Townfolk and alumni who regularly attend Golden Eagle games might be shocked to find out that "season tickets" are no longer available. Members of the Golden Eagle Society were always able to have free admission for themselves and a companion. That benefit of the program has been done away with.
Wednesday, October 12, 2011
OFFICIATING CREW EXPANDS
When SUNYAC play begins in 2 weeks you'll notice something peculiar on the ice: 4 officials. The SUNYAC will be the first conference in DIII to institute such a measure.
Tuesday, October 11, 2011
BROCKPORT FACES STIFF COMPETITION
The USCHO pre-season poll was released on Monday and it shows how tough of a schedule the Golden Eagles face.
Here are the top 15…
1 St. Norbert
2 Oswego
3 Norwich
4 Adrian
5 Plattsburgh
6 Elmira
7 Castleton
8 Bowdoin
9 Wisconsin-Superior
10 Hamline
11 Neumann
12 Geneseo
13 Utica
14 Milwaukee
15 Curry
Per conference standards, Brockport plays Oswego, Plattsburgh, and Geneseo twice each.
The Golden Eagles also play Neumann twice in a home-home split.
Brockport begins the season at Utica and hosts Elmira in December.
That’s 10 games against Top 15 opponents!
Here are the top 15…
1 St. Norbert
2 Oswego
3 Norwich
4 Adrian
5 Plattsburgh
6 Elmira
7 Castleton
8 Bowdoin
9 Wisconsin-Superior
10 Hamline
11 Neumann
12 Geneseo
13 Utica
14 Milwaukee
15 Curry
Per conference standards, Brockport plays Oswego, Plattsburgh, and Geneseo twice each.
The Golden Eagles also play Neumann twice in a home-home split.
Brockport begins the season at Utica and hosts Elmira in December.
That’s 10 games against Top 15 opponents!
Thursday, October 6, 2011
FORMER BROCKPORT ASSISTANT NOW COACHING COLBY COLLEGE
WATERVILLE, Maine --- Stan Moore, a veteran coach with more than 25 years of Division I coaching experience, was named interim head coach of the Colby College men's hockey program on Tuesday.
Moore has little time to adjust to his new job. His first day at Colby is today and the Mules begin practice on November 1. Colby opens the season Friday, Nov. 18, at Middlebury College.
"We are very fortunate to have someone of Stan’s experience and knowledge right in our backyard. He can step in on day one and be able to take command of all aspects of running a program at a high level," said Marcella Zalot, Colby's Harold Alfond Director of Athletics. "The search committee was impressed with his passion for the game and with his teaching. I know Stan personally and he is a wonderful man of character and integrity and he is such a strong professional. I have all the confidence in the world that he will be able to continue the proud tradition of our men’s ice hockey program. We’ll also have a lot of fun along the way."
Moore was an assistant coach for Providence College from 2005 to 2010. He left his post with the Friars to join his family in Belgrade, Maine, and was an assistant coach for Kents Hill School last year.
After Division I coaching stops with Providence, Colgate University, Union College, and Brown University, Moore will get a chance to run his own NCAA Division III program with the Mules.
"It's something I'm happy about and looking forward to doing," Moore said. "There is going to be a lot on my plate before that first practice. I hope to reach out to the recruits that are looking at Colby, but even more important to reach out to the players who are here right now."
Moore takes over the Mules from Jim Tortorella, who recently left Colby to become Associate Head Coach at University of New Hampshire. The Mules went 12-11-2 last year and return seven of their top nine scorers, but the team lost both goaltenders to graduation.
"There has been a lot of success here at Colby over the past 15 years or so and I'm not looking to change the culture of the team," Moore said. "I just want to help them improve the culture of the team in any way I can."
Moore, who grew up in Potsdam, N.Y., had hockey instilled in him at a young age. His father, Stanley Moore, Sr., was one of the most successful coaches in New York State high school hockey history during a 33-year stint at Massena High School.
Moore went on to play Division III hockey at Oswego State (N.Y.) University and played professionally with the Enschede Lions of the Dutch Ice Hockey Federation in 1984-85.
After some volunteer stints at Potsdam State and Brockport State after returning to the United States, Moore joined the ranks of NCAA Division I hockey at Brown University. He was an assistant for the women's ice hockey team in 1985-86 and then was a men's assistant until 1988.
Moore went on to his first stay at Providence as an assistant coach from 1988 to 1992 and then moved to Colgate from 1992 to 1996 as an assistant. He had his first head coaching experience with Division I Union (N.Y.) College from 1996 to 1998. He became the first-ever rookie head coach to earn ECAC Coach of the Year honors (1996-1997) during his time at Union.
Moore went back to Colgate as an assistant coach until 2000 and then was named associate head coach for the Red Raiders until 2003. Moore was named interim head coach at Colgate for the 2003-04 season and helped his team to a 22-12-5 overall record and won a regular season ECAC title. Moore became the first-ever interim head coach to receive ECAC Coach of the Year honors for his work. He spent one more year at Colgate before leaving for Providence.
Moore, a member of USA Hockey since 1985 and regular coach for the USA Hockey National Festival since 2006, has been a board member and a coaching coordinator for the Central Maine Youth Hockey Association. He lives in Belgrade with his wife, Barbara, and his children, Jack (age 12), Ella (10), and Lily (6).
Moore has little time to adjust to his new job. His first day at Colby is today and the Mules begin practice on November 1. Colby opens the season Friday, Nov. 18, at Middlebury College.
"We are very fortunate to have someone of Stan’s experience and knowledge right in our backyard. He can step in on day one and be able to take command of all aspects of running a program at a high level," said Marcella Zalot, Colby's Harold Alfond Director of Athletics. "The search committee was impressed with his passion for the game and with his teaching. I know Stan personally and he is a wonderful man of character and integrity and he is such a strong professional. I have all the confidence in the world that he will be able to continue the proud tradition of our men’s ice hockey program. We’ll also have a lot of fun along the way."
Moore was an assistant coach for Providence College from 2005 to 2010. He left his post with the Friars to join his family in Belgrade, Maine, and was an assistant coach for Kents Hill School last year.
After Division I coaching stops with Providence, Colgate University, Union College, and Brown University, Moore will get a chance to run his own NCAA Division III program with the Mules.
"It's something I'm happy about and looking forward to doing," Moore said. "There is going to be a lot on my plate before that first practice. I hope to reach out to the recruits that are looking at Colby, but even more important to reach out to the players who are here right now."
Moore takes over the Mules from Jim Tortorella, who recently left Colby to become Associate Head Coach at University of New Hampshire. The Mules went 12-11-2 last year and return seven of their top nine scorers, but the team lost both goaltenders to graduation.
"There has been a lot of success here at Colby over the past 15 years or so and I'm not looking to change the culture of the team," Moore said. "I just want to help them improve the culture of the team in any way I can."
Moore, who grew up in Potsdam, N.Y., had hockey instilled in him at a young age. His father, Stanley Moore, Sr., was one of the most successful coaches in New York State high school hockey history during a 33-year stint at Massena High School.
Moore went on to play Division III hockey at Oswego State (N.Y.) University and played professionally with the Enschede Lions of the Dutch Ice Hockey Federation in 1984-85.
After some volunteer stints at Potsdam State and Brockport State after returning to the United States, Moore joined the ranks of NCAA Division I hockey at Brown University. He was an assistant for the women's ice hockey team in 1985-86 and then was a men's assistant until 1988.
Moore went on to his first stay at Providence as an assistant coach from 1988 to 1992 and then moved to Colgate from 1992 to 1996 as an assistant. He had his first head coaching experience with Division I Union (N.Y.) College from 1996 to 1998. He became the first-ever rookie head coach to earn ECAC Coach of the Year honors (1996-1997) during his time at Union.
Moore went back to Colgate as an assistant coach until 2000 and then was named associate head coach for the Red Raiders until 2003. Moore was named interim head coach at Colgate for the 2003-04 season and helped his team to a 22-12-5 overall record and won a regular season ECAC title. Moore became the first-ever interim head coach to receive ECAC Coach of the Year honors for his work. He spent one more year at Colgate before leaving for Providence.
Moore, a member of USA Hockey since 1985 and regular coach for the USA Hockey National Festival since 2006, has been a board member and a coaching coordinator for the Central Maine Youth Hockey Association. He lives in Belgrade with his wife, Barbara, and his children, Jack (age 12), Ella (10), and Lily (6).
