It has been five years since the Buffalo Sabres made St. Catharines, Ontario native and former Buffalo Jr. Sabres Matteo Costantini their fifth-round selection in the 2020 NHL Entry Draft. But that does not mean that he has fallen off their radar.
The 6’1”, 195 lb. center is wrapping up his collegiate hockey career by helping lead the Western Michigan Broncos to the first Frozen Four in program history and a championship game title with Boston University as the top seed.
“It’s exciting; you work for this all year…and it’ going to be good,” Costantini said the day before the semi-final. “You always dream about playing in an NHL rink so now we’re here so now I’m going to make the most of it and enjoy the experience.
“Every year that I’ve been here I think I’ve been doing better. (The coaches) got a great plan in place for me to follow and I think it shows with the team’s success.
Costantini wears an “A,” plays in the bumper position on the team’s top power play unit and sees time on the penalty kill and registered 23 points in 39 games this season. He set up the game-winning goal in double overtime in their semi-final win.
“That was a great game; I wish it would have finished a little bit earlier, but that’s an awesome way to win and now we’re looking forward to Saturday,” he said after the semi-final win.
After his two seasons with the Jr. Sabres, Costantini headed to Sioux City in the USHL. Then it was off to North Dakota for two seasons, the first where he was named to the NCHC All-Rookie Team.
“I think this spot just fit me very well; I remember talking with (head coach Pat Ferschweiler) Fersch when I entered the portal and I was, like man, this is a guy that I really want to play for and I’ve really enjoyed my time here and it’s been a lot of fun.”
Costantini was in Sabres Development Camp last July, another indicator that is still on the radar.
“I thought it went good. It’s always nice getting down there and seeing all the staff and organization, meeting all the other prospects so I thought it was a great experience.”
But he and the Broncos have other business to attend to first in St. Louis. Then he hopes to move forward.
“That’s always the goal, the next step, but the focus is tomorrow night. I know (Rochester) is a great spot. Talking with other prospects this summer and they love it there and I know they love the coaching staff and the whole organization is phenomenal. It sounds really cool and great spot to be in and it would be cool to be there.”
(Photos by Western Michigan Athletics/Men’s Hockey)
11 Apr 25: Friday night award ceremonies at the Frozen Four at the Stifel Theatre in St. Louis, MO. (Photo by Jim Rosvold)
By Warren Kozireski —
The Hockey Humanitarian Award Foundation on Friday announced that Sarah Thompson, a graduate student at St. Lawrence University and 2024 Syracuse graduate, is the recipient of this year’s Hockey Humanitarian Award.
The award is presented annually to college hockey’s finest citizen who makes significant contributions not only to his or her team but also to the community-at-large through leadership in volunteerism.
A three-time award finalist, Thompson is the 12th female and the third in the past four years with ties to a New York State college.
While an undergrad at Syracuse University, Thompson started a foundation called ‘Sticks Together’ to provide children in disadvantaged areas opportunities to learn and grow through the sport of hockey. Her belief that hockey has no boundaries fueled her desire to give back and share her love for the sport and bridge cultural gaps around the world.
“I’m incredibly honored to be selected among such an inspiring group of finalists,” Thompson said in a press release. “As student-athletes, we have a powerful platform to create meaningful change, and I feel so fortunate to have done that through Sticks Together. What started as a simple desire to give back has grown into something much bigger, allowing me to share the game of hockey with communities around the world. Seeing a child’s face light up as they score their first goal is a feeling I’ll never forget. None of this would have been possible without the incredible support of our donors, sponsors, mentors, my team, and my family—thank you for helping make Sticks Together what it is today.”
This season at St. Lawrence, Thompson played registered two goals with two assists and won 99 face offs. During her time at Syracuse, she earned 2022 and 2023 American Hockey Coaches Association All-America Scholar recognition, was a 2021, 2022 and 2023 College Hockey America All-Academic Team selection and was on the Syracuse Athletic Director’s Honor Roll every semester. She played 121 games for the Orange, scoring 29 goals with 20 assists.
