School work is really starting to pile up....

Hey there everyone,

Nick Harper here checking in for another blog post this year, this time coming from the third floor quiet study area in the library. School work is really starting to pile up so just trying to stay as organized as I can here.

I have had the privilege to play with seniors Hunter Long, Marcus Ortiz, Mac McAvoy, and Frankie Hart for the past three seasons and fellow goaltender Chris Paulin for one season. It was a very heartbreaking loss Wednesday when we fought a tough playoff matchup against rival Buff State. I have learned so much from you seniors both on and off the ice and I cannot thank you enough for all the memories and lessons you've taught me here so far. Coming in freshman year I was welcomed with open arms by you four and felt immediately a part of your family. I wish you all the best of luck in the future and I know I'll be keeping in touch with you all.

I would also like to congratulate junior forward Sam Wilbur and sophomore goaltender Eric Bogart on their All Conference honors. You boys earned it.

Until next time,

Harps #30

Frankie Hart reports from the World of professional hockey....

Hello blog world,

Frankie Hart here from Danbury, Connecticut. I've recently been given the opportunity to play minor pro hockey with the Danbury Titans. It's been a great experience thus far, very welcoming group of men and it didn't hurt to have old linemate/ buddy, Taylor Bourne here to make me feel at home.

 

Now for some special words from the man, myth, and legend himself. Taylor Bourne: "Its been great to have Mr. Frankie Hart join me in Danbury Connecticut, he was thrown into the fire joining us before our first set of 4 games in 4 days and definitely stepped up to the plate.  He chipped in a couple points this weekend and fit in with the newly formed college kids line perfectly.  It's always fun to get the opportunity to play with another Fredonia alum and good friend.  Frank definitely brought his A game, his tenacity and unrelenting work ethic and I couldn't be happier to have him on my team."

 

It has been a little change of pass from college hockey in terms of practice vs games. College hockey has many, many, many practices with at most two games a weekend. I arrived here last Wednesday for practice, which launched us into a home game on Thursday and games the next three days straight on the road. We traveled to Berlin, New Hamshire for the Friday and Saturday game. Then proceeeded to drive 6 hours to Cornwall, Ontario for the last of the 4 games in 4 days. We came out on top with a 3 wins and one loss which was cruical to maintaining a playoff spot. 

 

Hope everyone in Fred is doing well, miss you all! 

 

Frankie Hart #27

The best thing about Fredonia is that is had such a great family feel to it ....

SUNDAY FUNDAY!

Hello everyone it's senior Mac McAvoy tuning into today's fredonia men's ice hockey blog. I hope everyone is enjoying their weekend as Friday was beautiful out and almost 80 degrees and it's not even march yet! 

 

I must say it's a little weird not playing hockey on the weekends as our season ended Wednesday with a loss to Buffalo State in the playoffs. Another thing to add to that it's very weird that this was my last year and there is no more next year for me. I think that's biggest reality that is starting to set in and hit me hard. We worked so hard this year and had a great hard working team and I'm proud of every guy in that room for making this year a successful one and to leave the program on a high note for them to take over and keep moving forward.

 

I just want to thank the coaching staff for a tremendous 4 years I had here and giving me the opportunity to play and be a part of a great family and culture! Also to all the teammates and friends I play with over the 4 years in which on consider them brothers to me. The best thing about Fredonia is that is had such a great family feel to it and there's no other place I would like to end my hockey career!

The last thing I want to add to my blog is that I want to mention that not only have I grown as a hockey player over the past 4 years, but I have grown as person to where I am more mature than I was when I came in and I can't thank Fredonia enough for that.

Hope everyone enjoys the weekend and hope the warm weather and sunshine are around the corner!

