BY Janet Schultz, NYHOL.
All photos property of NYHOL/Janet©; Except for Monsignor Martin and St. Mary’s of Lancaster team photos provided by the respective schools. Copies of photos may be obtained by contacting Janet@nyhockeyonline.com. No copying, sharing or printing are allowed without permission.
Regular season is finished; playoffs and Championships have been played and our Seniors have taken their last skate on WNYGVIH Federation ice.
Our congratulations and best wishes to these young ladies as they venture into the next phase of their life, be it college, workforce or service to their country.
From Clarence/Amherst/Sweet Home (CASH)
Kaylee Burke, Clarence High School. A Forward who began playing three years ago as a Wing. She plans to attend the University of Buffalo in Pre-Law.
Kiley Breeze, Clarence High School. A Forward who came to CASH four years ago on Defense. Her plans are to attend college and student Exercise Science.
Haylie Yourston, Sweet Home High School and a member of CASH for four years. She plays Defense and plans to study Cosmetology and become a hairstylist.
Jenny Wild, Clarence High School. The CASH Captain has played six years and plans to continue her ice hockey career at the State University of New York at Plattsburgh while she focuses her studies on Bio-chemistry.
Maya Adimey, Amherst High School. Another CASH Captain who has played for six years on Defense. She will be majoring in Accounting. Maya is the daughter of Coach Nicola Adimey.
Ella Celej, Clarence High School and CASH’s goaltender for five years. Ella plans to attend Worcester State College where she will play ice hockey and major in the field of STEM.
Riley MacFarland, Clarence High School. This Forward has played for CASH for thee years on Right Wing. She has been accepted at High Point University and will focus on Business Analytics and Economics.
Frontier/Lakeshore/Orchard Park
(NYHOL was unable to attend, thus no group/parents photos)
Kayli Tefft, Orchard Park High School. Forward. Kayli has been a member of FLOP for five years and is planning to study Health Sciences at a college to be determined. She is the daughter of Brian and Jill Tefft.
Rachel Fix, Orchard Park High School, Goalie. Rachel has guarded the FLOP net for the past four years. She is currently finishing her Associate’s Degree at Cam PTECH program in Electrical Construction and Maintenance. She has to complete an extra year of PTECH to complete the AS degree and hopes to play hockey at the collegiate level. She is the daughter of Jeff and Teresa Fix.
Jocelyn Smaczniak, Frontier High School. A Defensive player for FLOP for the past five years, Joycelyn plans to study Business and Accounting in college. She would like to play at the collegiate level but is currently undecided about the college. Jocelyn was Third Team All Star as a freshman and was a First Team All Star for her sophomore and junior years. Her parents are Dan and Christina Smazniak.
Hamburg/Eden/West Seneca
Kylie Wegrzynowski, Eden High School, a Forward. Kylie has played hockey for 13 years, 6 with HEWS. She will be attending Lockhaven University for Exercise Science and playing Lacrosse.
Brynn Holland, West Seneca High School, Forward. Of her 9 years in hockey, 5 have been with HEWS. She plans to play hockey at the collegiate level and study communications and political science.
Sophia Phillips, West Seneca High School, Forward and Captain. Sophia has played hockey for 10 years, 5 with HEWS. She will be attending Buffalo State University (Buff State) and playing DIII ice hockey while studying Health and Wellness and Exercise Science.
Kelsey Barrett, Eden High School, Defense and recipient of the Buffalo Sabres Woman Athlete of the Month for January. Kelsey has played 14 years of ice hockey, 5 with HEWS. She will be attending St. John Fisher College and playing Lacrosse. Her major will be Biology.
Meghan Waskielewicz, West Seneca High School. Forward. Meghan has had 14 years of hockey and has played six with HEWS. She plans to attend college for Sports Management.
