[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 78 (Thursday, May 11, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1008]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


    CENTRAL NEW YORK: NATION'S FIRST PEE WEE WORLD HOCKEY CHAMPIONS

                                 ______


                          HON. JAMES T. WALSH

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 11, 1995
  Mr. WALSH. Mr. Speaker, last year I was as proud as I could be, or 
thought I could be, of some very special young athletes in my home 
district, the Syracuse Stars Pee Wee Hockey Team. They had won the USA 
Nationals and all of our hometown was awash in publicity and 
congratulations.
  Today I am eager to report that the same team has once again 
prevailed. They are now the holders of the World Cup of Pee Wee Hockey, 
having won on February 19 this year the 36th Annual Tournoi De Quebec 
in Quebec City. The tournament hosted 115 teams from 17 countries. The 
Stars defeated teams from Russia, Ukraine, Detroit, and Toronto on 
their way to becoming the first U.S. team to ever win the World Cup.
  To put this tournament in perspective, more than 550 former or 
present NHL players have participated, including Wayne Gretzky, Brett 
Hull, and Mario Lemieux.
  The players are: Daniel Bequer, goalie, of North Syracuse; Brian 
Balash, forward, of Auburn; Gary Baronick, forward, of North Syracuse; 
Drew Bucktooth, forward, of the Onondaga Indian Nation; Tim Connolly, 
forward, of Baldwinsville; Jeremy Downs, defense, of Syracuse; Joshua 
Downs, defense, of Syracuse; J.D. Forrest, defense, of Auburn; Todd 
Jackson, forward, of Cortland; Josh Jordan, forward, of Marathon; Tom 
LeRoux, forward, of Syracuse; Doug MacCormack, forward, of Cortland; 
Matt Magloine, defense, of North Syracuse; Freddy Meyer, defense, of 
New Hampshire; Anthony Pace, forward, of Cortland; Steve Pakan, 
defense, of Syracuse; Mike Saraceni, goalie, of North Syracuse; and 
Ricky Williams, forward, of McGraw. Head Coach Don Kirnan was assisted 
by coaches Mike Connolly and John Jackson and manager Chris Kirnan.
  Freddy Meyer won the Tournament MVP trophy and Drew Bucktooth won the 
Grand Finale Game MVP. Tim Connolly was top scorer of the tournament 
and along with Anthony Pace was named a single-game MVP. Dan Bequer 
gave up only two goals in the last three games, which proved for some 
exciting hockey, especially in the Stars' 6-2 final game win over the 
Toronto Young Nationals.
  I ask that my colleagues join me in congratulating these young 
athletes for their performance, and for bringing home to the United 
States our first World Cup of Pee Wee Hockey.


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