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New York Raptors Hockey Report

By
Randy Schultz
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BY MICHAEL MEYERS –

The New York Raptors Hockey Team was invited to play in this year’s Mayors Cup. The event was held on Saturday, Jan. 25 at Playland.

The Raptors played in one of the three games held that day as part of the Fourth Annual Mayors Cup. The first game was a modified contest.

The Raptors played at 6:30 against the Central Park Stars. The third game was a varsity contest between Rye Town/Harrison Titans and the White Plains Tigers. Coach David of the Raptors is also a coach with the Rye Town/Harrison team.

The Titans had a fundraising event for the Raptors that evening as well.

The Raptors and the Stars finished with a 4-4 tie. The Raptors now have a record of 1-0-1 for the 2019-20 season.

NYSPHSAA Quarterly Executive Committee Meeting Recap

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Randy Schultz
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NYSPHSAA Holds Quarterly Executive Committee Meeting in Saratoga

Latham, NY– The New York State Public High School Athletic Association (NYSPHSAA) held its quarterly meeting of its Executive Committee in Saratoga Springs on Friday, February 7th. The Committee voted on several key proposals important to the Association’s 783-member schools.

The Executive Committee approved Middletown High School as the host of the 2021 and 2023 Outdoor Track and Field Championships and Cicero-North Syracuse High School as the host of the 2022 Outdoor Track and Field Championships. Sportime in Schenectady was approved as the championship site for Girls Tennis Championships in 2020-2022. Centereach High School was approved for Field Hockey Championships for 2020-2022 and SRC Arena (Syracuse) was approved for Wrestling Dual Meet Championships in 2021-2023.

In the sport of Boys Ice Hockey, the approval to adopt an added video replay protocol criteria related to onside/offsides was approved. For modified boys lacrosse, tie games will now be decided by a 4-minute sudden-victory overtime period. The Executive Committee approved a proposal in the sport of Girls Golf that Board of Education approved coaches may coach their student-athletes during the round. Approval was also given to amend the NYSPHSAA Handbook rule 5.08 #4 in the sport of Bowling regarding Baker Tournaments.

A proposal to allow individual sections to determine their own start date in the sport of Boys Lacrosse to either week #36 or week #37 was defeated by a vote of 16-6. The Executive Committee approved endorsing an NCAA June scholastic event in the sport of Boys’ Basketball.

The meeting was called to order by President Paul Harrica at 9:00 am with adjournment at 11:10 am. The next meeting of the NYSPHSAA Executive Committee will be Thursday, May 7th in Saratoga Springs at the Embassy Suites.

Slate Hill’s Abruzzese Having Monster Season at Harvard

By
Randy Schultz
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11/2/19

By Warren Kozireski —

The Tim Taylor Award was created in 2006 to honor Division I college hockey’s top freshman and Slate Hill native Nick Abruzzese is trying to become the second in a row from New York State to be honored after Syracuse native and Philadelphia Flyers first round draft Joel Farabee won last year with Boston University.

Abruzzese, the Toronto Maple Leafs fourth round draft pick this past June I his third year of eligibility, enters the Feb. 7 weekend leading the nation’s freshmen and ninth among all players in points per game (1.33), stood fourth in assists (18) and was one of nine first year’s in double digits in goals (10).

“It’s been a lot of fun and as a team we’ve enjoyed a lot of success which makes it even better, but the locker room and guys are great and hopefully we can keep it going down the stretch here,” Abruzzese said after an early February game.

“At the start of the year I was put into a position to succeed and to play a big role on the team and as the year has gone on a little more defensive responsibility and starting to get a little more time on the penalty kill which is nice, and starting to work on the two-way game and help the team out on both ends of the ice.”

The 5’9”, 160 lb. left wing and ECAC Rookie of the Month in December was playing on the top line with sophomores Jack Drury (a Carolina Hurricanes pick) and Casey Dornbach, who all took the top three spots in scoring for the Crimson.

Abruzzese attended Minisink Valley High School, but played much of his early youth hockey days with North Jersey in the AYHL before jumping to the Chicago Steel in the USHL for the last two seasons setting a personal high with 29 goals and 80 points last year scoring at least one point in 47 of 62 games and eight more points over 11 playoff contests. His 51 assists and point total led the league.

He played pee wee and bantam in Morristown, NJ with the Colonials an hour-plus one-way from home and midgets with the Avalanche about one hour away.

