Thursday, October 31, 2013

SUPPORT THE GOLDEN EAGLES IN MOVEMBER!

This classic pic shows the 2011-2012 sprouting their facial hair

During November each year, Movember is responsible for the sprouting of moustaches on thousands of men’s faces, in the US and around the world. With their Mo’s, these men raise vital funds and awareness for men’s health, specifically prostate cancer and other cancers that affect men.

Once registered at www.movember.com, men start Movember 1st clean shaven. For the rest of the month, these selfless and generous men, known as Mo Bros, groom, trim and wax their way into the annals of fine moustachery. Supported by the women in their lives, Mo Sistas, Movember Mo Bros raise funds by seeking out sponsorship for their Mo-growing efforts.

Mo Bros effectively become walking, talking billboards for the 30 days of November. Through their actions and words they raise awareness by prompting private and public conversation around the often ignored issue of men’s health.

The funds raised in the US support prostate cancer and other cancers that affect men. The funds raised are directed to programs run directly by Movember and their men’s health partners, the Prostate Cancer Foundation and LIVESTRONG, the Lance Armstrong Foundation. Together, the three channels work together to ensure that Movember funds are supporting a broad range of innovative, world-class programs in line with their strategic goals in the areas of awareness and education, survivorship and research.

No matter the country or city, Movember will continue to work to change established habits and attitudes men have about their health, to educate men about the health risks they face, and to act on that knowledge, thereby increasing the chances of early detection, diagnosis and effective treatment.
 
This is the third consecutive season in which the Golden Eagles ice hockey team have took it upon themselves to sprout facial hair for this worthy cause. They look forward for your support!

To make a donation to the war against cancer in name of the Golden Eagles or any one of them, check out this webpage:


http://us.movember.com/team/1259765

Wednesday, October 30, 2013

WBSU'S BROADCAST SCHEDULE

Brockport at Utica 11/2/13
Brockport vs Elmira 11/15/13
Brockport at Hobart 11/16/13
Brockport vs Cortland 11/22/13
Brockport vs Oswego 11/23/13
Brockport at Fredonia 12/6/13
Brockport at Buffalo State 12/7/13
Brockport vs WNE 1/9/14
Brockport vs Stonehill 1/10/14
Brockport vs Utica 1/18/14
Brockport vs Potsdam 1/31/14
Brockport at Geneseo 2/8/14
Brockport at Oswego 2/15/14
Brockport vs Fredonia 2/21/14
Brockport vs Buffalo State 2/22/14

A SPECIAL HOMECOMING FOR BROCKPORT ALMNUS DAVE ZEIS

Check out this WGRZ news video that looks at the special homecoming for Brockport alumnus Dave Zeis at the recent Sabres - Stars game. Dave is a trainer with the Dallas Stars. It should be noted that the story was produced and reported by WGRZ's Pete Gallivan - another Brockport hockey almnus!

Tuesday, October 29, 2013

2013-2014 SEASON PREVIEW: REASONS TO BE OPTIMISTIC



As I head into my twenty-first season as a fan of the Golden Eagles, I know that my interest in and my optimism for Brockport hockey have not waned. As a matter of fact, both have strengthened over the years. I find myself especially interested and optimistic about what will happen in the 2013-2014 campaign: All of the pieces are in place to have the team make the playoffs after a 3 year absence.

Last year’s 7-16-2 roller coaster was a learning experience for a full stable of young guns (14 freshmen in total), all of whom are a year older and a year wiser and can now capitalize on their abundance of talent.

It all starts between the pipes. If Brockport doesn’t have the best goaltending in the SUNYAC, it certainly has the deepest. 

Jared Lockhurst should challenge more of Todd Sheridan's team records this year

All Jared Lockhurst did during his freshman year was impress. The unflappable goalie bestowed with uncanny positioning and preternatural anticipation (he knows what everyone is doing before they do) was third in the conference in overall save percentage (.919), a number which broke the school record previously held by all-time great Todd Sheridan. The kid was lights-out in conference play, sporting a .922 save percentage and 2.79 goals against average in 11 games.

