WNY Hockey Report

September 2011

Volume 1, Issue 2

Buffalo Shamrocks & Mark Messier A Great Combo!

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d e m M a N G a c res e P ab S r o i un

P.O.Box 302 East Aurora, NY 14052 (716) 909-2961

Western New York Hockey

Managing Partner Ian C. Woods Marketing Ned McDonnell

Community Service Develops Leadership

Publisher Steve Manson Managing Editor & Senior Correspondent Randy Schultz Designer & Photographer Janet Schultz Columnists Warren Kozireski Janet Schultz Dave Reichert Mike Mroziak

WESTERN NEW YORK 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.

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Contents 2011 Western New York Hockey Report.

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Contributing Writers James Fink Mike Haim Dave Ricci

September 2011

By Randy Schultz Photos by Tom Barnett

S

ummertime is usually a time for Western New York youth hockey teams to relax. But for the Buffalo Shamrocks hockey organization it is a time to give back.

“Ten years ago my wife and I discussed ideas of how we could come up with an idea of keeping the kids in the Shamrocks organization together over the summer,” recalled Tom Barnett, founder of the Buffalo Shamrocks. “We came up with several different ideas including visits to local hospitals.

“Then we came up with the idea for the zoo.”

There were other ideas that Barnett wanted to implement with this program.

“We wanted something where the kids could give something back to the community,” continued Barnett. “And we wanted to have them do it as kids, instead of waiting until they were older as adults.

“Plus, you have to remember that we are a non-resident program. We have kids in our program from Buffalo, Snyder, Williamsville, Lancaster, Depew, East Aurora, Hamburg, Strikersville, Grand Island, Kenmore and Tonawanda.

“While we have a very high retention rate in our program, most of the kids don’t live that close to each other. They would see each other during the hockey season, but what about the spring and summer?

“So I went to Donna Fernandes from the Buffalo Zoo and promoted the idea of our kids planting a garden, taking care of it, harvesting it for the Zoo. I wanted a long term investment and a long term deal.

“After talking to Donna and members of their Board, I went home. A couple weeks went by and I ran into Donna.

“That’s when she told me the good news that the Zoo’s Board liked the idea and wanted us to go ahead with it. We chose the area where we wanted to start our garden.

“That was 10 years ago. It has grown a little bit more every year and today is a pretty good size garden.

“And we do everything with it. We plant it in the spring.

“We water it, which was fun in the beginning when we had to carry buckets of water to water the garden. Today Donna makes sure that we have a tap near the garden so we don’t have to carry buckets anymore.

“We worked over the garden, pulled the weeds, each week or so doing a little more. Then we would harvest our crops which included tomatoes, peppers, pumpkins, squash, cucumbers, among other things, and feed it to the animals in the zoo.

“And we researched every vegetable we grow to make sure it won’t hurt the animals in the zoo. Even the flowers we grow can be eaten by the animals.”

So what have the kids found out about themselves?

“It’s amazing to see how they work so well together,” answered Barnett. “You have snipers working along side the grinders on our teams.

“The defenseman working with a goalie. They find out things about each other that they didn’t know before the project or see during the regular season.

“In the end it’s a real team building effort. Leadership also evolves, sometimes from players you wouldn’t expect it from.

“In the end the kids see a complete cycle of life. Planting the plants and then harvesting the crop. It’s truly a ‘growing’ experience.

“It’s a win-win situation for everyone.t

Cover Photo provided by Buffalo Shamrocks Hockey. Peca photo by Janet Schultz.

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Western New York Hockey

4

Junior Sabres Take Chowder Cup Title

By Michael Mroziak

A

Buffalo Junior Sabres squad made up of players from the Junior A and 18-Under hockey levels went undefeated and claimed the College Open Division Championship at the 2011 Chowder Cup Tournament in suburban Boston. This highly acclaimed tournament attracts teams each year from all over the United States and Canada.

The Jr. Sabres opened the tournament on Thursday, July 21 with a 3-0 shutout victory over Toronto-based Arsenal Hockey.

Shane Bennett scored twice for the Jr. Sabres while Nick Berst added his own tally. Tyler Fallica earned the shutout in the Buffalo net.

The Jr. Sabres’ next game the following day was essentially no contest, as the boys in blue and gold rolled over an undermanned North Coast Hockey Development squad from the Cleveland-Akron area, 15-0. Kennedy Monaco scored a hat trick while Bennett, Ryan Schmelzer, Connor Boyd and Nick Smith scored two goals apiece.

Chris Luker, Dylan Howatt, Bryan Komasara and Nolan Sheeran scored single goals for Buffalo while goalie Parker Gahagen earned the shutout win.

Buffalo’s momentum carried into Saturday, July 23. Bennett’s 4-goal performance led the Jr. Sabres in an 8-2 win over one of the local teams, the Mass Attack. Berst, Monaco, Max Mikowski and Sean Patry completed Buffalo’s goal scoring. Tyler Fallica

September 2011

started in the net for Buffalo and earned his second win of the tournament.

On Sunday, July 24 the playoff round began, played as a series of one-period mini-games. Buffalo started its playoff run with a 2-0 win over the Assabet Valley Patriots. Howatt and Sheeran scored Buffalo’s two goals. Next up was another Boston-area team, the New England Nordiques. Boyd opened the scoring about 2 minutes into the game to give Buffalo a 1-0 lead but the Nordiques evened the score just under 6 minutes later. Howatt’s goal restored Buffalo’s lead while Bennett’s tally secured a 3-1 victory.

Next up on this busy Sunday was a match against the Quebec Prospects, which the Jr. Sabres won, 4-1. Buffalo took the lead about 8 ½ minutes into the contest on Komasara’s goal. Smith, Patry and Berst added goals, while Quebec’s Jordan Boucher-Gould scored a late goal that did nothing more than foil Parker Gahagen’s shutout bid.

Buffalo then faced the Connecticut Yankees for the title, in a game that was low in scoring and high in rough play. Buffalo opened the scoring with Kollin Schultz’s goal 9:45 into the game.

Mikowski’s power play goal built Buffalo’s lead but the Yankees threatened to tie the game late with its own power play tally. Buffalo held on, though, to win the game and the Chowder Cup. The players will soon report to their respective teams, with the Buffalo Jr. Sabres’ Junior-A squad preparing to open its Ontario Junior Hockey League season on Saturday, September 10 at home against Newmarket.t

Saturday, Sept. 10 vs Newmarket Hurricanes @ 7:30 p.m.

Tuesday, Sept. 13 vs Oakville Blades @ 7:30 p.m.

Sunday, Sept. 18 vs Burlington Cougars @ 7 p.m.

Tuesday, Sept. 20 vs Hamilton Red Wings @ 7:30 p.m.

Monday, Sept. 26 vs Aurora Tigers @ 7:30 p.m.

All games are held on the Feature Rink at the Northtowns Center, Amherst

September Home Games

Western New York Hockey

September 2011

T

he 2011-12 season is just weeks from starting. For me it begins when I receive the Buffalo Sabres training camp announcement and from there, it rolls.

The news around the WNY Girls Varsity Ice Hockey Federation is that the same number of schools and teams will participate this year. Funding is still an issue for several of the teams but their supporters are out there fundraising and friendraising. If you own a business, or are involved with a company that wants to help let me know and I’ll direct you to the right person.

We look forward to having Monsignor Martin and Williamsville battle for first place and hopefully, see the other five teams battle to boost them out. I know the girls have been on the ice this summer, attending camps and keeping in shape. We also will see some new faces as the Seniors have moved on.

