WNY Hockey Report April 2013

April 2013 VOLUME 2 • ISSUE 7

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Lukey’s Legacy

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Contents

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In This Issue: P.O.Box 302 East Aurora, NY 14052 716-830-0182 info@wnyhockeyreport.com Managing Partner Ian C. Woods icwoods@wnyhockeyreport.com Vice President, Business Development Ned McDonnell Commish@wnyhockeyreport.com Publisher & Managing Editor Randy Schultz Randy@wnyhockeyreport.com Designer & Photographer Janet Schultz Janet@wnyhockeyreport.com Senior Columnist Warren Kozireski Warren@wnyhockeyreport.com Contributing Editor Jeff Kolcon Jeff@maksymum.com Communications & Marketing Director Val Andrews Val@wnyhockeyreport.com Columnists Janet Schultz Michael Mroziak michael@wnyhockeyreport.com Kyle Gunn-Taylor Kyle@wnyhockeyreport.com Lars Lewis Lars@wnyhockeyreport.com Matt Ondesko Matt@wnyhockeyreport.com Tom Barnett Tombarnett@earthlink.net WNY HOCKEY REPORT No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical including photocopy and facsimile, without permission in writing from the publisher.

WNY HOCKEY REPORT is an equal opportunity employer.

Contents 2013 Western New York Hockey Report.

All rights reserved.

WNY HOCKEY REPORT (USPS 7650) is published monthly, except for May and July, by Ian C. Woods of WNY Hockey Report, 245 Lawrence Woods, Orchard Park, NY 14127.

Periodicals Postage Paid at Orchard Park, NY and Additional Offices.

POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Western New York Hockey Report P.O. Box 302 East Aurora, N.Y. 14052

High School Boys Hockey Section V .....................................................

High School Boys Hockey Section VI ....................................................

Junior Hockey Wisdom & Opinion ........................................................

Lukey’s Legacy ..............................................................................................

Pepsi Tournament ........................................................................................

Future Sabres.................................................................................................

Amerks Report ..............................................................................................

Growing The Game At The SCMCC ........................................................

Legends of the Game .................................................................................

Junior Sabres Report ..................................................................................

Around the Associations ...........................................................................

College Hockey: Men..................................................................................

Buffalo Stars ...................................................................................................

Molson Ice Dome 4 on 4............................................................................

Rangers Win Lord Manly Cup ..................................................................

Women’s Hockey ..........................................................................................

Insight Hockey ..............................................................................................

Ultimate Hybrid Camp ...............................................................................

A West Side Story .........................................................................................

Rochester Hockey News ............................................................................

Brian Duff ........................................................................................................

4 5 6 7 9 9 10 11 12 12 13 15 16 17 18 19 23 24 27 28 30

In memoriam

WNY Hockey Report Expresses it’s Sympathy Within the past few weeks the hockey community in Western New York has experienced several losses.

Amherst Youth Hockey Volunteer Nancy Quigley passed away after a long battle with cancer. Nancy was the epitome of a hockey volunteer, along with her family. She always had a smile and a warm greeting as she asked you if you needed her help. She will be missed. Memorials on her behalf can be made to the Amherst Youth Hockey Association or Hospice Buffalo.

Paul Furman, a long-time NYSAHA Tournament Director passed away following several years of ill health. His hockey career began over 40 years ago

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when his son, Paul Jr., went to register with the Oswego Youth Hockey Association. He served as a coach, as an administrator at both local and State leeks for for over 23 years was responsible for thousands of tournaments in NYS. NYSAHA has named the State Championship Trophy at each level in his honor.

In addition long time Amherst Hockey Coach, Board Member and NYSAHA CEP Team Member David Hayman’s father passed away and long-time WNY Hockey Association and NYSAHA volunteer Janice Cavaretta’s father, Tony Rozek, also passed.

Our condolences to the families and the Associations who worked with these individuals.

Boys High School – Section V

Boy’s High School Hockey

by Warren Kozireski Warren@wnyhockeyreport.com

SECTION V HIGH SCHOOL Fourth-seed McQuaid had a relatively easy time winning the Class A championship with a 4-0 win over Penfield in the Class A title game after beating Fairport 3-2 in overtime in the semi-finals and Brighton 10-0 in the quarterfinals.

Michael Campbell scored his second goal of the game 44 seconds into overtime to send the Knights to the Sectional final. There Michael Capicotto had two points on a goal and an assist while Ryan Talty, Tyler Gokey and Campbell scored the other goals in the Penfield win to advance to the state tournament.

“It feels great and to be honest with you, at the beginning of tryouts I never had a clue,” said McQuaid head coach Al Vyverberg. “We had a nice season, but you really don’t know until the end if you’re playing well enough. It’s tremendous.”

There McQuaid took three overtimes to defeat West Genesee in the state quarterfinals on a Jack Hildenbrand redirect before demolishing Massena 5-1 in the semifinals as Talty had a three point effort.

Their attempt to win a second high school hockey state title fell short in a 5-0 loss to Saratoga Springs.

Defenseman Jared Tallo of McQuaid was named First Team All-State in Division I while Brockport defenseman Zach Coughlin was First Team All-State in Division II. Brandon Henshaw of Brockport was a Second Team pick while Webster Thomas goaltender Steve Speis and Geneva/Waterloo forward Derek Grillone were Honorable Mention selections.

In Class B Nick Epping’s overtime goal gave Webster Thomas a 1-0 victory over Churchville-Chili in the title contest for their fifth championship in six years.

“Our guys have been doing it all year from our goaltender to our ‘d’ to our forwards—it’s a team system and a team buy-in and each and every guy has paid the price blocking shots and sacrificing for the team,” said Thomas head coach David Evans.

2012-2013 Section 5 High School Ice Hockey League Awards

Pugliese Sportsmanship Award –

Division I Class A Divisional Champions Player of the Year

Dave Evans

Anthony Crawford

Fairport

Ernie Clement Greg Weyl Mitch DeRidder Brad Sherman Ryan Romeo Chris Chilelli

Greece Athena/ Odyssey Brighton/ER/HFL Pittsford Fairport Pittsford Fairport Brighton/ER/HFL

Brighton/ER/HFL Penfield Fairport Greece Athena/Odyssey Webster Schroeder Pittsford

Pugliese Sportsmanship Award – Michael Finestone

Coach of the Year

Brighton/ER/HFL

Victor

Webster Thomas

Top Scholar/Athlete Award Victor

Fraser MacKenzie Team Sportsmanship Award BK/EI/Wayne

Division III Class B – West Divisional Champions

Churchville Chili

Player of the Year Brandon Henshaw

Second Team F Michael Finestone F Connor Russell F Nick Boyd D John Clark D Frank Sorge G Albie DiPasquale

Coach of the Year Ian Christman

First Team F F F D D G

Matt Roeder

Brockport

First Team F Justin Alves F Trevor Mothersell F Derek Bishop D Zach Coughlin D Bobby Vasta G Nick Coyle

Churchville-Chili Geneseo/Livonia Geneseo/Livonia Brockport Hilton Hilton

Second Team

Brighton/ER/HFL

F Zach Fodge F Zach Blew F Adam Siedlecki D Mike Luciw D Kyle Clar G Justin Keene

Division II Class B – East

Pugliese Sportsmanship Award

Chris Moretter

Fairport

Top Scholar/Athlete Award Cameron Perna

Pittsford

Fraser MacKenzie T eam Sportsmanship Award

Divisional Champions Player of the Year

Webster Thomas

Steve Speis

Webster Thomas

First Team F Derek Grillone F Gabrel Kirsch F Connor Guay D Theo Cup D Alex Moreland G Vinny Guida

Geneva/Waterloo Forward Webster Thomas Canandaigua Irondequoit Webster Thomas Irondequoit

Second Team F Jacy Karpovage F Teddy McCabe F Anthony Depetres D Dan Phelps D Kyle Kuebler G Justin Nevinger

Irondequoit Webster Thomas Aquinas Canandaigua BK/EI/Wayne Aquinas

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Kirk Carbone

Coach of the Year Chris Masters

Churchville-Chili Notre Dame Batavia Churchville-Chili Churchville-Chili Brockport

Hilton

Geneseo/Livonia

Top Scholar/Athlete Award Taunce Graham

Hilton

Fraser MacKenzie Team Sportsmanship Award Spencerport

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Boys High School – Section VI

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St. Joe’s Wins Eighth Catholic State Title in 11 Years

by Matthew Ondesko Matt@ wnyhockeyreport.com

St. Joe’s and Timon have a long history of playing each other in the finals. Before the league broke off into Large, Small and Catholic school title games, the Tigers and Marauders have met three other times, with Timon holding a slim 2-1 advantage.

The last time they met was back during the 2003-04 season with the Marauders claiming a 6-3 win.

On Monday, Feb. 25, the Tigers and Marauders met again with the inaugural Niagara Cup on the line. The Marauders jumped on Timon first building a 2-0 lead, before the gritty Tigers would answer back and tie the game.

However, the Marauders would not denied its ninth Federation title as Zachary Klapp pounced on an errant pass in the Timon zone and beat Timon goaltender Robert Milewski late in the third period for the gamewinning goal.

“I was kind of reading him, hoping he would actually pass it,” Klapp said after the game. “And luckily he did and I buried it. So it was a great feeling.”

The hardware didn’t stop there as St. Joe’s claimed another Catholic State title defeating St. Anthony’s of Long Island, 3-0, at Niagara University.

The win capped of an impressive season for the Marauders as they finished with 18-straight victories and 25 wins (25-2-1). It was also the eighth Catholic State title in the past 11 years for St. Joe’s.

“This is a real special group,” said St. Joe’s coach Richard Crozier. “This is our 25th win of the season, 18th win in a row. We lost two games all year [to teams] not even in our state.”

Small School: In a year when the expectations were high, one would say the West Seneca West hockey team met and exceeded them.

The Indians saw their 2012-13 Section VI Varsity Hockey Federation season come to and end last Saturday when they were defeated by Christian Brothers Academy, 4-2, in the quarterfinals of the state tournament.

The loss capped off a season where the Indians won their division, handily, and took home its first Small School Federation title.

“It stings now (the loss),” said West Seneca West coach Kevin Rozo. “When the pain heals and the time goes by, you will remember this year for what we accomplished, which was winning our first Section VI title. It was a heck of a season and a heck of a regular season as well. They have a lot to be proud of.”

For the seniors, it was a remarkable four career that saw them play in a playoff game with only 10 skates, a few years back; to losing in the semifinals last year to finally winning the ultimate prize.

While their run ended against Christian Brothers Academy, Rozo says the senior class has built a lasting foundation for the rest of the program to follow.

“Those seniors did a lot for us,” said Rozo. “The certainly showed these young kids the way. So, hopefully the guys that are returning can pick up where they left off.”

In their quarterfinal loss, the Indians looked sluggish from the start and Christian Brothers was able to capitalize.

Christian Brothers would get on the board late in the first period as Ryan Durkin’s shot beat goaltender Dalton Kruger.

If giving up a late goal wasn’t’ gut-wrenching enough, the Indians couldn’t believe how the second period would start.

Not even a minute in to the period, Christian Brothers would strike again as Durkin’s shot was mishandled and slipped by Kruger.

“They did a real nice job bottling up the middle of the ice,” said Rozo. “We knew they were going to trap. We saw it on tape. But, we just didn’t seem to have that jump. We couldn’t get through it and get the pucks deep. When we did get the pucks deep we couldn’t get to them. They played well defensively.”

The Indians would cut the lead to 2-1 30 seconds in to the third when senior forward Jamie Tobias beat sophomore goaltender Tim Decker to the blocker side.

However, any momentum the Indians would have was quickly erased over four minutes later when Pete Dziergas followed

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up his own shot and got in past Kruger. Kruger had made the original save on Dziergas, but couldn’t control the rebound.

“That third one hurt,” said Rozo. “[At 2-1] we had all the momentum. We made it 2-1 we though we were in good shape. Kind of a routine play, Dalton made the save in the chest and then couldn’t find it. They found loose pucks in front of the net and we didn’t.”

From there both teams traded goals as freshman defenseman Sam Mueller made it 4-1 on the power play, before West Seneca West junior Pat Ciancio finished the scoring at 11:37 of the final period.

Large School: In what was supposed to be a rebuilding year for the Niagara-Wheatfield falcons turned out to be a championship season.

The Falcons won the Large School Federation title defeating Clarence, 7-2, at the First Niagara Center. The Falcons jumped on Clarence, who was making its first final since joining the Federation, early scoring four times in the first period to take a 4-1 lead.

Niagara-Wheatfield continued its onslaught as Matt Paonessa made it 5-1 before Domenic Senese completed his hat trick later in the period be scoring twice more to make it 7-1. Senese was later named Most Valuable Player for the game.

Niagara-Wheatfield continued its hot play of late as they scored three times in the third period to take a 5-1 win over Ithaca in the state quarterfinal game at the Northtowns Center.

The Falcons were in a tough game as they led only 2-1 after two period of play, despite outshooting Ithaca be a large margin.

The third, however, was all Falcons as they scored three times in a six-minute span to open up the contest.

Their dream of a state title ended, however, in the semifinals as they were defeated by Saratoga.

Junior Hockey Wisdom & Opinion

Let’s Give Up Before We Start

by Jeff Kolcon Jeff@maksymum.com Here is something to ponder.

If you are a hockey player between the ages of 6-12, you are twice as likely to make it to the NHL as becoming a doctor.

If that grabbed your attention, let’s examine this closer.

Imagine that you are a 6th grader attending the first day of school. The excitement of the unknown is in the air. New teachers, new friends and classmates, new clothes. The first order of business is the big school assembly. An older gentleman, the principal, strolls out on stage and says “there are over 76 million students in the United States. Only 16,000 students graduate medical school each year. In other words, 1 in 5,000 graduates from medical school. So let’s quit dreaming about medical school and just have fun.”

What parent would ever want their child told at a young age that they cannot become a doctor, or even a lawyer, fireman, or whatever other profession a young child can dream of becoming?

Now imagine you are a 6th grader and you’ve just made the peewee minor travel team. The coach has a team meeting to kick off the year. The excitement is in the air. New team, new coach, new teammates and friends, new jerseys. The coach strolls out and says “there are over 355,000 youth hockey players in the U.S. There are only 144 Americans in the NHL. That means

less than 1 in 2,500 players will make it to the NHL. So let’s quit dreaming about the NHL and just have fun.”

This happens every day in youth hockey. It is amazing how many parents accept coaches or organizations that convey this message. While we are at it, let’s quit wearing that Crosby, Jeter or Brady jersey since, “It’s never going to happen, kid!”

The reality is that kids can become doctors and they can become professional hockey players. There is a whole world out there that is waiting to be conquered.

If it were easy,...well, it’s not!

There are several key components to making this dream or any other come true, including work ethic, talent, and life choices. But before we explore some actual statistics, it is hard to miss what is probably the most significant component, the passion and desire needed to be successful.

Thinking through the process shows that the odds of graduating medical school go up exponentially as you progress through high school and college while maintaining high grades. The tremendous amount of time put into studying usually includes having to make tough choices. Less social time, less sports, and let’s face it, less fun. However, graduating from a good college with a great GPA opens the door to medical school. The odds improve through hard work, time, and perseverance.

While reviewing several sources for this article including the statistics provided by the National Center for Education, I noticed that once a person reaches medical school, the attrition rate drops to less than 20 percent. Although there are years of studying, internships, and residencies still ahead of the prospective doctor, most finish the program.

Perseverance becomes an important factor in the process.

The same holds true for hockey players. The odds

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6

increase dramatically as you progress up the ladder.

The kids who put in the extra work are the ones who ascend to the higher levels. Less social time, less other sports, and, once again, less fun. But those are the players who advance into the junior ranks. While talent may play into the equation (and admittedly, it does) in most cases it only is showcased when supported by extreme work ethic, sacrifice and perseverance.

Looking at the three U.S. based junior leagues that have the top NCAA and professional production (USHL, NAHL, EJHL) shows approximately 1500 roster spots.

This means that if you play junior hockey at an elite level, your odds of playing in the NHL are almost 10 percent.

Toss in U.S. born players playing in Canada and odds improve. Those who have worked hard to hone their skills make it to the top leagues. Once there, it is those that can sustain the level that have the opportunity to progress to the college and professional ranks.

So let’s lower the achievement bar to just making it to the college ranks. There are roughly 60 NCAA division I programs and over 70 NCAA division III programs. In other words, there are more college roster spots that the total amount of players in the top three U.S. based junior leagues. Once again, the odds favor those who have worked hard enough to achieve junior hockey status.

Junior hockey is the launching pad to both college and professional hockey. It is also an obtainable goal for most hockey players. Time, work, and skill development all play into the equation. Even more important is never accepting no for an answer.

Jeff Kolcon is a Partner at Maksymum Hockey.

Maksymum owns and operates both EJHL and EmJHL junior teams. Jeff is a master certified coach through USA Hockey and a long time executive board member of Rochester Youth Hockey.

Feature

7

Lukey’s Legacy

by Randy Schultz Randy@wnyhockeyreport.com “Lukey’s Legacy will no longer be saving goals on the ice but saving lives from above.”

That was the theme that was introduced at the first Myocarditis Awareness Day that was held last November in honor of the late Luke Anthony Gould.

“Lukey,” as Gould was known as by family and friends, died suddenly, and unexpectedly, in the early morning hours of November 16, 2011. He passed of an unknown disease called Myocarditis.

Lukey, who lived in West Seneca, played three different sports including hockey, soccer and baseball.

He was a goalie in the West Seneca Youth Hockey Association.

Myocarditis is an inflammation of the heart muscle. It occurs when one of a variety of infections reaches that individual’s heart.

While symptoms can occur, that is not always the case.

“Originally, we did not know exactly caused Lukey to pass,” said Lukey’s mother, Amy Voit Skowronski.

“Testing for this type of heart failure is not part of a normal autopsy.

“We had to seek outside help to investigate. That’s when we went to Senator Tim Kennedy (D-West Seneca) for further testing.

“It took an additional 60 days before we found out that it was Myocarditis. And up until that moment, I had never heard of Myocarditis.

“That’s when I went to investigating. I finally found a Myocarditis Foundation.

“I then went to Facebook and searched out the Foundation and found it. I posted a question on the site and simply if anyone knew what Myocarditis is.

“I got a response from another mother who was in the same situation that I was. That’s when I found out how many people from around the globe that were on this little Facebook page.

“They had a spreadsheet and there were 131 people on this sheet when they opened up this Facebook page.

These 131 people were victims of Myocarditis.

“Included in those names were singer Andy Gibb. He died of Myocarditis.

“That’s when I decided to do my best to get the word out about this disease. We went to Albany to try and make people aware across the State of New York.

“Thanks to the efforts of a lot of people we celebrated the first Myocarditis Awareness Day on November 16, 2012. We know that there are a lot of people in West Seneca that know about Myocarditis but I don’t think there are across the State.

“But we’re not going to stop there. I want this to become a Nation-wide effort. I want as many people as possible to know how to say Myocarditis, how to spell it and what it is all about.

“I want our government to get funding to research more about Myocarditis.”

But Skowronski doesn’t want it to stop there.

“I also would like to see physicals become mandatory in town sports. Right now kids don’t have to get physicals if they play hockey, soccer or baseball.

“The only sport that demands a physical is football.

