North American Hockey League · Eastern Division
Elmira Aviators
2026-27 Preseason Media Guide
LECOM Event Center · Elmira, New York — Take Flight
Records last updated September 8, 2026. The roster below is live and includes signings made after the guide went to print.
Section 01
About the Aviators
- Founded
- May 1, 2024
- League
- North American Hockey League
- Division
- Eastern
- Home arena
- LECOM Event Center, 155 North Main Street, Elmira, New York 14901
- Capacity
- 3,784
- Colors
- Purple, black, white, grey
- Mascot
- Ace
- Team motto
- Take Flight
- Affiliates
- Elmira Hockey Academy U18 and U16
Section 02
Hockey Operations
Mark Stemerman
President
Eddy Lowe
President of Hockey Operations and Assistant Coach
Leeor Shtrom
Head Coach
Jason Jaworski
Assistant Coach
Anthony Carlier
Goalie Coach
Chance Gorman
Skills and Development Coach
Jessica “Jess” Smith
Athletic Trainer
Nate Dominoski
Equipment Manager
Section 03
Still Climbing
Season preview.
3rd
year in the NAHL
1st
full season under Leeor Shtrom, who took over seven games into 2025-26
+7
point increase from the first season to the second
28
one-goal games — second most in the league
Flights are rarely smooth until the takeoff is over and the plane levels out. Now in their third season the Aviators seek to finish their ascent into the playoffs.
In 2025-26 Elmira finished with a record of 22-28-5-4 with 53 total points, finishing 9th out of 10 in the Eastern Division and 27th out of 34 league-wide. That was a steady improvement on their 21-34-3-1 (46 points) inaugural campaign.
Last season's biggest bump came thirteen games in, when current head coach Leeor Shtrom took over. Shtrom, a Montreal native, played NCAA hockey for Union College and then spent two seasons in the ECHL. In the 46 games Shtrom was behind the bench the Aviators went 18-19-5-4, good for a .489 points percentage — the 23rd best in the league, and just under the playoff cutoff.
Elmira also consistently kept games close, playing an absurd 28 one-goal games — tied for the second most with the New Hampshire Mountain Kings and Odessa Jackalopes.
Statistically the Aviators liked to play a fast-paced game, scoring 2.9 goals per game while conceding 3.2. Their power play clicked at 20.4 percent and their penalty kill shut down 76% of opponents' advantages.
Section 04
Full Roster
Live from the club's roster, so it carries signings made after the guide went to print. Bios, headshots and the players saying their own names are on the roster page.
| # | Player | Position | Born | Ht | Wt | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jake Shingles | Goaltender | 26/02/2007 | 6'0" | 170 | |
| 2 | Marek Brozyna | Defenseman | 10/12/2007 | 6'0" | 165 | broh-ZEE-nuh |
| 3 | Sig Ebersold | Defenseman | 2009 | — | — | EBER-sohld |
| 4 | Tanner George | Defenseman | 16/02/2008 | 5'9" | 161 | |
| 5 | Max Festa | Forward | 09/05/2007 | 5'10" | 174 | FES-tuh |
| 6 | Jack Kohlman | Forward | 20/06/2006 | 6'2" | 181 | COLE-muhn |
| 7 | Gavin Lafferty | Defenseman | 11/12/2007 | 6'2" | 185 | |
| 8 | Matthew Maglio | Forward | 27/02/2006 | 6'3" | 212 | MAG-lee-oh |
| 9 | Sam Flood | Forward | 20/06/2008 | 5'10" | 170 | |
| 10 | Colin Varady | Forward | 11/08/2009 | 5'9" | 160 | VAR-ah-dee |
| 11 | Kacper Prokopiak | Defenseman | 07/05/2006 | 6'5" | 185 | pro-ko-PEE-ak |
| 12 | Cruz Ferguson | Forward | 18/12/2007 | 5'11" | 175 | |
| 14 | Lucas Novak | Forward | 22/11/2007 | 5'11" | 183 | NOH-vak (like the tennis player) |
| 15 | Matthew Judge | Defenseman | 06/03/2007 | 5'11" | 181 | |
| 16 | Max McGuire | Forward | 06/08/2007 | 6'4" | 201 | |
| 18 | Timofei Korober | Forward | 08/02/2008 | 6'2" | 205 | tim-oh-FAE KOR-oh-ber |
| 19 | Liam McCloy | Forward | 16/11/2007 | 6'0" | 200 | muh-CLOY |
| 20 | Ryder Tremblay | Defenseman | 13/02/2007 | 5'11" | 162 | TREM-blay |
| 21 | Leo Fullerton | Defenseman | 23/02/2008 | 5'10" | 175 | |
| 22 | Kolby Gapter | Defenseman | 2006 | — | — | GAP-ter |
| 23 | Jake Baratta | Forward | 23/10/2006 | 5'10" | 165 | ba-RA-tah |
| 26 | John Lowe | Forward | 01/08/2008 | 6'2" | 196 | Low |
| 27 | Max Campbell | Forward | 26/03/2007 | 5'10" | 170 | |
| 28 | Nico-Patrick Pohjola | Forward | 12/11/2006 | 5'10" | 170 | POH-yah-lah |
| 30 | Connor O'Brien | Goaltender | 14/01/2007 | 6'1" | 190 | oh-BRIAN |
| 33 | Eli Simard | Goaltender | 18/05/2007 | 6'5" | 215 | SIH-mard |
| 44 | Kevin Delaney | Defenseman | 25/11/2006 | 6'2" | 200 | |
| 46 | Adam Kurka | Forward | 20/03/2007 | 6'2" | 190 | KUR-kuh |
| 48 | Cael Primanti | Forward | 03/05/2006 | 5'11" | 176 | Cael like the vegetable · pri-MAN-tee |
| 79 | J.D Low | Goaltender | 01/09/2007 | 6'3" | 179 |
Hear every name at the media center, or open a player's boarding pass for the full profile.
