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January 7, 2025

Helenius image — CLEVELAND, OH - NOVEMBER 06: Rochester Americans center Konsta Helenius (91) shoots the puck during the first period of the American Hockey League game between the Rochester Americans and Cleveland Monsters on November 6, 2024, at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in Cleveland, OH. (Photo by Frank Jansky/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

By Warren Kozireski —

When 2024 Buffalo Sabres first round draft pick Konsta Helenius left the Rochester Americans to join Team Finland for the 2025 IIHF U-20 World Junior championships in Ottawa, he was tied for 14^th in the American Hockey League among rookies with 17 points.

That tied him for fifth on Rochester through his first 28 games as the youngest player in the league as he will not turn 19 years old until May 11. His scoring pace puts him on track for 43 points. For comparison, fellow first rounder Juri Kulich garnered 46 points in his rookie AHL season.

He was also tied for fourth on the Amerks with five power play points and was 1-for-3 in shootout attempts. Not a bad start for someone who moved to North America just a few months ago.

“I had a really good season last year,” Helenius said just prior to leaving for the World Juniors. “I think it’s good for me to play here; small ice hockey because in Europe there is bigger rinks. Everything (here) comes faster and more battles because of the smaller ice, so guys are closer to you.”

Part of his quick maturity showed on Rochester’s first goal in their final home game before the holiday break. Rochester head coach Michael Leone felt earlier in the season Helenius would have tried to go one-on-one with the defenseman, but twenty-plus games as a pro later, he passed leading to a goal by defenseman Nikita Novikov.

“First games of the season are always hard to play, so maybe now we’re getting good chemistry with our line, so it gives us confidence to make plays.”

Described in The Hockey News 2024 Draft Preview by a scout: “the production is there, the pace is there, the vision and awareness and ability to finish. If he wasn’t 5-foot-11 is he challenging for top five?”

The Buffalo organization is not shielding the rookie as he is a regular on both the power play and the penalty kill this season.

“I like that because you have to be (a) smart player if you want to play PK. Of course I like to be on the ice, doesn’t matter what situation, so I like that.”

Born in Ylöjärvi, Finland—located north of Helsinki—the 5’11, 185 lb. right shot center entered this season after scoring the fourth most points by a player his age in Liiga history behind only Alexander Barkov, Mikael Granlund and Kaapo Kakko.

He does have hockey DNA as his father, Tero, played as a teenager for Tappara in Finland while his older brother, Kalle, also started with Tappara and is now in his second season with Jukurit.

For the next several weeks, Helenius and teammate Anton Wahlberg of Team Sweden will be competing in the World Junior tournament each for the second time. Helenius last year had one goal and one assist over the seven games, so is looking to improve greatly on those numbers with a year under his belt.

Both can tap into the knowledge gained by teammates Juri Kulich, who was named to the tournament All-Star team, and Isak Rosen, both of whom competed in their second World Junior tournament a year ago.

Not that Helenius needs much advice after scoring a shootout goal in a round-robin victory over Sweden last year.

“Always nice to play on the national team. A lot of games since last year’s (tournament) and a long summer with good practice every day, so I’m faster and stronger. One thing that will help me is being here in the AHL. It’s small ice in Ottawa, so I think it’s good for me that I’m here.

As for any personal goals set for the tournament, Helenius does not hesitate.

“Of course I want to win gold there. That’s the goal for everyone. Personally, just play well. I think if you play good, everything else comes with that.”

(Photo by Getty Images, Rochester Americans)

WNYGVIH Christmas Break Make-ups

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January 5, 2025

WNYGVIH Recap December 30, 2024-January 6, 2025

By Janet Schultz

Wishing you All a Happy, Healthy, Hockey New York !!

An early-in-the-season snow storm sent several Western New York Girls Varsity Ice Hockey (WNYGVIH) games into the “to be rescheduled” category. Three of those games were made up during the holiday recess.

