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Italy’s Gianluigi Rosa poised for stardom at IPC Ice Sledge Hockey Qualification Tournament

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Janet
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Heading into this month's IPC Ice Sledge Hockey Qualification Tournament, host nation Italy boast a veteran squad that includes two-time Paralympians Andrea Chiarotti and Greg Leperdi, in addition to the experienced slap shot of Florian Planker. But perhaps not enough people are looking at Gianluigi Rosa - a 24-year-old rising star on their defensive line who showed flashes of brilliance at the World Championships A-Pool earlier this year. Rosa, whose right leg was amputated at the thigh after a motorcycle accident, recorded 15 shots on goal at the Championships in Goyang, South Korea, more than any of his teammates, including the three aforementioned star forwards. One of those shots went past the posts. "Yeah ... that wasn't a very nice goal," Rosa joked when talking to Paralympic.org, humbled by the chance to score as a defenceman. Fans saw glimpses of Rosa's quick speed and playmaking abilities, though his time on the ice was hindered a bit, as he spent 14 minutes in the penalty box during the tournament. That's more time than any other defenceman spent behind the glass. Now, he'll try to qualify Italy's ice sledge hockey team for their third consecutive Paralympic Winter Games - and his second - when the Qualification Tournament takes place from 20-26 October in Torino. "A tournament like this is so important for growing the winter sport part of the Paralympic Movement in Italy," Rosa said. Italy finished in sixth place at the World Championships A-Pool, just missing out on a direct Sochi 2014 qualification spot after losing to Norway in a penalty shootout in the fifth-place game. Rosa could prove the difference for the Italians in Torino, where they will battle South Korea, Sweden, Germany, Japan and Great Britain for the final three Sochi 2014 spots. The Trento native previously competed on the IPC Alpine Skiing World Cup circuit in 2009, and he qualified for the Vancouver 2010 Paralympics in downhill and super-G, but he chose sledge hockey over the slopes, saying he prefers team sports. "I'm better in sledge hockey, and my skills are better for that sport," Rosa said. But Rosa insists he'll remain in the woodwork behind the three leaders until it's his proper time to shine. "Chiarotti is our leader," Rosa said. "He's the history of sledge hockey here in Italy and one of our first players." At the Qualification Tournament, expect Chiarotti to fill his tournament duty of relieving the tension prior to big games with his famous comical anecdotes. These have become a ritual for the Italian team at all of the major international events. The only further detail Rosa would reveal was: "A lot of them start off with, `There was an Italian, a German and an Englishman ...'" For more information on the IPC Ice Sledge Hockey Qualification Tournament, please visit the event website at http://www.paralympic.org/events/torino-2013. -ends- Notes to the Editor: IPC Ice Sledge Hockey The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) is the global governing body of the Paralympic Movement, and also acts as the International Federation for nine sports, including IPC Ice Sledge Hockey. The sport is governed by the IPC and co-ordinated by the IPC Ice Sledge Hockey Sport Technical Committee, offering a wide range of competitions and events for athletes with an impairment in the lower portion of their body. For further information, please visit www.ipc-icesledgehockey.org, www.Twitter.com/IPCISH, www.Facebook.com/IceSledgeHockey or www.ParalympicSport.TV. Alternatively, please contact Craig Spence, IPC Director of Media and Communications on e-mail: [email protected] or call +49-228-2097-230.

Islanders Fight Cancer

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Janet
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As the calendar turns to October and the New York Islanders return to the ice for another exciting season, the organization is once again proud to support hockey’s fight against cancer. The Islanders will bring awareness of local cancer patients, non-profit organizations and hospitals, while helping raise funds to battle this terrible disease.

The Islanders Fight Cancer initiative, now in its 15th season, stands as one of the cornerstones of the team’s official charity, the Islanders Children’s Foundation (ICF). Every year, the team holds fundraisers during games at Nassau Coliseum, on-line and at special fan-centered events throughout the season.

 

The Islanders Fight Cancer initiative is under way and we are asking our fans to support this cause in their homes, schools and places of work. Throughout October, NewYorkIslanders.com will be sharing stories from those who have had firsthand accounts of this terrible disease. If you have a story you’d like to share from a friend, family member, co-worker or yourself, please send it our way, along with pictures, to [email protected].

This October the New York Islanders are highlighting the following organizations:

Smiles for Scott: The Smiles For Scott Foundation, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization established to honor the life and memory of Scott Loeb, the son of Debbie and Larry Loeb. Scott passed away in 2005 from medulloblastoma, a form of brain cancer, at the age of 5. The objective of the Foundation is to raise funds to enhance the care and lives of children afflicted with cancer. The Foundation was named in recognition of Scott’s contagious smile.

First Company Pink: First Company Pink is passionately committed to raising funds to support lifesaving breast cancer research. Their focus is to promote wellness and increase public awareness. Their efforts are aligned with the Breast Cancer Research Foundation aimed to fund clinical and transitional research, seeking prevention before a cure is needed.

Greek Children’s Fund: Greek Children’s Fund is affiliated with Memorial Sloan – Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC) and Schneider Children’s Hospital (SCH) to provide financial assistance towards the daily, non-medical needs of Greek, Cypriot and Greek-American children and their families. One of the primary objectives that GCF has achieved is an endowed program at MSKCC that will secure its services to Greek patients in perpetuity.

