MCNAB & GERSHON GO TO TRAINING CAMP

The Port Huron Icehawks of the IHL issued this news about two of Brockport's best last night...


PORT HURON, MI - The Port Huron Icehawks of the International Hockey League will open training camp next Monday with a 33-man roster. The lineup includes 18 forwards, 11 defensemen and four goalies.

Training Camp opens at 9 a.m. on Monday, October 5 at McMorran Arena and will conclude with three exhibition games on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Monday through Friday the camp schedule will include practice sessions from 9 a.m. - 9:45 a.m. and 11:45 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. and scrimmages from 10 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. On Saturday, the team will skate from 8 a.m. - 9:30 a.m. All practices and scrimmages are open to the public.

"This summer we wanted to get faster, bigger and more physical. I think we have done that," Head Coach and General Manager Stan Drulia said. "I am excited about this training camp. No one's jobs are secure; 33 players will vie for 19 spots. I think we have some first year players that are going to push some experienced players for their job with this hockey team."

"Camp will be very interesting as we get into the exhibition games," he continued. "I am going to give these young players time to impress us. The summer is over. It is time to play hockey."

Among those taking to the ice next Monday are ten previously unannounced players. They include returners Jamie Lovell (D), Jason Selleke (RW) and Kevin O'Connor (D) and newcomers Cory Stillman (C), Mike Kinnie (F), Dave McNab (F), Mike Bray (RW), Myles Palliser (F), Mike Gershon (D) and Darcy Rees (D).

Dave McNab (6-0, 190 lbs) comes to the Icehawks after four seasons of collegiate hockey; one at State University of New York-Plattsburgh (2005-06) and three at SUNY-Brockport (2006-09). He recorded the best numbers of his career last season with 21 points (11g, 10a) in 27 games. The 25-year old native of Hamilton, Ontario also played three seasons in the Ontario Junior Hockey League. He will be reunited at training camp with former Brockport teammate Mike Gershon.

Mike Gershon (5-10, 195 lbs) played four years at Brockport College in the State University of New York Athletic Conference. Last season, he was named to the All-SUNYAC 2nd team with 17 points (8g, 9a) in 27 games. A native of Sparta, New Jersey, he will celebrate his 25th birthday next week.

The Icehawks open the 2009-10 regular season on Saturday, October 17 at home versus the Fort Wayne Komets. Single game tickets are on sale now at the McMorran Arena Box Office, any Ticket Master location or by phone at 810-966-3800. For more information and the complete 2009-10 schedule, visit www.porthuronicehawks.com

BROCKPORT ALUMNI PROFILES: CHRIS BROWN

Just as the Brockport website's homepage profiles current students it also looks at recent graduates. Among them is Chris Brown who graduated from Brockport in 2008. He played in 96 games for the Golden Eagles as a defenseman and had a stellar senior year with 16 points.

Here's what the College reports on Chris...

Christopher Brown
The Team Player
BS in Biology, ’08

“The College at Brockport provided the most unforgettable four years of my life.”

Living the “best of both worlds,” Christopher Brown is able to study and travel on a scenic island. He is currently studying at St. George’s University Medical School in Grenada, West Indies. Passionate about the excitement and fast pace of the medical field, Christopher is constantly learning new techniques and treatments to better serve his patients. His valuable experience at Brockport has allowed him to excel in medical school.

“I was extremely fortunate to have taken classes with the many extraordinary professors at The College at Brockport. The professors taught me the qualities that a student needs to thrive in medical school,” said Christopher, of Toronto, Canada, who majored in biology with a minor in chemistry as a student at Brockport.

Outside of the classroom Christopher volunteered in the Emergency Department at Lakeside Memorial Hospital and presented laboratory research at various scientific conferences, including DDW in Washington, DC, and San Diego, CA; NCUR in San Francisco, CA; Ocean City, MD; and RASC in Rochester, NY.

Christopher also completed biological research with Assistant Professor of Biological Sciences Adam Rich. “Dr. Rich not only took the time to help me with my applications to medical school, but became a guide and a mentor in my everyday life. I can only hope that everyone can meet someone who will influence them as much as he inspired me.”

Christopher was faced with an important decision at the age of 15 when he was offered an opportunity to play for the Sault Ste Marie Greyhounds hockey team in the Ontario Hockey League. Had he joined the team, he would have been ineligible to play collegiate hockey and therefore delay or forego his education. Christopher instead decided to pursue an education to keep his dream of becoming a doctor alive, and became a member of the Brockport Golden Eagles varsity hockey team. He never regretted his decision. “By being a member of the hockey team, I not only made very good friends, I met 20 guys who I can confidently treat as brothers for the rest of my life.”