In the event he is injured, #2 goalie, junior Aaron Green (who could be a legit #1 on most any other team) is no pushover. In 6 SUNYAC affairs he had a .912 and 2.98 line. Overall, he had a .897 and 3.22 line, numbers that were brought down by one rough outing against Nazareth. Take that game out of the equation and Green’s save percentage was nearly .910. Playing an exciting brand of goaltending, Green’s Gumby-like athleticism can confound even the most seasoned teams.

Despite their skills, their success is dependent on the guys in front of them. Defensively, the team lost Mike Heyward (last year’s captain), but this year’s captain is certainly up to the task of leading the blueliners and the team at large. Senior Matt DeLuca is a high-character guy with smooth moves and a wicked slapshot that he’ll occasionally show off when he’s got the green light. Matt plays mistake-free hockey (only 12 penalty minutes last year), something that the team can hang its hats on – last year’s Golden Eagles were the least-penalized in team history.

Matt DeLuca will lead the team into the playoffs

Outside of Matt, Chris Luker and Bobby Chayka saw the most ice time last season and these physical men can certainly turn the tables on some of the big boys on the SUNYAC’s best lines. If Luker can cut back on penalties (44 minutes last year), he has the physical tools and vision to one day become an All-SUNYAC selection. Johnathan Demme is another potential All-Conference pick to keep an eye on: The 6’3” sophomore had just 2 penalty minutes in 20 games and there’s a reason he was on the number one D-line so early last season…he flows nicely to the puck and can match-up well with Oswego’s and Plattsburgh’s big forwards.

Not to sound like a hockey version of John Madden, but a team that prevents goals can only succeed if it scores goals, too. Brockport had a heckuva time doing that last year.

The team managed only 2.52 goals/game in 2012-2013, good for 63rd in all of DIII. I chalk that up to the inexperience of youth – the NCAA is so different than Juniors and it took the supersized freshman class some time to overcome that and learn what works. The talent is there. The history is there (all these kids were productive in Junior hockey). I will guarantee (yes, guarantee) that the team will add at least 1 goal to its average output this season.That could end up being a difference of 6 games when all is said and done.

The biggest surprises of last season were now-sophomores Jesse Facchini and Shane Cavalieri. Facchini had a team-high 19 points last year thanks to 16 assists. He always seemed to be in the thick of things and there’s no reason why this engine behind Brockport’s offense shouldn’t create more goals and score some himself (he had just 3 last year). Don’t be surprised if he puts up a run at 30 points this year..and next…and the year after. His on-ice awareness is that keen. Cavalieri was Johnny-on-the-spot and seemed to get a big goal whenever Brockport needed one. He led the team in lamplighters with 9 and came so close to becoming just the fourth true freshman to achieve double digits in goals scored (something last accomplished by the incomparable James Cody).

Upperclassmen who will lend them a hand are Christian Cangro, Troy Polino, and Brendon Rothfuss. Cangro saw more ice-time last year and it paid off for the cerebral forward, who had a 7-10-17 line. Expect the senior to go out with a bang and break the 25-point mark. Polino is a gym rat who has been quite productive since the start, having 15 points and 16 points in his first 2 seasons. Don't be surprised if he doubles his last year's output in goals scored (which was 4).

Brendon Rothfuss: 15 goals? Bank on it!

The real wildcard in the whole equation is Rothfuss – the 2 sport star made the sacrifice to forgo his lacrosse season so he could approach his final hockey season injury-free. What could that mean? The kid has quick strong wrists, is not afraid to take shots (and they are rarely garbage shots), and he has unparalleled vision, courtesy of his mastery of both sports. He’s my favorite to be the team MVP. He had 6 goals in 16 games last year while battling nagging injuries. Don’t be surprised if he finds the back of the net 15 times this season, a total reached only 3 times this century (Mark Digby, Steve Seedhouse and James Cody). He’s that good when healthy.  

