47 in 24 series: Northeast Generals
August 30, 2017
The 47 in 24 series will feature an in-depth look into all 47 teams in the NA3HL for the 2017-18 season, with new teams being highlighted daily, leading all the way up until the start of the regular season. 47 in 24 goes in-depth into each NA3HL team and will include interviews with all 47 head coaches in the NA3HL, as they provide fans with their expectations and outlook for the 2017-18 season, including taking a look at their potential roster and their strengths as a team for the upcoming season. It will also take a look back on the 2016-17 season and how each team fared and what they accomplished. Best of all, 47 in 24 will provide the fans of the NA3HL with an inside look at their favorite team and what to expect.
Northeast Generals
2016-17 Record: 24-18-5, 53 pts. (4th in the Coastal Division)
2017 Playoffs: Lost Coastal Division Semi-Finals to Long Beach Sharks, 2 games to 0
Head Coach: Darryl Locke
2017-18 Division: Coastal
The Northeast Generals made tremendous strides forward in their second year of operations as they almost tripled their win total from their first season. 24 wins helped them secure a playoff berth before falling to the high powered Long Beach Sharks in the Coastal Division semi finals.
Now in year three, the Generals are no longer satisfied with just making the playoffs, they want to be in contention for a spot in the Silver Cup.
“We expect to win the division. We expect to improve each day we come to the rink and let the season play out. We want to beat everyone and that is where everyone’s heads should be at,” said Head Coach Darryl Locke.
“We want a fast team that can move the puck and play an up tempo game. We feel that with the returns we have and the newcomers, we will be able to play at a fast pace and put the opponent back on their heels,” explained Locke. “The compete level at camp hasn't been where I want it yet but as the players get acclimated to junior hockey, I think we will have a team that competes night in and night out and outworks our opponents.”
Northeast will return their leading scorer from last season in Austin Braley. The forward from Bourne, Massachusetts scored 26 times last year and added 20 assists in 46 games. Braley was also selected for the NA3HL Top Prospects Tournament.
“We have a few solid returners led by our captains Alex O’Dowd, Austin Braley, Luke Whalen and Tommy Bellew. All three are in their third year on the team and they are expected to be leaders both on and off the ice,” added Locke.
O’Dowd put up 20 points last season for the Generals and earned a call up to play in a few games with the Generals’ North American Hockey League team. Bellew and Whalen notched 14 and 9 points, respectively during the 2016-17 campaign.
Although the team is only in its third season of operation, Northeast has done a fine job promoting their players to the college level. Five players from last year’s team will be competing at the NCAA level this fall, while two others will be playing ACHA.
“We send each school a profile on the players with their GPA’s, areas of strengths and where they could help the teams on and off the ice,” explained Locke. “Helping get these players to the next level is our number one goal. The team has pushed 13 kids on in the first two years and we want to increase that number every year.”
Just a short drive away from one of America's best hockey cities, the Generals know just how important the game of hockey is to the community.
“We are very active in the community helping out at the local schools and the boys and girls club. We think by having the kids in the community getting to know our players, they will come out to our games. The town of Attleboro has been great to us and we look forward to continuing to build together,” said Locke.
The Generals start their season going to Cape Cod for a battle with the Islanders on September 10th.
Next up in the 47 in 24 series: Oswego Stampede
