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Boys' ice hockey is a popular and growing sport in the state of New York. Culturally, ice hockey is a fairly well known sport throughout the state, especially Upstate New York - due in part to its cultural connections with Canada and Southern Ontario.

New York State Public High School Athletic Association[]

151 high schools field sanctioned varsity teams competing in the New York State Public High School Athletic Association.

The sanctioned teams compete from end of November till mid-March with a maximum number of practices and games. These teams are divided into two divisions, I and II. Each based on strength of program and considered "rolling" divisions allowing teams to switch divisions each year. The sanctioned Varsity teams are divided into sections used by every sport under NYSPHSAA; Sections I, II, III, IV, V, VI, VII, IX, and X. Each section has different sets of rules for eligibility of Catholic teams to participate in the State Tournament. Sections I and VI do not allow Catholic schools to compete for the Public State Tournament.

New York State Amateur Hockey Association[]

76 club and non-sanctioned New York High School Hockey teams compete in New York State Amateur Hockey Association.

NYSAHA is the New York state affiliate of USA Hockey. The "club" teams are divided into two divisions, large school and small school. Each section is divided into four regions East, West, Central, and North who all follow the NYSAHA Guidebook for state bound eligibility. The majority of the teams come from Long Island, Broome County, Hudson Valley, and Western New York. The non-sanctioned Club teams are divided into sections used by all amateur hockey teams under the NYSAHA umbrella. NYSAHA has set guidelines on the state bound teams and depending on the number of teams' from each section that are state bound determine how many teams' from each section will attend the three-day state tournament for large and small school tournament. Eight teams participate in three-day state tournament at host-city in a point system to determine the top four teams to compete in semi-finals and then eventually the State championship.

The non-sanctioned teams have no official start and stop date and no limit on the minimum and maximum of games. West Section begins league play around the end of November and end the season in March. East, Central, and North sections compete from September till the end of March.

NYSAHA club teams retain their "club" label, though many are branded as high school hockey similar to a traditional varsity team. Due to this, the skill level varies from club to club despite all being "high school hockey". NYSAHA clubs vary a lot, with some being more advanced or higher level, while others are played more on the basis of having fun or winning a local championship instead of a state championship.

State tournament[]

NYSPHSAA, each section has different sets of rules for eligibility of Catholic teams to participate in the State Tournament. Section I and VI do not allow Catholic schools to compete for the Public State Tournament. The Catholic schools from Section I and VI meet in Catholic High School State Athletic Association one game championship. NYSPHSAA has pre-determined state tournament brackets with each section sending one team per section and at-large teams in one-game elimination. The Final Four for Divisions I, and II were played in Utica, New York's Memorial Auditorium for many years until recently when they have been held at the LECOM Harborcenter in Buffalo, New York.

History[]

Though high school hockey in New York can be dated back to the mid-1940s, the first league—called the Northern New York Scholastic Hockey League—was formed in 1948 and comprised teams from Massena, Norfolk, Potsdam and Saranac Lake. One of the League's founders, Don Spotswood, was a 1934 Clarkson College graduate who taught high school mathematics in the then Norfolk School District (today Norwood-Norfolk). Clarkson College, along with St. Lawrence University, were significant influences in the birth of high school hockey in this region.

Buffalo Explorer High School Club Hockey League was the first club hockey league in Western New York, starting in 1972. Southtowns High School Club Hockey League began in 1974 and Western New York High School Club Hockey League in 1976.

NYSPHSAA recognized high school hockey starting in 1980 with official state tournament being held. Not every section started at the same time and not every team that was sanctioned was allowed to participate in the sanctioned State tournament. Section VI (Western New York) did not allow its champion to participate until 2001. NYSAHA recognized high school hockey in 1982 but league championship were being held as early as 1972 in Buffalo. NYSAHA divided into two divisions in 2002 as prior to that year, only one championship was awarded.

In 2008-09, there was no club state championship. For the 2009-10 season, WNYHSCHL will join AAU.

