Hockey
New York State E-Magazine
“All Amateur, All Hockey, All NYS!”
Love of Country and Love of Hockey Meet!
February 2012 Volume 1; Issue 5
In This Issue
P.O. Box 354 North Tonawanda, NY 14120 (716) 909-2961 hockeynys@gmail.com Publisher Managing Editor Designer/Photographer Columnists
Steve Manson Randy Schultz Janet Schultz Warren Kozierski, Janet Schultz, Randy Schultz
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. Hockey New York State is an equal opportunity employer. Contents 2012 Hockey New York State All rights reserved Hockey New York State is published monthly at no charge and can be accessed via the publication’s website www.Hockeynys. com
Relatively Speaking............................. 5 Dreams Come True.............................. 6 Central Report...................................... 8 Love of Country & Hockey................. 12 East Report........................................... 13 Top Gun............................................... 16 Colleges Give Back.............................. 18 North Report........................................ 21 Buffalo Hornets Celebrate................... 23 West Report.......................................... 25 Braunstein Benefit................................ 27 Home Grown........................................ 30 New Look for Cross Ice....................... 33 USA News and Notes........................... 35 Kids Crossword.................................... 36
Cover photo courtesy of West Point Military Academy.
Adirondack Takes Gold Western, Silver; NYC Bronze 2012 Empire State Winter Games
By Janet Schultz
A
nother year of the Empire State Winter Games has come to an end. It opened February 2 with 967 athletes participating in 14 sports, including Women’s Ice Hockey. Organizers brought Lake Placid based actor James Tolkan in as the keynote speaker at Opening Ceremonies. Tolkan is best-known for his roles in Top Gun with Tom Cruise, and Back to the Future, with Michael J. Fox. Luge Racer Raychel Germaine lit the cauldron and Bobsled Driver gave a brief welcome to the athletes. The puck dropped on the first ice hockey game at 8 a.m. Friday morning with the West beating Long Island 9-1. The West’s Deanna Ventura got on the scoreboard
first, assisted by Melissa Jechovich and Shawnee Oberholtzer. The single Long Island goal was an unassisted goal by Maryann Knot in the second period. Ventura had a hat trick and Oberholtzer had a playmaker. Next up was Adirondack and Central. Ending 4-1 in favor of Adirondack, the first goal was scored by Adirondack’s Andrea Kilbourne-Hill, assisted by Christine Powers and Kara Buehler. The lone Central goal was shot in by Lomanto from Kristina Ronson-Robbins and Emily Martigano. Game three saw New York City taking Hudson Valley 3-1. New York’s Alexis Moed put in the first goal with Hudson’s Jennifer Abramo tying the score at the end of the first. NYC’s Goalie Ashley Walenty made 21 saves, allowing one rebound to squeak out for a 3-1 win. HV
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Goalie Sophia Kokkonis helped her team by saving 42 goals. Western outshot Central 46 to 9 in game four with Central’s MacKenzie Roy putting in a short-handed goal, unassisted. Kylie Mazetta, Marissa Dombouvy-Johnson and Katie Stack scored for Western and Hannon put a final one in the net for Central. Despite an injury in the second period, Central Goalie Lauren Dahn put in another stellar goaltending exhibition. Western’s Mazetta and Stack earned two points each for their team’s win. Christin Powers earned a hat trick and Kilbourne-Hill earned a playmaker with three assists for Adirondack in game five over New York City. NYS’s team played hard but had difficulty getting the puck past the Adirondack goalie in the 9-0 shutout. It was Hudson Valley 2, Long Island 1 in game six. The low score showed the competitiveness of the two teams with Hudson Valley’s Kristine DeRosa and Alexis Swagemaker getting goals and Barbara Peng putting in the lone goal for Long Island. Western beat New York City 4-0 in game seven with Katie Stack putting in two; Annmarie Cellino and Elizabeth Gemmiti each adding one. Again it was the goaltending that kept the score low with NYC Ashley Walenty making 28 saves and WNY’s Ashley Schneegold making 36 saves. Central trailed 2-1 going into the third period of game eight. That’s when they found their scoring touch and ended with a 4-2 victory over Long Island. The game winning goal came off the stick of Alisa Coomey at 9:02 of the third period, assisted by Kara Buehler. For the first time ever in the history of women’s ice hockey Empire State Games, a mother/daughter combo played. Adirondack’s MacKenzie Lennox scored in the third period on an assist from Mom, Danielle Lennox. Adirondack had a 11-0 shutout over Hudson Valley in game nine.. New York City’s Ashley Walenty stopped 11 shots for a 2-0 shutout over Central in game ten. Scoring for New York were Stephanie Couzin and Alexis Moed. It was a high scoring game 11 as Adirondack put 9 goals in the net over Long Island’s 1. Adirondack outshot LI 49-18 with the Island’s Melissa Mansfield making 40 of those saves. Adirondack’s M. Lennox had two shots as did Powers.
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Hudson Valley’s Goalie Kokkonis did an outstanding job in the net making 38 saves in the Valley’s 7-2 loss to Western. West’s Donbovy-Johnson had two goals and an assist and Cellino posted one goal and two assists. In the final game of regular play Central took Hudson Valley 4-1. HV’s starting Goalie Nancy Haggerty held off Central during the first period with only one goal scored by Lomanto. In the second Central’s Christina Beam put one between the pipes at 9:00 and that proved to be the game-winning goal. Lomanto had two goals in that game. New York City broke open a tight game with four unanswered goals in the third period to defeat Long Island 6-2 and capture the Bronze medal. The score was tied 2-2 entering the final period when Adela Ibric put in her second goal of the game which proved to be the game-winner. She was assisted by Sarah Newman. New York put four shots behind Long Island Goalie Christina Johnston in a 5:40 span of the final period to seal the victory. Stephanie Couzin also scored twice for NYC and Newman had a goal and an assist while Alexis Moed contributed two assists. Long Island scorers included Christina Ciccone and Maryann Knott. In the Gold Medal game it was Adirondack 4, Western 2. Adirondack put two on the scoreboard in the opening period and never looked back. Danielle Lennox and Monique Rafferty scored 2:25 minutes apart in the opening period to give Adirondack the early advantage in a contest that was dominated by goaltending. Katie Stack responded for Western just :30 into the middle period to bring West within a goal. Adirondack’s Christin Power responded with an unassisted goal followed by Stephanie Holmes with one at 2:21 of the third. Sarah Hannon scored for the West as time expired giving West the Silver. Adirondack’s Chantel Johnston had 22 saves while WNY’s Ashley Schneegold recorded 24 stops.*
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hen Orchard Park/Frontier’s Girl’s Varsity Ice looked like something they wanted to try. Hockey Coach Jim McCarthy goes to the bench The girls are aware of each other on the ice, but for the he doesn’t just have a group of girls sitting there most part the sister is just another player. There are moments waiting for his instructions; he has four sets of sisters. We’ve though when sisterly love comes into play. had siblings in the NHL and in many Alexa plays defense and her sister, Mikaela is in travel and house teams, but four sets goal. on one team--unique to say the least. “A couple of years ago we had two goalies “It’s funny,” said Coach McCarout with concussions so I do think about it,” said thy. “It doesn’t hit you during tryouts; Alexa. “I think about it more probably but it’s it happens when you are handing out not in the front of my mind.” numbers and jerseys and all of sudden “I see flashes of the protectiveness,” said I see that I have four sets of sisters.” Coach MacCarthy. “They do protect each other “It has to be very unique, I can’t if you watch. So don’t get too close to Mikaela by Janet Schultz imagine there being another team, in goal or you boys or girls, with four sets of siblings may get a on it,” he concluded. shove; if you “After practice I would think they bicker, hit Grace and but on the bus, in the rink, they all seem to get Katie’s on the along,” he continued. “You have to see Grace ice there may getting a piggyback ride into the arena at 5:30 be trouble a.m. from her sister Katie.” and the same The girl’s have similar stories about their with Megan entry into hockey, many had brothers playing, and Jessica, some went because the other one tried and a who are quiet couple just went from figure skating to hockey girls. If one is or in some they were just trying out different in the corner sports. struggling, That was the case with Katie and Grace the other one Page. Katie started playing hockey when she will skate in was eight years old. Grace began at seven. to help. It’s “I was trying out everything from dance, a real cool softball, soccer and hockey was the next one,” thing.” said Katie. “We talk “I started because Katie did,” said Grace. about the “But I found it to be fun, fast paced and keeps games, we your brain thinking.” encourage “It also keeps you in really good shape,” each other Front l to r: Katie Page, Grace Page, Meagan Urbank chimed in Katie. but it reBack l to r: Sydney Potenza, Alexa Ditonto, Maddie Potenza, Sydney and Madison Potenza began their ally goes to Mikaela Ditonto, Jessie Urbank (Photo by Janet Schultz) careers on a boys team in a house league at age ‘I didn’t like eight. that girl’ or ‘I “We used to figure skate and then we would should have watch our brother play hockey. One day a friend and one of hit her harder,’ stuff like that,” said Katie. the coaches asked us if we wanted to play and we told them “I’m excited, pumped, ready to play and fight the battle yes,” said Sydney. and win,” said Madison. “We don’t want each other to get Both girls played for the Hamburg Hawks. hurt.” Mikaela and Alex Ditonto began in the Buffalo Regals “We encourage each other on the bench,” said Megan. Girls House League after they tried figure skating. “We think about each other, watch each other and I see what “Alex moved up in her skating group and I couldn’t skate she’s doing wrong.” backwards so I quit,” said Mikaela. “I tried a different hobby “We criticize, but it’s constructive,” said Jessica. or activity every month and then decided to try ice hockey “I’ve never had an issue about anything,” said Coach Mcand I asked Alex to join me.” Carthy. “She said Gosh, No, but she was forced to go to the rink “Our parents like us on the same team because it cuts with me anyway so instead of sitting on the bench and doing down on travel.” homework, she joined up,” explains Mikaela. “We’re very glad that there’s varsity ice hockey,” said Al So if sisters are enough on one team, how about one set exa. “We like playing for our school, in front of our friends. I of sisters that are twins, like Megan and Jessica Urbank. didn’t support Orchard Park sports before, but now I do.” New to the sport they began their hockey career three None of the girls are looking much beyond playing Varyears ago with the Buffalo Regals and then went to the West sity Ice Hockey this season. They know that college scouts Seneca Wings travel program. Considered old for starting are coming to the games but for them it’s just about playing hockey at 11, they watched their brother and Dad play and it for their school and having fun.
Relatively Speaking!
