Home Blog

Niagara’s Ahearn Still Proving Them Wrong

0

By Warren Kozireski —

“I’ve been an underdog my whole life; I was never drafted to any junior leagues and never made any festival teams. Always the alternate, so I definitely have a chip on my shoulder.”

Niagara captain Jay Ahearn is more than proving everyone wrong as he sits atop the Purple Eagles scoring list with 15 goals and was a point-per-game player with 30 points over the first 29 games this season.

But college hockey did not start well.

“My first year I had to medically redshirt; I tore my labrum and they had to put nine anchors in and I was out for nine months,” Ahearn said. “And then my second year I played four games before I broke my arm in practice off of a slapshot. Freak accident so that was unfortunate.”

Last season, wearing the “C,” Ahearn posted 26 points in 34 games. Now he is listed as a senior on the roster, but due the time lost with injuries, he has one year of eligibility remaining next season. He will use that to enroll in a finance graduate program.

“My dad works on Wall St. and my grandfather worked on Wall St. so that has potential.”

Before Niagara, the Staten Island native split three years between his Monsignor Farrell high school team and Mercer Chiefs in the AYHL before moving away from home to play with the North Jersey Avalanche for two seasons.

“They allowed that (playing for two teams) back then. My Mercer team was good; we were always a top 20 team, but my high school team wasn’t very good but I got to play with some of my best friends and those are memories that I’ll have forever.”

“My 18-U team (North Jersey) lost in the national championship and then the next year we were number one all year and covid shut us down.”

Then came a breakout campaign in the NAHL with the Johnstown Tomahawks where Aheran netted 31 goals and 31 assists over 52 games that put him on many coaches’ radar.

“I got a call from (assistant) coach Mark Phalon on I believe it was Dec. 8, 2020, and we talked up until February. I got my offer February 8th and then I committed February 17th of that year. It was a really cool process.”

Aheran also leads the team this season in shots and first goals and is tied for the team lead in shorthanded tallies as he sees ice time in all situations.

Still proving them wrong and maybe one of the few in Niagara hockey history to wear the “C” for three seasons.

(Photos by Niagara Athletics)

KenGiPort Takes League Championship

0
2024-25 WNYGVIH Federation League Champions
WNYGVIH 2024=25 Season 15

WNYGVIH February 3-7, 2025 

Story/Photos by Janet D Schultz

KenGIPort has taken the 2024-25 Federation League Championship after posting a 13-2-1 record and 40.5 points. Coming in second was last year’s Fed Champion, Niagara County with a 11-2-3 record for 37.5 points.

This also means the seeding for the Section VI Championship is set. KenGiPort gets a bye in the first round. The schedule for Tuesday, February 11 at Buffalo State College’s ice arena is #2 FFLOP takes on #7 Williamsville at 4 p.m.; #3 LIDA faces #6 Niagara County at 6 p.m. and #4 HEWS plays #5 CASH at 8 p.m. 

Winners of those games move to the Semi-finals on Thursday February 13 with KenGIPort playing the fourth seed at 4:30 p.m. and the 2nd and 3rd seeded facing off at 6:30 p.m.

Kate Kelley

Finals for the private schools, St. Mary’s of Lancaster vs Monsignor Martin will be played Monday, February 17 at 6 p.m. and the Section VI finalists will play at 8 p.m.

With the addition of a team from Section V, Webster, there will be a Far West Regional to determine if a team from Section V or Section VI will present the West in the States. That game will be played in Webster on Wednesday, February 19 at 7 p.m.

A team from Section 5/6 will face a team from Section 3/4 at 4 p.m. on Friday, February 21 at the Utica Nexus Center. At 6 p.m. Section 1/2 will faceoff with Section 7/10. The winners of those two games will play for the NYS Championship at Noon on Saturday February 22.

This past week proved to be a very busy one, especially for LIDA, who played every night to make up some rescheduled games and play a scheduled one.

On Monday it was LIDA at MonMar with a 7-2 victory for LIDA. They played at Northtowns. LIDA scored in the first two periods but MonMar made a mark in the third with two goals, one from Captain Addison Cherry and the other from Claire Kloetzer. Cherry’s was unassisted and Ellie Black and Avery McDonald assisted on Kloetzers. For LIDA it was Claire Whiteford, Brynn Cafferty(2), Leah Dowling, Anna Maki, Caitlin Sinclair and Emily Lysiak scoring. Iris Schimenti faced 10 SOG, stopping 8, for the W. MonMar’s Kate Kelley faced 48SOG.

Schimenti Faces The Puck

FFLOP played HEWS and took away a 3-1 victory with Jocelyn Smaczniak and Maya Griffin scoring. Griffin had the game-winner plus one and Smaczniak managed to assist on both Griffin goals. Rachael Fix stopped 22 of 23 for the W. Brynn Holland had a power-play goal for HEWS to put them on the boards. Ella Buczynski stopped 33 of 36.

CASH headed to Cheektowaga to play St. Mary’s of Lancaster and they ended in a 1-1 overtime tie. For CASH it was Cecilia Bizub, assisted by Georgia Mango and Polina Stremiakova and for St. Mary’s Danielle Cottrell on the power-play, assisted by Gabe Lowell. Stopping 46 of 47 for CASH was Ella Celej and for St. Mary’s Avery Hall stopped 25 of 26.

Tuesday KenGIPort headed to NiCo to solidify their League Championship. They did that with a 6-1 victory. Three goals in the first, three in the second and no scoring in the third and they brought home the trophy. NiCo’s single goal came in the second off the stick of Abbey Zimmerman, assisted by Myla Chopyak. For KenGiPort it was Isabella Jayme with two, including a power-play; Erin Krawczyk with the game-winner, Madelyn Jagow, Isabelle Bourgeault and Zoey Dettbarn. Ella Johnston stopped 16 of 17 and for NiCo, Jaylin Beaver stopped 13 of 19.

Jayme heads for a goal

Williamsville beat Monsignor Martin in as 4-0 shutout with Anna Bacon stopping 18 shots. Putting the puck past Kate Kelley (22/26) were Genevieve Illos, Sophia DePrima and Allison Besancon with two. 

