RIT Women’s Hockey Preview

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September 28, 2021

By Janet Schultz

File Photos by Janet Schultz Photography©

2021-21 College Preview

RIT Looking To The Future

Coming off a Covid Hockey Season and faced with 13 newcomers, Rochester Institute of Technology Bruce E Bates Women’s Ice Hockey Coach Celeste Brown has many challenges facing her and the squad.

But, as always, she is optimistic. She looks at it as a puzzle and she and her staff are putting the pieces to gether.

“We have the edge, now we have to work on the inside,” she commented during a recent Media Day at RIT.

Brown played for the NWHL Connecticut Whale

Brown was named head coach of the team last season. Not exactly the season to have to take the reigns, but she did and made the best of it. Early on RIT canceled its winter sports programs but then reconsidered after the CHA put together a Return to Play plan for New York State. The Tigers opened their season vs Syracuse on November 27 and ended with a 1-15 record. There was never a full team or full staffing for their games, making it a very tough season.

“The pandemic took its toll on the whole country,” said Brown. “But it also gave us an opportunity and told us a lot about our program and our team.

“It was a measure of where we are and now we can establish a plan.”

First she has named three new additions to the staff with Josh Graser as an assistant coach; Shane Madolora as a volunteer goaltending coach and Matthew Wentz as director of hockey operations.

Graser was as assistant coach at DIII Utica and prior to that was the director of hockey operations at Colgate. Madolora was a record-setting goaltender for RIT and Wentz served as an athletic trainer at RIT.

Returning for her second year as an assistant coach is Jordin Paroski who spent two years at Brown University as an assistant coach and prior to that was an assistant coach at Elmira, leading them to a championship.

After facing Mercyhurst, Penn State and Syracuse last season, Brown saw what tough competitors they were and also saw the type of play the Tigers will need to be competitive.

With 13 newcomers, it will be a challenge to make the team gel but she explained that they will be spending a lot of time together and remarked that the returning players have already spent quality time together during the summer at special events.

“You have success when you can rely on that person next to you,” she continued. “We are working on that. The x’s and o’s of hockey will come. But there is a learning curve.”

“We must focus on our controllables,” she said. “If we execute those well we will be building brick by brick.”

“Preparation builds confidence,” said Brown.

Brown has Jordan Marchese returning for another season, thanks to NCAA ruling that players can add the fifth season due to Covid.

“She is the heart and soul of the team,” said Brown. “She is a Tiger player. Her day-to-day work and how she treats her teammates is impactful.”

“It was a tough year with Covid,” said Marchese. “RIT hockey means everything to me and getting another year makes me proud and happy,”

“Coach Brown is the best coach I have ever had because she cares about each of us.”

With that said, Marchese is looking at a winning season and sees the new freshmen class as not a challenge. She feels each one is a great player and she is happy they are here.

“I believe they can take this team to the next level.”

Abby Davies is the senior who the team will be looking at as a role model. She was in and out last season due to Covid protocol but has established herself in the league and is excited to be back. According to Brown she has been flying in practice and they expect that to translate to the game and pushing her teammates to excel.
The road has been rough here in the beginning of the season with losses to Mercyhurst and two to Colgate.

The Tigers have a long home stand as they take on Union October 1 and 2; UConn on October 8 and 9; Cornell on October 16 and St. Lawrence on October 21 before heading to St. Lawrence on Oct. 23.

Tickets for RIT Women’s Ice Hockey games are free to faculty, staff, students and alumni. The general public can purchase tickets through the box office or go to rittickets.com

Emma Roland playing for Williamsville High School in the WNYGVIH

Looking at the RIT roster, Williamsville native Emma Roland will be playing her second season with the Tigers. Roland had a goal in the first game of the season against Mercyhurst. Roland registered a team-high 5 shots on goal in that 3-6 loss.

In other RIT news. Bruce B Bates, who endowed the women’s ice hockey coaching position in 2015 passed away in May. He served RIT as a Trustee.

Editors Note: Since we didn’t make many games the last two year, photos are file copies by Janet Schultz Photography©

Buffalo Stampede Open At Cornerstone

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September 27, 2021

By Janet Schultz

Photos by Janet Schultz Photography©

The newest ice hockey team in Buffalo is calling Cornerstone Arena in Lockport home. The Buffalo Stampede opened against the Lake Erie Big Horns on Saturday evening in United States Premier Hockey League competiton.