Moving on for most means college and those coaches have been working hard all summer getting their 2011 recruits into place.

Most Division I schools have their rosters up and I’m waiting to hear from the DIII schools.

Niagara University’s Coach Chris MacKenzie has selected WNY’er Kelsey Welch as one of his eight new recruits for this season.

Welch played 71 games during her two years at Syracuse University, scoring her first collegiate goal against Rensselaer in 2009. She was Team Captain and MVP at Nichols High School and also played with the Buffalo Bisons taking the state championship six times and going to nationals seven times.

His other recruits include Kalli Funk of St. Paul, Minn. Funk played Kelsey Welch for Cretin-Durham High School where she was the leader in goals and points for the 2008 and 2010 seasons. Delaney Middlebrook also hails from St. Paul where she played for St. Paul Academy and the Minnesota Ice Caps. She holds the distinction of having played the most varsity games with 157 and the most points scored by a defenseman with 88.

Coming from across the border are Amy Helfrich of Cochrane, Alberta. Helfrich played for the gold medal team of the 2011 Canada Winter Games, Team Alberta.

She received an invitation to Team Canada U-18 in both May 2010 and August 2010. Kayla Raniwsky is a forward from Windsor where she played for WF Herman Secondary School and led the Southwest Wildcats with 42 points in 36 games.

Erin Burns is a defenseman from Listowel, Ontario and also comes from Syracuse University. She played in 38 games in her two years with the Orange and was the CHA Rookie of the Week in November 2009.

Kelsey Gunn of Smith Falls played on Team Ontario’s U-18 Hockey Team and was Smith Falls District Collegiate Institute 2009 Female Hockey Player of the Year. Goalie Abby Ryplanski of Manitoba was a JWHL Liz Turgeon Player of the Year nominee, named to the JWHL Second All-Star Team and was a member of Team Manitoba from 2009 to 2011. She also competed in the 2011 Canada Winter Games and played for the Balmoral Hall Blazers Prep Team.

“They bring a commitment to academics, community service and a team first attitude,” said Coach MacKenzie of his new recruits. “I know they will compliment our returning players as we attempt to win our first CHA championship in 2012.”

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alumnae relations for the program, including coordinating "Maddy's Game" the annual women's hockey reunion game. Overbeck has additional previous coaching experience as an assistant with the Ken-Ton Girls High School hockey team during the inaugural season of the WNY Girls Varsity Ice Hockey League.

Syracuse Adds Eight Syracuse, now in its third season, has added two defense and six forwards to their roster. Kaillie Goodnough comes from Mannsville, New York and the National Sports Academy. She recorded 39 goals, 78 assists and finished +100 in her career at the Academy.

Four other players hail from the United States including Defense Jordyn Burns, Shiann Darkangelo, Nicole Ferrara, Casey Hirsch and Allie LaCombe.

Burns, Chanhassen, Minn. led the Benilde-St. Margaret’s High School team to an overall record of 76-16-6 during her four year career. She was Team MVP and Team Captain in both her junior and senior years.

Darkangelo comes from Brighton, Michigan and was a member of Team USA squad that won the gold medal at the 2011 IIHF Women’s World U18 Championship. While attending high school she played for Little Caesars tallying 71 goals and 80 assists in 192 games.

Ferrara of Winthrop, Mass., had 46 goals and 44 assists in the 79 games she played in her career at Rivers School. She also has attended a number of USA National Camps and competed for Assabet Valley, winning six National Championships from 2004-06 and 2008-10.

Hirsch comes from Maple Grove, Minn. where she played center on the Maple Grove high school team. She recorded 49 goals and 86 assists in her career and took part in the National Development Camp. During the summers she played for the Minnesota Ice Caps organization.

LaCombe joins her cousin Christina LaCombe in Syracuse. LaCombe comes from Eden Prairie, Minn. She was a semifinalist for the 2011 Minnesota Ms Hockey Award and ranks third all-time in career points at Eden Prairie High with 173. She also played for the Minnesota Wild Caps during the summer.

Forwards Laurie Kingsbury and Julie Kneer come from Quebec. Kingsbury played her career at Cegep de St. Laurent, where she recorded 18 goals and 14 assists in 29 games. and played with Team Canada at the IIHF Women’s World U18 Championship in 2009 and 2010. Knerr had 17 goals and 28 assists in 59 games for John Abbott College. At College Bourget she was the three-time Female Athlete of the Year.

Women’s Ice Hockey

by Janet Schultz Janetschultz@yahoo.com

Overbeck Promoted on Buffalo State Women’s Hockey Staff

Jamie Overbeck

Former standout player and current staff member Jamie Overbeck has been promoted to First Assistant Coach on the Buffalo State Women's Hockey staff.

Overbeck joined the Bengals’ coaching staff in 2007-08, one year after completing her four-year playing career in the orange and black. In her new role, she will play a key role in player-coach communication as well as assisting with all other facets of the program. Overbeck will also oversee all

Cornell News Eight members of the 2011-12 Cornell women’s ice hockey team have been invited to the Canada Under-22 National Team Selection Camp. These women are among 40 invited. No other program had more players invited. Invited were: Goaltender Amanda Mazzotta; Defenseman Hayleigh Cudmore, Laura Forting, Lauriane Rougeau; Forwards Jessica Campbell, Brianne Jenner, Chelsea Karpenko, Jillian Saulnier and Catherine White. Karpenko was unable to attend.

In addition to those players invited, the Big Red’s Rebecca Johnson is a member of the Canada National Women’s Team.

If you want to follow Cornell University Women’s Ice Hockey make sure you go to Twitter (@Cornellsports); friend them on Facebook (Cornell Athletics) and subscribe to YouTube channel (Cornell Athletics).

RIT Announces Class of 2015 RIT Head Coach Scott McDonald announced the addition of seven studentathletes to the RIT squad. They include four forwards, two defensemen and a goalie.

Up front are Lindsay Grigg of Oakville Hornets; Julie Hall, Mississauga Chiefs; Marissa Maugeri, Durham West Lightning and Celeste Brown from the National Sports Academy.

On defense will be Emilee Bullied and Morgan Scoyne, both coming from the Stoney Creek Sabres.

In net Ali Binnington comes from the Mississauga Chiefs where she helped them take the Ontario Provincial Championship. (continued on next page)

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Western New York Hockey

McDonald also announced that Chelsea Walkland will join the women’s program as an assistant coach. She will work on recruitment, game-day and practice day preparation and mentor the RIT student-athletes. Walkland, a native of Henrietta, played at Division I Robert Morris and served as their Hockey Operations Manager while working on her master’s degree in instructional leadership.

Walkland played for the Rochester Edge, serving as assistant captain from 2004-06 and also played two seasons of boy’s varsity hockey at Rush-Henrietta High School where she took the Coaches Award in 2005. She also was with the Western Region at the 2005 Empire State Games, taking the gold medal.

North Buffalo Bisons

Bantam A Travel ALL

University of Buffalo

Bantam Majors and Minors Welcome!

USA Hockey is looking for associations and rinks to host opportunities to celebrate, build awareness and grow girls’ hockey. In order to do this they have set Sunday, October 2, as Girls’ Hockey Day across the United States.

They are asking organizations to host events that will bring girls to the rink to learn the sport. If your organization is interested in taking part go to the USA Hockey website at usahockey.org. Ideas include a season kick-off party, skating party, and skills clinic.

If you do schedule an event please contact WNY Hockey Report, Janet Schultz, at Janetschultz@yahoo.com.