A tight came between LIDA and HEWS and it was a LIDA 3-2 victory. LIDA’s Caitlin Sinclair had two goals, including the game-winner and Lysiak had the other. Schimenti stopped 17 of 19 for the W. For HEWS it was Holland scoring, along with Morgan Cooper; while Buczynski made 21 of 14 saves.

Webster and Williamsville braved the elements in a cold, windy day at Riverworks on Wednesday. The visitors took home the 4-1 victory with scoring from Fanale(2), Cullen, Maddie Meyer. In goal Wambach stopped 8 of 9 SOG. (Apologies for no first names, no roster). Besancon scored for Williamsville, assisted by Jaylea Kochan. Lookman made 30 saves on 34 SOG.

Across town, KengiPort faced NiCo for the second consecutive night and came out with a 4-0 shutout victory. Scoring were Bourgeault with the game-winner, shorthanded and unassisted. Alexa Denning, Isabella Burt, Teagan Willats. Hadley Dahlgren played 30 minutes and took the W stopping 9 SOG and Jillian Hager played 15 minutes stopping 5 SOG. Lila Jones was in for NiCo and faced 33 SOG, stopping 29.

Jayme moved to #2 in All Time Scoring in the WNYGVIH with her assist in this game.

CASH took a 2-0 win from LIDA with Mila Dominik scoring the game-winner, assisted by Celia Watson and then Watson scored an unassisted for the W. Celej made 31 saves for the shutout. Schimenti stopped 21/23.

Celej

CASH celebrated Georgia Mango on Senior Night but came away with a 5-2 loss to LIDA. CASH scored both goals in the third, one with 1:28 left and the final goal of the night with 9.2 seconds left, stopping LIDA from a shut-out. For LIDA it was Lysiak, unassisted; Lawrence, at 41 seconds of the second period; Cafferty with the game-winner and Whiteford and the last from Lysiak. Schimenti stopped 21 of 23 for the W. For CASH it was Jenny Wild, assisted by Watson and Maya Adimey; Adimey from Wild and Kiley Breeze. Celej faced 33 shots.

FFLOP shut out MonMar 8-0 with the game-winning goal scored by Favata, Griffin had two goals; Gabby Sojda had a hattrick and goals were added by Olivia Waterman and Peyton Forcucci. Fix stopped the two shots by MonMar. MonMar’s Kelley stopped 65 of 73 SOG.

HEWS took an 8-1 victory from NiCo with scoring by Holland (2, one on the power-play), Waszkielewicz (a hattrick), Sophia Phillips(2) and Ellie Grabowski on the power-play. Buczynski stopped 40 of 41 for the W. For NiCo it was A Lawrence scoring, assisted by Mainstone and Jones splitting goaltending with Beaver. Jones played 4 minutes stopping 3 of 6 and Beaver played 41 minutes, stopping 24 of 29.

In regular season play, FFLOP’s Griffin and Sojda sit at top of the Scoreboard with 48 and 41 points respectively. Griffin has 24 goals and 24 assists; Sojda, 19 goals and 22 assists. The top five are rounded out by NiCo’s Sam Latini, 20/15 for 35; NiCo’s A.Zimmerman with 23/11 and LIDA’s Lysiak with 17 goals and 14 assists.

KenGiPort’s Hager sits with a 1.00 save percentage after playing 105 minutes. KenGiPort also has Dahlgren on top in second with a .958 save% in 120 minutes of play. CASH’s Celej has a .931 save% with 555.90 minutes of play, stopping 326 of 350 shots. HHEWS Buczynski has played 733 minutes with a .925 save%, stopping 359 of 388. 

In related WNYGVIH news, two of the alumni are now New York State Troopers. CASH’S Emma Faso and FFLOP’s Abbey Lillis just completed and graduated from the NYS Troopers Academy. We congratulate them and wish them well, as well as thank them for their service.

February 3-7 Photo Gallery

Rob Ray Is Unique

0
Miller and Ray

BY RANDY SCHULTZ –

As I sat in the press box located in the upper level of the KeyBank Center watching Rob Ray being inducted into the Buffalo Sabres Hall of Fame, I found my mind wondering back some 37 years. That’s how long Ray has been with the Sabres organization.

Rob Ray Speaks to Media

It’s hard to believe that it’s been 37 years. During that time I watched Ray become an enforcer with the Sabres for 14 of his 16 seasons in the NHL, brought fans in Buffalo to their feet every time he fought while accumulating 3207 minutes in penalties.

The one other thing I remember about Ray the player is that, win or lose, he was always available for a comment after a game. And usually a good one.

That’s why I wasn’t totally surprised when the late Sabres broadcasting great, Rick Jeanneret, talked Ray into becoming his broadcast partner and continue his career with the Sabres.

During his acceptance speech, Ray spoke of the legendary broadcasting great saying, “I miss you buddy. We all do.”

Probably the most important side of Ray that fans saw Friday night was Ray the husband, father and son. On hand for the celebration were Ray’s wife, daughter, son as well as his mother and father, who travelled to Buffalo from the Rays hometown of Stirling, Ont.

Razor and his family

And if there was one thing that Ray made clear to those in attendance is that Buffalo is now his home and will remain so for the foreseeable future.

His charity work in the area is well known, especially with the Sabres alumni association and always being a part of the distribution of toys to underprivileged children on Christmas Eve. And over the years Ray has made and still makes unscheduled visits to local hospitals, arriving unannounced in many cases.

If there was one thing I saw in Ray Friday night is a soft side. Following standing ovations as well as verbal tributes to Ray, there came a moment when Ray quickly wiped his eyes. Crying is not a part of Rays makeup.

But the Hall of Fame tribute brought him very close to tears. But in typical Ray fashion, he “fought” them back. He wouldn’t have it any other way.

