Home Blog Page 132

NHL Players Association and League Ratify CBA Extension and Return To Play Plan

0

NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE PLAYERS’ ASSOCIATION, NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE

RATIFY FOUR-YEAR CBA EXTENSION AND RETURN TO PLAY PLAN

            NEW YORK – TORONTO – Following a 142-day pause, the National Hockey League will drop the puck with a five-game schedule of Stanley Cup Qualifiers on Saturday, Aug. 1, as the National Hockey League Players’ Association (NHLPA) and NHL ratified a four-year extension to the Collective Bargaining Agreement (through 2025-26) and a Return to Play Plan. The sweeping agreements pave the way for the resumption of the 2019-20 NHL season toward the crowning of a Stanley Cup champion by early October and provide an updated economic framework for the League and its Players, including addressing the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.

            When competition resumes, the 12 participating Eastern Conference teams will play in Toronto, while the 12 participating Western Conference teams will compete in Edmonton. The Conference Finals and Stanley Cup Final will take place in Edmonton. Each team will be permitted to bring a maximum of 52 individuals into the Secure Zones in the hub cities, including a maximum of 31 players.

            In keeping with the League’s commitment to the health and safety of all participants, each of the 52 Club personnel will live inside a secure “bubble” – the Phase 4 Secure Zone – and will be tested daily for COVID-19 as well as being administered daily temperature checks and symptom screenings. As well, individuals who might have direct or indirect contact with NHL teams will be tested daily. Any person inside the Secure Zone who tests positive will immediately be isolated.

            “Today, the NHL and the NHLPA announced a significant agreement that addresses the uncertainty everyone is dealing with, the framework for the completion of the 2019-20 season and the foundation for the continued long-term growth of our League,” NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman said. “I thank NHLPA Executive Director Don Fehr and Special Assistant to the Executive Director Mathieu Schneider, the more than 700 NHL Players – particularly those who worked on our Return to Play Committee – and the NHL’s Board of Governors for coming together under extraordinary circumstances for the good of our game. While we have all worked very hard to try to address the risks of COVID-19, we know that health and safety are and will continue to be our priorities. We know that all of our fans are excited about our return to the ice next month and that has been our goal since we paused our season on March 12.”

“This agreement is a meaningful step forward for the players and owners, and for our game, in a difficult and uncertain time.  This would not have happened but for the enormous contributions that the players made throughout, particularly those who served on the Negotiating and Return to Play Committees, as well as those on the Executive Board,” said Don Fehr, NHLPA Executive Director.  “I also thank Gary Bettman, Bill Daly and the NHL staff for their efforts towards finding solutions to the problems we face.  Most importantly, we are pleased to be able to bring NHL hockey back to the fans.  We look forward to the NHL’s continued growth here in North America and on the world stage.”

            The full text of the agreed upon CBA Memorandum of Understanding can be found here:

RETURN TO PLAY HIGHLIGHTS

Game Schedule

Games have been scheduled on a staggered basis, providing hours of continuous action. The start times for the 10 days of Stanley Cup Qualifiers in Toronto (Eastern Conference games) will be: Noon, 4 p.m. and 

8 p.m. ET. In order to maximize the viewing experience for fans across North America, the start times for the three game windows in Edmonton (Western Conference games) – 2 p.m. ET, 6:30 p.m. ET and 10:30 p.m.

ET – may fluctuate by up to 30 minutes during the qualifying round. 

The Stanley Cup Qualifiers featuring the 16 teams that are contesting best-of-five series to determine the eight teams advancing to the Stanley Cup Playoffs, commonly referred to as the qualifying round, will begin on Saturday, Aug. 1, with five games: three in Toronto (Carolina vs. NY Rangers, Florida vs. NY Islanders and Montreal vs. Pittsburgh) and two in Edmonton (Chicago vs. Edmonton, Calgary vs. Winnipeg).  

The Stanley Cup Qualifiers featuring the top four teams from each conference to determine seeding in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, commonly referred to as the round robin, will begin on Sunday, Aug. 2, with two games, one in each hub city: Boston vs. Philadelphia (at Toronto) and Colorado vs. St. Louis (at Edmonton).

A picture containing sitting, side, small, different

Description automatically generated

Broadcast Information

A complete broadcast schedule will be released in the coming days.

