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Genesee Amateur Hockey Association

Kids enjoy free hockey lessons Saturday at McCarthy ice arena

By Joanne Beck

Saturday was a smooth success as several children took to the ice for the Try Hockey for Free program at the David M. McCarthy Memorial Ice Arena in Batavia.

The Event was part of USA Hockey Week Across America with the support of the National Hockey League and NHL member clubs, among others, and is designed to provide youth hockey associations with a national platform for introducing children to the sport, free of charge. This local event was hosted by the Genesee Amateur Hockey Association.

There were 30 kids registered for the hour of free lessons, which included free skate rentals, hockey sticks and pucks.

"It was a great adventure for all of the children as well as for their families," Coordinator Sharon Valyear-Gray said.  "They mentioned that they didn’t know what to expect, but the miracle of seeing their little ones actually skating and using the hockey sticks so proudly when they fell, and that they could get back up with the help of the stick.

"Seeing the excitement and experiencing the energy in the room when the little ones come off the ice makes all the work that goes on behind the scene so worth the effort," she said.

The lead coach was Erik Triftshauser, along with Fred Hamilton and many of the players from the United Hockey Team came to assist.  Matt Gray, the operator of the McCarthy Ice Arena, as well as his children Lilly and Leo, who is a goalie and played in net so the little ones could have the total experience, also participated, she said.

Photos by Howard Owens.

Hockey associations 'Try Hockey for Free' next month

By Press Release

Press release:

GENESEE AMATEUR HOCKEY ASSOCIATION invites children to the Batavia Ice Rink on Evans Street on Saturday, November 6h for a Try Hockey For Free clinic as part of  Hockey  Week  Across  America.  Starting at 10:30 a.m. to 11:40 a.m. local youth, ages 4 to 9, are encouraged to experience ice hockey for the first time and learn the basic skills in a fun, safe environment.

“We look forward to welcoming families to Batavia Ice Rink to try our great sport of ice hockey” said Sharon Gray, Coordinator of the “Try Hockey for Free” event.  “Our goal is for these families to enjoy watching their kids learn new skills with big smiles on their faces.”

USA Hockey’s Try Hockey program, with the support of the National Hockey League and NHL member clubs, among others, is designed to provide youth hockey associations with a national platform for introducing children to the sport, free of charge. 

All your youngster needs is a helmet (bike or sports) and winter gloves.  Skates are available at the Rink and will be available Free of Charge through the Firland Rink Management Group. The GAHA organization does have some used hockey helmets available for the event as well as a few hockey sticks.

Players in attendance will be given a free hockey jersey to take home.

To register for this Try Hockey For Free event, please visit

www.TryHockeyForFree.com

Photo: File photo from 2013.

'Try Hockey For Free' clinic to be held at Falleti Ice Rink Feb. 22

By Billie Owens

Press release:

The Genesee Amateur Hockey Association invites children to the Falleti Ice Rink on Evans Street in Batavia on Saturday, Feb. 22, for a Try Hockey For Free clinic as part of "Hockey Week Across America."

Starting at 11:50 a.m. to 12:50 p.m. local youth, ages 4 to 9, are encouraged to experience ice hockey for the first time and learn the basic skills in a fun, safe environment.

“We look forward to welcoming families to Falleti Ice Rink to try our great sport of ice hockey” said Dale Hutchins, president of GAHA. “Our goal is for these families to enjoy watching their kids learn new skills with big smiles on their faces.”

USA Hockey’s Try Hockey program, with the support of the National Hockey League and NHL member clubs, among others, is designed to provide youth hockey associations with a national platform for introducing children to the sport, free of charge.  

All your youngster needs is a helmet (bike or sports) and winter gloves. Skates are available at the Rink. The GAHA organization does have some used hockey helmets available for the event as well as a few hockey sticks.

Players in attendance will be given a free hockey jersey to take home.

To register for this Try Hockey For Free event, please visit:   www.TryHockeyForFree.com

For more information, please contact Sharon, the coordinator for Try Hockey For Free, at:   svgray@rochester.rr.com or 585-344-2248.

Youth age 4 to 9 invited to 'Try Hockey For Free' clinic Nov. 9 at Falleti Ice Rink

By Billie Owens

Press release:

The Genesee Amateur Hockey Association invites children to the Falleti Ice Rink on Evans Street in Batavia on Saturday, Nov. 9th for a Try Hockey For Free clinic as part of Hockey Week Across America.

