In The Crease, vol. 3- May 16, 2006
By: Shaun V. Fadale
Junior hockey?? What a concept! I mean everyone in the hockey world has heard someone mention of playing, knowing, or hearing about a person involved in junior A, B,or C. It's like everyone knows someone who is wealthy or has a BMW or million dollar estate, (pardon the comparisons). Yes junior hockey is of that magnitude where a young hockey player can reach out beyond the realm of recreational hockey and become serious into a potential hockey career. Including but not limited to college scholarships, pro contracts, and more. This is the puberty of adult hockey!! We have so many great programs locally. I played for the Wheatfield Blades junior B program and before that the Muskies junior C. Since then, our area has exploded with more opportunities in junior hockey such as Wheatfield diving into the Golden Horseshoe League, the Wheatfield Blades In the Empire league. The newer Buffalo Stars junior C, and the Jr Sabres junior A. All of the above stated teams will at least get you a look from a college coach and sometimes even higher than that. Where am I going with this you may ask?? Well I love the idea of Jamestown entering the ring in the junior B or C competition. Look at it this way, you have coaching available…Tom McFall HINT, HINT ….the available ice with JSBIA having two rinks and our open arms to commit to a local junior team. A vast area to recruit from (Erie, Meadville, Olean, Jamestown, Fredonia) all with strong youth programs and fresh players out of varsity/JV every year. Lastly, neighboring experienced junior programs looking to lend a helping hand according to Greg DeSantis, GM of the Wheatfield Blades. I spoke to him last week and he was pumped that I was in agreement with him on this subject. So I'll put it out there, if anyone is interested in taking action on this contact me and lets start rolling!
Other news at the rink, lots of excitement for the Summer Sizzle Adult Hockey Tournament Aug. 11 th -13 th. . We have a great buzz from the last tournament in April (Spring Fling) and made many improvements to make sure this tourney goes off without any problems. No early ice times, both rinks will be in play, and more teams hopefully. Remember I'm still giving away Water Bottles, a coaches bag, and a helmet for the 10 th person to make suggestions and offer opinions. E-mail me at sfadale@netsync.net or call me at the arena Ext. 217 See you all next week!
Shaun V. Fadale
Hockey Director JSBIA
(716) 484-2624 Ext. 217