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Two Clarkson Recruits Now NHL Draft Picks

By
Randy Schultz
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(Pictured above is Jonathan Morello)

By Warren Kozireski —

The coaching staff at Clarkson University, despite the departure of head coach Casey Jones to be the heir apparent in Cornell, is smiling today as two of  their Class of 2025 recruits were selected at the 2024 NHL Entry Draft held in Las Vegas.

Center Jonathan Morello was taken by Boston in the fifth round (154th overall) and soon-to-be 18-year-old defenseman Matt Lahey was a seventh-round selection (200th overall) by Toronto.

Morello had 25 goals and 32 assists in 50 games last year with St. Michael’s in the OJHL and added 21 points in 11 playoff games. The 6’1”, 168 lb. center plans to play one season at Dubuque in the USHL before heading to the North Country.

“I knew Boston was definitely a team that was looking at me,” Morello said. “I’m grateful that Boston made the choice on me, and I’m really excited to get started.

“The coaching change was a bit of a shock, but I know the coach coming in is definitely really excited and came from the AHL as well and getting that experience is something that I’m looking forward too.

“I’m a two-way centerman mixed with a bit of a power forward. I use speed a lot in my game—speed is probably the biggest attribute in my game—and that’s something that I use whether I’m carrying the puck…or I’m on the back-check.”

Lahey, the top-rated defenseman in the draft from the BCHL, stands 6’5”, 2023 lbs. and played last season with Nanaimo Clippers where the physical defenseman recorded 19 points in 54 games as more of a disruptor on the blueline.

(Photo by Koz, NY Hockey OnLine)

Sabres Take Finn Helenius With First Round Selection

By
Randy Schultz
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By Warren Kozireski —

After trading down three spots for an extra second round draft pick courtesy of San Jose, the Buffalo Sabres selected 5’11”, 189 lb. forward Konsta Helenius with the 14th overall selection in the first round of the 20204 NHL Entry Draft in Las Vegas.

In addition to his regular season with Jurkurit, Helenius played with both Finland U-18 and U-18 teams for a combined 94 game season. He is described as skilled and quick with a high compete level. The right-handed shot scored five power-play goals, won 50.2 percent of his face-offs, and averaged 16:57 of ice time in 51 games for Jukurit in Liiga, Finland’s top professional men’s league.

“It was a long season; I think I played really well.” Helenius said moments after being selected. “I think it was good for me to play against men because I like to play hard. I’m not the biggest guy, but I think I’m a very strong guy and it was good for me.

“I have older brothers and we fight when I was a kid, so that probably is one reason why I like to battle hard.

Helenius is known as responsible defensively and credits former NHLer and his coach Oli Jokinen.

“Biggest reason was my coach before every game that you need defense first and then you get the puck and you can do whatever you want. It was hard for me because I like to do a lot of things with the puck…but it was good for me too.”

“I know Oli well from we were teammates…and he spoke (to our staff) really, really highly of Konsta; his belief in him and the path he’s on,” Buffalo General Manager Kevyn Adams said.

“So much due diligence goes into these players before you make your pick and everything came back: high character, well liked by teammates, coaches love him, work ethic so all the stuff that we look for. So it’s an exciting player to add into our organization.

“This isn’t a fully developed player for sure, but you don’t play in the men’s league in Finland at 16 or whatever he was for the last year and a half without being able to handle yourself.

“I like the fact that, to me, he is a true center. We believe 100% that he’s a center and will be in the National Hockey League.”

(Photo by Koz, NY Hockey OnLine)

Islanders Nab Eiserman With First Round Selection

By
Randy Schultz
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By Warren Kozireski —

One year after using their first three selections on forwards and not having a first-round pick since 2019, the New York Islanders took U.S. National Team Development Program and future Boston University Terrier Cole Eiserman 20th overall at the 2024 NHL Entry Draft in Las Vegas.

Eiserman is a 6’0”, 195 lb. left wing who broke Montreal Canadian Cole Caufield’s record of 126 goals with the National Program. This past season he netted 49 goals in 49 games and added 27 assists. He won’t turn 18 years old until late August.

“I think Cole Eiserman is the best goal-scorer of this draft; it’s an elite quality,” said Craig Button, TSN resident director of scouting, NHL analyst and former NHL general manager told The Hockey News.

“I had no idea (who was going to select him) going into the day and that made it exciting, and it was super-cool when I heard my name called,” Eiserman said after his election.

