Happy Hockey New Year; A Look At Who Is Where!

By Janet Schultz, NYHOL Photographer & Women’s Columnist

Hockey New Year!

Happy New Year to all my hockey family and hopefully it will be a healthy New Year and a return to the ice.

With very few teams playing I thought I’d take this time to acknowledge the players who are patiently awaiting a return to the ice, along with those who are playing. I have reviewed all the New York State rosters, and apologize for some of the Colleges have not posted their 2020-21 rosters.

Let start with some hockey action.

Rochester Institute of Technology took to the ice on November 27 against Syracuse. Following the 7-1 loss, the Tigers had to postpone the next three games. They returned with two losses to Mercyhurst, closing out 2020. On January 6 the Tigers will return to the ice against Mercyhurst in Erie and then a home game on January 7 against the Lakers. RIT follows that at home against Lindenwood on January 10 and 11 and Penn State on January 15 and 16. 

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Look for Emma Roland, a freshman from Williamsville/Williamsville High School Girls and Niagara Jr Purple Eagles; Claire McGinnis, freshman from Elmwood Village/Niagara Jr Purple Eagles and Carrissa Hlywa, Freshman from Auburn/Niagara Jr Purple Eagles.

Coach Celeste Brown is in her first season as coach. Brown played four years for RIT and played in the NWHL.

She is assisted by Justin Simpson and Jordin Pardoski.

Further down the I90 Syracuse is 2-4-1 overall after losing their November 20/21 openers to Cologate. They followed up with the 7-1 win over RIT, with the second game being postponed. The Orange then had a four-game series against Penn State ending that with two losses, one tie and one win.

Those games found Victoria Klimek being named Player of he Week for December 7; Rayla Clemons, CHA Rookie of the Month for November; Abby Moloughney, CHA Player of he Week for December 15 and Sarah Thompson, CHA Rookie of the Week for December 15.

Marielle McHale is a red-shirted sophomore who comes from Clifton Park.

Coach Paul Flanagan is in his 12th year of coaching the Orange.

Clarkson has taken to the ice with a 1-2-1 overall record as they enter the New Year. They split with Colgate on opening weekend and then followed with a loss and tie with Colgate a week later. The Golden Knights will return to the ice on January 11 and 12 against Long Island University at home. They continue January with Colgate (Jan. 16 and 18); Quinnipiac (Jan. 23 & 24);

No fans are allowed into games but Clarkson fans can watch the games on ESPN+ and listen on B99.3 radio.

Black River’s Kayla Braley is a sophomore forward with the Golden Knights.

St Lawrence will open their season on January 22 at Colgate and then return to home ice on January 24 against Colgate. January 30 and 31 they face Quinnipiac.

Grace Smith is a junior from Ithaca and Gabi Jones is a freshman from Potsdam who played for the Ottawa Lady Senators.

Coach Chris Wells is in his 13th season with the Saints.

While Cortland will not see a 2020-21 season they have a roster full of New York players.

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Dany Donegan (Cicero/Syracuse Nationals 19UAAA), Monica Cahill (Oswego/Lysander Lightning), Jayden Kelley (East Berne/CP Dynamo), Quinn Metcalf (Churchville/Rochester Monarchs 19UAAA), Nicole Tulowiecki (Pennelville/Syracuse Nationals 19UAAA), Jillian Hlasnick (Olean/Niagara Jr Purple Eagles), Emily Kromer (Angola/Nazareth/Frontier-LakeShore-Orchard Park Girls Varsity), Molly McCabe (Webster/Webster Thomas Boys High School), Elena Eichmann (Fairport/Syracuse Nationals 19UAAA), Amanda Gaffney (Williamsville/Amherst Knights/Williamsville HS Girls Hockey), Grace Schnorr (Camillus/Little Cesears 19UAAA), 

Teryn field (Cicero/Lysander Lightning), Katelyn Kanton (Syracuse Nationals) and Chelsea Allain (Malta/Canterbury School).

Coach Rick Filighera is in his fifth season with the Red Dragons, assisted by Megan Quinn.

While their season is canceled, Cortland will be doing a Senior Spotlight each month on their website.

Elmira has not posted their current roster. 

According to their website, the UCHC intends to resume play on February 19 supporting the guidelines set by the NCAA for Resocialization of the Sport.

The UCHC includes schools in NY including Elmira, Manhattanville, Nazareth, Utica and William Smith.