“That part (Section IX) is not a hockey hot-bed obviously, but a lot of thanks to my parents driving long hours growing up so I could play. And travel (hockey) on the weekends all over the place, so I definitely owe a lot to them and for what they’ve done to help me get to this point. Super-thankful and to be where I am now it was definitely worth it.”

Abruzzese did not attend the NHL Draft this past June, but did head to Toronto’s Development Camp shortly after being selected.

“Was watching (TV) with my parents so it was a cool moment seeing your name pop up. Being able to spend it with them made it that much better.

“It (Development Camp) was a learning experience and I took a lot out it. It was cool to see the facilities they have there and meet the management and kind of get a taste of the pro lifestyle.”

Added to his success so far at the collegiate level is that Harvard was ranked 16thin the nation and in the hunt for an NCAA playoff berth (top 16 teams) and that he was one of 78 initial Hobey Baker nominees, given to college hockey’s best player.

“First year it was not something that was at all on my radar. I just wanted to come in and try to do everything the team asked of me, so to be nominated is really cool but personal success doesn’t mean team success. Playing with really good players and being on a rally good team helps for sure.”

Brian Fishman Internship Applications Now Being Accepted

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Randy Schultz
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0
Applications must be received by March 13
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — Applications are now being accepted for the 22nd annual Brian Fishman Internship.

The Brian Fishman Internship will be awarded to a soon-to-be (spring 2020) or very recent college graduate who is pursuing a career in athletic communications. It was established in 1999 in honor of the late Brian Fishman, who served as the manager of communications and marketing for USA Hockey’s National Team Development Program. He died unexpectedly on Jan. 7, 1999, at age 28.

The Brian Fishman Internship provides a unique 24-month opportunity, with the first 12 months spent at USA Hockey’s national office in Colorado Springs, Colorado, followed by a 12-month period in Plymouth, Michigan, home of USA Hockey’s National Team Development Program and USA Hockey Arena.

The Brian Fishman Intern will assist with various media and public relations projects, event promotions/operations, social/digital media and publishing initiatives, including work with USA Hockey Magazine, the official publication of USA Hockey and the world’s most widely circulated hockey magazine.

Applications must be received by USA Hockey no later than Friday, March 13. Those interested should submit a completed application form, current resume, list of references and samples of work produced. Applicants must also submit a brief essay (400-500 words) in which they detail their interest in The Brian Fishman Internship and relate their personal and professional characteristics to those that were reflective of Brian, including determination, integrity and a love of hockey.

Application forms are available at BrianFishmanInternship.com.

Successful candidates will have gained substantial experience working in their college or university athletic communications/sports information office or other like opportunities. Preference also will be given to those candidates who have earned an undergraduate degree in journalism, English, communications, sports management or a related field. Applicants should represent the high ideals characterterized by Brian in both the personal and professional aspects of his life, including determination, integrity and enthusiasm.

The recipient of The Brian Fishman Internship will be chosen by a committee that includes representatives of print and broadcast media, the USA Hockey National Team Development Program and collegiate athletic departments; and the Fishman family.To make a contribution to help perpetuate the internship through The USA Hockey Foundation, please call 719-538-1162 or visit USAHockeyFoundation.com.

5 To Be Inducted Into RPI Athletics Hall of Fame

By
Randy Schultz
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TROY, N.Y. – The Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) Athletics Hall of Fame Selection Committee has chosen five former student-athletes for induction into the Athletics Hall of Fame. The Class of 2020 consists of Julianne Bass ’09 (softball), Marc Cavosie ’03 (hockey), Matt Murley ’02 (hockey), Alex Penny ’11 (soccer) and Sonja van der Bliek ’11 (ice hockey).

The group of five combined to lead their teams to 300 wins and a .617 winning percentage during their careers, including a school record for single season victories in softball (36-6 in 2006), three 20-win seasons in men’s hockey and two NCAA Tournament appearances in men’s soccer, which included the first advancement by the Engineers. There are nine All-League honors among the group with two, Cavosie and Penny, earning year-end conference awards. Three student-athletes were team captains, two for multiple seasons.

“The Hall of Fame Class of 2020 is one of the most accomplished in the history of RPI Athletics,” said Dr. Lee McElroy, Associate Vice President & Director of Athletics. “Julianne, Sonja, Marc, Matt and Alex will be honored for their excellence in athletics, academics and leadership.. They truly represent the Rensselaer family, which continues to transform and change the world.”