“And testing for Myocarditis, which includes blood work, should be a part of this.”

Luke’s grandmother, Diana Voit, who works in the medical profession, agrees.

“If it takes working through the amateur hockey associations to do this, that is the way we have to go,” added Diana. “All of these kids need to be protected.”

Many things have already been done to honor the memory of Lukey. Locker Room number one at the West Seneca IceRink was renamed in his honor.

A team bench in the Arena has Luke’s name on it.

There is a soccer field in the West Seneca area that was dedicated in his name.

Today there is a new movement going on that will honor the memory of Lukey.

“Dick Lynch (President of the West Seneca Youth Hockey Association), Tim Weixlmann and Brian

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Lawrence and a couple of others had mentioned that they wanted to do something to honor his memory,” said Kevin Voit, Luke’s grandfather, better known as ‘Papa.’“This little boy made such an impact on everyone he touched.

“Dick has said that they are going to put a tournament together and have a trophy in his memory. Hopefully this will take place by next season.”

“Lukeys Legacy has also been formed. It is committed to spread awareness of Myocarditis and to award scholarships to students that show commitment to school, community, and sports or art.

Fundraisers have been held in his honor as well.

“This year we will work to help make a difference in the lives of people affected by Myocarditis,” concluded Amy. “Each and every person affected by this has reason to hope because great advances are being made in awareness.

“Through these efforts, Lukey’s memory will live on.”

For further information go to: LukeysLegacy.org.

Photo courtesy of the Gould family.

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Pepsi Invitational / Future Sabres

9

Pepsi Invitational

by Randy Schultz Randy@wnyhockeyreport.com “The idea for the ‘Pepsi Hockey Invitational’ began back in 1976. My dad (Glenn Grundtisch) and John McFall were trying to come up with ideas of how to get the hockey (Holiday and Leisure) rinks going.

“They had the idea of running a hockey tournament.

They talked to Pepsi, specifically the Pastor family.

“Working with Irwin Pastor, the trio came up with the idea of a house league tournament. Twelve teams participated and Pepsi paid for everything.

“Here we are today hosting the 37th Annual Pepsi Hockey Invitational.”

That is how Mark Grundtisch described how one of the largest youth hockey gatherings in the United States was born.

“Originally back in 1976 the tourney was known as the ‘Pepsi Tournament of Champions,’” continued Grundtisch, part of the ownership group of the Holiday and Leisure Rinks that includes Glenn, Mark and his brother, Paul. “It has been growing ever since.

“It began by inviting mostly local teams. Then things began to evolve.

“We changed a couple of the formats. We started by offering a tournament party for the parents.

“We then began to attract a lot of out of town teams and a lot of Canadian teams. Teams began to come in from Southern Ontario in Canada, as well as the Rochester and Syracuse areas.

“Over the years we’ve had teams from Alaska, California, Florida, Texas and even Sweden, who happened to be in the area when the tournament was held. It is quite a unique situation for a house league tournament.

“And we have a rule that if a team comes from more than 600 miles away, we won’t even charge them to play. They get in for free.

“Each year we continued to add a few more teams.

By 1991 we hit our all-time high with 311 teams.

“That is when we were running the tournament for six weekends instead of five like we do today. So we had gone from a single weekend in 1976 to six weekends by 1991.

“We ran it at six weekends for several years, which averaged out to about 60 teams every weekend for six weekends in-a-row. But now we’ve gone back to five.

“Every weekend is basically the same. We begin on Friday morning and run through early Sunday evening.”

Grundtisch continued to explain the type of teams that participate in the Tourney.

“The oldest players we’ve had are midgets,” said Grundtisch “We’ve only had midgets for three or four of the years.

“Usually it mites and mini-mites up to bantams.

Those are our typical age groups.

“And we usually run the tourney at the end of the kids hockey season. It’s end of the season fun hockey.

“It was designed for house league hockey teams which is what we specialized in the beginning of our rinks existence.”

Grundtisch also explained what the Tourney means to the local economy.

“It is worth millions of dollars to the local economy,” he said. “It’s actually kind of a quiet success because it doesn’t have that premier hockey element built into it.

“People come in and spend their money. A lot of them like to shop.

“We would like to think that there is no end in sight to this tournament. We’re 37 years and still counting.”

Future Sabres: Justin Kea

by Warren Kozireski Warren@wnyhockeyreport.com

In Pittsburgh at the 2012 National Hockey League entry draft the Buffalo Sabres focused their attention on center ice.

Their two first round draft selections—Mikhail Grigorenko and Zemgus Girgensons—have large frames and, while both were being weaned into the pro game largely on the wing.

But almost an afterthought, Buffalo chose another center with size in the third round—73rd overall.

Justin Kea is playing with the Saginaw Spirit in the Ontario Hockey League and has put up 46 points over the first 63 games this season, but was selected with defense in mind.

The 6’4”, 206 lb. participated in a mini-combine for the Sabres before the draft but, with just seven goals and 13 assists over his first 127 junior games, offense wasn’t the first word that came to mind when scouts watched him play.

Increased playing time this season with Saginaw has changed that slightly, but the Woodville, Ontario native projects as a third or fourth line center who kills penalties and is on the ice protecting a one-goal lead in the final minute.

For comparison, picture Paul Gaustad with much better speed.

“Points-wise I’m having a good year and plus/minus is pretty good. I’m on the first PK and a little power play time, but I feel in the NHL I will be a defensive player and not a scorer so I’m more defensively focused.

“I would like to be like a Paul Gaustad. (Head) coach (Greg) Gilbert referred me to kind of be like him, so I watched some videos and I like the kind of hockey he plays—strong defensively, can score, good on draws— and I think that the kind of role I can play.”

An assistant captain with the Spirit, Kea won a gold medal with Team Ontario at the 2011 U-17 World Hockey Challenge and was named the OHL West Division Academic Player of the Month this past December.

“Hopefully I can take what I do in the OHL to the NHL—being good defensively and show that I can also put up some numbers.

“I went to the development combine before the draft and they said ‘you only have three goals this year— that’s not very impressive. How do we know you’ll be able to produce?’

So coming into the summer I really wanted to work on my goal-scoring ability and produce numbers this year. That was my overall focus but still being solid defensively.

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I really wanted to show everybody that I could put up some numbers.”

In spite of being ranked 93rd overall among North American skaters heading into the draft, Kea chose not to attend the event in Pittsburgh.

“Even though my agent was pretty confident in me getting drafted, I only had 14 points so I just decided to stay at home and share that moment with my family.

I didn’t need all that big flashy stuff—I’m not that kind of guy.”

“It’s obvious Buffalo was going for a little size up the middle this draft and I’m happy they drafted me. I think I’ll be competing with the other two guys for a spot one day. Being a hard-working player and being in good shape will help me get that position.”

And likely on the ice against the other team’s top line.

Amerks

10

Amerks Report season before the NHL came back.

Since, he has five goals and 11 assists in 21 games.

“It’s more confidence with less thinking—at the start I was carrying the pressure of what I accomplished last year and I don’t think it did me good and didn’t help the team,” the Vaughan, Ontario native said.

by Warren Kozireski Warren@wnyhockeyreport.com Rochester fans have seen the likes of smallish centers that score points consistently, kill penalties, help anchor the power play, win their fair share of board battles and seem to have a magic stick that can send passes through a maze of legs and sticks tape-to-tape.

Jamie Johnson, the late Craig Charron, Jean-Francois Sauve and Chris Halyk come to mind spreading the last several decades.

Add to that impressive list Phil Varone (pronounced Vah-roan-ee).

Following five seasons in the Ontario Hockey League, including an overage year after not being offered a contract by San Jose, where he was a fifth round selection in 2009, the 5’10”, 191 lb. center was invited by Buffalo to attend the prospect camp and the ensuing rookie tournament in Traverse City, Michigan in the summer of 2011.

All set to attend college in Canada, he was so impressive that Buffalo offered him a one-year deal to play last season in Rochester.

All he did was lead the team in scoring with 11 goals and 42 assists, which led to a three-year entry level contract signed last March.

“San Jose made it pretty clear that they didn’t want to sign me…even though I thought I had a pretty good year my “O” (overage) year. My education would have been paid for and my parents are big on education, so I looked at the University of New Brunswick before the Sabres called.”

He started this season slowly, but that could be attributed to a changed role with NHLers Marcus Foligno, Cody Hodgson and T.J. Brennan eating up most of the power play minutes. He managed just three goals and nine assists over the first 36 games this

“After the holiday break and the all-star break I kind of focused in on what I need to do.”

And that’s bringing a dynamic offensive skill set to the ice each game.

“Now I’m back and, to be honest, I think I’m playing better now than I was last year being more conscious defensively and creating chances without costing my defense.”

“The same thing happened last year with Phil; as soon as we got to a point where Phil was a top one or two line centerman he took off. He has to around the puck all the time and he’s a guy you want the puck on his stick all the time because he makes really great plays,” Amerks interim head coach Chadd Cassidy said.

“As long as he’s committed and the puck is on his tape, we’re going to be a better hockey team. He’s got an unbelievable stick and great vision, really crafty and knows how to fell pressure and get himself time and space with his skating.”

Varone played for Kitchener, London and Erie in the OHL scoring 78 goals with 152 assists over 228 junior contests. That averages out to an assist every 1.5 games. As a pro, the 22 year old has 61 assists in 131 games—an average of one every 2.14 games. He also is averaging more than a point per game in junior and pro playoff games.

He scored a career-high four points (2-2) February 12th at Lake Erie.

As for his three-year deal signed last March, “last year I was playing almost carefree and just going with it and not really thinking about it and this year I came in I think trying to do too much and when you try to do

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that it never works.

“Now I’m back and, to be honest, I think I’m playing better now than I was last year being more conscious defensively and creating chances without costing my defense. If I can keep building on that I think I’ll be alright.

“I’m definitely more of a passer than a shooter if you’ve seen my shot, but the biggest thing I’m working on is being around the net. For someone my size I have to use my legs, so if I have a chance to move around a guy and dish it off, I will.”

“I always start feeling better in the second half. My legs are better and, when some guys say they feel tired, I feel more energized. 55 games in and I still feel fresh.

The weather starts getting better and you’re heading to the playoffs. For me that’s the best time of year.”

News & Notes: Goaltender David Leggio (Williamsville) became the first Amerks goalie since Ryan Miller in 2004-05 to win 30 games in a season. Miller won 41 games that season and Leggio had 19 regular season games remaining to reach 40. Through March 12th he led the league in wins, saves, minutes played and shots against.

Special teams were clicking for Rochester heading to mid-March. Their power play was ranked second in the AHL and the penalty kill third.

Mark Mancari entered mid-March eight in the AHL in scoring and leading the league in shots.

Brayden McNabb stood fifth overall and second among active AHLers in scoring by a defenseman. He was also tied for the league-lead in assists by a blueliner.

Former Amerks goaltender Steve Shields (1996 Calder Cup) is volunteer assistant coach with Michigan Tech.

Former captain Hobey Baker Award winner Kevin Porter was among 12 players named to the Central Collegiate Hockey Association’s All-Decade Team from 2000-2013. Porter and former Amerks goaltender Ryan Miller were First Team selections.

Feature

11

Growing The Game At The SCMCC

by Michael Mroziak Michael@wnyhockeyreport.com With spring here there’s no slowdown to hockey programs throughout Western New York. Spring sessions get underway and make way for summer sessions, camps and leagues.

At the Sports Centre at Monroe Community College, they are not only hosting youth and adult hockey leagues and sessions but implementing newer programs designed to grow the number of hockey participants.

“Even though the Sports Centre has been here for over 15 years, there is still a lot of people in the community who don’t know it exists, let Erik Geller along all that it has to offer,” said Erik Geller, who has been Director of Hockey at the SCMCC since November. “We’re creating a robust program offering that offers affordable entertainment while promoting healthy lifestyles to the community.”

Geller, who holds a master’s degree in physical education, was recruited by the new management team at the Sports Centre at MCC for one purpose, to grow participation in ice sports. His hockey experience includes coaching at the youth and high school levels as well as officiating college games. He also played the game himself at MCC, so it’s a homecoming. It’s also a different way to apply his teaching skills.

“I’m focused 100% on bringing new participants to the rink,” said Geller in a phone conversation with

Western New York Hockey Report. “We’re not in competition with other ice rinks, but are in competition with other sports, like basketball, baseball and football.

We’re not trying to take kids away from other (hockey) programs in the area, but trying to introduce ice sports to children before they have chosen other sports available to them.”

In his role, Geller’s mission is to give newcomers their very first experience on the ice. This includes youth from the kindergarten through Grade 8 age levels.

With the thought in mind that it’s never too late to take up the sport of hockey, Geller also introduced a new adult program known as the “Never Ever Hockey League” for adults who have absolute zero experience on the ice.

The program is open to both men and women and puts them together in a co-ed setting once per week. The inaugural ten week program, which began on March 18, will teach these adult rookies the basic skills including skating starts and stops, warm-ups, stickhandling basics, informative sessions detailing the positions and their specific roles in game play and game strategies. The program will end in May with the “Never Ever Cup” Game.

The idea is to develop not only skills but also the selfconfidence that will keep first-timers interested in the sport.

“There’s been a lot of different beginner programs that I’ve heard about where, for example, guys will be on the ice and they’re not very good skaters. Some are true beginners while others farther along,” said Geller.

“This program is for the true beginner and is going to teach basic skating skills and then teach about the game. You’re even going to break it down into putting equipment on the first night.

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“It’s like the grassroots of hockey. It’s to get these guys interested and, after this ten week program, give them enough confidence to where they’d be able to join the low level adult league hockey.”

Geller’s work also includes a learn-to-skate program that models itself similarly to how U.S. Figure Skating develops its participants: working on fundamentals, advancing from one level to the next until an individual reaches a level where they’ll be able to get more creative with their blades.

“What we’re trying to do is get kids to the basic ‘level two’,” said Geller of the learn-to-skate program.

“We want kids to continue through the learn-to-skate program until level five. But once they’ve reached level two, they have competency to where they’re able to participate in the hockey program.

“Skating is the most important fundamental skill to playing hockey.”

Geller says their outreach efforts include visits to schools, hosting family days at the rink during school breaks, offering field trips for local day care centers, teen nights and birthday party packages.

“We’re even going to reach out to local business, have corporate styled outings and hopefully pump up our Never Ever program, “added Geller. “Through proper execution, we’re hoping that we can grow all of our programs.”

For more information about the expanding opportunities to learn and enjoy hockey at the Sports Centre at Monroe Community College this spring and summer, contact Geller at 585-424-4625 or erik@ mccsportscentre.com.

WNY Legends Of The Game

12

Carriere Made Buffalo Home

by Randy Schultz Randy@wnyhockeyreport.com “It’s hard to believe that when I landed in Buffalo 40 years ago as a rookie defenseman with the Sabres that I would still be here today.

“But then again, I guess I’ve always known that there is something special about Western New York.”

That is how former NHL defenseman Larry Carriere explained his family’s love affair with Buffalo and the rest of the Western New York community.

Carriere, a native of Montreal, Quebec, Canada played in the NHL from 1972 to 1980. Selected in the second round, the 25th player taken overall by the Sabres in 1972, he played 367 regular season games with the Sabres, Atlanta Flames, Vancouver Canucks, Los Angeles Kings and Toronto Maple Leafs.

Following his retirement as a player, Carriere returned to Buffalo as a scout in 1983. Little did the former defenseman realize at the time, but that marked the beginning of a stint with the Sabres that would last for the next 21 seasons.

Besides being an amateur scout with Buffalo, Carrier also held the positions of director of player evaluation and assistant general manager, with a short stint as interim general manager.

Besides the job, why did Carriere move his family back to Buffalo?

“The people,” answered the 60 year-old former defenseman. “I came here as a 20 year-old rookie

defenseman and really began to enjoy the people of Buffalo and their passion for the game of hockey.

“For my wife, Sue and myself, this is home for us, although at this point in our lives we’re splitting our time between Western New York and Montreal (where Carriere serves as assistant general manager of the Montreal Canadiens). Our daughter, Stephanie, lives in Montreal and our son, Nick, lives here in Buffalo where he is head coach of the Buffalo State College men’s hockey team.

“So we actually have two worlds in which we live in.”

Carriere recalled that rookie campaign of 1972-73 with the Sabres. “I was a rookie who had been drafted in the second round,” remembered Carriere. “Another rookie defenseman, Jim Schoenfeld, was drafted ahead of me in the first round.

“We had veterans like Tim Horton and Larry Hillman as defensive partners. For Jim and I Tim was old enough to be our father. I had never been to Buffalo before. I didn’t know what to expect. But I was pleasantly surprised.”

That first year in Buffalo was a surprise to Carriere and Sabre fans in many different ways.

“We had a great team here in Buffalo, as well as one with their minor league team in Cincinnati,” added Carriere. “Cincinnati ended up winning the AHL Championship while Buffalo made it to the Stanley Cup playoffs in just their third season of play in the NHL. “The Sabres did very well in the amateur drafts in their first few years in the NHL, drafting players that would eventually lead them to the Stanley Cup Finals in 1975.”

And to this day the mention of Tim Horton means more than a cup of coffee and donut to Carriere.

“Timmy was truly our father,” stated Carriere. “He was our father’s age.

“We played with him. We roomed with him. He was a man of character and leadership. He had quite an impact on our team in Buffalo, both on and off the ice.

“He was truly a legend. He was so helpful to me and Jim Schoenfeld. He would help us out on the ice when we would get into trouble sometimes. He and (goalie) Roger Crozier were real role models for all those young guys on the team.

“He helped bring our team together in 1972-73 and was a key reason we made the playoffs.”

One other person Carriere has a special place in his heart for is the Sabres first coach and GM, George “Punch” Imlach.

“Punch was the guy who drafted me,” said Carriere.

“He cared a lot about his players. I also found out that he was truly a man of his word. When I left Buffalo the first time in 1975 he promised me he would one day get me back here.

“True to his word, Punch eventually traded and got me back here again three years later. I even played a short time for him again in Toronto when he went back to the Maple Leafs.”

But for Carriere there will never be another Buffalo.

“I’ve gotten used to making that trip down the Thruway to route 81 and heading north to Montreal,” concluded Carriere. “And it’s always great to get back to Buffalo.

“It’s home.”

Buffalo Jr. Sabres: Postseason Notes It came down to the very last game of the regular season, but the Buffalo Jr. Sabres clinched their first ever Ontario Junior Hockey League West Division title, as well as the top seed in the OJHL South-West playoff bracket. That happened upon Buffalo’s defeat of the Orangeville Flyers, 8-1, on February 23.

There was little time to celebrate or rest, as the following Monday brought the start of their first round playoff series against the Burlington Cougars. The Cougars, seeded eighth in the eight-team bracket, gave Buffalo fits in both of the Jr. Sabres’ home games in the eventual four game sweep. In both games at the Northtown Center at Amherst, the Cougars and Jr. Sabres needed overtime to settle the game. Max Mikowski was the hero in Game One, lifting Buffalo to a 6-5 win.

After Buffalo doubled up on the Cougars in Game Two, 6-3, the Jr. Sabres were again forced into overtime in Game Three, held March 1. On that night, there was need for a second overtime, and Tyler Gjurich delivered the winner while the team was shorthanded.

Buffalo downed Burlington on the road to win the series two days later, winning 6-2.

