September 2013 Vol. 2; Issue 12 Kane Brings Stanley to Buffalo! Celebrates With His Youth Team!
S E C U D O R T N I L O H Y N ! A H I C E H T
In This Issue Around NHL........................ 40 Coaching With Gridley......... 6 Central Section.................... 17 East Section.......................... 23 Frozen Frontier................... 38 Kane Returns......................... 9 Mens College............................ Central....................... 18 East............................. 24 North.......................... 29 West............................ 35 New--CIHA.......................... 15 Nichols Camp...................... 32 North Section....................... 28 Reading Hockey.................. 13 Sedia Column........................ 5 Stevens.................................. 39 USA Hockey......................... 41 West Section......................... 31 Womens College...................... Central....................... 19 East............................. 24 North.......................... 30 West............................ 36
Dear Readers, It is hard to believe that another summer has come and gone. With September upon us, another hockey season is right around the corner. Our September issue features Patrick Kane, a native of Western New York and a member of the 2013 Stanley Cup champion Chicago Blackhawks. Like all the members of the Blackhawks, Patrick had his day with the Stanley Cup. For his day he brought it back to his native Western New York. Chuck Gridley and Rob Sedia are back this month with their informative columns. In addition, Janet Schultz and Warren Kozireski have their monthly columns on women’s hockey and men’s hockey, respectively. September also means that Janet and I will be hitting the road again to pay visits to all of you at your respective sectional meetings. They are trips that the two of us look forward to each year. As always, if any of you have ideas for stories, please feel free to pass them along to us. Outstanding players, coaches, volunteers, special events and anniversary’s are areas that we are always looking for. Send us any updates of email changes or any other personnel changes from your organizations. Finally, keep sending us any businesses that may want to advertise with the magazine. As always, thanks for your continued support and keep spreading our word around. Best Wishes
NY Hockey On-Line (E-Magazine) 3663 Irish Road Wilson, New York 14172 716-751-6524 nyhockeyonline@ nyhockeyonline.com Publisher &Managing Editor Randy Schultz Randy@nyhockeyonline.com Designer/Photographer Janet Schultz Janet@nyhockeyonline.com
Sincerely, Randy Schultz Publisher Columnists Warren Kozireski, Wkozires@brockport.edu Janet Schultz Randy Schultz Rob Sedia Chuck Gridley NY Hockey OnLine is an equal opportunity employer. Contents 2012 NY Hockey Online All rights reserved NY Hockey OnLine is published monthly at no charge and can be accessed via the publication’s website www.nyhockeyonline.com
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Sedia / Page 5
Characteristics of the Elite
by Rob Sedia / Professional Hockey Instructor
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hank you very much for the emails and positive comments about my last article; “Challenge Yourself this Season”. Your feedback has been fantastic and is very much appreciated! Recently I was asked what I look for in hockey players when making selections and what characteristics I believe great players have and/or share. I narrowed it down by combining characteristics I feel relate to one another. When it comes down to it, these are characteristics I feel elite hockey players posses and/or are characteristics I look for when drafting/selecting players. GOAL SCORING When it comes to draft or selection time, goal scorers ALWAYS get a look regardless of any other skill deficiencies they may have so this characteristic is extremely relevant. Some players see the net minder and some just see the net. Goal scorers seem to have that swagger about them, that attitude and the desire for the puck for the sole purpose of lighting the lamp. PLAYMAKING / PASSING I looked at this from the angle of creating plays for line mates. Regardless of calling it passing ability, playmaking, or vision, it’s very, very, important. Playmakers can physically slow the play down yet run through their play options quickly. These visionaries create scoring opportunities with creativity and touch unfortunately, their effectiveness and production is directly related to the finishers (goal scorers) around them. We could go back and forth all day debating if goal scorers more important
than playmakers but I believe creating more true scoring chances will prove to be more valuable in the long run. CHARACTER / COMMITMENT Character to me is more than just good sportsmanship and respect for peers, coaches, and referees. I look for players that understand accountability and set personal goals. These kids stay out of trouble and are active in other sports and programs and usually do well in school. They lead by example, are confident and committed to the game and they look you in the eyes when you speak. These players genuinely care about the team and results. EFFORT / CONSISTENCY Effort is the most controllable of all of these characteristics and skills. Effort does not require you to be the fastest, the strongest, the smartest, or the most talented therefore there are no excuses when it comes to effort. I look for players that bring it day in and day out, every rep of every drill and every shift of every game. TOUGHNESS / EMOTION I like grinders, tough, no nonsense hockey players like Ryan Callahan. He is as tough as nails and plays to win, he is the ultimate teammate and that is why you see a “C” on his chest. Although toughness is important to me, I don’t just look for players that are physically tough; I look for mental toughness and emotion. Nothing bothers me more than a player who doesn’t show emotion. You should get angry, angry when you get beat on a play, angry when your team gets scored against and angry when you lose. Players that show emotion tell me they care - the game and their personal performance matters to them. Keeping these emotions in a healthy mental state is part of being mentally tough. Having the ability to harness these emotions into something constructive is an excellent attribute and will take you far in competitive athletics. Being able to “let it go” when it’s all said and done shows mental maturity but allowing your emotions to get the best of you; stick slamming, cheap/lazy penalties, quitting while play is still live are examples of being mentally weak. Hockey is a tough game for physically and mentally tough players. (Continued on Page 7)
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Coaching With Gridley / Page 6
line…….the link is https://www. usahockeyregistration.com/login_input.action. You need to do this every year. The cost is 40.00, which covers your USA Hockey insurance. Many associations will reimburse this expense, as well as the cost of the clinics and module expenses. Ask your ACE by Chuck Gridley Director what your association’s policy is on reimbursements. Step 2 - The second step is to be screened. This is sponsored by our own district (NY), and is done to help keep our players safe. The link is http://www.commercialinvestigationsllc.com/VSSNYSAHAUS.html and the cost is 23.00. This only needs to be done if your current screening has expired. You can check on this website to see if your screening is current. Step 3 - The third step in the process is to attend ockey season is right around the corner, and a clinic. This seems to be where most of the confusion once again my phone is ringing off the hook and develops. This step is no longer tied to a specific level my email is overflowing. Coaches are trying to of play (except for Level 4, which I’ll talk about in a find out what they need to do to become properly cer- second). It’s pretty simple. tified. Although it takes a good bit of time to deal with •You will take Level 1 in your first year of coachthese calls and emails, I see this as a very positive ing. thing. Youth hockey coaches are volunteers (gener- •You will take Level 2 in your second year of ally), who are giving their time to be involved in a sport coaching. we all love. We (USA Hockey) require these coaches •You will take Level 3 in your third year of coachto do a number of things to become properly certified. ing. I’m happy that these coaches who contact me are 1) •In your 4th year, you do not need to attend a choosing to volunteer as a youth hockey coach, and clinic. 2) choosing to be proactive and find out exactly what •In your 5th year you take the Level 3 Refresher on-line (Track 1). they need to do this properly. So why does USA Hockey have these require- •Year 6 you do not need to attend a clinic. ments for coaches? The simple answer is this; we •Year 7 you do the Level 3 Refresher (Track 2) want to educate all of our coaches in order to give on-line. every player in USA Hockey a great experience. The •Year 8 you do not need to attend a clinic. Coaching Education Program for USA Hockey has al- •Year 9 you take the Level 4. At this point you ways been the envy of all other youth sports in the are done with clinics. You are welcome (and encourUS (and around the world). Three years ago, we em- aged) to take the Level 5 when they are offered, but barked on some changes that have taken our program this is not a requirement. to another level. We made improvements to our clinic Exceptions: presentations, added an on-line module component to 1. If you are coaching Mites, you need to have at the process, and changed the certification guidelines. least a Level 1, but you do not need to advance in the These changes to the guidelines actually simplified clinic process until you leave Mites and start coaching the old process, but it still causes some confusion. another level. So let me take a minute to explain the process that a 2. If you are coaching Tier 1 Tournament Bound coach goes through to become properly certified. This Bantams or Midget , or Tier 2 Midgets, you will need is a 4 step process, and it will vary from year to year your Level 4 in your 4th year of coaching. depending on where you are in your coaching career and what level you are coaching. (Continued on next page) Step 1 - The first step in the process is to register as a coach with USA Hockey. This can be done on-
Coaching With Gridley!
USA Hockey Coaching Certification Guidelines
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If you have been away from coaching, or have not taken a clinic in a while, you will come back into the system at the level that you left. In other words, if you have a Level 2 that expired 2 years ago, as long as you are in the system as a Level 2, you will take the Level 3 this year and just continue on with the process described above. Step 4 - The final step in the certification process is to take an On-line Age Specific Module. Quite simply, if you are coaching Squirts this season, you need to complete the Squirt Age Specific Module. Once you have completed a module, you do not have to take it again. So if you took the Squirt module last season and you are coaching Squirts again, you do not need to retake that module. The link to the Modules is http:// www.usahockey.com/coaches/age-specific_modules. aspx . They will be available Sept. 1st. I hope that this helps simplify the process for you. I would encourage you to find out who your ACE Direc-
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tor is within your association. This person is there to help you through the certification process, as well as to be an advocate and a resource for you, and all of the coaches in your association. Thanks for volunteering your time to be a hockey coach. If you have further questions about coaching, please contact me.
Chuck Gridley New York District Coach in Chief 14 E. Elizabeth St. Skaneateles, NY 13152 (315) 569-2778
Sedia Continued from page 6 HOCKEY SENSE / PLAYING WITHOUT THE PUCK
SKATING
I would like to start by saying YES; hockey sense can be taught but in my opinion is one of the more difficult skills to teach. I am firm believer that the “hockey sense” skill is mainly learned in the classroom. Game film review shows a much different perspective of the game and with today’s technology, analyzing and sharing the footage is easier than ever. We are dealing with a video generation, X’s & O’s on paper just doesn’t cut it anymore so we need to be creative and make film review and chalk talk as entertaining and informative as possible. I send video breakdowns of drills, systems, and game footage to my player’s emails and phones. Comments like, “coach, I watched it on my iPhone on the way to practice” are quite common and encouraging. The ability to react/respond to a play starts with having the ability to read it. Game film review allows players to see themselves and most of the ice at the same time. Screaming at a player to skate up ice for a pass during a game has little to no effect in reference to learning. Seeing the play during a film session with a breakdown of what is going on and providing the “why” element in a controlled, calm environment is much more effective. When you couple that process and information with relevant drills during on-ice practice, retention is at an all time high. Hockey sense is a skill because it can be taught and learned.