Statistics

For statistical purposes only, all games from the 2020 Stanley Cup Qualifiers (round robin and qualifying rounds) are considered part of the 2020 postseason. Accordingly, all skater/goalie/team statistics accumulated in these games will be included in the 2020 player and team postseason stats. Achievements from these games and series will be included on Records.NHL.com.

Teams participating in a best-of-five series during the Stanley Cup Qualifiers are considered to have made the postseason and participated in a postseason series.

NHL DRAFT LOTTERY, PHASE 2, AND NHL DRAFT

NHL Draft Lottery, Phase 2

Phase 2 of the NHL Draft Lottery will take place between the Stanley Cup Qualifiers and the start of the First Round on Aug. 10. Phase 2 will assign the first overall pick for the 2020 NHL Draft to one of the eight qualifying round teams that fail to advance.

NHL Draft

The 2020 NHL Draft is tentatively scheduled for Oct. 9 and 10.

“Small Saves”

0

Here is this week’s edition of “Small Saves.” It has a bit of a 4th of July theme to it. Enjoy!

WNY’s Norton Trains Athletes–Even in These Times!

0

By Janet Schultz, NYHOL

Gyms closed, arenas closed, staying at home is the best option. All this has caused all of us to look for new ways to do things. 

One WNY hockey player has found just the thing to help all of us stay in shape while staying safe.

Maddie Norton, a former WNY Girls Varsity Ice Hockey player who went on to play for the club hockey team at the University of Buffalo and then made her way into the NWHL Buffalo Beauts, is a trainer with One Up Sports Performance and Wellness. 

One Up was founded by Brandon Monin in 2012 and was located at Holiday Twin Rinks for several years, before moving to their Lancaster location. While the facility remains closed due to COVID 19, they have come up with programs designed for everyone, from all walks of life, all fitness backgrounds and all athletic backgrounds that they can do at an outdoor location or with a trainer going to their homes and working socially distanced. Their services are for athletes as well as non-athletes of all ages.

“The One Up Program does work,” said Norton. “We are all certified trainers, certified by at least one national certification program.”

One Up develops programs that are specific for the client, whether their goal is fitness or weight loss. They then track the client through evaluations, keep the information and workout data to track progress.

Norton gives an example of how a client wanting to increase their muscle size is helped.

First they would start with a short warm-up that includes cardio and mobility exercises to get the blood flowing and ready for work. Then they progress to lifting weights on designated muscle groups of the day. This goal would include exercises in sets of 3 for 8 to 10 reps at 75% to 85% of their 1 repetition maximum. They would then conclude the session with stretches to target the muscles that performed during the session.

“The advantage of One Ups programs are that the programs are designed specifically for your own needs and goals. They are 100% You,” emphasizes Norton.

“We don’t have cookie cutter plans that are handed out to each person that walks into the gym,” said Norton.

“When you work with a trainer, you know you can count on them to help you,” said Norton.

Pricing for the program is based on several factors. One Up has group sessions or private sessions and charges are usually by the hour. When there are groups of 10 or more, the pricing is per athlete.

In addition to One Ups training, Norton has developed a program to deliver virtual-type training to remote clients.

With the program Trainerize she can set up an exercise program for those who don’t have access to a gym or like working out at home better. The client provides her with a list of equipment they have and she designs the program to help them reach their goals.

Norton is more than qualified as a trainer. First she is certified but she received her bachelor’s degree in biomedical science. She is also an avid health and fitness enthusiast beginning to fulfill her dream to become a personal trainer and gym owner.

To contact Norton for more information on the program, email her at Mnorton2@buffalo.edu.

Updated Arena Coming to Czech Republic

0

(Jihlava, Czech Republic) – The result of a much-anticipated public competition, CHYBIK + KRISTOF ARCHITECTS & URBAN DESIGNERS have been selected to complete the construction of the Jihlava Multipurpose Arena – one of the largest sports and leisure complexes in the Czech Republic.

The construction, due to begin in 2021 and end in 2023, will build on the city’s existing hockey stadium, a deteriorating indoor sporting arena built in 1956, and expand into a four-building multifunctional center bringing together an adaptable ice rink, a rooftop running track and a gym as well as a sports academy, hospitality establishments and shops.

