More than 100 NCCYHA Steelers alumni players and coaches will take to the ice at SUNY Fredonia’s Steele Hall to honor the 30th anniversary of the league Jan. 16-18.

In August of 1984, timed with the opening of the brand new Steele Hall Ice Arena at Fredonia State College, a small group of people interested in starting a youth hockey program held their first organizational meeting. At that meeting, Sam Drayo was elected as the first president, Bob Lyman as vice president and Sally Giambrone as secretary and treasurer. Other directors and members present were Mike McKinnon, Al Muck, Don Fadale, Dick Pachol, Jim Shaw, Jerry Carr, Gary Giambrone, John Kulpa, Jim Oakes, Phil Nocek and Pat Lyman.

We owe them all a debt of gratitude. Without their pioneering efforts, we wouldn’t have the great organization we have today. If you see any of them around town, don’t forget to say thank you. They should all be very proud of what they started.

With no money in the Treasury, the newly formed Northern Chautauqua County Youth Hockey Association was able to borrow $500 from their generous hockey colleagues, the Jamestown Laker organization. With that seed money, the fledgling NCCYHA was able to cover its’ start up costs and began to get the kids ready to play hockey.

A lot of hard work went into starting a youth hockey league from scratch. Don Fadale designed the logo for jerseys and patches. Fadale, along with Jim Oakes, became the equipment managers and scoured Western New York for equipment. Al Muck took care of ordering and purchasing jerseys. Mike McKinnon led the crusade for donations from area groups and businesses. Dick Pachol began to plan for an invitational tournament, which came to fruition in the league’s second season. Just about everyone helped out with coaching and the referees were borrowed for a time, from Jamestown.

At the first registration held in the fall of 1984, 60 players signed up. Of those, 30 were in the Mite Division and the rest sprinkled among Squirts, Bantams and Midgets.

It all came together on Jan. 19, 1985 when the Speedsters Mite team, coached by Bob Lyman, traveled to Jamestown to play the Association’s very first official game. The kids were wearing brand new NCCYHA Rangers jerseys, which had just been picked up the day before. The next week, Muck took the league’s other Mite team, now wearing new Oiler jerseys, to Jamestown and won, 1-0.

The rest, as they say, is history.

This history will merge with the present on Jan. 16 at 6:30 p.m. as players from the 1985 to 2000 seasons take the ice to show the area they are still Steelers at heart. The Old Dogs alumni game portion of the festivities will begin Friday, Jan. 16 at 6:30 p.m.

There is no admission charge, but donations will be accepted at the door. The ceremonial first puck will be dropped by first NCCYHA President Sam Drayo and SUNY Fredonia President Virginia Horvath. Anthems will be sung by Bridget Majka.

The throwback jerseys will give the distinct look of 1984, highlighting the original logo.

“It’s electric,” said Shaun Fadale, NCCYHA president and alumnus. “I am so excited to see all the old faces and past names emerge. The most satisfying feeling we alumni are feeling is listening to the stories of the past coaches and how much this all means to them.”

The Speedsters team consists of Shaun Fadale, Jimmy Harrington, Mike Myers, Brian Crawford, Luke Crawford, Joe Gould, Kevin Presto, Ron Pachol, Adam Benner, Mike Pachol, Don Fadale, Brian Fadale, Eric Pachol, Joe Bechmann, Jamie Oakes, Jason Abbott, Jeff Cerrie, Jimmy Azzarella and Joe Steger. They will wear dark blue jerseys, sporting the original logo.

The Mucks team, wearing light blue jerseys with the original logo, consist of Shawn Nowicki, Bobby Desmond, Matt Wronski, Travis Nowicki, Mike Saletta, Willie Barnes, Andrew Carapella, Scott Kuczenski, Mike Green, Scott Wojcinski, Mark Wojcinski, Brian Wojcinski, Alex Kourelis, Derek Jordan, Pat Westin, Rob Westin, Dan Westin and Ian Matney.

Each players bench will also host many original coaches of the NCCYHA. Intermission will give the spotlight to the current NCCYHA mites ages 4-7 by way of a full-ice mini game to show off their skills. The connection between the alumni and the current NCCYHA Mites can be found in their bloodline. More than half of the Mite participants are children, grandchildren or family of the alumni players.

“Although my kids aren’t Mites anymore, it feels very rewarding to have passed the game of hockey on to them. I can now say it’s tradition with myself as an original player and my children as players in the NCCYHA,” said Jason DeJoe, alumni player.

Other activities and surprises will be going on throughout the night such as an opening ceremony, 50/50 drawing and basket raffle. Immediately following the game, a celebration will take place at Coughlin’s Pub.

Saturday afternoon will showcase alumni from the classes of 2001 to 2015. They will wear jerseys with the current Steelers Logo. Steelers Light consists of Sam Leone, Kyle Yelich, Kyle Leysath, Derek Sheridan, Justin Giles, Chris Mulkin, Danny Whitcher, Tyler Gustafson, Ben Ross, Tommy Coughlin, Corey Dziduch, Chad Shaw, Garrett Boner, Drew Yelich and Luke Schindler. Coaches behind the Steelers Light are Bill Schindler and Chris Leysath.

Steelers Dark consists of Jared Hebner, AJ Riforgiat, Matt Sheridan, Mike Nelson, Alex Michalak, Nick Stott, Kevin Salemi, Jeff Mulkin, Adam Whitcher, Billy Whitcher, Brett St. George, Byron Van Zile, Matt Szalkowski and Mark Zaffalon. Coaching this group of young men are Steve Haas, Jay Bishop and Rod Sheridan.

During this game, the NCCYHA Steelers Mite teams will be playing a 10-minute mini game. There is no admission, but donations are encouraged at the door. A basket raffle and a 50/50 will add to the festivities. The ceremonial puck will be dropped by SUNY Fredonia president Virginia Horvath, former NCCYHA president Michael Whitcher and long standing board member Beth Mulkin. Anthems will be sung by Bridget Majka. Festivities commence at Steele Hall at 1:30 p.m.

In honor of this momentous occasion, the NCCYHA will be hosting a dinner reception at the White Inn at 6 p.m. Music will be provided by Felony. Dinner is a buffet with an open bar from 6-11 p.m. Tickets may be purchased by contacting Lorie Herman at 785-4902. The weekend’s events will be photographed by Lisa Nasca of Photographic Images.

On Sunday, Jan. 18, the weekend’s events will conclude as any hockey event should – on the ice. The NCCYHA will be hosting a family skate for current and alumni families from 11:30 a.m. to 12:45 p.m.

For any more information or to reserve a spot for the dinner, call Lorie Herman at 785-4902 or email lori0101@roadrunner.com.