Compuware Honeybaked Invitational Schedule Released

The schedule for the Compuware/Honeybaked AAA Invitational has been released and the Vikings are looking forwards to the challenges that lie ahead.  The tournament is held in the Detroit, MI area with the 18U division primarily focused in the Dearborn/Farmington/Plymouth Area.  Nichols will play it's round robin games at the Dearborn Ice Skating Center. The tournament is held from October 7 to October 9.

The weekend kicks off with a game against #54 ranked HC Dallas at 8:00am on Friday.  In game 2, the Vikings take on #59 ranked Chicago Young Americans at 3:40pm.  On Saturday, Game 3 will be against MDHL Green, currently ranked #21.  The round robin concludes with a game against familiar foe Pittsburgh Esmark Stars, currently ranked #71.

A full schedule can be found at the tournament website  by clicking here.

Weekend Recap: Jr. Bruins Shootout

Although it was a disappointing result, the weekend in Marlborough, MA was still a success in many ways.  There were long stritches of quality play from the Big Green, and the team is beginning to find it's identity as a group.  A 2-1 finish in round robin play was not enough to advance, the team battled through adversity and left the weekend in a better place than where they started.

Skipjacks 4, Nichols 1 - Game 1 of the weekend put the Big Green up against a 4-0 York Skipjacks team of teh USPHL.  The skipjacks built a 2-0 lead just before the half despite some quality play from the Vinkings squad.  Penalties in the final third of the game found Nichols falling behind at 4-0 before Tom Elia (Sr/99, Lewiston) would find the back of the net on the power play for his first goal of the season.  Josh Graziano (Jr/00, Clarence) made 18 saves on the day.

Nichols 6, Rochester 1 - Nichols would rebound later in the day with an improved effort against another USPHL team walking away with a 6-1 victory.  Cole Donhauser (Jr/99, Kenmore) opened the scoring with one of his two goals on the evening. Bryan Bylsma (Sr/99, Buffalo) extended the lead to 2-0 shortly after.  The game would open up in the finals third of the game.  Rochester found the net to close the gap to 2-1, but Steve Senese (Sr/99, Niagara Falls) and Dylan Lugris (Fr/01, Buffalo) scored goals 40 seconds apart to take control of the scoreboard.  Donhauser would add his second of the game and Charlie Carlson (Sr/98, Orchard Park) would complete the scoring with a shorthanded tally.  Robbie Nuchereno (So/01, Clarence) made 17 saves on the day.

Nichols 5, Ct. Jr Rangers 4 - Although the play was not indicative of the score, the Vikings pulled out a tight 5-4 victory against their third USPHL opponent of the weekend.  It was all Nichols early as Lucas Herrmann (Jr/00, Lancaster) opened the scoring in the first shift followed by a Steve Senese (Sr/99, Niagara Falls) strike in the third shift.  Cole Donhauser (Jr/99, Kenmore) would quickly extend the lead to 3-0 follwed by another by Dylan Lugris (Fr/01, Buffalo) to make it 4-0.  The Rangers would battle back amd make it a 4-3 game but Senese would add his second of the game to take control once again.  The Rangers would adda late goal to make it interesting but the defense held up and Nichols claimed victory for the third time this season.  Josh Graziano (Jr/00, Clarence) made 8 saves and Robbie Nuchereno (So/01, Clarence) made 9 saves as they split duties
in the win.

The Vikings take the weekend off before heading to the Compuware/Honeybaked Invitational in Detroit, MI over Columbus Day Weekend.

Weekend Off Sets Stage for First Tournament

The Big Green took the weekend off after a hard week of practice as they prepare for the 2016 Junior Bruins Shootout.  This tournament is one of the premier events in New England. The Shootout is a tournament format for the 18U and 16U levels but also has USPHL games played in a showcase format at the Premier, Elite and Empire levels. The Shootout consistently draws well over 100 college, junior, and pro coaches and scouts,  and it is one of best attended tournaments/showcases in New England.  Last season, Nichols went 2-1 in the round robin play ultimately losing out in a three way tie-breaker to advance to the playoffs.  The team is determined to find themselves in a different position in 2016.

2016 Jr. Bruins Shootout Schedule Released

The schedule is out for the Jr Bruins Shootout held in Marlborough, MA from September 23-25.  Game 1 starts on Friday with the York Skipjacks 18U, followed by a game with in-state rival, the Rochester Monarchs 18U.  Saturday brings a game against the Connecticut Jr Rangers.  All three opponents compete in the US Premier Hockey League 18U Division.  All games will be played at the New England Sports Center in Marlborough, MA


9/23  v York Skipjacks 18U           12:30pm  Rink 4
9/23  v  Rochester Monarchs 18U   8:10pm  Rink 5
9/24  v  Ct. Jr Rangers 18U            11:00am  Rink 3    

Weekend Recap: Boys' Prep Earns Opening Weekend Split

The Boys’ Prep team opened their season with a home and home series against the Buffalo Jr. Sabres 18U.  In game 1, Matt Gasuik (Sr/1999) and Bryan Bylsma (Sr/1999) found the back of the net, but it wasn’t enough in the 5-2 loss to open the season.  Josh Graziano (Jr/2000) played well in his first action of the season stopping 27 of the 32 shots he faced in the game.  It was a different team that took the ice at the Harbor Center in game 2 as Nichols exploded for 3 goals in the first period to propel the Vikings to a 5-2 victory.  Matt Gasuik continued his strong play scoring 2 more and adding an assist.  Linemates Connor Zak (Sr/1998) and Steven Senese (Sr/1999) each added a tally while Jeffrey Kopek (So/2001) scored his first goal of his Nichols career.  Robbie Nuchereno (So/2001) made 24 saves for the win.  Nichols will take some time off as they prepare for the Jr Bruins Shootout in Marlbourough, MA from September 23-25.