The Utica Pioneers, canceled season but we recognize these players from NYS:

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Abby Lillis, sophomore from West Seneca who played for the Buffalo Bisons and Frontier-LakeShore-Orchard Park of the WNYGVIH League; Erica Sloan, sophomore from Potsdam and the St. Lawrence Steel; Ava Suda, sophomore from Cheektowaga and the Buffalo Bisons; Courtney Staniszewski, freshman from Buffalo and the Niagara Jr Purple Eagles; Sirena Fitzery, junior from Hamburg, Buffalo Bisons and HEWS; Erica Sheaffer, sophomore from New Hartford and Wilkes University and Alexa Carlon, a freshman from Lakewood and the Niagara Jr Purple Eagles.

Coach Dave Clausen marks his 20th season with the team.

The Colgate Red Raiders enter the New Year with a 4-1-1 overall record after an overtime win on opening night against Syracuse followed by a 3-1 win over the Orange the following day. They then beat Clarkson twice, tied once and lost one.

Up next on January 9 and 10 is Quinnipiac followed by Clarkson on January 16/18 and St. Lawrence on January 22/24.

Following the opening games Noemi Neubauerova was named First Star of the Week for December 8 by the ECAC and Kayle Osborne was name Second Star of the Week for that same time.

Kalty Kaltounkova was named HCA Rookie of the Month for November and the ECAC Second Star for December 1.

Rosy Demers was named ECAC First Star for November 23, the first naming of the season.

New Hartford’s Sydney Bard is in her second season with the team. She played for the Toronto Aeros of the PWHL and Rochester’s Caroline Ross is a red-shirted senior coming from Boston College.

Oswego has not posted their roster and their season is canceled.

Cornell’s website issued the following statement:

Consistent with its commitment to safeguard the health and wellbeing of student-athletes, the greater campus community and general public, the Ivy League Council of Presidents has decided that league schools will not conduct intercollegiate athletics competition in winter sports during the 2020-21 season. Winter and fall sport student-athletes will not lose a season of Ivy League or NCAA eligibility, whether or not they enroll. Students who wish to pursue competition during a fifth-year of undergraduate education at their home institution, if permitted, or as a graduate student elsewhere will need to work with their institutions in accordance with campus policy to determine their options beyond their current anticipated graduation date.

NYHOL recognizes the following New Yorkers on the roster: 

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Taylor Pietrowski, a junior from Orchard Park and Nichols School

Abbey Ruggiero, freshman from Amherst.

Lindsay Browning, senior from Penfield and Penfield’s Varsity team

Coach Doug Derraugh marks his 15th year coaching the Big Red.

Hamilton College’s season is canceled and they posted no 2020-21 roster.

William Smith is still a young program and part of the UCHC which plans to open February 19.

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Taking the ice from NY will be Izzy Friedman, sophomore from Buffalo/Monsignor Martin Girls Varsity Ice Hockey; Sofia Ferguson, sophomore, Rochester, Canterbury School; Julia Mings, senior, Tonawanda, Amherst-SweetHome-Clarence Girls Varsity; Alison Weiss, senior, Skaneateles and Skaneateles Girls Varsity; Annie Hauser, freshman, White Plains, Berkshire School and Emma Faso, sophomore, Clarence, CASH.

Katie Gallagher is serving as Interim Head Coach after six years as an assistant coach.

Morrisville is part of the NEWHL which has canceled the 2020-21 season. However, they did announce their Women’s All Decade Team (Fall 2010 to Spring 2020).

Included are Kaitlyn Schlake (2015-19), Ciara Lark (2016-20), Maddison Devlin (2015-2017), Kaka McComber (2017-20), Chyne Kennedy (2017-20),  Alexis Giannamofre (2017-20), Karoline Aarvik (2017-19), Maria deWilde (2015-19), Mackenzie Lombardi (2017-20), Megan Kirk (2015-17).

Kirk is a native of Breezy Point and provided solid support for the Mustangs during her four-year career. She appeared in 99 contests and was a strong presence on the power play. She is eighth in all-time program history in goals scored and has five game-winners to her name. 

Buffalo State College, also part of the NEWHL, has numerous players from NYS.