The Hockey Humanitarian Award Foundation presented Thompson and her Sticks Together Foundation with a check for $3,000.
The Western New York Girls Varsity Ice Hockey Federation coaches have named the 2024-25 WNYGVIHF All-Fed Teams.
Named to First Team were Forwards Abby Zimmerman, Bella Jayme and Izzy Bourgeault. On defense Jocelyn Smaczniak and Savanna Samplinski and in goal, Ella Celej.
They also selected Maya Griffin as Offensive Player of the Year and Jenny Wild, Defensive Player of the Year.
Clarence/Amherst/SweetHome’s Nicola Adimey was named Coach of the Year.
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Zimmerman is a senior on the Niagara County Lady Warriors. She sits in third place on the year’s scoring list with 16 games played and logging 23 goals and 13 assists for 36 points.
Jayme played for Kenmore/Grand Island/Lockport and logged 18 goals and 14 assists in 18 games played.
Another KenGIL player, Bourgeault also put KenGIL on the scoreboard with 16 goals and 13 assists in 18 games.
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Keeping other teams from scoring and assisting on scoring were Smaczniak, a junior who plays for Frontier/Franklinville/Lakeshore/Orchard Park and Samplinski, a senior from KenGIL. Smaczniak played in 17 games and had 5 goals and 25 assists. Samplinski had 4 goals and 17 assists on the season in 18 games.
WNYGVIH 2024=25 Season 15
The goaltending in the league was amazing once again this season. The Coaches selected Celej from CASH for the first team honors after she posted 689.98 minutes between the pipes, making 409 saves on 443 shots. She had two shutouts and a .923 save percentage. Celej is a goalie who keeps her eye on the puck and makes quick moves to stop the opponent.
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Named to Second Team All Fed were Forwards Emily Lysiak a sophomore from Lancaster/Iroquois/Depew/Alden; Sophia Phillips, a junior from Hamburg/Eden/West Seneca and Gabby Sojda, a eighth grader from FFLOP. On Defense: Gabe Lowell, a junior from St. Mary’s of Lancaster and Morgan Cooper, sophomore from HEWS. In goal Ella Buczynski, sophomore from HEWS.
Buczynski is third on this year’s Goaltending list with 867.20 minutes played, making 417 saves on 451 shots and a .925 save percentage. She logged 5 shutouts. She plays with passion and quick moves to make saves.
Lysiak played in 19 games for LIDA and scored 21 goals with 15 assists for 36 points. Phillips, had 19 goals and 13 assists in 18 games and Sojda sits at #2 this season with 26 goals and 26 assists for 52 points in 22 games.
Lowell played in 18 games and posted 2 goals and 6 assists for 8 points and Cooper played in19 games with 3 goals and 9 assists.
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On Third Team All Fed it was Sam Latini of NICo; Brynn Cafferty, LIDA; Avery Szczesek, St. Marys playing Forward. On defense Addison Cherry, Monsignor Martin and Layla Osinski, LIDA. In goal Monsignor Martin’s Kate Kelley.
Kelley, a force to be dealt with by each team. She played 775 minutes between the pipes, faced 825 shots and stopped 735 of them. The 825 shots is almost twice what other goaltenders this season faced. She is a junior from Sacred Heart Academy and the team’s only goalie.
On Forward Latini is a sophomore from Starpoint and placed fourth on the scoring leaderboard this season. She scored 21 goals and 15 assists in 17 games. Cafferty is a Junior at Lancaster and scored 12 goals and 16 assists in 19 games for LIDA. Sczcesek, a junior played in 17 games, scored 17 goals and 3 assists over the season.