JULIANNE BASS ’09 (Softball)
Costa Mesa, Calif. / Newport Harbor … Civil EngineeringJulianne Bass

Catcher/Outfielder … 2006: Played all 41 games … School record 62 hits … Batted team-high .443 with team-best 13 doubles and six home runs … Scored 41 runs and knocked in team-high 35 … Stole one base … Slugging percentage of .664, on-base percentage of .448 and fielding percentage of .984 … Liberty League Rookie of the Week three times … Liberty League Performer of the Week once … ECAC Upstate Player of the Week once … All-Liberty League First Team … NFCA All-Northeast Region Second Team … Team was 36-6 … Played in NCAA Tournament … School record for wins … 2007: Started all 35 games … Batted .414 with eight doubles, one triple and nine home runs … Scored 28 runs and knocked in 34 … SLG of .748, on-base of .472 and fielding of .971 … All-Liberty League First Team … NFCA All-Northeast Region Second Team … Team was 25-10 … 2008: Captain … Played all 40 games, starting 39 … Batted .386 with six doubles, one triple and eight home runs … Scored 27 runs and knocked in 31 … Stole three bases … SLG of .638, on-base of .410 and fielding of .968 … Liberty League Performer of the Week once … All-Liberty League First Team … Liberty League All-Academic … Team was 27-13 … 2009: Captain … Played 39 games, starting each … Batted .312 with team-high 14 doubles and three home runs … Scored 28 runs and knocked in 26 … SLG of .496, on-base of .326 and fielding of 1.000 … All-Liberty League Honorable Mention … Liberty League All-Academic … Team was 26-14 … Career: Captain twice … All-League four times … All-Region twice.

MARC CAVOSIE ’03 (Hockey)
Cohoes, N.Y. / Albany Academy … Management
Marc Cavosie
Forward … 1999-00: Played 33 games … Twelve goals and 18 assists for 30 points … Five power play goals and three shorthanded goals … Three game-winning goals … Had 13 penalties for 26 minutes … ECAC Rookie of the Week twice … ECAC Player of the Week once … USCHO National Player of the Week once … ECAC All-Rookie Team … Selected in fourth round, 99th overall, by Minnesota Wild in 2000 NHL Entry Draft … Team was 22-13-2 … 2000-01: Played 28 games … Thirteen goals and 16 assists for 29 points … Four power play goals and one shorthanded goal … One game-winning goal … Two hat tricks … Had 18 penalties for 47 minutes … ECAC Honor Roll three times … ECAC Player of the Week once … Team was 17-15-2 … Played for U.S. in World Junior Championship (6 points in 7 games) … 2001-02: Played 36 games … Had 23 goals and team-high 27 assists for ECAC-leading 50 points … Team-highs of nine power play goals, two shorthanded goals and four game-winning goals … Two hat tricks … Eighteen penalties for 44 minutes … All-ECAC First Team … ECAC Player of the Year … AHCA East All-America First Team … Hobey Baker Award finalist … Team was 20-13-4 … Other: Rensselaer Male Freshman Athlete of the Year … Currently assistant coach for Rensselaer women’s ice hockey team.

MATT MURLEY ’02 (Hockey)
Troy, N.Y. / Syracuse Jr. Crunch … ManagementMatt Murley

Forward … 1998-99: Played 36 games … Had 17 goals and 32 assists for 49 points … Twelve penalties for 32 minutes … ECAC Rookie of the Week twice … ECAC All-Rookie Team … Selected in second round, 51st overall. by Pittsburgh Penguins in 1999 NHL Entry Draft (highest ever in school history) … Team was 23-12-2 … 1999-00: Played 35 games … Nine goals and team-high 29 assists for 38 points … Three power play goals and two shorthanded goals … One game-winning goal … Had 17 penalties for 42 minutes … Team was 22-13-2 … 2000-01: Assistant captain … Played all 34 games … League-high 24 goals and 18 assists for team-high 42 points … Team-best nine power play goals … Two game-winning goals … Two hat tricks, including four goals against Massachusetts … Had 17 penalties for 34 minutes … ECAC Honor Roll five times … ECAC Player of the Week twice … ECAC All-Academic … Team was 17-15-2 … 2001-02: Captain … Played 32 games … League-high 24 goals and 22 assists for 46 points … Eight power play goals and one shorthanded goal … Two game-winning goals … One hat trick … Thirteen penalties for 36 minutes … All-ECAC First Team … ECAC All-Tournament Team … AHCA East All-America Second Team … Team was 20-13-4 … Other: Rensselaer Male Freshman Athlete of the Year … Graduated ranked 12th in career assists (101), 15th in career goals (74) and 11th in career points (175) in school history … Played 62 NHL games with Penguins and Phoenix Coyotes.