“I’m definitely a shooter who loves to score goals; I definitely bring a positive attitude and a competitive side. As time goes on, definitely going to become more physical to use my body a lot.

“I definitely see the game different than a lot of people and, whether you like it or not, it’s something that I’m going to bring.”

When asked about his next best hockey trait, Eiserman said at the NHL Draft Combine in May: “probably my playmaking. I think it’s a pretty underrated thing that I get to show because my teammates want me to shoot the puck all the time.

“You see a guy like (Auston) Matthews who scores a lot of goals, but now is being looked at as a Selke guy…and that’s the guy I’m trying to be like in the NHL one day.”

Eiserman is the latest hockey playing family member with older brothers William (UMass-Lowell & Bentley), Chris (goaltender for SUNY Fredonia 2013-15), Shane (U. New Hampshire and ECHL) along with some older cousins.

“They taught me to be more of a person and a man than a hockey player and they’re a lot older than me, so they went through life, and they went through good times and bad times and in between and taught me everything that I need to know and how to deal with adversity. And work—they didn’t have as much skill as I do, so they made it from working and that’s what they tell me to do.”

The Islanders are scheduled to make five more selections in rounds two-seven on Saturday with two of those second rounders.

(Photo by Koz, NY Hockey OnLine)

NY Rangers Tap Emery With 30th Overall Selection

By
Randy Schultz
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0

By Warren Kozireski —

For the second consecutive year, the New York Rangers dipped into the U.S. National Team Development Program for a defenseman at the draft when they selected E.J. Emery late in the first round at the 2024 NHL Entry Draft in Las Vegas. They selected Drew Fortescue in the third round in 2023.

The 6’4”, 183 lb. blueliner, headed to the University of North Dakota this fall, is known as a defensive defenseman as he failed to register a goal this season, but the Rangers scouting staff believes the offensive side may evolve with time.

“EJ is a very talented young man; he’s raw, very athletic and just starting to come into his own,” Rangers Director of Player Personnel and Amateur Scouting John Lilley said. “He has a lot of work to do getting a little bit stronger, but the foundation is there, excellent skater and his defensive game we found as a staff was one of the best in the entire draft—he ends plays and to me an elite defender.”

Emery combined for 22 assists over the split USNTDP schedule, but also registered six assists over only seven games at the U-18 World’s. He grew up in Surrey, British Columbia, but has dual citizen due to his parents, so he was able to come south to play.

“It’s a pretty exciting moment and I  don’t know who was more excited, me or my mom,” Emery said post selection.

“I would say (my assets) are my skating ability and how well I play defense. I would say that I’m really good at being a lockdown guy, someone who can lock down plays and get the puck up the ice and make plays.

“I model after K’Andre Miller, so I not complaining about wearing this jersey.

And Emery is ready for the next step in his development heading up to North Dakota.

“The coaches and the fans and obviously the team made me feel at home and I know they’re going to look out for me. It’s the best stop for me.”

(Photos by Koz, NY Hockey OnLine)

Potential Sabres 2024 Draft Targets

By
Randy Schultz
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0

By Warren Kozireski —

The Buffalo Sabres as of this writing hold the 11th overall selection in the first round of the 2024 NHL Entry Draft to be held in Las Vegas June 28-29.

Whether they pick a forward of a defenseman could be dictated by what happens with the ten selections prior, but two name slotted by Central Scouting around that mark are USA National Team development Program product Cole Eiserman or Calgary (WHL) defenseman Carter Yakemchuk.

Eiserman is a 6’0”, 195 lb. left wing who broke Montreal Canadian Cole Caufield’s record of 126 goals. This past season he netted 49 goals in 49 games and added 27 assists. He won’t turn 18 years old until late August. He decommitted from the University of Minnesota and will play for Boston University.

“I think Cole Eiserman is the best goal-scorer of this draft; it’s an elite quality,” said Craig Button, TSN resident director of scouting, NHL analyst and former NHL general manager told The Hockey News.

When asked about his next best hockey trait, Eiserman said at the NHL Draft Combine “probably my playmaking. I think it’s a pretty underrated thing that I get to show because my teammates want me to shoot the puck all the time.

“You see a guy like (Auston) Matthews who scores a lot of goals, but now is being looked at as a Selke guy…and that’s the guy I’m trying to be like in the NHL one day.”

Eiserman is the latest hockey playing family member with older brothers William (UMass-Lowell & Bentley), Chris (goaltender for SUNY Fredonia 2013-15), Shane (U. New Hampshire and ECHL) along with some older cousins.