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February 2012
“If a scholarship comes through, it would be nice,” said Mikaela. “I just want to play as long as I can,” said Jessica. “It doesn’t matter what age you are, it helps to start young but it’s fun and you should try it,” advises Alexa, assistant captain of the OP/Frontier Team. “The varsity hockey is a bright light that showcases these talented players,” said Coach MacCarthy. “There has always been girl’s travel hockey, but for some reason no one seemed
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to know it. These girl’s work hard and this gives them the opportunity to be seen by their classmates and play for their school.” “It’s only going to get better in the coming years,” Coach concluded. Katie and Grace are the daughters of Bill and Caryn; Sydney and Madison are the daughters of Don and Jackie; Megan and Jessica’s parents are Andrew and Amy and Mikaela and Alexa are the daughters of Mike and Liz.*
ASHA Makes Dreams Come True! By Randy Schultz
County Admirals and Philadelphia Fearless Flyers. “It’s all for the kids. t has probably been the dream of any Two of the organizers for the There are no losers hockey player who has ever played the event were Mike Rousso and Neil in this. Everyone is a game to be able to skate on a National Robbins, co-founders of the Blues. Hockey League ice surface for just one day. “We started this a few years ago,” winner. -For one group of hockey players that dream said Robbins. “It was organized as Mike Rousso, became a reality. a fund raiser. Co-Founder, Blues On January 14 and 15 Nassau Coliseum, “It gives the kids a chance to home to the New York Islanders, was the skate on NHL ice. It also gives the setting for a special group of hockey players from six difparents of these kids a chance to meet with other parents ferent disabled teams located along the Eastern Seaboard. and get a chance to talk to each other, exchanging ideas The Islanders played host to these teams and put on a along the way. clinic in a further effort to promote the NHL’s and Ameri “We also give a lot of kids from the area a chance to can Special Hockey Association’s Hockey Is For Everyone volunteer and work with these special need players. It is initiative. a chance for kids to give something back to their commu ASHA specializes in providing hockey opportunities nity. on the ice for the Developmentally disabled, has almost “I make sure to get all the food for the event and or50 teams in its ranks. The six that participated in the Long ganize all the volunteers. We also sold 450 tickets for the Island event included the Long Island Blues, New York Islanders game that night against the Philadelphia Flyers. Raptors, East Coast Jumbos, Nova Cool Cats, Bucks
I
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“As an added attraction, the hockey players get a chance to play a game between periods of the Islanders game.” But things didn’t end that Saturday. “The next day we had an ‘Outdoor Classic’ game,” continued Robbins. “The town of Oyster Bay donated everything. “There were even replica trophies for every team that participated.” Rousso, President of the Blues, gives a lot of credit for the success of the two-day event to three people. “First there is my wife, Laura,” said Rousso. “She keeps things organized. “Then there is Neil, who gets 15 to 20 different vendors to donate food, soda and everything else needed for the event. He works very hard at that. “I basically do a lot of emails and communication jobs. We work very well as a team.” There is one basic theme connected with the event. “It’s all for the kids,” commented Rousso. “There are no losers in this. “Everyone is a winner. With the hockey games, there are no off-sides to interrupt anything. “It’s just continuous action going all the time. Everyone has a great time. “It’s a great networking tool for parents, who enjoy the even almost as much as the kids do. And the exposure it gives the ASHA is great too.” Mike Hickey, president of ASHA, is very pleased with the event. “I went to the event a year ago and was very pleased with what I saw,” stated Hickey. “I can’t remember ever seeing that many special hockey players on the ice at one time. “This has quite an impact on our players and our programs. It can be life changing. “The big thing to remember about all of these teams is that age is not a factor. We have young kids playing as well as players in their twenties. “They actually mix very well together. We don’t play by normal hockey rules either. “No off-sides or icing’s. Just continuous hockey. “The big thing is that we get more back from the kids than we give to them. It is a great event. “I have to give a lot of credit to Mike and Mike in New York. They both do a great job and work very hard at putting this event together. “I hope to see it continue in New York as well as possibly in other parts of New York State. It’s a great experience for everyone involved.”*
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NYS Women’s College Hockey Report-Central Section by Janet Schultz Cornell
The Big Red are 19-3 overall and 14-2 in the ECAC. Their only loss in January came at the hands of Clarkson. Amanda Mazzotta earned ECAC Goalie of the Week honors on January 24 after she logged three victories with two shutouts against top 10 opponents. Mazzotta has 10 wins and 2 losses this season coming out of January with a .924 save percentage. Leading the scoring for the Big Red are Rebecca Johnston with 37 points (17G, 20A); Brianne Jenner, 35 points (10 G, 15 A) and Jillian Saulneir, 34 points (16G, 18A). Johnston was named ECAC Hockey Player of the Month for January. The senior Forward scored the fifth-most points in program history and the most points of any Big Red player since 1982. She is also the leader in all of ECAC Hockey for goals and points while her 20 assists place her second in the league behind teammate Brianne Jenner. Johnston becomes the second Cornell player honored with a monthly award this year as Saulnier earned
Rookie of the Month in October and November.
Cortland
Assistant Coach Kristi Kehoe has been named to Northeastern University’s All Decade Team. Kehoe is one Kehoe of seven former and current NE women’s ice hockey players who have been named to the team as part of the Women’s Hockey East Association’s 10-year anniversary. Kehoe, who is in her first season at Cortland, played four seasons at forward and led the team in scoring her first three seasons. The Red Dragons are 4-11-1 and 2-9-1 coming into February and the final leg of the season. Their only January wins were both over Chatham and both with two goals, including one shutout. In the first game Farmington’s Katie Double (Victor HS) made 21 saves; in game two she faced 30 shots, 12 in the third period.
Kellie Micillo and Charlotte Carter got the goals in game one with Bison’s Chelsie Hausberger assisting. In game two, Erika Osborne put in the winning goal with Brianna Rossi (Stormville/Brewster Bulldogs) putting in the second with Gina Tomei (Bronx/Sound Shore) assisting. Tomei is leading the Red Dragons in scoring with 9 assists followed by Rossi with 5 goals and 3 assists and Micillo with 5 goals and 1 assist. In goal it’s Double with a .895 save percentage after 14 games.
Elmira Elmira is 15-1-1 overall and 10-00 in the ECAC putting a lock on a playoff position. Their only loss in January came at the hands of Plattsburgh (1-4). Lindsay Mitchell leads the team in scoring with 9 goals and 16 assists. Tori Charron is in second with 22 points and Ash-
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ley Ryan (North Chili/Rochester Edge) takes third with 19 points. Buffalo’s Haley Welch has two goals and four assists in her first season with Elmira. In goal it’s Lauren Sullivan with a .930 save percentage.
Syracuse
The Big Orange of Syracuse is 9-16-3 overall and 0-3-3 in CHA play. They battled hard in a 4-8 loss to #5 Mercyhurst followed by an overtime 1-1 tie. They also tied CHA rival Niagara University 3-3 and lost 1-2, both in overtime. After a 3-2 victory over Quinnipiac, three members of the Orange received weekly CHA honors including Margot Scharfe, Player of the Week; Kallie Billadeau,Goaltender of the Week and Nicole Ferrara, Co-Rookie of the Week. Scharfe had two points, scoring the opening goal of the second game, her tenth of the season. Billadeau made 53 saves in the victory and Ferrara scored the game-winner in that game. Scharfe leads the team in scoring with 21 points; followed by Holly Carrie-Mattimoe (18 pts) and Shianne Darkangelo (14 pts). Mannsville’s Kallie Goodnough has nine points this season; Buffalo’s Jacquie Greco has a goal and an assist and Marathon’s Brittney Krebs has four assists. Goalie Billadeau has played in 16 games coming away with a 5-8-2-1 record and .842 save percentage/2.28 GAA followed by Jenesica Drinkwater with a 3-8-1 record, .902 save percentage and .896 save percentage.
February 2012
Hamilton College
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Hamilton is 7-10-09 overall and 4-6-0 in NESCAC play. They mixed it up in January with wins over Cortland and Oswego, splitting with Williams and Middlebury and losing to Elmira, Trinity and RIT. Leading the team in scoring is Katie Zimmerman, 15G/7A; Laura Dicarlo, 6G7A and Stephanie Lang, 5G7A. Fairport/Buffalo Bison’s Abby Runyon has 4 goals and 7 assists this season, while North Tonawanda/Buffalo Bison’s Jill Tokarczyk has four assists as a sophomore forward.
Oswego
playoff position.
Utica
The Pioneers are seventh in the ECAC West with a 6-10-2 and 3-7-2 record coming into February. They’ve lost five games in January, including one overtime loss to Neumann University and posted overtime ties with Potsdam twice. Megan Myers leads the scoring with 9 goals and 17 assists. Meghan McMahon has 12 points and Nicole Schwartz has 10. Both goalies are from New York including Ithaca’s Jennifer Hamel who has posted 13 wins and 2 losses and Whiteboro’s Marissa Hotaling with 5 wins and no losses.
Fairport (NY) native Kelly Collins was named Oswego’s Athlete of the Week for January 30 after she Colgate scored the game winner, unasColgate’s season has them 8-18-1 sisted early in the third period in a overall and 3-12-1 after a tough 3-1 victory over Buffalo State and start to the New Year. They found two assists in a 7-0 victory over themselves on the losing side of the Bengals the day before. Collins games against Syracuse, Rensseis second in team scoring with 8 laer, #3 Cornell, Princeton, Quingoals and 4 assists this season. nipiac, Dartmouth, #9 Harvard, Leading the scoring is MacKClarkson and St. Lawrence, inenzie Lee with 10 goals and five cluding a 3-4 overtime loss to #10 assists. Making 243 saves on 272 Dartmouth. Their January victory shots is Goalie Catherine Cote. came in a 2-1 overtime win over Buffalo’s Union. Bridget Smith Brittany Phillips leads the has a .889 save scoring with 12 goals and 16 percentage this assists, followed by Jocelyn season savSimpson (7G9A) and Melissa ing 160 of 180 Kueber (3G12A). In goal shots. East Amherst/Buffalo Bison’s The Lakers Kimberly Sass has made 714 are 9-8-2 oversaves on 790 shots giving all and 8-4-2 her a .904 save percentage. in conference Rochester’s Susan Allen has play as they played in two games and Fairport’s Kelly Collins enter February made 25 saves on 27 shots.* (Photo by Janet Schultz) looking for a
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February 2012
BROOME CCC With 11 wins and three games remaining in the regular season, the Hornets entered February ranked fourth in the nation. RJ Fitzpatrick (Vestal) was leading the unit in assists while Anthony O’Malley (Binghamton) and Connor Lofgren (Ithaca) stood 1-2 in goals with 13 and 12 respectively. Tommy Missert (Syracuse) also had 24 points over the first 20 games.
