BUFFALO, NY – Six of Western New York’s top varsity high school Section VI federation hockey teams will face off for the Super Sunday High School Federation Hockey Championships, scheduled to be held this year on Monday, February 27 at KeyBank Center.
The event kicked off with a press conference on Friday to announce the participants for the 2023 event.
In addition to the players and coaches of the respective teams being introduced, Patrick Kaleta, Buffalo Sabres youth hockey ambassador, was the guest speaker.
Monday will include three championship games, the first beginning at 3:45 p.m.
The full schedule of Super Sunday games (for Monday, February 27th):
3:45 p.m. – Starpoint vs. Niagara Wheatfield (Small School Championship)
6:15 p.m. — Nichols vs. St. Francis (Niagara Cup Championship)
8:45 p.m. – Clarence vs. Orchard Park (Large School Championship)
(Photo provided by Starpoint Hockey and the Buffalo Sabres)
GENESEO, N.Y. – The SUNY Geneseo men’s ice hockey team earned a dominant 3-0 victory over Fredonia on Wednesday evening at the Ira S. Wilson arena. The SUNYAC quarterfinal victory improved the Knights to 18-6-2 on the season and they will advance to play at Plattsburgh in the semifinals on Saturday.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Knights were controlling the action for the majority of the opening period, and eventually broke through with six minutes to go. Bryan Zurowski intercepted a pass and was able to sneak the puck past the goalkeeper for the first goal of the game.
Later in the first period, Peter Morgan picked up a pass from Domenic Garozzo and fired a shot into the back of the net to make it a 2-0 lead heading into the second period.
Geneseo out shot the Blue Devils 22-6 in the second period, and were able to tack on a third goal with just over two minutes left to play. Alex Wilkins scored the goal for the Knights with a slick back-handed shot off assists from Justin Cmunt and Zurowski.
Senior goalkeeper Matt Petizian and the Knights defense continued to stifle Fredonia in the third period, and sealed the shutout victory, 3-0.
QUICK FACTS
Zurowski and Wilkins netted their third goal of the season, while Morgan’s goal marked his 13th.
Petizian earned his 14th win of the season and fourth shutout performance.
Geneseo has now won 10 of their last 12 games against Fredonia.
WHAT’S NEXT The Knights will travel to Plattsburgh on Saturday, Feb. 25 for a 7 p.m. puck drop in the semifinals.
BUFFALO STATE ADVANCES WITH WIN OVER CORTLAND
CORTLAND, NY –Aidan LaValley (Champlain, NY/Vermont Lumberjacks) scored 17 seconds into the opening period, giving the Buffalo State men’s hockey team the lead for good, and the Bengals hung on for a 3-2 victory over Cortland in the SUNYAC First Round. Buffalo State heads to top-seeded Oswego for the SUNYAC Semifinals against the Lakers at 7 pm on Saturday.
THE BASICS FINAL SCORE: Buffalo State – 3, Cortland – 2 LOCATION: Alumni Arena – Cortland, NY RECORDS: Buffalo State (14-12-0), Cortland (16-9-1)
INSIDE THE BENGAL BOX SCORE
Nikita Kozyrev (Tallinn, Estonia/Springfield Jr. Blues) and Jared Figueroa (Scotch Plains, NJ/Florida Eels) each netted a goal for Buffalo State.
Joe Glamos (Baldwinsville, NY/New Jersey Titans) recorded a pair of assists.
LaValley netted his fourth goal of the season, recording a point for the third consecutive game.
Emil Norrman (Kungsbacka, Sweden/Dells Ducks) turned aside 39 shots for his 14th victory, tied for the third-most victories in a single season in program history.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Parker Allison’s (Dallas, TX/Neepawa Natives) shot went wide, ricocheted off the boards out front to LaValley, who tapped the puck home for the goal with 19:43 remaining in the opening period.
Figueroa doubled the Buffalo State lead with under four minutes remaining, scoring on a breakaway after a Cortland defenseman slipped on the ice.
Norrman stopped 14 shots in the period as the Bengals held a 2-0 edge into intermission.
Buffalo State continued its dominance with the man advantage, scoring a power-play goal on its only opportunity of the game.
Tyler Vanuden (Fort Frances, ON/Finlandia University) passed behind the net to Glamos, who sent a quick pass out front for a wrist shot by Kozyrev into the top corner of the net.
Buffalo State held the 3-0 lead into the second intermission.
Norrman was finally beaten with 7:58 remaining in the third on a breakaway goal by Colby Seitz on the Red Dragons’ 33 shot of the night, giving Cortland life.
Cortland pulled within one with 4:12 remaining in the game, sneaking a rebound past Norrman.