“They taught me to be more of a person and a man than a hockey player and they’re a lot older than me, so they went through life, and they went through good times and bad times and in between and taught me everything that I need to know and how to deal with adversity. And work—they didn’t have as much skill as I do, so they made it from working and that’s what they tell me to do.”

If Buffalo chooses to go defense in the first round, Yakemchuk is slotted at 11th among North American skaters by Central Scouting. The 6’3”, 202 lb. right shot led all WHL defenseman in scoring with 30 goals and 41 assists over 66 games for a mediocre Calgary team that missed the playoffs.

11 months older than Eiserman, he is the rare combination of offense while registering over 100 penalty minutes this past season.

“Yakemchuk can manipulate opponents, make plays with perfect timing, and create looks for his teammates with the threat of his shot every now and then. Constant rush activations and weak side sprints from the offensive blue line kept him involved in the play, creating a higher volume and better quality of looks than most defencemen can access.” -EliteProspects 2024 NHL Draft Guide

“I think my offensive creativity; that’s something I take a lot of pride in my game (and) is one of my strengths,” Yakemchuk said at the NHL Draft Combine. “I always play with a little grit in my game and that’s something I did that lot this season. I need to be better positionally with my stick (on defense). Always was a d-man, but I like watching hockey the offensive side and how the forwards played.”

If Buffalo chooses to keep their first-round pick, there are certainly several high-end options that will be available to them.

The Sabres have eight picks in the 2024 Draft, including two picks in the fourth round (Erik Johnson trade to Philadelphia) and two in the seventh round (Kyle Okposo trade to Florida which could become a fifth-round pick if the Florida Panthers win the Stanley Cup).

Happy Father’s Day

By
Randy Schultz
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Happy Father’s Day to all the hockey dads out there and to all the dads who follow NY Hockey OnLine!

Kulich Named To American Hockey League’s Top Prospects Team For Second Straight Year

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Randy Schultz
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Forward made NHL debut with Sabres, led the Amerks in goals for second consecutive year and captained Czechia to a bronze medal at 2024 World Junior Championship last season

(Rochester, NY) – The American Hockey League announced today that Rochester Americans forward Jiri Kulich has been named to the AHL Top Prospects Team for the 2023-24 season.

Determined by the league’s hockey operations department in conjunction with AHL general managers as the AHL Top Prospects Team recognizes three forwards, two defensemen and one goaltender projected to be the best future NHL players.

To qualify for the AHL Top Prospects Team, skaters must have been 22 years old or younger on the first day of the regular season and must have played at least 36 regular-season games in the AHL and no more than 30 regular-season games in the National Hockey League during 2023-24. Goaltenders must have been 23 or younger on opening night and have played at least 25 AHL games and no more than 20 NHL games during the regular season.

After being named to the inaugural Top Prospects Team last year, Kulich followed up with another standout season in 2023-24. Kulich, who turned 20 in April, scored a career-high 27 goals – including seven power-play goals, a shorthanded tally, five game-winners and two hat tricks – and finished third on the team with 45 points in 57 games while leading the Amerks back to the postseason for the second straight year.

Kulich, who represented Rochester at the 2024 AHL All-Star Classic, was the first Amerk to score 20 or more goals in back-to-back seasons since Cole Schneider and Justin Bailey both did so in 2015-16 and 2016-17 and also became the first Rochester player to lead the team in goals in consecutive seasons since AHL Hall of Famer Jody Gage in 1991-92 and 1992-93.

He also made his NHL debut for Buffalo on Nov. 25 at New Jersey and went on to captain Czechia to a bronze medal at the 2024 IIHF World Junior Championship. Kulkich finished tied for the tournament lead with 12 points (6+6) in seven games, including a pair of four-point outings and two game-winning goals to earn a selection to the tournament All-Star Team.

The native of Kadan, Czechia, was a first-round pick (28th overall) by the Sabres in the 2022 NHL Draft.

2023-24 AHL Top Prospects Team

Goaltender Yaroslav Askarov, Milwaukee Admirals

Defenseman Brandt Clarke, Ontario Reign 

Defenseman Simon Edvinsson, Grand Rapids Griffins

Forward Jiri Kulich, Rochester Americans

Forward Logan Stankoven, Texas Stars

Forward Shane Wright, Coachella Valley Firebirds

(Photos Provided by Rochester Americans Hockey Team)

Cornell Men’s Hockey’s Mike Schafer Announces Plan To Retire Following 2024-25 Season

By
Randy Schultz
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0

Casey Jones ’90 to Succeed Him As Program’s 13th Head Coach

ITHACA, N.Y. — Mike Schafer ’86, a legendary name in college hockey as well as the face of the Big Red men’s program for more than three decades, has announced that he will retire as the Jay R. Bloom ’77 Head Coach of Cornell Men’s Ice Hockey following the 2024-25 season.