Syracuse’s Kinsler, Gendron, Kelley, and Costabile Earn AHA Player of the Week Honors

0
BOSTON, Mass. – – Atlantic Hockey America is proud to honor four student-athletes as AHA Players of the Week for their outstanding on-ice performances in games of Jan. 31 – Feb. 1, 2025. This week’s winners are Syracuse sophomore Jackson Kinsler (Forward), Syracuse junior Sami Gendron (Defenseman), Syracuse graduate student Allie Kelley (Goaltender), and Syracuse freshman Stella Costabile (Rookie).

image
AHA FORWARD OF THE WEEKJackson Kinsler, So., F, SyracuseSyracuse forward Jackson Kinsler collected six points on three goals and three assists this past weekend to lead the Orange to a sweep over Lindenwood. Kinsler put together a career-best four-point effort on Friday and a two-point effort on Saturday. In Friday’s contest, Kinsler had a hand in four of Syracuse’s five goals by scoring two goals and dishing out two assists in a 5-2 win. She scored the eventual game-winning goal on the power play at 15:20 of the 2nd period. Then on Saturday, the sophomore forward scored another power play goal and dished out another assist in a 5-0 Syracuse win. Kinsler was efficient with the puck, scoring her three goals over the weekend on just four total shots. On the season, the Madison, Wisc. native is up to eight goals and is tied for the team lead with 12 assists. 
AHA DEFENSEMAN OF THE WEEKSami Gendron, Jr., D, SyracuseSyracuse junior defenseman Sami Gendron tallied five points on a pair of goals and three assists this past weekend vs. Lindenwood. Gendron orchestrated her first three-point game of the season in Friday’s contest, as she scored her second goal of the season and dished out two power play assists. In addition to finding the back of the net again on Saturday, Gendron picked up another power play assist, giving her three power play helpers on the weekend. Additionally, Gendron finished the weekend with three blocks, a +2 rating, and led a Syracuse defensive unit that allowed just two goals all weekend. The Rockland, Ontario native is now riding a three-game goal streak, and is up to three goals and 12 assists for 15 points on the season.
AHA GOALTENDER OF THE WEEKAllie Kelley, Gr., G, SyracuseThis past weekend, Syracuse goaltender Allie Kelley picked up two wins and made a total of 58 saves on 60 shots, good for a save percentage of .967. Kelley stopped 28-of-30 shots (.933 save percentage) in Friday’s 5-2 win, then stopped all 30 shots she faced en route to her third shutout of the season in Saturday’s 5-0 win. The East Berne, N.Y. native has now led the Orange to three straight AHA wins, and has allowed two goals or fewer in four straight starts. On the season, Kelley leads Atlantic Hockey in saves (971), saves per game (33.48), and time between the pipes (1,714:21). In addition, her 971 saves on the season are tops in the nation. 
AHA ROOKIE OF THE WEEKStella Costabile, Fr., F, SyracuseSyracuse freshman Stella Costabile put together the best weekend of her collegiate career with four points on two goals and two assists vs. Lindenwood. Costabile collected a goal and an assist in each game, giving her the first multi-point games of her career. Costabile opened the scoring in both games over the weekend, as she found the back of the net just 61 seconds into Friday’s contest, then scored at 5:50 of the 1st period in Saturday’s game. The Belmar, N.J. native assisted on Sami Gendron‘s 3rd period goal on Friday, and on Nea Tervonen‘s 1st period goal on Saturday. Costabile now has three goals and five assists for eight points so far in her rookie campaign. 

Future Sabres: Luke Osburn

0

By Warren Kozireski —

When Buffalo selected defenseman Luke Osburn in the fourth round of the 20124 NHL Entry Draft, they knew that 1) he only qualified age-wise for the draft by six days meaning he was one of the youngest eligible players and 2) that they were getting an offensive-minded player who finished third in the USHL last season among rookie defensemen in scoring.

That has not changed this season as he is now the top-scoring defensemen with Youngstown with four goals and 15 assists through his first 30 games. He stood tied for 11th in the league in scoring by defensemen and tied for eighth in power play assists.

“I think I’ve tried to develop my offensive game, and I think my defensive game still needs some work,” Osburn said in late-January. “Just focusing on developing both of those and as the season goes on, I’ll have a lot of time to improve, so that’s what I’ll keep working on.”

Youngstown Phantoms at USHL Media Day at the Marriott Pittsburgh North in Cranberry, PA on September 19, 2024. Luke Osburn, 13

The 6’1”, 185 lb. left shot was born in Plymouth, Michigan and developed in the Compuware program in the Detroit area.

“Youth hockey in Detroit in general is pretty strong, so just playing against a lot of guys you’re going to play against in later years and just a lot of good hockey players come out of there, so I think it was great to play there in a hockey powerhouse.”

He did attend Development Camp with Buffalo immediately after the draft, which is always an eye-opening experience the first time around.

“It was good to just learn from the players who have already been there and learn from the guys who played pro, so it was great. I really didn’t care when I was picked in the draft. It just happened to be the fourth round, and I was excited for the place I was going and super-pumped.”

Youngstown has had a short USHL history (since 2009), but he is currently second all-time on the Phantoms for defensive scoring with 12 career goals—two behind current New York Islander Scott Mayfield.

The Youngstown Phantoms win 2-1 against Team USA NTDP at the Covelli Centre on November 17, 2024. Luke Osburn, 13

Next year Osburn is likely to begin his collegiate hockey career at the University of Wisconsin, but he has the rest of this year to try to bring Youngstown another championship.

“It’s a long journey and I try not to think ahead too much. I always wanted to go to college and this place (Youngstown) has been unbelievable. The coaches here give us all the resources we need; it’s an awesome place to play hockey.”

(Photos by Koz, NY Hockey OnLine; Scott Galvin, Youngstown Phantoms)

WNYGVIH: Rolling Into The Final Week of Regular Season Play

0
WNYGVIH 2024=25 Season 15

January 27-31, 2025 Recap

by Janet Schultz, NYHOL

KenGiPort has the lead as the WNYGVIH Federation moves into its final week of regular season play. With 34.5 points on 11 wins, 2 losses and 1 tie they are ahead of FFLOP by just 3 points. FFLOP sits firmly in second at 31.5 points with 9 wins, 2 losses, 3 ties. Both teams have played 14 games with each having two more games this coming week.

WNYGVIH 2024=25 Season 15

HEWS is at third place tied in points with LIDA, 25.5; but HEWS has played 13 games and LIDA, 12. LIDA has four games to be played and HEWS has three to play, including a make-up game from earlier this month.

