|
2012-'13 SEASON
**Looking for Girls U14 players. Please contact Carol Lessard at (
) if you are interested.**
U16/U19 Split Season Team now posted, commitment information to follow.
| | |
| by
posted 04/26/2012 Private or Small Group Lessons specializing in power skating, stick handling, passing, shooting, and checking are available from highly qualified instructors. Now scheduling lessons April through August, discounted packages available.
INSTRUCTORS:
Tom O'Connor
Dave Grimson - Played 3 years of Junior A Hockey for the Swan Valley Stampeders, 4 years at Sacred Heart University, 8 games with South Carolina Stingrays in the ECHL, 2 seasons with the Rapid City Rush in the CHL, attended camp for the Manitoba Moose of the AHL in 2010.
Kathy Piteo-Kathy Piteo, has been teaching skating since 1984 and in 1987 started teaching power skating to hockey players. Kathy describes her teaching techniques for power skating as "learning to create more power with the most efficient use of energy." She finds that most students need help to improve bilateral coordination, use of edges, technique in strides, and agility in addition to other technical improvements.
For further information please contact Carol Lessard, 860-745-2461 or
| | | | | | | Congratulations to the 99 Elite EHF Champions! | | | | by
posted 03/28/2012
It wasn’t until the last second ticked off the clock that the Falcons could exhale. After weathering a furious onslaught in the final minutes by the Providence Capitals, the Falcons emerged victorious 3-2 in the Eastern Hockey Federation Championship game held in Marlborough, MA.
After consecutive NEHL Championships, the Falcons set their sights this season on the EHF crown. This year’s winning formula would be no different than the last. Both teamwork and hard work are priorities in Coach Cocchi’s handbook, “I ask our boys for max effort every single practice and there were very few weeknights that I left the rink unhappy. It’s a long and difficult season, especially against the competition we play, but the boys soldiered on and I couldn’t be happier for each of them!”
The Falcons 3-peat of conference championships is something that is not lost on Cocchi, “This is very special and satisfying for me and the coaches and I know how much this means to this whole organization. I hope the boys and their parents will look back on this, years from now, and realize how much they accomplished in their young lives”.
| | | | | | | Congratulations to the U12 Elite EHF Champions! | | | | by
posted 03/07/2012
The New England Jr. Falcons U12 Girls Elite Team won the Eastern Hockey Federation Elite White play-offs, beating out the Boston Jr. Eagles on Sunday, March 5, 2012. The playoffs were held at the New England Sports Center in Marlborough.
Gwil Jones coaches the team along with Keith Hillebrecht, Dave Pelletier, and John Hoar. The team is made up of ’99 and ’00 players.
“We won 3-1. It was 0-0 after first period,” Jones said. “The girls played great. It was the best team game that they played all year because they supported each other and trusted each other to actually do their jobs.” The U12 Girls lost to the Boston Jr. Eagles four times during the regular season. “They’ve come a long way. The first time we played this team they beat us 9-0. By the end of the season, it was a complete turn-around. As coaches, we were completely proud of them.”
But now the U12 Girls are eying the state championships, held March 9th, 10th, and 11th in Marlborough. From there, they’re hoping to go to nationals. “Hopefully we can ride this wave,” said Jones. “There will be 6 girls’ teams from Massachusetts vying for two spots to go nationals.” Last year the U12 girls won a bid to the national tournament in Anaheim, CA. “It was the same type of thing last year, we started gelling at the end and played well and came in second in the state and won a bid to go to nationals. We’re hoping to do the same.”
| | | | | | | New England Jr. Falcons Impress at the EHF Invitational | | | | by
posted 03/07/2012
There’s no doubt, the New England Jr. Falcons left an impression at the Eastern Hockey Federation Tournament over President’s Day Weekend in Marlborough, Massachusetts and Salem, New Hampshire. The Falcons ’03 Elites, the ’00 AAA’s and the ’99 AAA’s each made it to the semi-finals.
The EHF tourney hosted players from all over the northeast at the Mite, Squirt, Pee Wee, and Bantam level. The tournament is a USA Hockey sanctioned event.
“We’re proud of our teams reaching the semi-finals,” said Keith Hillebrecht, co-owner of the New England Jr. Falcons. “We’re looking to use our success in that very competitive tourney as a stepping stone towards the EHF playoffs this weekend. We have some teams that can make some noise.”
| | | | | | | 99 Elites Face Off at the Q' | | | | by
posted 03/07/2012
The New England Jr. Falcons ‘99 Elites competed with the world’s best teams at the Quebec International Pee Wee Hockey Tournament. The invitation-only tournament was held February 9th to 19th at the Pepsi Coliseum in Quebec. More than two thousand young players, ages 11 and 12, from 16 countries come to compete, including from Switzerland, Finland, Russia, Slovakia, the Czech Republic and Sweden. “It was a tremendous honor. There are only 28 teams in the world invited to the elite bracket,” said Nick Cocchi, the ‘99’s coach.
