OPENING WEEKEND'S FACEBOOK EVENT PAGE

The gentlemen in the Eagles Nest have created an event page for opening weekend on Facebook. You can RSVP your attendance and connect with other attendees here:

http://www.facebook.com/home.php?ref=home#!/event.php?eid=118631101530300


Amongst the information shared on that page...

Friday - join us for tailgating from 530 to 630 brought to you by Brockport Rec Club. They will be hosting a noisemaker making event as well as face painting and other events in the lobby before the doors open. Feel free to bring your own signs and noisemakers. We need to keep Tuttle rocking as it has the last 2 years maintaining the home ice advantage for the team

WEAR GREEN to the game as Brockport hosts Potsdam in the home opener. The puck drops at 7 but capacity of the arena as been reduced so expect the game to sell and be there by 630 if you want a spot to stand on the bleachers.

Saturday - BLACK OUT THE RINK! wear black to the game as Brockport hosts Plattsburgh. Once again get there early to make sure you get a seat.

MEET YOUR 2010-2011 GOLDEN EAGLES!

Coach Dickinson officially unveiled his roster for the 2010-2011 season today. Here are your Golden Eagles...


1 Oliver Wren Jr. G 5-10 180 Oakville, ONT/Oakville Blades
2 Ian Chapman Fr. D 6-5 215 Batavia, NY/North York Rangers
3 Gregg Amato Jr. D 6-2 200 Ocean Gate, NJ/Port Hope Predators
5 Bobby Connor Fr. F 5-10 192 Lititz, PA/Philadelphia Junior Flyers
6 Tyler Davis Jr. D 6-0 180 Queensbury, NY/Syracuse Stars
7 Steve Sachman Fr. F 5-11 185 Medford, NY/NY Bobcats
8 Matt DeLuca Fr. D 6-0 190 Skippack, PA/Syracuse Stars
9 Ian Finnerty Jr. F 6-0 180 Ardmore, PA/Philly Little Flyers
11 Chris Cangro Fr. F 5-11 190 Holbrook, NY/NY Bobcats
12 Nick Panepinto So. F 5-11 185 Tonawanda, NY/Buffalo Jr. Sabres
14 Justin Noble Sr. F 5-11 190 Georgetown, ONT/Guelph Dominators
15 Sean Wallace Fr. D 6-0 190 Rochester, NY/NY Applecore
16 Brett Jendra Jr. F 5-11 170 Bolingbrook, IL/Kingston Voyagers
17 Adam Shoff Jr. F 5-9 175 Port Dover, ONT/Port Colborne Sailers
18 Colby Spooner So. D 5-8 175 Hilton, NY/Aquinas HS
19 Tom Galiani Sr. F 5-7 160 Lindenhurst, NY/New York Bobcats
20 James Cody Jr. F 6-2 205 Schwenksville, PA/Philly Little Flyers
21 Ray Tremblay Sr. F 5-10 185 Peachland, BC/Beaver Valley Nitehawks
22 Mike Hayward So. D 6-2 200 Toronto, ONT/Vaughan Vipers
23 Chris Berardini Sr. F 5-11 175 Batavia, NY/Maksymum
24 Brendon Rothfuss Fr. F 6-0 190 Webster, NY/Syracuse Stars
26 Dan Galiani So. F 5-10 170 Lindenhurst, NY/New York Bobcats
27 Mike Baxter Fr. F 5-10 160 Bracebridge, ONT/Fort Erie Meteors
28 Nick Sampson Sr. D 5-8 165 Mississagua, ONT/Bramelea Blues
29 Patrick Hayden Fr. D 5-9 170 Springfield, PA/Philadelphia Little Flyers
31 Jeremy Rossignolo Sr. G 5-10 180 Rochester, NY/Franklin Pierce Ravens
35 Joe Reagan Fr. G 5-10 200 Yonjers, NY/NY Bobcats

2010-2011 SEASON PREVIEW: A WINNING TRADITION

Call it luck, coincidence, or fate.

Whatever it is, the past couple of seasons have marked a turning point for the ice hockey program at Brockport. Just think of how these various positive things have converged on the Golden Eagles all at once:

• A huge fan base that creates a true home ice advantage at Tuttle North. Who would have imagined, even just 3 years ago, that the arena would regularly host in excess of 1,000 fans…or the team would be followed across the state by rabid – and boisterous - student fans?

• Todd Sheridan’s exceptional career. The cancer survivor was given a chance by Coach Dickinson and the College. The results: 11 record broken and countless memories for the fans

• This blog which connects students, alumni, parents and the DIII community to the team. Few programs can lay claim to such a promotional tool

• Saves for a Cure came onto the scene, collecting charitable funds from the college and community at large in an effort to bring comfort to the Rochester region’s youngest cancer patients

• Two home playoff games. The first two in program history…and the first two playoff wins in program history

• And last, but certainly not least, success. After some time as being a competitive yet rarely victorious team, the Golden Eagles now expect to win games and they are driven to that goal, producing two successive 14-win seasons which have positioned Brockport as team to reckon with not only in the SUNYAC but in all of Division III hockey.

It’s that new winning tradition, one that’s certain to stay with this high-character team for the long haul with its excellent leadership (on-ice, in the locker room and in the classroom ) and this past off-season’s awesome recruiting class, one that sets the bar high for future classes.

