January 17-19, 2013

All the information you will need to have a great time in Savannah and enjoy all the action, both on the ice and off is now available at the Savannah tab, Schedule-2013

The team's original uniforms

That  first team finished the year 6-10 and has only failed to win at least 6 games in 3 seasons.  Not bad for a team that gets virtually no practice time on ice and has no local following.

While the Tallahassee Tiger Sharks were in town, at least the new club sport at FSU were able to have local fans and appeal to the student body.  Even then, there were many obstacles and ice time was still at a premium.  Once the Tiger Sharks moved to Macon, Georgia in 2001 ice was no longer available so the team was forced to move to Jacksonville Ice, a mere 2-1/2 hours East of Tallahassee.  Because of this the team played very few “home” games and were forced to travel to wherever they could get games.

Early game with original uniforms

With very few of the team members having transportation, they traveled crammed in vehicles with four guys and equipment.  It didn’t matter, the thirst for playing hockey was immense and the club WAS GOING TO SUCCEED!

It has and really in a big way.  The Noles are now members of the American Collegiate Hockey Association (ACHA) and now play for a spot in the annual tournament.  Even though they haven’t made it their yet, their quest remains the same, to be the ACHA Division III Champion!  Lofty goal?  You bet, but one they aren’t about to give up on especially since they were crowned Thrasher Cup Champions in 2008 at the Savannah Hockey Classic held annually in Savannah, GA the weekend of the Martin Luther King holiday.  They aren’t giving up on a second Thrasher Cup either!

The Noles have had 10 coaches and 8 captains in their 15 years of existence and once again, finding a coach is not always an easy task.  At times the team relies on other students to lead the way.  Their record of 80-139-5 does not count the 1999-2000 season as we have not been able to find records from that season.

Jared Bishop '12, wearing the latest uniform in a game with FIT

The least number of games played was in the 2003-04 season when the team played 11 games and last year with 22 was the most until this season’s schedule was announced.  If all the games take place, the Ice Noles will play a record 24 games with two new tournaments in the mix, the ACC  Challenge, February 22-24 and The Columbus Clash, November 16-17.

In the early years only a few of the members had vehicles and often they were not road worthy so they were lucky to have enough players at any given game.  They also drove individually to Savannah every January until a few years ago when the team decided that for only a few dollars more they could travel first class and as a team.

Savannah is the highlight of the season and many changes have taken place there too.  Initially the team stayed at some rather questionable locations and one year were forced to stay out of town at the I-95 / I-26 interchange.  Things have changed, the team now focuses on the games and are proud of their recent history in Savannah  They now stay in very comfortable accommodations and have also adopted the West Broad Street YMCA as their annual community service project.  The YMCA has also adopted the team so both look  forward to the visit each January.

Early on the only FSU fans in Savannah were a few locals and very few “boosters” who made the trip to support the team.

A few of the "early boosters", Keith Anderson, Rick Anderson, Sean Anderson (now Asst GM), Ben Childs and John The Booster

Since beginning the, now annual, Family and Friends Reception, the team hosts almost 100 people for cocktails and appetizers.  Many of the team’s families, girl friends and other friends now travel to Savannah for the festivities.  It has truly become a family friendly event.

An amazing group of young men for sure.  They are dedicated, enthusiastic and fun.  They live to be on the ice and representing the finest university in the United States just makes it even better!  The team also now sports the identical spears and tomahawks used by Seminole Football but have been sized for the hockey helmets.  Tomahawks are awarded after each game for all goals and are often awarded for special reasons too.  What better way to show the true Seminole spirit but to copy a tradition of a very successful program.

There has been much talk about a reunion or alumni game but so far we haven’t been able to get enough interest.  If you know past players who would like to get together or better yet, help organize an alumni event please contact me at fsuicehockeygm@yahoo.com

So, the team goes on for hopefully another 15 years.  Any predictions on what the team will look like then?

Hockey has been in his blood since the tender age of 10, even though it was roller hockey, but he became enamored with ice hockey at 13 and hasn’t looked back.  He’ s had the pleasure and excitement of winning the Tier II State Championship while he was in high school at Joe E. Newsome HIgh School in Lithia, Florida, about 20 miles Southeast of Tampa.

This season Daniel takes over as the unanimous choice of Club President and that’s only because when he begged Jared Bishop to put off law school for one more year, Jared refused.    The team is in good hands with the remaining leaders from last season in tact and supportive.  Maybe we can get Beebs, as he’s known to all of his admirers, to sing some tunes while showering since that’s one of his favorite past-times.

Daniel’s dad, Mark, leads the way in helping him keep his head on straight and claims he’s the person he is because of his dad.  He admires him greatly and appreciates all the support he’s given over the years.  We also appreciate Mark, not only for giving us Daniel but for his photography.

