amherst youth hockey
Boys Travel
Amherst Knights Travel Hockey
Elevate your hockey journey with the Amherst Knights Boys Travel Hockey Program! Designed for passionate young athletes aiming to compete at the Tier 1 AAA and AA levels, our program offers elite competition, professional skill development, and a fair, transparent tryout process. Led by experienced coaches dedicated to fostering skill growth, teamwork, and sportsmanship, we provide an inclusive and supportive environment where every player is valued. Join a community committed to your success and take the first step toward hockey excellence with Amherst Knights!
Ages
The Amherst Knights Travel hockey program is open to boys and girls starting at the 9u level (ages 9-10) up to the 18u level (ages 17-18). This allows players to start at a young age and develop their skills throughout their youth hockey career.
When
Tryouts for the travel teams are typically held in March and April, following the conclusion of the winter season. The travel season runs from August to April, providing players with an extended period of high-level competition.
Where
The Amherst Knights play out of the Northtown Center, a state-of-the-art facility located in Amherst, NY. The Northtown Center is a premier hockey destination in the region, offering top-quality ice and training facilities.
Practices
Most Amherst Knights Travel teams will practice three times per week, providing players with ample time to develop their skills and work on team strategies. The coaching staff is committed to providing players with challenging and engaging practice sessions that focus on skill development, teamwork, and sportsmanship.
Games
The number of games that travel teams play varies depending on the team's age level and skill level. Most teams will play anywhere from 25-75 games per season, including league games and tournaments. This provides players with numerous opportunities to compete at a high level and develop their skills against top-tier competition.
Jerseys
Starting in the 2023-24 season, Amherst Youth Hockey will be offering a third jersey option for players. This will allow players to have additional customization options and show off their team spirit in a unique way.
Extra Costs
In addition to ice fees, most travel teams will participate in league games and tournaments, which may incur additional costs such as travel expenses and registration fees. The program works hard to keep these costs as reasonable as possible, while still providing players with the opportunity to compete at the highest levels of youth hockey.
Team culture
The Amherst Knights Travel program prides itself on creating a positive and inclusive team culture. Players are encouraged to support and respect one another, regardless of their skill level or background. The program places a strong emphasis on sportsmanship, teamwork, and character development, helping players to not only become better hockey players but also better people.
Our Coaches
2025 Amherst Youth Hockey Travel Coaches | ||
---|---|---|
BOYS | ||
Team | Coach | |
9U AAA (2016) | Dan Collins | collinsd17@gmail.com |
9U AA (2016) | Craig Cieplinski | 2016amherstknights@gmail.com |
Chris Weber | ||
10U AAA (2015) | Pat Oliveto | poliveto15@gmail.com |
10U AA (2015) | Michael Barbasch | mbarbasch@gmail.com |
11U AAA (2014) | David Watson | 2014amherstknightsaaa@gmail.com |
11U AA (2014) | Brian Croak | Brian_Croak@yahoo.com |
12U AAA (2013) | Sean Elliott | sean_elliott6@hotmail.com |
12U AA (2013) | Scott Dorfman | sdorfman616@gmail.com |
13U AAA (2012) | Daniel Jackson | djacks77@hotmail.com |
13U AA (2012) | Andrew Laudico | alaudico7@gmail.com |
14U AA (2011) | James Rozycki | rozycki15@gmail.com |
15U AAA (2010) | Michael Suda | michael.suda@usfoods.com |
15U AA (2010) | Timothy Zimmerman | gardensofzim@gmail.com |
16U AAA (2009) | Michael Kriegbaum | mkriegbaumjr@gmail.com |
16U AA (2009) | Andrew Olewnik | andrew.olewnik@gmail.com |
18U AAA (2007 & 2008) | John Cullen | coachcullynft@gmail.com |
18U AA (2007 & 2008) | Peter LaJeunesse | peterlajeunesse@hotmail.com |
GIRLS | ||
Team | Coach | |
Girls 9U (2016) | Ryan Farrell | rzfarrell@gmail.com |
Girls 10U (2015) | Jay Nolan | jnolan@gibraltarchimney.com |
Girls 12U tier 2 TB (2013 & 2014) | Patrick Holden Jr. | pholden9@msn.com |
Girls 12U NTB (2013 & 2014) | Jason Dool | dool_j@yahoo.com |
Girls 14U tier 1 TB (2012 & 2011) | Telly Forcucci | t4cucc@gmail.com |
Girls 14U NTB tier 2 (2012 & 2011) | Bryan McMullen | mulley35@gmail.com |
Eric Alderson | eric63133@gmail.com | |
Girls 14U NTB tier 2 (2012 & 2011) | Erica Colligan | erica.colligan@gmail.com |
Girls 16U tier 2 TB (2009 & 2010) | Jeff Kloetzer | jkloetzer@gmail.com |
Girls 19U tier 2 TB (2006, 2007, 2008) | Eric Cooper | ecooper@edencsd.org |