16U AAA Team (NYS 16u Tournament Bound)
Shawn Wilkins is returning as head coach for the 2009 birth year team. Coach Wilkins is a Level 5 USA Hockey coach and also serves as assistant coach for the Rochester Institute of Technology men’s lacrosse team.
Coach Wilkins played both lacrosse and hockey during his college career at RIT. He played forward and defense for the RIT men’s hockey team, and was a key member of three NCAA Tournament teams, including the 2001 squad that advanced to the national championship game. Coach Wilkins is also one of 14 players in RIT men’s lacrosse history to score 100 career goals (104), and is 16th all-time in scoring with 147 points.
Coach Wilkins played lacrosse professionally for the Rochester Rattlers of Major League Lacrosse and the Rochester Knighthawks of the National Lacrosse League. He also played for the Italian National team in 2006 and was a member of the Canadian Jr. National team in 1996.
Coach Wilkins is a native of Burlington, Ontario, and resides in Penfield with his wife and children.
Coach Jimmy Diliberto played at Aquinas Institute, earning All Greater Rochester honors and leading Section V in scoring in 2014. He continued his hockey career at Canisius College, captaining the ACHA team and earning a master’s in physical education in 2019.
For the past two seasons, Jimmy was the head coach of the Rochester Jr. Americans 2007 AAA team. This season, he returns as a co-head coach, bringing his experience and passion for player development. Since 2019, he has also been a key part of the Fairport Varsity hockey program.
Jimmy teaches physical education in the Penfield School District, helping students grow both academically and athletically.
Season Overview:
- 40+ Game Independent Tier I AAA Schedule
- 3-5 tournaments for exposure opportunities
- High School Friendly Split Season
- New York State 16U Tournament Bound
- 3-Day Training Camp in August at Rochester Ice Center
- Two team practices per week (Full and/or Shared) primarily at Rochester Ice Center and Genesee Valley
- One Skills clinics by RIC Academy & NAHL Jr. Amerks per week
- Goaltender clinics by New Edge School of Goaltending throughout the season
- Team building and community service events