JAMESTOWN, N.Y. – The Jamestown Ironmen hockey club has suspended operations for the 2013-14 season, Jamestown Savings Bank Ice Arena officials announced Wednesday. The Ironmen spent the past two seasons in the North American Hockey League, the largest USA Hockey-sanctioned Junior A league that recently completed its 37th season. They finished second in the North Division this past season with a 37-19-4 record, and then won the division’s playoff title before finishing fourth in the four-team Robertson Cup national championship tournament.
The roster included Erie native Nathan Ropelewski, 19, a forward who had four goals and seven points in 24 regular-season games and one point in eight playoff games.
“The team made a valiant effort at the Robertson Cup this season, and that effort was matched by some local people and business owners who worked diligently in multiple attempts to save the team and maintain operations for the 2013-2014 season,” Kurt Silcott, the arena’s chief executive officer, said in a statement. “Unfortunately those efforts ultimately did not come to fruition, and the team will not be playing in the upcoming season.”
In the statement, Ironmen owner Kenji Yamada said that “I am strongly looking forward to make the Jamestown Ironmen come back on the ice for the 2014-2015 season.”

Oscar Dansk remains a work in progress, even after his stellar 34-save performance Friday night against Brampton.
“I’m just taking it a day at a time,” the rookie goaltender said before the Erie Otters’ game against London Saturday night at Erie Insurance Arena.
Dansk missed time in the preseason while recovering from a knee injury suffered in the summer while playing for his native Sweden’s national junior team at USA Hockey’s National Junior Evaluation Camp in Lake Placid, N.Y. So Dansk is still working on his timing.
“It’s something I work on every day. You get better and better every day,” said Dansk, who believes he produced a solid overall effort in his first five games of the season. He entered his outing against the Knights with a 2-3-0-0 record, 4.51 goals-against average and .891 save percentage. He surrendered 19 goals on 110 shots in his losses to Niagara, London and Ottawa.
Yet he stopped 81-of-83 shots in wins against Brampton and Peterborough. “It’s up to me to prove myself,” said Dansk, who added that his return to full strength was slowed by “different opinions from different people” regarding his rehabilitation. But he’s ready to play now. And on Saturday, he was ready to face the Knights, who scored seven goals on 39 shots against him in London Sept. 21.
“I’m really pumped,” he said. “We’re looking to rebound.”
Sherry Bassin, Otters managing partner and general manager, isn’t concerned about Dansk’s inconsistent start early this season.
Besides the knee injury and subsequent slow rehabilitation, Bassin said, goaltending coach Peter Sidorkiewicz was unable to work with Dansk and backup Devin Williams on the ice until this past Tuesday. The ongoing renovations at the downtown arena forced the Otters to settle for an abbreviated practice schedule in previous weeks. Yet Ian Clark, the Columbus Blue Jackets’ goaltending coach, is scheduled to arrive in Erie today to work with Dansk, the NHL club’s second-round pick in the draft this past June.
“He’s still not there,” Bassin said of Dansk. “He’s getting there.” Better yet, Bassin said, “the players love playing in front of him.”
* News and notes: Scott Howson, the Blue Jackets’ executive vice president of hockey operations and general manager, attended both games this weekend to watch Dansk play. … The Otters scratched Anthony Cortellessa (flu) and Dane Fox (broken foot). Liam Maaskant, Justin Felker and Mitch Eisenberg were healthy scratches. Maaskant and Eisenberg haven’t dressed for a game this season.

- Victor Fernandes

Former Mercyhurst University women’s hockey player Kelley Steadman has joined 78 other players from across the nation at the 2012 USA Hockey Women’s National Festival at Schwan Super Rink in Blaine, Minn.
The event concludes with a three-game series Thursday through Sunday against Team Canada. Steadman, a native of Plattsburgh, N.Y., continues to vie for a spot on the U.S. Women’s National Team since ending her Lakers career with a four-year total of 78 goals and 132 points. Twenty-one of 23 members of the U.S. team that won silver at the last IIHF Women’s World Championship are at the event, including past U.S. Olympians Julie Chu, Molly Engstrom and Jenny Potter.

