WHY ISN'T HOCKEY REPRESENTED IN BROCKPORT'S HOF?

This Saturday the College will have its annual induction ceremony and banquet for the Golden Eagle Athletic Hall of Fame. This year's inductees will bring the HOF total to 151 members. Of the 151, there is not one representative of the ice hockey team! Why the slight? The program has created many great student-athletes over the years and some of them are definitely hall worthy.

Maybe next year we can focus on getting someone inducted from the 43-year-old ice hockey program.

In the meantime, take a look at the nomination process and forms:

http://brockport.edu/athletics/halloffame/purpose.php

JERSEYS FOR SALE

Many DIII hoceky teams are supported by quite a few fans who wear their team's jersey. That's not the case in Brockport. Usually, if I wear a jersey I'm the only one in the crowd. Many people ask, "where can I get a jersey?"

Well, I found someone on the message board at gameworn.net who's selling a variety of college jerseys, including Brockport's most recent pre-Eagle home whites (see below). They are $165 each plus S&H.

The numbers available are: 29, 12, 15, 19, 4, 26, 5, 17, 23, 28, 27, 10"A", 16, 6, 11.

For info, contact Steve Stuart at stu2770@charter.net

89.1 BROADCAST SCHEDULE

WBSU, 89.1 FM, has changed its hockey broadcast schedule. The crew will be covering the following 18 games this year. If you're out of broadcast range you can catch the broadcasts live online at http://www.891thepoint.com/

I've also noted coverage in the home and away schedules in the left-hand toolbar.


Sat. 10/25 vs. Lebanon Valley

Fri. 10/31 @ Hobart

Sat. 11/1 @ Morrisville

Fri. 11/7 @ Geneseo

Fri. 11/14 vs. Platsburgh

Sat. 11/15 vs. Potsdam

Fri. 11/21 @ Oswego

Sat. 11/22 @ Cortland

Sat. 11/29 @ Castleton Tourney

Sun. 11/30 @ Castleton Tourney

Sat. 12/6 vs. Buff State

Fri. 1/9 vs. Worcester

Wed. 1/21 @ Western NE

Fri. 2/6 @ Plattsburgh

Sat. 2/7 @ Potsdam

Sat. 2/14 vs. Cortland

Fri. 2/20 @ Fredonia

Sat. 2/21 @ Buff State

FROM THE PAGES OF THE STYLUS LONG AGO

Back in Fall of 2003, long before I started writing columns for the local newspapers, I was a weekly opinion columnist for the Brockport Stylus. Ocassionally I'd write about sports issues (including one that infuriated alot of people: why soccer is evil).

One column I wrote was used to rope-in more fans to the hockey games, even though there was good attendance at the time. Well, here's the column. It got me thinking about maybe writing a guest letter to the Stylus in a couple of weeks to get the fans pumped up about the season.



EAGLES ON ICE
By Bob Confer

What could be a better way to spend a Friday night than watching someone get his face bashed in by an angry jock...or witnessing an unsuspecting soul having his head smashed into a wall…or dodging a projectile errantly launched into a crowd of you and your closest friends at 90 miles per hour?

Sound like fun?

It is!

You can witness this and more as the men’s hockey team hosts its first home game of the semester this Friday, marking the beginning of the only sport season that truly matters (I offer my apologies to the rest of Brockport athletics).

This is the time of year that Tuttle North Ice Arena becomes a veritable Wrigley Field on ice. Despite housing a team that has for years dwelled in the lower ranks of the SUNYAC, the arena is alive and electric on weekends during the fall and winter. Our bleachers are full of rabid fans showing support for what is the most entertaining team fielded by Brockport Athletics.

What draws such support?

Maybe it’s the whole feeling of being “right there”. Ice arenas are marvels of modern architecture, constructed so beautifully that you’re seated within a few feet of the battle. You get to see the hits up close. You can actually feel the checks. You can hear the various noises of war, like slapshots, grunts, and X-rated trash-talk. You’re so close to the action that you actually can, unfortunately, smell the moldy equipment and bacteria-laden jocks. Heck, there even exists the chance of getting smacked in the head by a misdirected slapshot.

