Most Knights Hockey Players from Other Districts

RFH 2010, Featured Articles, HCS Hockey

Wed, Nov 16, 2011

Players from elsewhere fill ranks of HCS hockey team

Most Knights Hockey Players from Other Districts

When the Emerald Knights hockey team faces off against West Genesee Nov. 29 at 7 p.m. at Colgate's Starr Rink in the first game of the season, only six of the team's 19 players will actually be from HCS.

Declining local numbers and the loss of teams at other high schools in the region means most of the players representing Hamilton this year will be commuters. HCS has long taken in hockey orphans from other schools, but this year's loss of several programs mean more players than ever from elsewhere will be getting up very early to commute to the Knights' 6 a.m. practices.

Some players will be coming from Utica's Thomas H. Proctor High School, which cut its hockey program -- among other sports -- because of declining state aid. In addition, Proctor also eliminated fall cheerleading, indoor track, and all modified or junior high school sports.

The same has happened in Syracuse. The team from Solvay High School is made up of players from Westhill, Marcellus, Solvay, Jordan-Elbridge and Bishop Ludden, and still is struggling financially.

HCS players on the squad this year are: