Francelia Earle Award for Outstanding Academic Achievement, presented to the member in each class who has achieved the highest cumulative grade point average.

CORTLAND

Senior forward Nick Zappia (Manlius) was named a Division III men’s ice hockey All-American by the American Hockey Coaches Association (AHCA).

Zappia was named to the All-America East second team. The All-America squad consists of five units – three East teams and two West squads. Zappia is believed to be Cortland’s first-ever men’s ice hockey All-American.

He led all of Division III nationally through the end of the regular season with 24 goals and 47 points in 25 games.

(Continued on Next Page)

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Central Hockey / Page 25

He also tied for first on the Red Dragon squad with 23 assists. The first-team All-SUNYAC forward recorded at least one point in 24 straight games to start the season prior to being held scoreless in the season finale and finished his Cortland career sixth all-time in scoring with 109 points on 58 goals and 51 assists.

Once the season concluded, he signed a professional contract with the Bakersfield Condors of the ECHL. Former Red Dragon Nate Leaman (1997) led Providence College to their first NCAA Division I championship and was named National Coach of the Year.

OSWEGO

Bobby Gertsakis and Shawn Hulshof are Oswego’s 10th and 11th players in program history to be named First Team All-Americans.

Gertsakis anchored a Laker defense that ranked in thetop 10 nationally, allowing just 2.18 goals per game. The senior also finished in the top 30 of the country for assists, registering 20 on the year. That number is also the fourth-best in Division III for all defensemen. The senior was named First Team All-SUNYAC earlier in March and wrapped up his career with 92 games played, 12 goals and 57 assists.

Hulshof was also recently recognized as the SUNYAC Herb Hammond Most Valuable Player after tying for fifth nationally in scoring with 42 points.

The Lakers ranked second among Division III schools with an average hockey attendance of 2,280.

UTICA

Utica College men’s hockey team led the nation in home attendance for the ninth consecutive season this past year. In 14 home dates, the Pioneers had a paid attendance of 51,729 fans at the Utica Memorial Auditorium.

Utica’s average home attendance of 3,695 fans per game ranks second all-time for home attendance in Division III men’s hockey history, just one spot behind UC’s own single season record average of 3,754 originally set by the 2012-13 edition of the Pioneers. The Pioneers rank 23rd nationally at all levels of NCAA hockey (DI-DIII).

Rounding out the top five most attended programs in Division III hockey this year were Oswego State (2nd, 2,280), Plattsburgh State (3rd 1,730), Norwich University (4th 1,528) and Geneseo State (5th 1,173).

In Memoriam: NY Hockey sends Condolences to the Families, Friend and Hockey Colleagues of: East Section President Kevin Rodgers, Kevin passed away April 11 after contracting an infection following a bone marrow transplant. Kevin was a long time Board member of the Long Island Hockey League and Alternate President of the East Section for two years and East Section President for three years.

Scott L. Garrett, son of Tina Garrett a volunteer with the Bud Bakewell Hockey Association on April 8. Scott was killed in a car accident.

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Central News & Notes Camillus Youth Hockey

Signups for the WG Wildcat Summer Hockey Camp are now open. Camp will be held August 3-15 at Shove Park.

Elmira Jackals Youth

Plans are underway for the Second Annual Street Hockey Festival to be held in August.

The Proficient Hockey 2015 Summer Camp in Jamestown will be held June 19-21 for Youth Ages 8-13, June 19-21 for Jr. Experience Camp for ages 8-13 and July 17-19 a Goalie Camp for any age. Contact Seth Wolfe, Proficient Sports, 513-461-4277 or Seth@ProficientHockey.com The Canadian Hockey Academy will be held August 17-21 at the JM McDonald Sports Complex in Cortland. Go to website for brochure.

Midstate Hockey

Midstate is holding hockey clinics now through August. Check out their website.

Valley Youth Hockey

Valley welcomes new board members for 2015-16 including: Vice President: Randy Denton; Treasurer: Michael Shaffer; Director of Coaches: Tom Ferrara and Scheduler: Lillian Jeng. At-Large members re Tim Jennings, Jarrod Shupe and Garth Warner.

Fulton Youth Hockey

Their annual Golf Tournament will be held June 6. Go to their website for information.

Clinton Youth Hockey

Congratulations to newly elected Board Members Rocco Bouse, Michael Cancilla, Missi Christ, Crystal Curtis, Karen Detraglia, Brittany Fuller, Brian Grady and Brandon Torchia.

Mohawk Valley Youth Hockey

The MVYH organization has partnered with the Utica Comets of the AHL to feature the Utica Jr. Comets.

Skaneateles Youth Hockey

The Skaneateles Boys Varsity Team held a Skate With the State Champions for the community in April.

Syracuse Youth Hockey

Head Coaches for the 2015-16 season include: Dennis Gipe, Squirt; Jamie Zimmer, Pee Wee Minor; McIntyre and Wood, Pee Wee Major; Dustin Coldren, Bantam Minor; Mike Matyasik, Bantam Major; Jeff Carpenter, Midget Minor Split Season; Tony Bird, Midget Major Split Season and Billy Walsh, Girls 16U.

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East Hockey / Page 28

ARMY WEST POINT ATHLETICS UNVEILS NEW BRAND IDENTITY WEST POINT, N.Y. – Army West Point Athletics today introduced a new brand and identity system that sets the visual direction for years to come. The updated identity provides a fresh look at one of the most storied brands in all of intercollegiate athletics.

The new brand was unveiled Monday night at Eisenhower Hall in front of the Corps of Cadets.

Army West Point Athletics and Nike collaborated on an 18-month brand evolution program to enhance and perfect upon the celebrated marks of the United States Military Academy, honoring the duty, leadership and rich history of academics and athletics, key characteristics and attributes associated with the Academy. With the goal of engaging new cadets, faculty and staff as well as building upon its remarkable reputation as America’s Academy, developing a seamless and consistent athletic identity is paramount.

Army West Point and Nike worked with U.S. Army and Academy leadership, current and former cadetathletes, coaches, historians and West Point graduates to pay tribute to the Academy’s legacy and tradition. The finished product is a patriotic journey that plays off the brand attributes of Army West Point. As part of the updated brand identity, all 28 of Army West Point Athletics intercollegiate sports teams will showcase consistent logos, colors, lettering and numerals that will debut with the football and fall sports programs and eventually expand across all sports in the upcom-

ing seasons.

“To separate the Army from West Point is to take away the purpose of the United States Military Academy,” said Lt. Gen. Robert Caslen, Jr., USMA superintendent. “Since its founding in 1802, West Point has produced soldier-scholars and leaders of

character for America. This innovative new branding respects and elevates the Academy’s history and heritage and reflects the unique qualities of Army West Point Athletics, while tying the service to the Academy.”

Said Army West Point Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Boo Corrigan, “We are very proud to showcase our new athletic marks. When we started this 18-month process, our goal was to better position the Academy nationally with consistent logos, colors, lettering and numerals that tell the story of the Academy and our cadets. It was very important to us that this process was collaborative, which is why we involved a host of constitu-

ent groups, including U.S. Army and Academy leadership, current and former cadet-athletes, coaches, historians and West Point graduates. I would personally like to thank the committee that worked directly with Nike in helping to make this process a reality. We believe that we achieved our goal and are excited about the future of Army West Point Athletics.”

The Army West Point primary mark perfectly portrays the soldierscholar ideal. Athena’s Helmet symbolizes wisdom while the sword represents the warrior ready for battle.

In an effort to create consistency across all applications that honors the past while attracting new audiences in an authentic and meaningful way, there will be a brand-new primary logo that pays homage to the Academy and what it stands for. The Athena Shield is indisputably iconic and unique to Army West Point Athletics. It signals a consistent foundation that honors the brand equity that has been built across centuries of service, competition and sacrifice while creating distinction and reinforcing the Army West Point Brand for the next generation. The Athena Shield is comprised of four unique elements (the shield, helmet, sword and star) that come together to represent Army West Point Athletics with power and authenticity.

The primary color palette contains Army Black, USMA Gold, Gray and White. It will serve as the primary palette, used on most brand applications.

