NAHL press release excerpts (1975-1976).htm
Dublin Core
Title
NAHL press release excerpts (1975-1976).htm
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https://archive.org/details/nahl_press_releases_1975-76/page/n17/mode/2up
League headquarters transition that season from Albany to Buffalo (30 Cayuga Road Williamsville, NY)
OCT 30 - NOV 11
BUFFALO: Defenseman Paul Heaver recalled by Toronto Toros, Defenseman Rick Foley assigned by Toronto Toros.
NOVEMBER 11
Norsemen in 1st place in Western Division, most wins and most goals league-wide.
Also in November, Comets - Jaros "Riot on Ice" which results in "no-contest" decision and halting of game after 2nd. NAHL institutes new rules to crack down on violence. (Announced rule Nov 13 according to Billoni article). "Commissioner Jack Timmins conferred by phone throughout Saturday wit:n Mian ship and J.-IA Supervisor of Referees Bob Frame ton, and within 2w hours of the game he handed out four indefinite suspensions. Banished were Jaros coach marc Picard, Ja.ro players Gilles Bilodeau and Michel Garneau, and Comet player Bob 0 ’Reilly. Declared Timmins, "We will not tolerate any actions that will diminish the reputation that the NAI-IL has developed as a professional hockey league."
NORTH AMERICAN HOCKEY LEAGUE ROSTER
NOV 11 - NOV 17
BUFFALO: Defenseman Rich Foley removed from active roster, Foley
released by Toronto Toros. Left wing Lou Nistico assigned by Toronto Toros.
NOV 18 1975 (Player of the Week)
NAHL PLAYER OF THE WEEK NOVEMBER 10 - NOVEMBER 16:
LARRY GOULD
The Buffalo Norsemen have what is now the most potent offense in the North American hockey League. In three games last week the Norsemen scored eighteen goals to raise their league leading total of goals scored to seventy-eight.
The major portion of Buffalo’s firepower has been generated by their number one line of Larry Gould, Steve Atkinson, and Bryan McSheffrey* Last week it was Gould who showed the way by scoring eleven points in the Buffs three encounters.
Larry began his big week with a six point performance against the Beauce Jaros. He scored one powerplay goal, one unassisted shorthanded goal, and one evenhanded goal for a hat trick, plus added three assists. He closed his week by assisting on three goals, including the tying and go-ahead goals, in a 4-3 win in Maine.
Larry Gould’s eleven point week was enough to move him up to second place in the NAHL scoring race, and it was more than enough to make him the North American Hockey League Player of the Peek for the week of November 10 thru November I5.
DECEMBER 3 - DECEMBER 8
BUFFALO: Goaltender BILL CHEROPITA placed on disabled list. Defenseman STEVE SIBA signed as free agent, SIBA later placed on disabled list. Goaltender CLIFF ADCOCK signed as free agent.
DECEMBER 9 - DECEMBER 15
BUFFALO: Goaltender CLIFF ADCOCK and defenseman STEVE SIBA waived.
Center LOU NISTICO recalled by Toronto Toros. Left wing FRED HUNT placed on disabled list. Centers JEAN-LUC PHANEUF and BOR D f AT.VTSE assigned by Toronto Toros. Goaltender BILL CHEROPITA activated from disabled list.
DECEMBER 16 - DECEMBER 22
BUFFALO: Centers BOB D'ALVISE and JEAN-LUC PHANEUF recalled by
Toronto Toros. Defenseman GREG NEELD assigned by Toronto Toros. Left wing FRED HUNT activated from the disabled list.
DEC 23 PLAYER OF THE WEEK
The captain of the Buffalo Norsemen, Steve Atkinson, has merited Player of the Week consideration several times this season. Off of his last week's performance his selection this time is unavoidable.
The statistics speak for themselves*: Four games, three Buffalo wins, six goals, four assists, ten points. But they do not accurately describe Atkinson's total contributions to his club.
Prior to 1975-76 Atkinson had spent the bulk of his career playing right wing. This season he was asked to tackle a new spot, center. He handled his assignment well enough to lead the League in scoring and spur the Norsemen to nine wins in eleven games early in the season.