Maybe it’s the brutality of hockey that attracts the masses. Besides football, no other intercollegiate sport can even be considered violent. Nothing beats the sights and sounds of a nasty check. Oh, the beauty of a well-timed hit and the limp body flattened against the plexiglass! Besides such legal violence, we occasionally receive a nice break in the action punctuated by a couple of roundhouse punches to the chin or gut of an arrogant enemy. Though not as nasty or as drawn-out as NHL fights, these fights are entertaining nonetheless and offer the best chance to witness a rumble on campus.

Maybe it’s the simplicity of hockey that brings in the spectators. To the uninitiated, hockey is limited in its strategy and rules. It’s so basic that even the most pedestrian of sports fans can comprehend what’s going on: boy hits puck, boy stops puck, boy hits boy, boy sits in penalty box. Other sports aren’t that simple. Take football as an example. So many nuances exist that the average woman who could care less about sports cares considerably less about football. Hockey, on the other hand, is so comprehensible that even your increasingly-confused grandmother will eat it up.

Maybe it’s the testosterone that attracts the fans. In recent years the attendance at Brockport hockey games has swelled to bleacher-stuffing capacity. Most of these fans - sometimes three quarters of them - are females. These chicks really dig hockey players. They arrive in bunches, often quite dolled-up, hoping to catch a glimpse of, and attract, dudes that they consider the epitome of “gorgeous”.

It may be difficult to pin down just what does attract the fans to Brockport Hockey. The point is, fans love it. Make an effort to attend either of this weekend’s games. You’ll see what the hubbub is about, and you, too, will become a diehard fan. Who knows, maybe this will be the year our boys surprise us and dominate the SUNYAC.

Go Golden Eagles!!

YOUNG WNY HOCKEY PLAYER NEEDS YOUR VOTES

This isn't a Brockport or DIII item, but it's good hockey stuff nonetheless. Check out this story from the Buffalo News....and vote for this young lad!

Clarence third-grader is finalist in national "Sports Kid of the Year" contest

For a “regular” kid, 7-year-old Derek Andrews of Clarence does some extraordinary things.

Struggling with a mystery ailment that is attacking his muscles, Derek nonetheless is a star at baseball — his favorite activity — hockey and soccer, and did great things for sick children and the Buffalo Zoo with money he won in a local contest. Perhaps that’s why Derek is one of six finalists in Sports Illustrated Kids magazine’s “Sports Kid of the Year” contest — and today learns if he has made it to the top four. His chances are good: In a contest that started with some 5,500 kids, he was the top vote-getter for most of the past week.

“He’s a wonderful person,” said Susan Corrie, the principal at Harris Hill Elementary School, where Derek is a third-grader.

Tricia Andrews, Derek’s mom, said the family entered him in the contest almost on a whim. Her husband heard about it from a friend and decided to enter. The couple were surprised when they learned their son had made the initial cut. As in “American Idol,” whichever contestant gets the most votes wins the magazine’s contest. Voting for the current round ends today at noon. If Derek makes the cut, as expected, voting continues until next Monday, when the top two vote-getters will be announced. The winner will be announced Oct. 13.

Votes can be cast by logging on to www.sikids.com

Derek has been under treatment since first grade for an undiagnosed ailment that is weakening his muscles. He undergoes physical therapy as often as four times a week and is now doing pool-based therapy. Doctors have not been able to determine what the ailment is, or what caused it. His parents are hanging tough, though, just like their son.

“I can’t say it’s getting better,” his mother said. “But it’s not getting worse.”

Despite his condition, Derek made his baseball league’s all-star team, won a spot on a hockey select team and was the leading scorer on his soccer team.

Not long ago, he won a Bank of Akron essay contest called “What I Would Do With a Million Dollars.” With his prize money — about $64 — he accomplished what he had promised to do in his essay, putting on a magic show for the youngsters at Women and Children’s Hospital of Buffalo and buying food as a welcome-home gift for elephants at the Buffalo Zoo that were returning from the Columbus Zoo in Ohio.