ALEX PENNY ’11 (Soccer)
Northport, N.Y. / Northport … Information Technology and Web Science
Alex Penny
Goalkeeper … 2007: Played 16 games, 14 as starter … Had 8-3-2 record with 0.75 goals against average and .828 save percentage … Eight shutouts … Made 53 saves in 1328:02 … Team was 10-6-4 … Won ECAC Upstate Tournament (No. 8 seed) … 2008: Started all 20 games … Had 12-6-1 record with 0.67 goals against average and .845 save percentage … Nine shutouts … Made 71 saves in 1753:14 … Liberty League Defensive Performer of the Week three times … ECAC Upstate Defensive Player of the Week twice … All-Liberty League Honorable Mention … Team was 13-6-1 … Played in NCAA Tournament … 2009: Played 18 games, starting each … Had 13-3-2 record with 0.54 goals against average and .877 save percentage … First in Liberty League and 10th in nation in GAA … Fourteenth nationally in save percentage … Liberty League-high 10 shutouts … Made 71 saves in 1672:35 … Liberty League Defensive Performer of the Week seven times … ECAC Upstate Defensive Player of the Week four times … All-Liberty League First Team … All-ECAC Upstate First Team … Team was 14-3-2 … Played in NCAA Tournament, advancing for first time in school history … 2010: Captain … Started all 19 games … Had 9-4-5 record with 0.69 goals against average and an .846 save percentage … Liberty League-high 10 shutouts … Made Liberty League-leading 77 saves in 1826:29 (every minute of every game) … Liberty League Defensive Player of the Week twice … All-Liberty League First Team … Liberty League Defensive Player of the Year … NSCAA All-East Region Third Team … Team was 9-5-5 … Career: All-League three times … Other: Upon graduation, held school records for career games played (73), games started (71), minutes (6581:14), goals against average (0.66), wins (42-17-10) and shutouts (37) … Single season records in games (20), starts (20), minutes (1826:49), goals against average (0.54), wins (13 twice) and shutouts (10 twice).

SONJA VAN DER BLIEK ’11 (Ice Hockey)
Toronto, Ont. / Toronto Jr. Aeros … Business and ManagementSonja van der Bliek

Goaltender … 2007-08: Played 15 games, 14 as starter … Was 9-4-2 with four shutouts … Had 1.33 goals against average and .939 save percentage … Played 899:11 minutes with 309 saves … ECAC Hockey League Weekly Honor Roll six times … ECAC Hockey League All-Academic … Team was 13-15-5 … 2008-09: Played school record 35 games, all starts (school record) … Was 18-13-4 record with five shutouts … School record for single season wins … Had 2.10 goals against average and .916 save percentage … Played 2146:29 minutes with school record 820 saves … ECAC Hockey Weekly Honor Roll five times … ECAC Hockey Goaltender of the Week three times … ECAC Hockey All-Tournament Team … ECAC Hockey All-Academic … Team was 19-14-4 … 2009-10: Played school record 35 games, all starts (school record) … Was 15-15-5 record with school record seven shutouts … Had 1.85 goals against average and .924 save percentage … Played school record 2173:20 minutes with 817 saves … ECAC Weekly Honor Roll seven times … ECAC Hockey Goaltender of the Week twice … Patty Kazmaier Memorial Award nominee … Team was 16-15-6 … 2010-11: Played 32 games, 31 as starter … Was 10-18-4 with one shutout … Had 2.84 goals against average and .893 save percentage … Played 1814:28 minutes with 716 saves … ECAC Hockey Weekly Honor Roll once … Team was 10-18-7 … Other: Upon graduation, held school career records in games played (117), games started (115), wins (52), saves (2662), minutes (7033:28) and shutouts (17).

Each of the former student-athletes will be inducted at Rensselaer’s Annual Hall of Fame Banquet, which will be held on April 18 at the Hilton Garden Inn in Troy (6pm). Anyone interested in attending the ceremony, including former teammates, should contact Sachi Vines, director of marketing & promotions, at (518) 276-4855 or via email at [email protected].

“Small Saves”

By
Randy Schultz
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Here is this week’s edition of “Small Saves.” Enjoy!

Elmira No. 4 Again In USCHO Poll

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Randy Schultz
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MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. — The Elmira College women’s ice hockey continued its stay among the top teams in the nation as the Soaring Eagles claimed the No. 4-spot in the U.S. College Hockey Online (USCHO) poll for the fourth consecutive week on Monday afternoon.