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www.nyhockeyonline.com This is a color palette that is authentic to military history, finishes and materials. These colors represent the future of West Point and the larger Army organization. The primary color palette also draws inspiration from the components of gunpowder, the current Army Combat Uniform (ACU) and the Long Gray Line.

“It’s an incredible opportunity for us to work hand-in-hand with such a storied institution,” said Todd Van Horne, vice president and creative director for Nike Football and Baseball.

“The new embellishments are a small token to the service and sacrifice that everyone involved at Army West Point has made for this Country.”

As part of the new program, all 28 of Army West Point Athletics intercollegiate sports teams will showcase consistent logos, colors, lettering and numerals.

While a new primary logo has been established, Army West Point will continue to use Black Knights as a nickname.

Fans can go to nike.com or goarmywestpoint.com for immediate purchases or pre-sale ordering. Most retail outlets that sell Army West Point merchandise have products with the new branding.

East Hockey / Page 29

East News and Notes Greater NYC Hockey

The NY Stars are looking for a few players to round out their Bantam A and Midget 16U teams. Contact Brendan Tracy, hocke19mrb@aol.com for Bantams for Dan Borgia, DBorgia@gmail.com

Long Island Gulls

The New York Bobcats and Long Island Gulls former forward Matthew Zay has signed with the Springfield Falcons of the AHL. Zay completed his four-year career at Mercyhurst College of the AHA putting up 47 goals and 81 assists for 128 points in 151 games played. He now embarks on his pro career with the Falcons, the top affiliate of the Columbus Blue Jackets.

Mamaroneck Youth Hockey

Hockey camps will be held at Chelsea Piers (CT) this summer. Check out their website for additional information.

Scarsdale Youth Hockey

The Pee Wees are the Hudson Valley Hockey League Champions.

Bronxville Youth Hockey

The Bronxville Blackhawk Squirt team won the 2015 Congressional Cup Spring Tournament in Washington DC. The Bronxville Pee Wees took the Hudson Valley Hockey League PW-A-T B Championship for 2014-15.

Aviator Hockey

The Aviator Hockey Club Bantam 14U Team broke into the Top 10 Nationally and are ranked #9 out of 961 teams.

Ice Cat Hockey

Ice Cat will hold an Advanced Summer Scrimmage with elite travel, prep school, college and professional players. Check out their website for additional information.

Long Beach Apple Core

Congratulations to 2015-16 Coaches: Mite: Jerry Hunt, Terence Mulligan and Nick Falciano; Squirt II: Gene Falciano and Mike Florio; Squirt III: Matt Angst and Marc Falciano; PeeWee II; Brian Hurley and John Salvato; PeeWee III: Joe Brand and Joe Byrne; Bantam: Brian Barto, Chris Verde and Rick Camp; Midget: Ed Shinnick and Dom Rullo.

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www.nyhockeyonline.com New York Bobcats

Defenseman Shawn Grey has committed to play and attend SUNY Fredonia this fall. Grey is the second Bobcat to sign with a SUNY school as fellow teammate Charles Barber signed with Plattsburgh for 2016. Grey is a native of Hamburg (NY) and played 69 career games for the Bobcats.

Forward Carlos Ross committed to play and attend school at Western New England University this fall. Ross is the second Bobcat to sign with WNE along with teammates David Kleyman and CJ Totillo. The Brockport (NY) native played in 42 games registering 8 goals and 9 assist for 17 points.

Richmond Youth Hockey

The Richmond Thunder Squirt AA team played their final weekend together at the Liberty Cup Spring Classic in Philadelphia and brought home the Gold in true Thunder style.

Mariners Hockey

The Mariners Squirt B team capped off an epic season with a 5-3 win of the Pelham Predators. This was a cohesive tam that played with tenacity and heart all season, according to reports from the Mariners.

Westchester Youth Hockey

The Westchester Wild Girls Hockey and the Westcheser Vipers Youth Hockey association are announced the following Head Coaching position for the coming season: Mite A: Billy Branch; Mite B: Jim Pellegrino Sr.; Squirt 06: Judson Selig; Squirt 05: Jim Pellegrino Jr.; Squirt A: Jerritt Theiss; Squirt B: John Kurian; Pee Wee 04: Monique Rafferty; Pee Wee 03TB: John Garro; Pee Wee A: Joe Berkley; Pee Wee B: Doug Schur; Bantam 01TB: Anthony Pellegrino; Bantam 02: Kevin Hagen; Bantam A: Dave Dragone; Midget U16 TB 99 & 00 players: Erik Kallio; Midget U16 A 99 & 00 players: JC Kennedy; Midget U18: Joe DiDomenico; Goalie Coach: Jimmy Pellegrino Jr.; Wild Coaches: Kirsten Shaughnessy, Melissa Hauptman, Johanna Slempa.

East Hockey / Page 30 Westchester Dragons

The USPHL Empire Champions and National Finalist New York Aviators have landed at Rye Playland for the 2015-16 seasons. In keeping with the tradition of the adjoining theme park the team will be called the New York Dragons. The Dragon Coaster, one of the oldest wooden roller coaster rides has been in existence since 1929. Playland Ice was recently reopened after Hurricane Sandy and now features a new state-of-the art ice surface and other amenities. The Dragons will share the rink with NCAA DIII Manhattanville Valiants and will be run by Fordham University Head Coach Rich Guberti.

For more information contact Coach Guberti at 914447-2520 or dragonsjuniorhockey@gmail.com The Westchester 16 and 18U half season teams are looking for players for the Fall 2015 season. The team opens up right after Labor Day and practice twice weekly at Rye Playland until the first week in November. They play three games each weekend during September and October. “Our goal is to play as many games in a compressed schedule as possible and get players ready for high school hockey,�

This eliminates conflicts with high school and travel hockey. The teams will play locally and based on interest in one or two tournaments.

Email your player profile to http://wnyd.goalline.ca/ files2015_dragons_junior_application.doc or email dragonsjuniorhockey@gmail.com Westchester Dragons Coaches for next season include Jim Fox, Victor Nordenson, James Evers, Sean McArdle and Guberti.

Pelham Youth Hockey

Ed Witz will have a Pelham based Bantam/JV Team and a Pelham based Varsity level team that will play in the Ice Hutch Spring League from April through June.

Saugerties Youth Hockey

The Saugerties Youth Hockey Bantam A Team won the Liberty Cup Spring Classic by beating the Bowie Bruins 3-1 in the championship game.

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Eastern New York Men’s College Hockey Report

by Warren Kozireski

Wkozires@brockport.edu

MANHATTANVILLE

Seniors Brian Fleming and Eric McClure will be continuing their hockey careers at the professional level next season, as both players inked deals with the Macon Mayhem of the Southern Professional Hockey League for the 2015-16 season.

R.P.I.

The Engineers held their end-of-the-year team banquet and announced the team award winners with the Most Valuable Player Award presented to junior goaltender Jason Kasdorf. Senior defenseman Curtis Leonard was named the Best Defensive Player while Drew Melanson earned the Freshman of the Year Award. Freshman forward Kenny Gillespie was selected as the Most Improved Player, while the Eric James ‘99 Scholar-Athlete of the Year went to Mark Miller (Massena). Senior Mark McGowan was presented with the Ben Mayo Most Inspirational Player Award and junior Travis Fulton collected the Community Service Award for the second year in a row.

East Hockey / Page 31 UNION

T h e team honored seven players at their banquet with s e n i o r forward Daniel Ciampini reCiampini ceiving the Most Valuable Player Award. Ciampini earned AHCA/CCM East All-America and All-ECAC Hockey First Team honors after leading the team in goals (26), shots (126), plus/minus (+21), power play goals (9) and game-winning goals (5). He was one of just six forwards in the country to earn All-America honors. He signed an amateur contract with Worcester of the American Hockey League after the college season.

The Coaches’ Award was presented to senior defenseman Charlie Vasaturo. Chosen team captain, Vasaturo appropriately scored the team’s first goal of the season and went on to lead the team in blocks (62) for the second straight year. He also appeared in 81 straight games – the longest active streak on the team.

Junior forward Matt Wilkins took home the Most Improved Player Award. Wilkins finished third in team goals (13) and fourth in scoring (28 points) and led the Dutchmen in playoff scoring (4-4-8).

