ALBANY - One team was from Ukraine, another from Albany. They spoke different languages but had the same stated objective: "Get noticed." "Get noticed," that is, by a junior coach, a college coach, a pro scout - anyone with anything to do with hockey.

There were probably no future NHL superstars at this week's New York International Hockey Cup, held at rinks throughout the Capital Region. Plenty of these players might have some sort of future in hockey. But someone has to notice first.

Lee Bormann Jr. did. He coaches Siena College's club team and attended Wednesday's games at The Albany Academy's Robison Field House, site of the Midget Major (Under-18) competition, oldest of seven age groups.

Bormann said most Siena players fit into two categories: those who played junior hockey and didn't make a Division I roster and "exceptional" high school players who might make Division I after juniors but do not want to delay college to do so.

Many players here met that profile. So by mid-day, Bormann had spoken with five players who applied to Siena.

So it goes. Players came here with interests and abilities, hoping coaches or scouts would see something they liked or wanted.

H.C. Druzhba, the Ukrainian team, came here as the first leg of its month-long U.S. tour and has bunked with youth hockey families in Saratoga Springs. One mother there, Linda Shay Scavone, described the players at her home as "character-rich."

"They're respectful," she said, "a wonderful example for our kids."

H.C. Druzhba, which forms the core of Ukraine's Under-18 National Team, includes two female players. One, Liza Riabkina, has talked with U.S. prep schools about playing there as a gateway to Division I hockey.

Ten-year NHL veteran Dainius Zubrus, who played with H.C. Druzhba for six seasons, provides the majority of the team's funds. His brother, Audrius, manages the team's affairs - including the important task of drumming up interest among professional scouts.

"We sent our information to all the NHL teams," Audrius Zubrus said. "We're expecting some scouts will be there to watch us play in Boston."

They play in the Midget Major finals at noon today. Their opponents, the Syosset-based Long Is land Gulls, are hoping to draw attention with crisp on-ice play and marketing savvy.

At tournaments such as this, the Gulls distribute a booklet including full dossiers on each team member: hockey background, high school GPA, personal interests, home address, phone number - even e-mail addresses are listed. "These are guys who want to play college hockey, whether it's D-I, D-III or club," said coach Bob Thornton, who has a professional playing and coaching background in the East Coast Hockey League. "I run it like a pro team. It's very structured. They've learned how to be mature and be accountable for their actions."

Shawn Anderson, coach of the Montreal-based West Island Gulls, another of the Midget Major teams, is months removed from an 18-year professional career. Now, he is heading a first-year program that includes players from Japan, France and Wisconsin. His goal: Get his players to U.S. prep schools and ultimately college hockey.

"We're trying to expose our kids to the academic route," he said. "Hockey doesn't last forever."

These players are young, though, and the game could be part of their lives for years to come. If, that is, they are noticed.