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USA Hockey Promotes Braceful and Whiteside

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Janet
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PLYMOUTH, Mich. – USA Hockey’s National Team Development Program today announced the promotions of Rod Braceful (Detroit, Mich.) to senior director of hockey operations, and Andrew Whiteside (Philadelphia, Pa.) to director of player personnel.

“Rod is an outstanding young executive who has had a big, positive impact on the program,” said Scott Monaghan (Ho-Ho-Kus, N.J.), assistant executive director of USA Hockey for the NTDP and USA Hockey Arena. “This promotion allows him to have a more direct impact on growing our day-to-day operations, philosophy and player development. It’s a great opportunity for Rod and for the NTDP.”

Braceful, who has served as director of player personnel for the NTDP since 2023, has played an integral role in the program’s player identification and evaluation efforts. In his new role, Braceful will oversee the NTDP’s hockey operations department, including player personnel, scouting, player evaluation, hockey strategy and the overall direction of the department. He’ll also oversee the coaching and hockey operations staff and help establish the strategic direction of the program’s hockey operations.

Braceful served as general manager of the 2026 U.S. Under-18 Men’s National Team after serving as assistant general manager for the 2025 bronze-medal winning team and the 2024 team that brought home silver. In 2025, he served as general manager of the U.S. Under-18 Men’s Select Team that won the Hlinka Gretzky Cup, the first championship at the event for the U.S. since 2003. Braceful spent two seasons as a scout with the National Hockey League’s Chicago Blackhawks (2021-23) after serving as assistant director of player personnel at the NTDP from 2018-21.

Whiteside, who served as assistant director of player personnel the past two seasons with the NTDP, has been promoted to director of player personnel where he’ll lead the team’s nationwide player identification and evaluation efforts. In the role, Whiteside will oversee the program’s player personnel strategy and scouting operations, working closely with the NTDP’s regional staff to evaluate and identify players from across the country.

Whiteside brings more than a decade of experience in player evaluation, scouting and development to his new role. He spent two seasons as an amateur scout with the Montreal Canadiens after serving as an assistant coach and director of player personnel with the North American Hockey League’s Lone Star Brahmas and assistant coach with the United States Hockey League’s Cedar Rapids RoughRiders. A Philadelphia native, he’s also worked with USA Hockey at the Boys National 16 Player Development Camp.

Together, Braceful and Whiteside will work alongside the program’s coaches, regional managers and scouting staff to ensure the NTDP maintains a comprehensive and collaborative approach to player evaluation and development.

The NTDP plays a 62-game regular-season schedule in the United States Hockey League, split between the U.S. National Under-17 and 18 Teams. In addition, NTDP teams also play games against North American Hockey League squads, NCAA Division I and III schools and compete in international tournaments.

Ticket packages for the 2026-27 National Team Development Program season, including the Kroger College Series six-pack and the Big Game Pack, as well as single-game tickets are on sale now by calling the USA Hockey Arena box office at 734-453-8400 or visiting HERE. 

PWHL NAMES BUSINESS DIRECTORS FOR FOUR EXPANSION TEAMS & NEW YORK SIRENS

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Janet
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Amanda Archer, NY Sirens
TORONTO, CANADA – SEPTEMBER 20: Marian Agyei-Gyamera of the Toronto maple leafs poses for her official headshot for the 2023-2024 at the Ford Performance Centre on September 20, 2023 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Mark Blinch/NHLI via Getty Images)
during a press conference announcing a Las Vegas expansion PWHL team at T-Mobile Arena on Wednesday, May 13, 2026, in Las Vegas. (Photo by David Becker/PWHL)
NEW YORK AND TORONTO  – After announcing Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) expansion to four new cities for the 2026-27 season, the league has named four Business Directors to oversee club Business Operations in each of the new markets, as well a new hire for the same role at the New York Sirens. Team Business Directors will shape and lead local strategies across marketing, ticketing, community programs, communications, and game day experience. 


PWHL Detroit – Alicia MullinMullin brings a diverse sports background to PWHL Detroit, after serving as the Chief Operating Officer of the American Cornhole League since 2023 where she oversaw marketing, content, technology, and culture. Prior to that, Mullin spent 15 years in progressive roles at Major League Baseball culminating as the league’s Vice President, New Media, where she led brand, player, and influencer marketing while managing MLB social media. The Brown University graduate relocates to Detroit from Charlotte, North Carolina, returning to a market she worked closely with during her time at MLB. 

