2005Season

10/8/2004

As promised the new and improved website is up and running at www.buffalohockey.org

Click on the address to go directly to the site.

Four related things:

1. If you have any digital photos send them over and we'll try to add them.

2. Professionals and service providers: send over your info (including new categories) to be included in the "Service Directory" which can be found under
"Endorsed Links". We'd like to help direct more business to trustworthy and hard working Buffalo Prospects parents.

3. Please feel free to send in any suggestions/improvements.

4. (Eventually our our other URL address www.buffaloprospects.com will automatically point to this website too.)

Also, I just received a phone call that Mark Morris, the Northwood School coach, will be here on Monday.

All the best,
John

BREAKING NEWS

I have been waiting for confirmation, and it now does appear that I will be joined by Mark Morris on the ice for at least some of the skates on Monday (there is
about an 80% chance this will happen).

Mark is a personal friend and the head hockey coach at the Northwood School in Lake Placid. I invited him to come down to spend some time together, and
for him to get more familiar with the Buffalo Prospects program. This is yet another way (a big way) to help advance our players.

Coach Morris played at Colgate and then went on to coach Clarkson for 15 years. During that period he ran up a 306-153 record, which translates into a
splendid winning percentage (.649). That puts him the company of Dean Blais (North Dakota), Jack Parker (BU), Dick Umile (New Hampshire), and Jeff Sauer
(Wisconsin).

He will be coming in on Sunday, and he and I will be observing some of the midget major games being played at the tournament going on at the Pepsi
Center this weekend.

On Monday, he'll skate with (and possibly speak to) the 90/91 and 92/93 groups. If he can stay longer, he may be on the ice later. Also, if he doesn't have to
leave to get back by 7 or 8 Monday night, we are going to try to set up a brief presentation and Q & A session for players and parents on Monday night. The
proposed topic is "How to get your child ready to play college hockey".

Time and place to be determined - stay tuned.

Hopefully, we'll be able to pull all of this off.

This should be a tremendous opportunity to learn from someone who has sent numerous players to the NHL including: (Amherst's own) Todd Marchant, Craig
Conroy, Erik Cole, Chris Clark, Steve Dubinsky, Willie Mitchell, and Todd White. Mark has one of the best reputations in the game for finding college talents
and getting them ready to make the jump to the NHL.

Please email or call (839-2777) over the weekend if your team gets eliminated and you can come on Monday after all.

It appears that about 90% of our 88s and 89s are in tournaments on Monday. As such, anyone interested in that session needs to contact us before 5 pm
Friday so we can decide what to do.

In the event that Mark has to cancel due to any last minute changes in his job duties over the weekend, I will send out an email accordingly.

10/6/2004

Since my two older guys are away at school, for the first time in seven years I am not volunteering 450-500 hours to coach a youth hockey team this season (A
tip of the cap to all you hockey and baseball and soccer and other volunteer coaches out there who deserve many more thanks than you get for donating the
equivalent of 1/4 of a work year, year in and year out).

Although I am suffering from what one person said are the "hockey shakes" (and don't be surprised to see me show up at your rink from time to time), this has
allowed me to spend a lot of time talking to our coaches and all the people who have helped shape the Buffalo Prospects program. We are always trying to
continue improving on this unique and excellent program. And, it is more than a collection of kids or a collection of teams. It is a program with a purpose
and a proven formula.

As a result of much input, we will be turning the dial up and a little to the right for the upcoming season. More about this in the coming weeks.

For now, I'd ask you check your email over the remainder of the week.

There will probably be some big announcements regarding:

1. The clinics Monday.
2. Our new web site.
3. A possible event Monday evening for coaches and parents interested in seeing their players make it to the college level.

I will probably be sending out emails Tomorrow and Friday. Stay tuned to your email and/or talk to other Prospects families over the weekend.

Yours in hockey,
John

PS. We know a large number of teams are at tournaments this weekend. Best of luck. But if your team gets knocked out, come and skate on Monday. Our
objective of just getting the ice costs covered looks like it will be met, and room for last minute attendees does not appear to be a problem. If you are able,
give advance notice. Even if it is at midnight the night before, it always helps. Thanks.

