CNY Hockey Report

09/08/2026

The Copper City Chiefs are looking for energetic, dependable people to join our Game-Night Staff for the upcoming season at JFK Arena!

Positions Available:
• Game Night Operations Manager
• Tickets
• Ticket Scanner
• Merchandise
• Customer Service Table
• Bartender (Experience Required)
• Event Staff
• Part-Time Equipment Manager

If you’re interested in being part of the action and helping create a great experience for Chiefs fans, we want to hear from you!

📧 Contact Karri Tibbitts:
[email protected]

Be part of the team. Be part of Chiefs Hockey.

09/07/2026

Former Utica Comet Colton Saucerman has retired from professional hockey

Defender 🇺🇸 Colton Saucerman has retired from professional ice hockey at the age of 34 👏🏻
Saucerman scored 341 (73+268) points in 646 professional games with the South Carolina Stingrays (ECHL), Manchester Monarchs (ECHL), Hershey Bears (AHL), Springfield Thunderbirds (AHL), Providence Bruins (AHL), Ontario Reign (AHL), Idaho Steelheads (ECHL), Utica Comets (AHL),
HC Innsbruck (ICEHL), HC Košice (SVK), Allen Americans (ECHL), Sheffield Steelers (EIHL), and Coventry Blaze (EIHL) from 2016 to 2026.
The Colorado Springs native completed the EIHL Grand Slam 🏆 with Sheffield in 2024.

09/07/2026

We still have spots open at our Free Agent camp next Saturday. If you around the CNY area or in the northeast and want to play for great organization…. Sign up today!! It will be ran by a well respected NCAA Division III coach and Chiefs player advisor Kevin Krogol.

Only $75 to get 3 sessions of great coaching and a scrimmage.

Sign up on our website at www.coppercitychiefs.com

09/07/2026

Emma Pais '27 helped change the rules for NCAA Women's Hockey.

The NCAA Women’s Hockey Rules Committee reserves exactly one seat for a current student-athlete to ensure the players have representation alongside conference officials and administrators.

“Every time a rule was proposed, it was talked about whether it mirrored where the game was going at the PWHL level, because obviously a lot of people in the NCAA's goal is to play there,” Pais recalled. “So definitely, the NCAA's main focus is trying to mirror the PWHL, but at the same time, also making rules that make sense for the age group at the NCAA and for college athletes who are also in school."

Balancing the NCAA and PWHL rules gave Pais an insight into the details of the rulebook. As a team captain, it is important to be able to clearly communicate with coaches, teammates, and referees. With a deeper understanding of the rules, Pais is already one step ahead.

09/07/2026

ROUND ONE GOES TO THE COMETS. ☄️🏒

These Jr. Comets took down their I-90 neighbors, the Valley Eagles, 3–0 to close out tournament #1 of the 2026–27 season.

And WOW did the girls come to play today. 🔥

From the first puck drop, these Comets were buzzin’. They made it crystal they were gonna do what it took to bring home a lil cheddah cheese. 🧀

Scoring opps? PLENTIFUL.
Not free. Earned by workin’.

A good chunk of the squad got in on making Valley’s tendy earn her dinner, but ultimately it was #3 Colucci finding twine THREE times. 🎩🚨🚨🚨

🏒🚨 Two with the netminder between the pipes, then toppin’ off the hatty late in the 3rd after Valley added the extra attacker for one last push.

🍎 #39 Dowsland dished up the helper on the game’s first goal.

And how about the D-SQUAD?! 🛡️
Challenged to limit SOGs one period at a time.

Mission accomplished. Every. Single. Period. 💪

🥅 Behind them, #60 Bates was a WALL.

Perfect SV%. Door slammed shut. 🔒 🥚

Her first shutout of the season — and it was a beauty. 🚫🥅

FINAL: COMETS 3 — EAGLES 0.

💐🎩 #3 Colucci finishes the tournament tied for 2ND OVERALL IN GOALS and with the 3RD-HIGHEST POINT TOTAL.
📊 6 goals. 8 points. 1.6 Pts/G. 👏

The Jr. Comets finish their first tournament together 1–3–1 (W-L-SOL) in NGHL Major 1 (AAA).

But scoreboard aside, the message doesn’t change:

It’s about Effort. Work. Process.

The W’s?
They're just a little bonus when the work starts showing up on the scoreboard. 😉🧀

That’s our standard. And these Comets are reppin’ it.

Tournament #1 ✅
Next stop in two weeks: beautiful Burlington, VT. 🍁🏒

Thanks for having us, National Girls Hockey League! We’ll see ya again soon — next time in Utica. 🍂👀☄️

LET’S. GO. COMETS! 🔴⚪⚫

09/07/2026

WELCOME to The U, #23, Christopher Clarke!

Christopher is a Freshman F from Ottawa, ON.
He joins us following a strong age-out season with the of , where he produced 15 G, 33 A, for 48 PTS in 48 GP!

09/03/2026

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

COPPER CITY CHIEFS INTRODUCE FRIDAY FAMILY 4 PACK

ROME, N.Y. — The Copper City Chiefs are making Friday nights at the JFK Arena even more affordable with the new Friday Family 4 Pack.

Available for Friday home games during the 2026–27 season, the package includes:

• Four game tickets
• Four popcorns
• One 10% off merchandise coupon

Valued at more than $60, the entire package is available for only $40—with ticket fees included.

“We want Chiefs hockey to be an affordable night out for families throughout Rome and the Mohawk Valley,” said Chiefs Owner and President Jimmy Milliken. “The Friday Family 4 Pack gives families four tickets, four popcorns and a merchandise discount for one low price. It’s a great opportunity to experience the excitement of Chiefs hockey together.”

The Friday Family 4 Pack will be available exclusively for Friday home games at the John F. Kennedy Civic Arena.

Single game tickets and Family 4 packs go onsale on Sept. 16th.

For tickets and additional information, visit www.coppercitychiefs.com.

ABOUT THE COPPER CITY CHIEFS

The Copper City Chiefs are a Senior A semi-professional hockey team competing in the APHL. Based in Rome, New York, the Chiefs are committed to delivering affordable family entertainment, exciting hockey and a strong connection to the Mohawk Valley community.

09/03/2026

09/03/2026

We are pleased to announce our 8U head coach, Alexander Foster! With years of experience playing AAA for the Syracuse Stars/Nats and then playing Juniors, Alexander has the experience to inspire the next generation of young players. He has also previously coached with Center State as an assistant and we are excited for him to take the lead this season!

09/02/2026

Mixing in some nonconference action to the schedule!

Get the full 2026-27 schedule on Cuse.com!