Strong Start Gives Boys' Prep Weekend Split

Jeffrey Kopek makes it 2-0.

The Big Green got back to work for game 2 of the weekend series with the Buffalo Jr, Sabres 18U and earned the split with a 5-2 victory.  Nichols found the net 3 times in the first period with goals coming from Matt Gasuik, Jeffrey Kopek, and Steven Senese.  The lead would be cut to 3-1 in the second period, but Matt Gasuik responded with his second of the night to extend the lead to 4-1.  The Jr Sabres would put up a strong fight and cut the lead again to 4-2 midway through the period, but Connor Zak sealed the game with an empty netter in the last minute.  Robbie Nuchereno earned his first career victory making 24 saves in the game.  The Prep team will be back in action when they head to Boston for the Jr. Bruins Shootout on September 23rd.

Prep Boys Drop Game 1

The Prep Boys opened the season at home with a 5-2 loss to the Buffalo Jr Sabres 18U. Matt Gausik and Bryan Bylsma both lit the lamp but it wasn't enough to counter the Jr Sabres attack. Josh Graziano made 27 saves in net. The same teams take the ice Sunday morning  at the Harbor Center. The puck drops at 8:30am. 

Home Opener This Saturday

The Prep team embarks on its' 108^th season with a home and home series against cross town rival, the Buffalo Jr Sabres 18U.  Game 1 takes place at the Dann on Saturday, Sept 10 at 6:30pm.  Game 2 shifts downtown to the Harborcenter at 8:30am on September 11.  This should be an early preview to two of the top contenders in NYSAHA at the 18U level.  

2016-17 Prep Schedule Highlights

The 2016-17 schedule has been released.  As always, the schedule is filled with high level competition and great opportunities for exposure.  The season will be heavy in tournaments and showcases.  In the fall, the Prep team will head to the Jr Bruins Shootout and the Compuware/Honeybaked Invite.  They will also participate locally in the Harborcenter Cup at the end of October.  In the winter, they continue to travel to the Berkshire School Prep Showcase, the Lawrenceville Tournament, and host the Nichols-Belmont Hill Tournament.  An addition to the schedule is a showcase series with Shattuck-St. Mary’s (Faribault, MN), Culver Academy (Culver, IN), Northwood School (Lake Placid, NY), and St. Andrew’s College (Aurora, ON).  This year, the showcases will take place at Shattuck-St. Mary’s and Northwood School.  They will continue our participation in the CISAA Sr. Division 1 with playoffs starting at the end of February, and they will compete for an opportunity at the USA Hockey Nationals at the 18U level. 

SHOWCASES AND TOURNAMENTS

9/23-25                Jr Bruins Shootout (Marlborough, MA)

10/7-9                  Compuware/Honeybaked Invitational (Detroit, MI)

10/28-30              Harborcenter Cup (Buffalo, NY)

11/5-7                  WNY Regional Qualifier (Amherst, NY)

11/18-20              CISAA League Weekend (Toronto, ON)

11/28                   Berkshire School Prep Showcase (Sheffield, MA)

12/2-4                  Shattuck St. Mary’s Showcase (Faribault, MN)

12/16-18              Lawrenceville Tournament (Lawrenceville, NY)

12/28-30              Nichols-Belmont Hill Tournament (Buffalo, NY)

1/13-15                Northwood Showcase (Lake Placid, NY)

2/3-5                    CISAA League Weekend (Oakville, ON/Buffalo, NY/St. Catherine’s, ON)

3/17-19                NY State Tournament

4/6-9                    USA Hockey Nationals

2016-17 Roster Preview: New Faces Bring Talent and Depth

Eight new faces to the Prep Team will bring depth, talent, and energy to the 2016-17 squad.  Although they are new to the team, they are not all new to the school.  Up front, we add 4 new forwards to an already impressive lineup.  Senior forward Bryan Bylsma (Buffalo) joins the group after a strong campaign with the Buffalo Jr Sabres 16U.  Bryan is in his second year at Nichols. Adding to the forward group is junior Andrew Fromen (Amherst) who has been at Nichols since 5^th grade and played the last two seasons on our Prep B squad.  Freshman Dylan Lugris (Buffalo), entering his fifth year at Nichols, will join the forward group.  Dylan spent last season with the Buffalo Jr Sabres 14U.  Sophomore Jeffrey Kopek (Camillus, NY) will be new to the school.  Jeffrey played for West Genesee HS as a freshman and helped lead them to a state final appearance.  Both Lugris and Kopek represented NY at the USA Hockey Player Development Camp for the 2001 age group.  On defense, senior Aaron Partridge (Clarence) will be new to the program and to the school.  He played for Clarence HS and the Wheatfield Blades 16U last season.  He will be joined on the back end by freshman Patrick Brady (Amherst) who played for the Buffalo Jr Sabres 14U.  Robbie Maulucci (Buffalo) will add to the depth on the blue line in his second year at Nichols School.  In net, we add sophomore Robbie Nuchereno (Clarence) from the Buffalo Jr Sabres 14U.  Robbie has been at Nichols since 5^th grade.  Nuchereno also represented NY at the USA Hockey Player Development Camp for the 2001 age group.