Despite this, you’re almost guaranteed that the team will be looked at as underdogs once again by SUNYAC coaches and DIII followers. Certainly, none of them expected the first 14 win season nor did they the second one: In both seasons the SUNYAC coaches poll had them pegged to finish 7th in the conference.

The team has shown time and again that they relish that role. It drives them to outperform the rest of the conference and it will do the same again this season, even if the SUNYAC coaches see the light and rank them 3rd or 4th. These guys want to exceed expectations, no matter how high they are.

You can thank the captaincy for that.


Leadership




Repeating team captain Justin Noble has been a high-gear player since his first days on the ice at Brockport, playing a great brand of defensive forward against some of the best lines in all of Division III. Relentless in his approach to the game, he fights for the puck at both ends of the ice and is among the best checkers and puck handlers on the team.

His assistant, Ray Tremblay, plays with the same fervor that allowed him to overcome what should have been a career-ending back injury…a real inspiration to his team mates and one of the better personal success stories in DIII. Quick, with good vision for the whole ice sheet, he makes plays happen, as made evident by his 19 assists last season.

The other “A” will be worn by Adam Shoff this season, someone who is a real fan favorite and is beloved by his team mates (and has been everywhere he has played). Strong, reckless with his body and possessed of a dynamo’s energy, his numbers (10 points last season) belie what he brings to the team, whether it’s killing penalties or playing some steady defense from the offensive position. He does the little things that bring the victories and motivate the team to take their energy to his level.

Those gentlemen are who keep the team cohesive, a unit of players that has shown remarkable togetherness and team work the past two seasons.



Forwards



If Brockport had a weakness last year, it was in the goal-scoring department. The team lit the lamp only 82 times, good for 51st in the nation and an average score of 3.04/game. That output ranked them only 27th among all the Golden Eagles teams of the past.

But, it wasn’t for a lack of some strong performers.Ian Finnerty may have had one of the quietest big seasons in recent memory. His 24 points (7 goals, 17 assists) snuck up on the fans and reporters. That, to me, means he’s a consistent playmaker, one who contributes each and every game, just floating under the radar with his ongoing contributions. With more firepower around him this year, the junior might make a run at 30 points this year or next.

And, then there’s James Cody.

With Todd Sheridan now in "retirement", young James might be the face of Brockport hockey. He’s a special talent who scores in bunches (leading the team the past 2 years), excels in the clutch (see what he did against Potsdam in the playoffs the last 2 years), and hits like a son-of-gun (among all SUNYAC forwards, he is the premier checker and open ice hitter). He is the most entertaining player on the team, his electric style of offense and hitting sure to produce a few highlights every game.

The lack of goals was well-addressed by Coach Dickinson. He had some brilliant pick-ups in the recruiting department that include Steve Sachman (15 game winning goals over the last 2 AJHL seasons), Bobby Conner (51 points in 42 games with the Junior Flyers) and Chris Cangro (+34 with the Bobcats last year).

Goals should come early and often for those guys and as the Golden Eagles veterans grow there’s no reason why the team shouldn’t score an extra 18 goals this season.




Defensemen




Brockport’s defensive performance was out of this world last season, allowing 3.11 goals a game, for a total of only 84 over the 27-game season. That set a new scored record for the fewest goals allowed per game, besting the previous season when 90 were let in.

That was without their number one defenseman Gregg Amato in the home stretch. He missed the last 5 games following an injury in the Geneseo game. He was on pace to best Brockport’s single-season scoring record for defenseman, finishing with 18 points, a great addition to his slick defensive skills which allow him to cover a lot of ice.

His crew is rounded out by the likes of Tyler Davis (yet another high-energy impact player), and Mike Hayward (a playmaking defenseman in the mold of Amato). They are an scary bunch of hard hitters who play intelligently.

They will be joined this year by an excellent recruiting class which includes standouts like Ian Chapman and Matt Deluca among others.

Hockey purists will enjoy watching the defensemen as they are a very-effective and highly-skilled group.



Special teams


Goals may not have come easy at full strength last year, but they did with a man advantage. Never a team known for a flashy power play, that’s where the team excelled: With two weeks left in the regular season they had the 9th best PP unit in the country. They finished the season 12th best finding success on 23% of their chances (38 of 165). The penalty kill was just as awesome, ending up 14th best in DIII, killing 85.5% (124 of 145) of their opponent’s man advantages. Helping along those numbers was the fact that the Golden Eagles were the 45th-least-penalized team in DIII, facing only 14.8 minutes in the box per game.



Goaltending




With Todd Sheridan having completed his 4-year career as perhaps the best Brockport hockey player ever, and the most respected goaltender in the SUNYAC, goaltending becomes a question mark.

Or does it?

If anything, the netminding is left in capable pads.

For the past 2 seasons, Oliver Wren has served as back-up and when given the chance to play has done well. Last season he saw action in 5 games (including 3 starts) and he amassed a spectacular .919 saves percentage and a 2.51 goals against average which featured a shutout. If he can match those numbers over the course of an entire season you’re talking about something special. Oliver plays an excitable, constantly-in-motion manner of goaltending that should keep the fans entertained this year.

The team added Joe Reagan over the summer, someone who instantly keeps Brockport’s goaltending unit as the very best unit in the SUNYAC, just as it has been the past few years. An accomplished stopper, he played with the Bobcats the past two seasons and his numbers are real jaw-droppers. Last season he saved .929 of the shots he faced and he posted a sick 2.19 GAA. In the season prior, he was just as efficient with a .931 saves percentage.



