ITHACA, N.Y. — Cornell men's hockey associate head coach Sean Flanagan helped guide the New York District to a gold medal earlier this week at the USA Hockey Boys National 17 Festival held in suburban Buffalo at the Northtown Center in Amherst, N.Y.

Held between July 7-13, the USA Hockey Boys National 17 Festival comprised male players registered with USA Hockey for the 2025-26 season who were born in 2009. The district-based tournament is designed to improve and showcase all participating players. At the tournament, players experience a competitive, age-specific environment with on- and off-ice training. Players from the USA Hockey Boys 17 Festival were evaluated and selected to attend selection camp for the Hlinka Gretzky Cup, set for July 23-27 at TRIA Rink in Saint Paul, Minn. Players from the selection camp will represent the United States at the 2026 Hlinka Gretzky Cup in Edmonton, Alberta, from Aug. 3-8.

The Flanagan-led New York District posted a 5-1 record across six games in as many days, opening tournament play with a 6-3 victory on July 8 over the Atlantic District. After losing its lone game of the tournament in overtime to the Northern Plains District, 3-2, the New York District posted a pair of six-goal outputs, shutting out the Massachusetts District, 6-0, before cruising past the Minnesota District, 6-1. Following a 3-2 shootout win over the Michigan District, the New York District claimed gold with a 10-1 win over the New England District.

"It was a great week with this group of kids," said Flanagan, who grew up in Canton, N.Y., located in the state's North Country. "Our staff all grew up in New York, so there is a bit of pride involved for us, as well as the players to win it. The players took the guidelines our staff gave them and really took ownership of applying them throughout the week. We wanted them to have the best experience and the most fun, which they really did."

For Flanagan, it was his second time coaching at the USA Hockey Boys National 17 Festival in as many years, having previously served as an assistant coach under Skidmore head coach Rob Hutchison in 2025. This season, Flanagan was assisted by RPI assistant coach Cory Schneider and Mike Marcou, who serves as the head coach of the National Collegiate Development Conference's (NCDC) P.A.L. Islanders. Hamilton College goaltending coach Casey Boone served as the New York District's team manager for a second consecutive year.