NWHL International Draft Debuts July 25 On Twitch

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June 9, 2021

Inaugural Event Extends the League’s Reach Beyond North America
(Brooklyn, N.Y.) – The National Women’s Hockey League today announced details for the inaugural NWHL International Draft that will debut on Sunday, July 25. The historic single-round event will feature all six teams introducing their selections via Twitch online at twitch.tv/NWHL beginning at 1:00 p.m. ET.

“The NWHL International Draft will help strengthen league talent and competitiveness while growing professional women’s hockey beyond our North American borders,” said Lisa Haley, the NWHL’s Senior Vice President of Hockey Operations. “This is an event we hope develops over time with unique interest and exposure of our brand overseas and another opportunity to generate excitement for our fans.”

The draft is intended for players born outside of North America who are at least 21 years of age on or before September 1, 2021 and have not previously played in the NWHL or consumed any eligibility at the NCAA or U SPORTS level. Prior to the introduction of the NWHL International Draft this eligibility description applied to all international free agents. The immediate revision has been approved by the Office of the Commissioner.

Players who are considered eligible for the 2021 NWHL International Draft may not officially sign as free agents ahead of the selection process, however unselected players immediately qualify for free agency beginning at 9:00 a.m. ET on July 26. Teams will have a two-week window to exclusively sign their draft picks to contracts for the 2021-22 season. Any selected players who go unsigned in this timeframe will become eligible for free agency at 9:00 a.m. ET on August 9.

The order of selection among the league’s six teams will be consistent with the 2021 NWHL Draft order of selection determined using an inverse rank of winning percentages from the entire 2020-21 season considering all games played in Lake Placid and Boston and with ties decided by goal-differential.

The Buffalo Beauts hold the first overall pick in the inaugural NWHL International Draft followed by the Connecticut Whale who will choose second overall, the Boston Pride at three, Toronto Six at four, Metropolitan Riveters at five, and the Minnesota Whitecaps who will select sixth.

Slovakian defender Lenka Curmova and forward Iveta Klimasova who played for the Beauts in Season 6 would have been eligible under the terms of the NWHL International Draft. Other international born players such as Pride goaltender Lovisa Selander (Sweden) and forward Tereza Vanisova (Czech Republic), Whale forward Janine Weber (Austria), plus Riveters forward Sammy Kolowrat (Czech Republic) all had NCAA experience and would have been eligible through the traditional draft format.

Prior to the 2021 NWHL International Draft on July 25, the 2021 NWHL Draft featuring collegiate graduates takes place on Tuesday, June 29 with 30 picks to be made over a five-round selection process presented live via Twitch online at twitch.tv/NWHL beginning at 7:00 p.m. ET.

Potsdam Women’s Hockey Name Captains For 2021-22 Season

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Randy Schultz

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June 9, 2021

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POTSDAM, N.Y.—SUNY Potsdam head women’s hockey coach Greg Haney has announced the Bears’ team leadership for the 2021-22 campaign. Senior forward Alexis Clark (Niagara Falls, N.Y./Buffalo Bison) will serve as captain, while fellow seniors, forward Allie Banas (Buffalo, N.Y./Buffalo Bison) and defenseman Ellie Cleary (Buffalo, N.Y./Buffalo Bison), will be Potsdam’s assistant captains.

“Alexis, along with Allie and Ellie are the leaders of the team and know what it takes to be successful,” Haney said. “They will be outstanding representatives for our group, on the ice and in our community. I believe the team leadership is in great hands.”

In 76 career games, Clark has nine goals and eight assists for 17 points. She has also contributed two game-winners and a power-play goal. Banas has 10 points on a goal and nine assists in 68 games over her three seasons. She had a career-high six points in 2019-20. Cleary has been one of Potsdam’s top defensemen in her two seasons, but has also provided plenty of offense. She has six goals and 11 assists for 17 points in 46 career games, along with four power-play markers and two game-winners.

Like many other athletes, the trio and their teammates lost their 2020-21 season to pandemic. The Bears were 10-12-2 in 2019-20 with a 7-9-2 mark in the Northeastern Women’s Hockey League (NEWHL). Potsdam has reached the postseason in three of the last four years.

The Bears are tentatively scheduled to open the season at William Smith College in Geneva on October 29.