Predictions

2010-2011 should be just as exciting as the past two seasons, even more so as some of the pick-ups adjust to DIII. Like I said earlier: Winning is the new tradition with the Golden Eagles. What will that equate this season? How about a 15-9-1 record in the regular season.

My predictions have been nearly dead-on the past two seasons. So, watch out, SUNYAC.

TODD SHERIDAN FEATURED IN STYLUS

This week's Brockport Stylus features the following interview with Todd Sheridan...


Former Brockport goalie still making "saves"
By Trevor Francis

Todd Sheridan is one of the most well-known athletes in Brockport's recent history. He holds the record for best single season save percentage at .917 and highest career saves percentage .904. And in his four years as Brockport's starting goalie on the ice hockey team, he broke 11 total records and holds the top four lowest averages for goals allowed per game in a season. More importantly, though, Todd was diagnosed and later beat cancer and went on to start his own charitable company to help others who are battling the disease.



What drew you into playing sports, specifically as a goalie?

TS: I grew up in a hockey family. My dad was a hockey fan, my three older brothers are all hockey fans and one played hockey. It was also the little-brother-mentality of wanting to be better than my older brothers. Most kids start at forward or center. They want to score goals, but I like the pressure of playing goalie. With other positions, if you make a mistake your teammates can bail you out, but as a goalie, every time I make a mistake it's on the scoreboard for everyone to see.



How are you still involved in hockey?

TS: Right now, I am enjoying being out of the spotlight. I played hockey for 21 years, there were some minor-pro offers but none of them were worth dropping out of school with one semester left. I have been working with Brockport coaches and players as a goalie helper. I am also the goalie coach for Tri-county Youth Hockey, with the squirt team, which has been great because it takes me back to when I was a kid, when hockey was about having fun.

It will be hard to watch the games from the sidelines, but it will be good for the team. There is a lot of overall talent and the goalies are more than capable. Fans can focus on other players besides me.



What have sports meant or what do they continue to mean in your life?

TS: As a kid, I played hockey and soccer. It served as a great way to get rid of stress and to make friends with other kids with similar interests. When I was diagnosed with cancer it provided me with the mindset of an athlete to not want to only survive cancer but to beat it all together. There is a big difference to me in those terms, surviving cancer still gives the cancer the power, but I beat it. Sports gave me the mindset to treat cancer like another opponent to challenge and that helped a lot.



How important was sports as a haven away from cancer for you?

TS: There was no possibility playing during the chemo; my doctors told me I could never play sports again. So, after I beat the cancer, getting back into the goal was another challenge to overcome. I don't want to get into the numbers or the percentages the doctors gave me, but they were more focused on my survival. Getting my body healthy enough to play again was not even mentioned.

I liked going through the chemo feeling sick, because I knew that the more sick and weak I felt, the worse the tumor felt, and that is where being an athlete helped. I knew I was stronger than the tumor.



Did anyone try to talk you out of playing, or try to get you to focus on your interests outside of sports?

TS: Basically, everyone did. My parents supported me but they were nervous. Chemo weakens the body, so there was a huge risk of getting injured. All of the Division-I offers that I had prior to cancer went out the window. Colleges were afraid to take a chance on me because they were afraid I would get hurt.



Did that ever make you angry or resentful, or do you ever wonder where you would be if you never had cancer?

TS: There really was no time to be angry. I just wanted to play hockey again. Being able to get back into the pads proved again that I really beat cancer and I could return to my normal life. There were people telling me that I could transfer after I played a couple of years at Brockport and proved I could compete at a high level again.

Brockport was the only college to take a chance on me though, it would have been a sort of betrayal by me to leave, I owe the coaches my time as a way to thank them.



How do you want to be remembered, as a great goalie, or a person who set up their own company to help others with cancer or a source of inspiration who overcame great odds?

TS: I was part of a team that won a playoff game for the first time in Brockport's history; Brockport hockey was transformed into a contender and the most popular sport in the college. I am proud to have contributed to that. Now, hockey can be known for supporting something else; Saves For A Cure can help local kids who are battling cancer. Oswego and Cortland will have Saves For A Cure games this year. Right now we are trying to put pressure on other SUNYAC teams to use it, too. It helps out kids and it improves the image of the colleges that use it.



How important was sports as a platform to build your company on?

TS: It gave the company a lot more publicity and an easier way to reach people. So far, it's been a positive experience. The SUNYAC teams seem willing to jump on board. My goal is to get every SUNYAC team to have a Saves For A Cure game. Since I am from New Jersey and I have lived in Connecticut and Texas and which helped me because I have a fairly expansive list of connections, which will hopefully allow me to expand much further.



Where is Saves For A Cure now?

TS: I had an idea to start a company to help people who are going through what I went through. I realized, like most people, that I had no idea how to start a company.

Saves For A Cure is a company, not a charity; there was a two-year legal battle to get incorporated, we won. We are a 100 percent revenue company and we give every penny of the money from the things we sell to upgraded cancer facilities that need it.

Medicine is great, but doctors and people cure cancer now and I want to have an immediate impact. Bob Confer helped me with the business side of the company. He was the main part in turning Saves For A Cure from an idea into something tangible. It was very important for me to be completely non-profit. It makes the work we do harder, but I can sleep at night knowing I did the right thing.

