High school ice hockey in New York
Ice Hockey is a popular and growing sport in the state of New York. 151 high schools field sanctioned varsity teams competing in the New York State Public High School Athletic Association. 75 “club” non-sanctioned New York High School Hockey teams compete in New York State Amateur Hockey Association.
NYSPHSAA
The sanctioned teams compete from end of November till Mid-March with maximum number of practices and games. These teams are divided into two divisions, 1 and 2. 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, V, VI, VII, IX, and X. 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.
NYSAHA
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 all follow the NYSAHA Guidebook for state bound eligibility. 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 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 point system to determine the top four teams to compete in semi-finals and than 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 around the end of March. East, Central, and North sections compete from September till the end of March.
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 both Division I, II have been played in Utica, New York's Memorial Auditorium.
History
High school hockey in New York can be dated back to the 70’s. 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 were allowed to participate in the sanctioned State tournament. Section VI (Western New York) did not allow its champion to participate till 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.
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.
Alumni
Robert Esche, Todd Marchant, Brian Gionta, Craig Conroy, Rob Schremp, Guy Hebert, Brooks Orpik, and Erik Cole are among the many players that participated in New York high school hockey.
Historical timeline
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 championship
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 Teams
| School | Nickname | Colors | Est. | Section | Division | Championships |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alexandria Bay | Purple Ghosts | Purple and White | X | II | ||
| Amherst | Tigers | Orange and Black | 1990 | VI | II | |
| Aquinas | Irish | Maroon and White | V | I | 1998, 1999 | |
| Auburn | Maroons | Maroon and White | III | I | ||
| Baldwinsville | Bees | Red and White | III | I | ||
| Batavia | Blue Devils | Blue and White | V | II | ||
| Beekmantown/Chazy | Eagles | Red and Gray | 1989 | VII | II | |
| Bethlehem | Eagles | Orange and Black | II | II | ||
| Bishop Kearney/Eastridge | V | I | ||||
| Bishop Timon/Saint Jude | Tigers | Green and Gold | VI | Private | 2002 | |
| Brewster | Bears | I | II | |||
| Brighton | Barons | Navy and White | V | I | ||
| Brockport | Blue Devils | Blue and White | V | I | 2003 | |
| Bronxville | Broncos | I | II | |||
| Burke Catholic | IX | II | ||||
| Burnt Hills/ Scotia | Spartans | Maroon and White | II | II | ||
| Byram Hills | Bobcats | I | II | |||
| Canandaigua | Braves | Red and White | V | I | ||
| Canisius | Crusaders | Blue and Gold | VI | Private | ||
| Canton | Golden Bears | Gold and Brown | X | I | 1993, 1994, 1997, 1998 | |
| Carmel | Rams | I | II | |||
| Cazenovia | III | II | ||||
| CBA Albany | II | I | ||||
| CBA Syracuse | III | II | ||||
| Churchville-Chili | Saints | Orange and White | V | I | ||
| Cicero-North Syracuse | North Stars | Green and Blue | III | I | ||
| Clarkstown North | Rams | Purple and Gold | I | I | ||
| Clarkstown South | Vikings | Brown and Gold | I | I | ||
| Clinton | Warriors | Maroon and White | III | II | 1995,1996,2005,2006 | |
| Corcoran | III | II | ||||
| Cortland/Homer | III | II | ||||
| East Ramapo | Titans | I | II | |||
| Eastchester/Tuckahoe | I | II | ||||
