BY RANDY SCHULTZ –
Merger. It is a word that has become quite common among local high schools in recent years.
But who would have ever imagined that two of the larger high schools in the Niagara County area would ever think of merging one of their sports teams? Especially when the two schools involved in the merger included Lockport and Niagara Falls.
Combining Lions (LHS) and Wolverines (NFHS)? Unthinkable!
But that is exactly what happened over the summer of 2018 with the two school’s boy’s hockey teams.
“Last season we had graduated 10 seniors and knew we would be down to 10-12 players for this season,” recalled Co-Head Coach Lou Jacklin of Niagara Falls. “It had been a very challenging season for us, going 1-19 on the year.
“After going through that once, we didn’t want to go through that again. We had played Lockport at the end of the season and I noticed that they were going to be graduating a number of player and could see what they would eventually be going through.”
“We also lost a number of seniors and didn’t know what we would be facing this year,” commented Erik Musto, Co-Head Coach from Lockport. “The two schools approached each other about a merger of the two boy’s hockey teams.
“I don’t know what happened between the two school’s administrations or from the Athletic Directors point of view. But once the merger was announced, Lou and I communicated a lot during the summer.
“We took care of a lot of things in July and August so that when the school year began and tryouts began we could hit the ground running. And I don’t think Lou or I ever doubted that the merger would work because most of the players from each team knew each other from travel hockey.”
There was never a doubt from either side that the merger wouldn’t work.
“From the Niagara Falls standpoint, we knew we didn’t have enough guys to go again for another season on our own,” stated Jacklin. “We were willing to take the risk and take a shot not matter how it would work out.”
But both coaches admit the merger has had a few bumps in the road.
“Blending two teams has been challenging,” continued Jacklin. “You have different personalities with each team.
“But when it’s been all said and done we are one team. And that’s how we’re playing.”
Compromise was a key word in this merger.
“Each side had to give and take,” said Musto. “As a team we are known as Lockport/Niagara Falls and our logo on the front of our new uniform is a claw that represents both school’s mascots.
“The one big thing we didn’t have a problem with was team colors which ironically was blue and yellow for both teams. Maybe this was something that was meant to be.”
“Home” games for the team will be split up between Cornerstone Arena in Lockport, Niagara University, Northtown Center (Amherst), Hyde Park Ice Arena, HarborCenter and RIverworks in Buffalo.
Even the teams two co-captains feel the merger was a great idea.
“It really didn’t matter to me with the merger,” said Andrew Haseley, a senior from Lockport. “With the merger you have more people that want to play. And because of it we have a better team.”
“Once we merged I felt the team would be more competitive,” stated Drew Merino, a senior from Niagara Falls. “We struggled the last three years with Niagara Falls.
“It will be interesting to see what happens this year.”
The merger is for three years. Could it last longer.
“We will have to wait and see how this plays out,” concluded Musto. “Right now we’re focused on this season.
“We will take it one year at a time.”