Over the final minutes, Andrew Logar (Niagara Falls, NY/Corpus Christi Ice Rays) blocked multiple shot attempts by Cortland, and the Bengals hung on despite a barrage of shots from the Red Dragons after pulling their goalie.
FOR THE FOES
Anthony Bernardo and Seitz scored the Cortland goals.
BOSTON, MA – (February 24, 2023) – The Premier Hockey Federation (PHF) has announced its full schedule details for the 2023 Isobel Cup semifinals hosted by the Boston Pride and Toronto Six that will feature the league’s top four teams competing in a pair of best-of-three series.
The first semifinal puck drop will be at 7:00 p.m. ET on Thursday, March 16 at The Bentley Arena at Bentley University, with the second semifinal underway at 3:00 p.m. ET on Friday, March 17 at Mattamy Athletic Centre. Game two of each series will be played on Saturday, March 18 with the Six in action at 2:00 p.m. ET, followed by the Pride at 6:00 p.m. ET. If necessary, decisive third games will be played on Sunday, March 19 at 6:00 p.m. ET in Boston, and on Monday, March 20 at 6:00 p.m. ET in Toronto. Games will be broadcast live on ESPN+ and TSN+, with select games airing on TSN. Complete schedule details below.
“We are thrilled the PHF is bringing the playoffs to Boston,” said Colleen Coyne, President, Boston Pride. “This city and the surrounding communities have been incredibly supportive of our team and the mission of the PHF. The team at The Bentley Arena has really stepped forward and embraced the opportunity to partner with us to create an exciting and memorable experience at their state-of-the-art venue.”
“The Toronto Six are proud to host the PHF’s Isobel Cup Playoffs at the historical Mattamy Athletic Centre,” said Sami Jo Small, President, Toronto Six. “We can’t wait to pack the arena with thousands of women’s hockey fans. Toronto is an incredible hockey city. It’ll be a fun, loud and raucous atmosphere, and the place to be to watch some great hockey!”
Tickets for games in each series will go on sale to the general public the week of Feb. 27 at a price of $25 each for adults and $10 for youth. Group rates will be available by contacting Pride and T6 sales representatives.
Boston (16-2-1) and Toronto (14-4-2) remain the only two PHF teams that have officially clinched post-season berths with 46 and 42 points respectively ahead of this weekend’s action to be played Feb. 24-26. All five other teams still have the ability to qualify for the semifinals including the Minnesota Whitecaps (10-6-2) who are in third place with 32 points, followed by the fourth place Connecticut Whale (9-8-2) with 29 points, the fifth place Montreal Force (7-12-1) with 19 points, the Metropolitan Riveters (6-12-0) in sixth place with 16 points, and the Buffalo Beauts (4-12-2) who are in seventh place with 14 points.
The two semifinal winners will play for the prestigious Isobel Cup in a single-game championship final on Sunday, March 26, at a neutral site location to be announced.
2023 Isobel Cup Playoffs Schedule:
Thursday March 16: Semifinal Game 1 in Boston at 7:00 p.m. ET (ESPN+/TSN+)
Friday March 17: Semifinal Game 1 in Toronto at 3:00 p.m. ET (ESPN+/TSN)
Saturday March 18: Semifinal Game 2 in Toronto at 2:00 p.m. ET (ESPN+/TSN+) Semifinal Game 2 in Boston at 6:00 p.m. ET (ESPN+/TSN+)
Sunday March 19: Semifinal Game 3 in Boston (if necessary) at 6:00 p.m. ET (ESPN+/TSN+)
Monday March 20: Semifinal Game 3 in Toronto (if necessary) at 6:00 p.m. ET (ESPN+/TSN)
Sunday March 26: Championship Final (location TBA)
2023 Private School Champions: Monsignor Martin2023 Section VI Champions: KENGIPORT
The WNYGVIH Federation season came to an end last week with Monsignor Martin taking the Private School Chanmpionship and KENGIPort winning the Section VI Championship.
The road ends here for MMAA but KENGIPort headed off the to NY State Regional Championships (named that because not all Sections are represented).
Prior to the start of the second game, the Referees Association awarded Lancaster/Iroquois/Alden the 2023 Sportsmanship Award and the James Rusin Award went to LIDA assistant coach Pete Tonsoline.
Refs Association Awardees LIDA and Rusin Award Winner, Coach Pete Tonsoline
First up Monsignor Martin took on St. Mary’s of Lancaster and with no goals scored in the first period, and opening second with St. Mary’s getting a penalty, MMAA’s Isabella Fedele dropped one in on the powerplay, assisted by the Honadle sisters. Third period it was only MMAA that scored and once again it was a goal by Reece Honadle, assisted by Sister Ryann. It was a 2-0 shutout for MMAA. Game MVP Kate Kelley stopped all 20 sog and Avery Hall stopped 24 of 26.