Nicki Moore, the Meakem & Smith Director of Athletics & Physical Education, has also announced that Casey Jones ’90 – a former Big Red captain and assistant coach and current head coach at Clarkson University – will succeed Schafer as Cornell’s 13th men’s head coach. Jones will join the Big Red coaching staff this year as associate head coach before taking the reins next spring.

“I’ve had a 38-year coaching career in college hockey – 33 of them at Cornell,” Schafer, an assistant coach at Western Michigan from 1990-95 before returning to his alma mater. “It’s been a tremendous experience helping the players and teams over the years to reach their goals while helping create Big Red pride and building spirit through Cornell hockey. I feel now is the perfect time for me to begin the transition into retirement.

“I am grateful for all the amazing relationships I have with players, alumni, community members, and colleagues,” he said. “I am confident that the team will be in good hands with Director of Athletics Nicki Moore and Coach Jones when he takes over a year from now. I look forward to seeing the unmatched tradition of Cornell hockey continue throughout the years to come, but for now, I am focused on the work to be done this coming year.”

“Mike Schafer is a legend in the world of college hockey and is on a very short list of the most impactful people in the history of Cornell Athletics,” Moore said. “For nearly four decades as a player, captain, assistant, and ultimately head coach, Mike has poured his heart and total effort into the success of the program, and more importantly, into the individual student-athletes who have played for him and have flourished on and off the ice thanks to his mentorship. I am so grateful that he has agreed to continue coaching this year after considering retirement. I believe our approach will facilitate a smooth transition, and a seamless progression for the program as we extend and build upon Mike’s incredible legacy.”

During his 29 years behind the Big Red bench, Schafer has led the program to 14 NCAA Tournament appearances, including a trip to the 2003 Frozen Four — its first appearance in the NCAA semifinals since 1980. The 2002-03 Big Red established a school record for wins (30), one more than the 1969-70 national championship squad (29-0-0), which remains the lone Division I men’s program to win a national title while finishing undefeated and untied.

Following the pandemic-shortened 2019-20 season, Schafer was named co-recipient of the Spencer Penrose Award, given to the nation’s top head coach, sharing the honor with the University of North Dakota’s Brad Berry. Cornell was 23-2-4 and ranked No. 1 in the nation when the season was halted in mid-March. Schafer has been named ECAC Hockey’s Coach of the Year five times (2002, 2003, 2005, 2018, 2020) and Ivy League Coach of the Year four times (2018, 2019, 2020, 2024) since the award was established in 2016.

Under Schafer, Cornell has claimed six Whitelaw Cups (ECAC Hockey tournament titles), surpassing the legendary Ned Harkness for most in Big Red history. He has also guided Cornell to six Cleary Cups as the conference’s regular-season champion, including three over the past seven years, and 13 Ivy League titles.

A defenseman during his playing days, Schafer was a four-year letterman and a two-year captain. He appeared in 107 games for Cornell, scoring 70 points (10 goals, 60 assists), and capped his collegiate career by leading the Big Red to an ECAC Hockey championship and No. 5 national ranking as a senior.

Schafer was named an honorable mention All-ECAC Hockey selection in 1985-86 and earned All-Ivy second-team honors for a second consecutive year. Schafer also served as president of the Red Key Athletic Honor Society and was the recipient of the ECAC Medallion for academic excellence and athletic prowess.

Schafer and his wife, Diane ’86, have two sons, Luke and John ’18, MBA ’22, and a daughter, Michelle.

“When Coach Schafer approached me this past spring about his desire to retire, his focus was to support the current student-athletes and to make sure he left the program in the best possible position,” Moore said. “I think in every way we are doing that. After agreeing to stay on as head coach for one more season, and with the understanding of my commitment that Mike’s successor would be a successful sitting Division 1 head coach with an uncommon passion for Cornell hockey, Mike and I worked together to develop an impressive list of candidates.