Hosting both regional sporting and cultural events, the completed structure will act as a public platform open to a variety of audiences for a diverse range of activities, in an effort to revitalize this long-neglected area of the city.

CHYBIK + KRISTOF’s design for the new Jihlava Multipurpose Arena revisits the existing structure of the building, initially developed as the home stadium for the regional ice hockey club. A multifunctional space with a capacity of 5,600 spectators, the project extends the stadium’s original purpose by creating a versatile space, adapted to both its primary sporting purposes within state-of-the-art facilities and a broad spectrum of activities – and their respective audiences.

Located on the border of Jihlava’s historical center, the arena – a structure usually confined to the periphery of cities – is adjacent to a park and university and places itself in the continuity of these two spaces. The several public spaces nested throughout the four- building “urban stadium” allow it to melt into the surrounding urban landscape. Rather than marking an interruption in the existing city structure, the arena serves as a transparent and fluid transition between seemingly distinct spaces, thereby reviving and opening up the area to new functions, and ultimately extending the city center beyond its strict historical bounds.

In this new permeable space, which the inhabitants are encouraged to invest in their daily lives, the architectural framework lays the foundations for the prominent notions of free movement and interaction.

Beauts Re-Sign Iveta Klimasova

0
Buffalo Beauts forward Iveta Klimasova or Buffalo Beauts defender Lenka Curmova 2019-2020 Buffalo Beauts headshots. (Michael Hetzel)

BUFFALO –Iveta Klimášová, a member of Slovakia’s national team, has re-signed with the Beauts after making a big impression in her rookie season.

The smooth-passing power forward finished the season third on the Beauts in scoring with 18 points in 24 games. Klimášová set a single-season franchise record in assists by a forward (15) and finished the season tied for 10th in the league in primary assists (9).

Klimášová had five multi-point games and began her NWHL career with 14 points in her first 13 games. Her 18-point season was the second-highest point total by a European-born player in NWHL history (Janine Weber scored 22 points with the Riveters in 2016-17).

“I’m really looking forward to getting back out onto the ice with the Buffalo Beauts,” said Klimášová. “I love this city, and I believe that the Beauts have the best fans! Looking forward to seeing everyone soon.”

Before playing in the NWHL last year, Klimášová had 44 points in 60 games with SKP Bratislava in the Elite Women’s Hockey League (EWHL).

She has been one of Team Slovakia’s top scorers in IIHF World Championship Division I-A competition over the past five years. A member of the national team since the age of 15, Klimášová served as an alternate captain for Slovakia in 2018.

“Iveta is a dynamic player,” said Buffalo head coach Pete Perram. “She was a major point producer for us and scored a number of goals on bullets that the goalies are still looking for. It’s awesome to have her back.”

Jr. Enforcers Add Justin Moccia

0

The Elmira Junior Enforcers, proud member of the USPHL Premier Division, have announced the signing of forward Justin Moccia from North Attleboro, Massachusetts.

Moccia, a 2001 born player, competed the last several seasons for the North Attleboro High School Red Rocketeers, and will provide a physical presence and offensive punch to the Jr. Enforcers roster. Justin is excited to make the jump to junior hockey and play in the very competitive USPHL Premier Division. The Junior Enforcers roster will be made up of players ages 20 and under from all across North America and the world.

The Junior Enforcers look forward to an exciting and successful season, which will start in late August with training camp, and will see the puck drop for the season on September 25th. Tryout information will be communicated as soon as it is finalized due to the fluid situation resulting from the Coronavirus pandemic.

NWHL Continues to Sign Players

0

by Janet Schultz, NYHOL writer/photographer

Despite the uncertainty of a 2020-21 NWHL season, the teams are continuing to secure their rosters as we moved through Phase III of Covid 19 and into Phase IV.

Buffalo Beauts

In Buffalo the Beauts signed their 14th overall pick in the 2020 Draft with Autumn MacDougall. The Nova Scotia native completed an outstanding seasons at the University of Alberta where she had 57 goals, 67 assists in 139 games. MacDougall is a two-time Canada West Champion award winner in 2019 and 2020, and scored the game-winning goal for the Pandas in 2017 at the U Sports National Championship. 

