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Section VI Stoltman New NYSPHSAA Pres

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Adam Stoltman, Superintendent of Alden Central School District (Section VI), will begin his two-year term as the 53rd President of the New York State Public High School Athletic Association (NYSPHSAA) on September 1. Stoltman will serve as President from 2026-2028 after spending the previous four years as an Association officer, serving as Second Vice President from 2022-2024 and First Vice President from 2024-2026.

A longtime educator and school administrator, Stoltman brings more than three decades of experience in public education to the presidency. He began his career as a physical education teacher and coach before moving into administrative leadership. During his career, he has served as an athletic director, middle school principal and superintendent in the Alden Central School District.

“I am incredibly honored to serve as President of NYSPHSAA and grateful for the opportunity to give back to an Association that has had such a meaningful impact on students and schools across New York State,” said Stoltman. “As we look to the future, it is important that we continue to listen to our membership, embrace new opportunities and ensure that students remain at the center of every decision we make.”

Throughout his career, Stoltman has remained actively involved in interscholastic athletics at both the sectional and state levels. He has held multiple leadership positions within Section VI, including serving as Section VI President, and has served on the NYSPHSAA Championship Advisory Committee.

“Adam has spent his career creating opportunities for students and understanding the important role interscholastic athletics plays in their educational experience,” said Dr. Robert Zayas, NYSPHSAA Executive Director. “His perspective from all levels gives him a unique understanding of the NYSPHSAA membership and we are fortunate to have his leadership as the 53rd President of NYSPHSAA.”

As President, Stoltman will lead the NYSPHSAA Executive and Central Committees and work alongside representatives from the Association’s 11 sections and member schools to advance NYSPHSAA’s mission of providing equitable, safe and positive opportunities for students through interscholastic athletics. Stoltman succeeds Tim Mullins of the Bayport-Blue Point School District (Section XI), who served as NYSPHSAA President from 2024-2026 and will transition to the role of Immediate Past President.

Joshua Dann, Superintendent of the Saranac Lake Central School District (Section VII), was appointed by the NYSPHSAA Executive Committee in May to serve as Second Vice President, while Debra Ferry of Shoreham-Wading River (Section XI) moves into the role of First Vice President. All officer transitions will take effect September 1, 2026. NYSPHSAA officers are appointed by committee and serve an eight-year term on a voluntary basis, progressing through the Association’s officer positions. The NYSPHSAA officers for 2026-2028 are: President – Adam Stoltman (Section VI) First Vice President – Debra Ferry (Section XI) Second Vice President – Joshua Dann (Section VII) Immediate Past President – Tim Mullins (Section XI)

Farrell Named Assistant at Colgate

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Head coach Stefan Decosse and the Colgate women’s hockey program are excited to announce the addition of Heather Farrell as an assistant coach.

Farrell joins the Raiders with more than 22 years of coaching experience across Division I athletics, prep school hockey, administration, and student-athlete development. Farrell most recently served as the Acting Head Coach during the 2025-26 season at Syracuse University, leading all aspects of the program’s day-to-day operations, player development, recruiting, culture, and competitive preparation.

“We are thrilled to welcome Heather and her family to Colgate,” head coach Decosse said. “Heather brings a wealth of high-level coaching experience, but what stood out most was her passion for developing and leading student-athletes. She is an exceptional teacher who brings positivity, care, and genuine enthusiasm for the game into everything she does. Heather is deeply invested in people and in creating a positive student-athlete experience. We know she will have an immediate and lasting impact on our players, staff, and program.

“Farrell joined Syracuse in 2022 following an exceptionally successful 11-year tenure as Head Coach at St. Paul’s School in New Hampshire. During her time at St. Paul’s, she built one of the premier prep school programs in New England, compiling a 203-51-7 record and capturing New England Championships in 2015 and 2020.

In addition to coaching, Farrell held several leadership positions within the institution, including Associate Dean of Admissions, Director of Office Management, student advisor, and contributor to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice initiatives.Prior to St. Paul’s, Farrell spent four seasons as an assistant coach at Bemidji State University, where she oversaw player development, team systems, special teams, and academic support. Her penalty kill unit led the Western Collegiate Hockey Association with a 90.5% success rate during her tenure. She also served as a physical education, health, and sport instructor and participated on the university’s Student Affairs committee.

Farrell began her collegiate coaching career at Bowdoin College in 2004. In 2006-07, she was elevated to Interim Head Coach and guided the program to a 17-7-2 record and a berth in the NESCAC Tournament semifinals. Across her three seasons on staff, Bowdoin compiled a 54-21-4 overall record and earned an appearance in the NCAA Tournament.A 2004 graduate of The Ohio State University, Farrell earned a degree in Sport Studies with a minor in Coaching and Sport Performance. As a student-athlete, she appeared in 132 games for the Buckeyes and helped lead the program to a berth in the WCHA semifinals during her senior season.

“I am incredibly excited to join the Colgate women’s hockey program and become part of such an outstanding coaching staff,” Farrell added. “From everyone I met throughout the process, it was clear that there is a genuine commitment across the university to supporting one another and investing in each other’s success. Colgate has built an established and successful hockey program, and I’m honored to have the opportunity to contribute to that continued success.”

AHA Extends Contract of Morgan

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The Atlantic Hockey America (AHA) Board of Directors announced today that Commissioner Michelle Morgan has received a four-year contract extension to continue leading the conference through the 2029-30 season.