Friday, September 23, 2011
SAVES FOR A CURE'S FIRST PROJECT
Saves For a Cure's first project is completed -- the replacement of the playdeck at Galisano Childrens Hospital at Strong. Now the kids can play in a safe and comfortable environment.
Prior to the project, the deck was full of tripping hazards, the upturned "tiles" just begging to knock over a sickened cancer patient.
You can see the "before" pictures here: http://brockporthockey.blogspot.com/2011/05/saves-for-cure-makes-huge-donation.html
This was made possible by a $15,000 donation from Saves For a Cure, a culmination of years of efforts by Todd Sheridan with the help of the hockey program, the Athletic Department and the community, all coming together for a common cause.
Saves for a Cure provides Spirit, Support, and Determination to children with cancer in hopes of lifting the spirits of some of the most courageous people you will ever meet.
Prior to the project, the deck was full of tripping hazards, the upturned "tiles" just begging to knock over a sickened cancer patient.
You can see the "before" pictures here: http://brockporthockey.blogspot.com/2011/05/saves-for-cure-makes-huge-donation.html
This was made possible by a $15,000 donation from Saves For a Cure, a culmination of years of efforts by Todd Sheridan with the help of the hockey program, the Athletic Department and the community, all coming together for a common cause.
Saves for a Cure provides Spirit, Support, and Determination to children with cancer in hopes of lifting the spirits of some of the most courageous people you will ever meet.
Sunday, September 18, 2011
BROCKPORT'S NEWEST HOCKEY FAN
I'd like to introduce you to Brockport's newest hockey fan. Alexandria, the first child for Bernadette and I, was born last weekend, coming into the world the day before her mother's birthday. What a gift!
Bernadette might bring her by a game late this season for a brief cameo appearance to show her off. In the years ahead, though, I'll be bringing the delightful cherub to the games quite often.
I can just hear myself telling her 15 years from now: "Quit swooning over the hockey players and pay attention to the game!"
Bernadette might bring her by a game late this season for a brief cameo appearance to show her off. In the years ahead, though, I'll be bringing the delightful cherub to the games quite often.
I can just hear myself telling her 15 years from now: "Quit swooning over the hockey players and pay attention to the game!"
HOCKEY ALUMNI WEEKEND
Hockey alumnus Tim Panek is organizing this year's Brockport Hockey Alumni Weekend. Here's what the schedule looks like:
Friday, October 28, 2011
7 PM - Home Opener - Golden Eagles vs Fredonia State. Pre-Game tribute to former Golden Eagle player and coach E.J. McGuire. For those of you who do not know, E.J. is a former Brockport player and coach who went on to Coach in the OHL, AHL, and NHL before becoming the Director of Central Scouting for the NHL. E.J. passed away in April after battling cancer.
Saturday, October 29, 2011
1 PM - Alumni Game
7 PM - Golden Eagles vs. Buffalo state
10 PM - Post Game Gathering at 58 Main Restaurant
Cost: $50.00 - Includes Alumni game jersey, ticket to game vs Buffalo State, and food and beverages at 58 Main Restaurant.
In addition, The Golden Eagles will be hosting a silent auction on both Friday and Saturday night, with the proceeds being donated to a fund set up for E.J. McGuire's children. Anyone interested in donating something to be included in the auction should contact Tim at tpanek@rochester.rr.com or Brian Dickinson at bdickins@brockport.edu
For those of you coming in from out of the area, there are two hotels in town. Their websites are:
www.dollingersinnandsuites.com/
www.econolodge.com/hotel-brockport-new_york
Any alumni interested in hitting the ice, contact Tim at: tpanek@rochester.rr.com
Friday, October 28, 2011
7 PM - Home Opener - Golden Eagles vs Fredonia State. Pre-Game tribute to former Golden Eagle player and coach E.J. McGuire. For those of you who do not know, E.J. is a former Brockport player and coach who went on to Coach in the OHL, AHL, and NHL before becoming the Director of Central Scouting for the NHL. E.J. passed away in April after battling cancer.
Saturday, October 29, 2011
1 PM - Alumni Game
7 PM - Golden Eagles vs. Buffalo state
10 PM - Post Game Gathering at 58 Main Restaurant
Cost: $50.00 - Includes Alumni game jersey, ticket to game vs Buffalo State, and food and beverages at 58 Main Restaurant.
In addition, The Golden Eagles will be hosting a silent auction on both Friday and Saturday night, with the proceeds being donated to a fund set up for E.J. McGuire's children. Anyone interested in donating something to be included in the auction should contact Tim at tpanek@rochester.rr.com or Brian Dickinson at bdickins@brockport.edu
For those of you coming in from out of the area, there are two hotels in town. Their websites are:
www.dollingersinnandsuites.com/
www.econolodge.com/hotel-brockport-new_york
Any alumni interested in hitting the ice, contact Tim at: tpanek@rochester.rr.com
TEAM TAKES PIES IN THE FACE
The photo at left shows some good sports.
As a part of Homecoming Weekend on the Brockport campus, the hockey team allowed pies to be thrown at them for charity.
Pictured from left to right are Bobby Conner, Matt DeLuca, Pat Hayden and Joe Reagan.
Wednesday, September 7, 2011
NOBLE OFF TO GOOD START
Justin Noble -- who was the Golden Eagle captain the past two seasons -- is off to a hot start for the Invicta Dynamos in the United Kingdom.Over the past weekend, the first of the season, Justin had goals in each the 5-1 victory and 7-1 victory over the Bracknell Hornets. He also added an assist for good measure.
You can keep up with his overseas adventures at the Dynamos' website:
http://www.invictadynamos.co.uk/
Thursday, September 1, 2011
VOTE FOR SAVES FOR A CURE
The Brockport Athletics Department website has a poll that asks:
Which Charity/Cause would you like to see the funds raised from Homecoming Week events donated to?
One of the 4 choices is Saves For a Cure.
Vote here: http://www.gobrockport.com/
Which Charity/Cause would you like to see the funds raised from Homecoming Week events donated to?
One of the 4 choices is Saves For a Cure.
Vote here: http://www.gobrockport.com/
NEWS STORY ABOUT JUSTIN NOBLE
The Independent Free Press reports on the English adventures of one Mr. Justin Noble...
The Invicta Dynamos of the English National Ice Hockey League needed to sign the limit of two import players per team during the off-season and it turns out both of those roster spots will be filled by Georgetown residents.
Ryan Ellis, 27, and Justin Noble, 23, both played for the Georgetown Jr. A Raiders as 16-year-olds and graduated from Georgetown District High School, yet they’d never even heard of each other until last month when they signed with the Dynamos, who are based in Gillingham, about 45 minutes southeast of London.
Both left-wingers graduated from Division III colleges in New York after four solid seasons on the ice— Ellis from the Oswego State Athletics and Noble with the Buffalo-based Brockport Golden Eagles—and will embark together on their pro careers, which begins Saturday when the Dynamos travel to Bracknell for their season opener.
Neither player has ever been to England before, although Ellis’s father is British and his mother is from Scotland.
“The coach was telling me about what fixtures (games) we had coming up and I had no idea what he was talking about,” laughed the 5-foot-11, 190-pound Noble.
“It should be interesting to hear the first pre-game speech. Seriously, though, I did a fair bit of research and I know a few guys who’ve played in that league and they’ve said nothing but great things about this organization.”
Invicta finished fourth out of 11 teams last season in what’s considered Britain’s second-tier pro league. The 6-foot, 200-pound Ellis had planned to sign a contract in Britain two years ago but had difficulty getting a passport and hasn’t played for an elite-level team since then. He has been skating regularly and playing lots of ball hockey, while Noble graduated from Brockport with a degree in finance and economics after serving as captain for the varsity team for the past two seasons.
“It was really crazy how it all unfolded,” Ellis said.
“We’d never actually even met before we both signed. I was at my girlfriend’s in Vermont when I signed and the Invicta coach (Kevin Parrish) had no idea how big Georgetown was. He said something like, ‘Maybe you guys already know each other, or maybe Georgetown’s the size of London, England and you may never have met.’ Funny enough, we went to high school together and didn’t know it and now we’re roommates in another country.”
In another strange twist, ENIHL rules state that import players aren’t permitted on the ice at the same time in order to promote the development of home-grown talent. Both players will also be expected to take part in off-ice promotional appearances to help win over new fans in their soccer and cricket-crazed new home.