The rest of the standings are St. Mary’s of Lancaster, CASH, NiCo, Williamsville and Monsignor Martin. 

There has been a lot of movement on the scoring front with FFLOP’s Maya Griffin leading the group with 19 goals, 20 assists for 39 points. Her teammate Gabby Sojda has 16 goals, 19 assists for 35 points. Close behind in third is NiCo’s Sam Latini with 17 goals and 14 assists. 

WNYGVIH 2024=25 Season 15

The league has some strong goaltenders who are making their mark in various ways. HEWS Ella Buczynski has played 600 minutes, faced 287 shots and made 265 saves for a .923 save percentage. Monsignor Martin’s Kate Kelley has seen 608.43 minutes of play and faced 627 shots, stopping 561, with a .895 save percentage. CASH’s Ella Celej has played 460.60 minutes, faced 262 shots, stopped 247 giving her a .915 save percentage. She also has 4 shutouts. KenGiPort’s Jillian Hager has a perfect 1.00 save percentage after playing 90 minutes, facing and saving 8 SOG and getting 2 wins. 

After a four-point night, FFLOP’s Griffin moved ahead of NiCo’s Latini on the All-time scoring list putting her at #10 and Latini at #11, moving past Emma Roland (Williamsville ‘20). Isabella Jayme sits at #3 All Time just behind CASH’s Julia Mings (2017) and Erin Gehen (HEWS 2014). Gehen sits in first with 189 points.

NYHOL also congratulates KenGiPort’s Erin Krawczyk who registered a hattrick this week and Zoey Dettbarn who had her first varsity goal.

A week with one postponement and a chance to make a few up.

WNYGVIH 2024=25 Season 15

Monday KenGiPort played CASH at Northtown and came away with a 4-0 shutout victory. Teagan Willats, with the help of Madeline Jagow and Alexa Denning scored first followed by a goal by Isabelle Bourgeault and two by Isabella Jayme. Assists that evening came from Jayme, Bourgeault, Savanna Shaft and Denning. Ella Johnston stopped 20 SOG for the shutout victory. In goal for CASH, Celej with 13 saves on 17 shots.

LIDA visited St. Mary’s and took the W 5-2. LIDA’s scoring came from Leah Dowling, Brynn Cafferty, Emily Lysiak, the game-winner; Caitlin Sinclair with a power-play goal and Claire Whiteford. Whiteford, Cafferty, Dowling, Sinclair also picked up assists as did Layla Osinski and Lucia Lawrence. For St. Mary’s it was Lauren Gilano and Avery Szczesek, assisted by Shea Hall, Riley Kumrow and Emma Babcock. Iris Schimenti was in goal for LIDA stopping 24 of 26 and for St. Mary’s Betsy Accurso stopped 15/18.

Williamsville traveled to the Cattaraugus Arena to play FFLOP. FFLOP took a 9-0 shutout victory with Rachael Fix stopping all 10 SOG for the W. Griffin had four goals and an assist for five points on the night. Adding to the scoreboard were Alyssa Starkey, Hannah Favata, Sophia Quinn (2) and Sojda. Putting assists on the record were Sojda (3), Peyton Forcucci (2), Favata, Brooklyn Forcucci, Jocelyn Smaczniak(2), Lilah Cudney (2) and Griffin. In goal for Williamsville, Anna Bacon stopped 27 of 36.

NiCo hat HEWS was postponed due to road conditions in Niagara County and has been rescheduled for Thursday, February 6 at Niagara University’s Dwyer Arena at 4:15 p.m.

It was Senior Night for NiCo on Tuesday as they celebrated and then played LIDA. The outcome was a 8-2 victory for LIDA. NiCo opened the scoring on a goal by Sam Latini, assisted by Madelyn Martin with 3:10 left in the period. However LIDA came back to tie it on a power play goal by Lucia Lawrence, assisted by Dowling and Osinski. LIDA scored 5 goals in the second period off the sticks of Emily Lysiak (2), Mia Hauser, Brynn Cafferty and two by Whiteford. Giving assistance were Natalie Domagala, Georgia Kozell, Lysiak(2), Osinski, Sinclair, Dowling, Cafferty, Hauser and  Emily Rodriquez. In the third NiCo came out with Madeline Remus scoring unassisted at 13:41. Then LIDA sealed the 8-2 victory with two more goals including an unassisted final goal by Whiteford. The other was scored by Lysiak, assisted by Dowling and Sinclair. In goal LIDA’s Schimenti stopped 21 of 23 for the W and NiCo’s Jaylin Beaver stopped 17 of 25.

NYHOL headed over to the Paddock Ice Arena for KenGiPort’s Senior Night and a match-up with Williamsville. Senior Goaltender Jillian Hager took the shut-out victory by stopping all 5 SOG for the 9-0 victory. Goal scoring came from numerous members of the KenGiPort team including Jayme with a hattrick; Erin Krawczyk with her first hattrick; Zoey Dettbarn, Alexa Denning and Isabella Bourgeault. Assists came from Riley Kumrow, Willats, Savannah Samplinski, Natalie Kopf, Kiley Burke, and Krawczyk. Williamsville Anna Bacon faced 46 SOG, stopping 37.

CASH and HEWS played the Second Nut Bowl and CASH came out the victor with a 2-0 shutout. The first goal was scored by Kiley Breeze, assisted by Cecilia Bizub and the second was scored by Maya Adimey, assisted by Gabriella Lindell. Celej stopped all 18 SOG for the shutout. HEWS Ella Buczynski faced 31 SOG.

FFLOP took a trip to North Buffalo to take a 9-1 W from Monsignor Martin. Scoring for FFLOP were P. Forcucci, Griffin (2), Gearhart, B. Forcucci, Smaczniak, Favata, Cudney and Sojda. Assists were credited by Griffin, Sojda(3), Smaczniak (2), B Forcucci, Adeline Weber (2), Kamryn Filighera, Campbell Rutz(2) and P Forcucci. Fix stopped 7 of 8 for the W. Addison Cherry scored Mon Mar’s single goal on the powerplay, assisted by Avery McDonald. In goal Kate Kelley stopped 45 of 54 SOG.