“We are excited for Commissioner Morgan to lead Atlantic Hockey America into the foreseeable future,” said Jason A. Coomer, Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics at Lindenwood University and the 2026-27 Chair of the Atlantic Hockey America Executive Committee. “Her steady leadership has positioned the conference to quickly adapt to the tremendous changes taking place across college athletics while, at the same time, providing a clear vision for where the conference needs to go in the future.

“She has done an outstanding job strengthening the AHA brand and, importantly, bringing the men’s and women’s programs together under one unified conference identity,” Coomer added. “That alignment is critical not only to the continued growth of the AHA, but to the broader college hockey landscape. Commissioner Morgan’s leadership and vision will continue to be an important part of moving our sport forward.”

Morgan joined the conference in 2023 and enters her fourth year as Commissioner in 2026-27. Her tenure has been highlighted by the merger of the Atlantic Hockey Association and College Hockey America and the establishment and growth of the new Atlantic Hockey America brand. 

“I am grateful for the confidence of our Board and the opportunity to continue serving as Commissioner of Atlantic Hockey America,” said Morgan. “I’m proud of the progress we have made: bringing two leagues together, establishing a new brand and creating greater operational efficiencies that position AHA for continued growth. I’m energized by the opportunities ahead and remain committed to elevating the league and delivering greater value and opportunity for our schools, student-athletes, coaches and partners.”

The 2026-27 Atlantic Hockey America season begins September 18 for the conference’s seven women’s programs and October 2 for its nine men’s programs. The 16 teams in the conference represent 14 institutions.

PWHL ANNOUNCE BROADCAST DEAL

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The Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) and Scripps Sports today announced a national broadcast rights agreement for the 2026-27 season, a landmark partnership that represents the league’s first season-long national television package in the United States bringing PWHL competition to fans throughout the season.

With the league expanding to 12 teams for the upcoming campaign, the agreement marks another significant milestone in the PWHL’s continued evolution. Scripps Sports will produce and televise a featured Saturday “Game of the Week” that will air exclusively in the U.S. on ION, Scripps’ national sports and entertainment network. ION is available over-the-air, across pay television, connected TV platforms and on streaming services, reaching more than 128 million households nationally. ION also will return as the exclusive U.S. home for the league’s Walter Cup Finals, in addition to airing a Walter Cup Playoff series, continuing to elevate the league’s biggest moments on the national stage. Scripps Sports Network, the free, 24/7 ad-supported streaming television (FAST) channel available on The Roku Channel, Samsung TV Plus, Prime Video, Fire TV, Google TV Freeplay, Tubi and other major streaming platforms, will also broadcast two national PWHL games per week. 

The agreement includes Scripps’ local stations in Detroit (WMYD-TV, The Spot – Detroit 20) and Las Vegas (KMCC-TV, The Spot – Vegas 34) becoming the local broadcast partners for the league’s expansion teams in those markets. 

“A season-long national television presence in the U.S. is something we’ve been working toward and represents a significant step in our continued growth as a league,” said PWHL Executive Vice President of Business Operations, Amy Scheer. “Scripps continues to be a committed partner in shining a spotlight on women’s sports, and for the first time, our American fans will have the opportunity to follow the league on national television throughout an entire season, making the PWHL more accessible than ever before.” 

Beyond the game broadcasts, Scripps is reinforcing its commitment to promoting the PWHL throughout the season through dedicated marketing support, helping drive awareness of the league, its players and its biggest moments. 

“Women’s sports is a cornerstone of our mission to create meaningful connections between communities and the sports and teams they love,” said Brian Lawlor, president of Scripps Sports. “This partnership further demonstrates ION as the premier destination for women’s sports, where athletes can showcase their talents on the biggest stage and fans can discover their next favorite team.” 

Last season, Scripps Sports and ION aired the PWHL’s first-ever game on national linear television in the United States, showcasing the PWHL Takeover Tour™ matchup between the New York Sirens and the Montréal Victoire live on ION. In 2026, ION was also the home of the PWHL Walter Cup Finals, presented by Scotiabank, making live coverage of the PWHL championship series available to millions of U.S. households for the first time. While the partnership significantly expands the PWHL’s national television presence, every game will continue to stream live on the league’s official YouTube channel and thePWHL.com to fans in the U.S. and worldwide outside of Canada, ensuring the league remains one of the most accessible professional sports properties for fans around the world. 

The partnership also reinforces Scripps Sports’ reputation as a trailblazer in women’s professional sports. Since 2023, Scripps has been the first to: Establish dedicated weekly national broadcast windows for the WNBA and NWSL, giving fans a consistent destination for live women’s sports coverage.Deliver weekly national doubleheaders featuring WNBA games on Friday nights and NWSL matches on Saturday nights.Enhance coverage with dedicated studio programming, including pregame, halftime and postgame shows that spotlight the league, athletes and stories shaping each season. In addition to expanding its PWHL footprint, ION broadcasts more WNBA games and more NWSL matches than any other national broadcaster, and the network’s women’s sports lineup also includes WTGL, the new women’s team golf league created by TMRW Sports in partnership with the LPGA, the Elevance Health Women’s Fort Myers Tip-Off and Scripps Sports Women’s College Basketball Showcase – all taking place this fall. 

For more information on how to watch ION, visit ​iontelevision.com.

NY’s Million Promoted at USA Hockey

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USA Hockey announced today the promotion of Katie Million (Hannibal, N.Y.) to senior director of women’s national team programs, and Seamus Kelley (Norwood, Mass.) to manager of communications.

Million joined USA Hockey in Feb. 2019 as the director of women’s national team programs and under her leadership, U.S. women’s national teams have captured 13 medals on the international stage, highlighted by a gold medal at the 2026 Olympic Winter Games.

