3View: Mid Cities Jr. Stars

The 3View series will feature an in-depth look into all NA3HL teams in preparation for the 2022-23 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 2022-23 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 2021-22 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.

Mid Cities Jr. Stars

Head Coach: Chris Hille

2021-22 record: 47 GP, 10-37-0, 20 pts. (7th in the South Division)

2021-22 leading scorer: Ilnur Madiarov (53 points)

2022 Playoffs: Did not qualify

2022-23 Division: South

The last two years have been rough for the Mid Cities Jr. Stars as they have finished 7th within the South Division for two years in a row. The Jr. Stars have not punched a playoff berth in the last two years and are looking for a much better season with the 2022-23 season right around the corner.

This upcoming season the Stars will have a new look to their squad as they will have a new bench boss, Chris Hille. Chris is a Hampton, Virginia native where he grew up playing hockey and finished up his playing career in 2019-20 at the University of Central Oklahoma (ACHA D1) and was the team's captain within his final season.

Once his playing career ended, he started his coaching career, where he spent last season as the Head Coach of the Oklahoma City Ice Hawks and helped lead them to the Fraser Cup Playoffs finishing 2nd within the South Division. After having some experience in the NA3HL as well as the South Division Chris Hille has some expectations for his first year as Head Coach of the Mid Cities Jr. Stars.

“My expectation for this upcoming season is growth. On the ice, the scoreboard, the win column, and more importantly off the ice. Getting these kids prepared for years to come, that being college and/or the NAHL”, said Hille.

Last season with Hille behind the bench for Oklahoma City he was able to see the Jr. Stars compete and he now has a vision in mind of what he is going to do in order to change the culture within the organization. A new identity and structure will be put in place during the hunt for a playoff berth.

“As the Head Coach of OKC last season, I recognized the things that were missing with Mid Cities. Those things were accountability and hard work. We will be conditioned later in games, and inspired to not quit when behind,” said Hille.

During the off season Hille and his staff were able to go out and sign some free agents to add to their team. The players that the Jr. Stars were able to bring in for this upcoming season were Britton Oldham, Preston Tafoya, Dakota Brandom, and Andrew Kolka. These are the latest acquisitions by the Stars, but there will be some more signings coming soon in which the organization will announce.

“We are still signing players. I am expecting these new players to be guided by our returners and to show pride in the awesome facility and amenities we have in Mid Cities. I am expecting a new culture and attitude around our program,” said Hille.

The Mid Cities Jr. Stars main objective is to make the postseason for the first time in three years, despite being at the bottom of their respective division for the last two years. Bringing in a new coach with new expectations is a great way to start for them to improve within the South Division along with the goal of making a run at the League's Title.

Next Up: Mason City Toros