Elmira held its firm grasp on the spot with 102 points from the voters following a 9-0 thrashing of United Collegiate Hockey Conference (UCHC) foe King’s (Pa.) on Saturday afternoon. The Soaring Eagles remain as the lone UCHC representative appearing in the weekly poll.

The remainder of the top-four was unchanged, as Plattsburgh State stayed at No. 1 and received all 15 first-place votes. The Panthers of Middlebury remained in second following a tie against T-No. 6 Norwich and a pair of wins over Trinity (CT). Wisconsin-Eau Claire held down the third spot with 120 points.

Gustavus Adolphus moved one spot up to fifth with a pair of convincing wins over Concordia (MN). The Pipers of Hamline slipped down into a tie for sixth with Norwich, as the Cadets used a 2-0-1 week to move up from seventh. Wisconsin-River Falls stayed steady at No. 8 with wins over St. Thomas and Wisconsin-Superior.

The top 10 was rounded out by Endicott and Adrian, as the two squad’s swapped spots from last week’s rankings. The Gulls moved up to ninth, while the Bulldogs dropped down to 10th.

The Soaring Eagles will put their No. 4 ranking on the line this weekend with a pair of tough matchups. A date with archrival No. 1 Plattsburgh State awaits Elmira on Friday, February 14. On Sunday, February 16, the Purple and Gold take on William Smith in a UCHC tilt at the top of the leaderboard.

USHCO Poll
Rank Team (1st-Place Votes) Record Points Last Poll
1 Plattsburgh (15) 21-1-0 150 1
2 Middlebury 15-2-3 131 2
3 UW-Eau Claire 17-2-2 120 3
4 Elmira 16-2-2 102 4
5 Gustavus Adolphus 15-3-2 76 6
T-6 Hamline 15-3-3 60 5
T-6 Norwich 17-4-2 60 7
8 UW-River Falls 18-4-1 55 8
9 Endicott 19-2-0 32 10
10 Adrian 17-3-3 27 9Others receiving votes: Amherst (12)

Meeder Named UCHC Rookie Of The Week

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Randy Schultz
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ROCHESTER, N.Y. — The awards continued to roll in for the No. 4-ranked Elmira College women’s hockey team’s talented crop of freshmen on Tuesday afternoon, as Claire Meeder ’23 was named the United Collegiate Hockey Conference (UCHC) North Division Rookie of the Week.

Meeder joins her classmates Holley Riva ’23 and Jordan Holt ’23 in receiving recognition from the conference office this season. The Woodbury, Minnesota, native played a large role in Elmira’s 9-0 drubbing of King’s (Pa.) on Saturday, as she potted two goals during the rout. It was the first multi-goal performance of her career and the second-multi-point outing this season.

Meeder has netted three goals in her last two outings, bringing her season point total to five (4g-1a), which ranks third among EC’s rookies.

The No. 4-ranked Soaring Eagles are back in action on Friday, February 14, with a massive tilt on the road against archrival Plattsburgh State. Puck drop against the No. 1-ranked Cardinals is scheduled for 7:00 p.m.

Gionta To Have Jersey Retired

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Randy Schultz
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CHESTNUT HILL, Mass. – Former Boston College men’s hockey All-American Brian Gionta ’01 will have his jersey retired by the program at intermission during the Eagles’ home game against Merrimack on Saturday, Feb. 15 at 4:30 p.m.

Gionta was a three-time Hobey Baker finalist (1999, 2000, 2001) and captained the Eagles to the 2001 NCAA Championship, the program’s first since 1949. A native of Rochester, New York, Gionta graduated as the program’s all-time leader in goals (123) and hat tricks (nine). He ranks second all-time in points (232) behind David Emma and sits eighth in assists (109).

The forward was a three-time First Team All-American and was named the Hockey East Player of the Year in 2001 and Rookie of the Year in 1998. A Walter Brown Award winner in 2001, Gionta was honored as BC’s Eagle of the Year as a senior after leading Boston College to four straight Frozen Four appearances.

Gionta, who was inducted into the BC Varsity Club Athletic Hall of Fame in October, was also named to the Class of 2019 for the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame. He will be enshrined along with Gary Bettman, Neal Henderson, Tim Thomas and Krissy Wendell on Dec. 12 at the Marriott Marquis in Washington D.C.

Kennedy Named UCHC Women’s North Player of the Week

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Randy Schultz
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William Smith College junior forward Jules Kennedy was named the United Collegiate Hockey Conference’s Women’s North Player of the Week by the conference office today. This is the third straight week a Heron has been honored by the league.

