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Anne Murray Loves Her Hockey!

By
Randy Schultz
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0

BY RANDY SCHULTZ –

I have been a fan of Anne Murray for a long time. When I found out in the late 1980s that she was a big hockey fan, that peaked my interest in her even more.

I finally caught up with Murray in North Tonawanda, NY at Melody Fair, a little theater that was covered by a theater dome. Prior to her concert there I had the opportunity to visit and interview her trailer, located just outside the theater.

I found out quickly that Murray was a hockey fanatic. Yes, this was the same Anne Murray who has had such hits over the years like “Snowbird,” “You Needed Me” and “A Little Good News.”

I also discovered that when she wasn’t recording or performing Murray followed hockey very closely. So closely that it wasn’t unusual for her to watch a hockey game every night of the week, if possible.

Murray, a native of Springhill, Nova Scotia, Canada, the singer grew up with Canada’s national past-time.

“I guess it all started by listening on radio,” recalled Murray. “Of course, Saturday night was ‘Hockey Night In Canada,’ That was sacrosanct. Everybody stayed home and watched it.

“And we watched it any other nights it was on.”

Murray even played the game, first with her brothers out on the frozen ponds of Nova Scotia and later on a girl’s team in high school. Surprisingly, Murray wasn’t a Toronto Maple Leafs or Montreal Canadiens fans during the six-team era of NHL hockey when she was growing up.

Instead, she was a Detroit Red Wings’ fan.

“I guess it was because Gordie (Howe) played for Detroit,” said Murray. “He was always my favorite.

“Bobby Hull and Bobby Orr were alright, too. They were great to watch. But as a kid Gordie was number one.”

She recalled the first time she got to meet her childhood hero, as well as an additional superstar.

“I remember having Gordie Howe on a television show I did in Canada years ago and that was great,” Murray commented. “I also met Jean Beliveau.

“I admired both of them for a long, long time, and I was nervous meeting them.”

Over the years Murray became a star in her own right with the NHL. She was the guest star at the NHL All-Star Charity Dinner prior to the 35th All-Star Game at the Nassau Coliseum in Uniondale, New York.

When asked if she had a favorite player at the time of the interview with me, Murray gave a definite answer.

“I would have to say Wayne Gretzky,” remarked Murray. “I especially loved watching Gretzky and Mario Lemieux together when they played in that Canada/Russia series. That was awesome.”

At one point in the 1980’s, Murray put together a group that tried to purchase the Maple Leafs.

“But old Harold (Ballard, then owner of the Leafs) wasn’t interested in selling the team. It’s a shame too.”

Even today in retirement, Murray still loves the game.

“It is such a beautiful sport,” concluded Murray. “I enjoy other sports like football and baseball.

“But there is something about hockey that fascinates me. It must be the grace and style by which the players play the game.

“It is almost artistic. It’s just something I have in my blood.”

Yogi Berra Was A Hockey Kind of Guy

By
Randy Schultz
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(Hockey writer Randy Schultz has covered the hockey scene at all levels for over 50 years. He has interviewed people about hockey from all walks of life during that time. Players, coaches, executives, celebrities, college and high school players have been interviewed over the five decades of hockey writing. He hopes you enjoy his memories.)

BY RANDY SCHULTZ –

With the World Series almost upon us, I thought it might be a good idea to open my column with one of the many baseball players I talked to over the years who had a love for hockey.

Yogi Berra was one of America’s most beloved athletes. A member of Baseball’s Hall of Fame, Berra spent most of his career with the New York Yankees.

But what a lot of people never knew about Berra, who passed away in 2015, was his love of hockey and being a big hockey fan. That love went back almost eight decades, back to his days growing up in his native St. Louis, MO.

Nineteen years have passed since I had the opportunity to talk to Yogi by phone at his home in Montclair, NJ. He was a big fan of the National Hockey League. When Berra was at home, he could be watching NHL hockey on TV and it didn’t matter if it was the New York Rangers, New York Islanders or New Jersey Devils.

“I never played ice hockey growing up in St. Louis,” recalled Berra at the time of our interview. “I played street hockey and roller hockey.

“We didn’t have any place to play ice hockey. And if we had, we really didn’t have the money for skates or some of the other hockey equipment needed.

“We had sticks. We used old rolled up magazines as shin guards. And we used wooden pucks. That’s right, wooden pucks. We couldn’t afford a real puck. So we made one.

“That’s why roller and street hockey were easier to play. And all kids in the neighborhood, including Joe Garagiola.

“We played all different kinds of sports depending on the time of the year. We played baseball, football, basketball and hockey. We would just choose up sides and play.”

Of course, Berra admitted that he wasn’t the greatest skater in the world.

“I can skate, but I can’t skate very well,” stated Berra. “I can’t stop as easy as the hockey players do.”

Berra also followed pro hockey while growing up in St. Louis with the Flyers of the old American Hockey Association.

“I used to follow the Flyers when I was a kid,” remembered Berra, who played 18 seasons (1846-1963) with the Yankees. “I remember the day of a game, I used to take a nap in the afternoon so I could go with my brother to the hockey game that night at the old St. Louis Arena.”

When Berra made it to the majors with the Yankees at the end of the 1946 season, he instantly became a fan of the NHL’s New York Rangers. One of the Hall of Famers favorite hangouts in New York became the old Madison Square Garden.