Note: A correction to the WNYGVIH All League Selections. Under Honorable Mention it should have been Katie Page from Frontier/Orchard Park, not Grace.

Both Grace and Katie play. t

716-832-7495

It’s been a hard year for the Lady Ice Bulls as they played the fourth hardest schedule in the country last season with a really young team and one of the top goalies in the country in Western New York’s own A.J. Sliwinski.

The majority of the team will return for the 2011 season keeping a strong core of players. Along with Sliwinski, of Clarence, will be Buffalo’s Katelyn Bothwell and Brittany Fields, Fallon Waxman (Long Island), Katie Wrona (Massachusetts), Alison Edwards (Ogdensburg) and Chelsea Eppolito (Clayton).

Two WNY’ers are joining the Lady Ice Bulls this year. Lockport’s Alexandria Colling and Kenmore’s Maggie Ryan will be among the new faces on the ice.

“We usually get quality walk on’s that show up on tryout days,” said Coach Jody Rosen.

Girls Hockey Day Set

September 2011

EVERYONE

will have fun and learn!

STILL LOOKING FOR A FEW PLAYERS FOR THE UPCOMING 2011 - 2012 SEASON

INCLUDES Skating clinic conducted every other week throughout the ENTIRE SEASON! We will participate in at least 3 tournaments.

Coach Tom 716-832-7495 or Wendy 716-465-8667

Western New York Hockey

September 2011

Buffalo Junior Sabres: Where The Past & Future Meet

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“I want all our best players from Western New York and surrounding area to look at our program as their undisputed first choice,” Peca said. “I cringe watching a lot of our best kids moving away at 15 to 17 years old to go somewhere else. I want to change that.”

More recently, the Junior Sabres have made their presence more noticeable

By Michael Mroziak in the local hockey community. This past spring, for example, the Sabres and Sabres Alumni struck a deal Grant Ledyard (l) and Larry Playfair (r) welcome the return of hen he joined the with the Buffalo Regals youth organization to Michael Peca to Buffalo! Peca will serve as the General Manager Buffalo Sabres in rename two of its divisions Junior Sabres of the Buffalo Junior Sabres. (Photo by Michael Mroziak) 1995, Michael Peca 16-Under and Junior Sabres 18-Under. quickly rose to become a team Also this spring, more than 200 prospects leader and a fan favorite. His strong attended the Junior Sabres’ tryouts at the play earned him the National Northtown Center at Amherst.

Hockey League’s Selke Award “I think word is getting out (best defensive forward) in that we’re starting to move,” 1997. He captained the said Playfair. “But we’re not Sabres during their run to anywhere where we want the 1999 Stanley Cup Final. to be.”

The captain is coming Lest we forget, back to lead, this time in the this team is also cofront office of the junior-A owned by Terry Pegula, hockey team bearing the whose purchase of the same name and colors he Buffalo Sabres last Febonce wore. On August 4, ruary sparked a new exMichael Peca was introcitement among Sabres duced as the new general fans. He has invested manager of the Buffalo Junconsiderable dollars to reior Sabres. build the Sabres, both its “I am most looking forroster and its facilities within ward to getting to know HSBC Arena. The Junior these kids and start getting Sabres, oddly enough, may their young careers and benefit more from one of Pegdreams headed in the right ula’s other major hockey indirection,” said Peca. vestments.

“Along with that, I am very eager to start getting around the Western New York Before buying the Sabres, Pegula invested millions to help build a new arena area and scouting the great talent pool we have here. We want to provide a proat Penn State University, which is launching a NCAA Division I-A hockey program that is as good as any in the country.” gram. Could there be an ironic return on his investment in the future, with Junior Peca is the fourth former Sabres player to currently hold a role with the junSabres shaping Penn State’s new era in college hockey? ior team, which is co-owned and operated by the Buffalo Sabres Alumni Associa“They know we’ve got a lot of great hockey players in Buffalo, New York,” tion. said Peca. “They see an opportunity to have great hockey players from Western Larry Playfair, who is president of the Alumni Association, is also the junior New York possibly start filling spots with the Penn State Nittany Lions. team’s president. Grant Ledyard is the team’s head coach. Ric Seiling, who has “There’s a great synergy throughout the whole organization to allow this to spent the past few seasons broadcasting for the Rochester Americans, will serve be a very strong program, and that’s what our mission is.”t as the play-by-play announcer for Junior Sabres broadcasts.

Since the Buffalo Sabres and Buffalo Sabres Alumni Association bought the team in 2008, Ledyard had been handling both general manager and coaching duties. By bringing Peca aboard, Ledyard will be freed to focus more on coaching and player development. As Playfair explained, Ledyard faces the challenge of preparing a squad that will take on intensified competition in the Ontario Junior Hockey League, where the Junior Sabres are the only U.S.-based franchise. n the meantime, the Sabres and Sabres Alumni have also worked to change “Grant Ledyard has shouldered the lion's share of work for the Junior Sabres their community, not just in hockey. This month in Grand Island, for examfor the past two seasons,” said Playfair. “The OJHL has contracted down to 27 ple, Sabres officials teams from 36 in the past two season. The competition has become better. It will including former players be important that we allow Grant to spend more time coaching and in order to do Miracle Field under construction this Spring. will help open and dedi(Photo by Janet Schultz) this we had to take some stuff off of his plate. cate the Miracle League “With Michael interested in helping out, it was a perfect fit. Michael is going to take over some of the duties that Grant was doing and allow Grant to of Grand Island and concentrate more on what Grant is very, very good at, and that’s coaching.”

Western New York, a speThe Sabres Alumni have made it their mission to build the Junior Sabres into cially built baseball diaa model program not just for Western New York but also for junior hockey mond that features a throughout the U.S. Among those impressed with their efforts so far is the comsmooth surface to allow missioner of the league in which the Junior Sabres compete. physically challenged “The Buffalo Junior Sabres are in a very unique position having the Sabres children to enjoy baseball Alumni Association involved with the team,” said OJHL commissioner Marty like their peers.

Savoy. “The addition of Michael Peca to the management team and Ric Seiling as “(Former Sabres cothe team's broadcaster would be a tremendous addition for any team in the OJHL. owner) Dan DiPofi said to some of the alumni, we ought to get together and do With Michael and Ric joining ex-Sabres Grant Ledyard and Larry Playfair, the something big,” explained Playfair. “He said ‘let’s find something really unique Sabres Alumni are getting directly involved with the support of the Junior Sabres and something we can do.’ This actually came along at the right time.“ and their goal to advance the education and hockey careers of their players.”

Funds provided by the Sabres Alumni and Sabres Foundation were raised Although the team has been in existence since the 1970s, many local hockey through 50-50 split club sales at Sabres home games. t fans remain unaware of the junior team and its history of advancing players to

W

Sabres Alumni: Working on a Miracle

I

NCAA college hockey. The Junior Sabres, which also competed under the names Niagara Scenics and Buffalo Lightning during its history, have also helped shape careers in the NHL for players including Brian Gionta, Ryan Callahan, Todd Marchant, Aaron Miller, Kevyn Adams, Bob Beers and Jeff Farkas.

Western New York Hockey

8

O

September 2011

tion are run so well and I am excited to prove that they n July 26, reprehave made a terrific decision." sentatives from Scott Moser and Preston Shupe will serve as Canisius and Nicaptains of the Golden Griffin hockey program for the agara met with CCHA

by Warren Kozireski 2011-12 campaign.