The ’99 Elites, who are ranked 8th in the country, went one and one. They also played three independent games, where they impressed as well. “We are the highest ranked team in New England. I feel we just play well together as a team. We’ve got solid goal tending, good defense and good forwards,” said Cocchi. “Hard work yields a winning formula. We get the good result because we do the hard work.”
Cocchi, a dad of three boys who all play for the New England Jr. Falcons organization, says he demands hard work on and off the ice. “I check report cards every semester. We’re representatives of the organization. You can be a great hockey player but if you’re not a great person, you won’t be there.”
During the first week in November, the ‘99 Elites competed in the world-renowned Nike Bauer tournament in Chicago. Over the Thanksgiving break, the Elites won the 2011 PICS Hockey Fall Classic held at Enfield Twin Rinks and Olympia in West Springfield. Most recently, the Elites competed among the top teams in the country at the Super Series held in New Jersey in February. “Right now, our next focus is to win the league. Then our next goal is to win the playoffs.”
Cocchi, who was selected as a finalist for the 2011 Youthees Sports Awards, credits his coaching staff and the hockey moms and dads who make the sacrifice for their children to play. “This success wouldn’t happen without Jeff Kazeroid, Erik Wiesel, Jeff Tongue, and our manager, Angela McCoy,” he said. “The parents have been tremendously loyal to the Falcons. It’s not a wonder that their kids are so successful.”
| | | | by
posted 02/11/2012
TEAM WESTERN NEW ENGLAND
Team Western New England will compete in the 2012 edition of the New England County Cup 'AAA' youth hockey tournament.
Team Western New England will be comprised of players from the following area:
Connecticut (North of New Haven)
Western Massachusetts
Vermont
Greater Albany
If you are interested in playing for Team Western New England, please register by clicking HERE.
There will NOT be a tryout for Team Western New England. Players selected to participate will be notified by mid-March.
For more information on the NE County Cup, including tournament dates, click HERE.
Note: you must register to be considered for Team Western New England.
| | | | | | | NE Jr. Falcons at the Garden! | | | | by
posted 01/19/2012
Jr. Falcons Focus: Girls at the Garden
Congratulations to Gillian Duquette and Mae Emerson who made it to the final round in the Boston Bruins Mini 1-on-1. Both Duquette, a goalie and Emerson, a forward, play for the New England Jr. Falcons U12 girls team.
“It‟s hard to describe how proud I am of her,” said Scott Duquette, Gillian‟s father. “I was a goalie myself. She picked up the torch. I wish I was as good as she is,” he said.
Duquette and Emerson were one of twelve teams competing in the U10 Division for the Mini 1-on-1. The competition was taped at the Garden in September, and has been airing in between periods of televised Bruins‟ games. The Falcon players made it all the way to the final round, which aired on December 17th.
“For them it‟s nerve-racking. They‟re skating on Bruins‟ ice. Just the aura of the whole place is overwhelming,” said Duquette. “It takes a lot of courage.”
Dana Emerson is Mae‟s mom. “I was very proud of Mae, as was Mae's grampy who was with us at the Garden,” she said. “He grew up going to games at the Garden so to have his grand- daughter skating there gave him a tremendous sense of pride.”
Duquette, a 6th grader from Belchertown, plays for the Falcons U12 Girls AAA team. Emerson, a 6th grader from Deerfield, plays for the Falcons U12 Elite team.
 | | | | by
posted 01/19/2012
Thanksgiving Tournament Hailed a Success
The 2011 Pics Hockey Fall Classic, held Friday, November 25th to Sunday November 27th kicked off the holiday season for hockey families from all over the Northeast. Forty-four teams from New York, New Jersey and New England competed for the gold in 8 divisions.
“The weekend was a great success,” said Rob Bonneau, Springfield Pics Fall Classic Tournament Director. “Whenever you’re running a tournament you hope for a competitive field. This year’s tournament had a lot of ties, and 1-goal games. And the semi-finals and finals had a lot of OT games,” he continued. “Anytime that happens, a tournament will be successful.”
For the past two decades, the Springfield Pics Organization has hosted the Fall Classic tournament over Thanksgiving weekend. With the merger of the Pics and the Falcons last spring, Bonneau said the tournament had even more momentum. “It will continue to grow and have many more great hockey players compete in the tournament.”
The Fall Classic was held in Enfield Twin Rinks in Enfield, CT and Olympia Ice Center in West Springfield. The New England Jr. Falcons ’99 Pee Wee Major Elite Team won in their division. The ‘99’s have also been invited to Quebec International Pee Wee Hockey Tournament in February.
