Press Box

Date: Nov 09, 2011

The Warriors Hitting Arena Ice Friday

 

By BOB BECKSTEAD

MASSENA - The Commissioner's Cup champions in the Federal Hockey League will be making their inaugural appearance Friday night at the Massena Arena.

The Warriors, a professional "A" team from Akwesasne, will play 1000 Islands in the first of seven games scheduled for November through January at the arena.

The team normally plays their games at A'nowara'ko:wa Arena on Cornwall Island, according to club President Patricia Francis.

"Mr. Darby Oakes, the local owner, wanted to showcase to Massena and the north country professional hockey," she said

They met with Massena Recreation Superintendent Richard A. Boprey late in the summer and negotiated some dates for games, according to Ms. Francis.

"We look to have more as soon as we're able to finalize more," she said, noting the Massena Arena could see more games in their third season, which runs from October to April with the championship games in mid-April.

The Federal Hockey League began operations in November 2010. Ms. Francis said six teams were part of the league during its inaugural year.

They included the Akwesasne Warriors, New York Aviators from Brooklyn, Danbury Whalers from Connecticut and 1000 Island Privateers.

The Broome County Barons relocated their operations to Cape Cod, becoming the Cape Cod Bluefins, and the Rome Frenzy suspended operations in mid-season.

In February 2011, the FHL announced new teams for the 2011-12 season. The Vermont Wild play at Green Mountain Arena in Morrisville, Vt., and the Danville Dashers play at David S. Palmer Arena in Danville, Ill. In May 2011, the FHL announced an expansion team, the New Jersey Outlaws, in Wayne, N.J.

"They expanded their geographical spread two-fold," Ms. Francis said.

The Warriors boast local talent as well as former NHL players. Among the local players are center Wallace Thompson, left winger Kiawentonteh Swamp and left winger Nick Montour, all from Akwesasne, and goalie Jacob Lazore from Hogansburg.

Right winger Pierre Dagenais from Blainville, Que., played with the NHL's Montreal Canadians' organization, and he's the league scoring leader with 22 points. Center Nicolas Corbeil from Laval, Que., played with the NHL's Toronto Maple Leafs' organization.

"One of our new signs this past Friday turned out a hat trick in Danville," Ms. Francis said.

The team's record this year sits at four wins and one loss, tying them with 1000 Islands and New Jersey for the lead. They won it all last year, capturing the Phillip Myer Commissioner's Cup by defeating the former New York Aviators, who are now known as the Brooklyn Aviators.

"Our returning goalie, David Plouffe, got us to the Phillip Myer Commissioner's Cup," Ms. Francis said.

Friday's game begins at 7:35 p.m. Tickets are $10 for adults ages 18 to 59, $5 for students ages 6 to 17, and $5 for seniors 60 and over.

"We want to showcase this level at an affordable price and provide quality entertainment," she said.

Other games that will be played at the Massena Arena are against Danville at 7:05 p.m. Nov. 24, against Danbury at 7:35 p.m. Nov. 25 and 26, against 1000 Islands at 7:35 p.m. Dec. 16, and against Cape Cod at 7:35 p.m. Jan. 13 and Jan. 14.

For more information on the team, visitwww.akwesasnewarriors.pointstreaksites.com .

Click here to go back to news articles