NY Hockey Online would like to express their condolences to the family of David Cooper, Amherst.
David was a long time Amherst youth hockey coach and played in adult leagues in the area. He died suddenly at work on August 9. Services were held on Sunday, August 11.
He was husband to Robyn and father to Ryan, Jordan and Melanie.
Pat Thompson, Vice President of Athletics and Health
Services, announced the appointment of Tim Crowley as the Head Women’s
Golf and Assistant Men’s Ice Hockey Coach.
“Coach Crowley brings a new perspective on the bench and a desire to
continue to build the women’s golf program”, Thompson said.
Crowley, a 2009 graduate of the College at Brockport, was a four-year
member of the Golden Eagles Men’s Ice Hockey team. He was a member of
Brockport’s first playoff victory in school history. An assistant captain
during his final year, Crowley was a SUNYAC All-Academic honoree. He also
received the Bob Peterson Coaches Award as well as Brockport’s Seventh Man
Award.
After graduation Crowley served as the assistant men’s ice hockey coach at
SUNY Potsdam for three seasons. He helped guide the Bears to SUNYAC
postseason appearances in both the 2009-10 and 2011-12 seasons. Crowley
served as the primary recruiter for the program where he brought in 23
recruits over a three-year period. During his time at Potsdam, three
players earned All-SUNYAC recognition and three members were named to the
All-Rookie team.
Along with his coaching experience, Crowley leads by example off the ice
as he helped find the Bears Stick it to Cancer and Hockey Day in Potsdam
charities. While at Potsdam he assisted in Bears Back to Basics free
community hockey clinics that ran once a month.
In his role as the Head Women’s Golf Coach, he is preparing for the teams
return for the fall season that opens on September 8th at the St. Lawrence
University Invitational.
“I am excited to be part of the Elmira College family and the Athletics
program,” Crowley said. “It is a great opportunity for me to be the Head
Coach of the Women’s Golf program and work with Coach Saul as an Assistant
of the Men’s Hockey program, which has such a great tradition.”
Bears Head Coach Chris Bernard is happy for his former assistant and
appreciative of Crowley’s accomplishments at Potsdam.
“We are tremendously grateful for all Tim’s contributions to our program,”
said Bernard. “His work ethic and professionalism will make an impact
everywhere he goes and will lead to a long and successful coaching
career.”
The Bears open the 2012-13 campaign when they host Saint Michael’s College
on Oct. 26, at 7 p.m. in Massena Arena.
Check out photos posted on our Facebook page. The entire tournament story will be in our September issue of NY Hockey Online. 
NYSAHA GIRLS DEVELOPMENT FESTIVAL
LAKE PLACID, NY – AUGUST 17-19, 2012
In addition to the regional development opportunities this summer for players an intermediate development festival will be held at the Olympic Training Center in Lake Placid.
Details are as follows:
COST $350 /PERSON
WHAT’S INCLUDED:
– Shared room at the OTC
– Meals at the OTC
– Transportation from the OTC to the Arena
– Camp Jersey
– High Level Skill On & Off Ice Instruction from Qualified Coaches
CAMP FORMAT
– Designed to be an intermediate/higher level skill camp with on and off ice sessions daily
– Players will be exposed to skill development drills, game concepts and strategies, and much more
– Off ice training techniques for strength and conditioning
– Nutritional information for female athlete development
WHO IS ELIGIBLE?
– Designed for skilled females in high school who have NOT been accepted to participate in USA Hockey Development Camps. Younger players may be accepted at the discretion of the Program
Coordinator.
– A camp allotment of up to 60 players will be selected from within the NYSAHA. Participation in the local zone camps is not required, but players taking part in regional zone skill development camps, along with the District Evaluation Weekend will be given top priority.
HOW DO I SIGN UP?
-On line registration will be available BEGINNING JULY 16TH. PAYMENT IS MADE ON-LINE USING PAYPAL AND IS REQUIRED TO REGISTER ON LINE. IN ADDITION, PLAYERS MUST BE REGISTERED WITH USA HOCKEY FOR THE 2012-2013 SEASON IN ORDER TO ENTER THE PROPER USA HOCKEY
REGISTRATION INFO.
TO REGISTER GO TO: http://www.usahockey.com/LocalReg/Register.aspx?regId=534
FESTIVAL PARTICIPATION IS AT THE DISCRETION OF THE PROGRAM AND ZONE COORDINATORS. PLEASE CONTACT THEM TO ENSURE YOUR ELIGIBILITY.
If you have any specific questions about any of our camps or programs
please feel free to contact me at 315-686-2226 or by e-mail at
jeppolit@twcny.rr.com. 
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Six native New Yorkers have been selected for the 2012 Women’s National Festival to be held in Blaine, Minnesota August 5 through 19.