No question about it, skating is the foundation of the game. As players get older and play at higher levels, the game gets faster and play space gets smaller. The best skaters have a combination of speed (explosive bursts), agility (quick from edge to edge), and exceptional balance that stems from strength and athleticism. If you are a coach or a parent, highlight this one characteristic and show it to your players, son or daughter. There are no short cuts to becoming a great skater; it takes the right amount of practice time combined with the right skating drills and instruction. Almost EVERY element of hockey can be practiced at home or off of the ice (shooting, stick handling, strength and conditioning, etc.) skating (for most players) cannot. Take advantage of your ice time and embrace the skating drills – you can’t become too good of a skater but you can certainly be “not good enough”. Rob Sedia is a Partner/Professional Instructor with the NewEdge Hockey Training Company and will be writing a monthly column for NY Hockey Magazine. If you would like to comment on this article, ask questions, provide feedback, or share your thoughts, please send an email to: rob@newedgehockey.com
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Feature / Page 9
t is late in the morning on the second-to-last Saturday in August. In less than two hours the West Seneca Wings will be honoring local hockey hero, Patrick Kane of the 2013 Stanley Cup Champion Chicago Blackhawks. Inside the nearly empty Kane Enters The Building-Town of West Seneca Ice With the Stanley Cup! Rink Kevin Kerr sits talking to a couple of friends about Kane. On this particular day Kane will be honored by having his number 88 retired by the Wings, an organization the Blackhawks center spent five years with. In two hours over 2000 players and parents will fill the ice rink to honor Kane. It is part of Kane’s day with the Stanley Cup, an honor that all players from the Cup winning Blackhawks get to do. Kerr was Kane’s hockey coach during this time period. He recalled when a seven year-old Kane showed up at the rink for his first hockey tryout. “He had come to the tryout and it was on a Sunday afternoon,” remembered Kerr. “After the tryout I told the boys that I would read some of the names off and I wanted to meet with them and their parents in my office. “I went to the office after I called off the names. There was no Patrick or parents in site. “I would up signing the kids I wanted to meet with. I went home and made a phone call to the Kane’s. “I talked to Pat Sr. and introduced myself to him. I told him that I had hoped that he would have stuck around after I read the names off so I could meet him and talk about his son playing for our team. “Pat Sr. said that he didn’t know exactly what they were going to do. He said it was a bit intimidating, highly organized tryout and a lot of those kids were pretty
The West Seneca Wings Welcome Home Patrick Kane! by Randy Schultz
good. “I kind of gave him an ultimatum. I told him I would meet him later in the afternoon at five o’clock. “I told him if he was there at five there would be a spot for young Patrick on the team. If not, I would move on and find some other guys. “He showed up a five and the rest, as they say, is history.” (Continued on Page 11)
Patrick with Kevin Kerr. Kerr Coached Kane During His Youth Hockey Days in Buffalo.
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Kane certainly remembered his former youth hockey coach. “We have a lot of stories with Kevin Kerr,” said the 24 year-old Kane. “He was probably the biggest coach around Buffalo that helped me. “I have to thank him for a lot. He gave me the opportunities to play for the West Seneca Wings. “It is an organization that once you started playing for them you didn’t want to leave. And Kevin Kerr was a big reason for that.” “Pat came to us at the mite-major age (approx. seven) and played here through his peewee major years,” stated Kerr. “Pat was kind of a quiet, shy kid. “He loved being on the ice and loved having the puck on his stick. He loved getting here early and staying late. “He was a good team guy and loved passing the puck off to other guys for scoring opportunities. He was highly skilled, even as a youngster. “He saw the ice very, very well. He was a couple of steps ahead of other kids his age. “And he seemed to just get better and better as each year passed.” Kerr spoke very highly of Kane’s parents, Patrick and Donna, as well as his three sisters, Erica, Jessica, and Jacqueline. They were a family that was very supportive of young Pat and his hockey efforts. Kerr pointed out that they were always there for young Kane. That included home games in West Seneca as well as on the road, no matter where the road trips took them throughout the northeast. Although Kerr never kept statistics for public use, he
West Seneca Supervisor Sheila M. Meegan reads proclamation that declared August 18-24 Patrick Kane Week!
did keep them for himself. To say that Kane put up some interesting stats would be an understatement. “I know that Pat would be embarrassed with this,” remarked Kerr. “But for two years in-a-row he scored 230 points per season. “That came as a Peewee. I never put those stats out for the public. “But I knew what Pat was doing. “ Although stats were not made public, other teams seemed to know what Kane was doing. “Teams would key on him,” said Kerr. “It was generally felt that if you could shut down Kane, you could shut down the West Seneca team. “That really wasn’t the case. They would overload on Pat and he would simply dish off to a teammate who would score.” There was always one issue that young Kane would battle all the way through life. His size. “I think he dealt with that all the way through his career,” said Kerr. “I heard it said in his first year when people began saying, “wait until he gets into checking.” “When he got to Peewee people would say that “they would eat him up at bantam.” When he got to bantam people would say that would never succeed as a junior player. “People even said when he got to the USA Development program he would never make it from there. Even when he was drafted number one by the Blackhawks in the NHL the skeptics were still there.
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ver my nearly four decades of years of commitment to creating his backcovering hockey, I’ve yard rink are woven into family memohad the opportunity to ries and other fond remembrances. read some pretty outstanding It is one of those books that many of books on the game. Throughyou can relate to. out the next few issues of NY STRIKING SILVER: THE UNHockey OnLine Magazine I TOLD STORY OF AMERICA’S FORwill be sharing some of my GOTTEN HOCKEY TEAM. Written more favorite titles with you. by Tom and Jerry Caraccioli. THE GAME – Written by The accomplishments of the US former NHL goaltending great Olympic Hockey Team during the and Hall of Famer, Ken Dryden, 1972 Olympic Winter Games have is considered by many to be one seemingly become one of hockey’s of the best books ever written most well kept secrets. about any sport. This book is the story of COACH: THE PAT BURNS America’s forgotten hockey team STORY – It is the story on a comand its members. It is the story of z lt u h c plex man, one who gave little of the silver medal winning 1972 US S y By Rand himself to the public and yet whose Olympic hockey team. funeral was a spectacle. How did that STAR-SPANGLED HOCKhappen? Who was Pat Burns? EY: CELEBRATING 75 YEARS OF USA HOCKEY – Many know Burns as the head coach of A history of hockey in the US by veteran USA Today hockey the Montreal Canadiens, Toronto Maple Leafs, Boston Bruins writer, Kevin Allen. and New Jersey Devils. He coached the Devils to a Stanley Cup The history spans nearly a century from the days of Hobey Championship in 2003. Baker through the 2011 World Junior Championship. It is the story of a fatherless child, who became a police of- It is a book that any hockey historian would enjoy to read. ficer and then a hockey coach. But who was he? There are several books on women’s hockey that I’ve had Author Rosie DiManno, who witnessed much of the story, the opportunity to read as well. They include: has the answers. TOO MANY MEN ON THE ICE – By Joanna Avery and Julie Stevens – This book uncovers the rich history of women’s OPEN ICE – By Jack Falla. A collection of crafted essays hockey and relates it to the remarkable resurgence in women’s written by the late sports writer, Falls writes about hockey as he hockey today. It goes from the grassroots history of their game to has seen and experienced it for over 50 years. the training of elite players. Reflections on the game, its personalities and arenas, and 25 (Continued on Next Page)
G N I D REA y a W r e h t Ano to Enjoy ! Y E K C HO
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(Kane Continued from Page 12)
“Pound for pound Patrick is strong on his skates. They could never knock him off his skates because he had exceptional balance.” In the end, Kerr felt that having Kane come back to West Seneca was a great thing. “It’s great that Pat came back to where it all started for him,” concluded Kerr. “Pat wants to celebrate his success with the organizations that helped him get to where he is today. “It was great to see all those kids with their Kane jerseys on. And there is no doubt that there are some of them who want to be the next Patrick Kane.”
For Kane himself, it was a wonderful feeling. “It is always great coming back to South Buffalo,” concluded Kane. “It was great riding the Zamboni in and carrying the Stanley Cup. “Having all those kids around me with my jersey on was great. I just wanted to give something back to the kids and organization I started with. “That’s what it is all about. It is something I’ll never forget.”
their story on how this was accomplished. From tryouts to the gold medal, it is all here. For the kids, there are great books to read as well. Included in these would be: THE SLAPSHOT SERIES BY GORDON KORMAN – Included are the following: The Stars from Mars, The Dream Team, The Face-off Phony and Cup Crazy. There is also the BRADY BRADY series of books for younger children. If you are looking for books to read at bedtime include some of the following: Z IS FOR ZAMBONI SPONGEBOB’S SLAP SHOT YOUR DOG PLAYS HOCKEY? THE MAGIC HOCKEY STICK CLANCY WITH THE PUCK To find any of these titles, check with your local library, bookstore or go on-line. Look for more titles in upcoming months. (Hockey Books Continued from Previous Page)
SHE SHOOTS…SHE SCORES, A COMPLETE GUIDE TO WOMEN’S HOCKEY – By Barbara Stewart – This book provides a history of the game, how find a team, league or hockey camp, advice on how to select and buy equipment, playing tips from top coaches and players and profiles of some of the top female players in the game. ON THE EDGE, WOMEN MAKING HOCKEY HISTORY – By Elizabeth Etue and Megan K. Williams – This book takes a look at the media and hockey establishment, the challenge of the first Olympics for the women’s teams, history, controversies and a look at some of the more talented female players in the game. GOLD MEDAL ICE HOCKEY FOR WOMEN AND GIRLS – By Tricia Dunn and Katie King – Two members of the 1998 US Women’s Olympic Hockey Team that won a gold medal give
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CIHA / Page 15
Hockey continues to grow! Coach Ed Draper behind the bench at the 2013 CIHA Nationals
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hen five men’s collegiate hockey teams take to the ice this season, they will be sporting a new logo and representing a new league--the CIHA, Collegiate Ice Hockey Association. D’Youville Men’s Ice Hockey Head Coach Ed Draper helped spearhead the new club league that was formerly known as the National Association for Intercollegiate Hockey. “After a successful national tournament here in Buffalo, a group of us felt more exposure was needed for the players and we wanted to give more club trams more competition,” explains Draper. “We are an alternative to the ACHA (American Collegiate Hockey Association),” said Draper. “Medaille has come into this league after spending lots of money with the ACHA and never receiving any votes in the coaches poll. We want rankings to be for performance and competition, not on how coaches think about you.” Locally, in addition to D’Youville and Medaille, Canisius, Geneseo, St. John Fisher, Brockport and Geneseo will be a part of the CIHA this season. The Upstate New York Club Hockey League is an affiliate but not all teams are full members of the CIHA. Nationally, there will be teams from Ohio, Pennsylvania and the west coast that will make up the four conferences: New York, Ohio River, California and Northwestern.
“The whole premise is about the kids,” continued Draper. “We want the players recognized. It doesn’t matter if you’re DI, DIII, ACHA; if you put on a jersey you are playig some level of college hockey and deserve recognition.’ While there won’t be a national tournament this year, they are looking at an All-Star Game. Over the next five years they plan to add a conference each year with the goal being eight conferences and 50 to 60 teams. They are looking for teams from Florida and New England. “We have flexibility,” said Draper.
Looking Ahead D’Youville
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’Youville has eight new recruits joining them including Kenmore West Goalie Trevor Taggart; St. Joe’s Zachary Klapp and West Seneca West’s Brandon Zelli. Also Christian Charles, USMC; Dan Vyverberg, University of Buffalo; Michael Hirschauer, Tampa Bay Bolts, Michael Brown, Brandon Macoretta. The Spartans open their season on Saturday, Sept. 28 at 6 p.m. against Hilbert College. The game will be held at Cazenovia Park Ice Arena. The following day they will play the University of Pittsburgh/Bradford at noon at the Caz.