The Springfield Pics will be hosting the 2011 Holiday Tournament over New Year’s Weekend, December 30th to January 1st. | | | | | | | Jr. Falcons Support the Troops | | | | by
posted 01/19/2012
The Falcons Salute the Troops this Holiday Season
They protect America’s freedom. They put their lives on the line every day. They work straight through the night, weekends and holidays. This year the New England Jr. Falcons is saying a heartfelt thank you to the men and women of the United States military for their bravery and sacrifice.
“We’re doing this for the men and women that are serving overseas and their families. What they’re giving and providing to us in terms of freedom is amazing,” said Joe Tavella, coach of the 2000 Pee Wee Minor AAA team. “Our kids should realize that their are families without their mothers and fathers home for the holidays.”
The Pee Wee Minors AAA team took time to help Care For Our Troops this year. The West Springfield based non-profit provides care packages for troops serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. Care for Our Troops was founded by military mom, Michele Cabral in 2010 after her son was stationed in Afghanistan. “I had a lot of energy. I couldn’t sleep a whole lot. I needed something positive to do,” said Cabral a mother of four. Her oldest son, 20 year old Zachery Devine, joined the US Army after high school. After serving in Afghanistan for a year, he is now stationed in Ft. Campbell, KY. Her 18 year old son, TJ Devine, leaves for Fort Benning in Georgia for basic training in January.
“I’m really proud of them. They both decided they wanted to join the military at a very young age. My guess it was 911,” said Cabral. “They were 9 and 10 when it happened. I am proud of them.”
Care for Our Troops, run by volunteers sends out care packages every month. The Falcons donated Zip Loc bags filled with toiletries, beef jerky and baby wipes. “I think this is amazing that the kids have an awareness of what is going on in their community,” said Cabral. “They all walked in with a bag and an amazing level of energy.”
Eleven year old Jack McGrath is a forward on the Falcons. He said he wants to let the troops know that kids back home care. “Considering what they’re doing right now putting their lives on the line, the least we can do is send them a couple of care packages so they can have clean socks and food,” said Jack, who hopes to be a Navy SEAL someday. “It’s very important for us. Hockey is not all about sports and fun. It’s about being a team and caring about others.”
Coach Joe agreed. “I think the military is far beyond any super hero or professional athlete as far as a hero to that nature, without a question,” he said. “Our kids should know what these people do on a day to day basis and what their families endure. The military personnel are the true heroes.”
For more information on how you can help, find them on Facebook at Care for Our Troops Western Massachusetts or email at
.
| | | | | | | Congratulations to the 03 Mite Major Elite Team! | | | | | | | | | | | Congratulations to the 01 Squirt Major AAA Team! | | | | | | | | | | | Congratulations to the 99 PeeWee Major AAA Team! | | | | by
posted 01/04/2012 
| | Champions of the Springfield Pics Holiday Tournament! | | | | | | | | | | Congratulations to the 01 Squirt Major AAA Team! | | | | by
posted 12/05/2011 
| | Triple Overtime Winner of the North American Fall Championship! | | | | | | | | | | Congratulations to the 99 Pee Wee Major Elite Team! | | | | by
posted 12/05/2011 
| | Champions of the Springfield Pics Fall Classic Tournament! | | | | | | | | | | Mite Development Program and Learn To Skate/Play | | | | by
posted 08/25/2011
*** Learn To Skate / Learn To Play ***
For information on our Learn To Skate / Learn To Play (LTS/LTP) program, click on the menu tab above.
*** Mite Development Program ***
For information on our new Mite Development Program (MDP), click on the menu tab above.
Click HERE to register NOW or anytime throughout the season!
| | | | | | | Eastern Hockey Federation (EHF) | | | | by
posted 03/08/2011
PRESS RELEASE
New England Jr. Falcons Join Eastern Hockey Federation (EHF)
WARWICK, RI, March 6, 2011 - The Eastern Hockey Federation is excited to announce the addition of the New England Jr. Falcons organization for the 2011-12 season.
The rumbling you heard to the West last week wasn’t an earthquake, but it was a major youth hockey shakeup. After a merger between the top two programs in Western Massachusetts (New England Jr. Falcons and the Springfield Pics) coupled with their addition into the EHF as the 10th Full member, Western Mass has been buzzing with excitement. For the 2011-12 season the Jr. Falcons will field teams in the Elite, AAA, AA and Girls divisions of the EHF. Hockey people all over New England are wondering are the glory days of Springfield youth hockey on their way back?
For more information on the Eastern Hockey Federation, please visit their website at http://www.fedhockey.com
| | |
|