Christopher’s four years at Brockport has definitely changed his life. “The College at Brockport opened many doors to opportunities that I might not have had the opportunity to experience. The friendships I made and the people I met from many different backgrounds have all had a profound impact upon my life and will continue to do so.”

When asked to describe himself, Christopher says he is “competitive and driven to succeed, but still very much a team player.” Christopher’s goal of becoming a medical doctor, possibly in the surgical field, is well within his reach. As a member of a medical team, he will each day have the opportunity to be a positive force in the lives of his patients. But he also has another dream—to be a member of a team in the National Hockey League.

Whether he’s saving lives in the world of medicine or gliding across the ice to score a goal, Christopher is determined to thrive.


Visit the page at: https://www.brockport.edu/profiles/cbrown.html

BROCKPORT STUDENT PROFILES: TODD SHERIDAN

The Brockport College homepage at http://www.brockport.edu/ has a slideshow on its title bar that each time you visit the site it cycles through a photo of a student and a quote from that student. This allows visitors to the site to put a face with the college, giving Brockport a more human feel.

Among those selected for these profiles was Golden Eagles goaltender Todd Sheridan. If you click on the "more info" tab next to his mugshot on the title bar you are led to a page that discusses Todd as a student and person. Here's what it says...



Todd Sheridan

The Defender

BS in Business Administration and Economics, ’11

“The College at Brockport gave me the opportunity to obtain my life back.”

At 20 years old, Todd Sheridan was diagnosed with Stage 3 1/2 Squamous cell carcinoma cancer. The cancer started in his tongue and then spread to his neck. Doctors told him he had a small chance of survival, let alone playing hockey. Several surgeries and chemotherapy sessions later, Todd is proving others wrong by gliding across the ice once again.

Todd, of Edison, NJ, is a major in business administration. Two years ago he established his own charity called “Saves For A Cure.” Every time a College at Brockport ice hockey team goalie saves a goal, companies donate $1 to the charity. The funds go directly toward the Children’s Cancer Center at Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester, NY. The donations are used specifically to purchase amenities such as DVD players or televisions to be installed in the waiting and chemotherapy rooms. By having these amenities, it makes the overall experience of cancer easier for children. “One day in the hospital, I watched a man with a bald spot on his head playing with his daughter in the waiting room. I automatically assumed the father was the one with cancer until I saw the little girl walk into the chemotherapy room. I knew then that I wanted to make a difference.”

Todd had been presented Division I offers to play ice hockey at the collegiate level, but once he was diagnosed with cancer, most schools didn’t think he could play hockey for their college teams. “Brockport was the only school that thought I could make a comeback after my illness. With the help of Michael Militello, a certified athletic trainer, I was able to recover and get back on the ice.”

After returning to the ice, Todd’s first team win was an unforgettable moment for him. Since that win, he has had an incredible goaltending career, with 1,273 saves and a .901 save percentage. He also was a member of the SUNYAC All-Conference squad. The entire ice hockey team with head coach Brian Dickinson and assistant coaches Mark Digby and Ken Soble have been fully supportive of Todd’s charity. During the 2009 season, the team held a jersey auction that raised nearly $3,000 for Todd’s foundation. Todd and team member Tim Crowley witnessed their jerseys being sold for $250 each! Todd is thankful for his teammates—on and off the ice. “They will never know how much this team has truly meant to me.”

Todd also has another passion—writing—which was recognized by Associate Professor of English Gregory Garvey. “Dr. Garvey thinks I’m an excellent writer and he gave me the inspiration to continue with my work.”

Todd hopes one day to finish his written piece, creating a pamphlet to be distributed at children’s cancer centers to provide guidance for the day-to-day experience children with cancer face.

His future goals include attending graduate school to obtain his masters in business administration and having “Saves For A Cure” continue to grow as a foundation. Todd lives his life through his favorite quote. “Obstacles are those frightful things you see when you take your eyes off of your goals.” He considers his cancer as an obstacle that he didn’t just survive, but ultimately beat. For the rest of his life, Todd will continue to be both the defender of goals and a defender of children with cancer.

CROSS CHECKS & THE LAW

I saw this interesting news story on CBC.ca today. Let's hope that this legal stupidity doesn't make its way to the States....


Quebec hockey player convicted of assault for cross-check

A Quebec junior hockey player who cross-checked an opponent in the face last fall has been found guilty of assault with a weapon.

Youth court Judge Jacques A. Nadeau handed down the verdict in Montreal on Friday, saying the court did not believe the player's actions were accidental. Nadeau also said it's clear the law extends to hockey arenas and that players need to understand this.

The accused, who was 17 at the time, was facing one count of assault causing bodily harm and a second charge of assault with a weapon.

The defence argued the accused was merely following hockey's unwritten code of engagement, and that the stick attack in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League game was accidental. Nadeau ordered a stay on the bodily harm charge.