Round Two was off to a rocky start for Buffalo, who found themselves trailing their second round opponents, the North York Rangers, two games to none at press deadline. (Updates on the series were made available online at www.wnyhockeyreport.com).

Buffalo’s regular season first-place finish was the first time in 19 seasons that the franchise topped their division. The last time it happened was in the 1993-94 season, when the franchise was known as the Niagara

Scenics and competing in the North American Hockey League.

There was another rare milestone achieved this season: a 50-goal scorer. Tyler Gjurich topped the mark with his first of two goals scored against the Mississauga Chargers on February 17. For the trivia geeks out there, Darrin Trebes and Dylan Howatt got the assists. Gjurich finished the regular season with 53 goals, and led the entire OJHL with both goals and total points (97, including 44 assists).

The only other player in franchise history to net 50 or more goals was Brian Gionta. He scored 57 goals for what was then the Scenics in the 1996-97 season.

Gionta, of course, later went on to more hockey success at Boston College followed by the National Hockey League. A Stanley Cup winner with the New Jersey Devils, Gionta is now captain of the Montreal Canadiens.

There’s no telling how far Gjurich may advance in his career but he’s on his way to a top college hockey program. He confirmed in late February that he’s headed to the University of Maine next academic year.

Two members of the Jr. Sabres staff were winners of postseason honors by the Ontario Junior Hockey League. Head coach and general manager Michael Peca was a two-time winner, earning Executive of the Year followed a week later by

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Coach of the Year honors.

Also winning postseason recognition was Jack Williams, who has been a fixture with the franchise for more than a quarter century, dating back to the Niagara Scenic era. Williams was named Trainer of the Year.

The league’s MVP award had yet to be determined as of press deadline but Gjurich was among the favorites for that honor.

Around The Associations

13

Around The Associations

by Michael Mroziak Michael@wnyhockeyreport.com As the 2012-13 hockey season was winding down, spring arrived and the local hockey person’s fancy turned to tryouts for next hockey season, several Western New York hockey associations were ending their seasons on good notes with tournament appearances and other accomplishments of note.

Thank you to the respective team representatives who shared their stories with us in the past month.

Here’s a run Around the Associations to summarize what has happened recently around the local rinks…

Amherst Youth Hockey Amherst’s Squirt House Program team the Penguins recently participated in the fifth annual Hockey 4 Hearts charity tournament at Leisure Rinks in Orchard Park. The Presidents’ Day tourney benefits the Cardiac Unit at Women and Children’s Hospital in Buffalo.

The Penguins went undefeated throughout the tournament and will be commemorated with the team name engraved on the championship trophy, which will remain on display at Holiday Rinks.

Some quick congratulations go out to Amherst’s Pee Wee Major squad, who won the 41st annual Gene Harrington Tournament, defeating Erie 4-1 in the final game. Congratulations also go out to Amherst’s Pee Wee Minor AA team for winning the Preisdents’ Weekend Tournament at Niagara University, which was held February 15 through February 18, and to Amherst’s 2005 Red Select team for taking the title at the Southtowns Selects Tournament.

Bud Bakewell Bruins The Presidents’ Day holiday weekend was also good for the Bud Bakewell program, whose Pee Wee Mixed team won the Mid-Winter Classic Tournament in Jamestown, New York. The title game was a dramatic finish in the shootout, with Bud Bakewell topping North Pittsburgh by a 2-1 final score.

Austin Spatorico scored the Bruins’ lone goal in regulation, while Michael Ranieri and J.P. Haettich netted the shootout goals, with Haettich’s proving to be the winner.

Ranieri, Spatorico, Haettich Cole Miller and John DiMarco provided the goals in the Bruins’ games which also included two 3-1 wins over Butler Valley and a 6-3 loss to North Pittsburgh. Although the third game was a loss, the Bruins had scored enough goals to qualify for the title game. Also contributing to the Bruins offense with assists were Roman Jewula, John McNally, Dylan McCarthy and Ryan Frazier.

Goaltenders Evan Kumpf and Zach Johnson played well in front of the Bruin net, with their performances helping pave the way to the team’s first championship.

The full roster for this team is as follows: Evan Kumpf (Amherst), J.P. Haettich (Buffalo), Zach Johnson (Tonawanda), Vincent Orlowski (East Amherst), Dylan McCarthy (Williamsville), Jimmy Horwitz (Grand Island), Ryan Frazier (Lewistown), Johnny DiMarco (Buffalo), Jason Benedict (Buffalo), Sal Syracuse (Buffalo), Roman Jewula (Williamsville), John McNally (Niagara Falls), Sean Butler (East Amherst), Ricki Little (Grand Island), Austin Spatorico (North Tonawanda), Chris Belter (Grand Island), Cole Miller (East Aurora), Sam Krause (Williamsville), Mike Ranieri (Lewistown). The coaching

staff is led by Head Coach Carl Miller with Assistants Dave Krause, Rick Little and John Spatorico.

Buffalo Regals It had been rumored for some time, but the Buffalo Sabres in early March made it official: they’re acquiring the top tier teams from the Buffalo Regals organization and moving them downtown when the HARBORcenter is built and its rinks are operational beginning with the 2014-15 season. The National Hockey League team will operate teams ranging from the Mite Major level all the way to Midget 18U. The teams currently competing in the South-Central (Ontario) Triple A Hockey League and Tier-I Elite League will remain there under Sabres’ management.

The Sabres will also assist the Regals with their TierII teams through player and coaching clinics and fan development.

“The Buffalo Regals have operated for 60 years in Buffalo and are considered one of the best youth hockey organizations in the Northeast,” said Sabres Vice President of Community and Public Relations. “We believe we can further elevate the level of development of youth hockey players in the Buffalo area and make our new HARBORcenter complex a destination that youth hockey players and parents from across the United States and Canada will want to come to play and train at.”

Southtown Stars The Southtowns Stars hosted not only great youth hockey at the March Classic at Leisure Rinks, they filled quite a few bellies and raised some funds.

“BW’s Barbeque” cooked and reportedly served more than 1,000 dinners on Saturday, March 2. Inside the rink visitors placed their bids on items at a Chinese Auction.

The Southtowns Stars also produced five teams that qualified for their respective age levels’ playoffs in the WNYAHL: Squirt Major, Pee Wee Minor (Bernard), Pee Wee Major, Bantam Minor and Bantam Major. The Bantam Major and Squirt Major teams both advanced to their division championship games, with the Squirt Majors winning the title.

Canandaigua Knights The Knights can add two more titles to their collection. The Girls 16U squad claimed the Great Lakes Girls Hockey League playoff tournament in Batavia, defeating Hamburg 2-0 in the championship game.

Canandaigua’s Squirt AA Majors won both their regular season and playoff championships, finishing the season with a record of 14-0-1. To cap off their season the Knights Squirt Majors defeated Cazenovia Park, 7-2, in Cheektowaga.

Although they lost in the final to the Nepean (Ont.) Knights, Canandaigua’s Pee Wee A team can hold their heads high having advanced to the championship game at the Big Thaw Tournament at Thomas Creek Ice Arena.

The Knights also hosted a more light-hearted but fast-paced three-on-three tournament in early March, named – what else? – the March Madness 3-on-3 Tournament. The tournament was open to Bantams

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and involved four entries.

The winners were “Bar Down”, named after the slang term for a goal that strikes the crossbar on its way into the net for a goal.

Noting the lighter tone of this no-checking tournament, other team names were the Three Stooges, Hat Trick Knuckleheads and Charlestown Chiefs.

Buffalo Saints The Saints’ 2002 AAA team claimed the Battle of the Bear Tournament championship, played the first weekend of March in Rochester, New York.

The Saints went undefeated at the tournament, defeating Troy-Albany by a score of 4-0 followed by a 3-2 win over the Rochester Grizzlies, a 2-1 win over West Seneca and a 3-1 win over Troy-Albany in the title game.

Tri-County

Tri-County is celebrating a Pee Wee championship, with their Mixed squad winning their WNYAHL division title thanks to a 4-1 victory over the Niagara Junior Purple Eagles.

Meanwhile, four Tri-County teams all enjoyed success in Webster, New York, where the respective squads won their championships in the Empire Amateur Hockey Conference. Victorious were the Tri-County association’s Squirt A, Squuirt B, Bantam and Midget programs.

Monroe County Monroe County youth hockey is seeking families interested in joining their 8U division (players with birth years ranging from 2005 to 2007).

According to the correspondence we received, the program will integrate USA Hockey’s American Development Model (ADM), utilizing an average practice schedule of twice per week, with strong emphasis on skill development.

Games will be played through the half-ice house program in the Empire Amateur Hockey Conference.

The association will also select some players (based on age, skill level and interest) to participate in full rink games against organizations based throughout Upstate New York. Additional fees will apply for those chosen for the full rink program.

All interested candidates must attend an on-ice player evaluation scheduled for April. For more information, email Jeff Nagel at jnagel@rochester.rr.com.

Perinton Perinton’s Pee Wee B squad, under the guidance of head coach Joe Lombard, celebrated their EAHC Conference Championship recently. The team went undefeated, posting a 16-0 record for the season.

More than that, they allowed only eight goals in that span.

Some say “the best defense is a good offense.” With an average of 0.5 goals allowed per game, perhaps the team’s best offense was having such an impressive defense.

Continued on next page

Around The Associations

14

Rochester Youth Hockey The Americans’ 2002 birth year AAA team capped off a successful WNYAHL season by winning the Squirt Red Division championship, defeating the Amherst Knights, 8-1.

Scoring for the Amerks were Luc Fedele (2), Griffin Tominez (2), Tucker Velepec, Trevor Schmidt, Hunter McDonald and Spencer Quinn. Goaltender Len Perno turned back all but one shot he faced in front of the Rochester net.

The Amerks finished the season at 29-12-5.

Here’s the full roster for the championship team: Andrew Balcn, Pieter Bartelse, Brecken Catalano, Jude Cole, Luc Fedele, Zach Fichtner, Jeremy Hopsicker, Trevor MacDonald, Jack McCandliss, Hunter McDonald, Sean Murry, Lenny Perno, Spencer Quinn, Trevor Schmidt, Griffin Tominez and Tucker Velepec. Coaches are Brian Fedele, Len Perno, Tom McDonald, Dave Velepec and Tom Fichtner.

(All Association news should be sent to Val@wnyhockeyreport.com The exception is that ALL girls/women’s hockey news should continue to be sent to Janet Schultz at Janet@wnyhockeyreport.com)

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Men’s Collegiate

15

WNY Men’s College Hockey

by Warren Kozireski Warren@wnyhockeyreport.com All four home teams won their first round Atlantic Hockey Association playoff series meaning the host is now 28-1 all-time in AHA first round series wins. All four hosts were from the western pod meaning six of the final eight teams are from the west (Niagara, Air Force, Mercyhurst, Canisius, RIT and Robert Morris).

NIAGARA The Purple Eagles enjoyed a week off while waiting for first round series to conclude and hosted RIT in the quarterfinals. The Tigers entered the series having never beaten the Purps at Dwyer Arena.

Carsen Chubak was named the Atlantic Hockey Association Goaltender of the Week for the seventh time this season for the period ending March 3rd. He improved to 21-4-5 on the season to move into second on Niagara’s single-season wins list behind only Greg Gardner (29).

CANISIUS The Griffs shutout visiting Bentley in game one swept the best-ofthree first round series to advance to the quarterfinals. It marked their first playoff series win since 2009-10 when they beat Mercyhurst.

Junior goaltender Tony Capobianco registered the first postseason shutout by the Griffs since 2004 when Bryan Worosz turned the trick against Quinnipiac in overtime.

Capobianco now has four shutouts this year, topping the previous record of three that he shared with five other netminders and raised his single-season save total to 1,020 stops during the 2012-13 campaign, surpassing the previous record of 993 held by Dan Morrison in 2010-11.

Canisius defeated RIT 6-5 March 1st and, with their November 10th victory, won consecutive games at RIT for the first time in school history.

Defenseman Ben Danford scored a goal in the same March 1st contest--his 50th career point becoming just the second Griff defender in the program’s Division I history to reach the mark (Carl Hudson owns the school

record with 90 points by a defender).

Junior Kyle Gibbons was recognized as the Atlantic Hockey Association Player of the Week for the period ending March 3rd. Gibbons totaled five points on one goal and four assists as the Griffs swept a pair of games against RIT. The junior totaled two assists in a 6-5 victory on Friday before matching a career high with three points on a goal and two assists in a 4-2 win on Saturday.

RIT The Tigers won just one of the final three games of the regular season, but woke up to sweep AIC in the first round of the AHA playoffs. That earned them a series at top seed Niagara, where they have never beaten the Purps.

The AIC series marked the first time since joining Division I that RIT did not receive a first round bye and their series at Niagara will mark the first playoff contests they play in outside of Ritter Arena or the Blue Cross Arena.

Dan Schuler (Webster) had ten points over a nine game stretch including the first round of the postseason.

GENESEO Head coach Chris Schultz was named SUNYAC Coach of the Year after leading the Knights to a 17-9-1 record and a third-place finish in the regular season. Geneseo earned the third seed for the SUNYAC Championship Tournament, beating Potsdam 9-0 in the quarterfinals before losing at second-seeded Plattsburgh. The honor is the second of his career. He was named SUNYAC Coach of the Year in 2011.

Defensemen Nate Brown and Alex Lubczuk and forward David Ripple were named to the SUNYAC AllRookie Team. The Knights three picks were as many as the rest of the league’s combined selections.

Ripple was the Knights’ third-leading scorer and led all team first year players finishing with 22 points on nine goals and 13 assists despite missing four games.

He scored three power-play goals (tied for third on the team) and a pair of game winners. His 18 points (7-11=18) in conference play ranked eighth and first among rookies. He ranked ninth in goals and 11th in assists (third and second, respectively, for first years).

Brown and Lubczuk both scored 16 points on the season; only one Geneseo defenseman scored more.

Brown (5-11=16) played in 26 games and collected three power-play goals – the most of any rookie defenseman in the SUNYAC. Lubczuk, who appeared in 25 contests, had a pair of scores on the power play and one game-winning goal among his five goals and 11 assists.

BUFFALO STATE A fourth place finish had the Bengals on home ice when they shutout Fredonia in the first round of the SUNYAC playoffs before falling to eventual champ Oswego in the semi-finals.

The postseason shutout win was the second in

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program history and first since the 2001-02 campaign when they shutout Cortland in game one of a best-ofthree series.

Forward Mike Zanella and goaltender Kevin Carr were Second Team All-SUNYAC selections.

FREDONIA A 6-0 loss to Buffalo State in the first round of the SUNYAC playoffs ended the Blue Devils campaign and marked the first time since 2007 they have been held without a goal in a postseason contest.

Leading scorer Mat Hehr headlines a senior class that includes Ken Nosky (Cheektowaga) among three departing blueliners.

BROCKPORT The bad news is the Golden Eagles missed the postseason for the third consecutive season. The good news is that freshmen held eight of the top 14 scoring slots and freshman goaltender Jared Lockhurst posted a .922 save percentage in conference games.

MCC After beating fourth seed Erie CC in the national semi-finals, the Tribunes lost to Williston State on a late third period goal in their bid for a second consecutive national championship.

John Papas (Irondequoit) had a two-point effort in the final game with one goal while Mike Boyd scored the other Tribunes goal. Tyler Underhill (Marilla/St. Francis) and Tim Young (Chili/Aquinas) registered assists.

In the semi-final win, Underhill and Brandon Kirchens each had a pair of goals with Papas, Dan Going, Cameron Randles and David Coon each adding two assists.

ECC Ryan Rogalski (Lancaster) broke up a shutout bid as the fourth seeded Kats fell to top seed and defending champion Monroe CC in the national final-four semifinal. Bradley Ferrell (East Amherst) and Eric Mueller (Hamburg) assisted on the goal.

Other Area Notes: Holy Cross junior forward Shayne Stockton (Rochester) tallied two goals and four assists for six points the weekend ending February 25th. For the season, his nine goals, 11 assists and 20 points are tied for fourth on the team. Stockton has 25 goals and 39 assists for 64 career points.

Buffalo Stars

16

Buffalo Stars • FYHL Referee in Chief 1978-1983 • President METRO Referees Association 1975-1985 Personal • Level 4 (Advanced) USA Hockey Coach (achieved 1994) • Level 3 Canadian Hockey Association Coach (achieved 2001) • Owner Amateur Sports Production (Tournament Company) since 1979 • Owner Sports Niagara (Event Company) since 1999 • Owner Buffalo Stars Sports & Marketing since 2002

“Just when I thought I was out they pull me back in.”

That was the most memorable line from Al Pacino’s character Michael Corleone in the third Godfather film.

It might also have been what Buffalo Stars president Peter Preteroti was thinking to himself as he announced he was returning behind the bench to coach the Stars’ Empire Junior Hockey League team next season.

HOCKEY RESUME OF PETER PRETEROTI Coaching Experience • 2011-12 Head Coach Buffalo Stars Empire Junior • 2009-10 Head Coach Buffalo Hornets Bantam Major • 2008-09 Head Coach Buffalo Hornets Bantam Minor • 2006-07 Head Coach Buffalo Stars Empire Junior • 2004-06 Head Coach Buffalo Stars CHA Premier Junior C • 2001-05 Head Coach Buffalo Hornets Midget Major • 1998-04 Assistant Coach Buffalo Lightning Junior A • Prior Coached at all levels in Buffalo Hornets since 1973 • Team Leader/Assistant Coach NY 17 Festival Team 98, 99, 01, 03, 04 • Team Leader/Assistant Coach NY 16 Festival Team 02, 03 • Team Leader/Assistant Coach NY 15 Festival Team 00, 01, 06 • Team Leader USA Hockey Festival Team 06, 07, 08, 09 • NYS 15 (Potsdam) Camp Coach/Assistant Director 1997 through 2003 Administrative Experience • Board Member Buffalo Hornets Hockey since 1973 • President Buffalo Hornets (Stars) Hockey since 1979 • wner/GM Buffalo Stars Junior Program since 2002 • VP Marketing Buffalo Lightning Junior A 1999-2005 • Vice Commissioner CHA Junior 2005-2007 • Management Committee Member CHA 2008-2011 • Secretary Empire Junior Hockey League 2010 to Present • Hockey Director St Francis Hockey Program 1983-1985 • Executive Director Niagara Regional Sports Foundation 2000-2005 • National Tournament Chairman USA Hockey Nationals 2003 • Tournament Director/Promoter 1979 to the Present • Elected & Appointed Positions • USA Hockey NY District Director 1994-2003 • USA Hockey Northeast Zone Inline Director 1995-2003 • USA Hockey Adult Council Member 1994-2000 • USA Hockey Marketing Council Member 1992 • NYSAHA Board of Directors 1994-2003 • NYSAHA Tournament Director 1982-1985 • WNYAHL President 1991-2003

Preteroti has also introduced two new assistant coaches: Michael Sutt and Joe Costrino. Sutt, a Canadian living in Lockport is a former Junior A and United Hockey League player. Sutt is currently the Assistant Coach with the Milton Ice Hawks of the Ontario Junior Hockey League. Sutt will coach the defense and handle video breakdown for the team.

Costrino, a former Stars player has been coach of the Depew Wildcats Varsity hockey team in the WNY Club Hockey League. The Wildcats recently won the Best of the West HS Tournament. Costrino will coach the forwards.

