Rochester finished the 2023-24 regular season tied with Cleveland atop the North Division standings with 88 points but were seeded second for the Calder Cup playoffs with one fewer victory. Their season ended in game five of the Atlantic Conference semi-finals to Syracuse.
Now they begin anew with a new head coach in Michael Leone following Seth Appert’s promotion to Buffalo and a plethora of Sabres draft picks trying to make their way to the National Hockey League.
With preseason still in progress it is speculative about who of the prospects might dent the Sabres roster to start the season, but the numbers will likely mean some disappointed with being sent to Rochester. It’s a good problem to have.
That list is led by Jiri Kulich, who paced the Amerks with 27 goals last season and defenseman Ryan Johnson, who split last season between Buffalo (41 games) and Rochester (27 games). Both may be squeezed back to the AHL for more playing time.
Kulich could be joined at forward by fellow high draft picks Isak Rosen (tied for team lead with 50 points), Noah Ostlund, Lukas Rousek (41 points), Anton Wahlberg, Aleksandr Kisakov and Viktor Neuchev.
Last year’s co-leading scorer Mason Jobst should be back with fellow veterans Brett Murray, Graham Slaggert, Brendan Warren and/or Tyson Kozak to support and mentor the younger players.
Newcomers up front could include big center Josh Dunne, who scored 20 goals two seasons ago with Cleveland and Tyler Tullio (a 2020 fifth round pick by Edmonton acquired as part of the Matt Savoie trade) along with Riley Fiddler-Schultz, who spent last season in the ECHL with affiliate Jacksonville and Oliver Nadeau, a 2021 fourth-round pick who was his teammate for most of last season.
15 players for potentially 13 positions.
Rochester appears to be deep on the blueline especially if 2019 first round selection Ryan Johnson is squeezed out in Buffalo. Kyle Clague, Ethan Prow, Peter Tischke, Zach Metsa, plus newcomers and five-year AHL veterans Colton Poolman and Jack Rathbone provide leadership while either Jacob Bryson or Buffalo native Dennis Gilbert, who played 34 games in Calgary last season, could also be sent down.
They join defense prospects Nikita Novikov, back for his second AHL season and Vsevolod Komarov, who was named Defenseman of the Year in the QMJHL last season with Quebec and Drummondville after racking up 69 points in 60 games.
But that’s potentially ten defensemen for seven spots.
Goaltending is the $10,000 question. With Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen establishing himself as the clear number one in Buffalo, do the Sabres send Devon Levi to Rochester to get more minutes and keep 15-year NHL veteran James Reimer as his backup?
Or is it the UPL-Levi tandem in Buffalo with Reimer and either Felix Sandstrom, who played last season with Lehigh Valley, or Michael Houser in Rochester?
Answers come in the next few weeks with the season opener Sun. Oct. 6 at Syracuse and the home-opener Fri. Oct. 11 versus Belleville.
In a few weeks the Western New York Girls Varsity Ice Hockey Federation will begin their 15th season of play. It’s hard to believe that a decade and a half has passed since that opening faceoff.
But the WNYGVIHF are just kids when compared to the Tomkins Girls Hockey Association (aka the Ithaca Shooting Stars) in Ithaca, NY. They are the oldest girl’s hockey organization in New York State, developing the player and the person since 1972.
The TGHA will begin their 52nd season of play in just a few short weeks. This organization has set the gold standard for other girl’s hockey organizations to follow.
Late last spring NY Hockey OnLine travelled to Ithaca for one of the TGHA meetings. We had the opportunity talk and listen to several of the veteran members of the Association.
Mary Grainger, a spokesperson for the Association, explained how the organization has grown over the years.
“Ithaca has always been a hockey town,” said Grainger. “When Title IX was passed into federal law in the spring of 1972, opportunities for girls and women to play hockey in Ithaca has already been established.
“When Cass Park opened here in November of ’72, the Tompkins Girls Hockey Association was organized enough to hold a practice the same week the Park opened. We are very proud of the fact that we were the first all-girls hockey program in New York State and just the third in the country at the time.
“Credit has to be given to the parents, coaches and players who have grown the program over the years. They built a strong foundation for girl’s hockey to grow from.”
By the time TGHA got to their 50th season of play for the 2022-23 season, the organization was looking to connect with as many of their former players, coaches, parents, referees and fans in general to celebrate their golden anniversary. Several events were planned through the season.
Thanks to social media and simple word of mouth, the TGHA alumni has grown. Thanks to the efforts of people within the organization, enough TGHA memorabilia and photographs were gathered to set up an exhibit at the Ithaca History Center.
In February of this year an exhibit and Kiosk opened there called “We Broke the Ice.” It runs through the end of this year.
“We’ve told people who come to visit the exhibit to allow enough time to see it,” said Grainger. “There are digital display sections to click through, as well as drawers of artifacts to look at.
“It’s an exhibit that tells the story of the growth of girls and women’s hockey in Ithaca.”
This Sunday, Sept. 29th, two guest speakers will be at the History Center from 3-5 p.m. to tell of their experiences with TGHA.
For hockey fans in general, the “We Broke the Ice” exhibit is worth the visit.
(Representatives from the four men’s hockey teams that will play in the 2025 Friendship Four show off their school’s jerseys (photo: Miami Athletics). (Story as reported by USCHO)
The Odyssey Trust has unveiled plans to continue the Friendship Four and Friendship Series U.S. college hockey tournaments through 2026.
Marking 10 years of NCAA hockey in Belfast, games are set to take place at the SSE Arena in Nov. 2025 and Jan. 2026.
Founded by the Odyssey Trust and held in Belfast since 2015, the Friendship Four and Friendship Series are the first and only NCAA Division I men’s and women’s hockey tournaments to take place outside of North America.
The Friendship Four, which will take place in Nov. 2025, will see the Rochester Institute of Technology, Sacred Heart, Miami, and Union go head-to-head for the coveted Belpot Trophy at the SSE Arena.
For the first time, four women’s teams will take part in the Friendship Series, with Boston University, Harvard, Quinnipiac, and Minnesota Duluth set to make history in Jan. 2026, following three successful two-team Friendship Series tournaments in 2019, 2020, and 2024.
“I am very proud to announce the return of both the Friendship Four and Friendship Series in 2025 and 2026, and I look forward to welcoming both new and returning teams to the SSE Arena,” said Odyssey Trust chair Martin McDowell in a statement. “For nearly a decade, the tournaments have provided unique opportunities for North American student-athletes to have a cross-Atlantic experience in Belfast, using ice hockey as a tool to educate and create a spirit of mutual understanding, friendship, solidarity, and fair play.”