Starting at 11:40 a.m. to 1 p.m. local youth, ages 4 to 9, are encouraged to experience ice hockey for the first time and learn the basic skills in a fun, safe environment.

“We look forward to welcoming families to Falleti Ice Rink to try our great sport of ice hockey,” said Dale Hutchins, president of GAHA. “Our goal is for these families to enjoy watching their kids learn new skills with big smiles on their faces.”

USA Hockey’s Try Hockey program, with the support of the National Hockey League and NHL member clubs, among others, is designed to provide youth hockey associations with a national platform for introducing children to the sport, free of charge.

All your youngster needs is a helmet (bike or sports) and winter gloves. Skates are available at the Rink. The GAHA organization does have some used hockey helmets available for the event as well as a few hockey sticks.

Players in attendance will be given a free hockey jersey to take home.

To register for this Try Hockey For Free event, please visit www.TryHockeyForFree.com

For more information, please contact:  Sharon at svgray@rochester.rr.comor 585-344-2248 (coordinator for Try Hockey For Free).

Timbits Cross-Ice Jamboree this Saturday

By Steve Ognibene

Press release:

Genesee Amateur Hockey Association is holding its Beginner Timbits Cross-Ice Jamboree at the Falleti Ice Rink from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. this Saturday. March 10th.

The “draft” has occurred and teams are set. Stop down and see these mighty little hockey players in action.

Please stop into Tim Hortons for a beverage and treats to thank them for the sponsorship of the Timbits Beginner Program.

Genesee Amateur Hockey Association honors several at annual awards banquet

By Billie Owens

Press release:

April 10th the Genesee Amateur Hockey Association held its Annual Awards Banquet at Batavia Downs. The event was attended by 330 players, family members and honored guests. Jen Bower, president of GAHA served as the Master of Ceremony for the event.

The Sponsors were recognized as GAHA is extremely grateful for their support of youth hockey in the Batavia area. The 2015-16 team sponsors were: Alex’s Place, Baltz Concrete, Castilone Chrysler Doge Jeep, Clark~Patterson~Lee, Collin Crane Memorial, Falleti Motors, Garland Enterprises, Graham Manufacturing, Michael Napoleone Memorial Foundation, Reed Eye Associates, T.F. Brown's, Toyota/Scion of Batavia and Turnbull Heating and Air.

Other sponsors at the Red, White and Blue level were: Bed & Bones Pet Lodge, Chesley’s Automotive, Falleti.com, Ken Barrett, Valle Jewelers, Viele Construction, Lambert’s Design Jewelers, Tomaszewski Funeral Home and T-Shirt’s Etc.

The Beginner Program is sponsored by Tim Horton’s.

Erik Triftshauser presented the individual teams and recognized their accomplishments throughout the season. Overall GAHA had a great hockey season and four teams participated in the State finals. The 2015-16 season was made up of 14 teams including a girls team which excelled. GAHA also had a Session I and II Beginners Program, which included 50 players many of whom will move up to team play next season.

Three local companies/foundations also contributed not only as sponsors but additional financial contributions toward GAHA’s cross ice boards for our Mite Program – these young teams play cross ice to better their skating and hockey skills and these boards will be used to divide the ice. Those contributors are the David McCarthy Memorial Committee, Alex’s Place and Viele Development and Construction.

The 2015-16 Genesee Amateur Hockey Associations awards were given to:

Jack Porter Coach of the Year for the Empire Division was presented to Kevin Snieszko, and for the WNY Division to Michael Webb.

WNY Division Manager of the year to Chaunda Hertel and for the Empire Manager of the Year to Sarah Lemley.

Zac Johnson Memorial Award to a GAHA player who shows dedication and love for the game of hockey was presented to Hagan Triftshauser.

Jon Wiseman Sportsmanship Award presented to an Empire Player who exhibits outstanding sportsmanship was awarded to Jimmy Reardon.

Pam Borden Memorial Award presented to a GAHA player who best exemplifies strength, determination and perseverance while dealing with adversity awarded to Nick Baumler.

Tom Scott Volunteer of the Year Award to Kathy Antinore.

Matthew Mondi Award to be presented to a Mite (4-8 yrs.) player and this year awarded to Samuel Pies.

Sharon Valyear Dedication Award was presented to two female players that showed hard work and commitment to the sport of hockey and was awarded to Katie Smith and Katie Carmichael.

Herbert Heschke Memorial Award is presented to a Squirt Empire (9-10 yrs) player who has shown the greatest improvement this season is awarded to Alex Bartz.

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