The game was filled with excitement as it ended in a 3-3 tie, a 5-minute scoreless overtime and a five-round shootout, with Lake Erie coming away with a 4-3 victory. The night before the Stampede beat the Big Horns 6-5 in overtime.

Scoring for the Stampede were Parker Bonsignore, Caden Cranston and Joe LoBrutto.

Coaching the Stampede is Jason Bonsignore, the fourth overall draftee in 1994 who played for the Tampa Bay Lightning; Ana Orzechowski, an alum of Kenmore/Grand Island of the WNYGVIHL, RPI and one year with the Buffalo Beauts of the NWHL; Cory Mickey who played for Southern New Hampshire University and with the NEHL.

Their next home game is October 1 at 8 p.m. against Elmira. For more information check out their website at www.buffalojrstampede.com

Buffalo Stampede Inaugural Season, Home Opener!

Mancini Named Assistant Executive Director at USA Hockey

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September 27, 2021

Will Oversee ADM, Coaching Education, Officiating Education and Player Safety

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – Bob Mancini, with more than 35 years of experience, including since 2009 as a regional manager for USA Hockey’s American Development Model, has been promoted to assistant executive director of hockey development,

“We’re really excited to have Bob leading our hockey development efforts moving forward,” said Pat Kelleher, executive director of USA Hockey. “His diverse experience – from grassroots hockey to the NHL — will be extremely beneficial as we continue to advance and grow our game.”

“There’s no greater joy for me than seeing the smiling faces of girls and boys on the ice and their parents looking down proudly from the stands,” said Mancini. “To be engaged in helping continue to advance the hockey experience for families all across the country is really exciting. I look forward to working with our volunteers across the country, our staff and also partnering with constituent groups as together we continue to build on the great work that has been done by those who have come before us.”

ON GROUND FLOOR FOR TWO MAJOR USA HOCKEY INITIATIVES

When USA Hockey founded its renowned American Development Model in 2009, Mancini was one of the original ADM regional managers hired to help implement the new, age-appropriate way forward for youth hockey in the United States. In 2014, the tenets of the ADM were adopted by the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee to help athletes across all sports reach their full potential.

Mancini was also instrumental in the launch of another landmark USA Hockey program in the National Team Development Program when he joined head coach Jeff Jackson’s staff in 1996 and for the next four seasons helped put in place the architecture of the program that largely exists today. Over the course of his career, Mancini has also served as head coach for NCAA Division I men’s ice hockey programs at Ferris State University (1990-92) and Michigan Tech University (1992-96); as head coach and general manager of the OHL’s Saginaw Spirit (2004-07); and as the director of player development for the NHL’s Edmonton Oilers (2007-09).

He was also an assistant men’s ice hockey coach at both Lake Superior State University (1985-86) and Ferris State (1986-89).Mancini, who played college hockey at Colorado College (1978-82), has served on the coaching staff of multiple U.S. teams over the course of his career, including at the U17, U18, U20 and men’s national team levels.

A native of Seaford, New York, Mancini will begin his new duties immediately. He will be based at USA Hockey’s national headquarters in Colorado Springs, Colo.

Beauts Bring Orlando Out of Retirement

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September 27, 2021

The Buffalo Beauts announced a big move by signing an original NWHL/PHF player. Defender Elena Orlando has decided to come out of retirement and join Buffalo’s blue line for her seventh straight season in the league. The 29-year-old stay-at-home defender is an original member of the Metropolitan Riveters from the inaugural 2015-16 season. Orlando followed that up with five straight seasons for the Connecticut Whale. Now she will make Buffalo her third destination in her PHF career.

“After retiring, the feeling of being done never really set in,” Orlando said. “I still had the desire to play and compete. When I was approached with the opportunity in Buffalo, looking at the great organization they have and the strong team they put together, I knew I couldn’t pass it up. ”

Orlando is known for her defensive prowess and shot-blocking ability. In 89 career regular season PHF games she has gone 0-7-7 for scoring. In 2019-20 Orlando tied for fifth in the league in blocked shots with 23 stops in 24 regular season games. In the abbreviated 2020-21 season, she blocked seven shots in only four games. Her longevity and defensive prowess have seen Orlando be a recipient of multiple PHF honors. In 2017 she was Connecticut’s winner of the league’s Foundation Award. 2020 would see her selected to participate in the All-Star Game.