“Casey emerged as the right successor for this esteemed program,” Moore said. “This creative succession solution allows us to seamlessly compete to win in the present and plan for the future with our current and future student-athletes top of mind. To have a coach of Casey’s caliber be supportive of this approach, and to have a person with his character and with his deep ties to Cornell be fully enthusiastic about the unique opportunity our plan offers is extraordinary! I am so excited for Mike, for Casey, and for our student-athletes and staff.”

“This is a really exciting moment for myself and my family – returning to my alma mater, the place I met my wife, and where I spent the best four years of my life,” Jones said. “Mike is a great friend and someone I have unlimited respect for, and I’m excited to celebrate what he has helped build before accepting the challenge of leading Big Red hockey into the future.”

Jones’ Clarkson teams compiled a 234-185-56 record with two NCAA Tournament appearances and five top-three conference finishes. His 2018-19 team won the ECAC Hockey Tournament title, and he was named ECAC Hockey’s Tim Taylor Coach of the Year; his 2019-20 team was 23-8-3 and poised for another trip to the NCAA Tournament before COVID-19 cut the season short. Over a five-year period from 2017-22, Clarkson ranked among the top 16 teams nationally in the final Pairwise each year.

Eleven Clarkson players have been selected in the NHL Entry Draft during Jones’ tenure, with four players going on to have NHL careers, three (Josh Dunne, Sheldon Rempal, and Nico Sturm) who are currently on active rosters.

Jones was associate head coach under Schafer from 2008-11, before taking over as head coach of the Golden Knights. Jones spent 1991-93 as an assistant coach for the Big Red under head coach Brian McCutcheon ‘71, then was an assistant for two years at Clarkson before joining Ohio State as associate head coach and recruiting coordinator from 1995-2008.

Jones was a four-year letter winner for the Big Red with Schafer as one of the team’s assistant coaches and Doug Derraugh ’91 – the Everett Family Head Coach of Women’s Ice Hockey – was a teammate. Jones served as team captain during the 1989-90 season, leading his team to a 16-10-3 mark. Jones scored 112 points (30 goals, 82 assists) in 110 games in his career and won the team’s Bill Doran Sportsmanship Award in 1990.

Following his freshman campaign, Jones was selected by the Boston Bruins in the 10th round (203rd overall) of the 1987 NHL Entry Draft.

Jones and his wife, Kimberlee ’95, a Cornell graduate, have a daughter, Gabrielle, and a son, Bryan.

As both Schafer and Jones, along with the staff, are fully focused on coaching and supporting the 2024-25 team and recruiting, there will be no immediate public recognition of Schafer’s planned May 2025 retirement, or of Jones’ projected succession. At the appropriate times, both of these events will be celebrated with the Big Red Hockey community.

(Photo provided by Cornell University Athletics/Alumni Dept.)

Amerks Introduce New Head Coach

By
Randy Schultz
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0

By Warren Kozireski —

The Rochester Americans introduced their 34th head coach Monday morning in former Green Bay Gamblers (USHL) General Manager and Head Coach Michael Leone (pronounced Lee-own-nee).

“I’m extremely grateful and humbled to be a part of the Buffalo Sabres organization as the next head coach of the Rochester Americans,” Leone said. “I want to thank Kevyn Adams and Jason Karmanos for giving me the opportunity to lead the organization and believing in me. I look forward to meeting everyone in the organization and helping our prospects continue to grow and develop on and off the ice.”

This marks Leone’s first head coaching stint in the American Hockey League. Before his two seasons with Green Bay, much like prior head coach Seth Appert, he had a three-year run as an assistant coach at USA Hockey’s National Team Development Program (NTDP), as well as brief stints at both the collegiate and professional levels.

Leone had a 66-41-10-7 record in his two seasons with Green Bay, leading the Gamblers to back-to-back 30-plus win seasons as well as consecutive playoff appearances for the first time in over a decade.

Leone played three years for the Western Michigan University before embarking on a four-year professional career in the ECHL split between the Kalamazoo Wings (2012-13) and Toledo Walleye (2014-17), along with one season overseas with Villard-de-Lans in France.

“Honestly, I didn’t think I was going to get it, but it happened and I’m very grateful and I’m excited,” Leone said, who was expecting his first child any day now. “A lot of mixed emotions but I’m really excited for this next journey of my coaching career.”

“I am thrilled to welcome Mike to our organization and look forward to working with him as we continue to build a foundation of success in Rochester,” Amerks General Manager Jason Karmanos said. “Throughout the interview process, Mike differentiated himself from other candidates with his development background, inherent feel for the game, and growth mindset. I am confident in Mike’s leadership and ability to guide our players both on and off the ice, while continuing a culture in which players are proud to wear the Amerks sweater.”