Yours in hockey,

Mackenzie McAvoy#27

Family has been our team's motto

Hey there hockey fans,

Well it's been 3 days since our playoff loss on Wednesday and it hasn't quite fully settled in that our season is truly over. The past two seasons have ended on slightly different terms than it did this year making playoffs for the first time in my career. That being said, I wouldn't have wanted to experience it with any other group of guys that we have in our locker room. Family has been our team's motto since last spring and that's exactly what we developed - a group of guys that I will always refer to as my brothers. Through all the good times, bad times, ups, and downs the group of 20 plus guys we had sitting around the logo in the locker room were as close as anyone could get. We supported each other, laughed with each other, and bled with each other, it was a pleasure to be apart of what we created this year and will continue to move forward with. 

 

To all our seniors who will be graduating I just wanted to express my gratitude for everything you've done for myself and the team as a whole. Wether you were here to greet me my first day on campus my freshmen year or came in this year, your support, hard work, commitment, and friendship will never be forgotten. I hope to set the same kind of example for classes behind me as you instilled into our program. No doubt in my mind you guys left the program in a better place than you found it, so thank you!! 

 

Until next time Blue Devil fans,

Younger #3

a tough loss at Buffalo State

On Wednesday night our season came to a quick end after a tough loss at Buffalo State in the SUNYAC quarterfinal. The boys battled hard all game but it wasn't enough this time. It is always an empty feeling that creeps up on you when the season is over. Everyday for the last 4 months we have been practicing and focusing on the game so it is big change in the everyday life. Already can't wait to come back for my senior year and try to take it even further next year.

/Oskar Gerhardson #9

"I begin to pursue my lifelong dream of playing professional hockey"

Hello all,

Fredonia Senior, forward, Marcus Ortiz checking in for this edition of the Fredonia hockey blog spot. Well this will be my last blog and as we look back on this Thursday it was a day filled with reflection on the season and last night's playoff loss. It really stunk to sit in my stall in the locker room today and look around and think about the memories from my last 4 years here. So many great things are ahead for this program and I am excited to see it all unfold.

As for me It was a busy day filled with travel as I begin to pursue my lifelong dream of playing professional hockey and further represent the Blue Devil name. I spent the day on 3 different planes with one more to go before I hit my final destination in Rapid City, South Dakota. I cannot thank the Blue Devil staff and my teammates for giving me the best college hockey experience possible. One last time this is Marcus Ortiz signing off!

Marcus Ortiz #28

We are a FRED family

Hey there, hi there, ho there hockey fans. 

Hunter Long signing in with the newest blog. Well, it hasn't really hit me yet that the season is over. I am humbled to say that I played with a great group of guys my senior year and wouldn't have it any other way. After the final buzzer hit, I sat in the locker room looking around at everyone in disbelief that it was over. There were different emotions that were lingering in the room. The first thing I thought about was the first time I ever laced up the old Bauer skates that were from play it again sports. It was in Lexington Kentucky, and I was just learning how to skate. I thought about those uncomfortable skates and the sweatpants I wore over my used, over sized shin pads that looked like goalie pads on me at the time. I didn't get emotional like my other teammates did in that locker room. I still don't know why, but I think I was so proud of everyone in that locker room and I was at peace with myself because I knew I didn't have any regrets for the time that I spent here in fredonia playing hockey. I knew whatever I did, whether is was on ice or after a Saturday night game, I did everything at 100%. I want to take this time to thank my teammates and more importantly my folks back home for supporting. 22 years of my career they have been there for me and I am very blessed. Every night during the national anthem I always prayed and thanked the big man for letting me have the opportunity to stand on the blue line for another game and to lead a team full of great guys that made it easier on me as a captain to do what I did. Fredonia has always been a big brotherhood and family, but this year we took that meaning to the next level. I am thankful for my time here and I'm looking forward to what the future brings. 

We are a FRED family, and family is a strong bond that can never be broke no matter what. 

Until next time,

Hunts.

"a 1000 piece jigsaw puzzle "

Last week I received a gift from home. I was given a 1000 piece jigsaw puzzle for me and the boys in the house to try and conquer. It started out with me and Todd starting it out putting in an hour a day into it, slowly more and more guys on the team would add some pieces when stopping over at the house. With a lot of patience and help from multiple guys on the team, while preparing for playoffs, the puzzle has been completed within a weeks time. It shows that guys with a common goal working together can get things done quick.