A Strength & Conditioning Coach and a Goaltending Coach will be announced shortly.

Last season’s junior coaches, Jerry Wheeler and Mike Flatley, will now take the lead coaching roles of the Stars’ midget squads, which the organization is ambitiously building into full-season clubs. Flatley will head up the U18 squad while Wheeler will coach the U16 team.

Buffalo Stars Pee Wee Minor Win March Classic

out where they placed. On Sunday, the boys faced Southtowns (Cione) again, and won 4-2. Later that day, they faced Southtowns Stars (Bernard) in the finals and won 3-2!!

This is the first tournament the boys have won as a team, and were so excited to get their gold medals and trophy!

Michael Naples was named as MVP of the tournament due to his hard work, dedication and leadership!

Congratulations to all the boys and coaches on a well-played tournament and a great end to the season!!

Stars Empire Juniors Wrap Up Season The Buffalo Stars Empire Junior team wrapped up the 2012-13 season yesterday with an exhibition game against the D’Youville ACHA team. The Stars came out on top with a 4-3 victory. Blake Germony and Justice Rogers each scored twice for the Stars.

The Stars ended their regular season when the Long Islands SUFFOLK came to town. The Stars fought hard but dropped a 5-2 decision in game one. Leo Blore and Mike Harris scored for Buffalo.

In the second match-up the Stars came out determined to end the season the same way they entered it: with a victory. The sea-saw battle saw the Stars come from behind 4 times. Tyler States tied the game at 6 late in the 3rd period to force an overtime. Other scorers in regulation for Buffalo were: Blake Germony, Mike Harris, Leo Blore and Patrick Schmelzinger (2). The OT session remained tied and in the shootout, Captain Mike Harris scored the winner and the elated Buffalo team stormed the ice in celebration.

Bantam Minor Finishes The Job

Photo provided by the Buffalo Stars.

In the March Classic Tournament at Leisure Rinks this past weekend, the Pee Wee Minor team was named Champions!! They came so close in all three of their previous tournaments, and through their hard work had an amazing weekend!

Led by their current team captain, Michael Naples, the boys played 5 tough games. Their games started Thursday night with a 4-2 win over the Southtowns Stars (Cione). Friday night they faced Southtowns Stars (Bernard) and lost 3-2. Saturday brought a 2-2 tie against Fredonia, and a long night waiting to find

WNYHockeyReport.com

The Buffalo Stars Bantam Minor team capped off their undefeated season by beating the Buffalo Bisons by a score of 3-1 to take the blue division championship of the Western NY Hockey League.

Facing a determined opponent, the boys battled for three periods in a game that could have turned at a moment’s notice. The boys took a one nothing lead in the first minute of play to set the tone, and followed up with goals in each period.

The Bisons wouldn’t quit and made it 3-1 with 5 minutes left to play. They then followed up with an even more determined effort. The Stars were not to be denied, however, as the boys kept their composure under intense pressure and prevailed.

They finished their season with a overall record of 287-4 for the season and an undefeated WNYAHL league record of 16-0-2.

Squirt Majors Win Too! The Squirt Majors, meanwhile, were also victorious, taking the championship at the President’s Day Tournament in Niagara Falls, New York in late February.

APRiL TRYOUT EdiTiOn 2013 -2014

Go to WnYHockeyReport.com and the associations websites for the latest information and up to date tryout schedules.

You too can be an Amherst Knight The Northtown Center has been a buzz these last few months with some exciting news – for the upcoming 2013-hockey season there is no longer a residency rule to be an Amherst hockey player!

Monday, April 8 18U AAA 16U AAA 15U AAA and AA Bantam Major AAA Bantam Minor AAA Girls 19U Girls 16U Girls 14U

6:00 – 7:20 PM 7:30 – 8:50 PM 9:00 – 10:20 PM 6:00 – 7:20 PM 8:30 – 9:50 PM 5:00 – 5:50 PM 7:30 – 8:20 PM 8:30 – 9:50 PM

FEATURE FEATURE FEATURE NHL 2 OLYMPIC NHL 2 NHL 2 NHL 2

5:30 – 6:50 PM 7:00 – 7:50 PM 7:50 – 8:50 PM 8:00 – 8:50 PM 8:40 – 9:50 PM 9:00 – 9:50 PM 5:00 – 6:00 PM 7:00 – 8:30 PM 9:00 – 9:50 PM

NHL 2 NHL 2 FEATURE NHL 2 OLYMPIC FEATURE FEATURE OLYMPIC NHL 2

Tuesday, April 9

Amherst Youth Hockey Travel Tryouts 2013-14

Please be sure to bring a release if coming from another organization.

$20.00 tryout fee.

18U AAA Bantam Minor AAA 16U AAA Bantam Minor AA 15U AAA 16U AA Bantam Major AAA 18U AA Bantam Major AA

Wednesday, April 10 18U AA 16U AA 15U AA Bantam Major AA Bantam Minor AA Girls 19U Girls 16U Girls 14U

6:30 – 7:30 PM 7:40 – 8:40 PM 8:50 – 9:50 PM 7:30 – 8:30 PM 8:40 – 9:40 PM 7:50 – 9:20 PM 8:00 – 8:50 PM 6:00 – 6:50 PM

FEATURE FEATURE FEATURE OLYMPIC OLYMPIC NHL 2 NHL 2 NHL 2

House Program We will open registration in April. Please check our website.

For more information or schedule updates, please check our website:

www.amherstyouthhockey.org

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TRYOUT EdiTiOn 2013-2014

Join the Bruins become part of the tradition!

Bud Bakewell Bruins

2013 – 2014 Ice Hockey Tryouts Bantam Minor Tier 2

April 8th, 9th, 10th ..................... 6-7pm Coach: Carl Miller ...... 716-491-7147

Bantam Mixed Tier 3

April 11th, 12th .......................... 6-7pm Coach: Paul Crist ....... 716-310-7018

Midget 16u Tier 2 NTB

April 8th, 9th, 11th ..................... 7-8pm Coach: Scott Brennan .. 716-444-3742

Midget 16u Tier 2 TB

April 8th, 9th, 10th ..................... 8-9pm Coach: Bill Cline ........ 716-541-8347

Midget 18u Tier 2 TB

April 8th, 9th ...................... 9-10:30pm April 11th .................................. 8-9pm Coachs: Ron Wong ..... 716-480-3540 Jim Blake ..... 716-713-7093

Midget 18u Tier 2 NTB

April 8th, 9th ...................... 9-10:30pm April 11th .................................. 8-9pm Coach: Mike Buyers ... 716-491-1299

Midget Mohl 18u

April 11th ................................ 9-10pm April 12th .................................. 7-8pm Coach: John Garey ..... 716-603-6300

MITE TRAVEL TEAM LOOKING FOR A FEW MORE PLAYERS FOR 2013-2014 ROSTER. CONTACT TONY JOHNSON 462-1907.

WE ALSO NEED PLAYERS FOR OUR NEW SQUIRT MOHL TEAM. ALL SPOTS OPEN. PLEASE CALL MANAGER KEVIN KUMPF - 716-348-8678 TO SIGN UP.

All tryouts $10.00 per ice time Rink location: Bud Bakewell Arena (Riverside Park) 2607 Niagara St., Buffalo NY

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TRYOUT EdiTiOn 2013-2014

3

NBH020-AD WNY Hockey REPORT-April_Layout 1 3/13/13 3:07 PM Page 1

Bison Hockey Travel Team Tryouts for the 2013 - 2014 Season

BOYS Teams

Level

Birth Years

Date

Time

Rink

Bantam Minor

AA

2000

Monday, April 08, 2013

7:00 - 8:00 PM

Buffalo State College

Tuesday, April 09, 2013

6:00 - 7:00 PM

Buffalo State College

Monday, April 08, 2013

6:00 - 7:00 PM

Buffalo State College

Tuesday, April 09, 2013

8:00 - 9:00 PM

Buffalo State College

Monday, April 08, 2013

8:00 - 9:00 PM

Buffalo State College

Tuesday, April 09, 2013

5:00 - 6:00 PM

Buffalo State College

Monday, April 08, 2013

8:00 - 9:00 PM

North Buffalo Rink

Tuesday, April 09, 2013

6:00 - 7:00 PM

North Buffalo Rink

Monday, April 08, 2013

7:00 - 8:00 PM

North Buffalo Rink

Tuesday, April 09, 2013

7:00 - 8:00 PM

North Buffalo Rink

Monday, April 08, 2013

6:00 - 7:00 PM

North Buffalo Rink

Tuesday, April 09, 2013

9:00 - 10:00 PM

North Buffalo Rink

Bantam Major

Bantam Mixed

Midget 15U

Midget 16U

Midget 18U

AA

A

AA

AA

AA

1999

1999-2000

1998

1997

1995-1996

GIRLS Teams

Level

Birth Years

Date

Time

Rink

14 & Under

Tier 1

1999-2000

Tuesday, April 09, 2013

7:00 - 8:00 PM

Buffalo State College

Wednesday, April 10, 2013

6:15 - 7:15 PM

North Buffalo Rink

Tuesday, April 09, 2013

8:00 - 9:00 PM

North Buffalo Rink

Wednesday, April 10, 2013

8:30 - 9:45 PM

North Buffalo Rink

Wednesday, April 10, 2013

7:15 - 8:30 PM

North Buffalo Rink

16 & Under

19 & Under

Tier 1

Tier 1

1997-1998

1995-1996

There is a one time tryout fee of $20.00 for every player.

All new players must present a signed NYSAHA Player/Financial Release Form from their host association before they can attend Bison Hockey Tryouts.

If you have any questions please call Nick Beaver at 716-435-8648.

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TRYOUT Edition 2013-2014

2013-14 Midget Tryouts

All sessions at Holiday Twin Rink Cost for Tryout is $20. Registration will begin at 2:45pm.

Midget 15UAAA

Midget 16UAAA

The 15-Under team will be a full season team (non-split season) coached by Joe Marszalek.

Joe is one of the founding members of the Select Midget Program and is also very involved with the USA Hockey Summer Development Camps. The team will consist of 20 players (12F, 6D, 2G) mainly born in the 98 and 99 birthyears. The objective of this team is skill development. The 15-Under team will play a full season game schedule in the South Central Triple A Hockey League (SCTA), one of Canada’s most competitive youth hockey leagues. In addition, the team will participate in a mixture of American and Canadian tournaments at both the 15-Under and 16-Under age levels. The 15-Under team will also have the opportunity to practice alongside the 16-Under and 18-Under teams at various points.

The 16-Under team will be coached by Jake Brozyna. Jake will enter his 3rd season as head coach of the 16U team. The team will consist of 20 players (12F, 6D, 2G) mainly born in the 97 and 98 birthyears. The objective of this team is skill development and scouting exposure to higher levels. The team will participate as a member of the Tier I Elite League and will be USA Hockey tournament bound at the U16 level, eligible for both States and Nationals. The 16-Under team will play a 60-70 game schedule, 40 of which will be Elite League games. This team will also participate in 1-2 additional tournaments. The 16-Under team will have the opportunity to practice alongside the 15-Under and 18-Under team at various points.

Head Coach - Joe Marszalek April 8 .................7:15-8:30pm April 9 .................6:15-7:15pm

Head Coach - Jake Brozyna April 8 .................6:00-7:15pm April 9 .................5:15-6:15pm

Midget 18UAAA

Head Coach - Mike Mondoux April 8 .................4:00-6:00pm April 9 .................4:00-5:15pm The 18-Under team will be coached by Mike Mondoux. Coach Mondoux has led our 18U program to 7 straight NYS Tier I Championships. He has also coached for multiple Empire State Games teams. The team will consist of 20 players (12F, 6D, 2G) mainly born in the 95 and 96 birthyears.

Exceptional 97 birthyear players will be considered as well. The objective of this team is skill development and scouting exposure to higher levels. Movement to the next level is the main focus for our U18 players. The team will participate as a member of the Tier I Elite League and will be USA Hockey tournament bound at the U18 level, eligible for both States and Nationals. The 18-Under team will play a 70-80 game schedule, 40 of which will be Elite League games. This team will also participate in 1-2 additional tournaments.

Specialized Goaltender Tryout Session Run by staff from Bob Janosz Goaltending April 9 / 3:15-4:00pm

Our program is extremely proud of the accomplishments of our alumni and our successes in advancing players to the next level. Below is a listing of players from last year’s 18U team and where they are playing this season: Jake Moore .........Youngstown Phantoms USHL Kyle Eastman ..................... Tri City Storm USHL Zachary Evancho .......... Youngstown Phantoms USHL Michael Crowley .................. Soo Indians NAHL David Powlowski .....Topeka Roadrunners NAHL Kyle Mackey ........Youngstown Phantoms USHL Patrick Egan ................. Buffalo Jr Sabres OJHL

Nick Gullo .................... Buffalo Jr Sabres OJHL Kenny Curtis ...........Jamestown Ironmen NAHL Nolan Sheeran ............. Buffalo Jr Sabres OJHL Cory Gurski .... Buffalo State College NCAA D-III Connor Boyd ...................Rochester Stars EJHL Sean Brown........ Scranton Wilkes Barre Knights AJHL Benjamin Casale ........... Buffalo Jr Sabres OJHL

Darrin Trebes ............... Buffalo Jr Sabres OJHL Brandon Morgan ............. Scranton Wilkes Barre Knights AJHL RJ Sciarrone ..................Buffalo Jr Sabres OJHl 4 USHL Draft Picks 2 NAHL Draft Picks Darrin Trebes commited to SUNY Fredonia Nolan Sheeran committed to Canisius College

For More Information Please Visit: Http://www.buffaloregals.net Please Contact Anthony Tomasula (716) 866-0295. wnyhockeyreport.com

TRYOUT EdiTiOn 2013-2014

5

2013-2014 Tryouts Minor Bantam / Bantam / Midget U15; U16; U18 Tryout fee is $15 per session.

Tuesday, April 9th

Monday, April 8th

Midget U16* Full Season (Holiday)......9:15pm Midget U18* Full Season (Holiday)....10:15pm

Full Season Midget and Junior Goalies only (Holiday).......................... 4:00pm Minor Bantam (Holiday).......................... 5:00pm U15 Split (Hyde Park Niagara Falls)(1.5 hr)........ 5:00pm U16 Split (Hyde Park Niagara Falls)(1.5 hr)........ 5:00pm Bantam* (Holiday)...........9:30pm

Wednesday, April 10th U16 Split Season (Holiday)...........................5:15pm

U15 Split Season (Holiday)...........................7:15pm Minor Bantam (Holiday)...........................5:30pm Bantam* (Holiday)...........6:30pm Midget U16* Full Season (Holiday)......7:30pm Midget U18* Full Season (Holiday)......8:30pm

Juniors (1997 or Earlier) Tryout fee is $40 per session. $25 for Goaltenders

Monday, April 8th: (Holiday)..................9:15-10:45pm

Tuesday, April 9th: (Holiday) .................. 4:00-6:00pm

Girls U14, U16, U18 Tryout fee is $15 per session.

Wed., April 10th

Sun., April 14th

(Holiday) Girls U14..................................6:15pm Girls U16..................................6:15pm Girls U19 .................................8:15pm

(Holiday) Girls U14..................................5:45pm Girls U16..................................5:45pm Girls U19..................................6:45pm

All Participants must present a release from their current organization in order to participate in the tryout. Release required even from House League.

Split Season candidates may tryout on Full Season Team Ice. (*) Asterisk indicates Tournament Bound. Contact us at: SportsNiag@aol.com

For general information contact Pete Preteroti at 685-1122 or visit us on line at: www.buffalostars.com

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wnyhockeyreport.com

TRYOUT Edition 2013-2014

Cazenovia Park Hockey Association 2013-2014 Tryouts

Bantam & Midget Boys Bantam Minor

Bantam Major

Bantam III*

Midget 16U TB

Midget 16U NTB

Midget 18U TB

Coach: Chris Usiak Monday, April 8 5:00 - 5:50 PM Tuesday, April 9 5:00 - 5:50 PM

Coach: Nelson Sheehan Jr. Monday, April 8 6:00 - 6:50 PM Tuesday, April 9 6:00 - 6:50 PM

Coach: Jeremey Rosen Wed., April 10 7:00 - 7:50 PM Thurs., April 11 7:00 - 7:50 PM

Coach: Brian Coyle Monday, April 8 7:00 - 8:20 PM Tuesday, April 9 8:00 - 8:50 PM Thurs., April 11 6:00 - 6:50 PM

Coach: Jim Banko Tuesday, April 9 9:00 - 9:50 PM Wed., April 10 8:00 - 9:20 PM Thurs., April 11 6:00 - 6:50 PM

Coach: Jim Creahan Monday, April 8 8:30 - 9:30 PM Tuesday, April 9 10:00 - 10:50 PM Thurs., April 11 8:00 - 8:50 PM

*All Bantam III players should tryout for Bantam Minor (2000’s) or Bantam Major (1999’s) first.

Girls 16U Tournament Bound Coach: Jim Bautz Level 4

**Tuesday, April 9, 7:00 - 7:50 PM Wednesday, April 10, 5:00 - 5:50 PM

19U Tournament Bound Coach: Chris Malicki Level 4

**Tuesday, April 9, 7:00 - 7:50 PM Wednesday, April 10, 6:00 - 6:50 PM

**Girls 16U TB and 19U TB tryout is together.

Players from other organizations must have a signed 2012-2013 release and a copy of their birth certificate. All players should attend all tryouts in their division. Other teams may be formed as needed.

Tryout fee is $10.

Pease visit our website www.cazhockey.com for updates as well as for on-line registration information for our Red, White and Blue; Mite and MOHL programs.

For more information contact us at cazhockey@live.com wnyhockeyreport.com

TRYOUT Edition 2013-2014

7

Rochester Youth Hockey New Look, New Home, New Direction

Team BANTAM TRAVEL Bantam Minor AAA

Birth

Date/Time

2000

4/8 6:00-7:00pm 4/9 6:00-7:00pm 4/10 7:00-8:00pm 2000 4/11 6:10-7:10pm 4/12 6:30-7:30pm 1999 4/8 7:00-8:00pm 4/9 7:00-8:00pm 4/10 8:00-9:00pm 1999 4/10 7:10-8:10pm 4/11 7:30-8:30pm

Bantam Minor AA Bantam Major AAA 14u Tier I T/B Bantam Major AA (Red/Blue/White) MIDGET TRAVEL Midget Minor AAA 15u (Split Season) Midget Minor AA 16u T1 T/B (Full Season)

1998 1998-97

4/9 7:30-8:30pm 4/10 9:00-10:00pm

4/8 8:00-9:30pm 4/9 8:30-9:30pm 4/10 6:45-8:15pm Midget Minor AA (16u/15U/Mixed) 1998-97 4/11 6:45-8:15pm 4/12 6:20-7:50pm Midget Major AAA 18u (Full Season) 1995-96 4/8 7:00-8:00pm 4/9 6:00-7:30pm 4/10 9:10-11:10pm Midget Major AA 18u (Red/Blue) 1995-96 4/11 8:30-9:30pm 4/12 8:00-9:30pm

Girls Team 12 & Under Edge 12u Tier 1 & Tier 2

Birth

Date/Time

2001-02

4/10 6:00-7:00pm 4/11 5:10-6:10pm

14 & Under Edge 14u Tier 1

1999-00

4/10 7:00-8:00pm 4/11 7:10-8:10pm

16 & Under Edge 16u Tier 1 & Tier 2

1997-98

4/10 8:00-9:00pm 4/11 6:10-7:10pm

19 & Under Edge 19u Tier 1 & Tier 2

1994-96

4/10 9:00-10:00pm 4/11 8:10-9:10pm

Please check our website at www.ryhockey.com for the latest updates on tryout times, dates and locations.