After winning the PowerBall Daniel plans on building that much needed ice rink in Tallahassee.  The team will once again travel to Columbus, Georgia for tryouts, practice and home games.  This season the Noles will also co-host the first ever “Columbus Clash” on November 16 and 17.  This and being invited to the ACC Challenge in February are just two new things being introduced this coming season.

The Ice Noles are excited to get back on the ice in September and know it will be a fun year with Daniel at the helm.

If you are interested in being a part of Seminoles Hockey and haven’t contacted Coach Nat or Daniel Bostick please do that now.  You should also complete the Recruiting Form as soon as possible.

We look forward to meeting you soon.

For the 14th consecutive year we will also play Georgia Tech and UF in Savannah, GA at the Savannah Tire Hockey Classic.  Check back for updates and additional team news.

The Noles ended the season with a tough 10-1 loss on Sunday.  The weekend was not lost though as FSU had the largest fan support of the season (other than Savannah) and were treated to an awesome dinner and evening at the home of Dr. and Mrs. Elliot Cazes.

Thanks to all who support Noles Hockey and best of luck to Coach Cody Smith in all his future plans.  The team will miss the “Michigander”!

PHOTOS:  Lead photo, Coaches prepare for final game of the season.  Inside photo is Jared Bishop’s mom who shows support for her son during the final season.  The Bishop’s will all be greatly missed.

Over the weekend Florida State had a three game stint at their home rink in Columbus, Georgia. Friday they met the Georgia Tech Yellowjackets, then the Auburn Tigers the following two days.

In the Friday night game the Seminoles fell behind by 2 early in the period before Trip Fessenden put up the first goal of the game from Steven O’Neill.  Fessenden opened a three goal rally, the second coming from O’Neill and the third from Fessenden. Tech answered the Noles with five unanswered goals. Captain Patrick Nolan cut the game to one goal after getting a natural hat trick. The Noles put up a fight, but the Yellowjackets padded their lead which resulted in too much for FSU to overcome.  The final score was 9 -6 after 60 minutes of play.

Saturday afternoon the Seminoles packed the house against the Auburn Tigers. With over a hundred screaming fans, the Seminoles knew their losing streak would end. The team was uplifted by an unlikely source when Farouk Elkhayat scored his first collegiate goal early in the game. The floodgates pushed wide open when an onslaught of goals poured out. The combination of Matt Jaiven, Niko Sterghos, and Patrick Nolan attributed for a total of ten points with Jaiven getting a hat trick. Rookie defensemen Steve Schlemon also chipped in with his first collegiate goal. Trip Fessenden scored a highlight reel goal while being tripped on his knees making a backhanded top shelf goal. Matthew Cazes added the remaining tally for the Noles.

Sunday morning before the rooster head crowed, the Noles were at the rink ready to play their second game against the Tigers. Fessenden opened the tally for the Noles set up by Sterghos and Jake Mabie. The Tigers took the lead with two unanswered goals by the end of the period. Fessenden struck again with a deflected shot from the point by Mabie to even the score.  Auburn took a 3-2 lead with just under 5:00 to play. The coaching staff decided to call a time-out to inspire the Noles. The decision worked resulting in the Noles recording two more goals from Cazes and Everly to stun the Tigers and give the Noles a back-to-back winning streak.

Next weekend the Seminoles look to end their season on a high note against the University of Tampa Spartans in Ellington, FL. If any family or friends are near the Tampa area please come out and support your Noles in their final games of the 2011 – 2012 season.

During the past weekend saw the conclusion of the 2012 Savannah Tire Hockey Classic, a tournament that matched up FSU, Florida, Georgia, and Georgia Tech. The Noles had games against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets and the Florida Gators.

Friday night the Seminoles opened the official tournament with their game against Georgia Tech. Based on the action in the first period, the game was on pace for a high scoring affair.  The Yellow Jackets opened the scoring around six minutes into the game but would be answered by the Noles. While on the power-play, Andrew Everly saw a loose puck by the goal and crashed on it hard to jam it into the net. The chaos was caused by Matt Cazes and Gabe Glaun. With four minutes remaining in the first period the scoring became wide open. Georgia Tech regained the lead but two minutes later Cazes and Glaun reconnected on the power-play again for their second points of the game each. However, just thirty seconds after Cazes’ goal, the Yellow Jackets took control of the score board to give themselves a 3-2 lead. The second period was a grid lock with both teams exchanging chances but the net-minders held both teams off the scoreboard. The third period was opened with an unassisted goal for the Yellow Jackets just 54 seconds into the period. The Noles battled hard but came away empty handed in the third which resulted in a 4-2 loss for FSU.