Steven and Alexandra Cohen’s Medical Center: A truly unique facility, Cohen Children’s Medical Center is dedicated exclusively to the care of children and committed to providing the most sophisticated, state-of-the-art care in all major clinical areas. Family centered care is the core of their mission. The Cohen Center’s discoveries, advancements and achievements over the years have garnered recognition as one of the nation’s preeminent children’s hospitals.

John Tavares models the special Hockey Fights Cancer jersey, which the players will don during warmups on Oct. 26. SEE THE BACK

Fans coming to the Oct. 19 contest against the Carolina Hurricanes are encouraged to wear pink for Breast Cancer Awareness Night.

On Oct. 26, Hockey Fights Cancer Night, the New York Islanders will provide a check to Steven and Alexandra Cohen’s Medical Center during a pre-game on ice presentation for all of their hard work.

The New York Islanders will be wearing “Hockey Fights Cancer” jerseys during warm-ups at their Oct. 26 game against the Philadelphia Flyers. From Oct. 1-15, fans can bid to win their favorite player’s “Hockey Fights Cancer” jersey. All proceeds will go to the Islanders Hockey Fights Cancer Initiative. Fans with the highest bids will receive two tickets to attend the Oct. 26 game, where they will pick up their jersey.

Prostate Cancer Awareness Night is scheduled for Oct. 29, when the Islanders take on the cross-town rival New York Rangers. That is the last Islanders game before November, which is designated by the NHL as Prostate Cancer Awareness Month.

Throughout October, a portion of the proceeds from each pink cotton candy sold will go toward the Hockey Fights Cancer initiative. Also, $1 donation slips will be sold on the Coliseum concourse, and fans who make a donation will have their name on the Islanders Hockey Fights Cancer Wall.

 

We as a Long Island community can come together and do our best to stop cancer in its tracks.

Rochester Hosts Fall Classic This Weekend

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Janet
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Over 2500 ice hockey players and family members will come together this weekend for the Rochester Fall Classic tournament.  The annual event, put on by MYHockey Tournaments out of Chicago IL., will take place at the Bill Gray’s Regional Iceplex and runs from October 4th through the 6th.  

67 youth hockey teams will compete, of which 53 teams travel in from outside the area and call Rochester home throughout the event.  These teams represent a wide range of States in the US (NY, VA, NJ, PA and MD), as well as Provence of Ontario, Canada.  The 53 out of town teams equates to roughly 2000 out of town guests that will reside in local hotels, dine in local restaurants and shop in local stores over a four day period.

Based on the National Association of Sports Commissions Economic Impact Assumptions, this event will result in approximately $1,200,000 of economic impact to the local community..

“Bill Gray’s Regional Iceplex is the ideal facility for running large hockey tournaments,” said Jim Babin, President of MYHockey Tournaments.  “The close proximity of many hotels, restaurants and shopping add to the appeal of this tournament location and is why we choose to host six tournaments throughout the year.”

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Bill Gray’s Regional Iceplex is a 170,000 square foot, multi-sport facility located on the campus of Monroe Community College.  It is home to 4 NHL sized ice rinks, a Bill Grays Restaurant, Tap Room and Snack Bar, Abbott’s Frozen Custard, City Brew Coffee, Locker Room Sports retail hockey store, Maksymum Hockey, Northern Educate Hockey Academy, Travel Team USA. It is also the training facility for the Rochester Americans AHL team and home to Monroe Community College Ice Hockey, Nazareth Ice Hockey, Rochester Youth Hockey, Rochester Americans Junior Hockey, Rochester Americans Tier 1 Hockey teams, Brighton High School Hockey, Pittsford High School Hockey, Spencerport High School Hockey, ROC City Roller Derby, Rochester Ice Cats Hockey and numerous other organizations.  For more information, visitwww.billgraysiceplex.com.

MYHockey Tournaments, a recognized leader in youth hockey tournaments, organizes and hosts tournaments in nine US locations, with more than 2400 participating teams during the 2012-13 season.  For more information on MYHockey Tournaments, visit www.myhockeytournaments.com.

Clear Channel To Broadcast Amerks Games

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Janet
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(ROCHESTER, N.Y.) – The Rochester Americans announced today that Clear Channel Radio will once again be the Amerks radio broadcast partner for the 2013-14 season, keeping Sports 1280 WHTK as the flagship station for Rochester Americans hockey.

Hall of Fame play-by-play broadcaster Don Stevens, winner of the American Hockey League’s 2013 James H. Ellery Award for excellence in radio broadcasting, will be behind the microphone for his 28thseason as the Voice of the Amerks while former Buffalo Sabres forward Ric Seiling will return as color analyst for a ninth season. Clear Channel has also added Rob Sanderson in an expanded role, providing analysis and interviews on the pregame, postgame and intermission reports, with Steve Hullings serving as producer and providing updates.

 

“We look forward to broadcasting another exciting season of Amerks Hockey on Sports 1280 WHTK in Rochester,” said Clear Channel Program Director Aaron Trimmer. “Don Stevens and Ric Seiling are a top-notch broadcasting team and the addition of Rob Sanderson to the pregame and postgame shows make Sports 1280 a must-listen for fans of the Amerks”.