| Fairport | Red Raiders | Red and White | V | I | ||
| Fayetteville-Manlius | Green and White | III | I | |||
| Fox Lane | Foxes | Red and White | I | I | ||
| Franklin Academy (Malone) | Huskies | Green and White | X | II | ||
| Frontier | Falcons | Navy and Black | 2001 | VI | I | |
| Fulton | Red Raiders | Red, White & Green | 1982 | III | II | |
| Gates-Chili | Spartans | Blue and White | V | I | ||
| Geneseo/Livonia | Lakers | Blue and White | V | II | ||
| Geneva | Panthers | V | I | |||
| Glens Falls | Indians | Red and Black | 1985 | II | II | 1990,1991 |
| Greece Arcadia/Olympia | Lightning | Black and Silver | V | I | 1996 | |
| Greece Athena/Odyssey | Thunder | Purple and Gold | V | I | ||
| Guilderland | II | I | ||||
| Hamilton | Green and White | III | II | |||
| Hilton | Cadets | Red and Black | V | I | ||
| Horace Greeley | Quakers | I | II | |||
| Indian River | Warriors | Light Blue and White | X | II | ||
| Irondequoit | Eagles | Gold and Blue | V | I | ||
| Irvington/Briarcliff | I | II | ||||
| Ithaca | Bombers | Red and White | IV | I | 1984, 1994, 2000 | |
| James I. O'Neill | IX | II | ||||
| John Jay | Indians | I | II | |||
| Kenmore East | Bulldogs | Navy and Gold | 2001 | VI | II | |
| Kenmore West | Blue Devils | Blue and White | 2001 | VI | I | |
| Lake Placid | Blue Bombers | Yellow, Blue, and White | VII | II | 1980 | |
| Lakeland/Panas | I | II | ||||
| Lancaster | Redskins | Red and Black | 2004 | VI | I | |
| LaSalle Institute | Cadets | Blue and Black | II | I | 2000 | |
| Liverpool | Blue and Orange | III | I | |||
| Mahopac | Indians | I | I | |||
| Mamaroneck | Tigers | I | I | |||
| Massena | Red Raiders | Red and White | X | I | 1981, 1982, 1993, 1995 | |
| McQuaid Jesuit | Golden Knights | Gold and Black | V | I | 2005 | |
| Mohonasen/Schalmont | Green and Orange | II | II | |||
| Monroe Woodbury | IX | II | ||||
| New Hartford | III | II | 1997 | |||
| New Rochelle | Huguenots | I | I | |||
| Newburgh Free Academy | Goldbacks | Blue and Gold | V | II | ||
| Niskayuna/Schenectady | Mohawks | Blue and Red | II | I | ||
| North Rockland | Red Raiders | I | I | |||
| Northeastern Clinton | Cougars | Maroon and White | VII | II | ||
| Norwood-Norfolk | Flyers | Green and Gold | X | II | ||
| Notre Dame Batavia | Irish | Blue and Gold | V | II | ||
| Nyack | Indians | I | II | |||
| Ogdensburg | Blue Devils | Blue and White | X | I | ||
| Ontario Bay | III | II | ||||
| Orchard Park | Quakers | Maroon and White | 2006 | VI | I | |
| Ossining | River Hawks | I | II | |||
| Oswego | Buccaneers | Blue and White | III | I | ||
| Pawling | I | II | ||||
| Pearl River | I | II | ||||
| Pelham | Pelicans | Navy and Gold | I | II | ||
| Penfield | Patriots | Red and White | V | I | ||
| Pittsford | Panthers | Blue and White | V | I | ||
| Plattsburgh | Hornets | Orange and Black | VII | II | ||
| Pleasantville/Westlake/Kennedy | Ice Cats | I | II | |||
| Potsdam | Sandstoners | Blue and Orange | X | I | ||
| Proctor | Raiders | Red and Black | III | II | ||
| Queensbury | Spartans | Blue and Gold | II | II | ||
| Rome Free Academy | Knights | Orange and Black | III | II | 1986, 1988 | |
| Rush-Henrietta | V | I | ||||
| Rye | Garnets | I | II | |||
| Rye Town/Harrison | Titans | Blue and White | I | II | ||
| Saint Francis | Red Raiders | Red and White | VI | Private | ||
| Saint Joes | Marauders | Maroon and White | VI | Private | 2004, 2005, 2006 | |
| Saint Lawrence | Larries | Navy and White | X | II | 1982 | |
| Salmon River | Shamrocks | Green and Black | X | II | 1981-1982,1989,1992,2001-2002 | |
| Saranac Lake | Red Storm | Red and Yellow | VII | II | ||
| Saranac/Peru | Chiefs | Red and White | VII | II | ||
| Saratoga Springs | Blue Streaks | Blue and White | II | I | 1999 | |