“It seems like it’s an ideal area to travel, which is a big reason why I wanted to play in Europe, to see more of the world,” added Noble, who acquired a Slovenian passport through his grandparents’ heritage to play there before receiving the offer to join the Dynamos.
“It’s an hour-and-a-half trip to Paris and five hours to Amsterdam and it’s great that I’ll have someone I know to travel with.”
Ellis, who has a business degree from Oswego State and a track record as a proven goal scorer wherever he’s lined up, didn’t want to have any lingering regrets later in life about not giving pro hockey a shot.
“I just looked at it that I’d be kicking myself when I turned 40 that I didn’t take advantage of an opportunity when I could have,” he said.
“You’ve got to do what you love, right?”
The Invicta Dynamos of the English National Ice Hockey League needed to sign the limit of two import players per team during the off-season and it turns out both of those roster spots will be filled by Georgetown residents.
Ryan Ellis, 27, and Justin Noble, 23, both played for the Georgetown Jr. A Raiders as 16-year-olds and graduated from Georgetown District High School, yet they’d never even heard of each other until last month when they signed with the Dynamos, who are based in Gillingham, about 45 minutes southeast of London.
Both left-wingers graduated from Division III colleges in New York after four solid seasons on the ice— Ellis from the Oswego State Athletics and Noble with the Buffalo-based Brockport Golden Eagles—and will embark together on their pro careers, which begins Saturday when the Dynamos travel to Bracknell for their season opener.
Neither player has ever been to England before, although Ellis’s father is British and his mother is from Scotland.
“The coach was telling me about what fixtures (games) we had coming up and I had no idea what he was talking about,” laughed the 5-foot-11, 190-pound Noble.
“It should be interesting to hear the first pre-game speech. Seriously, though, I did a fair bit of research and I know a few guys who’ve played in that league and they’ve said nothing but great things about this organization.”
Invicta finished fourth out of 11 teams last season in what’s considered Britain’s second-tier pro league. The 6-foot, 200-pound Ellis had planned to sign a contract in Britain two years ago but had difficulty getting a passport and hasn’t played for an elite-level team since then. He has been skating regularly and playing lots of ball hockey, while Noble graduated from Brockport with a degree in finance and economics after serving as captain for the varsity team for the past two seasons.
“It was really crazy how it all unfolded,” Ellis said.
“We’d never actually even met before we both signed. I was at my girlfriend’s in Vermont when I signed and the Invicta coach (Kevin Parrish) had no idea how big Georgetown was. He said something like, ‘Maybe you guys already know each other, or maybe Georgetown’s the size of London, England and you may never have met.’ Funny enough, we went to high school together and didn’t know it and now we’re roommates in another country.”
In another strange twist, ENIHL rules state that import players aren’t permitted on the ice at the same time in order to promote the development of home-grown talent. Both players will also be expected to take part in off-ice promotional appearances to help win over new fans in their soccer and cricket-crazed new home.
“It seems like it’s an ideal area to travel, which is a big reason why I wanted to play in Europe, to see more of the world,” added Noble, who acquired a Slovenian passport through his grandparents’ heritage to play there before receiving the offer to join the Dynamos.
“It’s an hour-and-a-half trip to Paris and five hours to Amsterdam and it’s great that I’ll have someone I know to travel with.”
Ellis, who has a business degree from Oswego State and a track record as a proven goal scorer wherever he’s lined up, didn’t want to have any lingering regrets later in life about not giving pro hockey a shot.
“I just looked at it that I’d be kicking myself when I turned 40 that I didn’t take advantage of an opportunity when I could have,” he said.
“You’ve got to do what you love, right?”
Source: http://www.theifp.ca/sports/local-hockey-duo-team-up-in-england/
Sunday, August 14, 2011
CHRIS PALIN ELECTED TO HALL OF FAME
As a part of Homecoming Weekend, the 27th annual Golden Eagle Athletic Hall of Fame dinner will take place on Saturday, September 17th at 6:30 PM in the ballroom at Seymour College Union.
If interested in attending the ceremony, you must make a reservation by September 7th. Download the form here:
http://www.gobrockport.com/documents/2011/8/11/2011_Hall_of_Fame.pdf?id=96
This year Chris Palin, a 1991 graduate of the college, will become only the second hockey player enshrined (the first being the iconic EJ McGuire).
Chris was one of the most dynamic forwards to have ever graced the ice at Tuttle. He is second all-time in goals, assists and points, sporting a 63-81-144 line. He holds the single-season scoring record, having notched 62 points in the 1987-1988 season. In that season he also set the team record for power play goals with 12.
Chris serves as Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Germain Arena in Estoro, Florida and the Florida Everblades of the ECHL. He joined the Everblades staff in August, 2010 after spending 21 seasons with the Rochester Americans Hockey Club of the American Hockey League under the same capacity where he earned the prestigious ‘McKenzie Award” after the 97-98 season for excellence in marketing. In addition, Chris spent 14 seasons with the Rochester Knighthawks of the National Lacrosse League, 12 seasons with the Rochester Rhinos of “A” league soccer, and 10 seasons with the Rochester Rattlers of Major League Lacrosse where he held the position of Vice President of Sales and Marketing.
Chris, and his wife Renee have one son; Tyler.
One thing that is quite impressive about Chris’s accomplishments: He holds the record for the fastest goal from the start of a game….not just in Brockport history but in the history of all organized hockey (NCAA and the pros). The goal was netted 5 seconds into the game, the time officially noted in the record books.
But, here’s an LA Times story reporting that it may have been even quicker!…
Fastest Goal in History of Hockey May Have Been Matter of Bad Timing
January 17, 1989|Associated Press
All of a sudden Oswego State hockey Coach Don Unger is a very popular man, and he doesn't like it one bit.
"WNBC has called me, USA Today has called me," Unger said Monday. "I'm being bothered by everybody."
Everybody, it seems, wants to know how it feels to be coach of the team that allowed the fastest goal in hockey history.
It happened in a matchup of New York schools last Wednesday night when Brockport State's Chris Palin scored 3 seconds after the opening faceoff. At least, that's what the clock said in recording a goal 2 seconds faster than the official record in both the college and professional ranks.
"When I looked up, the clock said 19:57," Palin said. "It seemed like the play had taken 4 or 5 seconds, but it said 19:57."
There's only one problem--the official scoresheet signed by referee Jim Zarnick says the goal was scored with 19:55 left.
According to Unger, this is how the play developed: "The puck was dropped and we took the puck forward, that's 110 feet from the goal still."
After Palin gained control, "our forward went through and hit their man as he was skating down the boards, he skated over the blue line, then cut toward the net and took a screen shot through two of our defensemen and scored.
"The puck had to travel backward 15 or 20 feet, then diagonally about 20 feet, then it was passed another 20 feet to the red line. And then he had to skate it about 100 feet."
"They supposedly started the clock late and the people working the scoresheet decided to put down 5 seconds," Brockport sports information director Mike Andriatch said. "The people at the scorer's table should have changed the clock right then.
In case anyone missed it, Unger wants everyone to know the final score was Oswego State 8, Brockport State 5.
If interested in attending the ceremony, you must make a reservation by September 7th. Download the form here:
http://www.gobrockport.com/documents/2011/8/11/2011_Hall_of_Fame.pdf?id=96
This year Chris Palin, a 1991 graduate of the college, will become only the second hockey player enshrined (the first being the iconic EJ McGuire).
Chris was one of the most dynamic forwards to have ever graced the ice at Tuttle. He is second all-time in goals, assists and points, sporting a 63-81-144 line. He holds the single-season scoring record, having notched 62 points in the 1987-1988 season. In that season he also set the team record for power play goals with 12.
Chris serves as Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Germain Arena in Estoro, Florida and the Florida Everblades of the ECHL. He joined the Everblades staff in August, 2010 after spending 21 seasons with the Rochester Americans Hockey Club of the American Hockey League under the same capacity where he earned the prestigious ‘McKenzie Award” after the 97-98 season for excellence in marketing. In addition, Chris spent 14 seasons with the Rochester Knighthawks of the National Lacrosse League, 12 seasons with the Rochester Rhinos of “A” league soccer, and 10 seasons with the Rochester Rattlers of Major League Lacrosse where he held the position of Vice President of Sales and Marketing.
Chris, and his wife Renee have one son; Tyler.
One thing that is quite impressive about Chris’s accomplishments: He holds the record for the fastest goal from the start of a game….not just in Brockport history but in the history of all organized hockey (NCAA and the pros). The goal was netted 5 seconds into the game, the time officially noted in the record books.