AHL Announces Divisional Alignment For 2021-22 Season

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Randy Schultz

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June 8, 2021

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Amerks to remain in seven-team North Division next season

(Rochester, NY) – American Hockey League President and CEO Scott Howson announced today that the league’s Board of Governors has approved the following divisional alignment for the 2021-22 AHL season.

Eastern Conference

Atlantic Division

Bridgeport Islanders (New York Islanders)

Charlotte Checkers (Florida Panthers)

Hartford Wolf Pack (New York Rangers)

Hershey Bears (Washington Capitals)

Lehigh Valley Phantoms (Philadelphia Flyers)

Providence Bruins (Boston Bruins)

Springfield Thunderbirds (St. Louis Blues)

Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins (Pittsburgh Penguins)

North Division

Belleville Senators (Ottawa Senators)

Cleveland Monsters (Columbus Blue Jackets)

Laval Rocket (Montreal Canadiens)

Rochester Americans (Buffalo Sabres)

Syracuse Crunch (Tampa Bay Lightning)

Toronto Marlies (Toronto Maple Leafs)

Utica Comets (New Jersey Devils)

Western Conference

Central Division

Chicago Wolves (Carolina Hurricanes)

Grand Rapids Griffins (Detroit Red Wings)

Iowa Wild (Minnesota Wild)

Manitoba Moose (Winnipeg Jets)

Milwaukee Admirals (Nashville Predators)

Rockford IceHogs (Chicago Blackhawks)

Texas Stars (Dallas Stars)

Pacific Division

Abbotsford (Vancouver Canucks)

Bakersfield Condors (Edmonton Oilers)

Colorado Eagles (Colorado Avalanche)

Henderson Silver Knights (Vegas Golden Knights)

Ontario Reign (Los Angeles Kings)

San Diego Gulls (Anaheim Ducks)

San Jose Barracuda (San Jose Sharks)

Stockton Heat (Calgary Flames)

Tucson Roadrunners (Arizona Coyotes)

The Rochester Americans will remain in the AHL’s North Division, which will reduce to seven teams in 2021-22 following the departure of the Binghamton Devils and the return of the Cleveland Monsters, who played out of the Central Division last season. The Amerks will again be joined in the North Division by the Belleville Senators, Cleveland Monsters, Laval Rocket, Syracuse Crunch, Toronto Marlies and Utica Comets, who will begin their first season as the top development team of the NHL’s New Jersey Devils.

The AHL’s Board of Governors also approved a schedule unification plan that will see all teams play a 72-game regular-season schedule beginning in 2022-23. As part of the plan, for the 2021-22 season, teams in the Atlantic, North and Central Divisions have the option of playing either 76 or 72 games, while teams in the Pacific Division will play 68 games. The Amerks will play a 76-game slate this coming season.

Additionally, there will be an increase in the number of teams qualifying for the Calder Cup Playoffs each year; details will be finalized and announced later in the offseason.

The complete American Hockey League schedule for the 2021-22 regular season will be announced at a later date.

Beauts Re-Sign Teams Top Goal Scorer

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Randy Schultz

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June 7, 2021

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BUFFALO – The Buffalo Beauts have re-signed their top goal scorer from the 2020-21 NWHL season in Lake Placid. High-flying winger Autumn MacDougall makes her return to the team for her sophomore professional season. NWHL teams had the exclusive right to re-sign any of their 2020-21 rostered players up until May 15 at 5:00 p.m. MacDougall was re-signed during the restricted period.

“It means a great deal to me that I have the opportunity to return to the Beauts for Season 7,” said MacDougall. “I know that the Beauts have a lot more to give this season, and I can’t wait for everyone to see what we are going to do.”

MacDougall scored three goals in six games during her rookie NWHL season for Buffalo. She scored both of Buffalo’s goals in 4-2 loss to Toronto on Jan. 27. MacDougall followed that up with the team’s first goal of the game in a 2-1 victory over the Boston Pride on Jan. 30. Her overall plus-1 rating was tied for second best on the Beauts at the end of the 2020-21 season.

“Auttie is young and hungry,” said Beauts head coach Rhea Coad. “Her thirst for continued growth in the game is what makes her stand out from most others. We are excited to have such a talented, dedicated player back for another season with the Beauts.”

