posted 05/15/2013
 
The Knights are pleased to announce their sixth NCAA college commitment of the season. Knights AJHL goaltender Mike DeLaVergne has committed to Buffalo State College of the highly competitive SUNYAC – State University of New York Athletic Conference. The latest commitment by DeLaVergne makes five players from the Knights 2012-2013 AJHL team to commit to a SUNY school.

“Really happy with the decision for Mike (DeLaVergne) on committing to Buffalo State.” explained Knights Goalie Coach/Assistant Coach Jon Park. “He has put in a tremendous amount of work over the season and it really showed during playoffs. I have complete confidence in him to compete at the NCAA College level. Deli gave the team a chance to win every single game.”

Mike DeLaVergne ended the 2012-2013 season with 19 wins, 9 losses, and 1 tie. Along with his 19 wins, he posted 2 shutouts and posted 2.76 GAA and 0.912 save percentage. DeLaVergne was instrumental in the Knights playoff run to obtain the AJHL’s President’s Cup. He played in all 7 playoff games for the Knights allowing 19 goals for a GAA of 2.61 and a 0.914 save percentage.

“Buffalo State is getting a quality individual and great goalie.” said Head Coach/GM Justin Lyle when asked about DeLaVergne’s commitment. “Mike’s done his homework on what college to attend. Buffalo State is a great school with a great program and I believe Mike will only make them better.”

Buffalo State College ended this past season with an overall record of 13-12-2. The school’s program is an NCAA Division III school that plays in the SUNYAC. The campus lies in Buffalo, NY. 

posted 05/09/2013
 
At the conclusion of Phase II of the 2013 USHL Entry Draft, seven Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Knights players had been drafted or tendered by USHL teams. Ivan Provorov (Cedar Rapids Roughriders) and Denis Smirnov (Indiana Ice) were both tendered. Nikita Pavlychev and Derek Hamelin were drafted in Phase I of the Entry Draft. JS Taillefer, Nick Vilardo, and Jeff Alderfer were drafted in Phase II. 

Provorov and Smirnov will be joining their respective clubs for the start of the 2013-2014 hockey season per the stipulations of the tender process. The fates of Pavlychev, Hamelin, Taillefer, Vilardo, and Alderfer will be determined after their teams’ training camps. Besides Jeff Alderfer, all of the Knights drafted or tendered were from the Knights U16AAA National team. Alderfer played for the Knights AJHL Jr. A team. 

Pavlychev (1997) was taken 33rd overall by the Des Moines Buccaneers. Hamelin (1997) was taken with the 120th pick of the draft by the Dubuque Fighting Saints at the end of Phase I.

Taillefer (1997) was drafted by the Muskegon Lumberjacks in Round 18 of Phase II. With the 331st pick in the 23rd round, the Indiana Ice drafted goaltender Nick Vilardo (1997). Defenseman Jeff Alderfer (1995) was drafted 360th overall in the 24th round of Phase II. 

“Extremely proud of these guys, especially Nick (Vilardo).” said Goalie Coach Jon Park, “Nicky has worked hard to get to this point, but this just means he has to work even harder.”

No matter how many games, tournaments, or trophies that the Knights win, the whole philosophy of the organization is to move players on to higher levels. In just three years of the program’s existence, it is a huge accomplishment to have seven players drafted in one year. 

posted 05/08/2013
 
The first day of the 2013 USHL Draft featured four different USHL teams taking the rights of four Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Knights players. 

Prior to the draft, nine players were acquired through the USHL’s tender process. Of those nine players, two came from the Knights – defenseman Ivan Provorov and forward Denis Smirnov. The Cedar Rapids Roughriders forfeited their first round pick to tender Provorov. Denis Smirnov was tendered by the Indiana Ice, who gave up their second round pick in the draft in order to do so. 

With the 33rd overall pick in the third round of the USHL Draft, the Des Moines Buccaneers selected forward Nikita Pavlychev. Nikita Pavlychev is a 6’6”, 190 pound center originally from Russia. Pavlychev finished the 2012-2013 season with 10 goals and 19 assists. He also led the team in penalty minutes with 56 PIMS. 

“Nikita (Pavlychev) is the best natural center I have seen in the country at that age level.” explained Knights U16 National Assistant Coach Jon Park. “He is pretty mobile for a kid his size. He gets into the dirty areas, sees the ice well, and he’s tough – will not back down from confrontation. There is not a better center for taking faceoffs at the midget minor level.”

With the 120th and last pick of the 2013 USHL Draft, the Dubuque Fighting Saints drafted defenseman Derek Hamelin. Hamelin is a Canadian native who finished this past season with 1 goal and 7 assists. The 1997-born defenseman was part of a defensive core that could compete with any team in the country. However, he was one of the most consistent for the Knights U16 team. Hamelin is 6 feet tall, 175 pounds and can move very well. 

“He’s (Derek Hamelin) one of the best defenseman I’ve seen technically.” said Assistant Coach Tom Kowal. “He won’t wow you when you watch his game but he is consistently dependable game in and game out.”