Democrat & Chronicle
Kevin Oklobzija, Staff writer
Victor defeats the Thunder 2-1 for hockey crown
Manning's goal clinches it
Story Highlights
- Pat Manning scored the winning goal late in the third period, seconds after hopping onto the ice
- Victor goalie Chayse Ierlan allowed a goal in the first minute and that was all
- The sectional title was the first for Victor since 2005
What Pat Manning did on Sunday evening would best be filed under the heading of: making the very most of your ice time.
Hobbled by a knee injury for the past several games, the Victor High School junior wasn't able to play prime-time minutes in the Section V Class BB championship game against top-seeded Greece Athena/Odyssey.
He got the shift that mattered most, though, and scored the winning goal late in third period as Victor defeated the Thunder 2-1 in front of an overflow crowd at Ritter Arena.
"That might have been his second shift of the period," Victor coach Mike Ferreri said.
Just onto the ice as the team changed lines, Manning skated into the high slot, took a pass from Jon Spencer and fired the puck past screened goalie Jake Bellavia for the tie-breaking goal with 5:13 to play.
"I saw the pass come out and I just put it on net," Manning said.
The Blue Devils and freshman goalie Chayse Ierlan then held off the Thunder until the final buzzer and celebrated the championship that eluded them a year earlier. Victor lost 3-0 to eventual state champion Webster Schroeder in the Class B title game.
The memory of 2014 isn't necessary all bad for returning members of the team, especially now that the Blue Devils are bringing home sectional hardware for the first time since 2005.
"I use that as momentum, I use it to fuel me," said senior captain Kevin O'Brien, who converted an oh-so-sweet pass from David Farrance for the tying goal 6:11 into the third period. "This feels awesome. I've been dreaming of it."
The Thunder (15-6-1) had taken a 1-0 lead when Dylan O'Hare scored just 55 seconds into the game.
Thanks to Ierlan, who made 33 saves, it was the only goal the Thunder could score.
"That's the bottom," Thunder coach Andrew Rice said. "Their goalie played very well."
Still, Victor generated very little sustained offensive-zone pressure in the first two periods. They were credited with just eight shots on goal through the first 30 minutes.
"They're a very physical team, a very aggressive team, and we didn't have time with the puck," Ferreri said.
Farrance then changed the game with one swift, electrifying rush up the ice. He sprinted out of his own zone and up the right wing, charged through the right circle and, rather than shoot as he had perhaps four or five other times already, he passed. With pinpoint precision.
O'Brien was free in the left of the slot and had an open net. Tie game.
"At that speed, coming down the wing, he's going to attract multiple players so someone else is going to be open," Ferreri said.
Said Rice: "He's going to have one or two chances a game, that's what we were trying to limit him to."
Momentum clearly shifted to Victor with the goal, and when Manning scored 3:36 later, the Blue Devils were on their way to a sectional title.
KEVINO@DemocratandChronicle.com
Victor's David Farrance and the Blue Devils celebrate at the final buzzer of the Section V Class BB Championship played at RIT's Ritter Ice Arena on Sunday.
http://13wham.com//sports/features/local-sports/stories/victor-takes-home-class-bb-championship-1806.shtml
Victor takes home Class BB championship
Updated: Sunday, March 1 2015, 11:59 PM EST
Victor freshman goalie Chayse Ierlan started the year as a backup. The rest of Section V probably wishes he was still on the bench.
Ierlan was incredible for the Blue Devils in Sunday's Class BB championship game, stopping 36 of 37 shots, leading Victor to a 2-1 win over the Greece Thunder on Sunday.
Trailing 1-0 entering the third, the Blue Devils finally got their first goal at the 6:11 mark of the period. Kevin O'Brien fired home the shot after a tremendous set up from star sophomore David Farrance.
The game-winner came with 5:13 remaining. Patrick Manning's shot found it's way through the defense and into the back of the net, giving the Blue Devils a lead they would not relinquish.
Victor will play Brockport, who won the Class B championship, in the state-qualifier on Thursday night.
