3View: Atlanta Capitals

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.

Atlanta Capitals

2021-22 Record: 13-33-1, 27 pts. (6th in South Division)

2022 Playoffs: Did not qualify

Head Coach: John Bowkus

2022-23 Division: South

After a struggling start to the 2021-22 season, losing their first 17 games, the Atlanta Capitals were able to turn things around and are looking to build off of the second half of the season and make a push for the playoffs this year.

With a season of coaching the Capitals under his belt, bench boss John Bowkus is ready to get the season going. He felt that last season was a learning experience: “We learned a lot and made some moves that helped get us some very talented players that helped us out the rest of the season. We understand that every game counts and we look forward to showing everyone that we want to be a playoff team.”

The Capitals are entering their eighth season as a member of the NA3HL and haven’t reached the Fraser Cup Tournament since the 2016-17 season. For Bowkus and the rest of the team, a stronger start to the season is of the utmost importance in order to return to St. Louis.

“Our main goal for the start of the season is to get off to a good start.  We have 14 new players and we have to show them the right way to play the game,” said Bowkus. “Our team has to compete hard and we need everyone to chip in.  We expect to play with pace and hope that we are hard to play against.”

The road to the Fraser Cup playoffs isn’t an easy one in the South Division. Bowkus and the Capitals are prepared. “Our biggest challenge will be staying healthy and being able to compete against many of these older teams in the South Division… We expect to battle for a playoff spot.  That is something that all the players and staff are in agreement on.  We want it!”

With plenty of new faces in the lineup comes excitement and anticipation for the approaching season. A new group full of speed and playmakers provides a template for a fast paced offense that the coaching staff is looking for. “We recruited some fast forwards  and they need to bring their speed. We recruited a couple of playmakers, we now have a couple of heavy hitters. And like every other team, we hope that we have a couple of players that will light the lamp!”

Along with the new pieces to the lineup, there are Capitals players returning with experience, leadership, and an understanding of what Bowkus and the staff are expecting from them. “On the front end, we expect huge offensive outbursts from Anthony O’Neal and Nick Jameus,” said Bowkus.

“Our leadership will be good if we get our captain Nick Mumford, and our size has increased with both Flaacke and Welch both returning after a successful off-season of lifting weights. Caleb Crouch and Dylan Zier will both be looking to have a great 2nd season after coming into the league last year.

With a cohesive goal set in place from top to bottom in the organization, the Atlanta Capitals are ready for a championship-caliber campaign, one that begins on September 16th against the Mid Cities Jr. Stars.

Next Up: Alexandria Blizzard