Notable alumni[]

Historical timeline[]

  • 1947 - Norfolk High School fields their first team (today, Norwood-Norfolk)
  • 1968 - Monroe County High School Hockey League formed with six teams (Aquinas, Brighton, Fairport, Irondequoit, McQuaid Jesuit, Monroe)[1]
  • 1969 - Town of Oyster Bay High School Club Hockey League forms
  • 1972 - Buffalo Explorer High School Club Hockey League forms
  • 1973 - New York Islanders High School Club Hockey League forms
  • 1974 - Southtowns High School Club Hockey League forms
  • 1976 - Western New York High School Club Hockey League forms
  • 1980 - New York State Public High School Athletic Association crowns its first champion
  • 1982 - New York State Amateur Hockey Association crowns its first champion
  • 1990 - Section VI recognizes hockey as official sport
  • 2001 - Section VI sends its champion to state tournament
  • 2002 - NYSAHA crowns two champions - Large and Small School

NYSPHSAA Boys' Teams (former teams = No Longer Exists/Merged)[]

School Nickname Colors Est. Section Division NYSPHSAA Championships
Adirondack Rivermen Blue, Black 2013 II One
Alexandria Bay (NLE/Merged) Purple Ghosts Purple, White 1948 X Two
Amherst Tigers Orange, Black 1990 VI Two
Aquinas Irish Maroon, White V One 1998, 1999^
Auburn Maroons Maroon, White III Two
Baldwinsville Bees Red, White III One
Batavia (NLE/Merged) 1979 V Two
Batavia / Notre Dame Blue Devils Blue, White V Two
Beekmantown/Chazy Eagles Red, Gray 1989 VII Two
Bethlehem Eagles Orange, Black II One
Bishop Timon/Saint Jude Tigers Green, Gold VI Private
Brighton Barons Navy, White V One
Brockport Blue Devils Blue, White V One 2003
Bronxville (NLE/Merged) Broncos Blue, Gray I Two
Burke Catholic (NLE/Merged) Eagles Navy, White IX Two
Burnt Hills/ Scotia Spartans Maroon, White II One
BYSNS Bison Black, Silver, White, Red I One
Byram Hills Bobcats Scarlet, Navy I Two
Canandaigua Grey Wolves Red, Gray, White V Two
Canisius Crusaders Blue, Gold VI Private
Capital District Jets Navy, Royal, Gray II One
Canton Golden Bears Gold, Brown 1954 X One 1993, 1994, 1997, 1998
Carmel Rams Red, White, Blue 2001 I Two
Cazenovia Lakers Royal, Gold III One 2011
CBA Albany Brothers Purple, Gold II Two
CBA Syracuse/Jamesville-Dewitt Brothers Purple, Gold III Two 2013
Churchville-Chili Saints Orange, White V Two
Cicero-North Syracuse North Stars Green, Blue III One
Clarence Red Devils Red, Black VI One
Clarkstown Black, Gold I One
Clinton Warriors Maroon, White III Two 1995, 1996, 2005, 2006
Cortland-Homer Golden Eagles Royal, Gold III Two
Cortlandt Rebels I One
East Ramapo (NLE/Merged) Titans Black, Gold, White I Two
Eastchester/Tuckahoe/Bronxville Eagles Blue, Red I Two
Fairport Red Raiders Red, White 1968 V One
Fayetteville-Manlius Hornets Green, White III One
Fox Lane Foxes Red, White I One
Franklin Academy (Malone) Huskies Green, White 1978 X Two
Frontier Falcons Royal, White 2001 VI One
Fulton Red Raiders Red, White, Green 1982 III One
Gates-Chili Spartans Blue, White V One 1999, 2005
Geneseo/Livonia Lakers Blue, White V Two
Geneva Panthers Black, Gold V One
Glens Falls (NLE/Merged) Indians Red, Black 1985 II Two 1990, 1991
GMSVS Storm Black, Blue II One
Grand Island Vikings Blue and White 1974 VI Two
Greece Arcadia/Olympia Lightning Black, Silver V One 1996*
Greece Athena/Odyssey Thunder Purple, Gold V One 2009
Hamburg Bulldogs Purple, White 2008 VI Two
Hilton Cadets Red, Black V One
Horace Greeley Quakers Royal, Orange I Two
Indian River (NLE/Merged) Warriors Columbia, Navy, White 1988 X Two
Irondequoit Eagles Gold, Blue V One
Ithaca Little Red Crimson, Gold IV One 1984, 1987, 1994, 2000, 2007
James I. O'Neill (NLE/Merged) Raiders Maroon, White IX Two
John Jay Wolves Purple, White I Two
Kenmore East Bulldogs Navy, Gold 2001 VI Two 2012, 2016