By Messenger Post
Jack Haley/Messenger Post Media
sports@messengerpostmedia.com
Gallery: Victor Wins Hockey Title
The Victor Blue Devils scored two goals in the third period to knock off the Greece Thunder 2-1 for the Section Five Class BB championships.
Posted Mar. 1, 2015
The Victor Blue Devils celebrate on the ice after knocking off Greece Thunder and winning the Section Five Class BB championships on Sunday.
David Farrance of Victor skates the puck from the defensive end to the offensive end.
Max Lambert of Victor looks to make a pass
Kevin O'brien pulls the puck off the boards.
Kevin O'brien fires a third period shot for the Blue Devils
Kyler Pooler moves the puck in the offensive zone.
The Victor Blue Devils captured the Section Five Class BB title.
The Blue Devils hoist up the Class BB championships trophy.
The student body from Victor celebrate after their team captured the Class BB title
-
Victor-ious! Blue Devils rally to win Class BB hockey title
-
By Bob Chavez
rchavez@messengerpostmedia.com
Posted Mar. 1, 2015 at 10:22 PM
Updated Mar 1, 2015 at 10:23 PM
Canandaigua, N.Y. -
HENRIETTA — If there’s anything the Victor Blue Devils know, it’s patience. And with the frantic pace of play that ice hockey usually offers, patience is not always easy to come by.
Then again, we’re talking about a team that before Sunday night had made five trips to the Section V championship. And for all that work, they had just one title to show for it.
All of that changed last night as the Blue Devils, who fell behind early, relied on their patience once again to produce a pair of third-period goals in their 2-1 victory over Greece Athena/Odyssey in the Class BB championship game. It’s the first Section V title for Victor since 2005, so you’ll understand the combination of relief, joy and happiness that coach Mike Ferreri was sorting through following the game.
“It’s awesome, just awesome,” said Ferreri. “These kids deserve it. For everything they’ve been through … they deserve it.”
For the longest time, it looked like it might not happen for the Blue Devils (16-6-1). They fell behind early when the Thunder (15-6-1) scored a power-play goal just 55 seconds in. Victor was killing an interference penalty when a Thunder shot hit Victor goalie Chayse Irelan, but the freshman couldn’t control the rebound. Greece’s Dylan O’Hare was all alone to Ierlan’s right and pretty much had an empty net to work with in giving his team a 1-0 lead.
“Yeah, it just took a bad bounce and it got to his stick,” Ierlan said of the goal.
But Ierlan said he remained confident in the defense in front of him, and for good reason. The Blue Devils kept their heads in the game with a combination of physical and tactical work that kept the Thunder offense at bay for what turned out to be the rest of the game.
The problem for Victor is that the Thunder defense did the same. The Blue Devils had numerous chances through the first two periods, but still came into the third without a goal. Sophomore David Farrance, who recently broke Victor’s career scoring mark in just his second season of varsity hockey, created a few of those chances. But a rotation of Greece defenders did well to keep Farrance and the opportunities he created from finishing.
“We played our system and one of our strengths is a strong forecheck, and that kept him out of a lot of plays,” said Athena/Odyssey coach Andrew Rice.
That changed at 6:11 of the third. Sparking a strong rush down the right side, Farrance carried into the zone and his patience was on display as he waited … and waited … and waited for the right moment. He finally sent a cross to the stick of Kevin O’Brien, who cashed in.
“You’re not going to shut him down for an entire game,” Rice said. “You just try to limit his opportunities. But a kid that good is going to get his.”
It was a new game now, of course, but Ferreri said it was important for the Blue Devils, and the coaches, to practice what they preach when it comes to patience. And even after Victor tied the score, the urgency was reined in because it was the system that got them back into the game. Now, they were going to rely on that system to put them in front and it did, just more than three minutes later.
Greece’s poor clear in their own end found the stick of Patrick Manning at the top of the zone. He assessed his situation, then calmly flipped a wrister around a screen that Greece goalie Jake Bellavia never saw at the 9:47 mark.
The Victor celebration didn’t last long because they knew the final minutes of a championship game — especially one in which you’re leading — can seem to last a lifetime. Ierlan and the defense were up to the challenge, and among Ierlan’s 36 saves were a pair of nifty glove stops in the final minutes.