Kennedy led the Herons with eight points on five goals and three assists in a 2-0-0 weekend in Wilkes-Barre, Pa. In Friday’s 11-1 win over King’s, she matched her career-high with five points and recorded her first career hat trick. Kennedy scored twice in the second period and then completed the hat trick at the midway point of the third period. The next day, Kennedy notched three points in a 9-2 victory over Wilkes. She scored the first and fifth goals in a five-goal second period for the Herons. Her first goal of the game was credited as the game-winning goal. Kennedy added an assist in the first period.

Through 22 games, Kennedy is third on the team with 29 points on 11 goals and 18 assists. She has recorded a point in eight straight games. Kennedy is 18th in the nation, averaging 1.32 points per game.

William Smith is 15-7-0 overall and has won eight straight games. The Herons enter the week 11-2-0 in the UCHC and are tied with Elmira for first place in the conference’s North Division. William Smith is seventh in the nation in scoring offense, averaging 4.18 goals per game. The Herons’ eight-game winning streak is the fifth-longest unbeaten streak in the country.

Jr. Sabres Berke Named Player of the Month

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Randy Schultz
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Mississauga, Ontario – The Ontario Junior Hockey League (OJHL) announced today that Nate Berke (Photo by Shawn Muir /  OJHL Images) of the Buffalo Jr. Sabres has been named the Warrior North-West Conference Player-of-the-Month for January after he tallied 24 points during 11 games. His 18 assists were tops in the 22-team OJHL. His six goals included two game-winners.

In his third season with the Jr. Sabres, the 20-year-old – he turns 21 Feb. 16 – from Williamsville, NY has amassed 68 points during 41 regular season games. His 47 assists are tied for second most in the league. He’s fifth in the points race.

His best game of the month? Berke scored two goals and assisted on the other two as Buffalo defeated the top-ranked team in the OJHL, the Oakville Blades, Jan. 25.

Berke had previous seasons of 12 then 37 points, respectively.

The 6-foot-3 winger played high school hockey for Williamsville South and St. Joseph’s, both in suburban Buffalo.

Buffalo teammate Matteo Costantini was the conference player of the month in December.

Ryan Rosborough of the Markham Royals was runner-up to Berke as the North-West Conference Player-of-the-Month. The 19-year-old from Mount Brydges, near London, had six goals, including a shorthanded marker, and 11 assists in 12 games. The 6-foot-2 forward joined the Royals last season from the Jr. B St. Thomas Stars.

________________________________________________________________________________

About Warrior Sports

Warrior Sports is recognized as one of the sporting goods industry’s premier manufacturer of innovative, high performance, cutting-edge equipment, footwear and apparel for lacrosse and hockey athletes of all ages and abilities.

For more information on Warrior Sports, please visit www.warrior.com

About the OJHL – “League of Choice”

The Ontario Junior Hockey League is the largest Junior ‘A’ league operating under the auspices of the Canadian Junior Hockey League with 22 member clubs.  A proud member of the Canadian Junior Hockey League and Ontario Hockey Association, the OJHL was originally named the Ontario Provincial Junior ‘A’ Hockey League, formed out of the Central Junior ‘B’ Hockey League in 1993-94.  With a long and storied history of developing players for the next level, including U Sports, the NCAA, CHL, minor pro ranks and the NHL, the OJHL had more than 135 commitments in 2018-19, including 65 NCAA Division I scholarships.

(OJHL/Jr. Sabres photo)

Pellowitz & Flores Receive Weekly UCHC Honors

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Randy Schultz
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ROCHESTER, N.Y. — Manhattanville senior defender Zoey Pellowitz (Arlington, Va./Washington Pride (JWHL)) and freshman goalie Lena Flores (Chicago, Ill./Guerin College Prep) each received weekly honors from the United Collegiate Hockey Conference (UCHC), Tuesday, Feb. 11. Pellowitz was named UCHC Women’s South Player of the Week and Flores was named Goalie of the Week.

Pellowitz notched a goal and two assists in two games last week. She scored once on the power play in a 3-2 win over Stevenson University and then added her two assists in a 5-0 win over Alvernia University. Pellowitz was also an essential part of a defense that let up only seven shots against Alvernia. This is the first weekly award of the season from the UCHC for Pellowitz and second of her career.