Williamsville faced off against HEWS on Wednesday night at Northtowns, in a HEWS home game. It was a 3-0 shutout for Goaltender Buczynski after stopping all 17 SOG. A hattrick for Sophia Phillips included the game-winner, a powerplay goal and the third for the Win. She was assisted by Ellie Grabowski twice, Brynn Holland and MacKenzie Benker. In goal for Williamsville, Olivia Lookman stopped 22 of 25.

WNYGVIH 2024=25 Season 15

Thursday was Senior Night for FFLOP at Nike and they came out with a 3-0 shutout victory when Fix stopped all 16 SOG. The Forcucci sisters dropped in a goal each with Griffin adding the third, as well as an assist on the second goal. Gearhart assisted on the first, and Smaczniak on the third. Avery Hall stopped 39 of 42 for St.  Mary’s.

NiCo played Monsignor Martin and came out with an 8-1 victory. Goal scorers included Olivia Terranova; Abby Zimmerman, the game-winner on the powerplay plus one more; Natalee Lawrence, two on the night and Sam Latini with a hattrick night. Lawrence, Latini and Zimmerman also assisted as did Sam Draper, Remus and Ella MacKey. In goal Beaver stopped 5 of 6 for the W. Isabella Kosich had the long goal for MonMar, unassisted. Kelley faced 51 shots, stopping 43.

KenGiPort faced LIDA at Riverworks and came out with a 4-3 win. Bourgeault, Jagow and Denning have goals. Jagow with the unassisted game-winner. Johnston stopped 30 of 33 for the W. Assists came from Jayme, Willats, I. Shaft. For LIDA it was Sinclair, Whiteford with two, assisted by Dowling, Cafferty twice and Osinski twice. Schimenti faced 17 shots.

Final game on Thursday was CASH at Williamsville, both with home advantage! CASH took a 3-2 victory over Williamsville on goals by Jenny Wild, Breeze, both goals unassisted and Lindell with the game-winner assisted by Wild. Grace Elliott was in goal for the W stopping 21 of 23. Williamsville’s Quinn Wolf scored on the powerplay, assisted by Allison Besancon and Addison Stachura scored, assisted by Wolf. In goal Lookman stopped 28 of 31.

WNYGVIH 2024=25 Season 15

The final regular season week looks like this:

Monday, February 3: CASH heads to St. Mary’s; LIDA is at Monsignor Martin and FFLOP will play at HHEWS.The LIDA/MonMar game will be played at Northtown Arena.

Tuesday, February 4: HEWS is at LIDA and KenGiPort will travel to NiCo.

Wednesday, February 5: CASH is at LIDA, playing at Northtown; Webster will be coming in from Section V to play Williamsville at Riverworks (a rescheduled game) and NiCo will play KenGiPort at Dwyer, another make-up game.

Thursday, February 6: LIDA is at CASH, Monsignor Martin is at FFLOP and NiCo will play HEWS at Dwyer to make up the January 27 game.

All games are open to the public at no charge. 

Photo Gallery by Janet Schultz Photography©NYHOL

Nine NY Prospects on Central Scouting Midterm List For 2025 NHL Draft

0

By Warren Kozireski —

NHL Central Scouting released their Midterm Rankings for the 2025 NHL Draft and there are nine New Yorkers including three among the top-35 North American skaters and two goaltenders in the top-20.

Hauppauge’s James Hagens is ranked second among North American skaters. Thought by some to be the best player and possibly the first overall selection next year, he is in his freshman campaign with Boston College. Despite missing time to be a key cog for Team USA’s gold medal  effort at the recent IIHF World Junior tournament in Ottawa, the 5’10”, 178 lb. forward is second in the nation in scoring among freshmen and second on the Eagles with five goals and 16 assists.

Last season Hagens led USA Hockey’s National Team Development Program Under-18 team with 63 assists, 102 points and 1.76 points-per game in 58 games.

East Greenbush’s Jack Murtagh was slotted as a “B” draft prospect indicating a projected second or third round selection in the preseason rankings and is now 25th among North American skaters. The 6’0”, 200 lb. left wing is committed to Boston University in 2025 after completing this, his second season with the USNTDP.

He spent two seasons with the Bishop Kearney Selects prep program in Rochester prior to heading to Plymouth, Michigan. This season he had a combined 15 goals and 35 points in 37 games.

Ithaca’s Will Moore was projected to be selected in the first round in preseason but has dropped to 32nd at midterm. Moore stands 6’2” and 175 lb. and is playing in his second season with the U.S. National Team Development Program. In a combined 19 games against college programs and in the USHL, the Boston College commit had a combined 41 points in 48 games after registering 68 points in 85 games a season ago.

Matthew Lansing of Tonawanda is ranked 97th. The 6’0”, 188 lb. center spent four seasons with the Buffalo Jr. Sabres program with his final year split between there and Waterloo in the USHL. This season with Waterloo and the USNTDP he had 13 points over the first 32 games.

Ithaca’s John (Jack) Parsons, passed over in last year’s draft, is slotted 17th among North American goaltenders The former USNTDP goaltender is committed to Providence but is with Chicago in the USHL this season where he has a 3.78 goals against average and a .898 save percentage in 19 games.

Greece native Ethan Phillips is one slot behind Parsons at 18th. The Bishop Kearney Selects 6’2”, 205 lb. goaltender had an 11-8-2 record with a  2.39 GAA and .910 save percentage in 21 games with two shutouts. He is committed to Providence College in 2026.

New York City-born Dylan Lee-Stack is ranked 30th among goaltenders. The 6’2”, 176 lb. product of the Ramapo Saints and Westchester Express is playing in his second season with the Yale Jr. Bulldogs 18-U team where he has played in 14 games with a 5-4-5 record.

Northwood Prep and Camillus’ William Schneid is ranked 202nd among North American skaters. The 6’0”, 174 lb. left wing and former West Genesee HS player already had 42 goals and 70 points in 46 games this season. He is committed to the University of Connecticut in 2026.