Kelley became part of USA Hockey’s staff in August 2022 as coordinator of communications, and has been an important contributor in the promotion and visibility of USA Hockey programs, particularly surrounding youth and disabled hockey, and the sled national team program.

Sabres and SprintAI Join Forces

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The Buffalo Sabres announced a multi-year partnership with sports artificial intelligence company SprintAI to bring advanced artificial intelligence into the club’s hockey operations and build a more connected approach to on-ice player performance, organizational workflows and front-office decision-making.

At the center of the partnership is a shared vision for how AI can help a modern sports organization operate. Rather than simply adding another source of analytics or another dashboard for staff to monitor, SprintAI is designed to connect information across existing data sources and workflows, continuously interpret what is changing and help surface the information, questions and actions that require attention.

The mutual goal is to create an intelligence and orchestration layer that helps the Sabres transform fragmented information into decision-ready context. Over time, AI-powered workflows will support staff in monitoring on-ice player performance, identifying relevant changes, searching and synthesizing information, automating routine reporting and workflows, and preserving organizational knowledge so that important context can move more efficiently across hockey operations.

“We are constantly looking for ways to improve how we support our players, how we make decisions as an organization and how we build a hockey operation that is prepared for the future,” said Jarmo Kekäläinen, General Manager of the Buffalo Sabres. “The opportunity today is to help our people leverage AI to connect and interpret the information we already have, understand what is changing and get the right context in front of the right people at the right time. We believe SprintAI can help us build that capability while creating a more connected, adaptable and future-ready hockey organization.”

The initial development roadmap will span both on-ice player performance and hockey operations. It includes the deployment and continued development of a Performance Staff Module that drives next-level efficiency and productivity gains, communication and workflow automation, and the development of a General Manager Module in collaboration with the Sabres’ front office.

The partnership is designed to evolve as the organization’s needs evolve. SprintAI and the Sabres will work together to determine development priorities, incorporating new AI capabilities and workflows while protecting the Sabres’ proprietary data, methodologies and competitive information.

“Professional sports organizations already have vast amounts of data, expertise and institutional knowledge. The next competitive advantage comes from being able to connect and orchestrate all of that intelligence continuously,” said Juha Tiihonen, Founder and CEO of SprintAI. “Agentic AI changes the model from people constantly having to search for information to an environment where the system understands context, monitors what is changing and proactively helps prepare the organization for its next decision. Our ambition with the Sabres is to build that capability together, augmenting the expertise of their people, helping the organization learn and operate faster, and building toward an AI-native future of sport.”

SprintAI develops AI-powered intelligence systems specifically tailored for professional sports operations. Its platform combines data integration, sports-specific artificial intelligence, workflow automation and decision-support capabilities to help athletes, performance staff and team leadership turn complex information into actionable intelligence.

USA Hockey Hall of Fame Inductees Announced

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Amanda Kessel (Madison, Wis.), Phil Kessel (Madison, Wis.), T.J. Oshie (Warroad, Minn.), Ryan Suter (Madison, Wis.) and Stan Wong (Boca Raton, Fla.) will be enshrined into the United States Hockey Hall of Fame as the Class of 2026 it was announced today by USA Hockey.

“You don’t have to look far in our sport to find someone whose life was touched by one of these five,” said Mike Trimboli, president of USA Hockey. “Their extraordinary contributions will be felt for generations to come, and it is with great pride that we welcome them among the all-time greats of the sport in our country.”

The U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame Induction Celebration, which will include the formal enshrinement of the Class of 2026 along with the presentation of the NHL’s Lester Patrick Trophy, will be held Monday, November 30, 2026, in Washington, D.C. Additional details will be provided later this month.

ABOUT AMANDA KESSEL

A three-time Olympian and one of the most gifted offensive players in women’s hockey history, Amanda Kessel electrified crowds over the course of her playing career with the U.S. Women’s National Team, and at both the professional and collegiate levels.

A member of the 2018 U.S. Olympic Women’s Ice Hockey Team that took home the country’s first gold in women’s hockey since 1998, Kessel scored a pivotal shootout goal in the gold-medal game against Canada. She was also a member of the 2022 and 2014 Olympic teams that brought home silver.

Kessel skated in seven IIHF Women’s World Championships. A four-time gold medalist and three-time silver medalist at the event, she recorded 59 points (20G, 39A) in 43 tournament games.

The Madison, Wisconsin, native also played in two IIHF Under-18 Women’s World Championships, including the first ever tournament staged. She helped the U.S. to gold in both 2008 and 2009, leading the team in points on both occasions. In 2009, she led the entire tournament with 19 points (6G, 13A).

Kessel was dominant on the collegiate stage, putting together an unforgettable four-season career at the University of Minnesota. A three-time NCAA Division I national champion (2012, 2013, 2016), she authored one of the most impressive collegiate tenures of all time.

Kessel’s most impressive college season came in 2012-13 when she recorded 101 points (46G, 55A) in just 37 games to become just the fifth player ever to reach the century mark in a single season in NCAA Division I women’s ice hockey.

She was named USA Hockey’s Bob Allen Women’s Player of the Year in 2013 after a season that included her 101-point campaign at Minnesota, an NCAA Division I national championship, a women’s world championship gold medal and the Patty Kazmaier Memorial Award.

Kessel finished her career with 248 points (108G, 140A) which ranks third all-time in Minnesota women’s hockey history.

She also played multiple professional seasons in the NWHL and PWHPA, which included a year with the Metropolitan Riveters in 2018-19, where she led the NWHL in assists with 15.