The above core of players will be complimented by a wide array of returning players and another sizable (but talented) freshmen class (you can read about the recruits in the archives of this blog).

Everything coming together at just the right time, and everyone coming together in the right ways, should lead to a fifth-place finish in the SUNYAC. What can really help Brockport in securing a SUNYAC playoff berth is the home-heavy schedule in the semester. Then, who knows what can happen in the playoffs if Lockhurst or Green get really hot.

11 wins in the regular season are a real possibility and 13 are not out of the question if the team can secure a major upset or 2 from the likes of Utica, Hobart, Oswego, or Plattsburgh. I’m that excited about where this team is going.

Fasten your seat belts – this season will be a wild ride! 

Monday, October 28, 2013

WELCOME BACK, SCHWIND!

Greg Schwind returns to the program this year as an assistant coach. Greg was a standout for the Golden Eagles ice hockey team as made evident by his team MVP season in 2005-2006 when he led the team in assists (10) and total points (17) and was a member of the SUNYAC All-Academic team.

Here's his bio from the Brockport Athletics website...


Greg Schwind was hired as The College at Brockport ice hockey team’s assistant coach in the fall of 2013. Schwind was a one-year member of the Golden Eagles in 2005-06.

Schwind’s primary duties will include working with the forwards. He will be an integral part of working with the special teams as well.

“I am excited to bring Greg back to the staff,” said head coach Brian Dickinson. “Greg’s positive energy and knowledge of the game will only benefit our players on a daily basis.”

Before coming to Brockport, Schwind served as the assistant hockey coach at the University of Massachusetts-Boston. Schwind has also coaches at the Massachusetts Hockey Player Development Cam, the Bill Belisle Hockey School in Rhode Island and was a volunteer assistant coach at Brockport during the 2007-08 season. Schwind has also coached baseball for Hilton High School and Dover-Sherborn High School.

Schwind started out his collegiate athletic career at SUNY Morrisville. After two years, Schwind transferred to Penn State and was a member of the club hockey team. Schwind finished up his career at Brockport, where he led the Golden Eagles in scoring with seven goals and 10 assists for 17 total points.

Schwind graduated from Brockport in 2006 with a B.S. in Mathematics and then in 2008 with a M.S. in Education in Alternate Adolescence Mathematics.

Schwind is currently a math teacher at Brockport High School.



D3HOCKEY.COM TOP 15 POLL

The D3hockey.com Top 15 pre-season poll came out last night. The poll is voted on by a panel of 20 coaches, Sports Information Directors and media members from across the country.

As we've come to expect, the Golden Eagles have a vigorous (and rigorous) schedule before them.

Placing in the Top 15 are these SUNYAC opponents...

Plattsburgh in 2nd place

Oswego in 8th place

Among the outliers in the poll (those who gained points but didn't qualify for the Top 15), are these conference foes...

Geneseo in 19th place

Buffalo State in 24th place

On top of that, Brockport faces 11th place Hobart this season and twice battles Utica who sit at 3rd in the poll!

Check out the poll here:


http://d3hockey.com/rankings/men/2013-14/preseason

Saturday, October 26, 2013

GREEN/WHITE GAME TONIGHT

The Golden Eagles are holding a Green/White game tonight (October 26th) at 7:00pm at Tuttle North Ice Arena. They’ll be playing two 25-minute running time periods. The game will have a 7:00pm start time.

Coach Dickinson says it will allow the coaching staff to get the guys into a little bit of a game day routine so that they’re ready for next weekend when the season begins at Utica. They will have some of the league officials working the game to help the team get an understanding of how the game will be called this year.

There is no charge to enter and fans are encouraged to attend. 

Thursday, October 17, 2013

THE 2013-2014 ROSTER

Hockey season had its official start this week as practices began and the roster was finalized.

Here it is!