Too many companies that are marketed as non-profit end up making money. It bothers me that some people are becoming millionaires as heads of non-profit companies when it should be about helping others. The main thing I could tell people is to do their research before donating any money. Make sure you know where the money is going before you choose to donate. Saves For A Cure is on Facebook. People can become a fan if they want to learn more.



Source:

http://media.www.thestylus.net/media/storage/paper1380/news/2010/10/13/Sports/Former.Brockport.Goalie.Still.Making.saves-3943890.shtml?reffeature=htmlemailedition

SLIGHT CHANGE TO SCHEDULE

Please note that the schedule shown in the left toolbar has been altered. The WNEC game scheduled for Saturday, January 8th was originally set for 7:00 PM. The game is now a matinee affair starting at 3:00 PM.

TENTATIVE ROSTER ONLINE

The hockey team's tentative roster is now available online. The roster will be pared down this upcoming weekend with the issuance of uniform numbers to follow. Check out the list here:

http://www.brockport.edu/athletics/icehockey/roster.php

ALUMNI GAME SET FOR OCTOBER 30

The Golden Eagles alumni game will take place on Saturday, October 30th at 1:30 PM.

The timing of this annual event will allow alumni to watch the active members of their Golden Eagles brotherhood take on Plattsburgh at 7:00 PM. After the varsity game the alumni will celebrate old times at Flash's Tavern in the village.

If interested in playing in the game please contact Tim Panek at tpanek@rochester.rr.com

TODD SHERIDAN'S WNY TONIGHT APPEARANCE NOW ON YOUTUBE

Back in March of 2008, while Saves For a Cure was being formed, Brockport goaltender Todd Sheridan appeared as the guest for an hour-long installment of WNY Tonight that was carried throughout the Buffalo Niagara Region. The episode is available in 5 installments online, here's Part One....

PEP BAND UPDATE

The hockey team will join the ranks of Geneseo with their own pep band this year. The band formed this semester and will be performing at various sporting events throughout the year. Here's an update about the band from the pages of this week's Stylus....



Brockport pep band screaming for spirit
By Tim Fenster

Brockport sophomore Jessica Lahue said she remembers a Brockport ice hockey game last year when Golden Eagles fans had to be extra loud, because the opposing team brought their pep band.

Now, fans of the opposing teams at ice hockey, football, and men's and women's basketball games will have to be louder, because Brockport has its own pep band.

The Brockport Screaming Eagles pep band formed at the beginning of this semester, and Adam Standish, coordinator of scholarships and special projects, said he hopes the band will be ready to play at a home football game within the next two weeks.

Standish advises the student-group.

"My job is to give them guidance, but I really want them to develop a program where [the students] are in control," Standish said.

Standish said their original goal for the pep band was to get about 30 members. The band now has 75 active members.

The pep band has no conductor, but is now choosing several students to lead and possibly conduct the band, Standish said.

So far, the band has had three practices, which are held every Sunday night in the Union. Standish said the students have exceeded his expectations.

"It's been a pleasure … I didn't know what they'd sound like and they just blew me away," Standish said.

Most of the band's members have years of musical experience from playing instruments in grade school. Lahue said she began playing the clarinet when she was 10 years old. Brockport senior Caroline Boron said she's been playing the clarinet since third grade.

"I played in pep band in high school and when we played at our home football games it would get the crowd going and people would really enjoy it and get more into the game and bring more team spirit," Boron said. "Music kind of brings people together like that."

While those interested in the pep band don't need a lifetime of musical experience to join, most will need their own instrument, since the college will only purchase percussion instruments, Standish said.

For uniforms, the Screaming Eagles will wear gold T-shirts. Standish said band members are now designing the T-shirts. One band member created six different T-shirt designs and the design that gets the most votes will be used.

One of the T-shirts has a slogan that says "Brockport pep band, if it was any easier it would be called football," Boron said.

"I don't know if the football players will like it so much, but they should just be excited that we're there trying to pump the crowd up," Boron said.

The Screaming Eagles are currently learning songs, which include the "Star Spangled Banner," the Jaws theme, the Brockport fight song and a more upbeat version of Brockport's alma mater, among many other "sports songs," Standish said. In addition, Boron said the band is trying to rewrite and learn some current popular songs, such as "Poker Face" by Lady Gaga

Enrollment Management and Student Affairs are providing funding for the pep band's percussion instruments, T-shirts and lyres, which are small music stands that clip to instruments.

Standish also said he volunteered because of his experience with music - he plays several instruments and has played percussion for about 15 years.

"Because of my love for music, I thought it'd be great to move forward with this idea," Standish said. "I wish when I was a student at Brockport the college had a pep band."

Vice president for Enrollment Management and Student Affairs Katy Wilson began the push for a new pep band because many visiting school's sports teams brought their bands, Standish said. The idea for a pep band began in February 2010 and the proposal has picked up steam ever since.

Currently, Enrollment Management and Student Affairs is coordinating with the athletic department to figure out when the Screaming Eagles can play without disrupting the coaches or players, Standish said.

Although the group is now only preparing to play in the stands, Standish said he hopes that one day the band is able to branch away from the stands and do things like marching in the Homecoming Parade or playing a show at halftime.

"We really want to build school spirit with this program, especially at our sporting events … so that everybody has a great time," Standish said. "With a little music on the side, hopefully it will help build that school spirit at the college."

The pep band practices every Sunday at 7:30 p.m. in the Union Lounge. Those interested in joining should contact Adam Standish at astandis@brockport.edu.