Amerks players, coaches and management personnel will continue to make interview appearances on Clear Channel programming throughout the season, with Stevens making his regular game day appearances on the John DiTullio Show (Sports 1280 WHTK) and the Bob Matthews Show (WHAM 1180).

 

The Amerks and Clear Channel have been partners since 1997.

 

Clear Channel will air 73 of Rochester’s 76 games this season, with the only exceptions being the games on Nov. 11 (vs. Lake Erie, 3:05 p.m.), Nov. 13 (at Hamilton, 10:00 a.m.) and Mar. 25 (at Toronto,11:00 a.m.). Broadcast information for those games will be announced at a later date.

 

Full-Season, Half-Season, Freedom Packs and 12-Game ticket packages, along with individual game tickets, for the 2013-14 season are now on sale. The regular season begins Friday, Oct. 4 when the Amerks host the Grand Rapids Griffins at The Blue Cross Arena at 7:05 p.m. For more information, visitwww.amerks.com or call 1-855-GO-AMERKS.

USA Hall of Fame Class Named

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Janet
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The 2013 U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame induction ceremony and dinner, which will also include the presentation of the Lester Patrick Trophy, is set for Monday, Dec. 2, in Detroit, Mich., it was announced today by USA Hockey.

The U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame Class of 2013 includes Cindy Curley (Hudson, Mass.), Bill Guerin(Worcester, Mass.), Peter Karmanos, Jr. (Raleigh, N.C.), Ron Mason (East Lansing, Mich.) and Doug Weight (Warren, Mich.).

“We’re extremely pleased to bring the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame induction to the great state of Michigan and Hockeytown for the very first time,” said Dave Ogrean, executive director of USA Hockey. “The Class of 2013 is an extraordinary group and we expect a capacity crowd for this very special evening.”

The 41st annual induction ceremony and dinner will be staged at the Soundboard at Motor City Casino. Tickets to the event will go on sale Tuesday, Oct. 15. For complete information, including partner opportunities, visit USHockeyHallofFame.com.
Notes: USA Hockey took over responsibilities for the selection process and induction event associated with the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame in 2006 and has staged induction ceremonies in Grand Forks, N.D. (2007), Denver (2008), Boston (2009), Buffalo, N.Y. (2010), Chicago (2011) and Dallas (2012) … The U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame was founded in 1973. To date, there are 156 enshrined members in the Hall. For more information on the members of the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame, visit USHockeyHallofFame.com … The U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame Museum, located in Eveleth, Minn., is open daily. For hours of operation and admission prices, visit USHockeyHallMuseum.com or call 800-443-7825.

Mroz Named First Head Coach in WNYGVIHL; Heads Monsignor Martin Team

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Janet
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MMHSAA Appoints Mroz to Lead the Team
First Women Head Coach to Debut in the WNYGVIHL
The Monsignor Martin High School Athletic Association is pleased to announce the hiring of Linda Mroz as their new head coach for the Girls Hockey team.  Linda who has been an assistant for the MMHSAA team the past 3 years becomes the first women to lead a team in the WNYGVIHF League.  Her knowledge and experience of the game is sure to be a positive to the program.  Linda’s experience as a player includes being a member of the Niagara University Division 1 team that participated in the NCAA Frozen Four that finished third in the nation.  Her organizational and managerial skills stem from not only being a director with the Regals house program but also coaching Field Hockey and Lacrosse at Sacred Heart Academy.  Linda will work with assistant coaches Jeffery Duquette of North Tonawanda, and Mark Lauber of East Aurora.  The staff is excited to begin a new season that will see the MMHSAA team take on Orchard Park/Frontier on November 21, 4:30 PMat the North Buffalo Ice Rink.

Colgate Men Open at Home

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Janet
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0
HAMILTON – The Colgate men’s hockey team begins its season on Saturday night at 7 p.m. against Ferris State at Starr Rink, followed by a Sunday afternoon matchup to finish off the two-game series.

THIS WEEK: SEASON STARTS THIS WEEKEND
The Raiders begin their 83rd season this Saturday and Sunday with a visit from Ferris State for a two-game set. The series is even between the two teams in the last five games with a 2-2-1 record. The Bulldogs earned a sweep at home the last time these teams met in 2012. This weekend will be the first time Ferris State is at Colgate since 2003-04 and the series is tied at 2-2-0 at Starr Rink.

NEXT WEEK: THURSDAY NIGHT HOCKEY AT RIT
Colgate is on the road for the first time this season next Thursday night, but it isn’t a long road trip as the Raiders head to Rochester. This is the first time since 1985-86 that these two upstate schools will play in back-to-back years. Colgate defeated the Tigers last season by a 6-3 score. This will also be the first time since 1983-84 that Colgate is playing on RITs campus after playing in downtown Rochester the last three meetings away from Starr Rink. The game is the lone one for the Raiders against Atlantic Hockey this year.

COLGATE HOCKEY ON TWITTER
Colgate men’s hockey is on Twitter. Fans can follow along for behind the scenes photos and facts, while also getting game day updates and alumni stories. Search for the Twitter handle @Colgate_Hockey and follow the Raiders today.