“I really enjoyed the Rangers,” said Berra. “I went to their games every chance I got down at the old Gardens. I really like the old Gardens.”

The players in the Rangers that Berra got to know was like a “Who’s Who” of hockey. It included Emile Francis, Harry Howell, Eddie Giacomin, Jacques Plante, Gump Worsley and Bernie “Boom-Boom” Geoffrion.

“I know the Rangers didn’t really have great teams back in the ‘50’s and ‘60’s,” recalled Berra. “But they were still entertaining.”

Berra and his wife, Carmen, were also your typical hockey parents, getting up at $:30 in the morning to drive their boys to practice or a game. That tradition continued to include the Berra’s granddaughter, Lindsay, who turned out to be a very good player in her own right.

Berra followed pro hockey right up until he passed. At one time he was a neighbor of former New Jersey Devils owner, the late John McMullen.

One of the changes Berra saw come into the NHL in his later years was the shootout.

At the time Berra thought it was a good change.

“I guess that a lot of fans like it,” concluded Berra.

One might say, using an original Yogism, “the game’s not over now until it’s over.”

(Photo by AP)

Colgate Women’s Hockey Completes Weekend Sweep

By
Randy Schultz
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0


Each of Colgate’s 11 forwards tallies at least one point in 8-1 win

HAMILTON  — All eleven Raider forwards scored at least one point highlighted by Kristýna Kaltounková’s season-high four tallies as Colgate completed the weekend sweep with an 8-1 win against Post. First-year goalie Farah Walker recorded her first career victory in net, while classmates Alexia Aubin and Addison Spitz added their first collegiate goals.

HOW IT HAPPENED

  • Kaltounková sent Colgate into the break up one after converting on a rebounded Neena Brick shot.
  • The Raiders exploded for four goals in the second period, starting with Kaia Malachino’s third goal in two games and capped by Spitz’s first career score.
  • Aubin kicked off the third frame with an unassisted snipe, and Sarah Roger scored the second goal of her career less than a minute later. 
  • Alexis Petford capped the victory with her second goal of the season off the assist from Kaltounková.

GAME NOTES

  • The Raiders outshot the Eagles 47-14.
  • Brick and Petford added their first multi-point outings of the season while Roger racked up two points for the first time in her career.
  • Emma Pais and Aubin accumulated two points for the second-straight game. 
  • Kaltounková racked up four or more points in a game for the ninth time in her career. She sits three tallies away from 200 career points.
  • Averill McCorkle made her third career appearance in goal, logging 13 shutout minutes in the win and making three saves.
  • Elyssa Biederman extended her point streak to four games and has registered a point in all but one outing so far this season. She also inched closer to the century mark with her 98th career point.

UP NEXT

Colgate is back on home ice at 6 p.m. on Friday Oct. 25 to take on Maine.

—- (Photo Credit “Brian Miller | Colgate Athletics”) —-

PWHL Announces 2024-25 Officiating Team; 3 WNY’ers Included

By
Randy Schultz
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0

39 Referees and 26 Linespeople Return for Season Two 

NEW YORK AND TORONTO – The Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) officiating team for the 2024-25 season will consist of 39 referees and 26 linespeople from across North America. The entire roster of 65 officials, which includes 38 women and 27 men, returns with PWHL experience from the inaugural season. 

“The PWHL is fortunate to have an experienced team of world-class officials who share our passion for growing the game and taking this league to new heights,” said Jayna Hefford, PWHL Senior Vice President of Hockey Operations. “Our officials did a tremendous job during the inaugural season, applying our innovative rule changes and allowing the players to showcase their speed and skill, while managing an elevated physical aspect of the game that promoted competitiveness without compromising player safety.” 

Joining the PWHL Officiating management staff this season is Katie Guay, who will serve as Associate Director of Officiating. Guay brings more than 30 years of experience in hockey, notably serving as an Officiating Manager with the NHL for the last two seasons. Her on-ice resume is highlighted by officiating at the 2018 Olympics and becoming the first woman to referee an AHL game in 2021. 

The PWHL held its first-ever Officials Camp Sept. 28-30 in Denver, CO, providing officials with a unique development opportunity to foster team building and strengthen the consistent application of the league’s standard of play. The camp had both on- and off-ice components and dedicated sessions for referees and linespeople. 

2024 PWHL Officials Camp Highlights: 

  • PWHL Director of Officiating David Taveroff and Supervisor Bryan Lewis led sessions focused on rules and standard of play, supported by PWHL Hockey Operations staff Bevin Harvey and Bree Arnold. 
  • PWHL Central Situation Room (CSR) Officials and former NHL Officials Scott Driscoll and Dean Morton facilitated sessions focused on CSR rules and officials positioning. 
  • Sydney Delcontivo, PWHLAssociate Manager of Player Safety, discussed the importance of safe competition. 
  • PWHL Senior Director of Player Experience Alexis Miller conducted a retrospective presentation of Season One highlights. 
  • Ottawa Charge Head Coach Carla MacLeod led a seminar on communication along with special guest Dave Jackson, a former NHL referee and current ESPN rules analyst. 
  • Dave Smith, NHL Fitness Consultant, was a special guest for on-ice sessions. 
  • Special guest Brian Kula led a fitness and nutrition seminar. 
  • Special guest Julie Revers led a seminar about balancing parenting and officiating. 