Private School Championship MVP: Kate Kelley
If you recall these two teams opened the 2022-23 season at St. Mary’s with St. Mary’s coming away with a 4-3 overtime victory. The game-winner scored by Gabrielle Lowell, unassisted.
KENGIPort hit the ice hard against Niagara County and immediately scored two quick goals in the first period. The first by Isabella Jayme, assisted by Madison Flory and the second by Emiliana Cassillo on a powerplay, assisted by Flory. First ends 2-0. It stays that way in the second, which had more penalities than goals scored in the evening. In the third Jayme put in her second goal of the evening, assisted by Isabelle Bourgeault. Niagara County’s goalie went down and in came Mariela Mulready to finish out the game. KENGIPORT sealed the win with a fourth goal on the powerplay by Riley Marrale, assisted by Bourgeault and Cassillo. Carolyn Bourgeault stopped 19/19 for the shut-out win and Kennedy Ruest stopped 18/21 before injured and Mulready stopped 4/5. It was a 4-0 shutout.
This was Kenmore’s seventh Section VI title in 13 years with Jeff Orlowski as head coach since season one. KENGIport goes on to the States to face Clinton in the semi-finals.
A few year-end notes:
Goalie Ella Buczynski, HEWSH, an 8th grader, is on top of the goalie list playing 824.20 minutes (almost 18 complete games), stopped 327 of 361 shots-on-goal; had a .906 save percentage; 1.86 GAA and a 12-5-1 record with 5 shutouts.
Goalie Anna Meyer was a volunteer goalie when Williamsville had no goalies turn out for try-outs. She missed one game due to illness and compiled a 10-6-1 record with two shutouts and played 763.12 minutes. Meyer was awarded the first-ever WNYGVIH Sportsmanship Award.
Anna Meyer received the WNYGVIH Sportsmanship Award and Coach Eric Cooper was named Coach of the Year
The Season Ended In League Play: (MMAA and St. Mary’s is removed from Section VI play)
1- Kenmore/Grand Island/Lockport with a 15-1 record
Sydney Radecki, LIDA, tops the Points Chart with 32 goals and 8 assists for 40 points.
Madison Flory KGIP, had 19 goals, 21 assists for 40 points
Riley Andzel, HEWSH, 28 goals/ 10 assists/ 38 points. Riley also played 72 varsity games with HEWSH; had 60 goals and 22 assists for 82 points in her career.
Goalie Carolyn Bourgeault, KGIP, played 627.04 minutes with a 10-1 record and 7 shutouts.
LIDA’s Carly Irzycki played 683.48 minutes with a 7-7 record, one shutout
Kerrigan McCarthy, FFLOP, had 571.72 minutes and a 5-7 record.
13 Years Coaching the WNYGVIH FEDERATION: Rick Hopkins, Williamsville and Jeff Orlowski, Kenmore/Grand Island/Lockport.
Coaches Jeff Orlowski and Rick Hopkins are the only two coaches remaining from the first year of the Federation.
We welcomed coaches Bri Colucci and Cass MacPherson to the bench at St Mary’s of Lancaster, along with Head Coach Marty Gilano. Colucci is a former WNYGVIH player and MacPherson currently plays for the Buffalo Beauts.
The 2022-23 season also welcomed to the league Alden High School to LID; Franklinville to FLOP, Lockport to KENGI and Holland to HEWS.
The State welcomed a team into Section 2 with Adirondack United and Section 1, the East Green Wave will be taking part in the State’s as well.
NYHOL congratulations everyone on a wonderful, exciting season. We had everything this season with a couple high scoring games, lots of tight games, some penalty-ridden games and several hat tricks and first-goals for rookies. Also the longest game in Federation history with NICO beating HEWSH 2-1 after three overtimes and a penalty shot in the third overtime.
So how to we top this in 2023-24?
(Keep following NY Hockey Online all summer as we post upcoming news about anything hockey in New York State, plus a few throw-backs. We will also have news about NY Hockey Online’s vision for our publication next season. As always if you need copies (print or digital) of photos taken by Staff Photographer and Writer, Janet Schutz, just email Janet@nyhockeyonline.com. We thank you all for your support!)
A Note on Photos: Somehow we maxed out the number we could put in our Library. So Janet has more and hopefully get them up at a later date. Also these will be available for purchase through Smug Mug shortly.
When you watch 5’8”, 175 lb. Black Knight forward Michael Sacco play, the word “feisty” comes to mind largely because not too many players his size like the call the opposing net area home.