PWHL Hamilton – Marian Agyei-GyameraAgyei-Gyamera joins PWHL Hamilton from the Toronto Marlies (AHL) where she led initiatives across business operations, player engagement, and community programming, culminating in the Marlies’ 2026 Calder Cup Championship. Originally from Toronto, Agyei-Gyamera spent time across hockey and business operations of the Maple Leafs organization as the first Associate of its Management Development Program. Through her work in professional sports, which has included Olympic sport, basketball, and ringette, Agyei-Gyamera has built meaningful relationships with players, partners, and communities while creating memorable experiences for fans. The former University of Waterloo varsity track & field athlete also holds a master’s degree from Western University and was named to CIBWE Canada’s 2024 Top 100 Black Women to Watch. 

PWHL Las Vegas – Sheri HudspethAfter relocating to Las Vegas to build out the Vegas Golden Knights youth, girls, and women’s hockey programming in 2021, Hudspeth is continuing to grow the sport in Nevada with PWHL Las Vegas. Hudspeth brings more than three decades of hockey experience as a player, coach, and executive, known for spearheading innovative fan development and grassroots programming that engages communities and inspires lifelong fandom. Originally from Aurora, Ontario, Canada, Hudspeth played NCAA Division I hockey at Minnesota State University-Mankato, was part of the 2023 Stanley Cup Champion Vegas Golden Knights front office, and serves as an Advisor on the NHL Women’s Hockey Advancement Committee. 

PWHL San Jose – Chris JensenBorn and raised in San Jose, Jensen has called the Bay Area home most of his life and brings sports experience to PWHL San Jose from two of its pro teams. Since 2022, Jensen oversaw group ticket sales for the Golden State Warriors and prior to that, spent six seasons with the San Jose Sharks launching several group sales initiatives that earned him the 2017-18 “Shark of the Year” recognition as the most outstanding member of the team’s ticketing department. The graduate of Salve Regina University in Newport, Rhode Island is looking forward to building out Business Operations for his hometown’s newest pro team. New York Sirens – Amanda ArcherArcher brings more than 15 years of sports marketing, operations, and analytics leadership to the New York Sirens, including nine years in progressive roles at Nielsen, most recently as Senior Director of Global Growth Marketing, leading its demand and lead generation programs and marketing technology. The Maryland native has spent most of her sports career in New York City, beginning at MKTG in sponsorship strategy and activation, and spending four years at ESPN as a Business Analyst in advertising sales. Archer was recognized by Cynopsis on its list of 2026 Top Women in Sports, and beyond the industry, considers herself a lifelong athlete and sports fan.

Photos by PWHL

NEW YORK SIRENS NAME JIM MIDGLEY ASSISTANT COACH

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Janet
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(Press release and photo supplied by NY Sirens)

NEW YORK (AUGUST 24, 2026) – The New York Sirens announced today the addition of Jim Midgley as the team’s newest assistant coach ahead of the 2026-27 Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) season. Midgley joins the Sirens following two PWHL seasons as an assistant Coach with the Toronto Sceptres and brings more than two decades of coaching and scouting experience across the professional, junior, and international levels to New York. 

“We’re excited to welcome Jim to our family,” said Sirens General Manager Pascal Daoust. “His impressive coaching journey across the PWHL, Team Canada, the CHL, and the NHL with the New York Rangers reflects not only an exceptional level of experience, but also a deep commitment to developing people and contributing to an elite environment. Jim brings a unique perspective, a wealth of knowledge, and an unwavering passion for the game that will complement our staff, support our players in reaching their full potential, and continue to drive our organization’s relentless pursuit of excellence.”  

A native of Townsend, Ontario, Midgley was the first coach to hold bench roles in both the PWHL and NHL, having served as a Rangers assistant for the 2021-22 and 2022-23 seasons. The 48-year-old has international experience in women’s hockey from his time as an assistant coach for Team Canada at the 2021 IIHF Women’s World Championship, helping capture gold during a season in which he was also an amateur scout with the Philadelphia Flyers. Just prior to joining the PWHL, Midgley spent the 2023-24 season as head coach of the QMJHL’s Halifax Mooseheads, his second stint with the club, previously serving as head coach in 2017-18 following six seasons as an assistant.  

“I’m incredibly excited and honored to join the New York Sirens organization,” said Midgley. “From my conversations with leadership, it’s clear there’s a shared vision and commitment to building a winning culture, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to be part of that journey. I look forward to working alongside an outstanding staff and a talented group of athletes who are committed to competing at the highest level.” 

On the ice, Midgley was a forward and played three seasons in the OHL between 1995-98 with the North Bay Centennials and the Belleville Bulls, followed by four seasons at Saint Mary’s University from 1998-2002, including three as team captain. His playing career concluded with the Fort Worth Brahmas of the Central Hockey League in 2003. 