Commissioner Fred (Warrenkozireski@yahoo.com) "These two players are terrific student-athPletsch and two memletes who are excellent leaders and role models on and bers of the league’s executive committee (Ferris State off the ice," Smith said. "They follow in the footsteps Athletics Director Perk Weisenburger and Bowling of many great captains dating back to our first varsity captain in Joe Casaci. Our Green State Associate Athletics Director Jim Elsasser) to explore the opportunicaptains have gone on to great careers and have carried with them the responsibilties of the four current members of the Atlantic Hockey Association (AHA) joinity of leadership throughout their lives." ing the CCHA. Mercyhurst and Robert Morris also attended the meeting.

Moser, who served as an assistant captain during his junior campaign, set ca"We had very open and honest discussions with representatives of the four reer highs with 21 points and nine goals last season to go along with 12 assists. schools from the AHA," said Pletsch. "And we are committed to having further During his first three seasons with the Griffs, the Tonawanda, N.Y. native has apdialogue in the future to potentially accommodate those schools, while representpeared in 98 career games with 49 points, 16 goals and 33 assists. ing the interests of our member schools that are committed to staying in the Shupe played in 32 games as a sophomore during the 2010-11 season, totalCCHA for the 2013-14 season and beyond." ing 24 points, 10 goals and 14 assists. The team's Rookie of the Year during the After the meeting, which took place on the campus of Mercyhurst College in 2009-10 campaign, Shupe has totaled 49 points, 20 goals and 29 assists in 69 caErie, Pa., the four current members of Atlantic Hockey released these comments: reer games as a Griff.

"We had a very frank and open discussion with Commissioner Pletsch and members of his executive committee about joining the CCHA. The CCHA offers SUNYAC several exciting opportunities for our institutions, however each of us feels the need to bring the information we discussed back to campus and discuss it with League officials voted to move to the two-two referee/linesman system for our school president and our hockey staff." the upcoming season. In doing so, they are the first Division III league to follow The meeting with the CCHA is in response to a drastic the Division I model. realignment of the college hockey landscape which will include and Big Ten conference and a National Collegiate GENESEO Hockey conference to both begin in 2013-14. The CCHA will lose Michigan, Ohio State and Michigan State to the Two 1981 hockey standouts will be among those inducted into the Geneseo Big Ten conference and Miami of Ohio to the NCHC. The Sports Hall of Fame in ceremonies on September 24. status of Notre Dame and Western Michigan was also unTeammates Keith Hyde and Jeff Stitt will become the 11 and 12 hockey playdecided as of this writing. ers inducted and the first since John Keady and Mark Breeden went in with the The rest of the CCHA includes Lake Superior State, 2007 class.

Ferris State, Bowling Green and Alaska-Fairbanks, which Hyde was a three-time All-SUNYAC selection while Stitt was named to the for the most part makes geographical sense with the four postseason squad twice. Stitt is still fourth all-time in career goals while Hyde is Atlantic Conference teams.

13 and 14 all-time in career points and assists respectively.

COLLEGE REPORT

R.I.T.

The Tigers will induct Tyler Euverman (2003) as one of seven individuals and one team into the Sports Hall of Fame during ceremonies on October 16th.

The Surrey, British Columbia native was an All-American and three-time All-ECAC selection. While he was in net, RIT competed in three NCAA Division III Championships.

In 2001 and 2002 he was the NCAA Division III statistical champion in winning percentage and was also MVP of two ECAC playoffs.

For his career, Euverman posted an 83-13-5 record with a .918 save percentage and 2.43 goals against average. He holds school marks for lowest GAA in a season (1.74 in 2001-02), highest save percentage in a season (.935 in 2001-02), lowest GAA in a career (2.43 from 1999-2003), highest save percentage in a career (.918) and most shutouts in a season (seven in 2000-01).

NIAGARA Greece native and former Purple Eagles defenseman Pat Oliveto was named Assistant Coach. “I am very pleased to welcome Pat and his family back to the Niagara University community,” Niagara head coach Dave Burkholder said on the Niagara website. “He was a role model on and off the ice as a student-athlete.

His experience as a professional player and his most recent coaching tenure at Buffalo State made him the best candidate for the coaching vacancy with Niagara Hockey. He brings a great deal of passion and energy back to his alma mater. He truly is the perfect fit to our staff.”

Oliveto played on the blueline for Niagara recording 10 goals, 46 assists and 56 points in 138 games. The Greece native was a member of the 2004 NCAA Tournament team while earning CHA All-Rookie team honors and was on consecutive CHA regular season championship teams (2005-06 and 2006-07) including serving as team captain his senior season.

Following graduation Oliveto spent two seasons in the East Coast Hockey League with the Mississippi Sea Wolves, before spending two seasons as an assistant coach with the Buffalo State Bengals.

CANISIUS Cory Conacher signed an American Hockey League contract with the Norfolk Admirals. He finished his four-year Griffins career holding 12 different team records.

“Signing with Norfolk and getting the opportunity to go to the Tampa Bay Lightning camp is a dream come true," Conacher said on the Canisius website. "I plan on continuing to improve as I am now faced with a new coaching staff and a new set of teammates and I plan on learning a lot from them. I am really looking forward to my time with the Norfolk Admirals. Both the team and the organiza-

FREDONIA Head coach Jeff Merideth, heading into his 24th year behind the Blue Devils bench stands 50th all-time in college hockey coaching wins. He needs just nine to tie former Canisius head coach and fellow Brockport alumni Brian Cavanaugh with 342 victories.

BROCKPORT It was ten years ago that Brockport High School ice hockey goaltender Nick Unger had a magical senior season helping his Blue Devils to a 25-2 season and their first berth in the State Final Four before losing in the quarterfinals. The team would go on to win the State Championship one year later.

Now Unger is returning home as Assistant Ice Hockey coach at the College at Brockport.

“I did want to come home,” said Unger by phone as he was packing for his move from Worcester, Massachusetts back to Western New York. “Even as a little kid playing Tri-County (Youth Hockey) I always wanted to be a part of Brockport hockey.

“Now, after being in Massachusetts for seven years plus more when I went to school, it’s going to be great to be back with family and friends to a place that I sincerely have a soft spot in my heart for.”

“That year we had my senior year I think helped prepare the team for what it would take to win in the State tournament.”

After his high school career ended, Unger briefly attended SUNY Canton but then came back to play junior hockey with the Buffalo Lightning (now called the Junior Sabres). Then he played at Nichols College.

After college graduation and summer internship with the New York Rangers of the National Hockey League, Nichols offered him an assistant coaching position where he has spent the last three years. He has also been the General Manager and Director of Hockey Operations for Puckmasters Hockey Training in Marlborough, Mass.

Unger joins the staff of Brian Dickinson, who begins his 15th season behind the Golden Eagles bench. He will be the primary recruiter, handle breaking down game video and coach the defensemen and goaltenders.

“My main job will be to find players who fit what we’re trying to accomplish,” said Unger. “I can’t wait to get started.”t Subscribe to WNY Hockey Report.

Receive One Full Season for $15 and access to WNYHockeyReport.com Go to WNYHockeyreport.com or call (716) 909-2961

Western New York Hockey

Hockey Timeline:

September 2011

9

Implementing the Season Plan

By Steve Thomson, HPHD Staff Writer-Owner

T

he July article of Hockey Timeline: Goals and Plans for a successful 201112 season reviewed the establishment of goals and season planning. As teams begin their season, it is time to implement the actions deemed necessary to achieve the goals that were established during the season planning process.

