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GAHA beginners program end of season Jamboree Saturday

By Press Release

Press Release:

The Genesee Amateur Hockey Association (GAHA) Timbit Beginners will be participating in their end-of-the-year “Jamboree” on Saturday, March 23 starting at 9 a.m. at the David McCarthy Memorial Arena. The world has the Olympics, Buffalo has pond hockey, but we have the Beginner Cross-Ice Event – “THE JAMBOREE”.  

The draft has taken place and the teams are set. Game schedules are confirmed and the blue lines are waiting for the hockey players to stand on them for the National Anthem. 

The Rink will be divided into three areas and two teams will play against one another in 2-minute shifts for 12 minutes; then they move on to play more “games” with other teams – a Total of 4 games.  Since there are five (5) teams the team not scheduled for a “game” will participate in skill drills in the middle section. 

At 9 a.m. the players will be introduced one by one as they step onto the ice and proceed to the Blue Line for the National Anthem. We’d love to have you join us and capture the progress of the little players ages 4 to 12. 

This year the Beginner Program consisted of 61 registered players. They are coached by Brennan Briggs along with Nick Harris as well as many other dads, family members plus GAHA Student Coaches serving as on-ice helpers.

Without all of this support, it would be impossible to run this program. Most of the players have been on the ice since early October through today. About 26 joined the program in early January after participating in the November USA Hockey – Try Hockey for Free Event. 

At practices they run through drills established by USA Hockey’s American Development Modules – six stations are set up around the rink and a different drill is introduced at each station. The players move from station to station.

GAHA is thankful for the sponsorship of its Beginner Program by the local Tim Horton Shop managed by Dave Lumberg. They provide the jerseys for all of the players as well as Timbit donuts for our special functions throughout the year.

For this Jamboree the players are divided into five teams (featuring the Black Team, the Royal Blue Lightnings, the Navy Blue Angels Team, the White Morasco’s Rink Rats, and the Red Crushers) denoted by the color of their jerseys and will play five 12-minute games with shifts of 2 min. A great time is had by all.

At the end of the Jamboree the GAHA organization will offer a free family skate for the Beginner Program until Noon and the McCarthy Rink Staff and Management will be providing “free” rental skates for those participating.

GAHA hosts their end of year awards ceremony

By Press Release

Press Release:

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The Tom Scott Volunteer of the Year Award recipient Coach Fred Hamilton presented by GAHA President Dale Hutchins

On Sunday, April 30 th the Genesee Amateur Hockey Association celebrated their end-of-the-year awards ceremony, held at the David McCarthy Memorial Ice Arena. The teams of Squirt, Pee Wee, Bantam, Midget MOHL and Midgets were celebrated. The Beginners had their year-end Beginner Jamboree on Saturday, March 18 th and the Mite Division held their year-end celebration on April 22 at St. James Episcopal Church. A great time was had by all of the players. 

The theme of this year’s event was “Out with the Old, in with the New.” About 225 members of the GAHA family joined to celebrate GAHA’s new logo, new facility name – The David McCarthy Memorial Ice Arena, and new management – Operating Manager Matt Gray, General Manager Kati Murray and her Rink staff, and the efforts of the “Friends of the Rink”.

GAHA President Dale Hutchins welcomed all of the players and their families, and Erik Triftshauser served as Master of Ceremonies for the event. The group enjoyed a catered breakfast served by D and R Depot of Le Roy, who did a terrific presentation. Thank you, Sean and company.

The GAHA graduating seniors were recognized as they leave the Association and moved toward their selected futures. Those seniors were Gino Falleti, Bryce Feldmann, Ronin Hofmaster, Ryan Hamilton, Cooper Hamilton, Noah Hudson as well as Alex Johnson.

The highlight of the event was the presentation of the yearly awards handed out by GAHA. The first award was the Matthew Mondi Memorial Award which was presented to Mite Player Abram Lopez; the Danny D Tribute Player Award went to Mite Player Wesley Lasher and Bantam player Justin Gabehart; the Pam Borden Memorial Award was presented to Bantam player – Alex Wyder; and the David McCarthy Leadership Award was presented to Carter Fix. These awards are in the form of scholarships toward next year’s fees. The Sharon Valyear Dedication Award was presented to Sharon’s granddaughter – Lilly Gray. is 

The last award of the evening was the Tom Scott Volunteer of the Year Award, which is presented to the GAHA volunteer who has dedicated countless hours to the betterment of the organization and exemplifies the ideals of GAHA as well as USA Hockey. This year’s award was presented to Coach Fred Hamilton, who is lovingly referred to as the Pied Piper of all hockey players. Fred has been instrumental in the success of the Beginner Program and many of the other divisions within GAHA and also a huge asset to the USA Hockey Try Hockey for Free event that GAHA hosts twice a year. He has the patience of a saint with all of the little ones with his even falling down on the ice when they take a spill. There aren’t very many players within the association that haven’t been touched in the heart by Coach Fred in the “Yellow Helmet.”