Kessel joined the NHL’s Pittsburgh Penguins in April 2022 as the first member of the team’s executive management program and today she serves as manager of minor league operations for the Penguins and assistant general manager for the club’s AHL affiliate Wilkes-Barre/Scranton.

ABOUT PHIL KESSEL

Phil Kessel, a three-time Stanley Cup champion and two-time Olympian, played in an NHL-record 1,064 consecutive regular-season games and forged a path as one of the most elite American-born scorers of his era.

Through his storied NHL career, Kessel recorded 992 regular-season points, including 413 goals and 579 assists, in 17 seasons that included time with the Boston Bruins, Toronto Maple Leafs, Pittsburgh Penguins, Arizona Coyotes and Vegas Golden Knights.

Drafted fifth overall in the 2006 NHL Entry Draft by the Bruins, Kessel became the first rookie to win the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy after overcoming testicular cancer to play all but 12 regular-season games in his first NHL campaign in 2006-07.

After three seasons with the Bruins and six with the Maple Leafs, Kessel took his talents to the Steel City and the Pittsburgh Penguins where he helped the club to a pair of Stanley Cup titles (2016, 2017) and contributed 45 points (18G, 27A) in 49 games over both title runs. His 2017-18 season with the Penguins was his most prolific with a career-best 92 points, including 34 goals, and the next year, in his final campaign with the Penguins, he led the NHL with 10 game-winning goals.

The Madison, Wisconsin, native went on to play three years with the Arizona Coyotes, before earning another Stanley Cup in his final NHL campaign in 2022-23 with the Vegas Golden Knights.

Kessel played two seasons (2003-05) at USA Hockey’s National Team Development where he was a dominating offensive force and set program records in points (180) and goals (104) that stood until 2019. He also played one season collegiately at the University of Minnesota (2005-06) where he earned WCHA Rookie of the Year.

A regular on the international stage, Kessel helped the U.S. to a silver medal in the 2010 Olympic Winter Games and returned to the Olympic stage in 2014 where he was named the best forward in the tournament after putting up eight points (5G, 3A) in six games.

Kessel also wore the red, white and blue at two IIHF Under-18 Men’s World Championships, helping the U.S. to silver in 2004 and gold in 2005, where he recorded 16 points (9G, 7A) in six contests en route to being named the tournament’s best forward.

A member of Team USA at three IIHF Men’s World Championships (2006, 2007, 2008) and two IIHF World Junior Championships (2005, 2006), Kessel recorded 72 points (36G, 36A) in 59 games in international play during his career.

ABOUT T.J. OSHIE

Known for his talent, heart and grit, T.J. Oshie not only played a prominent role in helping the NHL’s Washington Capitals secure their first Stanley Cup in franchise history, but also authored a signature moment in Olympic history with his shootout heroics against Russia at the 2014 Games in Sochi, Russia — a performance that earned him the enduring nickname “T.J. Sochi.”

Over his 16-year NHL career, Oshie played in 1,010 regular-season games with both the St. Louis Blues and Capitals, recording 695 points (302G, 393A). He also helped his teams to the Stanley Cup playoffs 13 times, contributing 69 points (34G, 35A) in 106 career playoff games. Oshie began his NHL career in St. Louis before joining Washington in 2015.

During the 2017-18 season, Oshie posted 47 points, and 21 points (8G, 13A) in 24 playoff games, as the Capitals won the Stanley Cup — the first championship in franchise history. He recorded six seasons with more than 50 points, with a career-best 60 points (21G, 39A) coming in 2013-14 with the St. Louis Blues. A year before that Cup run, Oshie signed a contract extension to remain with Washington through the remainder of his career.

The Warroad, Minnesota, native was selected 24th overall by St. Louis in the 2005 NHL Entry Draft, making his NHL debut on October 10, 2008. Before turning pro, he laced up the skates for the USHL’s Sioux Falls Stampede in 2004-05, then spent three seasons at the University of North Dakota (2005-08), tallying 142 points (59G, 83A) and helping the Fighting Sioux to three straight NCAA Men’s Frozen Four appearances.

On the international stage, Oshie donned the USA jersey on multiple occasions, including as a member of Team USA at the 2014 Olympic Winter Games in Sochi, Russia, where he converted four of six shootout attempts — including the deciding goal — in a memorable 3-2 preliminary-round win over host Russia. He finished with four points (1G, 3A) in six games as the U.S. advanced to the medal round and a fourth-place finish.

Oshie also represented the red, white and blue at three IIHF Men’s World Championships (2009, 2010, and 2013 — where the U.S. won bronze), as well as the 2006 IIHF World Junior Championship and 2016 World Cup of Hockey.

ABOUT RYAN SUTER

One of the most dominant and consistent two-way defensemen of his generation, Ryan Suter played in 1,526 regular-season NHL games over 20 seasons, second all-time among American-born players, and also starred on the international stage, including helping the U.S. earn a silver medal in the 2010 Olympics, and the country’s first-ever gold medal in the IIHF World Junior Championship in 2004.

A native of Madison, Wisconsin, Suter joined the USA Hockey National Team Development Program in 2001 as a member of the U.S. National Under-17 Team before quickly being elevated to the U.S. National Under-18 Team, which he played for until 2003.

Following his second season with the NTDP, Suter was selected seventh overall by the Nashville Predators in the 2003 NHL Entry Draft. He played one season of college hockey with the University of Wisconsin Badgers, earning All-WCHA Third Team and WCHA All-Rookie Team honors as a freshman in 2003-04.