“It is a great opportunity for our organization to have added such a well-respected and steadfast player like Lando,” said Beauts GM Nate Oliver. “She has been in the league since its very beginning, and that is a testament to both her ability level and her dependability. You don’t simply play nearly 100 games in the PHF (96 games regular season and playoffs combined) without being a topnotch player who has remained relevant as women’s hockey continues to grow. Very few players in the world like Elena.”

Orlando played her collegiate career with Quinnipiac University from 2010-11 through 2013-14. With the Bobcats she went 3-8-11 for scoring in 85 career NCAA games. Orlando played the 2014-15 season in Sweden for Sundsvall/Timrå in the SDHL. There she raised her offense by scoring five goals and four assists for nine points in 14 postseason contests.

Orlando is very excited to be joining the Beauts and having the opportunity to finally raise the Isobel Cup.

“I can’t wait to start practices and training with my new teammates,” she said. “They’ve made a lot of changes in the off-season, brought in some big pieces, and I feel like this is a team people should be excited about. I’m really thrilled to be part of this organization.”

Taking Players to the Next Level!

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September 25, 2021

By Janet Schultz, NYHOL

“Maddie is the only one I would bring my team to for training,” said Niagara Junior Purple Eagles 14U Coach Scott Then.

Maddie Norton Sports Performance was founded by Maddie Norton two years ago, just as the pandemic hit. She didn’t quit on her dream, she made it work, virtually.

NYHOL talked with her then as gyms and arenas were closed, staying at home was the best option and we all looked for new ways to do things.

Norton teamed up with One Up Sports Performance and Wellness at that time and still partners with them today. Norton and One Up designed programs for people from all walks of life, all fitness backgrounds and all athletes, novice to pro, and took to the outdoors and virtual training throughout the Pandemic.

Individuals and athletes have returned to the arena and the gym for their workout programs. Norton has found a location in Lancaster that is an ideal fit for training.

On this particular Wednesday night she had a session with the NJPE 14U team.

“This is the first year we have used dry land programs for this team,”said Coach Then. “Getting the players ready for the season is more than just playing, it’s both social and physical.

Norton has set up ten one-hour sessions for the team. They are intense sessions. She has them moving all the time.

“The girls really like Maddie,” said Then. “They connect with her because she has played youth, travel, high school, college and professional hockey. Now she has went into business for herself.

Norton played locally with the Western New York Girls Varsity Ice Hockey League on Lancaster/Iroquois/Depew team where she played in goal because they needed a goalie. She headed off to the University of Buffalo and played four years with the ACHA D2 team that took several championships. She also was their backup goal while playing Center. She received her degree in Biomedical Science.

After UB she played one year of professional hockey with the NWHL Buffalo Beauts.

“She is a great example for the girls to look up to and follow,” said Then.

During this particular session, Norton had them warm up outside the facility with stretches and running. Then she moved inside to sit them down and tell them what they would be working on.

This particular evening it was their warm-up which included the Groin Walkout, Single Leg Stretch and Three Way Lunge. Their workout session was a Box Jump and a Box Drop/Hurdle Jump.

Their new lesson for the night was the use of the Bench Press, which several girls and indicated they wanted to learn.

Learning the Proper and Safe Way to Bench Press

Ending the evening with a Tempo Run and Stretch.

While that all may sound simple, it was a workout!!

“Most of my team have indicated that their goal is to play collegiate hockey so I want to prepare them for that,” continued Then.

College hockey is very intense. Most teams off-ice workout early in the morning, attend class, have a study period in the afternoon, along with another off-ice workout and then the on-ice practice. Homework also has to be fitted into that schedule.

Then feels that a touch of this type of workout will give them an indication of what is to come; plus it prepares them for their current season.

“My overall goal with this hockey program (NJPE) is for the players to be good people and to learn good habits, both on and off the ice. An connecting with great role models who have been through this is a great way to develop these habits,” Then continued.