Rochester Youth Hockey and Maksymum Hockey will field full-season U16 & U18 teams in the newly formed United States Premier Hockey League for the 2013-2014 season.

For more information on the new league, please visit www.usphl.com.

8

TR

HOCKEY PROGRAMS 3 on 3

CROSS ICE LEAGUE Two Sessions Starting in May Days: Monday and Wednesday Ages: Mite, Squirt, Peewee & Bantams Format: Cross Ice, 50 min. Games $135 per player (Includes Jersey)

IN-HOUSE SPRING/SUMMER HOCKEY LEAGUE

ADULT HOCKEY LEAGUE

Two Sessions Starting in May Days: Tuesday or Thurs Ages: Mite, Squirt, Peewee & Bantams and High School Format: USA Hockey Rules & Officials $100 per player (Includes Jersey)

Spring & Summer Leagues Run Through August Days: Mon., Tues., Thurs. & Sun. Levels: B, C, D and “Never Ever League” (Beginner Program w/Instruction)

USA Hockey Sanctioned League

For More Information – Visit us online at tscmcc.com 2700 Brighton-Henrietta Townline Rd.

–OR

–

Maksymum Hockey will be fielding two junior teams during the 2013-2014 season, the Eastern Junior Hockey League (EJHL) and Empire Junior Hockey League (EmJHL).

Tryouts for the upcoming season will be held at the Sports Centre at MCC in Rochester, NY.

Maksymum Hockey Empire EmJHL Tryouts – $125

Maksymum Hockey EJHL Eastern Junior Tryouts – $125 Saturday, April 13th: .................. 2pm – 5pm Sunday, April 14th: .................. 12pm – 5pm

Monday, April 8th: ..........................4pm – 5pm Saturday, April 13th: ......................2pm – 5pm Sunday, April 14th: .......................12pm – 5pm Exact player itinerary will be sent upon receipt of player registration. Players are to obtain a new USA Hockey registration number for 2013 (online at www.usahockey.com) prior to tryouts.

No organizational release necessary.

For more information visit www.maksymum.com or contact Coach/GM Jeff Kolcon at (585) 426-8488 or jeff@maksymum.com

Exact player itinerary will be sent upon receipt of player registration. Players are to obtain a new USA Hockey registration number (online at www.usahockey.com) prior to tryouts. No organizational release necessary.

For more information visit www.maksymum.com or contact Coach/GM Tony Maksymiu at (585) 426-8488 or tony@maksymum.com

wnyhockeyreport.com

9

RYOUT EdiTiOn 2013-2014

PROGRAMS Year ‘Round for Beginners

Since 1938

— ALL AGES —

LEARN TO PLAY HOCKEY – 6 Week Class Session… $100 – Days: Mon.

Get One FREE!

2300 2011

Not valid with any other discount or coupons. No substitutions.

Must use coupon by 7/30/13

#11

LEARN TO SKATE – 6 Week Class Session… $80 – Days: Mon., Wed. or Sat.

Buy One Ground Steak Burger

Home of the

“World’s Greatest Cheeseburger”®

d o o F t a e Gr … & Fun

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at the Sports Centre@ MCC

RestauRant tap Room On ICe snack Zone

16 locations throughout ROCHESTER & BUFFALO! www.billgrays.com

1 off Any Great

$ 00

21020211

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Not valid during Happy Hour or with any other discount or coupons. No substitutions.

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“World’s Greatest Cheeseburger”® Reg. French Fries & a Reg.

777

$

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22001711 Not valid with any other discount or coupons. No substitutions.

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Niagara Jr. Purple Eagles 2013-2014 Try-Out Schedule COME BE A PART OF O ONE OF THE B BEST O ORGANIZATIONS IIN ALL OF NEW Y YORK STATE!

Benefits to being a Junior Purple Eagle:  Play In One Of The Best Facilities In Western New York  Set Schedules – Each Team Already Knows Their 3 Fixed Weekly Ice Times  Organizational Strength – Teams Routinely Make States And Nationals  Practices With Division 1 Players And Camps Run By The Division 1 Team  Power Skating Clinics Offered to all Teams Goalie Clinics run by Bob Janosz  First‐Class Coaching And Organization  Hosts Two Tournaments Each Year  Strong Instructional And House Program

BANTAMS, MIDGETS & GIRLS 14U

Monday, April 8th, 2013 Main Rink 5:30‐6:30PM Bantam Major (TB) 6:40‐7:40PM Bantam Minor 7:50‐8:50PM Midget 16U (TB) & 15U (NTB) 9:00‐10:00PM Midget 18U (TB & NTB) AUX Rink 7:10‐8:10PM Girls 14U (TB) 8:20‐9:20PM Midget 16U/15U (Mixed NTB)

Tuesday, April 9th, 2013 Main Rink 5:30‐6:30PM Girls 14U (TB) 6:40‐7:40PM Bantam Major (TB) 7:50‐8:50PM Midget 16U (TB) 9:00‐10:00PM Midget 18U (TB) AUX Rink 8:20‐9:20PM Bantam Minor 9:35‐10:45PM Midget 15U (NTB) & Midget 16U/15U (Mixed NTB)

Wednesday, April 10th, 2013 Main Rink 6:00‐7:00PM Bantam Mixed (Tier III) 7:10‐8:10PM Midget 18U (NTB)

10

Coaches:

Bantam Minor –Mike Woods 514‐0090 woods@roadrunner.com Bantam Major (TB) – Joseph Chadima 998‐1725 JChadima@cspayroll.com Bantam Mixed (Tier III) – Joe Marra 628‐0524 jmarra@nfschools.net Midget 15U (NTB) –Matt Shumate 940‐9486 m.shumate@yahoo.com Midget 16U (TB) – John Nichols 870‐9642 jnichols@tsionline.net Midget 15U/16U (Mixed NTB) – Gary Krull 432‐1616 gkrull@garykrullcpa.com Midget 18U (TB) – Ron Hurtt 868‐1586 coachron8@live.com Midget 18U (NTB) – Jim Atkinson 622‐8323 jacatan2@roadrunner.com Girls 14U (TB) – Jim Henry 940‐4266 jnhenry@usa.com

All try-outs held at Dwyer Arena, Niagara University Campus $10 ice fee per try-out session.

Releases required for all non-Niagara Jr. Purple Eagle Players, including house league players. $300.00 Non-refundable team deposit due at time of signing.

Please visit www.jrpurpleeagles.com for Spring and Fall Hockey Registration Information

wnyhockeyreport.com

TRYOUT Edition 2013-2014

    



   

  

              

wnyhockeyreport.com

TRYOUT EdiTiOn 2013-2014

11

2013-2014 Tryouts All tryouts to be held at the West Seneca Rink, $15 per tryout

Bantam & Midget Travel Bantam Minor AAA (2000 birth year) Head Coach: Bill Gehen 860-0336 bgehen@bgclubop.org Monday, April 8.................................... 6:00pm Tuesday, April 9.................................... 5:00pm

Midget 18U Tier I AAA (1994 & younger birth year) Head Coach: Kevin Rozo 510-2998 Monday, April 8.................................... 8:00pm Tuesday, April 9.................................... 9:00pm

Bantam Major AAA (1999 birth year) Head Coach: Chris Stamer 359-0227 cstamer@roadrunner.com Monday, April 8.................................... 5:00pm Tuesday, April 9.................................... 6:00pm

Girls 14U Tier II (1999 birth year) Head Coach: Rocco Dellaneve 432-9728 ddella1219@aol.com Monday, April 8.................................... 7:00pm Wednesday, April 10............................ 5:00pm

Bantam Tier II AA (1999 & 2000 birth year) Head Coach: Dick ‘Rogie’ Marini 352-0448 Tuesday, April 9.................................... 7:00pm Wednesday, April 10............................ 8:00pm Thursday, April 11................................ 7:40pm

Girls 16U Tier II (1997 birth year) Head Coach: Chris Roberts 923-3423 Croberts14220@gmail.com Monday, April 8.................................... 7:00pm Wednesday, April 10............................ 5:00pm

Midget 15U (1998 birth year) Head Coach: Jim Rindfleisch 316-3121 jrindfleisch@irshelp.com Monday, April 8 ............................. 10:00pm Wednesday, April 10.......................... 7:00pm

Girls 19U Tier II (1994 & younger birth year) Head Coach: TBA Contact: Rocco Dellaneve 432-9728 ddella1219@aol.com Tuesday, April 9.................................. 10:00pm Wednesday, April 10............................ 6:00pm

Midget 16U Tier I AAA (1997 birth year) Head Coach: Mark Dantonio 440-4975 Mad23sjd@yahoo.com Monday, April 8.................................... 9:00pm Tuesday, April 9.................................... 8:00pm

If you did not play at West Seneca this season, you will need a release from your current organization.

12

wnyhockeyreport.com

TRYOUT Edition 2013-2014

Wheatfield Blades 2013-2014 Travel Team Tryout Schedule

All tryouts are at: Hockey Outlet, 3385 Niagara Falls Blvd., North Tonawanda NY. Tryouts: $15 per session / www.wheatfieldblades.com DIVISION

BIRTH YEAR

DATE

TIME

COACH

Bantam Minor AAA

2000

April 8, 2013 April 9, 2013

6:30 PM 6:30 PM

Wildt / Glica

Bantam Minor II AA

2000

April 10, 2013 April 11, 2013

5:30 PM 5:30 PM

Dave Cannon

1999

April 8, 2013 April 9, 2013

5:30 PM 5:30 PM

Tom Beamish

Bantam Major II AA

1999

April 10, 2013 April 11, 2013

4:30 PM 4:30 PM

Dan Stinis

Bantam Mixed II AA

1999 / 2000

April 10, 2013 April 11, 2013

9:30 PM 9:30 PM

Jim Michalowski

Midget 15U AAA

1998

April 8, 2013 April 9, 2013

8:30 PM 8:30 PM

Kyle Pray

Midget 15U II AA

1998

April 10, 2013 April 11, 2013

7:30 PM 7:30 PM

Chris McCune

1997 / 1998

April 8, 2013 April 9, 2013

7:30 PM 7:30 PM

Jeff Swan

1997 / 1998

April 10, 2013 April 11, 2013

6:30 PM 6:30 PM

Kevin Weigel

Full Season “Tournament Bound”

1995 / 1996

April 8, 2013 April 9, 2013

9:30 PM 4:30 PM

Frank Vecchio

Midget 18U II AA

1995 / 1996

April 8, 2013 April 10, 2013

4:30 PM 8:30 PM

Jay Stainsby

Midget 18U Mixed AA

1995 and Under

April 9, 2013 April 11, 2013

9:30 PM 8:30 PM

Phil Basinski

Bantam Major AAA “Tournament Bound”

Midget 16U AAA “Tournament Bound”

Midget 16U II AA Midget 18U AAA

The Wheatfield Blades are a “AAA” hockey association and our teams compete in the Western New York Amateur Hockey League.

House & Travel players (other than current WB players) MUST have a release from their current Hockey Association. A deposit is required at signing.

Our 18U AAA team will be a full season tournament bound team.

The team will be coached by Frank Vecchio and David Kasperek.

Please send any inquiries to: fjvech@roadrunner.com.

We are also considering our 16U AAA team to be full season tournament bound as well, depending on interest.

This team will be coached by Jeff Swan. Any inquiries should be sent to: fjvech@roadrunner.com. wnyhockeyreport.com

TRYOUT EdiTiOn 2013-2014

13

2013-2014 Cheektowaga Warriors Travel Team Tryouts All tryouts held at the Cheektowaga Recreation Center

Free Tryouts for the 2013-2014 Season

$200 Non-Refundable deposit due upon signing with team.

Team

Birth Year

Tryout Date

Bantam Major Tournament Bound

1999

Monday, April 8 Tuesday, April 9 Wednesday, April 10

6:00 - 7:00 PM 4:50 - 5:50 PM 6:00 - 7:00 PM

Bantam Minor

2000

Monday, April 8 Tuesday, April 9 Wednesday, April 10

4:50 - 5:50 PM 6:00 - 7:00 PM 4:50 - 5:50 PM

Midget 18U Tournament Bound

1995 & 1996

Monday, April 8 Tuesday, April 9 Wednesday, April 10

9:30 - 10:30 PM 7:10 - 8:10 PM 9:30 - 10:30 PM

Midget 16U Tournament Bound

1997 & 1998

Monday, April 8 Tuesday, April 9 Wednesday, April 10

8:20 - 9:20 PM 8:20 - 9:20 PM 7:10 - 8:10 PM

1998

Monday, April 8 Tuesday, April 9 Wednesday, April 10

7:10 - 8:10 PM 9:30 - 10:30 PM 8:20 - 9:20 PM

Midget 15U

14

Time For more information call

716-897-7218

or email: mattbeanhockey@aol.com All players from other associations must have a signed NYSAHA release.

wnyhockeyreport.com

TRYOUT EdiTiOn 2013-2014

2013 - 2014 Open Tryouts We will compete in the WNYAHL for the 2013-2014 Season Please bring a copy of Player’s Release and Birth Certificate.

Tryout Fee $15.00 per session A $300 non-refundable team deposit will be due at time of signing.

For the latest news and updates on the Coyotes please check out our website www.niagaracoyotes.com

Bantam Major Tier III TB Bantam Minor Coach: Tom Giordano / @ Hyde Park

Monday, 4/8/13.......................... 7:30-8:20 pm Tuesday, 4/9/13.......................... 6:00-7:00 pm Wednesday, 4/10/13.................... 6:00-7:00 pm Any questions email: Tgiordano153@yahoo.com Cell: 716-866-5285

Coach: Kevin Smith / @ Hyde Park

Midget U15

Coach: Steve Rydzewski/@ Hyde Park

Monday, 4/8/13............................. 6:30-7:20 pm Tuesday, 4/9/13.............................7:00-8:00 pm Wednesday, 4/10/13.......................7:00-8:00 pm

Girls U12, U14, U16, U19 Coach: Chris Rechin / @ Hyde Park

Thursday, 4/11/13 - Rink 1......... 6:00-7:00 pm Any questions email: ctpuckman@aol.com Cell: 731-2555

Bantam questions email Kevin: the4smittys@yahoo.com Cell: 716-907-9424 Midget questions email Steve: steverydzewski12@gmail.com Cell: 504-7433

• Year round opportunities to train • Roller Hockey in summer • Dry-land summer activities • Clinicians and Summer Camps • Tournaments • Fun Family Atmosphere • Team Concept • Quality ice time per player • And Much More

Niagara County Coyotes – No Politics – Just Hockey

Southtowns Stars Amateur Hockey Association

2013-14 Travel Tryout Schedule At Leisure Rinks

Southtowns is a USA Hockey organization that plays Tier II travel in the Western New York Amateur Hockey League. All Major as well as the Midget TB teams are State Tournament eligible.

Division Birth Year

Bantam Minor (2000)

Date & Time

Tues., April 9 5:30pm Thurs., April 11 5:30pm

Bantam Major (1999)

Midget 15U (1998)

Tues., April 9 6:45pm Thurs., April 11 6:45pm

Tues., April 9 8:00pm Thurs., April 11 7:15pm

(Time Change)

Midget 16U (1997) (Time Change)

Tues., April 9 6:30pm Thurs., April 11 8:00pm

Midget 18U (1995-96) Tues., April 9 7:45pm Thurs., April 11 8:30pm

Southtowns tryouts are $20 (Covers both sessions) All players form organizations other than Southtowns must have a 2012-2013 release from that organization, and a copy of their birth certificate. Mixed teams will be picked after the Major and Minor teams are established. $250 deposit (check or money order) due at signing.

Please check our website for: • Red, White & Blue through Midget House signups will begin in April • Beginner program – we offer an established Red, White & Blue cross ice beginner program • Coaching applications - we are currently accepting for the 2013-14 house teams For more information about Southtowns, please download our parent manual from the website, or contact Jeff Leemer at Jeff@Southtownsstars.com

www.southtownsstars.com wnyhockeyreport.com

TRYOUT Edition 2013-2014

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16

wnyhockeyreport.com

TRYOUT Edition 2013-2014

Feature

17

A Day At The “Dome”

by Michael Mroziak Michael@wnyhockeyreport.com Contributing writer Michael Mroziak, who just completed his third season as a member of the Nordiques of the Old Tyme Hockey League of East Aurora (OTHLEA), was invited by WNY Hockey Report (which, in the interest of full disclosure, is owned by OTHLEA LLC) to suit up and participate in the Molson IceDome tournament held the weekend of March 9-10 at the Healthy Zone Rink in East Aurora. This is his personal account of the day’s events. The opinions expressed are his, and not necessarily those of OTHLEA LLC or the sponsors of the tournament, Molson Canadian and Certo Brothers Distributing Company.

Sunday, March 10, 2013 8:00am It really feels like 7:00am, as this was the overnight when Daylight Saving Time took effect. In addition, I was up late into the night transferring all the photos I had taken from the previous night’s championship round of the IceDome tournament. The skill level was impressive, with several former juniors I knew from my years working with the old Buffalo Lighting taking part.

I was recruited to skate with the Whalers, one of the participants in the Novice Division of the IceDome tournament taking place today.

passed around, with Molson and Certo Brothers sponsoring the tournament. Some of my mates are maybe sipping one can. I see other players passing around the brew, too. I don’t feel ready to have one just yet. I’ve never been a fan of drinking before skating, so I stick to consuming water and one of the bananas I brought from home, leaving my eyes to feast on the Molson cans with a little envy.

11:45am We’re back on the ice, this time facing the Penguins, which are led by OTHLEA chief Ian Woods. I sensed a greater motivation among my Whalers teammates, as if this were a company picnic and we were about to play against the boss’s softball team. I also sensed the chemistry improving.

My instincts were correct, as we won more handily over the Penguins. I felt much more comfortable and in stride this game, with the first game perhaps serving as the warmup.

This time, we were afforded more time to rest with our next name not scheduled until 2:15pm.

12:45pm

Next door to the “official” grill are two other tailgate parties, hosted by two of the teams taking part. One of them is hosted by Cobber’s North Stars, featuring several players whom I skated with for many years in other leagues. It is great seeing them again and I decide to spend some time catching up with old friends.

Next to the North Stars’ tailgate is one hosted by the Canucks, who are the early favorites to win today’s championship. They’re captained and sponsored by John Wojdan, a good guy whose son, Dan, is also on the team. The younger Wojdan is one of the most talented guys in OTHLEA and one of the reasons the Canucks are about to make my Whalers’ chances to qualify for the title game that much more difficult.

1:10pm

As I arrive at the rink, a game has already been played and the next is about to begin. We’re sharing one of the dressing rooms with a team about to take the ice, so there’s a fumbling over each other as my new teammates and I seek a space to put on our gear while our roommates, the Oatka Hackers, are stepping out to play. It’s crowded but friendly, with both teams trying to make room for each other. With so many teams participating today, every team I’ve learned has doubled up.