Add in his penalty killing skills—he leads the team with two shorthanded goals— that he jumped from one multi-point game last season to four already as a sophomore and that it all started with taking a year off from hockey.
“Michael Sacco went to our prep school where he didn’t play hockey for a year, but he wanted to come to West Point so bad and they said the only way is you’re going to go to the Military Academy Prep School and that means no hockey,” 18-year Army head coach Brian Riley said.
“And last year it took him a while to get going, but he’s one of those smaller guys that plays big. Plays with a lot of moxy out there and gets in the middle of stuff. Sometimes I’m yelling and screaming at him, but love his energy, love his intensity and I’m glad he’s on our team.
“You can see that he has leadership qualities written all over him, is a key player for us and logs a lot of minutes. He keeps getting better and better.”
“It was definitely a little bit of a different route, but the upperclassmen and the guys I came in with—the seniors especially—I learned a lot from them and they’re all doing great things, so a lot of credit to them,” Sacco said.
“I definitely like going to the front of the net and playing a physical style of game and just bringing energy and hopefully my teammates can rally around.”
With 14 points in 26 games, he has more than doubled his point total from his freshman year, but he holds true to the hockey credo of crediting your teammates.
“I think it’s the way we do things around here; everybody buys in for each other. Everybody brings it and my two linemates do all the heavy lifting so I just gotta keep my stick down and bank some in.
“It (increased offensive numbers) definitely isn’t all on me. Our “D” pushes the pace pretty well and then we have guys that can move bodies around, so it’s just trying to find space where I can and if the plays there to make, hopefully I can make whether it’s a shot or a pass.”
The now-23-year-old started with the P.A.L. Islanders program for three seasons and was an offensive dynamo in year three with 39 goals and 100 points in 61 games. Then he headed out to British Columbia and then landing in the NAHL with Odessa and Wilkes Barre/Scranton.
“I was in the BCHL for about a year and a half and then I came over to Texas and that’s where the coaches found me. So far, it’s the best decision I ever made in my life.
Sacco is one of the few that chose to wear #13 on his jersey.
(Michael Sacco)
“I’m from Long Island and over the years I’ve watched a lot of Matt Barzal, so as a freshman you get whatever they throw at you and #13 was on the table and I took it. And I think I wear it well.”
Wearing it well on the banks of the Hudson River and ecstatic for the chance to play for the Black Knights.
“My grandfather (Salvatore Campione) was in the Army in Korea and I draw so much inspiration from him.
“So much history, the people we’re surrounded with very day; you just kind of pinch yourself because you’re around such high-quality people that are so selfless. I’m just so thankful that I’m able to be a part of it.”
(Players above from left to right – Lucas Lisciandro (Jamestown), Spencer Bell (Jamestown), Blayze Becker (ELPS), Patrick Kaleta, Alex Jedlicka (Lanacaster), Presley Schlitz (OPA), Alex Rumfola (EA/H) and Michael Zanni (OP B))
BY RANDY SCHULTZ –
BUFFALO, NY – Western New York’s top high school club hockey teams will face off for the 39th Annual Super Sunday High School Club Hockey Championships, scheduled to be held this year on Friday, Feb. 24 at KeyBank Center.
The event kicked off today with a press conference to announce the participants for the 2023 event. Steve Ferrentino, Chair for Section VI Boys’ Ice Hockey, was the Master of Ceremonies for the conference.
(Steve Ferrentino)
In addition to the players and coaches of the respective teams being introduced, Patrick Kaleta, Buffalo Sabres youth hockey ambassador, was the guest speaker.
“I was right where you are today,” stated Kaleta, a native of nearby Angola, NY who played in all or parts of nine seasons in the NHL with the Buffalo Sabres. “Enjoy the moment.
“Don’t be afraid to dream big, no matter what you are going into. Give it your all and do the best you can.”
(Patrick Kaleta)
Besides the Championship games, the teams will also be participating in a skills competition, get a tour of KeyBank Center, as well as being treated to a lunch a dinner.
Friday will conclude with three championship games, the first beginning at 4 p.m.
The full schedule of Super Sunday games (for Friday, Feb. 24th):
4 p.m. – Orchard Park B vs. East Aurora/Holland (Small School Championship)
6 p.m. – Orchard Park A vs. Lancaster (Large School Championship)
8 p.m. – Jamestown vs. Eden/Lakeshore/Pioneer/Springville (Mixed School Championship)
At family gatherings for the rest of his days, Fredonia senior and Webster native Craig McCabe will have some bragging right over his older brother, Teddy, who played for four seasons at Geneseo.
