SAVES FOR A CURE WEBSITE

Brockport goaltender Todd Sheridan's philanthropic organization "Saves For a Cure" is quickly becoming a reality. He is now only days away from final approval from New York State (for the group's non-profit status) and, late last week, the SFAC website was put online.

To learn more about the organization visit http://www.savesforacure.com/

SEEDHOUSE IS OUTSTANDING!

The Sports Information Department reports...

The College at Brockport has named its 2007-08 Male Most Outstanding Scholar-Athlete award winner. This year's recipient is senior Steve Seedhouse (Whitby, ONT) from the ice hockey team.

Seedhouse, an assistant captain, was a four-year member of the ice hockey team where he was voted the best defensive forward by the State University of New York Athletic Conference (SUNYAC) head coaches on the ice and scored a team-high 15 goals this past season. He was third on the team with 22 points as he handed out seven assists to compliment his 15 goals. He completed his career with 27 goals and 19 assists for 45 points in 98 games.

He was one of just seven 2008 SUNY Chancellor's Award Winner for Student Excellence from Brockport and holds a 3.72 grade point average with a major in Chemistry with a minor in Biology and Math Statistics.

The voting on the Outstanding Scholar-Athlete award considered each individual team's Most Outstanding Scholar-Athlete and was held by each head coach and members of the Brockport Athletic Department administration.

GRADUATING THIS WEEKEND....

The following hockey players are graduating from Brockport this weekend. Thanks for all the hockey memories, guys, and good luck in your post-Brockport lives!

Greg Van't Hof
Rick Gates
Chris Brown
Tony Marinello
Steve Seedhouse
John Gleason
Chris Koras
Steve Wowchuck
Gordon Pritchard
Jason Dolgy
Geoff Schweikhard
Derek Spence

CHRIS KORAS RECEIVES SUNY AWARD

Chris Koras, who graduates this weekend, has received yet another academic award. He is one of 76 student athletes in the SUNY system to earn the 2007-2008 Scholar Athlete Award.

“The Scholar Athlete Award is one of the most selective and prestigious awards bestowed by SUNY,” said Interim SUNY Chancellor John B. Clark. “It speaks volumes about the hard work, dedication and perseverance that our student athletes exhibit both in classroom and in their particular sport throughout the year. I commend the recipients as well as their coaches and other mentors on this extraordinary achievement.”

Koras, a pre-law student who majored in business administration and minored in economics, received the Department of Political Science’s award for the “the most promising senior pre-law student.” He also was the SUNY Chancellor’s Award of Excellence winner for ice hockey as announced by the State University of New York Athletic Conference (SUNYAC) for the player with the highest cumulative grade point average. Koras was named to the All-SUNYAC team as a second-team selection after finishing the season with six goals and a team-leading 14 assists for 20 points in SUNYAC games. Overall, he finished with 10 goals and 20 assists for 30 points. He helped the Golden Eagles to a 7-15-3 record and led the squad with five power-play goals. He ended his career at Brockport with 98 games played and 82 career points on 22 goals and 60 assists.

AN INTERVIEW WITH GREGG AMATO

Brockport will have a experienced freshman in the 2008-2009 season in Gregg Amato. The 21-year-old who hails from Ocean's Gate, New Jersey has spent the past three years playing in the Ontario Provincial Junior Hockey League.

Last year for the Port Hope Predators (the same team that produced Brockport's Chris Koras) the 6'2", 200-pound defenseman posted 24 points in 49 games, leading all Predators defenders. The season before while on the Port Cobourg Cougars he was fifth on the team (first among defenders) with 31 points.

We recently interviewed him....


What's your hockey history?

I grew up playing youth hockey in New Jersey and stayed here all the way through my senior year in high school. After graduating I moved to Cobourg/ Port Hope, Ontario Canada where I was hosted by two families over the course of my three year junior hockey career in the OPJHL.