As the season progresses, circumstances will require modifications to the season plan. Nevertheless, the season plan that was developed prior to the season will still provide the primary structure to keep your team on track toward its goals.

Again, the Team Season Plan should establish specific goals, objectives and priorities and include the following training elements: *Physical (ex., endurance, speed, agility, etc.) *Technical (ex., skating, shooting, passing, etc.) *Tactical (ex., individual offensive, team offensive play, etc.) *Mental (ex., relaxation, concentration, motivation, etc.)

The final component of the Team Season Plan is a methodology to execute the season’s activities in a manner that is aligned with the achievement of the established goals. Therefore the Season Plan ultimately is embedded in the following tactical activities: Practice Plans It is important to script out your practice plan for the entire season to ensure that the plan is structured to allow teaching of all the planned training elements. A series of practices will be combined to form a training segment. When constructing the training segments keep the following in mind: Be systematic: each element of the program has a set goal supported by a specific objective in pursuit of that goal Be sequential: the program follows a logical sequence from easy to hard and simple to complex Be progressive: training loads are increased to force the body to adapt to the training demands.

All this will help ensure continuous optimal performance improvement and peak performance at the end of the season. Especially with limited ice time (due to cost and/or availability) it is important to have a clear plan for each practice throughout the season. This same topic was dis-

cussed in the August 2011 edition (The Fine Art of Practice Plans; page 12) of USA Hockey Magazine.

Assessing Team and Coaching Performance

Ongoing: Make recommendations after each practice or game. Drill sheets and game cards should have input areas.

End of Training Segment: Note whether objectives set out were met. If so, you are on track. If not, make adjustments for next segment.

Sources of Information: Sources come from you, players, coaching staff and any other related persons to the program.

Continued on Page 13

!

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10

Western New York Hockey

September 2011

West Seneca Youth Hockey Association Tournament News March 9, 10, 11, 2012 New York State Bantam Major Tier I Championship March, 2012 Annual House All Star Tournament

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Western New York Hockey

September 2011

11

Shamrocks Use of Messier Helmet Proven Effective some way, shape or form?

“We did the research over and over again. We found that there was no better helmet in the market.

“In the end, we were fair to our families. We instituted the helmet as our headhe Buffalo Shamrocks Hockey Club and Mark Messier/Cascade Sports have gear last year, but we gave all the families one year to fall into compliance. partnered together in an international educational, marketing and advertising “We had the Messier Group come in to fit our kids with their helmets. We did it program to promote the M11 hockey helmet, as well as address the issue of the right way.” concussions.

Barnett also recalled an incident last season when the value of the helmet to a “The Shamrocks are the first program globally to initiate a program-wide players head paid off. safety-first mandate exclusively using the highest rated head protection available,” “The Buffalo Shamrocks were playing commented Tom Barnett, co-founder of the Shamrocks. “There are over 500 teams the Regals in a game last season. It was a from around the world that use the Messier helmet. very competitive and good game.

“But we are the only organization that has the entire organization using the “On one particular play the puck was M11. We felt that it was the best way to go in protecting our players. dumped into the Shamrocks zone. Two “In addition, the Shamrocks have developed an educational program for our enplayers, one from the Shamrocks and the tire coaching staff and managers. It’s called a ‘Return-to-Play Protocol’ program. It other from the Regals were chasing the will instruct coaches and managers to identify an injury and when the player in puck. question will be allowed to come back.”

“The puck went behind the net. Both According to Barnett, the Protocol program almost “One of the coaches players were going full tilt. came to him like a gift from heaven. happened to take a “The Shamrocks player, Millard “A friend of mine came to me regarding a young Young, caught an edge with his skate. He man she knew of who was returning to the Western look at Millard’s went into the boards, hitting the back of New York area to do a college internship program,” his head with full force. said Barnett. “She had talked to him and found out helmet. That’s when “We thought right away this kid was that he had played hockey in college and now wanted we discovered that hurt badly. He was motionless. to give something back to the game.

“The crowd was extremely quiet. Play“So this young man, whose name is Zak Juliano, the helmet had been ers went to one knee. got in touch with me and we had a meeting. During split in two in the “The entire coaching staff ran out on the ice and circled the meeting I gave him a tour of the Shamrocks office around him. It wasn’t a pretty situation. and showed him the Messier project, including the back.” -- Tom Barnett “All of a sudden Millard rolled on his back, got up and helmet, that we were now involved in.

“It was at that point that he indicted that his studCo-founder, Buffalo Shamrocks immediately went to the faceoff circle as though nothing had happened. ies for his past two years in college dealt with mild “The coaches took him to the end of our bench, sat him traumatic brain injuries. That caught my attention imdown and went through the procedure that you go through when somebody has had mediately. a possible concussion. Millard sat there answering all our questions and smiling.

“He indicated to me that he had come up with a protocol to identify concus“He remained on the bench for the rest of the game, just as a precautionary sions. He had a 26-page booklet as well as a power point presentation. measure. After the game we were in the lockerroom.

“This young man has now been approved to be our Safety Advisor. He is going “One of the coaches happened to take a look at Millard’s helmet. That’s when to present copies of his paper and power point presentation.” we discovered that the helmet had been split in two in the back.

The Messier Project, in conjunction with the Shamrocks, is an all-encompassing “The helmet had taken the full impact of the hit and the player walked away grassroots and education initiative which aims to change priorities in hockey by enfrom it. couraging athletes to play smart and choose the best protective equipment.

“Millard got a new helmet. The organization kept the old one.

“When it comes to reducing the risk of concussions, protective equipment for “It is now in our trophy case. We think the Messier helmet works. that must come first,” continued Barnett, the first-ever winner of the Bridgestone “We think we have living proof that it works.”t Mark Messier Youth Leadership Award. “There is no doubt that players and their families spend big money on skates and sticks.

“So priorities must change so that head protection comes first. When you think about what is at stake, safety for the head must be the number one priority.”

The relationship between the Shamrocks and Messier goes back to Barnett winning the Messier Leadership award.

“We’ve maintained in contact with each other since that time,” stated Barnett.

“I found that Mark believed in what we believed in as an organization regarding hockey: sportsmanship, team play and personal responsibility.

“Our philosophies regarding how he thought youth hockey should be played and how we thought it should be played were very much alike. In the end Mark really felt that our organization should be the one that wore his helmet throughout the entire organization.

“He said what about at the beginning of the season when our organization meets, in addition to getting a jersey and a pair of socks, they would also get the Shamrock Team best helmet in the market place.

Photo courtesy “I thought it was a great idea. My only concern was the cost because hockey is Buffalo an expensive sport.

Shamrocks.

“I brought the idea to our board. They thought it was a great idea.

“But at the same time, how do we add $155 to the players bill? The more we Buffalo Shamrocks take Tom Barnett thought about it the more it became a no-brainer. to the ice Photo by “They needed a hockey helmet anyway, right? And how many times have you in their new M11 Helmet.

Janet Schultz gone into a hockey rink and saw players wearing helmets that didn’t fit right in

By Randy Schultz janetrandy@aol.com

T

12

Western New York Hockey

September 2011

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Western New York Hockey

September 2011

Hornets Punctuate the End of an Era with Ohio Rock ‘n’ Roll Tournament Victory

By Wayne Morlock and Tommy Mullen

T

he weekend of April 8 through 10 was a special one for what turned out to be the last amateur hockey team to play wearing the black and purple of the Buffalo Hornets.