WildGriffin
Our players of the year, Griffin, a senior offensive player from FFLOP and Jenny Wild, a junior defender from CASH made much impact on the league for their respective teams. Griffin played in 21 games and logged 26 goals and 27 assists for 53 points. Wild played 16 games, scoring 8 goals and 6 assists for 14 points. Her contribution could be seen on the ice keeping the puck going to her scorers and keeping the other team at bay.
Honorable mentions went to Allison Besancon of Williamsville; Maya Adimey, CASH; Lilah Cudney, FFLOP; Brooklyn Forcucci, FFLOP; Riley Kumrow, St. Mary’s; Kelsey Barrett, HEWS; Rachel Fix, FFLOP, Ella Johnston, KenGil and Betsy Accurso, St. Mary’s.
Adimey
CASH’s Nicola Adimey was named WNYGVIH 2025 Coach of the Year. Adimey began as an assistant coach with the Amherst/Sweethome team in the 2012-13 season and became Head Coach in the 2013-14 season. With a very young team this year she ended the season with a 7-6-3-1 record. Adimey was also recognized by Bee Publications as the Co-Coach of the Year with HEWS Eric Cooper.
Hopkins
WNYGVIH Founder and Head Coach for Williamsville, Rick Hopkins, received the Dr. James Rusin Award. The honor is given each year to someone for their dedication and promotion of the Western New York Girls Hockey Federation. Hopkins has worked tirelessly for the past 20 years to bring girls varsity ice hockey to the area and to grow it. He manages the teams, the coaching and official staffs and whatever else needs to be done. In addition he serves as the WNY Girls representative to Section VI and to NYSPHSAA.
This year’s Section VI Championship went to Frontier/Franklinville/Lakeshore/Orchard Park and the Private Championship went to St. Mary’s of Lancaster.
FFLOP went on to play Webster in the WNY Regionals. They won 4-1 and headed off to the New York State Championship in Utica. There they faced Skaneateles in the first round, losing 3-1. Maya Griffin was named one of the NYSPHSAA Sportsmen of the Year.
The WNYGVIH Federation will enter their 16th season with the 2025-26 season.
All photos property of NY Hockey OnLine. Use of photographs in any form is not permitted without written permission from Janet@nyhockeyonline.com
BUFFALO, NY – Adam Perry (Niagara Wheatfield HS) scored a goal and assisted on another to lead the Buffalo High School Senior All-Star team to a 3-2 win over the Rochester High School Senior All-Star team. With the victory Buffalo won the Scotty Bowman Cup in game two of the 19th Annual Scotty Bowman Showcase presented by AMR and played at the KeyBank Center.
The game was played in two 22-minute halves, instead of the traditional 17-minute three period games played during the regular season.
Buffalo built up a 3-0 lead in the first half. Will Wadlington (Williamsville South HS) opened the scoring for Buffalo at 11:34 of the first half. Assisting on the goal was Jack Stanfield (Williamsville East HS).
Buffalo increased its lead to 2-0 at 19:05 on a goal by Jacob Simpson (Kenmore East HS). Assists went to Perry and Sam Welgoss (Williamsville North HS).
Just :30 later Perry scored, what turned out to be the game winning goal, to give Buffalo a 3-0 lead. Shane Kneis (Williamsville South HS) and goalie Matteo Mancini (St. Joes) got the assists.
The second half of the contest saw Rochester cut Buffalo’s lead down to one goal. At the 4:59 mark Maddox Smith (Canandaigua HS) put Rochester on the board with its first goal to cut the lead to 3-1. Landen Christ (Portside HS) and Sam Pies (Batavia-Notre Dame HS) got assists.
Jack Callery (McQuaid HS) got Rochester’s final goal at 14:49 of the second half to make the score, 3-2. Angelo Latore (Penfield HS) and Caleb Clark (Victor HS) got the assists.
Three goalies from each team saw equal playing time. For Buffalo it was Erik Freeman (Kenmore East HS), John Pavlovich (Frontier HS) and Mancini.