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Julia Ahr, Buffalo/Oswego Club/Monsignor Martin Girls Varsity Ice Hockey; Autumn Benedict, Akwesasne, Salmon River Girls Varsity; Gianna Brigante, Mohopac, Brewster Lady Bulldogs; Bella Cervoni, Hamburg, Buffalo Bisons; Victoria Cottrell, Orchard Park, Buffalo Bisons and Frontier/LakeShore/Orchard Park (FLOP) Girls Varsity; Tori Fadeley, Buffalo, FLOP and Cazenovia; Rylee Garrow, Akwesasne, Salmon River and St. Lawrence Steel; Bri Gawronski, Dunkirk, Monsignor Martin Girls Varsity and Buffalo Bisons; Sissy Harmon, Eden, Hamburg/Iroquois/West Seneca Girls Varsity; Kira Herkey, Cheektowaga, Buffalo Regals; Bethan Horvatitis, Elma, Lancaster/Iroquois/Depew Girls Varsity and Cazenovia; Sarah Jackson, Niagara Falls, Niagara Falls Rapids Ice Hockey; Lexi Lazone, Akwesasne, Salmon River and the Ontario Hockey Academy; Gabby McCrory, Buffalo, Frederick Law Olmstad and Cazenovia; MacKenna Murphy, Rochester, Hoosac Owls and Ellen Spiller, East Aurora, Chicago Bruins.

David Dee was appointed Head Coach in April 2019, after serving as a recruiter for the team in 2018-19. He is assisted by Rachel Grampp, a former Williamsville Girls Varsity player; and Michelle Donlon.

Nazareth, also fairly young in its history, is hoping to resume play with the UCHC in February. On their roster are a number of local players including: Junior Nikolle VanStralen, Bloomfield/Rochester Monarchs; Junior Stephanie Kubis, Central Square/Syracuse Nationals; Junior Gabby DeMeo, Hamburg, Niagara Jr Purple Eagles/HEWS; Freshman Emma Hayes, Merrick/Portledge; Junior Ally Watrous, Saratoga Springs/St Lawrence Steel; Junior Keeley Rose, Clayton/Northwood Huskies; Freshman Katie Cascio, Oceanside/Selects.

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Potdam is in the same league with Buffalo State. Among players native to NY are Ellie Cleary, Buffalo and the Buffalo Bisons; Annika Balk, Chaumont, Buffalo Regals; Emily DellaNeve, Buffalo, Buffalo Bisons; Alex Quinn, Potsdam, St. Lawrence Steel; MacKenzie Martin, Potsdam, Potsdam High School Varsity; Allie Banas, Buffalo, Buffalo Bisons; Abigail Lyon, Winthrop, Lake Placid Rockets.

Coach Greg Haney is in his first season after serving as an assistant at D1 Lindenwood for two seasons. 

Plattsburgh is also in the NEWHL and posted no current roster.
Canton season is also canceled. Playing for the Roos are Jordan Emerson, Posdam and Oswego State; Jayde DuKette, Tupper Lake, Hoosac Prep and Lily Cullen, Churcville, Rochester Monarchs.

In his seventh season is Dave Labaffy.

In eastern New York Manhattanville is scheduled to return to the ice on February 19, under UCHC guidelines.

Their roster includes Holly Meredith, a junior from Saratoga Springs/Vermont Academy; Kerry Carr, junior from New Hartford/Millbrook School; Taylor Ham, senior, Saugerties/Millbrook School; Fjolla Berisha, sophomore, Mahopac/Brewster Lady Bulldogs and Franny Gerardi, sophomore, Yonkers/Selects Academy.

Head Coach Jennifer MacAskill was appointed in October 2020 after serving as assistant coach in 2018-20. She played her college career at Mercyhurst.

No season and no roster at Union College.

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is also on hold but on their roster is Jenn Gregg from Altamont and the Troy-Albany Ice Cats. She is a senior.

Coach Bryan Vines has been at the helm since 2017.

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Looking around for some of our New York players that we have covered over the years we know find five at Providence College. Maddy Coene from Clayton/Selects Academy; Ciara Barone, North Tonawanda/Nichols/Niagara Jr Purple Eagles; Brooke Becker, Orchard Park, FLOP and Stoney Creek Sabres; Claire Tyo, Massena;Ottawa Lady Senators and Hayley Lunny, Bedord/North American Hockey Academy.

Kiara Zanon, Fairport/USA U18 is a Freshman at Penn State. Along with her are Rene Gangarosa, a junior from Rochester and the Niagara Jr Purple Eagles. Baldwinsville’s Allison Coomey is associate head coach. Coomey was an assistant coach at Niagara University and Plattsburgh.

Missouri’s Lindenwood College has Shelley Looney as their Head Coach. Looney served with the Buffalo Bisons in hockey development and is most known as the Olympian helped the USA to its first gold medal in 1998.

Following her to Lindenwood is Casey Adimey (pictured above) who played for KATZ in the WNYGVIH League. She comes from Amherst.

Maddie Moell is a junor at Norwich College. She comes from Clarence and Nichols School.

