Girls Travel

Empowering Girls in Hockey

At Amherst Youth Hockey, we take immense pride in leading the way in girls' hockey enrollment in New York State. This accomplishment underscores our dedication to not only attracting but also retaining female players in the sport. Over recent years, we've witnessed remarkable growth, a testament to our unwavering commitment to advancing hockey among girls.

Equity is Our Foundation

One of the cornerstones of Amherst Youth Hockey is our relentless pursuit of growing the game for girls while ensuring equitable opportunities for all. We're not just about bringing more female players into the fold; we're equally dedicated to ensuring that every participant, regardless of gender, enjoys the same access to the sport. This commitment to equity echoes throughout our coaching philosophy, emphasizing skill development, teamwork, and an inclusive, positive environment.

Unlocking Our Success

Our achievement in attracting and retaining female players can be attributed to various factors:

• History of Excellence: With a rich history of success, we've established ourselves as a trusted destination for young athletes looking to thrive in hockey at both the Tier 1 and Tier 2 tournament and non-tournament levels.
• Inclusivity at Heart: We actively work on creating a warm, welcoming, and supportive environment for girls, making them feel valued and at home in the world of hockey.
• Expert Coaching: Our high-quality coaching and development programs ensure that every player, regardless of their background, receives the guidance they need to excel in the sport.

Contributing to Youth Sports in New York State

By championing girls' hockey and upholding our commitment to equal opportunities for all, Amherst Youth Hockey is not just advancing the sport; we're shaping the future of youth sports in New York State. Join us in this exciting journey to empower girls and promote equity in hockey.

Our Lady Knights Travel Coaches for the 2026-2027 season are as follows:

2026-27 Team	Head Coach	Email
G10U - Tier 2	Ryan Farrell	rzfarrell@gmail.com - Started coaching when I was 13 back in 1993 and have been coaching ever since.  I am currently hold my USA Hockey level 5 certification and am always looking to learn and improve as a coach to make each season as memorable and impactful as possible for the players.  I have experience at all levels from Novice 1 through 16U/JV hockey, both boys and girls. I thoroughly enjoy coaching kids of all ages, learning from them as much as I hope I teach. I have three children, one boy and two girls, that all play hockey at the 2010, 2012 and 2016 levels.
G12U - Tier 1	Jay Nolan	Coachjaynolan@gmail.com - Coaching Bio: Coach Jay Nolan is going into his 13th year coaching youth hockey, which includes going into his 11th straight season coaching Amherst Lady Knights hockey. Coach Jay previously played: NCAA - SUNY Cortland United States Jr. A Shattuck-St. Mary’s Prep
G14U - Tier 2	Bryan McMullen	Mulley35@gmail.com
G16U - Tier 2	Jeff Kloetzer	Jkloetzer@gmail.com - Jeff has coached youth hockey for over 20 years. He coached boys and mixed teams of all levels before joining the Amherst Girls Coaching Staff in the 2024-2025 season. Jeff is focused on skill and hockey knowledge development for team success and to allow players to improve to meet their long-term competitive goals.
G16U NTB	Erica Colligan	erica.colligan@gmail.com - Coach Colligan is a non parent coach with over seven years of coaching experience in Buffalo, Minnesota, and Long Island. She creates an objective, supportive environment for player development that also teaches life lessons, builds confidence, and cultivates a lifelong love for the sport. Coach Erica’s team includes a mix of female non parent assistant coaches and dedicated parent volunteer assistant coaches, fostering a balanced and positive culture. She grew up playing for the Buffalo Bisons and played D3 hockey at Hamilton College.
G19U - Tier 2	Eric Cooper	erjcooper73@gmail.com