WNY HAS Girls Varsity Ice Hockey

It's finally here--the 2010 - 2011 Ice Hockey Season and with Western New York icing a Girls Varsity Ice Hockey League. Made up of nine schools forming seven teams these girls will take to the ice in November for tryouts and practice. Then on December 1 at 3:50 p.m. the first-ever Varsity Girls Ice Hockey game will be played at the Northtowns Ice Center at Amherst pitting the Catholic schools of Monsignor Martin against Williamsville school district.

While the first game of the season will be historic, so will the second. On December 2 at 5 p.m. Orchard Park/Frontier will take on Lancaster at the Time Warner Rink in East Aurora. What's so unique? The rink used is outside and is the rink that was used in the NHL Winter Outdoor Classic held New Year's Day in 2008 at Rich Stadium in Buffalo. That was the first-ever NHL Winter Outdoor game held pitting the Buffalo Sabres against the Pittsburgh Penquins.

Games continue at rinks thoughout Erie County including West Seneca, Lincoln, Tacoma, Hamburg and Dann Memorial at Nichols School.

In addition to the teams above girls will be playing for Kenmore West Seneca, and Amherst/Sweethome.

The girls are proud to be wearing their school colors and having their classmates cheer them on. On other days these girls will continue to play together at their respective house/travel teams.

While these nine schools are taking the chance, Girls 4 Varsity Ice Hockey is waiting and willing to help all other schools in Western New York get their teams on the ice. Funding for these teams is not entirely by the schools. In fact a couple schools have told the teams they must raise their entire yearly budget and they are doing that with fundraisers that range from golf tournaments, pancake breakfasts, bbqs, hot dog sales and bake sales.

It's been a long hard-fought four years to get to this point from the grassroots effort of parents, coaches and supporters who formed Girls 4 Varsity Hockey. They still have a long way to go. But on December 1 they will be celebrating as the puck drops.

Come and show your support! Their schedule will be posted in WNY Hockey Magazine and on their website.

Congratulations to all who worked so hard and thanks to the school districts who had the foresight to agree to icing a team.

WNY Has Girls Varsity Ice Hockey

It took 4 1/2 years of constant talking to school boards, school administrators and anyone that would listen, but the Girls 4 Varsity Ice Hockey Committee and players celebrated the formation of a Girls Varsity Ice Hockey League in Western New York last week.

At present seven schools have agreed to field six teams. One district is joining forces with another to make this a reality for our girls. This Fall, Williamsville, Amherst, Mgs. Martin Catholic Schools, Kenmore-Tonawanda, West Seneca and Orchard Park/Frontier will battle it out on the ice.

What makes this whole story so unique is that the parents and players that came together to make this happen are historically rivals on the ice through their local hockey organizations. Another thing that came out of this is that a whole group of people that barely knew or didn't know each other have formed a lasting friendship all in the name of a common cause--ice hockey for their girls!!

At the present time this Committee will be focusing on fundraising for those teams who have been directed to fund their team either totally or in part for the coming year. This due to the fiscal situation in the State and at the School District level.

Orchard Park has plans to sell red, white and blue necklaces at the July 4 celebration in Orchard Park; they will also have a booth at the Taste of Orchard Park on July 28 and will also be at the Orchard Park Street Dance on July 31. I urge anyone who can attend these events to stop over and support these girls as they work to raise money for their team.

In addition Orchard Park has sent many letters to businesses, individuals and organizations asking for cash donations. There are several levels to give including Founders, Premier, Sponsor, Donor and Super Fan. To learn more check out their page on Facebook.

As the move goes forward, the Athletic Directors are meeting regularly to work out schedules, ice times, coaching, refereeing and other particulars.

For those who don't feel a girls varsity league is necessary--let's look at how many of them would have made it on a boy's varsity team, how would collegiate scouts find them to offer scholarships so they can continue playing and how many will now have the opportunity to look at Team USA possibilities, coaching possibilities and a future as an adult in hockey.

Another event for girls is a Girls Hockey Camp being held at Leisure Rinks in the Buffalo area on July 6, 8, 13, 15, 20, 11 and August 3 and 5. The skates will be held Noon to 1:30 p.m. daily. Registrations are due Sunday, June 20--short notice I realize. For information email dgilham@opschools.org

This is an amazing, historical happening for Western New York and Girls Ice Hockey. My congratulations to all who worked so hard.