TUTTLE NORTH CAPACITY DROPS

The capacity at Tuttle North Ice Arena is listed at 1,800. In the past two seasons that number has been reached a handful of times. The arena was also at 80% capacity on 8 other occasions.

Tuttle North will be at capacity this upcoming season, but, unfortunately not for the case of there being more fans: The Golden Eagles are losing over 400 from their total capacity. It will be down to accommodate construction of the Special Events and Recreation Center. Because of SERC, the west doors are no longer accessible as exits.

I asked Coach Dickinson, who is also the ice arena manager, about the impact of SERC. He said:

"This situation creates a safety hazard in case of emergency. The capacity is based off of distance to nearest exit. Because of the nearest exit now being the double door on the north wall (directly behind the visitors goal), it is necessary to block off approximately the top 5 rows of the west side bleachers. I've been told it will be like this for 2 seasons. Not ideal but necessary for compliance. Once the SERC is built, all will return to normal...the end result will be awesome with the addition of such an important new building on campus."

So, fans should make it a point to arrive early this year. I would not be surprised if at a big game -- like Geneseo or a playoff -- fans will have to get turned away.

GERSHON GETS INVITATION TO AHL

Mike Gershon, a standout defenseman who graduated from Brockport in 2009, was invited to the training camp of the AHL's Adirondack Phantoms. Mike spent last season with the Port Huron Icehawks of the IHL. In 72 games he had 35 points while playing his usual stellar defense.

GOLDEN EAGLES FOOTAGE FROM FEB. 2009

If you're like me, you can't wait for the season to start. If you're jonesin' to see some hockey action, check out this video clip I found on the Internet. It's Time Warner Cable Sports' recap of a Brockport-Potsdam goalfest in February of 2009 that the Golden Eagles won 8-6...

GERSHON SIGNS WITH NAILERS

Earlier this month, Mike Gershon -- who was an impressive, hard-hitting defenseman for the Golden Eagles -- signed a contract with the Wheeling Nailers of the ECHL. Here is the Nailers official release...

WHEELING,WV - The Wheeling Nailers, the AA affiliate of the Pittsburgh Penguins, have added to their roster with the announcement that they have signed defenseman Mike Gershon for the 2010-2011 season.

The Nailers have now officially announced the signings of three players so far including center Kris Vernarsky and returning defenseman Kyle Bushee.

Gershon is a 5'10" native of Sparta, NJ who played for Coach Drulia last year with his team in Port Huron, Mich. of the IHL. Gershon scored 7 goals and 28 assists while recording 75 penalty minutes in his professional rookie season.

"Mike is one of those kids that is going to get better every day. He is serious about his game, and prepares like a real pro" said head coach Stan Drulia.

The 25 year old Gershon played for Division 3 State University of New York at Brockport from 2005-2009. His senior season with the SUNY-Brockport program he was named to the All-SUNY Athletic Conference second team as he scored 8 goals and 9 assists. His career with the Golden Eagles was highlighted by a hat trick on November 7, 2008 against SUNY-Genesco.

Gershon will be the first product of SUNY-Brockport to play for Wheeling. The most notable SUNY player in Wheeling history was Brendon Hodge out of SUNY-Plattsburgh who starred for the Nailers for three seasons from 2003-06.


Source: http://www.wheelingnailers.com/pages/news/articles/20100803.asp

HOCKEY TO HELP INCOMING FRESHMAN

On Friday 1,065 freshmen will be moving in at Brockport. It's the biggest incoming class in 25 years.

As in years past, the hockey team will be good campus citizens and they will help the students and parents move-in, lending a hand in getting the heavy stuff and personal affects into dorm rooms.

TREMBLAY PREPARES FOR THE SEASON

One of the best stories of personal triumph in DIII hockey is Ray Tremblay's career.

After having fractured two bones in his spine during the Christmas holiday a few years back, he was given 2 choices. One was surgery that would certainly end his career. The other was a combination of a back brace, months of immobility and many more months of rehab (which would in itself end most hockey careers). Ray chose hockey, dealt with the pain and busted his butt to get back to good health.

Since then he has performed at a high level. This season will mark his second as the Golden Eagles' assistant captain. Last season was a great one...a versatile forward who plays a great defensive game, he's also a play-maker as made evident by his 19 assists (a team high) and 25 points (second best on the team).

This season he's looking to take it up another notch. He has had an outstanding summer of training. He trains with Crash Conditioning, arguably one of the best hockey specific training program in the world. They have facilities in Calgary, Alberta and Kelowna B.C, and train some of the elite players in the world like Norris Trophy winner Duncan Keith, Washington Capitals' Mike Green, Edmonton's Jordan Eberle, and Carolina's Zach Boychuk to name a few.

Ray works with the Kelowna Pro Group, with players like Cody Franson from the Nashville Predators, Ty Wishart and Scott Jackson from the Tampa Bay Lightning.

Ray was featured in a video that was shot at Crash Conditioning Kelowna.

Here is the link: http://dcdproductions.ca/nevin/Crash_Conditioning/cc_webdload.html

To find out more about Crash Conditioning check out their site www.crashconditioning.com

O'MALLEY TRIES OUT WITH THE HAVOC

The Huntsville Havoc of the SPHL (Southern Professional Hockey League) announced yesterday that they signed Brockport standout Sean O’Malley to a tryout agreement. O’Malley spent four seasons at Brockport where he scored 31 goals and added 38 assists in 99 career games. Last year he scored a career high 11 goals which included an OT game-winner against Morrisville and MVP accolades in the Skidmore tournament.