First, the 18U team was taking the ice for the last time as a unit as many of the boys were aging out and moving on to college club, junior hockey and whatever else life brings. Second, the Hornets who have been in existence since 1974 will be playing going forward under their parent Buffalo Stars colors and logo. So it was a special weekend for these boys just to compete in this, their final tournament, the Cleveland Ohio Rock ‘n’ Roll Open.

Assembling a team that didn’t play together last Fall, with some not playing for two years, Coach Tommy Mullen, rolled the dice to create one last memory for the boys that he had guided over the years.

The weekend began with a hard fought 3-1 loss to the Markham Waxers, a AAA club from the Toronto area. Travis Densmore netted the only Hornet goal off a nice feed from Brandon Dombrowski.

The Saturday morning matchup pitted the Hornets against the Cleveland Blues in a must win game. A tight checking chess match ensued as the score remained 0-0 after two periods. Hornet's goaltender Evan Korn made several great stops to keep his team within reach. Early in the third period, Buffalo winger Ricky Cartwright found himself alone at the side of the Cleveland net and proceeded to execute “The Michigan” by throwing it over the startled Blues goalie.

The move and the game’s first goal seemed to stun the Cleveland squad and inspire his teammates. Then the Hornet’s fierce fore-check took over and opened the floodgates. Goals from George Zimmerman, Brandon Dombrowski (2) and Bryan Clark rounded out the scoring in a 5-0 win. Corey Swift, Brian Clarke, Tommy John Mullen, Ryan Mullen and defensemen Zack Morlock and Jonathon Skorka assisted on the goals. Evan Korn earned the shutout in goal after an 18 month hiatus from playing ice hockey.

Moving on to Saturday night, the Hornets needed a win to play in the Championship game on Sunday, a loss and their tournament would be over. The determined Hornets played the Euclid Panthers in a rough, hard hitting battle. Buffalo took a 1-0 first period lead on a goal by Bryan Clark from Skorka. The lead was extended to 3-1 in the second period on goals by Skora and Corey Swift, with helpers from Dombrowski and TJ Mullen. Korn kept the Panthers off the board the rest of the way and the final remained 3-1.

The championship was a rematch of the 2-1 Hornets and the 3-0 Waxers.

Buffalo drew first blood as Ricky Cartwright went top shelf for a 1-0 lead. The helper was credited to Brandon Gallo. The Hornets were not done, as Corey Swift once again scored late in the first period to jump up 2-0 at the end of one. The lead allowed the Hornets relentless fore-check to go to work bottling-up the Markham defense and preventing clean breakouts. The solid Buffalo defense with Morlock, Skorka, Captain Tyler Olejniczak, Joey Bauer and Ryan Okon proceeded to own the neutral zone and frustrate the Waxers. The Hornets hit a rough patch in the third period as they found themselves two men short with a 2-1 lead.

The penalty killers, together with the eventual tournament MVP Korn, stood tall and prevented the tying goal. Brandon Gallo finished off Markham with a tipin off a nice feed from Kyle Swift.

The last weekend was truly a total team effort. Kyle Hartl and Will Kuettle backed-up Evan Korn over the weekend. Assisting Head Coach Tommy Mullen were Justin Mullen, Norm Robinson, Bill Gallo and Jim Bauer. “Thank you for bringing us together as a team”! t Reach customers by ADVERTISING in WNY Hockey Report and on WNYHockeyreport.com Go to WNYHockeyreport.com or call (716) 909-2961

13

(Continued from Page 9)

How to Assess and Get Information: One on one interview. Prepare some questions and leave the opportunity for open-ended discussion Questionnaires. Keep them short and to the point.

Group discussion. A meeting can be conducted in the presence or absence of the coach(es). List specific items about which you want commentary.

Analysis of statistical data. Stats will be used to support or negate other information; not to stand on its own.

Comparative analysis. Compare preseason objectives and actual performance outcomes.

Game/Competition Plans

The season is typically broken down into the follow sub-seasons: Pre Season, b) Competitive I, c) Competitive II, d) Postseason Each sub-season will have unique objectives that will build upon the prior period. Sample Objectives: Pre Season Specific skill development Competition attitude Establish routine Increase general strength Increase specific strength Increase specific endurance Competitive I Maintain developed qualities Systems development Increase work capacity Competitive II Maintain developed qualities Peak appropriately Post Season Regeneration and recuperation Focused/Personalized Individual Skill Development Limited Game Competition in support of Skill Development Specific performance objectives can also be set during the Competitive phases and adjusted based on statistical data, such as: Number of wins Goals for or against (overall and per game) Shots for or against (per game) Special team efficiency

HPHD Staff Writer

HPHD instructors are trained to develop hockey skills for players of all ages and levels. High Performance Hockey Development (HPHD) Training Centers offer a variety of programs to accelerate the hockey development of players, teams and coaches in Western New York.t

Sabres Set Preseason Schedule

T

he Buffalo Sabres have announced their 2011 preseason schedule.

The team will play seven games, including two at HSBC Arena.

Ticket information for each home game will be announced at a later

date.

The Sabres will begin their preseason slate at home on Monday, September 19 when the Carolina Hurricanes visit HSBC Arena. The Sabres will then travel to Montreal to play the Canadiens on Wednesday, September 21.

The team will participate in a home and home series with the Toronto Maple Leafs starting at the Air Canada Centre on Friday, September 23 and then at HSBC Arena on Saturday, September 24. After a game on the road in Columbus the following day (Sunday, September 25), the team will travel to Washington on Friday, September 30 to face the Capitals.

The Buffalo Sabres will also play an exhibition game against Adler Mannheim at SAP Arena in Mannheim, Germany, on Tuesday, Oct. 4, as part of the 2011 Compuware NHL Premiere Challenge to complete the 2011 preseason schedule.

Below is the 2011 preseason schedule: Mon., Sept. 19 Wed., Sept. 21 Fri., Sept. 23 Sat., Sept. 24 Sun., Sept. 25 Fri., Sept. 30 Tue., Oct. 4

Carolina at Buffalo 7 p.m.

(HSBC Arena) Buffalo at Montreal 7:30 p.m.(Bell Centre) Buffalo at Toronto 7 p.m. (Air Canada Centre) Toronto at Buffalo 7 p.m. (HSBC Arena) Buffalo at Columbus 5 p.m. (Nationwide Arena) Buffalo at Washington 7 p.m. (Verizon Center) Buffalo at Adler Mannheim, TBA (SAP Arena – Mannheim, Germany)t

Western New York Hockey

September 2011

14

Nolan to Coach Latvian National Team

A

s the weeks went by this summer, Ted Nolan couldn't help but notice the number of coaching positions being filled by teams at all levels of

hockey.

Throughout it all, his phone never rang once.

At least it didn't until late last week when the desperate Latvian hockey federation placed a long distance call and offered him the chance to coach the struggling national team. He barely hesitated before accepting the position.

"You've just got to have faith and belief that things will work out," Nolan told The Canadian Press on Wednesday. "My perseverance and my patience have been really, really tested. I sent out resumes to teams (in North America) to see if there's any coaching vacancies within their organization and received no replies.

"It's kind of tough to go through it, but maybe I just didn't fit in."

Nolan is no stranger to feeling like an outsider. He waited nine years to get another coaching job after parting ways with the Buffalo Sabres in 1997 -- following a season where he won the Jack Adams Award -and has said in the past that he believes racism played a role in the long hiatus.

An Ojibwa from the Garden River First Nation Reserve in northern Ontario, Nolan's last coaching stint with the New York Islanders ended in 2008.

He most recently spent two years as vice-president of hockey operations with the AHL's Rochester Americans but longed to get back behind the bench.