The Canucks are just lighting it up on the ice. When it is done, Ned McDonnell writes the score on the board and adds a joking note that their goal differential, which will determine who makes the championship game, is now officially “four touchdowns.”

My Whalers teammates see this, and knowing we won’t be able to beat a team by more than 28 goals, instead hold out hope that my North Stars friends can keep their game close against the Jets, who are 2-0 heading into their final game but within our reach.

The Jets decided not to play nice, running up a big score in a blowout which then forced the Whalers to realize that we would have to win by at least three “touchdowns” to overtake the Jets and face the waiting Canucks in the final.

10:00am

2:15pm

9:30am

The Whalers face our first opponent, Les Habs, captained by one of the guys in charge of the OTHLEA, Ned McDonnell. Having been idle from hockey for several days and playing with new teammates, I didn’t feel entirely settled in until the second half of this game.

I wasn’t entirely in the company of strangers. Among my mates was Joe Monnin, a nice guy and a good player, someone who played for the Whalers in OTHLEA this past season but also filled in for my Nordiques on a couple of occasions when we needed the players.

Also among my new mates was Ryan Ficorilli, whom I discovered upon asking was the son of the Ficorillis my mother and late father knew a few years back.

Chemistry among the teammates was forming.

We performed well, defeating Les Habs. By the end of the game we were starting to figure out our gameplan, which would be put into place at our next game, which would begin at 11:45am.

11:00am There are plenty of cans of Molson Canadian being

The weather is just beautiful today. I don’t know what it is about the IceDome tournament but in the two years I’ve covered the tournament the weather has been pleasantly mild.

For this event, though, the weather makes the wait between games comfortable and even allows for a festival atmosphere. Adjacent to the rink, OTHLEA staff have set up a large grill where they are cooking various meats: traditional hot dogs, hamburgers and Italian sausages but also venison and elk sausages. At the same station is a large cooler with bottled waters and more of the previously mentioned cans of our sponsors’ brews.

The smells are just too much to resist any more, and there’s plenty of time before our next game so I remove my skates and put on sneakers as well as remove my upper body equipment and put on a dry t-shirt, then check out the party element of this tournament.

Like a Super Bowl party, there are some unique eats to be enjoyed. One of the volunteers is passing around wrapped venison and hot peppers. They are very tasty.

About a half dozen samples later, I’d say I was impressed.

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Remember what I said about the beautiful weather?

Perhaps that makes up for the quality of the ice. Even with the floods every other game, the ice is soft and very choppy with plenty of cuts and bumps. It may as well be a real frozen natural pond. With that thought in mind I take the ice quality in stride as we face off against the Kings, who are already out of contention but certainly motivated to play the spoiler.

After some shots gone wide in the first two games while playing a more defensive style, I play more aggressively in this game and finally get my first goal of the tournament. Unfortunately, that’s all the scoring I’ll contribute, as I miss two great opportunities and also get robbed by the Kings’ goaltender’s great glove hand.

I also sense we’re getting tired and perhaps running out of gas while playing hockey I’d describe as desperate. Indeed, we still want to believe we can climb up that hill and sneak into the final.

The Kings have other plans, tying us at the end of the two halves. Under the tournament rules, penalties result in penalty shots to be taken at the end of the second half. The Kings have a couple extra shots awarded to them, and they use them to beat us.

Continued on next page

Feature

While it’s disappointing to not qualify for the championship game, I’m eager to get back to the festive element of the tournament, the tailgate parties.

3:15pm I’m thankfully out of my heavily sweat-soaked equipment and in street clothes. A breeze has moved in and some are wondering if we might get some rain.

That rain doesn’t come and so the festivities continue.

This is the same festive spirit that makes senior hockey special, especially during the summer leagues when teams (like one of mine used to, the Holiday/Leisure league’s IceGators) could head out in the parking lot and relax on a mild evening with our beverages of choice.

This is where the Molson Ice Dome has been very fortunate. March can bring very unpredictable weather to Western New York. They’ve been blessed with very nice weather the past two years.

Ironically, it’s the same mild weather that forced other local outdoor pond hockey tournaments to severely modify their plans or even cancel games earlier this season. I mention it to one of the organizers, who has also thought of that. He raises his beer can in an informal toast and hopes the weather will again work in his favor next year.

Rangers Win OTHLEA’s Lord Manly Cup

Old Tyme Hockey League

by Michael Mroziak It’s a long way from hockey’s biggest prize, the Stanley Cup, but there’s something about the Old Tyme Hockey League of East Aurora’s own trophy, the Lord Manly Cup, that makes senior hockey league players care. Maybe it’s the tradition of engraving names of championship teams on the trophy.

Maybe this year, it was the appearance of Doug Allen that helped add an element of “special” to the game. Yes, that Doug Allen, the gentlemen who sings the Canadian and U.S. national anthems before Buffalo Sabres home games, was on hand to sing the Star Spangled Banner prior to the start of the OTHLEA championship game between the Wallenwein’s Rangers and Brothers Avalanche.

It was the ideal matchup for the league: the regular season first and second place finishers battling for the title. The Rangers lineup featured the league’s top scorer, assistant captain Scott Matthews, who scored 30 goals and 23 assists. The top scorer for the Avalanche, Aaron Jantzi, was ranked 12th in the league’s scoring with 10 goals and 21 assists but the Avalanche had four players with 20 or more points earlier in the season. The Rangers’ next leading scorer had less than half of Matthews’ points, so some saw the key to an Avalanche win as shutting down their top gun.

After a tight first period, Matthews and his stick were back to work. By the end of the night, Matthews was credited with at least three of the Rangers’ goals, as Wallenwein’s won the Lord Manly Cup, defeating the Avalanche by a final score of 4-1.

It’s the second time the Rangers have won the Cup, with their first championship coming at the end of the 2010-11 season.

OTHLEA would like to thank Molson Canadian and Certo Brothers Distributing Company for their sponsorship of the Old Tyme Hockey League of East Aurora, as well as the following establishments for their support of teams within the league: American Grille (Nordiques), Arriba Tortilla (Flyers), Bar Bill (Bruins), Bartlo, Hettler & Weiss (Whalers), Blue Lantern (Sharks), Brothers (Avalanche), Bruce’s Automotive (Maple Leafs), Cobber’s by the Creek (North Stars), East End (Blackhawks), Great Lakes Building Systems (Canucks), Pasquale’s (Penguins), Pete’s Pub (Blues), Pizza Del Aureo’s (Jets), Riley Street Station (Canadiens and Capitals), Roycroft Craftsmen (Kings), Sorrentino’s (Seals), Tony Rome’s (Red Wings), Tuscany on Main (Oilers) and Wallenwein’s (Rangers).

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Women’s Hockey

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Women’s Hockey

by Janet Schultz Janet@wnyhockeyreport.com Western New York can be very proud of it’s girl’s ice hockey program, from youth through college for this season. Many teams made the playoffs in their leagues, the states and will head to their national tournaments.

First up are the NYSAHA playoffs that take teams to the USA Nationals.

The Buffalo Bisons Girls 12U Tier I won the State title after facing Syracuse Nationals and the Rochester Edge. In the first game of the series the Bison’s Renee Lauer and Rookie Alexa Carlon shot in a goal each to beat the Syracuse Nationals 2-1. Carlon scored her goal with less than one minute remaining to take the victory. They moved on to face the Rochester Edge.

They beat the Rochester Edge 4-1 giving them the State Championship.

The Buffalo Bison’s 14’s opened up the preliminary round of the Tier I State Tournament in Syracuse by going undefeated. The opened up with convincing wins over Syracuse 5-1, Rochester 6-0, and West Chester 10-0. Unfortunately, in the Finals against Syracuse, the Bison’s went cold in scoring and lost by a score of 1-0. The Buffalo Bison’s dominated play, but could not beat the Syracuse goaltender. The Buffalo Bison’s are currently ranked 5th in the Country with a record of 25W-8L-4T. After a winning season, the 16U team received an automatic bid to the Nationals since they are the only 16U Tier I team in NYS. They played a variety of opponents this season in the U.S. and Canada. They beat the highly-ranked Canadian 17U AA Toronto Aero’s, took a double overtime loss to #8 Connecticut Polar Bears and beat the Anaheim Lady Ducks. In tournament play this season the Bison’s 16U team finished second in the Ignite the Ice Tournament in Cleveland and in the Polar Bear Tournament in Connecticut. The girls are coached

by Dave Smith. (Thanks to Tricia Pray for her submission to this section of the Women’s hockey column).

The Buffalo Bison’s Girls 19’s Capture the New York State Tier I Title and will be heading to San Jose, California for the USA Hockey National Championship starting April 3rd-7th. The Bison’s captured the New York State title with convincing wins over Rochester and Troy/Albany by respective scores of 8-1. The Buffalo Bison’s played in the Finals of the Tier I National Championship last season and lost to Assabet Valley by a score of 2-1. Early this season, the Bison’s played Assebet and won by a score of 2-0. In the preliminary round of National Championship, the Bison’s will play Team Pittsburgh, New Jersey, and Michigan. The Bisons are currently ranked 8th in the United States with a record of 31W-10L-1T. (Thanks to Scott Welch for his contributions to this column on the 14U and 19U Bisons.)

In Tier II play the West Seneca Wings 12U team repeated their performance from last year and took the 2013 NYS Championship.

Led by solid goaltending by Rose Quattro, the West Seneca Wings 12U team repeated as New York State

Champions at Saranac Lake with a convincing 3-1 victory over the CNY Bobcats The Wings opened the State tournament on Friday with a 2-0 victory over the Lake Placid Lady Bombers. Goal scorers for West Seneca were Emma O’Neill and Abigail Lillis. The Brewster Lady Bulldogs were Saturday morning’s opponent. The game looked like it would end in a scoreless tie when Captain Emma O’Neill scored in the final minute.

The West Seneca Wings 19U team headed to the Semi-Final #2 game and there they lost to the eventual NYS Champions, Chazy Youth. West Seneca traveled to Chazy only to meet the Buffalo Hornets in their first game on Friday morning. They beat the Hornets 3-2, the Norfolk-Norwood Ice Storm 4-0 and lost to the Brewster Lady Bulldogs 5-1.

At the Women’s Senior B level, it was the Buffalo Hornets winning the State Championship and now are working towards traveling to the Nationals in California.

The Hornets defeated cross-town rival Wheatfield with a 2-1 victory. Deanna Ventura scored both goals and Goaltender Ashley Schneegold turned back 56 shots.

The Hornets are made up of women from 18 years of age and older and are a part of the Buffalo Stars organization, competing against women’s teams from across the State.

Many local teams took part in the States and did very well, also having a great time.

West Seneca Wings 12U NYS Champs (Wings Photo) Potsdam Icestorm was the next opponent with West Seneca clinching the #1 seed in their grouping with a convincing 5-2 victory. West Seneca scorers were Jillian Blas, Phoebe Palmisano, Abbigail Charvat, Heather Fitzgerald and Taylor Gehen.

Next up for West Seneca was the Amherst Knights who had played the Wings tough in the Great Lakes Girls Hockey League. Goaltender Rose Quattro kept Amherst off the scoreboard while Cortney Staniszewski scored late in the second period.

West Seneca came out strong in the Championship Game against the CNY Bobcats scoring two goals in the first (Fiona Danahy and Cortney Staniszewski). Rachel Urbank closed the scoring in the second with a goal at 5:31. Although the Bobcats scored at 11:29 of the second, the team played strong defensive hockey in the third to secure the victory.

It was an amazing season for this group of girls as they went undefeated in their New York State league play (regular season 12-0-3 and state tournament 5-0).

(WNY Hockey thanks Marilyn Quattro for this article on the 12U Team.)

At the 14U level, the Hamburg Hawks moved to the championship round where they lost to Massena/ St. Lawrence 1-0, finishing in second place in the tournament.

The Buffalo Regals made it to the semi-final #1 round of the 16U Tier II tournament. There they lost 3-2 to the Lysander Lightning. Lysander moved on to the championship round where they lost to Potsdam 2-1.

West Seneca Wings 19U at NYS Championships (Wings Photo)

WNYHockeyReport.com

Buffalo Stars 16U Team (Stars Photo) The Buffalo Stars U16 team gave it their all but came up short. According to Coach Norm Robinson the competition was very tough and the girls did everything they could, never quitting.

“I’m extremely proud of these ladies,” said Robinson.

The Stars opened play against Potsdam with the host team taking the game 5-0. The following afternoon they had to face a West Section rival, Webster in a mustwin showdown. Shannon Munley put the Stars on the board first but then found themselves in penalty trouble and one point down. Megan Urbank took the puck from her zone, racing down the ice and scored a short-handed goal to put the Stars up by 2. They stayed strong and Alessandra Santarosa gave the Stars a shutout over the Cyclones.

The next game was against the Lysander Lightning.

Mikaela Ditonto was in goal and played a very strong game, but not strong enough to beat the Lightning who took the game 3-0.

Another successful year for a group of girls that played hard and made contributions to ice hockey.

The Regals hosted Team Alaska for two games to prepare Alaska for their playoffs. They met the Regals at Nationals last year and were attending a tournament in Canada and arranged for the games. (Janet Schultz Photo)

Women’s Hockey Women’s College Hockey Buffalo State College has relieved Women’s Ice Hockey Head Coach Rob Burke of his duties. They will be conducting a national search for a replacement but in the interim Assistant Coach Jamie Overbeck will take over the recruitment duties.

Burke completed his seventh season as head coach ending with 50-103-13 overall record. He led the Bengals to their first ECAC West postseason appearance in five years during the 2007-08 season. Several players have earned All-ECAC West honorable mentions, were named to the ECAC West All-Academic Team and honored as Buffalo State Student-Athletes. Most recently Nikki Kirchberger (Buffalo) received honorable mention and was named to the ECAC West All-Rookie Team. She was the first Bengal in Buffalo State’s history to be named to the All-Rookie Team.

Assistant Coach Overbeck joined the Bengals’ coaching staff in 2007-08, one year after completing her four-year playing career with the Bengals. She was promoted to first assistant coach in 2011-12 and worked with the players in several facets of the program, including coach-player communication.

She was also responsible for alumnae relations for the program, including the annual women’s hockey reunion game.

Overbeck served as an assistant coach to the Kenmore Girls Varsity Ice Hockey Team during their inaugural season in the WNY Girls Varsity Ice Hockey Federation.

She served as captain of the Buffalo State Bengals Women’s Ice Hockey Team and still ranks fifth on the all-time scoring list with 26 goals and 44 points. She also holds the school’s record for power play goals in a season and career and shorthanded goals in a career.

The Bengals ended their 2012-13 season 5-12-1 overall and 9-14-1 in the ECAC West.

University of Buffalo Head Coach Jody Rosen has signed five players to the roster for the upcoming season.

Rachel Scott comes from the Tri County Stars near Rochester. She played her last season with the SUNY Geneseo women’s club team and comes from the Batavia Ramparts organization.

“She was a Tier II player,” said Rosen. “She’s a grinder, gets in the corners and can take the puck up the middle.

She is also strong offensively.”

“This is great and she’ll be closer to home, “ said Scott’s mother Dawn. “She loves the sport and I’m a hockey mom so I’ll be able to go to every game.”

Scott will be majoring in pharmacy and is the mother of a two-month old daughter, Quinn.

Buffalo’s Courtney Thornton began her career with the Depew Saints and Hamburg Hawks and now plays for the Buffalo Stars 19U team. She will be majoring in cognitive science.

“Courtney is a hard worker and will bolster our offense,” said Rosen.

Gabrielle “Gabby” Caruso comes from Syracuse where she played in the Skaneateles organization. She began her ice hockey career at age 7 and is transferring from Lemoyne College and will be majoring in nursing.

‘I’m so proud of her,” said Caruso’s mom, Denise. “I remember when she fell face down and all the boys made fun of her.”

“She got up and told “I’m going to play on your team so you’d better get better because I’m playing.’”

Rosen sees her as a goal scorer.

Coming from Beverly Hills, Michigan that is, is Mamie Talty. Talty played in the Compuware Tier I program, starting her career with the Michigan Icebreakers boys program.

“Mamie can fly and add a lot of front, and she can score,” said Rosen.

“My Dad grew up playing hockey and got me skates,” said Talty, also a pharmacy major.

“We’ll miss her,” said Tim Talty, Mamie’s father about her move to Buffalo.

“She was shy and we were worried,” continued Tim. “We decided to take her to learn to skate. That’s all it took.”

UB finished the season 10-17-1 and fourth in the ECWHL.

RIT

Kaitlyn Simmons, Buffalo, played for the West Seneca Wings and the Kenmore Girls Varsity Ice Hockey Team.

She began playing just three years ago but according to Coach Jody Rosen Kaitlyn is a natural athlete.

“Katey will give current goaltender a run for the starting spot,” said Rosen. “She’s come to several practices to see the coaches and players.”

“UB is a great opportunity for me,” said Simmons.

“She’s exciting to watch,” said Jim Simmons, Kaitlyn’s dad. “It’s been exciting to watch her development. She picked up the game quickly and prospered with it.”

Simmons, a soccer player, was approached by her sister, Grace, when the West Seneca Wings 16U team needed a goalie three years ago. They gave her a tryout and she made it.

“They put her into the rotation, she got a lot of ice and has developed very well,” said Simmons. “She’s patient and doesn’t over react.”

RIT and Syracuse skated to a 2-1 finish in the CHA Semi-Finals. This is the fourth time this season that RIT and Syracuse met and ended the game with the Orange winning. This win, however, ended RIT’s historic first season as a Division I team in the CHA. Ali Binnington had a career-high 43 saves and Captain Kim Schlattman scored RIT’s only goal, her second in the playoffs and the team-best 16th goal of the season.

The first period was scoreless with Syracuse outshooting the Tigers 10-5. The Tigers put their only goal in at the 6:32 mark of the second period. Syracuse finally beat Binnington in the third tying the game. At the end of regulation the Orange led with 41 to RIT’s 15 shots on goal. The Tigers held an 8 to 4 advantage in shots on goal in OT but eventually Sadie st. Germain’s seventh goal of the season at the 10:08 mark of OT took the Syracuse Orange on to the CHA finals against Mercyhurst and sent RIT home.

The Tigers ended their season with a .500 record.

They now say good-bye to Seniors Tenecia Hiller (Brampton Thunder), Kristina Moss (Webster/Buffalo Bisons), Ellesha Fortuna (Burlington Barracudas), Ariane Yokoyama (CA/LA Selects), Captain Kim Schlattman (Cambridge Fury) and Danielle Read (Hamilton Hawks).

Yokoyama ended her career second in RIT history with 89 career assists; Moss and Hiller are RIT record-

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holders in career games played with 124 each and Yokoyama, Hiller and Schlattman all reached 100 career points this season.

Hiller was named to the 2013 CHA Second Team.

She was the lone Tiger honored by the CHA in RIT’s inaugural season in the league.

Marissa Maugeri (Durham West Lightning) was named CHA Co-Player of the Week for March 4. This was her first weekly honor following her goal and assist in a two-game sweep of Penn State in the first round of the CHA playoffs.

In Other Collegiate News…

Cornell claimed the ECAC Title for the third time in four seasons. They advanced to the NCAA Tournament and face Mercyhurst on a quest for the Frozen Four.

Cornell lost to Mercyhurst in 4-3 in overtime in an NCAA Quarterfinal game. Mercyhurst will move on to the Frozen Four in Minneapolis March 22-24.