For info about the Havoc, go here:

http://huntsvillehavoc.pointstreaksites.com/view/huntsvillehavoc

OWSEGO'S REPORT ON DIGBY'S MOVE

The Oswego Atheltics Department issued this news release earlier in the week...


The Oswego State Athletic Department announced today that Mark Digby has accepted the position of assistant men’s ice hockey coach. Digby, an assistant coach at Brockport for the previous four seasons, fills the position vacated by Dan Ford, who resigned in order to pursue personal business ventures.

While at Brockport, Digby worked directly with Golden Eagle defensive and power-play units that saw statistical improvements and developed in-season and summer strength and conditioning programs. The G. Ray Bodley High School (Fulton, N.Y.) graduate aided the development of practice plans through the analysis of game and practice video footage. He created successful marketing strategies to attract fans to Brockport ice hockey games. Digby has also served as the advertising coordinator for the Brockport Athletic Department since 2008.

During the off-season, Digby has worked as an instructor at the Hamilton College Hockey School for three summers and the Maksymum Hockey School in Rochester for five summers.

Digby received his Bachelor of Science degree in Physical Education from The College at Brockport in May 2005 and earned his Master of Science degree in Recreation and Leisure Studies four years later.

Q&A WITH STEVE SACHMAN

One of Brockport's offseason pick-ups was Steve Sachman, who played for the New York Bobcats of the AJHL the past two seasons. The 5'11", 185-pounder was a two-time AJHL All-Star. In 126 games for the Bobcats, including two National Championship appearances, Stephen scored 63 goals and 53 assists for a total of 116 points, the most for any Bobcat during that period. Most impressive among his stats was his 15 game-winning goals over those two seasons...amazing!

I recently interviewed Steve for BrockportHockey.com...

Tell us about your hockey history...


I started playing hockey at 5 - just roller hockey - and I got into ice hockey around 8 years old, I guess. I played travel hockey for Suffolk PAL until U16 when I went to play for the Long Island Royals. After one year in U16 I played a year of Junior "B" for the Royals and won a national championship with them. It was the Royals first year hosting a junior team since 1991. Since then I've played two seasons of Junior "A" for the New York Bobcats.



You put up some really impressive numbers with the Bobcats (63 goals over the past two seasons). How would you describe your style of play and what are your greatest strengths?


Well, since I was young I always loved to score goals and big goals, so thats what I've been told is my biggest strength. Although I didn't kill penalties much with the Bobcats I always excelled with them up until then.



The Bobcats were awesome last year, an unbelievable 37-3-2. What did you learn from that success and how do you think it will work at Brockport and in NCAA DIII?


For some reason throughout my youth and junior career I've always been on winning team, so I would say that I know how to win and that I'll do whatever it takes to win. I'm hoping to bring the success I've had in the past to Brockport and win big.



Athletically and academically, what attracted you to Brockport?

When we came up to visit Brockport and hung out with the team I noticed how close the team was and I really like that. Also, I loved the fact that they had a nice rink to play in and got a lot of people at their games.

Academically, I've been told by many teachers in high school how good of a school Brockport was and I liked that the student body was a little bit larger than that of my high school.



What will you be studying in the classroom?

I haven't decided yet on what I'm going to study at Brockport. I'm choosing between business administration, accounting, or being a math teacher.



Who is your all-time favorite NHL player?

I would have to say my all time favorite NHLer would have to be Joe Sakic.

DIGBY MOVES ON

Mark Digby, who spent 4 seasons as Brockport's assistant coach after a swell 4 year career on the ice for Brockport, is moving on.

The likable fellow, who is well-respected by players and fans alike, is taking on the assistant coaching role at Oswego.

Although it is a real downer to see him go, I am very happy for him. He is moving to a program that year-in, year-out is among the best of the best in Division III.

Digby provided many memorable moments for the program. He scored 41 goals and recorded 43 assists for 84 points in 96 career games and was the team captain his junior (03-04) and senior seasons (04-05). He was selected to SUNYAC All-Conference Team in 2004-05 and named SUNYAC Player of the Week three times throughout that season in which he scored a stellar 19 goals.

Coach Dickinson and the Athletic Department are currently looking for a replacement. To some, it may seem a little late in the off-season to be looking. But, fear not: Brockport's recent success and this year's great recruiting class will make the College a great destination for anyone looking for an assistant coaching position.

SHOFF FEATURED IN SIMCOE REFORMER

Adam Shoff was featured in the pages of the Simcoe (Ontario) Reformer this week...


Shoff training with a purpose

Adam Shoff is about to take another step in his hockey career -- and when that's done, he'll be ready to jump forward in life as well.

The Port Dover native will head into his third NCAA season with the Div. III Brockport Golden Eagles this fall, and just a few years after captaining the Junior B Port Colborne Sailors, Shoff will wear a letter on his shoulder south of the boarder.

The 5-foot-11, 185-pound centre will serve as an assistant captain on an emerging Brockport club that went on a midseason run that included a 10-game unbeaten streak. The Golden Eagles finished above .500 and are looking even better for next season.

"We're bringing in a lot of guys so right off the bat we've got to get the team together," Shoff explained. "We had a good year last year and I think in these next two years the goal of our team is to try and take it to the next level. Sometimes when you do that you end up taking a step back because everyone puts too much pressure on it, so that's why I'm in here every day, just working hard and that's all I can really do."