At this point, the Sports Illustrated competition is extremely tough. Derek is up against a 14-year-old girl from New York who won the Women’s Junior National Ski Jumping Championship last winter; a 10-year-old baseball, football and basketball player from Virginia; an 11-year-old Florida boy who hit 21 home runs this season; a 15-year-old female fencing champ who finished third at the Olympic Trials; and a 14- year-old boy from Iowa who is a Junior Olympics champion in track and field.

According to the Andrews family, the prizes this year include appearing on the December cover of the magazine with its athlete of the year — rumored to be Michael Phelps — as well as being the subject of a two-page story in the magazine, a ticket to the magazine’s dinner for the athlete of the year and possibly making the rounds of TV morning shows.

Derek is confident he will win. And he is unaffected by the tons of attention, especially from the media, he has received as he has made his way up the list, beating out some 5,500 contestants.
How does he feel about his success in the contest so far?

“Good,” he said.

What is his favorite thing? “Hockey.”

He also enjoys math, which he likes because — just like the sports he plays — “it’s a little hard.”

Derek wants to be either a baseball player or an astronaut when he grows up. Derek turns 8 Saturday.

What does he want for his birthday?

“To win the contest,” he said.

Oh yeah: and some Legos and a chocolate birthday cake.

2008-2009 DIII FROZEN FOUR IS IN PLACID

The hockey message boards have had rumblings about the DIII championship being held at Lake Placid again for the conclusion of the 2008-2009 season. I've looked at this with reservation since no proof could be found. Oddly, the NCAA has been mum about it.

Well, now there's finally proof. The Olympic Regional Development Authority has listed the March 21 & 22 event at its website:

http://www.orda.org/newsite/tosee/lineup.php

I'm there!

I was there in March of this year (Easter weekend no less) to see the DIII version of the Frozen Four and it was a real treat to see the event held where the Miracle on Ice took place. As a matter of fact, I really enjoyed seeing Brockport foe Plattsburgh get shut out by St. Norbert.

Lake Placid is a perfect, accessible location for us here in Upstate New York. It's a great town and an great venue. Nothing against Elmira (the 2006 host), but Placid beats the Hell out of it as a host site.

I strongly suggest that if you plan to go you book a hotel NOW. Many of them are already sold out (thanks to the Can-Am youth tournaments). One hotel right on Main Street still has a few rooms left. Check out the Northwoods Inn ($149/night):

http://www.northwoodsinn.com/default.asp

BROCKPORT'S STRENGTH OF SCHEDULE

Last year the Golden Eagles played 9 games against "top ten" teams! It was a difficult schedule, hence the 7-15-3 record which belied the team's competitiveness.

Brockport has a much easier schedule this year. The overall record of the 13 known teams is 130-188-22. There are only four teams on the list with winning records. Here they are ranked first to worst based on the 2007-2008 season:

Plattsburgh 25-2-0
Oswego 18-6-2
Hobart 18-8-2
Fredonia 15-9-3
Cortland 11-12-3
Buffalo State 10-12-4
Potsdam 10-13-4
Geneseo 8-17-0
Western New England 6-17-2
Morrisville 5-20-0
Worcester State 2-23-0
Framingham 1-23-1
Lebanon Valley 1-23-1

Note: I have not counted the teams in the Castleton tournament because who’s-playing-who cannot be known yet.

DONATE TO A HOCKEY ALUMNUS' CAUSE

Brockport hockey alumnus Sean McCrossan has given back to the program for years, always lending a hand for the alumni game. He's participating in a Cystic Fibrosis Foundation event - "100 Holes Of Marathon Golf" - on Monday and he's looking for people to donate to the cause. To learn more about the marathon and to donate to it, visit this site:

http://www.cff.org/LWC/dsp_donationPage.cfm?idEvent=8244&idUser=214766

HOCKEY MEMORABILIA RAFFLE

The hockey team began a raffle fundraiser today.