COLGATE The Raiders sweep over travel partner Cornell the last weekend of January was the first since the 2003-04 season. ‘Gate had won only twice with one tie over a nine game span to start the second half of the season to fall mid-pack in the ECAC. Forward Austin Smith stood first in the country in goals per game and second in points per game while linemate Chris Wagner was among the top 15 in points and seventh in assists per game. College commitments for 2012-13 according to College Hockey Inc.:
CORKEY, Brett Vernon Vipers (BCHL) BAUN, Kyle Cornwall Colts(CCHL) FINNEY, Spencer Trenton Golden Hawks (OJHL) LOUGH, Kevin Cumberland Grads (CCHL) BORKOWSKI, Michael Cornwall Colts (CCHL) JOHNSTON, Ryan Nepean Raiders (CCHL) SPINK, Tyson Cornwall Colts (CCHL) SPINK, Tylor Cornwall Colts (CCHL)
CORNELL Friday the 13th was lucky for the Big Red as, for the first since 2005; they scored two shorthanded goals in a game. Senior Sean Collins and freshman Joel Lowry tallied the goals at Quinnipiac. Freshman John McCarron’s first collegiate goal came at Colorado College January 6. Sophomore defenseman Mathieu Brisson scored his first collegiate goal at Princeton January 14. Freshman Cole Bardreau (Fairport) scored on a power play 2 minutes, 5 seconds into overtime in a 4-3 victory over visiting Dartmouth on January 20. Senior captain defenseman Keir Ross has been named one of 10 finalists for the Lowe’s Senior CLASS Award. To be eligible for the award, a student-athlete must be
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NYS HOCKEY MEN’S COLLEGE REPORT CENTRAL SECTION By Warren Kozireski
classified as an NCAA Division I senior and have notable achievements in four areas of excellence – community, classroom, character and competition. Commitments for 2012-13 according to College Hockey Inc.: HILBRICH, Christian STOICK, Gavin TIITINEN, Teemu MCCARRON, Patrick KNISLEY, John (Pittsford)
Indiana Ice (USHL) USA Under 18 Team (NTDP) Lincoln Stars (USHL) St. Michael’s Buzzers (OJHL) Vernon Vipers (BCHL)
CORTLAND Three points out of a playoff spot with four games remaining, the Red Dragons of had their work cut out for them to extend their season. Adam Bevilacqua and Joe Christiano (Hilton) continued to pace the offense with 19 and 17 points respectively. Sophomore Mike Henrici registered his first goal and assist in his first game as a Red Dragon against Utica January 6.
ELMIRA In a dogfight with Manhattanville for the ECAC West
regular season crown, the tenth ranked Soaring Eagles had four games remaining in the regular season. Seniors Kevin Willer and Brendan Sanders each had surpassed the 20-point mark but the team needed more consistent goaltending to avoid a playoff stumble.
HAMILTON The Continentals were winless in their last seven heading into the final four games of the regular season and were in danger of missing the playoffs. NESCAC takes the top eight teams into the postseason and they were tied with Connecticut College for the final spot three points out of
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seventh. Michael DiMare and Anthony Scarpino had 30 and 28 points respectively—both more than double the next closest teammate on the team scoring list.
HOBART
The Statesmen were 9-4 in non-conference games, but had just two victories against ECAC West opponents and were battling Neumann for last place with four games remaining on the schedule. Only five players had scored in double-digits through the first 21 games with Yorktown Heights native Greg Cicola second on the list.
OSWEGO
The Lakers had lost just one game since November and were riding a seven game winning streak heading into the final four games of the regular season—all at home. Freshman Chris Carr registered his first collegiate points against Cortland and Hamilton. Carr assisted the first goal and scored the second goal against Cortland January 21st and assisted on Oswego State’s third and
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final goal versus Hamilton January 22. He was Named SUNYAC Rookie of the Week for his efforts. Chris Brown recorded his first career hat trick at Brockport January 28 and senior Jared Anderson scored his first collegiate goal against Geneseo January 27. Senior defenseman Hank Van Boxmeer, the son of former Sabres and Amerk John Van Boxmeer, netted his first goal of the season against Utica January 14.
UTICA
The 9th ranked Pioneers were an amazing 11-2 against non-conference opponents, but were a middling 3-4-1 against ECAC West competition as they found themselves in the middle of the pack with three games left before the postseason. Evan Chlanda (Islip), Trevor Hertz and Tim Coffman (Elverson) all had scored 20 points or better with sophomore Jon Gaffney one point away from joining them.
MORRISVILLE On Probation According to the NCAA website and announced January 19, Morrisville State College committed major violations in its men’s ice hockey program, according to findings by the NCAA Division III Committee on Infractions. Morrisville State’s violations include inconsistent financial aid packaging during the 2009-10 and 2010-11 academic years. Penalties in this case include two years of probation and a postseason ban. Violations by Morrisville State arose through the awarding of International Incentive Grants (IIG) and Canadian Student Initiative Grants (CSIG), financial aid programs that were created to boost enrollment of international students on campus. The IIG program gave a tuition discount to all international students who enrolled while the CSIG program gave a housing discount to all Canadian students who lived on campus. Although the school’s admissions office made visits to Canada on occasion, many of the potential international students were referred to the admissions office by Morrisville State’s men’s ice hockey coaches. The committee noted the violations were unintentional, but significant. During the 2009-10, approximately 29 percent of the awards were given to student-athletes while student-athletes comprised approximately 12 percent of the general student body, exceeding the proportionate amount by more than 16 percent. In 2010-11, nearly 37 percent of the distributed aid was awarded to student-athletes, even though they made up only 13 percent of the general student body, exceeding the proportional amount by nearly 24 percent. Because the percentages were not closely equivalent to the amount of student-athletes within the general student body, the school’s awards were in violation of Division III rules. The penalties include: Public reprimand and censure. • Two years of probation from January 19, 2012, through January 18, 2014. • Effective immediately, any of the institution’s athletics teams whose rosters include one or more student-athletes receiving CSIG and/or IIG shall end their seasons with the playing of their last regularly scheduled, in-season contest and shall not be eligible to participate in any postseason competition, including conference tournaments and NCAA championships. Further, any affected teams shall not be eligible for regular season conference championships consideration for as long as their rosters include student-athletes receiving CSIG and/or IIG (the institution proposed this sanction beginning with the 2012-13 academic year).*
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ANDY STARCZEWSKIARMY VIA WHITESBORO By Warren Kozireski
W
hen the Army Black Knights hockey team wins, Andy Starczewski is usually in the middle of the scoring. In fact, he’s in the middle of most scoring when they lose as well. The junior forward led the Knights in goals and points through the first 25 games this season. But it has been quite a road trip since his high school days. Youth hockey with the Whitestown Youth Association program, three years at Whitesboro High followed by two seasons at Northwood Prep in Lake Placid. Then playing for three different teams in three different leagues at the junior level during the 2008-09 campaign. “I started that year in Indiana in the USHL and on paper it was probably the best team in the league at the time,” said the junior forward in mid-January. “I’ve always been a first or second line kind of player and they had so much talent there that the coach and owner asked me if I would like to develop in the OPJHL (Ontario). “When I got there (Seguin, Ontario) the coaching wasn’t what I was used to. I had a tryout with Pembroke earlier so I went there and learned under their coach Sheldon Keefe. He has a great mind for the game so it was probably the best decision I’ve made in my life. Sheldon Keefe made me the hockey player I am today along with (Army head coach Brian) Coach Riley.” And then the decision to commit to Army. “A friend of mine came here a few years back and I thought it would be something special if I could fulfill my dream of serving my nation and playing Division I hockey,” said the junior forward in mid-January. “Times are tough sometimes and you do wonder why you made the decision, but the guys we have and the atmosphere we have is a lot different from any other Division I sport—not just hockey.” “It’s a huge commitment starting some days at six o’clock in the morning and going until 11:30-midnight going non-stop with school, military commitments and here for hockey. “It’s all business and like a fulltime job. It’s a of time and a lot of dedication, but I think that’s what makes it special.” With six games remaining in this, his next to last hockey season, the 6’1” 205 lb was one goal away from 25 career goals and six points from 50 in his career. In a 2011 interview with Fran Perritano of the Observer-Dispatch in his hometown, Starczewski said in response to a question about serving his country: “I was always in awe with the American Solider and aspired to be one. On September 11, 2001 I was in eighth grade sitting in Mrs. Donnelly’s second period American History class when Mr. Kuhn walked in and said ‘turn on the TV…any station.’ When I saw the first tower on fire and a second plane coming in, it was like a switch. If I was 18 years old that day, my life would have been very different.” The more you find out about some people, the easier it is to root for them…on and off the ice.*
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Women’s East Section College Report by Janet Schultz
February 2012
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in goals scored with 12, scoring in six consecutive games. Leading in points is Jordan Smelker with 10 goals and 15 assists. Goalie Kelly O’Brien has faced 367 shots this season, stopping 329 of them.
Union College The Engineers are 8-16-4 and 5-9-2 as they wind down their season. Eleeza Cox took Rookie of the Week honors January 31 for her putting the puck in the net three times in the six goals netted by RPI in a sweep of Union College. She leads the team
Coming into the final leg of the season Union is 4-20-4 overall and 2-12-2 in conference play. They have faced tough competition in Cornell, Colgate, the University of Connecticut, Harvard, Dartmouth, Brown, Yale and RPI. They took a 2-2 overtime tie from Connecticut and also tied with Brown.
With 5 goals and 6 assists, Bryanne Panchuk leads Union in points and Goalie Kate Gallagher has made 431 saves on 458 shots. Marcy/Syracuse Stars Lauren Hoffman has 2 goals and 5 assists this season.*
Team New York City Gives Back to the Game Lake Placid, NY, home of the Empire State Winter Games, features many sports that utilize facilities that were once built for the Olympics. Athletes from all over New York compete in events ranging from figure skating to downhill skiing. New York City is represented each year by a women’s ice hockey team. Its players bring a wealth of The West Point Army Atoms playing between periods at the Feb. experience and successful prior collegiate involvement. 4 NY Islanders game. (Photo by Janet Schultz) This year’s team represents colleges including Rochester Institute of Technology, Hamilton College, Holy Cross, Boston College, Manhattanville College, Dartmouth, and Minnesota State. These women also hold careers in engineering, sports TV researcher, finance, and teaching to name a few. After work, at least half of the players give back to the game as ice hockey coaches. They are actively coaching in girls associations such as at Central Park Ice Hockey at Lasker Rink. Team New York City has won the bronze medal the last two years at the Empire State Winter games and repeated this year.*
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February 2012
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Hogan Named Associate Coach in Chief
The NY Junior Islanders honored at recent Islanders game. The team is coached by Benoit Hogue. (Photo by Janet Schultz)
Mark Hogan has been named NYSAHA Associate Coach-InChief ACE Coordinator. Mark has served as the West Section ACE coordinator and now will serve the entire state in that capacity.*
The 14th Annual Todd Marchant Hockey School Mites - Squirts - PeeWees’s - Seniors 1997 1999 (Bantan/Midget)
One Week Only July 23 - 28 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
(Saturday is Final On-Ice Games & Awards)
Northtown Center at Amherst
Enrollment Includes: 16 Hours on-ice, instructed by recognized area coaches, organized dryland activities, on-site medical trainer, guest speakers, lunch included, Todd Marchant Hockey School Jersey, autographed Todd Marchant photo! Goaltending Program available, as well as goaltending equipment! Hockey Camp Fees: One-week Session $365. Deposit of $100 required. Deposit is due May 7, 2012; final payment by June 18, 2012. For Detailed Information/Registration Call (716) 688-4301 or www.marchanthockey.com Available Positions Are Filled On A First Come Basis!