But the horn finally did sound, and the ensuing celebration was what you’d expect to see from a team that’s been teased with so many chances to win a championship: Gloves, sticks and gear all over the ice, the weight of so many missed chances over the years finally shed.
“Ever since August, we started working for this,” said O’Brien. “We had one goal in mind … all of our hard work, and the coaches taught us well. The feeling is unreal. There’s nothing else I’d rather be doing.”
Up next for Victor is Brockport (12-8-3), the Class B champion. They’re playing Wednesday at 7 p.m. at Ritter Arena for the right to advance to the state tournament.
HIGH SCHOOL ROUNDUP:
Democrat & Chronicle
Staff report February 21
NO. 2 VICTOR 4, NO. 7 WEBSTER SCHROEDER 3
Jon Spencer had two goals and one assist to lead Victor (14-6-1). Kevin O’Brien collected a goal and two assists for the Blue Devils.
Spencer scored late in the second period to give the Blue Devils a 4-1 lead. Webster Schroeder pulled their goalie and scored twice in the final three minutes.
Matt Montgomery recorded a goal and two assists for the Warriors (7-14). Victor avenged a loss last year to Webster Schroeder, the defending Division II state champion, in the Class B sectional final.
HIGH SCHOOL ROUNDUP:
Democrat & Chronicle
Staff report February 14
Victor 6, Fairport 5
Kyle Pooler scored the winner from the top of the slot with 2:05 left to lift Victor (13-6-1).
Anthony Giggie tied the game at 5 on a goal with 2:33 remaining for Fairport (15-4-1).
David Farrance had two goals and three assists and Pooler finished with two goals and one assist for the Blue Devils
By Messenger Post
sports@messengerpostmedia.com
Posted Feb 10, 2015
Victor 5, Penfield 1
Senior night for the Blue Devils included big nights from seniors Kyle Pooler, Kevin O’Brien and Jon Spencer. Pooler and O’Brien each had two goals and two assists, and Spencer added a goal and an assist. Chayse Ierlan led Victor (12-6-1) in net with 12 saves.
Victor comes back for victory
By Messenger Post
mailto:sports@messengerpostmedia.com
Posted Feb. 4, 2015 at 8:00 AM Canandaigua, N.Y.
FAIRPORT —
The Victor hockey team defeated Brighton/ER/HFL 3-1 on Tuesday. The Blue Devils trailed 1-0 early in the first, but a Kyle Pooler goal tied it up going into the second period.
“Kyle’s goal was very big,” Victor coach Mike Ferreri said. We had a ton of chances in the first period, and I told the kids to keep pressing. It was a big goal and it took away some momentum from them.”
Victor’s David Farrance scored the lone goal of the second period, and Sam Lambert added an insurance goal in the third period. Kevin O’Brien, Jon Spencer and Mitch Rydzynski each had an assist for Victor. John Swiatek scored the only goal for the Barons, with Gabriel Cole and Ryan Kane assisting.
Chayse Ierlan made 18 saves in net for the Blue Devils. Victor travels to Webster Schroeder on Saturday.
Michael Johnson/Messenger Post Media Victor's David Farrance (9) skates up the ice on a breakaway in the second period in Victor's 3-1 win over Brighton/ER/HFL at the Thomas Creek Ice Arena in Fairport.
Victor's Jon Spencer (14) skates the puck into the zone against Brighton/ER/HFL in the second period of Victor's 3-1 win over Brighton/ER/HFL at the Thomas Creek Ice Arena in Fairport.
Victor's Andrew Crean (23) takes the shot on Brighton/ER/HFL goalie Travis Scroger (1) in the second period of Victor's 3-1 win over Brighton/ER/HFL at the Thomas Creek Ice Arena in Fairport.
Victor's Kyle Pooler (12) skates the puck into the zone as Brighton/ER/HFL's Parker Lawrence defends in the second period in Victor's 3-1 win over Brighton/ER/HFL at the Thomas Creek Ice Arena in Fairport.