First up it was Lancaster/Iroquois/Depew/Alden taking on Frontier/Franklinville/Lancaster/Orchard Park on Monday, December 30 at Leisure Rinks, a new venue for all. This was the first of the “Christmas Ties” as Bill Pavone has labeled them.

For LIDA it was Mia Hauser, Caitlin Sinclair and Leah Dowling scoring with assists coming from Emily Rodriguez, Claire Whiteford, Dowing and Brynn Cafferty. Iris Schimenti was in goal stopping 26 of 29 SOG. For FFLOP it was Hannah Favata, Peyton Forcucci and Sophia Quinn scoring, assisted by Maya Griffin on the second and third goal. Forcucci’s was unassisted. In goal Rachael Fix stopped 26 of 29 and the game ended a 3-3 tie after a five minute overtime.

On Thursday is was another “Christmas Tie,” but this one ended 0-0 after a five minute overtime. It Was Hamburg/Eden/West Seneca taking on Monsignor Martin in a game with no goals and no penalties until the overtime period. Then MonMar had two penalties, leaving HHEWS with a two-player advantage and still couldn’t get the puck past MonMar goalie Kate Kelley. MonMar’s Kelley stopped 47 shots and HEWS’s Buczynski stopped 14.

Friday night Clarence/Amherst/SweetHome took on St. Mary’s of Lancaster at Northtown Center and the home team walked away with a 2-0 shutout. Georgia Mango dropped in the first goal in the first period, assisted by Alexandria Reed and Polina Stremiakova. No scoring in the second and in the third it was Celia Watson’s empty netter that secured the 2-0 victory. CASH’s Ella Celej stopped 26/28 and St. Mary’s Betsy Accurso stopped 28.

Webster came to visit FFLOP in a Section V vs Section VI non-league game on Monday night at Hamburg. It was a 6-1 victory for FFLOP with goals from Kayli Tefft, Olivia Waterman (the game winner), Jocelyn Smaczniak, Gabby Sojda (2 including an unassisted) and Hannah Favata, unassisted. Adding to the points with assists were Campbell Rutz, Favata, Adeline Weber, Sojda, Susanna Hollander and Waterman. In goal for FFLOP Rachael Fix stopped 12 of 13.

Maddie Meyer scored the lone goal, unassisted, for Webster and Goalie Mia Wambach stopped 17 of 23.

Mark you calendars as we have a busy first full week of 2025 ice hockey:

Monday, January 6:

Niagara County at St. Mary’s of Lancaster, 4 p.m.

LIDA at HEWS, 9 p.m.

Tuesday, January 7

St. Mary’s at Williamsville, 4:30 p.m.

FFLOP at Niagara County, 4:45 p.m.

MonMar at HEWS, 7:30 p.m.

LIDA at KenGIPort, 7:30 p.m.

Thursday, January 9

CASH at FFLOP, 4:40 p.m.

KenGiPort at MonMar, 4:40 p.m.

Niagara County at Williamsville, 4:30 p.m.

No admission for WNYGVIH games at any venue.

THIS WEEKS Photo Gallery by Janet Schultz© All photos property of Janet Schultz and NY Hockey Online. For permission to use, copy or obtain prints contact [email protected]

East Amherst Native Vaarwerk Playing Top Six Role For Nationally Ranked UMass-Lowell

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December 31, 2024

By Warren Kozireski —

The Jamestown (NY) Rebels of the NAHL have been gone since the summer of 2022, but former Buffalo Jr. Sabres Jak Vaarwerk is helping keep their memory alive as he centers one of the top lines for the University of Massachusetts-Lowell River Hawks.

Vaarwerk barely left home after spending four seasons with the Jr. Sabres capped by netting 82 points over 79 games his final two seasons.

Then it was an hour south to Jamestown where the 6’0”, 180 lb. 21-year-old sophomore scored 53 points in 56 regular season games and added 14 points in nine playoff games.

That got the attention of USHL scouts as he was the top pick in Phase II of their draft and was selected by Des Moines.