A publication ban prevents the names of the accused and the victim from being made public. Sentencing arguments will be heard later on Friday.


Source:

http://www.cbc.ca/canada/montreal/story/2009/09/18/quebec-junior-hockey-violence.html

TODAY IN BROCKPORT ATHLETICS

New for this academic year, the Brockport Athletics Department - under the guise of Ellsworth the Eagle - has launched a blog following Golden Eagle sports called "Today in Brockport Athletics".

You can check it out at: http://www.brockportathletics.blogspot.com/

WHERE ARE THEY NOW: MIKE TEFFT

Periodically we run an installment of “Where Are They Now” at BrockportHockey.com, allowing alumni and fans to catch up with some of the many men who have played hockey for the college. This month we catch up with Mike Tefft.

Mike ranks among the very best hockey players in Brockport history. He played for the Golden Eagles from 1994 to 1998 and is ranked seventh all-time in points (110 points). He scored 47 goals in his career (ninth best) and assisted on 63 more.

Besides having a great overall career, he had one of the best single seasons in team history: In 1997-1998, as the team captain, he had the third most points in team history (48) while scoring 23 goals and adding 25 assists. To put that season in perspective, the highest single-season point total this century is Mark Digby’s 31 in the 2004-2005 season.

Mike (right) and his brother
Brian (who also played for Brockport)
with their daughters

Mike Tefft currently lives in North Carolina where he is a realtor with Help-U-Sell Triangle Realty and a mortgage broker with Homestead Mortgage and Finance.

He is also the founder, president and head instructor for First Line Hockey LLC, which has been in operation since 2003. The company focuses on skills development and physical training through a variety of intense and successful day camp programs. More information about his enterprise can be found at http://www.firstlinehockey.com/

As evidenced by First Line, Mike’s devotion to the game has continued well after college. Committed to sharing the joys of hockey with others, he has been coaching for years. Here’s a snapshot of his coaching career:

EAST COAST EAGLES, Cary, NC
Head Coach (1999 – 2001) - Peewee
Head Coach (2002 – 2005) - Midget Minor / Major

NC STATE MEN’S ICE HOCKEY, Raleigh, NC
Assistant Coach (2001 – 2002)

CAROLINA HURRICANES SUMMER CAMP, Raleigh, NC
Head Instructor / Power Skating Instructor (2002 – 2007)

CAROLINA JR. HURRICANES, Raleigh, NC
Head Coach (2004 – 2007) – Select Quebec Team:
Coached 1st North Carolina Team to the Semifinals

EUROPEAN SELECT TOUR TEAM
Head Coach (2006) – Ages 16 to 21

FAYETTEVILLE FIREANTZ, Fayetteville, NC
Head Coach (2006 – 2007) - Midget Major

CAROLINA JR. HURRICANES, Raleigh, NC
Head Coach (2007 – 2008) - AAA Midget Minor

EAST COAST EAGLES, Wake Forest, N
JR. B Assistant Coach (2008 – 2009)

Mike behind the bench in Quebec

I recently interviewed Mike and here’s what he had to say about the Brockport experience and life after college…


You had an extremely successful hockey career at Brockport, including one of the team's greatest seasons ever (48 points, 3rd all-time). That said, you must have a lot of great memories about Brockport hockey. What are some of those memories?

Some of my best days at Brockport were in my Junior and Senior years when it felt like we were actually turning the program around, trying to rebuild a winning tradition. Some of my highlight games at Brockport were beating Canisius for the 1st time in 4 years as well as beating Mercyhurst for the 1st time in 4 years while recording my first Hat Trick.


Off the ice -- in the classroom and in the community -- how was the overall Brockport experience?

The Brockport experience was great. People in the community enjoyed coming out to the games and were very supportive of the team. It was a great place to play and go to school.


How have your experiences at Brockport influenced your coaching style?

My coaching style has strongly been influenced by my years at Brockport. I have always tried to take the positive experiences away from Brockport and roll that into my coaching attitude. I have also taken many of the drills and dryland training activities with me to the teams I have coached. Needless to say sometimes my 13-14 yr old Bantam team gets a little tired during dryland; however my teams are always in great shape.


What else have you been up to since Brockport?

I will be married for 3 years this coming October 20th. My wife Michelle runs a Personal Training business. And we are proud new parents of an 8 week old baby girl…Nolan Elizabeth Tefft

Mike, his wife Michelle and the newest
addition to the Tefft family: Nolan Elizabeth

CROWLEY AT POTSDAM

The Potsdam Athletics Department has officially announced Brockport stand-out Tim Crowely as the hockey program's assistant coach. The Department put onto its website this bio for Tim....