                   
1 Andrew Winsor Fr. G 5'8" 175 Coburg, ONT/Trenton Golden Hawks      
2 Robbie Hall Fr. D 5'11" 185 Schaumberg, IL/Trenton Golden Hawks      
3 Bobby Chayka Jr. D 6' 185 Hardwick, NJ/Granite City Lumberjacks      
4 Chad Cummings So. D 6'5" 205 Caledon, ONT/Wellington Dukes    
5 Michael Zagari So. F 6'2" 205 McKees Rock, PA/Jamestown Ironmen      
6 Marcus Farmer Jr. D 5' 10" 175 Caledon, ONT/Brampton Capitals      
7 Chris Luker So. D 6'4" 190 New Hartford, NY/Buffalo Jr. Sabres      
8 Matt DeLuca 'C' Sr. D 6' 200 Skippack, PA/Syracuse Stars      
9 Shane Cavalieri So. F 6' 195 Richmond Hill, ONT/Toronto Lakeshore Patriots      
10 Ryan Johnson Fr. F 5'11" 175 Barrie, ONT/Newmarket Hurricanes      
11 Chris Cangro Sr. F 5' 11" 190 Holbrook, NY/ NY Bobcats      
12 Nick Marinac Fr. F 5'9" 165 Burlington, ONT/Trenton Golden Hawks      
14                  
15 Sean Wallace Sr. D 5'11" 195 Rochester, NY/NY Applecore      
16 Troy Polino Jr. F 5'9" 190 Limerick, PA/New York Bobcats      
17 Jonathan Demme So. D 6'3" 190 Brampton, ONT/Orangeville Flyers      
18                  
19 Steve Sachman Sr. F 5' 11" 185 Medford, NY/ NY Bobcats      
20 Jeremy DeFazio So. F 6' 1" 195 Oakville, ONT/Georgetown Raiders      
21 Brendan Rothfuss 'A' Sr. F 6' 190 Webster NY/Syracuse Stars      
22 Jake Taylor Fr. F 5'8" 165 Port Perry, ONT/Lindsay Muskies      
23 Bobby Conner Sr. F 5' 10" 193 Lititz, PA/ Philadelphia Junior Flyers    
24 Jesse Facchini So. F 6' 185 Mississauga, ONT/Mississauga Chargers      
25 Andrew Parks Fr. F 6' 190 Orillia, ONT/Trenton Golden Hawks      
26 James Ryan So. F 5'6" 160 Richmond Hill, ONT/Toronto Lakeshore Patriots      
27 Kody Vaisanen So. F 5'11" 180 Dundalk, ONT/North York Rangers      
30 Jared Lockhurst So. G 6' 185 Caledon, ONT/Wellington Dukes  
31 Aaron Green Jr. G 5' 10" 175 Mt. Albert, ONT/St. Michaels Buzzers      
35 Joe Reagan Sr. G 5' 10" 217 Yonkers, NY/ NY Bobcats      
81 Chase Nieuwendyk So. F 6' 180 Georgetown, ONT/Trenton Golden Hawks      
91                  
                   
                   
 
               
 
               
 
           
       
         

Monday, October 7, 2013

GERSHON FINDING SUCCESS BEHIND PORT HURON BENCH

Mike Gershon was one of the finest defensemen in the history of Brockport hockey and an instrumental part of Brockport's playoff endeavors of a few years ago. He's shown like success as a coach in Port Huron.

There's a nice write-up about him at the Fighting Falcons' website...

Michael Gershon felt right at home when he joined the Port Huron Fighting Falcons coaching staff as an assistant before the start of the 2012-13 season. As a member of the 2009-10 Port Huron Icehawks professional hockey team, the Sparta, New Jersey native was already very familiar with the Blue Water Area, and McMorran Arena in particular.

When he took the reins as Head Coach and General Manager, he was confident he could do his part to help take the Fighting Falcons to new heights on and off the ice.

One year and nearly a dozen college commitments for his players later, Gershon has his team in first place in the North Division, and tied for the highest point total in the league with 16 points and a 7-1-2 record.


Read the entire article here:

http://fightingfalconshockey.pointstreaksites.com/view/fightingfalconshockey/news-332/news_88372