SUNY Potdam

Bears Notch First Victory of the Season

10.30.09

POTSDAM, NY- The SUNY Potsdam men's hockey team scored four unanswered goals spanning the second and third periods as they defeated visiting Brockport 6-3 in the Bears home opener on Friday night.

Following a line change, the Bears struck first in the first period when Fraser Smith (Fonthill, ONT/Oakville Blades) put Potsdam ahead 1-0.  The Golden Eagles would answer right back just over a minute later to even the score. 

Brockport jumped ahead 2-1 1:03 in the second period.  Potsdam tied it up when Todd Hosmer (Scarborough, ONT/Newmarket Hurricanes) found Connor Treacy (Markham, ONT/Markham Waxers) in front of the net for the goal.  The Golden Eagles would strike back on the power play to move ahead 3-2.  The Bears would capitalize on a 6 on 4 power play when Matt Rymer (Kingston, ONT/Yarmouth Mariners) went top shelf to again even the score.  Following a face-off in the Brockport end, Potsdam would go up for good on a Hosmer goal.

The Bears would add two more goals in the third period to put the game away.  Zack Juliano (White River Junction, VT/Valley Jr. Warriors) scored his first career goal just 53 seconds into the period and Bryan Black (Oro Station, ONT/Couchiching Tigers) would also score the first of his career seven minutes later.

Sy Nutkevitch (Dollard-des-Ormeaux, QUE/Cornwall Colts) had three assists as did Kevin MacLellan (Kensington, PEI/Summerside Capitals).  Treacy had two assists to go along with his one goal.

Trevor O'Neill (Keswick, ONT/Stouffville Spirit) had 18 saves in goal for the Bears.  Todd Sheridan had 27 saves for the Golden Eagles.

Potsdam hosts Geneseo tomorrow night at 7 pm.

Bears 2009-10 Season Preview

With a new coaching staff set to take the helm this season, the men's hockey team will feature some new faces along with some familiar ones.  The 2008-09 Bears finished 9-12-5 overall while going 6-6-4 in the SUNYAC.

With a new coaching staff set to take the helm this season, the men's hockey team will feature some new faces along with some familiar ones.  The 2008-09 Bears finished 9-12-5 overall while going 6-6-4 in the SUNYAC. Potsdam qualified for the playoffs for the second straight year where they fell to Brockport in the quarterfinals.

Chris Bernard takes over as the head coach this season.  Bernard was previously at Western New England College where he led the Golden Bears for the last three seasons. Prior to that he was an assistant coach at Canisius for the 2005-06 season.  He played college hockey at nearby Clarkson for four seasons where he was the goalie and had a .964 winning percentage and was 13-0-1 in his senior year.  During his tenure there, the Golden Knights won two ECAC regular season championship titles and participated in four NCAA tournaments. 

Coach Bernard brings with him assistant coach Tim Crowley, a 2009 graduate of SUNY Brockport and a 4 year letter-winner.  He was an assistant captain his senior year and was a SUNYAC All-Academic while also receiving the Bob Petersen Coaches award and the Brockport Seventh Man Award.

Among those returning this year are team captain Connor Treacy (20 G, 20 A) who led the Bears in scoring last year and will be looked to do the same again this year.  Also returning this season is forward Fraser Smith (16 G, 9 A) who was second on the team in goals last season and will add another scoring punch.

Seven freshmen and three sophomores join the team this year.  "We have guys that can play anywhere from the first to the fourth line," Bernard observed. "They can take on a number of roles and give us some versatility and depth."   

On the defensive side, juniors Kyle Green and Patrick Choules will play veteran roles. Both are assistant captains this season.   Sophomores Hunter Syryduik and Matt Rymer will look to contribute also. 

In goal, the Bears are returning junior Travis Crickard (.856 SV %) and sophomore Trevor O'Neil (.859 SV%) and have gained two new goaltenders, sophomore Kevin Mcfarland and freshman Andy Groulx. 

Bernard sees a lot of good things in his team.  "There is a strong team attitude and environment.  Everyone is positive toward each other and practices are always highly competitive."