They continue to fortify their defense with the signing of former University of Maine captain Alyson Matteau, an exceptional defender who was third in blocked shots in NCAA Division 1 in her senior season. Matteau is also the No. 2 all-time leading scorer among defenders in Black Bears history. “Alyson is an ideal blend of skill, tenacity, and hockey IQ,” said Beauts GM Nate Oliver. “Ever since she played for Team Canada at the 2015 U-18s in Buffalo, our staff has followed her career closely and we know all the great attributes she will bring to the Beauts. The 5-10 defender was named to the Hockey East Second All-Star Team in 2017-18 and was selected to the 2015-16 Hockey East All-Rookie Team. In 136 games, she scored 16 goals and added 45 assists for 61 points.

Hailing from Mirabel, Quebec, Matteau won a silver medal with Team Canada at the 2015 IIHF U-18 World Championships. She played three consecutive years for Team Quebec’s U-18 squad, and won gold in her final year at the Canada Winter Games.

The latest signings include Defender Meg Delay, goaltender Caty Flagg, and center Neve Van Pelt.

Van Pelt, an Ontario native who played at Providence from 2016-2020, excels in the faceoff circle. Van Pelt always won more than half of her faceoffs in each season for the Friars, and in 2016-17 led Hockey East with a .617 winning percentage. In 146 games for Providence, she scored 17 goals and had 25 assists.

Flagg wrapped up her NCAA career at UMass Boston earlier this year with a 1.84 GAA, .942 save percentage and record of 12-11-3 in her senior season. For her college career, the former New England Hockey Conference Goaltender of the Year winner had a 1.92 GAA and .938 save percentage.

Delay will be playing in her second season for the Beauts. She appeared in 16 games during the 2019-20 NWHL season for Buffalo, and went 1-5-6 in scoring. Delay scored the first post-season goal of her professional career in Buffalo’s play-in game loss to Connecticut. Delay was a 2018 Clarkson Cup champion with the Markham Thunder of the CWHL, and a 2016 NCAA Division III champion with the SUNY Plattsburgh Cardinals.

“Caty, Neve and Meg will all play important roles for the Beauts this season,” said Buffalo GM Nate Oliver. “They are all winners and dedicated team players. Our fans saw last season what Meg brings to the table – she’s tenacious and fearless anytime she is on the ice. Caty is a significant addition to our goaltending corps, and Neve is a highly effective two-way forward. As we continue to build our roster, these are three very key signings.”

Boston Pride

The Boston Pride of the National Women’s Hockey League have announced a new partnership with STÄRK Hockey, an innovative hockey brand focused on delivering value while creating products that are both exclusive and desirable. For the 2020-21 season, Boston Pride players will be supplied with customized sticks from STÄRK, built from their preferences in patterns, and grips, among other specifications such as shaft length and flex. On the ice, players will wear the highest quality Pride-branded STÄRK Hockey gloves and pants, and for traveling to and from the rink, STÄRK is providing personalized equipment travel, and stick bags. 

An essential part of Boston’s dominant 23-1 regular season championship team, forward Mary Parker has signed to return to the Pride in 2020-21. Parker was third on the team in goals, with 15 in just 17 regular season games.

Boston has also secured four of their six selections in the 2020 Draft. 

Minnesota Whitecaps

NWHL all-time victories leader Amanda Leveille is set to return to the Minnesota Whitecaps after signing her contract. In 2019-20, Leveille had a .935 save percentage and 2.08 GAA in the regular season, and was perfect in Minnesota’s 1-0 overtime victory over the Riveters in the Isobel Cup Semifinal. 

Toronto Six

Breanne Wilson-Bennett, a Markham, Ontario native who starred at Colgate University before playing for MODO Hockey in the SDHL, has become the tenth forward to sign with the Toronto Six for their inaugural season.

Emma Woods, who at age 24 has already carved out a magnificent hockey career that has taken her from All-ECAC honors and the captaincy at Quinnipiac University to the CWHL’s teams in China and last season with Leksands IF in the SDHL, is the latest top player to sign with the Toronto Six. A player who has shown she’s capable as a forward and a defender, Woods has signed a contract to join the Six for their inaugural season in the NWHL.

Metropolitan Riveters

The Metropolitan Riveters have added a strong new defender with the signing of Samantha Fieseler, who played last season for Goteborg HC of the SDHL after a standout collegiate career at Mercyhurst.