RAIDERS PICK 9TH IN BOTH POLLS
ECAC Hockey released it preseason polls on Sept. 24 and the Colgate men’s hockey team was slated to finish ninth in the media and coaches’ polls. This year looks wide open for the league with six different teams earning first-place votes in the coaches poll with Yale leading the way with four votes, followed by Rensselaer, Quinnipiac and Union with two votes.  The media poll also featured a lot of parity with Rensselaer earning the top spot with 18 first-place votes.

GOULAKOS MAKES RETURN AS CAPTAIN
After a roller coaster of the season last year, junior Spiro Goulakos is back in a Colgate uniform and will be the team’s captain for the upcoming season. The defenseman was diagnosed with Hodgkins lymphoma during the second half of the season and left the team for treatment and missed a total of 10 games. He did come back for the postseason, playing at St. Lawrence in the first round of the ECAC Hockey Tournament. He went through treatment in the spring and summer in his hometown of Montreal and was told he was in remission prior to coming back to campus this fall. Despite missing 10 games, he tallied a career-high 18 points on seven goals and 11 helpers, with four of the goals coming on the power play as the point man on the top unit.

GETTING YOUNGER
With a new season, comes new faces and this year, the Raiders welcome 10 new skaters to the squad. There are nine rookies and one transfer, Brooks Herrington, who comes to Colgate after two seasons at Vermont. With the addition of the nine rookies, Colgate has 17 sophomores and freshmen on this year’s team with only two seniors. The Raiders will rely on these new players a lot, especially on defense with the graduation of Jeremy Price, Thomas Larkin, Nathan Sinz and Mike Leidl. The sophomore class got significant playing time in 2012-13 and showed a lot of promise and that will help bring along the newcomers.

WILSON NAMED ASSISTANT CAPTAIN
Joining Goulakos with a letter on his sweater is Joe Wilson, who will be the assistant captain for the Raiders in 2013-14. The junior has had a great career so far for the Raiders. His freshman year he was with the two of the top scorers in the NCAA on the same line and managed 23 points on 10 goals and 13 assists. He equaled his output last season with 23 points on eight goals and 13 assists.

RAIDERS ON TV
Colgate is set to be on television twice this season with next week’s matchup against RIT on Time Warner Cable Sports. The next time the Raiders will be on the tube will be at Minnesota on Jan. 4 on the first day of the Mariucci Classic as Colgate takes on the Golden Gophers. The home dates for televised games has yet to be announced.

SECOND YEAR SCORERS
Colgate is welcoming back its top scoring line from a season ago with Tylor Spink, Tyson Spink and Kyle Baun back on the ice. The trio was the top three rookie scorers in ECAC Hockey a year ago with Tylor Spink and Baun earning ECAC Hockey All-Rookie Team honors. The two were the top goal-scoring pair on the team with 14 goals for Baun to lead the Raiders, while Tylor Spink was second with 13.

IN THE BLUE PAINT
In net, the situation is a good one for the Raiders. Colgate has two experienced netminders in Eric Mihalik and Spencer Finney. Mihalik is a senior that has started 68 games in his three seasons, while Finney played in 23 games in 2012-13 and saw over 1200 minutes of ice time. Each goalie had a shutout with Finney’s coming against Harvard in a 1-0 win at home and Mihalik’s against Sacred Heart in a 9-0 beat down. Colgate is also welcoming a new netminder in Charlie Finn, who comes to Colgate as a two-time Ontario Junior Hockey League Goaltender of the Year. He led the league in goals against average twice and was an all-star in 2012-13.

POWER PLAY IN TACK
The Colgate power play, which was second in ECAC Hockey at 22.7 percent returns most of the top two units. With Goulakos back in uniform the top unit remains in tack. That unit last season, which was made up of four rookies and a sophomore accounted for 24 of Colgate’s 35 goals scored on the power play. Baun and Tylor Spink were the leaders with seven apiece. Tyson Spink and Goulakos netted four, while Mike Borkowski had two. The second unit will take a hit with the graduations of Jeremy Price, Thomas Larkin and Robbie Bourdon.

TOUGH NON-CONFERENCE SCHEDULE
This year’s schedule includes 12 non-conference games, including two-game sets at home against Ferris State, UMass and St. Cloud State of the newly formed National Collegiate Hockey Conference. The Huskies join Yale and Quinnipiac for teams in the NCAA Frozen Four that are on the Raiders’ schedule. Colgate will face six teams during the year that are in this week’s USCHO.com National Poll.

VAUGHAN ENTERS 21ST SEASON
Don Vaughan is starting his 21st year as head coach at Colgate and has the most wins in program history. He enters this season with a career record of 328-331-75. Under Vaughan’s tutelage, Colgate has enjoyed four 20-win seasons, two NCAA tournament berths, and 19 appearances in the ECAC Hockey tournament. Additionally, he has guided the Raiders to seven ECAC semifinal clashes, including his last in the 2011-12 campaign. The 2000 ECAC Coach of the Year has mentored four Hobey Baker Award finalists, five All-Americans, two ECAC Players of the Year, an ECAC Goaltender of the Year, two ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District I honorees, three ECAC Merit Medal recipients, a Hockey Humanitarian Award winner and 42 All-ECAC Hockey selections.