Rochester’s three netminders included Aden Brown (Pittsford HS), Dan Kucmerowski (Portside HS) and Rhys Tanner (Batavia-Notre Dame HS).
Coaches for the Buffalo team included Sean Green (Williamsville South HS), Kyle Pray (Kenmore East HS) and Mike Torrillo (Williamsville East HS).
Coaches for Rochester were Daid Evans (Webster Thomas HS), Bill McGrath (Portside HS) and Marc Staley (Batavia-Notre Dame HS).
BUFFALO, NY — Ares Miller (Aquinas High School) scored two goals and added an assist to lead the Rochester High School Junior All-Star team to a 5-2 victory over the Buffalo High School Junior All-Star team. With the win Rochester won the Tim Horton Memorial Trophy in game one of the 19th Annual Scotty Bowman Showcase presented by AMR played at the KeyBank Center.
The game was played in two 22-minute halves, instead of the traditional 17-minute periods.
Miller opened the scoring in the game with a shorthanded goal at 8:47 of the first half. Zac Haines (Portside HS) got the lone assist.
Rochester increase its lead to 2-0 at 13:13 of the first half on an unassisted goal by Mikey Dossier (Aquinas HS). Less than three minutes later Rochester scored again, this time David Pollard (Pittsford HS) scoring what turned out to be the game-winning goal. Zach Broccolo (Webster Schroeder HS) got the only assist.
In the closing moments of the first half Buffalo closed the 3-0 Rochester lead to 3-2. Their first goal was scored by Ben Martin (Kenmore East HS), unassisted, to make it 3-1.
That was followed with a goal by Athan Bailor (Lockport/Niagara Falls HS) at the 20:14 mark. Assists on that goal went to Donovan Heacock (Grand Island HS) and Max Gilbert (St. Joes).
Rochester held Buffalo scoreless in the second half of the contest, but scored two more goals to make the final score, 5-2. Miller scored his second goal of the game at 3:42 of the second half. Cam Hall (Webster Thomas HS) got the only assist.
Nicholas Scott (Webster-Schroeder HS) rounded out the scoring for Rochester at 4:34 of the second half. Assists went to Mikey Dossier (Aquinas HS) and Miller.
All three goalies got equal playing time in the game for Rochester including Lennon Suplicki (Hilton HS), Wilson Szydlo (Pittsford HS) and Matthew Ulrich (Canandaigua HS). It was the same for Buffalo with Caleb Hennings (Williamsville South HS), Machala Musty (Hamburg HS) and Carson Oates (Clarence HS).
Coaches for Rochester were Dave Broussard (Webster-Schroeder HS), Chuck Dossier (Aquinas HS) and Chris Monfiletto (Hilton HS).
Coaches for Buffalo were Rick Brooks (Clarence HS), John McFall (Hamburg HS) and Robert Roszak (Hamburg HS).
Almost exactly one year ago Dylan Lugris was invited to the Frozen Four in St. Paul not to play, but to accept the Hockey Humanitarian Award representing a player’s commitment to the community as well as his or her team.
Fast forward one year and this time Lugris and his Penn State Nittany Lions earned their way to the first Frozen Four in program history by defeating Maine and the University of Connecticut in the Allentown Regional.
“A few ups and downs at the beginning coming off the summer and trying to find a role,” Lugris said about his season. “I think from what my career has been here, I’m super-proud of everything that I’ve been able to overcome from junior to high school hockey to get here. And I’m super-excited to be able to play at the Frozen Four—it’s been a dream of mine since I was a little kid.
I couldn’t be more blessed to be at Penn State and I’m so thankful to the coaches for giving me a chance.”
Lugris, a senior forward with four goals and eight assists in 39 games this season, was playing a third line right wing roll for Penn State, who lost their first six Big Ten conference games this season but rebounded in the second half.
“There wasn’t really that one defining moment, I think we just started putting wins together and just started rolling and it was a snowball effect where we just got better and better. We weren’t getting blown out, we just had to be more consistent and staying positive.
