Junior: History/Mission
Buffalo Stars History
Buffalo Stars History
The Buffalo Stars Juniors were formed in early 2002 with the idea of building a developmental team for the Buffalo Lightning (now Junior Sabres) of the Provincial Junior A Hockey League.
As we developed our plan of action, we came to the conclusion that we would build an Independent Junior C Team for our first 2 years. This would give us the opportunity to learn our way around the junior hockey community as well as make sure that there was a viable market in the Buffalo area for a team of this type. We felt that we first had to pay our dues before we would make any commitment to a league.
Our first year was one of up and down activity. We put together a decent group of players, but finding consistent competition was the problem. We mostly participated in tournaments and found games when and where we could get them. Our shortened season concluded in January that first season. Our second year had an even bumpier road as we found fewer game opportunities and we also struggled with a short roster. We somehow managed to compete right through until February.
Realizing the need for steady consistent structure to our schedule we totally reorganized with the start of the 2004 Season. We became a member of the Continental Hockey Association. This was a significant move for us. We assembled a fine group of Coaches, Management and Players and competed as the Cinderella team in the CHA. In our first year we captured first place in the Freedom Division and earned a spot in the Nationals. Our overall record of 32-17-3 captured the attention of many people. We sent 4 players to the Junior B Showcase and 6 players to the CHA All Star Game. Four of our players got an opportunity to participate with the Buffalo Lightning for a short time.
Going into our 4th year of existence, we realized the need to form our own developmental base. Thus, we created a second team, called “Minor” made up of mostly players born in 1990 and 1989. This team participated in the MADJHL, which is the developmental arm of the CHA. In addition, our “Major” Team competed in the new Premier Division of the CHA, which is made up of the best teams in the CHA. We had put together 2 solid teams of players and staff and were pleased with our successful year.
Looking ahead to our 5th year, we were excited for the opportunity to move our “Major” team to the Empire Junior B Hockey League. Our “Minor” Team continued to participate in the MADJHL and serve as a feeder for our Empire Team. In addition, we made strides to strengthen our youth base. Our youth organization is the Buffalo Hornets Youth Hockey Association and we have been working hard to train and develop the kids at the younger levels so that when their time comes, those players will be able to make a smooth transition to the junior game.
Looking ahead to year 6, we focused on strengthening our teams. We added Don Herrington as our Empire Junior B coach and Joe Rohm as our CHA Junior C coach. Both teams had very successful seasons with the Empire team making the league playoffs and the CHA team advancing all the way to the Semi Final round of the USA Hockey National Championships. The improved performance of our teams on ice opened up many new and exciting opportunities for our players. In year 7 we brought in Mike Scheu and Kevin Quick to coach our Empire Junior B team and Jerry Shorthouse to coach our CHA Junior C team. The Empire team made a solid statement advancing to the playoffs before finally losing in the double elimination tournament. Our Junior C team advanced to the USA Hockey Junior C Nationals for the 2nd time in as many years.
During this most recent season, our 8th, we added a second B team. Jerry Shorthouse coached both our CHA B and CHA C team and both teams made it to playoffs. Our Empire B team coached by Mike Scheu and Kevin Quick advanced all the way to the USA Hockey Nationals for the Buffalo Stars 3rd appearance in as many years.
Looking ahead to our 9th year, coach Shorthouse will assume the Empire role and we have added John Bruno to coach our CHA B team. USA Hockey has eliminated the C level of hockey so the Stars will only operate 2 teams this season. Our goal is for us to finally obtain a Junior A franchise……STAY TUNED
Success is a Marathon………..One shift at a time.
The main goal and purpose of the Buffalo Stars Junior Program is to give those players aged 15-20 an opportunity to play hockey at a higher level, with the goal of advancing to higher levels of Junior Hockey and eventually to the College ranks.
