3View: Danbury Jr. Hat Tricks
The 3View series will feature an in-depth look into all NA3HL teams in preparation for the 2023-24 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 2023-24 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 2022-23 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.
Danbury Jr. Hat Tricks
Head Coach: Tyler Noseworthy (3rd season)
2022-23 Record: 27-17-3, 52 pts. (2nd in East Division)
2022-23 Leading Scorer: Roman Winicki (70 points)
2023 Playoffs: Lost to Northeast in the East Division Finals, 2-0
2023-24 Division: East
The Jr. Hat Tricks finished in the same position they were the previous season, finishing 2nd in the East Division and falling in the East Division Finals to the Northeast Generals. The Jr. Hat Tricks, since joining the NA3HL in the 2019-20 season (first called the Danbury Colonials), have made the playoffs all but one time due to COVID-19 shortening their inaugural season.
The program has seen success from the start and head coach Tyler Noseworthy has been around for much of it. Heading into his 3rd season as head coach, he dove into last season’s roster and what needs to change for this upcoming season.
“Last season we had slightly more spread-out offense then the year prior. Having primary and secondary scoring is a major value to a team. Where we remained stagnant and must take a step is the defensive side of the game, being on the right side of the puck for the majority of each game.”
Despite falling short of making St. Louis, the Jr. Hat Tricks have been making great strides in advancing their players to not only the NAHL but also to college hockey. Four players made college commitments including their backstop netminder Ryan Maguire, Seth Beagle, Nick Rogers, and Antonio Felidi.
“It's players like these that get you excited to pick up the phone and do what you can to work your network and find them a home following their junior hockey careers. Each of these players had leadership roles in our room and showed on a daily basis what it took to move on to the next level,” said Noseworthy.
The Danbury organization is one of a few within the NAHL family that has a unique opportunity for players. Both an NAHL and NA3HL team play out of the same rink, offering a clearcut pathway to the next level.
“Last season our NA3HL players were awarded somewhere in the range of 30 NAHL games played… We believe in development, and we want to work with the best young junior players at the NA3HL level and help to advance them forward in our building. Having a consistent coaching staff and taking a very “hands-on” approach for each junior player in the building at both levels is something we take pride in,” said Noseworthy.
With the 2023-2024 season around the corner, Noseworthy conveyed his excitement towards some of the players who will be returning to the roster.
“Brody Trew, Lou Caulfield and Eryk Fancher just to name a few. Brody is a great kid, very well respected in the locker room, and has been working his tail off all summer in preparation for this season, I expect a big one! Lou will have a breakout season, there’s too much talent there to not. Fancher will be my most seasoned defenseman this year, I expect him to lead by example and really drive that D-core every single day. I can't leave Kenny Granacker out of this equation, as he has turned into a hockey player right in front of our eyes.”
In addition to those returning players, Danbury is bringing in new faces who have junior hockey experience and will make an impact right away.
“We are very excited about veteran goaltender, Riley Gorman who we acquired from Texas. I will highlight two more players who have junior hockey experience in Canadian defenseman, Luca Restauri and forward, Blake Martino. These are two guys that are hungry and will provide an immediate impact for the team,” said Noseworthy.
The Jr. Hat Tricks begin their season on September 10th at home against the Northeast Generals.
Next Up: El Paso Rhinos