Midgley will join a Sirens coaching staff led by Head Coach Greg Fargo and returning members Valérie Bois (Assistant Coach) and Gordon Woodhall (Goaltending and Video Coach). 

Plattsburgh State Athletics News: Plattsburgh State Welcomes Mattie Norton Back as Women’s Hockey Assistant Coach

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Janet
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Mattie Norton as a Cardinal player (Plattsburgh Photo)

PLATTSBURGH, N.Y. – The Plattsburgh State Department of Intercollegiate Athletics and Recreation has announced the hiring of former Cardinal standout Mattie Norton as the assistant coach of the Plattsburgh State women’s ice hockey program. 

Norton returns to her alma mater after serving as the inaugural head coach of the Lewis and Clark Community College ACHA women’s ice hockey program, where she helped establish the program and build its foundation ahead of its first season. 

In addition to her collegiate coaching experience, Norton has spent several years coaching with Elite Hockey, working with players ranging from ages 3-18, while also serving as both an on-ice coach and teacher’s assistant at Elite Hockey School.

“It is great to welcome Mattie back to Plattsburgh,” said Plattsburgh State women’s ice hockey head coach Kevin Houle. “Mattie had an outstanding career as a player and demonstrated exceptional leadership as our team captain. Those qualities, along with her passion for the game and commitment to our program, will serve her well in her new role as assistant women’s hockey coach. We are excited to have her back and look forward to the positive impact she will have on our student-athletes and the continued success of our program.” 

One of the most accomplished players in recent program history, Norton concluded an outstanding four-year career with the Cardinals in 2025. She served as team captain during her senior season after being an assistant captain as a junior and helped lead Plattsburgh to multiple conference championships and NCAA Tournament appearances.

A two-time All-SUNYAC First Team selection (2023-24, 2024-25), Norton earned numerous honors throughout her collegiate career, including CCM Hockey/AHCA Division III Women’s Ice Hockey Second Team All-America recognition, DIIIHockeyNews.com First Team East All-America honors, SUNYAC Women’s Ice Hockey Scholar-Athlete of the Year, SUNY Women’s Ice Hockey Scholar-Athlete of the Year, and Plattsburgh State Female Athlete of the Year during her senior campaign. She was also named to the NEWHL All-Rookie Team in 2021-22 and earned All-NEWHL Second Team honors in 2022-23.

As a student-athlete, Norton was actively involved across campus, serving on the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) throughout her four years and participating in the Cardinal Academy leadership program. She graduated from Plattsburgh State with her bachelor’s degrees in accounting and business administration, along with a minor in management information systems.

Norton will begin her duties immediately as she joins the Cardinals’ coaching staff for the upcoming 2026-27 season.

Eick Joins Colgate MHKY

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Janet
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Colgate men’s hockey is pleased to announce the addition of C.J. Eick as an assistant coach.

Eick brings over 15 years of coaching and playing experience with him to Hamilton.

“We are super excited to welcome C.J. and his family to ours,” head coach Mike Harder said. “C.J.’s vast experience will help us develop all our players with focus on our defensemen and special teams.”

Prior to joining the Raiders, Eick spent the last three years as an assistant coach for the Waterloo Black Hawks in the USHL. During his tenure, the Black Hawks earned two winning seasons and a trip to the Clark Cup Final.

Eick began his coaching career as an instructor for the Michigan Tech Hockey School during his time at Michigan Tech as a student-athlete. He then went on to serve as an assistant coach at Trinity College during the 2022-23 season.

His playing career began with the Green Bay Gamblers where he played two seasons. Eick then played four seasons at Michigan Tech, where he made 145 college appearances and logged 14 goals and 38 assists. After graduation, Eick played seven years in the ECHL. He played for the Utah Grizzlies, Kansas City Mavericks, and Indy Fuel from 2016-2022. He logged over 380 career games in the ECHL and posted 42 goals and 56 assists. Eick played one final game for the Kalamazoo Wings in the 2023-24 season.

Shaping the Game

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Janet
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How Emma Pais is shaping the future of women’s hockey

By Dylan Rippe7/10/2026 9:38:00 AM

While most student-athletes spend the offseason recharging and preparing for the upcoming season, Emma Pais is helping shape what the future of women’s hockey looks like.

As the only Division I student-athlete selected to sit on the NCAA Women’s Hockey Rules Committee, Pais spent her offseason helping rewrite the national rulebook. It is quite the evolution for a player who, just a few years ago, was joining a lineup full of dominant upperclassmen. Now, as she enters her final year in Hamilton, her fingerprints are all over the future of the sport.