Despite playing one fewer season, Craig has more goals—five—and more points—19. And Fredonia has clinched a SUNYAC playoff berth for one final go-around for the blueliner. Of course, Geneseo did make two deep runs into the NCAA postseason advancing to the quarterfinals in 2017-18 and the semi-finals in 2018-19.
“It’s pretty awesome to be relied on, especially as an older guy on this team; lead by example and it’s awesome that it finally comes full circle,” assistant captain McCabe said following the Blue Devils final home game of the season and his career.
(Craig McCabe)
McCabe started playing with the Webster Cyclones program and the Webster Titans won a Section V title in his only year there with his brother. Three more seasons with McQuaid High, where he won a state title in 2013 as a junior preceded McCabe playing for two year with the Ottawa Jr. Senators and one more season in the NAHL with the New Jersey Titans prior to joining Fredonia.
He wears #4 in college because it was the first jersey number he wore playing hockey and thought it would be a perfect number to finish his career with.
And other memories will always be there—of first goals, of playing high school hockey with his brother and all the teammates he has gone to battle with over the years.
His first collegiate goal came just last season on Jan. 21, 2022 at Buffalo State.
“Nice feed backdoor for an easy tap-in from Jake Blackwell. I couldn’t have missed.”
And the last few months of his collegiate hockey career and hopefully a future in marketing.
“Been trying not to think about it, but it’s been a longtime and long career and I’m not ready for it to be over yet. We’ll see (what’s next); I’m keeping my options open, but it’s about time to find a job and start making money.”
Dave LaBaff will be the first person to tell you that he wasn’t looking for a new head coaching position when the women’s hockey head coaching job opened last spring at Wilkes University in Wilkes-Barre, PA.
After all, LaBaff had spent the past 10 seasons at SUNY Canton, including two as an assistant coach and eight as head coach of the Roos women’s ice hockey team.
“I didn’t even know the Wilkes hockey job was open,” recalled LaBaff, a native of Potsdam, NY. “My wife was the one who let me know.
“She is originally from the northern part of Pennsylvania. She is involved in hockey too and put this job on my radar.
“Once I got to Wilkes to interview I saw how amazing the players on the team were. The atmosphere on the campus was amazing as well.
“The high end academics was something I took into consideration. In the end it was an easy decision for me to make because everything was trending in the right direction.”
This season has not been as successful as LaBaff had hoped. Through the teams first 23 games their overall record was 4-17-2, included a conference record of 4-12-2.
“We were looking at having as successful season as possible for the graduating seniors,” said LaBaff. “And like every other team, we’re looking ahead to building the future and have been doing a lot of recruiting.
“I think our future looks good.”
Interestingly, three of the players on this seasons Wilkes roster are natives of New York State. They include: Emma Guzdek (Amherst), Rachel Morey (Buffalo) and Abby Miller (Webster).
Hockey has always been a part of LaBaff’s DNA, especially going back to his days growing up in Potsdam.
“I grew up with a pond in my backyard,” remembered LaBaff. “My brother and I would go back there all the time and we were usually joined by other kids in the neighborhood.
“I grew up a Montreal Canadiens fan. Patrick Roy (Canadiens goalie) was my hero.
“I kind of latched onto the goalie side of things. It took off from there and hockey has been a big part of my life ever since.”
Following his graduation from high school it was on to SUNY Morrisville where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Human Performance and Health Promotion. He also played three seasons of hockey as a goaltender for the Mustangs.
LaBaff remained at Morrisville for the 2011-12 season, serving as an assistant coach with the men’s hockey team. From there it was on to SUNY Canton.
When it comes to hockey, LaBaff regards the north country very highly.
“I think the north country is a hockey hotbed,” stated LaBaff, who coached SUNY Canton women’s hockey teams to four postseason appearances. “You’ve got four university’s tucked in the middle of nowhere.
“You’ve got two really great Division I programs in both men’s and women’s hockey. Two really good programs in Division III in Canton and Potsdam.
“Add to that SUNY Plattsburgh, where my wife played hockey, who has a tremendous program with all of the national championships they’ve won.”
Why did LaBaff get involved in coaching hockey?
“I had no idea this was going to become my life,” stated LaBaff. “My senior year at Morrisville my head coach, Brian Grady, asked me if I wanted to stay on for another year as an assistant coach, getting paid a $4000 stipend for the season.
“I learned a lot that year. And then came the opportunity to move on to SUNY Canton as an assistant coach with their women’s hockey program.
“I love coaching women’s hockey. It’s great to be able to have some kind of an impact on people’s lives.
“And when I look back at it, had you asked me when I was 18 if I was going to become a coach in the game, I would have said ‘no way.’ And here I am today.”
