3View: Long Beach Sharks

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.

Long Beach Sharks

2021-22 Record: 28-12-7, 63 pts. (2nd in East Division)

2022 Playoffs: Lost to Danbury in the East Division Semi-Finals, 2-0

Head Coach: Jeff Tory

2022-23 Division: East

There were plenty of positives for the Sharks to look back on in this past season. They finished 2nd in the East Division, the first time they have placed that highly in their division since the 2016-17 season. Heading into his second year as head coach, Jeff Tory wants to ensure that Long Beach can continue to make steps in the right direction.

“Our team is looking to build off of the winning culture we were able to create last season and raise our teams expectations even higher. In order to accomplish this we will rely on a great core of returning players along with a group of new players we are very excited about having the join the Sharks. Our depth in all 3 positions will allow us to roll all our lines for a full 60 minutes and we feel we will get contributions up and down our lineup this season," said Tory.

Despite losing five players to college commitments, Tory feels that the team has a lot of strong pieces returning to the roster. “We feel they will bring strong leadership on and off the ice and really set the standard that we look for in everything we do. On defense we have Devin Carney and Tyler Fisher to lead our defensive group. Both are very good two-way defensemen with good size and puck moving ability. On forward we have Dylan Harbour returning and should lead the way for us offensively. We expect several players to have a breakout second season such as Logan Plante and Jack Fitzpatrick.”

The five college committed players from the 2021-22 roster prove that the standard the staff has set for their players. “The credit really goes to the players as they really worked hard to achieve that goal. We wish all of our committed players the best of luck this upcoming season," said Tory.

In the past three seasons, thirteen Long Beach skaters have found their way to advance in their athletics and academics.

Heading into this season, a focus on discipline and team camaraderie is most important. Tory weighed in on the environment he and the rest of the staff want to create in the locker room. “We will focus on player and team development to become a better team over the course of the season and look to have a better result come playoff time. Our team camaraderie is something we take a lot of pride in by recruiting not just good hockey players but good kids. This helps us create the competitive environment our players need to get better each and everyday along with the strong competition we face in our division.”

Outside of hockey, the heart of the Sharks organization lies within their community. A growing presence and relationship with the community is important to the Tory and the Sharks. “Each season here in Long Beach we have looked to become a bigger presence in the community and we are excited about some of the events we have planned for the upcoming season. It’s important to our organization that we develop great young men and leaders on and off the ice. We are looking forward to getting started with the upcoming season.”

The Sharks begin their upcoming season on the road on September 17th against the Northeast Generals.

Next Up: Helena Bighorns