"I've been sending out resumes here for the last number of years and not getting a phone call back,"

said Nolan. "Then all of a sudden you get a call from a (national team), which was very humbling. I'm very honoured."

The hockey-mad Baltic country has fallen on hard times. Latvia's world ranking dropped to 12th after a disappointing 13th-place finish at the IIHF World Hockey Championship in May, costing former coach Olegs Znaroks, two assistants and general manager Sandis Ozolinsh their jobs.

That led to a "difficult" summer for the entire federation, according to president Kirovs Lipmans, who indicated five candidates were considered for the coaching job.

"We were looking for a neutral, authoritative coach with lots of experience and good hockey knowledge," said Lipmans. "This is exactly what we found with Ted Nolan."

Nolan's credentials were so strong that he was given the job without a formal interview. The 53-yearold signed a one-year deal that includes an option for additional years.

He'll visit Riga for the first time later this month and plans to do a fair amount of travelling back and forth from his permanent residence in Canada.

It promises to be a challenge unlike any he's faced before as a coach -- and not just because of potential cultural or language barriers. Unlike the pace of a relentless NHL season, there will be a lot of time to prepare for big events like the world championship.

"Now I get to see all the names on the board, I'll get to watch (the players) all season and see what

works with what," said Nolan. "It's kind of like putting a big jigsaw puzzle together for six or eight months and then all of a sudden you have competition.

"It's a unique experience. It's going to be fun and exciting."

A handful of former NHL coaches have taken jobs with European national teams in recent years.

Curt Fraser and Glen Hanlon both had stints with Belarus and Hanlon also coached Slovakia before getting fired earlier this year.

Nolan already has a relationship with two of the players that Latvia will likely be calling on.

Oskars Bartulis and Martins Karsums were each part of his Moncton Wildcats team that went all the way to the Memorial Cup final in 2006.

They'll already be familiar with one of Nolan's favourite teaching messages.

"My whole philosophy in coaching has always been based on the way I got raised in a First Nation community," said Nolan. "We have always worried about now. (I had) the Ojibwa word for now ... written on a lot of T-shirts when I was coaching up in Moncton. Just worry about now.

"I'm just going to worry about now and concentrate on what we have to do to make Latvia a very strong team."t

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Western New York Hockey

September 2011

15

WNY Hockey Report - Junior Journal

By Michael Mroziak

Junior Sabres: Thinking Big, Getting Big

T

he Buffalo Junior Sabres opened training camp on August 13, still not having finalized a roster. As players were leaving the ice, head coach Grant Ledyard was asked about his prospects for the coming season in the Ontario Junior Hockey League.

“We’re excited this year. I think this is probably the best we’ve looked at this time of year in my five years being here,” Ledyard said.

He’ll have a rebuilt squad with plenty of fresh faces. The goaltending group is new, he explained, and so too will be most of the defensemen. Coming back for a second year will be Jake Ledyard and Trevor Clark, the latter of which is also coming back from an injury, Ledyard noted.

“Our forward group … Joe Johnson, Mark Arnone …these guys are going to be leaned on heavily… Rocky Gruttadauria … great leaders. Shane Bennett, he’s an explosive young kid,” Ledyard added. “We’re going to lean on those guys heavy but they’re going to have to teach the guys underneath them as well.”

The teams Ledyard looks to as the ones to beat in the OJHL Western Conference are the Oakville Blades, Georgetown Raiders, Burlington Cougars and Hamilton Red Wings. All are programs, he said, that have a strong work ethic and respect for the game. But he also believes Buffalo can run with this pack.

“We’re not going to look much different than one of the top teams because our size is much bigger than some of the other teams,” said Ledyard.

“You’re going to find that we’re a big, strong group this year.”

For the second consecutive year, the OJHL has contracted, this time whittling its ranks down to 27 clubs. The remaining Southern Ontario franchises all got to pick up players left available when their clubs left the league. Buffalo, being the lone American franchise, was left out. But Ledyard thinks while they can’t get involved in a player shopping spree across the border, the Junior Sabres can build a more competitive team, as well as elevate Western New York Hockey in general, by bringing in some outsiders.

“We not only have to have the top players from Buffalo but we have to pull some in from surrounding areas, Rochester, Pittsburgh,” said Ledyard. “We can’t be scared to billet kids.”

“I’d like to scout not only this area but also down in the Cleveland and Pittsburgh areas. We’re going to be busy expanding our program. The reason we would do something like that is to push these kids in the area to be a little better than they are right now.”

Ledyard said this year’s roster tentatively includes players from Sweden, Long Island and Calgary (though he added that the Calgary resident was born in Buffalo but now lives in Alberta).

The Junior Sabres will open their OJHL season on Saturday, September 10 at home against the Newmarket Hurricanes. t

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Buffalo Stars: Conditioning and Chemistry

W

hile the Buffalo Stars organization is down to just one junior team for the 2011-2012 season, team president and head coach Pete Preteroti is feeling very optimistic about the roster that will take the ice this fall and winter.

After finishing up a player and parent orientation meeting at the Millennium Hotel in Cheektowaga, Preteroti spoke of the character and work ethic he has observed during the summer months.

“Excellent group of kids. You could hear a pin drop at the meeting. This is a focused group,” he said. “I usually judge teams by eye contact and their eyes didn’t leave me, and I think that’s good.”

Paying attention in meetings, though, is only one way the players have shown promise to be a disciplined and dedicated bunch. Even before training camp formally started on August 1, Stars players were participating in mandatory workouts during the summer months. The team took an official two-week break with several players’ families going on vacations, but some of the players staying behind decided they’d call their own workout. And with 90-plus degree weather bearing down on them, eight players still showed up to work out.

“Tommy Leistner, myself and our goalie Alex Willis decided that while Pete gave us two weeks off we should get something in before August, because Pete said he was going to hit us hard in August,” said first year Star Cody Selbert.

Leistner, a returning defenseman, says the mandatory summer workouts have made a noticeable difference in his conditioning.

“I feel a lot better compared to last year,” Leistner said. “We didn’t do as much (last year) but we’re pushing hard and we keep going.”

Among the participants in the player-called workout was Kevin MacKrell, whose 2010-2011 season came to an early end thanks to a broken leg during a game in Massachusetts. His recovery progressed ahead of schedule, with his doctors clearing him to resume workouts a surprising two months earlier than expected.

“The bone’s completely healed,” said MacKrell. “It’s down to the last 10 percent, building up the muscles. I feel great.”

The Stars wrapped up their month of August with a trip to Lake Placid to work out at the Olympic Training Center, including time on the same rink where the “Miracle On Ice” took place in 1980. Perhaps channeling the late Herb Brooks, Preteroti was vowing earlier this spring that the Stars would be the most conditioned team in the Empire Junior Hockey League this season.

Continued on Page 17

Western New York Hockey

September 2011

AMERKS REPORT

By Warren Kozireski

F

or some Rochester fans it will seem like a lot of change with now three head coaches in three seasons after the appointment in late July of Ron Rolston as new head coach.

But, with the franchise purchase by and re-affiliation with the Buffalo Sabres, stability is the buzzword as the proud minor league franchise moves forward with a new chapter in their storied history.

Rolston is not at all new to being in charge of a team as he arrives after seven seasons as head coach of the U.S. National Development Team Under-18 program that competed in the United States Hockey League junior circuit.