Flores stood tall in net during both Valiant wins last week. She made 17 saves on 19 shots against Stevenson and then recorded a seven-save shutout against Alvernia. The shutout was her third of the season. This is the fourth weekly award this season for Flores. She has won Rookie of the Week three times this season. Most recently on Jan. 21.

Pellowitz, Flores and the rest of the Valiants return to the ice, Saturday, Feb. 15, against UCHC opponent Neumann University. Puck drop is set for 2:00 P.M., in Aston, Pa.

Statesmen Hold Down 5th Spot In National Poll

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Randy Schultz
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The Hobart College hockey team held at No. 5 in the USCHO.com poll announced this afternoon. The Statesmen will wrap up the regular season this weekend, Feb. 14-15, when they travel to Boston for a pair of New England Hockey Conference games. Hobart will take on UMass Boston Friday at 7 p.m. and sixth-ranked Babson Saturday at 4 p.m.

Additionally, Hobart is sixth in the PairWise rankings. The Beavers are ranked seventh. PairWise is a system which attempts to mimic the method used by the NCAA selection committee to determine participants for the NCAA Division III hockey tournament.

The Statesmen are 16-4-3 overall and 10-4-2 in NEHC following a weekend sweep of Southern Maine and New England College. The Statesmen scored four goals in the second period to knock off the Huskies 5-3. The following day, Hobart defeated the Pilgrims 3-2. Junior defenseman Mike Faulkner earned a spot on the NEHC’s weekly honor roll, four assists over the weekend. He assisted on three of the five goals against the Huskies.

Hobart enters the week ranked eighth in the nation in scoring offense (4.33 gpg), scoring margin (+2.04 gpg) and winning percentage (.761). The Statesmen are 14th on the penalty kill (87.2%) and 15th in scoring defense (2.26 gpg).

Individually, Hobart is led by junior Alec Robitaille, who has 11 goals and eight assists for 19 points. Seniors Zach Sternbach (10g, 8a) and Lawson MacDougall (5g, 13a) are right behind him with 18 points each. Faulkner leads the team with 17 assists. The Statesmen have 14 different players who have reached double digits in points. Twenty different skaters have at least one goal and 24 have tallied a point.

Sophomore Joe Halstrom and Liam Lascelle have split the minutes in goal this semester. Overall, Halstrom is 12-3-3 with a 2.25 goals against average and a .908 save percentage. Lascelle is 4-1-0 with a 2.21 GAA and a .904 save percentage.

The Statesmen are currently tied with New England College for third in the NEHC. Depending on results elsewhere, Hobart can still finish anywhere from second to fifth in the conference standings. With at least a point this weekend, the Statesmen will secure a spot in the top four and a home game in the quarterfinals.

UMass Boston is 13-9-1 overall and 9-6-1 in the NEHC. The Beacons are currently fifth in the conference with 19 points. UMass Boston is averaging a league-best 4.65 goals per game while surrendering 3.09. Daniel Nachbaur leads the team with 28 points on six goals and 22 assists. Nolan Redler is right behind him with 27 points on 17 goals and 10 assists. Bailey MacBurnie and Sam Best have split time in goal this season. MacBurnie is 6-4-0 with a 2.55 GAA and a .910 save percentage. Best is 4-4-0 with a 2.86 GAA and a .887 save percentage.

Friday’s game will be the 13th meeting between the Statesmen and the Beacons. UMass Boston leads the all-time series 6-4-2, including a 4-1-0 mark in Boston. Hobart has won two straight games, including a 6-2 decision in Geneva on Jan. 11.

Babson enters the week with a 16-4-2 overall record and an 11-3-1 mark in the NEHC. The Beavers are in second place, one point ahead of the Statesmen. The Beavers can lock up the No. 2 seed with four points in its three games this week. Babson is averaging 3.86 goals per game while allowing 1.59. Ryan Black leads the team with 29 points on 10 goals and 19 assists. Mike Egan has a team best 12 goals. Aidan Murphy has played a majority of the minutes in goal. He is 10-1-1 with a 1.61 GAA and a .943 save percentage.

Saturday’s game will be the 20th meeting between Hobart and Babson. The Beavers lead the all-time series 10- 5-4, including a 7-1-1 mark on home ice. Hobart is unbeaten in its last five games against Babson (3-0-2), including a 0-0 tie in Geneva on Jan. 10.

