Assembly Resolution No. 171

BY: M. of A. Buttenschon

CONGRATULATING the Utica University Men's Ice
Hockey Team upon the occasion of capturing the
United Collegiate Hockey Conference Men's Ice Hockey
Championship on March 4, 2023

WHEREAS, Individual and team championships are highly sought after
in collegiate sports; this Legislative Body commends rare athletic
achievements and pays special recognition to those who pursue such
excellence and become examples for the youth of this great Empire State;
and

WHEREAS, Athletic competition helps to enhance both the moral and
physical development of young athletes, preparing them for the future by
instilling in them the importance of teamwork, encouraging a standard of
healthy living, and developing a sense of fair play and competition; and

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to congratulate the
Utica University Men's Ice Hockey Team upon the occasion of capturing
their second straight United Collegiate Hockey Conference Men's Ice
Hockey Championship; and

WHEREAS, To the praise and applause of their excited fans, the
number one seed Pioneers defeated number two seed Nazareth College in a
thrilling 5-3 victory on Saturday, March 4, 2023, at the Utica Memorial
Auditorium in Utica; and

WHEREAS, With this monumental win, the Utica University Men's Ice
Hockey Team has earned an automatic berth into the 2023 NCAA Division
III Men's Ice Hockey Championship Tournament; and

WHEREAS, Proudly donning the school's colors of navy and orange,
family, friends, and the community at large loyally and enthusiastically
supported the Pioneers throughout their journey as they ended their
regular season with an impressive 24-2-1 overall record; and

WHEREAS, In a sport such as ice hockey, which demands athletic
prowess, speed and agility, Head Coach Gary Keenan and Assistant
Coaches, Nick Thierren and Adam Dekker worked hard to hone the skills of
this championship team, teaching these outstanding athletes lessons
which will prove invaluable both on and off the ice; and

WHEREAS, Head Coach Gary Keenan, Assistant Coaches Nick Thierren and
Adam Dekker, and all of the outstanding athletes on the Utica University
Men's Ice Hockey Team have clearly utilized dedication, determination
and teamwork in providing a lasting contribution to the spirit of
excellence which is a tradition of their school; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
congratulate the members of the Utica University Men's Ice Hockey Team:
Bryan Landsberger, Brian Scoville, Connor Fedorek, Jayson Dobay, Jaxon
Rutkowski, Shane Murphy, John Gutt, Chris Carroll, Matt Wood, Josh
Kagan, Justin Allen, Lucas Herrmann, Blake Holmes, Drake Barnish, Mic
Curran, Kimball Johnson, Joey Berkopec, Remy Parker, Regen Cavanagh,

Jakob Breault, Brandon Osmundson, Buster Larsson, Andrew Doran, Avery
Sturtz, Khristian Acosta, Dante Zapata, and John Moncovich; Head Coach
Gary Keenan; and Assistant Coaches, Nick Thierren and Adam Dekker upon
the occasion of capturing the United Collegiate Hockey Conference Men's
Ice Hockey Championship on March 4, 2023; and be it further

RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to the members of the Utica University Men's Ice Hockey
Team, Head Coach Gary Keenan, and Assistant Coaches Nick Thierren and
Adam Dekker.