Training Camp Comes to a Close, Saints Reveal New Look

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The 2015-16 Buffalo Saints 18U and 16U have put in 5 successful days and completed training camp today.  A lot of sweat and work was poured into this camp run by skills expert David T Smith, and each team finished better than where they started.  Each team will get opportunities to display what they have learned this weekend.  The 18U will face the Esmark Stars from Pittsburgh, PA in a home series at Dann Arena.  Game times are Saturday at 7:15pm and Sunday at 12:45pm.  The 16U faces Amherst at Northtown Center at 6:00pm.

Away

In other related news, the Saints 16U and 18U have unveiled a new look.  Our thanks to Identity Ink of Buffalo for the tremendous work and vision.  Both teams are excited to put these on.

New Faces Highlight 2015-16 18U Roster

With 12 new faces on the roster, the 2015-16 season will be defined by the ability of new players to adapt to the level of competition.  Fortunately, there is a great deal of talent in the new group.  There is depth and talent in all positions on the roster, and the youth in the lineup will set a foundation for long term success.

Building from the back end out, sophomore goaltender Josh Graziano '18 brings a high talent level coming off a successful summer at the USA Hockey National 15 Festival and played last season with the Buffalo Jr Sabres 14U.  Two defenseman add to the depth of the D core.  Jack Millar '17 has been at Nichols since 5th grade and spent last season with the Buffalo Regals 16U, while Adam Hawkins '18 joins Nichols from the Carolina Jr. Hurricanes who made it to the USA Hockey 16U National Tournament.

Seven members of the forward group come from the 2015 CISAA Tier 2 Champion Nichols team.  Alec Yerkovich, '16, Ryan Coppins, '16, Connor Zak '17, Stephen Senese '17,   Brandon Hausler '17, Charlie Carlson '17 and Cole Donhauser '18 all showed the ability to score at the 16U level last season, and the same level of production will be counted on this year.  Chris Morrison '18 comes to Nichols from the Connecticut Jr Rangers 16U.  Hamilton (OHL) draft pick Brett Willits '18 joins Nichols from the London Jr. Knights Midget Minor.



 

Training Camp Set to Begin Today

On August 24, the Boy’s Prep team will begin training camp with 5 intense days of practice before hosting the Pittsburgh Esmark Stars18U for two games on Aug 29 and 30.  This will be a great opportunity for the coaching staff and players to get to know each other and lay the foundation for the season.

Coach Jamie Printz returns for his 7th season behind the bench and will be joined by Coach Mike Wagstaff who will be entering his second year.  Coach Adam Bellows is back for his 7th season and will work on the player development side, while Coach Dave Smith will be back to sharpen player skills in preparation for the 2015-16 season.  We are all looking forward to getting back to work at Dann Arena.

Training camp takes place Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday from 3-5:30pm and Tuesday from 4-6:30pm.  All practices are at Dann Arena and will be open to the public at no cost.

2015-16 Boys Prep Season Preview

There is a lot of excitement and anticipation as the 2015-16 season approaches.  With only 6 returning players and 4 seniors on the roster, there will be many new, young faces on the ice for the Big Green.  While this group will be young, they will be highly talented.  Seven players will move up from the CISAA Tier 2 Champion Prep B team, and 5 players will come from outside NY representing, CT, TX, NC, FL, and ON. There will be a lot of talent on the ice this year despite their youth.  

Cody Fleckenstein ’16 will captain the young squad and be counted on as the anchor of the defense.  Anthony Scanzuso ’17 and Tom Elia ’17 return on defense to build off their outstanding sophomore campaigns.  Dartmouth commit Erik Urbank ’17 and Matt Gasuik ’17 will be counted on heavily up front for their scoring and their leadership.  Jerry Baerwitz ’16 returns in goal after leading last year’s team to the CISAA Finals.

Once again the Prep Boy's will work with the Buffalo Saints Hockey Club fielding an 18U and a 16U team.  They will compete and practice throughout the fall against some of the top AAA talent around as well as attending the Jr Bruins Shootout, a highly regarded tournament in Marlborough, MA taking place in late September.    

Poturalski '12 Excels in Two Development Camps

Andrew Poturalski ’12 came one step closer to fulfilling a dream as he was invited to two NHL Development Camps.  Poturalski started his summer joining the Buffalo Sabres in early July.  Andrew scored a goal in the Blue and gold scrimmage in front of over 17,000 fans.  Poturalski continued his summer at the Boston Bruins Development Camp scoring twice in their Black and Gold Scrimmage. 

Andrew just finished off a strong freshman year at the University of New Hampshire where he was a tenacious forward: He had 14 goals and 15 assists in 40 games.  We wish Andrew the best of luck in his sophomore year at UNH.                                                                                                                                                                                                                  

Dobbs Signs in BCHL

Senior defenseman Troy Dobbs caps of 4 years at Nichols by signing to play for the Alberni Valley Bulldogs of the BCHL.  Dobbs will be the first player from Nichols to play in the BCHL since the 100 years of hockey celebration in 2009.  Alberni Valley is located in Port Alberni, BC.  The Bulldogs made the playoffs this year falling to Victoria in 7 games. 

Dobbs will join former Viking and St. Lawrence commit Michael Ederer who will also be heading out to the BCHL and will play for the Merritt Centennials.  Michael played 3 years for Nichols and played last season with the Buffalo Jr Sabres of the OJHL.

Nichols Players Shine at NY State Camp

Nichols Hockey was well represented at the NY State Player Evaluations as 9 Nichols players were either selected or named as an alternate for the USA Hockey National Festival.  In addition, 4 other Nichols students were selected to participate in their age groups.  In the 1997 age group, Carson Gicewicz, Harrison Oates, Zac Herrmann, and Aaron Fanti were selected while Sam Jones was named as an alternate.  For the 1998's Alex Camarre was selected and Stephen Dhillon was named as an alternate.  In the 1999 age group, Matt Gasuik, Harrison Craffey, and newcomers Eric Urbank, Dylan Seitz, and Anthony Scanzuso were named to the festival while Jack Millar was named an alternate.  The USA Hockey National Festival will be held in Amherst, NY during late June and early July.  Nichols School placed more players into the National Festival than any program in the state.