When asked what would be the first thing that comes into his mind when you say “Potsdam” his answer came very quickly.
“The ice storm of ’98,” remarked LaBaff, who transitioned the Canton Women’s hockey program into the Northeast Women’s Hockey League (NEWHL) during the 2019-20 campaign. “I think a lot of people from up there remember that.
“I just remember being able to skate through everyone’s lawn. Our school’s winter break got extended for an additional two weeks. Growing up in the north country was great because it is such a tight-knit area.
“The north country will always be my home,” concluded LaBaff. “We get up there whenever we can to go see my mom and dad.
“We enjoy our time up there but I know I won’t miss the cold weather. That’s for sure.”
(Photos by Wilkes University Athletics/Women’s Hockey)
After initially following his hockey dream of playing Division I college hockey, senior forward Lucas Herrmann decided to leave the University of New Hampshire after three seasons and join Utica College and he couldn’t be happier.
Herrmann scored three goals over a combined 71 games with the Wildcats—all coming during his shortened sophomore campaign. With two weeks remaining in the regular season this year, the 22-year-old had seven goals and 21 points in 21 games.
“I went into the transfer portal out of UNH and a couple options here and there and just thought Utica was the best spot for me hockey-wise and life-wise,” Herrmann said in late-January. “I’m having a good time here; a really good team, really good guys on the team and it makes it even better that we’re winning.”
To say the least. The Pioneers entered the next to last weekend ranked first in the country (USCHO poll) with an 18-2-1 record.
“A little bit of opportunity does wonders for the confidence and playing with some good players here; it’s pretty fun.”
(Lucas Herrmann)
“He’s a big, strong kid and he’s a super human and has been a great addition for us,” Utica head coach Gary Heenan said. “He’s seeing special teams and just playing in much better situations allowing him to succeed.
“It’s been a breath of fresh air I think for him and for us.”
Herrmann, whose brother Zac played on the blueline for four years at Niagara and is now playing in Great Britain, played at the Nichols School in Buffalo before spending one season in the NAHL split between Odessa and Topeka and one season in the USHL in Madison where he netted 14 goals in 53 games.
“They (Nichols) had a really great coaching staff (Jamie Prince)…and they were pretty big in my development,” Herrmann said. “I grew a couple of inches from freshman to sophomore year and they kind of helped me mold my game into more a power forward rather than a skill guy.”
“I was actually committed to Niagara University back then (at Nichols) and my brother went to Odessa. I went to a camp they had to tag along with my brother and ended up making the team. I did pretty well and was fortunate enough to get drafted in the USHL and ended up in Madison. Then things changed and I ended up at UNH instead of Niagara.”
Herrmann has another year of eligibility remaining if he chooses to use it. “And there’s pros out there as well, but pretty undecided and just rolling with this year trying to get to the national championship and make decisions later on.”
Then he could look to team up with his brother in Europe to replicate the one year they played together in Odessa.
“If the opportunity comes, that would be perfect; that would be awesome.”
Cortland senior Luca Durante (Brampton, ON/Aurora Tigers) has been named the State University of New York Athletic Conference (SUNYAC) Men’s Ice Hockey Goalie of the Week for the week ending Feb. 14. He earned the award for the third time this season.
In his lone game of the week on Saturday, Durante stopped 23 shots and posted a .958 save percentage in a 6-1 home conference win versus Morrisville. The only goal he surrendered came on a Mustang power play in the opening period.
For the season Durante has posted a 12-7-1 record with a 2.95 GAA and a .918 save percentage.
Cortland is 14-8-1 overall and 9-5-0 in SUNYAC play with two regular-season games remaining. The Red Dragons host Fredonia Friday at 7 p.m. and Buffalo State Saturday at 7 p.m., both in league play. Cortland is currently fourth in the league standings and has clinched a berth into the six-team conference postseason tournament. The Red Dragons can finish anywhere from third to fifth place, with the third and fourth-place teams hosting SUNYAC first-round games on Wednesday, Feb. 22.
Cortland sophomore forward Mia Hlasnick (Olean/Niagara Jr. Purple Eagles U19) has been chosen as the Northeast Women’s Hockey League (NEWHL) Player of the Week and sophomore Molly Goergen (Eden Prairie, MN/Eden Prairie H.S.) has been named the NEWHL Goalie of the Week for the week ending Feb. 12. Hlasnick was honored for the second time this season and Goergen earned her third weekly honor of the season.