2024-25 PWHL Officiating Team 

Referees: 

  • Krysta Ansell (Brownstown Township, MI) #19 
  • Grace Barlow (Vancouver, BC) #22 
  • Kyle Bauman (River Falls, WI) #18 
  • Brandy Beecroft (Sault Ste. Marie, ON) #33 
  • Andrew Bell (Downingtown, PA) #6 
  • Jenn Berezowski (Quinte West, ON) #4 
  • Hillary Brennan (London, ON) #40 
  • Jarrett Burton (Kingston, ON) #8 
  • Alexandra Clarke (Griffin, SK) #7 
  • Kelly Cooke (West Roxbury, MA) #29 
  • Marie-Eve Couture (Chambly, QC) #20 
  • Jared Cummins (Norwalk, IA) #14 
  • Jordan Deckard (Chicago, IL) #9 
  • Melissa Doyle (White Bear Lake, MN) #48 
  • David Elford (Kitchener, ON) #11 
  • Damian Figueira (Toronto, ON) #32 
  • Beatrice Fortin (Longueuil, QC) #26 
  • Katie Glover (Seattle, WA) #45 
  • Sydney Harris (Monument, CO) #28 
  • Jack Hennigan (Halton Hills, ON) #44 
  • Samantha Hiller (Gurnee, IL) #12 
  • Charly Hurley (Quincy, MA) #43 
  • Chad Ingalls (Woodstock, ON) #25 
  • Jake Kamrass (Cumming, GA) #3 
  • Tatu Kunto (San Diego, CA) #17 
  • Cianna Lieffers (Saskatoon, SK) #13 
  • Bobby Jo Love (Kamloops, BC) #5 
  • Elizabeth Mantha (Longueuil, QC) #15 
  • Amy Martin (Winnipeg, MB) #31 
  • Michelle McKenna (Regina, SK) #10 
  • Shauna Neary (Halifax, NS) #49 
  • Harrison O’Pray (Hildegarde, NB) #27 
  • Chelsea Rapin (Essex Junction, VT) #2 
  • Chris Rumble (West Seneca, NY) #24 
  • Laura Schmidlein (Quincy, MA) #23 
  • Lacey Senuk (Toronto, ON) #39 
  • Amanda Tassoni (Bradford, RI) #21 
  • Adam Tobias (West Seneca, NY) #16 
  • Laura White (Runnemede, NJ) #47 

Linespersons: 

  • Ali Beres (Brant, ON) #67 
  • Melissa Brunn (Kelowna, BC) #73 
  • Sarah Buckner (Plymouth, MN) #66 
  • Antoine Bujold-Roux (Ottawa, ON) #72 
  • Adam Burnett (Toronto, ON) #94 
  • Jenny Cameron (Northborough, MA) #71 
  • Jessica Chartrand (Val-des-Monts, QC) #63 
  • Patrick Dapuzzo (Rutherford, NJ) #77 
  • TJ Dockery (Lockport, NY) #70 
  • Joanie Duchesneau (Montréal, QC) #74 
  • Jeremy Faucher (Cowansville, QC) #85 
  • Stephanie Gagnon (Princeville, QC) #76 
  • Erika Greenen (Sugar Grove, IL) #88 
  • Laura Gutauskas (Woolwich, ON) #68 
  • Matthew Heinen (Hull, MA) #82 
  • Spencer Knox (Clarington, ON) #81 
  • Anthony Lapointe (Montréal, QC) #78 
  • Dustin McCrank (Guelph, ON) #84 
  • Greg Offerman (Fitchburg, WI) #95 
  • Shawn Oliver (Ottawa, ON) #56 
  • Luke Pye (Belle River, ON) #80 
  • Sophie Thomson (Halifax, NS) #75 
  • Justine Todd (Kawartha Lakes, ON) #50 
  • Abigail Torres (Charlestown, RI) #65 
  • Kirsten Welsh (Conway, PA) #64 
  • Erin Zach (Cambridge, ON) #60 

PWHL Training Camps open Nov. 12 followed by pre-season Mini Camps Nov. 19-22 taking place in Montréal and Toronto with a total of six scrimmages. The 90-game regular season begins Nov. 30. 

Plattsburgh State Women’s Ice Hockey Season Preview

By
Randy Schultz
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0

PLATTSBURGH, N.Y. – After missing out on the national semifinals for the first time in 10 years last season, Coach Kevin Houle and the Plattsburgh State women’s ice hockey team are hungry to make a deep postseason run and fight for their NCAA Division III record eighth national championship and first State University of New York Athletic Conference (SUNYAC) championship.

“With a strong group of upperclassmen and a promising first-year class, we are optimistic and looking forward to the upcoming season,” Coach Houle said about the 2024-25 season.

With Houle at the helm, a run at a national championship is always possible and is often expected, as his program has won the national tournament seven times. The 22nd-year coach carries a 497-62-27 record going into the season, good for a .871 winning percentage over 20 years of coaching. With his 500th win this season, he will join Middlebury’s Bill Mandigo and Gustavus Adolphus’ Mike Carroll as the lone 500-win club members in the history of Division III women’s ice hockey. Last year, the team’s decade-long streak of conference titles and national semifinal appearances was snapped, as the team will now look to start a new streak in 2024-25.