Defensemen Courtney Burke, Albany; Emily Pfalzer, Getzville and Josephine Pucci, Pearl River; along with Forward Kelley Steadman, Plattsburgh were among the 79 players names to the Over 18 Team.
Burke plays for the University of Wisconsin; Pfalzer is at Boston College; Pucci, Harvard University and Steadman plays for the CWHL Boston Blades.
Two women with New York connections also made the team including Cornell University’s Goaltender Lauren Slebodnick and RPI Forward Jordan Smelker.
Named to the U18 roster were Jennifer Ryan, a forward from Victor who plays for the North American Hockey Academy White and Oswego’s Taylar Cianfarano who plays at the National Sports Academy.
The two-week Festival begins with goaltender practices on Sunday and Monday, Aug. 5 and 6 followed by two weeks of practice.
Wednesday, August 15 through closing of the camp on Sunday, August 19, the team will play the Canada U18 Team. The U22 (or Over 18 teams) will play the U22 Canadian team in Calgary on August 16, 17 and 19.
Four New York residents have been named to the 2012 CCM/USA Hockey All-American Prospects Game Roster. The game will be played Septmber 29 at First Niagara Center, Buffalo.
Among the 40 top American prospects eligible for the 2013 NHL Entry Draft are Defensman Steve Santini of Mahopac. Santini played most recently for the U.S. National U17 Team and is committed to Boston College.
Among the Forwards named were Justin Bailey, Williamsville; Matt Lane, Rochester and Sean Malone, West Seneca. Bailey played for the USHL Indiana Ice, Lane for the U.S. National U18 Team and Boston College and Malone comes from Nichols School in Buffalo.
Lane was a member of the team that took the gold in the 2012 IIHF Men’s Under-18 World Championship.
Tickets for the game are now on sale. Go to AllAmericanProspectsGame.com for information.
LAKE PLACID, NY – AUGUST 17-19, 2012
In addition to the regional development opportunities this summer for players an intermediate development festival will be held at the Olympic Training Center in Lake Placid. Details are as follows:
COST $350 /PERSON
WHAT’S INCLUDED: -Shared room at the OTC.-Meals at the OTC. Transportation from the OTC to the Arena. Camp Jersey. High Level Skill On & Off Ice Instruction from Qualified Coaches.
CAMP FORMAT-Designed to be an intermediate/higher level skill camp with on and off ice sessions daily. Players will be exposed to skill development drills, game concepts and strategies, and much more. Off ice training techniques for strength and conditioning. Nutritional information for female athlete development.
WHO IS ELIGIBLE-Designed for skilled females in high school who have NOT been accepted to participate in USA Hockey Development Camps. Younger players may be accepted at the discretion of the Program Coordinator. A camp allotment of up to 60 players will be selected from within the NYSAHA. Participation in the local zone camps is not required, but players taking part in regional zone skill development camps, along with the District Evaluation Weekend will be given top priority.
HOW DO I SIGN UP-On line registration will be available BEGINNING JULY 16TH. PAYMENT IS MADE ON-LINE USING PAYPAL AND IS REQUIRED TO REGISTER ON LINE. IN ADDITION, PLAYERS MUST BE REGISTERED WITH USA HOCKEY FOR THE 2012-2013 SEASON IN ORDER TO ENTER THE PROPER USA HOCKEY REGISTRATION INFO.
TO REGISTER GO TO:
http://www.usahockey.com/LocalReg/Register.aspx?regId=534
If you have any specific questions about any of our camps or programs please feel free to contact Joe Eppolito at 315-686-2226 or by e-mail at jeppolit@twcny.rr.com.
CCM will be the title sponsor of the inaugural CCM/USA Hockey All-American Prospects Game, it was announced today by USA Hockey.
The CCM/USA Hockey All-American Prospects Game will be held on Sept. 29, 2012, at First Niagara Center in Buffalo, New York.
The event will include 40 of the top American prospects eligible for the 2013 National Hockey League Entry Draft. Participating players will come from junior hockey and college hockey, as well as the high school and prep school ranks.
“It’s terrific to have an iconic brand like CCM as the title sponsor of this event,” said Dave Ogrean, executive director of USA Hockey. “It will be a real treat for hockey fans to have a chance to see the best players in their age group showcase their skills in a competitive environment.”
For more information, visit AllAmericanProspectsGame.com
Level 1-4 clinics for the West Section are now posted on the USA Hockey web site. Thanks to Amherst, Brockport, Fredonia and Niagara Junior purple Eagles for their great support.
The Buffalo Stars Junior Hockey Club will begin their 11th season of operation with the start of Training Camp on Wednesday, August 1st in Cheektowaga.
The month long camp will include 3 on ice and 3 off-ice sessions each week through the end of the month. Players will undergo a rigorous conditioning regimen as well as team and system work.