But, here’s an LA Times story reporting that it may have been even quicker!…
Fastest Goal in History of Hockey May Have Been Matter of Bad Timing
January 17, 1989|Associated Press
All of a sudden Oswego State hockey Coach Don Unger is a very popular man, and he doesn't like it one bit.
"WNBC has called me, USA Today has called me," Unger said Monday. "I'm being bothered by everybody."
Everybody, it seems, wants to know how it feels to be coach of the team that allowed the fastest goal in hockey history.
It happened in a matchup of New York schools last Wednesday night when Brockport State's Chris Palin scored 3 seconds after the opening faceoff. At least, that's what the clock said in recording a goal 2 seconds faster than the official record in both the college and professional ranks.
"When I looked up, the clock said 19:57," Palin said. "It seemed like the play had taken 4 or 5 seconds, but it said 19:57."
There's only one problem--the official scoresheet signed by referee Jim Zarnick says the goal was scored with 19:55 left.
According to Unger, this is how the play developed: "The puck was dropped and we took the puck forward, that's 110 feet from the goal still."
After Palin gained control, "our forward went through and hit their man as he was skating down the boards, he skated over the blue line, then cut toward the net and took a screen shot through two of our defensemen and scored.
"The puck had to travel backward 15 or 20 feet, then diagonally about 20 feet, then it was passed another 20 feet to the red line. And then he had to skate it about 100 feet."
"They supposedly started the clock late and the people working the scoresheet decided to put down 5 seconds," Brockport sports information director Mike Andriatch said. "The people at the scorer's table should have changed the clock right then.
In case anyone missed it, Unger wants everyone to know the final score was Oswego State 8, Brockport State 5.
Monday, July 25, 2011
UNGER JOINS BROCKPORT COACHING STAFF
The College at Brockport has announced the hiring of Nick Unger as an assistant ice hockey coach. Unger, a three-year member of the Nichols College hockey team, will serve as an assistant coach for longtime Brockport head hockey coach Brian Dickinson.
Unger's primary duties will include recruiting, breaking down and analyzing game video and working with both Brockport's goalies and defenseman.
“I am excited to have a coach of Nick's caliber joining our staff,” said Dickinson, who enters his 15th season leading the Green and Gold.
“Nick's ability to identify quality student-athletes as well his experience coaching both goalies and defenseman will be a valuable asset to our program. Being experienced in recruiting is also a big plus.”
Before coming to Brockport, Unger served as an assistant hockey coach at Nichols from Jan. 2008 through the 2010-11 season. While serving as an assistant coach, Unger was the team's head recruiter and scouted potential players in assorted hockey organizations. During games, Unger was responsible for running the defensive end of the bench.
Unger also was the General Manager/Director of Hockey Operations for Puckmasters Hockey Training in Marlborough, MA. Unger produced stories for the company's website, managed the company's social media sites and gave hockey instruction to students ages 6 to 16.
Unger graduated from Nichols in 2008 with a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, and a concentration in sport management.
A 2002 graduate of Brockport High School, Unger's playing career included stints with Rochester Youth Hockey, SUNY Canton and the Buffalo Lightning (since renamed the Buffalo Jr. Sabres).
Unger's primary duties will include recruiting, breaking down and analyzing game video and working with both Brockport's goalies and defenseman.
“I am excited to have a coach of Nick's caliber joining our staff,” said Dickinson, who enters his 15th season leading the Green and Gold.
“Nick's ability to identify quality student-athletes as well his experience coaching both goalies and defenseman will be a valuable asset to our program. Being experienced in recruiting is also a big plus.”
Before coming to Brockport, Unger served as an assistant hockey coach at Nichols from Jan. 2008 through the 2010-11 season. While serving as an assistant coach, Unger was the team's head recruiter and scouted potential players in assorted hockey organizations. During games, Unger was responsible for running the defensive end of the bench.
Unger also was the General Manager/Director of Hockey Operations for Puckmasters Hockey Training in Marlborough, MA. Unger produced stories for the company's website, managed the company's social media sites and gave hockey instruction to students ages 6 to 16.
Unger graduated from Nichols in 2008 with a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, and a concentration in sport management.
A 2002 graduate of Brockport High School, Unger's playing career included stints with Rochester Youth Hockey, SUNY Canton and the Buffalo Lightning (since renamed the Buffalo Jr. Sabres).
Monday, July 18, 2011
GERSHON NAMED COACH/GM IN NEW MEXICO
Mike Gershon, who graduated from Brockport a couple of years ago and was a hard-hitting blueliner, has a new gig as reported by the Western States Hockey League...
The New Mexico Renegades are excited to announce the hiring of Head Coach and General Manager Michael Gershon. Michael Gershon comes to New Mexico after a career ending injury in the ECHL playing for the Wheeling Nailers.
As well as finishing an internship with the New York Rangers, Coach Gershon also played four years of NCAA college hockey for Brockport (SUNYAC) where he was 2nd Team All – Conference. Coach Gershon acquired his Bachelor’s degree in Communications during his four years at Brockport.
Coach Gershon looks forward to taking the lead role of the New Mexico Renegades and also working closely with the local youth hockey organizations to help develop and promote hockey in the New Mexico region.
Coach Gershon will be relocating from New Jersey with his fiancé Keri and their English Bulldog Hennessy.
The New Mexico Renegades are excited to announce the hiring of Head Coach and General Manager Michael Gershon. Michael Gershon comes to New Mexico after a career ending injury in the ECHL playing for the Wheeling Nailers.
As well as finishing an internship with the New York Rangers, Coach Gershon also played four years of NCAA college hockey for Brockport (SUNYAC) where he was 2nd Team All – Conference. Coach Gershon acquired his Bachelor’s degree in Communications during his four years at Brockport.
Coach Gershon looks forward to taking the lead role of the New Mexico Renegades and also working closely with the local youth hockey organizations to help develop and promote hockey in the New Mexico region.
Coach Gershon will be relocating from New Jersey with his fiancé Keri and their English Bulldog Hennessy.
Sunday, July 10, 2011
JUSTIN NOBLE SIGNS WITH DYNAMOS
Brockport's capatin of the past two season -- Justin Noble -- has signed with the Invicta Dynamos of the United Kingdom for the 2011/2012 season.
Here's the official report from the Dynamos...
The Invicta Dynamos will start the 2011/12 season with two newly signed non-EIHA trained forwards following the news that Head Coach Kevin Parrish has secured the services of 23 year old Canadian winger Justin Noble. Noble, born in Georgetown, Ontario, is the fifteenth player to make the team roster ahead of the new campaign joining recently announced fellow countryman Ryan Ellis, former Wightlink Raiders’ duo Richard Bentham and Robbie Brown, Guildford hotshot Joe Bliss and ten of last term’s line-up.
Justin Noble first caught the eye as a 16 year old in the Ontario Provincial Junior Hockey League (OPJHL) as a promising youngster icing for his home team, the Georgetown Raiders, in 2004/05. After spending the first half of the year with Georgetown the forward then switched to the Thornhill Thunderbirds before moving into the Mid-Western Junior Hockey League (MWJHL) the following term. Here Noble featured 93 times for the Guelph Dominators, notched 40 goals and tallied 44 assists for a total of 84 points. In 2007/08 the skater then began a four year enrolment at The College at Brockport and his hockey career continued as he featured for the university’s team in the NCAA III for the duration of his course. Following his debut campaign he scooped the ‘Most Improved Player’ Award, after picking up four points in 17 outings as he looked to establish himself in the team, and he then went on to become an increasingly valuable asset for Brockport year on year. In 2008/09 six goals and nine assists gave him a tally of 15 points from 24 fixtures before his committed displays earned him the ‘C’ of captain from 2009/10 onwards. Leading from the front Noble managed 19 points in his first year in charge before, last season, tallying another 16 in 25 games. On his graduation at the end of 2010/11 the forward then received a special Coach’s Award in recognition of his efforts in the green and white of Brockport and now the skater is looking to explore new horizons as he brings his game across the pond and into the ENIHL South with the Invicta Dynamos.
Speaking on his impending trip across the Atlantic latest signing Justin Noble revealed that he was relishing the prospect of testing himself in a new environment and that he was eagerly anticipating the first puck drop in early September. Noble said, “After hearing about the setup in Gillingham, with both the management and the passionate supporters, it was an easy decision for me to sign for the Dynamos. The team looks to have the potential to challenge this season and I am very excited to be a part of it and just can’t wait for it all to get underway”. Noble then added that he would be doing all he could to help bring silverware back to Kent when he said, “Having spoken with Kevin Parrish the goal this year is to once again be up at the top challenging for honours and I am looking forward to doing my part for the club and hopefully making that a reality”.