Hockey NYS
February 2012
ARMY
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Senior goaltender Pierre –Olivier Lemieux entered February 15th in the nation in save percentage.
Heading into February, the Black Knights were virtually locked into being the road team for the Atlantic Conference first round series March 2-4. Their fate was largely sealed with a seven-game conference winless skid to start the 2012 portion of the schedule. Josh Richards recorded his first collegiate points with a goal and an assist January 27 against Air Force. Commitments for 2012-13 according to College Hockey Inc.: ST. DENIS, Michael Exeter Academy, Phillips HS (NEDI) FAUST, Willie Odessa Jackalopes (NAHL) PLAGEMAN, Kyle Culver Military Academy HS (IN-HS) GEHRT, Jonathan Austin Bruins (NAHL) JENKINS, Luke Amarillo Bulls (NAHL) HELLER, Thane Boston Junior By Warren Kozireski Bruins (EJHL) VOGEL, Kyle Wenatchee Wild (NAHL) BURNS, Robert New Jersey Hitmen (EJHL) POMARICO, Christian Muskegon Lumberjacks (USHL) MCNULTY, James Flin Flon Bombers (SJHL) KOZLAK, Joe Amarillo Bulls (NAHL) HEARN, Shane Hebron Academy HS (NEDI)
R.P.I. After winning just three of their first 19 games, the Engineers began to jell going 4-3-1 in January. Defenseman Nick Bailen (Fredonia) and Brock Higgs were atop the scoring chart while freshman goaltender Scott Diebold (Buffalo) got his first collegiate win at RIT. Eight regular season games for the unit to make up the four points (and pass three teams) needed to host a first round playoff series. Commitments for 2012-13 according to College Hockey Inc.: BUBELA, Milos
Dubuque Fighting Saints (USHL)
NYS HOCKEY COLLEGE REPORT-EAST
HUDSON VALLEY CC The Vikings picked up their fourth win of the season on the final day of January with Storm Knight and Roman Malyshev tied for the top spot in scoring. The road gets no easier with three regular season games remaining—two of those against top-ranked Monroe CC on home ice.
MANHATTANVILLE The Valiants stood three points behind first place Elmira with five games remaining (only one at home) in the regular season including two with Elmira. Scott Hudson and Brendan Turner stood 1-2 in team scoring while Luc Van Natter also had reached the tengoal mark.
DEVITO, Jimmy BOURBONNAIS, Riley MILLER, Mark ZALEWSKI, Michael KASDORF, Jason BRADLEY, Christopher
Chicago Steel (USHL) USHL Selects (USHL) Omaha Lancers (USHL) Vernon Vipers (BCHL) Des Moines Buccaneers (USHL) Youngstown Phantoms (USHL)
UNION The Dutchmen went 6-1-1 in January to launch themselves past Cornell into first place in ECAC with one month left. Four of their final seven games are against the second place Big Red and third place Colgate, so the race is wide open for the 11th ranked team. Kelly Zajac had passed the 30-point mark and in the top ten in assists per game while Jeremy Welsh was among the top ten in goals per game with 18 and tied for first in power play goals. Commitments for 2012-13 according to College Hockey Inc.: BOYLE, Tim Noble DI PAULI, Theo GINGRAS, Sebastien WILKINS, Matthew
CRUICE, Nick
Greenough HS (NEDI) Chicago Steel (USHL) Brockville Braves (CCHL) Brooks Bandits (AJHL)
South Shore Kings (EJHL)
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February 2012
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2012 Top Gun Tournament Champions
Top Gun Takes on New Look
F
or the past 30 years Amherst Youth Hockey has held a Top Gun Winter Classic tournament but with new tournaments springing up and the fact that many of those same teams would make a trip to Amherst for the States or Nationals, they backed off. One hockey Mom had another idea. Tiffany Sayers, who is employed by Pro Hockey Development, Toronto, Ontario, saw it as an opportunity to make the Top Gun Tournament a premiere tournament for cross and half ice and they added a 10U and 12U Girls division. “With the American Development Model (ADM) becoming mandatory for all Mite and under age groups next season, I think a tournament like this has the potential to be the premier tournament in this region,” said Steve LoVullo who helped Sayers develop the tournament. “With the short time span, teams had already committed to other tournaments,” said Sayers, who didn’t get approval until Fall to run the tournament.
One of the unique aspects was that Amherst Youth Hockey had purchased actual portable boards that separate a pad of ice into three or two sections, depending on the age group. This gave the tournament a real hockey feel, whereas the old use of bumpers and cones give it a less than “professional” feel. “It had a tournament feel,” said Sayers. “Everyone that came into the arena was so amazed. “They were also happy about keeping score, which doesn’t happen at that age in house teams and the kids were actually playing in a tournament format,” she continued. One team came without a goalie because they don’t use goalies in their house team. She explained that they just took one of their defensemen, put him in the net with no equipment and he played goalie, as well as a little defense. While some were concerned, others found it very exciting. “They did win a couple of games,” said Sayers. “We had no rule that anyone had to have a goalie, so we let them play the way they were used to.” Twenty teams came to play in the cross-ice tournament and 24 teams for the full ice tournament. Teams came from Pittsburgh, and Niagara and Erie (Ontario). “It makes it exciting and makes them want to move on to
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February 2012
travel hockey,” she continued. Top Gun is a recreational tournament, with no gate admission but included other activities that raised funds for the organization including craft stations, autograph and photo sessions with Buffalo Sabres Sabretooth, tattoo station and an open skate. “We had a place where the kids could buy a tee shirt and design it themselves,” said Sayers. “One group came out and made up their own Championship tee shirt, it was adorable and so much fun to watch.” When the group evaluated the tournament, held in January, they found that everything went like clock work. They received many compliments from parents on the entire weekend. “The boards definitely gave it a real hockey feel,” said Sayers. “The format gave it a real tournament atmosphere and the kids had fun.” At this point Amherst Youth Hockey is the only organization that owns these boards in the State of New York. “I would love to see a “select” team come in from Cleveland if they can’t bring more than one team,” said Sayers. “We may not be able to attract teams from Canada but we could attract teams from all over the northeast because of the ADM being put into effect next season by USA Hockey.” “I thought it was excellent,” said LoVullo. “Kids, parents, coaches alike loved the half ice format, loved that actual boards were used to separate the “two rinks” and it had a perfect combination of ADM that was age specific with a true competitive hockey tournament feeling.” Next year’s tournament is scheduled for the weekend of January 18 and will include 2004-06’s playing cross ice; 2003’s playing full ice and possibly a Mite cross ice tournament. If you have a team interested in taking part in next year’s tournament, contact Sayers at tsayers.prohockey@gmail.com. This year’s winners were the Niagara Redcoats, Amherst Bruins, Amherst Knights, Buffalo Saints, Amherst AAA 2002’s and in the newly established girls’ division is was the Amherst Knights in U12 and the Buffalo Regals in U14.*
Hockey NYS Needs YOU! We Need Your Youth Hockey News Send to: hockeynys@gmail.com Deadline for March Issue is February 26!
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Results from The 18th Annual Sarah Backstrom Tournament Erie, Pa. 10U House Gold: Ann Arbour Cougers Silver: Burlington Barracudas 12U House Gold: Scarboro Sharks Silver: Indiana Lady Chiefs 12U Tier II/REP Gold North Halton Twisters Silver: West Seneca Wings 14U House Gold: Burlington Barracudas Silver: Oakville Hornets 14UTier II/REP (1 OT) Gold: Niagara Rapids Silver: Bluewater Hawks 16U Tier II/Rep Gold: Buffalo Stars Silver: Columbus Chill 19U House Black (SO 7) Gold: Mt. Lebanon Hornets Silver: Oakville White Lightening 19U House Black Gold: Shaha Panthers Silver: Burlington Montgomery 19U Tier II/REP (SO-5) Gold: West Seneca Wings Silver: Burlington Halse Each year the Erie Lady Lions host this tournament to honor Sarah Backstrom, a hockey player who lost her fight with leukemia at age 18. The application for the 2013 Tournament is now on-line. Go to www.erieladylions.com.
Hockey NYS
RIT
“Pink the Rink,” Wounded Warriors Project and Autism Awareness --NY College’s Support Causes Close to Their Hearts!
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women¹s hockey team raised $11,067 for the Wounded Warriors Project in conjunction with their two-game series against ECAC West rival Buffalo State on Friday and Saturday, Jan. 20-21. RIT wore special camouflage jerseys that were auctioned off online. The 23 jerseys fetched $8,609. Junior Kristina Moss had the highest selling jersey, at $3,000. Freshman Julie Hall¹s jersey sold for $350. Every jersey sold for at least $215. In addition, the Tigers sold special “Support Wounded Warriors” t-shirts. On the ice, the Tigers earned four big points in the ECAC West race, coming away with 5-1 and 6-2 wins to improve to 16-1-1 this season. Moss was named the ECAC West Player of the Week after recording six points in the two games. RIT Head Coach Scott McDonald is thrilled to donate to such a worthy cause. “We wanted to do something that really stood out in a national sense, said McDonald, who has led the Tigers to a 123-22-10 mark in six seasons at RIT.” With what happened on September 11, 2001, we wanted to support our military and how they sacrifice for our freedom. The community support was tremendous, with two good crowds, and most importantly, their generosity to help support a great cause.” The Wounded Warrior Project is a nonprofit organization that exists to honor and empower Wounded Warriors who incurred service-connected injures on or after September 11, 2001. Their mission is to “honor and empower wounded warriors” of the United States Armed Forces. WWP works to raise awareness and enlist the public’s aid for the needs of severely injured service men and women, to help severely injured service members aid and assist each other, and to provide unique, direct programs and services to meet their needs. The women¹s hockey team has developed a strong tradition of giving back to the community. Last year, the Tigers partnered with Zeta Tau Alpha Sorority and Geneva General Cardiology Associates to raise $10,219 for Finger Lakes Health to help “Black Out Heart Disease. In 2010, both the men¹s and women¹s teams along with Zeta Tau Alpha raised $21,248 for cancer research in their “Make The Rink Pink” On Jan. 6 the women’s hockey team presented a check for $3,825 to the Breast Cancer Coalition of Rochester in conjunction with a fundraiser that the Tigers hosted at Park Point in October. On Feb. 10-11, both the men¹s and women’s hockey squads once again teamed up with Zeta Tau Alpha Women’s fraternity for their Second Biennial Make the Rink Pink. Fans wore pink, rather than their traditional orange and they auctioned off pink jerseys and sold pink tiger tee shirts. Proceeds will be donated to Rochester General’s Lipson Cancer Center and Zeta Tau Alpha Foundation for Breast Cancer Education and Awareness.