With four of the team’s All-SUNYAC selections gone, the team will lean heavily on their returning All-SUNYAC honorees as well as a mix of returning and new players. Senior Mattie Norton (Glen Carbon, Ill.) will serve as the team captain this season and will be counted to lead the Plattsburgh defensive unit in 2024-25. Assistant captains fifth-year Ciara Wall (Somerville, Mass./New Hampshire) and senior Bridget Orr (Excelsior, Minn./North American Hockey Academy) will be counted on to lead the forward group into 2024-25.

Goaltenders

Plattsburgh State will have a new primary goaltender in 2024-25, as Lila Nease departed to graduation last season after appearing in 43 games over her final two years. Chloe Lewis (Monson, Mass./Northwood School) started four games last season, appearing in five overall, making 100 total saves and allowing just four goals for a .86 goals-against average. She is the lone returner to the group of netminders, as first-years Maddy Stetson (Wasilla, Alaska/Little Caesars) and Ava Varecka (West Falls, N.Y./Nichols School) will join Lewis for the upcoming year.

Defenders

Norton will step in to lead the Cardinals blueline unit in 2024-25, as the two-time all-conference honoree will look to replace the production of last year’s captain Kendall Wasik, who earned First Team All-America honors. Norton was effective in multiple facets for the Cards, scoring seven goals, picking up nine assists, and also posting a plus-minus mark of +14.

The returning group of defenders is deep for Plattsburgh in 2024-25, as SUNYAC All-Rookie selection Adriana Urban (Monroe, N.J./Hoosac School) is back for her sophomore campaign, along with juniors Taya Balfour (Moorestown, N.J./Philadelphia Jr. Flyers) and Su-An Cho (Madison, Ala./Florida Alliance), as well as sophomore Maeghan Forsyth (Billings, Mont./Notre Dame Hounds). Balfour appeared in all 28 games last year, while Forsyth appeared in 26, and Cho in 12.

The Cardinals have two new blueliners this year, as Marina McCann (Bear, Del./St. Louis Blues) and Seoyoung Yoo (Yongin, Republic of Korea/Ontario Hockey Academy) fill out a strong group for the 2024-25 season.

Forwards
With the graduation of First Team All-American Julia Masotta and All-SUNYAC selection Ivy Boric, the Cardinals will have some new contributors looking to step up and fill the void left from their graduate students last year.

As usual, Plattsburgh will not be without experience this year, as assistant captains Wall and Orr will be the leadership group for the forward group along with graduate student Mae Olshansky (Las Vegas, Nev./North American Hockey Academy). Wall is the team’s top returning scorer after posting 10 goals and 16 assists last year, as she will be one of the team’s top offensive options for 2024-25. The team should also receive some good contributions from Orr, who had eight goals and eight assists last year, and Olshansky who has 62 career points.

Other returners include juniors Ella Fesette (Plattsburgh, N.Y./RIT), Emma McLean (Burlington, Mass/Pomfret School), and Molly Riggi (Farmingdale, N.J./New Jersey Titans), as well as sophomores Sydnee Francis (Canton, N.Y./Nepean Jr. Wildcats), Emily Kasprzak (Niagara Falls, N.Y./Pittsburgh Penguins Elite), and Ava Mattaliano (Grosse Pointe Woods, Mich./Belle Tire).

Several newcomers will see a lot of time on the ice this year for the Cardinals as they look to put out a formidable and deep offensive unit. The first-years in the forward group this year are Kate Conlon (New Hudson, Mich./Little Caesars), Emma Holmes (Winthrop, Mass./Worcester Academy), Julia Holmes (Winthrop, Mass./Worcester Academy), Tessa Morris (Grand Island, N.Y./Rome Girl’s Hockey), Ashley O’Hara (Chittenango, N.Y./Syracuse Valley Eagles), Ella Procyk (Stratford, Conn./Lovell Academy), and Kayson Ruegge (Edmond, Okla./Philadelphia Jr. Flyers).

Schedule

The Cardinals tune-up for the regular season on Oct. 20 and Oct. 27 with two exhibitions at the Ronald B. Stafford Ice Arena, taking on the Ottawa Jr. 67s and Trinity (Conn.) before opening their season on Nov. 2 against Norwich in their home rink. The Cardinals then embark on a string of five straight SUNYAC road games, beginning with a SUNYAC Championship rematch on Nov. 8 at Cortland. The team next heads to Potsdam on Nov. 15 and follows that up with a trip to Oswego on Nov. 16. A date with the Canton Kangaroos concludes the road trip on Nov. 22, as the team returns home the following day for a home game against Buffalo State on Nov. 23.

The Cardinals host the Cardinal/Panther Classic in 2024, as the team will play St. Norbert in the tournament’s opening game at 3 p.m. on Nov. 30, followed by Middlebury taking on Endicott at 6 p.m. The consolation game is set for Dec. 1 at 2 p.m. with the championship game to follow at 5 p.m. The team then concludes the 2024 end of their schedule by hosting Morrisville in a SUNYAC semifinal rematch on Dec. 6.

Plattsburgh State opens up the 2025 portion of its schedule at the Norwich East-West Hockey Classic where they play Nazareth in the tournament’s opening game. The team will then either play Amherst or Norwich in the consolation or championship game, set for 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. respectively.  The Cards return home to take on Oswego State in conference play for two-weekend games, occurring on Jan 10 and Jan. 11. The team next heads to Morrisville for games on Jan. 17 and Jan. 18, and then Buffalo State on Jan. 24 and Jan. 25 for four straight conference road games. Plattsburgh State then heads to Vermont, as they take on Middlebury in road action on Jan. 28.