Suter began his professional career with the Milwaukee Admirals of the AHL during the 2004-05 season before making his NHL debut with the Nashville Predators in 2005-06. The blue liner played seven seasons with Nashville (2005-12), earning his first NHL All-Star Game nod during the 2011-12 season and helping guide the team to the Stanley Cup Playoffs six times.

He joined the Minnesota Wild prior to the 2012-13 season, and in his first year with the team, helped guide the Wild to the playoffs enroute to being named an NHL First Team All-Star and a finalist for the Norris Trophy, awarded annually to the league’s top defenseman.

Over the following eight seasons in Minnesota, he earned two more NHL All-Star Game nods and led the team to the Stanley Cup Playoffs six more times while serving as an alternate captain for the entirety of his tenure. Following the 2020-21 season, Suter spent three seasons with the Dallas Stars (2021-24), helping the team to the Stanley Cup Playoffs all three campaigns, including the conference finals his final two years, before finishing his NHL career with the St. Louis Blues in 2024-25.

The NHL’s all-time career leader in regular-season time-on-ice since the league began tracking it in 2005-06, Suter helped his teams to the Stanley Cup Playoffs in 16 of his 20 NHL seasons and played in all 82 regular-season games 11 times. One of just 25 players and only three American-born players to reach 1,500 career regular-season games played, Suter amassed 107 goals and 589 assists for 696 regular-season points, and added seven goals and 38 assists for 45 points in 138 playoff games.

Internationally, Suter is a two-time Olympian, having served as an alternate captain for both the silver medal-winning 2010 team and the 2014 squad. He also played for Team USA in five IIHF Men’s World Championships (2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2019) and was a member of the 2016 World Cup of Hockey team.

In addition, Suter led the U.S. to a gold medal at the 2002 IIHF Under-18 Men’s World Championship and also played for Team USA at the event in 2003. He was also a member of three U.S. National Junior Teams (2003-05), helping the U.S. to gold at the 2004 IIHF World Junior Championship.ABOUT STAN WONG

Stan Wong has been a fixture as an athletic trainer in the hockey community for 40 years, helping ensure the well-being and success of athletes at both the professional level and on the international stage.

A graduate of Northeastern University, Wong began his career in the NFL serving as an athletic trainer for the Philadelphia Eagles for two seasons (1980-82), including during the team’s run to Super Bowl XV in 1981, before working for three years in the United States Football League.

His illustrious career in hockey started in 1986 when he served as the head athletic trainer for the NHL’s Washington Capitals, a role he held for 13 seasons. During his time in Washington, he was selected as an athletic trainer for both the 1991 and 1999 NHL All-Star Games and served on the Capitals’ staff during their run to the Stanley Cup Final in 1998. Wong then spent three seasons (1999-2002) as the head athletic trainer with the Florida Panthers, before embarking on a multi-decade journey with USA Hockey on the international stage.

The Fall River, Massachusetts, native’s first assignment with Team USA came as the athletic trainer for the 2002 Deutschland Cup, a role he held 10 times. In 2003, he made his IIHF debut as the athletic trainer for the U.S. National Junior Team. Since then, he’s served in the same role at every subsequent IIHF World Junior Championship, including as a member of seven gold-medal winning staffs (2025, 2024, 2021, 2017, 2013, 2010, 2004). The U.S. has also won one silver and five bronze medals during Wong’s tenure.

Wong has also supported Team USA as an athletic trainer at the highest level, the Olympic Winter Games, five times (2022, 2018, 2014, 2010, 2006), including the 2010 team that brought home silver. He’s also been a fixture for the U.S. Men’s National Team, serving on the staff for 18 IIHF Men’s World Championships, including the 2025 tournament, when Team USA captured its first gold medal at the event in 92 years.

All total, Wong has supported 59 U.S. teams in international competition, also including the 2012 Youth Olympic Games.

Wong was inducted into the Professional Hockey Athletic Trainers Society and the Society of Professional Hockey Equipment Managers Hall of Fame in 2015 and received USA Hockey’s Bob Johnson Award, recognizing excellence in international hockey, in 2020. Most recently, Wong was honored with the Dr. Alan Ashare Excellence in Safety Award by USA Hockey, given to an individual who has made outstanding contributions through many years of service to make hockey a safer game for all participants.

Notes: A virtual media availability with the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame Class of 2026 will take place today (Sept. 10) at 1 p.m. ET. Media wishing to participate should reach out to Dave Fischer at USA Hockey for access … U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame inductees are chosen on the basis of extraordinary contribution to the sport of hockey in the United States … The U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame was incorporated in 1969 and inducted its first class in 1973. The Class of 2026 will be the 54th installed to the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame. To date, there are 215 enshrinees. For information on the members of the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame, visit USHockeyHallofFame.com … The U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame Museum is located in Eveleth, Minnesota.

Three From NY Named to Team USA

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Hayley Scumurra as a Buffalo Beaut.

Three New York State natives will play for Team USA in the USA Women’s World Championships in November

Haley Winn, Rochester; Hayley Scamurra, Buffalo and Aerin Frankel, Chappaqua will take part in the Team USA training sessions being held next week (September 13-19) in Minnesota. They will then travel to Plymouth, Michigan for more training and a pair of exhibition games against Canada.

Tickets are available for the exhibition games being held October 28 and October 30 at the USA Hockey Arena in Plymouth. Puck drops at 7 p.m.

The 2026 IIHF Women’s World Championship will be held November 6 through 16 in Herning and Estjerg, Denmark.