When Shoff says "in here," he's referring to what could very well be his job when he graduates. As an exercise physiology major, Shoff has taken to the gym in the off-season, this time in Waterloo at Sports Specific Training (SST).

The facility is owned by Ajay Nagy, who hails from Walsingham. Nagy has trained many local players, including both his brother Kory Nagy and Shoff in recent summers. Ajay has since hired the two to work at SST, helping them learn the business as well as train for the upcoming year.

"This is obviously what I want to do when I'm done school and hockey so it fit right in," the 23-year-old Shoff said. "Ajay has been great, he brought me in and he just kind of threw me in there and lets me train with the younger guys and help with the older guys. The biggest thing that I realized right off the bat was, as much as I've learned at school, I still have a ton to learn."

The gym is tailored to core exercises and helping athletes reach a peak performance. Its members include NHL players and prospects such as Kory Nagy and Paris's Zac Dalpe, as well as a host of NCAA and CIS players. Shoff said the atmosphere the gym provides is what separates it from the rest.

"If you do something wrong, you're going to get chirped for the week, and that kind of atmosphere and the fact too that you have guys here like Kory and Dalps that are right on the cusp of the top level, and you see how hard they push themselves, it only forces you to work harder to try and catch up to that," explained Shoff.

"Those guys are good role models for the younger guys because of their work ethic -- they don't skip drills, (and) they do everything hard."

Shoff is temporarily living with the Nagy brothers, and said he has already felt a difference on the ice thanks to working out and training, as well as paying more attention to the little things like eating right and getting enough sleep.

"I think a lot of people think when you see people like Sidney Crosby and all the top stars that it's natural -- they think he just has it. But they don't realize the amount of hours that all these guys put into the gym every single day," he said. "And it goes beyond the gym, it's how their eating habits are, their lifestyle.

"Every single aspect of their life is geared towards making it to the next level."

Making things tough on Shoff and the new-look Golden Eagles when the season opens is the toughness of their schedule. Knowing that, the former Storm forward said he'll do everything he can for his club.

"I have to come up to camp in either the best shape or one of the best shapes of all the guys and then just go from there," he said. "It's exciting, and I'm excited for the season, I want to get back on the ice playing again."

After that, it's back to the gym.

Source:

http://simcoereformer.ca/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=2682103

GOLDEN EAGLES IN THE CLASSROOM

You can't help but admire Division III sports where the student-athletes really are students first and foremost. The Golden Eagles hockey team exemplifies this approach to education and had performances in the classroom just as good as their performance on the ice.

The team's GPA for the spring semester was 3.03 and the men had a 2.97 overall GPA for the academic year.

The following hockey players made the College at Brockport's Athletic Department Honor Roll:

Berardini, Christopher 3.86
Cody, James 3.08
Davis, Tyler 3.00
Finnerty, Ian 3.54
Galiani, Daniel 3.00
Hayward, Michael3.92
Jendra, Brett 3.75
Korol, Adam 3.52
Noble, Justin 3.28
O'Malley, Sean 3.46
Rossignolo, Jeremy 3.00
Sampson, Nicholas 3.81
Sheridan, Todd 3.31
Shoff, Adam 3.19
Spooner, Colby 3.19
Wren, Oliver 3.00

The following appeared on the Dean's List:

Berardini, Christopher 3.86
Finnerty, Ian 3.54
Hayward, Michael 3.92
Jendra, Brett 3.75
Korol, Adam 3.52
O'Malley, Sean 3.46
Sampson, Nicholas 3.81

The following appeared on the SUNYAC All-Academic List based on 3.30 GPA or greater for Spring 2010:

Berardini, Christopher, 3.86
Cody, James, 3.08
Hayward, Michael, 3.92
Jendra, Brett, 3.75
Korol, Adam, 3.52
Sampson, Nicholas, 3.81

The following appeared on the SUNYAC Commissioners List (Based on a cumulative 3.30 overall GPA for 3 semesters)

Berardini, Christopher, 3.82
Cody, James, 3.33
Hayward, Michael, 3.64
Jendra, Brett, 3.78
Korol, Adam, 3.36
Sampson, Nicholas, 3.89

AN INTERVIEW WITH BOBBY CONNER

A very promising addition to the Golden Eagles is forward Bobby Conner who played for the Philadelphia Junior Flyers last season.

In 42 games the 21-year old forward (who's 5'10" and 192-pounds) had 51 points on 22 goals and 29 assists, good for a stellar average of 1.21 points/game.

He is used to putting up huge numbers, having had a 71-point season for the Junior B Central Penn Panthers two years earlier.

I recently interviewed Bobby so the players, alumni and fans could get to know him.



Tell us about your hockey history...


I started playing hockey at the age of four, when my dad took me to a hockey rink in Lancaster for a afternoon public skate. Since then I have been interested in hockey and have been playing ever since. I played for the Central Penn Panthers pretty much my whole life from squirt minor up until playing for their Jr. B team. After my last Jr B. season there, I then went down to the Philadelphia Jr Flyers Jr A team for my last two seasons of Junior hockey.



If Brockport had a weakness last season it was the team's ability to score a lot of goals. You'll be able to help out in that department, having put together a 51 point season (in 42 games) for the Junior Flyers. How would you describe your style of play and what are your greatest strengths?



