The NAHL’s Robertson Cup playoffs begin this weekend with a big series between the Northeast Generals and New Jersey Junior Titans.
The Attleboro, Mass.-based Generals will travel to the Garden State to face the East Division’s top regular season team, but it has been a historic year for head coach Bryan Erikson and his team. Going 35-24-1 to clinch the fourth and final playoff berth in the seven-team division, the club set a franchise record. The Generals have come a long way since their first season in the Tier 2 junior league in 2016-17 when they won just 4 games. Though the team made the playoffs in 2018 and 2019, the Generals have yet to win a postseason round. With a balanced roster trending the right way, they are hoping to upset the top-seeded Titans, who led the division with a 41-16-3 record.
The Titans entered the NAHL in 2015-16 and won 34 games in their inaugural season. With the exception of 2019-20, when COVID canceled the playoffs for all junior leagues, the Titans have made it to the NAHL postseason every year. Head coach Craig Doremus, at the helm since 2016, has been able to recruit and build quality teams in each of his six seasons.
This will be a quality matchup between two teams that are strong at every position. Even though the Generals are seeded fourth, there is a razor-thin margin between them.
Coaching
Doremus just set a personal best in single-season wins, though his best year was a .740 winning percentage and 38-13-1 record before the pandemic forced the cancellation of the NAHL regular season with eight games still on the schedule.
For the Generals, Marshfield, Mass., native Erikson and his staff have steadily built a competitive squad after a disappointing 2020-21 campaign. The former Wareham/Carver High head coach has been with the Generals since their inception as general manager, head coach and an assistant.
Forwards
Both clubs boast some potent offensive scorers in numbers up front, spreading out the offense among several players rather than relying on one or two players to carry the bulk of the scoring.
The Generals were led by California native Paul Minnehan, who tied a team single-season records for goals (23), his 64 points topping the club. The Arizona State recruit isn’t the prettiest of skaters, but gets where he needs to go, and is around the puck a lot. Chatham, N.J., product David Andreychuk finished second on the team in scoring, and provides an intelligent playmaking presence, with 79 points over the last two seasons. Veteran center Brent Keefer is a winner, setting a franchise record with eight contest-deciding goals out of his 19 for the year, including the overtime strike that clinched the playoff spot against the Maine Nordiques in dramatic fashion.
There is quality depth up front, although two-way center Ryan Corcoran (Duxbury, Mass.) has been out of the lineup battling injuries. The Boston Advantage product is a smart, industrious player. If the Generals can get him back for the first round, he boosts their chances.
The Titans are led offensively by a group of skilled forwards. Overager Tommy Bannister led the way with 60 points and is a proven junior player with BCHL and NAHL experience. He can skate, create and plays a sound 200-foot game. Anthony Calafiore, an '02, could have played in the USHL this season with the Omaha Lancers, but opted for a bigger role with the Titans. Whatever he lacks in height, he makes up for with speed, skill and creativity to the tune of 59 points, but he had a higher points-per-game average than Bannister.
The Titans also got fine production from St. Sebastian’s grad Brendan Dumas (North Attleboro, Mass.) who posted 58 points. He’s not a dynamic presence in terms of his skating or ability to generate highlight reel plays, but the puck seems to follow him around the ice and he scores dirty goals.
Defense
The Titans are led on the blue line by the rugged David Posma, younger brother of Boston College freshman Michael Posma. A strong, hard-nosed presence on the blue line, the younger Posma is not all that mobile, but plays a smart positional game and is tough to match up against. His 40 points led the blue line, and speaks to an underrated skill set and ability to move pucks quickly. The rest of the defense is made up of capable, experienced junior players who aren’t flashy, but take care of their own end and limit grade A scoring chances.
Northeast’s leading scorer on the back line also has the most junior experience of anyone, in Michigander Evan Orr. With four full years in the league, plus a fifth in the BCHL, Orr is the anchor who logs critical minutes in key situations. He is backed by a couple of rugged performers in the towering 6-foot-6 Bryce Cooper and Jackson McCarthy. Former Shattuck-St. Mary’s standout Asher Wites didn’t put up a lot of points in the regular season, but brings an interesting change of pace with his swift feet and transition skills.
The Titans hold the edge in depth and consistency in their ability to defend. Northeast will need to get the best out of the lineup on the backend, given how closely the two teams match up at the other positions.
Goaltending
It might be cliché to say, but the series will likely come down to the matchup between Andrew Takacs and Cullen DeYoung for the Titans and Generals respectively.
Takacs won 29 games this season, while DeYoung had 23 for the Generals. Both have size, quickness and experience on their side, though the former has benefited from having fewer shots to face. Both are close in terms of style and substance, but DeYoung has been hot, going 4-0 in his final regular season starts, including a pair of wins over the Titans on April 15-16.
Four players to watch
Ryan Gordon
Northeast, C, 5/5/02, right shot, 6-1/180
The son of former Boston College goalie and Providence Bruins head coach Scott Gordon doesn’t play a flashy game with any real standout skills, but he’s as solid and consistent as they come. He has the vision and instincts to drive plays and has the tools to be a Division 1 player, raising his profile after a 53-point season. He started his junior career with the Titans, so Gordon will be motivated to play his best against his former club.
Jackson McCarthy
Northeast, D, 9/27/02, right shot, 6-1/205
NCAA commit: Mercyhurst
The West Seneca, N.Y., product is built for the playoffs. He’s a good defender with size, reach and a battler’s mentality. He’s physical and willing to step up to make big hits or end plays along the walls. He and Cooper have improved as a shutdown second pairing for the Generals, and he’s a good fit for Atlantic Hockey when he moves on from juniors.
Nick Ring
New Jersey, C, 10/26/03, right shot, 5-10/165
NCAA commit: New Hampshire
Another Boston Advantage graduate who also played for them in the USPHL NCDC, Ring’s speed jumps out at you right away. He is nifty, quick and plays with pace, able to turn defenders and burn opponents on the outside when he gets a step. The Hingham, Mass., native’s 10 goals and 36 points were middle of the pack for the Titans, but fine given his youth as a late ’03 when compared to the rest of the roster. He could bring a game-breaking element to the mix in this series if he gets it going.
Anthony Calafiore
New Jersey, RW, 4/6/02, right shot, 5-9/175
NCAA commit: Maine
Former Robert Morris University commit from Staten Island is now bound for Maine, and coming off a 59-point campaign for the Titans. He’s always been a dynamic, crafty forward who used his speed and agility to gain the offensive zone and generate scoring chances. He’s not the most diligent three-zone player, but is slick and dangerous — he checks the boxes for an undersized forward and has room to develop and grow his game.
Prediction
Titans win in five games.