The Cards finally return home on Jan. 31 and Feb. 1, hosting Cortland for two important SUNYAC games, and then take on Potsdam on Feb. 7 at home and Feb. 8 on the road. The conference schedule wraps on Feb. 14 and Feb. 15, as Canton comes to Plattsburgh for two league games. Plattsburgh State will then finish its regular season on the road, as they head to Williams on Feb. 22.

The top four teams in the final regular-season conference standings will qualify for the SUNYAC Tournament, with the semifinals set for Mar. 1 and the championship set for Mar. 8.

Colgate Women’s Hockey Routs Post, 6-1

By
Randy Schultz
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0

Five multi-point performances power Colgate past Post

HAMILTON  — Jaimee Spring and Alexia Aubin recorded their first-career multi-point performances while Kaia Malachino, Madeline Palumbo and Kristýna Kaltounková added a pair of points each in No. 8/9 Colgate’s 6-1 victory over Post on Thursday night. 

“It was so fun out there tonight,” Aubin said. “I think playing in our own rink helped me a lot, and playing with all the girls cheering me on just set me up perfectly.”

HOW IT HAPPENED

  • Spring broke the scoring open for Colgate late in the first period with her first goal of the season, and Colgate headed into the first intermission leading shots on goal 21-5.
  • Kaltounkova doubled the Raiders’ advantage with a goal at the 15-minute mark of the second stanza.
  • Colgate exploded in the third frame, firing off four goals in 14 minutes powered by back-to-back scores off the stick of Malachino.
  • After Post broke up the shutout late, junior Elyssa Biederman put the finishing touches on the win scoring her fourth goal of the season with under four minutes to play.

GAME NOTES

  • Colgate overwhelmed Post with a season-high 44 shots on goal.
  • A total of 12 different Raiders tallied a point in the victory, the most in a single game so far this year. 
  • Senior goalie Hannah Murphy contributed an assist, the third point of her career, on a goal from Sara Stewart early in the third period.
  • Malachino added her third multipoint game of the season, also good for her second two-goal outing of the campaign.
  • After adding an assist in the win, junior Casey Borgiel has now racked up three points in her past two games. 
  • Biederman inched closer to the 100 career point mark, scoring tally 97 in the victory. 
  • Kaltounkova now has 15 game-winning goals and is in a third-place tie for most game-winning goals in program history. She is also approaching the 200 career point mark with 193 tallies.

UP NEXT

The two teams return to the ice for a rematch Friday at 5 p.m. in the Class of 1965 Arena.

—- (Photo Credit “Brian Miller | Colgate Athletics”) —-

Lockport’s Cornerstone Arena Celebrates 10th Anniversary; It Is More Than A Hockey Rink

By
Randy Schultz
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0

BY RANDY SCHULTZ –

LOCKPORT, NY – On October 29th, 2013 a groundbreaking ceremony was held for the Cornerstone CFCU Arena. Approximately a year later the doors were opened to the new facility located at the intersection of Grigg Lewis Way and Market Street in the heart of downtown Lockport.

On October 19, the Cornerstone Ice Arena will celebrate it’s 10th anniversary. And what a 10 years it has been.

The arena was the dream of the late William “Ben” May, a well-known Lockport attorney as well as a founding member and long-time director of the Grigg-Lewis Foundation. May lived long enough to see the completion of the arena, but unfortunately passed away in 2016.

Niagara County Court Judge, Hon. John Ottaviano, has always believed that May loved Lockport and that his legacy will always be the Cornerstone CFCU Arena.

“Ben believed in the arena at a time when many people were extremely skeptical and critical,” commented Ottaviano. “They said it could not be done.

“But not Ben, he believed in our dream and stuck with us.”

Because May believed so strongly in the project, the Grigg-Lewis Foundation donated $4 million to the arena, which consequently brought in more donations. It should be understood that the Arena is not a city-owned building. A federally-designated not-for-profit organization owns Cornerstone Arena.

For anyone who has yet to set foot in the arena, Cornerstone CFCU Arena features two NHL-size rinks, along with full concessions, The Penalty Box restaurant and a performance training center. The facility is the home of the Lockport Lock Monsters youth hockey organization.

The arena has offered an array of opportunities for the local community to take part in including: learn to skate, figure skating, youth/men’s league hockey, sled hockey, public skating, birthday parties, indoor lacrosse and ice bumper cars. It is estimated that over 150,000 players, parents, spectators and visitors come to the arena annually.

Throughout the years many hockey games and tournaments have been played as well as many ice skating events held at the arena. But in March of 2020 all of that changed when the Pandemic hit the United States.

“When we closed down on March 15th, when everything in the country and the world was closing down, we didn’t know what we were going to do,” recalled Shelley Unocic, Executive Director and GM of Cornerstone Arena. “I got a call from a representative at Lockport Hospital who told me that about 20 percent of their workforce couldn’t come into work because they didn’t have any child care facilities to take their children to.

“Remember, everything was closed including child care facilities and schools. I then got on the phone and made phone calls to the Executive Director over at the YWCA and the Executive Director at Youth Mentoring Services.