Buffalo selected MacDougall in the third round of the 2020 NWHL Draft with the 14th pick overall. She made history by being the first U Sports player ever drafted into the NWHL when she was chosen from the University of Alberta. The native of Cole Harbour, Nova Scotia generated 57 goals and 67 assists for 125 points in 139 games for the Pandas. MacDougall was one of the top-3 scorers in all of Canada for U Sports from 2017-18 through 2019-20.

Even though she led the Beauts in goal scoring this past season, MacDougall feels that she can be even more dangerous in 2021-22.

“One of my goals for this upcoming season is to improve my confidence with the puck and to be more of a threat all over the ice,” she said. “We have a very special team this coming season, and I’m excited to compete for the Isobel Cup.”

Petersen Named Top Goalie at IIHF Men’s Worlds By Directorate

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Randy Schultz

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June 7, 2021

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*Garland Earns Spot on Media All-Star Team*

RIGA, Latvia – U.S. goaltender Cal Petersen (Waterloo, Iowa/LA Kings) was named Best Goaltender and forward Conor Garland (Scituate, Mass.) gained a spot on the Media All-Star Teamof the 2021 IIHF Men’s World Championship. The duo helped Team USA to an 8-0-0-2 record (W-OTW-OTL-L), capped off with a 6-1 victory earlier today in the bronze-medal game. Petersen becomes the fourth-ever U.S. player to earn Best Goaltender honors and eighth-ever U.S. player to earn a directorate honor while Garland becomes the fifth-ever U.S. player named to the Media All-Star Team. ABOUT PETERSEN Petersen, who skated the 2020-21 season with the LA Kings, was also named one of Team USA’s top three players of the world championship after finishing the event with a 5-2 (W-L) record, 1.29 goals-against-average and .953 save percentage In seven games, he registered two shutouts and also allowed one goal twice. Of those seven games, he started all three U.S. playoff tilts and registered two wins, a 1.68 GAA and a .947 SV% as the U.S. captured its second medal in three years and its fourth medal in eight years (bronze: 2013, 2015, 2018, 2021).Petersen’s performance in goal ranks among the best-ever by a U.S. netminder. His goals-against-average ranks second-best ever by a U.S. goaltender in a single IIHF Men’s World Championship and trails only the 1.13 GAA effort by Ed Maki in 1939. In addition, his two shutouts is tied with six others for fifth-best in U.S. tournament history.In addition, he and fellow U.S. goaltenders Jake Oettinger (Lakeville, Minn.) and Anthony Stolarz (Edison, N.J.) combined to allow just eight goals through preliminary round play, the lowest a U.S. team has allowed since the tournament was reformatted in 2012. The prior U.S. record for fewest goals allowed in the current tournament format was 14 (2015, 2017). ABOUT GARLAND Garland, who just completed his third season with the Arizona Coyotes, was named a Media All-Star after registering 13 points (6g, 7a) in 10 games. Team USA’s leader in points (13), goals (6) and assists (7), Garland ranked ranked second in the tournament both points (13) and assists (7) while his six goals tied him for second-most of any player in the field. On four occasions, the Scituate, Mass. Native registered multi-point efforts, including a three-point outing (1g, 2a) in the 6-1 bronze-medal win over Germany, and was tabbed U.S. Player of the Game after a two-goal effort in the 4-2 preliminary-round win over Italy. Garland becomes the fifth U.S. player named to the Media All-Star Team after Patrick Kane (forward, 2018), Connor Hellebuyck(goaltender, 2015), Seth Jones (defenseman, 2014) and Carl Wetzel (goaltender, 1967). (NHL.com photo)

The Beauts And Free Agent Camp

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Randy Schultz

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June 7, 2021

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Buffalo Beauts Free Agent Camp Day 2 June 6, 2021

BY RANDY SCHULTZ –

The dictionary defines the term “free agent” as “a sports player who is not bound by a contract and so is eligible to join any team.”

This weekend saw the NWHL’s Buffalo Beauts host their 2021 Free Agent Tryout Camp in the Olympic Arena of the Northtown Center at Amherst. Twenty-four women from across the United States, Canada and Europe travelled to Western New York for an opportunity to make the Beauts team.