In addition to the physical workouts, Norton will also provide them with nutritional guidance geared for them at their age and gender.

Maddie Norton Sports Performance will provide anyone needing physical workouts, or nutritional help, with a personalized system. MNSP will provide customized training program, customized nutrition program, or a combined customized training and nutrition program. They will also provide a telephone consult.

Still unsure about going to the gym?

MNSP has an Daily Workout Membership that a client can access daily and workout via Facebook. It’s ideal for the person with limited time and needs fresh and fun new workouts daily.

“My goal is to achieve yours,” said Norton.

“Whether you are a beginner or advanced athlete, you will receive the same respect from me. My intentions are clear and I am results driven with every individual, group and team that chooses to work with me,” Norton remarked.

Her advice is simple.

“Don’t be afraid to start and be more afraid of what will happen if you don’t start.

To contact MNSP go to www.maddienortonsportsperformance.com and fill out the contact information form. Her facility is located in Lancaster.

Follow Norton on Instagram: maddienortonsportsperformance; Twitter: @maddieenorton; Facebook: maddienortonsportsperformance.

Beauts Form Partnership With the Girl Scouts of WNY

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September 24, 2021

The Buffalo Beauts announced that they have formed a partnership with the Girl Scouts of Western New York. The goals of this partnership are to introduce Girl Scouts members to positive female role models like the Beauts players, teach them the basics of hockey and how it relates to physical fitness, and provide opportunities for young girls to attend Beauts games in person throughout the season.

“We’re looking forward to our partnership with the Buffalo Beauts,” said Alison Wilcox, CEO of GSWNY. “This is a wonderful opportunity for Girl Scouts to watch and meet with local professional female athletes. Seeing and hearing about their personal experiences and the journey they took to get there is so valuable for girls to see a path to their own achievements.”

Western New York’s chapter of the Girl Scouts was formed in 1934. GSWNY serves over 15,500 girls and includes 7,000 adult volunteers across a nine county jurisdiction. Originally founded in Georgia in 1912, the Girl Scouts prepares girls to empower themselves and promotes compassion, courage, confidence, character, leadership, entrepreneurship, and active citizenship through activities involving camping, community service, learning first aid, and earning badges by acquiring practical skills.

Coinciding with this partnership, the Beauts will be hosting an official “Girl Scouts of Western New York” home game on Sunday January 9 at 1:00pm when the team faces the Boston Pride. Members of GSWNY will be in attendance and will have an information booth with giveaways in the lobby of the Northtown Center.

Additionally, the Beauts players will facilitate an outdoor “Hockey 101” clinic for GSWNY members. Beauts players will also be volunteering to serve as Girl Scouts’ “Gold Award Mentors” to support girls in grades 9 through 12 work toward their Gold Award – the highest distinction in the Girl Scouts’ program.

“One thing that has always been very important to the Beauts is our community and being involved in the ‘City of Good Neighbors’,” said Beauts GM Nate Oliver. “We believe that by partnering with the Girl Scouts that our players can be positive examples of strong women to girls across Buffalo. It is a chance to collaborate with one another and allow a professional team in our city to make a direct impact for our youth.”

Buffalo Sabres Prospects 2021

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September 22, 2021

©Janet Schultz Photography

New York Raptors News

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September 18, 2021

BY MICHAEL MEYERS —

Get ready New York Raptors fans because New York Raptors are back!

The New York Raptors will be back on the ice this Sunday, September 19, 2021.

The Raptors are looking forward to an outstanding season.

27 Hockey Players From New York State Dot USHL Rosters

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September 14, 2021

By Warren Kozireski —

The United States Hockey League announced the 30man tryout roster for all 16 teams and 27 players from New York State are in the mix for spots.

Forward and UConn Commit Nate Hanley (Rocky Point), defenseman and Niagara University commit David Posma (Pomona) and Bentley University-bound goaltender Connor Hasley (North Tonawanda) are on the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders roster.

Forwards Charlie Major (Skaneateles) and returner and UMass future commit Michael Emerson (Yorktown Heights) join future Colgate Raider goaltender Nicholas Hass (Williamsville) on the Chicago Steel squad.

