Ben Birnell

Copper City previously revealed the team's home opener Saturday, Oct. 24, when they host the Bathurst St. Lions. That game is scheduled for a 7:30 p.m. start. The semi-pro team is a member of the American Premier Hockey League. The team's 12 home games at JFK Arena in Rome are all scheduled for Friday or Saturday evenings from late October through the final weekend of March. The team also said two more home dates would be announced, but didn't state the reason for the delayed release.

UTICA — The Utica Comets have added another depth option among their defensemen. The American Hockey League team announced via social media that D.J.

Westmoreland grad Jason Robinson took second overall in the field of 13 participants for the 6.2-mile event Saturday in Cape Elizabeth, Maine. The 23-year-old finished in a time of 23 minutes, 20 seconds. Utica's Hermin Garic was just behind in 24:33. The winner was Miguel Jimenez Vergara. Both Vergara and Garic are previous Boilermaker Road Race winners in Utica.

TheUSA Ball Hockey Future Stars Invitational is back in Utica for the second time in as many years. The festivities are scheduled for take place from Friday to Sunday at the Adirondack Bank Center at Utica Memorial Auditorium and the adjoining Nexus Center. More than 500 athletes across six divisions and 25 teams are expected to participate in the international showcase, according to the news release. Players ranging from ages 9 to 19 will travel to the area from other parts of New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Mass and across Canada.

The sibling team of Utica's Meredith Hobika (Yahnundasis GC) and Luke Hobika (DeWitt/Drumlins GC) tied for second place with a four-over 75 on Monday in the New York State Senior Amateur Mixed Team Championship played Shaker Ridge Country Club in Albany. The course played at 6,024 yards. The Hobikas finished in a tie with Poughkeepsie players Todd Jackson and Louise-Ann Morin. There were a few other teams and players with ties to the Utica-Rome area in the field.

The Wheeling Nailers announced Wednesday that forward Remy Parker has signed with the squad based in Wheeling, West Virginia. Further terms of ECHL contracts are rarely released. Parker appeared in 46 games with the Gary Heenan-led Pioneers during the 2021-22 and 2022-23 seasons. Parker's 23 goals goals during the 2022-23 season are a Utica single-season record.

If there's one thing that American Hockey League fans can count on, it is some form of change as it relates to a team's roster each summer.

One area that is likely to see change for the Utica Comets during the 2026-27 seaosn is goaltending. New Jersey prospect Jakub Málek is set for his second pro season in North America, while New Jersey management has stated its preference to see Nico Daws get a possible expanded NHL role after setting various records with the Comets over 142 appearances in five seasons with Utica. New Jersey also has veteran David Rittich, who could see time with the Comets depending on decisions made by Devils officials.

The 2026 induction class for Utica University's Pioneer Hall of Fame is set. Similar to 2025, this year's induction class will be honored during homecoming weekend, with a public ceremony planned for halftime of this fall's homecoming football game against SUNY Cortland, according to a news release from the school.

By Ben Birnell | Sports writer | [email protected] UTICA — After a dizzying offseason full of change that has generated optimism for