2026-27 Board of Directors Candidates

✅ Who Can Vote

Each parent, guardian, or coach is eligible to cast one (1) vote, consistent with our current voting structure.

🖥️ How Voting Works

• Eligible voters will receive a unique voting link via email AND a SMS text on March 28 at 8:00 AM
• Each link can only be used once and cannot be shared
• Voting is conducted securely through ElectionBuddy
• All votes are completely anonymous

👤 Candidate Information

• Candidate bios are also included directly on the ballot so voters can review before making selections

📅 Voting Timeline

• Opens: Friday, March 28 at 8:00 AM
• Closes: Saturday, March 29 at 11:59 PM

📊 Election Results

• Results will be finalized after voting closes
• Outcomes will be shared with the organization on Monday 3/30

❗ Need Help?

• Check your spam/junk folder if you don’t see your voting email
• Still missing your ballot? Contact: CYHA

❓ Any Other Questions

• Please contact one of the Nomination Committee Members listed below

CYHA MEMBER FOR 6+ YEARS

My name is Ed Binns, professionally I am the Director of Operations for WAVES Ambulance locally here in Camillus . I am submitting my interest in joining the CYHA Board to give back to a program that has been a very central part of my family’s life for over half a decade. I am the proud father of three—Tyler, Corey, Kenzie.  Our youngest, is currently a first-year Squirt and has been skating with CYHA for six years.

As a "girl hockey dad" and a long-time member of this community and former WG sports booster , I have seen firsthand the positive impact this sport has on our children’s confidence, discipline, and friendships.

I am deeply committed to community organizations that prioritize the growth and well-being of local youth. My primary goals for the CYHA are:

• Safety First: Ensuring that every player has a secure / safe environment to learn and compete.
• Skill Development: Promoting programs that help skaters of all levels reach their full potential.
• Team building / competition skills.
• Community Strength: Fostering a culture of sportsmanship and inclusivity that makes every family and player feel welcome.

My wife, Dannielle, and I are fully invested in the success of this league. Whether it’s early morning practices or weekend tournaments, we believe in the value of the CYHA mission. I look forward to the opportunity to use my professional experience and my passion for the game to serve the families of our hockey community. I truly would love to help make a difference for our kids and do the right thing while serving on our board .

Thank you.

CYHA MEMBER FOR 3 YEARS

Little Bit About Me:

We relocated to Camillus just about 3 years ago. After spending a bit of time in the area before moving, I knew it was an easy decision. The community has a small town, feels like home vibe and it was clear that the opportunities my son would have at his fingertips would be endless while he grows within a school system that is truly the envy of many surrounding districts. I’m fortunate to work out of my home as a Territory Sales Manager for a New York based property & casualty insurance company. With that comes the ability to allow my 10-year-old kiddo the opportunity to fulfill all his hopes and dreams – which started with his biggest dream at 4 years old: learn to skate & play hockey!! Now living just a quick 5 minutes from the rink, I could no longer use the excuse of – the rink is too far, and I’m not driving an hour just to sit and freeze! (I know, I know – joke’s on me)

Board Interest:

To be a CYHA board member would be an absolute honor and privilege. As someone who is still quite new to the hockey life journey, I believe I have a unique perspective to offer. I am building a love of hockey purely through the eyes of my child. With that comes a belief that every child’s experience should be a driver of the organization and the needs and development of all should be at the forefront of everything that we do. Over the past 3 years I have watched my son, Dayne, go from learning how to simply stand on the ice & hold a stick on a house Mite team as an oversized 8-year-old to making the Squirt Travel team in his dream position as a goalie. Along the way in this short journey, he had some coaches who were committed to meeting him where he was at, encouraged him to keep going, and gave him an opportunity to try things he’d never done before with nothing but positivity. In his second year, he learned the fundamentals of what it takes to be a good goaltender from an amazing PeeWee goalie who graciously showed up to my son’s practices and took him under his wing. Now, he’s wrapping up his Squirt Travel season with a team who cheers one another on, gets along so well, and recognizes the value that each teammate brings.

