Photos and Story By Janet Schultz
Section VI All-Federation Teams for 2023.
Small Schools for Boys Hockey includes Ian Wirth, Kenmore Devils; Alec Kirk, Starpoint; Ian Krakowiak, Williamsville South Billies; Joshua Kaszor, Niagara Wheatfield; Anthony LaGreca, Niagara Wheatfield and Goalie Kyle Dailey, West Seneca West.
Wirth had 24 goals and 43 assists for top place in the Small School Standings. Kirk came in third with 29 goals and 25 assists. Krakowiak had 24 goals/23 assists; Koszo logged 8 goals and 8 assists with LaGreca having21 goals and 32 assists. Goalie Dailey is a junior who played in 22 games making 618 saves on 668 shots.
Large school honorees are Ben Shoemaker, Clarence; Sam Welgoss, Williamsville North; Cohen Springer, Bishop Timon-St. Jude; Presley Schiltz, Orchard Park; Luke Marchant, Clarence and in goal Alex Jedlicka, Lancaster.
Shoemaker played in 21 games and stopped 500 of 542 shots for a .923 save percentage. Welgoss had 3 goals and 4 assists this season; Springer scored 38 points on 13 goals/25 assists; Schiltz, 17g/14a; Marchant, 25 goals/15 assists and Jelicka had 5 goals and 6 assists.
Starpoint took the Small School Championship beating Niagara-Wheatfield 8-3 at Key Bank Center. At the Monsignor Martin Championship it was Nichols beating St.Francis 4-1 and at the Large School Championship game it was Orchard Park 4-1 over Clarence.
Starpoint finished with a 18-5 season overall; Nichols, 16-1-1 and Orchard Park 16-5-2.
Orchard Park moved on to face Pittsford, losing 4-2 in the State Regionals.
Starpoint lost 4-3 to Salmon River in the NYS Regional Finals. Starpoint has made it to the States three times in the past four years.
A special award in memorial of Buffalo News High School Sports Reporter, and a goalie himself, Miguel Rodriguez was presented to Richie Gareau, Starpoint; Brayden Hearn, Orchard Park and Alex Glofka, Nichols as the Most Outstanding Playoff Goaltender for 2023. The presentation was made by Buffalo News Sports Editor Josh Barnett.