More recently, manpower shortages at defense have caused Guy Trottier to call on Atkinson to take an odd shift at the blueline. Last week Atkinson found himself playing three different positions: defense, center, and point on the power play. In addition, he took his usual turns killing penalties.
Despite it all he managed the six goal performance. One of his four assists came on a key faceoff in overtime against Mohawk Valley, which he drew to Larry Gould for the game winning goal.
Steve Atkinson's selection as North American Hockey League Player of the Week is probably long overdue, but because of his do-every thing performance of December 15 through December 21 he is finally receiving the recognition that he has deserved.
DEC 23 - JAN 5
BUFFALO: Defenseman DAVE SYVRET and center STEVE ATKINSON purchased by Toronto Toros. Defenseman GEORGE KUZMICZ waived. Goaltender BILL CHEROPITA removed from the active roster, CHEROPITA on loan to Springfield Indians. Center BOB D'ALVISE assigned by Toronto Toros. Defensemen JIM ROFFEY and BOB BARNES signed as free agents.
JAN 6 - JAN 26
BUFFALO: Goaltender BILL CHEROPITA, left wing, FRED HUNT, and center RANDY MONTGOMERY all waived. Defenseman JIM ROFFEY placed on disabled list. Goaltender MARIO VIEN assigned by Toronto Toros. Defensemen GEORGE KUZMICZ and GORD DAVIES and right wing ROBBIE BALYC all signed as free agents.
JAN 27 - FEB 10
BUFFALO : Right wing BRYAN MCSHEFFREY traded to Cape Codders for future considerations. Goaltenders LES BINKLEY and MARIO VIEN and defenseman GEORGE KUZMICZ recalled by Toronto Toros. Defenseman GORD DAVIES placed on disabled, list. Goaltenders BUZZ SHANE and HOWIE SAPERSTON, left wing JIM STANFIELD, and center KEKE MORTSON all signed as free agents.
FEB 7 1976
Buffalo acquires two players in defunct Cape Codders "dispersal draft." Gord Neilson (C) and Jim Makey (goal).
MAY 19 1976
NORSEMEN PENALIZED FOR PLAYOFF FORFEIT
The first item on the Meeting agenda was a petition by the Johnstown Jets concerning the Buffalo- Johnstown playoff series. Arguments were heard by the Governors who then announced strong disciplinary action against the Norsemen.
Johnstown’s petition brought charges against the Norsemen as a result of the Norsemen’s forfeiture of the deciding game of the Quarter Final series between the two teams on March 27.
The Governors found the Norsemen guilty of violating the League’s Constitution by failing to ice their team. They were ordered to compensate the Jets for their loss and in addition were assessed a substantial fine.
The Norsemen later posted their League-required performance bond for 1976-77 and remain members in good standing of the NAHL.
JULY 7 1976
NORSEMEN APPLY FOR ABEYANCE
The Buffalo Norsemen have applied to the NAHL Board of Governors to suspend operations for the 1976-77 season. Action is expected on their application at the Philadelphia Meeting.
Under the NAHL Constitution a member may suspend operations by notifying the League in writing of its intentions before the annual meeting and by paying a non-refundable fee of $2,500.00. Should the member wish to continue the abeyance of its franchise in subsequent years, it may do so at the additional annual fee of $2,500.00.
The Norsemen had announced at the Cooperstown Meeting their intention of being active members of the NAHL in 1976-77. They were planning on playing a partial home schedule at the Buffalo Memorial Auditorium, where they drew well in two regular season and one playoff game last year. However, the uncertainty of the status of the Buffalo Braves of the NBA apparently made it impossible for the Norsemen to secure the needed Auditorium dates. The Norsemen were not represented at an NAHL scheduling meeting held in Syracuse on June 14 and 15.
The Norsemen were an NAHL expansion team in 1975-76. They finished in fourth place in the Western Division with a record of 30-44-0. They bowed out of the playoffs in a first round loss to the Johnstown Jets.