The go-ahead goal was scored by Caroline Luczak with Buffalo’s Kelsey Welch (East Amherst/Niagara University) assisting. Cornell’s Jillian Saulnier then slapped in the tying goal. Also making the trip to the Frozen Four with Mercyhurst is East Aurora’s Emily Janiga (Nichols School), Rochester’s Kathy Donahue (North American Sports Academy) and Kenmore’s Julie Ditonto (Kenmore/Nichols).

Following Syracuse’s win over RIT, they faced Mercyhurst and lost, ending their dream of a trip to the Frozen Four. The game marked the end of Buffalo’s Jacquie Greco’s career with the Orange as she graduates.

She served as a co-captain this season and was a strong leader and on and off the ice. Greco moved to forward and tallied 10 goals and three assists during her senior season.

Cortland Freshman Goaltender Deanna Meunier was selected as the 2012-13 ECAC Women’s Rookie of the Year. Meunier was also named to Second Team All-Conference and to the All Rookie Team. She had a 2.84 GAA and a .916 save percentage in 23 games.

She stopped 647 shots, third all-time and most by a freshman in a single season at Cortland.

Cortland’s Maggie Giamo (Orchard Park/RIT) was also recognized when she received ECAC West honorable mention all-conference honors. Giamo scored 11 goals and registered 2 assists for 13 points in 16 games, including three game-winners. She finishes her career at Cortland tied for sixth with 45 points on 25 goals and 20 assists.

Monsignor Martin Champs (Janet Schultz Photo)

WNY Girls Varsity Ice Hockey Monsignor Martin Takes Second Consecutive Championship Monsignor Martin took home their second consecutive WNY Girls Varsity Ice Hockey Federation Championship.

The season could not have been predicted, even

Women’s Hockey though they went undefeated. Scores were many times tied, broken with seconds left in regulation and several went into overtime and double overtimes.

All-in-all the consensus is that the girls have made monumental strides since opening this league four years ago. The play has become faster, more skillful and even more passionate than it was when they took the ice three years ago.

Monsignor Martin faced Williamsville, the 2011 WNYGVIH Champions, in the Championship round.

The Monsignor Martin Girl’s Ice Hockey Team took home the WNY Girls Varsity Ice Hockey Federation championship for the second time in consecutive years.

Williamsville’s Jordan Roetzer opened the scoring at 8:53 of the first period. The game remained scoreless until the second period when Monsignor Martin’s Amelia Gajewski tied the game.

Williamsville answered Rachel Grampp answered back at 12:09 giving Williamsville the lead until two minutes later when Monsignor Martin’s Brynn Wopperer tied it again.

Holding, body checking and a cross checking penalty showed the intensity the girl’s were playing with under Monsignor Martin’s Brigid Keane put in the game-winner.

Williamsville’s Theresa Meosky made 32 saves and Monsignor Martin’s Courtney Wesolowski made 14 in the 3-2 victory for Monsignor Martin.

Monsignor Martin posted a 20-0 season in 2013 adding to their 35-3-1 overall record. They will enter the 2013-14 season with a 55-3-1 record under Coach Chris Malicki.

WNYGVIH Season Honors Announced

Named to First Team were Forwards Erin Gehen, West Seneca; Rachel Lenard, Monsignor Martin; MIssy Mallon, Amherst/Sweet Home. Defensemen Julia Duquette, Monsignor Martin; Maddy Grisko, Amherst/ Sweet Home and in Goal, Lauren Pray, Kenmore.

Second Team honorees are Bernadette O’Connell, Frontier/Orchard Park; Rachel Ziarnowski, Monsignor Martin and Cassandra Hopkins, Williamsville. On defense, Rachel Grampp, Williamsville and Caroline Soh, Williamsville. Goaltender: Theresa Meosky, Williamsville.

Honorable Mentions went to Jill Battista, Kenmore; Tatum Walber, Frontier/Orchard Park; Sarah Scolnick,Williamsville and McKenna Rushford, Amherst Sweethome as forwards. Megan Ruekauf, Lancaster; Kaeli Mathias, Kenmore; Katie Zimmer, West Seneca; Katie Page, Nadine Denijs and Alexa Ditonto, all from Frontier/Orchard Park and Amelia Gajewski, Monsignor Martin. Goaltenders with honorable mention were Courtney Wesolowski, Monsignor Martin; Madeline Norton, Lancaster; Kara Rea Amherst/Sweethome and Mikaela Ditonto, Frontier/Orchard Park.

This was the third season for the WNY Girl’s Varsity Ice Hockey Federation.

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Sabres and will help with practice plans and team systems.

Stack played for RIT and is their all-time leader with 81 goals, 29 power-plays and nine shorthanded goals.

She is third at RIT in points at 138 and fourth with 11 game-winning goals. She is a two-time RBK AHCA AllAmerican and a four-time All ECAC West selection.

Orynawak is the goaltender for the D’Youville Men’s Club Ice Hockey team and is also the goaltender for the Buffalo Stars 19U team. She will join the staff as a goalie coach.

Additional coaches will be named following tryouts.

Additional coaches will be named following tryouts.

Pavone Honored by WNY Girls

Kaitlyn Simmons, 2013 WNY Scholar Athlete of the Year in Hockey.

(Janet Schultz Photo) Monsignor Martin took the league championship for the second consecutive year and Kenmore took the Section VI championship and the first trip to the New York State Girls Final Four in Canton, where they faced and lost to the eventual NYS Champions, Beekmantown High School.

The stats for this season with 18 games played and not including playoffs/championships: • Monsignor Martin with 18 wins and no losses for 36 points • Kenmore: 12 wins, 5 losses, 1 tie for 25 points • Williamsville: 11 wins, 4 losses, 1 tie, 25 points • OP/Frontier 9 wins, 7 losses, 2 tie, 20 points • Amherst/Sweet Home: 6 wins, 10 losses, 14 points • West Seneca: 5 wins, 13 losses, 10 points • Lancaster: 0 wins, 18 losses, 0 points

Fundraisers Many girls hockey teams need to raise funds in order to maintain the team. We urge you support these events in any way you can.

The Orchard Park/Frontier Girls Varsity Ice Hockey Team is holding a fundraiser on Saturday, May 18.

Tickets are $20. This event will be held at Jack Devine’s Irish Pub, 4170 Southwestern Blvd, Hamburg from 2 to 5:30pm. For tickets go to their Facebook page and message them.

The Buffalo Hornets Womens Team held a fundraiser on March 23 at the Towne House. The funds will be used for their trip to the Nationals in Oakland, California.

Girls Coaching Announcements The The Buffalo Stars have announced the following coaches for girls ice hockey in the upcoming season.

Returning to the Stars are Head Coaches Dawn Robinson, Norm Robinson and Scott Then. They will rotate between the Girls 14U, 16U and 19U teams.

Joining the Stars are Russ Certo, Katie Stack and Lauren Orynawka.

Certo is an assistant coach with the Buffalo Junior

WNYHockeyReport.com

Bill Pavone (left) and Rick Hopkins.

(Janet Schultz Photo) Bill Pavone received the First James Rusin Award for Contributions to the Western New York Girl’s Varsity Ice Hockey Federation.

Presenting the award was Williamsville Head Coach Rick Hopkins, who was the first person to come to a group of parents and hockey supporters with the idea of a girls varsity league.

Pavone contacted parents, went to Board meetings and has been an active participant in the League since it’s grassroots beginnings five years ago. He is still, even after his daughter Laura graduated from the program, attends games on a very regular basis. Laura is also seen in the stands whenever she can.

WNY Hockey Report thanks Bill for all his support, as well as all the others who worked so hard to make this dream a reality

Great Lakes Girls Hockey GLGHL hosted their White and Blue Division Tournament on March 1-3. The Blue Championship went to Erie and the White to Canandaigua.

Erie opened their series with a win over Southern Tier followed by wins over Batavia and Tri-County to take them to the championship round where they beat Batavia 5-1.

Continued on next page

Women’s Hockey Canandaigua opened their series with a 5-0 win over Webster. They followed with a 3-2 loss to Erie, came back and tied Hamburg 2-2 before facing Hamburg once again in the championship and beating them 2-0.

In the White Division Hamburg led with 10 ½ points followed by Canandaigua with 8 ½ points, Webster with 5; Erie 6; putting Hamburg against Canandaigua in the championship round.

Erie led the Blue Division with 14 ½ points followed

by Batavia with 8, Southern Tier 7 and Tri-County ½; matching Erie with Batavia in the finals.

Around WNY… Jody Rosen has been named to the coaching staff of the West Seneca Wings 12U team. Rosen is the Head Coach of the University of Buffalo Lady Ice Bulls. Rosen is currently working on his Level 5 Master Coaching certification.

The Cazenovia Park Youth Hockey Association has added a 16U Girls State Tournament Bound Team for 2013-14. Jim Bautz has been named as Head Coach.

Bautz is the former 14U coach at Hamburg, a 2013 State runner-up team. Girls interested in trying out for this team should contact Bautz at 984-3474.

TThe Niagara County Coyotes are working on putting together their girls program.They plan to start teams at 12U, 14U, 16U and 19U. Anyone interested should contact William Fanton at 716-378-6226, coachbill013@hotmail. com or Chris Rechin at 716-731-2555 ctpuckman@aol. com Tryouts will be scheduled if there is enough interest.

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playing on hourse teams or GLGHL Red teams.

For information contact Tom Nelson, tnelson@ kingdoorhardware.com The West Seneca Girls Tournament will be held April 5-7 for 12U, 14U and 17U players. For information contact Chris Roberts, wshyagt@ gmail.com. All games will be held at the newly renovated West Seneca Ice Rink.

Congratulations to Cassandra Hopkins on being named the February Scholar/ Athlete by WIVB TV. Cassandra was a member of the Williamsville Girls Varsity Ice Hockey Team and attends Williamsville South High School, where she also plays loacrosse.

USA Hockey Rob Koch has been named director of communications and social media at USA Hockey. He will be the primary contact for the U.S. Women’s National Team program and over see USA Hockey’s social media efforts.

Cassandra Hopkins (#3 in white) of Williamsville in a faceoff with Monsignor Martin’s Brynn Wopperer (#77) during the WNYGVIH Federation Championship game.

(Janet Schultz Photo)

The Hamburg Girls 10U Full and Cross-Ice Festival will be held April 5 -7. This event is for new players or girls

15th Annual Todd Marchant Hockey School

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Goaltending Program • Awards • Work Ethic • Pride WNYHockeyReport.com

Insight Hockey

23

Insight Hockey

by Tom Barnett As the 2012-2013 hockey season winds down, there are a couple topics that have drawn my attention all season: girls’ hockey and the first year of the mandated cross-ice game for mites.

It is nice to see the growth of girls’ hockey nationally, but also across the region. Earlier this month, a group of high school girls from Frontier and Orchard Park petitioned the school board for funding for a girls’ hockey team. The funding would eliminate the need for the girls to conduct their own fundraising efforts to pay for their coach and ice time.

Certainly this exemplifies a trend in recent years on the growth of girls’ hockey across the country. While Western New York was probably one of the earliest regions to see a growth and popularity of girls’ and women’s hockey, it is only in perhaps the last 10 years which has seen more girls take up the game.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Athletic Republic Rochester is pleased to announce our Athlete of the Month for March.

Trevar Hal Rochester Alliance Pee Wee Major AAA

The other topic is the move to cross-ice.

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

Trevar plays hockey and lacrosse but specifically uses his AR training to improve as a hockey player. His vast improvement in skating and speed through his Athletic Republic training helped him contribute on the scoreboard and in the corners. Trevar has been a dedicated athlete training regularly since last May. His mechanics have improved tremendously and we at Athletic Republic would like to recognize Trevar for his hard work and commitment to getting better.

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

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

Second, maybe a hybrid model might do. Spend time teaching kids and playing games on a cross-ice format --small area games are great, truly mimmic the close encounters of the way the game is actually played today, more touches and also encourages creativity-- and let them learn on the big rink. It gives kids a taste of what hockey is like, helps teach fundamentals, and also lets the kids feel like “real hockey players.” I’ve heard positive things from organizations that are employing this type of hybrid model.

Girls’ hockey; cross ice or full ice for mites: ongoing conversations of interest among the hockey community. Both are signs of our passion and commitment to growing a stronger sport.

www.athleticrepublicrochester.com 585-426-8488 AthleticRepublicRochester

WNYHockeyReport.com

ARRochester

Feature

24

Ultimate Hybrid Camp

Now Available in Western New York for Forwards and Defense

by HPHD Staff writer Pro style training is the mantra at High Performance Hockey Development (HPHD) Hockey training center.

However Pro Coach Steve Thomson has unveiled the Pro’s Program for the youth player. Coach Thomson says “we train all our players the same way we train our pro’s. We have the equipment, the curriculum, the experience, the expertise and the measuring systems that the pro’s have. Why wait till you make it to the pro level to do this, players that do it now, they get the advantage.”

Coach Thomson unveiled a scaled down version of their 16 week Pro program that has been quietly reserved for Major Junior, College and Pro players alike.

This 40 hour program encompasses every aspect of training that a player should know in order to meet their personal and career goals.

“This is a professional program delivered by professional hockey trainers. This is not a hobby; this is our passion and our life. This is exactly what we have done to compete at the professional ranks and this is what we do every day”, Coach Thomson said of the only full time hockey training program in Western New York.

Along with the personal hockey training and the team / association programming that HPHD does all year round, this Ultimate Hybrid Camp brings all the training components together.

HPHD gives a list of features that the New Ultimate Hybrid Camp offers players at the Youth, Junior, College and Pro ranks.

Ultimate Hybrid Camp Features On Ice

• Power SkatingGP at the Game Perspective. The HPHD way “to gain or maintain speed with a puck.”

• Scoring Concepts including – Individual Attack Options with Sniper Mentality and Execution • Practice and Game “Pro Etiquette” Being the consistently better player.

Performance Class

Basic Skills / Individual Skills and Tactics

• Proven Results HPHD Documented curriculum • Player evaluation Pre and Post Program • Measured results • Skating, Puck Handling, Passing, Shooting • Individual skills not dependant on partner – Eg. Shooting on the move, transition skate w/puck • Individual Tactics not dependant on a partner – Eg. Angling, Mid Ice Engaging, Turn Up

• Performance and Goal Mapping • Mental Preparation • Intrinsic / Extrinsic Motivational Exploring • Competitiveness Planning • Nutritional / Supplements Component • Education and Career Mapping for hockey Functional Movement Performance Training

NHL Style Modified Combine Testing

Professional Teaching Coaches

• Human Kinetic evaluation • Process and Functional Movement training • Flexibility - Range of Motion Training • Speed, Agility, Quickness Training • Self-Directed home programming

Sport Science and Technology

• Mirrors, Lasers, Cameras, Computer feedback Reaction time, Speed, Accuracy, Heart Rate Monitoring • Rapid Shot and Rapid Hands professional training system • Same equipment used by Pro and College teams.

• Professionally trained coaches utilizing researched techniques • Performance Video and Before and After Action Photo available for athletes to review at home.

• Advance skating technique for Explosive, Faster, Stronger, Balanced, High VO2 max Capacity.

• High Tech HPHD Skating Treadmill • The only OVERSPEED Training method for hockey.

• HD 1080p Video replay with Telestrator and Hybrid Zoom

• 300+ skill Curriculum developed by 20 + year professional coach • Coaches with a experience and a strong background as a player or coach at the Junior, Collegiate, Professional and International Ranks.

With a program outline like that, it is easy to see why HPHD members have major success stories. More information and a complete training schedule is available at www.HPHD.us HPHD is located on the 2nd floor of Holiday Twin Rinks and is open 52 weeks a year.

2013 Registration: Youth Programs: Saturdays: 4/20, 4/27 11:00 am – 3:00 pm

Western New York Roller Hockey Youth Programs 2013 • FREE Instructional Hockey • House Leagues • Beginner Leagues

• Learn to Play Programs • Youth Open Hockey • Tournament Travel Teams

Adult Programs: Saturday: 4/6 11:00 am – 3:00 pm

Western New York Roller Hockey Adult Programs 2013 • Adult House Leagues • 30+ Divisions • Tournament Travel Teams

• Instructional Hockey • 15 Game Season • Open Hockey

House Leagues

Learn to Play Program

Beginner Leagues

Adult Leagues

Individuals: 14U, 12U, 10U. Fees: $155 by 5/1/2013 OR Early Bird Special: $135 by 4/17/2013 Includes: Jerseys, 12 Games, 2 Practices & Skills Competition/ All Star Game & Referee Fees – (Practices are ONLY for early bird registrations). Players are assigned to a team by League Director. (Practices will begin May 8th 2013).

Teams: 16U (Only) Individuals – $135 by 3/29/13

FREE: Instructional Roller Hockey for Boys and Girls with little or no hockey or skating experience.

• Two (5) Weeks of Basic Instruction • Session 1: May 11th, 18th, 25th, June 1st & 15th • Session 2: July 20th, 27th, August 3rd, 10th & 17th For the following age groups: 3 - 7 years old – 9 am - 10 am 8 - 12 years old – 9 am - 10 am

Beginner Roller Hockey League for Boys and Girls with little or no hockey experience.

• Two (5) Weeks of League Play • Session 1: May 11th, 18th, 25th, June 1st & 15th • Session 2: July 20th, 27th, August 3rd, 10th & 17th Age Group 6 – 12 years old Time: 10:00am - 11:00am Cost: Skaters $65 GOALIES: $20 (Price Includes jersey)

18U/High School League

Individuals: Fee $185 by 4/06/13 League Pricing: Includes: Jerseys and 15 Games. • $137 per Skater if your roster size is 10 + players DOES NOT Include Referee Fees.

Players are assigned to a team by • $167 per Skater if your roster size is 8 or 9 player League Director. (League Play will • $187 per Skater if your roster size begin Sat, April 13th 2013) is 7 players Teams: Iron, Copper, Bronze, Silver, • $217 per Skater if your roster size & Gold is 6 players 15 Games guaranteed (up to 18-19 • Goaltenders - $115 Total (can play games with playoffs) and FREE on multiple teams within division) Jerseys. DOES NOT include referee 15 Games guaranteed (up to 18-19 fees. Begin Saturday, 4/13/13. games with playoffs) and Jerseys.

NEW Adult 30+ League Individuals Registrations Only Cost: $165.00 Deadline by April 6th and Paid in full Goalies: $115.00 Includes: FREE Jersey Tournaments: NARCH Regional Qualifier June 7th - 9th, 2013 Narch.com to register Buffalo Wings Cup (Cash Prize): June 21st - 23rd, 2013

Call Eric @ 716-903-2658 or Gina @ 716-380-6643 / WNYRH.COM WNYHockeyReport.com

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Feature

27

A West Side Story

by Lars Lewis lars@wnyhockeyreport.com Inside the Asarese-Matters Community Center on Rees Street on a Monday or Wednesday night during the winter, next to the scorer’s table sits a man who has seen and done it all for sports in the West Side.

He’s 84-years-old, he currently uses a cane, he has aged greatly, but his mind and passion for helping kids in the community has never diminished.

His name is Ottavino “Tovie” Asarese, the founder and Commissioner of the West Side Play Area Street Hockey League.