“I played pretty much until I was 18 in Buffalo…I really didn’t know what I was doing with hockey for my first 18 years to honest, so I didn’t know where it was going to take me,” Vaarwerk said while playing in the Adirondack Invitational in Lake Placid Thanksgiving weekend.

“To be able to get a chance at Jamestown and have success to where I am now, I’m grateful for. Covid happened and 18-U I was barely playing 30 games a year and didn’t really have any offers or looks, so I didn’t really know where hockey would take me at that point.

“Ever since then I’ve had the confidence to just keep building my game to where we are now.”

45 points in 61 games later and he walked onto the suburban Boston campus where he was named the River Hawks Rookie of the Year last season after his five goal-ten assist season.

Seeing ice time on both the power play and penalty killing units this year, Vaarwerk stands tied for fourth on the team with eight points in the first 15 games.

“I feel like we’re all connecting, last year (8-23-4) was a fluke so I feel like we learned from it and we’re just doing our thing as a team working hard every game…and finding ways to win.

“It’s a confidence thing; as much as you keep building your confidence the more you’re going to have success and that’s what I’ve been trying to do. Learning from last year, having a slower start and picking it up.

“It’s getting the coaches confidence. Everywhere I go you always start at the bottom of the line-up, and you need to grow and find your place and succeed at wherever they put you and from there you just keep growing.”

Though seemingly a late-bloomer, Vaarwerk has seen his stock rise rapidly over the past three years and that earned him an invite to the Buffalo Sabres Development camp last summer.

“I wanted to go to a development camp, but no team was reaching out. Finally, from playing with the Jr. Sabres until I was 18, they gave me a chance. I just wanted to learn from everyone that’s there.”

Next step is helping his River Hawks earn an NCAA playoff spot. And turning more heads in the process.

(Photos provided by UMass-Lowell Athletic Dept. and Men’s Ice Hockey Team)

Long Island’s Adams Leading 10th Ranked Providence

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December 27, 2024

By Warren Kozireski —

As a freshman, Northport’s Tanner Adams was tied for first on Providence College with 15 assists and finished second on the team with 21 points. Fast forward to this season and the sophomore right wing already has two more goals than all of last season and is tied for the team lead in points with 13 through the first 16 games.

“Got off to a hot start; scoring more which is nice, it’s definitely good for the confidence so just playing well,” Adams said while the team was participating in the Adirondack Invitational in Lake Placid Thanksgiving weekend.

Adam, who just turned 19 years old in September, began his hockey development with the Long Island Gulls at 13 years old and jumped to Mount St. Charles Academy for one season before heading to the USHL and Tri-City for two seasons as a 16- and 17-year-old.

“Growing up from mites I played on the older teams. All my buddies were on that team, so I just stuck with them all the way up and then I made the change my 15-year year to be with my age (group) at Mount St. Charles. And then I went to the USHL, and I was still the youngest guy on the team there.

“I’ve always been comfortable with it.”

Adams racked up 32 points his first year in the USHL and 33 his second year in 13 fewer games and added five points over four postseason games.

“My first year we had a good team, same with my second year. (It’s) a machine over there, so it was good for development.”

And arrived on the Providence campus as a 17-year-old.

The son of Amy and Tim Adams scored first collegiate point—an assist—against Michigan Oct. 8.

Though an above average skater, he continues to work on that part of his game among other things.

“You can never be too good at something. The little details (like) my skating, my IQ making plays in tight and working on my shot; that was my biggest thing over the summer just trying to get more confident getting the puck off my stick.”

Adams was invited to participate in the Vegas Golden Knights Development Camp in the past, though he was not selected last summer in the NHL Draft his first time being eligible.

“It definitely adds a little flame to the fire which is nice,” Adams said about not being selected.

“The only guy I need on my side is myself, so I’m just going to prove everyone wrong.”

(Photos provided by Providence Athletic Department and Providence Men’s Hockey Team)

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

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December 25, 2024

Merry Christmas from our gang at NY Hockey OnLine to all of our friends and followers!