#21 Bobby Polachek

It Truly is the Most Wonderful Time of the Year!

It Truly is the Most Wonderful Time of the Year!

Playoff hockey is my favorite thing on this planet. I believe there is no truer grounds in which the determination, focus, and sheer willpower of a group can be tested. More simply put, there is nowhere to hide in the playoffs. If you have a weakness in your game, the other team is going to do everything they can to exploit it. Similarly, it is your job to find and maintain every advantage possible over your opponent. There is no detail to small to be overlooked in the playoffs because everything has the potential to matter, and matter a lot. Whether its the lack of focus on a face-off, a puck that should have been put deep in the opponents defensive zone, or a shot that needed to be a quarter inch to the right to avoid the post and hit the twine, every detail of the game is amplified. And I absolutely love it.

Our group has a lot going for us. Confidence and camaraderie are both sky high. Our goal scorers are scoring, our body bangers are banging bodies, and our goalies are keeping pucks out of the cage. More important than entering the playoffs in a high seed is peaking at the right time, and I feel that is what our group is doing. Since our return from Christmas break, our record is looking pretty good, and I know every one of the boys shares the mindset that the success has to, and will continue. Above all else, they boys are having fun with the game, and that, to me, is the most crucial aspect. The game was meant to be fun, and I believe it is the team that is having the most fun that will see the most success. Couple this with our "one-day-at-a-time" mentality, and we have a chance to achieve something as a unit. 

It will be fun to be a part of and I hope it will be fun to watch for all of you out there in Blogland.

Roll Devils, bring on the Bengals.

Until next time, 

Michael Freeman

It is a huge week here for the team....

Hey Blue Devil fans, #19, Ben Casale checking in. It is a huge week here for the team as we prepare for Buff State Wednesday for the SUNYAC Quarterfinals. We couldn't have asked for a better first round match-up than against our rivals 45 minutes down the road. It should be a fast paced great game. This is the best time of the year, playoff hockey! And the weather is getting warmer! That’s all for me folks, come support us at 7 pm Wednesday night at Buff State.

-Ben Casale

#bluedevilpride

The last weekend before playoffs on Wednesday and we came up short against Oswego last night. A strong third period from the boys, and that period we take with us in to today's game against Cortland. We as a group want to finish up the regular season on a good note going into playoffs coming up in a few days. Let's leave no points behind and get ready for a real battle, and take revenge from last time we squared up against Cortland. The boys are fired up, leas go and hunt #bluedevilpride

Have an amazing weekend everyone. 

Anton Rosén

I think everyone is finally seeing that we are going to be a team that is going to be a contender

Hey Guys,

Freshman Defenseman Max Blitz here. This past weekend was one of the best weekends of hockey I have been apart of. We had a huge win Friday, 5-1, against Geneseo and then a great road win Saturday in Brockport which is where we clinched a playoff spot. This is the first time since 2014 the Blue Devils will make a playoff appearance. Coming into the season it was one of our goals to make the playoffs. There is really cool feeling around the locker room and I think everyone is finally seeing that we are going to be a team that is going to be a contender to win the SUNYAC this year. We always knew we could do it but I think we showed ourselves this past weekend that we have what it takes to accomplish the biggest goal of them all. Stay warm and hope to see you all next Wednesday for the first round of playoffs.

GO BLUE DEVILS!

-Blitzy #15

"it's been pretty emotional"

Hey guys! 

 

Sophomore forward Kyle Jelinski here, it's been a pretty emotional last weekend hockey wise. We honored our seniors Friday night at our last home game of the regular season. It has truly been a pleasure to play for and with these guys, they've done so much for this program to build it in to what is now. Not only did we win the senior night game 5-1 but we swept the weekend clinching a spot in this years SUNYAC playoffs. It's pretty exciting time around here and the boys are looking do something special to close out the year.

Till next time!

