Fun in Flint
Flint Jr. Generals have not only secured top spot in the East Division of the North American 3 Hockey League but they have a shot at finishing first overall in the 21-team loop.
With two games to play in the 2013-2014 regular season, Flint has an almost-flawless record of 40-4-2.
Flint’s winning percentage of .891 is second in the NA3HL, trailing only the defending Silver Cup champion North Iowa Bulls.
North Iowa, with a rousing record of 39-2-0, has a .951 winning percentage.
“It’s been a fun season thus far,” Flint head coach Steve Howard told me. “We have tried to stick to the foundation of what Tier 3 hockey is here for and we believe we are one of the best.”
Howard pointed to the number of players the Jr. Generals have had called up to the North American Hockey League this season.
“Moving four players to five different NAHL teams is never easy on a locker room but we have kept things rolling,” said Howard. “We are here to help our players get to a higher level.”
Moving multiple players from the NA3HL to the NAHL during the course of this 2013-2014 season only makes Flint’s 40-4-2 record all-the-more amazing.
As head coach, Howard puts a lot of time into the Jr. Generals. But he is quick to thanks those who have made his job easier.
“(Coach) Moe Mantha and the Michigan Warriors (of the NAHL) have been a big help to me this year. I think Moe likes to mentor young coaches as much as he likes coaching himself. Moe has been great and so has Jon Jepson,” said Howard.
Jepson serves as general manager of the NA3HL Jr. Generals and is also an assistant coach with the Flint-based Warriors of the NAHL.
Then there’s Doug Bailey, who now scouts for the NAHL’s Soo Eagles.
“Doug is a great guy to have on our side,” Howard said of Bailey, who has a long association to the Jr. Generals program.
Despite his team’s regular-season success, Howard knows the playoffs are another story.
“Playoffs are always a whole different ballgame,” Howard noted. “No one remembers what you did in the regular season if you don’t follow it up with a good playoff run.”
GENERALS MOTOR
A balanced offense has been a key to Flint’s success this 203-2014 NA3HL season.
Justin Fisher is the Jr. Generals scoring leader with 14 goals, 36 assists, 50 points.
And right behind Fisher are five fellow forwards who all have 20 goals or more.
They are Mark McGee with 23 goals, Conor Durgan and Brett Leppek with 22 apiece and Nick Gnagni and Zach Koonce, who have both potted 20.
The Jr. Generals also boast a pair of high-scoring defencemen.
Connor McGovern has 4 goals, 25 assists, 29 points and Ryan Burr is 5-19-24.
As a team, Flint has scored 207 goals in 46 games while allowing 99.
Good article! Great read Randy! Keep up the Good Work!
Flint have 3 or 4 kids who should move up to the NA next season.
Another good article.
Connor Durgan can play in the NA no probs.
Ryan, your grandfather forwarded this to me. Was watching you last week on TV while in Florida with your Mom and Dad, and grandparents. Very exciting.