15 New York Reasons To Watch U-20 World Juniors

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December 25, 2024

By Warren Kozireski —

There are 15 players either born in New York or drafted by a New York-based team scattered among six different rosters for this week’s IIHF U-20 World Junior tournament being held in Ottawa beginning Dec. 26.

Team USA leads the way with eight players—two each drafted by the NY Islanders, NY Rangers or Buffalo—and two who call the state home.

Team Finland and Sweden have two each while Switzerland, Germany and Slovakia have one player apiece.

James Hagens of Hauppauge is projected as one of the top 2025 NHL Draft prospects and is off to a solid start to his collegiate career as the top rookie in scoring in Hockey East. The Boston College freshman has five goals and 15 points in 16 games.

Carey Terrance (Akwesasne) is in his fourth season with Erie in the Ontario Hockey League. The 2023 Anaheim second round selection has 14 goals and 26 points this season as captain of the Otters.

Also on Team USA, the Islanders are represented by 2024 first round draft pick Cole Eiserman, who is a freshman at Boston University and 2023 second rounder Danny Nelson, who is in his sophomore campaign at Notre Dame.

The Rangers have Boston College sophomore Gabe Perreault, their 2023 first round selection and teammate Drew Fortescue (Pearl River), a third round pick the same year, who is a sophomore defenseman.

And Buffalo has two draft picks dressed in red, white and blue for the tournament in University of Minnesota-Duluth freshman defenseman Adam Kleber, a second rounder this past summer and University of Minnesota freshman forward Brody Ziemer, their third rounder.

Team Finland sports Buffalo’s 2024 first round pick in Konsta Helenius, who is the youngest player in the American Hockey League this season with Rochester, and Islanders 2023 fourth rounder Jesse Nurmi, who is playing his first North American season with London in the OHL.

Team Sweden also has two players to watch again from the same two teams in Sabres 2023 second round selection Anton Wahlberg is a rookie with Rochester in the AHL and Islanders prospect 6’6” goaltender Marcus Gidlof.

The Rangers are also represented on Team Switzerland by their 2024 sixth round forward Rico Gredig.

And Buffalo has two other draft picks on Team Slovakia and Germany in Michigan State sophomore defenseman Maxim Strbak, taken in the second round in 2023 and Norwin Panocha, a 2023 seventh rounder, will help anchor the German blueline after pausing his USHL season with Green Bay.

The ten-team tournament round-robin will end with the quarterfinals Jan. 2, the semi-finals Jan.4, and the championship Jan. 5.

CASH vs Williamsville; WNYGVIH Photo Gallery

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December 24, 2024

It was CASH 6-1 over Williamsville in WNYGVIH play last week.

All photos property of NYHOL/Janet Schultz©. For copies or to use email [email protected]

KenGiPort at Williamsville Photo Gallery

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December 24, 2024

KenGiPort 6; Williamsville 1 in WNYGVIH Federation action on Wednesday evening. This was a make-up game from a snow postponement on Dec. 12.

All photos property of NYHOL/Janet Schultz©. For copies or to use photos email [email protected]

St. Mary’s at LIDA PHOTO GALLERY

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December 24, 2024

LIDA 5; St. Mary’s of Lancaster 4 at Holiday Twin Rinks on Tuesday, Dec. 17.

All photos property of NYHOL/Janet Schultz©. To obtain or use copies email [email protected]

Webster at KenGiPort Photo Gallery

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December 24, 2024

WNYGVIH Non-League Game. Webster 0; KenGiPort 6; at Hockey Outlet.

Griffin Breaks Record

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December 23, 2024

WNYGVIH Recap for December 16-21, 2024

By Janet Schultz

Maya Griffin (FFLOP) has broken the Most Points in a Game record with 9 pts on 4 goals and 4 assists. Griffin did it in a 10-1 victory over Williamsville. In goal, MonMar’s Kate Kelley stopped 70 of 87 shots on goal in a 8-0 loss to KenGiPort.

