Western New York Amateur Hockey League wins title

Eagles Mite Minor hockey team: (first row) Sam Prior (Greece); (second row) Jared Smith (Greece), Matthew Briggs (Greece), Tyler Dellina (Greece), Jacob Tortora (Hilton), Sam Dibitetto (Hilton); (third row) Sean Mandrick (Greece), Hunter Richardson (Hilton), Zachary Schuler (Greece), David Farrance (Irondequoit), Conner Adami (Brighton), Steven Vyverberg (Greece). Coaches Bill Mandrick, Mathew Schuler, David Farrance, Joseph Dibitetto. Provided photo.

Western New York Amateur Hockey League wins title

After going undefeated in league play (17-0-1) and outscoring their opponents by a margin of 125 to 19, the Monroe County Eagles Mite Minor AAA hockey team earned themselves the #1 seed going into the Western New York Amateur Hockey League (WNYAHL) playoffs. The Eagles soared past the Perinton Blades for the fifth time this season, out-shooting them 23-2 and handing them a 7-1 decision during the first playoff round to advance to the finals, which were held on Saturday, March 3, at Niagara University's Dwyer Arena. The championship game would also be the Eagles fifth outing against the Cyclones on the year, and the Eagles would make it a perfect 5-0 series, out-shooting Webster 15-5 and defeating them 4-1 to claim the 2006-2007 WNYAHL Mite Minor AAA Division title.

Some players started skating when they were two or three-years-old. Their season officially began in mid-August, ran through mid-March, consisting of over 70 practices, 18 league games, eight tournament games, two playoff games and 24 exhibitions.

Highlights from the year included a semi-final berth at the Amherst Top Gun Invitational in January, and of course winning the 2006-07 WNYAHL Mite Minor AAA Division title. The team's overall record for the season was 32-16-4 and they earned a bid to the Advanced Tournament Series - Rochester Rumble.

During the season, the team suffered a great loss when one of their coaches, Kevin Adami, died January 17, from injuries sustained in a car accident. The team eventually gained strength through this adversity and pulled together to dedicate the rest of their season to Coach Kevin's memory. Kevin assisted on the ice during practices and served in the penalty box during games. He was a very well respected, patient, and calming influence for the boys in and out of the locker room.