The path to the NCAA Women’s Hockey Rules Committee wasn’t something Pais expected or even lobbied for. In fact, it started with a completely unexpected text message from Colgate women’s hockey head coach, Stefan Decosse.

“He reached out to me and said, ‘I nominated you for the rules committee for the NCAA,'” Pais recalls. The committee reserves exactly one seat for a current student-athlete to ensure the players have representation alongside conference officials and administrators.

Initially, Pais was skeptical. “To be honest, when he texted me, I was kind of like, ‘Okay, there’s one student-athlete, I’m probably not going to be picked.’ I was under the impression that every team nominated someone.”

A month later, an official email arrived from the NCAA. Pais hadn’t just been nominated; she had been selected as the sole voice of the players for the entire sport.

Pais cele

Pais’ influence extends well beyond Hamilton. The NCAA rules committee reviews the rulebook every two years and decides what needs to be changed and what remains the same.

“We all came together at the conference in Indianapolis and created the new rulebook for the next two years. This year was a rule-change year, so they were allowed to change any of the rules within the rulebook. For three days, we just went through the entire book and talked about what we wanted to change and what was proposed to be changed by the coaches for the next year.”

Women’s hockey and its future have never been brighter. Not only is college hockey growing, the student-athletes are competing for the next step in the Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL). 

The PWHL continues to expand, recently announcing franchises in Detroit, Hamilton, Las Vegas, and San Jose, bringing the league total to 12 teams. The continued growth of the next level impacts the landscape of women’s hockey as a whole.

“Every time a rule was proposed, it was talked about whether it mirrored where the game was going at the PWHL level, because obviously a lot of people in the NCAA’s goal is to play there,” Pais recalled. “So definitely, the NCAA’s main focus is trying to mirror the PWHL, but at the same time, also making rules that make sense for the age group at the NCAA and for college athletes who are also in school.”

Balancing the NCAA and PWHL rules gave Pais an insight into the details of the rulebook. As a team captain, it is important to be able to clearly communicate with coaches, teammates, and referees. With a deeper understanding of the rules, Pais is already one step ahead.

“I obviously know the basic rules of hockey and everything like that, but having the opportunity to really see all the rules laid out and understand why certain rules are being put into place and why they’re not, it was really impressive to me. The committee really thought about every angle.”

Pais Cele

The juggling act of Colgate’s rigorous academics, playing Division I hockey, and adding the challenge of serving on the NCAA rules committee can sound daunting. However, as the only student among administrators and coaches, Pais’ voice was eager to be heard, and the workload was surprisingly manageable.

“It was really nice because, being the only student-athlete, they really understand the student-athlete experience,” Pais said. “So they weren’t expecting a crazy time commitment from me. Most of it was looking at the clips before our call, and then it was only a call once a month for an hour.”

The opportunity stands in stark contrast to where Pais was when she first arrived on campus.

“Coming in as a first-year at the end of that COVID year…my only real focus was trying to do whatever I could to help the team win.”

Now, as she prepares to lead Colgate into her final season, she isn’t just trying to find her place in a lineup. She is leaving an unforgettable mark on the sport itself. Long after she plays her final shift in a Raiders uniform, Pais’ influence will be felt not only in Hamilton, but across the country.

“Looking at this year, having a bigger role from an NCAA level is just something that I definitely never thought would happen.”

Editors Note; This story and photo was provided by Colgate.

Rochester’s Whitmore Named to Coaching Position with PWHL Boston Fleet

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Janet
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The Boston Fleet announced that Derek Whitmore has been promoted to Assistant Coach ahead of the 2026-27 Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) season after previously serving as the team’s Player Development Coach.

“We are thrilled to have Derek behind the bench for us this upcoming season,” said Fleet General Manager Danielle Marmer. “Derek’s knowledge of the game, contagious enthusiasm and genuine passion for this team are evident every day. He has built strong relationships with our players, earned the respect of our staff and played an integral role in the success we achieved this past season. We’re excited to see him continue making a tremendous impact on our group as we build on that momentum.”

Prior to joining the Fleet for its record-setting 2025-26 season, the Rochester, NY native spent two years in Maine running Whitmore Hockey Development, specializing in player advising, development, video analysis and mentorship for youth and collegiate players. He also brings more than six years of assistant coaching experience from the junior and collegiate ranks. Most notably, he served as an assistant coach with the USHL’s Chicago Steel from 2021-23, helping develop more than 20 NHL Draft picks, including current Carolina Hurricanes forward and 2026 Stanley Cup champion Jackson Blake. Prior to his time in Chicago, he was an assistant coach with the men’s team at Mercyhurst University during the 2020-21 season after serving as an assistant coach with the Bowdoin College women’s hockey program from 2018-20.