Amerks Weekly Report

By
Randy Schultz
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0

**This Week’s Storylines**

A LOOK AT THE WEEK AHEAD

  • Rochester continues its four-game road swing this week beginning on Tuesday, Feb. 11 with the first of back-to-back meetings against the defending Calder Cup champion Charlotte Checkers at Bojangles’ Coliseum at 7:00 p.m. The Amerks and Checkers will then conclude their season series the following night at 7:00 p.m. before Rochester closes the week-long road trip in Syracuse on Saturday with another go-around against the Crunch at Upstate Medical University Arena. The Amerks return home on Sunday, Feb. 16 when they host the Utica Comets to begin a season-long six-game homestand.
    • Rochester shows a 3-7-0-0 all-time record against Charlotte while boasting an 11-6-1-1 record in their last 19 games against Syracuse, which includes a 5-2-0-0 mark this season.
    • The Amerks have collected at least one  point  in 17 of the last  25 games  against  Utica  dating  back  to the start of the 2017-18 campaign, going 12-6-2-3 over that span while 14 of the last 23 games between the two teams have been decided by one goal.
  • The Amerks come into the week eight points back of the Belleville Senators for the top spot in the AHL’s North Division standings and have a slim one-point lead on the Utica Comets. Rochester, however, has two games in hand on both the Senators and Comets.

BUSY FEBRUARY

  • The month of February continues to be the busiest for the Amerks, who in all, will play a total of 10 games over a 19-day stretch beginning with their two-game road set against the Checkers Tuesday and Wednesday. The busiest stretch of the month comes later this week when the team embarks on a season-long six-game homestand over a 13-day span. Of Rochester’s 10 remaining games this month, eight will be played against North Division opponents with the only exceptions being the two in Charlotte and the final meeting of the season against the Lehigh Valley Phantoms scheduled for Friday, Feb. 21.A LOOK AT THE WEEK AHEAD

SHARING THE CREASE

  • Anchored by the goaltending tandem of veteran Andrew Hammond and third-year pro Jonas Johansson, who’s currently on recall with the parent Buffalo Sabres, the Amerks own one of the top defenses in AHL having allowed only 129 goals through the 48 games of the season, the fifth-fewest in the AHL coming into the week. The duo has also combined for six shutouts and rank among the AHL’s goaltending leaders as they both have 13 wins on the season.
  • Hammond, who is 13-10-2 on the season, is tied for second among all netminders in shutouts after notching his fourth of the year back on Dec. 14 in a 5-0 win over Laval, a new career-high. With four shutouts through 27 games this season, he’s on pace to tie the franchise record for most shutouts in a season (8) set by Ryan Miller during the 2004-05 campaign.
  • Johansson, who made his NHL debut with the Sabres on Feb. 4 against Colorado and made his first career start two nights later against Detroit, owns a career-best 13-3-3 record with two shutouts this season. Despite being on recall, he has the fourth-best goal-against average in the league (2.19) and ranks fourth among all netminders with a .925 save percentage in 20 games. Dating back to Nov. 13, the 2020 AHL All-Star selection boasts an impressive 11-1-1 record with two shutouts, a 2.11 goals-against average and a .930 save percentage while allowing just two goals or less in eight starts over that span.

TEAM LEADERS

  • Jean-Sebastien Dea, who remains the only Amerk this season to reach the 30-point plateau, continues to pace the team in goals (14) and points (31) through 43 games. Coming into week, Dea, who is also second among all Amerks forwards with 85 shots on goal, has 10 points (4+6) in his last 13 games since the turn of the New Year, including goals in two of his last three outings.

THE BEST OFFENSE IS A GOOD DEFENSE

  • Rochester owns three of the AHL’s top point-producing defensemen in Zach Redmond, Casey Nelson and Lawrence Pilut, all of whom have been mainstays on Rochester’s blueline this season.
    • The 2019-20 season is just a different chapter in the same story for the 31-year-old Redmond, who hasn’t gone more than five games without a point all season. The two-time AHL All-Star and reigning Eddie Shore Award winner is presently 17th in scoring amongst all defensemen with 27 points and is tied for 13th with a team-high 22 assists, nine of which have come on the power-play.
    • Back with Buffalo for his fourth recall of the season, Pilut has 17 points (5+12) over his last 22 AHL games dating back to Nov. 15, including goals in four of his last nine outings. Having already established a new AHL career-high in goals (6), the former SHL Defenseman of the Year is also on pace to set a new mark in points.
    • Nelson is tied for seventh among all blueliners with a team-best plus-19 on-ice rating through 44 games this season while rookie Jacob Bryson is tied for 14th among all first-year players with a plus-9 on-ice rating in addition to being tied for 13th with 17 assists in 47 games.
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