League headquarters transition that season from Albany to Buffalo (30 Cayuga Road Williamsville, NY)
OCT 30 - NOV 11
BUFFALO: Defenseman Paul Heaver recalled by Toronto Toros, Defenseman Rick Foley assigned by Toronto Toros.
NOVEMBER 11
Norsemen in 1st place in Western Division, most wins and most goals league-wide.
Also in November, Comets - Jaros "Riot on Ice" which results in "no-contest" decision and halting of game after 2nd. NAHL institutes new rules to crack down on violence. (Announced rule Nov 13 according to Billoni article). "Commissioner Jack Timmins conferred by phone throughout Saturday wit:n Mian ship and J.-IA Supervisor of Referees Bob Frame ton, and within 2w hours of the game he handed out four indefinite suspensions. Banished were Jaros coach marc Picard, Ja.ro players Gilles Bilodeau and Michel Garneau, and Comet player Bob 0 ’Reilly. Declared Timmins, "We will not tolerate any actions that will diminish the reputation that the NAI-IL has developed as a professional hockey league."
NORTH AMERICAN HOCKEY LEAGUE ROSTER
NOV 11 - NOV 17
BUFFALO: Defenseman Rich Foley removed from active roster, Foley
released by Toronto Toros. Left wing Lou Nistico assigned by Toronto Toros.
NOV 18 1975 (Player of the Week)
NAHL PLAYER OF THE WEEK NOVEMBER 10 - NOVEMBER 16:
LARRY GOULD
The Buffalo Norsemen have what is now the most potent offense in the North American hockey League. In three games last week the Norsemen scored eighteen goals to raise their league leading total of goals scored to seventy-eight.
The major portion of Buffalo’s firepower has been generated by their number one line of Larry Gould, Steve Atkinson, and Bryan McSheffrey* Last week it was Gould who showed the way by scoring eleven points in the Buffs three encounters.
Larry began his big week with a six point performance against the Beauce Jaros. He scored one powerplay goal, one unassisted shorthanded goal, and one evenhanded goal for a hat trick, plus added three assists. He closed his week by assisting on three goals, including the tying and go-ahead goals, in a 4-3 win in Maine.
Larry Gould’s eleven point week was enough to move him up to second place in the NAHL scoring race, and it was more than enough to make him the North American Hockey League Player of the Peek for the week of November 10 thru November I5.
DECEMBER 3 - DECEMBER 8
BUFFALO: Goaltender BILL CHEROPITA placed on disabled list. Defenseman STEVE SIBA signed as free agent, SIBA later placed on disabled list. Goaltender CLIFF ADCOCK signed as free agent.
DECEMBER 9 - DECEMBER 15
BUFFALO: Goaltender CLIFF ADCOCK and defenseman STEVE SIBA waived.
Center LOU NISTICO recalled by Toronto Toros. Left wing FRED HUNT placed on disabled list. Centers JEAN-LUC PHANEUF and BOR D f AT.VTSE assigned by Toronto Toros. Goaltender BILL CHEROPITA activated from disabled list.
DECEMBER 16 - DECEMBER 22
BUFFALO: Centers BOB D'ALVISE and JEAN-LUC PHANEUF recalled by
Toronto Toros. Defenseman GREG NEELD assigned by Toronto Toros. Left wing FRED HUNT activated from the disabled list.
DEC 23 PLAYER OF THE WEEK
The captain of the Buffalo Norsemen, Steve Atkinson, has merited Player of the Week consideration several times this season. Off of his last week's performance his selection this time is unavoidable.
The statistics speak for themselves*: Four games, three Buffalo wins, six goals, four assists, ten points. But they do not accurately describe Atkinson's total contributions to his club.
Prior to 1975-76 Atkinson had spent the bulk of his career playing right wing. This season he was asked to tackle a new spot, center. He handled his assignment well enough to lead the League in scoring and spur the Norsemen to nine wins in eleven games early in the season.
