By Nate Beutel
Rick Wrazin’s response to compare this year’s edition of the Niagara-Wheatfield Federation ice hockey team to last year’s state semifinalist squad is going to scare other area coaches.
“It looks like we’re pretty comparable with the exception that we might be a little deeper and a little faster this year,” the second-year coach said. “And we gained a lot of valuable experience last season, which will go a long way toward another strong run this season.”
Wheatfield, which is entering just its second season in the Federation ranks, is among the favorites in the large schools bracket this winter, despite losing several top players including Niagara Gazette Player of the Year Nick Burns, forward Jacques Levesque and goaltender John Wojtas.
The Falcons do return plenty of talent, though, beginning with Bowman Cup participant Dave Evert, who was second on the team in scoring a year ago. He’s joined up front by fellow seniors Junior Perez, Nick LoTempio and Mike Hardy. Wrazin also expects freshmen Nick Matos and Brian Kuhn to contribute.
Juniors Bryan Komasara and Reese Bedient will anchor the blueline, while freshmen Brandon Schrader and Matt Peters will also see playing time.
Goaltending duties will be split between senior Vinnie Merante, junior Cody Wagner and sophomore Alex Kammerer until Wrazin finds the hot hand.
“Our goal is to try and get at least as far as we did last year and I think our guys realize the amount of work it takes to get there,” Wrazin said. “We’ve realized that there are no easy games in this league and we need to continue to have that mentality throughout the entire season.”
N-W opens its season Thanksgiving Day against Bishop Timon-St. Jude in the opening round of the Orchard Park Tournament.
Lewiston-Porter
The Lancers will be making the transition from club to federation this winter. Lew-Port is two years removed from winning the small school playoff championship and Super Sunday title, but first-year coach Kevin Kirsch believes it still has plenty of talent to compete.
“We have a strong nucleus that are looking to establish themselves as a competitive team,” the coach said. “We are talented and have a strong work ethic. We are looking to build a solid foundation that will serve as tradition in the years to come.”
The Lancers are extremely deep up front with seniors Dan Sharpe and Ryan Teeto along with juniors Tyler Tubinis, Austin Crossley, Brandon Washburn and Connor Anthony. Juniors Josh Cullen and Christian Adamson will anchor the defense.
Niagara Falls
Stan Wojton takes the reins from Marc Catanzaro after six years as an assistant coach. The Wolverines finished with only two wins last season, but Wojton expects that to change this winter with a heavy senior class.
“We are looking forward to our most competitive season yet in Federation hockey,” he said. “The combination of skilled upperclassmen along with hard-working underclassmen gives us the opportunity to be very successful this season.”
Seniors Frank Clougherty, David Kok and Joe Grozio will anchor the team’s offense, along with sophomore forward Richie DeMarco. Senior Mike Boyd is the team’s top defender and junior Chris Rybarczyk will handle the goaltending duties.
North Tonawanda
The Lumberjacks enter the Federation league coming off a championship season in the club ranks. NT won both the large school playoff championship and the Super Sunday title a year ago.
First-year coach Jeff Swan has several key returnees from last year’s team, including Super Sunday MVP Darren Godfrey, a senior forward. Also back up front are seniors Alex Martin, Chris Wallar and Steve Grosskopf. Senior Dan Brick returns as the Jacks’ top goaltender.
“We have been a successful club team and we are looking to carry that success forward into the Fed league,” Swan said. “We have a heavy senior-based squad with plenty of talent and experience, which should help us.”
Lockport
The Lions struggled to only one win a season ago and with only a few returnees, it appears as though they might go through some more growing pains this winter.
“This season will be another building year for Lockport hockey,” second-year coach Mike Evans said. “We have a large number of juniors who are seeing their first action at the varsity level. If they can come in and compete we should keep ourselves in many games.”
Senior defender James Quirk is back for the Lions along with junior forward Matt Wright. Evans also expects goaltender James Pytlik to make a successful return from a knee injury and freshmen Rich Eberhart and Tracy Marack to contribute.
St. Joe’s
The Marauders are hoping to avenge for last season’s early exit in the playoffs. St. Joe’s, which features six different teams at the school, will be especially strong on defense this winter. Among those back on the blueline is Bowman Cup participant Mike Schreck, Rob Neff and Richie Hilliker.
Joe’s is not too shabby up front either as Mike Doben, Kyle Kelshenbach, Tyler Mills and Eugene Mongan all return for second-year coach Rich Crozier, the son of former Sabres coach Joe Crozier.
“While we will be younger and less experienced than last year, our expectations and goals remain the same — to return to and compete for our seventh New York state Catholic school title,” the coach said.
Kenmore West
The Blue Devils have a strong corps of returnees this winter that third-year coach Mike Mondoux hopes will carry West back over the .500 mark and deeper into the playoffs. He points to defense and communication as keys to success for his team.
Among those back for the Blue Devils is forward Rob Mooney, who had 23 points a season ago. Also back up front are Billy Moore, Eric Flores and Mark Sorrentino. Nick Fisher is the team top returning defender.
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Contact reporter Nate Beutel at 282-2311, ext. 2262.