The Stars enter camp with 27 players including 6 veterans. Returning Empire veterans include Forwards: Brandon Boyle; Dakota John; Patrick Schmelzinger and Luke Swimline. Returning on Defense are: Mike Harris and Angelo Sarro.
The Stars will play in the tough Empire Junior Hockey League American Conference with their youngest team ever. With an average age of 16 years and 3 months, the Stars will be one of the youngest teams in Junior hockey.
The team took a new direction this year said Stars Owner/GM Pete Preteroti: “Not only did we go with a youth movement, but also recruited from outside of the area. Our team has 8 out of state players with 6 coming from Erie, one from Ohio and one from the Philadelphia area”.
Preteroti has stepped down as head coach of the team turning that job over to long time Stars/Hornets Coach Jerry Wheeler. “I really like the group of kids we selected this year. They are young and hungry and eager to compete” “That is the edge we are looking for”.
The Stars camp wraps up with the Annual Greater Buffalo Challenge Labor Day Tournament, August 31 through September 3rd at Holiday Twin Rinks. The week prior, the team will travel to Lake Placid for 3 days of intense training at the United States Olympic Training Center. The team will house and train at the Olympic Facility as well as skate in the 1980 Rink where the USA Miracle on ice happened. On the way to Lake Placid the team will stop off at Oswego College for a tour of the facility with Head Coach Ed Gosek and a scrimmage game against the Syracuse Stars.
Buffalo will open their 2012-2013 Home Season on October 13th as they host the visiting Jersey Wildcats in the Buffalo Stars Annual Salute to the American Troops Weekend.
For more information about the Buffalo Stars visit us on line at: www.buffalostars.com
SUCCESS IS A MARATHON: ONE SHIFT AT A TIME
The Buffalo Sabres will erect a statue honoring the French Connection and place it in the plaza area outside First Niagara Center, now to be known as Alumni Plaza. Along with the statue the names of every Buffalo Sabres player will be listed on plaques mounted on the pillars in the plaza area.
“History has always been an extremely important facet of our organization’s philosophy,” said Buffalo Sabres President Ted Black. “We hope this statue and Alumni Plaza will serve as a proper tribute to all the great players who have made this franchise what it is today.”
Buffalo Sabres Alumni Association President Rob Ray agrees.
“Gilbert is the face of the organization and while that line did what is comparable to other lines, they are the names that go with it,” said Ray. “When you have history you should use it and the people will enjoy it.”
“Every since Terry (Pegula) has come here the alumni have been a big part of the organization,” said former Sabre Danny Gare. “What better way to start things off than honoring the French Connection.”
Taking part in the announcement today were Rene Robert, a member of the French Connection and Mrs. Rick Martin. Gilbert Perrault was unable to make the trip to Buffalo.
“I’m sure Rico is watching down on us,” said Robert. “This will be very emotional on October 12.”
A dedication ceremony for the statue and the plaza will be held October 12.
“I would like to thank President (Bill) Destler, Dr. (Jim) Watters, Dr. Cooper, and Mr. Lou Spiotti for their continued support and belief in me to lead this program to a new level,” said McDonald, who will enter his seventh season behind the bench for the RIT women’s squad in 2012-13. “It’s great to see the administration support our program and show our recruits that the coaching staff will be intact for a long time.”
Last season, McDonald led the Tigers to their first NCAA Division III Women’s Ice Hockey Championship Tournament appearance in school history, setting a Division III record with 28 wins. The Tigers finished the season with a 28-1-1 mark, defeating Norwich 4-1 on March 17 to claim their first NCAA Championship. The Tigers opened and ended the year with two 14-game winning streaks and were the No. 1 team in the nation for 18 weeks during the season.
In his six seasons as head coach at RIT, McDonald has compiled an overall record of 135-22-10 and is the Division III all-time leader with a .835 winning percentage. He is RIT’s all-time leader in coaching victories and earned his 100th win at RIT on Jan. 29, 2011 vs. Buffalo State. He became the second fastest coach in Division III history to reach that milestone (128 games).
In 2010, McDonald led the Tigers to its first ECAC West Championship, a trip to the NCAA Division III National Championship game and the program’s first No. 1 ranking. RIT finished 26-2-2 and boasted three All-Americans, including three-time selection Sarah Dagg (St. George, Ontario/Hamilton Hawks), the Laura Hurd National Player of the Year.
RIT has a 54-3-3 record over the last two seasons, and announced its intention to make the leap to Division I on March 20. The Tigers will join College Hockey America for the 2012-13 season and open the season with a pair of home games against perennial power Mercyhurst on Sept. 28-29. This season, RIT is eligible for CHA post-season play, but not NCAA post-season play. In 2014-15, RIT will be eligible for NCAA post-season play.