Freshman forward Spencer Foo accepted the Rookie of the Year Award.

The team’s leading rookie scorer, Foo finished fourth in team goals (11) and sixth in points (25). He was named to the ECAC Hockey All-Rookie Team and ranked 23rd in NCAA rookie scoring.

The Scott Richardson Unsung Hero Award went to senior Sam Coatta.

Junior defenseman Sebastien Gingras received the Charles N. Morris Award, presented annually to a player who participates in extracurricular activities while demonstrating academic interest and achievement.

Theo Di Pauli von Treuheim was honored with the Thomas Van Arden Dukehart Award, presented to the player with the highest grade-point average. It’s the third-straight year Di Pauli von Treuheim has been presented the award and he was recently named a 2015 Barry Goldwater Scholarship award winner.

Goaltender Colin Stevens (Niskayuna) was inked by the Florida Panthers and began his pro career with the Panthers’ American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the San Antonio Rampage.

OTHER AREA NOTES:

• Yale defenseman Rob O’Gara also earned First Team All-American honors from the ACHA coaches. The junior anchored the defense which only surrendered 1.64 goals per contest. He was named the ECAC Hockey Best Defensive Defenseman after the season and tied for the Bulldogs lead with plus/minus rating of +21.

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East Hockey / Page 32

East Women’s College Report

by Janet Schultz Janet@nyhockeyonline.com

RPI

The Rensselaer women’s ice hockey team held a year-end banquet to celebrate the 2014-15 season, where six awards were presented to six different student-athletes. Earning the team’s highest honor, Most Valuable Player was senior forward Taylor Mahoney.

Other award winners included Sara Till, who won the Bill Cahill Memorial Coach’s Award for the second consecutive year; senior Mariana Walsh, who earned the Most Improved Player Award; sophomore blueliner Heidi Huhtamaki received the Bob Conway Scholar-Athlete Award and freshman Amanda Kimmerle, who was named the team’s Rookie of the Year.

Senior captain Ali Svoboda took home the Willie Stanton Award, which is presented to the outstanding citizen of the team. It is awarded to a player who demonstrates leadership, sportsmanship, hard work and a genuine love of the game or a team member who excels themselves in their volunteer efforts.

Also recognized were each of the seven individual seniors: Kathryn Schilter (Aurora, ON/Toronto Jr. Aeros), Delaney Middlebrook (Minneapolis, MN/ Niagara University), Mahoney (Cary, IL/Chicago Mission), Walsh (Walpole, MA/Assabet Valley/Phillips Andover), Brianna Piper (Oakville, ON/Toronto Jr. Aeros) and Kelly O’Brien (Sussex, WI/Madison Capitals).

Mahoney played in all 34 games, scoring five goals to go along with 11 assists for 16 points. Two of her tallies came on the power-play, while three came in ECAC Hockey play. She finished her RPI career with 18 goals and 29 assists for 47 points in 130 games.

A forward, Svoboda appeared in all 34 games this

season, scoring eight goals and recording eight assists for 16 points. In 137 career games, she notched 20 goals and 24 assists for 44 points. The Most Improved Player Award went to Walsh, a forward who a career-high four goals and two assists for six points in 33 games.

Till (Jericho, VT/Rice Academy), a junior, made her first collegiate appearances in 2014-15, stopping all three shots she faced in 4:34 of game time against Yale on February 13. Huhtamaki (Espoo, Finland/Espoo Blues) has a 3.82 grade point average in Nuclear Engineering.

Kimmerle (Anoka, MN/Anoka High School) is a freshman blue liner who played in all 34 contests, registering two assists, which both came during ECAC Hockey play. She was assessed five minor penalties for 10 minutes and held the highest +/- rating on the team at +3.

Rensselaer, which is coached by John Burke, finished with a 5-16-1 ECAC Hockey record, while going 7-23-4 overall.

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Northern New York Men’s College Hockey Report

by Warren Kozireski

Wkozires@brockport.edu

CLARKSON

Joe Zarbo (Grand Island) signed an Amateur Tryout contract with the Evansville IceMen. Zarbo finished his senior season with the Golden Knights, where he netted a team best 12 goals. In 136 career games with Golden Knights over four years, he lit the lamp 34 times and collected 32 assists.

Nine awards were announced at the annual banquet with Jeff DiNallo named the recipient of the Bill Harrison Clarkson Most Valuable Player in honor of the successful Clarkson coach of the late 1940s and 1950s. DiNallo paced the Clarkson offense with 21 points on six goals and a team-high 15 assists through 34 games.

Pat Megannety was honored with the Mike Morrison Dedication Award for teamwork, hustle and dedication.

Simon Bessette was presented with the Clarkson Ironman Award. The award represents the player, who in spite of being bruised, broken, spliced or otherwise hurt, most demonstrated the will and determination to overcome injuries and contribute to the team. The junior forward overcame major surgery to skate in 12 games.

Terrance Amorosa was presented with the Richmond Award which is presented to a Golden Knight who has shown improvement in his playing ability and displayed team leadership. The freshman defenseman skated in 18 games, including the final 10 contests and recorded five points (1-4) and a +2 rating.

Paul Geiger was honored with the Fran Neragin Award, presented to a player who displays unselfish play and sportsmanship both on and off the ice. The Knights’ captain was just one of two players to skate in all 37 games.

Kelly Summers was selected as the Knights’ Rookie of the Year. He recorded 10 point, including six goals and led the Green and Gold with five power-play markers. He was also named to the ECAC Hockey all-rookie team.

James Howden was named Clarkson’s Best Defensive Player. He skated in 35 games and posted a +4 plus/minus rating.

North Hockey / Page 34 PLATTSBURGH

The Cardinals ranked third among Division III schools with an average hockey attendance of 1,720.

ST. LAWRENCE

Brian Ward will be the 2015-16 captain with Tommy Thompson, Eric Sweetman and Alexander Dahl wearing the “A” as assistant captain.

Freshman goaltender Kyle Hayton was one of five finalists and the only freshman for the 2015 Mike Ritcher Award recognizing the most outstanding goaltender in NCAA men’s college hockey.

At the team banquet, Hayton was named the Stuart A. Winning Most Valuable Player and the Mike PelletierRichie Stewart Rookie of the Year after a record-setting season.

Other award winners included captain Gunnar Hughes, who received the Jinx Doyle Award, Chris Martin who received the Bernie McKinnon Coaches Award, Sweetman, winner of the Pete McGeough Outstanding Defenseman Award, Patrick Doherty, who was presented the Brian McFarlane Scholar-Athlete Award, Justin Bruckel, who received the Paul Flanagan Most Improved Player Award and the Friends of St. Lawrence Hockey Seventh Man Award and Thompson, who received the Terry Slater Perseverance Award.

Ward, an assistant captain for the Saints this past season, was the Saints leading scorer as a junior with nine goals and 17 assists for 26 points. He will be joined in the Saint on-ice leadership group by classmate Thompson, who had nine goals and 14 assists this past season and juniors Sweetman, a second-team All ECAC selection at defenseman and one of the top-scoring blue liners in the league with 5 goals and 15 assists, and Dahl, who came on strong in the second half of the season and finished his sophomore season with five goals and two assists.

Head coach Greg Carvel has been named an assistant coach for the 2015 U.S. Men’s National Team which will play in the IIHF Men’s World Championship in the Czech Republic May 1-17. Carvel will join head coach Todd Richards, head coach of the NHL Columbus Blue Jackets and fellow assistant coach Dan Bylsma.

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Northern New York Women’s College Hockey Report

by Janet Schultz Janet@ nyhockeyonline.com

Clarkson

Celebrating one of the best seasons ever in Clarkson Women’s Hockey 12-year history, the accomplishments of the 2014-15 Golden Knights were recognized on Saturday, April 11 as the Green and Gold held their annual Awards Banquet.

Highlighting the ceremony was the naming of junior forward Cayley Mercer and freshman goaltender Shea Tiley as Clarkson’s Most Valuable Players.