The high-profile tournaments are designed to promote education, social welfare, and community interaction, building on the Sister Cities agreement between Belfast and Boston signed a decade ago. The agreement aims to foster stronger economic development, trade and investment, tourism, youth, cultural, faith-based exchanges, and educational linkages between the two cities, as well as to increase awareness of Belfast and Boston being growth cities in the connected health and life sciences, creative industries, tourism, financial services, and knowledge economy sectors.
To support the growth and development of the two tournaments, a new legacy committee – the Friends of the Friendship Advisory Board – was formed in Jan. 2024. Reporting to Robert Fitzpatrick, chief executive of the Odyssey Trust, and chaired by McDowell, the board will meet twice a year, once in Boston and once at the annual Friendship Four tournament, with a focus on growing relationships with collegiate ice hockey programs across the United States.
“As we approach a decade of the Friendship Four, it’s been fantastic to see how the tournament has gone from strength to strength,” said Quinnipiac deputy director of athletics Sarah Fraser. “Undoubtedly, the significance and impact of the games reaches far beyond the ice, offering student-athletes a rounded cultural experience in Belfast. Looking ahead to the next two tournaments, I feel particularly proud that 2026 will see the first four-team women’s tournament take place at the SSE Arena, providing a great opportunity to showcase the up-and-coming talent within the female game.”
Ahead of the tournament’s 10th anniversary next year, the Friendship Four returns to Belfast this November with Notre Dame, Harvard, Boston University, and Merrimack set to compete for the Belpot Trophy at the SSE Arena.
(Photo by Miami Athletic Dept. and USCHO)(Story as reported by USCHO)
Big Red’s Eighth Consecutive Season Ranked in USCHO.com Preseason Poll
ITHACA, N.Y. – The Cornell men’s hockey team is opening the 2024-25 season as the No. 9-ranked team in the first DCU/USCHO.com poll of the season, it was announced.
Cornell collected 585 points, finishing 48 points behind No. 8-ranked Quinnipiac and 96 points ahead of No. 10-ranked Wisconsin. The Big Red also received two of the 50 first-place votes in the poll, joining top-ranked Denver (42 first-place votes) and No. 2-ranked Boston College (six first-place votes).
The Big Red are ranked within the top 20 of the preseason USCHO.com poll for the eighth consecutive year. Cornell is one of six teams to be ranked in the first USCHO poll in each of the last eight seasons, joining Denver, Minnesota Duluth, North Dakota, Notre Dame, and Providence.
Of the teams ranked in the preseason top 20, Cornell is scheduled to play three programs, highlighted by No. 5-ranked North Dakota, who will make a trip to Lynah Rink for the Big Red’s first two regular-season home games on Nov. 1-2.
Cornell will play No. 8-ranked Quinnipiac three times in the regular season, including twice in consecutive weekends as it will host the Bobcats at Lynah Rink on Friday, Nov. 22, before clashing on the storied ice of Madison Square Garden in New York City for the biennial Frozen Apple game on Saturday, Nov. 30. The Big Red will play on the Bobcats’ home ice on Saturday, Jan. 18, at M&T Bank Arena in Hamden, Conn.
The only other ranked program in the USCHO.com preseason poll that Cornell is scheduled to face this season includes No. 14-ranked UMass in the first game of the Desert Hockey Classic, hosted by Arizona State, on Friday, Jan. 3, at 5:30 p.m. ET (3:30 p.m. MT). Cornell could play No. 20-ranked Arizona State the following day, should the Big Red and Sun Devils record the same result.
Cornell’s 2024-25 campaign begins Saturday, Oct. 19, when it hosts Princeton in a scrimmage at Lynah Rink at 5 p.m. Following an exhibition with the University of Toronto on Saturday, Oct. 26, Cornell will open a four-game homestand to open the 2024-25 regular season, beginning with its two-game series with No. 5-ranked North Dakota on Nov. 1-2.
DCU/USCHO.COM PRESEASON POLL
Bold denotes scheduled Cornell opponent for 2024-25 season
TEAM (First-place votes) — POINTS
Denver (48) — 988 points
Boston College (6) — 945 points
Boston University — 869 points
Michigan State — 775 points
North Dakota — 755 points
Minnesota — 748 points
Michigan — 690 points
Quinnipiac — 633 points
Cornell (2) — 585 points
Wisconsin — 489 points
Colorado College — 449 points
Maine — 425 points
Providence — 392 points
UMass — 329 points
Omaha — 262 points
St. Cloud State — 247 points
Western Michigan — 224 points
Minnesota Duluth — 95 points
Notre Dame — 79 points
Arizona State — 61 points
Northeastern — 61 points
Others receiving votes: RIT (55), St. Thomas (53), Michigan Tech (47), Bemidji State (44), New Hampshire (31), Sacred Heart (29), Penn State (23), Harvard (22), Holy Cross (14), Ohio State (14), Minnesota State (12), Dartmouth (10), Merrimack (9), Clarkson (8), UConn (7), AIC (4), UMass Lowell (4), Colgate (3), LIU (2), Brown (1), St. Lawrence (1)
ITHACA, N.Y. — Twelve former Cornell men’s hockey players are listed on NHL training camp rosters, as each of the 32 clubs announced their rosters over the last week. All teams’ training camps are open in preparation for the preseason slate, which starts this Saturday, Sept. 21.
The Colorado Avalanche have three former Cornell players at their training camp, the most in the NHL. Former defensemen Jacob MacDonald ’15 and Sam Malinski ’23 and forward Matt Stienburg ’23 are those donning Avalanche sweaters over the next couple of weeks.
Last year, MacDonald played 40 games with the San Jose Sharks and the San Jose Barracuda, the team’s American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate. He scored a total of 13 points (seven goals, six assists). MacDonald is returning to Colorado after spending the last two seasons in San Jose. Before that, he played in Colorado in parts of four seasons (2019-23) before being traded to San Jose on Jan. 25, 2023.
Malinski aims to secure a spot on the Avalanche roster during this year’s training camp. Last season, he played in 23 NHL games for the Avalanche, recording 10 points (three goals, seven assists). In addition to his 46 appearances in the AHL with the Colorado Eagles, Malinski totaled 37 points (eight goals, 29 assists) last season.
Stienburg is coming off a 13-point campaign with the Eagles last season, collecting five goals and eight assists over 54 appearances.
Forward Cole Bardreau ’15 and defenseman Travis Mitchell ’23 are wearing New York Islanders jerseys at training camp, making the Islanders the only other NHL club with multiple Cornell alumni.
Bardreau is starting his sixth season with the New York Islanders organization. Last season, Bardreau scored 24 points (11 goals, 13 assists) in 70 games with Bridgeport, the Islanders’ AHL affiliate. Bardreau has played in 11 NHL games, with 10 coming in the 2019-20 season. His most recent NHL appearance was on Dec. 2, 2022, against Nashville.