One of many little things that allowed Lugris to reach the top level of college hockey is attention to detail. On the practice day prior to the national semi-finals, he spent significant time back-handing puck after puck from his own end out of the zone and out of harm’s way.
“Whenever we go into a new building you never know how the ice is or board and how they bounce, so I just like to try to get in that area and put pucks off the glass as much as I can. When I over-complicate my game that’s when I get into trouble, so playing simple, hard hockey is what I’ve found the most success for me. So, every time in a new barn…kind of see how the boards are.”
Lugris was honored in part last year for his work with the Penn State Sled Hockey Classic, now in its third year. And just like that attention to detail, it will continue after Lugris leaves the Happy Valley campus soon.
“We had another great Hockey Classic and we raised more than we did last year. I’m super-thankful to be in a place like Penn State that’s been able to give us all the resources we can to provide an event like that and they’ve been able to grow and grow and I’m excited to see what’s next.”
(Photo by Koz, NY Hockey OnLine; photo taken April 2024)
Hobart became just the fourth Division III men’s hockey program to win three consecutive championships with a 2-1 overtime win at Utica Sunday night.
“I’m really happy for this group; from day one they set some impressive goals for the program and they met them,” Hobart head coach Mark Taylor said.
“To get it once is a heck of an accomplishment, to get it twice you feel very grateful and three times I thought this one was challenge met.”
After a scoreless first period, Utica took a 1-0 lead as sophomore forward Eric Vitale netted his third goal of the NCAA playoffs on a rebound with assists from sophomore forward Andrew Della Rovere and senior forward Matt Wood.
Top seed Hobart tied it at 8:35 of the third period after a neutral zone turnover. Freshman forward Easton Ryan scored with assists from senior forward Luke Aquaro and sophomore defenseman Bauer Morrissey (Skaneateles).
Hobart ended the game with 1:36 remining in the first overtime on junior forward Khalil Fontana’s goal.
“It took a weird bounce off the backwall I think and just popped off in front of the net and I saw the D trying to jump and I knew I had to get the puck on my other side and around him…then I just tried to make sure that I got that one on net,” Fontana said.
“Obviously a gut-wrencher for us, heartbreaker,” Utica head coach Gary Heenan said. “I was worried about us being in awe of that team. We had to weather the first five minutes and then I then I thought we took over. I liked our fight…I liked out game plan and that’s one helluva hockey team.”
Hobart joins Wisconsin-Stevens Pont (1989, 1990, 1991) and Middlebury twice (1995-99, 5 years and 2004, 2004, 2006) to win three consecutive titles.
Soon to be 18-year-old Will Moore is a bit of a rarity playing for the U.S. National Team Development Program though he spent most of his youth hockey days in Canada. That is because he holds dual citizenship.
“My dad is from Ithaca; my granddad was an (American History) professor at Cornell. I was born in Mississauga but have a lot family (in Ithaca) and go back there all the time,” Moore explained.
“I grew up in Ontario, played in Ontario my whole life but now play for the red, white and blue and that’s all I go by now.”
Moore spent three seasons with the Mississauga Senators program in the Greater Toronto Hockey League and one year with the Toronto Marlboros before heading to Plymouth, Michigan and the USNTDP.
Team USA’s leading scorer through the end of January with 17 goals and 14 assists, the 6’2”, 175 lb. center is headed to Boston College this fall. But before that he will be picked in the 2025 NHL Entry Draft probably in the second or third round as he was ranked 32nd among North American skaters by Central Scouting in their midterm rankings.
The coaching staff has Moore playing in all situations including the first power play unit and the penalty kill plus most of the defensive zone draws.
“It’s going good (and) getting better every day,” Moore said about his current campaign. “Trend in the right direction and hope for a big second half. The team itself, I think, is in a great spot and we’re all just looking toward a gold medal.