Clarkson also paid tribute to the Class of 2015. The Golden Knights Class of 2015 – Jenna Boss, Emily Horn, Christine Lambert, Daniella Matteucci and Jennifer Shields – enjoyed the most success of any class in the history of Clarkson Women’s Hockey. The seniors compiled an outstanding .724 winning percentage during their fouryear careers (2011-15), helped the Green and Gold amass 105 victories, win two ECAC Hockey regular season titles and make three NCAA Tournament appearances, capped off by a National Championship in 2014.

Guided by seventh-year head coach Matt Desrosiers, and assistant coaches Meghan Duggan and Britni Smith, Clarkson skated to a 24-11-3 overall record in 2014-15 and won the ECAC Hockey regular season title for the second consecutive year with a 16-4-2 league mark.

Ranked among the top teams in the country throughout the season, the Knights made their third straight showing in the NCAA Tournament, playing in the quarterfinal round in mid-March.

2014-15 Season in Review Clarkson’s leading scorer, Mercer paced the Green and Gold’s offensive with 44 points on a team-high 24 goals and 20 assists. The Exeter, ONT native led the Knights in game-winning goals with six and also tallied four times on the power play. Mercer boasted a team-best +35 plus/ minus rating and was named a first-team ECAC Hockey

North Hockey / Page 35 all-star.

Tiley made an impressive debut to her collegiate career as one of the top goaltenders in the country. She boasted a .939 save percentage and a 1.40 GAA en route to a 24-11-3 record, including nine shutouts. The Owen Sound, ONT native was named ECAC Hockey Goaltender and Rookie of the Year along with earning first-team allstar honors.

Daniella Matteucci was the recipient of Clarkson’s Coaches Award. The Coaches Award is selected by the coaching staff and presented to a hockey player who displays unselfish play, hustle, sacrifice, dedication and commitment to the team.

Serving as captain for Team USA at the Women’s World Hockey Championships, Clarkson University Women’s Hockey assistant coach Meghan Duggan led the U.S. Women to the title. The United States defeated Canada 7-5 in the 2015 International Ice Hockey Federation World Championship gold medal contest on April 4 in Malmo, Sweden. Golden Knight Alumnus Jamie Lee Rattray ‘14 played for Canada.

The Clarkson University Women’s Hockey team was recognized for winning the 2014 NCAA National Title at Syracuse University’s Carrier Dome on March 29, 2015.

The Golden Knights were in the spotlight at center court during halftime of the Michigan State/Louisville Elite 8 NCAA Men’s Basketball game on Sunday.

Plattsburgh

The Plattsburgh State women’s hockey team will host a women’s hockey camp from Aug. 3-6, 2015. The camp is designed to encourage all women’s hockey players from around the area of any skill level between the ages of 7 and 13 to participate.

The cost of the camp is $225 per player or $200 per goalie. Lunch will be provided each day for the participants along with receiving a camp T-shirt.

The schedule, which is subject to change, will include on-ice and off-ice training, team bonding activities and leadership exercises.

For more information, please contact Plattsburgh State head coach Kevin Houle (houlekj@plattsburgh.edu) or assistant coach Danielle Blanchard (dblan005@plattsburgh.edu) by email or by calling the Plattsburgh State women’s hockey office at (518) 5644243.

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North News and Notes Adirondack Youth Hockey

Team White (Lightning) took the Mite House League Gazzillo Cup after defeating the Green (Stars) in a great battle. It was 40 degrees outside and took some time for the ice to freeze up, but once it did both teams gave it their all and played a great game. They ended their season with an ice cream party and lots of smiling faces, according to reports from the North.

Canton Youth Hockey

Canton Minor Hockey has announced that the Canton Blade Girl Hockey Program will be adding a 12U State Tournament Bound team for the 2015-16 season. The team will be made up of girls age 12 or younger.

Bethlehem Youth Hockey

BYH announced the following in Head Coaching position for the coming season: Midget 18U: Daniel Harder; Midget 16U: John Kurdziolek; Bantam A: Marty Hull; PeeWee A: Brian Lucey and Squirt A: Kyle Kotary.

The Board has established a scholarship program to ease the financial burden of youth hockey for deserving families. This year BYH is again promoting the scholarship program. If you have any interest in completing an application for reduced registration rate, please complete an application form and submit it prior to September 10, 2015. Contact President Brian Gregg at btgregg@verizon.net

Chazy Youth Hockey

The 2015 Golf Tournament will be held June 7 at North Country Golf Club, Rouses Point, NY. Contact Amy House, 518- 298-4925 or Dale Anne Wolter, 518-493-2304.

Potsdam Youth Hockey

PJHA is accepting applications for coaches for 2015-16 at all levels. The application is available on their website and can be send via email to pjha@potsdamhockey.org

Schenectady Youth Hockey

The Squirt B Team won the Whitestown Rob Esche Tournament by opening with two shutouts and ending the tournament 5-0-0. The Squirt B’s delivered on great teamwork and displayed excellent sportsmanship.

The Pee Wee B Team won the Whitestown Mark Mowers Tournament with two straight victories including a 1-0 shutout vs Valley in the Championship Game.

Troy Albany Youth Hockey

Summer programs include Mini Mite Summer from June 22 to 26; Albany County Summer, August 10-14; Albany County Advanced, August 17-21; Albany County Weekly Summer Program, July 10-24, and August 7-28 Cutting Edge Sport Sciences. Contact Dyke Naughton for details at 518-GET-EDGE. There will also be an RPI Men’s Hockey Camp for Youth, August 7-12, RPI Men’s Hockey Camp for Youth Girls Ages 6-13, August 10-13 and RPI Men’s Hockey Camp for High School Boys, August 20-23. The Turcotte Stickhandling Hockey School will be held August 3-7. Go to the Troy-Albany Youth Hockey website for details.

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West Hockey / Page 38

BUFFALO Takes 2015 Rick Martin Memorial Cup

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Bowman Cup Game Recaps

By Randy Schultz Randy@nyhockeyonline.com

Rick Martin Memorial Cup The game between the Buffalo Prep All-Stars and Rochester Prep All-Stars wasn’t even five minutes old and three goals had already been scored. All by Buffalo.

Buffalo never looked back.

They went on to beat Rochester, 10-0 to win the Rick Martin Memorial Cup, the final game of the threegame Bowman Cup series between teams from Buffalo and Rochester.

The first three Buffalo goals were scored by Griffin (unassisted), Mike Bevilacqua (Justin Cmunt and Collin Rutherford assisting) and Matt Jakubowski (Chris Berger assist).

By the end of the first half (the game was played in two halves) Buffalo had built up that lead to 7-0.

The next four goals were tallied by Zacarey Herrmann (Justin Cmunt and Nick Alfieri assisting), Berger (Josh Biasillo and Matt Jakubowski assisting), Carson Gicewicz (Sam Jones and Brian Kowalski assisting) and Griffin Lunn (Harrison Oates and Matt Damico assisting).

Buffalo rounded out the scoring with a trio of goals in the second half. David Baskerville (Lunn and Gicewicz assist), Justin Cmunt (Gicewicz and Dominic Dockery assist) and Nick Alfieri (Lunn and Herrmann assisting) scored.

West Hockey / Page 39 Tim Horton Cup The Rochester Junior All-Stars overcame a three-goal deficit, scoring six straight goals to defeat the Buffalo Jr. All-Stars at the First Niagara Center. The victory gave Rochester the 2015 Tim Horton Memorial Cup title.

The game was part of the three-game Bowman Cup Series played between the two Western New York areas at different age and school categories.

Buffalo opened the scoring in the first half on a goal by Alexander Hailey. Jason Lucarelli and Nicholas Carbone assisted.

Buffalo increased its lead to 2-0 in the second half on a powerplay goal by Mason Cool, with Matthew Canada assisting at the :42 mark.

Buffalo seemed to have command of the game when they scored again at the 2:21 mark. Nicholas Kindzia tallied while Hailey assisted.

But Rochester was not to be denied. Hunter Howell opened their scoring at 4:09 with Elliott Clemmons assisting.

A little over five minutes later Rochester struck again with Matt Montgomery scoring and Nick Charron assisting. Less than two minutes later Jack Dugan scored to tie the game, 3-3. Craig McCabe assisted.