The two items they are raffling off:

(1) The Gretzky "Cup over Head" is a large piece. Framed dimensions are 31" x 43". It is a limited edition of 200 and retails for $1000. - $1200. This is hand-signed personally by Wayne Gretzky and comes with a certificate of authenticity (taped to back) from WGA (Wayne Gretzky Authentic)

(2)"The Goal" Bobby Orr. Framed dimensions are 25" x 33". It is the only reproduction that was taken from Ray Lussier's (photographer) original negative. This is an open edition and retails for $700. - $850. This is hand signed personally by Bobby Orr and comes with a certificate of authenticity by WGA

Tickets for the raffle are $10 each. The winning tickets will be drawn opening night, October 25th. For more information people can contact Mark Digby at mdigby@brockport.edu

THE POND COMES TO LIFE

Courtesy of Zamboni driver Todd Brudz, here are some great pics showing the ice arena coming to life....

GOLF TOURNAMENT CANCELLED

The golf tournament that was scheduled for later this month has been cancelled. Unfortunately, sign-ups for this event (which would have benefited the hockey program) have been slim.

JOIN THE GOLDEN EAGLE SOCIETY

Earlier today the Athletic Department posted the 2008-2009 membership application for the Golden Eagle Society. For eight years running, the GES has given friends of the College a chance to support Brockport sports and even attend the games at a discounted rate. There are various donation levels ranging from $25 to $1,000.

For Brockport hockey fans who are not students - parents, alumni, townsfolk - the $25 membership is a steal. By joining at that level you get a pass for two to all athletic events. At a few bucks a ticket at the door, the pass pays for itself after a few games.

The form can be downloaded here:

http://www.brockport.edu/athletics/GES/2008_Golden_Eagle_Society_Brochure.pdf

THE SITE NOW HAS A REAL WEB ADDRESS

I've streamlined the URL for this blog.

The web address is still http://brockporthockey.blogspot.com/ but I've added a real web address to it, too, to make it easier on spreading the word (it beats having to remember where "blogspot" fits into the address). Now, people only have to enter http://brockporthockey.com and they arrive at the website.

HOCKEY HELPS AT "MOVE IN DAY"

Nearly 1,000 College at Brockport freshmen moved into College residence halls on Friday and Saturday.

More than 300 faculty, staff and students - including the hockey team - turned out to help with the heavy lifting as part of the “Move-in Day” tradition.

“Move-in Day” began a decade ago when Richard Lair, The College at Brockport director of facilities maintenance, returned from moving his son’s belongings up four flights of stairs at another college. Lair thought it would be a good idea to have College staff on hand to lighten the load. The idea has since become a College at Brockport tradition and this year’s helping hands included those of President John R. Halstead as well as College vice presidents and staff from both the academic and administrative areas.

All of the hockey freshman who had moved in early (Adam Shoff, Oliver Wren, Josh Roarke, James Cody) showed up to help out the returning players with their community service project.

Here is a clip from Rochester's News 8 Now about Move-In Day. Near the end they interview Adam Shoff:

http://rochesterhomepage.net/media_player.php?media_id=56771

BACK-2-SCHOOL BASH

On Saturday the team helped out at the Back-2-School Bash run by the Brockport Free Methodist Church.

Mark Digby said it was a really good time and the guys seemed to have enjoyed themselves while working in their hockey clinic. One of Brockport's newest additions, Oliver Wren, even managed to get into the dunk tank for a few minutes and Sean O'Malley knocked him in on his first throw.

Mark provided these photos...

Rick Stanek (on the left) and Ian Finnerty (on the right) teach a girl how to shoot.

Oliver Wren in the dunk tank

ICE RINK ALMOST READY

Assistant Coach Mark Digby reports that the ice rink in Tuttle North is almost ready for the semester. The compressors were turned on in the rink last wednesday and the frost has begun to form. The ice making process begins Thursday around 4 PM and it should be skateable by Labor Day.

ADAM SHOFF LENDS A HAND AT HOCKEY CAMP

The Simcoe (Ontario) Reformer reports on Brockport's recent addition, Adam Shoff, helping at a hockey camp....

Barnes hockey school leaving kids satisfied and spent

With four-on-four summer hockey coming to an end recently, local kids didn't have to wait long to get back on the ice. This week marks the first appearance of the Barnes Hockey School at the Simcoe Recreation Centre, where 43 kids are back on the ice, readying themselves for the upcoming season. The camp has been run throughout southern Ontario in the past, and the move to Norfolk has been a smooth one.