Original NWHLer and 2020 All-Star defender Kiira Dosdall-Arena has signed a contract to play her sixth season for the Riveters. The 2018 Isobel Cup champion is second all-time in Riveters history in games played (80), penalty minutes (60) and points among defenders (25).

Connecticut Whale

The Connecticut Whale have signed 2020 NWHL draft selection Nicole Guagliardo, a highly-skilled forward who led Adrian College in points last season and was named Second Team AHCA All-American.

Kayla Friesen, a Winnipeg native who was selected by Connecticut with the second overall pick in the NWHL Draft after averaging more than a point per game at Clarkson in 2019-20, has signed with the Whale for the upcoming season.

After a highly productive season as a member of the regular season champions, the Boston Pride, forward Alyssa Wohlfeiler has returned to the Connecticut Whale – her team when she played in the inaugural season of the NWHL.

This brings you up-to-date as of July 6 on the signings of the NWHL.

Geneseo’s Keenan Turns Pro

0

Forward Conlan Keenan has agreed to terms with the Toledo Walleye for the 2020-21 season.

Keenan joins Toledo after completing his college career at SUNY-Geneseo, where he consistently ranked among the leaders in points each season he played. Playing in over 100 games during his college career, the 24-year-old racked up a total of 172 points (86G, 86A) and 30 penalty minutes.

Dan Watson said about Keenan, “Conlan had a fantastic college career offensively. He has great vision, scoring touch and the ability to make players around him better. He was the Captain for his team for the past two seasons, so he will bring leadership qualities to the Walleye as well.”

The 5’10”, 170-pound Rochester, NY native helped lead the Knights to back-to-back State University of New York Athletic Conference (SUNYAC) Championships and NCAA Tournament appearances, including a trip to the NCAA Frozen Four in 2019.

It’s Amerks Fan Appreciation Week

0

AMERKS CELEBRATING FAN APPRECIATION WEEK, PRESENTED BY UR MEDICINE ORTHOPAEDICS & PHYSICAL PERFORMANCE

Prizes, jersey giveaways and much more highlight week-long salute to the fans

(Rochester, NY) – As a way of thanking the fans for their tremendous support shown again this past season, the Rochester Americans are proudly celebrating Fan Appreciation Week, presented by UR Medicine Orthopaedics & Physical Performance.

The five-day event kicks off today and features a week full of great prizes and giveaways, including tickets to future games, team apparel and autographed merchandise. Additionally, select Season Ticket Members will be chosen to receive a game-worn jersey from the 2019-20 season.

Winners of the various giveaways will be announced and contacted directly on the team’s social media channels on Monday, July 13.

As part of the Fan Appreciation Week festivities, the Amerks are hosting a special Zoom eventpresented by UR Medicine Orthopaedics & Physical Performance, at 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday, July 8 featuring Amerks Alumni members Martin BironBrian GiontaPatrick KaletaAndrew Peters and Rob Ray. Buffalo Sabres studio host Brian Duff will moderate the event, which is exclusive to Amerks Season Ticket Members. Fans can reserve their spot online by clicking on the link provided below.

CTC Outside Training

0


Starting on Monday, July 6th, 2020, Cornerstone Training Center will be starting back up with limited weekly training sessions for ANY and EVERYONE looking to get back into the swing of working out. Every 1 hour training session will be GROUP based, not 1 on 1 with Coach Dorian.

The sessions will all take place outside with equipment that will be provided by us. All equipment will be sanitized before and after each session with Coach Dorian. Everyone working out will have their own workout section and equipment for the entire workout, so we are still social distancing. Participants will remain at a 6 foot distance during the duration of the workout.


No membership is required at this time to join and sign up. Just register online and show up. An email will be sent with more information once the form is filled out. Every workout will be simple and basic, with some advanced movements, depending on the level of the client’s athleticism performed during the group session. There is a Max limit of 10 clients per session, as we currently have limited spots and equipment available for the outside training.

Sessions will cost $8 and run 11am-12pm and 2pm-3pm Monday-Friday.