"the opportunity to do something special is upon us"

Hello all it is Senior forward Marcus Ortiz checking in on the Fredonia Men's Ice Hockey blog spot. It is a well deserved relaxing Monday here as we rest and recover after a monumental sweep this past weekend including a big upset of Geneseo. The boys are all in good spirits and anxious for what lies ahead for this group heading into playoffs. The reality has sunk into the hearts of all of us seniors that we are in our final stretch here and the opportunity to do something special is upon us. We feel as if we have found our groove and are moving in the right direction at the right time of the season. As we catch up on school work we have a nice pool day to look forward to today in recovering from a physically demanding weekend. Well time to go hop into the pool!

Marcus Ortiz #28

Can you say…PLAYOFFS!

Good Morning Fredonia Hockey Fans!

Brandon Spognardi here clocking in for yet another blog! It was such a big weekend for the boys and we are on a roll. First, lets start of with the 5-1 win against #6 Geneseo! Then, to top it of we completed the sweep with a 3-2 win against Brockport. Can you say…PLAYOFFS!

The day after the playoff clinch, Dunner, Deef, Haynes, and I decided we would go to Cleveland to watch the Monsters game. It was my first time in Cleveland and I loved it. We got our moneys worth with the game going into overtime and then a shootout, but sadly the Monsters lost with an end score of 2-1. It was a really fun time to spend the day off the guys.

Now, it’s time to prepare for another two big games this weekend! Go Blue Devils!

-Spogs

"the boys have been on absolute fire as of late"

Hey Gavin Nickerson here on the blog!

The season is starting to wind down and the boys have been on absolute fire as of late. We are 8-1 in our last 9 games, and after a huge win against Geneseo last night during Senior Night, we're looking to capitalize on a huge chance to clinch a playoff spot on the road in Brockport today. A lot of hard work has been going into the last couple weeks on and off the ice, and its really beginning to show.

 

Also, I would like to give a huge shoutout to all the seniors, Ortiz, Mac, Frankie, Paulie, and Hunts. Being a freshman, it's been really nice to have them behind us all year showing us the ropes and keeping us focused and motivated throughout the season and I wish them all the best going forward after they graduate.

 

Till next time,

 

Gav

Frankie Hart, a true professional....

With tonight being Senior Night, I would like to take a moment to recognize one of my fellow seniors, Frankie Hart. Frank has been an unbelievably hardworking and dedicated player his whole career at Fredonia. I have been blessed to play along side with him this season and have seen first hand how great of an impact he's made on our team. Frank has not played a ton this year, but you would NEVER be able to tell based on his attitude, work ethic, and his high level of performance each day in practice. He has mentored many of the freshman and has shown them how to go about each day like a true professional. 

John Wooden has coined his definition of success as, "Peace of mind that is a direct result of self-satisfaction in knowing you did your best to become the best you are capable of becoming." By this definition of success, by any definition of success, Frankie Hart is one of the most successful hockey players I have ever had the privilege of playing with. 

Chris Paulin

We brought the brooms and swept 'em....

Sammy here on the blog and what a weekend of Fredonia Blue Devil hockey! The boys had two big syntax match ups against General and Brockport! We brought the brooms and swept 'em clinching a playoff spot! The boys are more focused than ever and are preparing for this upcoming weekend games against Oswego and Cortland.

Until next time everyone, have a good day. #11

Now lets go out and get that win!

Hello again hockey fans freshman forward Ryan Dunn back on the blog for this wonderful Wednesday! This past Sunday my favorite sports team and icon won its fifth Super Bowl total as well as the fifth in the TB12 era. Being a Patriots fan has had its upside the last two decades or so. But on another note on Friday night we take on SUNYAC opponent Geneseo for senior night. This night will be special as we honor some of the guys who have taught the nine new comers the rope and made the transition into college so easy for all of us! I want to thank Mac, Hunts, Marcus, Frank, and Pauly for everything they have done for us this year! Now lets go out and get that win!

Dunner #16

This time we take them is in our territory.........

Hey Blue Devil fans hope everyone had a great Super Bowl Sunday!

#7 Todd Schauss here for another blog. 

