30 December 2021

By: Paulina Vairo

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SCHENECTADY, N.Y. — The Niskayuna Mohawks began another year of varsity hockey representing the towns of Niskayuna, Schenectady, Albany and Amsterdam. The Mohawks play for the Section 2 North Division in the Capital District High School Hockey League. They play all their home games at Union College’s hockey arena, Messa Rink, in Schenectady, N.Y.

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The Mohawks are a growing team in the North Division and have improved over the years. Historically, the Mohawks have always finished low in the standings. Their best season finish was during the 2013-14 season when they finished 8-5 in their division and 10-11-1 overall. Last season the Mohawks failed to get a division win, however they already improved this season by capturing a division win against Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake.

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On the roster for the Mohawks this season they have nine seniors, six junior, four sophomores and two freshmen. The team is led by three senior captains. The first captain is defender Brayden Kehoe. With already two goals and two assists so far on the season, Kehoe has been the heart of the Mohawks defense for the past few seasons. Last year he landed on the North Division honorable mention defender list. The second captain is forward Tyler Carroll, who already has one goal and one assist this season. The third captain is forward Paolo Coppola, who has record two assists so far in the season.

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Senior forward Matt Trippany leads the stat sheet for the Mohawks so far this season with three goals and one assist. Also, senior forward Andrew Velasco follows with three goals so far in the season. Velasco has had an overall great career with the Mohawks, recording 15 goals and five assists over three seasons. The goalie for the Mohawks is junior Alex Doehla, who is having a solid season so far with 260 saves this season.

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The Mohawks head coach is Ryan O’Connell. He is also the head coach for the Boys Varsity Volleyball team and a health teacher at Niskayuna High School. His assistants are Sean O’Connell, a social studies teacher at Niskayuna, and Erik Augspurger, who is also a medical student at Albany Medical College. He is also joined Ryan Phillips, who is the associate coach for the Mohawks.

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The Mohawks began the season with a 2-1 win against division rivals GMSVS Storm in a non-conference game. However, they lost their following three games, including a conference game loss to the Storm. They won their first conference game against BHBL/BS but lost their following three games until getting a tournament victory against Le Salle.

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Earlier in the season, the Mohawks dedicated their conference opening game to help raise money for cancer awareness.

“Donations raffles, and a portion of the proceedings from admissions to benefit the American Cancer Society Rely for Life events in Schenectady,” said the Mohawks before their awareness game.

O’Connell looks to lead the team to a strong finish to the season after the New Year. With a solid senior-led roster, the Mohawks will look to make 2022 their most successful year yet.

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(Article is also seen on https://bvmsports.com/2021/12/30/the-niskayuna-mohawks-look-to-build-in-new-year/)