Admittedly the odds are not in the player’s favor, considering there are only a small handful of spots open on the Buffalo roster. But hope and determination are the two factors that are a part of each player’s DNA.

For the Beauts front office and coaching staff who are observing the two days of on-ice practice and drills, the final decision of who goes or stays will not be an easy one.

What should be the final step in determining who will fill in the final roster spots available is now the first.

Thanks to the Pandemic the whole process has been reversed.

“Normally we have our draft in March or April and draft our players,” said Beauts General Manager, Nate Oliver. “Then we would go into the free agent camp and have a better idea of what your roster is going to look like.”

The Beauts do have a plan in place of building a team in Buffalo. For Oliver and the Buffalo coaching staff it is a philosophy of building the team from the back out.

“It began two seasons ago when the team began building, starting with goaltending,” stated Oliver. “Last season we continued building by focusing on defense.

“Now we’re going to be focusing on the front end of the team. That was a challenge for us last season in Lake Placid with our offense.

“This season our focus will be on building our offense. And with the upcoming draft we have scouted players, found out who is available, who are going back for their final year of eligibility and who may want to turn pro.”

Which brings us back to the free agent camp. With the camp now over with, where does the Buffalo GM see his team?

“I was really happy with the camp, although it was smaller free agent camp as compared to previous years,” responded Oliver. “I was happy with the competition we had.

“I don’t think any player looked out of place. Everyone seemed to put their best foot forward.

“There was a fair amount of experience on the ice as well. You had players that had played pro, others who played at the DI or high DIII.

“We had a pretty good array of players out there. And as I told the players on the ice after it was all over, they are going to make our jobs (GM and coaches) pretty hard.

“That’s a good problem to have.”

So where does that leave the free agents?

“I told all the players in advance and again today that we would not be offering contracts at the camp itself,” stated Oliver. “It would take a week or two after the camp for us to reevaluate our notes.

“We’ve talked to a few of the players but will not offer them any formal contracts. We will follow-up with all the players within the next couple of weeks.

“I’m of the mindset that I would like to get our roster situated early and finalized early. I like to do a lot of team building in the summer, even if it is virtual. We did that last summer.

“That’s going to help continually build our culture. In this way they will get to know each other and the staff on the team.”

And so goes the life of a free agent. The bottom line for all of them revolves around hope and determination.

That’s what got them to Western New York. They hope that’s what will keep them here as well.

Time will tell.

(Janet Schultz and NY Hockey OnLine Photo)

Buffalo Beauts Gallery

By

Janet

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June 7, 2021

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Photos Taken and Copyrighted by Janet Schultz, NY Hockey Online Magazine

Hockey Photographer Janet Schultz spent two days photographing the Buffalo Beauts Free Agent Camp. There were many photos taken and these are just a few to commemorate the day; and pay tribute to those players who worked so hard. Lots of local talent along with some veteran Beauts, all looking to make the NWHL.

These photos are property of NY Hockey Online but can be obtained by contact [email protected]. We can provide digital files or have prints made. Just need the name and number of player (there were some changes on Day 2).

Rhea Coad Ready To Make An Impact On the Buffalo Beauts As Head Coach

By

Randy Schultz

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June 6, 2021

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BY RANDY SCHULTZ –

It is just past noon on the first Saturday of June, 2021. Inside the Olympic Rink at the Northtown Center at Amherst a group of 26 women in full hockey gear gather on the ice.

While temperatures outside are climbing into the low 80’s, the temps inside the rink remain cold enough to freeze ice. It is the first day of a two-day Free Agent Tryout Camp for the Buffalo Beauts.

Among the small group of observers watching the players on the ice is the Beauts new head coach of the Beauts, Rhea Coad. Seated on one of the cold, metal bench seats, Coad watches intently as the players on the ice go through drills drawn up by the Beauts head coach and her staff.

For almost two hours Coad observes, takes a few notes, talks occasionally to Buffalo General Manager, Nate Oliver and at times looks almost frozen in her seat.

Upon the conclusion of the first day of camp, Coad leaves her seat and makes her way out of the arena and into a warmer area outside of the arena’s second floor doors.