The Port Hope Predators have been one of the more competitive teams in the OPJHL. Yet, last season was tough: the team started slow, the GM and coach were suspended, and the team finished the season in a flurry, only to lose in the second round. What sort of lessons do you take from such a roller coaster season as that?

I asked to be traded to Port Hope because they were one of the top teams in the east and my coach from Cobourg from the previous season was making the jump there. The ups and downs are due to the almost daily trades. The GMs of every team are consistently trying to put the best team possible on the ice and bring in better players, but your have to have 20 guys who can fit in in the community and be respectful to the families who host us. As for losing in the second round, we were the three seed and they were the two seed. Our leading scorer was injured in the first game of the series and for the rest of the series they were a little bit better.


Brockport always faces some great offenses with taller players (Oswego, Plattsburgh). At 6'2" you definitely have the size to hang with them. How would you describe your style of play?

I've played against some of the top players from all of the SUNY schools in juniors and I feel my junior experience has prepared me for college hockey. My positive attributes offensively are my vision of the ice and playmaking from the defense position. Defensively keep it simple, I try to play positionally sound and make a good first pass. Never let them know your weaknesses.


Who are your all-time favorite NHL players?

I love Marty Broduer, the NJ Devils goaltender because of his standup style and amazing reflexes that no other goalie in today's NHL can compete with. Alexander Ovechkin is a very exciting forward to watch, with his scoring touch and physicality.


What brings you to Brockport?

Well, some of the schools I've visited I felt like I could get shot walking to class, so I like the country, non-city, atmosphere. It just felt right when I visited. I think it's a place I can step in and make an impact on the hockey team. I like the number of students and academically the school is at my level. It's close to Canada, which I love, but not too far from home.

LISTEN TO A TODD SHERIDAN INTERVIEW

The Point After is a sports talk show that airs live every Sunday night on the college radio station 89.1 WBSU. Last month they update their library of interviews available as podcasts at www.891thepoint.com.

One of the interviews focuses on goalie Todd Sheridan's battle with cancer. You can download the podcast here:

http://www.891thepoint.com/Podcasts/sheridant.mp3

ANNUAL AWARDS BANQUET

The Brockport athletic department's news release about the hockey team's annual dinner...

The College at Brockport Ice Hockey team held their end of the year awards banquet at the Brockport Free Methodist Church in April.

Senior Chris Koras (Toronto, ONT) was honored with the JP Sportswear MVP Award. Koras led the team with 30 points, as he scored 10 goals and had 20 assists on the season. For his career, Koras recorded 22 goals and 60 assists.

Junior Tim Crowley (Brasher Falls, NY) was awarded the EJ McGuire 7th Player Award Winner after he finished the season with 11 goals and had eight assists.

The Jimmy Mac Most Improved Player Award Winner was freshman Justin Noble (Georgetown, ONT) who finished with four points on a goal and three assists.

Senior Gordon Pritchard (Yorkton, SASK) was awarded the Bob Pederson Coaches Award. Pritchard scored six goals and tied for the team-lead with 20 assists. He ends his Brockport career with 31 goals and 41 assists.

The ice hockey team finished with a 7-15-3 record and a 4-10-2 SUNYAC record, with 10 of the losses by two goals or less. Koras was named to the All-Conference Team with a Second Team All-SUNYAC selection and Seedhouse was awarded the Best Defensive Forward after leading the Golden Eagles with 15 goals on the season.

HOCKEY PLAYERS RECOGNIZED

The College at Brockport honored 25 student-athletes with the Chi Alpha Sigma Honorees National College Athletic Honor Society at the Seventh Annual Senior Student-Athlete Recognition Luncheon on Wednesday afternoon. The yearly event honors the seniors from each sport for their time, commitment and dedication to The College at Brockport Athletics. In order to receive the prestigious Chi Alpha Sigma honor, a student-athlete must maintain a minumum 3.4 cumulative grade point average and earn a letter in his or her particular sport.