Medaille
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edaille, now a member of the CIHA, lost four seniors and has recruited seven freshmen. They have been skating all summer and Coach Edd Kirchberger likes how they work together. “The coaches and players are very excited about the upcoming season,” said Kirchberger. Tryouts for the team will be held Sunday, September 8 at 9 p.m. and Sunday, September 15 at 7:15 p.m. at Holiday Twin Rinks. The Mavericks open their season on Saturday, Sept. 28 against Brockport at 7 pm. This game will be played at Northtowns Center.
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the Cleveland Jr. Jacks in the NA3HL. Rounding out the incoming recruiting class are Mike Parda – G- Waukesha, WI – Peoria Mustangs NA3HL Seth Gustin – D- Phoenix, AZ – Twin City Northern Lights MNJHL Zach Seither – D- Cleveland, OH- Cleveland Jr. Jacks NA3HL Andrew Mitch – F- Cleveland, OH – Cleveland Jr. Jacks NA3HL Anthony Caroselli – F- Minocqua,WI – Quad City Flames NA3HL Alec Gerred – F – Cleveland, OH – Toledo Cherokee Niagara University NA3HL The Niagara University ACHA hockey team Jeff Monfils – F- Washington, MI- Cleveland Jr. Jacks will begin their 2013-2014 season September 27 and NA3HL 28 in Chicago, IL where they will take on #4 Robert Visit nuacahahockey.com for more informaMorris College. tion and season schedule. The ACHA Eagles are coming off their best Niagara will host a Golf Tournament on Saturseason in team history finishing 25-6 and a final rank day, Sept. 21 at River Oaks Golf Club, Grand Island. of #19 in the nation. This event will serve as a fundraiser for the team. Con Niagara is in the midst of a youth movement tact Coach Brzeczkowski at lnb@niagara.edu or call with only two seniors on the squad. The Eagles will 716-286-8782 for details. They are looking for hole be led offensively by veterans Patrick Gregory (St. sponsorships. Louis, MO/ St. Louis Jr. Blues NA3HL), Captain Erik McKown (Canonsburg, PA/Philadelphia Little Flyers AtJHL), and Jared Mittrano (Boston, MA/Mass Jr Maple Leafs CHA). The blue line will be buoyed by veteran captain Patrick Ryan (Laguna Niguel, CA/ Twin City Northern Lights MnJHL) and Max Hyland (Buffalo, NY/ Buffalo Jr. Stars EmJHL). Niagara, whose league is the NECHL, set a league-wide record with a perfect 18-0 regular season campaign. NU outscored their league foes by plus 92 goal differential. Last season culminated with the Eagles competing in the ACHA National Tournament held in Chicago. The Eagles have built a team which will likely be a force to reckoned with on the national stage. The team has recruited 26 players from nine states and three different countries. Head Coach Larry Bzeczkowski was nominated for ACHA Coach of the Year during last season’s campaign. The teams’ only local recruit for the upcoming season is Dallas Szustak who played last season for In October they face Oneonta on Saturday, Oct. 5 at 9:30 p.m. at Holiday Twin Rinks; University of PittsburghBradford, Saturday, Oct. 12 at 4 p.m. at Riverside Rink and Fredonia, Oct. 13, 1 p.m., Riverside Rink before going on the road to the University of Rochester/Nazereth. They are then home to St. John Fisher, Oct. 26 at 10 p.m. at Northtowns. Medaille’s entire scheduled can be found at their website, as well as the most up-to-date news. www.leaguelineup.com/medaillehockey/ Medaille also plays in the UNYCHL (University of New York Collegiate Hockey League).
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CENTRAL NEW YORK HOCKEY
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Central New York Men’s College Hockey Report by Warren Kozireski
ECAC Hockey play starts the following weekend, with Cornell opening at home against its two postseason foes from a year ago debuting against Princeton on Friday, November 1st before hosting Quinnipiac on Saturday, November 2nd. The Red Hot Hockey Series continues November 30th at Madison Square Garden as Cornell and Boston University will play for the fourth time in the last seven years. After the break, the Big Red will make its annual trip to the Florida College Hockey Classic at Germain Arena in Estero, Fla. Cornell will open tournament play on Saturday, December 28th against New Hampshire, then play the following day against either Princeton or Maine.
CORTLAND
COLGATE The Raiders 2013-14 slate includes 19 home games with visits from three of the NCAA Frozen Four teams from a season ago. This year’s schedule includes 12 non-conference games, including two-game sets at home against Ferris State, UMass and St. Cloud State of the newly formed National Collegiate Hockey Conference. The Huskies will be at Starr Rink on October 25-26 as one of the three Frozen Four teams, while Quinnipiac plays on campus on November 1st. National champion Yale will be in town November 22nd . Colgate takes on the Bulldogs of Ferris State in the first weekend of the season on October 5- 6, while the Minutemen will be at Starr Rink in mid-December. Another highlight of the season is a visit to the University of Minnesota for the Mariucci Classic on January 3-4. The Raiders are set to face the Gophers on January 3rd and then will take on Ferris State or Rensselaer then next night. The other notable nonconference road games are at RIT on October 10th and a pair of contests at Bowling Green on October 18-19.The series with rival Cornell is ready to continue on December 7th at Lynah.
Head coach Joe Baldarotta announced his retirement with current associate director of athletics Tom Cranfield named interim head coach for 2013-14 while still assuming his administrative duties. Cranfield previously coached the team from 200107. Baldarotta coached six seasons at Cortland from 2007-13 and led the Red Dragons to the 2008 SUNYAC playoffs. His overall coaching record of 310-266-49 includes a 265-171-38 mark at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point in 16 years from 19912007. Cranfield led the Red Dragons to four consecutive State University of New York Athletic Conference (SUNYAC) playoff berths from 2002-05. His 2001-02 squad finished 14-11-4 and advanced to the SUNYAC semifinals. A standout defenseman at Cortland from 1989-93, Cranfield is the school’s career assist leader (73) and ranks 12th in overall scoring with 93 points. As a senior in 1992-93, he earned first team All-SUNYAC honors as the Red Dragons finished 19-9 that season and advanced to the finals of the conference postseason tournament. Cranfield was a team captain and earned the program’s Red Letter Award in both his junior and senior seniors.
CORNELL
HOBART
The 2013-14 schedule features 14 home games, the program’s first trip to Nebraska and the fourth edition of Red Hot Hockey at Madison Square Garden in New York. The Big Red will play seven games against 2013 NCAA tournament participants The regular season begin the campaign at Nebraska-Omaha for the first time in their programs’ histories with a two-game series on October 25-26 at CenturyLink Center. It will be the furthest point west the Big Red has ever begun its season.
Former Hobart College goalie Nick Broadwater ‘13 and defenseman Mike White ‘13 have signed with professional hockey teams in Europe. Broadwater will be playing for the Destil Trappers of the Eredivisie League in Tilburg, Netherlands and White has signed with the Tours Temparts of France’s Division 2 in Tours, France.
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gram. A former All-American at Northeastern University, Totten spent the previous 13 seasons as an assistant coach at the University of ConUtica College: ucpioneers.com necticut. Syracuse University: suathletics.com She helped the Huskies transiOswego: athletics.oswego.edu tion from a club team to full varsity Cortland: cortlandreddragons.com status, serving as the program’s Cornell: cornellbigred.com recruiting coordinator and defense and special teams coach. The Schedules and ticket information can Huskies’ coaching staff needed just be found on those websites. five seasons to put together the programs’ first winning season, a 16-12-8 campaign that saw UConn obart and William Smith Colleges climb as high as No. 1 in the naby Janet Schultz have expanded their sports protional pool and finish third in the Janet@nyhockeyonline.com gram to include women’s ice hockey Hockey East Conference. In 2006beginning next season. 07 Connecticut began a string of consecutive winning seasons, inWomen’s ice hockey has cluding a 22-8-5 season in 2007-08 and a 21-9-7 season become a collegiate draw in 2009-2010 that took them to No. 7 in the nation. over the past decade as Totten served as an assistant coach with the Hockmore youth leagues have ey East All-Star Team that played Team USA prior to the made the sport available to 2010 Olympics. She also was an assistant coach for the young girls. William Smith U.S. Women’s National U22 Team and she has worked students have been play- with the USA Hockey U14 Select Campus in Rochester. ing ice hockey since the She also coached the Select 16s and 17s at the Junior early 1980s when an ice National Camp in Lake Placid in 2007. hockey club was formed On the ice Totten played in 141 Huskie games, on campus. Since 2004 helped her team win the Beanpot title three times and the the Club has become very 1996-97 ECAC Championship. In her junior and senior strong and placed well year she served as captain, garnering All-American honors when playing teams from each year in addition to the 1998-99 ECAC Sara Devens Cornell, Oswego, Gen- Award for leadership and commitment on and off the ice. eseo, Syracuse and St. Lawrence. The Herons have joined the ECAC Division III West Women’s Ice Hockey League. They will play their The Elmira College Ice Hockey Staff will direct the inaugural season in 2014-15. Their games will be played 2013 Preseason Power Skating and Conditioning Clinics at the Geneva Recreation Complex, also known as “The on September 2 through 6 and September 8 through 12. Cooler.” EC alums and players will serve as instructors. William Smith’s entrance brings the total number The clinics will be held for youth ages 10 and unof teams playing in the ECAC West to 10. der and 11 and up with all sessions held at the Murray Hobart College, the brother school to William Athletics Center Ice Hockey dome in Pine Valley. Smith, is a member of the ECAC Men’s West League Information can be found at the Elmira College .In July Jaime Totten (pictured) was brought on as Athletics site. (Women’s College Continued on Page 21) the first head coach of the William Smith ice hockey prochedules for the 2013 collegiate women’s ice hockey season have been posted for:
William Smith
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Central Women’s College Ice Hockey Report
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Central News and Notes Camillus Youth Hockey ...CYHA Registration for the 2013-2014 season will take place at Shove Park on the following dates: Thursday, Sept 5 from 5-9 PM Friday, Sept 6 from 5-9 PM Saturday, Sept 7 from 9 AM – 12 PM. The Used Equipment Sale will take place on Saturday Sept 7 from 9 AM – 12 PM. For registration, please: 1) Make sure you register your child with USA Hockey (https://www.usahockeyregistration.com/login_input.action) Please complete and bring the following documents to registration: 1) 2013 PLAYER REG FORM 2)Additional RegistrationMaterials_2013-14
Clinton Youth Hockey ...The Clinton Comets are pleased to announce the following head coaches for the 2013-2014 season. Our coaches possess a wealth of knowledge and experience and are fully committed to player development in a positive, fun, and challenging environment: LTS/LTP Coaches: Coordinator Rob Seymour · Rob Seymour - CYH Board Member, former CCS standout defenseman, won NYS Championship as a player, played college hockey at MVCC, former MVCC Head Coach (6 years), 2+ years as CYH coach · Dan Melie - Clinton native, 10+ years as CYH coach Mite Coaches: Coordinator John Majka · John Majka - CYH President and Board Member, former CCS Assistant Coach, won 4 NYS Championships (2 as a coach, 2 as a player), played college hockey at Geneseo State University, 10+ years as CYH coach. · Brian Grady - CYH Board Member, Utica College Assistant Coach, former Morrisville State College Head Coach (5 years), Hamilton College Assistant Coach (1 year), University of Maine Assistant Coach (2 years), played college hockey at Hamilton College, 2+ years as CYH coach
· Greg Williams - Clinton native, former CCS standout defenseman, 3+ years as CYH coach · Stacy Davignon - CYH Board Member, Clinton native, played college hockey at University of New Hampshire and Hamilton College, 8+ years as CYH coach Squirt Coaches: · Jeremy Lopata - Clinton native, former CCS standout forward, played college hockey at Clarkson University, member of the Kirkland Sports Hall of Fame, 10+ years as CYH coach · Jon Davignon - Played college hockey at the Coast Guard Academy, former Connecticut College Assistant Coach (2 years), former Cazenovia High School Head Coach (7 years), won NYS Championship as a coach · Rob Seymour - CYH Board Member, former CCS standout defenseman, won NYS Championship as a player, played college hockey at MVCC, former MVCC Head Coach (6 years), 2+ years as CYH coach Pee Wee Coaches: · Harris Frank - Former CYH Board Member, 5+ years as CYH coach · Justin Schachtler - Former CCS standout forward, played college hockey at Utica College, CCS Assistant Coach, 5+ years as CYH coach · Chris Calidonna - Clinton native, 5+ years as CYH coach Bantam Coaches: · John Calidonna - Clinton native 15+ years as CYH Coach · Todd Jury - Clinton native, former CCS standout forward, played college hockey at Potsdam State University, 15+ years as CYH coach · Nick Snyder - Clinton native, former CCS standout forward, won NYS Championship as a player, played college hockey at MVCC and Morrisville State College, 2+ years as CYH coach Midget Coaches: · Todd Jury - Clinton native, former CCS standout forward, played college hockey at Potsdam State University, 15+ years as CYH coach · John Calidonna - Clinton native 15+ years as CYH Coach · Nick Snyder - Clinton native, former CCS standout forward, won 2 NYS Championships as a player, played college hockey at MVCC and Morrisville State College, 2+ years as CYH coach (Central Youth News Continued on Next Page)
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(Womens College Continued from Page 19)
Cornell
Cornell, in partnership with NeuLion, will launch a new channel on the first-ever Ivy League Digital Network. The Ivy League Digital Network will provide live and on-demand video content involving all eight conference schools, as well as league championship events. Starting with the 2013-14 season, the Cornell channel on the ILDN will offer a user experience unlike any other to give fans an entirely new way to interact with the Big Red. The package includes everything the channel has to offer from live home and selected away games in HD as well as on-demand progrmaming and other premium content. For subscription information go to www. ivyleaguedigitalnetwork.com
(Central Youth Continued)
Fulton Sign-ups for the upcoming season will be held September 9 from 4 to 6 p.m. There will be a mandatory parent’s meeting from 6 to 8 p.m. that same day.