"It's been an absolute joy to work with the kids here," said co-head instructor Ryan Barnes. "The facility people will do anything for you and it's been a great environment for us to work in. The kids and the families have been wonderful so it's been a real positive experience so far."

Ryan and his cousin Scott Barnes are the head instructors, drawing experience from all over the world. As a left winger, Ryan has suited up with the Detroit Red Wings, and several OHL and AHL teams. Scott is well travelled, having played in leagues in Scotland and Great Britain.
Shawn Smith from Mind of Muscle is handling the off-ice training portion of the camp, making it even more of a unique experience for the skaters.

"The environment we try to create is hard work and we want them to have fun at the same time. We bring Shawn (Smith) who's worked with guys in the NHL. He really brings a special element to the camp," said Ryan, who has been to development camps overseas. We've got a lot of positive comments from parents (about) slowly introducing the younger kids to the off-ice element of it, that's been big."

Ryan said his own experiences with hockey schools have had a big effect on his camp. "I've taken little bits and pieces from different places (where) I've learned things. I've been to every power skating school just looking for that edge as a player and always kept notes in the back of my mind and really turned it into our own brand here."

The camp has also enlisted the services of Port Dover's Adam Shoff, who will attend the University at Brockport on a hockey scholarship this fall. Shoff has been a teacher at the school before, but doing it in his own backyard has meant a little more.

"It's been nice to give back to the game and, for me, the area that I came from. It was a camp like this that gave me the opportunity and insight to want to go to the NCAA," he said. "Not every kid here is going to want that dream, but it's nothing that you can't achieve if you work hard. Hopefully a few kids will come out of this and it will give them an opportunity to see they can go somewhere if they really work at it."

As for the players, the camp makes for a great chance to get back on the ice before the upcoming season begins

"Because I love to play hockey," Brody Bridgwater, 10, of Port Dover said of his reason for going. "It's fun -- a lot of work."

During the third day of camp yesterday, the younger group was still a fired up bunch, loving being at the rink and all that goes along with it.

"They've got a lot of energy which is a good quality to have for wanting to get better as a hockey player," said Barnes. "We try to create an environment where the kids are going to work extremely hard and be better hockey players and, at the same time, have a lot of fun. I think we've had a pretty successful week so far. We've got two days to go and we'll keep on these guys and send everybody home happy."

Parents have certainly been pleased with the results.

"That's the best compliment we can get, when Mom and Dad say the next day, 'They were so tired last night. Thank you,'" Barnes said with a laugh. "When we're hearing things like that from parents, we know that we've done our job. That's been a common theme for sure."

Josh Evans, nine, of Hagersville, put it best when he said that his favourite part of the camp was simply, "Going on the ice."

TEAM TO TAKE PART IN BACK-TO-SCHOOL BASH

The College at Brockport Hockey team is participating in the Back-2-School Bash scheduled from 3-9 pm, Saturday August 23 at the old Wal-Mart Plaza parking lot on Route 19 in Brockport. The event, sponsored by the Brockport Free Methodist Church includes a full afternoon of activities and entertainment for Brockport area youth and culminates with a fireworks show at the Sweden-Clarkson Recreation Center.

Members of the hockey team will be staffing a hockey clinic for the children from 3-6 PM. Additional activities at the event include live entertainment, clowns, a reptile show, magic acts, a dunk tank, inflatable activities, a free back-to-school haircut and a variety of food vendors. There will also be an opportunity to have your children finger printed sponsored by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.

For additional information and a schedule of the events go to www.brockportfm.org

A SOLID YEAR FOR BROCKPORT RECRUITING

I received an e-mail yesterday that Brockport has recruited Tyler Davis, a defenseman from the Syracuse Stars, for the 08-09 season, adding to the list of recruits provided in an earlier blog post.

As last season closed out, the team and the fans were left wondering what the future held, what with 12 seniors leaving the team. Well, the future looks bright. Dickinson and Digby have done a great job in filling the roster and the new recruits and transfers bring some definite quality and character to the Golden Eagles.

