LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Kyle Pray upon the occasion of his
designation as recipient of the J. Michael Duffett Award by the Buffalo
Sabres Hockey Organization

WHEREAS, It is incumbent upon the people of the State of New York to
recognize those individuals within our midst who have contributed great-
ly to the quality of our lives by providing exceptional leadership and
commitment to our youth; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to commend those
notable educators and athletic coaches within our midst who serve the
youth of this great Empire State and who have distinguished themselves
and their schools through their exemplary athletic achievements and
their outstanding commitment to education; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor Kyle
Pray upon the occasion of his designation as recipient of the J. Micha-
el Duffett Award by the Buffalo Sabres Hockey Organization; and
WHEREAS, This auspicious occasion was celebrated during the first
period of the Buffalo Sabres game against the Florida Panthers on Tues-
day, January 5, 2016, in Buffalo, New York; and
WHEREAS, The J. Michael Duffett Award is presented annually by the
Buffalo Sabres to honor a coach whose contributions to amateur hockey in
Western New York has exemplified the teaching, love of the game and
gentle humanity of J. Michael Duffett, a remarkable individual who
worked for the Sabres and coached youth hockey before dying of cancer at
age 39; and
WHEREAS, Kyle Pray, a sixth-grade teacher at Hoover Middle School and
hockey coach at Kenmore East High School, has been a vital part of the
development of youth hockey in his community during the past 30 years;
and
WHEREAS, This esteemed educator and leader was co-founder and first
Vice President of the Tonawanda Lightning in the early 1990s, and
coached the Lightning program to several league championships and two
state tournament appearances over 15 years; and
WHEREAS, In addition, Kyle Pray was involved in numerous town house
programs and started the annual Tonawanda Presidents Day Tournament; he
also coached the Wheatfield Blades at the 13-15 age level and guided the
team to the state semifinals; and
WHEREAS, Dedicated to instructing and mentoring youth, Kyle Pray
served as Head Coach of the Kenmore West High School Boys Hockey Team
from 2001 to 2007, and helped lead his players to the Western New York
Varsity Hockey Federation Championship in 2006; and
WHEREAS, From 2007 to the present, Kyle Pray has held the position of
Head Coach of the Kenmore East High School Boys Hockey Team; during this
time, he has guided his team to a New York State Championship in 2012
and two Section VI titles, as well as three Section VI post-season
appearances; and
WHEREAS, Kyle Pray's overall coaching record during his time at
Kenmore East and Kenmore West is an outstanding 214-108-24; and
WHEREAS, Kyle Pray has been called upon to contribute his time and
talents to countless civic and charitable endeavors and has always given
of himself unstintingly; he is an Executive Committee member of the
Western New York Varsity Hockey Federation and helps in guiding the high
school league and overall growth of hockey in the Western New York area;
and

WHEREAS, Furthermore, Kyle Pray is currently working on a committee to
bring the High School State Tournament to the Harbor Center for the next
three years; and
WHEREAS, With him throughout have been his wife, Nancy, and their two
sons Corey and Trevor, all of whom feel privileged to be a part of his
life and rejoice in his achievements; and
WHEREAS, Coach Kyle Pray's positive attitude, selfless commitment,
goal-oriented and balanced approach to instruction, on top of his genu-
ine concern for his students have contributed to his enduring success as
a coach and mentor, earning him the just respect of his community and
the State of New York; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Kyle Pray upon the occasion of his designation as recipient of the
J. Michael Duffett Award by the Buffalo Sabres Hockey Organization; and
be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Kyle Pray.