Rome Youth Hockey The Grizzlies will hold registration September 3, 6 to 8 p.m.; September 29, noon to 3 p.m. and October 6, noon to 3 p.m. at John F. Kennedy Arena. The Grizzlies have scheduled their 2013-14 tournaments which include the Regional Silver Stick Qualifying Tournament, December 6 - 8; John Corr PeeWee House Tournament, October 26-27; Rick Leferve Squirt House Tier II (B) Tournament, November 29-December 1 and the Roy Austin Mite Tournament, February 8-9, 2014. For questions on tournaments contact James Freeman, RYHA Tournament Director, ejfree@gmail.com or go to https://www.eteamz.com/romehockey/files/ryha2013tournamentflyer/docx
Onondaga
Congratulations to this season head coaching staff: Bantam: Bob Padula and Curt Jetter Bantam House: Ace Stout Pee Wee Travel: Bill Blanchard Pee Wee House: Tim Quinn Squirt Travel: John Weston Squirt House: Jim Carr Midget and Mite coaches will be announced shortly.
Southern Tier Hockey Association
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The STHA and Binghamton Jr. Senators will hold their Veterans Day Tournament November 9 - 11 for all PeeWee A and Bantam A State Bound Travel teams. Contact sthatourneydir@gmail.com with any questions. Tournament flyer can be found at http://www.eteamz.com/stha/files/Flyer2013. pdf.
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Oswego Minor Hockey Association
Tryouts will be held Wednesday, Sept. 18, Thursday, Sept. 19; Saturday, Sept. 21 and Sunday, Sept. 22 for Squirts, Pee Wees and Bantams. Times are listed at the Oswego website, http://www.oswegohockey.com / and all tryouts will be held at the SUNY Oswego Campus Center facility.
Center State Youth Hockey
Center State will be holding tryouts on September 22 and 29 for all wanting to consider Travel Teams. These are for Bantams, Squirts and PeeWees. An optional skate is being held September 15. Times are 4:30 to 5:30 pm for Bantams; 5:45 to 6:45 pm for Squirts and 7 to 8 p.m. for P e e Wees.
Valley Hockey Association
Congratulations to Valley Hockey celebrating their 40th year in 2013-14.
Syracuse Youth Hockey
Syracuse will hold their Second Annual Sophie Skate-A-Thon on Saturday, October 5 form noon to 6 p.m. at Shove Park in Camillus. Their theme, “Raising Money One Lap at a Time” is to honor Sophie Kawejsza, a third grader at Stonehedge Elementary School who was diagnosed with a large brain tumor 5 days before her 8th birthday. After the tumor was removed, radiation and multiple rounds of chemotherapy her tumor prevailed and she passed away 11 months later, two weeks shy of her 9th birthday. For more information or to make a donation go to www.skate4sophie.com or email skate4sophie@gmail. com The Fifth Annual Syracuse Blazers Thanksgiving Tournament will be held for Pee Wee Majors and Minors and Bantam Majors and Minors on November 29 through
December 1. For information contact David Gentile, gentile4112@msn.com This tournament generally fills by the end of the summer so act now. Information can be found on the Syracuse website: http://syracuseyouthhockey.com Syracuse’s President’s Day Squirt Showdown will be held February 15-17. Contact Tournament Director Dawn Zimmer, dawnzimmer@att.net for information. The 12th Annual Syracuse Blazers Shootout will be held for 18U Midget Major AA, 16U Midget Minor AA, 16U Midget Minor AA (Non-state bound) on October 1214. Contact Tony Bird at 315-559-3366 for information. Games are played at Cicero Twin Rinks. Application can be found at Syracuse’s website.
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Marks Appointed B-Sens Video Coach
he Binghamton Senators, in conjunction with its National Hockey League affiliate the Ottawa Senators, announced the hiring of Tim Marks as the new Video Coach today for the Binghamton Senators. Marks, who was video coach and assistant for Princeton University’s Men’s Hockey the past two seasons, will replace Matt Meacham. Meacham was recently hired by the Chicago Blackhawks organization after being with the B-Sens since the 2007-2008 season. Marks played collegiately at Clarkson University while earning his degree in Entrepreneurship & Innovation. In 141 career games as a forward with the Golden Knights he tallied 36 points with 14 goals and 22 assists. After college Marks was signed by the Tampa Bay Lightning’s organization in 2010, where he received a one-way contract to its American Hockey League affiliate, the Norfolk Admirals. In two seasons with the Admirals, Marks played in 59 games amassing 4 goals and 4 assists while picking up 69 penalty minutes. Following his stint with the Admirals, Marks played two games with the Elmira Jackals in the East Coast Hockey League before suffering a season-ending injury. Following the injury he was asked to stay on with the team as an assistant coach and video coordinator. With the B-Sens Tim will be primarily responsible for the breakdown of practice and game video footage as well as the day-to-day development of the players. Tim and his wife, Davanna, have one child, a son named Connor.
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Eastern New York Men’s College Hockey Report by Warren Kozireski
MANHATTANVILLE Former Valiant All-American Mickey Lang ‘11 signed a deal with the Fort Wayne Komets of the ECHL for the 2013-14 season. With Quad City Mallards of the Central Hockey League (CHL) in 2012-13, Lang ranked second in the CHL with 41 goals and added 42 assists for 83 points (fourth in the CHL) in 64 regular-season games. One of only three first-team AHCA All-Americans in program history, Lang scored 47 goals with 46 assists for 93 points in four years wearing a Valiant uniform.
R.P.I. The Engineers will be one of four teams taking part in the 2014 Ice Breaker Tournament, the traditional start to the college hockey season. The event will be held at the Compton Family Ice Arena at the University of Notre Dame with Minnesota, Minnesota-Duluth, RPI and the host Fighting Irish. Former walk-on netminder Jeremy Coupal ‘12 will join the Nashville Predators as the team’s Video Coordinator this season. Coupal was a two-year member of the Engineers and spent the 2012-13 season as a volunteer assistant
UNION Senior forward Josh Jooris has forgone his senior season and signed a two year entry-level NHL contract with the Calgary Flames. Jooris joins former teammates Troy Grosenick ’14 (San Jose Sharks), Jeremy Welsh ’13 (Carolina Hurricanes) and Keith Kinkaid (New Jersey Devils) as the fourth player in the past three seasons to sign an NHL contract as an undrafted free agent. Jooris finishes his Union career with 29 goals and 59 assists in 153 career games played. He was Union’s active career leader in playoff scoring with 16 points (seven goals, nine assists) in 16 postseason contests. The Dutchmen have added Michael Pontarelli to the 2013-14 recruiting class. While playing for the Cornwall Colts of the CCHL last season, he helped his team earn the Bogart Cup as league champion, led the league in scoring with 107 points (52 goals, 55 assists) in 53 games played and was named league MVP, First Team All-Star and Canadian Junior A Player of the Year. Pontarelli joins an incoming freshman class includes Alex Gonye, Noah Henry, Matt Krug (South Buffalo), Eli Lichtenwald, Griffyn Martin, Alex Sakellaropoulos, Jeff Taylor (Clifton Park) and Mike Vecchione. Gonye played four years of varsity hockey at Deerfield Academy where he recorded 24 points (six goals, 18 assists) in 24 games played during the 2012-13 season. Henry spent time with both the Penticton Vees and the Powell River Kings in 2012-13 as a top blueliner on both squads. In a combined 52 contests with both squads, he recorded two goals and 14 assists. Krug was one of the top defenseman on the Indiana Ice of the USHL over the past two seasons, recording 22 points (five goals, 17 assists) in 108 games
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“He’s a stay at home defenseman that will add some offense as well, which is a nice plus for us. We’re hoping he turns into a Shawn Stuart type of defenseman,” head coach Rick Bennett said in a press release. Lichtenwald spent time with both the Omaha Lancers of the USHL, where he served as team captain and the Nipawin Hawks of the SJHL last year. In 47 contests combined, he put up 32 points (12 goals, 20 assists). Lichtenwald was named SJHL Rookie of the Year in 2010-11 while playing for the Hawks. Martin captained Avon Old Farms during the 2012-13 season, his third at Avon, earning the team’s Most Valuable Player award as the team finished 16-9-4. Martin finished the year with 17 points (three goals, 14 assists) from the blueline. Sakellaropoulos played two years of junior hockey with the Chicago Steel of the USHL. As the No. 1 goaltender for the Steel, he finished the 2012-13 season with an 22-20-2 record in 48 contests, recording a 3.03 GAA and .914 save percentage. Sakellaropoulos broke the Steel’s single season record for wins (22) and saves (1421) in 2012-13, earning a spot in the NHL/USHL Top Prospects Game. Taylor comes back home after spending the 2012-13 season on the blueline with Dubuque after playing prep hockey at Albany Academy. Taylor helped Dubuque win a Clark Cup Championship, recording 27 points (five goals, 22 assists) in 57 games played. “He’s a defenseman that keeps it simple, but can jump into the offense as well. I think he has a tremendous upside and I look forward to his progression during his four years at Union.” Vecchione was a top forward for Tri-City over the past two seasons, finishing the 2012-13 campaign with 60 points (26 goals, 34 assists) in 63 games played. He served as captain of the Storm during the 2012-13 season, earning the team’s Coaches Award. John Ronan was named to the coaching staff as volunteer assistant coach. Ronan, who played at the University of Maine from 2001 to 2005, finished his professional career in 2011-12 with the Evansville IceMen of the CHL.