Tim Crowley begins his first season with the Bears in the Fall of 2009. Crowley will assist Coach Bernard in all aspects of the hockey program including game preparation, skills development and recruiting.

Coach Crowley is a 2009 graduate of SUNY Brockport where he was a four-year member of the Golden Eagles hockey team. An assistant captain his senior year, Crowley was a SUNYAC All-Academic while also receiving the Bob Peterson Coaches Award and Brockport's Seventh Man Award.

"I am extremely excited to have a coach with Tim's professionalism and work ethic join our staff. His passion for the game and his familiarity with our league will be a tremendous asset to the development of our program," noted Coach Bernard.

Prior to attending Brockport, Crowley played junior hockey for the Cobourg Cougars and the Syracuse Stars. He is a native of Brasher Falls, NY and played four years at St. Lawrence Central High School.

BROCKPORT ALUMNUS NAMED AMERKS MANAGER OF HOCKEY OPERATIONS

Adam Winslow played in 6 games for the Golden Eagles in the 2001-2002 season games (0 G, 0 A) and graduated from the College in 2003.

The Rochester Americans report on his new role in their organization...



ADAM WINSLOW NAMED MANAGER OF HOCKEY OPERATIONS

The Rochester Americans announced today that the team has named Adam Winslow the Manager of Hockey Operations for the 2009-10 American Hockey League season. In his new role, he will work closely with the Amerks Senior VP of Hockey Operations, Ted Nolan, and the Director of Player Personnel, Jody Gage.

“I am honored that the organization has again let me branch out into another area, which will assist me in my professional development,” said Winslow. “It’s also exciting to know that I will be working with two great hockey legends in Ted Nolan and Jody Gage.”

“We believe that you get the best results from people in your organization when they work in an area where they want to be,” said Amerks President Lewis Staats. “One of the principles we use in our business is that we need to let people take on new challenges and Adam is doing just that moving into hockey operations.”

Winslow, 29, enters his seventh season with the Amerks, having worked his way up from season ticket sales, group sales and corporate sales to the VP of Ticketing and Suites for the Amerks and Rochester Knighthawks of the National Lacrosse League in 2008-09.

Winslow graduated from SUNY Brockport in May 2003 with a bachelor’s degree in physical education/sport management. He also graduated from SUNY Morrisville in May 2001 with an associate’s degree in individual studies/business management.

Along with a strong professional and educational background, Winslow brings to the job 19 years of organized hockey experience. In his career, he has played for the Auburn Hockey Club, the Syracuse Stars Junior Program, Auburn High School Hockey and for college programs at SUNY Morrisville and SUNY Brockport. He also coached Auburn High School from 2003-07.

Adam currently resides in Auburn, NY, with wife, Nichole.

JOIN THE GOLDEN EAGLE SOCIETY

The Athletic Department has posted to the web the 2009-2010 membership application for the Golden Eagle Society. For nine years running, the GES has given friends of the College a chance to support Brockport sports and even attend the games at a discounted rate. There are various donation levels ranging from $25 to $1,000.

For Brockport hockey fans who are not students - parents, alumni, townsfolk - the $25 membership is a steal. By joining at that level you get a pass for two to all athletic events. At a few bucks a ticket at the door, the pass pays for itself after a few games (and there are 10 home games this season).

The form can be downloaded here:

http://www.brockport.edu/athletics/GES/2009_Golden_Eagle_Society_Brochure.pdf

HOCKEY RAFFLE

The ice hockey team will be holding a raffle this fall to raise money for the program. They have 3 prints that they will be raffling off at the November 7th game vs Hobart.

Players and coaches will be selling the raffle tickets throughout the fall for $10.00 per ticket.

The prizes are:

1st Prize-- Sidney Crosby "Winter Classic". Framed 38" x 38" Signed by Sidney Crosby and one of only 87 copies


2nd Prize-- Bobby Orr "The Prize" Framed 26" x 34" Signed by Bobby Orr and is an Open Edition


3rd Prize-- Roger Maris & Mickey Mantle Framed 30.75" x 24.75" One of only 40 copies

You can get information by calling Coach Dickinson's office at 585.395.5351

DIII CHAMPIONSHIP TO BE HELD AT HERB BROOKS ARENA

The location of the Division III version of the Frozen Four for the 2009-2010 season has been a topic of debate in recent months. Some NCAA documents and those who closely follow the game had the site located out west at Ridder. Other documents and fans said the championship would be held yet again at Lake Placid.

Well, the drama is over. The Olympic Regional Development Authority says that the village of Lake Placid is hosting the event for the third year in a row on March 19 and 20 of 2010.

That is great news for New Yorkers. Once again, DIII's premier event will be in our backyard (albeit six hours away from Brockport) at the most hallowed venue for American hockey, Herb Brooks Arena. I'm looking forward to attending again, making it the fourth DIII Frozen Four I've been to.