USA Hockey Promotes Braceful and Whiteside

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PLYMOUTH, Mich. – USA Hockey’s National Team Development Program today announced the promotions of Rod Braceful (Detroit, Mich.) to senior director of hockey operations, and Andrew Whiteside (Philadelphia, Pa.) to director of player personnel.

“Rod is an outstanding young executive who has had a big, positive impact on the program,” said Scott Monaghan (Ho-Ho-Kus, N.J.), assistant executive director of USA Hockey for the NTDP and USA Hockey Arena. “This promotion allows him to have a more direct impact on growing our day-to-day operations, philosophy and player development. It’s a great opportunity for Rod and for the NTDP.”

Braceful, who has served as director of player personnel for the NTDP since 2023, has played an integral role in the program’s player identification and evaluation efforts. In his new role, Braceful will oversee the NTDP’s hockey operations department, including player personnel, scouting, player evaluation, hockey strategy and the overall direction of the department. He’ll also oversee the coaching and hockey operations staff and help establish the strategic direction of the program’s hockey operations.

Braceful served as general manager of the 2026 U.S. Under-18 Men’s National Team after serving as assistant general manager for the 2025 bronze-medal winning team and the 2024 team that brought home silver. In 2025, he served as general manager of the U.S. Under-18 Men’s Select Team that won the Hlinka Gretzky Cup, the first championship at the event for the U.S. since 2003. Braceful spent two seasons as a scout with the National Hockey League’s Chicago Blackhawks (2021-23) after serving as assistant director of player personnel at the NTDP from 2018-21.

Whiteside, who served as assistant director of player personnel the past two seasons with the NTDP, has been promoted to director of player personnel where he’ll lead the team’s nationwide player identification and evaluation efforts. In the role, Whiteside will oversee the program’s player personnel strategy and scouting operations, working closely with the NTDP’s regional staff to evaluate and identify players from across the country.

Whiteside brings more than a decade of experience in player evaluation, scouting and development to his new role. He spent two seasons as an amateur scout with the Montreal Canadiens after serving as an assistant coach and director of player personnel with the North American Hockey League’s Lone Star Brahmas and assistant coach with the United States Hockey League’s Cedar Rapids RoughRiders. A Philadelphia native, he’s also worked with USA Hockey at the Boys National 16 Player Development Camp.

Together, Braceful and Whiteside will work alongside the program’s coaches, regional managers and scouting staff to ensure the NTDP maintains a comprehensive and collaborative approach to player evaluation and development.

The NTDP plays a 62-game regular-season schedule in the United States Hockey League, split between the U.S. National Under-17 and 18 Teams. In addition, NTDP teams also play games against North American Hockey League squads, NCAA Division I and III schools and compete in international tournaments.

Ticket packages for the 2026-27 National Team Development Program season, including the Kroger College Series six-pack and the Big Game Pack, as well as single-game tickets are on sale now by calling the USA Hockey Arena box office at 734-453-8400 or visiting HERE

PWHL NAMES BUSINESS DIRECTORS FOR FOUR EXPANSION TEAMS & NEW YORK SIRENS

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Amanda Archer, NY Sirens
NEW YORK AND TORONTO  – After announcing Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) expansion to four new cities for the 2026-27 season, the league has named four Business Directors to oversee club Business Operations in each of the new markets, as well a new hire for the same role at the New York Sirens. Team Business Directors will shape and lead local strategies across marketing, ticketing, community programs, communications, and game day experience. 


PWHL Detroit – Alicia MullinMullin brings a diverse sports background to PWHL Detroit, after serving as the Chief Operating Officer of the American Cornhole League since 2023 where she oversaw marketing, content, technology, and culture. Prior to that, Mullin spent 15 years in progressive roles at Major League Baseball culminating as the league’s Vice President, New Media, where she led brand, player, and influencer marketing while managing MLB social media. The Brown University graduate relocates to Detroit from Charlotte, North Carolina, returning to a market she worked closely with during her time at MLB. 

PWHL Hamilton – Marian Agyei-GyameraAgyei-Gyamera joins PWHL Hamilton from the Toronto Marlies (AHL) where she led initiatives across business operations, player engagement, and community programming, culminating in the Marlies’ 2026 Calder Cup Championship. Originally from Toronto, Agyei-Gyamera spent time across hockey and business operations of the Maple Leafs organization as the first Associate of its Management Development Program. Through her work in professional sports, which has included Olympic sport, basketball, and ringette, Agyei-Gyamera has built meaningful relationships with players, partners, and communities while creating memorable experiences for fans. The former University of Waterloo varsity track & field athlete also holds a master’s degree from Western University and was named to CIBWE Canada’s 2024 Top 100 Black Women to Watch. 

PWHL Las Vegas – Sheri HudspethAfter relocating to Las Vegas to build out the Vegas Golden Knights youth, girls, and women’s hockey programming in 2021, Hudspeth is continuing to grow the sport in Nevada with PWHL Las Vegas. Hudspeth brings more than three decades of hockey experience as a player, coach, and executive, known for spearheading innovative fan development and grassroots programming that engages communities and inspires lifelong fandom. Originally from Aurora, Ontario, Canada, Hudspeth played NCAA Division I hockey at Minnesota State University-Mankato, was part of the 2023 Stanley Cup Champion Vegas Golden Knights front office, and serves as an Advisor on the NHL Women’s Hockey Advancement Committee. 

