HIGH SCHOOL GAME OF THE WEEK: CANANDAIGUA VS. IRONDEQUOIT

Jan 5, 2026

For the next several months, the Rochester Americans will be front and center of the local high school hockey scene as part of a weekly series that features the latest news and notes, scores and stats of select Section V games around the Greater Rochester Area. 

The High School Game of the Week includes the Irondequoit Eagles (5-3-1) facing the Canandaigua Academy Braves (3-7-0) on Tuesday, January 6 for a 7:00 p.m. puck drop at Lakeshore Arena.

The Eagles, who went 9-10-1 during the 2024-25 campaign for its first multiple win season since the 2020-21 slate, begin the season with a 5-3-1 mark in 2025-26. Irondequoit’s 34 goals this season are third-most in all Section V programs while being one of five teams with one or fewer home losses. The Eagles have outscored its opponents 19-14 while serving as the home team compared to a 17-15 record on the road.

Through nine games this season, 13 different Irondequoit skaters have notched at least one point while eight have found the back of the net.

After topping all Eagles with 21 goals and 33 points last season, Landon Bryan has a team-leading 12 goals and 18 points through his first nine outings of 2025-26. Douglas Velepec has plotted double figures in points (10) while Dylan Carey (5), Hunter Weisbeck (4), Matthew Parsons (3), Ryan Adams (3), T.J. Mayer (2), and Levi Powell (1) all have scored for the Eagles.

Goaltender Chase Wallner (2-1-0) has seen the crease six times to start the 2025-26 campaign while Joel Reeves (1-0-0) and Will Napierala (0-0-0) has also appeared in the crease making a combined 80 saves. All three netminders helped the Eagles to a 9-10-1 during the 2024-25 season.

Mike Cimino is the head coach of Irondequoit as Theo Cup, Dave Velepec and Rick Giuffrida are serving as assistants.

Canandaigua Academy has won two of its last three games after logging a 1-6-0 start to the slate for a 3-7-0 mark overall. The Braves are the only team in Section V still searching for their first road victory as they show a 0-4-0 record.

Of its 11 skaters to record at least one point through the first 10 games, seven have filled the back of the opponent’s net, which includes three who have scored six. Gavin Nemitz (13), Arthur Fuller (13), and Dominic Holmes (12) all hold a share of the team lead in goals while being the three players with double digits in points.

Jackson Williamson (7) and Teron Bacon (4) both have seven and four assists, respectively, while Desmond Coyle (2), Zander Veeck (1), Zachary Hoffman (1), Brady Bennett (1) have scored.

Matthew Ulrich (3-7-0) has handled all the goaltending duties through the first 10 games of the season for the second straight season. Quetin Shedrick, who appeared one game last season, and Brooks Baxter are both looking to make their season-debuts.

Head coach David Taft leads Canandaigua Academy while Austin Wharry serve as an assistant coach.