Section 05
Team History
Last updated September 8, 2026.
Home
19–39–0
.328 win%
Road
24–36–0
.400 win%
Overall
43–75–0
.364 win%
Head coaches
| Coach | GC | W | L | OTL | SOL | Win % | Pts % | First | Last |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cody Murphy | 24 | 8 | 12 | 3 | 1 | .333 | .416 | 2024-25 | 2024-25 |
| Dominick Manochio | 48 | 17 | 31 | 0 | 0 | .354 | .354 | 2024-25 | 2025-26 |
| Leeor Shtrom | 46 | 18 | 19 | 5 | 4 | .391 | .489 | 2025-26 | Current |
Record vs opponent
| Opponent | Record | Win % |
|---|---|---|
| Rochester Jr. Americans | 6–10 | .38 |
| Danbury Jr. Hat Tricks | 6–6 | .50 |
| Northeast Generals | 6–6 | .50 |
| New Hampshire Mountain Kings | 4–8 | .33 |
| Johnstown Tomahawks | 4–8 | .33 |
| New Jersey Titans | 4–8 | .33 |
| Philadelphia Rebels | 4–8 | .33 |
| Maine Nordiques | 3–9 | .25 |
| Maryland Black Bears | 2–10 | .17 |
| New Mexico Ice Wolves | 1–0 | 1.00 |
| Minnesota Wilderness | 1–0 | 1.00 |
| Shreveport Mudbugs | 1–0 | 1.00 |
| North Iowa Bulls | 1–0 | 1.00 |
| Austin Bruins | 0–1 | .00 |
| Oklahoma Warriors | 0–1 | .00 |
Results by season
| Year | W | L | OTL | SOL | Pts | GF | GA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024-25 | 21 | 34 | 3 | 1 | 46 | 157 | 227 | -70 |
| 2025-26 | 22 | 28 | 5 | 4 | 53 | 169 | 221 | -52 |
2024-25: 29th · Missed playoffs · 2025-26: 27th · Missed playoffs
Special teams
| Year | PP | PPG | PP% | Times SH | PPG conceded | PK% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024-25 | 242 | 19 | 7.85% | 221 | 29 | 86.88% |
| 2025-26 | 245 | 50 | 20.41% | 217 | 52 | 76.04% |
Section 06
Franchise Records
Single-season leaders and the top of each single-game list. Where the guide marks a tie, every player sharing the mark is listed.
