By Janet Schultz, NYHOL
After a summer break from the world of ice hockey, it’s time to prepare for the 2022-23 season with a look at what has happened and when teams will be hitting the ice.
First up is a quick capsule of collegiate women’s ice hockey so you can prepare your calendars for the home openers. We also have some new teams coming in this season.
WEST SECTION
Rochester Institute of Technology
Sarah Coe was named Goaltender of the Year for the CHA after getting RIT to the semi-finals against Syracuse, where they lost 3-2 in overtime.
Jordan Marchese took home the Stephen Walls Leadership Award and Coe was named All Rookie.
RIT said farewell to Seniors Taylor Sims, Abby Davis and Marchese.
Celeste Brown enters her third season as head coach when the Tigers hit the ice for an exhibition series on September 23 and 24. Their home opener is October 7 and 8 against St. Michaels.
Nazareth
Ending the season 27-2-0 and bidding a fond farewell to Seniors Maria diCresce, Nikolle Van Stralen (Bloomfield NY), Stephanie Kubis (Syracuse), Madison Nichols (who just signed with the Buffalo Beauts), Gabriella DeMeo (Hamburg), Kyla Thompson, Elie Fallieras, Cristina Darby (Saratoga Springs), Abbey Luth, Harlay Redders, Delaney Carle, Keeley Rose (Clayton), Adriann Brehm and Noelle Girorih.
Head Coach Chris Baudo has been coaching since the Inaugural Season in 2018. He and the team are back on the ice against William Smith for an exhibition game on Sunday, Oct. 16 in Geneva. Their home opener is scheduled for November 4 against Chatham at Bill Gray’s Iceplex.
Buffalo State
Rachel Grampp, long-time assistant coach for the Bengals, was named Interim Head Coach and then Head Coach of the Buffalo State Women’s Ice Hockey Team this season. The announcment came three games into the season. Grampp is a WNY native coming from the Williamsville Girls Ice Hockey Team of the WNYGVIH Federaton and then from Elmira College.
Not a great season in the record books, going 1-23-1 but with only three graduates, the team is looking forward to the upcoming season. They will be without Seniors Angelina Cruzal, Tori Fadeley and Rianna Schacker.
One historic note for this season: Sarah Jackson, a native of Niagara Falls who played for the NIagra Falls Rapids, scored her first collegiate goal on February 19 at Plattsburgh.
At the time of this posting, the Bengals schedule was not available.
University of Buffalo
The UB women’s ice hockey team has named their officers for 2022-23. Carlee Foley will serve as President; Izzy Battaglia, vice president; Emily Matthew, treasurer ad Sam Czora, Secretary.
Niagara University
Niagara will be having a women’s ice hockey team this season. The team will be playing in the ACHA D2 and will be coached by Anna Quattro, a WNY native who played in several teams in the Buffalo area. Ashley Beebe will be associate coach. The Purple Eagles will hit the ice October 1 at SUNY Brockport followed by a home opener on October 16 against SUNY Oswego at 2 p.m. at Dwyer Arena. Their next game will be at the West Virginia University arena on October 21 at 9:30 p.m. Contact [email protected] for more information.
Hilbert College
Hilbert College has added a women’s ice hockey team to its sports lineup. Serving as coach will be Cole Klubek. Klubek brings a vast athletics background to Hilbert, much of it coaching hockey at various levels.
Klubek, a Hamburg High School graduate, is currently the Hockey Director at Kendall Ice Arena in Miami Fla. As Hockey Director, he manages practice and game plans, new player recruitment, budgeting, USA Hockey compliance, and coaching. Prior to Miami, Klubek served as the head coach of the Laramie Outlaws (14U) in Laramie, Wyoming. He spent his years after high school in the United States Air Force. As a result, Klubek moved around quite a bit, but one thing always remained constant, he was involved in athletics. It started in 2008 in Shreveport, Louisiana, where he began coaching youth in-line hockey before being deployed to Iraq in October 2010. When he returned from Iraq, he would be stationed in Mississippi and he got involved with the Mississippi State University ice hockey program. The club program was about to fold, but Klubek jumped at the opportunity and helped recruit some more players and revitalized the program. After about two and a half years, Klubek was on the move again and headed to Germany. During his stint in Germany, Klubek served as the head coach of a professional women’s hockey team – Maddogs Mannheim. Klubek enrolled at Lincoln University in Pennsylvania in January 2018 and earned his Bachelor of Arts in English in May 2020. While at Lincoln, he served as a two-year captain as punter/kicker on the NCAA Division II football team.