ORDA has posted an event for this on Facebook:

http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/event.php?eid=120193676440

To buy tickets and get information in the coming months, visit ORDA's website:

http://www.orda.org/

BROCKPORT HOCKEY NOW ON TWITTER

In an effort to continue the promotion of the team on campus, in the community, and across Division III, I have created a Twitter account for the team that will focus on newsy items about the team and tidbits from this blog.

To follow the Twitter go to: http://www.twitter.com/brockporthockey

E.J. McGUIRE TO ENTER BROCKPORT H.O.F.

The Golden Eagles Hall of Fame recognizes athletes, coaches and/or administrators who have made outstanding contributions to the intercollegiate athletics program at the State University of New York College at Brockport.

So far, 151 athletes and coaches have been inducted...and not one of them from the hockey program.

That will change this fall. The Athletics Department has announced that E.J. McGuire is among the 5 inductees in this year's Hall of Fame class who will be inducted on September 26th.

E.J. is a 1975 graduate of the College who was a gritty, hardworking player best known for his five assists (a single game record) against St. John Fisher in his senior year. Shortly after finishing his masters degree, the cerebral McGuire took control of the team and was the head coach from the '77-'78 season through the '81-'82 season, compiling a 44-74-1 record.

The Brockport experience helped prepare him for a great career in the management side of professional hockey. McGuire is one of the most respected men in NHL circles.

He twice served as a Philadelphia Flyers assistant coach, under Mike Keenan from 1984 to 1988 and Bill Barber in the 2001-2002 season. In the 80's stint McGuire and the team won three straight Patrick Division titles and went to the Stanley Cup Finals twice.

McGuire is now the Director of Central Scouting for the NHL. The Central Scouting Service provides leagues and team directories, schedules and rosters for dozens of leagues and tournaments in North America and Europe that have NHL prospects participating in them. A focus is placed on the CHL, U.S.College and US Junior leagues and as a result, the department provides NHL scouts a weekly injury update and player movements report for those leagues. Along with these reports, Central Scouting provides NHL teams with video footage of top prospects and two player ranking lists during the season. These lists are used by NHL clubs as a second opinion and as an aid in making their own prospect evaluations. Over the last few years Central Scouting has been inviting approximately 100 of the top prospects from around the world to Toronto for Medical and Fitness testing. This event allows NHL teams to view these top players prior to the entry draft during medical and physical tests and gives them an opportunity for one on one interviews with the players.

AN INTERVIEW WITH ADAM KOROL

One of Brockport's newest students and hockey players is Adam Korol, a 6'2", 185-pound defenseman from Hurley, NY who played in 40 games for the Walpole Express last season. Here's an interview with Adam...



What's your hockey history?

07-09 Walpole Express (AJHL)
06-07 Hudson Valley Eagles (MJHL) / Brewster Bulldogs (Empire Jr. B)
05-06 Albany Jr River Rats (CHA)


How would you describe your style of play?

Stay at home defenseman


The GM of the Walpole Express, Rob Barletta, calls you "Mr. Steady." How did that name come about?

Mr. Barletta and my coach at the time Chris Cerrella used to call me that. It was because I played hard and consistent every game.


Who are your all-time favorite NHL players and why?

I'm a Devils fan so players like Brodeur, Stevens, and Daneyko


What sold you on Brockport?

The players, when I came to visit, were great and made it a fun time for me. Also, the in-state tuition helped my decision a lot, being from New York.

CROWLEY JOINS POTSDAM COACHING STAFF

In May, Tim Crowley graduated from the College at Brockport after an enjoyable and productive 4 years in the hockey program. Last season, he had 27 points. In his junior year he was arguably Brockport’s best player down the stretch when he had 19 points, 13 of them in January and February when Brockport was trying to make the playoffs.

Tim has always played the game the right way. Now, he’ll be coaching it the right way.

Tim was recently hired as the assistant coach for Brockport-rival Potsdam, joining Chris Bernard on the restructured coaching staff of a competitive team that went 6-6-4 in the SUNYAC last season and has a long history of success.

Brockport opens it season against Tim’s new team on October 30th. I recently interviewed Tim for BrockportHockey.com. Here’s the conversation…



How does it feel being hired by a team that was your enemy for four years?

I am really excited about the opportunity that I was offered and I am very thankful to Chris Bernard. As far as being offered the job in Potsdam ,to be honest I never felt they were much of an enemy because they were from my hometown so I always looked forward to competing against them.



Being that you're from Brasher Falls, which is basically in Potsdam's backyard, being able to coach your hometown college must be a hockey-dream-come-true...

Absolutely. I feel very fortunate that I have this coaching position because it was something I had always wanted to do when my college career came to an end. That, combined with the fact that it is essentially in my backyard, I would consider it a dream come true.