SCOUTING THE BULLDOGS
Ferris State enters the season after a 16-16-5 overall record and a 13-12-3 mark in their last season as part of the Central Collegiate Hockey Association. This summer, the Bulldogs joined the Western Collegiate Hockey Association as the CCHA was disbanded. They will travel all over the country, including games in Alaska. Ferris State made it onto the national stage a couple of seasons ago with a trip to the Frozen Four in Tampa.

Ferris State was picked second in both of the WCHA Preseason Polls. Defenseman Jason Binkley was the lone selection to the WCHA Preseason All-League Team for the Bulldogs. Ferris State will be without its top two scorers from a season ago as Kyle Bonis and Travis Ouellette both graduated. Garrett Thompson is the top returning scorer with 11 goals and 15 assists for 26 points. Binkley was the top defenseman with 20 points on two goals and a team-high18 assists. The power play will also be a question mark with Bonis and Ouellette no longer around. The two combined for 13 power play goals, which was almost half of the output with the man advantage.

In goal, CJ Motte is back for his junior season after starting 35 games last season with a 2.19 goals against average. Motte led the Bulldogs to an NCAA Frozen Four appearance two seasons ago. He has made 47 starts in his career and has a 20-20-7 mark and a .933 save percentage.

Robitaille to Retire; May Comes Back to Buffalo

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Janet
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A staple of Buffalo Sabres broadcasts for more than three decades, Mike Robitaille today announced that he will retire following the 2013-14 season. With the retirement of Robitaille, former Sabres winger Brad May has been added to the Sabres broadcast team beginning this season as an analyst and commentator. May will join the broadcast for approximately 25 games this season for pregame, intermission and postgame analysis before joining the broadcast team in a full-time capacity next season.

“Roby epitomizes hockey in Buffalo and he’s treated the fans here to more than three decades of his incredible knowledge and passion for the game,” said Sabres President Ted Black. “His insight and humor will be missed on our broadcasts next season but he will certainly be around our Sabres family for years to come. It will be special to see Roby pass the torch to Brad, who brings a similar players’ perspective to his analysis, and have another great Sabres player behind the microphone.”

“It’s never an easy decision to walk away from doing something that you love,” Robitaille said. “Hockey and the Sabres have been a major part of my life for the better part of 33 years and I felt now was a good time for me to step away. Many things factored into my decision, one being that the health effects from my car accident a few years back have become more of a struggle to work through. More importantly, however, is my desire to have more quality time to spend with my family.”

Robitaille began his Sabres broadcasting career in 1980 when he was hired to be a color commentator and analyst on Sabres radio broadcasts as well as TV telecasts. Since then, he has served in various roles on broadcasts, providing commentary and analysis for pregame, intermission and postgame reports on a variety of programs for WGR, WGRZ-TV, Empire Sports Network and, currently, MSG. He also served as a host for the original Hockey Hotline show on Empire Sports Network in 1991 and was a panelist on Sharpshooters, a sports talk show on Empire Sports Network and WNSA radio.

“I’ve been very blessed to have had the career I had in hockey and in broadcasting. I’ve tried to give as much to the game of hockey as I have taken from it through the years,” Robitaille said. “It’s not something I’ve done alone. I’ll be forever grateful to the people who helped me along the way, including Chrisanne Bellas, Paul Weiland, the great Ted Darling and countless others. But I think it’s the fans that have had the biggest impact on my career. No matter who I was working for through the years, whether it was on TV or the radio, I always felt like I was working for the fans. Sabres fans make this a special hockey town and my career wouldn’t have been the same without their passion.”

Prior to his broadcasting career, Robitaille played defense in the NHL for nine seasons, including four with the Sabres. He played in 382 career games, amassing 128 points (23+105) and 280 penalty minutes while playing for the Sabres, Rangers, Red Wings and Canucks.

May, also a former Sabres player, will begin his duties with the Sabres broadcast team this season, joining the team for approximately 25 road games and some home games. He comes to the Sabres from Rogers Sportsnet in Toronto, where he has served as a hockey analyst for the past three years. May will continue to work for Sportsnet this season.

“It’s very exciting to see my career come full circle,” May said. “I was drafted by the Sabres 23 years ago and now I’ll have the opportunity to come back to Buffalo to start another chapter of my hockey life and my broadcasting career. My goal is to bring my experiences as a player to the broadcasts and help fans get another perspective on the game. I was honored to have been offered this job and I’m happy to be back in Buffalo.”

Drafted 14th overall by the Sabres in the 1990 NHL Entry Draft, May played seven seasons with Buffalo before being traded to Vancouver in 1998. Through 18 seasons in the NHL, May played in 1,041 games, recording 289 points (127+162) and 2,248 penalty minutes. Beyond Buffalo and Vancouver, May played for the Phoenix Coyotes, Colorado Avalanche, Toronto Maple Leafs and Detroit Red Wings, and he won a Stanley Cup with the Anaheim Ducks in 2006-07.

Sabres Announce Captains

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Janet
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Buffalo Sabres head coach Ron Rolston today announced he has named forwards Thomas Vanek and Steve Ott team captains. Vanek will serve as captain for home games and Ott will serve as captain for away games. Rolston has also named Sabres defensemanChristian Ehrhoff the team’s alternate captain for all games.