The Des Moines Buccaneers also feature three from the Empire State in forward Joey Muldowney (Lake View) and blueliners Chase Ramsey (Granite Springs) and returner and Northeastern University-bound Michael Bevilacqua (Buffalo),

Lancaster’s Jared Mangan and Penfield’s Casey Severo (Harvard University in 2022-23) are forwards with Madison while western New York is well-represented on defense for Muskegon in Western Michigan commit Jacob Napier (Lancaster), returner Tyler Procious (Pittsford) and future Boston University Terrier Gavin McCarthy (Clarence Center).

The Omaha Lancers sport the most native New Yorkers with four: forwards Kaleb Smith (Arcade) (though he played in an Erie Otters pre-season game last weekend) and Robert Morris commit Anthony Calafiore (Staten island) with future R.P.I. defensemen Hunter McDonald (Fairport) and Tyler Nasca (Wheatfield).

Third year returner and future Northeastern University Huskie Brandon Chabrier (Bayville) will help anchor Sioux Falls’ defense and is joined by forward Blake Humphrey (Rochester), who is committed to Providence College next fall.

Future Boston University forward Ryan Fine (Center Moriches), future Boston College rival defensemen Seamus Powell (Marcellus) and Drew Fortescue (Pearl River) (Boston College in 2023-24) are on the Team USA roster.

Tri-City forward and 2-023-24 Providence College-bound Tanner Adams (Northport), Waterloo defenseman Patrick Geary (Hamburg) and Youngstown blueliners Michael Rubin (Blauvelt)—headed to Merrimack College—and future Clarkson University freshman Carter Rose (Brasher Falls) round out the group.

Only five teams in the 16-team circuit did not have New York State representation.

Former NU Hockey Players Sign With The Iowa Heartlanders

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September 14, 2021

CORALVILLE, Iowa – Former Niagara hockey players Jack Billings and Ben Sokay have signed with the Iowa Heartlanders, announced on Friday. Billings and Sokay are just the second and third player signings in the ECHL team’s history.

Billings played two seasons for the Purple Eagles. During the 2019-20 season, he scored 12 goals and had 15 assists and in the 2020-21 season, he scored seven goals with six assists. He was named to the Atlantic Hockey Third Team following the 2019-20 season. On his career, Billings played in 54 games for the Purple Eagles and scored 19 goals with 21 assists.

Sokay was a four-year member of the NU squad. His best season came in 2019-21, when he scored 11 goals and picked up 11 assists in 33 games played. In his career with the Purple Eagles, Sokay played in 98 total games. He scored 23 career goals and recorded 24 assists.

The Heartlanders are the ECHL of the Minnesota Wild (NHL) and the Iowa Wild (AHL). They kick off their first season in team history on Oct. 22.

(Niagara University Men’s Hockey Photo)

2001-02 NU Women’s Hockey Team Among Those Named To Hall of Fame 2021 Class

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September 12, 2021

NIAGARA UNIV., N.Y. – The Niagara University Department of Athletics is excited to announce the 2021 Athletics Hall of Fame class. Brittany Bisnott, Joe Mihalich, Kathryn Rafter and the 2001-02 women’s ice hockey team will be inducted into the Niagara Athletics Hall of Fame during a ceremony on Saturday, Dec. 4.

Bisnott was an integral member of the Niagara women’s soccer program from 2004-07. Bisnott was the 2007 MAAC Offensive Player of the Year and the 2004 MAAC Rookie of the Year. She finished her career at NU with 136 points and 60 goals, which both rank third in program history. Bisnott was a First Team Academic All-America honoree and, in 2008, was one of 58 NCAA student-athletes to be awarded educational grants through the NCAA postgraduate scholarship program.

Mihalich was at the helm of the Niagara men’s basketball program from 1998-2013 and compiled 265 wins, which is the most in MAAC history. In his time on Monteagle Ridge, Mihalich led the Purple Eagles to two NCAA tournament appearances, three NIT appearances, two MAAC Championships and four MAAC regular season titles. He was named the MAAC Coach of the Year three times and the National Association of Basketball Coaches District 1 Coach of the Year twice and was the 2012-13 Skip Prosser Man of the Year.