Hlasnick and Goergen were honored for this performances in two Cortland wins – a 2-0 victory at Oswego on Friday and a 5-0 home triumph over Potsdam Saturday. With the victories, Cortland (17-6-0, 12-4-0 NEWHL) clinched the second seed for the four-team NEWHL playoffs. Cortland closes the regular season with games at Canton Friday at 3 p.m. and home versus Potsdam Saturday at 3 p.m., and the Red Dragons will host Oswego in the NEWHL semifinals on Feb. 25 for the program’s first-ever postseason home game.
Hlasnick finished the week with five points on two goals and three assists with a plus-4 plus/minus rating. She also set a single-season program record with 19 assists, breaking the previous mark of 18 held by Judy Ellis from the 2003-04 season. Hlasnick assisted on the game-winning goal early in the third period at Oswego and tallied two goals and two assists with a plus-3 rating in the win over Potsdam. She scored the game winner just 1:07 into the game.
For the season, Hlasnick leads Cortland in goals (12), assists (19) and points (31), as well as plus/minus (plus-29).
Goergen posted a 2-0 record with two shutouts and 46 saves in Cortland’s two wins. In the victory over Oswego she turned aside 28 shots, including 15 in the second period. She stopped 18 shots in the win versus Potsdam. With her two shutouts, Goergen extended her single-season record to nine and her career record to 14.
For the season, Goergen has posted a 13-6 record with a 1.16 GAA, a .952 save percentage and those nine shutouts.
Tonight at 7 pm is the Boys Hockey Playoff Preview Show… Randy Schultz from NY Hockey Online and Frances Boeck from WNY Athletics will be going through the playoff brackets for the Large, Small and Private Schools. Frank Wolf and Frances have interviewed some of the top players and coaches in Fed over the past few weeks. Those interviews will be shown during tonight’s broadcast.
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West Genesee HS and Northwood Prep product Dan Colabufo did not register a single point in 15 games with Division I Holy Cross last season, but this year he stands tied for third in goals and assists and alone in third in scoring after a transfer to SUNY Oswego for this season.
“I committed to Holy Cross when I was a junior in high school and then one year in junior, the coaching staff that I committed too was fired and they got a new coaching staff,” Colabufo said. “I still went in as a freshman and it was going well; I was playing and really like the guys, but I ended up hurting a disc in my back in October and my game really wasn’t the same. And with the coaching change it just didn’t feel like the right spot for me.
“I needed to make a change and not just hockey wise, just to be happier on the ice and off the ice, so I talked to the coaches here (Oswego) and went into the transfer portal and it really was a no-brainer.
(Colabufo, No. 10, with scoring attempt)
The sophomore is seeing both power play and penalty kill unit time for the nationally ranked Lakers and has added needed scoring with his seven goals and ten assists. He is tied for the team led in power play goals and has taken the third most shots on the team. Despite his 5’9”, 175 lb. frame, you can often find Colabufo camped out at the side of the net in the offensive zone.
“I always say everything that you get you have to work for and I just want to prove to them that I’m worthy of those minutes and keep elevating my game. (I’m) a little guy that’s going to go to the dirty areas…and I think that’s part of the reason that makes my game successful is I go to those areas and it’s not a fight that I’ll back down too.”
After three seasons at West Genesee playing for his father, now 20-year head coach Frank Colabufo where they lost the state championship as an eight-grader, lost in the state regional championship as a freshman and sectional semi-final in a shootout, he moved to Northwood Prep for two years under Chadd Cassidy.
“I can’t thank that guy enough for what he did for my hockey career. He’s a great coach and my junior year we had a great team with, I think, 12 Division I commits. He knows how to develop players, he knows when to be hard on you and when to let the systems take over and I can’t thank him enough for those two years at Northwood.”
Then Colabufo headed to the NAHL and Maryland for one season before college.
“I was actually signed in Canada by the Bonnyville Pontiacs (AJHL) because the previous Holy Cross staff have a pipeline between there and we decided it would be a good spot for me to develop. And then with Covid, the border closed so I couldn’t go and then the NAHL draft happened.”
And now he is experiencing the pressures of a battle for first place in the SUNYAC conference for the 13th ranked Lakers in his backyard.
“Oswego is close to home and I grew up going to camps here and I loved this staff. They have a winning tradition here and that’s something that I want to be a part of and hopefully contribute to that.”
Legendary Hall of Fame broadcaster is currently in his 37th season as the Voice of the Amerks
(Rochester, NY) – The Rochester Americans unveiled the “Don Stevens Press Box” during the first intermission of the Amerks game against the Springfield Thunderbirds at The Blue Cross Arena, in recognition of the Hall of Fame broadcaster’s nearly 40 years of dedicated service to the organization.