The Seminoles looked forward to a Saturday evening match up against their rivals, the Florida Gators. After what almost seemed to be a quiet first period, besides five penalties for the Noles, the Gators opened the scoring for the game on the power-play with 1:32 left in the period. UF would go onto add three consecutive goals to extend their lead to 4-0. However, anyone who knows the rivalry would know FSU would not go quietly.  When Niko Sterghos scored his first career goal for the Seminoles, from Glaun, he lit the match to the Noles’ energy. What seemed to be a few seconds after the ensuing faceoff, the fights began. Matt Hastings, Andrew Everly, and Pat Nolan all were ejected from the game for the brawls had taken place. The referees issued a 5 minute 3-on-3 penalty and the Seminoles thrived on it.  Matt Jaiven would redirect a pass shot from Steve O’Neil and Cazes to give the Noles some more life. FSU continued to show character and battle back to get their chances, but could not finish the comeback. However, that was not the end of the action. With 18 seconds remaining, senior Jared Bishop would also get in an altercation to halt the play. Furthermore during the postgame handshakes, the coaches began to have words. When asked about the squabble Coach Smith commented “I just didn’t like the way he had grabbed one of my players, their coach seems to have it out for this one guy on our team and I had asked him about it, that was all.” Some of the FSU players came to their coach’s aid and had taken hold of the UF coach before further actions were taken.

Florida State’s next set of games is February 3-5 against Georgia Tech and Tulane at home in Columbus, GA. Come out and support the Noles!

YMCA, Reception, Autographs Highlight Weekend

While the game outcomes were not what the Noles had hoped for or worked hard for, Savannah once again is a great memory of all who attended.

The Broad Street YMCA welcomed the team back for the third year for another memorable experience for the kids and for the Noles. 

Friends and families crammed Moon River for the 5th annual reception and enjoyed meeting everyone and hearing the exploits of 25 players as they were presented “awards” by Coaches Cody and Nat, easily the highlight of the evening.

Then after Saturday’s game with UF, well over 50 people awaited the arrival of their favorite team for autographs and pictures.  An estimated 75 people showed up which has become a tradition at the arena.

It should be noted that the Noles are the only team who schedule a formal autograph session, routinely perform community service and hold a reception to thank family and fans and this year, was the only team that responded to a sponsor’s request for an autograph session.

Thank you all for attending and for your support.  Now we start planning for our next visit to Savannah!

The Seminoles opened the second semester with a road trip to Pelham, Alabama and Duluth, Georgia to take on the Alabama Crimson Tide and the Georgia Bulldogs The team made strides against the tough opponents but headed back to Tallahassee empty handed.

In the Friday night matchup, FSU met a Crimson Tide team that entered the semester ranked third in the southern region. During the first period, the Noles kept Alabama in check and played solid defense to keep the score 0-0. The second period saw an explosion of goals, with a majority of them coming for the Crimson Tide. Trailing 2-0, the Noles power play struck. Patrick Nolan capitalized on a rebound shot from Andrew Everly and Trip Fessenden picked up the secondary assist.  The Crimson Tide would go on a streak of consecutive goals before Fessenden gave the Noles their second goal of the game. Dan Bostick and Matt Jaiven set up the play for Fessenden. When the final horn sounded the score was 8-2 in favor of Alabama.

Saturday night the Seminoles traveled to Duluth to square off with the Georgia Bulldogs in a “pre-Savannah Tournament clash.” Florida State came out of the gate with a strong dump-and-chase forecheck that was paying off, but Georgia struck first during the first period. The second stanza saw both teams exchanging a handful of goals. The Noles first goal was from Jaiven and assisted by Nolan to tie the game at 1-1. The Bulldogs added a pair of goals before Fessenden took a pass from Frank Donofrio and burst through two defensemen and at the goaltender low on the glove side. Later in the period, Jaiven and Nolan went back to the well for a second time, but this time it was Nolan with goal and Jaiven with the assist.  Georgia added to their lead with a few more goals but the Noles would strike again. Matt Cazes chipped the puck into an open corner where Matt Hastings picked it up and set Everly up for a goal from the point. FSU fell to UGA 7-4. “I thought throughout the first two periods we  were the better team, we were playing our systems almost perfectly and grinding them down but we got away from that in the third period and it shows on the scoreboard” Coach Smith commented on the game.

Coach Smith later added “Even though the scores weren’t in our favor in either game, many of the guys took their game to the next level and performed at a level we need them continue to play at for the rest of the season and next week in Savannah particularly.”  Next week is the much awaited “Savannah Tire Hockey Class.” The tournament features the Seminoles, the Bulldogs, the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets, and the Florida Gators. We hope to see many of you there!

We also wish you a