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Colgate Skates for Autism
C
olgate College’s Starr Rink went blue for the Second Annual Light Up the Starr Rink Blue Buffalo State Alumni gather for Maddy’s Game! (Photo by Janet Schultz) event to mark the beginning of the team’s 2012 Autism Awareness Project. The team created this project in support of Kati Williams, a teenager from Norwich (NY) who has been an avid fan of Colgate for several years and now works as the team’s manager. She has Asperger’s Syndrome, which uffalo State Colis an autism spectrum disorder that is characterized by lege’s men’s and significant difficulties in social interaction and restrictive women’s teams weland repetitive patterns of behavior and interests. comed back their alumni The team will be wearing special autism jerseys dein a celebration weekend signed by 11-year-old Christian Mast. Mast is an author, January 20 and 21. First up was the women’s hockey player, student, friend, brother and son who has autism, a neurological disorder that affects the normal alumni game named after A moment for Maddy. former player Maddy Lof(Photo by Janet Schultz) functioning of the brain, impacting development in the tus, who was killed when areas of social interaction and communication skills. The Continental Flight 3407 jerseys were auctioned off through an on-line auction after crashed in Clarence (NY) on approach to Buffalo Interthe game. national Airport in 2009. Maddy was on her way to play The Raiders over 1,200 fans wore blue to the game in the Bengals annual Alumni Game. Taking part in this with the first 300 entering the arena receiving a free light year’s tribute were: Emma Wadsworth, Bree Cote, Amanblue special event tee shirt. The shirts are being given da Johnson Jessica De Carlo, Katie Olejarski, Dyanne away through the sponsorship of Price Chopper, Crows, Roberts, Julie Ruszala, jess Czmara, Marissa McMullan, Oliveri’s, the Colgate Bookstore, Colgate Inn Hamilton Kristi Reed on Team White and on Team Black: Mary Keddie Halas, Kelsey Truran, Jennifer Trees, Kim Costan- inn and Seven Oaks. zo, Melissa Jeckovich, Nicole Bennett, Courtney Wagner, Colgate is also continuing its annual Player Mary Cohen, Jamie Overbeck (now assistant coach for the Puzzle Fundraiser as part of its 2012 Autism AwareBengals), Amanda Uschold and Crissay Michalek. ness Project. Team White beat Team Black. Each player has created their own individual Following the women’s game, the men welcomed online puzzle on the Web site for Autism Speaks, back their alumni members in a action-packed game. The Rink was Pink for both of those contests as well North America’s largest autism science and advocacy as for the afternoon regular season game with the women organization. Fans can purchase a piece of a player’s facing Oswego and the men facing Morrisville. puzzle for just $10 and help support Autism Speaks All funds raised will go to breast cancer research U. through Roswell Cancer Institute and the CHA, who matches funds and donates to the charity designated by the These digital puzzle pieces can be sent to family, CHA Tournament host. friends and supporters of the Colgate women’s hock-
Bengals Honor Former Player
B
ey to help put the pieces together and raise money for
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autism research. To purchase puzzle pieces, or for more information about the project and its events, please visit www.colgate.edu/autism. Colgate is also holding a raffle and auction to benefit Goals for Good and the Autism Awareness Project. Beginning February 3 and continuing through February 18 fans can purchase raffle tickets in the lobby outside Starr Rink during men’s and women’s home ice hockey games. They can also bid on items at auction.colgateraiders.com. With the raffle, fans can select which raffle item they want to play for. Winners will be notified on February 20. Items include a Syracuse Crunch jerOswego Team Pinks the Rink (Photo by Jim Feeney) sey, a Jim Craig (1980) USA signed jersey, a voucher for one pair of Bauer APX skates, gift baskets and a Bauer Autism Speaks stick signed by the men’s and women’s Colgate ice hockey teams. There is also an on-line live auction which includes NHL jerseys, NBA jersey and signed sticks.
Upstate New York Girls 2012 Hockey Playoffs The finals will be held Saturday, February 11. In Section X Semifinal playoffs it was: #4 Massena 3; #1 Potsdam 4 #3 Canton 2; #2 St. Lawrence 8 Moving into the Section X Championship game: Potsdam beat St. Lawrence 4-2. Potsdam moves to play Ithaca at the Upstate NY Semifinal. Section VII #4 Lake Placid, 2; Beekmantown 5 #3 Saranac Lake, 2; Albany 6 Beekmantown 5; Albany 0 in the Section VII Championship Section III #3 Skaneateles 2, #2 Alexandria Bay 3 (OT) #4 Oswego, 1; #1 Ithaca, 0 (OT) Alexandria Bay 2, Oswego 0 in Section III Championship Beekmantown faces Alexandria Bay in the Upstate NY Semifinals. Winners of the Semifinals meet in the Championship game on February 11.
Other Colleges Join the Fight!
M
Ceremonial puck drop with RIT Captain Kim Schlattman, Ira Reimer, grandmother of Freshman Laker Samm Reimer. (Photo by Jim Feeney).
any other colleges throughout the State have or are playing games for charity including Oswego who pinked their rink during their Friday (Feb. 3) game against RIT. Their proceeds, which totaled $1,000, will benefit the American Cancer Society and the fight against breast cancer. The Lakers will donated their admission receipts and auction off a pink jersey. Niagara University’s Pink the Rink was held Friday, Feb. 3 when they hosted Mercyhurst. Student athletes Daniela Dal Colle and Erica Owczarczak took charge of the sixth annual “Skate for the Cure.” All four colleges in the CHA take part in this fundraiser. The program was started to help raise awareness and funds towards the fight against breast cancer. The Purple Eagles wore custom-made pink jerseys, which will be sold following the game. Player Kristen Richards’ grandmother and cancer survivor dropped the ceremonial puck. Proceeds from NU go to Niagara’s Partner in Pink, Mt. St. Mary’s Hospital, as well as dedicated to an organization fighting breast cancer at the CHA Championships to be held later this year on the campus of Robert Morris College.*
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February 2012
North Section Women’s College Report by Janet Schultz
T
he Potsdam Bears struggle this season with a 7-7-3 overall record and 1-5-2 in conference play. They began the New Year with a loss to Plattsburgh, followed by three victories (Castleton and Cortland) and tied two games with Utica. Emilee Hazeden was named to the ECAC West Honor Roll after recording her first three points of her Bears career in the ties with Utica. She assisted in the 3-3 game and had two goals in the 4-4 game; netting three points in her six games. Leading the Bears in scoring this season is Annmarie Lewis with 9 goals and 9 assists, followed by Breanne Roy (4-14) and Jessica Silveira (11-6). Making the saves are Jen Conophy of Glenmont, New York, with a .902 save percentage and Dawna Salvarinas with a .908 save percentage. Lewis was named ECAC West Player of the Week for February 5 after she scored four goals in a twogame split with Neumann, including the game winner and tacked on an empty-netter in a 4-2 come-fromLewis behind victory over Neumann.
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St. Lawrence The Saints are on a winning streak after taking six consecutive games before taking Clarkson to a 1-1 overtime tie in January. Their only loss (6-4) came at the hands of #2 Cornell. Their scoring leaders include Rylee Smith, 33 points; Kelly Sabatine, 31 points and Karell Emard, 28 points. In goal they have Carmen MacDonald with a .925 save percentage and Caitlyn Lahoene with a .909 save percentage. MacDonald has a 12-5-3 record while Lahonen has a 3-3-1. Akwesane’s Ally Bero has 13 points this season.
Clarkson
Clarkson will host Brown and Yale in their final regular season schedule as this publication goes to press. They are 16-7-5 overall and challenge for one of the top spots in the ECAC. Five seniors will see their final games including Juana Baribeau, Danielle Boudreau, Kali Gillanders, Gabrielle Kosziwka and Katelyn Ptolemy. Baribeau has 22 points this season, scoring 14 goals and 8 assists. Carly Mercer has 12 goals and 21 assists and Jamie Lee Rattray has 15 goals and 16 assists.*
Around the North...
...Zoe Shannon took an honorable mention as Varsity Athlete of the Week at Albany Academies. Zoe is an eighth grader playing varsity ice hockey.
Hockey NYS
February 2012
NYS HOCKEY COLLEGE REPORT-NORTH By Warren Kozireski
CLARKSON As the calendar turned to February, the Knights were mere points away from finishing among the top four in ECAC and avoiding a first round playoff series. Senior goaltender Paul Karpowich continued to appear among the top ten in the nation in save percentage, but the team was relying on him a little too much averaging the fifth fewest goals scored in conference games. Freshman defenseman James Howden netted his first collegiate goal against rival St. Lawrence January 21st. Commitments for next season according to College Hockey Inc.: MOOR, Tyler Dubuque Fighting Saints (USHL) BESSETTE, Simon Wellington Dukes (OJHL) BOUCHER-GOULD, Jordan Sioux City Musketeers (USHL) FINCH, Christian Stouffville Spirit (OJHL) ANTONI, Gabe Springfield Jr. Blues (NAHL) KIRISITS, Kevin Brockville Braves (CCHL) MEGANNETY, Patrick Georgetown Raiders (OJHL) FERREIRA, Dave Brockville Braves (CCHL) DINALLO, Jeff Newmarket Hurricanes (OJHL) KULEVICH, Jake Berkshire HS (NEDI) PLATTSBURGH The Cardinals entered February ranked third in the nation among Division III teams and riding a nationbest 12 game unbeaten streak dating back to Thanksgiving. Sophomore goaltender Mathieu Cadieux was number one in the nation with a 1.80 goals against average and seventh in save
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percentage at .932. The team was succeeding with defense allowing a tied-for-third-in-the-country 1.89 goals per game and were leading the nation on the penalty kill at 91.5% as the least penalized team. The balance on offense was also evident with nine forwards led by senior Kyle Kudroch and two defensemen all with ten or more points through 19 games, but none at 20 or more. According to Junior Hockey News, The Cardinals have 2012-13 commitments from forward Max Balaban and Zach Popp from the Northern Cyclones and defenseman Rich Botting (Binghamton) from the Connecticut Jr. Wolfpack of the AJHL. POTSDAM In a dogfight with Cortland and Brockport both one point behind them for the sixth and final playoff position, the Bears held games-in-hand on both. Senior Sy Nutkevitch stood third in the conference and 11th in Division III with 30 points and sixth in assists per game over the first 19. Trevor Cope and Adam Place remain next on the scoring chart. The team plays its final four regular season games away from home before the play-in round of the playoffs February 22.