Klubek has named Maddie Norton and Seth Van Voorhis assistant coaches.
Norton is a familiar name in the WNY area as a former player with LID of the WNYGVIH Federation, then on to the University of Buffalo and most recently as owner of Maddie Norton Sports Performance and Hockey Development, working with hockey players in building their skills at all levels.
Voohis brings 12 years of hockey coaching experience to the Hawks with stops at both the collegiate and high school levels. Most recently Van Voorhis was the associate head coach for the University at Buffalo men’s ACHA D1 program. Previously he coached with West Seneca East High School, Orchard Park High School, the Southtowns Stars, Dippin’ Dots youth hockey, and the Center State Stampede. Additionally, he was the video replay coordinator for Colgate University’s men’s and women’s hockey program. Van Voorhis is a member of the NHLCA BIPOC Coaches Program.
Hilbert will open their inaugural season with two games against the North York Storm at Leisure Rinks on October 14 and 15. They then faceoff against Alvernia College in Pennsylvania on October 28.
They will be focusing on joining the NCAA as a DIII team.
CENTRAL NEW YORK
William Smith
The 2022-23 season kicks off on October 16 with a exhibition game against Nazareth College on home ice. Season opener will be at Morrisville on October 29 followed by the home opener the following night against Morrisville.
William Smith said good-bye to five seniors: Emily Martino, Mary Kate Martino, Taylor Ettore, Anna Krajewski and Amanda Aalto.
Matt Cunningham completed his first year as Head Coach and is the third coach in the history of the program. In its first year in the New England Hockey Conference they lost 4-0 to Elmira in the semis of the championship playoff series.
Utica
Coming off a 21-6-0 season the Utica Pioneers will open at home on October 23 against Norwich.
They will be without Seniors Caley Susitti, and Sirena Fitzery (Hamburg), Lindsay Winter, Savannah Gutierrez, Georgiana Santullo, and Rebecca Brown.
Syracuse
Victoria Klimek, class of ‘22, has signed a pro contract with the Lehsands IF Swedish Ice Hockey.
Syracuse went 15-11-6 this past season and bid farewell to Seniors Shelby Calof, Lauren Bellefontaine, Abby Moloughney and Arielle Desmet.
They also bid farewell to the only coach of the team, Paul Flanaghan, who retired at the end of the season with one finale accolade, being named the CCHA Coach of the Year for 2022. He spent 23 years as head coach posting a 204-225-49 record at Syracuse. Flanaghan had 2 NCAA Tournament appearances, 2 CHA Tournament Championships and 1 CHA Regular Season Championship. He was 2001 ACHA Coach of the Year; had his 400th win on January 18, 2020 and is the seventh college coach to achieve that record.
Britini Smith has been named the new Head Coach of the Orange. Britni has been at Clarkson for 8 seasons, during that time the former St. Lawrence University standout has played a vital role in helping Clarkson post 207 victories, three ECAC Hockey regular season titles, three conference tournament crowns, seven appearances in the NCAA Tournament, showings in four Frozen Fours and back-to-back NCAA National Championships (2017, 2018).
Smith has plenty of coaching experience with Hockey Canada. The Port Perry, Ont. native has been an assistant coach with the Women’s Development Team (2018-19), acted as an assistant coach at the U-18 2016 IIHF World Championships, helping to guide Canada to a silver-medal showing and was camp coach for the 2014 National Development Team.
She served two seasons as a top assistant coach at the University of Toronto (2012-14), helping lead the Varsity Blues to a 21-9 overall record, including a 17-6 CIS mark in 2013-14 prior to coming to Clarkson.