Hockey was well-represented by Steve Seedhouse, Chris Brown, Chris Koras, Steve Wowchuck, Gordon Pritchard, and Jason Dolgy

DIVISION IV TOLD TO TAKE A HIKE

USCHO.com reports that the concept of DIV (created by a split of DIII) was turned away by the DIII schools. Thank God! It would have been a real mess. Here's what they say:

The NCAA has announced that a possible split of Division III into two levels, or the creation of a “Division IV” does not find favor among member institutions.

Nearly 82 percent of NCAA Division III member schools support or strongly support the current Division III structure instead of the creation of a new division or subdivision, results of the Division III Membership Survey show. Of the 442 active or provisional D-III programs, 96 percent responded to the mandatory survey.

In light of the survey results, the Division III Working Group on Membership Issues and the Executive Committee Working Group on Membership have concluded their work to address the membership growth and diversity in Division III.

The Division III Working Group on Membership Issues, which last fall proposed creating a new division or subdividing Division III in anticipation of divisional growth to 480 members by 2020, made the decision after reviewing results from a membership survey that asked for opinions about restructuring, among other questions.

“While Division III still has its differences and issues it will have to face if it continues to grow as expected, we see the survey results as very significant news,” said Rudy Keeling, chair of the DIII group and commissioner of the ECAC. “Our members are saying that despite their differences, they like being a part of Division III.”

To read the article in its entirety, go here:

http://www.uscho.com/news/college-hockey/id,15670/ProposedSplitOfDIIIShelvedByNCAA.html

GREAT RECIPE FOR MICHIGANS

Here I take a slight diversion away from regular hockey reporting....

By being in the SUNYAC, Brockport must every year head into the North Country for one game a piece against Potsdam and Plattsburgh. The North County has some strange delicacies that Brockport's fans and players are exposed to. One of them is a dish that has its roots in Plattsburgh and is widely popular in the Adirondacks....the Michigan.

A Michigan is a hot dog slathered in meat sauce. I suppose you could compare it to a Coney Island or a Texas Hot.

Last night I messed around with a Michigan sauce which was pretty good (and could actually double as a Sloppy Joe mix). So, if you're partying sometime and are looking to spice up boring hot dogs, here's how to make the Michigan sauce.....

You need:

1.5 pounds ground beef (I used venison)
1 onion
1 six-ounce can of tomato paste
1 tsp. mustard
1 tsp. crushed red pepper
1 tbsp chili powder

1 tbsp. garlic
2 tbsp. Worcestershire sauce
3 tbsp. ketchup

8 ounces of water

Saute the onions.

Brown the meat. Add the onions and all other ingredients. Simmer for one hour. Make sure the sauce stays a little moist.

It's an easy and tasty recipe.

SEEDHOUSE RECEIVES CHANCELLOR'S AWARD

This past season LW Steve Seedhouse led the team in goals with 15. As good as he is on the ice, he's even better in the classroom. As a matter of fact, he's one of the best.

Yesterday, Steve was one of 275 SUNY students to receive the Chancellor’s Award for Student Excellence as presented by SUNY Chancellor John Clark.

The Chancellor's Award for Student Excellence is the highest honor that SUNY bestows upon students. It is presented annually to SUNY students who demonstrate academic excellence and integrate it with other qualities such as leadership, athletics, community service, creative and performing arts, entrepreneurship, or career achievement.

Steve will receive a medallion, which will be worn at commencement.

Steve is in rare company. Think about this: Total enrollment in the SUNY system is over 427,000 students....putting him in the top 0.06% of all students. Wow.

ADD BROCKPORT HOCKEY AS A FRIEND ON MYSPACE

One of the most popular online social networks craved by pop culture is MySpace.com. This internet site allows people to connect with classmates, long lost friends, and those of like interests. It is extremely popular amongst college students, so I look at this venue as a great way to promote the team on campus. I've created a Brockport Hockey profile on MySpace. Check it out at:

http://www.myspace.com/brockporthockey

2008-2009 HOME SCHEDULE

LEBANON VALLEY: Sat. Oct. 25...5 p.m.

PLATTSBURGH: Fri. Nov. 14...7 p.m.