“This is definitely going to make our job harder than you want to have,” responded the first year head coach. “We’re excited for them (the players), but at the same time I think drills that we did exposed a lot.”

With many National Women’s Hockey League procedures reversed this year because of the Pandemic, this free agent camp should have been held following all the League’s player drafts. This year it comes first and with only a handful of spots open on the Beauts roster and not knowing who will be drafted, it makes the coaches and GM’s job that much tougher.

Which puts a lot of pressure on the shoulders of the Beauts first-year head coach. But if there is a positive in all of this it’s the fact that for the past two hockey season Coad has done a juggling act, serving as an assistant coach to both the Beauts and Nazareth College.

Coad admits there was one deciding factor for her in becoming head coach of the Beauts.

“It’s many of the players already on the Beauts, as well as Nate and the staff that is built around me is the reason I’m here,” remarked the Wheatfield, NY native. “I’m from the Buffalo area.

“I never thought I would come back to Buffalo. I’ve been saying that I would never come back since the minute I left to go to the Ontario Hockey Academy.

“I think this is a feel good moment. I feel that I’ve come full circle in my life and I’m ready to start my head coaching experience here.”

Where that coaching path will take her remains to be seen, although the former MVP of the Ontario Hockey Academy does have a plan.

“To be a head coach has always been in my mind,” stated Coad, who played four years of college hockey for SUNY Canton. “I think my next jump would be to a Division I program.

“I never thought I would leave the college realm. But the Beauts player won me over. I couldn’t imagine not being here.”

And Coad will be the first person to tell you that being a head coach is a constant learning profession.

“I definitely don’t know everything,” remarked Coad, who also played softball and golf while at SUNY Canton. “I love learning and I’m always curious.

“Even with our players, I always ask them ‘why’ a lot. They always think I’m second-guessing them.

“And I will tell them I want to know what they’re thinking. Maybe I should be thinking that way too.

“I’m not afraid to reach out to other coaches or assistant coaches to see what they would do in certain situations.”

Coad believes that there is a good combination in Buffalo with her and her players.

“I think the biggest thing, whether it’s college or professional, on the women’s side is that they want to have fun and feel loved,” said Coad. “If you give them the best, they will give you the best product.

“That’s where I’m relatable to them. But now the tone will change towards them with being the head coach.

“But not much will change and I think the players know that. And I think that’s what makes them excited.”

USHL Announces 2021-22 Schedule

By

Randy Schultz

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June 5, 2021

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The 2021-22 USHL Regular Season Begins September 23 and Concludes April 23

CHICAGO, Ill. – The United States Hockey League (USHL) and its participating Member Clubs announced Friday the 2021-22 regular season schedule.The season will consist of 62 games for each team in a regionally-based schedule, similar to the 2020-21 season.

Preseason matchups for the upcoming season will be released at a later date.The 29-week regular season is scheduled to begin September 23 at the DICK’S Sporting Goods Fall Classic, and concludes with a full slate of games on Saturday, April 23.

“We’re excited to return to a 62-game schedule this season and return to having all 16 of our USHL Member Clubs active,” said USHL President and Commissioner Tom Garrity. “We battled through what was a tough 2020-21 season for everyone and are really looking forward to what our Clubs, players and fans have in store for the upcoming season.”

This season will mark the return of the DICK’S Sporting Goods Fall Classic in Cranberry Township, Pa. For the fifth season, all USHL Member Clubs will descend on the Pittsburgh area to open the 2021-22 regular season with a pair of games each over a five-day event hosted with the NHL’s Pittsburgh Penguins.

In conjunction with the USHL games, roughly 80 youth hockey programs from across the country will participate in one of the premier youth hockey events of the season.Also returning for the 2021-22 season is the Frosty Cup, hosted by the Dallas Stars.

This season’s event will feature the Tri-City Storm and Lincoln Stars playing a pair of games on January 28 and 29, 2022 in Dallas. The Storm and Stars will be the second pair of USHL teams to meet in Texas after the Chicago Steel and Green Bay Gamblers played a pair of games in Texas during the 2019-20 season.

This season will also feature the inaugural USHL American Cup from December 3-5, 2021 in Rochester, N.Y. The American Cup, hosted with Wegmans, will feature a pair of regular season USHL games between the Green Bay Gamblers and Youngstown Phantoms as well as a youth hockey component with teams from the 14U, 15U, 16U and 18U levels participating.