East Women’s College Report by Janet Schultz Janet@nyhockeyonline.com
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chedules for Union, RPI and Manhattanville are posted on their websites, along with ticket information. Manhattanville: govaliants.com RPI: rpiathletics.com Union: unionathletics.com
RPI
The Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Athletic Hall of Fame Selection Committee has chosen six individuals for induction into the Hall this year. Among them will be Women’s Ice Hockey Alumni Rosina Schiff, 2006. Schiff, a goaltender, played for the Engineers from 2002 until 2006. In her freshman year she posted a 7-4-0 record with a 1.38 GAA and .948 save%. She was named ECAC East Goaltender of the Week twice and was named to the All Rookie Team in the ECAC East. The following season she continued her winning ways with five shut-outs and being named ECAC East Goalie of the Week three times, Player of the Week and was the USCHO.com Defensive Player of the Week. She was named RPI’s MVP and named to the All-East First Team and AHCA./JOFA National All-American First Team. In her Junior year, Schiff posted a 13-6-0 record with five shut-outs and one assist. She was the ECAC East Goaltender of the Year and also named Jewish Sports Review All-American. In her final year at RPI Schiff posted a 9-4-1 record and finished tenth in the nation in goals allowed, ninth in winning percentage (.679). She graduated with a career record of 40-19-3, graduated as career leader in wins by a goaltender with 40 and had 15 shutouts.
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Palisades Predators Hockey Club
...The Red Bandana Skate will be held September 7 at 4:15 p.m. at Palisades Center Ice Rink. The benefit is for the Welles Remy Crowther Charitable Trust. Festivities will follow at Kennelly’s Grill House. ...PPHC will field the following teams for 2013-14: Cross Ice, Mite A, Squirt A1, Squirt B1, Pee Wee Brewster Hockey ...The NY Apple Core EJHL Junior program at Brew- A-TB, Pee Wee A, Bantam A-TB, Bantam A1 and ster Ice Arena has recruited top scholar athletes from Midget U16 A-TB. Top teams at the TB levels will outside the area. They are looking for a family envi- compete with AA schedule. ronment for these players. If you are interested in serving as a host family contact Steve Santini at 845-279- Westchester Vipers 2229, ext. 10. ...The 16U National Tournament Bound Lady Bulldog Hockey Association The Westchetser Wild Girls Hockey AssociaTeam is looking for additional goaltenders. Contact tion has open positions for skaters and goalies at the Lou Pedatella (845-416-5226) for information. 12U and 14U levels. Anyone interested should email westchestervipershockey@gmail.com/ Greater NYC Hockey League Westchester announces the following coaching The Greater NYC Hockey League is holding a appointments for 2013-14: four-week Learn to Play Ice Hockey session beginning Mite Xice: Jim Pellegrino Sr. and Billy Branch September 23. Players must be born between 2006 and Mite A xice: Jim Pellegrino Jr. 2009 to be eligible. This is for first-time skaters and Squirt AAA: Judson Selig equipment is loaned to the child and stays at the rink Squirt AA: Anthony Pellegrino for the four weeks. The only expense is for the par- Squirt A: John Kurian ent to register their child with USA Hockey. After the Squirt B: Jerry Petras four weeks the child is under no obligation to play ice PeeWee AAA:Brett Bilodeau hockey. If they wish to continue and join the team they PeeWee AA: TB: Niklas Bernesson will need to purchase full ice hockey equipment and PeeWee A: Walter Tchernigov pay for the session. PeeWee B: Dave Dragone Contact Lisa Davie at progresso3@aol.com for Bantam 99 TB: Kevin Hagen additional information. Bantam 00 AA: Frank Scalia Bantam A: Josh Isenberg Midget U16 AA: Erik Kallio & Gus Katsuras White Plains Midget U18 AA: Brian Delsavio Plainsmen Youth Hockey Midget A: Joe DiDomenico The Plainsmen’s annual Family BBQ will be Wild U12: Crhis LaRocca and Bart Lawrence held Saturday, September 7 at Mohawk Day Camp Wild U14: Monique Rafferty and Erica Garcia from noon to 6 p.m. Wild U19: Mark DeSimone and Josh Isenberg Congratulations and best of luck!
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Long Island Sled Hockey
LISH will hold their 17th Annual Sock Hop on Friday, November 21 from 8 to midnight at the Lynbrooke Elks Lodge. Proceeds benefit the Long Island Sled Hockey Team. Cost is $25 per person. Contact Bryan, 516-509-2406.
Long Island Royals
Congratulations to Head Coaches for the upcoming season: Junior Royals, Ken Hoey; Midget National, Bobby Barbera; Midget American, Kevi Corey; Bantam Major 99, Tony Colombo, Bantam Minor 00, Jack Gregi, Pee Wee Major 01, Tony Colombo; Pee Wee AA Rebels, Rich McGuigan; Pee Wee A, Jeff Lackowtiz; Squirt Major 03, Michael Mannetta; Squirt Minor 04, Tony Mastromonica; Squirt A, Roberto Losso; Mite A, Mike Hagens; Mite B, Stee Rizer; Mite C, Doug Gaudet.
Long Island Gulls
Long Island IceCats
The Icecats Amateur Hockey Club is holding a tryout and player evaluation for the Mite Development Team (birth years, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008) on Thursday, September 5 and Thursday, September 12 at the Iceland in New Hyde Park. The tryouts will be held from 5:10 to 6:10 both days. Coaching the team will be Chris “Goody” Goodrich. Greater New York City Ice Hockey League Announcing this seasons coaching staff. Mite A: Zack Dobran; Mite AA: Steve Cardi; Squirt A: Chris Mazzaro; Squirt AA: Adam Moloney; Peewee A: Eric Diramio; Peewee AA: Vincent Tuzzalo; Bantam A, Billy Burns; Bantam AA; Sean McAllister and Midget 16U EJEPL: Dan Borgia.
Great Neck Hockey
The Great Neck Park District Ice Hockey Program caters to children ages 5 to 12 who want to learn hockey in a stress-free, fun environment. This is strictly an in-house program that prepares the student with off-ice conditioning, clinics, special activities, scrimmage and intramural games. From time-to-time games with outside teams may take place. Mites meet Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays, 5:45 to 6:45 p.m.; Squirts and PeeWees meet Tuesdays and Wednesdays 5:45 to 6:45 and Fridays, 6:45 to 7:45 p.m. The Bears are holding a Free Open House on Friday, September 20 from 5:45 to 7:45 p.m. for anyone interested. They are also holding Free clinics on September 17 and 18. The Bears skate out of Andrew Stergiopoulos Ice Rink in Great Neck (NY). For information go to their website or contact Blaine Aronovitch, gnblaine@ greatneckparks.org
Charlie McAvoy has committed to play and attend school at Boston University in Fall 2015. McAvoy was a part of the ‘97 Gulls Bantam team that made it to the 2011 Nationals and will wear the USA jersey this season as a member of the USNDTP U-17 team. “I really developed as a player when I was with the Gulls,” said McAvoy in a recent press release. “I’ve had so many good memories on and off the ice as a Gull.” The Long Beach (NY) native has the ability to create offense and join the rush, distinguishing himself as a valuable commodity on any blue line, according to Bobcats general manager Craig Doremus. “Charlie is the next in a long line of Long Island Gulls to commit to play Division I hockey. “In addition to getting a high quality player, Boston University is getting a high quality person.” Boston University is a member of the Hockey ATTENTION ORGANIZATIONS--WE East Conference (NCAA-D1).
COULD USE YOUR LOGO. PLEASE SEND TO JANET@NYHOCKEYONLINE.COM
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Northern New York Men’s College Hockey Report by Warren Kozireski
CLARKSON The Golden Knights welcome a group of eight players (four forwards, two defensemen and two goaltenders) for the 2013-14 season. Forward Jordan Boucher opened the 2012-13 season playing for the Sioux City Musketeers in the USHL, recording one goal and two assists through 13 games before being traded to Pembroke. He skated in 33 games with the Lumber Kings in the CJHL to close out the year, scoring 35 points on 17 goals and 18 assists. Forward Perry D’Arrisso played the last two years for Corpus Christi in the North American Hockey League, recording 30 goals and 47 assists in 101 games. Defenseman James De Haas was a 2012 NHL Draft choice of Detroit Red Wings (6th round, 170 overall). He played in 53 regular season games for Penticton, recording 23 points on five goals and 18 assists and helped Canada West to a Silver Medal at the World Junior A Challenge (WJAC-19) this past November. Forward A.J. Fossen skated in 55 games for Dubuque, the 2013 USHL Clark Cup Champions, scoring 13 goals and 17 assists for 30 points while posting a team-high 135 penalty minutes along with a +24 plus/minus. Forward Troy Josephs played the past two season with St. Michaels, accumulating 61 points on 28 goals and 33 assists through 83 games and helped St. Michael’s win the OHF Ontario Championship. Skated for Canada East U19 at the 2013 WJAC-19 Tournament, posting one goal and one assist through five
games and was selected by the Pittsburgh Penguins (7th round, 209th overall) in the 2013 NHL Draft. Goaltender Steven Perry played past three season for Fairbanks posting a .910 save percentage and 2.27 goals against average en route to a 20-7-3 record along with two shutouts through 30 regular season games in 2012-13. He was in goal when Fairbanks won the NAHL Robertson Cup in 2011. Vinne Runola, a native of Finland, was the starting goaltender for TPS U20 team last season in the Jr. A SM-liiga. Through 29 regular-season games, the 6-0, 180-pound netminder recorded a .905 save percentage and a 2.73 goals against average. Defenseman Bryan Sinz skated in all 56 regular season games for Penticton, recording three goals and nine assists; played in all 15 BCHL playoff games for the Vees, who won the BCHL Interior Division title, notching three assists.
ST. LAWRENCE Canisius College grad Scott Moser (Tonawanda) was named the assistant coach for the Saints golf teams. Moser, who graduated with a degree in business management and marketing in 2012, played for the Griffs’ golf and ice hockey teams. Moser began working towards a Master’s degree in sports administration at Canisius, working as the marketing and promotions graduate assistant. This position came after an outstanding career on the links and ice, where he was an eight-time All-Academic team member and captained the hockey squad.