“Last year was an incredible season for the Fleet and it was so fun to be a part of as the development coach,” said Whitmore. “I couldn’t be happier to be joining the Fleet coaching staff and getting back behind the bench. We have an incredible group of players and an outstanding staff, and I am extremely grateful for this opportunity. To me, it’s more than just a game, it’s about being around good people who empower you and challenge you to be the best version of yourself each and every day. That’s what we have here in Boston with the Fleet, starting with Danielle [Marmer] and François [Méthot]. I cannot thank them enough.”

On the ice, Whitmore enjoyed more than 10 years playing professionally throughout the NHL, AHL, DEL, EBEL and ECHL following his collegiate career at Bowling Green State University. In the AHL, Whitmore appeared in 369 games as a forward, recording 95 goals and 172 points. Off the ice, he was renowned for his community involvement as a three-time AHL Man of the Year award recipient — twice with the Portland Pirates (2009-10 and 2010-11) and Rochester Americans (2011-12) — for his charitable efforts throughout Portland, Maine and his hometown of Rochester.

Whitmore will work alongside new Fleet Head Coach François Méthot — who was introduced in June — and returning staff Jordan LaVallée-Smotherman (Assistant Coach), Lenny Mosca (Goaltending Coach) and Shawn Roche (Video Coach).

Cornell’s Jones Named to Spengler Cup Coach Staff

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Janet
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Casey Jones ’90, the Jay R. Bloom ’77 Head Coach of Cornell Men’s Ice Hockey, has been named to the coaching staff for the U.S. Collegiate Selects for the 2026 Spengler Cup this December in Davos, Switzerland, it was announced Wednesday afternoon (July 29).

Jones will serve as one of two assistant coaches under Mike Souza, who enters his ninth season as head coach at New Hampshire and will lead the U.S. Collegiate Selects after serving as an assistant on last year’s inaugural team. Minnesota Duluth head coach Scott Sandelin rounds out the coaching staff as the other assistant coach.

“We’re excited to announce our coaching staff for this year’s Spengler Cup,” said Steve Metcalf, U.S. Collegiate Selects general manager and Hockey East commissioner. “Mike was part of our staff last year as we reached the championship game in our debut. Bringing him back as head coach gives us continuity and a coach who already knows what this tournament demands. Joining him are Scott and Casey — two of the most accomplished coaches in college hockey. Scott has won three national championships at Minnesota Duluth and played in the Spengler Cup himself, while Casey has built winning programs at Cornell and Clarkson over his career.”

“I am honored to join the U.S. Collegiate Selects staff and represent Cornell and college hockey on this stage,” Jones said. “The Spengler Cup is a tournament with tremendous tradition and prestige, and having the opportunity to be a part of it is something I do not take lightly. After watching last year’s event and speaking with those who were there, I have a deep appreciation for just how special the experience is. I look forward to coaching in such a unique setting while representing collegiate hockey at the highest level.”

The U.S. Collegiate Selects open the 2026 Spengler Cup against Swedish club Frölunda HC on Saturday, Dec. 26, at 8:15 p.m. CET (2:15 p.m. EST). Frölunda enters as the reigning Champions Hockey League champion, having claimed its fifth CHL title since the league’s founding in 2013. Depending on the outcome against Frölunda, the Selects will face host club HC Davos either Sunday, Dec. 27 (following a loss) or Monday, Dec. 28 (following a win). Pre-semifinal play is set for Tuesday, Dec. 29, with the semifinals and championship following on Wednesday, Dec. 30, and Thursday, Dec. 31.

The entire U.S. Collegiate Selects roster, which will feature 25 student-athletes from all six NCAA Division I conferences, will be announced in the coming months.

Last year, the U.S. Collegiate Selects made a memorable debut in Davos, advancing to the championship game before falling to HC Davos, 6-3, as the host club claimed its tournament-leading 15th title. Rising senior forward and captain Ryan Walsh was one of two ECAC Hockey representatives on last year’s squad. The Rochester, N.Y., native recorded a goal and an assist across three games — both points coming in the championship game.

The 2026-27 season will be Jones’ second as head coach at his alma mater after a debut campaign that saw Cornell go 22-11-1 overall and 15-6-1 in ECAC Hockey play. His 22 wins tied Dick Bertrand ’70 for the most by a first-year head coach in program history, while his 15 conference wins tied both Bertrand and Brian McCutcheon ’74 for the most by a first-year bench boss.

