Buffalo Hornets
1999-2000 Season
Team Pages
(to see full images click the thumbnails)
Novice
Hello....
My name is Chuck Tripp. I have been with the Buffalo Hornets for over 10 years. For the past 2 years I have been the On Ice Director for the beginner program. I have Coached kids from four to seventeen years old. In the past 5 years, I have had the opportunity to coach high school students who participate in the Buffalo Explorer League. I am also the On Ice Director for the High School Hockey League Championship, Super Sunday, held each year at Buffalo State College.
Our learn to skate program runs 3 sessions each year, each session runs for eight weeks. During each session you are on the ice twice a week. You will learn from the best. All of our coaches are USA Hockey trained to watch for improper skating and to help your child improve their skills faster. We will teach you and your child to properly wear his or her equipment the way it is meant to be worn. One of my duties as On Ice Director each year, has been to find the proper coaches to best help run a program. After the program has started, I will watch the progress of every child on the ice, I will move a child to the next group or to a team. It has been my great pleasure to help many kids pass through our doors, and move on to be, not only great skaters, but very responsible young boys and girls. Hope to see you on the ice.
Coach Chuck Tripp
Buffalo Hornets
Mite1
Mite 1 vs St. Peter & Paul 12/29/99
We played a hard won game. Our team won 1-0. We had some excellent performances from our younger kids. Kyle Betker made some excellent plays to protect his goalie. His performance gave him one of the game pucks from that game. Another good performance was from Ryan Kerl who helped keep the puck out of our end, and he received the other game puck. Our one goal was scored by Anthony Whipple in the last 40 seconds of the game. His goal was unassisted. He also made some excellent passes in this game.
Mite2
The Buffalo Hornets Mite 2 team opened the 1999 season with a 4-0 victory over Welland Ontario. A total team effort was needed to defeat the fast skating Tigers. Nathan Ritzenthaler opened the scoring in the first period off a smart pass from Mike Donius, it proved to be the game winner. Zachary Mullen ( 1 goal, 2 assists), Tyler Ellis ( 1 goal, 1 assist), and Adam Dean all scored in the third period. Goaltender, Tommy Mullen made several big saves early and stopped a breakaway with 10 seconds left in the game to earn his first shut out of the season.
On November 23, the South Buffalo Irishmen defeated the Buffalo Hornets Mite Team 2, 3-1 in Mite House action. The loss evened the Hornets record at 1-1. Defensman Zachary Morlock scored on a beautiful end to end rush for the Hornets only goal. Goalie Tommy Mullen who had another strong game in goal, got an assist on the play.
On November 26, Mite Team 2 used goals by Nathan Ritzenhaler, Alex Hoffman, Mike Donius, and a total TEAM defense in defeating the South Buffalo Celtics, 3-1. Shane Mullen turned away 10 of the 11 shots he faced, earning the victory in goal. Many of the shots were of a difficult variety. Eric Fetes earned the head coaches unsung hero award for his play.
On Sunday November 28, Mite 2 defeated the Cheektowaga Warriors 7-3. Goalie Tommy John Mullen made some big saves early on, then the offense took over. The attack was placed by Shane Mullen (2 goals, 1 assist), Adam Dean ( 1 goal, 1 assist), Tyler Elis ( 1 goal, 1 assist), AJ Schueckler ( 1 goal, 1 assist), Eric Fetes and Mike Donius also added goals. The Hornets also played another strong defensive game while improving their 3-1 record.
On a Saturday night January 29th the Buffalo Hornets Mite House II team traveled to Ridgeway Ontario to take on their Tournament bound Tyke Select Team. The cousin combo of Tommy John and Shane Mullen stopped all twelve shots they faced in a 5-0 victory. The goalies got a lot of help however. A smothering defense led by Adam Dean, Matt Opala, and AJ Schueckler. Relentless forechecking by Nate Ritzenthaler, and Tyler Elis combined to frustrate the hosts time and time again. Nathan Ritzenthaler, Zachary Morlock, Alex Hoffman, Zachary Mullen, and Kyle McQuaid all scored for the Hornets. Ryan Mullen (2 assists) and Austin Galuska (1 assist) got their first points of the season. Everyone contributed in a solid all around performance.
Mite Select
The Buffalo Hornets Mite Select Team opened play Saturday morning in the 12th annual Town of Tonawanda President's Day Tournament against the host, Tonawanda Lightening. For many of the young Hornets it was their first taste of such competition. The Hornets fell behind early 2 to 0 but fought back from 2 to 1 and 3 to 2 deficits to eventually skate to a 4 to 4 tie.
Nathan Ritzenthaler's goal with 1:44 left in the game earned the draw and the third star. Mike Donius, voted the games first star, had a goal and 2 assists. Brendon Rogers and Ryan Farrell also scored. Shane and Tommy John Mullen stopped 27 of the 31 shots they faced. A strong effort was put forth by each and every Hornet.
On Sunday the Hornets faced the West Seneca Wings and Hamburg Hawks. Age and experience proved to be the difference against the young Hornets. The Hornets were defeated by both teams but the team effort put forth by each and every player did not go unnoticed by the fans and coaches of the competition. Tournament officials selected Tommy John and Shane Mullen as third stars in Sunday's games. The little Hornet goalies stopped 84 of the 104 shots they faced throughout the weekend.
Squirt Tier II Team Begins New Season
-Paul Wright
SquirtA
The Squirt II travel team had an early start to the 1999-2000 season. After having several summer ice sessions, the team is beginning to show signs of being a strong team, capable of going far this season.
Everyone involved-parents, coaches, and kids- are excited and looking forward to a fruitful and successful year.
The Squirt gang got off to a good start with a solid win over Erie. Hard work and determination were the keys to a successful outcome. All the teams in our division have been very competitive and we have had several close games. Despite some extremely tough competition at the Halloween tournament, our team put forth alot of effort and gave 100%.Our hard work continues as we keep improving on our defense and special teams. We look forward to even better results in our Thanksgiving tournament!!! Good luck to our fellow Hornets teams!
Our Squirt A team had a sucessful weekend at the Hornets Thanksgiving tournament. We played Port Huron in the championship game after shutting out two of our three opponents in our qualifying games by scores of 5-0 and 9-0.
Our team took home the championship trophy by beating Port Huron by 3-2 in a close hard fought game.
In league games, we have been improving rapidly with our latest game being a victory over Brockport the morning of our championship game. Congratulations Hornets, and keep up the good work!!!!!!!