Dear Editor,

The Oswego State Men’s Club Hockey team’s season is over for another year and we would like to thank many people for their help this past year. Our team could not be where it is now without the support of the Student Association of SUNY Oswego. We also appreciate the support of Clean Check Hockey, Bags for Sports and Fajita Grill. We would like thank the Oswegonian Newspaper and reporter Aimee Hirsch for the wonderful article she wrote about the team at the beginning of the season. We also appreciate the Alumni Magazine for covering our annual alumni game. We have a special thank you for the Campus Center maintenance and rink staff. They treat us with the same support and respect as they do any other Lakers Hockey team and we appreciate it. They cheer us when we win and are disappointed when we don’t.

At the end of every season, it is time to say goodbye to our seniors. Rob Lippolis, Mike Steinke, Anthony Sellitti, Jordan Romano, Chase Collins, Brandon Clark, Brad Kervin and Nick Atkins have all made an impact on our program and we wish them well in the future. Brandon, Anthony, Jordan, Chase, Brad and Nick have been with us for all four years, through our two championship seasons and also through the seasons that didn’t quite live up to our expectations. Thank you for sticking with us.

As a team, we are very proud of the fact that we have a 100% graduation rate. Our players are able to get an education and continue their hockey careers playing D1 ACHA hockey in the NECHL.

We had a great season. We were the champions of the Terry Martin/Pride’s Corner Tournament and we did that by defeating the host Canton (nationally ranked #19) in the opening round and then beating John Carroll for the tournament title. We defeated league rivals Cornell and Cortland, and we were the only NECHL team to beat Rutgers during the regular season. Our senior goaltender, Anthony Sellitti was named first team all NECHL and Brandon Clark and Brad Kervin were second team. Several of our players lead the league in stats.

Our league also suffered great tragedy as we mourned the deaths of three of our fellow NECHL hockey players, two within this past year. Their tragic deaths made us realize that life is very short and that hockey is just a game. We think of them and of their families often.

Our biggest thank you goes to our fans and to the families of our players. Thank you for traveling with us and for supporting us at home. We couldn’t run this program without your help.

Next season, there will be other players wearing the jerseys that Rob, Mike, Brandon, Brad, Chase, Jordan, Anthony and Nick wore. Even though they won’t be with us on the ice, they have made a difference in our lives. They will always be Lakers.

Jay Peacock, Head Coach

Bruce Zellar, Faculty Advisor

The Oswego State Men’s Club Hockey Team