Section VI Announces 2026 Hall of Fame Inductees

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Brett Banker honored by WNYGVIH IN 2020

11th Annual Section VI Hall of Fame

Photo: Brett Banker honored by the WNYGVIH League in 2020. (Janet Schultz Photo)

Section VI (NYSPHSAA) proudly announces its Hall of Fame, Class of 2026

Dr. Ronnetta Alexander Norwood Athlete Williamsville South

Brett A. Banker Admin Kenmore-Town of Tonawanda UFSD

Jenepher Banker Coach Grand Island

Michael T. Binkowski Official

James Kwitchoff Athlete Sweet Home

Jolene Nagel Coach Panama

Stephen Pierce Coach Eden

Loren Ratajczak Admin John F. Kennedy

Susan Schaefer Morgan Athlete Clarence

David Schraven Athlete Kenmore East 

Reggie Witherspoon Coach Sweet Home

The Section VI Hall of Fame was established to honor and recognize those, within its organization, who excelled in their roles as athletes, administrators, coaches, officials, or contributors who have provided meritorious service.  

The Class of 2026 induction ceremony is scheduled for Thursday, December 3, 2026, at The Columns Banquets, 2221 Transit Rd., Elma, NY 14059. The evening will commence at 5:30 pm with a cash bar and dinner, followed by the induction ceremony.  Dinner reservations are $45 per individual, $25 for children ages 4-12. Reservations/Purchase Tickets prior to 12:00 pm on Tuesday, November 24, 2026 

Ticket Reservation & Purchase ON-LINE   https://gofan.co/event/6744958 

Cornell Announces Full Season Schedule

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file photo
Cornell’s Charlie Major, #16, on Oct. 26, 2024 at Lynah Rink in Ithaca, NY. Cornell Men’s Hockey defeated the University of Toronto 6-2. (Caroline Sherman/Cornell Athletics)

Cornell men’s hockey, under second-year head coach Casey Jones ’90, released its 30-game slate for the 2026-27 season on Tuesday afternoon (Aug. 11).

The Big Red will play a program-record-tying 16 games at Lynah Rink this season, matching marks set in 2003-04 and 2006-07, against 13 true road contests. Cornell will also return to New York City to play in the biennial Frozen Apple contest, taking on Maine at Madison Square Garden on Nov. 28.

Cornell opens its 111th season with an exhibition against Waterloo on Oct. 17, then launches the regular season with four straight home dates: a two-game set versus Sacred Heart (Oct. 30-31) followed by the ECAC Hockey opener against Quinnipiac (Nov. 6) and Princeton (Nov. 7).

A road swing through Brown (Nov. 13) and Yale (Nov. 14) precedes a homestand against Clarkson (Nov. 21) and St. Lawrence (Nov. 22) before the trip to New York City to play Maine. The fall’s marquee date comes Dec. 4, when Boston University visits Lynah Rink for the first time since 2002. Cornell closes out the calendar year hosting Atlantic Hockey America foes RIT (Dec. 5) and Holy Cross (Dec. 8). The matchup against Holy Cross will be Cornell’s first home Tuesday game since facing Sacred Heart on Nov. 22, 2022, the Tuesday before Thanksgiving.

The new year opens with a six-game road trip, starting with a series at Omaha (Jan. 2-3) before diving into ECAC play at Union (Jan. 8), RPI (Jan. 9), Princeton (Jan. 15), and Quinnipiac (Jan. 16).

Cornell’s spring semester home slate kicks off with three straight home games, hosting rival Harvard (Jan. 22) and Dartmouth (Jan. 23) before hosting Colgate to begin the annual home-and-home series (Jan. 29-30). From there, the Big Red alternates home and road weekends down the stretch: at St. Lawrence and Clarkson (Feb. 5-6), home against Yale and Brown (Feb. 12-13), on the road at Dartmouth and Harvard (Feb. 19-20), and home to close the regular season against RPI and Union (Feb. 26-27).

For full schedule go to https://cornellbigred.com/sports/mens-ice-hockey

Rochester’s Walkland Named to PWHL Hamilton Team

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PWHL Hamilton today announced that Chelsea Walkland and Connor James have been named assistant coaches ahead of the team’s inaugural 2026-27 Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) season.

Walkland joins the organization with extensive coaching experience at both the university and international levels, most recently serving two seasons (2024-26) as head coach of Bishop Kearney’s U19 women’s hockey program. Prior to joining the Selects, Walkland spent five seasons as an assistant coach at Colgate University (2019-24), helping the Raiders win four consecutive ECAC titles with teams that featured PWHL Hamilton goaltender Kayle Osborne and defender Allyson Simpson. She also spent five seasons as an assistant coach at her alma mater, Robert Morris University (2014-19), in addition to coaching positions at SUNY Oswego and in her hometown at Rochester Institute of Technology. As a forward at RMU, Walkland played four seasons from 2006-10, appearing in 139 games and recording 41 points.