ST. LAWRENCE
The Saints will be playing an ECAC first round playoff series; the only question was where. They started the year’s second month four points away from hosting that series with five of their eight February against teams they are chasing. Kyle Flanagan (Canton) and Greg Carey were the only two players who had eclipsed the 20 point mark through the first 26 games. Commitments for next season according to College Hockey Inc.: HAGEN, Alex CAREY, Matthew
South Surrey Eagles (BCHL) Toronto Jr. Canadiens (OJHL)*
P
Hockey NYS
February 2012
eter Preteroti has one of the biggest extended families in Western New York. Maybe even in New York State. The reason? The Buffalo Hornets hockey organization. The Hornets are celebrating their 40th anniversary season this year. Preteroti has been a part of the Hornets since day one, first as a player and then, since 1979, as it’s president. Although he wasn’t part of the actual organizing of the Hornets, Preteroti has a good understanding of how the organization got started. “We’re actually an off-shoot of the Buffalo Saints organization,” said Preteroti. “I’m not sure exactly what the situation was at the time, but there was some kind of trouble in the by Randy Schultz Saints. “What came from that were two more hockey organizations, the Depew Rovers and the D and L (Depew and Lancaster) Hornets. “We were actually formed through the D and L Little League baseball club. People that were involved in that helped form the hockey team. “It originally started as a house league back during the 1972-73 season. And we began play at Holiday Twin Rinks and the Village of Depew Ice. “Over the years we evolved into travel and became members of the Frontier Youth Hockey League. We started putting a team at every level of hockey.” But just seven years into their existence, the Hor-
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nets made a couple of changes that would impact the organization for years to come. The first was changing the name of the team from D and L to Buffalo. The second, and maybe more important change came on November 30, 1979. It was a date that would change Preteroti’s life forever. “It was a date I’ll never forget,” recalled Preteroti. “Infact, I can even tell you what time it was. “At 7 p.m. on that date I took over as President of the Hornets organization. Up until that time George Weber had been Chairman of the Board and Gary Holland had been president. “Both decided to leave at the same time. I was referee and chief of the organization at the time. “Nobody else wanted it. So I stepped up and took over at the age of 24. “I wanted it. I was an aggressive kid at the time and was willing to do anything for the organization that would help them. “I was on the board of the Hornets when I was 18. So taking charge of the organization is something I really wanted.
Happy 40th Anniversary Buffalo Hornets!
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February 2012
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“I felt that it was my life. It was all I wanted to from Cuba, Rochester and Niagara Falls. do. “Yes, a lot of our players are still from the Lan “We were a Double-A organization at the time, caster and Depew areas. But people from other areas with teams at every level. We eventually added girls know of us.” and women’s hockey in the 1980s. “There is also the big banquet at the end of the “Along the way we’ve also become two entities. year,” remarked Flury, who, like Preteroti, is an origiThere is the Hornets Hockey Association, Inc., which nal player with the Hornets. “Every kid is recognized. is the actual not-for-profit youth entity. “Everyone comes together and has a good time.” “Then we have the Buffalo Stars Junior hockey Maybe Robinson had the best idea for summing with is 10 years old. It is separate from the Hornets. up the Hornets. “We then tied it all together through Buffalo “It’s not hockey, it’s a way of life,” commented Stars Sports and Marketing. But we still answer our Robinson. “We try to teach life lessons as well as phones, ‘Hornets hockey.’ hockey here.” “And I made sure along the way that I surrounded Which all stems back to Preteroti. myself with good people that would help make this “Have we had kids that have come through here hockey organization great.” that have gone on to the NHL,” questioned Preteroti. Good people including “No. Gretchen Mullen, Executive “What about Division I hock“We are a family. There is Vice-President; Ed Gajewski, just no other way to describe ey? Maybe a couple. Vice-President of Operations; “We’re not that type of orgait.”-Norm Robinson, Vice-President nization that is going to hang their Gretchen Mullen, Hornet’s hat on kids who have gone that route. of Girls and Womens Hockey; executive vice president. What we care about is if they become Greg Flury, Vice-President of Medical and Facilities. good citizens. But as these members of the “We’ve had players come Hornets organization will tell you, there is more to through who are now doctors, lawyers, teachers and the organization that just the teams playing hockey. engineers, among other careers. We’ve had kids come “We are a family,” stated Mullen, who has been through who are now outstanding young men and with the Hornets since 1990. “There is just no other women. way to describe it. “We’ve now got third generation players coming “When we do things, we encourage the families to us. The families keep coming back and back. to get involved. And we do a lot of activities. “We’re proud of the over 6000 players that have “There is the annual Christmas party. Each year come through our doors over the past 40 years. Each we do a community service. and every one of them.” “This year it was the Food Bank. This year we The magic question that now surrounds Preteroti had so much food that had to have two trucks to take is how much longer will he run the Hornets? it away. “Until I die,” he quietly answered. “We always are trying to give back to the commu- And there is a reason for that answer. nity. It’s great not only for the kids, but their families “When I was a teenager, I didn’t like myself,” as well. continued Preteroti. “I had no direction in life. “In this organization, we care about the kids. The “Then I found this organization. They opened the numbers might not always be great on the scoreboard, door for me. but the moral and good feelings the players have for “I wouldn’t be here today if it wasn’t for the Horeach other speaks for itself.” nets. “It’s the only reason we’re here,” added Gajew “There are a lot of hockey organizations out there ski. “There is no other reason for our existence. that say they only open the door for the best. “And we have kids and their families coming “Well, I guess we open the doors for the rest.”* from all over Western New York. We’ve got players
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February 2012
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and 7 assists this season. She is followed by Jenna Hendrikx (7-9) and East Amherst/Buffalo Bison’s Kelsey Welch with 8 goals and 7 assists this season. Kalli Funk was named Co-CHA Rookie of the Week for January 30 after scoring the only goal of the weekend and her sixth of the season in a 1-0 win over Robert Morris. Goalie Sarah Moses was named NU Student-Athlete of the Week after she helped I the split with Robert Morris. Moses had her first career shutout in the 1-0 victory over the Colonials. In addition, Moses was named CHA Goaltender of the Month.
West Section Women’s College Hockey Report by Janet Schultz Buffalo State
Buffalo State’s Bengals are riding a rough patch with a 6-11-2 overall record and 3-8-1 in the conference coming into February. Six straight losses in January give them a goal to make things better in February. Christine Williams (Niagara Falls/Niagara County Coyotes) leads the scoring with 13 goals and 7 assists for 20 points this season. She is followed by Brianna Murphy (Depew/Buffalo Bisons) with 4 goals and 11 assists. In third is Jeyna Minnick (Rochester/Rochester Edge) with 8 goals and 5 assists. Between the pipes Jordan Lee has played in 18 games putting up a .913 save percentage facing 470 shots this season. Cheektowaga’s Jess Garland has seen action in 3 games and has a .891 save percentage.
Niagara University The Purple Eagles come into February with a 9-126 overall record and 2-3-1 in the CHA. They lost to #5 Mercyhurst 4-5 and 2-4 followed by an overtime tie with Syracuse (3-3) and an overtime loss to the Orange (2-1), before splitting with Robert Morris. Jessica Hitchcock leads NU in scoring with 12 goals
RIT
The Tigers continue their winning tradition with a 17-1-1 overall record and 10-1-1 in the ECAC as they wind down the season. Plattsburgh gave them their only trouble after the New Year with a 1-1 overtime tie and a 1-3 loss in game two. The Tigers soundly defeated their other opponents which included Adrian College, Buffalo State and Hamilton. Leading the Tigers this season in scoring is Kourtney Kunichika with 11goals and 17 assists. She is followed by Kolbee McCrea, 14G/11A and Tenecia Hiller, 13G/8A. Webster’s Kristina Moss has 5 goals and 15 assists this season and Amherst’s Hannah Epstein has four assists. In goal is Laura Chamberlain leading with a .941 save percentage in 11 games played.*
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Hockey NYS
February 2012
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Buffalo Girl Named to Eastern Selects
O
livia Smith, Tonawanda, has been selected to play for the PeeWee U12 International Selects Program. The PeeWee Selects Program held a tryout in Buffalo in January. More than 200 girls were invited from across North America to compete for 50 positions. Those selected took part in the program’s international spring training development camp and will play in the World Selects Invitational to be held in Prague, Czech Republic April 25 through May 4. Select Hockey is an elite hockey prospect development program owned by Selects Sports Management, Inc. Since 2003 Selects Hockey has worked with top 12 to 16 year old hockey players from across North America and Europe to expose them to all avenues of hockey in an effort to facilitate opportunities at the NCAA, Junior and Professional levels. The program has helped over 100 players receive NCAA scholarships to play men’s and women’s hockey over the past eight years to such schools as Boston University, Harvard, Boston College and the University of Michigan. Olivia currently plays for the Kenmore Girl’s Varsity Ice Hockey team. She is a 7th grader at Kenmore.*
RYH/Maksymum Form Girls’ Junior Hockey Team (Submitted by Jeff Kolcon, Maksymum)
R
ochester Youth Hockey in partnership with Maksymum Hockey is pleased to announce the formation of the Maksymum Edge Girls’ Junior Hockey team. The Edge will provide a full season format for players looking to showcase their skills and build a competitive experience with expectations of moving on to college hockey. The team will mirror the development model of both the Maksymum Junior B hockey team and the Rochester Stars Junior A team of the Eastern Junior Hockey league. The team will practice 4 times a week along with off-ice conditioning provided by Athletic Republic. “Having the ability to offer girls junior hockey in Rochester is both exciting and timely,” states Ray Cardella, Director at Large with Rochester Youth Hockey and longtime Director of the Rochester Edge Program. “We have seen a lot of talent leave Rochester to pursue high level competition and exposure. This venue will allow us to effectively compete with the other junior programs and academies.” Morgan Beikirch, Director of Girls Hockey for Maksymum LLC and former college coach adds, “It is extremely important to keep our talent local. Our younger girls need role models to connect the dots to college hockey. If our best girls always leave, it is a disincentive for some little girls.” Although the priority is given on developing local
talent, The Edge will also expand their, reach to competitive players throughout North America. “We expect to see some players from all over involved in our program. This will be a great stepping stone for high school players and graduates looking to improve their exposure to college hockey scouts.” The Maksymum Edge Girls’ Junior Hockey team is exploring affiliation with several junior leagues but will focus mostly on college campus showcases and major showcase tournaments. “We expect that every game will attract college attention,” says Beikirch. Training and development will consist of 4 practices a week along with 2-3 off-ice sessions. The team will have at least one weekend per month without games and travel. The team will be featuring a new logo and color scheme heading into their inaugural 2012-13 campaign. The Maksymum Edge will announce the head coach and tryout schedule in the next several days. Any questions can be directed to Morgan Beikirch at morgan@maksymum.com.*
Hockey NYS
February 2012
Scenes from the Dianne and David Braunstein Benefit.