Dugan scored again at the 19:38 mark to give Rochester its lead that it would not relinquish. Montgomery assisted.

With time running and Buffalo pulling its goalie, Rochester’s Jesse Edward scored an unassisted empty net goal at 21:18. Mitch Henshaw closed out the scoring for the victorious Rochester squad just eight

seconds later with Clemmons and Evan Conolly assisting.

GAME NOTES: The game was played using two 22-minute periods.

Bowman Cup

Cole Schiffman scored with less than a minute remaining in regulation time to give the Buffalo Senior All-Stars a 4-3 victory over the Rochester Senior All-Stars to win the Bowman Cup. It was the second of a three-game Cup (the other two being the Tim Horton Memorial and Rick Martin Cups) series held at the First Niagara Center.

Played over two halves instead of three periods, Buffalo opened the scoring in the first period (7:24) on a goal by Brian Couto with Adam Tobias assisting. Rochester came back to tie the game, 1-1, just six minutes later (13:34) when Marc McNeil tallied with Brandon Corey and Kyle Pooler assisting.

Rochester took a commanding 3-1 lead early in the second stanza on goals by Brandon Corey and Jake Palumbo. Christian Leonardi and Cameron Krug assisted on the first, while Anthony Thurston had the lone assist on the second.

But the Buffalo squad would not be denied. Ryan DiPasquale brought Buffalo within one goal, with assists going to Brian Couto and Sam Rydzewski.

Anthony Pontello tied the game for Buffalo with a little over three minutes remaining in regulation time.

Brandon Day assisted on the goal.

Hockey Hall of Fame coach, Scotty Bowman, was on hand to present the Bowman Cup to the victorious Buffalo squad.

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ROCHESTER Wins 2015 Tim Horton Memorial Cup

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BUFFALO TAKES 2015 BOWMAN CUP

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/ Page 42

AAU Hosts Tournament in Niagara Falls

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West News and Notes: Amherst Youth Hockey

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

Interested candidates should possess five years of coaching experience with at least (2) years at the high school level or above; prior record of organizational responsibility (either youth sports for business experience); and established, well-respected presence and contacts within the hockey community. Candidates should be an experienced hockey individual with significant coaching experience and demonstrated commitment to the sport.

Those interested in the position should submit a resume to Amherst Youth Hockey, PO Box 411, Williamsville, NY 14231-0411. Attention: Hockey Director Posting.

Buffalo Bisons

Spring programs for Mites, Squirts, and Girls are underway.

Canadaigua Knights Hockey

CKH is pleased to announce the appointment of John Millspaugh as the Head Coach of the Freeze AA Supplemental Girls U12 TB (‘Q’ only) Team. This is a Supplemental State Tournament Bound Team with the expectation that player interested will be on full season teams either from the CKH or other organizations. Finger Lakes Freeze intends to field a Freeze U12 AA State Bound Team (Supplemental Team); a Freeze U14 GLGHL NTB House Team, Division TBD and a Freeze 19U GLGHL NTB House Team, Blue Division.

The Knights will receive a special rate at the Strong Hockey Summer Camp held at Thomas Creek, Fairport and Webster. Go to website for details.

Niagara Jr. Purple Eagles

The following have been named to Head Coaching Positions with the NJPE: Squirt Minor: Josh Montalbo; Squirt Major: Al Crogan; Squirt III: Todd Thuman; Pee Wee Minor: Craig Chenaille; Pee Wee Major: Sal Manente; Pee Wee III: Keith Harlock; Bantam Minor: Joe Montaldi; Bantam Major: Mark Mendel; Bantam III: Chris MacKenzie; Midget 15U NTB: Gary Krull; Midget 16UTB: Gene Naab; Midget 15/16 NTB: Brian Loliger; Midget 18 NTB: Kevin Szanyi; Midget 18TB: Anthony Santarosa; Girls 12U: Jim Williamson; Girls 14U:

West Hockey / Page 44 Pat Becker and Girls 19U: Scott Welch.

Perinton Youth Hockey

PYH U18 team is looking for additional players. If interested contact Coach Phil Roe at dpcmroe@aol.com The Blades Pee Wee Major AA team is looking for a second goalie. Contact Coach Ashline at jashline17@ gmail.com Rochester Youth Hockey Maksymum Goaltending Summer Camps have been set for August and their Goaltending Elite Camp will be held August 3-8. Go to their website for additional information.

Tri County Youth Hockey

Named coaches for the coming season were: Mites: Jason Horn, Adam Driscoll, Tom Ferris; Squirt: Jeremy Rowley; Pee Wee: Pat McAuliffe; Bantam (TBA); Midget: Scott Dony, Girls U12: Robyn IpenVanZellen and Girls U19: Sean Grady.

Tri-County will be fielding a Girls U12 team for next season. It is open to girls born between 2003 and 2006.

Batavia Ramparts Hockey

Congratulations to the new Board Members including: President Jen Bower; Vice President Empire Mike Freeman; Vice President WNY Dale Hutchins; Treasurer Steph Call; Registrar Kathy Antinore and Secretary Clarence Conrad. Board members include: Shannon Whitcombe, Mike Reich, Brenda Crabtree.

The Ramparts are updating their webite including new team pages--watch for it!

Buffalo Regals

Longtime Buffalo Regal Defenseman Austin Osmanski signed with the Missisauga Steelheads of the OHL. He was drafted at the 2014 Draft after his minor midget season with the SCTA with the Regals.

Colton McKenna was drafted by the Sarnia Sting of the OHL. He played for the Regal since his Pee Wee Major year, most recently with the 16U team.

The Regals have added Mark Metzger as the Skating/Skills Coach; Brandon Monin, Strength/Conditioning Coach and Bob Janosz as Goaltending Coach.

Hamburg Hockey

The Healthy Zone Ice Rink in East Aurora was one of the top finalists in the national Kraft Hockeyville Contest.

They won $20,000 for upgrades, but unfortunately did not

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West Hockey / Page 45

make the final round.

Haseks Heroes

Former NHL Sabres Center John Tucker has been named Head Coach and General Manager for the Buffalo Jr. Sabres Jr. A Team and he is also the Director of the Haseks Heroes Program.

North Chautauqua County Youth Hockey

The NCCYHA is accepting applications for coaching positions. Go to their website for details.

Southtown Stars

The Southtown Stars have named their travel coaches for the next season: Squirt Minor: Dan Shinners; Squirt Major: Chris Stec; Pee Wee Minor: Paul Roberts; Pee Wee Major TB: Keith Bernard; Pee Wee Major NTB: John Clark; Bantam Minor: John Couden; Bantam Major TB: Joe Cione; Bantam Major NTB: Rick Licursi; 15U: Kevin Gould; 16U: TBA; and 18U: Adam Zurowski.

WNYers Win At Nationals Natalie Buchbinder (left) (Fairport)and Maureen Murphy (right) (Buffalo) have won the 16U USA National Championship with Shattuck St. Mary’s.

Murphy and Buchbinder were a huge part of the team’s success. Murphy tied for 3rd in tournament scoring with 4 g 5 a 9 pts in 6 games. Buchbinder led defensemen in tournament scoring with 1g 5a 6 pts in 6 games. Murphy is a Buffalo Bison product and Buchbinder played boys AAA hockey with the Rochester Alliance prior to attending SSM this year.

Tonawanda Lightning

Coaching for the Lightning next season are: Squirt Minor AA: Robert Gallagher; Squirt Major AA TB: Shawn Tracey; Pee Wee Minor AA: Brian Busch; Pee Wee Major AA TB: John Edholm; Bantam Minor AA: Bryan Juntunen; 15U AA: Sam DeFranks; 16U AA TB: Don Pray; 18U AA TB: Mike Attea; Girls 14U: Chris Marzec; Girls 12U: Chris Marzec.

Wheatfield Blades

The Blade are partnering with Mark Metzger of Precision Hockey for the coming season.