Lancaster/Iroquois/Depew/Alden
Leah Sacco, Lancaster High School, Defense. Leah has been part of LIDA for two years. She is a member of the High Honor Roll with a 4.0 average and is a nominee for Scholar/Athlete. Leah is President of the P.A.I.R. Club, a student union representative and is a member of the Business Honor Society and Academy of Finance. She has conducted community service through the Z-Club and the Leo Club. The daughter of Mark and Melissa Sacco, she plans to attend Daemen University to study Nursing in pursuit of a B.S.N in Nursing.
Hailey Muff, Alden High School, Forward. She is finishing her fourth year as a member of LIDA. Hailey is a member of the High Honor Roll, National Honor Society and is an officer with the Alden Student Congress. She participated for two years on the Girls Soccer and Softball Teams. Hailey, the daughter of Russel and Angela Muff, will be attending SUNY Brockport pursuing a degree in Childhood Education.
Anna Maki, Depew High School, Defender. For the past five years she has not only played on defense but also served as a goalie. She also played six years of soccer, 4 years of softball, 4 years of basketball and 3 year of Flag Football. Anna is a member of the Honor Roll and President of the French Club.. She is also President of the Junior Firefighters and has been a regular Firefighter since turning 18. The daughter of Angie Boggs and Tony Maki, she will be attending Daemen University for Sports Science and Athletic Training.
Claire Whiteford, Alden High School, Forward and Assistant Captain. Claire joined LIDA four years ago and for the past two years has served as Assistant Captain. She also competes in Varsity Soccer (3 Years) and Varsity Track (4 Years). Claire is on the High Honor Roll and named Athlete of the Week for her athletic accomplishments and Business Student of the Year for her academics. She is the daughter of Gary and Tammy Whiteford and will be attending Rowan University to play ice hockey and pursue a degree in Sports Communication.
Brynn Cafferty, Lancaster High School. Brynn is a fifth year player for LIDA and has represented the team as Assistant Captain for the past two years. A Forward, she has been nominated as Scholar/Athlete for her Senior Year and earned Athlete of the Week at Lancaster for ice hockey. She is a member of the High Honor Roll and the National Honor Society. Her parents are Evan and Patrina Cafferty. At this point her collegiate plans are undetermined.
Laela Osinski, Iroquois High School. This Defender is in her sixth year with LIDA, serves as Captain and is an accomplished Field Hockey and Softball player, also for the past six years. She received an ECIC Honorable Mention for Field Hockey in 10th grade and was First Team All Star in 11th and 12th grade. She has also been named to the All NYS Team and received MVP award from Iroquois. Laela is Co-President of the Varsity Club, President of the Photography Club and a member of the Model U.N. at Iroquois. The daughter of Alissa Osinski, she will be attending college to study Nursing.
Kenmore/Grand Island/Lockport
Ella Johnston, Grand Island High School, Goaltender. Ella has been a member of KenGiPort for four years and plans to attend Niagara University in Nursing. She is the daughter of Monika and Travis Johnston.
Zoey Dettbarn, Kenmore West High School, Forward. Zoey has been five years with KenGiPort and will major in Sports Management and plans to play Field Hockey or Lacrosse at a college to be determined. She is the daughter of Melisa and Jason Dettbarn.
Savanna Shaft, Lockport High School, Defense. Savanna wears the “A” for KenGiPort this season and is a great two-way defender. She has been with kenGiPort for four years and plans to become a Physical Therapist. Her parents are Jeff and Kelly Shaft. Sister, Izzy, is a teammate.
Alexa Denning, Kenmore West High School, Defense. Alexa is also an Assistant Captain and has played for KenGiPort for five years. She will attend SUNY Niagara (NCCC) for Radiological Technology. Her parents are Michael and Silvia Denning.
Teagan Willats, Grand Island, Forward. This is KenGiPort’s Captain and has played for the team for six years. She has been accepted at Buffalo State University (Buffalo State College) and will be playing ice hockey there while studying to become a Physical Education teacher. She is the daughter of Brian and Jen.
Monsignor Martin
Kate Ember, Buffalo Seminary, played Offense and Defense this season. This is her first year as a Varsity player. She plans on attending a college to be determined.