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Clockwise from Top left: Dianne talks with members of the Buffalo Junior Sabres; Gary LeBraun wins a jersey; Dianne and David with Hockey USA’s Kenny Rausch; David with East Section President Ralph Scarpino; David with Larry Playfair; the crowd; NYSAHA President Joe Baudo with Hockey NYS Publisher Steve Manson and the NYSAHA Section Presidents with Hockey USA’s Kenny Rausch. Center: The committee who organized the event. It was more than a successful evening financially but that afternoon Dianne received news that the cancer was gone.* (Photos by Janet Schultz)
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February 2012
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NYS HOCKEY COLLEGE REPORT-WEST
ERIE CC
The second-ranked Kats were 16-3 with four games By Warren Kozireski remaining and were led BROCKPORT by Christopher Kendall (Cheektowaga) and Scott Roy who each had 41 points— Three points out of the final playoff position with tied for second nationally. three games remaining was not the ideal spot, but the Cory Kifner (Williamsville) and Joshua Jaszcz Golden Eagles were holding out hope that sixth place Geneseo gets swept and they win two of three to sneak in. (Cheektowaga) both were over the 30 point mark. Senior Ian Finnerty stood 11th in the country in scoring and classmate James Cody was 11th in goals per game through February 6.
BUFFALO STATE The Bengals were skidding a bit toward the finish line with a 2-3-0 record since conference play resumed. They still were tied for third with three games left in the regular season, but just two points from dropping to sixth in the tight SUNYAC. Trevor McKinney, Justin Knee and Drew Klin (Lancaster) all had surpassed the 20 point mark with James Durham (Marilla) hot on their heels.
CANISIUS
Senior goaltender Dan Morrison closed to within 60 saves of the all-time school record of 2,771 career stops held by Bryan Worosz set between 2001-2005. There were eight games remaining in the regular season to break the record. Senior captain Scott Moser had played in 106 consecutive games—the second longest streak in the program’s history. The longest streak is 114 games which Moser would reach on the final day of the regular season if he remains healthy. Sophomore goaltender Tony Capobianco posted his first career shutout with a 28-save effort January 20th against Sacred Heart. Stephen Farrell netted his first collegiate goal – the eventual game-winning score—against Robert Morris February 4th. 2010 alum Cory Conacher was chosen to start the AHL All-Star game representing Norfolk in the Tampa Bay system.
FREDONIA The Blue Devils have played five conference games that have gone to overtime with the last two (February 3-4) the only OT losses. They went into the final three games tied for third. Senior Bryan Ross was among the top-20 scorers in Division III and reached the 50 goal career mark against Brockport January 20.
GENESEO Sophomore Zachary Vit had 29 points over the first 22 games and the Knights had 10 others players with ten or more points for their balanced attack. David Arduin scored his first career hat trick and junior netminder Adrian Rubeniuk posted his first career shutout with 12 saves to lead Geneseo to an 8-0 victory over the host Franklin Pierce January 7. Freshman Zack Cavallini scored his first career goal in the same contest. Freshman Justin Scharfe (Webster) scored his first career goal against Hobart January 11 and sophomore Jonathan Sucese (Fairport) scored his first career goal against Cortland January 28.
MONROE CC With five games left in the regular season, the Tribunes maintained their top spot in the national rankings with an 18-3 record. Dan Turgeon was leading the team in goals and assists and second in the NJCCA. Zach Lewis, Mike Boyd (Syracuse) and TJ Reilley (Rome) all had 30 or more
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February 2012
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points giving the Tribs four of the top ten spots nationally in scoring.
Commitments for next season according to College Hockey Inc.:
The three-headed goaltending monster of Rasmus Nilsson, Rick Hennard and Tom Dehr (Varysburg) also stood 1-2-3 nationally in goals against average in back of the stingy defense.
WEIDAUER, Christian CHIARANTANO, Matt KOLENDA, Dan DINEEN, Matt CONTE, Patrick STOUFFER, Ryan
NIAGARA Senior Sam Goodwin was named as one of 23 individuals that have been named a nominee for the 2012 Hockey Humanitarian Award. The Communications Officer for Niagara’s Student-Athletedvisory Committee spent some time in Africa over this past summer helping to teach the children English. Defenseman C.J. Chartrain recorded his first career two-goal game on January 20 and freshman Chris Lochner notched his first collegiate hat-trick, scoring three power play goals January 21 in a weekend sweep of AIC. Senior goaltender Chris Noonan was named the Atlantic Hockey Conference Goaltender of the Month for January. Noonan earned a 1.18 goals-against average and a .959 save percentage after stopping 209 of 218 shots in the month. Niagara rode a seven-game winning streak from January 13-February 3; the program’s first since the 2001-02 season. It launched the team into the top four in Atlantic Hockey with six games remaining in the regular season. Niagara University Athletics will induct former standout Joe Tallari (’04) into the Hall of Fame on Friday, Feb. 10. Tallari scored 60 goals, 65 assists and 125 points in 144 career games. The 2002-03 College Hockey America Player of the Year had a stellar junior season, with 26 goals, 29 assists and 55 points en route to being Niagara’s first-ever finalist for the prestigious Hobey Baker award. Tallari finished sixth in the NCAA during his junior season in points per game (1.62) and 11th in goals (26). Tallari’s name is still found numerous times within the Niagara record book, including for career points (10th – 125), career goals (T-4th – 60), career power-play goals (9th – 16), career game-winning goals (T-7th – 10) and career games played (T-4th – 144). The two-time captain also holds many of Niagara’s single-season records, including points (T-1st – 55), goals (4th – 26), assists (7th – 29) and game-winning goals (T-7th – 4).
Carleton Place Canadians (CCHL) Georgetown Raiders (OJHL) Carleton Place Canadians (CCHL) Newmarket Hurricanes (OJHL) Youngstown Phantoms (USHL) St. Louis Bandits (NAHL)
R.I.T. The Tigers had a five game conference winning streak to put them among the upper tier of Atlantic Hockey, but stumbled with a three-game winless skid heading into the final six games of the season. Senior goaltender Shane Madolora and the defense were keys to the team’s success. He was among the top five in save percentage and goals against while standing alone nationally atop the shutouts list with six. Four of the Tigers final six regular season contests will be played on home ice. Among the games is a homeand-home to conclude the season—a team RIT has yet to beat since turning Division I. Commitments for next season according to College Hockey Inc.: MILLER, Andrew SHUMWAY, Bradley KUQALI, Alexander MITCHELL, Josh
Chicago Steel (USHL) Wichita Falls Wildcats (NAHL) Sioux City Musketeers (USHL) Alberni Valley Bulldogs (BCHL)
SCHULER, Daniel
Powell River Kings (BCHL)
SIDHU, Rajan Coquitlam Express (BCHL) HUDSON, Woodruff Indiana Ice (USHL)
OTHER AREA NOTES • UConn sophomore Cole Schneider (Williamsville) notched the second hat trick of his career against Niagara and was named Atlantic Hockey Player of the Week ending January 8. • Sophomore goaltender Branden Komm from Bentley stopped 65 of 68 shots in a three-point weekend against Robert Morris in January.*
Hockey NYS
February 2012
Home Grown:
Lee Stempniak
By Randy Schultz Photos by Janet Schultz
“L
ee Stempniak is one of those types of players that comes along once in a coaching career. He could score, check, play the power play, kill penalties and take that extra shift when needed. “I can say that I was very fortunate to have been able to coach a player like Lee.” That is how Dartmouth College hockey coach, Bob Gaudet, described Stempniak who, in four short seasons, became a legend in Big Green hockey history. Today, Stempniak is quietly making a name for himself in the National Hockey League. Now in his seventh NHL campaign, the right winger has played for the St. Louis Blues, Toronto Maple Leafs, and Phoenix Coyotes. Currently he is skating for the Calgary Flames, a team he was traded to in late August from Phoenix. Despite his NHL success, Stempniak wasn’t that well known back in his pre-college days. “It wasn’t like Lee was a household name at the time we recruited him,” recalled Gaudet. “Brenden Whitlet, one of my assistant coaches at the time, scouted Lee and liked what he saw. “You have to remember that recruiting is a lot of luck. With Lee, we got a kid who was striving towards excellence on the ice. He was trying to be the best hockey player he could be.
