NEW 2024/25 NAHL/NA3HL Season thread

[JMCx4]

From: CNHI News

Goaltender's migration east pays off during second chance with Tomahawks
By Mike Mastovich
[email protected]
Nov 7, 2024
Updated Nov 9, 2024

Goaltender Zack Ferris looked west at the outset of the 2024-25 hockey season. Then, his migration east helped spark the Johnstown Tomahawks’ resurgence in the North American Hockey League. ...

“Zack has been incredible,” said first-year Johnstown Tomahawks coach Jared Kersner of Ferris’ 6-1-0 record since rejoining the team Oct. 12. “Part of that is the way we’ve played in front of him. When we’ve made mistakes, his job is to make a save for us. ..."

Ferris started the 2024-25 campaign with the West Kelowna Warriors in the British Columbia Hockey League – approximately 2,525 miles west of Johnstown.

After appearing in two games, Ferris considered other options. Kersner reached out. A reunion followed.

“I was trying to get a college commitment,” Ferris said. “I had a great conversation with some of the guys in the ‘BC’ and thought it would be a good opportunity for me.

“It ended up not working out.

"Jared made a call and asked me if I wanted to come back. I talked it over with my agent and he thought it was a good idea.”

The Tomahawks opened the season 1-7-1 when Ferris joined the team in mid-October. Johnstown split its next two games, and gradually began piling up wins. ...

Read more at:

https://www.cnhinews.com/pennsylvania/sports/article_682087de-5745-5ed1-9c66-901a574944ed.html

 

[Slowdive]

From: CNHI News

It's an interesting story. The one part I find interesting is the "agent" or advisor part. Im sure lots of kids at this or even tier 3 run into situations that are not ideal but what happens when they don't have an advisor? Food for thought.

 

[JMCx4]

It's an interesting story. The one part I find interesting is the "agent" or advisor part. Im sure lots of kids at this or even tier 3 run into situations that are not ideal but what happens when they don't have an advisor? Food for thought.

The backstory detail left unexplored was this statement from the migrating youngster: “I had a great conversation with some of the guys in the ‘BC’ and thought it would be a good opportunity for me. ..." 2 games later, that "good opportunity" either collapsed or was never there in the first place. Where was his "agent" - and his parent(s)/guardian(s) - when the kid decided to head West? This is exactly the reason I found this article worthy of posting here, as a cautionary tale of a "hockey futures" situation that has repeated itself for decades.

 

[Slowdive]

The backstory detail left unexplored was this statement from the migrating youngster: “I had a great conversation with some of the guys in the ‘BC’ and thought it would be a good opportunity for me. ..." 2 games later, that "good opportunity" either collapsed or was never there in the first place. Where was his "agent" - and his parent(s)/guardian(s) - when the kid decided to head West? This is exactly the reason I found this article worthy of posting here, as a cautionary tale of a "hockey futures" situation that has repeated itself for decades.

100%. Sometimes opportunities are not really opportunities. It's even a tougher lesson at lower Jr levels where parents are paying to play. Then it becomes not only a cautionary tale but a financial one as well.

 

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NA3 Show November 15

 

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A few ramblings. Granite City who I was pumping the tires of a few weeks ago losses to Willmar Friday and then the last place Moose on Saturday. Shows what I know. Quake kept if close against Sheridan while getting totally out shot. Was tied at 1 after one and was 3-1 Hawks after two. Ended 5-1 with an empty netter. Quake have a new goalie who was great.

 

[JMCx4]

A few ramblings. Granite City who I was pumping the tires of a few weeks ago losses to Willmar Friday and then the last place Moose on Saturday. Shows what I know. Quake kept if close against Sheridan while getting totally out shot. Was tied at 1 after one and was 3-1 Hawks after two. Ended 5-1 with an empty netter. Quake have a new goalie who was great.

"Building from the net out" ...

I was looking at the NA3HL team "physical stats" comparisons page on ElitePropects.com. The Quake have the 3rd youngest average player age in the League, with only St. Louis & Maine sharing an average age under 18 years old with Yellowstone. Probably not the only factor in their struggles, but it's tough to win at the Tier III level when your roster has significantly less hockey (and life) experience than your opponents.

 

[VaCaps Fan]

Time for a mighty ducks style coaching from JMCx4….

 

[JMCx4]

Time for a mighty ducks style coaching from JMCx4….

I'd rather be D2's villain Wolf "The Dentist" Stansson. His girlfriend Marria (played by Maria Ellingsen) was much hotter than Kathryn Erbe.

 

[Slowdive]

"Building from the net out" ...

I was looking at the NA3HL team "physical stats" comparisons page on ElitePropects.com. The Quake have the 3rd youngest average player age in the League, with only St. Louis & Maine sharing an average age under 18 years old with Yellowstone. Probably not the only factor in their struggles, but it's tough to win at the Tier III level when your roster has significantly less hockey (and life) experience than your opponents.

They have a new dman the Quake but they still only run five d. This weekend they only had 15 skaters.

 

[JMCx4]

They have a new dman the Quake but they still only run five d. This weekend they only had 15 skaters.

That hurts their chances, too. Are they short on uniforms & equipment to ice a full roster? Maybe HUTCH is reading this, and he'll set up a Quake Go Fund Me page.

 

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That hurts their chances, too. Are they short on uniforms & equipment to ice a full roster? Maybe HUTCH is reading this, and he'll set up a Quake Go Fund Me page.

They are not short on uniforms or equipment, this I do know. I imagine its hard to recruit and get players there. I also think they have some injured guys. It's interesting how tier three teams go through cycles of feast or famine. I know Granite City has tons of dudes, probably easy to recruit when your on top. However if you suddenly go famine, players shy away.

 

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Just watched Louisiana and the Texas Roadrunners. Drillers won it ot and apparently haven't lost in regulation. They look legit but Texas hung in their.

 

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NA3HL Stars of The Week November 11-17

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[JMCx4]

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[JMCx4]

Back to the pucks stuff ...

WATCH: NAHL Plays of the Week, November 11-17

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Willmar and Granite City face off tonight In the NA3. Granite City on a two game skid while the WarHawks come in hot.

 

[VaCaps Fan]

Need a roadtrip to see these teams…

 

[JMCx4]

Need a roadtrip to see these teams…

 

[Slowdive]

Granite City get a 7-1 win over Wilmar. Lumberjacks get nearly 60 shots on net. Though, I've learned NA3 stats are a lil dicey.