(Photo provided by USA Hockey)

PWHL New York Names Former Colgate U Women’s Hockey Coach Greg Fargo as Head Coach

By
Randy Schultz
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0

NEW YORK, NY – PWHL New York announced that Greg Fargo has been hired as the team’s head coach.  

Fargo joins PWHL New York from Colgate University where he has spent the past 12 seasons as head coach of the women’s hockey program. Prior to his time at Colgate, Fargo served as the head coach for the women’s hockey team at Elmira College. His all-time NCAA head coaching record sits at 334-170-39, which includes a 255-147-34 record at Colgate. 

“I am very proud to welcome Greg Fargo to our family,” said PWHL New York General Manager Pascal Daoust. “His track record of repeated successes and honors, both individually and through team victories and titles at Colgate, speaks for itself. The discipline and consistency demonstrated by his athletes on the ice reflect the high standards we aim to present to New York fans: a committed, dedicated group that competes with passion, focusing our collective efforts towards a single, unified goal.” 

A native of Kingston, ON, Fargo coached Colgate University to seven 20-win seasons, five NCAA tournament berths—including two Frozen Fours and one national championship appearance— 10 ECAC hockey tournament appearances and four ECAC Hockey championships. He was named the ECAC Coach of the Year in 2020-21.  

“I am thrilled about the opportunity to join PWHL New York and coach some of the best players in the world,” said Fargo. “This league is on an exciting trajectory, and I am eager to contribute to its growth and success. This is a great opportunity to continue to develop as a coach and pursue championships in the premier league of women’s hockey. I look forward to working with Pascal and the rest of the organization to build on the solid foundation already in place. The upcoming off-season is full of potential, and I can’t wait to get started.” 

During his tenure at Colgate, Fargo coached PWHL New York players Jessie Eldridge and Olivia Zafuto. He also coached Jaime Bourbonnais while serving as an assistant coach for Canada at the 2016 IIHF U18 Women’s World Championship where they earned a silver medal.    

PWHL New York holds the first overall pick in the 2024 PWHL Draft, which is set to take place on Monday, June 10 in Saint Paul, Minnesota.  

East Berne, NY Native Finds A Home In Goal For Syracuse Orange

By
Randy Schultz
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0

BY RANDY SCHULTZ –

It may have taken Allie Kelley four seasons (2019-23) to get to Syracuse University to play for the women’s D1 hockey team, but for the Orange it was worth the wait.

“She battled for us in every single game,” said Syracuse head coach, Britni Smith. “She faced a lot of pucks this season.

“She continually showed grit and resilience in the crease. She gave us a chance to win every night she played.”

Getting to play was something that didn’t happen in her first college stop at Quinnipiac. She had knee surgery in her freshman year and when she came back in her sophomore season she was the third-string goalie.

Following that sophomore season, Kelley transferred to Saint Anselm College in New Hampshire. In two seasons there the goalie appeared in 67 of the team’s 71 games and setting the college’s save percentage record with a .939 mark.

From there it was on to Syracuse for her graduate season of hockey.

“She was someone we looked to a lot. She’s also a great student athlete. She does very, very well in the classroom and her IQ translates to her game.

“She leads by example in terms of her ability to warm-up properly, cool down properly, get good lifts for nutrition. She definitely demonstrates what it takes to be a good Division I athlete.”

So how did Kelley become a goalie?

“I began skating when I was about six,” recalled Kelley, a native of East Berne, NY.  “We had a pond out back of our home.

“I don’t exactly remember how I got started as a goalie. All I remember is that I tried it, did pretty good, and kept going.”

Kelley was quick to point out who the greatest influence in her hockey career was.

“It was my dad,” remarked Kelley of her dad, who played hockey at SUNY Potsdam. “He was my coach for most of my early life.”

Kelley played most of her youth hockey for the Bethlehem Eagles. Before moving on to college, she played for her Voorhoessville High School team as well as the Connecticut Jr. Eagles.

But playing for Syracuse wasn’t in her original plan. Kelley played those first two seasons of college hockey at Quinnipiac.

“I had just had knee surgery so I didn’t play that much my first season,” recalled Kelley, the daughter of Tim and Christine Kelley. “I thought I might play more my second season there, but that didn’t happen.