“We met and had a meeting to try and figure out what we could possibly do and what we were going to be allowed to do. I had the space in our building, but I didn’t have the license or credentials to operate anything myself.

“Within two days and working with Sue Capell (Executive Director of YMS) we came up with this essential worker daycare program. The Niagara Health Department was involved and they OK’d it.

“We started taking kids in that Wednesday or Thursday after everything had shut down. We got them free breakfasts and lunches.

“Sue was able to get several emergency grants to cover expenses. So anybody that had to keep working during the Pandemic could bring their children to the Arena.

“So while we sat as an ice arena and were closed, we could open the facility for the kids that needed daycare.”

Interestingly, when the arena opened for regular business in late August, daycare service for children continued.

“It was not unusual, once schools started again, we had children in everyday,” added Unocic. “And the program wasn’t just for essential workers anymore.

“So on any given day we had between 30 and 35 children in our building doing virtual learning on their devices. We had children spread out all over the building.

“And that program continued on until schools got back to normal. We have continued that program with YMS and kids can still come in here on no-school days and school holidays.

“It has turned out to be a win-win for everyone. Some of these children who came here for daycare are now enrolled in our learn to skate program and other related programs, including hockey.”

Since that time the Lockport School District opened their Family Empowerment Center in our building. They have brought in a lot of community-based programming for children.

Other youth-based organizations have had events at the Arena.

“It is a lot of community-based events that have nothing to do with stepping on the ice at all,” added Unocic. “And I think it is good for the community.

“We’re a safe place. We’re open seven days a week. We work with the city of Lockport as a cooling center in the summer and a warming center in the winter. All during the day.”

Unocic summed up the Cornerstone Arena’s history.

“I think it’s more than Mr. May would have imagined,” concluded Unocic. “But I think he would have been very proud of where we are today.”

(Hockey action photo by Janet Schultz Photography/NY Hockey OnLine)

Ringette Coming To Holiday Twin Rinks

By
Randy Schultz
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0

Colgate Tops RIT in Women’s Hockey

By
Janet
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0

By Janet Schultz, NYHOL

The Colgate Women’s ice hockey team took charge over the RIT women in Friday nights game at the Gene Polisenni Center in Rochester.

Avery Pickering dropped one in at 11:52 of the first period and Kristyna Kaltounkova added the second at 15:45 to end the first 2-0.

Then it was Kaia Malachine scoring for Colgate at 26 seconds of the second period and that closed out the second at 3-0.

In the third period RIT came out ready for some action and Emma Pickering scored at 6:10 of the third period to put a goal on the boards for RIT. However, Kaltounkova added another for Colgate and then Sara Stewart sealed the win with a fifth goal.

Adding assists Friday night for Colgate were Emma Pais (2), Jamimee Spring, Elyssa Biderman (2), Casey Bargiei, Neena Brick and Alexia Aubin.

RIT goalie Sophia Bellina got the assist on RIT’s goal. She faced 29 SOG. For Colgate Hannah Murphy stopped 16 of 17.

Photo Album by Janet Schultz© NYHOL. No reproduction, copying or downloading without permission of NYHOL.

Cornerstone Arena Celebrates 10th Anniversary

By
Randy Schultz
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FREE PUBLIC SKATING EVENT!

LOCKPORT, N.Y. (October 4, 2024) — Lockport Ice Arena & Sports Center Inc. (LIASC) is pleased to announce the 10th anniversary of the opening of Cornerstone CFCU Arena! It is presented by Catholic Health, Mount St. Mary’s Hospital and Lockport Memorial Hospital. The public is invited to join in the celebration on Saturday, October 19th with a free public skate and ice cream social from 1-3 p.m. A photo booth and other family-friendly activities will also be offered during that time.

“We welcome everyone from the area to attend,” said Shelley Unocic, Executive Director of the Arena. “People who have never been to the arena in its 10 years of existence, we invite you to come out and give us a try. For those who have bee n here before, we welcome you back to see the progress we’ve made in our first decade.

“We also want the public to understand that we are not a city-owned rink. We are a non-profit organization. We rely on our community using the arena to keep us going. I can’t wait to see everyone on the 19th!”

About Cornerstone CFCU Arena:

Located at the intersection of Grigg Lewis Way and Market Street, in the heart of downtown Lockport, the complex features two NHL- size rinks along with full concessions, The Penalty Box restaurant and a performance training center. The facility is the proud home of the Lockport Lock Monster youth hockey organization. Cornerstone offers an array of opportunities including: learn-to-skate, figure skating, youth/men’s league hockey, sled hockey, public skating, birthday parties and ice bumper cars for everyone. Over 150,000 players, parents, spectators, and visitors frequent the arena annually.

About Lockport Ice Arena & Sports Center Inc. (LIASC):

Lockport Ice Arena & Sports Center, Inc. is the federally-designated 501(c)(3) not-for-profit corporation that owns Cornerstone Arena. Our mission is “to combat juvenile delinquency and community deterioration, promote social welfare and physical fitness, lessen the burdens of government and promote the development of good sportsmanship through the conduct of supervised athletic games.”