Victor's Kevin OBrien (7) battles Brighton/ER/HFL's Travis Caton for the puck in the seond period of Victor's 3-1 win over Brighton/ER/HFL at the Thomas Creek Ice Arena in Fairport
By Messenger Post
sports@messengerpostmedia.com
Posted Jan. 31, 2015
Victor 6, Hilton 0
David Farrance scored four goals for the second game in a row and Chayse Ierlan made 24 saves in the shutout to lead the Blue Devils. Max Lambert scored a goal for Victor (9-6-1) and Kyle Pooler also scored one.
By Messenger Post
sports@messengerpostmedia.com
Posted Jan. 29, 2015
Victor 8, Geneva/Waterloo/Romulus 0
David Farrance led the Blue Devils with four goals, and Kevin O’Brien added one goal and two assists. Max Lambert had three assists for Victor (8-6-1), and Eric Wirth made 13 saves and earned his first career win and shutout
HIGH SCHOOL ROUNDUP:
Democrat & Chronicle
Staff report
PENFIELD 2, VICTOR 1
Carson Bartlett scored the go-ahead goal midway through the second period forPenfield (5-8-2). Adam Witscheber tied the game for the Patriots early into the second period.
Mitch Rydzynski scored midway through the first period to give Victor the lead.
HIGH SCHOOL ROUNDUP:
Victor defeats Thomas in OT
Democrat & Chronicle
Staff report
David Farrance scored 1:05 into overtime to lift Victor in a 1-0 win over Webster Thomas on Tuesday in a Section V hockey game.
Chayse Ierlan made 35 saves to earn the shutout for the Blue Devils (7-5-1).
Dalton Jerzak stopped 29 shots for Thomas (8-5).
HIGH SCHOOL ROUNDUP:
Pooler paces Victor win with 5 goals
Democrat & Chronicle
Staff report
Kyle Pooler scored five goals to power Victor to a 8-3 win over Geneseo/Livonia/Dansville in Section V ice hockey on Thursday.
Sam Lambert added two goals for Victor (6-5-1).
Billy McDevitt scored twice for the Lakers (9-4-1).
Democrat & Chronicle
Staff report
Hockey Section V
Pittsford 5, Victor 2
Owen Smith, John Mozzrall, and Quinn Doyle each had one goal and one assist to power Pittsford to a 5-2 win over Victor in Section V hockey on Tuesday.
Patrick Kompare and Jack Kaufman also scored for the Panthers (7-3-1).
Victor's Jon Spencer, left, scoops up a loose puck as Pittsford's Colin Case goes to the ice during regular season game played at RIT's Ritter Ice Arena.
Pittsford's Owen Smith, left, and Victor's David Farrance look for control of a loose puck during regular season game played at RIT's Ritter Ice Arena .
Democrat & Chronicle
Staff report
Hockey Section V
Victor 8, Spencerport 4
David Farrance recorded four goals and two assists and Kyle Pooler added a pair of goals for Victor (5-4-1).
By Messenger Post
sports@messengerpostmedia.com
Posted Jan. 8, 2015 @ 6:00 am
HIGH SCHOOL ROUNDUP: Victor hockey routs Canandaigua
Canandaigua, N.Y.
CANANDAIGUA — The Victor hockey team defeated Canandaigua 7-2 in a rivalry game on Wednesday.
“It was huge, they beat us a couple of weeks ago 3-1,” Victor coach Michael Ferreri said. “We played our game and we played a great first period. After that our kids played well as a team.”
David Farrance scored four goals to lead the Blue Devils.
“He’s an electric player and does a lot of good things,” Ferreri said. “It was his best game of the year, but everyone else around him played well. Kyler Pooler played the best game I’ve seen from him.”
Victor’s Kevin O’Brien had two goals and two assists, Pooler had three assists and Mitch Rydzynski added a goal. Christian Portland made 22 saves in net.
Victor improves to 4-4-1, and Canandaigua falls to 5-4-1.
Both teams return to action on Friday as Victor travels to Spencerport at 7 p.m. and Canandaigua hosts a tournament Friday night and Saturday afternoon.