Canisius’ Capobiano & Gibbons Honored

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Janet
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Seniors Tony Capobianco (Mississagua, Ontario) and Kyle Gibbons (Westlake, Ohio) of the Canisius College hockey team were both named to the Atlantic Hockey Preseason All-Star Team on Monday as voted on by the league’s media. Canisius, which was also placed fourth in the 12-team poll, was the only school with multiple players on the six-member all-star team.

 

The 2013 Atlantic Hockey Champions, Canisius received two first-place votes from the Atlantic Hockey Media Association, which is compromised of print, online and radio/television media covering the league. Niagara was picked first in the poll with Air Force and Mercyhurst tying for second. Following the Griffs in the rankings are Connecticut, RIT, Holy Cross and Robert Morris (tied for seventh), Bentley, Army, AIC and Sacred Heart.

 

Gibbons led the Griffs with 43 points, 21 goals and 22 assists during the 2012-13 campaign. His 43 points and 21 goals are the third most in the program’s history, while also placing second with nine power-play tallies. Overall, Gibbons ranked 12th in Division I in points, eighth in goals and sixth in power-play goals last season.

 

Gibbons played his best hockey with the team’s season on the line, earning Atlantic Hockey Tournament Most Valuable Player honors. The third-team all-conference selection led all players in the country with 18 points during the month of March, posting six goals and 12 assists. He recorded at least one point in all seven postseason contests, including a career-best four points in the championship win over Mercyhurst.

 

Capobianco was named the Griffs’ MVP during the 2012-13 campaign after playing a key role in the team’s first conference championship. He set four school records in saves (1,256), save percentage (.929), goaltender wins (18) and shutouts (four) during the season. Capobianco also led all players in the country with 1,256 saves, which ranks 12th in NCAA history and the most since the 1988-89 campaign. He finished 12th nationally with his .929 save percentage to go along with a 2.40 goals against average.

 

During the Griffs’ run to the Atlantic Hockey Championship, Capobianco set a tournament record with 235 saves. Overall, the All-Tournament Team selection posted a 6-0-0 record during the league’s postseason championship with a 1.99 goals against average and .951 save percentage.

 

The Griffs are coming off their most successful season in school history. Canisius won the program’s first Atlantic Hockey Championship and advanced to the NCAA Tournament for the first time in school history, while also finishing the season ranked 19th in the final USCHO.com national poll, the highest placement in the program’s history.

 

Canisius opens the 2013-14 campaign with an exhibition game against Brock on Oct. 6 before playing at Battle of the Bridge rival Niagara onOct. 12.

NU Ranked; Purple Eagles Garner PreSeason Honors

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Janet
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NU Ranked No. 20 in First USCHO.com Poll of Season

 

NIAGARA UNIV., N.Y. – The Niagara hockey team will start the 2013-14 season ranked No. 20 in the USCHO.com Division I poll.

After finishing last season at No. 15, the Purple Eagles earned 94 votes in the poll released Monday to hold the last spot in the top-20 poll.  Niagara was the only Atlantic Hockey program ranked, but other AHA teams receiving votes were Air Force (14), Canisius (12), RIT (5) and Robert Morris (2).

Last season the 15th place finish was the best in program history and continued a record 19-week run in the USCHO.com Top 20 poll.

The USCHO.com Poll consists of 50 voters, including 28 coaches from the Division I conferences and 22 beat writers and sports professionals from across the country. The poll, published weekly by the Associated Press, is a production of USCHO.com, which provides in-depth coverage of college hockey.


Niagara opens the regular season with a home-opening series against Clarkson on Oct. 5-6 at Dwyer Arena.  Saturday's game is scheduled to being at 7 p.m., with Sunday's puck drop set for 2 p.m.




To purchase tickets, contact the Niagara athletic ticket office at 716-286-TIXX (8499) or visit www.PurpleEagles.com/Tickets.




Purple Eagles Pocket Preseason Honors




NIAGARA UNIV., N.Y. – Four Purple Eagles from the hockey team earned Preseason Atlantic Hockey honors by SB Nation. 
 
Seniors Ryan Murphy and Kevin Ryan were named to the Preseason All-Atlantic Hockey Second Team, freshman goaltender Adrian Ignagni pocketed Preseason Atlantic Hockey Rookie of the Year, and joined fellow rookie Vincent Muto on the all-rookie squad.
 
Murphy put together his most impressive season during the 2012-13 season, as the 6-foot-1, 195 pounder finished his junior year with 15 goals, 21 assists and 36 points in 36 games, which were all career-highs in all categories.  The Stratford, Ont. native finished tops on the squad in both power play (5) and game-winning goals (4).
 
Ryan was named to the Third Team All-Conference Team after finishing the year as one of the league's top offensive defensemen.  The Eden, N.Y. native earned a career-high 24 points, while his 23 assists was fourth in the league, while finishing 24th in the nation in points among defensemen (0.63).  He was a threat on the man-advantage, where more than half of his assists were pocketed.   
 
Ignagni came to Monteagle Ridge after three years with the St. Michael's Buzzers Jr. of the Ontario Junior Hockey League.  A co-captain for the 2012-13 season, the Mississauga, Ont. native helped the Buzzers capture the OJHL Championship with a 2.48 goals-against average and a .938 save percentage.  Ignagni finished regular season third among all netminders with .927 save percentage, while posting a 2.54 goals-against average and four shutouts, and became only goalie in OJHL to have back-to-back 30+ regular season wins. 
 