Mitchell’s inaugural professional season was with Bridgeport last season, where he recorded four points (one goal, three assists) in 34 games.
Among the other seven former Big Red players attending training camps are Joakim Ryan ’15 (Carolina), Gabriel Seger ’24 (Detroit), Jeff Malott (Los Angeles), Anthony Angello (Nashville), Jack Malone ’23 (New Jersey), Riley Nash (N.Y. Rangers), and Morgan Barron (Winnipeg).
Ryan is seeking a return to the NHL after playing for the Malmö Redhawks in his native Sweden for the past three seasons. During his time with Malmö, he totaled 64 points (17 goals, 47 assists) in 156 games. Ryan signed a one-year, two-way contract with Carolina on July 14. His last NHL appearance was with the Hurricanes during the 2020-21 season, where he played four games. After graduating from Cornell in 2015, Ryan played for the San Jose Sharks from 2017 to 2019, followed by stints with the Los Angeles Kings in 2019-20 and the Hurricanes in 2020-21.
Seger signed a one-year contract with the Grand Rapids Griffins, the AHL affiliate of the Detroit Red Wings, on June 11 after a successful senior season at Cornell. He played in all of Cornell’s 35 games, registering a team-high 44 points (14 goals, 30 assists). His 44 points were the most by a Cornell player since Ryan Vesce (19-26—45), and the 30 assists were the most since Stephen Bâby (33) during Cornell’s 2002-03 season, which saw the team advance to the Frozen Four.
Seger was recognized for his offensive success in 2023-24, earning All-ECAC Hockey and All-Ivy First Team honors. He also received academic honors from ECAC Hockey and the Ivy League and multiple awards at the team’s year-end banquet.
Angello will compete for a spot on the Nashville Predators roster for a second consecutive season. Last year with the Milwaukee Admirals, the Predators’ AHL affiliate, Angello had 13 points (three goals, 10 assists) in 46 games. His point total was the most he had in a season since logging 19 points (seven goals, 12 assists) in 44 games with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins in 2021-22. Angello last played in the NHL in 2021-22, the last of his five-year tenure with the Pittsburgh Penguins, where he played in 31 games across three seasons (2019-22).
Malone is starting his first full season of professional hockey after playing one game with the Utica Comets, the Devils’ AHL affiliate, following his post-graduate season with Boston College. Malone scored 25 points (12 goals, 13 assists) with BC in 41 games last season. This season is the first of Malone’s two-year AHL contract that he inked on April 17.
Nash is aiming to play in his 13th NHL season this year. Last season, the former first-round draft pick scored 27 points (11 goals, 16 assists) in 41 games with the Hartford Wolf Pack, the Rangers’ AHL affiliate. He also played one game with the Rangers last season on Dec. 9 against Washington.
Barron just finished his fourth NHL season and second full year with Winnipeg. During his time with the Jets last season, he played in 80 games, scoring a career-high 11 goals and adding seven assists. He also delivered 122 hits and achieved a plus-10 rating.
The opening night rosters for all 32 NHL teams are due to the league office on Monday, Oct. 7.
(Photo provided by Cornell Men’s Athletic/Hockey Dept.)
SCHENECTADY, N.Y. – Bringing nearly a decade of ECAC Hockey coaching experience to Schenectady, Tony Maci has been named the next head coach of the Union College women’s hockey team, Director of Athletics Jim McLaughlin ’93 announced on Wednesday.
“I’m extremely thankful and humbled to have the opportunity to lead the Union College women’s hockey program,” Maci said. “I’d like to thank President David Harris, Vice President for Student Affairs Annette Diorio, Jim McLaughlin, Beth Tiffany, and everyone involved in the search process for giving me the opportunity to come to Schenectady. Throughout this whole process I kept hearing the same thing about Union College and the campus community, and that was there are great people here. That is something I want to be a part of.”
“We are very happy to welcome someone with Tony’s experience to Union as our next head women’s hockey coach,” McLaughlin said. “His focus on the overall experience and support of student-athletes came through clearly during the interview process. As our program continues to develop and improve, Tony’s track record of success will be an incredible benefit to our players and what they look to achieve both on and off the ice.
“It is a very exciting time for our women’s hockey program and I look forward to seeing Tony behind the bench this season.”
Maci has spent the last eight years on staff at Clarkson University, serving as the top assistant on Matt Desrosiers’ staff before recently earning a promotion to Associate Head Coach. During his time on the bench, the Golden Knights have blossomed into a perennial title contender, winning a pair of Division I national championships in 2017 and 2018, reaching four Frozen Fours and making the NCAA Tournament seven times. As the team’s recruiting coordinator and skills coach, Maci has recruited and developed two Patty Kazmaier Award winners, nine AHCA All-Americans and 38 All-ECAC Hockey honorees during his time in Potsdam.
“I’d like to thank former Athletics Directors Steve Yianoukos and Scott Smalling, Athletic Director Laurel Kane, Assistant Athletics Director Ben Gaebel and especially Head Coach Matthew Desrosiers, as well as, all of the student athlete and people involved in the Golden Knights women’s hockey program for the support throughout my career at Clarkson University,” Maci added. “This has not been an easy decision to leave the North Country and Clarkson, as it’s a special place for my family. It’s where I met my wife, Sarah, and where all three of our children have been born. It holds a special place in our hearts.”
Maci started his Division I coaching at fellow ECAC school Princeton University, where he helped guide the Tigers to the NCAA Tournament in 2015-16 with a 22-9-2 record, the most wins in program history at the time. He got his start in the college coaching ranks three years earlier as an assistant coach at Division III Adrian College, pushing the young program to a combined 59-15-6 record over three years and its first NCHA regular-season title in 2014-15.
A native of Grosse Ile, Mich., Maci graduated from St. Lawrence University in 2005 with a degree in English and was a five-year member of the Saints men’s hockey team.
Maci takes over a Union women’s hockey program that is trending positively, having posted two of the three winningest seasons in the program’s Division I history in the last two years, including a program-record 11 wins in 2022-23. Last season, the team won a program-record four games in a row in December and January, capped by its second win over a nationally ranked team with a 2-1 (OT) win at Penn State University.
“We are going to be a group that works hard both on and off the ice, as well as in the community,” continued Maci. “We will put a premium on player development first so that we can play an exciting skilled brand of hockey, while working hard as exceptional student-athletes in the classroom.”
Before moving to a brand-new facility at Mohawk Harbor in 2025, the Garnet Chargers will begin their final season in Messa Rink on October 4 against Rochester Institute of Technology after a season-opening series at Robert Morris University on September 27-28.