POTSDAM: Sat. Nov. 15...7 p.m.

FREDONIA: Fri. Dec. 5...7 p.m.

BUFFALO STATE: Sat. Dec. 6...7 p.m.

WORCESTER STATE (MA): Fri. Jan. 9...7 p.m.

WORCESTER STATE (MA): Sat. Jan. 10...3 p.m.

MORRISVILLE: Sat. Jan. 24...7 p.m.

GENESEO: Fri. Jan. 30...7 p.m.

OSWEGO: Fri. Feb. 13...7 p.m.

CORTLAND: Sat. Feb. 14...7 p.m.

2008-2009 ROAD SCHEDULE

Hobart: Fri. Oct. 31...7 p.m.

Morrisville: Sat. Nov. 1...7 p.m.

Geneseo: Fri. Nov. 7...7 p.m.

Oswego: Fri. Nov. 21...7 p.m.

Cortland: Sat. Nov. 22...7 p.m.

Castleton(VT) Tournament: Sat. Nov. 29...3/6 p.m.

Castleton(VT) Tournament: Sun. Nov. 30...12/3 p.m.

Framingham State (MA): Fri. Jan. 16...7 p.m.

Framingham State (MA): Sat. Jan. 17...7 p.m.

Western New England College: Wed. Jan. 21...7 p.m.

Plattsburgh: Fri. Feb. 6...7 p.m.

Potsdam: Sat. Feb. 7....7 p.m.

Fredonia: Fri. Feb. 20...7 p.m.

Buffalo State: Sat. Feb. 21...7 p.m.

TEAM PARTICIPATES IN READ ACROSS AMERICA

Last month the team was well-represented by Mike Gershon, Craig Carlyle, Gordon Pritchard, and Coach Dickinson, who all in uniform went to the Brockport Elementary School to participate in the Read Across America program. They each read a book to the kids and then signed autographs and answered any questions the youngsters had.

All Golden Eagle teams took part in this event, but hockey had the most from one team offer their time to this cause.

Here, Mike Gershon has every one's attention:

AN INTERVIEW WITH ADAM SHOFF

Adam Shoff is a new recruit from Port Dover, Ontario, who will be joining the team for the 2008-2009 season. The 5'9", 185-pound, 21-year-old just completed a season in which he captained the Port Colborne Sailors (Junior B team of the OHA), a franchise that has produced the likes of NHL Hall-of-Famer Teeder Kennedy. In 45 games this past season, Adam had 7 goals and 23 assists. He added two more goals in a six game playoff against the Niagara Falls Canucks.

I interviewed Adam about hockey and coming to Brockport.....

BOB: What's your hockey history?

ADAM: I started playing hockey in my hometown of Port Dover ON. Then Moved onto AAA in Brantford ON, and from there to junior where I played 4 years, including Brantford, ON, Campbellton New Brunswick, Oakville, ON and finally Port Colborne, ON.

BOB: How was it playing for the Port Colborne Sailors the past few years?

ADAM: Playing in Port Colborne the past two years was the best two year of my junior career. I really enjoyed the players, and coach’s there, and loved playing hockey there.

BOB: How would you describe your style of play?

ADAM: I would describe my style of play as a very hard worker, with good vision, and good play making ability.

BOB: Who are your all-time favorite NHL-ers?

ADAM: My all time favorite NHL-ers are no doubt Dougie Gilmore, and Wendel Clark.

BOB: What brings you to Brockport?

ADAM: I visited a few schools before I decided to come to Brockport. There was a bunch of things that brought me here but definitely one of the big reasons was when I went on a tour with Coach Dickinson, the amount of people that asked about the hockey game or commented on the game from the night before was huge. Along with it being a highly ranked academic school, helped a lot.

BOB: What are your thoughts about adjusting to the American and NCAA style of play?

ADAM: I definitely think that there will be an adjustment period next year. I think getting use to the speed is going to be the biggest adjustment next year when I make the jump.