Don't Let This Die

Well the school budgets are passed. When will the Districts step up and agree to field girls varsity ice hockey for Fall 2010. A group of parents, coaches, players and supporters have worked diligently for four years to make this happen. They have been put off by Athletic Directors, Superintendents and Boards of Education long enough. They have four teams committed and need one more to make the league. They even have a district who won't commit until they have five--why won't that district be number 5??? The boys in WNY have had a varsity league for years. The group has proven the same commitment and probably more for the girls. They have offered to fund raise, they have proven there are enough players for this year and in years to come. I guess my frustration is coming out in that women have to work so hard for everything they accomplish even after all these years. We thought we had equal rights, we thought we had support from our families, friends and male counterparts to move up and on in the world--Hey everyone--that includes Sports. The physicalness of hockey makes it necessary for women and men to be separated. However, women's hockey is still hockey and still carries some physical attributes--has any looked at penalties in women's hockey at the collegiate level--did anyone watch the physical play of the olympic teams? Come one WNY, step up to the plate and show the world that we love our hockey here at all levels and all genders!!!

if this doesn't happen for Fall 2010, it will be a travesty for the area, for women's hockey and hockey in general. GIRLS DESERVE TO PLAY ICE HOCKEY!!!!

N

USA Nationals

Trying to keep up with what's happening at the USA Nationals.
In Tier I the Buffalo Bisons 12U team will face Green Bay Bobcats in the Quarterfinals today. they beat Midfield 1-4; Ohio Flames 7-2 and Little Caesars 6-3 to get there. Congratulations.

In Tier I 14U the Bisons lost to Honeybaked 3-2; Team Pittsburgh 4-3 and beat Northern Lights Silver 3-2. They face the Chicago Mission in the quarterfinals.

16U Tier I Bisons beat the Connecticut Polar Bears 3-1, lost to Team Pittsburgh 4-2 and to LIttle Caesars 3-2. This ended their season. Great job girls!

Over in Michigan the Niagara Junior Purple Eagles have made it to the semi finals where they will take on the Bay State Breakers. They lost their first game 0-1 to Central Maine but came back to beat the Michigan Capitals 4-2 and Team Pittsburgh 6-0 in regular play and then took out the Michigan Ice Breakers 2-1 in the quarterfinals.

The Lysander Lightning lost to the New Jersey Quarry Cats 1-0 in the quarterfinals. To get that far they lost to Mid Fairfield Ct. Stars 6-2 and then came back and won two games in shoot-outs. First the Birmingham Rangers 2-1 and the Quakers 3-2. Lysander's Marissa McNamara was named to the Top 10 Goalkeeper List.

There's been some outstanding play by these girls which I will recap at a later date.

Nationals Begin This Week

The USA Girls Nationals begin this week in Green Bay, Wisconsin and East Lansing, Michigan. Western New York is proud to have four teams taking part.

At the Tier I level the Buffalo Bisons 12U, 14U and 16U girls will take the ice. At Tier II it's the Niagara Jr. Purple Eagles at 14U.

The Buffalo Bisons !2U team will face MidFairfield, Ohio Flames and Little Caesars.
The Buffalo Bisons 14U team faceoff against Northern Lights Silver,Team Pittsburg and Honey Baked.
The 16U teams takes on the Connecticut Polar Bears, Team Pittsburg and Little Caesars.
Those games will be played in Green Bay.

In East Lansing Michigan the Purple Eagles take on Central Maine, Michigan Capitals and Team Pittsburgh.

Finals will be held April 10.

The Women's USA Nationals took place a week ago. The winners and runners up included:
Women's Senior A: Minnesota Blue Js with the New York All Stars and Rochester Edge runners up.
Senior B: Minnesota Blue J Hawks; runners-up: Anaheim Lady Ducks
Senior C: Mission; runner-up: San Jose Lady Sharks
30 plus: Team Connecticut with the Chicago Stars finishing second.

Representing WNY were the Rochester Edge in the Sr.C division. They lost to the Utah Thunder 2-1 in the quarterfinals. To get to that point they beat Indy Speed 6-1 and the Senior Lady Monarchs.They lost to Mission, the eventual champions, 4-1.

At the Sr. A division it was the NY All Stars and Rochester Edge teaming. They lost to Michigan 7-0 and Assabet Valley 1-0 before beating Team Connecticut 2-3 taking them to the semi finals where they beat Assabet Valley 3-0. They lost in the finals to Minnesota Blue Js 3-0.

Christine Pano and Katherine Morrison were named to the top 10 scorers list and Goalies Ashley Schneegold and Alexandra Talbott were named to the Top 10 GoalKeepers List.

The Rochester Edge beat Columbus Capitals 2-0, lost in sudden death overtime to the East Coast Wizards 2-0 and lost to Team Michigan 2-4 in the 30 Plus Division. Zoe Haubert and Chrissy Brewar were named to the Top 10 Goal Keepers Honors.

Sorry for no blog last week. Other commitments kept me from the keyboard.