Assembly Resolution No. 2055

BY: M. of A. Gallahan

LEIGLSLATIVE RESOLUTION congratulating the Hobart
College Men's Ice Hockey Team upon the occasion of
winning their second consecutive NCAA Division III
National Championship

WHEREAS, The New York State Assembly celebrates and recognizes
excellence in athletic competition, especially when teams at colleges
and universities of our state win a national collegiate championship;
and

WHEREAS, For ice hockey players, the road to such excellence begins
when young skaters first lace up the skates playing youth hockey,
traveling from rink to rink, competing at every level, developing their
skills and dreaming of winning games, tournaments, and championships
earned through years of practice, dedication, and commitment to the game
they love; and

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to congratulate the
Hobart College Men's Ice Hockey Team's winning the NCAA Division III
National Championship, with a thrilling 2-0 victory against Trinity
College at the March 23, 2024 title game played at Trinity's home rink;
and

WHEREAS, This exceptional accomplishment marked Hobart's second
consecutive NCAA ice hockey championship, becoming only the 12th college
in collegiate hockey history to win back to back NCAA crowns, capping a
28-2-1 season where the Statesman were ranked number one throughout the
season, a year in which Hobart went undefeated in their last 25 games,
last having lost a game on November 11th and sharing the record for the
10th longest undefeated streak in Division III history; and

WHEREAS, The distinctive style of the this championship program is
led by the guiding vision of Head Coach Mark Taylor, repeatedly
recognized with Coach of the Year honors by the AHCA and the USCHO.com
as well as honored with the 2024 New England Hockey Conference's Coach
of the Year Award; and

WHEREAS, Coach Taylor's style of intense two-way hockey is embraced
by every player on the roster, each skilled at immediately transitioning
from offense to defense with the skip of a puck making shifts extremely
difficult for opposing teams and backed by outstanding goaltending; the
results, only 30 goals given up in 31 games - the second best in
Division III history, Hobart killed 92 of their opponent's 95 power
plays breaking the NCAA season record and recording 13 shutouts matching
the NCAA Division III record; and

WHEREAS, Congratulations also go to Hobart's home rink fans
supporting this year's home ice 17-0-0 record at the City of Geneva's
storied "Cooler" Arena with enthusiasm and appreciation, where the home
ice advantage for the last two seasons is an amazing 36-0-0; and

WHEREAS, With every shift, every period, and every game, those fans
know of the championship caliber of each of the players we honor today:

Defensemen: Conor Lally, Kevin Lassman, Gagik Malakyan, Bauer Morrissey,
Austin Mourar, Matthew Perryman, Cooper Swift, Jared Patterson, and
Matthieu Wuth; Forwards: Jonah Alexander, Luke Aquaro, Ignat Belov,
Artem Buzoverya, Wil Crane, Tanner Daniels, Chris Duclair Christian
Duvall, Tristan Fasig, Kahlil Fontana, Logan Gotinsky, Tanner Hartman,
Matthew Iasenza, Mason Mara, Ethan Mulhearn, Shane Shell, and Brandon
Sacchetti; Goaltenders: Damon Beaver, Graham Burke, and Mavrick Goyer;
and

WHEREAS, These players were supported by Hobart and William Smith
President Mark Gearan, Director of Athletics Brian Miller, Head Coach
Mark Taylor and his team, Assistant Coach Niko Kovachis, Assistant Coach
Derek Berry, Hockey Operations Assistants, Joel Stoneham and Mateo
Albinati, Faculty Athletic Fellow John Halfman, Associate Director of
Athletic Communications Mackenzie Larsen, Head Equipment Coordinator
Kevin McDonald, Assistant Athletic Trainer Sara Moore, Assistant
Equipment Manager Nick Prince, and Graduate Assistant Aaron Smith; and

WHEREAS, Among Hobart Hockey's other achievements this season were
winning the NEHC Tournament Championship, winning the last 14 games of
the season, scoring 161 goals while only allowing 30 goals against in
the season's 31 games, allowing only 4 goals against in the NCAA
tournament, and winning a nationally noted four-overtime quarterfinal
NCAA tournament game becoming the second longest contest in NCAA
Division III Men's Hockey game lasting 135:17 minutes; and

WHEREAS, Celebration and recognition is shared by the current and
past parents, alumni players, college leadership, and boosters who have
supported Hobart Ice Hockey for decades, and we offer special
recognition to former Athletic Director Bill Stiles who made the
decision in 1977 to elevate the decades-old Hobart Club Hockey Team to
the NCAA Division III program we honor today; and

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body recognizes and honors the Hobart
Men's Ice Hockey Team for this second consecutive national title and how
they have represented Hobart and William Smith Colleges collegiate ice
hockey in the Northeast, and our great State of New York, and for the
excitement and inspiration they have provided hockey players and fans of
all ages throughout this exciting and impressive season; now, therefore,
be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
congratulate the Hobart Men's Ice Hockey Team upon the occasion of
winning the NCAA Division III National Championship; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to the Hobart Men's Ice Hockey Team.