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| Assemblywoman Addie J. Russell, D-Theresa, presents members of the Thousand Islands-Alexandria Lady Islanders with a resolution honoring the team for skating to the New York State high school championship in February. Pictured are, front row (l-r): Madison Fleming, Assemblywoman Russell, Emily Rose, Miranda Kolb, Madison Cullen, Taylor Hudon, Lindsey Bradley and Head Coach Brian Hudon. Second row: Lydia Cantwell, Talia Parker, Mikayla Cippulo, Mia Coene, Emilie Waiti, Kelsey Bannister and Kelsey Cullen. Third row: Addison Reed, Kayla McCabe, Keeley Rose, Annika Balk, Maddy Coene and Renzi Young. Top row: Coach Cullen, Sydney Aubertine, Kyleigh Prance and Kaitlin Irvine. |
Assemblywoman Addie J. Russell, D-Theresa, noted she was pleased to be joined in the Assembly chambers by members of the Lady Islanders hockey team and their coaches. She pointed out the players had been joined on the trip to Albany - the site where they skated to their state title - by parents, grandparents and other team supporters.
The Lady Islanders edged Kenmore Grand Island from the Buffalo area 3-2 in the state title game last month. Kenmore had downed the Lady Islanders in the semi-final round of the state championship round in 2015.
The Lady Islanders had advanced to this year's state championship game by downing Beekmantown 4-1 in the semi-final round.
The Alexandria Central School team had advanced to the state semi-finals by blanking Skaneateles 2-0 in the Section III championship game.
Skaneateles was the only team that had beaten the Lady Islanders during the regular season and was unbeaten on home ice before the sectional championship game.
"It was great vindication for the Lady Islanders to beat Skaneateles for the Section III championship. They were the only team they had lost to during the regular season," Assemblywoman Russell said.
The Lady Islanders state championship roster included Mia Coene, Kayla McCabe, Keeley Rose, Miranda Kolb, Taylor Hudon, Maddie Coene, Talia Parker, Kelsey Bannister, Maddy Cullen, Mikayla Cipullo, Emilie Watt, Emily Rose, Annika Balk, Kaitlin Irvine, Lindsey Bradley, Kyleigh Prance, Sydney Aubertine, Kelsey Cullen and Madison Fleming. The team is coached by Brian Hudon, Matt Cullen and Jamie Wiley.
The Lady Islanders feature just over a half dozen players from the Alexandria Bay and Thousand Islands school districts, two players from Immaculate Heart Central and players from General Brown and Indian River.
"This is a fantastic example of high schools working together to make sure there are opportunities for these young women to compete." Assemblywoman Russell said.
She also suggested the traits that led the Lady Islanders to a state title also provided the young women with the character that will benefit them in the future.
"Anyone who has been part of a championship team understands how much deeper you have to dig to be successful. It is a testament to the character of these young women, their ability to persevere and do whatever it takes to win," the assemblywoman said. "I think it shows their leadership capabilities ... that will only go on to serve the people of this state as they grow and mature into young women and leaders of tomorrow."
Assemblywoman Russell also credited the players' support network with playing a role in their success, noting hockey season often involves early morning practices, late nights and long bus rides for games around the region.
"It is not really easy to be a hockey player. We want to make sure we recognize all the people in their lives who have helped them be successful," Assemblywoman Russell added.
Speaker Pro Tempore Jeffrion L. Aubry praised the Lady Islanders for skating to a state title.
"May this taste of victory lead you on to victories in life," he said.
Coach Hudon, reflecting on the day as he rode the bus back with his team from Albany to the Thousand Islands region, said the players and coaches were overwhelmed by the experience.
"It was incredible. We were so honored to come down and get recognized. It was a special day for the girls. The kids were honored and quite excited. It could be life changing for the girls. It is something these girls will never forget," he said.
Coach Hudon noted the girls' hockey title marked the first state championship for student-athletes at the Thousand Islands and Alexandria central schools.
"The girls are starting to realize what an accomplishment this is," he said.
He noted Assemblywoman Russell had also visited the school to present certificates to the players during a brief ceremony in the days following their victory in the state title game.
"She said some heartfelt, inspirational words that were very meaningful to the girls," he added.
Kaitlin Irvine, a junior at Alexandria Central School, said she enjoyed the opportunity to visit with the elected officials serving the North Country in Albany.
"It was a really nice experience. It was really neat to hear all the things that were said on the floor," she said.
Annika Balk, an eighth grader at Thousand Islands Central School said she enjoyed the opportunity to get an insider's view of the state capitol.
"It was definitely neat getting to go around the state capitol building, seeing how things are run, getting a good idea of what goes on in the building," she said.
The eighth grader said the team has been treated very well since winning the state title.
"It is definitely a lot of fun being a state champion. I didn't expect that much to come of it. It's really cool," she said.
The team was also recognized by the state senate on Monday afternoon.