And Roslyn’s Ethan Wyttenbach is 222nd. The 5’10”, 170 lb. forward is playing this season with Sioux Falls in the USHL where he had 13 goals with 18 assists over 30 games. The Long Island Gulls product is committed to Quinnipiac University in 2026.

East Greenbush native Donato Bracco, Locust Valley’s Matthew Grimes and Brooklyn’s Jess Orlowsky were listed as “W” prospects in preseason indicating a sixth or seventh round projection., but all were left off the midterm rankings.

Unofficially the draft is reported to be held in Los Angeles in late June.

WNYGVIH: Weather Hampers Varsity Games

0
WNYGVIH 2024=25 Season 15

January 20-24, 2025 Recap

by Janet Schultz, NYHOL

The WNYGVIH was severely impacted by our WNY weather pattern this week. Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday’s game were all postponed, then one on Thursday postponed due to a Zamboni break-down at North Buffalo.

WNYGVIH 2024=25 Season 15

On Thursday, January 23, FFLOP played KengiPort to a 3-3 overtime tie. Scoring were Isabella Jayme, assisted by Isabella Burt; Isabelle Bourgeault, unassisted and Jayme with Burt on the last goal for KenGiPort. Ella Johnston stopped 23 of 26. For FFLOP it was Chloe Gearhart, assisted by Olivia Waterman and Brooklyn Forcucci; Lilah Cudney assisted by Waterman and Maya Griffin, assisted by Peyton Forcucci and Waterman. Rachael Fix stopped 20 of 23.

CASH played NiCo to a 6-5 overtime victory at Northtowns. Scoring for NiCo were Abbey Zimmerman with a hattrick plus one and Sam Latini adding one. Assists came from Madeline Remus (2), Madelyn Martin, Latini (2) and Olivia Terranova. Lila Jones stopped 25/31. For CASH it was Georgia Mango, Kiley Breeze, Celia Watson (the game-winner plus one), Alexandria Reed and Maya Adimey. Assisting were Breeze, Gabriella Lindell,(2) Cecilia Bizub, Adimey and Polina Stremiakova. Ella Celej stopped 31/36. Celej was also named First Student Athlete of the Week on WKBW TV.

HEWS took a 3-1 victory over St. Mary’s of Lancaster with Brooke Vetter scoring, assisted by Lilliana Smardz, the game-winner scored by Kylie Wegrzynkowski, assisted by Meghan Waszkielewicz and Kayla Pelc and a power-play goal by Brynn Holland, assisted by Sophia Phillips and Clare Sokolowski. In goal Ella Buczynski stopped 24 of 25 for the W. For St. Mary’s it was the tieing goal by Alanah Pagano, assisted by Meghan Donnelly and Riley Kumrow. Avery Hall stopped 9 of 10 and Betsy Accurso stopped 16 of 18. 

The following day HEWS faced St. Mary’s once again and it ended in a 2-2 overtime tie. Avery Szczesek had both goals for St. Mary’s. Teammates Samantha Hatt and Lauren Gilano assisted on the first and second, respectively. For HEWS Pelc scored both goals, the first assisted by Waszkielewicz and the second was unassisted. Buczynski stopped 31 of 33.

WNYGVIH 2024=25 Season 15

As noted Celej of CASH was named First Student Super 7 Athlete of the Week and leads the league in Save Percentage with at least two games played. 

Maya Griffin (FFLOP) hit the 30 point mark in regular season play and joining her on that list is NiCO’s Zimmerman and Latini. 

It’s KenGiPort, FFLOP and St. Mary’s at the top of the scoreboard in League play as we move into the final three weeks of  regular season action.

WNYGVIH 2024=25 Season 15

Griffin (FFLOP) has 35 points (as of 1/28/24) and sits in first place with teammate Gabby Sojda sitting in second with 31. Zimmerman and Latini are vying for that top spot at 30 each.

Strong goaltending by KenGiPort has the top three spaces on the leaderboard going to their three goaltenders Jillian Hager (played 45 minutes with 3 shots, 3 saves); Hadley Dahlgreen (played 90 minutes with a 1 GAA) and Ella Johnston (452.75 minutes played and a .920 save percentage).

The goaltender with the most minutes in the net is Betsy Accurso of St. Marys with 608 minutes between the pipes and a .895 save%.

As of this writing three of four games scheduled for Monday, January 27 have been played. NiCo at HEWS at West Seneca was postponed due to weather conditions in Niagara County. Four games are scheduled for Tuesday (tonight), one for Wednesday and four for Thursday. Check https://wnygirlshockey.com/schedule.html for the complete updated schedule.

Follow WNYGVIH Facebook and Twitter for any schedule changes that may take place at the last minute.

WNYGVIH: Moving Into Position; Coach Logs 275th Game

0
WNYGVIH 2024=25 Season 15

WNYGVIH December 13-17 Recap

By Janet Schultz, NYHOL; Photos by Janet Schultz©

WNYGVIH 2024=25 Season 15

The biggest news this week was that Head Coach Rick Hopkins of Williamsville coached his 275th game against NiCo on January 14. Hopkins is the only HC the Williamsville team has had and was the one instrumental in forming the WNYGVIH Federation. NYHOL congratulations Rick!

Weather made its debut with the League this week. LIDA played Niagara County at Riverworks in the cold and snow (the drive was worse than the arena); St. Mary’s hosted Monsignor Martin in Cheektowaga and the Webster vs Williamsville game, scheduled for Riverworks was postponed due to driving conditions east of Erie County, as was the CASH at HEWS game.

WNYGVIH 2024=25 Season 15

St. Mary’s skated to a 6-0 victory over Monsignor Martin, a look at what could occur in the Private School Championship later this season.  Scoring for the Lancers were Delaney Dee, credited with the game-winner; a HatTrick for Avery Szczesek and a goal each for Lauren Gilano and Meghan Donnelly. Betsy Accurso stopped 11 shots for the Shut-Out Win. In goal stopping 39 of 45 was Monsignor Martin’s Kate Kelley.