It appears the Erie Otters finally have a place to begin preparing for the 2012-13 OHL season.
A source speaking on condition of anonymity confirmed today that the Otters will hold training camp at Morgan Firestone Arena in Ancaster, Ontario. The source said Sherry Bassin, Otters managing partner and general manager, will make the official announcement Thursday.
The source said the Otters will finish camp by playing their preseason opener Aug. 31 at Firestone Arena. They face Niagara in a 7 p.m. game.
The Otters cannot have their annual week-long camp at Erie Insurance Arena because of ongoing renovations at the downtown facility. The Otters held camp in Erie or Jamestown, N.Y., for the first 16 years of the franchise’s history. Bassin also considered the Ontario towns of Fort Erie and Newmarket, the source said, but ice availability in Ancaster was a key factor in Bassin’s decision. Players report to camp Aug. 27.
Bassin declined to comment Wednesday about the location for training camp. He spent the past few days in Lake Placid, N.Y., watching goaltender Oscar Dansk, the Otters’ first-round pick in the 2012 CHL Import Draft, play for his native Sweden’s junior national team at USA Hockey’s National Junior Evaluation Camp. The camp began this past Saturday and continues through this coming Saturday.
“We’re very impressed,” said Bassin, who was joined by Dave Brown, Otters assistant manager of hockey operations.
Bassin declined to comment further on Dansk, who remains unsigned. But a source said Bassin has been in contact with Dansk’s agent, Peter Wallen, of Alterno Management AB, Sports & Entertainment in Sweden. Bassin and Brown planned on leaving Lake Placid Wednesday to continue negotiations with other draft picks. “When we get back, we’re going to get that done,” Bassin said.

UPDATE: The Otters have scheduled a news conference for Thursday at 11a.m. at Firestone Arena. Bassin and Brown will be in attendance. Details for training camp and sites for exhibition games will be announced.

- Victor Fernandes

It looks like the Erie Blizzard will be back for another season in 2012-13.
Curtis Prue, who’s now the junior hockey club’s owner and general manager, said this week that the Blizzard has joined the Midwest Junior Hockey League. According to juniorhockey.com, it’s a Tier II Junior A league that’s sanctioned by the American Athletic Union.
The Blizzard, who joined a month ago, didn’t have to pay an expansion fee because they are a founding member of the league. Prue said the MJHL has 14 teams, primarily made up of teams that left the USA Hockey-sanctioned Great Lakes Hockey League. They will play a 50-game schedule. Juniorhockey.com said the MWHL’s inaugural season is set to begin on or around Sept. 15.
Prue said he has four players returning from last year’s team. Prue hasn’t determined what it will cost players to play next season, but he figures it will be between $3,500 and $4,500.
Prue has six undisclosed applicants for the vacant head coaching position.

- Victor Fernandes

Senior forward Bailey Bram, pictured at left, of the Mercyhurst women’s hockey team has been named a top ten finalist for the 15th annual Patty Kazmaier Memorial Award, presented by Easton Foundations.

An award for The USA Hockey Foundation, the Patty Kazmaier Memorial Award is annually bestowed upon the top player in NCAA Division I women’s ice hockey.

Held in conjunction with the NCAA Women’s Frozen Four, the 2012 Patty Kazmaier Memorial Award will be awarded at a brunch ceremony on March 17 at the Greysolon Ballroom in Duluth, Minn.

Senior forward Kelley Steadman and sophomore forward Christine Bestland were among the original finalists, but did not make the cut to the final ten. Neither did Girard native Jen Schoullis, a redshirt senior forward at Minnesota.

It marks the second time that Bram has been a top ten finalist for the Patty Kazmaier Award, also accomplishing the feat as a sophomore in 2010, the year that Mercyhurst’s Vicki Bendus became the only recipient of the award in program history.

A 13-member selection committee will choose the three finalists (announced March 8), as well as the award recipient, which will be announced live at the brunch ceremony in Duluth on March 17.