Davis is over 6' tall. He, along with fellow recruit Gregg Amato (6'2") bring the height and size needed to hang with Oswego's and Plattsbugh's taller forwards. Last year, Brockport's defense was its best since the 1974-1975 season and this looks to continue (if not improve) with these additions.

With goalies Van't Hof and Spence graduating, Brockport was left with only one goalie. Now they have a good back up goalie in Oliver Wren, who had some solid numbers in his last year for the Oakville Blades...a .900 save % and a 3.35 GAA.

The offensive picks have been great, too. James Cody and Thomas Galiani were point-a-game forwards last year in the AJHL and Ian Finnerty was close to that level. They'll bring some much needed firepower to the team.

And, last but not least, Ray Tremblay brings character and leadership to the game. As you read here, he's playing hockey despite what should have been a career-ending injury. It is hoped that his will power and determination rubs off on others.

These guys, and others, should provide some great hockey moments in the years to come. All in all, a very good class of recruits.

BROCKPORT HOCKEY GOLF TOURNAMENT

You can support the Golden Eagles ice hockey team and have an enjoyable day on the course by participating in the second annual Brockport Hockey Golf Tournament. The event takes place on Saturday, September 27th, and is quite affordable at $75/person ($125 with sponsorship).

For complete details, download the form here:

www.geocities.com/bob_c14067/hockeygolf08.pdf

HOCKEY FIGHT VIDEO

On YouTube there's a 2005 fight between Fredonia and Brockport. Enjoy....

MICK UTZIG SIGNS WITH MAD HATTERS

Mick Utzig played for the Golden Eagles in the '02-'03 and 03'-04' seasons. The Danbury, CT News-Times reports on his current hockey career...


Mad Hatters sign three players

DANBURY -- The Danbury Mad Hatters professional hockey team signed three more players Wednesday as they prepare for their inaugural season in the new Eastern Professional Hockey League. The Mad Hatters have signed forwards Mykul Haun and Brett Riley and defenseman Mike Utzig to bring their roster up to eight players. As per club policy, the terms of the deals were not disclosed.

Utzig, a 29-year-old defenseman from Buffalo, N.Y., hasn't played professionally since the 2005-06 season. In two pro seasons in the SPHL, he played in 54 games and collected one goal, seven assists and 111 penalty minutes. Utzig (6-3, 225) made the biggest impact with the Huntsville Havoc in 2004-05, playing in 42 games and putting up a goal, five assists and 102 penalty minutes.

Before turning pro, Utzig played two seasons for SUNY-Brockport, playing in 47 games and recording six goals, 16 assists and 121 penalty minutes.

"Mike's a smart, steady defensive defenseman. He's surprisingly mobile for a big man. He's got a cannon from the point and is tough as nails," Tedstone said. "He's had offers elsewhere, but he wants to win a championship and sees Danbury as his best shot."

The Mad Hatters are scheduled to begin training camp on Oct. 22 and will play 50 games in their first season, with opening night scheduled for Nov. 1. For ticket information, look online at MadHattersHockey.com or call (203) 885-1128.

Source: http://www.newstimes.com/ci_9978551

RAY TREMBLAY'S RECOVERY

Brockport has picked up forward Ray Tremblay for the upcoming season. The forward spent last year with Division III Northland College where he posted 10 points in 27 games. He hails from Peachland, British Columbia and has an interesting story about his hockey career. This article ran in the Kelowna, BC newspaper a year ago....

Northland Hockey Recruit Recovers from Broken Back

The moment Ray Tremblay’s life took a drastic turn he knew something was wrong. Tremblay, a 20-year-old playing for Beaver Valley’s Junior B hockey team, was spending Christmas holiday at his grandmother’s house in Midway. Walking along the banks of the Kettle River, Tremblay slipped and fell, fracturing two bones in his back and throwing a promising future into question.

“I thought it was pretty serious right off the bat,” said Tremblay this week. “It knocked the wind out of me and I couldn’t get up. I fell kind of funny and I guess the spine just kind of gave way.”

Two bones in Tremblay’s spine were fractured. Months of painful rehabilitation lay ahead. Surgery was an option. A possible college hockey career was now in doubt. He couldn’t stop thinking of his current team, a young squad the veteran Tremblay was trying to help lead. When the dust had settled and after Tremblay had spent a couple of painstaking nights in the Grand Forks’ hospital, the Westside native learned that he had two options: Surgery which would likely mean never playing hockey again, or a back brace and months with virtually no movement.

