Assembly Resolution No. 316

BY: M. of A. Gallahan

COMMENDING the Hobart Men's Ice Hockey Team upon
the occasion of winning the NCAA Division III
National Championship

WHEREAS, The New York State Senate and Assembly have long valued
athletic excellence at the professional, collegiate, and school levels,
recognizing exceptional achievements, outstanding accomplishments, and
national championships; and

WHEREAS, The storied tradition of intercollegiate athletic success
at Hobart and William Smith Colleges has now risen to a new level, with
the Hobart Men's Ice Hockey Team's victory in the NCAA Division III
National Championship game in a dramatic 3-2 overtime victory over
defending champion Adrian College on Sunday, March 26, 2023, at the
Raymond J. Bourque Arena, in Beverly, Massachusetts, to secure Hobart's
first National Championship in the history of the program; and

WHEREAS, The achievement follows the building of one of the most
solid and consistent Division III programs in the country, finishing the
season with a 29-2 record, ranked number 1 or 2 in the nation for most
of the 2022-23 season, led by skilled scoring with skaters able to score
goals in close games against challenging opponents, and noted for a
stingy defense only allowing 37 goals in their championship run; and

WHEREAS, The Hobart Statesman program has been built by Head Coach
Mark Taylor, who for the past 23 years, has brought together skilled
collegiate hockey players to create a team balanced by outstanding
defense, wise strategy, and teamwork, where every player was prepared to
get the job done one shift at a time; and

WHEREAS, Hobart Hockey took advantage of home ice in downtown
Geneva's fabled "Cooler" with an undefeated 19-0-0 record, the first
undefeated home rink record in the program's history; and

WHEREAS, Fans in Geneva and at visiting rinks were first-hand
witnesses to collegiate hockey at its best, and recognized this special
team at every game: Defensemen: Lonan Bulger, Kevin Lassman, Gagik
Malakyan, Austin Mourar, Matthew Perryman, Cooper Swift, Jared
Patterson, and Matthieu Wuth; Forwards: Mateo Albinati, Jonah Alexander,
Luke Aquaro, Ignat Belov, Artem Buzoverya, Brenden Howell, Matthew
Iasenza, Shane Shell, Zach Tyson, Tristan Fasig, Wil Crane, Tanner
Daniels, Christian Duvall, Kahlil Fontana, Tanner Hartman, and Ethan
Mulhearn; Goaltenders: Damon Beaver, Graham Burke, and Mavrick Goyer;
and

WHEREAS, These players were supported by Hobart and William Smith
President, Mark Gearan; Director of Athletics, Brian Miller; Head Coach,
Mark Taylor, and his team; Assistant Coach, Tom Fiorentino; Hockey
Operations Assistant, Joel Stoneham; Faculty Athletic Fellow, John
Halfman; Strength and Conditioning Head Coach, Chris Gray; Head
Equipment Coordinator, Kevin McDonald; Associate Director of Athletic
Communications, Mackenzie Larsen, and Assistant Athletic Trainer, Sara
Moore; and


WHEREAS, Among Hobart Hockey's other achievements this season were
winning the NEHC Tournament Championship, winning the last 12 games of
the season, scoring 123 goals while only allowing 37 goals against that
included 9 shutouts in the season's 31 games, and allowing only 4 goals
in the NCAA tournament; and

WHEREAS, Celebration and recognition is shared by the current and
past parents, alumni players, college leadership, and boosters who have
supported Hobart Ice Hockey for decades, and we offer special
recognition to former Athletic Director Bill Stiles who made the
decision in 1977 to elevate the decades-old Hobart Club Hockey Team to
the NCAA Division III program we honor today; and

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body recognizes and honors the Hobart
Men's Ice Hockey Team for this national title and how they have
represented Hobart and William Smith Colleges, collegiate ice hockey in
the Northeast, and our great State of New York, and for the excitement
and inspiration they have provided hockey players and fans of all ages
throughout this exciting and impressive season; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend the Hobart Men's Ice Hockey Team upon the occasion of winning
the NCAA Division III National Championship; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to the Hobart Men's Ice Hockey Team.