3View: Northeast Generals

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.

Northeast Generals

Head Coach: Darryl Locke

2022-23 Record: 47 GP, 41-4-2, 84 pts. (1st in East)

2022-23 Leading Scorer: Matthew Nuzzolilo (71 points)

2023 Playoffs: Won the East, Lost in the Fraser Cup Round-Robin

2023-24 Division: East Division

The Northeast Generals are gearing up for the upcoming season with high hopes and a strong determination to clinch the championship that has always eluded them. Last year, they finished the regular season with an outstanding record of 41-4-2, claiming the top spot in the East Division and boasting the best record in the entire NA3HL. Despite their remarkable regular season success, they fell short of the ultimate prize in the Fraser Cup Championships. Now, with valuable lessons learned from their past experiences, Head Coach Darryl Locke is leading the Generals into the new season with a renewed focus on capturing a Fraser Cup.

Reflecting on the previous season, Coach Locke acknowledged that the team faced challenges during the stretch drive toward the playoffs. The Generals were pushing hard for a championship, which was within their reach, but fatigue began to take its toll. Coach Locke noted, "I think during the stretch drive, toward the playoffs, we lost a little of our steam as far as playing our game. We knew the regular season title was within our reach and we were pushing for it. I felt we were fatigued, and it showed. This season we’ll be more cognizant in how we keep everyone fresh.”.

One of the team's strengths lies in the roster of returning players who have demonstrated their abilities on the ice. Leading the charge up front are players like Caiden Hess, Michael Locke, and Sean Gorman, who contributed 37, 37, and 29 points respectively last season.  On the defensive end, the Generals boast a solid lineup that includes Owen Locke and Tommy Lubin, who contributed 17 and 15 points throughout last season. Additionally, the arrival of newcomer Colin March, a NA3HL Top Prospect, adds depth and talent to the defensive unit. This combination of seasoned veterans and promising newcomers ensures a well-balanced team that can excel both offensively and defensively.

Despite all the talent the Generals possess, their success extends far beyond the rink. Coach Locke emphasized the importance of building a family-like atmosphere within the organization. He shared, "When Bryan Erikson hired me, he said he wanted to build a program where the players feel like they belong to a family. I think we've been able to do that. The culture of 'we' and not 'me' resonates throughout the building." This emphasis on unity and shared values creates a supportive environment in which players can thrive and push themselves to their limits. It's a culture that extends from the NA3HL team to the NAHL and NAPHL Academy Teams, reinforcing the Generals' commitment to their players' development and well-being.

Locke's coaching philosophy has been bolstered by the presence of numerous players who have come through the Generals' program, won championships at various levels, and understand and embody the team's values. Their dedication sets the standard for the entire roster. "When your best players are giving 110% every day in the building, it makes things easy for a coach," Locke remarked.

As the Northeast Generals prepare for the upcoming NA3HL season, their combination of talent, experience, and a strong team culture sets them up for another run at the Fraser Cup. With the lessons learned from past seasons, and a roster of dedicated athletes, the Generals aim to turn their regular season dominance into postseason glory. Northeast kicks their season off Sunday, September 10th in Danbury and will welcome back their home fans two weeks later on the 24th with a rematch against the Jr. Hat Tricks.

Next Up: Norwich Sea Captains