“Don has been a staple of Amerks hockey for nearly four decades and this is a tremendous testament for everything he has done for not only the organization, but the entire Rochester community,” said Amerks Vice President of Business Operations, Rob Minter. “Don’s distinct and iconic call has been synonymous with some of the most unforgettable moments in team history and his impact on the organization is one that cannot be measured. This is a very deserving honor and we look forward to many more years and many more memories with Don on the call.”
Currently in his remarkable 37th season as the legendary “Voice of the Amerks,” Stevens has called more than 3,000 games and has been witness to some of the most memorable moments in the 67-year history of the franchise. He also remains the longest tenured broadcaster in the American Hockey League after joining Rochester prior to the 1986-87 campaign.
Stevens has seen many changes in the AHL since he first put on the headphones and called his first Amerks game at the old Rochester War Memorial. Known as the “Dean of AHL Broadcasters,” Stevens has witnessed the expansion of the league to an all-time high 32 teams and the explosion of media coverage of the AHL.
The Amerks’ broadcaster has served the team in numerous capacities during his tenure, including public relations director, TV host, radio talk show host, and TV and radio play-by-play broadcaster. In addition, Stevens founded the AHL Broadcasters/Writers Association and served as its president.
The “Voice of the Amerks” calls games on the new radio home of the Amerks, 95.7 FM/950 AM The Fan Rochester, in addition to calling select home games live on CW Rochester. Stevens also had the distinction of covering the Amerks on multiple occasions over the NHL Network and SiriusXM Satellite Radio, introducing Amerks hockey on both a national and international level.
In 2009-10, Stevens called Rochester’s historic 2,000th franchise win as the Amerks joined an elite club, becoming just the second team in the American Hockey League and eighth overall in North American hockey history to achieve the feat. He was also behind the microphone for five of the 20 goals scored by an AHL goaltender, most recently in 2010-11 when Binghamton’s Chris Holt fired in an empty-netter against Rochester.
Stevens’ most memorable season with the organization came during the 2010-11 campaign, his 25th with the red, white and blue. Stevens’ years of dedicated service to the club was acknowledged with his enshrinement in the team’s prestigious Hall of Fame as part of the Class of 2011. As the 50th member of the Hall, and just the second broadcaster inducted, Stevens joined an elite group of individuals whose tireless contributions and commitment to the franchise matches those of the original 1956 Rochester Americans.
From 1996-2009, Stevens maintained a dual role while also serving as the broadcaster for the Rochester Rhinos (United Soccer League). With the Rhinos, Stevens was part of back-to-back regular season championships (1998-99), three A-League championships in four years (1998, 1999 and 2001), the 1999 U.S. Open Cup and 14 consecutive playoff runs during his tenure. In 1998, he even covered an Amerks hockey game and the Rhinos’ championship game on the same day. Stevens was inducted into the Rhinos Hall of Fame on Sept. 24, 2016 during halftime of the club’s final regular-season home matchup, becoming the first broadcaster in Rhinos team history to earn the honors.
Throughout his career, he has received numerous awards for his work on radio and television. In 1993-94, he won the AHL’s James H. Ellery Award, given to the person that has made outstanding contributions to the progress of the AHL for his work on the Amerks Radio Network. Stevens has also won a national ACE Award for Cable Excellence as the host of the weekly television show, “Amerks Report,” and received the Rochester Press-Radio Club’s Louis MacMillan Award for sportscasting excellence.
In 2003, he was inducted into the Frontier Field Walk of Fame in the media category. The Walk of Fame is located inside Frontier Field and features the names of fans, players, contributors and media throughout Rochester’s sports history. Following the 2012-13 season, Stevens’ 27th as the Amerks play-by-play man, he was again awarded with the AHL’s prestigious James H. Ellery Memorial Award for excellence in radio coverage for the second time in his career.
Most recently, in June of 2018, Stevens was named the recipient of the 2018 Gary Smith and George Beahon Sports Media Excellence Award at the 72nd annual Press-Radio Club Dinner held in downtown Rochester. He was also honored as the 2020 Sportsperson of the Year by the Rochester St. Patrick’s Day Parade Committee.
With the Amerks, Stevens has broadcast seven Calder Cup Finals and the Spengler Cup in Switzerland, winning a pair of Calder Cup championships in the process. Stevens has taken the AHL to its highest level during the course of his career and has shown his true professionalism by working with younger broadcasters throughout the league. Each season he has made it a point to “promote the Rochester Americans and the American Hockey League,” from his seat in the radio booth to the podium at numerous charity events.
During his career, broadcasting has taken the Wainwright, Alberta, native all over the United States, Canada and Europe. He has worked in such markets as Seattle, San Diego, Salt Lake City, Phoenix and Rochester.