An all-star defenseman for St. Lawrence, Smith played in 146 games for the Saints (2006-10) and accumulated 74 points on 20 goals and 54 assists from the blueline. As a senior, she was named a Top-10 finalist for the 2010 Patty Kazmaier Memorial Award. Smith tallied the third-most points in the country by a defenseman in 2009-10, recording eight goals and 17 assists. She also gained Second Team All-ECAC Hockey honors in her junior and senior years and was a three-time conference All-Academic Team member.
Smith played professionally in the CWHL for the Toronto Furies from 2010-14, serving as captain for the 2014 CWHL Champions. She also played for Hockey Canada’s U-22 National Team from 2006-10.
Morrisville
They closed out their season with a loss against Potsdam and a 6-16-1 record. Sierra Voeller is the only player to graduate this season, bringing back an almost full roster of experienced players.
Oswego
Coach Mark Digby was named for the 2019-20 season and has managed to coach the Lakers to a 16-8-1 record last season.
Graduating this season are Chyne Kennedy, Taylor Hudon (Alexandria Bay), Philomena Teggart, Aislinn McAleer
Cortland upset the Lakers 1-0 in overtime of the NEWHL semis; ending Oswego’s season. Brooke McArdl
Elmira
With a 25-4-1 record the Soaring Eagles graduated Jenny Heath, Morgan Mordini, Brianna Haviland, Mary McCafferty, Brooke McArdle and Elya Beaudin.
Cortland
Congratulations to Seniors Ally Stout, Kirsten MacDowell, Quinn Metcalf (Churchville), Emily Kromer (Angola), Lindsay Reyes, Johna Ezzard, Amanda Gaffney (Williamsville), Emily Steen and Katelyn Kantor. Head Coach Rick Filighera was named the 2022 CCM/American Hockey Coaches Association NCAA DIII Coach of the Year along with his assistant coaches John Briggs, Natalie DiMeglio and Chelsea Allain, being named Staff of the Year.
Cortland dropped their last regular season game to Canton but had already secured a place in the NEWHL playoffs. They beat Oswego 1-0 in overtime to move on to the finals where Plattsburgh scored 57 seconds into overtime to take the championship from Cortland 4-3.
EASTERN NEW YORK
Manhattanville
Seniors Tia Martignetti, Holly Meredith (Saratoga Springs), Kerry Carr (New Hartford), Taylor Ham (Saugerties), Laney Nash, Ana Tittmann helped Manhattanville to move to the champions where they were defeated by #1 Nazareth in the UCHC finals. Morgan Miller was named UCHC Defense Player of the Year.
Union
Coach Josh Sciba was named to the 2022 USA Women’s National Team coaching staff. He will join Head Coach John Wroblewski and Assistant Coach Shelley Looney on the bench for the Women’s Worlds in August.
Union will open their 2022-23 season September 23 and 24 in New Hampshire and then face RIT as their home opener on October 21.
Congratulations to Seniors Grace Herting, Katie Sonntag, Cassidy Michalicka and Maia Martinez.
RPI
Coming off a 9-23-0 overall season, RPI will play the Montreal Carabins, St.Cloud University, Boston University and Providence before opening at home against Mercyhurst on October 14 at 3 p.m.
They lost four to graduation with Delaney Weiss, Emma Hicks, Lilli Friis-Hansen and Mikayla
Capelle.
NORTHERN NEW YORK
Potsdam
Potsdam lost in the NEWHL semi-finals to SUNY Plattsburg 8-0 after a 9-15-1 season.
They lost three players to graduation…Ellie Cleary (Buffalo/Buffalo Bisons), MaKenzie Martin (Potsdam/Potsdam High School) and Stephanie Dunlap.
Potsdam will open their season right off with NEWHL competitors Oswego on November 4 and Buffalo State on November 5, both on home ice in Maxcy Arena.
Plattsburgh
The Cardinals ended their season 26-3-1 and with a 3-2 victory over SUNY Elmira in the third place game of the NCAA DIII Tournament.
It was also the end of collegiate careers for Seniors Holly Schmelzer (East Amherst/NJPE/Williamsville HS), Sierra Benjamin, Nicole Unsworth, Sara Krauseneck, Emma Killeen and Taylor Whitney. It was also the last game for Graduate Students Kaitlin Drew-Mead (Niagara Falls/Buffalo Bisons/Monsignor Martin WNYGVIH) Erin McArdle and Annie Katonka.
