3View: Niagara Falls PowerHawks | North American Tier III Hockey League | NA3HL
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3View: Niagara Falls PowerHawks

September 1, 2018
The 3View series will feature an in-depth look into all NA3HL teams in preparation for the 2018-19 season, with two teams being highlighted daily, leading all the way up until the start of the regular season. 3View goes in-depth into each NA3HL team and will include interviews with all the head coaches in the NA3HL, as they provide fans with their expectations and outlook for the 2018-19 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 2017-18 season and how each team fared and what they accomplished.  Best of all, 3View will provide the fans of the NA3HL with an inside look at their favorite team and what to expect.
 
Niagara Falls PowerHawks
2017-18 Record: 25-19-3, 53 pts. (2nd in the Northeast Division)
2018 Playoffs: Lost to the Binghamton Junior Senators in the Northeast Division Finals, 2 games to 0
General Manager: Frank Vecchio
2018-19 Division: Northeast
 
Previously known as the Lockport Express, the Niagara Falls PowerHawks relocated to Niagara Falls, New York for the 2017-18 Season. Coming over from the North American 3 Eastern Hockey League and Managed by Frank Vecchio, the PowerHawks completed their first season in the NA3HL a season ago. Competing in the Northeast Division, the PowerHawks finished the season with 53 Points. 
 
The PowerHawks were able to make the playoffs in their first season finishing 2nd place in their respective division. After defeating the Skylands Kings in the Semi-Finals, the PowerHawks were eliminated in the Division Finals by the Binghamton Jr. Senators.  
 
Even after coming up short, General Manager Frank Vecchio was proud of the progress his team and program made in the previous season. 
 
“It was a good overall season,” Vecchio said. “We advanced to the second round of the playoffs and moved on a few players including Andrew Logar to NCAA D3. We further established our program in the marketplace.”
 
As the PowerHawks move on to their 2nd season in the league, they will look to do everything it takes to close the gap on the Binghamton Junior Senators in the Northeast Division. 
 
In order to achieve that goal, Vecchio emphasized the importance of continuing to make progress as a team, and help the new young players come together.
 
“Development throughout the season will be key,” Vecchio said. “We have a lot of new young players.” 
 
League-wide events such as the Showcase, Top Prospects, and Fraser Cup are some of the best ways for these young players to show their talent to higher level coaches and chase their individual goals. 
 
With the showcase taking place in Minnesota, Vecchio is gunning for another showcase to take place on the East Coast.
 
“I frankly think we need to figure out a way to get a Showcase on the East Coast,” Vecchio said. “There are many more schools that would have interest in players in our league. It would help us move more players to Division 3, as many D3 schools do not have the budget to send scouts or coaches to Minnesota.”
 
In the meantime, Vecchio and his staff will continue to work on moving their players to the next level with the resources they currently have. 
 
“We are making use of our contacts at those higher levels,” Vecchio said. “We are also attending a number of Showcases in the off-season to forge even more relationships.”
 
In addition to developing the young core and improving as a team, the Powerhawks will make a great effort participate in a variety of community service events throughout the season. 
 
“Our players are required to do community service,” Vecchio said. “We run game day events where local players get in for free with their youth jerseys.”
 
The PowerHawks will start the 2018-2019 campaign at home on September 8th against the Cape Cod Islanders.
 
Next up in the 3View series: North Iowa Bulls
 
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