(Photo provided by Union College Women’s Athletics/Hockey Team)
(Ed. Note — NY Hockey OnLine is sorry that this was not posted in a more timely fashion.)
Mike Trimboli (Massena, N.Y.) was unanimously re-elected to a second three-year term as president of the organization on June 8 during the USA Hockey Congress Meeting in Denver that concluded the organization’s four-day Annual Meeting. “I’m humbled to continue to serve this great organization,” said Trimboli. “I’d like to thank our Congress for its confidence in me, and it is with much optimism that I look forward to the future.“It is always inspiring to see the passion and dedication that shines through during our Annual Meeting. We are so fortunate to have a collaborative environment with volunteers from across the country, our staff and other constituent groups working together as a team to drive the continued growth and evolution of the game.”
GROWTH Participation numbers for the 2023-24 season were shared during the Annual Meeting and included 564,468 players, up by 1.49%. Youth players grew to 389,820, while adult players increased to 174,648. The number of female players hit an all-time high of 93,610 in 2023-24, up by 2.58%. The season also included record numbers of coaches (64,280/4.14% increase) and officials (31,125/9.87% increase).
PLAYING RULES USA Hockey’s councils, committees and sections reviewed the numerous playing rule proposals that were submitted and will ultimately be voted on during the USA Hockey Winter Meeting this coming January in Nashville. Any rule changes approved will go into effect for the 2025-26 season and remain in place for a four-year cycle.
ELECTIONS In addition to the re-election of Mike Trimboli as president, the Congress also re-elected Keith Barrett (Northfield, Vt.) as vice president and Youth Council chair and elected Tom Cline (Sylvania, Ohio) as vice president and Adult Council chair. Caitlin Cahow (Banford, Connecticut), Noah Grove (Frederick, Md.), Jenny Potter (Edina, Minn.), Lyndsey Fry (Chandler, Ariz.), Shelley Looney (Brownstown, Mich.), Chris Clark (South Windsor, Conn.), Matt Herr (Alpine, N.J.) and Bobby Butler (Marlborough, Mass.) were elected as athlete representatives to Congress, with Cahow and Grove also elected to serve as athlete representatives to the Board of Directors. In addition, Dave Margeneau (Maple Grove, Minn.) was elected as representative at-large to Congress, Bob Joyce (Newton, Mass.) as director at-large to the Board and Gordon Bowman (Plymouth, Mich.) as director emeritus.
MULDER SALUTED Don Mulder (Fond du Lac, Wis.), who is retiring from his volunteer efforts with USA Hockey after five decades, received a standing ovation during Saturday’s Congress meeting. Mulder has served in varying roles within the organization, including the last 12 years as vice president and Adult Council chair.
AWARDS USA Hockey honored several individuals as part of its annual awards program and also recognized its Service Award recipients during Friday’s President’s Awards Dinner. For the full recap, click here. At Saturday’s Congress meeting, USA Hockey president Mike Trimboli presented President’s Awards to volunteer Robert Esche(Utica, N.Y.), as well as staff members Tony Driscoll (Colorado Springs, Colo.) and Heather Mannix (Plymouth, Mich.).
OTHER NOTES It was noted and celebrated that U.S. national teams played in more gold-medal games in major international competition than any other nation in 2023-24, with gold medals in the Youth Olympic Games, IIHF Under-18 Women’s World Championship and IIHF World Junior Championship, and silver medals in the IIHF Under-18 Men’s World Championship, IIHF Women’s World Championship and IPC Para Sled Hockey World Championship.Attendees were reminded that the requirement for neck laceration protection for players in all USA Hockey age classifications, other than adults, in all games and practices, and also for on-ice officials under the age of 18, goes into effect on August 1, 2024. That legislation was passed by the USA Hockey Congress at its January 2024 meeting.
By: Caleb Philips, Director of Athletic Communications
PLATTSBURGH, N.Y. – Emma Killeen, a 2022 Plattsburgh State graduate and former women’s ice hockey student-athlete, has been hired as the new assistant women’s ice hockey coach, as announced Thursday by the Department of Intercollegiate Athletics and Recreation.
“It’s great to have Emma back in the Cardinal Women’s Hockey Family,” head coach Kevin Houle said, “She will be a great addition as her knowledge of the game and passion for Plattsburgh State women’s hockey will be a great asset to our program! We are excited to have her on board.”
Killeen enjoyed an outstanding career with the Cardinals as a key piece of the defensive unit over the course of four seasons. Playing 110 games in her career, she tallied five goals and 35 assists and appeared in all 31 games in the team’s 2019 National Championship run. In the championship game against Hamline, Killeen tallied an assist on the game-winning goal as they won 4-0 to secure their seventh national title in program history.
Killeen has coaching experience working in a variety of clinics and camps, including the Elite Hockey Camp at Norwich University and USA Ice Hockey Development Camps. She also volunteered at Learn to Skate outings hosted at Plattsburgh while a student-athlete. Outside of working the ice, she worked at Eclipse Fitness and Spa as well as a CrossFit Coach in her hometown of Watertown, Connecticut.
Outside of athletics, Killeen has most recently worked as a realtor for Regency Real Estate in Connecticut.
A 2022 graduate of SUNY Plattsburgh, Killeen earned her degree in Business Administration while minoring in athletic coaching.
Seniors Hank Kempf, Jack O’Leary, Tim Rego to Serve as Alternate Captains
ITHACA, N.Y. — Senior forward Kyle Penney has been named team captain of the Cornell men’s hockey team for a second consecutive season, it was announced by Mike Schafer ’86, the Jay R. Bloom ’77 Head Coach of Cornell Men’s Ice Hockey.
“He does everything the right way in hockey, training, practice, games, and cares about his teammates,” Schafer said of Penney. “He connects across all classes, freshmen to seniors, and he’s done that since he’s been here. He speaks up and picks his spots to make his point. He’s not soft-spoken but doesn’t waste his words. He works hard and you can’t have a captain that doesn’t do that. He checks all the boxes of great leaders. It’s an honor for him to be a two-time captain and it was going to be evident that the honor was going to be bestowed upon him by his teammates.”
Penney is the seventh player under Schafer’s tenure as the Big Red’s head coach to be named a two-time captain, joining Mitch Vanderlaan ’19, John McCarron ’15, Colin Greening ’10, Stephen Bâby ’03, Kyle Knopp ’99, and Brad Chartrand ’96. Penney is the 14th player on record in Cornell program history to be named a two-time captain. The entire list can be viewed below.
Joining Penney on the leadership team for the upcoming season will be senior defensemen Hank Kempf and Tim Rego and senior forward Jack O’Leary, who will all serve as alternate captains.
