Relive the 1980s

Every decade since the 1920’s has seen Clinton produce hockey talent that enjoyed success at the collegiate level. Many were successful at the Community College level, several at the Division III level, and some at the Division I level. We invite you to update us on the collegiate legacy of Clinton hockey players by contacting us through ‘Tell Us Your Story’. In 1984, Clinton’s Dan Kane x’80 fed his Bowling Green State University linemate Gino … Continued

Clinton Warriors (l-r) Terry Reilly, Captain Dave O’Neill, and Assistant Captain Bill Loveland bring home the Holiday silverware.

Learning to skate and figure skate during the late 1980s and through the 1990s…

Prior to 1980, young girls in the village mostly preferred to participate in Clinton’s highly successful Figure Skating local and competitive venues. Hockey was (and still may be) the most exciting thing in Clinton, and left entirely to the boys (but not so much now.)…

I am (5) out of Joe Nolan’s (7) children. My Pop played hockey (defense) for five seasons in the IHL and EHL. Joe continued his life on the ice as an on-ice officiator until…

The season started slowly, with the team lugging a below-.500 record into the semester break. But things improved quickly from there. Aided by the arrival of talented Buffalo native…

The ‘80-’81 season was notable for two reasons. First, it marked the team’s return to the NESCAC playoffs, the first such playoff game since the end of the ‘77-’78 season…

The routine of starting practice on November 1 and practicing twice a day for four days was old hat for the several experienced players hoping to improve on the two dismal seasons that ended the ‘70s. Senior forwards Allen, Carman, Denk, Knapp, and Wall…

The 1981-82 season was an ECAC bid year, and the Conts played very well. Sparky Marta led the scoring, we finished 11-13, and almost beat Colgate at home…

Clinton Bantam travel team state champs, earned National Tourney appearance – finished 3rd place…

While playing in Ottawa, Canada at a 1982 Squirt tournament, Aimee’s parents were asked by the Ottawa tournament organizers if Aimee would participate in Canada’s National Skills Standards and Testing Program. This is the same skills qualification and training test…

At the Mite hockey level, one of the first—if not the very first—girls to enter into Clinton Youth Hockey was Aimee Bilodeau. She learned and started skating at the Arena in Clinton’s figure skating programs…

I think it was 1982 or 1983. I played goalie on the Clinton High School team and we played a huge game against the HATED Rome team (RFA). It was a tense game. There were hundreds from Clinton in the stands, and there might have been a fight…

Dave Litz was born and raised in Clinton, NY. He began playing hockey in Clinton at the age of five. In 1982 Dave served as Captain of his high school hockey team under legendary…

My CCS hockey story is probably very familiar to most of us. My brother Rick, my sister Donna, and I pretty much grew up at the Clinton Arena. My brother and I played hockey, and my sister was a figure skater…

In Canada, in March 1983, 12-year-old Aimee was the first Clinton girl to score an O.T. winning goal. It was the final tournament game against Saint Lambert. John Emery assisted Aimee in that exciting tournament-ending goal…

During the 1983 Clinton Comets Midget season, we won the New York State Championship and went on to place #3 at Nationals in Brick, New Jersey. It was one of the most talented teams I have ever played for…

Linked to the mention of Lahey’s overtime goal: that same weekend when Dave scored to beat Geneseo 10-9, Mike Marta was in the stands watching. Dave and Coach Batt had invited future HHOF Member Mike Marta to see the campus…

Clinton Midgets won the NYS championship and went to Nationals in Bricktown, NJ.

What a great day! Your jersey retirement is something for which I have been waiting quite some time! You are so deserving. I can only imagine how you feel! You should feel on top of the world…elated…beaming…a sigh of, “At last!”…

Other areas in northern and southern NY also formed girls’ teams; some sanctioned, some not. The Clinton Comets girls’ first game was against a team in Clayton, NY. Kim Anderson scored the team’s first goal…

As recorded in the Clinton Courier late in 1985, the formation of the area’s first girls’ hockey team made hockey history. Twelve determined area girls under the age of fifteen campaigned the Clinton Youth Hockey Association…

Late in 1985, the first organized all-girls youth hockey team in Central New York was formed by the Clinton Youth Hockey Association. Coaching and training support also included former Clinton Comets and current Hamilton College…

Coach Meredith was bemoaning the absence of any great tradition or spectacle at Sage that would draw more fans to the varsity games. He challenged guys on the JV team to come up with ideas. “Toss a live trout on the ice!” was the first idea. That was dismissed quickly; too Detroit Red Wingish, and besides…

It was my pleasure to play college hockey at Hamilton for a great coach and mentor, Phil Grady. The guys I played with are friends forever. The guys who have played at Hamilton—or will play—I consider teammates…

The first season ended in March, 1986 with an 11-4-1 record, a surprise to most, but an expectation by the village…

Played on some great teams throughout my years in Clinton Hockey. Was fortunate to have great teammates and coaches, and make life-long memories. Our 1986-87 Squirt Travel Team finished the season with a record of 39-6-5, including Championships…

I have great memories of playing in Clinton through my sophomore year in high school. Living on campus at Hamilton, I was part of both the village and college hockey communities. I spent hours on the ice at Sage rink…

I feel very fortunate to have lived the hockey experience in Clinton, New York, and thankful that my parents got us involved at a young age.  Memories of the friends I made and the coaches that inspired me are with me today…

When I was a sophomore, I played on the first line with Brian Beigle and Peter Burns. That was the highlight of my life, also playing for Jack Cane and Tim Supper was a lot of fun…