The afternoon ended with all those present showing their gratitude to all of the Team Coaches (who did a presentation for their respective teams), Assistant Coaches, Team Managers and also to all of the Association Goalies who play an essential role in each and every game.

 Photos submitted by Sharon Gray.

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Sharon Valyear Dedication Award recipient Lilly Gray presented by Sharon Valyear-Gray.
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Pam Borden Memorial Award recipient Alex Wyder presented by Pam's son, Russ Borden, and his son Alex
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David McCarthy Leadersip Award and Scholarship recipient is Carter Fix presented by David's Dad, Mike McCarthy, alongside Sharon Gray
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Danny D Tribute Player Award recipient is Justin Gabehart presented by TJ Peca

 

Batavia Bantam Empire Win Over Tri-County at SUNY Brockport

By Jill Franclemont
Batavia Ramparts (Bantam Empire) vs. Tri-County Youth Hockey 
 
Saturday, February 7, 1:30pm at SUNY Brockport
 
Final score: 6-2 Batavia
 
Batavia Goals: Matt Saj; Scott Tanner; Mitchel Pangrazio, assist Aidan Franclemont; Matt Saj, assist Aidan Franclemont; Nick Baumler, assist Shane McClurg; Tom Mellon, assist Nate Hamilton
 
Goalie: Chris Klein
 
Team sponsor: Clark Patterson Lee - Design Professionals
 

Bantam Empire Earns a Win in a Rough and Tumble Game Against Perinton

By Jill Franclemont
Batavia Ramparts (Bantam Empire) vs. Perinton Youth Hockey (Bantam 2)
 
Saturday, January 24, 8:10pm at Falletti Ice Rink in Batavia
 
Final score: 6-2 Batavia
 
Batavia Goals: Matt Saj, assist Aidan Franclemont; Tom Mellon, assist Shane McClurg; Nick Baumler; Matt Saj, assist Shane McClurg; Tom Mellon, assist Nathan Hamilton & James Reardon; Nick Baumler, assist James Reardon & Colin Hunt
 
Goalie: Mitchel Pangrazio
 
Team sponsor: Clark Patterson Lee - Design Professionals

Batavia Bantam Empire Triumphs Over Monroe County - North (2)

By Jill Franclemont
Batavia Ramparts (Bantam Empire) vs. Monroe County Youth Hockey - North (Bantam 2)
 
Saturday, January 10, 8:10pm at Falletti Ice Rink in Batavia
 
Final score: 4-1 Batavia
 
Batavia Goals: James Reardon, assist Eve Murray & Matt Saj; Tom Mellon, assist Scott Tanner; Scott Tanner, assist Nate Hamilton & Issak Ward; Matt Saj, assist James Reardon & Nick Baumler
 
Goalie: Chris Klein
 
Team sponsor: Clark Patterson Lee - Design Professionals

Batavia Bantam Empire Ties Rochester Youth Hockey (D'Arcy)

By Jill Franclemont
Batavia Ramparts (Bantam Empire) vs. Rochester Youth Hockey (D'Arcy)
 
Saturday, January 3, 6:50pm at Falletti Ice Rink in Batavia
 
Final score: 4-4
 
Batavia Goals: Tom Mellon assist by Eve Murray; Nate Hamilton assist by Tom Mellon; Nick Baumler assist by Tom Mellon; Tom Mellon assist by Nick Baumler
 
Goalie: Mitchel Pangrazio
 
Team sponsor: Clark Patterson Lee - Design Professionals

Batavia Bantam Empire Win Over Canandaigua Knights

By Jill Franclemont
Batavia Ramparts (Bantam Empire) vs. Canandaigua Knights (Bantam)
 
Saturday, December 27, 6:50pm at Falletti Ice Rink in Batavia
 
Final score: 5-2 Batavia
 
Batavia Goals: Shane McClurg, assist by Mitchel Pangrazio & Scott Tanner; Tom Mellon, assist by Nate Hamilton & Aidan Franclemont; Nick Baumler, assist by Seth Seppala; Nate Hamilton, assist by Tom Mellon; Nick Baumler 
 
Goalie: Chris Klein
 
Team sponsor: Clark Patterson Lee - Design Professionals
 

Batavia Bantam Empire Loses a Close One in Scottsville

By Jill Franclemont
Batavia Ramparts (Bantam Empire) vs. Monroe County Youth Hockey - South
 