| Scarsdale | Raiders | I | I | |||
| Seton Catholic | Knights | Green and Royal Blue | VII | I | ||
| Shaker/Colonie | Jets | Blue and Gold | II | I | ||
| Shenendehowa | Plainsmen | Green and White | II | I | ||
| Skaneateles | Lakers | Blue and Gold | III | II | 1983, 1989 | |
| Sleepy Hollow/Edgemont/Valhalla | I | II | ||||
| Solvay | III | II | ||||
| Somers/North Salem | I | II | ||||
| South Glens Falls | Bulldogs | Red and Blue | II | II | ||
| Spencerport | Rangers | Blue and Gold | V | I | ||
| Suffern | Mounties | Blue and White | I | I | 1992 | |
| Sweet Home | Panthers | Navy and Gold | 1994 | VI | I | |
| Tappan Zee | Dutchmen | I | II | |||
| Thousand Islands | Vikings | Navy and Gold | X | II | ||
| Tupper Lake | Lumberjacks | Red and Black | X | II | ||
| Victor | Blue Devils | Blue and Gold | 2001 | V | II | |
| Watertown IHC | III | II | ||||
| Webster Schroeder | Warriors | Blue and Gold | V | I | ||
| Webster Thomas | Titans | Navy and Gold | V | I | ||
| West Genesee | Wildcats | Blue and Yellow | III | I | 1990, 2001 | |
| Westmoreland | 2005 | III | II | |||
| White Plains | Tigers | I | I | |||
| Whitesboro | Warriors | Blue and White | III | II | 2003 | |
| Williamsville East | Flames | Red and Yellow | 1990 | VI | II | 2004 |
| Williamsville North | Spartans | Green and Gold | 1990 | VI | I | 2002, 2004, 2006 |
| Williamsville South | Billies | Blue and Red | 1990 | VI | II | |
| Yorktown | Cornhuskers | I | I |
NYSAHA Club Teams
| School | Nickname | Colors | Est. | League | Championships |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arlington | Admirals | Maroon and Vegas Gold | HVHSHA | ||
| Bellmore-Merrick | Bulldogs | Maroon and Navy | HSHLNC | ||
| Bethpage | Golden Eagles | Gold and Blue | HSHLNC | ||
| Canisius | Crusaders | Blue and Gold | SHSCHL | ||
| Centereach/Selden | SCHSCHL | ||||
| Cheektowaga | Warriors | Maroon and Gold | 1973 | WNYHSCHL | 2005, 2006 |
| City Honors | Centeurs | Maroon and Gray | WNYHSCHL | ||
| Clarence | Red Devils | Red and Black | 2000 | SHSCHL | |
| Cleveland Hill/JFK | Highlanders | Navy and Gold | 1997 | SHSCHL | |
| Cold Spirngs Harbor | Seahawks | Scarlet and Navy | HSHLNC | ||
| Comsewogue/Point Jefferson | SCHSHSL | ||||
| Connetquot/Sayville | Thunderbirds | Red and Gold | SCHSCHL | ||
| Cornwall | Dragons | Green and White | HVHSHA | ||
| Depew | Wildcats | Navy and Carolina Blue | 1973 | WNYHSCHL | |
| East Aurora | Blue Devils | Blue and Gray | 2004 | SHSCHL | |
| East Islip | Chiefs | Red and Black | SCHSCHL | ||
| Eden/Lakeshore | Teal and Purple | 2005 | SHSCHL | ||
| Fredonia/Dunkirk | Steelers | Navy and Columbia Blue | SHSCHL | ||
| Garden City | Wings | Red and White | HSHLNC | ||
| Grand Island | Vikings | Blue and White | 1974 | SHSCHL | |
| Half Hollow Hills | Hornets | Red and Black | SCHSCHL | ||
| Hamburg | Bulldogs | Black and Purple | 1973 | SHSCHL | |
| Hauppauge | SCHSCHL | ||||
| Hendrick Hudson | Sailors | Blue and White | HVHSHA | ||
| Hutch Tech | Engineers | Maroon and White | 1972 | BEHSCHL | |
| Iroquois/Alden | Chiefs | Red and Blue | 2000 | SHSCHL | |
| Jamestown | Red Raiders | Red and White | WNYHSCHL | ||
| Jericho | Jayhawks | Navy and Gold | HSHLNC | ||
| John Jay | Patriots | Red and Blue | HVHSHA | ||
| Ketcham/Millbrook | HVHSHA | ||||
| Kings Park/Commack | SCHSCHL | ||||
| Kingston | Tigers | Maroon and White | HVHSHA | ||
| Lancaster | Redskins | Red and Black | 1973 | WNYHSCHL | |
| Lewiston Porter | Lancers | Green and White | 1973 | WNYHSCHL | |
| Livingston | Blues | Blue and Gold | WNYHSCHL | ||
| Lockport | Lions | Gold and Navy | 1973 | WNYHSCHL | 1982, 1983, 1988 |
| Levittown | Falcons | Blue and Orange | HSHLNC | ||
| Lewiston Porter | Lancers | Green and White | 1973 | WNYHSCHL | |