10/1/2004

October 11 Skating and Passing Clinic (School Holiday)

We have decided to run a few clinics for the 2004 Buffalo Prospects players this Fall at Holiday Rinks.

The purpose is to 1) give the kids one of our quality, up-tempo skates that will focus on skill development and 2) give the kids a chance to keep their summer
friendships growing. Main emphasis for the clinic will be skating and passing, with some shooting.

The objective is to cover the ice costs and give everyone a good time (that is why the fee is only $10 for nearly 1.5 hours). In the future, we'd also like to add
an educational seminar (30 minutes) to these Fall sessions.

Since we haven't done this before, we are going to be a bit conservative and focus on getting the on ice part going first. If that works, we'll add the seminar
part. If that works, we'll keep doing both. We are hoping that this is something you will value.

As a result of feedback from many parents (and taking into account paper routes, games that night, 88s who can drive themselves, etc), the following
schedule was arrived at.

9:00 - 10:25 am    88 & 89
10:25 - 11:50 am 90 & 91
11:50 - 1:15 pm   92 & 93
1:15 - 2:40 pm    94 & 95
2:40 - 4:00 pm     96 & 97

We will be on one rink throughout the day (9-4). We have been told that there may be one or more short clinics/activities on the second rink that come in
after us. Just so there is no confusion, they are not a part of the Buffalo Prospects program.

For teaching and repetition purposes, we may need to cap the number of skaters per session (25, 30, we'll see). If you have two children a year apart and their
birth years are not grouped together in the list above, and it would be more convenient for you to have them go together, we can try to accommodate you on
that.

Please wear your Buffalo Prospects jersey for the clinic (ideally odd birth years wear red and even birth years wear white - at the least, wear one of them if
that's all you have).

Please reply to this email or call 839-2777 (between 8 am and 8 pm) to hold a spot. Spots are limited. We'll just need your name and birth year.

Please respond ASAP. This will help us with our planning. For several reasons, only 2004 Buffalo Prospects players can participate.

We look forward to seeing you on October 11, and around the rinks before then.

Don't hesitate to call or write if you have any questions. We are always willing to answer them, and discuss any new or better ideas you may have.

March 2005

Congratulations on your selection, and welcome to the Buffalo Prospects 2005 program.

Your decision to try out and sign up was a smart one. We are grateful for your trust in us, and promise to work hard to meet your child's needs and your
expectations.

To learn more about the philosophy and origins of the program you can always read the history and philosophy pages on our web site. In short, here is what
sets us apart.

The Buffalo Prospects Program was the first comprehensive summer development program in Western New York - and it is now recognized among the best
and most affordable in the US. Indeed, we have been told the Prospects Program is being copied in other parts of the country!

The Prospects Program has played a major role advancing players into the best prep school programs in the country. It has also moved players into excellent
junior programs in the US and Canada. Finally, Prospects alumni are a major presence and force across high school hockey here in WNY. See our
"Advancement" page on the web site for all the details.

The Prospects Program utilizes multiple, highly qualified instructors including former NHL, former Team USA, and former Division 1 players. In addition,
numerous Division 1, Junior A, and prep school coaches have instructed. Unlike other imitators, your child will not have the same person barking at them
winter, spring, summer, and fall.

The Prospects Program is about three things:

1. Development (individual skills, team systems, and character).

2. Education (hockey resources & the inside scoop).

3. Advancement (connections & player promotion).

The Prospects Program is run by professional educators and professional coaches committed to helping build better hockey players and better citizens.

The Prospects Program birth year team coaches are teachers, business executives, engineeers, entrepreneurs, etc. These are the kind of people we all want
our kids to be around. Indeed, if any of you see any of the behaviors that some of the supposedly great youth coaches in the area have been reported to have
engaged in over the last couple weeks (confronting referees, challenging opposing players to fight, throwing equipment, hurling strings of profanities), please
notify us immediately. All of our coaches have excellent track records and they have agreed in writing to adhere to the strict principles of the program.