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North Women’s College Report by Janet Schultz
Schedules have been posted for Potsdam, Clarkson, Plattsburgh, St. Lawrence and Canton. Go to their websites: Clarkson: www.clarksonathletics.com Canton: www.rooathletics.com Plattsburgh: www.gocardinalsports.com Potsdam: www.potsdambears.com St. Lawrence: www.saintsathletics.com
athletes and will be a big asset for our program going forward,” said Clarkson Men’s Hockey Coach Casey Jones. Seven members of the Clarkson Women’s Ice Hockey Team took part in Canada’s National Women’s Development Team Selection Camp in August. Seniors Erica Howe, Carly Mercer, Shelby Nisbet and Jamie Lee Rattray along with Sophomores Erin Ambrose, Renata Fast and Shannon MacAulay were among the best players in Canada at the Markin MacPhail Centre in Calgary. Following the camp, Mercer, Rattray and Ambrose were selected to play with the Canada National Women’s Team for the Red-White Series. All three were cited for their strong play.
Around the North
Clarkson
Clarkson Women’s Ice Hockey welcomes Tad Johnson as the new Strength and Conditioning Coach. Johnson will also work with the men’s ice hockey team. Johnson comes to Clarkson from the University of Minnesota where he served as an assistant strength and conditioning coach since January 2012. He worked with a number of their sports programs, including the men’s and women’s ice hockey teams. Johnson holds a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Human Performance and Fitness from Northern State University and a Master’s of Education degree from the University of Minnesota. He is a native of Spearfish, South Dakota. “Tad has a great knowledge and passion for the development of
Adirondack Youth Hockey
The Adirondack travel teams will be known as the Adirondack Wild beginning with this season. They will also be sporting new jerseys still using the black and orange but with a new logo. The house leagues will remain the Adirondack Phantoms with the same Phantoms logo from the past. The Adirondack Northstars (girls) will maintain their current logo and color scheme. The Association made the change after changing vendors for the travel jersey, thus making it a good time for the change.
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The Faces of the 2013 Nichols Ice Hockey Camp for Girls by Janet Schultz
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cott Welch seems to have found the answers to giving girls what they want! He does have experience, having daughters of his own that play the game. Welch created and directs the Nichols Ice Hockey Camp for Girls offered for the past two years at Nichols School in Buffalo. What does he offer that draws them from all over New York, Pennsylvania and Canada? First there’s the on ice and off-ice activities. Then there’s one-on-one instruction and a chance for the campers to meet the coaches, all of whom coach at the DI or DIII level. Finally, there’s a written evaluation given to each girl at the end of camp, something most camps do not include. Each day a different coach takes to the ice including this summer Nick Carpenito, Union College, Josh Brandwene, Penn State; Paul Flanagan, Syracuse University; Greg Fargo, Colgate University and Chris MacKenzie University of Connecticut and former head coach at Niagara University. Also included was a special goaltending session with newlyappointed Buffalo State College Women’s Assistant Coach Lucy Schoedel. The general program focuses on skating, stick handling, hockey concepts, shooting, passing and team play. Campers must have at least two years of travel hockey to participate. For girls who have played at least four years of travel or high school hockey there is an Elite Program that is more intense focusing on high speed skill development, advanced hockey skills and team strategy. There is also special sessions for goaltenders. Meghan Fanfara is a first year camper and hopes to someday play DI collegiate hockey. She plays for the Buffalo Bisons. “This is a great experience,” said Meghan. “For me personally I learned how to set up more plays, and make crisp passes.” Second year camper Mora Mulligan, Albany, found it a great opportunity to connect with college coaches. Mora plays for Albany Academies and is in her 11th year playing hockey. Tatum Walber, Orchard Park, has played ice hockey for 10 years and is a member of the Buffalo Regals. She is a first year camper and found the entire program to be beneficial. “There’s colleges coming to see us and we’re on the ice all day,” said Tatum. “You learn to play both posi-
Coach Fargo explains a drill at Nichols Hockey Camp for Girls
tions and learn the whole game of hockey.” “I also liked meeting the coaches and talking to them about college hockey,” she continued. Hamburg (NY) native Ava Simoncelli is a member of the Buffalo Bison’s 19U team and has played for 10 years. She still found the entire camp to be beneficial to her. “I liked the exposure to the coaches and the bi-positioning,” said Ava. “Learning from all the coaches and getting their pointers makes a huge difference. “This was a great experience. You learn a lot from the other girls as well,” she concluded “Your on the ice everyday and that’s how you get better,” said Madison Sansone, also a member of the Buffalo Bisons 19U team. Sansone also plays for Nichols school and came to the 2012 camp. “You work with college coaches every day and that can take you to the next level,” said Sansone. “You learn a lot about play at the DI level,” she continued. NY Hockey met up with Coach Fargo and his assistant Karell Emard (2009 Canadian U22 Team) following his on-ice session. After answering numerous questions from the girls on how to get into DI or DIII hockey, what coaches are looking for, how to get noticed to how big is the campus, what programs are offered and some financial
Camp Provides On & Off Ice Training plus Collegiate Hockey Experience
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Director Scott Welch with Daughter Kelsey on the ice during the Nichols Hockey Camp for Girls. Kelsey played her senior year at Mercyhurst compiling 15 points during the season and serving as assistant captain.
questions, we discussed that next level of hockey for girls. College coaches are looking for not only a good player, but a good person and good student. “You must be a good student to be able to handle classes, homework, hockey practice, workouts and the hockey game schedule,” said Fargo. “If you aren’t a good student, you won’t succeed,” he emphasized. “If you are focusing on hockey, you aren’t focusing on academics and if you focus on academics your hockey will hurt. You have to have a balance.” Obviously when they look at players they are looking for skill, skating, competitiveness and hockey sense. With skill they look for the obvious, playing your position well. Skating is speed and mobility. Competitiveness is the ability to compete every time you hit the ice and hockey sense is understanding and knowing where to be at the right time. This group of campers was also interested in how coaches pick their defensive players. With D they look for good skating and mobility. They want to see the ability to defend and good puck moving abilities. “I like to see someone that can understand when to skate with the puck and when to move the puck,” said Fargo. The huge question for girls is how to get noticed. Fargo emphasized that you need to continue to work and do what it is that you do to the best of your ability. “We look for people that stand out,” said Fargo. “So do what you are good at.” Everyone has a skill that they are better at, so he wants them to focus on that and not try and be someone
they aren’t. “Every path to college hockey is different,” Fargo continued. “Reach out to the colleges you are interested in.” Camps like this one where college coaches are working gives them a look at players, tournaments are also a good place to be seen and reaching out to college coaches is another way. What about the difference between DI and DIII. Fargo explained that DI players are most likely faster, more skilled but DIII is still very good hockey. The major difference is there are no scholarships at the DIII level. “There’s only 36 teams at DI level and 21 people on a team so there is limited spaces at that level,” said Fargo. “Each year we are only looking for 3 or 4 players, that is very few. So a lot of great players are playing at DIII.” Fargo found the Nichols Camp to be a great place for the girls and being coached by a difference college coach each day gave them an opportunity to see and work with several styles of coaching and what it’s like to play at the next level. “Work hard,” was his final bit of advice to the group. The 2013 camp had 100 participants, 60% were returning from last year. The written evaluation provided each girl at the end of the camp included skating (forward, backward, mobility, balance, explosiveness, overall speed); passing (forehand, backhand, receiving a pass, saucer pass, puck control); shooting forehand (wrist, snap, slap, quick release, accuracy, speed); backhand (technique, quick release, accuracy, speed); hockey sense/awareness (ability to see the ice; ability to find open ice, ability to create time and space, comfort in handling puck, ability to make the players around them better) and coachability (positive attitude, a good teammate, willing to accept feedback, ability to incorporate feedback and work ethic). In addition there was a place for each coach to make a comment on the player. Goalies received a separate evaluation which included mobility, positional play,skills, reaction, rebound control, competitiveness and character. Their day began with group breakout followed by ice time, hand skills/explosiveness, stretching, team activity, core strength training and lunch followed by a college coaches lecture. For information on the 2014 Nichols Camp be sure to check out the Nichols website and NY Hockey Online.
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Western New York Men’s College Hockey Report
BROCKPORT
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he Sixth Annual Saves for a Cure fundraising weekend is scheduled for February 7-8, 2014 as the Golden Eagles take on Geneseo at 7 pm Friday night and host a fundraising brunch Saturday. The Saves for a Cure organization was started by former Golden Eagles goalie Todd Sheridan six years ago and has raised over $20,000 with a majority of that money being donated to the Golisano Children’s Hospital in Rochester.
NIAGARA
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by Warren Kozireski
he 2013-14 schedule was released with seven games against NCAA Tournament teams and 14 home contests. The defending Atlantic Hockey champions open the campaign at local rival Niagara on October 12th which pits the league’s regular-season champion in the Purple Eagles against the postseason champion. The Griffs then remain on the road to play Air Force, non-conference games at Denver and Miami and league rival Robert Morris before the home opener versus Mercyhurst November 9th in a rematch of the 2013 Atlantic Hockey title game. Departed senior Preston Shupe has signed a professional contract with the Bakersfield Condors of the ECHL. A two-year captain at Canisius, Shupe appeared in 142 career games with 86 points, 38 goals and 48 assists. He finished his collegiate tenure ranked 12th in the program’s Division I history with his 86 career points and ninth with his 38 career goals. Scott Moser (Tonawanda) was named the assistant coach for the St. Lawrence University golf teams. Moser, who graduated with a degree in business management and marketing in 2012, played for the Griffs’ golf and ice hockey teams. Moser began working towards a Master’s degree in sports administration at Canisius, working as the marketing and promotions graduate assistant. This position came after an outstanding career on the links and ice, where he was an eight-time All-Academic team member and captained the hockey squad. Scott is an active volunteer in the Buffalo community, including spending time with the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation and Meals on Wheels. Tyler Walsh has been added to the Griffs staff as Director of Hockey Operations. Walsh, who spent the last three years at the University of Maine, will coordinate the program’s video efforts, manage all aspects of travel and assist with the team’s community outreach programs and fundraising.
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ormer Purple Eagles defensemen Dan Weiss and C.J. Chartrain signed professional contracts with the Toledo Walleye of the East Coast Hockey League. Marc Zanette signed a contract with the Reading Royals of the East Coach Hockey League. During his four-year career at Niagara that saw him play in 142 contests, Zanette scored 32 goals and tallied 45 assists for 77 career points. He is coming off a career-best season after contributing a career-high 15 assists, and added eight goals for a career-best 28 points while being named Best Defensive Forward for the Atlantic Hockey Association.
R.I.T.
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ead Coach Wayne Wilson signed a four-year contract extension through the 2016-17 season. Wilson, who will enter his 15th season behind the bench at RIT in 2013-14, is the university’s all-time leader with a 270-145-44 record. Since the start of the 2006-07 season, the Tigers have a 145-90-30 record. After the 2010 Frozen Four run, Wilson signed a five-year extension to stay at RIT. The current extension will wipe out the final two seasons of that contract. Former RIT forward Steve Pinizzotto signed a one-year deal with the Florida Panthers. He played the 2012-13 season with the Vancouver Canucks. Pinizzotto left RIT after his sophomore season and signed with the Washington Capitals in March 2007.
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chedules are posted for Buffalo State and RIT women’s ice hockey programs at their websites. Go to www.buffalostateathletics.com for the Bengals and www. RITathletics.com for the Tigers. Ticket information can also be foudn on their websites.