Muto played in the backline for the Sioux Falls Stampede of the United States Hockey League during the 2012-13 season where the Niagara Falls, N.Y. native pocketed 16 points on four goals and 12 assists while leading the team with a plus-34 rating.

The team opens the 2013-14 season with a two-game home slate against the Clarkson Golden Knights beginning on Saturday, Oct. 5, at 7 p.m. and wrapping up the following day at 2 p.m. Niagara will salute the accomplishments of the 2012-13 team one final time, as a pair of banners commemorating last season (Atlantic Hockey Regular Season Champions, NCAA Tournament), will be unveiled in the rafters of Dwyer Arena before puck drop on Saturday.
 
To purchase tickets, contact the Niagara athletic ticket office at 716-286-TIXX (8499) or visit www.PurpleEagles.com/Tickets.


 

	            

            


        


        
        

            

                
Canisius Tickets On Sale NOW
                

	                                    
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We all know Buffalo is a hockey town and that Western New York embraces the sport like no other place in the country. Hockey is what we live, sleep, eat and breathe.


As a fan, have you given yourself the opportunity to enjoy the game at the collegiate level? Does being part of a program that moved to the national level last year and will be playing in a new, downtown arena next year just make you sooooo excited you can’t wait for the first puck to drop?


If so, the Griffs are waiting for you to head to the rink and enjoy the sport as you may not have seen it. It’s fast, really fast. The hits are hard and Canisius, under Coach Dave Smith, plays even harder.


Did you know Canisius ranked 19th in the country last year after making it’s first NCAA Tournament appearance? Did you know the national leader in saves wore a Griffin on his sweater? His name is Tony Capobianco and he’s back for another year. In addition, the country’s 12th-ranked scorer, Kyle Gibbons, also returns.


What’s really neat is that the team plays 15 home games and you can see ALL of those games for $75.00! Not each game, but ALL of them!! And, when you buy your season tickets for this season, you will receive priority to purchase your ticket next year at the brand new HARBORcenter at a price less than will be offered to those who do not take advantage of this fabulous opportunity.


To order, click on the buy tickets tab and then buckle your seat belts as the Griffs take off on another wild ride. For additional information, call 716-888-2885.










	            

            


        


        
        

            

                
RIT Women Open Friday (Sept. 28)
                

	                                    
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 The RIT women’s hockey team opens the 2013-14 season with a pair of games this weekend. On Friday, the Tigers host Canada’s Toronto Jr. Aeros of the Provincial Women’s Hockey League in an exhibition contest at Ritter Arena, starting at 5 p.m. The next day, RIT begins the regular season with a road contest at No. 3 Clarkson at Cheel Arena that gets underway at 4 p.m.Clarkson is the highest ranked team that RIT has played at the Division I level.


RIT, now in its second season as a DI program, will look to build off a very successful year in 2012-13, finishing with a .500 record (16-16-1), while advancing to the semifinals of the College Hockey America Postseason Tournament as a first-year Division I program. RIT finished tied for third in the CHA regular season standings and won its first two Division I postseason contests. Head Coach Scott McDonald returns 14 players from last year’s team and has 10 highly touted recruits who will join the squad this season.


Senior Kourtney Kunichika (Fullerton, CA/LA Selects) returns as RIT’s leading scorer, having posted 24 points (9-15-24) last season. In goal, junior Ali Binnington (Oakville, Ontario/Mississauga Chiefs)returns after emerging as the starter for the Tigers in 2012-13. Last season, Binnington appeared in 28 games, recording an 11-10-4 record, finishing among the national leaders with a 1.93 goals against average (13th nationally) and .928 save percentage (tied for ninth nationally). She also recorded six shutouts, tied for third in all of Division I.


The Tigers are picked to finish fourth in the CHA preseason coaches poll. Last year, RIT outscored its opponents, 96-79.


Toronto opened its season with a 4-2 win over Stoney Creek last Saturday. Taytum Clairmont and Amanda Pantaleo both had a goal and an assist to lead the squad. In goal, Brynna Kerr made 15 saves. This will be the first ever meeting between the two schools.


Clarkson, ranked third in the first USCHO.com Division I poll of the 2013-14 season, returns 16 players from last year’s squad that finished 28-10-0 and advanced to the NCAA Quarterfinals. The Golden Knights are picked to finish first in the 2013-14 ECAC preseason coaches poll. Clarkson outscored their opponents 110-68 last season. Jamie Lee Rattray and Carly Mercer were Clarkson’s top two scorers in 2012-13 and both return for their senior seasons. Rattray led the way with 22 goals and 52 points, while Mercer tallied 17 goals and 41 points. In net, Erica Howe returns after finishing 27-10-0 with a 1.73 goals against average and .931 save percentage.


Clarkson leads the all-time series between the two schools, 6-4-1, having last met during the 1984-85 season.


Tickets for Friday’s exhibition game are available at the Gordon Field House and Activities Center Box Office or by phone at (585) 475-4121. Fans can also purchase tickets at www.rithockey.com. Ticket prices are $5 for adults, $4 for faculty/staff/alumni and $3 for students and youth. RIT student admission is free with valid ID (ticket must be picked up at the box office, one per ID).