The Blades have announced their

coaching staff for 2015-16: Midget 18U AAA: Bob Herman; Midget 18U AA, Daniel McMahon; Midget 16U AAA, Tom Teamish; Midget 16U AA: Dan Stinis; Midget 15U AAA, Nick Lotempio and Bobby Kostiw; Midget 15U AA, Jim Michalowski; Bantam Major AAA, Sean Fitzgerald; Bantam Major AA, Ken Dewey; Bantam Minor AAA, Matt Spameni; Bantam Minor AA, Rob Kalota; Pee Wee Major AAA, Joe Stumpo; Pee Wee Major AA, Gary Rennick; Pee Wee Minor AA, Tony Brovata; Squirt Major AAA, Kristopher Kinsella; Squirt Major AA, Darrell Porter; Girls 12U AA and 14U AA,

Patrick Bonner.

Monroe Youth Hockey

MCYH will be fielding a 14U AA Travel NTB team out of Scottsville Arena for the upcoming season.

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WNYer’s Celebrate NCAA Victory!

Left: In the Providence College locker room with the NCAA Championship Trophy are Buffalo Sabres Draft Pick Mark Adams (l) and Fairport native Trevor Mingoia (r). (Submitted photo)

Members of the East Coast Selects from WNY in Bolzano Italy.

Kiara Zanon, Rochester Emma Roland Amherst Alexa Carlon, Lancaster Abigail Blair, Grand Island Samantha Swartz ,Rochester Jersey Phillips, Cheektowaga Brooke Becker, Orchard Park

(Submitted by Dave Carlon)

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Nichols Summer Camp Develops Skills!

I

t’s once again time for the Elite Girls Hockey Camp at Nichols School in Buffalo.

The Fourth Annual Elite Girls Hockey Camp will run August 10th through 14 at the Nichols School, Buffalo.

The Camp is now known as Next Level Hockey, previous camps were known as the Nichols Summer Camp.

The design and focus is the same, the only change is the name.

The camps focus on skill development and provide each girl an opportunity to work with a different College Coach each day.

“Next Level Hockey (will teach you how to become stronger, faster, smarter, skillful, and more important to your team next year., “ said Camp Director Scott Welch.

“Our camp offers a positive learning environment through which you can focus on improving your skills and increasing your hockey knowledge.

West Hockey / Page 47

“You will work to become a better all around hockey player through high-speed skill development, as well as train the fundamental skills of skating, stick handling, shooting, and passing. You will also be coached in the fundamentals of offense/defense, strategy, as well as team play,” said Welch.

This year’s staff include Josh Brandwene, head coach Penn State Women’s Ice Hockey; John Burke, head coach RPI; Dean Jackson, head coach Elmira; Greg Fargo, head coach, Colgate; Paul Flanagan, head coach Syracuse and Lucy Schoedel, assistant coach Buffalo State College.

Casey Kacz of Cross Training Athletics will be the OffIce Coordinator.

Coach Welch is in his fifth season as the Nichols Coach.

During his tenure, Nichols has become the first team in history to win both the NAPHA and CISSA regular season titles 4 consecutive years. The Nichols Team has been consistently ranked in the Top 10 in the United States.

The Nichols Team is also the first team to win 4 consecutive NAPHA and 3 CISSA League titles. Coach Welch has compiled a record of 141 Wins 25 Losses 16 Ties. His travel teams have won 13 New York State Championship Titles and 58 players are currently playing college hockey or are committed to play upon graduation.

There will also be a dedicated one-hour Goalie Session each day.

All participants will receive a Next Level Hockey Jersey and a written evaluation at the conclusion of the camp.

For information go to www.NLHDgroup.com

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Roller Hockey: The Summer Alternative

By Janet Schultz Janet@nyhockeyonline.com

W

ell your ice hockey season has ended; you may have some summer camps coming up, or you just need a break from the ice but not from exercise, fun, and some skill building.

The answer -- Roller Hockey.

Monsignor Martin Ice Hockey Head Coach Linda Groff-Mroz is running a Roller Hockey League at Northtowns Arena, Amherst. It’s for anyone ages 15 and up who want to play hockey, for fun and only one night a week.

“It’s four-on-four, all women; Friday nights at 8:15,” said Mroz.

This is the second season for this group of women who don’t want to play in the men’s league any longer.

Mroz talked to the girls in the Federation and brought a bunch of girls together at all levels of talent.

“It’s another way for some to get back into the game, without a major commitment to a team,” said Mroz. “It was something I wanted to put together for mom’s, girls that want to get into shape for ice or just for fun.”

There’s no icing or off-sides, you play with a rocket puck, full court.

She had a couple of the Monsignor Martin graduates, now at DIII college ice hockey teams, come out and asked her why it hadn’t been done before because it was so much fun.

You use many of the same skills, but beware, the skates are a little different—in other words, don’t try a ice hockey skate stop on roller blades.

They are still looking for players and hoping to expand to four or six teams.

“There are really talented players on these teams,” emphasized Mroz.

It’s also a place for the families to come, providing a

West Hockey / Page 48 different fan base than in ice hockey.

“I just wanted to grow hockey, and women’s sports, in Western New York and this was one more way of doing it,” she continued.

The rules in roller basically the same, but the major emphasis is puck movement. It’s a slower game with more space due to it being four-on-four so it gives players more of a chance to handle the puck.

Another similarity is the equipment that includes helmet, gloves, sticks and indoor wheels on your blades.

“If you’ve used your roller blades outdoors, you need to change the wheels for indoor use,” explained Mroz.

She also recommends shin guards.

The oils from street and sidewalk make the rollers on the indoor source very slippery.

Costs are $75 for the season, plus $30 insurance fee.

To pay referees, each player tosses in a dollar or two at each game.

Information can be obtained from Mroz or by going to the WNY Roller Hockey website and contacting Eric Haak or Jason Flowers.

Play begins May 15, 8 p.m. at Northtowns. Players will be evaluated that evening and teams will be picked for the games for the season. The season runs through August.

“It’s so relaxed, there’s no pressure and I think that is why the women gravitate to it,” continued Mroz.

It’s a one day a week commitment. Come for an hour and have fun! Go to www.wnyrh.com or contact Eric Haak—716-903-2658 (Eric@wnyrh.com) or Jason Flowers— 716-903-2658

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Western New York Women’s College Hockey Report

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

RIT

2014-15 Wrap

by RIT Sports Information Department The RIT men’s and women’s ice hockey teams were honored by the Rochester Amerks on April 10. They were introduced during the first intermission by RIT hockey public address announcer Rocky Perrotta with members of the famed RIT “Corner Crew” and Pep Band in attendance.

The 2014-15 RIT women’s hockey team made history by winning its second consecutive College Hockey America Championship, advancing to the NCAA Tournament for the first time as a Division I program since moving up in 2012.

The Tigers finished the regular season as the No. 6 seed in the CHA Tournament and made their big late season run to the NCAA Tournament, sweeping No. 3 Robert Morris in the first round, before knocking off top-seed Mercyhurst, 4-1 in the semifinal on March 6. The following afternoon, Carly Payerl (Kitchener, Ontario/Resurrection Catholic) scored 3:15 into double overtime to lift the Tigers to their second straight CHA Championship, 2-1 overtime Syracuse.

In the NCAA Tournament on March 14, RIT put up a valiant effort, but fell at top-seed, Minnesota, the eventual national champions, 6-2 at historic Ridder Arena. Payerl would score both RIT goals in that contest.

The Tigers opened the 4,300-seat Gene Polisseni Center this season and after sweeping Union College to open the brand new building on Oct. 3-4, would draw a program record 3,011 fans against Northeastern

West Hockey / Page 49 on Oct. 11 as part of RIT’s “One Spirit” Global Hockey Festival.

RIT started the season 5-2-1 in October before a slew of injuries hit, sending the Tigers on a stretch where they would win five of their next 25 contests. RIT would get hot when it mattered, going on a five-game winning streak that would propel them into its fourth NCAA Tournament in program history.

RIT’s senior class of goaltender Ali Binnington (Oakville, Ontario/Mississauga Chiefs), captains Celeste Brown (Great Falls, MT/National Sports Academy) and Lindsay Grigg (Oakville, Ontario/Oakville Hornets), assistant captain Morgan Scoyne (Drumbo, Ontario/Stoney Creek Sabres), forwards Kolbee McCrea (Wawa, Ontario/ Burlington Barracudas) and Marissa Maugeri (Ajax, Ontario/Durham West Lightning) and defenseman Emilee Bulleid (Waterdown, Ontario/Stoney Creek Sabres) would lead the way down the stretch. This group won a NCAA Division III National Championship as freshmen in 2012, helped RIT make the successful transition to Division I in 2013 and back-to-back CHA titles in 2014. RIT’s seniors finished their four-year career with an impeccable 15-2 record in postseason play. The six skaters combined to play in 805 career games with 175 goals and 226 assists for 401 points.