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Mercyhurst Coach and Buffalo native Michael Sisti lists Gabrielle Cox, Niverville/Boston Jr. Hockey; Jersey Phillips, Cheektowaga, Buffalo Regals/Lancaster-Iroquois-Depew Girls Varsity; Mary Kromer, Angola, FLOP and Stoney Creek Jr Sabres on the Lakers roster for this season.

Assisting Sisti is Kelly Steadman, a former member of the NWHL Buffalo Beauts and a native of Plattsburgh. She played her collegiate career at Mercyhurst.

Rochester’s Emma Corbet plays for Adrian College in Michigan. She is a freshman from the Buffalo Regals.

Emily Harley of Syracuse plays for Robert Morris. The senior comes from Syracuse and the Ontario Hockey Academy.

In our last column we listed several players who have signed letters of intent. We need to add Emily Finach to that list. She has signed with Lindenwood after her career at the Goalie Selects Academy. Emily calls Hamburg home and played for the Buffalo Bisons and Nichols School.

WNYGVIH NEWS

The WNYGVIH League is looking at a possible start in February. They are awaiting further information from the NYS athletic group.

NWHL NEWS

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The NWHL will play their season in a bubble in Lake Placid. With no fans, no media but with all of us having the ability to watch games on Twitch. To get Twitch go to NWHL.zone and follow the instructions.

More importantly is the 2021 Isobel Cup Semifinals and Final will air live exclusively on NBCSN on February 4-5 from historic Herb Brooks Arena in Lake Placid, N.Y.

The agreement between NBC Sports and the NWHL is a historic chapter for women’s professional hockey in the United States, marking the first-ever women’s professional hockey games to be shown live on a major national cable network in the U.S.

The single-elimination Isobel Cup Semifinals will be shown live on Thursday, Feb. 4 at 5:30 p.m. ET and 8 p.m. ET. The winners of the semifinals will advance to the Isobel Cup Final on Friday, Feb. 5 at 7 p.m. ET. In addition to coverage on NBCSN, live coverage will stream exclusively on NBCSports.com and the NBC Sports app.

“Our partnership with NBC Sports is monumental for the visibility of the NWHL,” said Commissioner Tyler Tumminia. “Never before has women’s professional hockey had the opportunity to reach so many people on American television in the United States. 

Prioritizing the health and safety of the players, staff, and all involved, the NWHL is playing its sixth season and the 2021 Isobel Cup Playoffs in a centralized and protected environment at the iconic 1980 Rink – Herb Brooks Arena in Lake Placid, N.Y., between Jan. 23 – Feb. 5, 2021. The competition will feature the NWHL’s six teams – Boston Pride, Buffalo Beauts, Connecticut Whale, Metropolitan Riveters, Minnesota Whitecaps, and first-year expansion club Toronto Six.

In other news the NWHL’s upcoming season will have an all-female officiating staff. The 10 officials selected to the NWHL officiating staff include Sarah Buckner (Crystal, Minn.), Erika Greenen (Romeoville, Ill.), Kendall Hanley (Minneapolis, Minn.), Alicia Hanrahan (St. Paul, Minn.), Jacqueline Howard (Gaithersburg, Md.), Jamie Huntley-Park (Escondido, Cali.), Jackie Spresser (Thornton, Colo.), Amanda Tassoni (Bradford, R.I.), Mackenzie Welter (Rome, N.Y.), and Laura White (Runnemede, N.J.).

As the season progresses and perhaps, leagues open up and more teams take to the ice for shortened seasons, NYHOL will keep you up-to-date on our website (www.nyhockeyonline.com); Facebook, NYHockeyOnline and twitter @nyhockeyonline.

We are asking all college Sports Information Departments to forward us their press releases and we are asking all coaches to let us know of any stories about their players, teams we can write and share with the New York State Hockey community.

Now in our Tenth year of providing New York Hockey news to the State, we are struggling as all of you are with how we can do this. We met with the WNYGVIH League several times, and will continue, via ZOOM; we are open to interviewing via phone or ZOOM until in-person returns. While we have discontinued the magazine format on a monthly basis, our website will continue with all the hockey news we can lay our hands on.

NYHOL will be covering the NHL on a game-to-game, practice-to-practice basis; covering the NWHL via ZOOM and streaming, covering high school and youth as it becomes available, as we always have.

NYHOL wishes all of you a very Happy, Healthy and Safe 2021.

(Please note that the photos are file photos taken by Janet Schultz over the years covering women’s hockey in New York State)