Sonstebo Re-Signs With Wolves

0

The Watertown Wolves would like to announce that Cole Sonstebo has agreed to re-sign with the team for next season. Sonstebo joins us for a 2nd season in the FPHL. He quickly became a fan favorite in his first year and is ready to make a run for the Commissioners Cup.

“I hated how last season had to end when we were starting to move in the right direction and make some noise in the playoffs,” Sonstebo states. He enters his 2nd season with the Wolves after posting some good numbers last year having played in 33 game scoring 3 goals tallying 11 assists for 14 points. However, it’s Coles leadership and hockey knowledge that makes him an important key to the Wolves’ success. “I`m excited to see the guys from last year that are returning but I`m excited to see the new rookies coming in, it`s going to be a good year.”

Wolves owner Andreas Johansson praised Cole on his return. “We are glad to have Cole back here in Watertown. It was a priority. He is the perfect fit for what we are looking on and off the ice.” Andreas continues, “He is the core of the defense and he is strong and protects the net well.” Sonstebo will be looked at as a leader this year and he will help achieve our goal to win a championship.

Cole Sonstebo now joins Eric Masters, Fred Hein, Stefano Alonzi, and Lane King and Jamie Lukas as returning Wolves players, and are gearing up for the season with 3 months to go until training camp. The Wolves are already working hard and with things starting to open back up after this pandemic you can definitely count on more exciting announcements for the Wolves in the next few weeks.

Wolves Sign Goalie Nick Niedert

0

The Watertown Wolves are proud to announce the first goaltender signing for the upcoming 2020-2021 season as they have agreed to terms with former Watertown Wolves and FPHL champion Nick Niedert.

Niedert a veteran player of the FPHL comes into the league for his 10th season and his 16th year playing professional hockey. Numbers do not lie when it comes to Nick Niedert. Over his career he has posted some very impressive numbers. Playing in over 227 games with 69 wins, 55 losses and 7 OTL allowing 546 goals against but still manages to have 4,775 saves in his career here in the FPHL. Niedert also has a Save percentage of .886 with a 3.86 GGA. Nick is coming into this season with high hopes and a fresh start. 

“To be honest I had a very bad last couple of seasons fighting through injury and other obligations and I wasn’t mentally into the hockey mindset,” Niedert stated. “But now when given this opportunity to come back to Watertown where I have won a championship and have played for Clarke before, I’m even more excited to get back on the ice and go for a championship run.”

Wolves owner Andreas Johansson had nothing but good things to say about Niedert. “He is a veteran in this league and has been successful in all levels of professional hockey. He will bring experience, and Clarke and I are looking to him as a good mentor to not just the goaltenders but to all the guys in the locker room. He has been to the Finals several times and he knows what it takes to get there. We believe that he will play a crucial role in the success of organization both on and off the ice as he is a guy that everyone wants to talk to and he is the perfect addition in the direction we are going with this new team.”

Niedert now joins an already impressive roster of Deric Boudreau, Ryan Marker, Fred Hein, Lane King, Cole Sonstebo, Eric Masters, Jamie Lukas, Justin Coachman, Vladimir Port and Stefano Alonzi. More exciting announcements are still to come as the new season is quickly approaching as we are only a little over 3 months away.

RPI Cancels Fall Sports Season; Hockey To Be Decided At A Later Date

0

TROY, N.Y. – Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) has announced that its Startup Task Force has finalized the Return to Campus-Based Operations Plan.

The plan provides protocols for fully reactivating the university, with a particular focus on health and safety, pedagogical innovation, operational effectiveness, limiting risk, and managing consequences. There is a significant impact on intercollegiate athletics in the Fall 2020 semester.

The section pertaining to athletics reads:

Athletics and Intramural Sports: For NCAA programs, Institute teams will not participate in intercollegiate athletics during the Fall 2020 season. The decision to participate in intercollegiate athletic competitions during the Winter 2020 and Spring 2021 seasons will be made at an appropriate time, and will be informed by an evaluation of the state of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Institute will continue to confer with the NCAA, the ECAC, and the Liberty League regarding subsequent decisions. Our recreation and intramural programs will be in complete alignment with federal, state, county, and institutional health and safety policies and protocols for testing, tracing, tracking,treatment, and quarantine or isolation as necessary.

(RPI Photo)

“Small Saves”

0

Here is this week’s edition of “Small Saves.” Enjoy!