WNYGVIH 2024=25 Season 15

Over at Riverworks it was a 9-6 victory for LIDA over Niagara County. The players kept moving as the snow fell lightly and the wind also gave everyone there a “chill.” Emily Lysiak had a Hat Trick; Lucia Lawrence, Caitlin Sinclair, Hailey Muff (2 including the game-winner), Claire Whiteford and Leah Dowling all added to the victory. Niagara County’s Abby Zimmerman had a Hat Trick with the other three goals coming from Natalee Lawrence, Madelyn Martin and Ashley Mainstone. Goaltending was a major factor in this game with Iris Schimenti stopping 18 of 24 for the W and Lila Jones stopping 27 of 36 for NiCo. Oh, did you notice that the scoreboard “froze” up late in the second and into the third. Interestingly at one point the score was 30-3 according the  the scoreboard. Good thing we were watching!

WNYGVIH 2024=25 Season 15

Williamsville got in two goals to NICo’s six in the first period Tuesday night. Then it was all NiCo in the second, adding 5 more goals. With no scoring in the third, it was a 11-2 victory for NiCo. Scoring were Zimmerman (4), Latini (4), Lawrence, Mainstone, and  Olivia Terranova. Jaylin Beaver stopped 9 of 11 SOG. For Williamsville it was Genevieve Illos from Quinn Wolf and Allison Besancon from Illos for the two goals. Anna Bacon was in goal for 26 minutes stopping 17 of 28 and Olivia Lookman finished out the game stopping 6 of 6.

LIDA headed to Holiday to play FFLOP in a make-up game from December 5. LIDA finished the night with a 3-2 victory with Lysiak, Whiteford and Hauser scoring. Hauser with the game-winner. Peyton Forcucci and Lila Bell had goals for FFLOP. Schimenti stopped 29 of 31 sog and Rachael Fix stopped 24 of 27 sog.

WNYGVIH 2024=25 Season 15

It was a home team victory at Paddock Ice Arena with KenGiPort coming away with a 5-1 victory over St. Mary’s of Lancaster. Isabella Bourgeault had two goals, Isabella Jayme scoring first on the powerplay and Savanna Shaft getting the game-winner in the second period. MacKenzie Kumrow added to the scoring. St. Mary’s lone goal came off the stick of Donnelly, assisted by Gilano. For KenGiPort it was Ella Johnston in goal stopping 27 of 28 and for St. Mary’s Accurso stopped 30/35. Another historical note…the WNYGVIH Federation had their first “Embellishment” penalty. It was in the third period on Alaina Roland. 

Thursday nights contests included a LIDA 8-1 win over Williamsville; FFLOP 6-2 over HEWS and CASH beating Monsignor Martin 5-1. The HEWS/FFLOP game was a make-up from December 12.

NYHOL headed to Northtowns, a TV game on WNY Athletics, where LIDA went up 1-0 in the first period on a goal by Brynn Cafferty, unassisted. Second period saw lots of goal action when LIDA scored six goals making it 7-0 as they went into the third period. Williamsville’s Addison Stachura scored on the Powerplay, assisted by Anna Meyer and Besancon to end the game 8-1. Scoring for LIDA were Dowling (2) with the game-winner, Whiteford, Lysiak(2), Hauser and Emily Rodriguez. Schimenti stopped 20/21 for the W. In goal for Williamsville it was Bacon for 21 minutes, stopping 19 of 24 sog and Lookman in for 24 minutes stopping 33 of 36 sog.

CASH took control of the game at North Buffalo with Celia Watson having the game-winning goal, the first goal of the night and a Hat Trick. Mila Dominik added another, as did Gabriella Lindell. Ella Celej stopped 9 of 10 for the W. Monsignor Martin’s Ellie Black made sure it wasn’t a shutout when she scored, assisted by Avery McDonald and Lena Hurley. In goal making saves was Kelley stopping 28 of 33.

FFLOP’s Gabby Sojda had the game-winner, plus one more,  in a 6-2 win over HEWS. Adding to the scoreboard were Maya Griffin (2), P. Forcucci and Kayli Tefft. Fix stopped 19 of 21 for the win. For HEWS it was Sophia Sokolowski scoring, assisted by Ellie Grabowski  and Phillips an unassisted goal in the loss. Ella Buczynski was in net for HEWS, stopping 33 of 39.

KenGiPort sits at the top of the standings as we head into another week of play. They are 8-2 with 24 points. However, St. Mary’s and FFLOP are sitting with 21.5 and 21 points, respectively, waiting to make a move. LIDA, HEWS and CASH follow with Niagara County, Williamsville and Monsignor Martin rounding out the list.

FFLOP’s Maya Griffin is leading the scoreboard with 12 goals and 17 assists for 29 points. She is being chased by NiCo’s Sam Latini (15/12) and Abby Zimmerman (16/10) and her teammate Gabby Sojda (14/12).

When looking at goaltending Monsignor Martin’s Kate Kelley stands out with her 505 minutes of play and making 473 saves on 522 shots for a .906 save percentage. While it doesn’t put her on top, it shows her endurance in the net. Other goalies to watch are St. Mary’s Betsy Accurso, FFLOPs Rachael Fix, LIDA’s Iris Schimenti and HHEWS Ella Buczynski, all with over 400 minutes between the pipes and making some great saves.

However sitting at the top of the Goaltending Stat Sheet is KenGiPort’s Jillian Hager with 45 minutes of play, 3 shots, 3 saves for a perfect 1.00 save percentage. With over a .900 save percentage are Goalies Ella Celej (CASH), Ella Johnston (KenGiPort) and Fix. 

Jayme, Bourgeault, Zimmerman, Latini and Griffin are all on the All-Time Leaderboard for the Federation. 

Another exciting year in girl’s high school hockey is winding down. Come out to a game, admission is free. Follow along on www.nyhockeyonline (we have Facebook Twitter and Instagram) as well as www.wnygirlshockey.com.

Photo Gallery is from the Niagara County/LIDA game at Riverworks and the CASH vs LIDA game at Northtowns. NYHOL photographed two more games this week and we will be adding them shortly.

