Saints 18U Head to Colgate and Cornell

The Saints 18U is heading to Colgate and Cornell this weekend to play a weekend series with the Jr Sabres 18U. After a 9-2 win over the Niagara Rivermen, the Saints are looking forward to an early season matchup of what could give an early look into a potential State  Championship matchup. Both teams will be touring the facilities at Colgate and Cornell followed by a meet and greet with the coaches of each school. 

Game 1 is at Colgate on Saturday, Sept 21 at 7:00pm. Game 2 will be held on the Cornell campus on Sunday, Sept 22 at 11:30am. 

Cefalu Signs in Walpole

Frank Cefalu '13 has agreed to terms with the Walpole Express Jr A of the Eastern Hockey League for the 2013-14 season. In 2012-13, Frank led Nichols in scoring. Frank will play for Coach Jon Lounsbury who was recently named GM/Head Coach in Walpole after spending the last 4 years at Bridgton Academy. 

"We're obviously excited to have a high caliber player like Frankie in our organization.  Frankie's ability to make big time plays will make him one of the more dangerous plays in our league. We hope the addition of Frankie will help bring a fourth championship to the Walpole Express," said Coach Lounsbury. 

Vershay to Waterloo

Wilson Vershay '13 will spend next season with the Waterloo Blackhawks of the USHL, the nation's top amateur junior league. Vershay played four years on the varsity at Nichols and was drafted by Waterloo at the end of his sophomore year. Wilson was named assistant captain at Nichols in his junior season and named captain for his senior year. He also played in two Bowman Cup games. 

Malone Selected by Sabres

Sean Malone '13 was selected as the 159th pick by the Buffalo Sabres in the 2013 NHL Entry Draft held in New Jersey.  Sean will be heading to Harvard in the fall after spending last year playing with the US under 18 team. 

Prep Schedule Highlighted by New Foes Culver and Shattuck

The 2013-14 Schedule is just about complete, and this edition is filled with exciting challenges and adventures.  The schedule will still feature the highly competitive CISAA league schedule, Berkshire School Jamboree, Lawrenceville Tournament, and the Nichols-Belmont Hill Tournament. However, The team will face Northwood School at Union College and national power Selects Hockey Academy from Connecticut at Union and RPI. Other exciting opportunities are the back-to-back home weekends hosting Culver Military Academy of Indiana and perennial #1 Shattuck-St. Mary's School of Faribault, MN.  Culver will also be bringing their 16U team to play the Nichols Prep B.  A full schedule will be posted as soon as all of the times and venues have been confirmed. 

Summer Off Ice Testing

Nichols Hockey players reported yesterday for Summer Testing to help monitor their growth and development. In addition to height, weight, and body fat, players were tested in various tests to measure their agility, quickness and core strength. 

Evans and Smith sign with Jr Sabres

Defenseman Mason Evans '13 and forward Nick Smith '13 have signed with the Buffalo Jr Sabres of the OJHL for the 2013-14 hockey season.  Evans, a right shot defenseman finished his senior year with 6 goals, 12 assists in 42 games while Smith finished with 19g, and 19a in 41 games.  Smith finished his four year career at Nichols with 114 points.

Nichols Players Selected to National Camp

New York State Amateur Hockey Association has honored 10 players from Nichols, selecting 7 players to attend the USA Hockey National Festival and placing 3 others on the alternate list.  At the 1996 birth year, forward Michael Ederer '14 and goaltender Anthony Tirabassi '14 were selected to the National Camp.  At the 1997 birth year, forwards Nick Passafiume '15 and Harrison Oates '15, and goaltender Aaron Fanti '15 were selected to the camp while forward Dante Todaro '15 and defenseman Zac Herrmann '15 were placed on the alternate list.  For the 1998 birth year, goaltenders Stephen Dhillon '16 and Alex Camarre '16 were selected to the camp while defenseman Alex Randaccio '16 was selected as an alternate.  Congratulations to all and good luck this summer.

 

Two Selected in USHL Draft

Carson Gicewicz '15 and Michael Ederer '14 were selected this week in the USHL draft by Youngstown and Indiana respectively.  Gicewicz, a 1997 birth year was selected in the futures draft by Youngstown with the 39th overall pick.  Ederer, a 1996, was selected in Phase 2 of the draft by Indiana with the 121st overall selection. 

Sean Malone '13 and US u18 Face Canada for Gold

The US u18 hockey team defeated Russia 4-3 in a shootout in the semi finals of the World u18 Championships and have secured a date with Canada for the gold medal. The game will be April 28 at noon here in the US. You can watch the game online at www.fasthockey.com.

Sean Malone '13 was recently ranked 62 in the NHL Central Scouting Final Rankings for North American Skaters. He will be attending the NHL Draft Combine in Toronto on May 27.

Sean Malone '13 Headed to World Championships

Sean Malone '13 has been selected to represent the United Staes at the 2013 Under-18 World Championships held in Sochi, Russia from April 18-28. Sean has been playing for the US National Development Program during his senior year after two outstanding seasons at Nichols. Sean is committed to attend Harvard University in the fall of 2013.
You can read more about Sean at http://u18mensworlds.usahockey.com/news_article/show/245524?referrer_id=.

Nick Smith '13 Heads to Omaha

Nick Smith '13 is heading out to spend the week playing with the Omaha Lancers in the USHL, the top amateur junior league in North America. Nick is the third Nichols School player this year to head out and play with a USHL team. Wilson Verhsay '13 has made two trips to play with the Waterloo Blackhawks, and RJ Gicewicz '14 has made two trips out to Wisconsin to play with the Green Bay Gamblers.

Saints Tryouts

The 18U and 16U Buffalo Saints will be holding its tryouts this week for the 2013-14 season. Traditionally, this has been a destination for split season hockey within the Nichols Hockey community for years. Recently, Nichols has entered an agreement with the Saints to provide a split season option for Nichols players while being coached by the Nichols coaching staff. Nichols Associate Head Coach Adam Bellows '05 was a former standout on the Saints blue line before embarking on a decorated career at Clarkson University.

Tryout times
Monday, April 8 7:00-8:00pm
Tuesday, April 9 6:00-7:00pm

Both the 16U and 18U will tryout at the same time. All Tryouts will be held at the Depew Ice Pavilion, 78 Gould Ave, Depew, NY

Nine to Play in Bowman Cup

An unprecedented nine Nichols hockey players have been invited to represent Buffalo in the 2013 Bowman Cup. They will play in the Junior/Prep game on April 15 at First Niagara Center. The Bowman Cup is an annual event that puts the best from Buffalo against the best from Rochester.

2013 Participants
Frank Cefalu '13 - Forward
Nick Smith '13 - Forward
Nathan Black '14 - Forward
Michael Ederer '14 - Forward
Wilson Vershay '13 - Defense
Jack Faso '13 - Defense
Mason Evans '13 -Defense
RJ Gicewicz '14 - Defense
Anthony Tirabassi '14 - Goal

Sean Malone '13, who is currently playing with the US National Development Program was also invited to participate.

Renewing the Blog

After a long hiatus, we have decided to reincarnate the Nichols Hockey Blog. Updates will come more frequently during all 52 weeks of the year. We will also follow the happenings of the Buffalo Saints 18U and 16U teams throughout the fall and spring providing a full season chronicle of the two teams.

In this blog, you will find game write ups, alumni updates, player development philosophies, and any news that has to do with Nichols Hockey. I hope you enjoy reading.