“So I transferred to St. Anselm and played two seasons there (2021-23). Unfortunately, they didn’t have a graduate program so I headed to Syracuse. It was also closer to home.”

With one year under her belt, Kelley is planning on coming back to play for the Orange next season. Would she like to stay in the game once her Syracuse days are behind her?

“Yes, I would like to stay with the sport in some way,” answered Kelley. “Maybe in some type of coaching. “

What kind of advice would Kelly give to any high school age girl looking to mix academics with hockey?

“Have a good work ethic,” said Kelley, who has two sisters, Camryn and Jayden and a brother, Mike. Jayden and Allie are twins and Jayden plays hockey (she is not a goalie) at SUNY Cortland. “Don’t give up. And reach out to coaches early because things can get pretty stressful.

“Academics are also important to me. I’m not quite sure what I will be doing outside of hockey.

“But the graduate program I’m in at Syracuse (Exercise Science) is helping me to find that.

“I’ll see what happens after next season.”

(Photos by Janet Schultz Photography/NY Hockey OnLine)

Amerks Season Ends With Playoff Loss to Syracuse

By
Randy Schultz
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0

BY WARREN KOZIRESKI —

ROCHESTER, NY — Cole Koepke scored twice and Felix Robert had a three-point game as Syracuse never trailed in a 5-2 victory in the fifth and deciding game of their best-of-five North Division semi-final series with Rochester. The Crunch will face Cleveland in the division finals.

“I thought we gave ourselves a chance this week (rebounding from seeing a 3-0 third period lead disappear in game four in overtime); the guys were really dedicated to the process and being ready for the game and I think we were,” Syracuse head coach Joel Bouchard said.

“We talked about it, we looked at it and the guys reset and came on the road with a really good performance.”

Syracuse jumped out to a 2-0 lead over the first ten minutes on tallies by defenseman Max Crozier and Koepke, but Rochester  closed to gap to 2-1 as Jeremy Davies redirected a p[ass from defense partner Joeseph Cecconi (Youngstown) into the net at 17:33.

The Crunch regained their two-goal advantage at 8:35 of the second as rookie Walterri Merela scored, but Rochester again responded on the power play as Michael Mersch redirected a pass from Jurio Kulich into the net.

In the third Syracuse closed out the series with a pair of goals over the final 5:10 of the game by Koepke and an empty-netter from Robert to advance.

Rochester closes out their season after a strong finish to the regular season that enabled them to secure second place in the division, but now a premature finish after advancing to the Conference Finals last season.

Rochester goaltender Devon Levi made 15 saves on 19 shots in the contest but appreciated his first chance at professional playoff hockey.

“It’s been great (and) I’ve learned so much about myself, my teammates and my game, being a pro” Levi said. “It was a pleasure being herewith all my heart.

“This year has been a lot of chaos and my time in Rochester has been amazing…kind of a little bit calm to the storm. It’s hard that it’s gone.”

The Syracuse-Cleveland best-of-five series begins with games one and two in Cleveland starting Thu. May 16th with games three and four (if needed) in Syracuse Wed. May 22 and Fri. May 24.

Marielle McHale Finishes Outstanding Career For Syracuse U

By
Randy Schultz
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0

BY RANDY SCHULTZ –

When Marielle McHale was two years old she learned how to skate. About that same time her father, Michael, built a rink in the front yard of their home in Clifton Park, NY.

“He put me out there with a pair of skates and a white, plastic lawn chair and said ‘have at it.’ And I’ve been skating ever since.”

That start eventually led McHale to Syracuse University where she played six seasons for the women’s D1 hockey team.

Growing up in Clifton Park, McHale was surrounded by women’s collegiate hockey programs.

“I had a lot of role models to look up to when I was growing up,” recalled McHale, who began playing boys hockey for the Clifton Park Youth Hockey Association and then at age 11 switched over to girls hockey. “There were teams at Union College and RPI.

“I went to a lot of their games. I remember even coming to Syracuse when I was younger and playing in tournaments there.

“So it was kind of awesome when I ended up coming to Syracuse to play college hockey. It was like I had come full circle.”

When McHale was 14 she moved to Massachusetts where she attended boarding school at Williston Northhampton School. She played for club teams in Boston including the Boston Jr. Eagles and the Massachusetts Spitfires.

From there it was on to Syracuse U. And McHale will be the first to admit that it was quite a transition for her coming from high school hockey to college hockey.

“The players are a lot stronger and faster at the college level,” admitted McHale. “My freshman year was quite an adjustment for me.