Asarese has been involved in amateur and youth sports for over 50 years. From founding the West Side Little League Football Club, West Side Boys Baseball, West Side Ponytail Softball, and of course the West Side Street Hockey Program.

Although Asarese said that the hockey program itself has been stable in terms of interest, he noted that there is a lack of funds coming in to spread the word out further.

“We do not have any money, we rely on public announcements.” Asarese said. He also said that he is currently looking for more ways to spread awareness of the hockey program to ensure its longevity for when he’s gone.

The Asarese-Matters Community Center itself receives funding from the state of New York and only charges a $5 registration fee for the cost of the trophies at the end of the season.

Asarese has inspired multiple generations through his leadership and commitment to keeping kids safe from the streets by forming multiple leagues in sports.

Some of them have stayed after they stopped playing to help support it.

“I grew up in the league since I was seven and I played all the way till I was 16, then I came back to referee the past two years,” said Marco Marrero, a 21-year-old student at D’Youville College. “The experience here is unique and it kept me off the streets, the league teaches kids sportsmanship and some of them build relationships here that continue to high school.”

Darryl HIll, one of the coaches in the league, feels that the league is based around family.

“A lot of these kids that look forward to playing hockey bring their moms and dads out to support them and sometimes even their whole family, not a whole lot of places around here does that.” Hill said.

The league has been around since 1970, nineteen years before the community center was constructed.

During those nineteen years, the league was played outdoors on the playground next to the center that used to belong to the Nativity Church that is now closed.

“When we built the playground there were no lights, so we contacted Niagara Mohawk to install lights and all we needed to do was pay the electric bill each month.”

At one point, the league once had 24 teams and had games five days a week. The league since then has shrunk down to four teams in three different age groups ages 8 to 10, 11 to 12 and 13 to 15.

Asarese created the league to give kids in the area an opportunity to play without having the need to spend a lot of money for ice hockey.

“It is an alternative to ice hockey, it gives kids who didn’t or don’t have a lot of money a chance to play,” Asarese said. “I wanted to keep the kids busy in the winter time, we needed something kids wanted to play.”

Even with the new blue gym floor that was installed before the season began, most of the equipment used by the kids are outdated and torn. There is also a need for more bleachers for fans to sit and watch the games.

The Center itself was almost shut down last summer when their five year contract with Erie County expired.

With the needs of new equipment and the growing concern for support, the league is in need of assistance from sources outside the state.

But even after 40 years, the league continues to push forward and the support from the community has never wavered. Asarese who is a member of the Greater Buffalo Sports Hall of Fame, has fought through these concerns and wants this league to continue long after he leaves this earth.

Even though the floor, the bleachers, and the players themselves have changed, it is still his league, his creation, and his passion for kids that has inspired multiple generations to have a positive impact on society.

Special thanks to Anthony Howard for contributing to the article.

Photo: A half century of commitment. 84-year-old Ottavino “Tovie” Asarese (far right), watches intently during a floor hockey game at the Asarese-Matters Community Center on 50 Rees Street in Buffalo last Monday night. Asarese is the founder and commissioner of the West Side Play Area Street Hockey League and is a member in the Greater Buffalo Sports Hall of Fame.

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Rochester Hockey News

28

Rochester Hockey News Maksymum Juniors Enter Playoffs Ranked 11th in Empire Junior Hockey League The Maksymum Junior Hockey Club finished the regular season on a hot streak winning six of their final seven games to enter the Empire Junior Hockey League playoffs as the 11th seed.

Maksymum finished the season fourth in the Western Conference with a record of 23-14-2 and 49 points. The club was especially strong at home, finishing with a 12-4 mark at the Sports Centre at MCC. The club finished the season ranked ninth in the 31team EmJHL on the penalty kill, killing off 86.26% of their opponents’ power play opportunities.

Leading the way for the Maksymum offense is Kevin DiMagno (47 points) and Michael Whitehair (45 points).

DiMagno also chipped in 8 power play goals to lead the team. Goaltender Ian Sylves has played well, finishing 11th in the league with a 2.51 goals against average in 30 games.

The Empire playoffs are being held on March 1417th in Wayne, NJ. The best 16 teams out of the 31team league will participate. Teams will be divided into pools of four teams and play in a round-robin format on Thursday and Friday. Winners and runners-up from each pool will advance to the quarterfinals on Saturday, with the semifinals and final on Sunday.

The league champion will advance to the National Tournament in Minnesota.

Maksymum will be in a pool with the third-seeded Junior Bruins, sixth-seeded Philadelphia Revolution, and the 14 seed Suffolk Juniors. Maksymum went 2-2 against their pool opponents during the regular season, losing to the Junior Bruins twice and defeating the Revolution 4-3 and beating Suffolk 4-0.

Maksymum Stars U16AAA Win EJEPL Championship

Joey Saraceni (left) accepts the MVP award, while Chris Peters is presented the EJEPL Championship Trophy.

(Stars Photo) In the opening game, the Stars defeated the Islanders Hockey Club 9-3, led by three goals from Austin Pieniaszek and two from Chris Peters. Matt Buchbinder started off the scoring with a strong rush from his defensive position.

The second game saw the Stars beat New York Apple Core 5-1. Chris Vella scored two goals and Nick Pulli chipped in two assists to lead the scoring. The Stars then battled the Connecticut Oilers in their final preliminary game, a back-and-forth contest that ended in a 5-4 victory for the Stars. Jimmy Pelton scored two goals to lead the Stars attack.

In the semifinals, the Stars faced a physical Boston Junior Bruins squad. Behind stellar goaltending from Shane Fuller, physical play from Jake Schultz, and a staunch defensive effort led by Kevin O’Brien, Liam Flaherty, and Jared Kachaylo, the Stars prevailed 1-0 on a goal by Joey Saraceni. Fuller made 21 saves to earn the shutout.

The finals saw a rematch with the swift skating Oilers, with the Stars prevailing 5-4. Saraceni scored the fourth and fifth goals to give the Stars the winning margin.

Tyler Cavalier added two goals and Austin Guyett added one to round out the scoring. Zach Nowak contributed strong forechecking and chipped in an assist. Saraceni was named the Playoff MVP. The team will now prepare for the New York State Championship Tournament, being held March 15-17 in Amherst, NY. Members of the team are: Liam Flaherty and Kevin O’Brien (Victor), Matt Buchbinder and Chris Peters (Fairport), Ritchie Francis and Joey Saraceni (Batavia), Matt Damelio and Tyler Cavalier (Webster), Austin Guyett and Jake Schultz (Greece), Chris Vella and Austin Pieniaszek (Hilton), Shane Fuller and Nick Pulli (McQuaid), Monty Cunningham (Pittsford), Jared Kachaylo (Penfield), Zach Nowak (Brockport) and Jimmy Pelton (West Genesee).

Rochester Stars Advance to EJHL Quarterfinals The Maksymum Stars U16AAA team won the inauguarl EJEPL Championship on February 24th. (Stars Photo) The Maksymum Stars U 16AAA hockey team, formed in a partnership between Rochester Youth Hockey and Maksymum Hockey, won the Eastern Junior Elite Prospect League Championship on February 24th in Hookset, NH. The Stars, coached by Dave Maksymiu and Jared Blank, finished the regular season with a record of 143-3 to earn a three seed in the EJEPL Playoffs. In the preliminary round, the Stars went undefeated, winning three games by a combined score of 19-8.

With a 1-0 overtime victory in the deciding minigame, the Rochester Stars won the play-in series against New York Apple Core to advance to the quarterfinals of the Eastern Junior Hockey League Playoffs.

Rochester overcame a 3-1 deficit in Game 1 to win 4-3 in overtime. Oliver Lindholm found the back of the net with 0.9 seconds left in regulation to tie the game at 3-3 and force the extra period. Defenseman Kevin Zugec scored 1:21 into overtime to give the Stars the win.

Game 2 found Rochester down early again, facing a 2-1 deficit in the first period. Matt Esposito tied the game at 2-2 with 11 seconds remaining in the first

WNYHockeyReport.com

period. In the second period, Apple Core again went ahead, but Tyler Wolf evened the score with 12 seconds remaining in the period. It was the fifth straight period in which the Stars scored a goal with less than a minute on the clock.

After Shaun Patry scored on the power play early in the third period to give Rochester a 4-3 advantage, Apple Core answered back with two goals in three minutes to take a 5-4 lead. Apple Core would hang on to their one goal advantage to force the deciding minigame.

Game 3 saw a scoreless mini-game, which lead to sudden-death overtime. Just 3:30 into overtime, Esposito redirected a Lindholm shot to give the Stars the win and a spot in the EJHL quarterfinals.

The Stars top line of Lindholm (2 goals, 4 assists), Esposito (2 goals, 3 assists), and Patry (1 goal, 4 assists) scored five of Rochester’s 10 goals and had a hand in both game winners in the series.

Rochester faced the third-seeded Islanders in the quarterfinals on March 2nd and 3rd in Tyngsborough, MA. The Stars were defeated by the Islanders 8-3 and 6-0 and were eliminated from the EJHL Playoffs. Overall it was the most successful Stars season to date and will give the franchise momentum heading into the 20132014 EJHL season.

Maksymiu Chosen EJHL Coach of the Year Congratulation to Coach Tony Maksymiu for being named EJHL Coach of the Year for the 2012-13 season.

In addition to coaching his EJHL team, Coach Tony also coaches Rochester Youths U14 AAA team. The EJHL Coach of the Year award was voted on by fellow EJHL coaches.

He lead the Stars to the EJHL quarterfinals after finishing the regular season in fourth place in the EJHL Northern Division with a record of 24-15-5. The Stars ended the regular season by winning six of their final nine contests this season and have improved their record every year under Tony, progressing from 13 wins in 2010-2011, to 15 wins in 2011-2012, and to 24 this season.

Accolades Congratulations to the Rochester Stars U16AAA team for winning the NYS USA Hockey championship game vs. the Buffalo Jr. Sabres with a thrilling 2-1 Overtime win. The U16AAA team also won the Eastern Junior Elite Prospects League Championship earlier this month.

The U16 team is a partnership between Maksymum Hockey and Rochester Youth Hockey. It’s coached by Dave Maksymiu who also coaches the RYH squirt minor travel team.

Rochester Hockey News Reese Burek, Adam Kolcon, Kevin Wall: Reese Burek, Adam Kolcon, and Kevin Wall from Rochester Youth’s U12 team were selected and competed in the 53rd Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournament from Feb. 14-24, 2013 as part of the Buffalo Jr Sabres select team.

The 11 day tournament was held at Pepsi Coliseum in Quebec. Pictured left to right is Reese, Adam, and Kevin.

The Squirt Major AAA team capped of a great season by winning the WNYAHL league title and playoff championship.

T h e team consisted of Andrew Balcn, Pieter Bartelse, Brecken Catalano, Jude Cole, luc Fedele, Zach Fichtner, Jeremy Hopsicker, Trevor MacDonald, Jack McCandliss, Hunter McDonald, Sean Murry, Lenny Perno, Spencer Quinn, Trevor Schmidt, Griffin Tominez and Tucker Velepec. Coaches are Brian Fedele, Len Perno, Tom McDonald, Dave Velepec and Tom Fichtner.

Bantam Minor AA (Red): RYH’s Bantam Minor won the March Classic in Marlborough. The team opened up the tournament Friday morning with a 4-1 victory over the Mamaroneck Tigers. The second game of the day resulted in a 3-1 loss to Beaver Dam Club out of WNYHockeyReport_Mar2013.pdf 1 3/11/13 11:37 PM

Long Island.

Rochester b o u n c e d back Friday night with a dominating performance over the Duxbury Dragons with 9-1 win. resulted in a Rochester carried this momentum into the championship game which was a rematch against Beaver Dam Club. Rochester would get its revenge with a commanding 4-1 victory to seal the championship and take home the trophy.

The Bantam Minor (Red) team was the only all ‘99 team in the mixed major tournament.

The coaching staff and parents are extremely proud of the entire team which demonstrated sportsmanship and superior play all weekend. Go RYH!!

The RYH Bantam Minor AA team won the Pittsburgh Presidents Cup the weekend of February 16th -18th.

The weekend started out with a loss to the Southgate Senators 5-3 on Saturday February 16. The team was able to re-group and get on track with a win later Saturday over the Lehigh Valley Flames 5-2. After winning the

29

final round robin game Sunday afternoon over the Delaware Ducks 5-0, the Amerks finished 2-1 and tied with 4 points with 3 other teams for semi-final spots.

Tiebreakers gave the Amerks the 1st seed and a rematch with the Delaware Ducks in the semis just hours later.

The Amerks scored midway through the first period to take a 1-0 lead into the 2nd. Late in the 2nd period, the Ducks tied the game. The Amerks poured 19 shots on the Ducks in the 3rd period and scored the game winner with 4 seconds left in the game on a shot from the point to win 2-1. The win earned the Amerks a place in Monday’s Championship against the Lehigh Valley Flames. Injuries and departures due to vacation, left the Amerks with 11 skaters for the Championship game.

The Amerks showed up, determined and focused for the game and charged out to a 5-0 lead by the midway point of the first period and cruised to a 7-1 win. Great teamwork, discipline, defense and goaltending led the team to 4 straight wins and the Championship.

2013-2014 Stars Junior Tryouts The Stars will be hosting tryouts for the upcoming EJHL season at the Sports Centre at MCC in Rochester.

Tryouts will be held on Saturday April 13th from 2:00 – 5:00 PM and Sunday April 14th from 12:00 – 5:00 PM. The cost is $125.

Exact player itinerary will be sent upon receipt of player registration. To download a player registration form, please visit www.maksymum.com. Players also are to obtain a USA Hockey registration number online at www.usahockey.com prior to tryouts. Nor organizational release is necessary.

For more information please contact coach/GM Tony Maksymiu at 585-426-8488 or at tony@maksymum.com.

Continued on next page

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Feature

30

Brian Duff

by Randy Schultz Randy@wnyhockeyreport.com “My arrival in Buffalo and becoming a part of the Buffalo Sabres broadcasts were about 36 years in the making.”

That is how Brian Duff described why he left a high profile job working with the NHL Network, including being host of “NHL On The Fly” and “NHL Tonight” to come to Buffalo to be the in-game host for all Sabres broadcasts.

“I grew up in a house just east of Toronto (Whitby, Ontario),” recalled Duff. “It was probably one of the rarest households in Southern Ontario in the fact that there wasn’t a Toronto Maple Leafs fan in the house.

“My mother, even to this day, is a diehard Sabres fan.

I became a Sabres fan.

“My dad and my sister are Montreal Canadiens fans. It made for an interesting rivalry in the household.”

Besides his stint with the NHL Network, there were several other stops along the way for Duff before arriving in the Western New York area. That included six years as the pre and post-game host for Toronto Maple Leafs hockey on Leafs TV. Duff also had stints as the radio host for the pre and post-game for the Ottawa Senators and Edmonton Oilers.

“When I found out that there was an opening in Buffalo with the Sabres broadcast I jumped at it,” stated Duff, who resides in Hamburg with his wife, Leilon and their two children, Isabelle and Rhiannon.“I began last season on a part-time basis.

“And then I moved to this full-time position this year.”

While Duff had visited the Western New York area many times over the years, now that he is a resident in the area does he view it differently?

“I became a Sabres season-ticket holder long before I Rochester Hockey Continued from page 29 Moving young men on to college hockey is the goal of the EJHL and from 2010 to 2012 the league has produced over 300 college hockey players. The Stars are proud to be a part of that success, and have two more players committed to play college hockey next season.

Bobby Sokol Commits to Hobart College Stars forward Bobby Sokol has committed to play college hockey for Division III Hobart College.

The Belle Vernon, PA native was the leading scorer on the Stars with 49 points in the 2012-2013 regular season, which tied for 13th best in the EJHL. Sokol scored 17 goals and 32 assists in 45 games for the Stars this season. Last

got here,” answered Duff. “I did it so my mom to get to some of the games.

“I also did it for charitable reasons because those game she couldn’t attend I could donate the tickets to charitable causes to raise money.

“Now I’ve been able to discover the smaller communities that surround Buffalo. I’ve gotten to know more people.

“I’ve also discovered the great schools that are here for our children. And even though I lived in the Northtown area as a part-timer here last year, I’ve now discovered that the Southtowns are a great place to live and have a lot to offer.

“It’s been told to me how underrated the area is. The longer I’ve been here the more I find that to be true.

“This area offers a lot especially with recreational activities, culture and restaurants. I think this is a great land of opportunity and an area that can experience some great things in the next ten to twenty years.”

It also helps that Duff is in a great location during Sabres broadcasts.

“We’re right there at the 200-level with the fans right in front of us,” commented Duff. “I think that’s been the biggest difference for me moving over from a National Broadcast.

“Now I’m back in the arena every day. I’m there for the game-day skate, the game itself and even in the room after the game to talk to the players.

“It’s really put me back in touch with the fans and the game again.”

Duff has also become involved in the WNY community through charity work. One group that he has become close with is the Alix Rice Peace Park Foundation.

“Our mission is to get a skatepark built in Alix’s memory,” remarked Duff, who is vice-president of the Board of Directors for the Foundation. “As many people know Alix was a great skateboard enthusiast.

“The generosity of the community towards this has season, Sokol totaled 26 points in 41 games.

“Bobby displayed his tremendous offensive ability this season by leading our team in points,” said Stars head coach Tony Maksymiu. “He was a great leader for our team and is the consummate team player, constantly sacrificing for the betterment of the team. Bob should be able to slide right into their model and produce immediately.”

Hobart, located in Geneva, NY, competes in the ECAC West. The Statesmen won the ECAC West championship in 2012 and finished second in the conference in 2013 with a 19-5-2 record.

Travis Walls Commits to Bethel University Stars defensemen Travis Walls has committed to play college hockey for Division III Bethel University.

Walls joined the Stars after spending the previous EJHL season with the Capital District Selects. In 39 games for the Stars in the 2012-2013 season, the Flower Mound, TX native scored a goal and added six assists. The blueliner

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been overwhelming. The most recent fundraiser we had has been the most successful one yet.

“On a Sunday afternoon, when the weather was brilliant, when people could have been doing anything else, they chose to fill the Main-Transit Fire Hall in Williamsville to capacity and raised over $20,000.

“It was truly amazing.”

But Duff has found out something even more amazing.

“The one thing that I’ve found that is extremely important and rewarding is from a parental point of view. As a parent, it destroys a part of you when you have to see other parents going through something like Alix’s parents have.

“Through my involvement in this, along with my wife, we have found that our kids, even at an early age, are 100 percent on board with what we are doing.

“So from a parental point of view, I think the greatest message I can deliver is to be able to get your kids involved and show them that giving back is important.

“I think hockey parents are in this world already.

They do fundraisers for their teams.

“All kids see that it is great to raise money for themselves and even greater to raise money for others.

It is so important.

“You can do a lot of good to help the community you live in.

“The kids get it. That’s what is important.” was a consistent player for the Stars according to head coach Tony Maksymiu.

“Travis is an excellent positional defenseman. He is always willing to learn and improve his game,” said Maksymiu. “He was also a great person to have in our locker room. Bethel is going to be a great fit for his style.”

Bethel, located in Arden Hills, MN, a suburb of St. Paul, plays in the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference.

Walls and Sokol bring the total number of Stars players who have committed to play college hockey next season to four, joining Dylan Shapiro (UMass Lowell) and Matt Esposito (SUNY Oswergo).

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