Despite missing 10 games due to injury, Binnington enjoyed another tremendous season for the Tigers in 2014-15, earning CHA Championship Tournament Most Valuable Player honors for the second straight season, while finishing 12-11-3 with a 1.82 goals against average and .937 save percentage to go along with five shutouts.

Her .937 save percentage was eighth nationally. Binnington was a four-time CHA Goaltender of the Week this season and 15-time honoree in four seasons. For her career, Binnington set RIT records with 2,292 saves, 94 games played, 5,337 minutes played, and 19 shutouts.

She finished with an overall record of 49-30-9, 1.73 goals against average and .937 save percentage.

Grigg, named the College Hockey America Top Defensive Forward, and to the CHA Championship AllTournamewnt Team, led RIT in scoring with seven goals and 11 assists for 18 points. She finished her RIT career as the university’s all-time leader with 143 games played, recording 20 goals and 75 points. Brown led the Tigers with 10 goals in 2014-15 and tallied 70 career points on 42 goals and 28 assists. She is RIT’s Division I career leader with 30 goals.

McCrea, who recorded 16 points on eight goals and eight assists this season, became the 13th player in RIT women’s hockey history to reach 100 career points with an overtime game winner at Lindenwood on Jan. 30. She

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www.nyhockeyonline.com finished her RIT career third all-time with 68 goals and 12th with 104 points. Maugeri, who missed the first 12 games due to injury, recorded 12 points on eight goals and four assists.

Maugeri, RIT’s leading scorer in 2013-14, finished her RIT career with 31 goals and 30 assists in 129 career contests.

Scoyne battled through injuries to play in 28 games this season and was named to the College Hockey America Championship All-Tournament Team. She recorded 49 career points on seven goals and 42 assists in 133 career games. Bulleid led all RIT defensemen in scoring this season with 13 points on three goals and 10 assists. On Jan. 23, she recorded her first career two-goal game, scoring the game-winner in a 4-3 overtime win over Syracuse. Bulleid had five points over her last five games and finished her RIT career with 42 points in 139 career contests.

Payerl, who scored RIT’s final three goals of the season, including the double-overtime game-winner in the CHA Championship over Syracuse and both goals in the NCAA Quarterfinal at Minnesota, finished her junior season with 13 points on seven goals and six assists. Classmate Jess Paton (Woodstock, Ontario/Waterloo K-W Rangers) also recorded 13 points on six goals and seven assists.

Both women played in all 39 games and are poised to take on big leadership role in 2015-16.

Sophomores Cassie Clayton (Pickering, Ontario/PEAC School), Mackenzie Stone (Kars, Ontario/South Carleton), and Caitlin Wallace (Brantford, Ontario/Assumption Collegiate) made major strides forward as the season progressed. Clayton was named to the CHA Championship All-Tournament Team and despite missing the first 12 games of the season, tallied eight points in 27 games. She emerged as

West Hockey / Page 50 RIT’s top defensive forward, consistently shutting down the opponents best offensive threats. Stone was tied for second on the team in scoring with 16 points on six goals and 10 assists.

A clutch player, eight of Stone’s 11 career goals are game-winners. Wallace had a point in six straight games late in the season, finshing with five goals and nine points.

Freshmen Darcy Henderson (Burlington, Ontario/Burlington Barracudas) and Victoria Pitawanakwat (Manitowaning, Ontario/Sudbury Wolves) gained valuable experience.

Henderson played in all 39 contests, while Pitawanakwat appeared in 37 games. Both women will be expected to play a much larger role offensively in 2015-16. Classmate Maddie Grisko (Buffalo, NY/Buffalo Bisons) added depth, appearing in 16 contests.

In addition to the strong work of Scoyne and Bulleid on the defensive unit, sophomore assistant captain Taylor Thurston (Kanata, Ontario/ All Saints Catholic) made major strides forward in 2014-15. Named the College Hockey America Individual Sportsmanship Award winner, Thurston took just two penalties while playing in all 39 games, recording 12 points on a goal and 11 assists. On Jan. 30, Thurston scored her first collegiate goal and added two assists in a 5-4 overtime win at Lindenwood.

Junior Haley Northcote (Cumberland, Ontario/Minnesota State) joined the Tigers as a transfer this season and made immediate contributions from day one, playing a solid game on both ends of the ice, while chipping in with nine points on a goal and eight assists. Sophomore Lindsay Stenason (Oakville, Ontario/Appleby Collegiate) appeared in 36 games on the blueline, while freshmen Christa Vuglar (Crystal Lake, IL/Chicago Mission) and Lauren Carroll (Carlisle, Ontario/Oakville Hornets) both played in every game this season.

Vuglar, named to the CHA All-Rookie Team, had eight points on a goal and seven assists.

Goaltenders Brooke Stoddart (Elmvale, Ontario/Elmvale) and Jetta Rackleff (Bend, OR/Summit) showed flashes of brilliance for the Tigers in 2014-15. Stoddart was named the College Hockey America Goaltender of the Week on Feb. 2, earning wins over Brown and Lindenwood.

On Oct. 11, she made a career-high 38 saves against Northeastern and recorded a 2.30 goals against average and .912 save percentage. Rackleff picked up her first two collegiate shutouts against Princeton and Rensslaer, finishing the season with a 2.36 goals agains average and .913 save percentage.

Despite the loss of RIT’s seven seniors, the Tigers will return a championship tested squad in 2015-16.

University of Buffalo

Watch for announcement of an open meeting for anyone who is interested in trying out for the team next season during the first week of school.

If anyone is interested in joining please contact Coach Melissa Jeckovich at mjeckovich@gmail.com or 716-870-9258.

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West Hockey / Page 51

Matt English Receives Duffett Award

efore the game, the Sabres honored Matt English, the 2015 recipient of the J. Michael Duffett Memorial Award, which is presented each year to the coach or administrator whose contributions to amateur hockey in Western New York “best exemplify the knowledge, teaching, love of the game and gentle humanity of Mike.”

English has been heavily involved in various hockey programs throughout Western New York over the last 32 years, including 28 years as a coach in the West Seneca Hockey Association. He has also served as a coach for the Buffalo Regals, the Depew Saints, West Seneca High School and SUNY Buffalo State. English’s teams have routinely reached the New York State Championships and the USA Hockey Nationals.

J. Michael Duffett was a student of the game and a coach with the Buffalo Bisons and the Amherst Hockey Association. A standout player at Nichols School and Clarkson University, Duffett was working in the Sabres hockey department under Scotty Bowman and Roger Neilson at the time of his death after a battle with cancer. In 1984, the Buffalo Sabres established the J. Michael Duffett Award in his memory.

(Buffalo Sabres Photo)

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Western New York Men’s College Hockey Report

by Warren Kozireski

Wkozires@brockport.edu

BROCKPORT Junior Chase Nieuwendyk was selected as a 2015 Division II-III All-American Third-Team East after leading the Golden Eagles in scoring with 30 points on 18 goals and 12 assists.

He is the second All-American in Brockport hockey history—James Cody was the other.

CANISIUS Cody Freeman and Chris Rumble both signed professional contracts with the Evansville IceMen of the East Coast Hockey League. The first Griff defender to earn first-team all-conference honors in 16 years, Rumble will forego his final year of collegiate eligibility to join the IceMen. Freeman set a career high with 26 points during his senior campaign, scoring 10 goals to go along with 16 assists.

Keegan Asmundson signed with the South Carolina Stingrays of the ECHL. The recipient of the Atlantic Hockey Goaltending Trophy and a second-team all-conference selection, Asmundson finished his collegiate tenure with four school records – career marks in goals against average (2.08) and save percentage (.930) and single-season records set this season in goals against average (1.96) and save percentage (.930).