PWHL San Jose – Chris JensenBorn and raised in San Jose, Jensen has called the Bay Area home most of his life and brings sports experience to PWHL San Jose from two of its pro teams. Since 2022, Jensen oversaw group ticket sales for the Golden State Warriors and prior to that, spent six seasons with the San Jose Sharks launching several group sales initiatives that earned him the 2017-18 “Shark of the Year” recognition as the most outstanding member of the team’s ticketing department. The graduate of Salve Regina University in Newport, Rhode Island is looking forward to building out Business Operations for his hometown’s newest pro team. New York Sirens – Amanda ArcherArcher brings more than 15 years of sports marketing, operations, and analytics leadership to the New York Sirens, including nine years in progressive roles at Nielsen, most recently as Senior Director of Global Growth Marketing, leading its demand and lead generation programs and marketing technology. The Maryland native has spent most of her sports career in New York City, beginning at MKTG in sponsorship strategy and activation, and spending four years at ESPN as a Business Analyst in advertising sales. Archer was recognized by Cynopsis on its list of 2026 Top Women in Sports, and beyond the industry, considers herself a lifelong athlete and sports fan.

Photos by PWHL

NEW YORK SIRENS NAME JIM MIDGLEY ASSISTANT COACH

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(Press release and photo supplied by NY Sirens)

NEW YORK (AUGUST 24, 2026) – The New York Sirens announced today the addition of Jim Midgley as the team’s newest assistant coach ahead of the 2026-27 Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) season. Midgley joins the Sirens following two PWHL seasons as an assistant Coach with the Toronto Sceptres and brings more than two decades of coaching and scouting experience across the professional, junior, and international levels to New York. 

“We’re excited to welcome Jim to our family,” said Sirens General Manager Pascal Daoust. “His impressive coaching journey across the PWHL, Team Canada, the CHL, and the NHL with the New York Rangers reflects not only an exceptional level of experience, but also a deep commitment to developing people and contributing to an elite environment. Jim brings a unique perspective, a wealth of knowledge, and an unwavering passion for the game that will complement our staff, support our players in reaching their full potential, and continue to drive our organization’s relentless pursuit of excellence.”  

A native of Townsend, Ontario, Midgley was the first coach to hold bench roles in both the PWHL and NHL, having served as a Rangers assistant for the 2021-22 and 2022-23 seasons. The 48-year-old has international experience in women’s hockey from his time as an assistant coach for Team Canada at the 2021 IIHF Women’s World Championship, helping capture gold during a season in which he was also an amateur scout with the Philadelphia Flyers. Just prior to joining the PWHL, Midgley spent the 2023-24 season as head coach of the QMJHL’s Halifax Mooseheads, his second stint with the club, previously serving as head coach in 2017-18 following six seasons as an assistant.  

“I’m incredibly excited and honored to join the New York Sirens organization,” said Midgley. “From my conversations with leadership, it’s clear there’s a shared vision and commitment to building a winning culture, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to be part of that journey. I look forward to working alongside an outstanding staff and a talented group of athletes who are committed to competing at the highest level.” 

On the ice, Midgley was a forward and played three seasons in the OHL between 1995-98 with the North Bay Centennials and the Belleville Bulls, followed by four seasons at Saint Mary’s University from 1998-2002, including three as team captain. His playing career concluded with the Fort Worth Brahmas of the Central Hockey League in 2003. 

Midgley will join a Sirens coaching staff led by Head Coach Greg Fargo and returning members Valérie Bois (Assistant Coach) and Gordon Woodhall (Goaltending and Video Coach). 

Plattsburgh State Athletics News: Plattsburgh State Welcomes Mattie Norton Back as Women’s Hockey Assistant Coach

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Mattie Norton as a Cardinal player (Plattsburgh Photo)

PLATTSBURGH, N.Y. – The Plattsburgh State Department of Intercollegiate Athletics and Recreation has announced the hiring of former Cardinal standout Mattie Norton as the assistant coach of the Plattsburgh State women’s ice hockey program. 

Norton returns to her alma mater after serving as the inaugural head coach of the Lewis and Clark Community College ACHA women’s ice hockey program, where she helped establish the program and build its foundation ahead of its first season. 

In addition to her collegiate coaching experience, Norton has spent several years coaching with Elite Hockey, working with players ranging from ages 3-18, while also serving as both an on-ice coach and teacher’s assistant at Elite Hockey School.

“It is great to welcome Mattie back to Plattsburgh,” said Plattsburgh State women’s ice hockey head coach Kevin Houle. “Mattie had an outstanding career as a player and demonstrated exceptional leadership as our team captain. Those qualities, along with her passion for the game and commitment to our program, will serve her well in her new role as assistant women’s hockey coach. We are excited to have her back and look forward to the positive impact she will have on our student-athletes and the continued success of our program.” 

One of the most accomplished players in recent program history, Norton concluded an outstanding four-year career with the Cardinals in 2025. She served as team captain during her senior season after being an assistant captain as a junior and helped lead Plattsburgh to multiple conference championships and NCAA Tournament appearances.

A two-time All-SUNYAC First Team selection (2023-24, 2024-25), Norton earned numerous honors throughout her collegiate career, including CCM Hockey/AHCA Division III Women’s Ice Hockey Second Team All-America recognition, DIIIHockeyNews.com First Team East All-America honors, SUNYAC Women’s Ice Hockey Scholar-Athlete of the Year, SUNY Women’s Ice Hockey Scholar-Athlete of the Year, and Plattsburgh State Female Athlete of the Year during her senior campaign. She was also named to the NEWHL All-Rookie Team in 2021-22 and earned All-NEWHL Second Team honors in 2022-23.