“We had great leadership from Kyle, Jack, and Gabriel Seger last year, but when the players sat down and voted, played over in Europe, and came back with all the training, Hank and Tim have played major roles in our program from day one,” Schafer said. “Both are great teammates who work hard at their trade; they have all the characteristics of good captains. We’re excited for our leadership group; they won’t be the only leaders on our team, but those are the guys our team has given a letter to.”
O’Leary is the second player on record in Cornell program history to be named an alternate captain in consecutive seasons, joining Cole Bardreau ’15, who served as an alternate captain for the 2013-14 and 2014-15 campaigns.
Cornell will begin its 2024-25 campaign with a scrimmage against ECAC Hockey and Ivy League foe Princeton at Lynah Rink on Saturday, Oct. 19, at 5 p.m. The Big Red’s only other exhibition prior to its season-opening game against North Dakota on Friday, Nov. 1, will be a contest against the University of Toronto on Saturday, Oct. 26, at 7 p.m.
Fans are still eligible to purchase season tickets for the upcoming season. For more information, please visit bigredtix.com.
MULTI-YEAR CAPTAINS
Cornell Program History
Lance Nethery (1977-78, 1978-79)
Doug Berk (1979-80, 1980-81)
Brock Tredway (1979-80, 1980-81)
Randy MacFarlane (1982-83, 1983-84)
Duanne Moeser (1984-85, 1985-86)
Mike Schafer (1984-85, 1985-86)
Ryan Hughes (1991-92, 1992-93)
Brad Chartrand (1994-95, 1995-96)
Kyle Knopp (1997-98, 1998-99)
Stephen Bâby (2001-02, 2002-03)
Colin Greening (2008-09, 2009-10)
John McCarron (2013-14, 2014-15)
Mitch Vanderlaan (2017-18, 2018-19)
Kyle Penney (2023-24, 2024-25)
(Photo provided by Cornell Men’s Athletics/Hockey)
LATHAM, NY-Tim Mullins, Athletic Director at Bayport- Blue Point High School (Section XI), officially took over on September 1st as the 52nd President of the New York State Public High School Athletic Association. Mullins begins a two-year term (2024-2026) as President after serving as Vice President and Second Vice President for the previous four years (2020-2024).
Also, on September 1st, Adam Stoltman of Alden Central School District (Section VI) moved into the role of First Vice President. Stoltman served as Second Vice President for the last two years. Debra Ferry of Half Hollow Hills Central School District (Section XI) began her term as the newest NYSPHSAA officer in the role of Second Vice President. Russell Bartlett (Section X) transitioned from President (2022-2024) to the role of Immediate Past President for the next two years and Julie Bergman (Section IV) completed her eight years of service to the Association as the outgoing Past President.
Mullins has been the Director of Physical Education, Health, and Athletics at Bayport-Blue Point School District since 2003. Prior to that, he worked at the West Islip School District (Section XI) and has been a member of the Section XI and NYSPHSAA boys lacrosse committees since 2003. Mullins is a graduate of West Islip High School and continued on to SUNY Cortland and Adelphi University where he earned his bachelor’s in physical education and holds master’s degrees from the College of New Rochelle and Stony Brook University.
“I look forward to giving back to this exceptional association that continues to afford our student athletes tremendous opportunities and lifelong memories,” said Mullins. “I plan to take a collaborative approach to follow the mission of NYSPHSAA in the hopes of continuing moving our association forward and maintaining a membership-driven organization.”
“Over the last two years I have developed an even bigger appreciation for the work the NYSPHSAA staff and Executive Committee does to support the incredible work of our member schools, their coaches and administrator,” said Stoltman. “To an individual, members of the committee from across the State remain steadfast in their commitment to providing competitive and safe opportunities that enhance the experiences of our student-athletes, regardless of the level of play.”
Debra Ferry has been the Director of Athletics at Half Hollow Hills Central School District since 2016. Ferry began her career in Manhattan teaching physical education and spent the next 27 years in the field serving in many roles including Section XI President, Section XI Field Hockey Coordinator, NYSPHSAA Female Representative of the Executive Committee and At-large member of the NYSPHSAA Championship Advisory Committee. Ferry has earned degrees from SUNY Cortland (BSE and MSE), Touro College (MSE), and a CAA from the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrator Association in 2010. In high school, she participated in volleyball, basketball, softball, and field hockey making her way to the collegiate level to compete in both field hockey and lacrosse at SUNY Cortland.
“I am deeply honored to step into the role of Second Vice President for the New York State Public High School Athletic Association,” said Ferry. “Together, we will continue to champion the spirit of teamwork, perseverance, and excellence that defines our student-athletes. I look forward to collaborating with our dedicated NYSPHSAA staff, officers and committees to foster programs in our public schools where all athletes feel valued and have an opportunity to reach their fullest potential.”
Outgoing President Russell Bartlett has been a member of the Tupper Lake School District since 1994. He began his teaching career as a chemistry/biology teacher, a role he held for 15 years. After that he spent five years as Tupper Lake’s Student Coordinator. He has also held the positions of athletic director and principal. Bartlett held the Superintendent position at Tupper Lake for the past two years and recently announced his retirement. He has degrees from SUNY Geneseo (B.S), SUNY Potsdam (M.S. Ed) and The State University of New York at Stony Brook (Advanced Graduate Certificate).
All NYSPHSAA officers are appointed by committee and serve an eight-year term on a voluntary basis. The current NYSPHSAA officers are:
President –Tim Mullins (Section XI) 1st Vice President – Adam Stoltman (Section VI) 2nd Vice President – Debra Ferry (Section XI) Immediate Past President – Russell Bartlett (Section X)
Joins Big Red Coaching Staff After Spending 2023-24 Season With USHL’s Fargo Force
ITHACA, N.Y. — Corey Leivermann has joined the Cornell men’s hockey coaching staff as an assistant coach, Mike Schafer ’86, the Jay R. Bloom ’77 Head Coach of Cornell Men’s Ice Hockey, announced.
In addition to his assistant coaching duties, Leivermann will also oversee the Big Red’s video and hockey operations for the upcoming season.
“I’m really excited to add Corey to our coaching staff with his experience coming from leagues that are vital to our recruiting,” Schafer said. “He has vast experience and connections with the USHL and NAHL, and I’m looking forward to him connecting with our players. He comes highly recommended.”
“I’m excited and honored for this tremendous opportunity to work with Coach Schafer in his last year at Cornell, and with Casey Jones and Sean Flanagan,” added Leivermann. “I’m really excited and ready to hit the ground running with hockey season right around the corner.”
Leivermann joins the Big Red after spending the 2023-24 season as an associate head coach under Brett Skinner with the Fargo Force of the United States Hockey League (USHL). Fargo had a successful 2023-24 campaign, highlighted by its USHL-record 50 regular-season wins (50-10-2) and concluding their year by winning its second-ever Clark Cup title.