More information regarding the Frosty Cup and American Cup will be released at a later date.

“These events give scouts and fans alike a chance to not only see some of the best youth hockey programs in the country, but be able to see USHL action in three cities that host our great Clubs,” said Garrity. “The Fall Classic is attended by all 32 NHL franchises and a plethora of scouts from the NCAA Division I level and gives players on all 16 of our Member Clubs the opportunity to shine in front of these scouts.

“We are also very happy to be sending a pair of teams to both the Frosty Cup and American Cup as well, which we know will also both be great events for our players, scouts and fans.”

Six Added To RPI Men’s Hockey Roster For 2021-2022 Campaign

By

Randy Schultz

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June 5, 2021

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TROY, N.Y. – Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) head men’s hockey head coach Dave Smith has announced the addition of six student-athletes to the 2021-22 roster. Joining this year’s team are three forwards, a pair of defensemen and a goaltender.

“We are excited to add players who make our program better on and off the ice. Four transfers and two new freshmen will join our returning guys to build on the momentum of the 2019-20 season,” said Smith, who is entering his fifth season with the Engineers, though his fourth (2020-21) did not include competition due to the COVID-19 pandemic. “The experience each of these players gained, either at their NCAA school or in junior hockey, allows them to be contributors to our environment and our on-ice product. We are excited to get our group back together on the ice this fall.”

The six newcomers join a team that includes two graduate students, six seniors, six juniors and nine sophomores. Below is an alphabetical list of Rensselaer’s additions:

Jack Agnew
Defense (Shoots Right)
Jersey #6
5-11 / 195
Oakville, ON / Boston College (Hockey East)
Business and Management

One year at Boston College of Hockey East … Six games in 2020-21 … Played for Chilliwack Chiefs of BCHL in 2019-20 … Three goals and 19 assists in 52 games in 2019-20 … Two years at St. Andrew’s College … Assistant captain … Eight goals and 34 assists in 55 games in 2018-19 … Team’s Defensive Player of the Year once.
- Click HERE for hockeydb.com page

Anthony Baxter
Defense (Shoots Left)
Jersey #5
6-0 / 185
Oakville, ON / UMass Lowell (Hockey East)
Master’s in Supply Chain Management

Four years at UMass Lowell of Hockey East … Career-high three goals and two assists with 25 penalty minutes in 16 games as senior … Career-highs of 37 games and nine points (2 goals, 7 assists) as sophomore … Career-highs of nine assists, nine points and +12 in 2017-18 … Eight goals and 21 assists in 116 career games … Hockey East All-Academic each season … Played two seasons with Burlington Cougars of OJHL) … Three goals and 26 assists in 45 games in 2016-17 … Undergraduate degrees in finance and accounting.
- Click HERE for hockeydb.com page

Jakob Lee
Forward (Shoots Right)
Jersey #18
6-0 / 185
Owen Sound, ON / Brooks Bandits (AJHL)
Business and Management

One year at Merrimack of Hockey East … Played 13 games in 2020-21 … Two years with Brooks Bandits of AJHL … Captain … Had 32 goals and 42 assists for 74 points in 42 games in 2019-20 … Had 15 goals and 31 assists in 2018-19 … Team won Royal Bank Cup … Helped Listowel Cyclones to Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League championship.
- Click HERE for hockeydb.com page

Reid Leibold
Forward (Shoots Left)
Jersey #9
5-10 / 175
Ashburn, VA / Merrimack (Hockey East)
Business and Management

Two years with Maryland Black Bears of NAHL … Assistant captain … Seven goals and 11 assists for 18 points in 41 games in 2020-21 … Was +11 … Twenty points (8 goals, 12 assists) in 52 games in 2019-20 … Three-time US National Festival participant … Attended Northwood School.
- Click HERE for hockeydb.com page

TJ Walsh
Forward (Shoots Left)
Jersey #13
5-9 / 165
Shrewsbury, MA / Northeastern (Hockey East)
Business and Management