	            

            


        


        
        

            

                
Local Company and NHLer Become Premier Source for Coaches
                

	                                    
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LOCAL COMPANY PARTNERS WITH NHL HALL OF FAMER TO BECOME PREMIER ONLINE HOCKEY RESOURCE FOR HOCKEY COACHES AND TEAMS WORLDWIDE




Ice Hockey Systems provides hockey coaches of all levels animated hockey drills, systems and practice plans to enhance team performance 







NHL Hall of Famer Denis Savard a company partner and spokesman; former NHL players and hockey experts offer testimony for new service




BUFFALO, NY—A company built by a team of local entrepreneurs and National Hockey League (NHL) Hall of Famer Denis Savard has launched to rave reviews by former NHL players, coaches and hockey experts. Since launching in early 2013, Buffalo-based Ice Hockey Systems (www.IceHockeySystems.com) has become the premier coaching resource for hockey teams of all levels, and has developed an international reputation through their noteworthy, high-quality program as the leading, one-stop resource for hockey coaches of all levels—from Mite to Pro—across the globe.




Ice Hockey Systems is a sleek, online platform that hosts over 400 hundred animated hockey drills and systems for coaches to study and use in their own practices. Drills are offered as both animations and in PDF-format for ease in printing in advance of practices and games. All animations can be viewed on mobile devices and tablets, allowing coaches and staff to utilize their devices on the ice for practices or behind the bench for games.




The company’s immediate success can be attributed to the site’s animations. Contrasted with current available drills that are almost entirely static, Ice Hockey Systems’ digital animations show the players and pucks moving in sync, providing clear visualization where each player should be on the ice at any given time during a drill or system. Such synchronization helps both coaches and players understand the individual drills and systems quickly. Further, coaches have ability to create their own practices through the IHS platform and e-mail them to their teams, preparing players in advance of practice and saving valuable ice time.




“We are thrilled with the success our company has had since launching, and in particular, the attention its received from former NHL players, well-known coaches, and sports analysts,” said Chris Howard, President and Partner of Ice Hockey Systems. “We look forward to growing our product with Denis’ expertise and providing our members with coaching ideas and philosophies they can’t find anywhere else.”




NHL Hall of Famer and former player and coach for the Chicago Blackhawks Denis Savard is a partner in Ice Hockey Systems, believing in the platform’s ability to build a digital, inclusive community for hockey coaches and teams that will provide them with tools to enhance game-time performances and yield greater results during practices.




“Ice Hockey Systems provides coaches of all levels with the most unique and helpful content on the internet,” said Denis Savard, NHL Hall of Fame Inductee and Ice Hockey Systems Partner. “The animations make it easy for the coaches and players to understand the objectives of each drill and system as they can visualize the moving pieces. Additionally, we’ve added videos and written pieces that provide coaches with advice on how to make their team better both on and off the ice.”




Savard contributes directly to the Ice Hockey Systems platform, providing members with his expertise through videos, Q&A segments, and website posts made only available to subscribers. Much of Savard’s content on Ice Hockey Systems is shared through a series of more than 40 videos he filmed, including personal coaching philosophies, some of his favorite hockey drills, and NHL-style systems that have proven to be successful. New segments will be released to subscribers every month.




Continued Savard: “Becoming a partner in Ice Hockey Systems has given me the opportunity to continue sharing my life’s passion – coaching hockey. I truly look forward to sharing my experience and knowledge of the game with IHS subscribers from around the world, providing an experience to them that I wish was available when I was in the game.”




Since launching, Ice Hockey Systems has gained—on average—more than 200 members and 100,000 page views each month. Today, Ice Hockey System is the go-to resource for more than 2,000 hockey coaches worldwide, with visitors spending more than 15,000 hours on the site. Subscribers pay a recurring monthly, semi-annual or annual membership fee to have access to all of the drills and functionality. As a result, coaches are able to customize and build their own practices and game plans, and easily share them with players.




Because of its early success, Ice Hockey Systems is now branching out to offer organizational memberships and building a unique platform for coaches within a large organization to interact and offer tips and best practices. Be it an individual or organizational membership, all subscribers are given the opportunity to use exclusive animations, practice drills, game systems, informational videos, resources, tips and an advice blog.




As the leader in hockey drill animation, Ice Hockey Systems offers a product that is unique to all of their competitors. Other hockey coaches, former NHL players, and experts agree.




“Ice Hockey Systems provides us with one of the most in-depth, on- and off-ice hockey development resources available,” said Richard Dooley, Coach and Executive Director of Prince William Hockey Club. “I have been using this site routinely for information and ideas for my practices. Ice Hockey Systems’ quality website is well-designed, easy to navigate, and is one of the best coaching tools I have used. This was well worth our club’s investment.”




“I just spent 15 minutes on www.icehockeysystems.com and it is the bomb-diggity. My man, pots and pans #graphicsauce,” tweeted John Buccigross (@Buccigross), ESPN Anchor, hockey writer and analyst.




Ice Hockey Systems is hockey’s premier coaching resource for all levels of play that offers drills, systems, and practice plans. Ice Hockey Systems is the leader in drill animation and strategy over all other competitors worldwide. Find out more at www.icehockeysystems.com, or follow along on Facebook or Twitter.

	            

            


        


        
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