Before his time in Fargo, Leivermann was an associate head coach with the Madison Capitols for two years before being elevated to general manager and head coach of the Capitols for the 2022-23 campaign.
While with Madison, Leivermann coached rising junior forward Nick DeSantis during the 2021-22 season, where DeSantis posted 45 points (15 goals, 30 assists) in 60 games played.
Following his one season of playing professional hockey with the Mississippi RiverKings in the SPHL in 2014-15, Leivermann joined the Wichita Falls Wildcats of the North American Hockey League (NAHL) as a scout for the 2015-16 season. He spent the next season as the general manager and head coach of the Jersey Shore Wildcats, a NA3HL team, before returning to Wichita Falls to serve as an assistant coach for the remainder of the season upon the conclusion of the NA3HL season.
He remained in the NAHL for the next three seasons, working with the Janesville Jets, where he assumed the role of assistant coach for the entire 2017-18 season and the first half of the 2018-19 campaign before being elevated to head coach on Jan. 2, 2019, a role he held for a year and a half. He also served as the Jets’ director of scouting for two years (2018-20).
After posting 71 points (39 goals, 32 assists) in 20 games during his senior season at Mankato West High School, where he was a two-year captain, Leivermann played two years of junior hockey with Fargo in the USHL, appearing in 108 regular-season games and accumulating 77 points (28 goals, 49 assists). Following his time as a player with Fargo, Leivermann played Division I hockey at Minnesota State for parts of three seasons, registering eight points (four goals, four assists) in 42 games with the Mavericks.
A mid-year transfer to Gustavus Adolphus, a Minnesota-based Division III institution, in 2012-13, Leivermann averaged a point per game over his 40 career games with the Gusties. He registered 20 goals and 20 assists during his time in St. Peter, Minn., highlighted by his 30-point season (18 goals, 12 assists) in 2013-14, where he earned Second Team West AHCA All-American honors while serving as team captain.
Originally from North Mankato, Minn., Leivermann and his wife, Tanya, arrive to East Hill with their dog, Bella.
We are happy to announce the North Country Valkyries will be making their debut as an all-girls team for the 2024-25 ice hockey season! This will be a supplement to coed teams for this season. The goal is to start a girls’ program for the North Country that can grow and be sustainable for future seasons.
This year we are going to hold 8, all girl practices throughout the season. We have requested that each of the following associations provide 2 ice teams for the Valkyrie: Thousand Islands, Watertown, Salmon River, and Lewis County. Based on player interest and age level availability, we would like to identify 2-3 tournaments throughout the season to attend as an all-girls program. The registration, jersey and socks would be an additional fee to be collected as decisions are made about tournament attendance. The tournaments would occur before or after coed league play as well as potential for a holiday/winter break tournament option. Every attempt will be made to work around coed schedules to not interrupt team play. All tournaments are dependent on player/family interest and availability.
Registration is $25. Register your girl player today for the North Country Valkyrie! https://watertownhockeyassociation.sportngin.com/…/3883… We are also looking for coaches, specifically female, but are open to all assistance! Please contact Amanda Caswell ([email protected] or 740-591-798) for additional information.
After a very nice summer hiatus from ice hockey, NYHOL is ready to gear up for the 2024-25 season. There is lots to celebrate and to look forward to this season. This season NYHOL will be focusing on the WNY region, but will continue to share NYS news as we can.
So let’s start by taking a look at the College scene.
Women’s ice hockey is growing with the addition of a team at St. John Fisher College in Rochester. They have named Scott McDonald (pictured below) the head coach of the women’s ice hockey team. and will play in the United Collegiate Hockey Conference beginning in the 2025-26 season. Home games will be played at the Rochester Ice Center in Fairport. Reid Lesswing was named Head Coach of the inaugural men’s ice hockey team.
“We are excited to welcome Reid and Scott to our roster of talented and committed coaches at Fisher. We are thrilled that they will serve as the inaugural head coaches for our men’s and women’s hockey programs, and look forward what they will bring to the University; their experience and enthusiasm, and most importantly, their support of our student-athletes,” said Jose Perales, vice president for enrollment management.
Inaugural Head Coach for St. John Fisher, Scott McDonald
McDonald joins Fisher after three years as the player development coach of the Bishop Kearney Selects Girls Hockey Program. In addition, he is owner/leader of Maverick Hockey Development, where he designs custom hockey development programs for all Rochester Area youth hockey organizations.
Prior to his time at Bishop Kearney, McDonald served as the head women’s ice hockey coach at the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) from 2006-2018, where his 12-year overall record was 205-154-29. He led the team to the Division III Women’s Ice Hockey National Championship, where the team clinched the title in 2012. In addition, the team had four NCAA Tournament appearances, and achieved two Division I CHA Playoff Conference Championships, two Division III ECAC West Playoff Conference Championships, and three Division III ECAC West Regular Season Titles. In 2009 and 2011 respectively, McDonald was named Conference Coach of the Year, and in 2011 and 2012, he was named National Coach of the Year Runner-Up.
Between 2003-2006, McDonald served as the assistant coach of the men’s Division I ice hockey team at RIT, which at the time competed in the Atlantic Hockey Association, and as assistant coach of the men’s Division III team, competing in the ECAC West. He also served as assistant coach of men’s ice hockey at Utica University for one year.
Professionally, McDonald played for the San Angelo Outlaws in San Angelo, Texas, and the IK Viking club in the Swedish Professional League. McDonald is a graduate of Niagara University where he was a member of the NCAA Division I men’s ice hockey team through his undergraduate career.
“I am truly humbled and honored to be the first head coach of the St. John Fisher University women’s hockey program. The culture and commitment the Athletic Department has is second to none. I’m extremely grateful to be joining this staff and begin building our hockey program from the ground up within their standards,” said McDonald. “Fisher’s strong academic and athletic programs will give us the opportunity to quickly build our program into a perennial contender and challenge teams, not only in the UCHC, but nationally. Rochester has an amazing hockey community that is only getting stronger with the addition of both men’s and women’s hockey.”
The Buffalo State women’s hockey team continues to develop a very young squad with the same goal of reaching the postseason for the first time since the 2017-18 season.
Head Coach Rachel Grampp concluded her third season at the helm of the women’s hockey program looking to rebuild the team into a championship contender. The Bengals picked up a pair of wins this season and had multiple individual performances that show promise on a team that featured eight new faces and a reigning Northeast Women’s Ice Hockey League (NEWHL) All-Rookie Team selection.
As a team, Buffalo State tallied 34 goals, 54 assists, eight power play goals, and a .506 face-off percentage across the 25 game season. The Bengals tallied a season-high in points (21), goals (7), assists (14), and shots (64) in a dominant victory over Hilbert near the end of the season.