“But I think it was for the best because it made me a better person. It made me realize what it takes to play, what I have to do on the ice and off it.

“It helped me realize what it takes to be a good teammate, be a good leader and making sure I’m being the best person that I can be.”

Although Syracuse head coach, Britni Smith has only coached McHale for two seasons, she has seen how the veteran forward has taken her role on the team seriously.

“Marielle is in her sixth year with the program and is someone who has been in the program for a long time,” remarked Smith. “I’ve only been able to work with her for two years.

“But within that time of two years, she has taken major strides, so I can only imagine in six years how far she has come.

“It’s so great to see someone from New York (State), so close to Syracuse, playing at Syracuse. She has really impacted the program and she wears a letter (A) for us.

“She’s played a pretty large role for us. She is one we have looked to for a lot of ways this season.”

Smith also talked about McHale’s role off the ice.

“She’s a great teammate and is someone who is always bringing a smile to her teammates face,” added Smith. “She is one, who this year took on a really large role in helping those younger players along.

“They (teammates) call her the ‘grandmother’ for a reason, but you definitely see her ability to be a mentor to those players.”

Now, with 165 games under her belt, which is a Syracuse record for career games played, her career Block S career behind her, what’s next for McHale?

“I would love to coach,” answered McHale. “I’ve always wanted to coach a high school team or even a college team.

“I think I have a good mind for it. I hope I can get into it.

“But I wouldn’t mind being an academic coordinator. I have my master’s in higher education. An academic coordinator helps players on college teams coordinate their schedules and are doing well academically.

“I think I would connect a lot better with athletes because I’ve experienced it. Academics have always been important to me, even back in my high school days.

“And in college I really learned how to balance academics with hockey.”

What kind of advice would McHale give to a high school student wanting to do what she has done?

“I think being the best person you can be is the most important,” answered McHale. “Keep working hard, asking questions and keep showing up no matter how things are going.

“Have a positive attitude as a teammate. Be engaging. Be positive. Coaches see that. Teammates see that.

“It will pay off.”

(Photos by Janet Schultz Photography/NY Hockey OnLine)

Some Thoughts On The Hiring of Lindy Ruff

By
Randy Schultz
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0

BY RANDY SCHULTZ –

It’s been two weeks since the Buffalo Sabres hired Lindy Ruff as their new head coach for the upcoming 2024-25 NHL season.

Using that opening line some Sabres fans would say it was a rehiring, not hired and not new head coach, but a former Sabres head coach brought back for a second time around.

There are hockey fans out there that like the hiring. There are others who think it’s bad, another former Sabres player, and in this case, coach brought back.

I have seen a lot of hiring and firing of Sabres coaches over the past 50-plus years of covering the team and the NHL. And over these past two week’s local hockey fans have asked my thoughts on the hiring.

I have to admit that listening to Sabres GM, Kevyn Adams the week before Ruff’s hiring, there was no doubt the type of head coach he was looking for fit Ruff. He wanted a coach that had NHL experience, along with some other qualifications.

Yes, there were maybe two or three other candidates out there. But when the final decision had to be made, it was Ruff.

I’m OK with Ruff’s hiring. This is not the same Lindy Ruff that was relieved of his Sabres coaching duties the first time.

Ruff has had a few more coaching experiences since his first Sabres coaching stint. He’s had stops in New York with the Rangers as an assistant coach, head coaching with the Dallas Stars and New Jersey Devils.

And toss in an associate coaching assignment with Team Canada for the 2010 Winter Olympics.

Ruff grew as a coach with each stop. Like he said during his recent press conference he has a passion for hockey. He can’t get enough of the game. That’s why he is still in the game at 64.

Ruff seems to be the right coach to take the Sabres to the next level meaning: make the playoffs after missing them for the past 13 seasons.

Another key to Ruff’s hiring will be who is going to be hired as his assistants. Two of former head coach Don Granato’s assistant coaches are still with the Sabres. But it hasn’t been defined what their roles will be with the Sabres for the upcoming season.

Was Ruff’s hiring completed too soon after Granato’s firing? Not really. Decisions are going to have to be made over the next couple of months as to who will  or won’t be coming back to the Sabres next season.

The NHL Draft is coming. So is free-agency signings. Possible trades.

The Sabres need a head coach to be in place. The future success of the Sabres now falls directly on Ruff’s and Adams’ shoulders. What they do from this point on will determine the future of the team.

Stay tuned.

(Photos by NY Hockey OnLine)

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