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Western New York Women’s College Hockey Report
Forward Maggie Giamo (Orchard Park), who played for Cortland from 2009-13, by Janet Schultz was selected in the ninth Janet@nyhockeyonline.com JDSchultz3663@gmail.com round of the Canadien Women’s Hockey League (CWHL) draft held on August 26. Giamo finished her Red Dragon career tied for sixth in career scoring with 45 points on 25 goals and 20 assists in her threeplus seasons spanning 76 games. She led the team in scoring in her sophomore, junior and senior seasons, earning honorable mention All-ECAC West honors as a senior. Giamo also skated in 25 games and tallied 12 points as a freshman at RIT, completing her career with 57 points on 28 goals and 29 assists in 101 games.
ucy Schoedel has joined the Buffalo State Women’s Ice Hockey Program as an assistant coach. Schoedel spent the past two seasons as an assistant coach at Division I Brown University and also was an assistant at Wesleyan University. She also served as recruiting coordinator and goalie coach at Wesleyan. She played for the University of New Hampshire for two years, making a Frozen Four appearance in 2008. She then transferred to Syracuse University and was a two-time MVP for the Orange and a two-time nominee for the Patty Kazmaier Award. A native of Ithaca, Schoedel has a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Syracuse.
RIT
Cortland’s Giamo Drafted by CWHL
“Maggie comes to the Furies after careers at both SUNY Cortland and RIT. We are going to be looking to her to bring energy and a compete level to the rink every day that will push the rest of her teammates,” remarked Toronto general manager Rebecca Davies. Regarding her selection in the draft, Giamo commented, “It means a lot, especially since in my senior year I had a freak injury and didn’t know if I was going to play again.” The CWHL was founded in 2007 after the dissolution of the National Women’s Hockey League and features five teams -Toronto, Alberta, Boston, Brampton and Montreal. Toronto opens its season on Saturday, November 9, when it hosts the Alberta Blue & Gold.
See related story on page 39.
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West News... Clarence Mustangs Hockey
The 2013-2014 season is set to be an exciting one as the Clarence Mustangs celebrate their 13th year of youth hockey. With each new year, the Mustangs continue to build an organization that players and families are happy to be a part of. The Mustangs offer Novice, Mite House and Tier-II travel opportunities for youth hockey. Visit their website for updates happening with the organization, teams, and players. The website also provides links to scores, standings, and other sites that may interest you.
Amherst Youth Hockey
The Amherst Youth Hockey Annual Skate and Used Equipment Sale will be held Saturday, September 14 from 8 a.m. until noon in Skybox A and B. Drop-off time is September 13, 5 to 8 p.m. in Skybox A at the Northtowns Ice Arena.
Tonawanda Lightning
The Lightning will hold their 22nd Annual Tonawanda Lightning Tournament March 9 through 16, 2014. This is for Girls 12U, Squirt, PeeWee, Bantam, Midget and High School teams. Go to their webpage for an application or contact Tim Griffith, Griff296@aol.com for information.
Wheatfield Blades
A Tent Sale of used equipment will be held September 14 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Arena. Drop-off dates are September 10 and 12, 6 to 8 p.m. and September 14, 8 a.m. to 9 a.m.
West Seneca Wings
The West Seneca Wings will be celebrating their 40th year of hockey during the 2013-14 season. They are opening it with a 40th Anniversary Bash on Saturday, November 9 at Luccarelli’s Banquet Facilities. Details will be forthcoming.
West Hockey / Page 37 The West Seneca Wings Girls 16U team will be holding a Pancake Breakfast on Sunday, September 15 at Applebee’s at Southgate Plaza. They will be serving from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. Tickets are $6. Contact a member of the West Seneca Wings for tickets. The West Seneca Wings Mite Minor will old a fundraiser on Saturday, September 7, 6 to 9 p.m. at Strikers on Michael Road in West Seneca. This includes raffles, auctions and food. Tickets are $20 per person and contact Mary Kramer, wings06@verizon.net for tickets. The West Seneca Beginner Hockey Program (aka minimites) is accepting players for the upcoming season. The program begins in late September and concludes in late February. Play will be held on Saturday and Sunday mornings, with a few exceptions. The players will follow the USA Hockey Learn to Skate curriculum and the American Developmental Model. Focus is the fundamentals of skating. Contact the West Seneca Wings for more information.
Webster Cyclones
The Webster Youth Hockey Cyclone Challenge Tier II Travel Hockey Tournament will be held September 13, 14, and 15 at the Webster Ice Arena in Rochester. Contact Tony Audi, challenge@ wyha.com for more information.
Town of Tonawanda
The Town of Tonawanda is fielding a Girls Hockey Porgram and have limited openings. go to the Town of Tonawanda website for details. The season runs Mid-October through early March with one or two ice sessions per week. There will be a Try-It Session on Saturday, October 19 from 5:30 to 6:45 p.m. at the Lincoln Arena for those who want to give hockey a try.
Buffalo Stars
The Buffalo Stars named Derek Lasker the Youth Spotlight Player earlier this summer. Lasker will be starting 7th grade this fall at Lancaster Middle School. He is one of 60 students in WNY participating in the Gifted Math Program offered by the University of Buffalo for students in grades 7-12. Over 350 students tested for the program. Lasker plays for Coach Patrick Zaffram on the Pee Wee Major team and is in his second year with the Buffalo Stars.
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RIT
West Section / Page 38
hockey and the Rochester Americans, in conjunction with the Rochester Red Wings, unveiled the official name and logo, as well as released all ticketing information regarding the outdoor hockey festival to be held at Frontier Field this December 13-22. The RIT women will play Clarkson on Saturday. Dec. 14 at 12:05 p.m., while the men will host Niagara at 7:05 p.m. that evening. It will be the first outdoor game for each program. “We are proud to be part of this historic event,” said Lou Spiotti Jr., RIT Executive Director of Intercollegiate Athletics. “Like so many other major athletic events hosted in Rochester, it will be a point of pride for this community. RIT wishes to thank the Buffalo Sabres, Red Wings, Amerks and Greater Rochester Area Honda Dealers for making the Frozen Frontier a reality.” It was also announced that the Lake Erie Monsters will be the Amerks’ opponent in their regular season outdoor game at Frontier Field on Friday, Dec. 13. “This will be an exciting week for the city of Rochester, the state of New York and, of course, the game of hockey,” said Ted Black, president of the Rochester Americans. “With more than 10 teams coming from all corners of the state – and from all levels of the game – to play hockey, this will be a tremendous event to showcase the exceptional hockey teams we have in this region. More importantly, it will be a fun and different way to experience hockey. Whether you’re a player or a fan watching your favorite team, these games will be the games you’ll never forget being a part of.” OFFICIAL NAME: Frozen Frontier presented by Rochester Area Honda Dealers “Hockey and Honda in Rochester are a great mix. The Rochester Area Honda dealers are pleased to partner with the Frozen Frontier,” said Steve Ralph, president of the Greater Rochester Area Honda Dealers. “This is a unique, once-in-a-lifetime event that we look forward to bringing to the community. This is Rochester’s own Winter Classic.” SCHEDULE OF EVENTS: Friday, December 13 (7:00 p.m.): Rochester Americans vs. Lake Erie Monsters Saturday, December 14 (12:00 p.m.): RIT Tigers (women) vs. Clarkson Golden Knights Saturday, December 14 (7:00 p.m.): RIT Tigers (men) vs. Niagara Purple Eagles Sunday, December 15 (1:00 p.m.): Sabres/Amerks Alumni Game Saturday, December 21: Section V Rivalry Day – matchups TBA Sunday, December 22: Section V Rivalry Day – matchups TBA TICKETING INFO: Tickets for all Frozen Frontier events will go on sale Saturday, September 21 at the Frontier
Field Box Office. Tickets will NOT be available for purchase at the Blue Cross Arena. Following September 21, tickets for all Frozen Frontier events will also be sold at all area Wegmans locations and online at Tickets.com. Both Red Wings and Amerks season tickets holders will have the opportunity to purchase tickets prior to the general public. Season seat holders for both clubs will be mailed order forms in the coming days with all ticketing information. RIT will host a pre-sale for ONLY the RIT games beginning at 10 a.m. on Saturday, September 7 at the Gordon Field House Box Office. This pre-sale will only be for students and faculty with a valid RIT ID. Tickets for all Frozen Frontier events will be split into three different price levels: 200 level, 100 level and Limited View. Ticket prices for the RIT men’s game and the Sabres/ Amerks alumni game are as follows: $10 (Limited View), $15 (100 level) and $25 (200 level). Tickets are just $10 across all levels for the RIT women’s game and Section V rivalry days. Please note, only one ticket ($10) is needed per day for the high school hockey games. Ticket prices for the Amerks game are as follows: $15 (Limited View), $25 (100 level) and $35 (200 level). The only way for non-season seat holders to guarantee themselves tickets to these events is to purchase All-Access Packages which are on sale now. The All-Access Package includes tickets to ALL Frozen Frontier events, an official Frozen Frontier winter cap and one ticket voucher for both an Amerks (2013/14 season) and Red Wings (2014 season) game. This All-Access Package, valued at $175 (200 level), can be purchased for just $60 (limited view), $80 (100 level) or $110 (200 level). “We are looking forward to partnering with the Rochester Area Honda Dealers, Amerks, Sabres, RIT and Rink Specialists to make this once in a lifetime opportunity for our community become a reality,” said Dan Mason, general manager of the Red Wings. “We look forward to announcing some more exciting information surrounding this project in the coming weeks.” FOR MORE INFO: All information regarding the Frozen Frontier, including ticketing, merchandise, food & beverage, sponsorship and much more is now available by visiting www. frozenfrontier2013.com. Additional announcements will be made on Saturday, August 24 and Saturday, August 31 prior to Red Wings home games at Frontier Field.
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Amerks Broadcaster Don Stevens Receives AHL Honors
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he American Hockey League awarded the the 2012-13 James H. Ellery Memorial Award to Rochester Broadcaster Don Stevens. Also recognized were The Telegram of St. John’s, N.L. (print); and Sportsnet (television). The most senior member of the AHL’s broadcasting fraternity, Don Stevens completed his 27th season in the Rochester Americans’ broadcast booth in 2012-13. Stevens called all 79 regular-season and Calder Cup Playoff games on the year, 16 of which were simulcast by Time Warner Cable SportsChannel and seen by Amerks and Buffalo Sabres fans throughout Western New York. A member of the Amerks Hall of Fame and an honoree on the Frontier Field Walk of Fame celebrating contributions to Rochester’s sports history, Stevens also
serves as an ambassador and emcee at public speaking functions and other community events for the Americans. Stevens, who has called over 2,000 Amerks games and two Calder Cup Championships during his time with the team, also won the James H. Ellery Memorial Award following the 199394 AHL season.
The James H. Ellery Memorial Awards, which were first presented in 1964, honor the late Mr. Ellery, who served the American Hockey League for 17 years as league secretary and publicity director. In operation since 1936, the AHL continues to serve as the top development league for all 30 National Hockey League teams. More than 87 percent of today’s NHL players are American Hockey League graduates, and for the 12th year in a row, more than 6 million fans attended AHL games across North America in 201213.