Vanessa Willick
Buffalo State kicked-off the 2023-24 season with an impressive win over Neumann University. Reigning NEWHL All-Rookie selection Vanessa Willick (Williamsville, NY/Buffalo Bisons) picked up a pair of goals while Liz Flores (Colleyville, TX/Dallas Stars Edition) scored her first collegiate goal. Eight different Bengals earned an assist across the team’s four goals while Jessica Auge (Laingsburg, MI/Honeybaked Detroit) made 19 saves in goal. The Bengals outshot the Knights with a 40-12 margin. The Bengals second win on the year came in a dominant 7-0 shutout against Hilbert. Bethany Horvatits (Elma, NY/Cazenovia Chiefs) led Buffalo State with a pair of goals while 15 other Bengals tallied at least one point. Auge and Amelia LeBrun (Plattsburgh, NY/Salem State) combined for the six-save shutout.
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Willick and Carys Ursell (Calgary, AB/Calgary Fire) shared the team lead with 11 points on the year. Willick had a team-high seven goals and one game-winning goal while Ursell had the team lead with eight assists and 21 blocked shots. Nearly the entire team registered at least one point while three scored their first collegiate goals. Auge was the leader in the goaltending room compiling 642 saves with a .884 save percentage across 21 starts. She now has 2,506 saves in her career putting her second in program history behind Mary Keddie who made 2,665 saves.
Grampp’s squad also continues to be a staple in the classroom. Auge, Katie Sarich, and Hannah Tingley were selected to the College Sports Communicators Academic All-District Team while the team had 19 athletes named to the SUNYAC Commissioner’s Academic Honor Roll and 17 athletes earning Dean’s List recognition following the spring semester.
With a very young team, Grampp has established the foundation for the program she aims to build. With a year of experience under their belt, the goal is to take another leap ahead next season as they climb up the standings in a very strong conference leaderboard. (Recap provided by Buffalo State College Athletics)
Jessica Auge (Laingsburg, MI/Honeybaked Detroit), Katie Sarich (Columbia, MD/Washington Pride), and Hannah Tingley (Stoneboro, PA/Washington Pride) of the Buffalo State women’s hockey team have been recognized for their outstanding academic and athletic accomplishments, earning selection to the 2024 Academic All-District Team, selected by College Sports Communicators.
Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) Bruce B. Bates Women’s Hockey Coach Celeste Brown announced the schedule for the 2024-25 season, Thursday. The Tigers’ 34-game regular-season slate features 20 games in Atlantic Hockey America and 19 home dates.
Celeste Brown, Bruce B Bates Women’s Hockey Coach
“The 2024-2025 season is going to build on our growth from last season,” said Brown, who enters her fifth season on the Tiger bench. “We are set to play four top 15 teams, all who made the NCAA tournament, and we couldn’t be more excited and motivated towards the challenge.”
RIT kicks off the season on Friday and Saturday, September 27-28 for a pair of non-conference games against Assumption. The Tigers play at Union the following weekend (Oct. 4-5) to take on the Garnet Chargers.
RIT hosts Colgate for a pair of games on Oct. 11-12, followed by a weekend series against RPI (Oct. 17-18) as part of Brick City Homecoming and Family Weekend. The Tigers host St. Lawrence for a weekend series Oct. 25-26.
RIT starts November with two Atlantic Hockey America games against Robert Morris (Nov. 1-2). The Tigers play at Syracuse on Nov. 15 and at the Gene Polisseni Center the following afternoon. RIT plays at Mercyhurst Nov. 22-23 for a pair of AHA games and at Cornell (Nov. 26). RIT closes out the first semester with a pair of AHA games against Lindenwood (Dec. 6-7).
The Tigers return to action after the semester break on Tuesday, December 31 with a non-conference home game against Cornell. RIT rings in 2025 with a trip to Post (Jan. 4-5) before a road series against Penn State (Jan. 10-11). The Tigers hit the road to face Robert Morris (Jan. 18-19) before a home-and-home series against Syracuse (Jan. 24-25).
Mercyhurst comes to town on Jan. 31 and Feb. 1, before the Tigers play at Lindenwood (Feb. 7-8). RIT wraps up the regular season at home against Penn State Feb. 14-15.
“To all our Tiger Fans we can’t wait to have you back in our building,” said Brown. “We are counting down the days until puck drop!”
All games and dates are subject to change. Stay tuned to RITAthletics.com and @RIT WHKY on Twitter for the latest information about the team.
To support the RIT women’s ice hockey team check out the RIT Breakaway Club. As a member you receive two complimentary season tickets (upgradeable to club lounge), a RIT Athletics Polo Shirt, RIT car decal, RIT Athletics pin, to complimentary tickets to the Brick City Homecoming and Family Weekend game at Blue Cross Arena, Zoom sessions with head coach, invitation to a meet and greet with team at a select game. For information call Dan Christner at 585-475-6908 or email [email protected]
Nazareth’s Julia Holmes and Alexis Jones were named to the CSC Academic All District Team. In just its fourth season of existence, the Nazareth women’s hockey team hosted an NCAA quarterfinal contest against #3 Elmira on March 12, 2022. In a hard-fought battle, the Golden Flyers fell 2-1 with a late third period goal from Elmira. Ally Watrous scored her 23rd goal of the season to tie the game at 1-1 in the third (check out the goal below). The 23 goals for Watrous remains the single season scoring record at Nazareth. Nazareth also set the school record that season for wins after going 27-2. The Golden Flyers were an unblemished 20-0 in UCHC play.
Nazareth Practice 2023-24 NYHOL Photo
Nineteen players were named to All Academic Team honor roll from the UCHC and 10 were named to the Scholar All American honor roll from the American Hockey Coaches Association.
The All-Academic team included Meredith Boettcher, Kate Cascio, Zoe Dupuis, Abby Flanagan, Kieran Fults, McKinley Hoff, Julia Holmes, Ingrid Holstad, Maggie Jacoby, Alexis Jones, Alexis Kindred, Lindsay Moses, Rebecca Mullahy, Juliet Rutigliano, Nikki Sharp, Corsica Skibinski, Sydney Swanson, Makenna Wiljanen and Allie Zack.
The Scholar All-American list included Ingrid Holstad, Meredith Boettcher, Zoe Dupuis, Kieran Fults, Maggie Jacoby, Alexis Jones, Juliet Rutigliano, Nikki Sharp, Corsica Skibinski and Makenna Wiljanen.
The UCHC award required at least a 3.2 grade point average and the ACHA award winners needed at least a 3.5 GPA for each semester of the 2023-24 season.