Quartet of Cornell Men’s Hockey Alumni Named To Opening Night Rosters For 2024-25 NHL Season

By
Randy Schultz
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NEW YORK — Former Cornell men’s hockey forwards Morgan Barron and Riley Nash and defensemen Joakim Ryan ’15 and Sam Malinski ’23 were named to their respective NHL teams’ opening day rosters as of 10 a.m. Tuesday, it was formally announced by the league office.

Barron is entering his fifth NHL season and third full season with the Winnipeg Jets. Over 80 games last season with the Jets, Barron scored a career-high 11 goals and added seven assists. Three of Barron’s 11 goals were game-winners for Winnipeg, who fell to Colorado, 4-1, in the first round of the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs.

Primarily playing on Winnipeg’s fourth line, Barron averaged 10:30 of ice time and recorded 122 hits last season, ranking fifth on the Jets and second among the team’s forwards.

Nash and Ryan were designated as non-roster injury selections by the New York Rangers and Carolina Hurricanes, respectively.

Nash is looking to appear in his 13th NHL season since making his debut during the 2011-12 season with the Hurricanes. Last season, Nash appeared in one game for the Rangers, suiting up against the Washington Capitals on Dec. 9, 2023. With the Hartford Wolf Pack, the Rangers’ AHL affiliate, Nash accumulated 27 points (11 goals, 16 assists) across 41 contests.

After playing for the Malmö Redhawks in Sweden over the last three seasons, Ryan is vying to return to the NHL after signing a one-year, two-way contract with the Hurricanes on July 14. During his time with Malmö, Ryan accumulated 64 points (17 goals, 47 assists) in 156 games. His most recent NHL appearance was during the 2020-21 season with the Hurricanes, where he suited up in four games.

Malinski will start the 2024-25 season with the Colorado Avalanche. He aims to build on his rookie season, during which he played 23 games with the Avalanche and recorded 10 points (three goals, seven assists). Additionally, he participated in 46 games with the Colorado Eagles, the Avalanche’s AHL affiliate, where he accumulated 27 points (five goals, 22 assists). Malinski earned 37 points in 69 games between the NHL and AHL levels (eight goals, 29 assists).

Tonight marks the start of the NHL regular season with three games, starting with the Seattle Kraken hosting the St. Louis Blues at 4:30 p.m. ET (1:30 p.m. PT). In this game, Jessica Campbell, a former Cornell women’s hockey player, will make NHL history when she becomes the first female assistant coach behind the bench for an NHL regular-season game.

Among the other season-opening contests later tonight, Boston will play against the Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers in a rematch of last season’s Eastern Conference final at 7 p.m. in Sunrise, Fla. Following that, the Utah Hockey Club will have its inaugural game when it hosts the Chicago Blackhawks at 10 p.m. ET (8 p.m. MT). All three games can be watched on ESPN or streamed on ESPN+.

Barron and Malinski are set to make their season debuts on Wednesday, Oct. 9. Winnipeg will be playing against the Edmonton Oilers, while Colorado will be facing the Vegas Golden Knights. Both games are scheduled to start at 10 p.m. ET. The game between Colorado and Vegas will be broadcast live on TNT and can be streamed on Max, HBO’s streaming service.

(Photo provided by Cornell Athletics/Men’s Hockey)

NU Women Top West Virginia in Weekend Series

By
Janet
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Story and Photography by Janet Schultz, NYHOL

The Niagara University Women’s ACHA D2 team took West Virginia in a weekend series. They defeated them 6-0 on Saturday and then it was a 6-1 victory for the Purple Eagles on Sunday.

On Sunday Annabel Cross got NU on the boards first in the first period, followed by a second goal by Grace Miller. In the second period it was all NU with a goal by Myiah Kastelan. NU’s Holly Lesage had a powerplay goal and added the final goal to the game in the third. NU’s Skylar Berube added another and the game ends 6-1 with West Virginia’s Riley Mazur having the loan goal for W Virginia.

NU had 49 shots-on-goal to West Virginia’s 23. Stopping 22 of those shots was NU’s Amanda Crudwell.

Photo Gallery by Janet Schultz©

Photos cannot be used without permission of NYHOL and Janet Schultz. Copies are available for purchase thru [email protected]

They will also be available for purchase at https://janetschultz.smugmug.com within the next few weeks.

George Roll Announces 2024-25 Season Set To Be His Last; James McDonald Named Coach-In-Waiting

By
Randy Schultz
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ROCHESTER, NY – Nazareth’s only men’s ice hockey coach in program history, George Roll, announced the 2024-25 season will be his last behind the benches, a career that will have spanned 37 seasons, including 28 as a head coach. James McDonald, a 2020 graduate of Nazareth, who has been a fixture of the program after stellar career playing and having coached the Golden Flyers for the past four seasons will take over the program upon Roll’s retirement.

Roll was hired in 2012-13 to build the Nazareth men’s hockey program from the ground up. In 12 seasons he has compiled a 110-161-32 overall record.

Roll’s coaching career began at Nazareth with a thrilling 3-2 overtime victory over SUNY Geneseo on October 18, 2012 at the Sports Centre at MCC. The veteran coach helped the Golden Flyers to steady improvement as they went from six wins in their first season (2012-13) to eight in the second and 12 in the third season.

During his tenure for the Golden Flyers, Roll has helped coach two AHCA All-Americans in Henry McKinney in 2022-23 and Dominik Gabaj in 2016-17. Gabaj was named the ECAC West Player of the Year as a senior in 2016-17.