All photos property of NYHOL/Janet Schultz© To use or obtain images email [email protected]

St Marys at KenGiPort

Williamsville at NiCo game

WNYGVIH Weekly Recap: January 6-10, 2025

0
WNYGVIH 2024=25 Season 15

by Janet Schultz, NYHOL

The WNYGVIH is half way over and the teams are still battling for a position in the rankings. St. Mary’s of Lancaster and KenGiPort sit at the top, but HEWS and FFLOP still have a shot at upsetting those teams. Niagara County, Williamsville and Monsignor Martin are having a tough go this year, but still providing competition to those who want to move to the top.

Two games on Monday opened this weeks schedule with Niagara County at St Mary’s and LIDA at HEWS.

WNYGVIH 2024=25 Season 15

HEWS took that first game 5-3 with Sophia Sokolowski having two goals, and Sophia Phillips, Brynn Holland and Samantha Miller adding three more for the win. Holland had the game winner, unassisted. Phillips, MacKenzie Benker, Holland and Kelsey Barrett added assists. Keeping the pucks from flying in was Ella Buczynski, stopping 21 of 24 for HEWS and Iris Schimenti stopping 36/41 for LIDA. Scoring for LIDA was Brynn Cafferty on the PowerPlay, Leah Dowling and Caitlin Sinclair. Sinclair, Dowling and Cafferty each had an assist.

In Cheektowaga St Mary’s upset NiCo 7-4. For St. Mary’s it was Meghan Donnell with two goals, Lauren Gilano, two; Avery Szczesek, Brooklyn Vitez (the game-winner) and Dylaney Dee, each with a goal. Donnelly, Dee, Gilano, along with Riley Kumrow, Alanah Pagano and Alaina Roland added assists. In goal Betsy Accurso faced 32 goals, stopping 28 for the W.  For NiCo is was Abby Zimmerman with two goals and an assist; Sam Latini with a goal and assist; Natalie Lawrence with a goal. Lila Jones stopped 28 of 35. 

With the goal and assist Latini joins All-Time Federation Leaderboard tying Charleigh Rondeau (2019) of CASH.

Tuesday was a busy night with four games on the schedule.

FFLOP visited NiCo and came away with a 9-5 win, but not easily. FFLOP’s Maya Griffin came away with a HatTrick and charted #18 on the All Time Scoring List with 5 points in a single game with three goals and two assists. Other goal scorers were Chloe Gearhart, Jocelyn Smaczniak, Gabby Sojda (2), Kayli Tefft (the game-winner) and Alyssa Starkey. Assisting were Campbell Rutz, Smaczniak (2), Olivia Waterman, Brooklyn Forcucci (3), Starkey, Tefft and Luci Bowen. In goal Rachael Fix stopped 22 of 27 sog. For NiCo it was Latini with  3 goals for the HatTrick, Lawrence and A. Zimmerman. In goal Jones stopped 22/29. 

WNYGVIH 2024=25 Season 15

Over at Paddock LIDA faced KenGiPort. It was a KenGiPort 5-3 win with the Isabella’s scoring.  Isabella Jayme having two goals, one the game-winner; Isabella Bourgeault with 2 goals, one on the powerplay; Isabella Burt adding the third. Burt, Jayme, Savannah Samplinski and Teagan Willats assisted on those goals. Jayme’s game-winner was unassisted. In goal Ella Johnston stopped 23 of 26 for the W. For LIDA it was Dowling, assisted by Cafferty; Lysiak assisted by Hauser and Lawrence and Hauser, assisted by Lysiak and Layla Osinski. Schimenti tended the goal stopping 32 of 37.

HEWS beat MonMar 6-1 with scoring by Kaelynn Wittschack, Holland, Sokolowski (Hattrick) and Morgan Cooper. Buczynski stopped 10 of 11 for the W. Gabby Kazmark had the lone goal for MonMar with assists from Ellie Black and Isabella Kosich. Kate Kelley continues stopping ions of goals as she faced 44 in this game, stopping 38.

St. Marys headed to Northtowns to face Williamsville and won 5-4. Szczesek, Pagano, Kumrow and Vitez scored with Vitez’s being the game-winner. Accurso stopped 31 of 35. For Williamsville it was Addison Stachura, Scarlet Canna, Quinn Wolf and Allison Besancon scoring, assisted by Besancon, Sophia DePrima, Canna and Genevieve Illos. Anna Bacon was in goal, stopping 34 of 39.

WNYGVIH 2024=25 Season 15

It was CASH at FFLOP on Thursday with FFLOP taking a shut-out win 5-0. Sojda (2) had the game-winner with Favata, Starkey and Griffin (getting her 100th point) adding to the scoring. Assisting were Griffin, Rutz, Smaczniak, B. Forcucci, Sojda and Bowen. In goal Fix stopped all 12 shots for the SO W. CASH’s Ella Celej stopped 38 of 43.

Latini got her 100th career point in the NiCo vs Williamsville game as NiCo took home a 9-3 win. Scoring were Latini (2), Mainstone (2), Lawrence, A.Zimmerman (2), Martin(2). Assisting were Martin, Chopyak, Latini, Whitehead, Terranova, Lawrence, Mainstone and Kish. Beaver stopped 11 of 14 for the W. For Williamsville it was Illos, Besancon, and Wolf scoring. Bellacose, Stachura, Meyer and Besancon, assisting, Olivia Lookman stopped 20 of 29.

KenGiPort traveled to Monsignor Martin and brought home a 6-0 shutout win. Scoring were S. Shaft, Jayme (on the powerplay and with a hattrick), Alexa Denning and Samplinski. Assists came from Bourgeault, Willates, Kiley Burke, Samplinski, Natalie Kopf, Kumrow, Madeline Jagow, Erin Krawczyk. In goal Hadley Dahlgren stopped 2 for the shutout win. Kelley was in goal for MonMar facing 55 shots, stopping 49.

After this week KenGiPort’s Bourgeault and Jayme are heading for the All-Time Leaderboard in the Federation. Jayme has 139 points in her career jumping to #4; Bourgeault has 129 points. The Top Four Teams are in a tight race for the #1 position with St. Mary’s at 18.5 points, 1/2 point ahead of the next two. KenGiPort and HEWS are tied at 18 points. FFLOP scored 15 points in 7 games giving them some moving room.

(All photos property of NYHOL/Janet Schultz©. To obtain copies or for use email [email protected])