Meanwhile Justin Nobles’ latest Head Coach described his most recent recruit as the perfect fit for his new look side and suggested his acquisition was already raring to get started. Speaking on Noble Kevin Parrish said, “Justin’s game is exactly suited to what I’m looking for at the Dynamos this season. He is an up-and-down two way player that puts in the hard graft but he also has the talent to cause teams major problems at this level”. The coach then suggested that Noble would be as valuable an asset off the ice as he would be on it when he added, “Justin is straight out of college hockey where he has been leading from the front as captain for the past two seasons and his character and leadership qualities will undoubtedly help in the changing room. He has done well in the NCAA III and I am very excited about working with him over the 2011/12 campaign”.
5ft 11in Justin Noble will wear shirt number 14 for the Dynamos when the new campaign gets underway and the left hander is one of two new non-EIHA trained skaters at the club as Head Coach Kevin Parrish begins to apply the finishing touches to his roster.
Learn more about the Dynamos here: http://www.invictadynamos.co.uk/
Here's the official report from the Dynamos...
The Invicta Dynamos will start the 2011/12 season with two newly signed non-EIHA trained forwards following the news that Head Coach Kevin Parrish has secured the services of 23 year old Canadian winger Justin Noble. Noble, born in Georgetown, Ontario, is the fifteenth player to make the team roster ahead of the new campaign joining recently announced fellow countryman Ryan Ellis, former Wightlink Raiders’ duo Richard Bentham and Robbie Brown, Guildford hotshot Joe Bliss and ten of last term’s line-up.
Justin Noble first caught the eye as a 16 year old in the Ontario Provincial Junior Hockey League (OPJHL) as a promising youngster icing for his home team, the Georgetown Raiders, in 2004/05. After spending the first half of the year with Georgetown the forward then switched to the Thornhill Thunderbirds before moving into the Mid-Western Junior Hockey League (MWJHL) the following term. Here Noble featured 93 times for the Guelph Dominators, notched 40 goals and tallied 44 assists for a total of 84 points. In 2007/08 the skater then began a four year enrolment at The College at Brockport and his hockey career continued as he featured for the university’s team in the NCAA III for the duration of his course. Following his debut campaign he scooped the ‘Most Improved Player’ Award, after picking up four points in 17 outings as he looked to establish himself in the team, and he then went on to become an increasingly valuable asset for Brockport year on year. In 2008/09 six goals and nine assists gave him a tally of 15 points from 24 fixtures before his committed displays earned him the ‘C’ of captain from 2009/10 onwards. Leading from the front Noble managed 19 points in his first year in charge before, last season, tallying another 16 in 25 games. On his graduation at the end of 2010/11 the forward then received a special Coach’s Award in recognition of his efforts in the green and white of Brockport and now the skater is looking to explore new horizons as he brings his game across the pond and into the ENIHL South with the Invicta Dynamos.
Speaking on his impending trip across the Atlantic latest signing Justin Noble revealed that he was relishing the prospect of testing himself in a new environment and that he was eagerly anticipating the first puck drop in early September. Noble said, “After hearing about the setup in Gillingham, with both the management and the passionate supporters, it was an easy decision for me to sign for the Dynamos. The team looks to have the potential to challenge this season and I am very excited to be a part of it and just can’t wait for it all to get underway”. Noble then added that he would be doing all he could to help bring silverware back to Kent when he said, “Having spoken with Kevin Parrish the goal this year is to once again be up at the top challenging for honours and I am looking forward to doing my part for the club and hopefully making that a reality”.
Meanwhile Justin Nobles’ latest Head Coach described his most recent recruit as the perfect fit for his new look side and suggested his acquisition was already raring to get started. Speaking on Noble Kevin Parrish said, “Justin’s game is exactly suited to what I’m looking for at the Dynamos this season. He is an up-and-down two way player that puts in the hard graft but he also has the talent to cause teams major problems at this level”. The coach then suggested that Noble would be as valuable an asset off the ice as he would be on it when he added, “Justin is straight out of college hockey where he has been leading from the front as captain for the past two seasons and his character and leadership qualities will undoubtedly help in the changing room. He has done well in the NCAA III and I am very excited about working with him over the 2011/12 campaign”.
5ft 11in Justin Noble will wear shirt number 14 for the Dynamos when the new campaign gets underway and the left hander is one of two new non-EIHA trained skaters at the club as Head Coach Kevin Parrish begins to apply the finishing touches to his roster.
Learn more about the Dynamos here: http://www.invictadynamos.co.uk/
Tuesday, July 5, 2011
GOLDEN EAGLES EXCEL IN CLASSROOM
The State University of New York Athletic Conference (SUNYAC) is proud to announce the Commissioner’s List and All-Academic team for the Spring 2011 which recognizes student-athletes who competed during the winter or spring season.
To be eligible for SUNYAC All-Academic team recognition the student-athlete must have a spring semester grade point average of 3.3 or higher. Of the 1063 who qualified for the All-Academic team, 72 student athletes achieved a spring semester grade point average of 3.9 and 53 had a 4.0.
To be named to the Commissioner’s List the student athlete has to maintain a cumulative grade point average of 3.3 or higher for three consecutive semesters. Of the 391 student-athletes who qualified for the Commissioner’s List, 29 have maintained a cumulative 3.9 and 18 have maintained a perfect 4.0.
The icemen who made the list are...
Mike Baxter
Chris Berardini
Chris Cangro
Ian Chapman
Bobby Conner
Matt DeLuca
Dan Galiani
Mike Hayward
Brett Jendra
Brendon Rothfuss
Steve Sachman
Nick Sampson
Sean Wallace
Congrats on a job well done!!
To be eligible for SUNYAC All-Academic team recognition the student-athlete must have a spring semester grade point average of 3.3 or higher. Of the 1063 who qualified for the All-Academic team, 72 student athletes achieved a spring semester grade point average of 3.9 and 53 had a 4.0.
To be named to the Commissioner’s List the student athlete has to maintain a cumulative grade point average of 3.3 or higher for three consecutive semesters. Of the 391 student-athletes who qualified for the Commissioner’s List, 29 have maintained a cumulative 3.9 and 18 have maintained a perfect 4.0.
The icemen who made the list are...
Mike Baxter
Chris Berardini
Chris Cangro
Ian Chapman
Bobby Conner
Matt DeLuca
Dan Galiani
Mike Hayward
Brett Jendra
Brendon Rothfuss
Steve Sachman
Nick Sampson
Sean Wallace
Congrats on a job well done!!
Sunday, July 3, 2011
MARCUS FARMER GAME FOOTAGE
Here's something that we may be seeing more of from recruits in the future...videos featuring game footage or highlight reels of the individual. This YouTube video looks at Brockport's newest addition, Marcus Farmer:
MARCUS FARMER COMMITS TO BROCKPORT
The Ontario Junior A Hockey League reports that Brampton Capitals defenseman Marcus Farmer has confirmed his commitment to join the Brockport State University Golden Eagles beginning with the 2011-12 SUNYAC season.
The 5'10", 172 lbs. native of Caledon, Ontario (born April 9, 1991), recently completed his second full season with the Capitals, recording 19 points in 41 regular season games played and a single assist during the club's preliminary round playoff loss.
The 5'10", 172 lbs. native of Caledon, Ontario (born April 9, 1991), recently completed his second full season with the Capitals, recording 19 points in 41 regular season games played and a single assist during the club's preliminary round playoff loss.
DUFF REMEMBERS EJ McGUIRE
Brian Duff, the host of On the Fly on the NHL Network wrote the following remembrance of Brockport hall-of-famer EJ McGuire for a recent installment of his blog at the Hockey News...
A few weeks ago I had the great pleasure of being invited to a season-ending banquet for the Williamsville North Spartans, as they celebrated their New York State Public High School Division 1 hockey championship.
This north Buffalo suburb has a history of producing the best teams in the state and North has found its way to the winner’s circle four times in the past 11 years, all under the guidance of Coach Bob Rosen.
And one thing we know about good coaches is that they don’t become great coaches without taking a little something from the leaders who’ve crossed their paths along the way.