I think that my style of play is a small power forward with a passing ability. Some of my strengths that will be able to help out the team are my protection with the puck along with anticipation with the puck. I also believe that I am sound in the defensive zone as well.




Tell us about the biggest goal you've ever scored...

The biggest goal that I have ever scored was at the 16 Under Tier 1 Nationals in 2004. We were playing against Mid Fairfield in the round robin and the game had went into overtime.I received the puck in the slot off of a rebound and scored up over the goalies right shoulder. That was the biggest goal that I have ever scored.




What was it about Brockport that you found so attractive as both a hockey player and a student?



What caught my attention about Brockport's hockey program was the way the coaching staff and the players made you feel at at home when I was up for my visits. I have also been to a couple of the home games this past season and the atmosphere was unbelievable at the games. I also feel like I play the same style of game as the team does.

As for being a student, the size of the campus felt just about right, not too big and not too small. I also liked how it was a nice little college town, it was able to give me that at-home sort of feeling which I thought was nice.


What degree will you be pursuing in the classroom?



I am going into school as a undecided because I am contemplating which major I want to pursue, which is between Physical Therapy and Sports Management.




Who are your all-time favorite NHL-ers?


My favorite NHL-ers of all time would have to be Peter Forsberg and Joe Thorton.

COLLINS IS HIRED BY BLUE JACKETS

MaineHockeyJournal.com posted the following story today about a Golden Eagle alumnus:


The Blue Jackets announced today that Pirates Assistant Coach Kevin Collins has taken been hired as their new Strength and Conditioning Coach.

The opening came about after Barry Brennan took a job in a similar capacity with the Atlanta Thrashers.

There is a connection with recently hired head coach Scott Arniel, who was an assistant in Buffalo while Collins was working with the Sabres prospects in Rochester and eventually in Portland when the Sabres moved their affiliate.

The Detroit, Michigan native attended SUNY Brockport, where he played four years of collegiate hockey.



Source:

http://mainehockeyjournal.com/2010/06/15/collins-hired-by-columbus-as-strength-and-conditioning-coach/

BROCKPORT TO GET A PEP BAND

If you've ever been to a Brockport/Geneseo match-up, whether at Brockport or in Geneseo, you've no doubt experienced Geneseo's pep band, a gifted group of musicians who motivate the Geneseo players and fans quite well. Pep bands are a rarity in DIII sports but a majority of DI schools have them and they are an important part of campus culture.

Starting with the 2010-2011 academic/athletic year, Brockport will have it's own pep band play at various athletic games!

The hockey games will be a marquee event for them. This is huge for Brockport athletics and will add to the unbelievable home ice advantage the Golden Eagles have had the past two seasons.

The coordinators of this project are looking for any musicians who are interested in participating. If you are interested, please email hockey assistant coach Mark Digby at: mdigby@brockport.edu

BROCKPORT HAS A NEW A.D.

Noah D. LeFevre will be the new director of athletics at The College at Brockport, State University of New York effective July 12. He replaces Linda J. Case ’89, who retired in May after a 23-year career at the College; 15 years as director of athletics. LeFevre is currently associate director of athletics at New York University (NYU), a position he has held since 2001.

“We are excited that LeFevre will be joining our administrative leadership team at the College,” said Dr. Katy Wilson, Vice President for Enrollment Management and Student Affairs. “As a former basketball player and administrator in a high-profile Division III program like NYU, LeFevre understands the life of a student athlete. He will be a strong advocate for all Golden Eagle athletes and coaches as they continue to produce strong academic and athletic records.”

"I am truly humbled to have the opportunity to lead a field of such talented coaches and administrators and to have the good fortune of being able to work with both a wonderful group of student-athletes and a very committed alumni base," said LeFevre. "I look forward to the challenge of building on the program's many past successes and continuing to have not just a strong athletic presence in New York state, but on the national stage as well," he added

An honors graduate of NYU, LeFevre holds a bachelor’s degree in political science, a master’s degree in sports management and an MBA from NYU’s Leonard N. Stern School of Business. He also holds a certificate from the Sports Management Institute, the country’s premiere athletic administrative development academy, completed at the University of Michigan and at the University of Texas.

While at NYU LeFevre was responsible for the athletic department’s marketing and brand management. In 2007, he led a team that redeveloped the branded image of NYU athletics with the goal of creating exposure for the program within the University community, local neighborhoods and corporate sponsors.

LeFevre was responsible for all aspects of NYU’s home varsity contests and served as tournament director for several post-season NCAA and ECAC championships. From 2001-05, LeFevre also worked for the National Invitational Tournament (NIT). He assisted with selection meetings, practice schedules and served as a site representative at several different venues.

LeFevre managed the day-to-day operations of the 80,000 square foot Palladium Athletic Facility (PAF), which sees 2,300 patrons visit per day. “With the opening of the 138,000 sq ft, multi-use, Special Events Recreation Center and the refurbishment of the Tuttle Sports Complex, LeFevre’s experience in facility operations, budget management, and marketing and promotions will be great assets to the College,” said Wilson.

The College at Brockport 11 men’s and 12 women’s intercollegiate athletic teams are affiliated with the National Collegiate Athletic Association’s Division III, with the exception of the women’s gymnastics team, which participates in the National Collegiate Gymnastics Association. College teams also compete in the State University of New York Athletic Conference (SUNYAC) and the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC). The football team joined the New Jersey Athletic Conference in 2008.