Buffalo Shamrocks Hockey Club History

It is truly a glorious game, the best game. One can get lost in dreams on a frozen pond from the­­ moment the sun rises until it sets and the bell clangs to call you in for dinner. Remember back then? The innocence, the youth, the fun, the neighborhood, the rivalries, the big brothers, the little ones, dads, moms and sisters all gathering on the backyard rink? No goalie gear? No problem, a little bit of felt and some magazines taped to your legs took care of that and you were immediately transformed into Hall of Famer Jacques Plante and on the cusp of winning your 3rd consecutive Cup…of course in overtime, in game 7 and all before you reluctantly went in for lunch.

The game, it is the game. It seduces, it inspires, it delivers, it teachers, it pushes and it pulls, it joins, it hurts, it is joyful, it reveals, motivates, forces your hand, talks to you and makes a loyal, long-term friend, though it asks nothing, but your honest effort and…respect.

That game, that dream, needed a home in 2001.

It’s good to be a kid in Western New York, for many reasons. But even better because that game, that dream, became a very robust reality and it is named…

 

THE BUFFALO SHAMROCKS HOCKEY CLUB

 

Now, in our second decade of unwavering dedication to our founding mission, purpose, and goals, we take this moment to distinguish the ‘Founding Five’; the individuals of like-vision and passion, lovers of this game and dreamers of the dream, drafters of the constitution, the tenants, the philosophy as well as the guiding principles which not only remain to this day but drive our pursuit of fun, embracing youth, raising the dialogue and excellence…

 

“SPORTSMANSHIP – TEAM PLAY – PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY”

 

THE FOUNDING FIVE FATHERS OF SHAMROCKS HOCKEY

Rick Zacher  Mark McDonnell  Tom Harvey  Rob Sanders  Tom Barnett

 

There was a need it was determined, for a program that provided a new direction, a new opportunity of possibilities and a pathway to the future and all the while with a healthy reach back to vital traditions of the past. The ‘Five’ believed certain elements of the game required additional focus; that demanded more emphasis, while other ancillary components had taken on a life of their own, lured the game off the track, dashed development and ultimately the player’s short and long-term enjoyment of the sport and required refinement.

October 2, 2001: the Amherst Pepsi Center, with the original roster of just 30 players, the Shamrocks took the ice for the first thrilling time; history was made and a program was born.

Official Shamrocks Game Puck. First puck used in Shamrocks History, 10/02/01

 

Now, over a decade later, with an enrollment ten times that size, a wait list at nearly every age group level, a retention rate that is among the highest in youth sports, a coaching staff and learn-to-skate group –each alone—larger than the original total player enrollment, and a reputation that is not only wide-spread and well documented, but internationally honored as leaders in the field. It’s a good story, no doubt, but it underscores the amazing poser of this game, this dream.

But this cannot happen in a vacuum. The program has been blessed with the Founding Five leaders, as well as an incredible number of individuals and corporations that have made might contributions; our membership in and guidance from USA Hockey, the loyalty and association with our home rink partners, notably The Northtown Center of Amherst and The Nichols School, and of course, our families and their children whom they entrust to our program for fun, challenge and advancement in our elementary school-style program.

Western New York is a great hockey neighborhood and we are thrilled to be a small part of it. Thanks to all the support of our local game partners as well.

As we look forward to the future of hockey we cannot help but honor and look back to the past, our past, which defines us each and every day. We wouldn’t have it any other way.

That game, that dream, needed a home in 2001.

They found one.

We are pleased and sincerely thankful you found us.

COME DREAM, GO PLAY, GO ‘ROCKS!