What do you see as some of Potsdam's greatest strengths heading into the 2009-2010 season?

I feel that we will be a team that will work hard day in and day out. I think that we have the talent to be a top team in the SUNYAC.


Brockport and Potsdam are long-time SUNYAC rivals and you'll get to see your old team twice a season. I imagine that has to be bittersweet and exciting at the same time...

I am sure that when the day comes it will be quite nerve wracking but at the end of the day I still want to win, regardless of who the opponent is.


What sort of experiences from your Brockport days will you be bringing with you to your coaching role?

I learned quite a bit throughout the past three years being coached by Coach Dickinson and Coach Digby. I will try to bring those experience and my own knowledge to the way I coach.

HAYWARD COMMITS TO BROCKPORT

The Brockport Golden Eagles have added another recruit in Mike Hayward. The 6' 2", 200-pound defenseman and Toronto native played for the Vaughan Vipers of the OJHL in 2008-2009. In 48 games he scored three goals while assisting on 21 more.

ZOLLARS SIGNS WITH ICEMEN

Gentry Zollars played for Brockport in 2007-2008, a season in which he tallied 10 points in 23 games. Now he's in Evansville. Here's the news release...


The Evansville IceMen of the All American Hockey League are excited to announce that they have signed 8 players to Training Camp Agreements. All eight of the player were present at the teams 2 day tryout camp in Evansville this weekend.

"It was a great 2 days of working out", IceMen head coach Jack Collins said. "We saw a lot of good things from a lot of players. In the end, these eight guys were the ones that really stood out and that we wanted to make sure we got into camp."

Thirty Seven players participated in the two day tryout camp that consisted of two on ice sessions and a full morning of strength and conditioning testing.

Players signing with the IceMen include:

Gentry Zollars: A 6 foot, 190 pound defenseman/forward from Bethel Park, PA. Gentry played at the University of Massachusetts at Boston. He played the previous season for SUNY Brockport College, near Rochester, NY.

For more information visit:

http://www.evansvilleicemen.com/Evansville%20IceMen.html

TWO COMMIT TO BROCKPORT

The Golden Eagles had two more hockey players commit to the College for the 2009-2010 school year. They are...

Adam Korol, Walpole Express (AJHL), D, Hurley, NY 6' 2" 185
Nick Panepinto, Buffalo Jr. Sabres(OJHL), F, Buffalo, NY 5'10" 170

ICE HOCKEY TEAM SUCCESSFUL IN THE CLASSROOM

Division III sports are unique amongst all other adult sports...DI, pro, semi-pro and the like...because they emphasize a perfect life balance: academics first, athletics second.

The hockey team shows that they live that mantra. This past school year they were just as successful in the classroom as they were on the ice.

The overall team GPA stands at 2.99 , the highest team GPA of all men's teams at The College of Brockport.

The following players received special recognition:

Athletic Department Honor Roll (3.0 or higher): Chris Berardini, Aaron Boyer, James Cody, Tim Crowley, Brett Jendra, Dave McNab, Nick Sampson, Todd Sheridan, Andrew Simmons, Rick Stanek, Oliver Wren

Dean's List (3.40 or higher): Chris Berardini, Aaron Boyer, James Cody, Tim Crowley, Brett Jendra, Nick Sampson

SUNYAC All Academic (3.3 or higher): Chris Berardini, Aaron Boyer, James Cody, Tim Crowley, Brett Jendra, Nick Sampson

SUNYAC Commissioners List (3.3 or higher for 3 consecutive semesters): Chris Berardini, Aaron Boyer, Nick Sampson

Congrats to our student-athletes!

HOBART ROAD GAME ADDED

The team's 2009-2010 schedule is now complete. On Thursday, January 7, 2010 the Golden Eagles travel to Hobart for a 7:00 match-up.

Stayed tuned for a date confirmation for an exhibition game against a Canadian junior team.

HOCKEY ALUMNUS TOD MARTIN

This week's issue of Business First, Buffalo's business news journal, features an article about Tod Martin who once played for the Golden Eagles. Here's the story...


Building the brand
Tod Martin turned a love of drawing into his own company

Tod Martin was drawn to his career.

Literally.

As a youth growing up in Amherst, Martin had two main hobbies: playing hockey (he was a stand out with the Amherst Youth Hockey program) and drawing. While his friends were outside playing, Martin was practicing his pen-and-ink skills and nurturing his painting talents.

That strange mix continued when he attended Brockport State College, where Martin skated on the hockey team and majored in fine arts.

It was one of his professors who fine tuned Martin’s skills.

“He told me I was more a designer than an artist,” Martin said.