Like any program, Bernard's goals and expectations for the team are the same.  "We want to put forth consistent effort and execution and ultimately win a SUNYAC title," he said.

Potsdam defeated SUNY Canton 3-1 in an exhibition on Tuesday night.  The Bears will open their regular season at home against SUNYAC rival Brockport next Friday at 7 pm.

Potsdam to Host Youth Hockey Clinics

SUNY Potsdam will host a series of Hockey Clinics for area youth ages 14 and under beginning on Wednesday, November 4th. The "Bears Back to Basics" will consist of five sessions held in the Maxcy Hall Ice Arena featuring skills and drills to improve individual player performance.

The hour-long clinics, held the first Wednesday of each month, will continue through March 3rd with each session starting at 6pm. Other class dates include: December 2nd, January 6th and February 3rd.

These youth clinics are free to all hockey players ages 14 and under.  For further information contact Coach Chris Bernard at 315-267-2518 or bernarcd@potsdam.edu

Bears Sponsor Halloween Costume Contest

In conjunction with the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC), the Men's Hockey team will sponsor a Halloween costume contest during their first regular season game against Brockport on Friday, October 30th in Maxcy Hall.

Crowley Chosen as Bears Assistant Coach

Tim Crowley recently began his first season with the Bears hockey team.  Crowley will assist Coach Bernard in all aspects of the hockey program including game preparation, skills development and recruiting.

Coach Crowley is a 2009 graduate of SUNY Brockport where he was a four-member of the Golden Eagles hockey team. An assistant captain his senior year, Crowley was a SUNYAC All-Academic while also receiving the Bob Peterson Coaches Award and Brockport's Seventh Man Award.

"I am extremely excited to have a coach with Tim's professionalism and work ethic join our staff. His passion for the game and his familiarity with our league will be a tremendous asset to the development of our program," noted Coach Bernard.

Prior to attending Brockport, Crowley played junior hockey for the Cobourg Cougars and the Syracuse Stars. He is a native of Brasher Falls, New York

Chris Bernard Named Bears Head Coach

7.1.09

This past July, Chris Bernard was named the Men's Ice Hockey Coach at SUNY Potsdam as the 2009-10 season becomes his first at the Bears' helm.

"Chris's infectious personality and passion for hockey combined with his knowledge, not only for his sport but the North Country and all it has to offer potential student athletes, made for a perfect fit for our college and athletic program. I am excited to begin working with Chris," stated Athletic Director Zalacca.
Bernard comes to Potsdam from Western New England College where he led the Division III Golden Bears during the past three seasons. Prior to his tenure at WNEC, Bernard was an assistant coach at Division I Canisius College during the 2005-06 season. He also served as an assistant coach with the St. Louis Sting of the North American Hockey League (NAHL) during the 2001-02 season.

"I'm fully grateful to Jim Zalacca, the search committee and everyone at SUNY Potsdam for choosing me for such a great opportunity," noted Coach Bernard.

From 1998 through 2004 Bernard played professional hockey with the Mohawk Valley Prowlers and the Missouri River Otters of the United Hockey League (UHL), as well as, the Fayetteville Force of the Central Hockey League (CHL).

A native of Brasher Falls, Bernard played college hockey for the Division I Clarkson Golden Knights where he was the recipient of the Mike Morrison Scholarship for athletic and academic excellence. He compiled a .964 career winning percentage as goalie including a 13-0-1 tally his senior year at Clarkson.

During his tenure, the Golden Knights won two ECAC regular season championship titles and participated in four NCAA Tournaments. Clarkson also enjoyed four seasons of at least 20-wins and tallied a 98-39-10 record during Bernard's four years.

In 1998 Bernard earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Technical Communications from Clarkson. He later received a Masters of Science degree in Sports Administration from Canisius.

As President and Founder of Goaltender Enhancement Programs, Bernard directs a business that is dedicated to the development of aspiring young goaltenders. He also serves as Director of Coaching for Lake Placid's Can-Am Hockey Schools.

Chris and his wife Tracy are the parents of two sons, three-year old Jaxon and Brandon who is one.