Victor's David Farrance (9) skates the puck around Canandaigua's Joe Post (16) in the first period of Victor's 7-2 win over Canandaigua on Wednesday at the Greater Canandaigua Civic Center.
Canandaigua's Will Kibler (3) has his shot deflected by Victor's Kyle Pooler (12) in the second period of Victor's 7-2 win over Canandaigua at the Greater Canandaigua Civic Center
Victor's Christian Portland (34) knocks the puck away from a diving Joe Post of Canandaigua in the third period of Victor's 7-2 win over Canandaigua at the Greater Canandaigua Civic Center.
Canandaigua's Colin Wall (20) holds onto the puck while taking the hit by Victor's Max Lambert (8) in the second period of Victor's 7-2 win over Canandaigua at the Greater Canandaigua Civic Center.
Michael Johnson/Messenger Post Media Victor's Jon Spencer (14) battles Canandaigua's Hunter Reid (2) during a face-off in the first period of Victor's 7-2 win over Canandaigua at the Greater Canandaigua Civic Center
http://www.mpnnow.com/article/20150108/Sports/150109812#ixzz3OjdahtLt
By Messenger Post
sports@messengerpostmedia.com
Posted Jan. 3, 2015 @ 10:39 pm
Brockport 7, Victor 3
Brockport outscored the Blue Devils in each period to wind up with a 7-3 victory over Victor. Victor took 27 shots on goal to Brockport's 24, and Victor goalie Chayse Ierlan made 17 saves to Brockport goalie Riley Emmerson's 24. Victor's three points, one in each period, were scored by Jon Spencer, Andrew Crean and Will Patterson
By Messenger Post
sports@messengerpostmedia.com
Posted Dec. 24, 2014
Fairport 3, Victor 1
Jordan Falk, Liam Fisher and Alex Schoepfel each had a goal for the Red Raiders. Ethan Kaiser made 26 saves for Fairport. Kevin O'Brien scored the lone goal for the Blue Devils. Victor's Christian Portland made 16 saves and Chayse Ierlan made 12 saves in 15 minutes
By Messenger Post
sports@messengerpostmedia.com
Posted Dec. 21, 2014 @ 1:00 am
Canandaigua 3, Victor 1
Joe Post scored two goals for the Braves (3-2-1) including the game-winner. Teammate Joe Como tallied two assists, Hunter Reid had one and Matt Carbary scored an empty-net goal. John Spencer scored the Blue Devils' goal off an assist from Max Lambert. Bryce Guay made 30 saves for Canandaigua and Christian Portland made 18 for Victor (3-2-1).
By Messenger Post
sports@messengerpostmedia.com
Posted Dec. 17, 2014 @ 7:00 am
Victor 6, Webster Schroeder 1
The Blue Devils scored five of their six goals in the first two periods. David Farrance had one goal and three assists to lead Victor. Jon Spencer and Mitch Rydzynski each had a goal and one assist. Kevin O'Brien, Max Lambert and Kyle Pooler each had a goal for the Blue Devils. Christian Portland made 20 saves in net for Victor. Victor's next game is against Canandaigua on Saturday.
Victor hockey ties after third period comeback
By Messenger Post
sports@messengerpostmedia.com
Posted Dec. 14, 2014 @ 8:00 am
ROCHESTER — The Victor hockey team tied Brighton/East Rochester/Honeoye Falls-Lima after a scoreless overtime on Saturday. The Blue Devils scored three third period goals to force the game into overtime.
Kevin O'Brien scored the first and third goal for Victor and Jon Spencer had the second. Patrick Manning, Kyle Pooler and Sam Lambert had assists.
Goals for the Barons were scored by Jon Roth, Alex Mapstone and Parker Finestone. Travis Scroger made 28 saves in net for Brighton/ER/HFL and Christian Portland made 22 saves in between the pipes for the Blue Devils.
Victor hosts Webster Schroeder at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday.
Michael Johnson/Messenger Post Media
Victor's Max Lambert (8) picks the puck out of the boards in the first period of Victor's 3-3 tie against Brighton/ER/HFL at the Genesee Valley Arena in Rochester.