Hilbert College has become a member of the United Collegiate Hockey Conference effective in the 2025-26 season. Hilbert recently completed its second season as a women’s ice hockey program and have competed against UCHC opponents in the first two seasons. They play their home games at the Hamburg Nike Base.
“Hilbert Women’s Hockey is very excited to join the UCHC and compete against strong programs within our region,” said Head Coach Earl Utter.
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The Hawks had one win last season, a 5-3 victory over Kings College. The roster included NY natives Kaitlin Cowle, Henrietta; Brooke Kwiecien, Perry; Courtney Wesolowski, Depew.
Niagara University is icing two women’s teams this season with a DI and DII team in the ACHA. Anna Quattro remains as head coach for the DI team and they are searching for a DII Head Coach.Opening day for the DI team is Friday, September 27 at 8:15 p.m. against Maryville University. The DII schedule has not been posted.
Around the State:
SUNY Canton women’s ice hockey team tied the program records for the most overall wins and most conference wins in a season playing a 25-game schedule. The wins (14-11-0) tied the mark set by the 2016-17 and 2022-23 teams, while the Roos eight wins in their first season in SUNYAC play this year ties the mark of eight set by last year’s team in the final season in the NEWHL.
St. Lawrence’s captain Lindsay Charlebois LaSala ‘04 was inducted into the New York State Hockey Hall of Fame, Class of 2024. During her time at St. Lawrence she played in 144 games, scored seven goals and added 22 assists for 29 points. She is tied with 12 others for first in the Saints’ record book with two goals in a game by a defenseman vs Vermont on February 22, 2003. She is also a member of the St. Lawrence team that was inducted into the St. Lawrence University Hall of Fame in 2017.
Clarkson’s Womens Ice Hockey Team has remained a fixture on the national stage by returning to the Frozen Four. Coach Matt Desrosiers has named Tony Moci as Associate Head Coach for this season.The Golden Knights will open their season against St. Michaels College in Vermont on September 27 and 28 and will hold their home opener against Vermont on October 4 and 5.
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute has added eight rookies this season. This incoming class features five forwards, two defenders and a goalie; as well as a pair of transfers and a former National player. Included is one New York native hailing from Clifton Park. Natalie Tulchinsky is transferring in from Saint Anselm College, where she played two seasons and prior to that two seasons at Boston College. Last season she had 20 goals and 22 assists and was named NEWHA first team All-Conference as well as the NEWHA Player of the Year.
William Smith Ice Hockey Assistant Coach Kaylee Harnen attended the 2024 WeCOACH NCAA Academy in Denver this summer. This conference is designed for women coaches to elevate their holistic coaching effectiveness by learning advanced leadership skills and strategies that directly effect their personal and team success.
After eight years at Union College, HC Josh Sciba has accepted a position on the coaching staff of the PWHL New York team. Sciba joins his former coaching partner Greg Fargo. Sciba is the winningest coach in Union Women’s Ice Hockey history.
Former Cornell women’s ice hockey captain, Canadian national team member, and first ever woman assistant coach in the American Hockey League (AHL), Jessica Campbell ‘14, continues her journey of trail-blazing for women and girls. Following a strong two-year run with the Coachella Valley Firebirds, Campbell has been named an assistant coach of the Seattle Kraken, making her the first ever female assistant coach in NHL history.
Colgate has named Stefan Decosse (above, Colgate photo) the head coach of the women’s ice hockey program. He is the fifth head coach in Colgate’s history. He has served the past nine seasons as an assistant coach.
Elmira College announced Greg Haney has their new Head Coach and Jimmy Poreda as Assistant Coach. Haney spent most of his pro career as a goalie in Orlando in the ECHL and Knoxville and Macon in the SPHL. Poreda spent four seasons at Plattsburgh State where he was a three-time AHCA All-American Scholar. He spent his senior season playing professional hockey in Finland, due to Covid-19 canceling the SUNYAC season.
The SUNY Oswego women’s ice hockey team has named Grace Schnorr as their new Assistant Coach heading into the 2024-25 season.
Schnorr is a native of Camillus, NY where she attended West Genesee High School and won two New York State Titles while being named Player of the Year in her senior season. She went on to play hockey at Cortland from 2018-2023. Grace is still the all-time leader in points (114), goals (63), assists (51), and tied for first for most points in a season with 35 in 2021-22. Schnorr was a three-time All-NEWHL selection including a pair of First Team picks and a spot on the NEWHL All-Rookie Team in 2018-19.
“I’m very excited to get to work with Grace. She will be a great resource for our players; she was a very talented player and has already proven herself to be a strong teacher of the game. She’s won everywhere she has been, and we look forward to adding her knowledge to our program. “Head Coach Mark Digby.
In 2023-24, Schnorr was an assistant coach for the Nazareth University Golden Flyers women’s hockey team. They finished their season with a 22-6-1 overall record securing a spot in the NCAA tournament.
“I am very excited for the opportunity to join the staff here at Oswego. It is awesome to have the opportunity to work with another great coach and be a part of another strong program. I am excited to be back in the SUNYAC and compete against some familiar opponents, and I can’t wait to see what we can accomplish soon! “Assistant Coach Grace Schnorr.
The Lakers will home opener will be Friday November 1st against William Smith at the Deborah F Stanley Arena.
Hockey honors went to several New York State natives:
Cortland: 2023-24 Krampade/American Hockey Coaches Association (AHCA) All-American Scholar list.Elena Eichmann (Gr., Rochester/Syracuse Nationals 19UAAA)Jillian Hlasnick (Sr., Olean/Niagara Jr. Purple Eagles U19) – Business Economics2023-24 Division III Men’s and Women’s At-Large Academic All-District teams for District 3: Mia Hlasnick, Olean and Dany Donegan North Syracuse.
Colgate: Elyssa Biederman ‘26, Sydney Bard ‘24 and Allyson Simpson ‘24 were all selected to attend the Team USA Women’s National Festival from Aug. 4-11 at the Olympic Center in Lake Placid, N.Y., USA Hockey announced on Thursday.
Potsdam: CSC honors went to Sara Barrett, Tonawanda/Niagara Jr Purple Eagles and Alex Quinn, Potsdam/St Lawrence Steel.
Plattsburgh: Named to the College Sports Communicators (CSC) Academic All-District Women’s At-Large Teams were Aziah Thompson(above), Williamsville/Bisons. Thompson was also named a Krampade/American Hockey Coaches Association All American Scholar.
Clarkson: Haley Winn, Rochester/Bishop Kearney Selects, was honored by the CSC.
Editors note: NYHOL will be contacting all Sports Information Offices with regards to press releases, credentials and story ideas shortly. Anyone with information on a New York-related women’s ice hockey story, player or event should contact [email protected]