The Prospects Program is essentially an extended hockey school. It is no different than Marchant, Robbie Glantz, Turcotte, Laura Stamm, or all the other
local hockey schools run here. For several reasons, as is the case for these schools, it cannot be part of USA Hockey.

The Prospects Program is about advancing WNY players. Given our contacts and the popularity of the program, we could easily build regional or national
tournament teams. However, it is far more gratifying for all of us to go to the youth, high school, and junior playoffs (like I have over the last week) and see
appreciative player after player and parent after parent that we have invested in and helped.

The Prospects Program is about bringing players from different teams and organizations together. We have coaches from 10+ organizations and players from
20+ organizations. The friendships you make will last for years. And, it is a blast for Prospects players to cross paths over the winter. We also share lots of
hockey knowledge across the coaches, who then go back and share it with their teams. We believe that a rising tide lifts all boats.

The Prospects Program had humble beginnings, and we want to stay humble. We are never content and we are always looking to improve. (For example, we
are going to add a third sign-in table at next years evaluations to better handle the large numbers of people). Your input and correction are welcome.

In spite of many arrows shot at it (maybe even because of them - especially by those fighting for the sad status quo), the program continues to grow. In the
event that you ever hear a negative rumor, please bring it to our attention so we can quickly get the truth out. Getting change started was difficult, but it is
snowballing now.

Once again, thank you for joining Buffalo Prospects 2005 Program. We are looking forward to another great learning and development experience for your
child - and all the kids.

On behalf of all the directors, coaches, and managers who make this happen, respectfully yours,

The Buffalo Prospects Staff

PS. Please check the web site (www.buffalohockey.org) regularly for updates. We will also be sending out email on almost a weekly basis (sorry if these emails
are a bit long winded, but we are big believers in communication!). Finally, please change your address book to reflect our new email
admin@buffalohockey.org

Year End Thoughts (6-27-2005)

During the last three (16 hour) days at the Battle of Buffalo I've had time to reflect on the nearly 1,000 hours I have put into the 2005 Buffalo Prospects
program (and the 1,000+ Diane has put in).

As I do every year, I'll be composing a year end summary by the end of the week. There were highs and lows, smiles and tears. Based on everything I have
observed on and off the ice, I am convinced (and pleased to say) that our goal of developing Buffalo area hockey players was accomplished once again.

Awesome player experiences (6-9-2005)

This year's program participants have benefited from many, many, many memorable hockey and life experiences.

James Patrick and Daniel Briere have spoken to the kids and been out on the ice numerous times. These guys exemplify all that is right about the game we
love.

We have had numerous pro, college, and junior level coaches out to teach hockey and life lessons.

The vast improvement we have seen in numerous players is expected, but we should never take it for granted.

The same goes for the countless new friendships.

Our skill development, team practice, and competitive games format has worked well again this year. Indeed, we
must be doing many things right, as there are lots of people trying to copy us!

We haven't had fights, thefts, and many of the other inappropriate behaviors frequently seen in clinics and on teams. This is certainly a testimony to you as
parents, and your children.

On another positive note, we have given away about 3 extra hours of ice per age group - which equates to over $5,000 in extra ice - this year.

We greatly appreciate all the positive feedback. Also, don't hesitate to tell us where we need to improve. Many
of the subtle tweaks that make this program so good have come from people like you.

Thank you coaches (6-9-2005)

The Prospects Program started with good coaches and is only successful today because of our committed, high character people.

You won't see them running after referees on the ice, flipping off the crowd, or dropping F-bombs like raindrops.
(If you do, tell us immediately).

What you will see is coaches coming to the rink to run practice - even when their own kids are sick or doing homework.

What you will see is coaches jumping from one session to the other to help.

What you will see is coaches giving up golf or softball or painting the house (well, maybe that's a stretch!) to
come out and help kids become young adults.

What you will see is them thinking about the kids needs and creating new opportunities (seminars, trips) for your children.

On behalf of the players and parents, thank you - to each and every one of you.