| Locust Valley | Falcons | Green and Black | HSHLNC | ||
| Long Beach | Marines | Blue and Black | HSHLNC | 2005 | |
| Longwood | SCHSCHL | ||||
| Massapequa | Chiefs | Navy and Gold | 1969 | HSHLNC | |
| Maryvale | Flyers | Maroon and White | 1973 | WNYHSCHL | |
| McKinley | Eagles | Orange and Black | 1972 | BEHSCHL | |
| Niagara Catholic | Big Red | Red and White | BEHSCHL | ||
| Niagara Falls | Wolverines | Navy and Gold | 2000 | WNYHSCHL | |
| Niagara Wheatfield | Falcons | Black and Red | 1973 | WNYHSCHL | |
| North Tonawanda | Lumberjacks | Navy and Red | 1973 | WNYHSCHL | 1987 |
| Northport/Huntington | SCHSCHL | ||||
| Oceanside | Sailors | Navy and Columbia Blue | HSHLNC | ||
| Olean Area | Green and Black | WNYHSCHL | |||
| Orchard Park | Quakers | Maroon and White | 1973 | WNYHSCHL | |
| Patchogue-Medford | Raiders | Black and Red | SCHSCHL | ||
| Roosevelt | Presidents | Green and Gold | HVHSHA | ||
| Sachem | Arrows | Black and Gold | SCHSCHL | 1991,1993,1994 | |
| Saint Anthony's | Friars | Black and Gold | SCHSCHL | 1984 | |
| Saint Francis | Red Raiders | Red and White | SHSCHL | ||
| Saint Joes A | Marauders | Maroon and White | WNYHSCHL | ||
| Saint Joes B | Marauders | Maroon and White | WNYHSCHL | ||
| Saint John the Baptist | Cougars | Red and White | SCHSCHL | ||
| Saint Mary's | Gaels | Navy and Columbia Blue | Independent | 1994-1998,2000-2006 | |
| Saint Mary's B | Gaels | Navy and Columbia Blue | HSHLNC | ||
| Sewanhaka | Indians | Purple and Gold | HSHLNC | ||
| Southwestern/Maple Grove | Black and Red | 2001 | WNYHSCHL | 2002 | |
| Starpoint | Spartans | Red and Black | 1998 | WNYHSCHL | |
| Syosset | Braves | Black And Red | HSHLNC | ||
| Tonawanda | Warriors | Maroon and White | WNYHSCHL | ||
| Valley Central | Vikings | Blue and White | HVHSHA | ||
| Wantagh/Seaford | Baymen | Black and Gold | HSHLNC | ||
| Warwick | Wildcats | Purple and Gold | HVHSHA | ||
| Washingtonville | Wizards | Gold and Blue | HVHSHA | ||
| West Islip | Blue and Gold | SCHSCHL | |||
| West Seneca East | Trojans | Green and Gold | 1973 | SHSCHL | 1985, 1992 |
| West Seneca West | Indians | Blue and Gold | 1972 | SHSCHL | 1986 |
Defunct Programs
| School | Nickname | Colors | Section | Defunct | Left NYSPHSAA | Championships |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Notre Dame Utica | Jugglers | Blue and Gold | III | Yes | 2005 |
NYSPHSAA Championships
| Year | Division I Champion | Division I Runner-Up | Score | Division II Champion | Division II Runner-Up | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | McQuaid | Baldwinsville | 7-3 | Clinton | Salmon River | 4-3 |
| 2006 | Williamsville North | Aquinas | 1-0 | Clinton | Monroe-Woodbury | 4-1 |
CHSAA Championships
| Year | Catholic Champion | Catholic Runner-Up | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2002 | Bishop Timon/Saint Jude | Iona Prep | |
| 2003 | Saint Joes | Iona Prep | |
| 2004 | Saint Joes | ||
| 2005 | Saint Joes | ||
| 2006 | Saint Joes | Fordham Prep |
NYSAHA Championships
| Year | Large School Champion | Large School Runner-Up | Score | Small School Champion | Small School Runner-Up | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 | Saint Marys | North Tonawanda | 9-0 | Southwestern/Maple Grove | Maryvale | 10-1 |
| 2004 | Saint Marys | Lancaster | Cheektowaga | Southwestern/Maple Grove | 4-1 | |
| 2005 | Saint Marys | Orchard Park | 5-3 | Long Beach | Cheektowaga | 5-3 |
| 2006 | Saint Marys | Orchard Park | 5-3 | Cheektowaga | Starpoint | 11-2 |
References
New York State Public High School Athletic Association. N.Y.S.P.H.S.A.A.
New York State Amateur Hockey Association. N.Y.S.A.H.A.
Western New York High School Hockey Online.New York High School Hockey Message Board/Forum