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Around the NHL
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Yankee Stadium Site for Two NHL Outdoor Games
wo outdoor regular-season NHL® games will be played at Yankee Stadium during the 2013-14 season as part of the 2014 Coors Light NHL Stadium Series™ the National Hockey League announced today. The two games scheduled for Yankee Stadium are: New York Rangers at New Jersey Devils - Sunday, Jan. 26, 2014 - 12:30 p.m. ET New York Rangers at New York Islanders - Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2014 - 7:30 p.m. ET The two games at Yankee Stadium complete the four-game 2014 Coors Light NHL Stadium Series™ scheduled for next season. On Jan. 25, the Anaheim Ducks will play the Los Angeles Kings at Dodger Stadium. On March 1, the Chicago Blackhawks will host the Pittsburgh Penguins at Soldier Field. “We have long thought that Yankee Stadium would be a great venue for outdoor hockey,” said Lonn Trost, New York Yankees Chief Operating Officer. “In addition to being a first-class baseball facility, Yankee Stadium was designed to house unique and memorable events, such as the NHL Stadium Series™. Hosting two of the NHL’s classic rivalries at Yankee Stadium will be a great kickoff for the worldwide sporting events in the New York/ New Jersey metropolitan area scheduled in early 2014.” Further details on this special NHL event, including national broadcast information and specifics on ticket opportunities for the season-ticket holders of each team, will be released shortly. Fans interested in receiving more information on ticketing, news and special offers around the event should register at www.NHL. com/2014NewYork. NHL Network™ and NHL.com will provide extensive coverage live from New York leading up to and after the games. NHL Social™ will have exclusive coverage on all social platforms, including the use of the hashtag #StadiumSeries. Since the NHL established the tradition of hosting regular-season games outdoors to celebrate the origin and traditions of hockey, fans across North America have expressed their desire for those celebrations to spread across the hockey landscape. Five of the six most- watched regular-season NHL games in the U.S. in the past 38 years have been played outdoors. The NHL recently announced that the 2014 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic® is scheduled for Wednesday, Jan. 1, when the Detroit Red Wings will host the Toronto Maple Leafs at Michigan Stadium on the University of Michigan campus. It is anticipated that the 2014 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic® could set
a world record for attendance at a hockey game. The first-ever NHL regular-season game contested outdoors was played in 2003 when the Edmonton Oilers hosted the Montreal Canadiens at Commonwealth Stadium. Since then, the NHL has played six additional regular-season games outdoors. For a history of these games, please visit NHL.com.
Nassau Coliseum Renovations
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assau County Executive Ed Mangano and Executive Chairman of Forest City Ratner Companies Bruce Ratner announced details of their planned overhaul of Long Islands’ top sports and entertainment destination. “We will bring over 300 events here,” Ratner said. “Two hundred have already been committed. Whether it’s college basketball, boxing, the Islanders for six games, rock concerts, country music, hip-hop, whatever your taste, we will have it for you.” Nassau Coliseum opened in 1972, and while it has undergone numerous improvements over the years, this will be the biggest renovation the building has ever seen. Ratner’s plans include building restaurants, a movie theater, a theater club, bowling alley and a winter outdoor ice rink on the land around the Coliseum. “This will provide decades of quality entertainment to residents of all ages, while paying tribute to the fond memories many of us have of historic concerts, sports, and family events many of us have held over the years,” Mangano said. Mangano and Ratner were joined on stage by Islanders forward Matt Martin, Brooklyn Nets Head Coach Jason Kidd, Barclays Center and Brooklyn Nets CEO Brett Yormark and several other representatives from the sports and entertainment industry. After seeing the renovation sketches and listening to the speakers, Martin walked away impressed. “You see what they did with Barclays Center and how amazing that facility is, and it’s going to be exciting for Nassau County,” Martin said. “Obviously we love playing here, but this arena now is a little bit outdated. It’s going to be great to see what they do.” Ratner added that the timing of the Islanders move to Brooklyn’s Barclays Center is still the 2015-16 season. Coliseum renovations will begin during the summer of 2015, with the building set to re-open by September 2017. Mangano says that the new Coliseum will come at no cost to the Nassau County taxpayer. “We’ve leveraged the enormous power of public-private partnerships to create a first class sports and entertainment destination right here in the heart of Nassau County,” Mangano said.
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USA Hockey News USA Hockey Announces All-American Prospects Roster
Five from New York State
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SA Hockey announced the 40 players who will skate in the second annual CCM/USA Hockey All-American Prospects Game, which will be held Sept. 26 at Consol Energy Center in Pittsburgh, Pa., home of the National Hockey League’s Pittsburgh Penguins. Five of those players are native New Yorkers. Ryan Hitchcock comes from Manhasset and played for the U.S. National U18 team and has committed to the University of Minnesota. Hitchcock is a 5’9” forward. Kevin Labanc, Staten Island, played for the Barrie Colts of the OHL. He is a forward at 6’3”. Massapequa’s Milano Sonny also played on the U.S. National U18 team and is committed to the University of Notre Dame. He is a 5’10” forward. Alex Tuck comes from Baldwinsville. The 6’3” forward played for the US U18 team and has committed to Boston College. Finally, Joe Wegwerth, also a forward, comes from Brewster and played for the US U18 team and is also committed to the University of Notre Dame. The game features 40 of the top American prospects eligible for the 2014 NHL Entry Draft. Twenty-eight players appear on NHL Central Scouting’s “Futures List,” which highlights players that have potential to be selected in the first three rounds of the draft. “This event has quickly grown into a great opportunity for America’s best young players to showcase their skills at a national level,” said Jim Johannson, USA Hockey’s assistant executive director of hockey operations. “The Pittsburgh Penguins have been a terrific partner in putting on this game, which will feature the future stars of the NHL.” Among the 24 forwards which includes Labanc and Shane Eiserman (West Newbury, Mass.), who were members of the U.S. squad that earned the silver medal at the 2013 International Ice Hockey Federation Men’s Under-18 World Championship. Last season in the USHL, Nick Schmaltz (Verona, Wis.) of the Green Bay Gamblers was the youngest player to receive USHL All-Rookie Team honors, while Seamus Malone (Naperville, Ill.) helped the Dubuque Fighting Saints capture the Anderson Cup and the Clark Cup as the regular-season and playoff champions
in the USHL. This summer, Schmaltz, Keegan Iverson (St. Louis Park, Minn.), Austin Poganski (St. Cloud, Minn.) and Dominic Turgeon (Cherry Hills, Colo.) helped the U.S. Under-18 Select Team place second at the 2013 Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament. The blue line corps includes Jack Dougherty (Cottage Grove, Minn.), Aaron Haydon (Plymouth, Mich.) and Ryan Mantha (Clarkston, Mich.), who were members of the U.S. Under-18 Select Team that finished second at the 2013 Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament. Keegan Ford (Waunakee, Wis.) contributed to the Dubuque Fighting Saints winning the Anderson Cup and Clark Cup as the regular-season and playoff champions in the USHL. In net, Thatcher Demko (San Diego, Calif./Boston College) and Blake Weyrick (Ojai, Calif.) received silver medals with Team USA at the 2013 IIHF Men’s Under-18 World Championship, while Alex Nedeljkovic (Parma, Ohio) and Weyrick backstopped the U.S. Under-18 Select Team to a second-place showing at the 2013 Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament. Thirty-three players have ties to the United States Hockey League, the top junior league in America, including 22 players from USA Hockey’s National Team Development Program in Ann Arbor, Mich.
U.S. Women Take Final Game in Series
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exie Laing (Marblehead, Mass.) netted a pair of goals and Erin O’Neil (Minnetonka, Minn.) made 18 saves to help the U.S. Women’s National Under-18 Team defeat Canada, 3-2, in the final game of the 2013 Women’s Under-18 Series held in Lake Placid. “We came out strong, put pressure on them right from the start and played our best game of the series,” said head coach Jeff Kampersal. “I’m proud of our effort and it was a great learning experience for this group of players.” Canada opened the scoring at 16:58 of the first period on a wrap around goal by Eve-Audrey Picard. The U.S. tallied three unanswered goals in the second period to take a commanding 3-1 lead. Taylor Williamson (Edina, Minn.) evened the score, 1-1, during a two-man advantage at :44, taking a cross-crease pass from Melissa Samoskevich (Sandy Hook, Conn.) and burying it into an open net. Lexie Laing (Marblehead, Mass.) made it 2-1 at 15:31 after sustained pressure led to a goal-mouth scramble in which she took a pass from Taylar Cianfarano (Oswego, N.Y.) and beat Canadian netminder Shea Tiley. Laing notched her second goal off a feed from Maddie Rolfes (West Des Moines, Iowa), skating in from the right circle
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and wristing a shot past the goalie’s glove hand at 18:37. At 5:22 of the third period, Picard scored her second goal of the game to pull Canada within one, making it 3-2. Canada took the series two games to one. Scoring leaders included the United States’ Lexie Laing with three goals. Cianfarano tied for second in assists with two and tied for second in points with four. In addition to Cianfarano, New York’s Toni Ann Miano of the Bronx and North American Hockey Academy was also on the roster. Erin Hamlen, Glens Falls, was goaltending coach and scout and Whitney Colbert, Ithaca, served as Hockey Operations Intern.
U17 Team Wins Five Nations Tourney
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Olympic Jersey Debuted
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he 2014 Nike USA Olympic Hockey Jersey fuses USA Hockey’s rich history and tradition with the performance needs of today’s athletes. Decades of design delivered the inspiration to create a lightweight jersey with distractions removed and range of motion maximized. The jersey draws inspiration from the pride of competing for Team USA by amplifying the American Flag aesthetic through matte/shine stars on the shoulders and bold striping. The patriotic and inspirational message “Land of the Free, Home of the Brave” can be found on the inside neckline. The USA Hockey Crest has been enlarged and refined to reflect the 80’s aesthetic, while the right sleeve pays homage to gold medals in 1960 and 1980.
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rock Boeser (Burnsville, Minn.) scored twice in the third period and goaltender Kris Oldham (Anchorage, Alaska) made 20 saves to help the U.S. Under-17 Select Team beat Slovakia, 3-1, at the 2013 Under-17 Five Nations Tournament. Despite being outshot, 17-9, in the first period, Slovakia was able to carry a 1-0 lead into the first intermission after a late power-play goal. Team USA came back to knot the score 10:28 into the second frame on a shorthanded tally by Lincoln Griffin (Walpole, Mass.). Boeser made a long pass to Griffin, who gathered the puck, skated between two Slovakian defenders and put a shot into the top corner. That’s where the score stayed until Boeser scored on a rebound 6:58 into the final period to put the U.S. up, 2-1. Then, nine minutes later, Boeser notched a power-play goal to close the scoring. The U.S. squad, which clinched the tournament championship with a 9-2 win over Germany on Saturday, finished the tournament with a 4-0-0 record. Kris Oldham was named U.S. Player of the Game The 2013 Under-17 Five Nations Tournament included teams from the Czech Republic, Germany, Slovakia, Switzerland and the United States. New York had three players on the team including Goaltender Nicholas Vilardo, Clarence and the Wilkes Barre-Scranton Jr. Knights of the MJHL; Defenseman Steven Ruggiero, Kings Park, Cleveland Barons 16U and Forward Nolan Aibel, Brookville and the New Jersey Rockets of the MJHL. Serving as athletic trainer was Henrietta resident Angelo Zegarelli.
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