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“And I think Lee hit his stride about halfway through his freshman year and never looked back.” While Gaudet may say that he wasn’t sure what he was getting when Stempniak was recruited, there was no doubt that the Western New York native had the tools to play major college hockey. Stempniak had played two seasons of hockey for the Buffalo Lightning of the OPJAHL. In his second season he recorded 85 points (34 goals and 51 assists) in just 48 games. The 2001 St. Francis High School graduate was also a member of the New York State 16 and 17 team that represented the region at the United States Junior Olympic Festival. For Stempniak, it was just a matter of time before he would be recruited, or so he thought. His home town of West Seneca, NY is a long distance from Hanover, NH, home of the Big Green. “I really didn’t know if there would be any interest in me,” remembered Stempniak, who was valedictorian of his senior class and member of the National Honor Society at St. Francis High School. “I had an interest in a college like Dartmouth. “I knew that they had an interest in me as well. But so did Cornell, Miami of Ohio, Yale and Niagara University. “But there was something different about Dartmouth. The coaching staff there seemed to know where I would fit in. Coaches from the other schools seemed to give me the same talk, but Dartmouth seemed to have a genuine interest in me. “It turned out to be the best move I ever made. It exceeded all of my expectations.’ For four seasons the West Seneca, NY native led the
Hockey NYS
February 2012
ECAC team into battle on the ice. During those four years Stempniak never missed a game, playing 135 consecutive starts and scoring 63 goals and 88 assists for 151 points. He was a Second Team All-American in his senior year and a First Team All-American in his junior campaign, at the time becoming the first Dartmouth player in 15 years to
earn that honor. To top all of that, Stempniak was drafted by the St. Louis Blues in the fifth round of the 2003 NHL Entry Draft. Stempniak never forgot the coaches and players he played with prior to his arrival in Hanover, New Hampshire. “I played for West Seneca Hockey all my life,” recalled the 5-11, 196-pound Stempniak. “Matt English was my coach for at least five of those years I played. “He stressed a lot of basic hockey to me that I’m still working on today, even after several years in the NHL. He was very important to me throughout my early hockey career. “Playing for the Lightning really helped my progress up the hockey ladder. It was one of the best experiences I’ve ever had. “It was a huge step for me when I was made the jump to major college hockey. I found out very quickly that college hockey was very high paced in my first year. “But thanks to the coaching at Dartmouth, as well as excellent teammates around me, I was able to improve my game.” Probably one of the greatest team honors Stempniak ever received was when he was named captain of the Dartmouth team for the 2004-05 season. “To me, that’s one of the greatest honors ever bestowed on me,” said Stempniak. “It was an honor for me because the captain is elected by the players on the
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team. “And being captain is about responsibility and when things don’t go well, they look to you. Sometimes it’s about too much fault when things don’t go well and too much credit when they do. “I just tried to play hard and lead by example. Had I not been named captain I wouldn’t have changed my personality or the way I play. “I always felt that there were other guys on the team who didn’t have the ‘C’ or ‘A’ on their jersey and were still leaders on the team. We had a lot of leaders on that team.” Gaudet, has never forgotten Stempniak. “He is one of the top players to ever wear our college’s hockey uniform,” said the Big Green hockey coach. “Lee showed great leadership skills, both on and off the ice. “He is one of the best all-round people I’ve ever been associated with. He is very selfless on the ice. While he may have been happy when he scored a goal, he was equally happy when one of his teammates scored. “Off the ice, Lee is a very humble person. He understands humility. “He is well grounded. And because he is so humble, Lee doesn’t get the recognition or notoriety he should.” For Stempniak, the talented forward still doesn’t take anything for granted. “I know that I’m playing in the best hockey league in the world,” concluded Stempniak, who shoots right. “I’m very fortunate to be here. “But I never forget my roots. Western New York was a great place to grow up. I have a lot of great memories. “It is a great hockey area.”*
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February 2012
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NAZARETH Names New Assistant Coach
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ared DeMichiel, former goaltending standout at RIT, has been named assistant coach for men’s hockey at Nazareth College. DeMichiel will assist head coach George Roll in recruiting players in preparation for Nazareth’s first season of intercollegiate play in 2012-13. DeMichiel graduated from RIT in 2010 was the Tigers’ starting goalie during their run to the Frozen Four during the 2009-10 season. He led all of Division I with 27 victories that year and was a first-team Atlantic Hockey Association all-star as well as Goaltender of the Year. After graduating from RIT with a degree in Business Administration, DeMichiel signed with the American Hockey League’s Hershey Bears and played professionally for parts of two seasons. In addition to Hershey, DeMichiel played with the South Carolina Stingrays and Elmira Jackals of the East Coast Hockey League and with Providence of the AHL. Since his playing days, DeMichiel has been an assistant coach with the RIT women’s hockey team and as a goalie instructor at several camps and clinics.*
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Hockey NYS
I
February 2012
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t is about 7 a.m. on a Sunday “We can set up the three rinks in morning in mid-January. A group about six minutes. It’s amazing. of five people are walking into “We have enough boards availthe Feature Rink at Northtown Cenable to split our NHL-sized rink up. ter at Amherst, New York. And we can go across the way to Normally the people would our Olympic-size rink, simply add continue talking, make their way to a couple more boards, and split that their seats and watch hockey. But on up into three rinks for the kids.” this day all five suddenly stop with How was this able to become a all collectively saying, “Whoa.” reality? The reason for their reaction is “We’re very fortunate to have that the rink is divided into three this as well,” continued Grizdek. smaller ice surfaces with portable “We raised a lot of the money for dasher boards separating the trio of the dasher boards thanks to the Nasmaller rinks. tional Tournaments we’ve hosted by Randy Schultz It is the Amherst Hockey Assoover the past few years. Photos by Janet ciations way of presenting Cross-Ice “Amherst Youth Hockey made Schultz Hockey. A very impressive way to the large capital investment. There say the least. was also a donation from the Am “I don’t know if there is another herst Police Club.” set-up like this in New York State,” “There is a company in Mincommented Joe Baudo, president nesota called Rink Systems that of the New York State Amateur Hockey Association. “It makes these three-foot high boards,” added Jack Quigley, really catches the eye when you walk in the arena. Equipment Coordinator for Amherst Youth Hockey. “It “A lot of places use bumpers others use foam boards. was like graduating up to a new level. Some even use fire hoses to divide the rink up. “We are able to have six groups of kids on the ice at “Amherst youth hockey purchased these larger one time playing hockey. We can also set up the boards boards. It really changes the rink appearance. to simply split the rink in half for the older kids and have “People now really see ice rinks. The appearance two games going at one time. makes a big difference. “It has been a huge investment. But we feel that it has “It makes a better development for the kids.” been worth it. It looks like a lot of work. But in actuality it is not. “It is truly amazing.” “It takes about six people to set it up,” remarked Eric Representatives from USA Hockey were also very Grizdek, general manager of the Arena. “And we’ve actu- impressed. ally got it down to a science when it comes to setting it “This is a great setup,” remarked Kenny Rausch, a up. USA Hockey manager for Youth Ice Hockey. “It’s great not only for the parents who now have a great visual of a youth hockey game going on, but for the kids as well. “On this size ice you don’t see too many breakaways. On longer ice surfaces you may see as many as 15 to 20 breakaways during a game. “This is a tighter area. Kids are
Cross Ice Has a New Look--In Amherst
The Boards can be taken apart and put back together in abou six minutes with six people.
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February 2012
making passes and creating plays.” The response has been very positive. “All you have to do is look out on the ice and see the kids with all the smiles they have on their faces,” commented Bob Schell, Amherst Youth Hockey secretary. “This is real hockey on a small rink. “We have found that once the people come in with their kids at such a young level they’re hooked.” “It seems to work out very well for the players,” continued Tim DiGiulio, 2004 Level Coordinator for the Amherst Hockey Association. “Most of our games for seven year-olds is four-on-four. “Everybody gets a touch on the puck. A lot of passing goes on. “Players get a chance to go into the corners for the puck. They get a chance to set up a lot of plays. “Even more importantly, most of the parents seem to have bought into the new system. They’re getting a chance to see their children play in games, besides just practicing. “So it seems to be a win-win situation for everyone. And most importantly the kids are having fun. “Isn’t that what it’s all about?”*
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Hockey NYS
Hockey Across America
February 17 through 19 is the Fifth Annual Hockey Across America celebration with activities being held at rinks across the United States. If your organization is doing something special, take some photos, write a quick press release and send it to hockeynys@gmail.com. We’ll use it on our website and in the next issue of Hockey NYS E-Magazine.
February 2012
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played for the Long Island Royals. She is the daughter of Bob and Nancy Trivigno. Miye D’Oench is a forward from the New Jersey Rockets U19 Tier I team. She was the top point-getter in Tier I Elite Hockey League with 7642-118 in 62 games for the Rockets in 2010-11. She also served as team co-captain. D’Oench is the daughter of Russel D’Oench and Tank Takagi. They competed at the 2012 Inter-
Women’s Ice Hockey
Twenty-two women were named to the U.S. Women’s National U18 Team in December. Among them were CourtBurke ney Burke, Albany; Dana Trivigno, Setauket; Miye D’Oench, New York. Burke is a defenseman who is currently playing for Shattuck-St. Mary’s U19 team. She had 76 points (24-52) in 2010-11 D’Oench and was a member of the Women’s U18 Team that took the Gold at the IIHF 2011 World Championship. Burke played for the CD Selects (NY) from 2004-08. She is the daughter of John Trivigno and Valerie Burke. Trivigno is also a member of the Shattuck-St. Mary’s hockey team and plays forward. She was also a member of the 2011 IIHF Women’s World championship team. Prior to attending Shattuck, Trivigno
USA Hockey News and Notes national Ice Hockey Federation U18 Women’s World Championship in Czech Republic in December. Team USA lost to Canada 3-0 in the Gold Medal game, bringing home the silver with a 4-0-0-1 (W-OTWOTL-L) record. Coach Heather Linstad found it disappointing but felt the team worked really hard and created many scoring chances. To get to the championship round, Team USA beat Russia 8-0; Sweden, 7-0 and the Czech Republic, 13-1. Team USA faced Germany in the semi-finals and downed them 7-1.
2012 Winter Youth Olympic Games
The roster for the 2012 Winter Youth Olympic Games has placed Joe Wegwerth of Brewster and Nathan
Billitier of Spencerport on it. Wegwerth, 6’2”, 190 lb. Forward comes from the Brewster Bulldogs organization and Billitier is a 5’11” defenseman who plays for the Rochester Stars. They played at the 2012 Winter Youth Olympic Games held in Innsbruck which included team play plus a skills contest. The gold went to Finland; silver, Russia and Bronze, Canada. Team USA placed fourth. Billitier had one goal and one assist and Wegwerth had two goals and two assists. The US did not send a women’s team.
Housley Named to IIHF Hall of Fame
Phil Housley will be inducted into the IIHF Hall of Fame in May. Housley retired from hockey in 2004 after a 21-year NHL career. He represented the US as a player with the first-ever World Cup of Hockey in 1996 and helped the US to a silvermedal finish in the 2002 Olympics. The former Buffalo Sabre is serving as head coach of the boys’ varsity ice hockey team at Stillwater, Minn. High School.
Other News...
--Three New York State natives are participating in the 2011-12 U.S. National Under-17 Vlad Dzurilla Tournament in Piestany, Slovakia. Included in the group is defenseman Steven Santini of Mahopac; forward Kevin Labanc, Staten Island; assistant coach, Matt Curley, Madrid.
Hockey NYS
February 2012
--Three native New Yorkers are participating with the 2011-12 U.S. National Under-18 team in the Five Nations Tournament in Panelia, Finland. They include forward Matthew Lane, Rochester; assistant coach Tyler Eaves, Queensbury; equipment manager, Brock Bradley, West Stockholm. -- The U.S. National Developmental Sled Hockey Team recently posted a 1-0-0-2 record in an exhibition
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series against Canada held in Colorado Springs, CO. Five native New Yorkers played for Team USA including Mike Blabac, Buffalo; Mason Newbold, Lockport; Jeremy Lyon, Buffalo; Paul Schaus, Buffalo; Tim Shoemaker, Lawtons. Two other New York natives were on the team including assistant coach, Alexi Salamone, Grand Island; player/ coach Mike Blabac, Hamburg.*
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Put in the name of the team that goes with the city listed. I.e. Buffalo - Sabres Answer to puzzle will be posted on hockeynys.com in “Blog”!