Sunday, December 14, 12pm in Scottsville
 
Final score: 2-1 Monroe County
 
Batavia Goal: Tom Mellon
 
Goalie: Mitchel Pangrazio
 
Team sponsor: Clark Patterson Lee - Design Professionals
 

Batavia Bantam Empire Loses a Tough One to Perinton Bantam 3

By Jill Franclemont
Batavia Ramparts (Bantam Empire) vs. Perinton Youth Hockey (Bantam 3)
 
Saturday, December 13, 7:20pm at Falletti Ice Rink in Batavia
 
Final score: 4-3 Perinton
 
Batavia Goals: Nick Baumler; Matt Saj (2)
 
Goalie: Chris Klein
 
Team sponsor: Clark Patterson Lee - Design Professionals

Batavia Bantam Empire Defeats Webster Cyclones

By Jill Franclemont
Batavia Ramparts (Bantam Empire) vs. Webster Cyclones (Bantam 2)
 
Saturday, December 6, 3:10pm at Webster
 
Final score: 6-4 Batavia
 
Batavia Goals: Matt Saj, assist Seth Seppala; Tom Mellon, assist Matt Saj; Shane McClurg; Tom Mellon, assist Nathan Hamilton; Nick Baumler, assist Eve Murray; Matt Saj, assist Aidan Franclemont
 
Goalie: Mitchel Pangrazio
 
Team sponsor: Clark Patterson Lee - Design Professionals

Batavia Bantam Empire Racks Up Another Win

By Jill Franclemont
Batavia Ramparts (Bantam Empire) vs. Perinton Youth Hockey (Bantam 2)
 
Sunday, November 23, 1:30pm at Paul Lewis Arena, Rochester
 
Final score: 2-1 Batavia
 
Batavia Goals: Shane McClurg, assist Matt Saj; Aidan Franclemont, assist Andrew Freeman
 
Goalie: Chris Klein
 
Team sponsor: Clark Patterson Lee - Design Professionals

Ramparts Bantam Empire Team Scores Big Over Rochester Youth Hockey

By Jill Franclemont
Saturday, November 22, 11:30am at Bill Gray's Iceplex (MCC) in Rochester
 
Final score: 9-4 Batavia
 
Batavia Goals: Aidan Franclemont, assist from Shane McClurg; Nick Baumler, assist from Scott Tanner; Aidan Franclemont, assist from Eve Murray and Shane McClurg; Tom Mellon (2); Shane McClurg, assist from Tom Mellon; Nick Baumler, assist from Matt Saj and James Reardon; Aidan Franclemont, assist from Tom Mellon and Shane McClurg; Matt Saj
 
Goalie: Mitchel Pangrazio
 
Team sponsor: Clark Patterson Lee - Design Professionals

Ramparts Homecoming is Saturday at Falleti, theme is 'Pink in the Rink' in support of cancer aid

By Billie Owens

Press release:

This Saturday, Nov. 1, is Homecoming for the Batavia Ramparts Youth Hockey Association. The theme of this year’s event is “Pink the Rink.” Special festivities start at 9 a.m.

Games start at 10 and our State qualifying Midget 16U team plays at 8 p.m. against Rochester Youth for 1st place in the division.

According to the Genesee Amateur Hockey Association, (GAHA) parent organization of the Batavia Ramparts, all of the Batavia Ramparts youth hockey teams playing home games will be showcased. Games will be played at all levels all day long so please join us at Falleti Ice Arena, 22 Evans St., Batavia for some great hockey.

There will be basket raffles and a photo booth for all to partake in. Each team can make a “team” poster and it is a fun day for the players to show the community how much they love their sport.

As part of our theme – “Pink the Rink” – each team is encouraged to wear pink, along with their families and fans. GAHA will be having two special fundraisers, selling pink items, to benefit Genesee Cancer Assistance, Inc. It's a community-based, volunteer organization dedicated to assisting cancer patients and their families. They strive to improve the quality of life while helping to diminish suffering through their services and financial support. Genesee Cancer Assistance provides services to residents of Genesee County with any type of cancer.  All monies raised stay in Genesee County.

GAHA is a local organization that depends on the local community. In that light, we want to set the example to our players of “giving back.” Our organization doesn’t exist without the support of the community and it’s families so we want to show the importance of giving back and raising funds for a local volunteer organization.

GAHA has been providing the youth of our communities an opportunity to play hockey for more than 35 years. With teams at all levels -- Empire, WNY and MOHL, along with a beginners program -- we offer something for every age child who wants to play. Don’t go through life without goals – play hockey!

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