After transferring and then graduating from the University at Buffalo, Martin landed what he called his first “dream job,” working as an artist for the former Faller Klenk & Quinlan advertising agency.

Shortly thereafter, Martin was hired as the art director for another former local agency, Bolling-Peterson.

“That was a real sink or swim situation for me, but it was also a great learning experience,” Martin said. “There were a lot of nights when I was the last person in the office.”

Martin worked for a number of other agencies before deciding in 2001 to strike out on his own. With that the Martin Group was formed.

“There was something deeper in me, that had been growing for a number of years, that drove me to start my own business,” Martin said.

Starting out on a shoestring with just a handful of clients, Martin has seen his company grow in the past eight years. It is currently the area’s 12th largest advertising agency.

What’s what: Martin calls what he and his agency does as “brand fuel.” In other words, they create an image and look – and, at times, a complete rebrand. That’s something they did last year for Orville’s Home Appliance stores, replacing its old and stodgy look for a sleek, 21st century design. Ditto for Leki ski and trekking poles and Buffalo’s New Era Cap Co. Orville’s new look helped the retailer see a 20 percent spike in sales.

“We create images for companies,” Martin said.

Where’s the work coming from? Mostly, the Martin Group has picked up work from referrals and word-of-mouth. Yes, Martin said he has chased down and pitched some accounts, but mostly it has come from his firm’s creative reputation.

“After eight years, I finally feel that we are on the radar screens of a lot of people and companies,” Martin said.

Who’s who: Besides Martin, the agency has 17 employees. Because of losing one out-of-town account, he was forced to lay off three workers earlier this year. However, Martin remains hopeful new work on the horizon may translate into being able to hire a handful of new workers.

Billings: $1.85 million in 2008 and $2 million projected for this year.
Clients: A partial list includes Evans National Bank, Greatbatch, Dick’s Sporting Goods and Restonic Mattress Co. New clients include the Damon & Morey law firm, First Amherst Development Group and Vermont’s Long Trail Brewery.

“We’ve worked hard to become the branding firm in Western New York,” Martin said.

Networking or paper work: Given his choice, Martin said he is most effective schmoozing clients, working with his staff and networking. Paper work is not his forte.

“I have enough confidence in my team that it allows me to be cut loose,” Martin said. “My teammates know I’m not the person to be bogged down. The last place they want to see me is sitting behind my desk. Although, every now and then, I do think about what it would be like to go back to my drawing days.”

Moving on up: Last fall, Martin bought a vacant Main Street building and hoped to renovate it as his agency’s new offices. The project is taking a lot longer than he anticipated due to myriad issues, including securing financing for the project.

Martin remains committed to moving into the building, but now, probably not for another year.

“$800,000 is a pretty big chunk of change to bite off,” Martin said.

Because he is out of space in his current Court Street location, Martin will probably lease another downtown Buffalo spot on a temporary basis until he can start the Main Street project.

“Make no mistake, we are not leaving downtown and we will be on Main Street,” Martin said.


Story courtesy of Business First:

http://buffalo.bizjournals.com/buffalo/stories/2009/05/18/smallb1.html?b=1242619200%5E1827742

CHANGE IN SCHEDULE

There has been a change to the 2009-2010 schedule. The Golden Eagles will no longer have a two-game home stand against Framingham in January. The hockey program at Framingham is in a state of transition and they have dropped the trip to Brockport.

To make up that loss, Coach Dickinson has scheduled a road trip to Assumption College in January and he is trying to book a second game.

2009-2010 SCHEDULE

Courtesy of Coach Dickinson, the 2009-2010 schedule is now available. You can see it in the left tool bar of this website.

The season opens with the annual North Country road trip. Taking on Plattsburgh in the second game is a great way to start the season!

There are a dozen games each at home and thirteen more on the road. The home season starts in November with a 4-game homestand against 3 SUNYAC opponents and perennial powerhouse Hobart.

After the winter break, the Golden Eagles will play two games each against Framingham and Lebanon Valley, a great way to get warmed up for the drama of second semester SUNYAC play.

The season ends at home against Oswego and Cortland.

To me, it looks like another 14-win season is a distinct possibility. I'll even say that a 16-win season is not out of the question.

BOYER, HOCKEY AND SCHOLARS DAY

The website "RocLoop" recently ran a story about Scholar's Day. Here's a snippet from that posting, noting the work of one of the Golden Eagles...

Every April, classes are canceled campus-wide in honor of Scholars Day at the State College at Brockport. On this day, students are given the chance to present their academic research to their peers. Wednesday, April 15 marked the 26^th year this event has taken place.

There were 227 presentations made by 355 students and 54 faculty and staff on a range of topics that varied by department.