Rafter was a pioneer for women’s sports at Niagara University and helped lead the initiative to have women’s sports officially sanctioned at NU and was a member of the women’s basketball program from 1971-75. In 1974, Rafter became the first female student-athlete elected to the Athletics Advisory Council which helped implement Title IX. She has continued to be a generous benefactor of the Purple Eagles women’s basketball program and Niagara University. Rafter was inducted to the MAAC Honor Roll in 2015.

The 2001-02 women’s ice hockey team advanced to the semifinals of the Frozen Four and tied Minnesota, 2-2, in the third-place game. The Purple Eagles went 26-8-2 overall and 19-2-0 in conference play and were the ECAC regular season champions. Niagara had an impressive home record, going 15-2 overall and 11-0 in conference in games played at Dwyer Arena. On the season, Niagara averaged 3.82 goals per game and allowed just 1.41 goals per game.

More information about the ceremony and how to purchase tickets will be released soon.

Brent Darnell Takes New Position, Jimmy Mullin and Ryan Kesler Named to NTDP Coaching Staff

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September 11, 2021

PLYMOUTH, Mich. – USA Hockey announced that Brent Darnell (Livonia, Mich.) has been named assistant director of player personnel, while Jimmy Mullin (Philadelphia, Pa.) has been hired as an assistant coach and Ryan Kesler (Livonia, Mich.) named volunteer assistant coach at the organization’s National Team Development Program.

ABOUT DARNELL

After serving as an assistant coach at the NTDP for the past two seasons, Darnell enters his first year as assistant director of player personnel for 2021-22. He will be responsible for recruiting and evaluating potential future NTDP players.

Prior to coming to USA Hockey, Darnell was with College Hockey Inc., where he most recently served as the organization’s senior director of education. Darnell skated four seasons at Michigan State University (2011-2015), where he accumulated 57 points in his Spartans career, while earning Academic All-Big Ten honors three times. He finished his playing career with the ECHL’s Bakersfield Condors in 2015.

ABOUT MULLIN

Mullin begins his USA Hockey coaching career as an assistant coach with the Under-18 Team after most recently serving as the Ohio AAA Blue Jackets director of player development and advancement, as well as head coach of the program’s 15-Only team. Previously, he was the director of scouting for the NAHL’s Chippewa Steel.

A fourth-round selection of the Tampa Bay Lightning in the 2010 NHL Draft, Mullin skated four seasons at Miami University before transferring for his final collegiate season to Minnesota State University, where he helped lead the Mavericks to the 2015-16 WCHA regular-season championship. Following his collegiate career, he spent three seasons (2016-19) with the Kalamazoo Wings of the ECHL.

The Philadelphia native represented Team USA at the 2010 World Jr. A Challenge, where he led the tournament in goals, including scoring the game-winning goal in the gold-medal game to give the U.S. its third straight championship.

ABOUT KESLER

Former NTDP player (2000-2002) and NHL All-Star Ryan Kesler has been named to the Under-18 staff as a volunteer assistant coach. Kesler spent the previous 18 seasons playing with the NHL’s Vancouver Canucks (2003-2014) and Anaheim Ducks (2014-2021).

Prior to playing professionally, the forward skated one season at Ohio State University, where he registered 31 points in 40 games for the Buckeyes.Kesler has represented the United States multiple times on the international stage, highlighted by two appearances at the Olympic Winter Games, including helping Team USA to a silver medal in 2010. He also represented the U.S. twice in the IIHF World Junior Championship, helping lead the team to its first gold medal in 2004.

Kesler skated in the 2002 IIHF Under-18 Men’s World Championship, where he helped the United States to its first gold medal.Mullin and Kesler will join head coach Adam Nightingale and associate coach Nick Fohras the coaching staff for the U.S. National Under-18 Team this season.

ABOUT THE NTDP: USA Hockey’s National Team Development Program is in its 25th season of competition and is based at USA Hockey Arena in Plymouth, Michigan. The goal of the full-time development program is to prepare student-athletes under the age of 18 for participation on U.S. National Teams and success in their future hockey careers. Its efforts focus not only on high-caliber participation on the ice but creating well-rounded individuals off the ice.

Ten New York Reasons To Pay Attention To The OHL This Season

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September 10, 2021