In 2022-23, Roll’s squad delivered its best season ever, as the Golden Flyers went 18-8-2 overall and 14-5-1 in the UCHC to earn the second seed for the conference tournament. Nazareth advanced all the way to the UCHC Final, falling to #1 Utica 5-3.

The Bowling Green graduate began his head coaching career at Oswego State in 1996, coaching for seven season and going 119-77-17. He coached eight years after that at Division 1 Clarkson before taking over the Nazareth program in 2012-13. 

Said Roll, “I have truly enjoyed my 13 years at Nazareth to see the development, not only of the program, but more importantly of what the players have done upon graduation off the ice — I am proud of the impact they have made after their time at Nazareth.” “It’s hard to walk away because it has been such a positive experience for me and the type of the people we have had in the program, but it is time for a new chapter of Nazareth hockey. James McDonald is the right person to continue to lead this program and it’s in great hands.” 

McDonald was a four-year standout as a player for the Golden Flyers who served as team captain in his senior season of 2019-20. He scored a team-best 16 goals that season, including four in a win at Lebanon Valley in 2020.

His 105 career games ranks third all-time at Nazareth and his 35 career goals is second all-time.

(Photo provided by Nazareth Athletic/Hockey Department)

Women’s Ice Hockey Around New York/Week 1

By
Janet
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0
RIT in action last season

By Janet Schultz, NYHOL

The Tigers of RIT opened with a double win against Assumption in the new Atlantic Hockey America League (AHA).  It was 3-0 on opening night and 5-0 the following day at the Gene Polisseni Center.

Forward Ireland Stein was named AHA Rookie of the Year after getting her first collegiate goal in the 3-0 victory on Friday and then added another on Saturday, both powerplay goals. Addie Alvarez had the first goal of the 2024-25 with Sophia Bellina in goal for the Tigers.

RIT is on the road this weekend to Union.

At Niagara University the D1 team beat Brandtford 4-3, lost to McKendree 4-1 and then had a double loss to Maryville University.

the D2 team opens October 4 at Brockport. The beat Hamilton in an exhibition game 3-1 under new head coach Anthony Marano.

Sad news coming out of Buffalo is that the University of Buffalo Student Association has deregistered the men’s and women’s ice hockey teams. There is a move to try and have them reinstated and we will keep you posted.

Colgate women beat St. Lawrence in exhibition play before splitting with Mercyhurst. They won the first of the doubleheader 3-2 and then lost 3-4 in overtime. Colgate is on the road this weekend with Minnesota/Duluth. The winning goal in the season opener came from Kara Malachino. Colgate is under a new head coach in Stefan DeCosse.

Syracuse had planned a trip to Minnesota but it was postponed. They open this weekend (October 4 & 5) against Stonehill.

RPI beat the University of Windsor 6-0 in an exhibition game before a split with Holy Cross in the season opener. They lost the first game 2-3 and then won the second 2-0. Ayla Croffin scored the first goal of the season in the 3-2 loss, with Reese Keaty in goal. RPI is at Sacred Heart this weekend.

Union opened with a loss to Robert Morris under new Head Coach Tony Maci but came back in the second game and won 4-2. Maren Friday had the season’s first goal and also is now the All Time Leader In Goals by a Defenseperson. Union faces RIT this weekend.

Clarkson is on its winning ways once again with a double victory over Saint Michaels. They play Vermont this weekend.

St. Lawrence lost to Colgate 3-1 in an exhibition game before opening their season with a 3-0 win over Merrimack. They are playing Ohio State University October 4 and 5.

Scoring those three goals were Alexia Cote, Ally McLeod and Anna Segedi. Goalie Emma Sofie Nordstrom made 13 saves.

KENGIPORT 2023-24

WNYGIVH

The Western New York Girls Varsity Ice Hockey League opens on November 26 with Frontier/Lakeshore/Orchard Park at Lancaster/Iroquois/Depew/Alden and Hamburg/Holland/Eden/West Seneca at Williamsville. Both games are a 4 p.m. puck drop at Holiday and Northtowns, respectively. 

This is the 15th Season of the WNYGVIH and a celebration is planned for Thursday, November 21 at the Grapevine Banquet Facility, 333 Dick Road, Depew.

The evening will  feature a buffet dinner, a guest speaker and some special surprises. 

The event will begin at 6 p.m. and conclude by 10 p.m. The cost will be approximately $35 per person (we are checking on some tax exemptions). The cost includes dinner and gratuity and includes soft drinks. 

Deadline for reservations is November 7 for payment and commitment. Bill Pavone is currently setting up a payment app and we will share that information as soon as we can.

All current and former players and coaches are invited as well as all the  staff, administrators and parents who have been involved over the past 15 years.

Please be patient, we will have finalized details shortly and if you have questions feel free to email [email protected]

WNYGVIH  is also looking for sponsors who can help offset some of the expense. Our minimum commitment to hold the price is 100.

Once again this season Janet and Randy will be covering all the WNYGVIH news, as well as the boys.  If you have news, events or a story idea please let us know. For the women’s side, [email protected] and for the boys [email protected] 

Janet will also be photographing games and will have photos available for purchase through Smug Mug. There are still last year’s photos posted at that site,but they will be removed by the beginning of this season. Go to https://janetschultz.smugmug.com

Happy Hockey Season!

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