“I play very offensive, very high IQ in creativity…to help elevate my linemates. I’d say this year I’ve developed more of a 200-foot game and just continuing to grow. I built size over the summer and being able to translate that power to the ice has been a big help. Also, a lot of studying video and finding all the ways that I can help my team on both sides of the ice.
“I put in a lot of effort in practice working on faceoffs, so a lot of work goes in behind the scenes building trust in practice and games and it’s an honor to be out there in key situations helping out my team and I try to make the best of it.”
As for Boston College?
“Everything was perfect about it. Love the coaching staff, the campus was amazing, there’s nothing I don’t like honestly.”
And looking way ahead to his professional hockey future, Moore will undoubtedly be in the team band playing keyboards.
“Played at Carnegie Hall and won some competitions; it was fun.”
When 2024 Buffalo Sabres first round draft pick Konsta Helenius left the Rochester Americans to join Team Finland for the 2025 IIHF U-20 World Junior championships in Ottawa, he was tied for 14th in the American Hockey League among rookies with 17 points.
That tied him for fifth on Rochester through his first 28 games as the youngest player in the league as he will not turn 19 years old until May 11. His scoring pace puts him on track for 43 points. For comparison, fellow first rounder Juri Kulich garnered 46 points in his rookie AHL season.
He was also tied for fourth on the Amerks with five power play points and was 1-for-3 in shootout attempts. Not a bad start for someone who moved to North America just a few months ago.
“I had a really good season last year,” Helenius said just prior to leaving for the World Juniors. “I think it’s good for me to play here; small ice hockey because in Europe there is bigger rinks. Everything (here) comes faster and more battles because of the smaller ice, so guys are closer to you.”
Part of his quick maturity showed on Rochester’s first goal in their final home game before the holiday break. Rochester head coach Michael Leone felt earlier in the season Helenius would have tried to go one-on-one with the defenseman, but twenty-plus games as a pro later, he passed leading to a goal by defenseman Nikita Novikov.
“First games of the season are always hard to play, so maybe now we’re getting good chemistry with our line, so it gives us confidence to make plays.”
(Photo by Frank Jansky/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Described in The Hockey News 2024 Draft Preview by a scout: “the production is there, the pace is there, the vision and awareness and ability to finish. If he wasn’t 5-foot-11 is he challenging for top five?”
The Buffalo organization is not shielding the rookie as he is a regular on both the power play and the penalty kill this season.
“I like that because you have to be (a) smart player if you want to play PK. Of course I like to be on the ice, doesn’t matter what situation, so I like that.”
Born in Ylöjärvi, Finland—located north of Helsinki—the 5’11, 185 lb. right shot center entered this season after scoring the fourth most points by a player his age in Liiga history behind only Alexander Barkov, Mikael Granlund and Kaapo Kakko.
He does have hockey DNA as his father, Tero, played as a teenager for Tappara in Finland while his older brother, Kalle, also started with Tappara and is now in his second season with Jukurit.
For several weeks, Helenius and teammate Anton Wahlberg of Team Sweden competed in the World Junior tournament each for the second time. Helenius last year had one goal and one assist over the seven games.
Both can tap into the knowledge gained by teammates Juri Kulich, who was named to the tournament All-Star team, and Isak Rosen, both of whom competed in their second World Junior tournament a year ago.
Not that Helenius needs much advice after scoring a shootout goal in a round-robin victory over Sweden last year.
“Always nice to play on the national team. A lot of games since last year’s (tournament) and a long summer with good practice every day, so I’m faster and stronger. One thing that will help me is being here in the AHL. It’s small ice in Ottawa, so I think it’s good for me that I’m here.
As for any personal goals set for the tournament, Helenius does not hesitate.
“Of course I want to win gold there. That’s the goal for everyone. Personally, just play well. I think if you play good, everything else comes with that.”
Here are some updates for the NY Raptors 2024-25 season.