Throughout the reception, the players came up to the front and made brief speeches, acknowledging their parents, coaches and teammates and then took varying amounts of hardware back to their tables.
Somewhat standard end-of-season items, except there was a specific reason behind the pen/penholder that was part of each trophy presentation and it certainly caught my attention.
The reason?
E.J. McGuire.
E.J., a Buffalo native, had been a player, coach and assistant athletic director at Brockport College back in the 1970s and early ‘80s. During his incredibly influential days with that Institution (he was the first hockey player/coach inducted in the Brockport Athletic Hall of Fame) he was a teammate of Brian Cavanaugh. Cavanaugh had a long run as coach at Canisius College and at one point was assisted by Rosen.
E.J. believed that a pen/penholder provided something practical for day-to-day use, but at the same time, given it was a gift in honor of a championship season, would also serve as a reminder to never forget your teammates or the success you had together and how you achieved it.
Now this is not to suggest E.J. invented what is a common ornament on many office desktops. But it is interesting to note how an idea that came to him (the origin of which is unknown) was then passed on to those who played at Canisius through Cavanaugh and now at Williamsville North through Rosen.
It’s such a fitting tribute to E.J. It’s not flashy. But it’s full of character and value.
I was hoping to relay this story over the course of our weekend coverage of the NHL Entry Draft from Minnesota on the NHL Network. But as any of you who tuned in would know, a little bout of laryngitis kind of got in the way of some good storytelling.
Thankfully my colleagues Craig Button and E.J. Hradek were able to do more than their share in the absence of my voice.
The league paid a wonderful tribute to its fallen vice president of Central Scouting with a video montage of his career. It went one step further with a touching invitation to have E.J.’s wife Terry and daughters Jacqueline and Erin come up on stage to invite the Edmonton Oilers to make the first selection.
Knowing that this year’s draft was the first of forever without E.J. in attendance was incredibly sad for any of us who were fortunate enough to have known him or called him a friend.
At the same time, it was quite appropriate to look up at the draft board and see “EJ” in big letters beside the names of all the young men who have perhaps unknowingly benefited and will continue to benefit from his tireless work ethic and years of dedication to the game he loved so much.
Brian Duff is a host of On The Fly on the NHL Network. Like his minor hockey days (playing goalie, defense and forward) his broadcasting career has been all over the map. In radio and TV from Medicine Hat to Edmonton, Toronto to Ottawa and back, Brian has been with the NHL Network since 2007 and has been covering the game for nearly 15 years. Read more of his THN.com Blog: http://www.thehockeynews.com/listings/103-Brian-Duffs-Blog.html
A few weeks ago I had the great pleasure of being invited to a season-ending banquet for the Williamsville North Spartans, as they celebrated their New York State Public High School Division 1 hockey championship.
This north Buffalo suburb has a history of producing the best teams in the state and North has found its way to the winner’s circle four times in the past 11 years, all under the guidance of Coach Bob Rosen.
And one thing we know about good coaches is that they don’t become great coaches without taking a little something from the leaders who’ve crossed their paths along the way.
Throughout the reception, the players came up to the front and made brief speeches, acknowledging their parents, coaches and teammates and then took varying amounts of hardware back to their tables.
Somewhat standard end-of-season items, except there was a specific reason behind the pen/penholder that was part of each trophy presentation and it certainly caught my attention.
The reason?
E.J. McGuire.
E.J., a Buffalo native, had been a player, coach and assistant athletic director at Brockport College back in the 1970s and early ‘80s. During his incredibly influential days with that Institution (he was the first hockey player/coach inducted in the Brockport Athletic Hall of Fame) he was a teammate of Brian Cavanaugh. Cavanaugh had a long run as coach at Canisius College and at one point was assisted by Rosen.
E.J. believed that a pen/penholder provided something practical for day-to-day use, but at the same time, given it was a gift in honor of a championship season, would also serve as a reminder to never forget your teammates or the success you had together and how you achieved it.
Now this is not to suggest E.J. invented what is a common ornament on many office desktops. But it is interesting to note how an idea that came to him (the origin of which is unknown) was then passed on to those who played at Canisius through Cavanaugh and now at Williamsville North through Rosen.
It’s such a fitting tribute to E.J. It’s not flashy. But it’s full of character and value.
I was hoping to relay this story over the course of our weekend coverage of the NHL Entry Draft from Minnesota on the NHL Network. But as any of you who tuned in would know, a little bout of laryngitis kind of got in the way of some good storytelling.
Thankfully my colleagues Craig Button and E.J. Hradek were able to do more than their share in the absence of my voice.
The league paid a wonderful tribute to its fallen vice president of Central Scouting with a video montage of his career. It went one step further with a touching invitation to have E.J.’s wife Terry and daughters Jacqueline and Erin come up on stage to invite the Edmonton Oilers to make the first selection.
Knowing that this year’s draft was the first of forever without E.J. in attendance was incredibly sad for any of us who were fortunate enough to have known him or called him a friend.
At the same time, it was quite appropriate to look up at the draft board and see “EJ” in big letters beside the names of all the young men who have perhaps unknowingly benefited and will continue to benefit from his tireless work ethic and years of dedication to the game he loved so much.
Brian Duff is a host of On The Fly on the NHL Network. Like his minor hockey days (playing goalie, defense and forward) his broadcasting career has been all over the map. In radio and TV from Medicine Hat to Edmonton, Toronto to Ottawa and back, Brian has been with the NHL Network since 2007 and has been covering the game for nearly 15 years. Read more of his THN.com Blog: http://www.thehockeynews.com/listings/103-Brian-Duffs-Blog.html
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
EJ McGUIRE TRIBUTE
Writing for today's Star-Tribune in Minneapolis, Rachel Blount offers this touching piece about a Brockport hockey alumnus, the late EJ McGuire...
It would be natural for NHL Network analyst Craig Button to go about his job with a heavy heart this weekend. Like so many others in hockey, he still feels the hole left by the death of E.J. McGuire, who ran the league's Central Scouting bureau for the past six years.
But to be sad on the weekend of the NHL draft would run counter to McGuire's buoyant spirit. Through a too-brief lifetime of coaching and scouting, he celebrated young players. He encouraged them. He saw beyond the labels others might have attached -- too small, too slow -- to find the potential in all of them.
McGuire died in April at the age of 58, five months after he was found to have a rare form of cancer. He achieved much during his 35 years in the game, including improvements at NHL Central Scouting that made the bureau more efficient and effective.
His work there was driven by one desire: to build the game by recognizing the best in every prospect and helping others do the same. Button shared that attitude with his friend of 25 years, which led him to set one rule for his role on the draft broadcast. He will not criticize anything that happens this weekend. By focusing on the gifts of the young men whose names are called at Xcel Energy Center, Button quietly will honor the positive aura that McGuire radiated to everyone he knew.
"E.J. was like that wonderful high school teacher we all had,'' said Button, a former NHL executive and scout who worked for the North Stars from 1988 to '93. "He only saw the potential in these players, and he was going to do everything he could to help them reach it.
"On draft day, there is no reason for pessimism. This day is for the kids and their families; it's a day of achievement, and we need to celebrate it. E.J. did that. He never wavered in his belief that the potential of a player could be realized.''
At McGuire's passing, an NHL statement described him as "one of the most beloved, respected and accomplished men in all of hockey,'' which does not seem like hyperbole. A native of Buffalo, N.Y., he played for the State University of New York at Brockport -- an NCAA Division III school -- and recognized he didn't have the talent to play professionally. His intelligence, knowledge of the game, people skills and dedication to hockey put him on a path to influence the game in other ways.
McGuire coached college teams before a chance meeting with Mike Keenan brought him to the NHL in 1984. As an assistant to Keenan in Philadelphia, McGuire overflowed with ideas, launching his reputation as an innovator.
An early adopter of several technologies, McGuire began using computer programs to create databases. He came up with new ways to use video, then in its early days as a coaching and scouting tool. Those technological and organizational skills also helped him reshape NHL Central Scouting, which he joined as an assistant in 2002.
Button's father, Jack, had founded the bureau -- which scouts and ranks prospects in North America and Europe -- in 1975. McGuire, Button said, was dedicated to making it as useful as possible for the teams that relied on it. He created specialized player-assessment tools for the bureau's 29 scouts and a website that provides reams of information and video in an easy-to-use format.
McGuire also wanted to make it easier for players to make their best impression. He ended the practice of having players work out separately for multiple teams and centralized the testing process for top prospects. Under his leadership, the NHL scouting combine evolved from a small operation in a hotel basement into a modern, efficient means for evaluating players.
