LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION congratulating the New York Stars upon the occa-
sion of capturing the 2009 New York State Tier II Squirt Division Hockey
Championship

WHEREAS, Excellence and success in competitive sports can be achieved
only through strenuous practice, team play and team spirit, nurtured by
dedicated coaching and strategic planning; and
WHEREAS, Athletic competition enhances the moral and physical develop-
ment of the young people of this State, preparing them for the future by
instilling in them the value of teamwork, encouraging a standard of
healthy living, imparting a desire for success and developing a sense of
fair play and competition; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to congratu-
late the New York Stars upon the occasion of capturing the 2009 New York
State Tier II Squirt Division Hockey Championship; and
WHEREAS, The Greater New York City Ice Hockey League and the New York
Stars have been providing an affordable opportunity for the children of
the New York City area to play ice hockey for more than 40 years; and
WHEREAS, Formed in 1967, the Greater New York City Ice Hockey League
has sent many teams to the New York State championship tournament, but
had never captured the title until the New York Stars were victorious
this year; and
WHEREAS, The victory by the New York Stars in the 2009 New York State
Tier II Squirt Division Hockey Championship game is a credit to the hard
work that is done each and every year by all the teams, participants,
and supporters of the Greater New York City Ice Hockey League; this
state championship win by a "downstate" team makes all involved with the
league extremely proud; and
WHEREAS, The road to the 2009 New York State Tier II Squirt Division
Hockey Championship by the New York Stars began on Thursday, March 12,
2009 as the New York Stars boarded a bus in Brooklyn, New York, for the
trip to the NYSAHA's Tier II playoffs in Niagara Falls; and
WHEREAS, Winning their first game by a score of 5-0 against Massena,
the New York Stars then lost 4-1 to the Clinton Comets, but prevailed
over the Clarence Mustangs 4-0 in the next match to continue to advance
in the tournament; and
WHEREAS, Playing the Tonawanda Lightning in their next game, the New
York Stars defended the honor of the Greater New York City Ice Hockey
League by beating the Lightning 3-2 in overtime; and
WHEREAS, The win against the Tonawanda Lightning moved the New York
Stars into the championship game against the Mamaroneck/Rye Ice Cats;
the Stars prevailed over the Ice Cats by a score of 3-2 to win the 2009
New York State Tier II Squirt Division Hockey Championship; and
WHEREAS, For the New York Stars, winning the 2009 New York State Tier
II Squirt Division Hockey Championship was a perfect ending to a long
and fantastic season; and
WHEREAS, The athletic talent displayed by the New York Stars team is
due in great part to the efforts of their coaches, skilled and inspira-
tional tutors, respected for their ability to develop potential into
excellence; and
WHEREAS, The New York Stars' overall record was outstanding, and the
team members were loyally and enthusiastically supported by parents,
family, fans, friends and the community at large; and
WHEREAS, The hallmarks of the New York Stars, from the opening game of
the season to participation in the league championship, were a brother-

hood of athletic ability, of good sportsmanship and honor, demonstrating
that these team players are second to none; and
WHEREAS, The New York Stars team members have proven themselves to be
an unbeatable combination of talents, reflecting favorably on their
community; and
WHEREAS, The coaches of the New York Stars have done a superb job in
guiding, molding and inspiring the team members toward their goals; and
WHEREAS, Sports competition instills the values of teamwork, pride and
accomplishment, and the coaches and the New York Stars' outstanding
athletes have clearly made a contribution to the spirit of excellence
which is their tradition; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
congratulate the New York Stars; their members: John Scaccia, Brendan
Azoff, Matthew Erhard, Matthew Owen, Brendan Moloney, George Clark,
Brandon Lulov, Tommy Laible, Christopher Moore, Noah Gold, Brian Ostran-
der, Luke Erhard, Ivan Bogach, and Brian Drennan; their managers: Craig
Azoff and Adam Gold; and their coaches: Adam Moloney, John Scaccia, John
Moore, and John Owen on capturing the 2009 New York State Tier II Squirt
Division Hockey Championship, and on their outstanding season and over-
all team record; and be it further
RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the members, coaches and managers of the New York Stars.