Tremblay, a Westside Minor Hockey product, chose the road that would allow him to play hockey again. “I could have had surgery but I would have lost a lot of mobility in my back and might not have played hockey again,” he said of his choice to try and allow the back to heal.

“The first month or so I was pretty much in bed 23 hours a day. I could get up for about 15 minutes before it would get too sore.”

Tremblay’s ordeal began last Christmas. Incredibly, the 5-foot-10 forward is now back skating and back near 100 per cent just six months later. But it seems like much longer to Tremblay and his family. His father Cary was there when the accident happened and was with his son along the way. “It scares the hell out of you,” said Cary. “The first thing you worry about with a spinal injury is is he going to be able to walk. Then you worry about is he going to be able to do the things he loves to do. There were really hard days when you just didn’t know. There were setbacks when things didn’t feel right.”

Eventually things did start to feel right. After progressing through rehab, Tremblay was able to start walking with a back brace more and more. Then in March the back brace was gone and he was able to start walking around without it. But those months, lying in bed not able to move, are still fresh in his mind and probably always will be.

“It was tough spending everyday in bed,” said Tremblay. “But I couldn’t do anything about it, I couldn’t change anything. I had to keep positive. I didn’t cheat or do anything I wasn’t supposed to. And in the end it worked out.”

Before the accident Tremblay was the leader on Beaver Valley’s young team, lighting up the Kootenay International Junior Hockey League. In Beaver Valley’s first 35 games he recorded 23 goals, 19 assists and 102 penalty minutes. The team was looking to make a run at the championship.

“Ray’s injury was devastating to our team,” said coach Terry Jones. I thought we had a chance to win the league. With him getting hurt we never recovered. The thing with Ray is his leadership was incredible. I can’t stress enough how important he was to our team. Once the severity of his injury was determined I knew Ray would make a full recovery. He’s very determined.”

That determination, work ethic and character was enough that seven NCAA schools were talking to him about a possible scholarship. Once he suffered the fractured back, several teams dropped out. But not Northland College, a small Division III NCAA school in Ashland, Wisconsin. Northland followed Tremblay’s progress and eventually he committed to attend the College. The school, like many Division III schools south of the border, has a focus on education first. Tremblay will major in physical education and minor in athletic coaching while continuing to play hockey.

“I’m at a point in my life where I’m ready to get my life started and the education part is a really big factor,” he said. “And it’s great that I get to play hockey. I’m excited. That (college) is what I played for, it’s always what I wanted to do so I can’t wait to get there.”

They say everything in life is a lesson. Certainly going through something that Tremblay has taught him more about life and about himself than anything else to this point. Now fully cleared to be back playing the sport that he loves, Tremblay has emerged with new insight.“I just learned not to take things for granted,” he said. “You never know. Maybe tomorrow I might break my leg, so everyday, every chance I get to play hockey, I have to make the best of it, that’s for sure.”

BROCKPORT'S CURRENT RECRUITS & TRANSFERS LIST

AdamShoff, F, Port Colborne Sailors (GHJHL)

Brett Jendra, F, Kingston Voyageurs (OPJHL)

Gregg Amato, D, Port Hope Predators (OPJHL)

Ian Finnerty, F, Philadelphia Little Flyers (AJHL)

James Cody, F, Philadelphia Little Flyers (AJHL)

Jason Gorrie, F, Plattsburgh (SUNYAC)

Oliver Wren, G, Oakville Blades (OPJHL)

Ray Tremblay, F, Northland (MCHA)

Ryan Silveira, F, Plattsburgh (SUNYAC)

Thomas Galiani, F, New York Bobcats (AJHL)

CALLING ALL ALUMNI

Brockport hockey alumni, please send your e-mail address to me at: bobconfer@juno.com

I might periodcally send you news & announcements and I'd also like your e-mail as a means to contact you for future installments of "Where Are They Now?"

Also, if you have e-mail addresses for other hockey alumni, please send them my way.