Plattsburgh will open with exhibition games against St. Michaels and then open the NEWHL season at Morrisville on November 4 and 5 before returning for their home opener vs Potsdam on November 11.
A note…Assistant Coach Julia Duquette is in her fourth season and is a familiar name to WNY as she played with Monsignor Martin of the WNYGVIH Federation and also coached with Bishop Kearney in Rochester. She also played for Plattsburgh.
Clarkson
Clarkson closed out the 21-22 season with a 22-12-3 record. They lost the ECAC Quarterfinal match to Quinnipiac, winning only one of the best of 3 series. In the NCAA quarters they lost 3-1 to the University of Wisconsin.
The Golden Knights bid farewell to Seniors Olivia Hanson, Morgan Helgeson, and Miranda Gaudet, as well as Graduate Students Caitrin Lonergan, Kristina Schuler and Amanda Zeglen.
The team will pen the 2022-23 season at Sacred Heart on September 23 and 24 and then host their home opener on September 30 and Oct. 1 against Bemidji State.
Alum Britini Smith has been named Head Coach for the Syracuse Women’s Ice Hockey team, replacing her former coach Paul Flanaghan, who retired.
St. Lawrence
With two losses to Yale in the ECAC Quarters, St. Lawrence went 15-15-7 on the season. They graduated Grace Smith of Ithaca, Claire Duley, Stephanie Voge, Fristen Guerrjero and Jamie Rainwell, as well as graduate students Jessica Poirier, Brittany Gout, Skyler Polver and Nara Elia.
The Saints will open the 2022-23 season at Colgate on September 18 before returning for their home opener against the University of Minnesota at Duluth on September 27.
Canton
The Roos had their best start in program history and tied the program record for the most regular season wins and fell one victory short of the all-time wins record. With a 13-10-1 season they bid farewell to Seniors Maggie Convery, Micahla MacIntyre and Klly Leathem.
The Roos will open the season with a double-header exhibition against Utica at home on October 21 and 22 and then officially open their NEWHL season against Buffalo State College on November 4 at 4 p.m.
NEWS AND NOTES
NY Hockey News
…Dawson Miletich is the recipient of the Bob Allen Scholarship. He plays for the Adirondack 46ers.
…Buffalo’s Eric Guzdek was named President of the NYSAHA and Linda “Groffy” Jenkins was named Secretary. John Ransom was re-elected treasurer and Joe Baudo was re-elected as a USAH Director.
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Around WNY…
The WNYGVIH Federation will begin their 13th season this Fall. Alden High School girls will be joining Lancaster/Ioquois/Depew to form one team. A new logo is coming.
..Morganne Dee was named Arcadia College Female Athlete of the Year. Dee played for LID of the WNYGVIH.
…Allison Greene of CASH was named Clarence High School Female Athlete of the Year.
…Ava Incorvaia was named Kenmore East Female Athlete of the Year and Carissa Buyea was named Kenmore West Female Athlete of the Year.
…Jaclyn Supples was named West Seneca West Female Athlete of the Year.
…Maddie Norton, a former player in the WNYGVIH has been named assistant coach for the newly formed Hilbert College Women’s Ice Hockey Team. They will hit the ice this season.
…Sarah Waszielewicz has signed with the Lindenwood College Women’s Ice Hockey Team.
…Bill Pavone, a founder and continuing supporter (at every game) of the WNYGVIH Federation is the recipient of the NYSAA Award for Community Service.
…Aizah Thompson was invited to and participated in the USA National Development Camp for women’s ice hockey.
…Former WNYGVIH player Erin Gehen has retired from the PHF Buffalo Beauts team to focus on her career as an associate director of athletics / volunteer assistant women’s ice hockey coach / compliance officer at SUNY Elmira.
PLEASE send Janet Schultz ([email protected]) all your women’s ice hockey news. Especially looking for for news on players native to New York State who may be playing at colleges/high schools/prep schools out of state. We will also share your tournmaent and special event information. Janet and Randy will be trying to get out to as many games as they can now that things are “bsck to normal.” We only made it to a couple collegiate games in the past two years.