While there, the team won three gold medals and a silver in international competition at the World Junior Under-18 Championships as well as the title in the 2011 Five Nations tournament and the 2010 Four Nations Cup. Before joining USA Hockey, Rolston served as an Assistant Coach at the Division I level helping Lake Superior State win a National Championship under nowNotre Dame head coach Jeff Jackson in 1992 and 1994 as well as serving in the same capacity with Boston College, Harvard and Clarkson.

He is not new to Rochester, though, as he has spent part of at least five summers here as USA Hockey has brought their Under-15, 16, 17 and 18 camps to the MCC SportsCentre.

“This is an exciting time for me with a new organization and strong leadership,” said Rolston by phone in mid-August.

“Rochester fans should be excited as well—I think we have the best situation for a minor league system with travel and resources. This is a positive step for Buffalo as we use our minor league system to develop and get players ready for Buffalo and their needs.”

The 44-year old native of Fenton, Michigan and older brother of NHL veteran Brian Rolston is very much looking forward to the challenge of coaching the Amerks and learning the nuances of the American Hockey League.

“I really didn’t seek out the position. Darcy (Regier) called USA Hockey and asked for permission to talk with me and I started interviewing. It all happened fairly quickly.”

“We are very excited for Ron to join the organization as head coach of the Amerks,” said Buffalo General Manager Regier at a press conference the day of the announcement.

“He has achieved tremendous success with USA Hockey’s development program and he fits our vision for how we want to develop players at the American Hockey League level.”

“We will have every resource we need,” said Rolston. “Power skating instructors and mental skills coaches will be shared with Buffalo and Rochester, but we will have our own strength coach, goaltending coach and video coach.”

As of this writing, the Amerks and Buffalo were in the process of interviewing for two assistant coaches for Rochester.

“We’d like to have them in place and at our rookie camp in Traverse City, Michigan starting September 9th so we can get the staff meshing,” said Rolston. The Sabres regular camp begins September 16th.

“I like what we’ve done already in terms of signing veteran players for Rochester. We need quality veterans for success on and off the ice and to create an environment for the younger players to thrive. The veterans have been through it and can lead the way.”

The Amerks regular season kicks off October 7.

News & Notes: ...The Amerks will remain in the North Division of the AHL, but with just five teams with Abbotsford moving to the West. Grand Rapids, Hamilton, Lake Erie and Toronto remain division foes. The AHL will move this season to a six division format with five teams in each. Eight teams in each conference will qualify for the postseason with the three division winners earning the top three seeds and the other five seeded according to points.

The first round of the playoffs (1 vs 8, 2 vs 7, etc) will play a first round best-of-five series before the remaining four teams in each conference are re-seeded with highest seed playing the lowest remaining seed in the conference semi-finals. ...Former Amerks defenseman Mike Hurlbut was promoted from Assistant to Associate Head Coach of his alma mater—St. Lawrence University. He has coached there since his career ended in 2002.t

16

Western New York Hockey

September 2011

WNY Hockey Report Junior Journal Continued...

Brooks, of course, built an Olympic winner not only with conditioning but also through team chemistry. Stars players believe they have plenty of the latter.

“I figure this is probably one of the closest-knit teams I’ve ever played for,” said Selbert. “I love every one of these kids. I figure this entire season is going to be a great experience, especially playing in my first year of junior.”

The Stars will host a Labor Day tournament at Holiday Twin Rinks and Leisure Rinks September 2 – 4. The Stars open their Empire Junior Hockey League regular season on Saturday October 1 at home versus the Jersey Wildcats.

As every season, the home opener will include a “Salute to the American Troops” pregame ceremony.

Buffalo Blades: Beyond Wheatfield

W

heatfield, New York is still home of the Blades hockey organization.

But so, too, is Buffalo. The junior team has parted ways with its youth hockey counterparts at the Hockey Outlet on Niagara Falls Boulevard.

Meet the Buffalo Blades.

The junior team will again call Buffalo State College its home rink, as it did last season. The uniforms look strikingly similar to the modern Buffalo Sabres uniforms, with the exception being the logo. The Wheatfield Blades’ “W” above crossed swords will be replaced by a letter “B” over those same swords.

Running the Blades this season will be two former coaches from the Buffalo Stars, John Bruno and Jerry Shorthouse. Shorthouse led the Buffalo Stars’ Empire Junior Hockey League team last season. This season, he’s the head coach for the Blades. Bruno, who will serve as the Blades’ general manager and assistant coach, led the Stars’ Continental Hockey Association Junior B squad last season,

17

one year after leading the Niagara Junior Purple Eagles boys’ midget team to a national championship.

A final roster had not yet been set at press time. Training camp opened on August 22 and according to the team’s website tryouts were still available to players.

Bruno and Shorthouse will take on the monumental task of improving a Blades team that has historically been a cellar dweller in the Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League’s Golden Horseshoe Conference. Last year, the Blades mustered only four wins, all of them at home.

But while the Blades struggled as a team, there were some individual accomplishments of note last season. Forward Mitchell Eisenberg, who scored 16 goals and 19 assists in 51 games with the Blades, was called up to the Ontario Hockey League’s Erie Otters. Eisenberg also enjoyed a brief promotion to the Buffalo Junior Sabres, along with Nick Schiro, Ryan Schmelzer and Darrin Trebes.

It’s unknown if it was intended, but renaming the team Buffalo Blades actually recalls a forgotten period in local hockey history. The original Buffalo Blades were formed as a charter member of the New York Penn Junior Hockey League in 1973. After claiming the best record in the league in its first two years of existence, they folded after the 1976-77 season.

The Buffalo Blades open their 2011-12 GOJHL regular season on Saturday, September 17 on the road at Stoney Creek. The Blades host their home opener on Tuesday, September 20 against Port Colborne.

More Junior News Western New York Hockey Report is dedicated to bringing you the most comprehensive coverage of local amateur hockey, including breaking news and game results. Be sure to visit our website, www.wnyhockeyreport.com, for more junior hockey news!t

Western New York Hockey

September 2011

18

Buffalo Junior Shooting Stars Players ages 5-7 The Buffalo Stars will conduct an In House Cross Rink Development Program for the 2011-2012 Hockey Season. The program will be known as the Buffalo Junior Shooting Stars. The program will run from September through February and include 36 ice sessions and cross ice games.

The program is geared towards the 5-7 year old who have already completed a learn to skate program.

Cost for this program will be $249 and will include Jersey and Socks. Players will register individually with USA Hockey.

Instruction will be conducted by Buffalo Stars Travel Coaches as well as Buffalo Stars Junior B Players.

Registration for this program will take place on Wednesday nights in the lobby of Holiday Twin Rinks between 6:30-8pm.

For more information contact us at 685-1122 or visit us on line at: www.buffalostars.com *****************************************Register by Mail*********************************************** Player Name: _______________________________________ Date of Birth: _____________ Address: _______________________________________ City & Zip: ___________________ Phone#: __________________________ Email: ____________________________________ Past Participation? (Learn to Skate; Pepsi Kids) ____________________________________ A $50 deposit will hold your spot. Return check payable to: Buffalo Stars, 3465 Broadway, Cheektowaga, NY 14227

Buffalo Stars Empire Schedule of September/October Home Games 2011-12 Sept. 2 Sept. 3 Sept. 4 Sept. 4 Oct. 1 Oct. 2 Oct. 19

6:15 pm 10 a.m.

8:00 am 6:30 pm 6:45 pm 11 am 7:30 pm

Mass Maple Leafs Team Ohio Pittsburgh Syracuse Jersey Wildcats Jersey Wildcats Maksymum All Games at Holiday Twin Rinks

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