"WHERE ARE THEY NOW?" COMING SOON

Beginning in April I'm bringing a new endeavor to this blog: "Where Are They Now?"

Every month I'll interview an alumnus of the hockey program so you can see what he's been up to since graduating. We'll get a chance to hear about his family, career, and post-college hockey life. We'll also discuss his all-time favorite Brockport memories.

With 42 years of club and varsity hockey at the college, we'll never run out of interesting people and their stories.

If there's anyone (player OR coach) you'd like to see grilled, shoot me an e-mail or comment to this post.

SABRES ALUMNI COMING TO CAMPUS

The Buffalo Sabres Alumni are coming to Brockport on Wednesday, April 2nd, for a 7:30 PM basketball game against Brockport faculty. Proceeds will benefit the American Cancer Society's Relay For Life. For info about the alumni visit: http://www.sabresalumni.com/index.php

CHRIS KORAS RECEIVES ACADEMIC AWARD

In Division III sports it's really "academics first, athletics second". Many of the athletes are accomplished students, much more so than DI athletes. That was made apparent again last week when it was announced that the team's leading scorer, senior Chris Koras, has received the Paul B. Hanks, Sr. and Paul B. Hanks, Jr. Award winner as presented by the college's Political Science department. This prestigous award “acknowledges and encourages the most promising senior pre-law student whose academic accomplishments, record of community service, and involvement in co-curricular activities reflect those qualities which made Mr. Paul Hanks, Sr. and Mr. Paul B. Hanks, Jr. respected and valued members of the legal profession and community.”

TODD SHERIDAN'S TV APPEARANCE

Back on March 12th, Brockport's record-setting goaltender Todd Sheridan was on TV for an hour-long episode of the live talk show "WNY Tonight" which airs in the Niagara Falls and Buffalo television market on LCTV. The show has aired a dozen times the past couple of weeks, allowing many people to hear about Todd's battle with and victory over cancer and about his new non-profit organization, Saves For a Cure, that will benefit cancer-stricken children in Rochester.

If you live outside of the area and would like to see the show, shoot me an e-mail at bobconfer@juno.com and I'll send you a DVD copy in the mail. It's good TV....I can't say enough about how great Todd's story is and how meaningful his philanthropy will be to the community.

The picture is Todd in the LCTV studio with me and WNY Tonight host Tammie Lee Demler.

BROCKPORT'S TOUGH SCHEDULE

This past weekend I was in Lake Placid for the Divsion III Frozen Four. Two of the four teams (Elmira and Plattsburgh) were Brockport opponents during the regular season. That got me thinking about how tough Brockport's schedule was in 2007-2008. Based on USCHO.com's rankings of the top 15 teams in the nation, here's who Brockport had to face:

#2 Plattsburgh (twice!)

#3 Manhattanville (twice!)

#4 Elmira

#7 Hobart

#8 Oswego (twice!)

#10 Middlebury

That's 9 games...more than a third of Brockport's schedule...against "top ten" teams!

ABOUT THIS BLOG

A 1996 graduate of SUNY College at Brockport, I've just completed my fifteenth season of following the college's hockey team. A big a fan as they come, for the past two years I've provided game recaps, scouting reports, news stories and more on a Facebook group for Brockport hockey fans. Being that many fans (especially parents and alumni) don't have a Facebook account, I thought I'd bring all of this to the Internet at large so anyone can follow the team. So, from here on out, this blog will serve as THE clearinghouse for anything and everything Brockport hockey. Add this site to your "favorites"....be sure to check back regularly...and even daily during the season.

A sports fan who's grown disinterested in pro sports because of its many excesses, I've always had an appreciation for NCAA Division III sports and its "academics first and athletics second" mindset. Without scholarships or the trappings of pro sports (or Division I sports for that matter) the athletes really DO play for the love of the game. That being said, there's never a bad game at the DIII level because it's always a meaningful experience to the athlete and his fans...be they students, alumni, or parents. I'd rather watch a Brockport game than a professional game any day. Hopefully, you feel the same way following our Golden Eagles.