Victor's Jon Spencer (14) takes a face-off againsy Brighton/ER/HFL's Parker Finestone (4) in the third period of Victor's 3-3 tie with Brighton/ER/HFL at the Genesee Valley Arena in Rochester.
Victor goalie Christian Portland gets the glove on the puck in the second period of Victor's 3-3 tie with Brighton/ER/HFL at the Genesee Valley Arena in Rochester.
Victor's Patrick Manning (13) looks to move the puck in the Blue Devils offensive zone during the third period of Victor's 3-3 tie with Brighton/ER/HFL at the Genesee Valley Arena in Rochester.
Victor's Kevin Obrien (7) runs the powerplay in the third period of Victor's 3-3 tie with Brighton/ER/HFL at the Genesee Valley Arena in Rochester.
By Messenger Post
sports@messengerpostmedia.com
Posted Dec. 10, 2014 @ 7:30 am
Victor 2, Webster Thomas 1
Max Lambert and David Ferrence each had a goal for the Blue Devils. David Farrance and Andrew Crean had assists and Chayse Ierlan made 28 saves in net for Victor.
By Kevin L. Smith
Freelancer for MPM
Posted Dec. 2, 2014 @ 12:00 pm
VICTOR — Last season, the Victor hockey team made a deep run into the Section 5 playoffs. The Blue Devils went into sectionals as a No. 4 seed and made it to the Class B finals in an unlikely matchup against No. 6 seed Webster Schroeder. Unfortunately, the Blue Devils fell short of capturing the Class B crown, losing to the Warriors, 3-0.
Now, for the 2014-15 season, Blue Devils coach Mike Ferreri will look for another run at the finals, but a big emphasis on teamwork is his top goal.
“The goals are always set high, but we want to take it one day at a time and work together on a positive game plan,” Ferreri said. “We want to be better than the day before. That's all we want to do.”
Victor certainly won't have an issue with chemistry, considering seven of its starters from last season will be returning.
Sophomore defenseman David Farrance, who was the Daily Messenger's Player of the Year and an all-state selection, is one of the returners. The defensive standout scored 46 points last season.
Ferreri initially was unsure of Farrance's availability for this season due to the possibility that he would transfer to a prep school for hockey. The coach is happy to still have him on the roster.
“A month ago we weren't sure if he would be available,” Ferreri said. “He loves to play high school hockey. It's hard to turn down anyone who wants to play hockey.”
Along with Farrance, Victor will return its star goaltender Christian Portland. The senior averaged 2.00 goals against and recorded six shutouts. He was also named to the all-league first team.
One of three captains on the team, Portland is big on teamwork and making sure leadership is intact. The senior wants another taste of sectionals.
“We definitely want to win sectionals and have a good season,” Portland said. “Pretty much I want to give my team a chance to win. Team goals are more important to me.”
Senior forward Kyle Pooler is another key returnee. Pooler was second team all-league and had 36 points last season.
“We are a balanced team and I have a great group of kids to coach this season,” Ferreri said. “It should be a fun season.”
Victor is transitioning to Class BB this year.
“This season's schedule will certainly be tough, but taking it game-by-game is what we'll look to accomplish,” Ferreri said. “I'm definitely looking forward the most to the matchups against Canandaigua. They're big games and our biggest rivals.”
The Blue Devils opened the season with a 4-2 win over Gates-Chili on Saturday at the Rochester Institute of Technology.
Victor's home opener is against Pittsford at 5:30 p.m. Dec. 5 at Thomas Creek Ice Arena.
MPN Sports Staff
Posted Dec. 2, 2014 @ 2:00 pm
A look at the Victor ice hockey team
VICTOR BLUE DEVILS
CLASS/LEAGUE: BB/Division 1
2013-14 RECORD/PLAYOFFS: 17-7/Lost in finals
KEY RETURNING PLAYERS: David Farrance, So., D; Kyle Pooler, Sr., F; Christian Portland, Sr., G; Kevin O'Brien, Sr., D/F
KEY LOSSES: Eric Haney, F; RJ Miller, D; Nick Ciolek, D
COACH'S COMMENTS: We are hoping to be competitive in a very tough division this season. We want to continue to improve each practice.