"He was so passionate about Central Scouting,'' said Brent Flahr, the Wild's assistant general manager and a former scout. "He had so many ideas on how to improve things, and when you saw him at the rinks, he had so much energy. A lot of scouts learned a lot of things from him.''
One of those things, Button said, was never to reject a prospect out of hand. McGuire kept an open mind when he watched players, seeing the unique virtues in the small, the hulking, the fleet and the strong. They all had something to offer, he believed, and he made sure they knew it.
"At the combine, E.J. was a voice of reason and assurance,'' Button said. "If he saw a 17-year-old who wasn't physically developed, who didn't do well on a strength test, he wasn't just telling the teams and scouts not to worry, that he's going to get stronger. He'd tell the player, 'Don't worry about it. You're a good player.'
"He could always give them something to relate to, like an NHL player he'd seen at the combine a few years ago who only did two bench presses. Without E.J. there this year, there was a void of optimism.''
That's just one reason McGuire has been so sorely missed. Known for his friendly, kind nature, he made time to talk to anyone and everyone, anywhere and everywhere. This time of year, McGuire loved to talk about prospects, and his desire to see young players succeed poured forth.
Vancouver assistant coach Rick Bowness told Canada's QMI news agency that he frequently thought of McGuire during the NHL playoffs. The two coached together during Ottawa's painful first years as an expansion team -- Bowness as head coach, McGuire as an assistant -- and McGuire's upbeat attitude never waned.
"We'd be in the middle of some of those losing streaks,'' Bowness said, "and I'd say, 'E.J., you can be a professor. You can do whatever you want in life and enjoy it, and we're going through hell here.' And he would say, 'No, this is where I want to be.' This is exactly what he was and who he was, and that's a hockey lifer.''
Because of that, Button said, McGuire's influence will live on, at this draft and in the future.
"E.J. is one of those people who, even though they're gone, their giving hasn't stopped,'' he said. "And it won't.''
It would be natural for NHL Network analyst Craig Button to go about his job with a heavy heart this weekend. Like so many others in hockey, he still feels the hole left by the death of E.J. McGuire, who ran the league's Central Scouting bureau for the past six years.
But to be sad on the weekend of the NHL draft would run counter to McGuire's buoyant spirit. Through a too-brief lifetime of coaching and scouting, he celebrated young players. He encouraged them. He saw beyond the labels others might have attached -- too small, too slow -- to find the potential in all of them.
McGuire died in April at the age of 58, five months after he was found to have a rare form of cancer. He achieved much during his 35 years in the game, including improvements at NHL Central Scouting that made the bureau more efficient and effective.
His work there was driven by one desire: to build the game by recognizing the best in every prospect and helping others do the same. Button shared that attitude with his friend of 25 years, which led him to set one rule for his role on the draft broadcast. He will not criticize anything that happens this weekend. By focusing on the gifts of the young men whose names are called at Xcel Energy Center, Button quietly will honor the positive aura that McGuire radiated to everyone he knew.
"E.J. was like that wonderful high school teacher we all had,'' said Button, a former NHL executive and scout who worked for the North Stars from 1988 to '93. "He only saw the potential in these players, and he was going to do everything he could to help them reach it.
"On draft day, there is no reason for pessimism. This day is for the kids and their families; it's a day of achievement, and we need to celebrate it. E.J. did that. He never wavered in his belief that the potential of a player could be realized.''
At McGuire's passing, an NHL statement described him as "one of the most beloved, respected and accomplished men in all of hockey,'' which does not seem like hyperbole. A native of Buffalo, N.Y., he played for the State University of New York at Brockport -- an NCAA Division III school -- and recognized he didn't have the talent to play professionally. His intelligence, knowledge of the game, people skills and dedication to hockey put him on a path to influence the game in other ways.
McGuire coached college teams before a chance meeting with Mike Keenan brought him to the NHL in 1984. As an assistant to Keenan in Philadelphia, McGuire overflowed with ideas, launching his reputation as an innovator.
An early adopter of several technologies, McGuire began using computer programs to create databases. He came up with new ways to use video, then in its early days as a coaching and scouting tool. Those technological and organizational skills also helped him reshape NHL Central Scouting, which he joined as an assistant in 2002.
Button's father, Jack, had founded the bureau -- which scouts and ranks prospects in North America and Europe -- in 1975. McGuire, Button said, was dedicated to making it as useful as possible for the teams that relied on it. He created specialized player-assessment tools for the bureau's 29 scouts and a website that provides reams of information and video in an easy-to-use format.
McGuire also wanted to make it easier for players to make their best impression. He ended the practice of having players work out separately for multiple teams and centralized the testing process for top prospects. Under his leadership, the NHL scouting combine evolved from a small operation in a hotel basement into a modern, efficient means for evaluating players.
"He was so passionate about Central Scouting,'' said Brent Flahr, the Wild's assistant general manager and a former scout. "He had so many ideas on how to improve things, and when you saw him at the rinks, he had so much energy. A lot of scouts learned a lot of things from him.''
One of those things, Button said, was never to reject a prospect out of hand. McGuire kept an open mind when he watched players, seeing the unique virtues in the small, the hulking, the fleet and the strong. They all had something to offer, he believed, and he made sure they knew it.
"At the combine, E.J. was a voice of reason and assurance,'' Button said. "If he saw a 17-year-old who wasn't physically developed, who didn't do well on a strength test, he wasn't just telling the teams and scouts not to worry, that he's going to get stronger. He'd tell the player, 'Don't worry about it. You're a good player.'
"He could always give them something to relate to, like an NHL player he'd seen at the combine a few years ago who only did two bench presses. Without E.J. there this year, there was a void of optimism.''
That's just one reason McGuire has been so sorely missed. Known for his friendly, kind nature, he made time to talk to anyone and everyone, anywhere and everywhere. This time of year, McGuire loved to talk about prospects, and his desire to see young players succeed poured forth.
Vancouver assistant coach Rick Bowness told Canada's QMI news agency that he frequently thought of McGuire during the NHL playoffs. The two coached together during Ottawa's painful first years as an expansion team -- Bowness as head coach, McGuire as an assistant -- and McGuire's upbeat attitude never waned.
"We'd be in the middle of some of those losing streaks,'' Bowness said, "and I'd say, 'E.J., you can be a professor. You can do whatever you want in life and enjoy it, and we're going through hell here.' And he would say, 'No, this is where I want to be.' This is exactly what he was and who he was, and that's a hockey lifer.''
Because of that, Button said, McGuire's influence will live on, at this draft and in the future.
"E.J. is one of those people who, even though they're gone, their giving hasn't stopped,'' he said. "And it won't.''
Source:
http://www.startribune.com/sports/wild/124232488.html?page=1&c=y
Friday, June 10, 2011
FORMER BROCKPORT COACH LANDS NEW ROLE
Here's a press release from the Okanagan Rockets....
The Okanagan Rockets and the BC Major Midget League are pleased to announce that James Eccles has been named the clubs head coach for the 2011-2012 season.
James has built his extensive coaching and scouting experiences at numerous levels from the NCAA, Canadian Junior “A” hockey clubs, scouting for the USHL, directing and advising for a sports group, and instructing small area space game training/skill specific classes.
James coached the SUNY Brockport Golden Eagles (NCAA Division III) from 2003-05 as the assistant coach and later as the head coach for the 2005-06 season. He then pursued his education as a US Hockey Director for a NCAA advisory Sports Management company, Cardinal Sports Management Inc., from 2006-08 where he personally advised and oversaw the USA based scouting/personal player representation duties, while at the same time scouted for the USHL Central Scouting as the USA Northeast regional scout where he resided in Rochester, NY. In the summer of 2008 James moved back to British Columbia accepting the assistant coach/director of scouting position for the Westside Warriors of the BCHL for the 2008-09 season and then as a volunteer assistant coach for the beginning of the 2009 season with the Penticton Vees of the BCHL. For the 2010-11 season James accepted and is still presently the Head Scout for the Surrey Eagles of the BCHL. As well, James has been an instructor for the Hockey Canada Skills Academy for School District #23 since arriving in 2008 to present. In the off season James presently operates small area space game training and skill specific sessions in the Kelowna, BC.