Senior captain and defenseman Doug Jessey signed a

West Hockey / Page 52 contract with the Indy Fuel of the ECHL after he helped lead the top scoring defense in the program’s history and anchoring a unit that allowed only 2.24 goals per game.

During his career, the senior captain totaled 46 points, 12 goals and 34 assists in 156 games—fourth in program history for scoring among defenders in points and third among blueliners in assists.

ERIE CC The Kats had six players earn All-American status with sophomore Tyler Ritter (Orchard Park) plus freshman Aaron Wanat (Cheektowaga) and William Korczynski (West Seneca) named to the First Team. Sophomores Brad Jones (Chaffee), Jacob Macchioni (Blasdell) and freshman Trevor Evans (Newfane) made the second team.

Ritter was ranked first in the region in points with 52 as well as first in goals with 25. He was ranked second in assists with 27. Wanat came in eighth in points with 33, ninth in goals with 12 and sixth in assists with 21. Korczynski was ranked tops in the region in goals against average with 2.12 save percentage with .916 and win percentage with .875. He was ranked third in saves with 350.

Jones ranked fourth in points with 43 and in goals with 20 and fifth in assists with 23. Macchioni was ranked fifth in points with 39, third in goals with 22 and eighth in assists with 17. Evans was ranked third in points with 48, second in goals with 23 and third in assists with 25.

GENESEO The Knights ranked fifth among Division III schools with an average hockey attendance of 1,173.

NIAGARA Former Purple Eagles goaltender Juliano Pagliero was named assistant coach at Colgate University.

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West Hockey / Page 53

R.I.T. Senior captain Matt Garbowsky was named a 2015 CCM Hockey Second Team All-American becoming the first RIT player to earn this honor since the program moved to Division I in 2005.

Garbowsky was named one of 10 finalists for the 2015 Hobey Baker Award, was named the Atlantic Hockey Player of the Year, Best Defensive Forward, won the Leading Scorer Award, and was a unanimous first team selection.

He was also named the Most Valuable Player of the Atlantic Hockey Championship Tournament and was named to the All-Tournament Team.

Garbowsky and Jordan Ruby signed professional contracts to continue their respective careers with the Rochester Americans of the American Hockey League (AHL) and Toledo Walleye of the East Coast Hockey League (ECHL) respectively.

Garbowsky won four awards and freshman Brady Norrish earned a pair of honors, as the RIT men’s hockey team held its annual end of the year banquet.

Garbowsky won the Greg Moss Hard Hat Award for

grit and determination, Dan Barrows Award as fan’s choice, and Art Thomas Award for outstanding leadership.

Norrish, a first-year defenseman, won the Tim Cordick Award as RIT’s top defenseman and Craig Lauzon Award as the rookie of the year. Norrish enjoyed an excellent rookie season for the Tigers, leading all RIT first year players with 22 points on four goals and 18 assists to go along with a spectacular plus-18 rating. Norrish was named to AHC All-Rookie Team and was an overall second team selection.

Kuqali, a junior defenseman, won the Green B. Williams Award for Academic Excellence. An accounting major, Kuqali excelled on both ends of the ice this season, leading all RIT blue liners with 22 points on five goals and 17 assists, while playing at a plus-16 rating. Kuqali, an assistant captain, was named to the NCAA Midwest Regional All-Tournament Team.

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/ Page 54

May 5 ECC Hockey Team Day in Buffalo

By Mike Farrell

E

rie Community College officials and its 201415 NJCAA Hockey Championship Kats joined Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown inside downtown’s City Hall to accept the mayoral proclamation that May 5, 2015 will now be known as “Erie Community College Hockey Team Day.” In February, ECC (25-3) won their second national championship in five years when they defeated Williston State College (North Dakota) 2-1 at the SUNY Broome Ice Center in Binghamton. The title capped a memorable season, which started with the team moving their home games downtown into Buffalo’s new HARBORCENTER facility.

The ceremony inside Mayor Brown’s second-

floor offices included presentation of the aforementioned proclamation, noting the date’s designation, as well as including items from the team’s season, including its six All-Americans (Tyler Ritter, Arron Wanat and William Korczynski have made the first team; Brad Jones, Jacob Macchioni and Trevor Evans made the second team); seven All-Region 3 members (Timothy Duffy, Trevor Evans, Bradley Jones, William Korczynski, Jacob Macchioni, Tyler Riter and Aaron Wana received All-Region 3 recognition as voted on by region’s coaches. Tyler Riter and Zach Morlock); and accolades for head coach Gary Rost, who was named the NJCAA Coach of the Year and NJCAA Coach of the Tournament.

The team presented Mayor Brown with his own Kats hockey jersey.

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/ Page 55

Women’s Worlds

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rianna Decker scored the third-period winner as the US beat Canada 7-5 in the IIHF Women’s World Championship on April 4.

With 8:18 left Kendall Coyne raced down the left wing and handed the puck to Hilary Knight, who raced in on a 2-on-1 and slid the puck to Decker to tap into the open side. Just 1:36 later Coyne circled the Canadian net and put one past Goalie Genevieve Lacasse on the glove side giivng the Americans a 7-5 victory.

According to news reports issues there has never been another final quite as crazy as this one in tournament history.

Knight was named the Tournament MVP and Best Forward while Decker and Monique Lamoureux joined her as all stars.

In 2016 Canada will look to regain its world crown from the Americans when it hosts the World Women’s Championship in Kamloops.

Here is the Media All Star Team and MVP. Goalkeeper: Meeri Raisanen, Finland; Defence: Monique Lamoureux, USA; Defence: Jenni Hiirikoski, Finland; Forward: Brianna Decker, USA; Forward: Hilary Knight, USA; Forward: Natalie Spooner, Canada; MVP: Hilary Knight, USA; Best Goalkeeper: Nana Fujimoto, Japan; Best Defence: Jenni Hiirikoski, Finland; Best Forward: Hilary Knight, USA

U.S. Sled Hockey Team Blanks Canada to Claim Gold at 2015 IPC Ice Sledge Hockey World Championships Team USA Finishes Season Undefeated for First Time BUFFALO, N.Y. – The U.S. National Sled Hockey Team claimed gold at the 2015 IPC Ice Sledge Hockey World Championships earning its fourth consecutive shutout in a 3-0 victory over Canada. The teams remained scoreless through the first two periods of play. Just 2:58 into the final frame Declan Farmer (Tampa, Fla.) slid a shot low on the short side past Canada’s goaltender to the break the tie and it was all Team USA needed for the win.

“It’s really amazing to finish the season undefeated,” said Jeff Sauer, head coach of the 2015 U.S. National Sled Hockey Team.

“It’s a great credit to our guys. It’s always fun to win.”

Through the first two periods both teams played a physical game and traded scoring chances. Canada’s best opportunity came in the first on a breakaway. U.S. goaltender Steve Cash (Overland, Mo.) left the crease to challenge the skater who still got the shot off and the puck narrowly missed the open net. Canada created a few more quality scoring chances, but the U.S. controlled most of the play, outshooting Canada 13-3 through the first two stanzas.

In the third period, Brody Roybal (Northlake, Ill.) fed Farmer a pass out of the right offensive corner and he scored low on the goaltender’s short side to give the U.S. the 1-0 lead. Less than five minutes later with Team USA continuing to pressure, Adam Page (Lancaster, N.Y.) found Dan McCoy (Cheswick, Pa.) waiting at the front of the net where he fired a shot over the goaltender for the second U.S. goal. Josh Pauls (Green Brook, N.J.) sealed the 3-0 victory in the final 22 seconds with an empty-net marker.

Goaltender Steve Cash (Overland, Mo.) made eight saves to secure his fourth shutout in Team USA’s last six gold-medal games.

With the victory, the U.S. National Sled Hockey Team has now won gold in three of the last four IPC Ice Sledge Hockey World Championships The victory also gave the United States its fifth championship in the last seven major international competitions, including the 2012 IPC Ice Sledge Hockey World Championships in Hamar, Norway; the 2012 World Sled Hockey Challenge in Calgary, Alberta; the 2014 Paralympic Winter Games in Sochi, Russia; and the 2015 World Sled Hockey Challenge in Leduc, Alberta.

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