2012 Patty Kazmaier Memorial Award Top Ten Finalists

Bailey Bram, F, Sr., Mercyhurst University, Ste. Anne, Manitoba
Brianna Decker, F, Jr., Univ. of Wisconsin, Dousman, Wis.
Laura Fortino, D, Jr., Cornell Univ., Hamilton, Ontario
Rebecca Johnston, F, Sr., Cornell Univ., Sudbury, Ontario
Amanda Kessel, F, So., Univ. of Minnesota, Madison, Wis.
Hilary Knight, F, Sr., Univ. of Wisconsin, Sun Valley, Idaho
Jocelyne Lamoureux, F, Jr., Univ. of North Dakota, Grand Forks, N.D.
Monique Lamoureux-Kolls, F/D, Jr., Univ. of North Dakota, Grand Forks, N.D.
Florence Schelling, G, Sr., Northeastern Univ., Oberengstringen, Switzerland
Natalie Spooner, F, Sr., Ohio State Univ., Scarborough, Ontario

- From Mercyhurst news release, staff report

Check out this New York Times story on what may lie ahead for fighting in junior hockey.

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – Penn State Director of Athletics Tim Curley has announced the hiring of Guy Gadowsky, formerly of Princeton University, as the first head coach of the men’s ice hockey program. The 2008 Inside College Hockey National Coach of the Year, Gadowsky brings 15 years of head coaching experience to lead the Nittany Lions into NCAA Division I competition starting in 2012-13.

Gadowsky has spent the past seven years leading Princeton’s resurgence, which includes NCAA Championship berths in 2008 and ’09 and the 2008 ECAC Hockey Championship. A native of Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, he was head coach at Alaska-Fairbanks for five years prior to taking the reins of the Princeton program and has earned league coach of the year honors at each of his three head coaching posts.

“Guy is the perfect choice for Penn State,” said Penn State President Graham Spanier. “He has been immensely successful, is a great motivator, knows how to build programs, and has strong academic values.”

“Pursuing success with honor. Building tradition. Achieving excellence. As we launch our hockey program at the Division I level, these are the on and off-ice expectations, and Guy Gadowsky has successfully accomplished these goals and more throughout his career. We welcome Guy and his family to Hockey Valley,” said Curley.

“I am absolutely thrilled to have the opportunity to lead Penn State hockey during this transitional period and into Division I,” Gadowsky said. “I am truly honored to join Penn State and the spirit, pride, passion, class and professionalism found within its students, staff and alumni. I am humbled by the tremendous gift by the Pegula family and the commitment by Penn State. This is a very exciting time for college hockey and Penn State and our family is thrilled to be joining the Penn State family.”

In September 2010, the University announced an $88 million gift from Terrence M. and Kim Pegula, the largest private gift in Penn State’s history, which was intended to fund a state-of-the-art, multi-purpose ice arena as well as help to establish an NCAA Division I men’s hockey program.
In conjunction with the gift, Penn State will establish an NCAA women’s hockey program.

“I am very impressed with Guy, his pursuit of the challenge at hand and plans for Penn State hockey, stated Terry Pegula.

“We are thrilled to have successfully courted a coach from such a strong academic institution with the passion, energy and the perfect demeanor for Penn State,” commented Joe Battista, Associate Director of Athletics for Ice Arena and Hockey Development. “Guy has outstanding recruiting connections across North America and with USA Hockey and Hockey Canada and has built or revived programs in college and professional hockey.”

Appointed to the NCAA Division I Men’s Ice Hockey Committee through 2013, Gadowsky took over a Princeton program that had won a combined eight games in the two seasons prior to his arrival for the 2004-05 campaign. During his initial five seasons, the Tigers improved their win total each year, topped by a program record 22 victories in 2008-09.

Gadowsky led Princeton to two of its three all-time NCAA Championship berths in the 110 years of the program, in 2008 and 2009.