James received his Master’s of Science Degree in Sports, Recreation, and Leisure Management from Brockport State, a State University of New York while coaching the SUNY Brockport Golden Eagles (NCAA Division III). As well, James received his Bachelor’s of Science in Sports Management and Human Movement Studies from Kent State University in Kent, Ohio while playing for the Kent State University Golden Flashes (ACHA Division I).
The Okanagan Rockets and the BC Major Midget League are pleased to announce that James Eccles has been named the clubs head coach for the 2011-2012 season.
James has built his extensive coaching and scouting experiences at numerous levels from the NCAA, Canadian Junior “A” hockey clubs, scouting for the USHL, directing and advising for a sports group, and instructing small area space game training/skill specific classes.
James coached the SUNY Brockport Golden Eagles (NCAA Division III) from 2003-05 as the assistant coach and later as the head coach for the 2005-06 season. He then pursued his education as a US Hockey Director for a NCAA advisory Sports Management company, Cardinal Sports Management Inc., from 2006-08 where he personally advised and oversaw the USA based scouting/personal player representation duties, while at the same time scouted for the USHL Central Scouting as the USA Northeast regional scout where he resided in Rochester, NY. In the summer of 2008 James moved back to British Columbia accepting the assistant coach/director of scouting position for the Westside Warriors of the BCHL for the 2008-09 season and then as a volunteer assistant coach for the beginning of the 2009 season with the Penticton Vees of the BCHL. For the 2010-11 season James accepted and is still presently the Head Scout for the Surrey Eagles of the BCHL. As well, James has been an instructor for the Hockey Canada Skills Academy for School District #23 since arriving in 2008 to present. In the off season James presently operates small area space game training and skill specific sessions in the Kelowna, BC.
James received his Master’s of Science Degree in Sports, Recreation, and Leisure Management from Brockport State, a State University of New York while coaching the SUNY Brockport Golden Eagles (NCAA Division III). As well, James received his Bachelor’s of Science in Sports Management and Human Movement Studies from Kent State University in Kent, Ohio while playing for the Kent State University Golden Flashes (ACHA Division I).
For more information about the Rockets, visit:
http://www.okanaganrockets.com/Default.aspx?PageID=23c7
Monday, June 6, 2011
2011-2012 SCHEDULE
The 2011-2012 schedule is now available and can be found in the toolbar of this website. It's a schedule that is nearly identical in terms of opponents versus last year's. That's a good thing. Familiarity and reams of video will aid our guys in turning around the record posted last year.
Among the highlights:
* A season-opener at Utica (who may soon join the SUNYAC)
* The Skidmore Invitatiional on Thanksgiving weekend
* Powerhouse Elmira pays a visit on December 9th
* Neumann is in town on January 6th
* There's a rare Thursday night home affair against WNEC on January 12th
* Rival Geneseo is at Tuttle on February 3rd
Among the highlights:
* A season-opener at Utica (who may soon join the SUNYAC)
* The Skidmore Invitatiional on Thanksgiving weekend
* Powerhouse Elmira pays a visit on December 9th
* Neumann is in town on January 6th
* There's a rare Thursday night home affair against WNEC on January 12th
* Rival Geneseo is at Tuttle on February 3rd
BROCKPORT SEARCHING FOR AN ASSISTANT COACH
The College at Brockport is seeking an Assistant Hockey Coach.
The candidate will be responsible for assisting the Head Coach in all aspects of the college hockey program. Responsibilities include but are not limited to; recruiting both on and off campus, video breakdown and analysis, assisting the Head Coach in daily practice planning, game day management, community service efforts, off-ice conditioning efforts and fund raising events as well as additional athletic department duties as assigned.
This is a 12 month position. The ideal candidate will have previous college playing or coaching experience, an ability to work with student athletes, faculty, staff, community members and alumni. For more information regarding the position, please contact Head Coach Brian Dickinson at bdickins@brockport.edu.
This search will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled.
Interested parties should e-mail a cover letter, resume, and contact information for three references to Coach Brian Dickinson at bdickins@brockport.edu.
The candidate will be responsible for assisting the Head Coach in all aspects of the college hockey program. Responsibilities include but are not limited to; recruiting both on and off campus, video breakdown and analysis, assisting the Head Coach in daily practice planning, game day management, community service efforts, off-ice conditioning efforts and fund raising events as well as additional athletic department duties as assigned.
This is a 12 month position. The ideal candidate will have previous college playing or coaching experience, an ability to work with student athletes, faculty, staff, community members and alumni. For more information regarding the position, please contact Head Coach Brian Dickinson at bdickins@brockport.edu.
This search will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled.
Interested parties should e-mail a cover letter, resume, and contact information for three references to Coach Brian Dickinson at bdickins@brockport.edu.
-----------------------------------------------
This is a new position for the College. Phil Roe and Chuck Dossier will remain as assistants. I must say, this is a pretty exciting development as it adds depth to the staff, an on-campus hockey representative and a recruiting function that was once done solely by one individual.
Thursday, June 2, 2011
NEW DIII TEAM IN ROCHESTER
Brockport has long had regional rivalries with Geneseo and Hobart whom they face every year in what always are hard-played games. Call it the fight for "Rochester Hockey Bragging Rights."
Well, you can add another school to the local mix as the Democrat and Chronicle reports tonight...
Nazareth College announced this afternoon that it will be adding men’s hockey to its athletic program starting in the 2012-13 school year.
The team does not have a coach, but athletic director Pete Bothner said a nationwide search will commence in a couple weeks, led by Craig Dahl, who coached at Division I St. Cloud State for 19 years, and now lives in the Rochester area.
“We feel fortunate that we can utilize Craig as a great resource in this overall process,” said Bothner. “He has a lot of experience and can bring forth some great insight.”
There is no on-campus ice arena at Nazareth, and negotiations are under way to determine where the team will play.
Well, you can add another school to the local mix as the Democrat and Chronicle reports tonight...
Nazareth College announced this afternoon that it will be adding men’s hockey to its athletic program starting in the 2012-13 school year.
The team does not have a coach, but athletic director Pete Bothner said a nationwide search will commence in a couple weeks, led by Craig Dahl, who coached at Division I St. Cloud State for 19 years, and now lives in the Rochester area.
“We feel fortunate that we can utilize Craig as a great resource in this overall process,” said Bothner. “He has a lot of experience and can bring forth some great insight.”
There is no on-campus ice arena at Nazareth, and negotiations are under way to determine where the team will play.
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
SUNYAC SET TO EXPAND; LOCAL DIII PROGRAM COMING
The gentlemen at USCHO.com reported the following last week...
Utica has taken the next step in the application process for its men’s team to join the SUNYAC during that league’s spring meetings.
Administrators from the school last week made a presentation to the SUNYAC committee.
After review, the league decided to proceed with a site visit to the college, scheduled to occur this fall.
The Pioneers play in the ECAC West, but last year applied for admission to the SUNYAC after that league changed its charter to allow non-State University of New York schools.
This interesting development will make the already-tough SUNYAC even tougher. Utica is typically a solid-performing team and it has some of the best fans in all of DIII, consistently putting thousands of them in the stands for every game.
I'm somewhat excited by the possible addition, even though it will make Brockport's entry into the playoffs even more difficult. The strength of the SUNYAC and the quality of talent every team puts on the ice makes a hockey product that is arguably some of the best this side of the NHL. Every SUNYAC game is well-played, intense, and highly-entertaining. Utica will only add to that mystique.
In other news, College Hockey News announced the following on its Twitter today (more to follow):
A Rochester,NY-area school will add a D-III hockey program ... it will be announced Friday
Utica has taken the next step in the application process for its men’s team to join the SUNYAC during that league’s spring meetings.
Administrators from the school last week made a presentation to the SUNYAC committee.
After review, the league decided to proceed with a site visit to the college, scheduled to occur this fall.
The Pioneers play in the ECAC West, but last year applied for admission to the SUNYAC after that league changed its charter to allow non-State University of New York schools.
This interesting development will make the already-tough SUNYAC even tougher. Utica is typically a solid-performing team and it has some of the best fans in all of DIII, consistently putting thousands of them in the stands for every game.
I'm somewhat excited by the possible addition, even though it will make Brockport's entry into the playoffs even more difficult. The strength of the SUNYAC and the quality of talent every team puts on the ice makes a hockey product that is arguably some of the best this side of the NHL. Every SUNYAC game is well-played, intense, and highly-entertaining. Utica will only add to that mystique.
In other news, College Hockey News announced the following on its Twitter today (more to follow):
A Rochester,NY-area school will add a D-III hockey program ... it will be announced Friday
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