More recently, manpower shortages at defense have caused Guy Trottier to call on Atkinson to take an odd shift at the blueline. Last week Atkinson found himself playing three different positions: defense, center, and point on the power play. In addition, he took his usual turns killing penalties.
Despite it all he managed the six goal performance. One of his four assists came on a key faceoff in overtime against Mohawk Valley, which he drew to Larry Gould for the game winning goal.
Steve Atkinson's selection as North American Hockey League Player of the Week is probably long overdue, but because of his do-every thing performance of December 15 through December 21 he is finally receiving the recognition that he has deserved.
DEC 23 - JAN 5
BUFFALO: Defenseman DAVE SYVRET and center STEVE ATKINSON purchased by Toronto Toros. Defenseman GEORGE KUZMICZ waived. Goaltender BILL CHEROPITA removed from the active roster, CHEROPITA on loan to Springfield Indians. Center BOB D'ALVISE assigned by Toronto Toros. Defensemen JIM ROFFEY and BOB BARNES signed as free agents.
JAN 6 - JAN 26
BUFFALO: Goaltender BILL CHEROPITA, left wing, FRED HUNT, and center RANDY MONTGOMERY all waived. Defenseman JIM ROFFEY placed on disabled list. Goaltender MARIO VIEN assigned by Toronto Toros. Defensemen GEORGE KUZMICZ and GORD DAVIES and right wing ROBBIE BALYC all signed as free agents.
JAN 27 - FEB 10
BUFFALO : Right wing BRYAN MCSHEFFREY traded to Cape Codders for future considerations. Goaltenders LES BINKLEY and MARIO VIEN and defenseman GEORGE KUZMICZ recalled by Toronto Toros. Defenseman GORD DAVIES placed on disabled, list. Goaltenders BUZZ SHANE and HOWIE SAPERSTON, left wing JIM STANFIELD, and center KEKE MORTSON all signed as free agents.
FEB 7 1976
Buffalo acquires two players in defunct Cape Codders "dispersal draft." Gord Neilson (C) and Jim Makey (goal).
MAY 19 1976
NORSEMEN PENALIZED FOR PLAYOFF FORFEIT
The first item on the Meeting agenda was a petition by the Johnstown Jets concerning the Buffalo- Johnstown playoff series. Arguments were heard by the Governors who then announced strong disciplinary action against the Norsemen.
Johnstown’s petition brought charges against the Norsemen as a result of the Norsemen’s forfeiture of the deciding game of the Quarter Final series between the two teams on March 27.
The Governors found the Norsemen guilty of violating the League’s Constitution by failing to ice their team. They were ordered to compensate the Jets for their loss and in addition were assessed a substantial fine.
The Norsemen later posted their League-required performance bond for 1976-77 and remain members in good standing of the NAHL.
JULY 7 1976
NORSEMEN APPLY FOR ABEYANCE
The Buffalo Norsemen have applied to the NAHL Board of Governors to suspend operations for the 1976-77 season. Action is expected on their application at the Philadelphia Meeting.
Under the NAHL Constitution a member may suspend operations by notifying the League in writing of its intentions before the annual meeting and by paying a non-refundable fee of $2,500.00. Should the member wish to continue the abeyance of its franchise in subsequent years, it may do so at the additional annual fee of $2,500.00.
The Norsemen had announced at the Cooperstown Meeting their intention of being active members of the NAHL in 1976-77. They were planning on playing a partial home schedule at the Buffalo Memorial Auditorium, where they drew well in two regular season and one playoff game last year. However, the uncertainty of the status of the Buffalo Braves of the NBA apparently made it impossible for the Norsemen to secure the needed Auditorium dates. The Norsemen were not represented at an NAHL scheduling meeting held in Syracuse on June 14 and 15.
The Norsemen were an NAHL expansion team in 1975-76. They finished in fourth place in the Western Division with a record of 30-44-0. They bowed out of the playoffs in a first round loss to the Johnstown Jets.
Collection
Citation
“NAHL press release excerpts (1975-1976).htm,” North Tonawanda History, accessed November 20, 2025, https://nthistory.com/items/show/4647.