“Chelsea is an outstanding addition to our coaching staff,” said PWHL Hamilton General Manager Meghan Duggan. “She has a tremendous track record of developing players, helping to build successful programs, and creating environments where athletes can reach their potential. Her experience at the collegiate and international levels, combined with her ability to connect with players and teach the game, will be extremely valuable to us. We are excited to have someone of Chelsea’s experience and character helping establish the standards and identity of our team.”

On the international stage, Walkland served as an assistant coach with Team USA at the 2022 IIHF U18 Women’s World Championship, helping capture a silver medal with Colgate forward and PWHL Hamilton third-round pick Elyssa Biederman. In 2023, she was head coach for the Collegiate Select Series, leading the U.S. to a 3-0 record against Canada, with a squad that included Biederman, Simpson, and PWHL Hamilton defender Riley Brengman.

“I think the opportunity to work with great people across the organization really drew me into this opportunity, and I really enjoyed my conversations with GM Meghan Duggan and Head Coach Kris Sparre,” said Walkland. “We are going to create something special in this community and I think the fans are really excited about hockey. I was fortunate to experience that in person when my daughter and I went to the PWHL Takeover Tour in Hamilton where it was just an incredible atmosphere. I think it is going to be super special and incredible to be a part of.”

James brings extensive high-performance coaching and professional playing experience to Hamilton. He most recently served as a skills coach with Shield Athletics, developing elite athletes within pro-level on-ice training environments, and head coach of the Burlington Eagles AAA program across multiple age groups from 2019-26. During his tenure as head coach, he oversaw all aspects of player development, including on-ice instruction, off-ice training, video analysis, and dryland programming. A product of the University of Denver, James was selected by the Los Angeles Kings in the ninth round (279th overall) of the 2002 NHL Draft. The Calgary, AB, native appeared in 16 NHL games with the Kings and Pittsburgh Penguins during a 16-year professional playing career. He also spent time in the AHL and ECHL with stops in Manchester, Bakersfield, and Wilkes-Barre, before continuing his career overseas in Germany where he competed opposite Sparre in the DEL between 2009-16.

“Connor brings a wealth of professional hockey experience and a unique perspective to our staff,” said Duggan. “Having played at the NHL, AHL and international levels, he understands the demands of the game and what it takes to compete and succeed as a professional. Just as importantly, Connor has a genuine passion for teaching and developing players as well as tremendous character and ability to make the people around him better. We believe his experience, energy, and ability to connect with our group will make a significant impact on our team.”

James played in more than 1,000 professional games and was a member of the University of Denver’s NCAA National Championship team in 2004 when recognized as the WCHA Student-Athlete of the Year. He also represented Canada three times in Deutschland Cup competition.

“I am incredibly excited and honoured to join PWHL Hamilton as an assistant coach,” said James. “The opportunity to work with Kris Sparre and Meghan Duggan, and to be part of the team’s inaugural season is an incredible opportunity. Both bring an incredible level of experience, knowledge, and passion for the game, and I’m looking forward to working alongside them. Hamilton is a tremendous sports city with a passionate fan base. I am looking forward to contributing to the organization, helping our players develop, and being part of building something special in this community.”

Walkland and James are the first additions to Sparre’s coaching staff in Hamilton as the team continues to build toward its PWHL debut.

ABOUT PWHL HAMILTON  
PWHL Hamilton is one of 12 teams in the Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL), which was founded in 2023. The PWHL began its inaugural season in January 2024 and features the best women’s hockey players in the world. PWHL Hamilton was officially announced as one of the league’s four new expansion teams on May 13 and will debut at TD Coliseum in the fall. Fans can place a time-stamped deposit here to secure priority access to season tickets for PWHL Hamilton’s historic inaugural season, once ticket packages are released. To learn more and stay up to date, visit HamiltonPWHL.com, subscribe to PWHL Hamilton’s newsletter here, and follow the team on Facebook PWHL Hamilton, Instagram @PWHL_Hamilton, X @PWHL_Hamilton, TikTok @PWHL_Hamilton, YouTube PWHL Hamilton, Threads @PWHL_Hamilton, Bluesky @PWHL-Hamilton, and LinkedIn PWHL Hamilton. 
 

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Janet
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A total of 113 Plattsburgh State student-athletes were named to the Eastern Athletic Communications Association (EAST-COMM) 2025-26 Academic Honor Roll, recognizing their hard work on the field and in the classroom.