The first part of this season has found KenGiPort in the lead with a 5 wins; 2 loss record in 7 games played. They are followed by St. Mary’s of Lancaster (3-1-1-1-0) and FFLOP (3-1-1-0-0) in overall League play.

HEWS is tied with FFLOP, each having 10.5 points. Next is LIDA, CASH, NiCo, Williamsville and Monsignor Martin.

But as we always say, on any given day these standings could change.

Sitting on top of the leader board is Griffin followed by teammates Gabby Sojda (8 goals and 6 assists) and Peyton Forcucci (5 goals and 7 assists). After that it’s Sophia Phillips (HEWS) (6/6=12 pts), Jenny Wild (CASH) (6/4-10 pts) and Avery Szczesek (St. Marys) (7/3=10 pts) rounding out the top five.

Goaltenders leading the league include Kate Kelley with 275 minutes in net has made 270 saves on 298 shots. Ella Buczynski has had 2 shutouts this season. Jillian Hager played 45 minutes and made 3 saves on 3 shots for a 1.00 save percentage. Rachel Fix is next after 228.50 minutes stopping 108 of 116 for a .931 save percentage.

Other top goaltenders, who have played regularly, are Buczynski stopping 86 of 93 overall; Ella Celej, facing 141 and stopping 129; Ella Johnston, stopping 103 of 113; Oliva Lookman, stopping 111 of 132 and Anna Bacon facing 133 and stopping 106. It seems are goaltenders are working extremely hard this season.

Now how did all of this happen.

This week opened with a non-league game with visiting Webster playing at Hockey Outlet against KenGiPort. KenGiPort comes out on top 6-0 with Johnston making 10 saves for the shut-out. Goal scorers included Isabelle Bourgeault, Savannah Samplinski, Ava Pasceri, Erin Krawczyk, Isabella Burt. Assisting were Isabella Jayme, Burt, Natalie Kopf, Isabella Shaft, Madeline Jagow, Teagan Willats, Bourgeault and Burt. In goal stopping 20 of 26 was Mia Wambach for Webster.

Williamsville beat Monsignor Martin 6-1 in the other game that evening. Scarlet Canna had the game-winner, assisted by Jaylee Kochan and Quinn Wolf. Also scoring were Addison Stachura, assisted by Besancon; Sophia DePrima, assisted by Canna; Stachura on the power-play, assisted by Allison Besancon and Anna Meyer; Besancon with a second goal, assisted by Genevieve Illos and the last goal of the evening by Alena Lombardo on the power-play, assisted by Meyer and Megan Loretz. Anna Bacon was in goal stopping 20 of 21 for the W. The lone goal for MonMar came from Gabby Kazmark, assisted by Addison Cherry. Kelley stopped 24 of 30 shots.

FFLOP and St. Mary’s of Lancaster played to a 1-1 overtime tie. Sojda had a goal for FFLOP, assisted by Peyton Forcucci and Maya Griffin and Szczesek had an unassisted goal for St. Mary’s. Rachel fixed stopped 35 of 36 and Betsy Accurso stopped 24/25.

Three games on tap for Tuesday including a 5-4 victory for LIDA over St. Mary’s. LIDA’s Claire Whiteford had the game-winner, unassisted, her second goal of the night as she also had the first goal. Brynn Cafferty, Leah Dowling, and Mia Hauser added to the scoreboard. Assisting were Emily Lysiak (3 assists), Layla Osinski and Lucia Lawrence. In goal, Iris Schimenti stopped 24/28 for the W. Lauren Gilano, Gabe Lowell, Szczesek and Alanah Pagano put St. Mary’s on the board with Emma Babcock assisting on two, Lowell and Gilano on the other two goals. Accurso stopped 24/29.