Those are experiences I believe every child deserves to have and we have an opportunity as a community-based organization to make it happen at all levels and at all ages. I am passionate about supporting our program and helping our association grow in both participation and revenue while also having a strong commitment to recruitment and retention. Our greatest strength is our community – the opportunity to work together as a single organization: players, families, coaches, and volunteers alike. What’s also important to me is giving back. This comes in many forms whether it’s through player development, improving family communication channels, building camaraderie between our youngest skaters and our oldest skaters, or helping to ensure that hockey remains accessible and affordable. I value collaboration, transparency, and communication and am committed to working alongside fellow board members, volunteers, and especially families to support the long-term success of our amazing organization. I appreciate your consideration and would value your support.

CYHA MEMBER FOR 8 YEARS

I am interested in being selected for the Camillus Youth Hockey Association Board because CYHA has been a big part of my family’s life for the past eight years. With two kids currently playing hockey in the organization, I have spent countless hours at the rink and have seen firsthand how important a strong youth hockey program is for our kids and our community.

I want to be involved on the board because I truly want to give back to the hockey community that has given so much to my family. Youth sports, especially hockey, teach kids hard work, teamwork, accountability, and resilience. I am committed to helping ensure that youth hockey remains focused on what it was always intended to be — developing kids not only as hockey players, but as good teammates, good competitors, and good people.

I believe my experience as a hockey parent, my involvement in the local hockey community, and my passion for growing the game in a positive and affordable way would allow me to be a valuable member of the CYHA Board. My goal would be to help support the organization, the families, the coaches, and most importantly the kids, while helping keep CYHA a program that our community can be proud of.

I have been coaching for camillus youth hockey for several years and have 3 kids in the program.

CYHA MEMBER FOR 13 YEARS

CYHA BOARD MEMBER FOR LAST 6 YEARS

HOUSE/SNOWBELT DIRECTOR

I have been on the CYHA board for 6 years and I’m hoping to be re-elected for a third term. Why? I believe the combination of my professional life experience (team/client management) with my hockey experience (on and off the ice) can lend itself to help make a difference for CYHA. I also feel a strong tie to CYHA: My brother played CYHA (before there were locker rooms at Shove), I played CYHA, and as soon as my kids were old enough (maybe late by today’s standards – 4 years old) we signed them up for CYHA. As the boys were playing, I signed up to be a coach and have head coached or have been an assistant coach every year since. I strongly believe that an organization, like CYHA, is only as strong as the participation it gets from its members.

Over the 12 years, I’ve seen a lot: I have one child who has ridden the travel train for most of his tenure, and I have one child who fought like hell through the house program only to get on the travel side within the last couple of years. I’ve lived both sides, coached at both sides - but one of my primary tenets since joining the board is keep an eye on the equality between both the travel teams and the house teams. Both paths offer great opportunities, and both should be treated with equal respect. For the last couple of years, both of my boys have been on the travel side of things, but I’ve continued to be the CYHA Snowbelt Representative (for the last 5 years), because I believe in the house/Snowbelt program. Another focus since being on the board has been my effort in communication between the board the community. The board won’t get everything right, but upholding transparency is imperative and I intend to continue to maintain this in my next term.

So, with that, I’m asking for your vote and hope to serve CYHA for another term on the board. If you have any questions or reservations, please do not hesitate to reach out

Thank you

Steve Mercurio

CYHA MEMBER FOR 15 YEARS

I just completed my first year of coaching, and I am passionate about hockey and community involvement. I am excited about the opportunity to join the hockey board. Growing up in the sport, I've experienced firsthand the positive impact that organized hockey can have on young athletes, teaching valuable lessons in teamwork, discipline, and resilience. With my fresh perspective and energy, I am eager to enhance our programs, engage more youth, and create an inclusive environment for players of all backgrounds. I believe my age allows me to connect with my peers and understand their needs, making me a strong advocate for the future of our hockey community. I am committed to making a difference and ensuring that hockey remains a positive and enriching experience for everyone involved.

CYHA MEMBER FOR 7 YEARS

Hello I’m Makenzie Rapple and I have 2 boys in the organization. One is on PeeWee select and the other is a goalie on squirt travel. I’m a big advocate for player development. My priority is to ensure all of the players and families of CYHA have the best experience as possible. If elected I’m looking forward to dedicate my time to help the organization grow.

CYHA MEMBER FOR 6 YEARS

I am passionate about the sports my kids are involved with. I have two kids currently in the organization. One will be a first year peewee and the other will be a second year squirt in the upcoming season. In previous years I have helped coach and have taken an active role within each of my children’s teams. I look forward to being able to help the organization continue to grow, if elected.