ATTLEBORO, Mass — The Johnstown Tomahawks are gearing up for the start of the 2017-18 NAHL season. The Tomahawks meet the Northeast Generals in a three-game series starting Wednesday, Sept. 13 and concluding Friday, Sept. 15 at the New England Sports Village.
The Hawks are coming off a record-breaking 2016-17 campaign which saw the team break single season points and wins records. Unfortunately for Johnstown, the season closed early in the playoffs as the team dropped an opening round series with the New Jersey Titans.
GAMEDAY LINEUP
DATES: September 13 (2 p.m. faceoff), September 14 (2 p.m. faceoff) September 15 (3 p.m. faceoff)
TEAMS: Johnstown (0-0-0) @ Northeast (0-0-0)
LOCATION: Attleboro, Massachusetts | New England Sports Village
VIDEO: HOCKEYTV
TWITTER UPDATES: @johnstownhawks
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SERIES HISTORY
Johnstown owns a 9-1-0 series lead over the Generals with their lone loss coming late in the 2016-17 season in Attleboro. The Tomahawks have outscored Northeast 55-22 in 10 matchups. Additionally, Johnstown is 2-1-0 when playing in New England Sports Village.
A CLOSER LOOK AT NORTHEAST
Despite capturing a league-worst four wins, the Northeast Generals are young and hungry to make a statement out of the gate. The team received an opportunity to develop young players during their nightmarish first season and are poised to rebound.
One player that will be the leader on the Generals is forward Colin Bilek, the team’s leading scorer last season (18-22-40). A native of Brighton, Michigan, Bilek was named the team’s captain last season and will carry that letter into the new year.
The Generals also feature several key new players on their roster including French player Louis Boudon. Boudon, a native of Grenoble, France, scored 38 goals and 43 assists for the NA3HL’s Metro Jets.
Back between the pipes is goaltender David Fessenden. The 98-birth year goaltender saw plenty of action during 2016-17.
JOHNSTOWN STORYLINES
- Head coach Mike Letizia is 2-1-0 in season openers.
- Johnstown will have to replace plenty of offense left behind from 2016-17. Leading scorers Donovan Ott, Dalton Hunter and Nick Bruce have moved onto the USHL and NCAA hockey respectively.
- Tomahawks top draft pick Hunter Carrick makes his debut in Tier-11 hockey. The brother of Toronto defender Connor Carrick, was drafted 20th overall in the first round of the 2017 NAHL Draft.
- Vinnie Purpura will step into the starting role this season with the departure of Drew Hotte. The 6-3 netminder collected a 12-4-2 record last season.
- The Tomahawks return just two members of their 2016-17 defensive corps (Andy Iehle and Chris Troba). However, the team has brought in a wealth of potential on the back end.
- Johnstown will be a younger team upfront with just Logan Stork representing the 97-class (overage).