As a collegiate head coach, Gadowsky has helped develop nine players who have played in the National Hockey League, including three of his former Princeton players who have played in the NHL this season: Mike Moore (San Jose), Darroll Powe (Philadelphia) and Kevin Westgarth (Los Angeles). A 2011 Princeton senior, AHCA second-team All-American Taylor Fedun, signed with the Edmonton Oilers, after the Tigers’ season was completed.

Among some of Gadowsky’s accomplishments as Princeton’s head coach:

- In 2007-08, the Tigers won their first outright Ivy League title and the ECAC Hockey Championship to earn their first NCAA Championship berth in 10 years. Gadowsky was selected Inside College Hockey National Coach of the Year, ECAC Coach of the Year and was a finalist for the American Hockey Coaches Association (AHCA) National Coach of the Year;

- In 2008-09, Princeton earned its second consecutive NCAA berth after finishing third in the ECAC standings and tournament, winning a school record 22 games;

- Princeton has had seven All-Americans all-time, four of whom were coached by Gadowsky. The Tigers’ Lee Jubinville (2008) and Zane Kalemba (2009) were ACHA All-Americans, as well as Princeton’s first ECAC Players of the Year. They also were Princeton’s initial finalists for the 2009 Hobey Baker Award, presented to the nation’s top collegiate hockey player. Baker was a Princeton graduate;

- A total of 65 Princeton hockey student-athletes were named ECAC All-Academic Team members during the past six years;

- Led 2011 seniors to a program record 72 victories over the past four seasons;

- Posted a 105-109-15 record during his seven years with the Tigers and has the highest winning percentage among all Princeton head coaches since 1934. In seven years, Gadowsky ranks fourth in victories all-time for a program that began in 1900-01.

Gadowsky re-built the Alaska-Fairbanks program from 1999-2000 through 2003-04. Taking over a program that lost at least 20 games in each of its five seasons as CCHA members, by Gadowsky’s third season the Nanooks were 22-12-3 and ranked No. 11 nationally at the end of the 2001-02 campaign. He was a finalist for AHCA National Coach of the Year honors and was the CCHA Coach of the Year in 2002. Alaska-Fairbanks won 15 and 16 games, respectively, the next two years and hosted the first round CCHA playoffs twice for the first time in program history under Gadowsky’s direction.

One of 10 members of the NCAA’s Regional Advisory Committee, Gadowsky was head coach and Director of Hockey Operations for the WCHL’s Fresno Falcons for three years. He led Fresno to the WCHL playoffs all three years, was named WCHL Coach of the Year in 1987 and was the franchise’s winningest coach when he left for Alaska-Fairbanks.

Gadowsky played at Colorado College from 1986-89, earning a degree in economics. As a senior, he was the team captain and was selected winner of the team’s Rodman Award, presented for Outstanding Leadership and Sportsmanship. Gadowsky was a three-time WCHA All-Academic Team member.

Gadowsky played professionally for seven years upon graduation, including stops with Richmond (ECHL), San Diego (IHL) and St. John’s and Prince Edward Island of the American Hockey League. He also played with the Canadian National Team for a portion of the 1993-94 season and played professionally in Sweden, Holland Austria.

In 1995-96, Gadowsky joined Fresno and was selected the WCHL’s Most Valuable Player and a first-team All-Star. He scored 52 goals and had 29 assists in 51 games as a player/coach, retiring as a player to become the Falcons’ full-time head coach in 1996-97.

The Penn State men’s and women’s ice hockey teams are slated to begin competition in the 2012-13 season as NCAA Division I independents. The directors of athletics of the six Big Ten Conference institutions that sponsor men’s ice hockey will recommend to the Big Ten Council of Presidents/Chancellors in June the establishment of men’s ice hockey as a conference sport with the 2013-14 season.

Conference affiliation for the Penn State women’s ice hockey program is to be determined.

Pegula Ice Arena is slated to open in late 2013 and will be built on the corner of Curtin Road and University Drive, directly west of the Bryce Jordan Center. The new 200,000-square-foot, multi-purpose ice arena will be the only major rink within an 80-mile radius and will be on par with the best collegiate facilities in the country. It will include two ice sheets and other features that will allow it to be used for a broad range of campus and community activities, from commencement ceremonies to kinesiology classes to public skating sessions and camps for youth.