Kenmore West Blue Devils Blue, White 2001 VI Two
Lake Placid Blue Bombers Blue, Gold VII Two 1980
Lancaster Legends Red, Black 2004 VI One
LaSalle Institute Cadets Blue, Black II One 2000
Lewiston-Porter Lancers Green, Black 2009 VI Two
Liverpool Warriors Navy, Orange III One 1985
Mahopac Indians Blue, Gold I One
Mamaroneck Tigers White, Black, Orange I One 2016
Massena Red Raiders Red, Blue, White 1937 X One 1981, 1982, 1993, 1995, 2008, 2014
McQuaid Jesuit Knights Black, Gold V One 2005, 2015
Monroe Woodbury Crusaders Purple, Black, White IX One 2007
Mohawks Red, White Blue II One
Mohawk Valley Jugglers Navy, Gold III One
New Hartford Spartans Red, White, Blue III Two 1997, 2009, 2010
New Rochelle Huguenots Purple, White I One
Newburgh Free Academy Goldbacks Blue, Gold IX One
Niagara Falls/Lockport Wolverines/Lions Navy, Gold 2007 VI One
Niagara Wheatfield Falcons Red, Black 2008 VI One
Nichols School Vikings Green, White 1919 VI Private
North Rockland Red Raiders Red, White I One
North Tonawanda Lumberjacks Navy, Red 2009 VI One
Northeastern Clinton Cougars Maroon, White VII Two
Norwood-Norfolk Flyers Green, Gold 1947 X Two
Nyack Indians Red, Black I Two
Ogdensburg Blue Devils Blue, White 1941 X Two
Ontario Bay Storm Black, Gold, Red III One
Orchard Park Quakers Maroon, White 2006 VI One
Oswego Buccaneers Royal, White III Two
Pawling Tigers Black, Orange I Two
Pearl River Pirates Royal, White I Two
Pelham Pelicans Navy, Gold I Two 2017, 2022
Penfield Patriots Red, White V One
Pittsford Panthers Blue, White V One
Plattsburgh Hornets Orange, Black VII Two
Pleasantville/Westlake/Kennedy Ice Cats I Two
Potsdam Sandstoners Blue, Orange 1941 X One
Queensbury Spartans Blue, Gold II Two
Rivertown Legends Green, Black, Red I One
Rome Free Academy Black Knights Orange, Black III One 1986, 1988
Rush-Henrietta Comets Green, Gold V One
Rye Garnets Garnet, Black, White I Two
Rye Town/Harrison Titans Blue, White I One
Saint Francis Red Raiders Red, White VI Private
Saint Joes Marauders Maroon, White VI Private
Saint Lawrence Larries Navy, White 1957 X Two 1982
Saint Johns Irish Green, White VII Two 1986, 1988, 1989
Saint Mary's Gaels Navy and Columbia Blue VI Private
Salmon River Shamrocks Green, Black 1951 X Two 1980, 1981, 1982, 1989, 1992, 2001, 2002
Saranac Lake Red Storm Red, Yellow VII Two
Saranac Chiefs Red, White 1999 VII Two
Saratoga Springs Blue Streaks Blue, White II One 1999, 2013
Scarsdale Raiders Maroon, White I One
Shenendehowa Plainsmen Green, White II One
Skaneateles Lakers Navy, Gold III Two 1983, 1989, 2015, 2019, 2023
Sleepy Hollow/Edgemont/Valhalla I Two
South Glens Falls Bulldogs Red, Blue II Two
Spencerport Rangers Blue, Gold V One
Starpoint Spartans Red, Black 1998 VI Two
Suffern Mounties Navy, Carolina Blue, White I One 1992, 2012, 2022
Sweet Home / Depew Panth Nav One 2018
Syracuse Cougars Maroon, White III One 2019
Tappan Zee Dutchmen Red, Silver, White I Two
Thousand Islands Vikings Navy, Gold 1986 X Two
Tupper Lake Lumberjacks Red, Black X Two
Victor Blue Devils Blue, Gold 2001 V One 2018
Watertown IHC Cavaliers Royal, White III One
Webster (Later split into 2 programs) Ridgemen 1971 V §
Webster Schroeder Warriors Blue, Gold V Two 2014
Webster Thomas Titans Navy, Gold, White V Two 2008
West Genesee Wildcats Navy, Gold III One 1990, 2001, 2002, 2010, 2023
West Seneca East Trojans Green, Gold 2008 VI Two
West Seneca West Indians Blue, Gold 2008 VI One
White Plains Tigers Orange, Black I One
Whitesboro Warriors Royal, White III Two 2003
Williamsville East Flames Red, Yellow 1990 VI Two 2004
Williamsville North Spartans Green, Gold 1990 VI One 2002, 2004, 2006, 2011, 2017
Williamsville South Billies Blue, Red 1990 VI Two
  • * Webster as a unified team did not play under a classification.
  • Greece Lightning and Greece Thunder were one team.