As a student-athlete, Norton was actively involved across campus, serving on the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) throughout her four years and participating in the Cardinal Academy leadership program. She graduated from Plattsburgh State with her bachelor’s degrees in accounting and business administration, along with a minor in management information systems.

Norton will begin her duties immediately as she joins the Cardinals’ coaching staff for the upcoming 2026-27 season.

Eick Joins Colgate MHKY

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Colgate men’s hockey is pleased to announce the addition of C.J. Eick as an assistant coach.

Eick brings over 15 years of coaching and playing experience with him to Hamilton.

“We are super excited to welcome C.J. and his family to ours,” head coach Mike Harder said. “C.J.’s vast experience will help us develop all our players with focus on our defensemen and special teams.”

Prior to joining the Raiders, Eick spent the last three years as an assistant coach for the Waterloo Black Hawks in the USHL. During his tenure, the Black Hawks earned two winning seasons and a trip to the Clark Cup Final.

Eick began his coaching career as an instructor for the Michigan Tech Hockey School during his time at Michigan Tech as a student-athlete. He then went on to serve as an assistant coach at Trinity College during the 2022-23 season.

His playing career began with the Green Bay Gamblers where he played two seasons. Eick then played four seasons at Michigan Tech, where he made 145 college appearances and logged 14 goals and 38 assists. After graduation, Eick played seven years in the ECHL. He played for the Utah Grizzlies, Kansas City Mavericks, and Indy Fuel from 2016-2022. He logged over 380 career games in the ECHL and posted 42 goals and 56 assists. Eick played one final game for the Kalamazoo Wings in the 2023-24 season.

Shaping the Game

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How Emma Pais is shaping the future of women’s hockey

By Dylan Rippe7/10/2026 9:38:00 AM

While most student-athletes spend the offseason recharging and preparing for the upcoming season, Emma Pais is helping shape what the future of women’s hockey looks like.

As the only Division I student-athlete selected to sit on the NCAA Women’s Hockey Rules Committee, Pais spent her offseason helping rewrite the national rulebook. It is quite the evolution for a player who, just a few years ago, was joining a lineup full of dominant upperclassmen. Now, as she enters her final year in Hamilton, her fingerprints are all over the future of the sport.

The path to the NCAA Women’s Hockey Rules Committee wasn’t something Pais expected or even lobbied for. In fact, it started with a completely unexpected text message from Colgate women’s hockey head coach, Stefan Decosse.

“He reached out to me and said, ‘I nominated you for the rules committee for the NCAA,'” Pais recalls. The committee reserves exactly one seat for a current student-athlete to ensure the players have representation alongside conference officials and administrators.

Initially, Pais was skeptical. “To be honest, when he texted me, I was kind of like, ‘Okay, there’s one student-athlete, I’m probably not going to be picked.’ I was under the impression that every team nominated someone.”

A month later, an official email arrived from the NCAA. Pais hadn’t just been nominated; she had been selected as the sole voice of the players for the entire sport.

Pais cele

Pais’ influence extends well beyond Hamilton. The NCAA rules committee reviews the rulebook every two years and decides what needs to be changed and what remains the same.

“We all came together at the conference in Indianapolis and created the new rulebook for the next two years. This year was a rule-change year, so they were allowed to change any of the rules within the rulebook. For three days, we just went through the entire book and talked about what we wanted to change and what was proposed to be changed by the coaches for the next year.”

Women’s hockey and its future have never been brighter. Not only is college hockey growing, the student-athletes are competing for the next step in the Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL). 

The PWHL continues to expand, recently announcing franchises in Detroit, Hamilton, Las Vegas, and San Jose, bringing the league total to 12 teams. The continued growth of the next level impacts the landscape of women’s hockey as a whole.

“Every time a rule was proposed, it was talked about whether it mirrored where the game was going at the PWHL level, because obviously a lot of people in the NCAA’s goal is to play there,” Pais recalled. “So definitely, the NCAA’s main focus is trying to mirror the PWHL, but at the same time, also making rules that make sense for the age group at the NCAA and for college athletes who are also in school.”

Balancing the NCAA and PWHL rules gave Pais an insight into the details of the rulebook. As a team captain, it is important to be able to clearly communicate with coaches, teammates, and referees. With a deeper understanding of the rules, Pais is already one step ahead.

“I obviously know the basic rules of hockey and everything like that, but having the opportunity to really see all the rules laid out and understand why certain rules are being put into place and why they’re not, it was really impressive to me. The committee really thought about every angle.”

Pais Cele

The juggling act of Colgate’s rigorous academics, playing Division I hockey, and adding the challenge of serving on the NCAA rules committee can sound daunting. However, as the only student among administrators and coaches, Pais’ voice was eager to be heard, and the workload was surprisingly manageable.

“It was really nice because, being the only student-athlete, they really understand the student-athlete experience,” Pais said. “So they weren’t expecting a crazy time commitment from me. Most of it was looking at the clips before our call, and then it was only a call once a month for an hour.”

The opportunity stands in stark contrast to where Pais was when she first arrived on campus.

“Coming in as a first-year at the end of that COVID year…my only real focus was trying to do whatever I could to help the team win.”

Now, as she prepares to lead Colgate into her final season, she isn’t just trying to find her place in a lineup. She is leaving an unforgettable mark on the sport itself. Long after she plays her final shift in a Raiders uniform, Pais’ influence will be felt not only in Hamilton, but across the country.

“Looking at this year, having a bigger role from an NCAA level is just something that I definitely never thought would happen.”

Editors Note; This story and photo was provided by Colgate.