Sea Captains forward Makarenko makes ACHA Commitment

The Norwich Sea Captains of the North American 3 Hockey League (NA3HL) are thrilled to announce that forward Sava Makarenko has committed to attend the State University of New York at Oswego this fall to continue his academic and hockey careers. Makarenko signed with the Sea Captains during the summer of 2022.  During his two seasons in Norwich Makarenko played a total of 95 games. He lit the lamp 32 times and assisted on 21 other tallies to record a total of 53 points. The 2003 Yorktown Heights, New York native will major in a business-related field at Oswego State and play for the Lakers’ American Collegiate Hockey Association (ACHA) Division I program. The Lakers play in the highly competitive Northeast Collegiate Hockey League. Oswego State won the 2024 Regular Season and Playoff Championships in the league to earn a bit to ACHA Division I National Tournament where they beat Niagara University in the first round, the program’s first win at the National Tournament, before bowing out to Ohio University in the second round.

Makarenko scored 12 goals and added 7 helpers during his rookie year of 2022-23. On November 14, 2022 he earned an Honorable Mention in the Bauer NA3HL East Division Star of the Week program after a three point weekend against the Northeast Generals on November 11 and 12. He scored the Sea Captains lone goal in a 4-1 loss in the first game before assisting on two goals, including the game-winner, as Norwich topped their archrivals for the first time in the team’s history by a score of 3-1. Makarenko was named Norwich Sea Captains Forward of the Month for November 2022 and was tabbed as an Honorable Mention for Forward of the Month by the NA3HL for the same period. In his second season in Norwich Makarenko saw his offensive production jump. He tallied 19 goals and dished out 14 assists to put up 33 points. On October 3, 2023 Makarenko was named an Honorable Mention NA3HL East Division Star of the Week after a three goal week as the Sea Captains went 2-1 topping the New Hampshire Mountain Kings (1 goal) 4-0 before splitting two games with the New Jersey Titans by scores of 5-3 (2 goals) and 2-1 in overtime. Then in January Makarenko earned the NA3HL East Division Second Star of the Week after playing a huge role in a Norwich third period come from behind victory on the road against the New Hampshire Mountain Kings. With his team trailing 2-0 after 40 minutes of play, Makarenko put the Sea Captains on the board early in the third period to start the comeback before assisting on Tim Hayden’s game winning power play goal to seal a 3-2 triumph.

“I picked Oswego for reasons that were completely obvious to me, particularly after visiting the campus. The campus itself is beautiful, but more importantly, after spending time with the amazing crew of players and coaches in the hockey program during my visit to campus in April, it was clear that Oswego was the place for me. I already felt like part of the team,” said Makarenko about the fit for him at Oswego. He also talked about his time in Norwich saying, “My experience with the Norwich Sea Captains was one of a kind and, without a doubt, some of the greatest times of my life. The atmosphere and the opportunity to to be around so many awesome teammates every day makes Norwich an amazing place to play junior hockey. I believe that I improved a lot, both on and off the ice, during my two years in Norwich. I could not be more thankful to my coaches, Jordan Olson and Kevin Cunningham, as well as our Director of Sport Performance, Jenn Tirillo, and all of my teammates for making my time in Norwich so fantastic.”

“I am thrilled for Sava, and his family, that he will be continuing his academic and hockey careers at Oswego State. Sava is an excellent hockey player, but he is an even better teammate and person, I am very proud of Sava’s continual development throughout his time in our program, He practiced and played with a passion and desire to succeed that helped to drive our team culture every day, In both of his seasons with us Sava played his best hockey in the biggest games, peaking in the playoffs both years. I am really excited to watch Sava continue his journey at Oswego playing for a program that I respect a great deal for doing things the right way,” said Cunningham.

Makarenko becomes the third member of the 2023-24 Norwich Sea Captains to announce his college commitment. He joins teammates Erik Masengill (Maryville University) and Jameson Bain (Western Michigan University) in advancing to college hockey next season.

Click here for an updated NA3HL to College commitment list