New York Aviators Season in Review

Published on March 1, 2011 under Federal Prospects Hockey League (FPHL)
Brooklyn Aviators News Release


Brooklyn, NY - The New York Aviators turned a lot of heads when the club capped off a 21 game winning-streak to end the final half of regular season play in the Federal Hockey League. However, for the team based out of the Aviator Sports and Event Center, getting a win earlier in the season was a hard thing to come by.

The Aviators finished the 2010-11 season in first place with a record of 32-13-2, giving them a league best 66 points and .702 winning percentage. The A's went 21-1-0 in their last two months of play, only to drop their final regular season game to the Danbury Whalers - on the road.

New York got off to a slow start though, after dropping its first two games to the Whalers and then ending their seven game road trip with a 2-5 mark. In the A's first 13 games, the black and red sat with a record of 5-7-1, impressing just a few.

New York began to mesh though, and playing at home really got the club into winning form. For Rob Miller, the A's head coach, and his club, losing was not an option at home. Despite their slow start and 2-5 road record, the Aviators won their first six home games.

It was a sign of things to come.

With two tough losses to the Akwesasne Warriors and 1000 Islands Privateers, New York rang in the New Year with play that could not be beat.

New York would then go on that 21 game winning streak starting on New Year's Eve after an 8-1win over Danbury. The A's finished with a record of 22-1-1on home ice. Out of a possible 48 points the A's could have gotten at home, the team registered 45.

What can't be over looked is the fact that the club went on this amazing run with regulars out of the line up. Outside fill-ins due to injury, New York was happy to see certain players leave; some just for a bit.

Forward Mike Thomson and defenseman David Inman were the first two Aviators to receive call-ups to the ECHL. Thomson joined the A's ECHL affiliate, the Wheeling Nailers, in West Virgin for four games racking up two assists. Inman wentnorth to Elmira, NY and dawned a Jackals jersey in the ECHL as well. Inman played in six games for Elmira gaining one assist, and currently is with the Lardeo Bucks in the Central Hockey League where he has two points in 10 games.

Thomson and Inman weren't the only A's to receive some type of recognition. Goaltender Kevin Druce picked up the FHL's Regular Season MVP and FHL All-Team Goalie awards. Miller nabbed the FHL's Coach of the Year after leading his club to a first place finish and playoff berth (plus that amazing streak). Defenseman Jarrett Rush nabbed FHL All-Team Defense, and Matt Puntureri collected the FHL's All-Team Right Wing. A's broadcaster Carmine Vetrano also found FHL hardware after getting the Announcer of the Year award.

The club could not have done it alone though. The inside works of the staff, and most importantly the hundreds of fans that supported this club from the start to the end made this first season truly remarkable.

With the FHL playoffs this weekend, New York looks to add one more piece of hardware to their collection.

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Federal Prospects Hockey League Stories from March 1, 2011


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