^ Two championships were when Aquinas was a Division II team

§ Webster as a unified district did not play under a NYSPHSAA classification.

NYSAHA Club teams[]

School Nickname Colors Est. League State Championships
Arlington Admirals Maroon, Vegas Gold HVHSHA
Bellmore-Merrick Bulldogs Maroon and Navy HSHLNC
Bethpage Golden Eagles Gold and Blue HSHLNC
Binghamton Patriots Red, White, Blue BCHSHA
Canisius Club Crusaders Blue and Gold WNYHSCHL 2013
Centereach/Selden Cougars Red, White, Blue 1973 SCHSCHL
Cheektowaga Unified Warriors Maroon and Gold 1973 WNYHSCHL 2005, 2006, 2007, 2013, 2014
Chenango Forks Blue Devils Blue, Red, White BCHSHA
Chenango Valley + Windsor Warriors, Golden Knights Red, White, Black or Gold BCHSHA
City Honors/Cardinal O'Hara Gold and Cardinal WNYHSCHL 2013
Cold Spring Harbor Seahawks Scarlet and Navy HSHLNC
Comsewogue/Point Jefferson Warriors Black and Gold 1973 SCHSHSL
Connetquot/Sayville Thunderbirds Red and Gold 1973 SCHSCHL
Cornwall Dragons Green and White HVHSHA
East Aurora / Holland Blue Devils Blue and Gray 2004 WNYHSCHL
East Islip Chiefs Red and Black SCHSCHL
Elmira Express Red, black, and white BCHSHA
Fredonia/Dunkirk Steelers Navy and Columbia Blue 1988 WNYHSCHL 2016
Garden City Wings Red and White HSHLNC
Half Hollow Hills Hornets Red and Black SCHSCHL
Hauppauge SCHSCHL
Hendrick Hudson Sailors Blue and White HVHSHA
Jamestown Area Red and White WNYHSCHL
Jericho Jayhawks Navy and Gold HSHLNC
John Jay Patriots White and Blue HVHSHA
Ketcham/Millbrook HVHSHA
Kings Park/Commack SCHSCHL
Kingston Tigers Maroon and White HVHSHA
Lancaster Club Redskins Red and Black 1973 WNYHSCHL
Levittown Falcons Blue and Orange HSHLNC
Locust Valley Falcons Green and Black HSHLNC
Long Beach Marines Blue and Black HSHLNC 2005, 2011, 2012
Longwood Lions Green and Gold SCHSHL
Maine-Endwell Spartans Blue, Gold 1979 BCHSHA
Massapequa Chiefs Navy and Gold 1969 HSHLNC 2012
Nichols School Vikings Green and White WNYHSCHL 1919
Northport/Huntington Tigers Navy and Gold SCHSCHL 2015
Oceanside Sailors Navy and Columbia Blue HSHLNC
Olean Area Green, White, Black WNYHSCHL
Orchard Park Club Quakers Maroon and White 1973 WNYHSCHL
Patchogue-Medford Raiders Black and Red SCHSCHL
Roosevelt Presidents Green and Gold HVHSHA
Royhart/Barker/Medina Knights Black and White WNYHSCHL
Sachem Arrows Black and Gold SCHSCHL 1991,1993,1994
Saint Francis Club Red Raiders Red and White WNYHSCHL
Saint Joes Club Marauders Maroon and White WNYHSCHL 2014, 2017
Saint John the Baptist Cougars Red and White SCHSCHL 2014
Saint Mary's Gaels Navy and Columbia Blue WNYHSCHL 1994-1998,2000-2007
Saint Mary's B Gaels Navy and Columbia Blue WNYHSCHL
Sewanhaka Indians Purple and Gold HSHLNC
Smithtown Bulls Blue and Red SCHSCHL 2016
Syosset Braves Black And Red HSHLNC
Union-Endicott Tigers Black, Orange BCHSHA
Valley Central Vikings Blue and White HVHSHA
Vestal Golden Bears Green, Gold BCHSHA
Wantagh/Seaford Baymen Black and Gold HSHLNC
Warwick Wildcats Purple and Gold HVHSHA
Washingtonville Wizards Blue and Gold HVHSHA
Ward Melville Patriots Green and Gold SCHSCHL
West Islip Lions Blue and Gold SCHSCHL
West Seneca Unified Trojans/Indians Blue, Green and Gold WNYHSCHL 1985 1992