Brigid McQueary, Mt. Mercy Academy. Brigid is in her second year on the team. She also has not yet made her collegiate choice.
Ellie Black, Buffalo Seminar, Forward. A three year MonMar player. She served as Captain this season and was the leading scorer in her Junior year. Her future plans are still being determined.
Kate Kelley, Sacred Heart Academy, Goaltender. Kate is a four-year starter for MonMar and has served as Captain for two years. She is a two-time Girls Federation All-Star. She also plans to continue her education.
Addison Cherry, Nardin Academy, Defender. Addison has been a four-year starter for MonMar and has also been the team Captain for two years. She is a two-time Federation All Star and was recently named Buffalo Sabres Woman Athlete of the Month for December 2025. She will be continuing her education.
Niagara County Lady Warriors
Sam Latini, Starpoint Central High School, Forward. Sam has played six years for NICO as a Center and Wing. She will be attending Albetus Magnus to study Biology and play DIII Ice Hockey. She is the daughter of Assistant Coach Shawn Latini.
Myla Chopyak, Niagara-Wheatfield High School, Defense. Myla has played two years for Nico and wants to continue playing club hockey and softball at a college to be determined.
Sam Draper, Lewiston Porter Central School, Forward and Defense. Sam has been with NICO for five years and will be attending Clarkson University to study Environmental Engineering. She will be a member of the DIII Lacrosse team for the Golden Knights.
St. Marys of Lancaster
Gabe Lowell, Captain and Defender. Gabe has maintained at 92.2 average while at SMH and was named a Federation All Star twice. She earned the team’s Most Defensive Player Award and plans to attend Hilbert College where she will study Forensic Science and play DIII ice hockey.
Lauren Gilano, Assistant Captain and Forward. She has maintained a 96 average at SMH, is a member of National Honor Society, awarded the team’s Best Effort Award twice. She will be attending Mercyhurst University to study Business and Pre-Law and play for the DII ACHA Club Hockey team.
Betsy Accurso, Goaltender. Betsy has received the Team’s Most Defensive Player Award and received All Federation recognition. She maintains a 91 average and is considering an offer from Michigan State University to study Political Science.
Avery Szczesek, Assistant Captain and Forward. With a 98.16 average she is a member of the National Honor Society, a two-time Federation All Star and was named the Team’s Most Offensive Player twice. She will be attending St. John Fisher College to play DIII NCAA Ice Hockey while studying Athletic Performance.
Brooklyn Vitez, Defender. She maintains a 98.12 average and is a member of the National Honor Society. She has been accepted into the Nursing program at several universities and is making her decision.
Williamsville
Addison Stachura, Williamsville East High School, Assistant Captain, Forward. Addison is a four-year member of the team and plans to attend Duquesne University in Health Science/Pre-Med. Her parents are Jeff and Michelle Stachura.
Allie Besancon, Williamsville North High School, Captain and Forward. Five years with Williamsville and she plans to become a Physician’s Assistant. Still deciding which college. She is the daughter of Bret and Jennifer Besancon.
Caydence Curran, Williamsville East High School, Assistant Captain, Forward. She has played for three years and will be attending SUNY Binghamton for Biomedical Engineering. She is the daughter of Alex and Dee Curran.
Kaitlyn Laudico, Williamsville South High School, Captain, Defense. Kaitlyn has been playing for Williamsville for six years and will be majoring in Neuroscience on the Pre-Med track. She is the daughter of Robert Laudico and Donna Laudico.
Scarlet Canna, Williamsville South High School, Captain, Forward. Scarlet has played for Williamsville for five years and is undetermined about her future educational plans. She is the daughter of Angelo Canna and Kim Allen
Alena Lombardo, Williamsville North High School, Assistant Captain, Forward. She has played five years for the team and will be attending Niagara University, continuing her hockey career and studying Nursing.
Anna Meyer, Williamsville East High School, Assistant Captain, Defender. Anna has been with Williamsville for five years and will be attending Kent State University for Architecture. She is the daughter of Rob and Sabrina Meyer.