Next up was HHEWS at NiCo with HHEWS coming out on top with a 7-1 victory. Allie Schmirl had the first goal, unassisted. Adding the game-winner was MacKenzie Benker, assisted by Brynn Holland. Schmirl added another, Morgan Cooper, Ellie Grabowski (2) and Holland finished out the game with goals. Assisting were Brooke Vetter, Sophia Phillips (3), Clare Sokolowski, Sophia Sokolowski (2), Kelsey Barrett and Mea Foster. In goal Buczynski stopped 16/17 for the W. Natalee Lawrence had the lone goal for NiCo with Myla Chopyak assisted. In goal Jaylin Beaver stopped 23 of 30.

FFLOP headed to Northtowns to play CASH and came away with a 3-1 victory. Alyssa Starkey had the first goal of the evening, assisted by Sophia Quinn. Griffin had the game-winner, assisted by Adeline Weber and Brooklyn Forcucci. FFLOP’s Sojda added the third for security, assisted by P. Forcucci and Griffin. Fix stopped 21/22. Jenny Wild had a single, unassisted goal for CASH. Celej was in net stopping 31/34.

It was a 8-0 shutout for KenGiPort over MonMar, but it was MonMar’s Goalie making the news with her 79 saves on 87 shots. Scoring for KenGiPort was Bourgeault, Denning, Willats, Pasceri, Jagow, Burt, I. Shaft with two and Hager in goal making 3 saves for the shut-out victory.

In an unusual Wednesday game, a make-up from the snow day. KenGiPort headed to take on Williamsville and walked away with a 6-1 victory. Jayme had the game-winner, assisted by Burt and Kiley Burke. Other goals came from Marzec, Bourgeault, Kopf, I. Shaft and Pasceri. Assisting in the game were Dettbarn, Jayme and Pasceri; with Burt having 3 assists that evening. Hadley Dahlgren made 12 saves on 13 shots.

LIDA headed to Rochester to play a non-league game against Webster. It was a 8-1 victory for LIDA with Lysiak scoring an unassisted goal to open the game. Then adding two more that evening for a hattrick. Also scoring were Leah Sacco, unassisted; Cafferty on the powerplay, assisted by Dowling and Lawrence and a second by Cafferty, assisted by Dowling. In goal, Schimenti stopped 17 of 18. Webster’s Maddie Meyer had the single goal, assisted by Viv Kinkead. In goal, Sami Cullen stopped 14/20.

The final games of 2024, before we head into the New Year, on Thursday included Williamsville at CASH, NiCo at FFLOP, St. Mary’s at MonMar and KenGiPort at HEWS.

CASH took a 2-1 lead in the first period, continued with two more goals in the second and capped it with two more in the third for a 6-2 victory. CASH’s Celia Watson scored first, assisted by Kiley Breeze; Williamsville answered back when Illos tied the game, assisted by Besancon. Quickly CASH dropped in another off the stick of Polina Stremiakova, unassisted and CASH leaves the period ahead. Wild gets the game-winner in the second, assisted by Breeze; Watson adds a second, assisted by Stremiakova and Maya Adimey to go ahead 4-1. AT 2:14 of the third, Besancon adds a second goal for Williamsville, assisted by Illos. But the game goes to control by CASH when Breeze adds another, assisted by Watson and Wild and then Wild scores on the power-play to end the game 6-2. CASH’s Grace Elliott stopped 11 of 13 for the W and in goal for Williamsville Lookman stops 32 of 38.

FFLOP takes NiCo 10-2 on their home ice with scoring by Favata (unassisted), Bowen, Gearhart (the game-winner unassisted), Sojda (on the powerplay, four goals for a hattrick plus on and an unassisted goal) P. Forcucci (2) and Quinn. Assists that evening from Rutz, P. Forcucci(2), Griffin (2), Starkey, Tafft. Fix was in goal for FFLOP stopping 16/18. For NiCo it was Madelyn Martin scoring both goals and Draper and Latini each assisting on one. Beaver was in goal.

St. Mary’s beat MonMar 3-1. (We haven’t seen the stat sheet).

KenGiPort headed to HEWS for the final, late game. It was a 1-0 victory for HEWS. Sophia Phillips scored the unassisted, game-winner with Buczynski in goal stopping 19 for the shut-out victory. Johnston was in goal for KenGiPort stopping 17/18.