Back on January 12, the Raptors played a home game against the Long Island Blues at the Westchester Ice Skating Rink in Elmsford, NY. The Raptors lost to the Blues, 11-8, with the Raptors record standing at 1-3-1.
On January 26 the Raptors played against the Southern Connecticut Storm Special Hockey, Inc. While they played their best game of the year, the Raptors lost, 6-4. New York’s record dropped to 1-4-1.
On February 21, 22 and 23 the Raptors travelled to Broome County in Binghamton, NY to play in the 2025 Special Hockey Festival Tournament. The Raptors first game was against the New Jersey Date Devils on Feb. 22 at 9 a.m. at the Visions Veterans Memorial Arena.
New Jersey defeated the Raptors, 9-6.
On the same day, at 1 p.m., the Raptors played their second game of the day, this one against the Beaver County Ice Sharks Special Hockey at the outdoor farm ice rink on the farm located in Vestal, NY. The Raptors defeated the Ice Sharks, 8-4.
Finally, on Sunday, Feb. 23, the Raptors played the Buffalo Sabres Thunder Special Hockey at the Visions Veterans Memorial Arena. The Raptors lost to the Sabres Thunder, 10-7. A special congratulation goes to David Inz who recorded his first hat trick ever.
The Raptors record now stands at 2-6-1 for the 2024-25 season.
(Photo by Mary Meyers Photography, taken at Binghamton, NY)
One leads the team in goals while the other leads in assists and blocked shots, but either way sophomores Spencer and Schuyler Flansburg are impacting SUNY Brockport at both ends of the ice…together.
The Saratoga Springs natives wear jersey numbers 23 and 24 and play on the same line together as they have for most of the past 20 years. Schuyler is a center and Spencer a right wing.
“Best part is you wake up every day, you say good morning and get the day going and when you get to the rink it’s all business,” Schuyler said. “It’s like playing with your childhood brother out on the pond; it’s a lot of fun.
“Even in juniors most coaches started out separating us to see what we can do and halfway through the year the coaches said, ‘why wouldn’t I put these two together.’ We always seem to do our best when we’re on the same line.”
“We have something that a lot of players don’t with that chemistry,” Spencer said. “It’s kind of funny how we just where each other is and knowing exactly what he’s going to do. It kind of helps us out and sometimes it screws us up, but it’s a lot of fun playing with him.
The two have played on the same team throughout with four years with the Connecticut Jr. Rangers prior to college and two seasons before that with CP Dynamo in the capital region. And all those youth hockey teams.
“I feel like every team either wants us both or they don’t want us at all,” Spencer said. “It’s always been like that and it’s something special. We both have the same playing style though he may be a little heavier.”
“We knew we had to get bigger with some skill; they hound pucks, they skate well and shoot the puck hard and we need those guys to be on the scoresheet every night and when they are we know we have a good chance to win,” Brockport head coach Brian Dickinson said.
“And they’re really good character guys too; such a great family a really good in the locker room with everybody—older guys and younger guys—and we have then for two more years which is nice.”
Schuyler missed some time (eight games) during his freshman year with an injury that needed surgery, so the two are somewhat still adapting to the college game together.
As of Jan. 24, Spencer sat atop the team scoring chart with ten points on four goals and six assists while Schuyler was fifth with five goals and two assists. Both have a power play goal.
“He’s always been the goal scorer and I’ve been the assist guy and setup man. Him finding the ice again after his surgery and working those mechanics out and finding his confidence again. Once we both hit the same page it will be something special that a lot of people haven’t seen yet.”
And both fighting for bragging rights at future Thanksgiving dinners about who was the better player.
“At the beginning of the year we usually have an ‘I’m gonna beat you’ aspect, but this year we’ve have a different mentality,” Schuyler said. “He had a hot start and he’s going to keep it going and I just luckily got on a hot streak. At the end of the year, we’ll get back at each other, but as of now it’s just been fun.”
“We’ll both say we were better, but at the end of the day I think we know we couldn’t have done it without each other,” Spencer said.