Two years at Northeastern of Hockey East … Three assists in 15 games in 2020-21 … Two goals and three assists in 20 games as freshman … Hockey East Rookie of the Week once … Hockey East All-Academic … Played 53 games for Des Moines Buccaneers of USHL in 2018-19 … Had 17 goals and 32 assists, including team-high 15 power play helpers … USHL Forward of the Week once … Two seasons with Cedar Rapids RoughRiders of USHL (10 goals, 14 assists) … Captain of Team USA 5 Nations Team … Played for gold medal-winning Team USA in World Youth Games.
- Click HERE for hockeydb.com page

Jack Watson
Goalie (Catches Left)
Jersey #34
6-3 / 195
Toronto, ON / Coquitlam Express (BCHL)
Business and Management

Played for Coquitlam Express of BCHL in 2019-20 … Was 13-4-0 with 2.51 goals against average and .911 save percentage … One shutout … Was 4-0 with 2.19 GAA and .908 save percentage in playoffs (canceled due to COVID-19) … Two years with St. Michael’s Buzzers of OJHL … Was 18-16-0 with 3.11 goals against average and .921 save percentage in 2018-19 … Three shutouts … Graduated from St. Michaels Prep.
- Click HERE for hockeydb.com page

Rensselaer’s 2021-22 season begins with an exhibition game against Brock University on Saturday, October 2 at 4pm. The regular season starts six days later when RPI hosts Bowling Green University on October 8 at the Houston Field House (7pm).

(RPI Hockey Photo)

Former Canisius Hockey Star Re-Signs With AHL’s Rockford IceHogs

By

Randy Schultz

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June 3, 2021

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ROCKFORD, Ill. – The Rockford IceHogs, proud American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate of the Chicago Blackhawks of the National Hockey League (NHL), announced that forward Dylan McLaughlin has re-signed with the club on an AHL contract for the 2021-22 season.

McLaughlin, 25, led the IceHogs with 22 points and 14 assists last season and tied for the team lead with eight goals over 28 games and earned the team’s Most Improved Player award. The Lancaster, New York, native also finished the season tied for first in the AHL with four shorthanded points (two goals, two assists). McLaughlin began the campaign with a pair of assists in the first two games and skated through an impressive run from Mar. 13-May 1 with seven goals and nine assists for 16 points over 14 games including a four-game point streak (two goals, five assists) from Mar. 13- 22 and a three-game goal and point streak (three goals, three assists) from Apr. 24-May 1.

“We are excited to have Dylan back,” said IceHogs Head Coach Derek King. “Dylan has made big improvements over the course of a year. We know he can be an offensive threat, but to be that threat, he had to learn to play without the puck. He will need to continue to work on all aspects of his game and the bar has been raised from last year, so we expect him to raise the bar even more this upcoming season. His goal should be to turn his AHL contract into an NHL one. I’m happy he’s back.”

The 2021 season was McLaughlin’s second campaign in the AHL and with the IceHogs after adding seven points (two goals, five assists) in 28 games during his rookie season in the Stateline in 2019-20 and he also picked up an impressive 24 points (13 goals, 11 assists) in 20 games with the Indy Fuel of the ECHL, including an eight-game point streak (eight goals, four assists).

“I’m excited to be back in Rockford for another year,” added McLaughlin. “I want to keep improving and continue to get bigger and stronger. That will help me get to the net more and create more opportunities for myself and helping out in the defensive zone more. That’s definitely the big thing. I’m really excited.”

Prior to turning pro, the 5-foot-10, 187-pound forward combined for 147 points (58 goals, 89 assists) in 152 career NCAA contests over four seasons at Canisius College from 2015-19 and was a Hobey Baker Award finalist during the 2017-18 season. He was named one of NCAA.com’s Three Stars of the Week three times during his tenure at Canisius and honored as the AHC Player of the Month in October, 2017. In addition, McLaughlin helped the Golden Griffins to an 18-4-6 conference record and the school’s first ever first-place finish in the AHC during his sophomore season in 2016-17.

(Photos: Canisius College and Rockford IceHogs)

Beauts Re-Sign Gehen and Flagg For 2021-22

By

Randy Schultz

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June 2, 2021

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BUFFALO – The Buffalo Beauts continued to shape their roster by securing a pair of returners. Forward Erin Gehen and goaltender Caty Flagg will rejoin the team for the 2021-22 NWHL season. NWHL teams had the exclusive right to re-sign any of their 2020-21 rostered players up until May 15 at 5:00 p.m. Both players were re-signed during the restricted period.