There is one game scheduled for the holiday period. FFLOP will play LIDA at Leisure Rinks on Monday, December 30 to make up the snow day from December 12. It’s a 12:15 p.m. puck drop.

The League will return to the ice with a non-league game on Thursday, January 2 when Webster comes to play FFLOP at 4:30 pm. at Nike Arena in Hamburg. Also on January 2, HEWS will play MonMar at Northtown at 4 p.m. to makeup for the December 5 game. There is also a Friday, January 3 game when St. Mary’s will travel to CASH at Northtown to make up a December 5 snow cancellation. Puck drop is 5 p.m.

Regular action begins Monday, January 6 when Niagara County plays St. Mary’s at Cheektowaga; LIDA is at HEWS.

On Tuesday, January 7 it will be FFLOP at Niagara County; St. Mary’s at Williamsville; MonMar at HEWS and LIDA at KenGiPort.

Thursday, January 9 will be CASH at FFLOP, NiCo at Williamsville and KenGiPort at MonMar.

Any updates to games will be at the WNYGVIH Facebook and website and at NYHOL’s Facebook page.

(NYHOL will post a photo gallery later this week; thank you for your patience. Still editing)

Buffalo’s Zacher Helping Bring Robert Morris Back

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December 23, 2024

2024-11-04 Robert Morris Men's Hockey vs. Mercyhust — Robert Morris Men's Hockey vs. Mercyhurst at Mercyhurst Ice Center on November 4, 2024.

By Warren Kozireski —

Robert Morris rejoined the Atlantic Hockey Association last season after two years off following the threatened shutdown of the program. Normally that would devastate any roster and take years to rebuild, but thanks to a solid recruiting effort offering freshmen the chance to compete right away, the Colonials are competitive again thanks in large part to Nichols School product Walter Zacher.

The 5’11” right wing entered the holiday schedule break leading the team with 11 goals and 59 shots and is tied for the team lead with 17 points.

“He’s a goal scorer; I think he was a little disappointed with his lack of goals last year even with 22 points, but he usually scores more,” Robert Morris head coach Derek Schooley said.

“He’s coming into his own…and it’s good to see him get going. When we committed him as a top prospect, we needed goals and we needed people to come in and embrace being part of Colonial hockey…and I’m happy with Walt’s game so far.”

“Last year I was battling a bit on an injury all year (hip) and then I had an operation in the offseason and I felt stronger and faster coming back,’ Zacher said.

After putting up a combined 98 points over 63 games in his finale of four seasons with Nichols, Zacher headed to Austin in the NAHL for three campaigns, the final one accumulating 32 goals and 55 points in 58 games. And 14 points in 11 playoff games on their way to the Robertson Cup finals.

“Our family has been at the school (Nichols) since the 1930’s, so it’s always been in my blood to go to Nichols. I started in fifth grade and I knew from the moment I put on skates that I was going to wear the green and white. Glad I stayed for four years.

“(Then) I was (supposed to go to) Sherwood Park (BCHL), but then covid shut Alberta down. Glad I went, great experience.”

The 22-year-old then decided to help restart the Robert Morris hockey program and net his first collegiate hat trick Oct. 19 in Miami, Ohio.

Robert Morris Women’s Hockey vs. Princeton at Clearview Arena on October 19, 2024.

“It was a stressful situation because not all freshmen get to play right away…but there was opportunity to come in and play a big role. It’s been a while since I had a hat trick…but it felt good to get that out of the way early especially since last year I had a bit of a scoring slump all year with only five goals.

“Then to start out the year first weekend with four (goals); it felt good to get the monkey off my back.”

The Biology/Pre-med major after hockey is hoping to pursue a career in medicine working with athletes healing with the goal of being an orthopedic surgeon. But first, there are other goals…on the ice.

(Photo’s provided by Robert Morris Men’s Hockey and Athletic Department)

Future Sabres: Norwin Panocha

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December 20, 2024