NYSPHSAA Championship Games[]

Year Div. I Champion (Section) Div. I Runner-Up (Section) Score Div. II Champion (Section) Div. II Runner-Up (Section) Score
1980 Lake Placid (X) Ithaca (IV) 4-1 Salmon River (X) CBA Syracuse (III) 4-3
1981 Massena (X) Ithaca (IV) 4-1 Salmon River (X) CBA Syracuse (III) 8-1
1982 Massena (X) Rye (I) 7-0 St. Lawrence (X) Nyack (IX) 9-0
1983 Skaneateles (III) Massena (X) 4-2 Albany Academy (II) Salmon River (X) 2-1
1984 Ithaca (IV) Rome Free Academy (III) 7-3 Rome Catholic (III) LaSalle Institute (II) 5-4 (OT)
1985 Liverpool (II) Ogdensburg (X) 5-4 Rome Catholic (III) Albany Academy (II) 3-2 (OT)
1986 Rome Free Academy (III) Skaneateles (III) 6-4 St. John's (VII) Albany Academy (II) 6-3
1987 Ithaca (IV) Massena (X) 5-3 Albany Academy (II) St John's (VII) 3-2
1988 Rome Free Academy (III) Albany Academy (II) 6-2 St. John's (VII) Suffern (I) 6-1
1989 St. John's (VII) Rome Free Academy (II) 5-3 Skaneateles (III) Salmon River (X) 2-2*
1990 West Genesee (III) Albany Academy (II) 1-0 (OT) Glens Falls (II) Skaneateles (III) 2-1
1991 Albany Academy (II) Oswego (III) 3-1 Glens Falls (II) Malone (X) 4-3
1992 Suffern (I) Massena (X) 4-3 (OT) Salmon River (X) Pittsford (V) 8-6
1993 Massena (X) Saratoga Springs (II) 10-0 Canton (X) LaSalle Institute (II) 4-2
1994 Ithaca (IV) Niskayuna (II) 3-2 Canton (X) Williamsville South (VI) 8-2
1995 Massena (X) Pittsford (V) 6-3 Clinton (III) Batavia (V) 5-0
1996 Greece (V) Oswego (III) 4-3 Clinton (III) LaSalle Institute (II) 6-5
1997 Canton (X) Oswego (III) 3-2 New Hartford (III) Ogdensburg (X) 6-2
1998 Canton (X) Greece (V) 6-2 Aquinas (V) Plattsburgh (VII) 5-2
1999 Saratoga Springs (II) Ithaca (IV) 3-0 Aquinas (V) Cortland-Homer (III) 6-4
2000 Ithaca (IV) Saratoga Springs (II) 4-0 LaSalle Institute (II) Glens Falls (II) 4-3
2001 West Genesee (III) Williamsville North (VI) 4-1 Salmon River (X) Aquinas (V) 3-1
2002 Williamsville North (VI) West Genesee (III) 5-3 Salmon River (X) Clarkstown North (I) 10-0
2003 Brockport (V) Williamsville North (VI) 5-4 (OT) Whitesboro (III) Batavia (V) 2-1
2004 Williamsville North (VI) Seton Catholic (VII) 5-2 Williamsville East (VI) Salmon River (X) 3-2 (OT)
2005 McQuaid (V) Baldwinsville (III) 7-3 Clinton (III) Salmon River (X) 4-3
2006 Williamsville North (VI) Aquinas (V) 1-0 Clinton (III) Monroe-Woodbury (IX) 4-1
2007 Ithaca (IV) Williamsville North (VI) 2-1 (OT) Monroe-Woodbury (IX) Canandaigua (V) 4-2
2008 Massena (X) West Genesee (III) 3-2 (OT) Webster Thomas (V) Thousand Islands (X) 5-2
2009 Greece Athena/Odyssey (V) Mamaroneck (I) 3-2 New Hartford (III) Pelham (I) 6-1
2010 West Genesee (III) Saratoga Springs (II) 3-0 New Hartford (III) Queensbury (II) 5-2
2011 Williamsville North (VI) Saratoga Springs (II) 3-2 Cazenovia (III) Williamsville East (VI) 6-2
2012 Suffern (I) Pittsford (V) 3-2 Kenmore East (VI) Oswego (III) 6-3
2013 Saratoga Springs (II) McQuaid (V) 5-0 Syracuse CBA/J-D (III) John Jay (I) 4-2
2014 Massena (X) Ithaca (IV) 4-1 Webster Schroeder (V) Beekmantown (VII) 2-0
2015 McQuaid (V) Baldwinsville (III) 6-2 Skaneateles (III) Williamsville East (VI) 5-2
2016 Mamaroneck (I) West Genesee (III) 1-0 Kenmore East (VI) Skaneateles (III) 3-2 (OT)
2017 Williamsville North (VI) Pittsford (V) 3-2 Pelham (I) St. Lawrence (X) 7-1
2018 Victor (V) Niagara Wheatfield (VI) 5-1 Sweet Home (VI) West Seneca West (VI) 7-5
2019 Syracuse (III) Suffern (I) 4-2 Skaneateles (III) Queensbury (II) 6-1
2022 Suffern (I) West Genesee (III) 5-2 Pelham (I) Starpoint (VI) 7-6 (OT)
2023 West Genesee (III) Suffern (I) 6-0 Skaneateles (III) Pelham (I) 4-1
  • Shared Championship