“We felt it was important to get key role players within our team re-signed early on,” said Beauts General Manager Nate Oliver. “Both Erin and Caty are as valuable to us off the ice as they are on the ice. They are integral to the culture and the environment we have been building within the Beauts, and they will continue to be so.”

Gehen will be playing her third season for the Beauts. A native from the Buffalo suburb of West Seneca, she has routinely brought speed and a scoring touch to the Beauts lineup. In 30 NWHL regular season games, Gehen has tallied 7 goals, 9 assists and 16 points across her two previous seasons for Buffalo. Gehen achieved numbers of 54-41-95 in 103 games at Buffalo State College, and is the program’s all-time leader in goals, assists, points, shorthanded goals, and games played for the Bengals. She was recently named Associate Director of Athletics for Elmira College.

“Gehen is a coach’s dream come true in many ways,” said Oliver. “She’ll do whatever it takes to win and she battles valiantly, game in and game out. She has great acceleration and tends to find openings where she can get a break in on the goalie.

Flagg served as Buffalo’s backup goalie in 2020-21 as an NWHL rookie. She dressed in all six regular season games in Lake Placid and saw her first professional action in a Jan. 31 contest against the Boston Pride. Flagg stopped nine of the 11 shots she faced after coming in as relief in her lone game of the season. She went 24-28-11 in her collegiate career split between the University of New England and UMass-Boston, and posted career numbers of a 1.92 goals against average and a .938 save percentage.

“In the Beauts organization we strive for a strong family-oriented culture,” said Beauts head coach Rhea Coad. “Caty is part of the core of our culture. Her drive to be the best teammate that she can be is honorable, and it is why we are so excited to have Caty back!”.

The Beauts will be adding another goaltender to their roster at some point this offseason, in addition to Flagg and recently signed netminder Carly Jackson.

Pitrello Hockey Tournament Coming To Lockport

By

Randy Schultz

-

June 1, 2021

0

BY RANDY SCHULTZ –

You would be hard-pressed to find a guy who loved hockey and the City of Lockport, NY more than John P. “Tate” Pitrello. He would do anything for anyone without expecting anything in return.

Pitrello loved the Lockport Cornerstone Arena and served on its board of directors from its inception. He would come over to the arena and simply watch the kids playing hockey.

Pitrello especially loved the fact that he was a part of making it a reality in his hometown. Unfortunately, Tate left us on January 14, 2021.

But in his memory and honor, the first annual John P. “Tate” Pitrello Memorial 3-on-3 Hockey Tournament has been organized. It will be held at the Cornerstone Arena from July 31^st to August 1^st.

Teams can register online, by mail or at the Arena. They are asked to provide a roster when registering their team.

16 teams with 7 to 10 skaters per team will be allowed into the tournament. Age allowed will be anyone 17 or over.

Each team participating will receive two pizzas and drink chips to The Penalty Box restaurant, located inside Cornerstone Arena.

Proceeds from the tournament will go to benefit Cornerstone CFCU Arena Programming For Children. Registration deadline is Friday, July 16.

For further information, contact the Arena at 716-438-7698.

Jets Sign Former Cornell Star To One-Year, Two-Way Contract

By

Randy Schultz

-

June 1, 2021

0

WINNIPEG, May 31, 2021 – The Winnipeg Jets announced today they have agreed to terms with forward Jeff Malott on a one-year, two-way contract for 2021-22 with an average annual value in the NHL of $780,000.

Malott, 24, made his professional debut in 2020-21 with the Manitoba Moose where he led the team with 14 goals and added six assists for 20 points in 34 games. His 14 goals were tied for the second most by an AHL rookie and they also equaled the ninth highest in the league in 2020-21. The native of Burlington, Ont. played two seasons with the AJHL’s Brooks Bandits before spending a four-year college career at Cornell University where he posted 53 points (24G, 29A) and 135 penalty minutes in 114 games.

Jeff Malott

Forward

Born Aug 7 1996 — Burlington, ONT

Height 6.03 — Weight 204 — Shoots L

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