“We are delighted to have Coach McDonald lead our women’s hockey program into the Division I era,” said Cooper. “His contributions and outstanding recruiting efforts will have continued payoffs at the next level of play. His proven record of success at the Division III level sets the stage for this significant move for our athletic program.”
McDonald, the 2011 ECAC West Coach of the Year has led the Tigers to three NCAA Division III Tournament berths and two consecutive ECAC West Championships. The Tigers have won at least 19 games in each of his six seasons behind the bench and have won at least 20 games four times. He has coached nine different AHCA All-Americans, 36 All-ECAC West selections, and three consecutive Rochester Press Radio Club Paychex Local Female College Athletes of the Year (Katie Stack (Batavia, NY/Rochester Edge), Sarah Dagg (St. George, Ontario/Hamilton Hawks), Kristina Moss (Webster, NY)).
Under McDonald’s tutelage, the Tigers have also excelled in the classroom and have become active members in the community. On Jan. 21-22, 2011, the Tigers broke a Division III regular season attendance record with a capacity crowd, raising $10,219 to help “Black Out Heart Disease.” In 2010 and 2012, both the men’s and women’s teams, along with Zeta Tau Alpha combined to raise over $45,000 for cancer research, as part of the Real Tigers Wear Pink promotion.
“We are very pleased to be able to secure Scott McDonald’s leadership of our NCAA Division I Women’s Ice Hockey program,” said Lou Spiotti, Executive Director of Intercollegiate Athletics. “I could think of no one better to lead this program into this new and exciting era. Much of our success in recent years can be attributed to his efforts. This is an exciting time for all of us.”
A 2000 graduate of Niagara University, McDonald played defense for the Purple Eagles — and then coach and former standout RIT defenseman Blaise MacDonald — from 1996-2000. He was part of the school’s inaugural freshman and first graduating classes as a Division I program. During his senior year, he helped Niagara, in only its fourth season, to an NCAA Tournament at-large bid, beating the University of New Hampshire in the northeast regional. He also helped Niagara to an undefeated season in the College Hockey America conference (15-0-2, 30-8-4 overall), as well as the CHA regular season and tournament championships.
McDonald later served as an assistant at Utica College for one season before moving to RIT to serve as the assistant coach for the RIT men’s hockey program from 2003-06. He put forth an outstanding effort in recruiting talented student-athletes as the men’s squad made the leap to Division I in 2005.
McDonald, a native of Oakville, Ontario, is set to become the only person in NCAA history to play at the Division I and III level, and coach at both divisions on both the men’s and women’s sides. His new contract extension will run through the 2014-15 season.
“Over the last nine years, RIT has given me a great opportunity to coach at every level and I am are excited to see how we stack up against the best teams right away at the Division I level,” said McDonald. “I’d also like to thank our players for all of their hard work. Without that, none of this would be possible”
The Niagara men’s hockey team accounted for four members of a record-setting 14 student-athletes who were named Atlantic Hockey Student-Athlete of the Year for posting a 4.0 or better grade-point average.
Dan Baco, Robert Martini, Chris Noonan and Kevin Ryan were the four Purple Eagles who had 4.0 or higher this past season. NU had the most student-athletes (four) to earn the award and was followed by American International, Army, RIT and Robert Morris who all had a pair of student-athletes and Mercyhurst and Canisius which had a single student-athlete.
“As a team, they are all very responsible in regards to their academics,” head coach Dave Burkholder said. “These four student-athletes certainly did a great job balancing the books and hockey.”
For a ninth straight year a new standard has been set in the classroom for the student-athletes of Atlantic Hockey as 179 have earned a spot on the All-Academic Team. The 179 student-athletes eclipse the mark of 175 that were honored after the 2011-12 season. In the ninth year of existence, 18 players earned their fourth appearance on the All-Academic squad. In addition, 26 are appearing for the third time, while 58 are being honored for the second time.
Niagara had 16 members named to the AHA All-Academic Team: Scott Arnold *; Dan Baco *; Jason Beattie *; C.J. Chartrain; Nick Gawron; Sam Goodwin *; Jeff Hannan *; Giancarlo Iuorio; Robert Martini *; Tyler Matthews *; Chris Noonan @; Ryan Rashid *; Kevin Ryan *; Daniel Weiss; Matt Williams; Marc Zanette *.
Robert Morris had a high of 26 members on the All-Academic Team with American International following the Colonials with 22.
To qualify for the Atlantic Hockey All-Academic Team an individual must post a 3.0 grade point average or higher in all of the academic periods during which his team was actively competing. Atlantic Hockey’s Top Scholar Athlete is an award given annually to the player or players who achieves the highest grade point average over the course of the academic semesters of competition.
*Two-Time Honoree