Gadowsky and his wife, Melissa, have two sons, Mac and Magnus, and a daughter, Mia.

LAKEWOOD, Ohio – The Erie Lady Lions’ 19-under team will play for the USA Hockey Mid-American Girls District Playdowns title on Sunday. They needed a late comeback on Saturday to reach the final.

The Lady Lions, who reached USA Hockey’s national championship tournament last year, were in fourth place in district play. But after the Pittsburgh Amateur Penguins’ East and West teams were eliminated Saturday, the Lady Lions earned a spot in the final with a 2-1 win against Team Pittsburgh. They will face the Indianapolis Icers at 9 a.m. for the title at Serpentini Arena.

The NCAA Women’s Division I Frozen Four will consist of more than just hockey games.

Starting with the sold-out Welcome Banquet March 17, the tournament features events that complement the semifinal doubleheader on March 18 and championship game on March 20 at Tullio Arena.

USA Hockey’s Patty Kazmaier Memorial Award Ceremony & Brunch is set for March 19 at 10 a.m. at the Erie Bayfront Convention Center. The award, named after the former standout at Princeton (1981-86) who lost her battle with a rare blood disease in 1990 at age 28, honors the nation’s top women’s player.

Last year, Vicki Bendus became the first Mercyhurst College player to capture the award. She joined an exclusive group that includes seven Olympians. This year’s nominees will be unveiled in February.

Tickets for the event can be purchased by contacting Yevet Anderson at (814) 450-7008. They cost $65 for individual seats, $300 for a half table (five seats) and $600 for a full table (10 seats).

Young girls can participate in one of two free hockey clinics on March 19 at Mercyhurst Ice Center.

Girls ages 4-10 currently playing hockey can enjoy instruction from members of USA Hockey’s American Development Model staff from 3-4 p.m. at the NCAA/USA Hockey Girls Clinic. Those interested can register by e-mail at eriehockey@earthlink.net.

Girls ages 4-12 can experience hockey from 4-5 p.m. in the Girls Try Hockey Free Program. No skating or hockey experience is necessary to participate. Equipment and skates will be provided for free. Visit www.usahockey.com/erietryhockeygirls to register or contact Anderson for more information.

On the same day, the Alumnae Hockey Game for former women’s college players will begin at 6 p.m. at Tullio Arena. Admission is free.

Meanwhile, coaches wishing to earn their next level of Coaching Education and Certification can attend the USA Hockey National High Performance Coaching Workshop on March 19 and 20 at Courtyard by Marriott’s Crystal Ballroom. Visit www.usahockey.com and click on Coaching Clinics to register.

All-session tickets to the tournament, which covers all three games, cost $50 for adults and $40 for students. They can be purchased at the Tullio Arena box office (814-425-4857), Mercyhurst Ice Center (814-824-2277) and through TicketMaster (www.ticketmaster.com).

Frozen Four schedule

March 17

7 p.m. – Welcome banquet (sold out)

March 18

5 p.m. – Semifinal No. 1, Tullio Arena

8 p.m. – Semifinal No. 2, Tullio Arena

March 19

8:30 a.m. – USA Hockey National High Performance Coaching Workshop, Courtyard by Marriott’s Crystal Ballroom

10 a.m. – Patty Kazmaier Memorial Award Ceremony & Brunch, Erie Bayfront Convention Center

* Tickets cost $65 for individual seats, $300 for a half table (five seats), $600 for a full table (10 seats)

3-4 p.m. – NCAA/USA Hockey Girls Clinic, Mercyhurst Ice Center (girls playing hockey ages 4-10)

4-5 p.m. – Girls Try Hockey Free Program, Mercyhurst Ice Center (girls ages 4-12)

6 p.m. – Alumnae Hockey Game, Tullio Arena

March 20

8:30 a.m. – USA Hockey National High Performance Coaching Workshop, Courtyard by Marriott’s Crystal Ballroom

2 p.m. – Championship game, Tullio Arena