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In the spring of 1996, Salmon River Head Coach, Bill
Plant, chaired a committee of coaches from around the
state to produce the state rankings for high school
hockey. Those rankings were then forwarded to Neil
Kerr, of the New York State Sports Writers Association (NYSSWA)
for publication. That same spring, Suffern Head
Coach, John Orlando, contacted Bill and expressed the
need for a State Coaches Association. This
association, he envisioned, would be responsible for- a
New York State High School Hockey Hall of Fame, an
annual All-State Team, assistance at the State
Tournament, as well as great resource for all Coaches
and Teams throughout the state.
Bill made the initial contacts and in the fall of 1996,
an inaugural meeting was held to formulate plans.
It was held at Lake Placid and after a few meetings,
dinner, and a round of golf, the New York State High
School Hockey Coaches Association (NYSHSHCA) was
created. Bill Plante was named President, John
Orlando Vice President and the late Dan Barrows
Secretary-Treasurer. There were representatives
from sections- 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, and 10 in attendance.
Bill coordinated with the Lake Placid Olympic Authority
to secure a hallway at the arena to house the newly
formed High School Hockey Hall of Fame. This hallway is located just
off the '32 Rink in the Olympic Arena. He also contracted with Kevin Neeger from Utica to make all the organizations plaques
and certificates.
The NYSHSHCA is currently in its 13th year and its
membership has grown to over 60 teams and around 200
coaches. Our goal is to have a membership of all
New York State High School Hockey teams, approximately
125 teams. Membership is currently open to any New
York State High School Hockey Coach, active or retired,
from any High School Team, (Public, Club, Catholic,
Private, etc.). There has been discussion to open
up membership to non-coaching individuals.
The current mission of the NYSHSHCA is to service all
aspects of New York State High School Hockey to include:
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Selecting a Division 1 and Division 2 Annual
All-State Team
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Assisting at the NYSPHSAA State Championships
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Selecting the State Championship All-Tournament
Teams
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Maintaining the State High School Hockey Hall of
Fame
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Sponsoring various Coaching Clinics
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Providing a strong political voice to the State
Committee
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Improving relationships between sections
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Providing a network for Coaches to communicate
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Plus a
lot more...
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