Messenger Post
sports@messengerpostmedia.com
Posted Nov. 30, 2014 @ 6:30 am
ROCHESTER — The Victor hockey team started off the season with a 4-2 victory over Gates-Chili on Saturday. Trailing 2-1 going into the third, Victor scored three in the last period to win the game.
“It was nice to see what our team was made of,” Victor coach Mike Ferreri said. “It was nice to see the guys respond there in the third and not fold.”
Patrick Manning led the Blue Devils with two goals. Jon Spencer added a goal and two assists and Sam Lambert scored a goal as well. Christian Portland made 28 saves for the Blue Devils
The Spartans goals were scored by Tyler Briggs and Hunter Balicki. Freddy Peters made 22 saves for Gates Chili.
Rochester Democrat and Chronicle
With two All-Greater Rochester players returning, how far can Victor go?
There’s a chance they can go quite far. Sophomore defenseman David Farrance was a first-team All-State selection by the coaches association, and is only getting better. He’s an exceptional skater and has an array of puck skills.
And, since the Blue Devils have depth on defense, Farrance will spend some time at center.
Already committed verbally to play at Boston University, Farrance initially was only going to play for his junior team in Syracuse. When he learned he would be allowed to play high school hockey as well, he was excited.
“I love to play for my school and represent Victor,” he said.
There’s a strong supporting cast, led by senior AGR goalie Christian Portland, senior forward Kyle Pooler and senior defenseman Kevin O’Brien, and junior forwards Max Lambert and Pat Manning should make solid contributions up front.
Section V hockey poll
|
Rank |
Team |
Pts. |
|
1 |
Fairport (6) |
94 |
|
2 |
McQuaid (2) |
82 |
|
3 |
Pittsford (1) |
81 |
|
4 |
Webster Thomas (1) |
49 |
|
5 |
Hilton |
46 |
|
6 |
Greece Thunder |
43 |
|
7 |
Webster Schroeder |
34 |
|
8 |
Victor |
28 |
|
9 |
Churchville-Chili |
21 |
|
10 |
Irondequoit |
19 |
Note: Seven other teams received votes
Democrat & Chronicle
Kevin Oklobzija, Staff writer
Victor's Farrance commits to Boston University
Victor's David Farrance, right, carries the puck around the net ahead of Irondequoit's Connor Hynes during hockey action between the Irondequoit Eagles and the Victor Blue Devils at the Thomas Creek ice arena in Fairport Thursday evening, January 16, 2014.(Photo: KRIS J. MURANTE, STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
David Farrance may only be two weeks into his sophomore year at Victor High School but the high-scoring defenseman already has made his choice for college.
Highly ranked and heavily recruited by collegiate hockey coaches, Farrance made a verbal commitment to Boston University last week.
He made his first visit to the BU campus a year ago, has been back since to meet the new coaching staff headed by David Quinn, and said "everything about it was pretty cool."
Name a college hockey program and they very likely want Farrance to play on their blue line. He's a dynamic skater, has great poise with the puck and possesses terrific puck skills.
TheScout.ca has him ranked as the No. 2 player eligible for the 2015 Ontario Hockey League draft in April.
But playing NCAA hockey, not Canadian major junior, is for now the preferred path for Farrance. Players lose NCAA eligibility if they play in one of Canada's three major junior leagues.
Considering his talent, it's quite possible — maybe even likely — that USA Hockey's National Team Development Program will invite him to play the 2015-16 and 2016-17 seasons in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
Farrance, 15, could then head to Boston University for his freshman season in 2017-18.
He said he visited Penn State and Boston College "and I really liked them, but there was something about Boston University that just felt right," he said.
Verbal commitments are not binding.
Farrance again is playing for the Syracuse Stars U-16 team in the United States Premier Hockey League this season. He has 4 goals, 1 assist and 5 points in three USPHL games. He was the team's leading scorer a year ago with 20-12-32 in 28 games.
Last season he also played for Victor in the Section V high school league, piling up 33-13-46 in 21 games as the Blue Devils reached the Section V Division II title game. But time commitments with the junior hockey schedule make it impossible to do both this year.