(Photos provided by Brockport Athletic Department)
The Tim Horton’s Iceplex in Rochester was dotted with hockey jerseys from Bowling Green, Oswego, Clarkson and Nazareth as hockey alumni traveled miles to be part of Nazareth head coach George Roll’s final home game as he retires following a 28-year college coaching career—all in New York State.
Roll started the program in 2012 and the Golden Flyers defeated Geneseo 3-2 in overtime in their first game. Full circle moment 13 years later and Nazareth again defeated the Knights 7-4.
“With the amount of guys who came back and the effort from our team tonight it’s very emotional when it’s the end of the road, but I’m so proud of the way we played tonight,” Roll said. “It’s very similar to the way we played when we beat them the first time.”
The Illinois native played four seasons with Bowling Green winning a national championship in 1984 before embarking on his coaching career beginning as a graduate assistant at his alma mater for one year prior to taking up residence in New York.
Seven years as an assistant at Clarkson University preceded his first head coaching job at Oswego State in 1996-97 and SYUNYAC title in 2003. Seven years later Division I came calling and Roll headed back to Clarkson as head coach and won a league championship in 2007. Eight years later and following a year off, he was charged with starting up the men’s hockey program at Nazareth College where he just wrapped up his 13th and final season.
“It was a special night and one that I will never forget. A lot of my Bowling Green friends came back from college, some Potsdam people; it just means a lot to me. You worry about the wins and losses so much, but it’s about the relationships and friendships that matter.
“I’m really thankful to be a part of Naz hockey; it’s been a great run for me.”
Hanging on his office door in the hockey locker room complex hangs a sign that says, “A good coach can change a year, A great coach can change a life.”
Indeed.
(Photo provided by Nazareth Athletic Department/Hockey Team)
PWHL - 20250223 - Buffalo - New Sirens vs Boston Fleet
By Warren Kozireski —
Third year pro Aerin Frankel showed once again why she is considered one of the best goaltenders in the Professional Women’s Hockey League as her Boston Fleet played in Buffalo in late February as part of the league’s Takeover Tour.
She made 37 saves over 65 minutes and then stopped all five shootout attempts by the New York Siren in the win.
“We trust each other and I think we’ve been building a lot of momentum these past few games and finding our team identity along the way,” Frankel said in the postgame press conference. It’s not a fun game if I only face five shots so those are the games that are more fun and getting the win is the most important thing.”
“We know what she can do and we’re very confident in her every day…we’re lucky to have her,” teammate Hannah Brandt said.
Frankel left her Westchester area home and Horace Greely High at 16 years old to play at Shattuck St. Mary’s for three seasons where her highest season goals against average was 1.20.
Then it was off to Northeastern University in Boston as a true-freshman where she played for five seasons winning the Patty Kazmier Award—the highest honor for a women’s college hockey player—in her fourth year when she posted a miniscule .81 goals against average and otherworldly .965 save percentage.
In two of her seasons with the Huskies, she crossed over on the men’s side with Buffalo Sabres prospect goaltender Devon Levi.
“She is unbelievable, she can stop the puck, she is really good,” Levi said. “I had a few conversations with her at when I was at school. She was a historic Northeastern goaltender; she broke all the records and it was really cool to be on other side of that watching.
“We respect each other’s games as smaller goalies compared to everyone else in the league…I love how she plays.”
This season Frankel through 15 games stood second in the PWHL among starters with a 1.89 GAA and .933 save percentage. She has ten of the Fleet’s 11 wins.
“She’s the best goalie in the world and countless times she has kept us in games and kept us rolling through playoffs last year,” Boston head coach Courtney Kessel said. “She’s just so steady and never too high or too low, you always get the same effort from her and a tremendous goalie leader for our other two.
“I think sometimes our players lean on her a bit too much at times. We’d like to lean on her a little bit less, but there is always confidence that Frankel is going to get the job done.”