Honored from Men’s Ice Hockey were:

Men’s Ice Hockey (10):
Joshua Belgrave
Spencer Bellina
Shane Bondy
Dominik Bovan
Lonan Bulger
Brannon Butler
Patrick Cole
Blake Hall
Vlad Pshenichnikov
Riley Sutherland

From Women’s Hockey:

Women’s Ice Hockey (9):
Taya Balfour
Su-An Cho
Ella Fesette
Maeghan Forsyth
Sydnee Francis
Tessa Morris
Molly Riggi
Maddy Stetson
Seoyoung Yoo

Cornell Announces Men’s Hockey Season Schedule

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Janet
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The Cornell men's hockey team competes against Massachusetts on December 29, 2023 at Herb Brooks Arena in Lake Placid, N.Y.

Cornell men’s hockey, under second-year head coach Casey Jones ’90, released its 30-game slate for the 2026-27 season on Tuesday afternoon (Aug. 11).

The Big Red will play a program-record-tying 16 games at Lynah Rink this season, matching marks set in 2003-04 and 2006-07, against 13 true road contests. Cornell will also return to New York City to play in the biennial Frozen Apple contest, taking on Maine at Madison Square Garden on Nov. 28.

Cornell opens its 111th season with an exhibition against Waterloo on Oct. 17, then launches the regular season with four straight home dates: a two-game set versus Sacred Heart (Oct. 30-31) followed by the ECAC Hockey opener against Quinnipiac (Nov. 6) and Princeton (Nov. 7).

A road swing through Brown (Nov. 13) and Yale (Nov. 14) precedes a homestand against Clarkson (Nov. 21) and St. Lawrence (Nov. 22) before the trip to New York City to play Maine. The fall’s marquee date comes Dec. 4, when Boston University visits Lynah Rink for the first time since 2002. Cornell closes out the calendar year hosting Atlantic Hockey America foes RIT (Dec. 5) and Holy Cross (Dec. 8). The matchup against Holy Cross will be Cornell’s first home Tuesday game since facing Sacred Heart on Nov. 22, 2022, the Tuesday before Thanksgiving.

The new year opens with a six-game road trip, starting with a series at Omaha (Jan. 2-3) before diving into ECAC play at Union (Jan. 8), RPI (Jan. 9), Princeton (Jan. 15), and Quinnipiac (Jan. 16).

Cornell’s spring semester home slate kicks off with three straight home games, hosting rival Harvard (Jan. 22) and Dartmouth (Jan. 23) before hosting Colgate to begin the annual home-and-home series (Jan. 29-30). From there, the Big Red alternates home and road weekends down the stretch: at St. Lawrence and Clarkson (Feb. 5-6), home against Yale and Brown (Feb. 12-13), on the road at Dartmouth and Harvard (Feb. 19-20), and home to close the regular season against RPI and Union (Feb. 26-27).

Go to https://cornellbigred.com/sports/mens-ice-hockey

Plattsburgh Inducts Buehler Newton into Hall of Fame

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Janet
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The Plattsburgh State Department of Intercollegiate Athletics and Recreation, in conjunction with the Office of Alumni Relations, has announced the Plattsburgh State Athletic Hall of Fame Class of 2026. Comprising the Hall of Fame’s 41st induction class are Ashley (Marshall) Lamica ’14 (softball), Brittany Marshall ’15 (softball and women’s basketball), Kara (Buehler) Newtown ’12 (women’s ice hockey), Alyssa Recny ’07 (women’s cross country and track and field), and Patrick Shaughnessy ’13 (baseball and men’s soccer).

The annual induction ceremony and dinner will be held on Friday, September 25, in the Warren Ballroom at the Angell College Center on the SUNY Plattsburgh campus at 6 p.m. Seats for this year’s event are $35 per person ($15 for children under the age of 12), and those interested in attending the ceremonies should register by Sept. 16 at http://alumni.plattsburgh.edu/HallofFame.

Kara (Buehler) Newtown was a standout defender for the Plattsburgh State women’s ice hockey team, helping lead Plattsburgh State to an NCAA Division III National Championship in 2007-08. A key piece of a dominant defensive unit, she helped the Cardinals post 14 shutouts during the 2007-08 campaign. The Skaneateles, N.Y., native was a two-time First-Team All-ECAC West selection and earned AHCA Second-Team All-America honors in 2009-10 before being named an AHCA First-Team All-American in 2010-11. In addition to those honors, she was also recognized as the Plattsburgh State Female Athlete of the Year in 2010-11 and was a SUNY Chancellor’s Scholar-Athlete. Newtown finished her career with 53 points on nine goals and 44 assists.

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