CHSAA Championships[]

Year Catholic Champion Catholic Runner-Up Score
2002 Bishop Timon/Saint Jude Msgr. Farrell 6-1
2003 St. Joes Iona Prep 6-5 (OT)
2004 St. Joes Iona Prep 5-1
2005 St. Joes Chaminade 5-1
2006 St. Joes Fordham Prep 3-0
2007 St. Joes Fordham Prep 3-2
2008 St. Joes Iona Prep 5-1
2009 Canisius Msgr. Farrell 5-1
2010 Canisius St. Anthony's 2-1
2011 St. Joes St. Anthony's 3-2
2012 St. Anthony's St. Francis 4-3
2015 Canisius Chaminade 6-1
2016 St. Joes St. Anthony's 2-1 (OT)

NYSAHA Championships[]

Year Large School Champion Large School Runner-Up Score Small School Champion Small School Runner-Up Score
2003 St. Marys North Tonawanda 9-0 Southwestern/Maple Grove Maryvale 10-1
2004 St. Marys Lancaster Cheektowaga Southwestern/Maple Grove 4-1
2005 St. Marys Orchard Park 5-3 Long Beach Cheektowaga 5-3
2006 St. Marys Orchard Park 5-3 Cheektowaga Starpoint 11-2
2007 St. Marys St. Anthony's 5-1 Lew-Port Cheektowaga 3-1
2008 St. Anthony's Niagara Wheatfield 6-3 Comsewogue/Pt Jeff Depew 7-4

References[]

Sources[]

External links[]

This page uses content from Wikipedia. The original article was at High school ice hockey in New York. The list of authors can be seen in the page history. As with Ice Hockey Wiki, the text of Wikipedia is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike License 3.0 (Unported) (CC-BY-SA).


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