Single season · Goals
| 1 | Evan Dantas | 2025-26 | 25 |
| 2 | Corson Maguire | 2025-26 | 21 |
| 3 | Curtiss Sturgeon | 2024-25 | 20 |
| 4 | Matt Maglio | 2025-26 | 18 |
| 5 | Clarence Beltz | 2024-25 | 16 |
| 5 | Max Campbell | 2025-26 | 16 |
| 5 | Matthew Maglio | 2024-25 | 16 |
| 8 | Jack Kohlman | 2025-26 | 15 |
Single season · Assists
| 1 | Evan Dantas | 2025-26 | 30 |
| 1 | Matt Maglio | 2025-26 | 30 |
| 3 | Clarence Beltz | 2024-25 | 26 |
| 4 | Corson Maguire | 2025-26 | 23 |
| 4 | Max Campbell | 2025-26 | 23 |
| 6 | Brenden Bedorf | 2025-26 | 20 |
| 7 | Jake Baratta | 2025-26 | 18 |
| 7 | Andrew Horn | 2025-26 | 18 |
Single season · Points
| 1 | Evan Dantas | 2025-26 | 55 |
| 2 | Matt Maglio | 2025-26 | 48 |
| 3 | Corson Maguire | 2025-26 | 44 |
| 4 | Clarence Beltz | 2024-25 | 42 |
| 5 | Max Campbell | 2025-26 | 39 |
| 6 | Jack Kohlman | 2025-26 | 31 |
| 6 | Curtiss Sturgeon | 2024-25 | 31 |
| 8 | Jett Otwell | 2024-25 | 30 |
Single season · Points per game
| 1 | Evan Dantas | 2025-26 | 1.00 |
| 2 | Jack Kohlman | 2025-26 | 0.91 |
| 3 | Matt Maglio | 2025-26 | 0.81 |
| 4 | Corson Maguire | 2025-26 | 0.77 |
| 4 | Kevin Delaney | 2025-26 | 0.77 |
| 6 | Clarence Beltz | 2024-25 | 0.71 |
| 7 | Max Campbell | 2025-26 | 0.70 |
| 8 | Jett Otwell | 2024-25 | 0.55 |
Single game highs
| Category | Player | Game | Mark |
|---|---|---|---|
| Assists | Jett Otwell | ROC v ELM · Nov 15, 2024 | 3 |
| Points | Jett Otwell | ROC v ELM · Nov 15, 2024 | 3 |
| Shots | Matt Maglio | ELM v NWH · Feb 7, 2026 | 8 |
| Shots | Kevin Delaney | NTE v ELM · Mar 28, 2026 | 8 |
| PIM | Charlie Vincent | MYD v ELM · Feb 1, 2025 | 29 |
| Plus/minus | Brenden Bredorf | PHI v ELM · Mar 31, 2026 | +5 |
| Power-play goals | Matt Maglio | ELM v NWH · Feb 7, 2026 | 2 |
| Power-play goals | Max Campbell | ELM v DAN · Oct 25, 2025 | 2 |
Section 07
NCAA Commits
Where Aviators have gone on to play college hockey. The reason a junior program exists.
2024-25
- Clarence BeltzHamilton College (NESCAC, D3)
- Brady CunninghamBowling Green State University (CCHA, D1)
- Gavin DuckworthNichols College (CNE, D3)
- Ian EmerySt. John Fisher University (UCHC, D3)
- Logan HerbenerUniversity of Wisconsin–Superior (WIAC, D3)
- Andrew NessBemidji State University (CCHA, D1)
- Jett OtwellCurry College (CNE, D3)
- Curtiss SturgeonHamilton College (NESCAC, D3)
- Bryce TerrySkidmore College (SUNYAC, D3)
- Sean WilliamsRobert Morris University (Atlantic Hockey, D1)
2025-26
- Brenden BedorfAmherst College (NESCAC, D3)
- Evan DantasUtica University (UCHC, D3)
- Andrew HornPrinceton University (ECAC, D1)
- Greg JohnsonWentworth Institute of Technology (CNE, D3)
- Jack LaferriereProvidence College (Hockey East, D1)
- Shawn LaperriereUniversity of Wisconsin–Superior (WIAC, D3)
- Corson MaguireSUNY Cortland (SUNYAC, D3)
- Max McGuireNiagara University (Atlantic Hockey, D1)
- Aiden McKennaSUNY Oswego (SUNYAC, D3)
- Tyler PalinKeene State College (Little East, D3)
- Andrew PiccirilloCurry College (CNE, D3)
- Luke RubinNorwich University (Little East, D3)
- Ben TaylorUniversity of Dubuque (NCHA, D3)
- Tyler TsoukalasFitchburg State University (MASCAC, D3)
Current-season commitments are on the college commitments page.
Section 08
Media Information
Working at the LECOM Event Center.
Press passes
Please request a press pass 48 hours before the first home game you plan to attend. Press passes are available for pick up from the main entrance — please hold onto it for the ENTIRE SEASON. Requests go to kevin.broderick@lecomeventcenter.com.
Arrival time
Doors open at 5 p.m. on game days.
Parking
There is plenty of parking around the LECOM Event Center. We prioritize spots in front of the arena for press, but nothing is guaranteed.
Media seating
Media sit in Press Row. After entering the front entrance, take the stairs or elevator and follow the “To Press Row” signs. Wifi and power outlets are available. If you need ethernet access, contact kevin.broderick@lecomeventcenter.com.
Media meals
Food is available for press one hour before puck drop. Please remember to keep our home clean once you finish your meal.
Post-game media scrums
Head Coach Leeor Shtrom is available for post-game interviews by the zamboni pit, with a step-and-repeat backdrop for video. To request players for post-game interviews, speak to Kevin Broderick during intermission or after the game.
Mid-week coach availability
Head Coach Shtrom is available for press questions on Mondays at 2:00 p.m.
B-roll
For B-roll, contact production@lecomeventcenter.com and marketing@oydlive.com.