It's a great time to be a Blue Devil and a Blue Devil fan with the season getting down to the last few match ups. The boys rolled over Canton this past weekend taking home a sweep in their own barn. With momentum the boys begin for a great week of practice to prepare for a playoff game against Geneseo in Steele Hall Friday night. Earlier in the year the Knights held us to no goals beating us 3-0 on their home ice. This time we take them is in our territory where our Seniors will be recognized in their very last tilt in Steele Hall. We owe so much to our Seniors they have been an unbelievable group of guys to go to war with every day. I would like to specially thank Hunter Long, Marcus Ortiz, Franky Heart, and Mac McAvoy for leading us through the worst times and the greatest. We still have some work to do this season. With playoffs on the line we need to lay everything everyone has out there these next two weekends. 

Well that's all I have for you today!

Go Devils!

Todd Schauss #7

Shout out to Lenny on his first college goal

Hey Blue Devil Hockey Fans,

What a crazy Superbowl!! Unfortunately I wanted the Falcons to win but never bet against Tom Brady and the Pats, they are simply just too good.

We had a fantastic weekend up in SUNY Canton. The boys played unreal winning a tight game Friday night, 5-4, and a beat them Saturday 5-3. Shout out to Lenny Furtado on his first college goal which turned out to be the game winner. Well deserved buddy. We have 4 games left of the regular season so every point matters as it is very tight in the standings separating a handful of teams by 1 or 2 points. We have our last regular season home game Friday night at Steele Hall against Geneseo. Hope to see everyone there.

-Blitzy

P.S. My hairline isn’t receding Bogart doesn’t know nice lettuce when he see’s some.

Who do we owe....Big Time!

Hello hockey fans, 

Ryan Dunn here for another blog post in 2017! The teams has done a lot of great things in the past weeks and looking to build on it. With the sweep this weekend on Canton, the team will look ahead the next two weeks on all SUNYAC play. With four tough games in hand the focus is on Geneseo who we owe big time from the earlier loss this year. With four games left the playoff push is on and all 28 guys are on the bus and ready to roll. Go Blue Devils! 

Until next time, 

Dunner #16

Oskar Gerhardson scoring the winning goal with 1.5 seconds left ....

Good morning Fredonia, sophomore Jon Carlson on the blog. The team is in Canton this weekend for an out of conference two game series. Last night the Blue Devils pulled out with a 5-4 victory with junior Oskar Gerhardson scoring the winning goal with 1.5 seconds left in the third period. Today's game is at 3pm and the Devils have nothing but a weekend sweep on our minds. Enjoy your Saturday.

Jon Carlson #4

Roll Blue Devils....

Big weekend for the boys picking up the sweep against Canton. Playoffs are approaching and every game is a must win. Geneseo comes into our barn on Friday and a huge two points are on the line. Good week of practice starts on Monday. Roll Blue Devils

It has been a good week of practice and preparation with everyone ready to go to battle.....

Hey everyone! Freshman, forward, Thomas Dunn here for another blog. Well, we are officially in the full swing of things this semester, as I’m constantly busy every day with practice and classes. So far all of my classes have been pretty interesting, which is definitely a big relief. This weekend the boys are headed up to Canton for two non- conference games, which definitely won’t disappoint. It has been a good week of practice and preparation with everyone ready to go to battle.

Till next time,

Thomas Dunn #24

Classes are in full swing now so the boys are all super busy!

Hello all,

Bogs back piloting the blog jet today! Classes are in full swing now so the boys are all super busy! I'm sitting here in the library with a few of the boys trying to get some review work done; rivs in guzzling his grande mocha latte supreme with extra whip cream even tho he's "dieting," deef is crushing some finger paints across the table there...not to sure what class that's for but he's really into it. Blitzy just sat down and took his hat off, revealing a extremely receded hairline, to work on some math poems. After a long road trip up north which I'm sure one of the boys that blogged before me told you already, we're headed back up the same way for a few non-conference games against Canton. The boys are lookin to bounce back and claw onto some momentum before heading back into conference play!

 

Anyways that's all I got for you today! I have to go back to pretending I know what's going on in my Chem notes!

Bogs