Hockey fans have talked over the last few years how the state of New York produced three of the 30 current NHL captains in the New York Rangers Ryan Callahan (Hilton), Los Angeles’ Dustin Brown (Ithaca) and the Montreal Canadians Brian Gionta (Greece).
And three western New York natives were recently named to the U.S. Olympic hockey roster in Callahan, Brooks Orpik and Patrick Kane.
Not nearly at the same level, but the area also produced the current top goaltenders for four of the 59 Division I college hockey programs in the country.
Add Division I back-up goaltenders and Division III starters and the number jumps two more.
The two from Rochester are Greece native Mike Rotolo (RIT) and Penfield native Terry Shafer, who is starting for Robert Morris University in Pittsburgh. Add Buffalo’s Scott Diebold (RPI) and Brandon Komm (Bentley) in Division I.
In Division III, Geneseo, ranked 14th in the nation as of the holiday break, is being backstopped by Hilton’s Bryan Haude’s 7-1-0 record and 2.64 GAA to second place in the SUNYAC standings.
“Maybe it’s just something in the water here, I don’t know,” said Haude. “Western New York has been a really good area for hockey and I feel like we’re really developing a lot of good players and not just goalies.
“I think it’s good coaching and having a good team around you.
“I really need to thank my goalie coach -Lou Perno. We’ve really worked at coming out and challenging, controlling rebounds and keeping my feet a little bit calmer so I definitely have a lot of confidence this year.
“I played with (Schafer) in Triple A-Monroe County with him and against him in high school hockey when he was with Aquinas and I played for Hilton.”
After a few years of high school hockey, Haude left home to play junior hockey in the Eastern Junior League with Hartford before arriving at Geneseo, where he spent time in net last season.
As a junior, he played in nine of the Knights first 11 games this season.
“Everyone’s goal is to try to go to the best team possible, but I wouldn’t trade my time here (Geneseo) for anything. Really close to home and family gets to come see me play; I couldn’t be happier.”