(Presenters), like senior business finance major Aaron Boyer, took advantage of the opportunity to present on topics on which they have genuine interest. Boyer, who plays right-wing for the Golden Eagles hockey team, gave a presentation entitled, “ABC’s of the NHL’s CBA” which examined the business-related causes and effects of the NHL lockdown during the 2005 season.



To read more about Scholars Day, you can read the article here:

http://rocloop.com/articles/news/9945-brockport-celebrates-scholars-day

CHARITY IS NO EASY TASK

As many of you know, Todd Sheridan's non-profit, Saves For A Cure, has had many roadblocks thrown in its path by New York State government. He's received the run around -- and outright cries of negativity -- from the Departments of State, Education, and Health. Now, the organization's certificate of incorporation has come back to the Department of State....hopefully for the final OK.

In an effort to make sure that it does finally get okayed and soon (it's been over a year), I am using the press to tell the story of Todd's struggle with cancer and his struggle with New York. Many of you may not know that I write a weekly opinion column for the Greater Niagara Newspapers, addressing issues in government and economics. Over 100,000 people could read my column every week and I have a huge, dedicated following, so it is hoped that by sharing this story with them we can get the stamp of approval and, at the same time, educate them on the difficulty of doing business in New York, even as a charity.

Here's my column as it will appear in next week's newspapers....



CHARITY IS NO EASY TASK
By Bob Confer

We’ve heard time and time again that giving back to the community is such an easy task. It may be for some folks somewhere. But, it’s definitely not that easy in New York State. My friend Todd Sheridan knows that too well.

Todd is a junior at the College at Brockport where he is the starting goaltender on the hockey team. For the third season in a row, Todd has set the school’s record for goals-against-average. That’s quite the amazing achievement because Todd was never supposed to be one of the best goalies in Division III. As a matter of fact, he was never supposed to play college hockey at all.

In 2005 Todd noticed a painful lump in his neck. It was diagnosed as cancer and the doctors thought the prognosis was grim. But they engineered a successful surgery in which they cut him from ear to shoulder, removing 72 lymph nodes in the process. After the surgery the doctors upped his chance of survival to 70 percent. Because of his loss of weight and the damage that the surgery unleashed on the muscles of his upper body, he was given a 100 percent chance of never playing hockey again.

Todd beat cancer then he beat the odds, proving that he could remain successful on the ice. That story is remarkable in itself, but it’s what Todd is doing off the ice that matters most.

While in hospital, Todd grew attached to the young children at the clinic, all of whom were battling cancer. He found sadness in their plight. Some of his young friends passed away and were never able to experience the teen years and adulthood that many of us take for granted. But, Todd also found strength for his own recovery by watching other children beat their cancer. He often relates stories of how these little troopers maintained their composure and lived life with as much vigor as they could, never giving in and always looking forward, doing what they could to comfort their heartbroken moms and dads.

It is to those children and all those like them that Todd has dedicated his second chance at life. Using his hockey success as the backdrop, he devised a charity called “Saves For A Cure” (SFAC) that would collect from businesses and other donors $1 for every save that Brockport goalies make over the course of a season. Proceeds would be used to buy TV’s, toys, and other comforts for the children’s cancer clinic in Rochester, helping the youngsters weather the most difficult days of their lives. It is a brilliant concept and, more importantly, one that is worthwhile and touching.

Sadly, the path to making this a reality has been strewn with obstacles.

In March of 2008 Todd signed the Certificate of Incorporation for SFAC. Over a year has passed and SFAC is no further along. The application process is still ongoing. That may sound unbelievable to some, but remember, this is NY we’re talking about.

The original application said, among other things, that SFAC would educate the public about cancer and promote research in beating the disease. Last May the Department of State announced that the Department of Education would not give consent for the organization to have those as corporate purposes, believing SFAC was unfit to educate the masses. Yes, the State actually thought that someone who had and beat cancer, and experienced its harsh reality, was ill-prepared to speak of it and advance its study!

That language was struck from the application and months went on with no word from the State. So, in September I wrote the Governor’s office which then awakened the slumbering process. The document was forwarded to the Department of Health whose legal department found fault with SFAC donating money and equipment to hospitals. Yes, the State actually thinks it wrong that someone would be charitable to cancer patients!

Here it is, April of 2009, and Todd is still waiting for NY to incorporate SFAC. The hockey season has come and gone and Todd’s junior year is nearly over. Because of the bureaucracy, he was unable to proceed with fundraising as he hoped. His senior year - his final season - starts this Fall, which really isn’t as far away as it sounds. He’s hoping to get the okay from NY soon, so, in his last year, he can lay the groundwork for SFAC so when his college career is over and he has moved away it can thrive and make a significant difference on the lives of Upstate’s youngest cancer patients. But, alas, NY’s continued silence speaks volumes about what it thinks of his dream.

Who said being charitable was easy?