Northeast Generals Name Eric Progen as U16 and U18 Head Coach and Program Director
The Northeast Generals are excited to announce that Eric Progen has been named as Head Coach and Director of the Northeast Generals Midget Program. The Generals have previously announced the formation of both U16 and U18 full season programs. Both teams will play in the East Coast Elite League (ECEL) and the North American Prospects Hockey League (NAPHL), 2 of the best midget leagues in North America. As Director, Eric will be responsible for recruiting players for both teams as well as coaching. Eric joins the Generals from the Valley Forge Minutemen of the NAPHL and the AYHL located in Oaks, PA. Over the past 2 seasons Eric has had success in various roles. He has been a Coach of both the U16 and U18 Minutemen. The Minutemen were AYHL finalists in 2017-2018 and have enjoyed success in the NAPHL. Previously Eric spent 6 years with the Lehigh Valley program (both the Phantoms and Flames) as well as being a private skills instructor since 2013 focusing on skating.
Progen has seen numerous players tendered to the NAHL, including current NAHL General, Liam McCanney. In addition, Progen has seen several players drafted by either the USHL or NAHL with many more going directly to NCAA Hockey.
“The Generals are extremely excited to add someone of Eric’s caliber to our program. Eric has a proven track record of recruiting not only good hockey players but good young men. That philosophy is directly in line with all of our other programs. Eric will fit in greatly as well in our ideal that players must constantly work on individual skills not just team skills in order to be successful.” said Generals Owner/GM Bryan Erikson.
The Northeast Generals are excited to announce the rest of the Midget Staff as well:
Front Office:
U16/U18 Program Director: Eric Progen
U16/U18 General Manager: Bryan Erikson (currently the General Manager and Assistant Coach for both the NAHL and NA3HL Northeast Generals)
U16/U18 Assistant General Manager: Darryl Locke (currently the Head Coach of the NA3HL Northeast Generals as well as the U15 Middlesex Icemen Head Coach)
U16/U18 Director of Scouting: Cory Hunt (currently the Director of Player Personnel of the NAHL Northeast Generals)
U18 Staff:
U18 Head Coach: Eric Progen
U18 Associate Head Coach: Mike Rakes (longtime Coach, Assistant Coach of Generals U18 Split Season team and longtime Coach with the Boston Junior Terriers)
U18 Assistant Coach: Bryan Erikson
U16 Staff:
U16 Head Coach: Eric Progen
U16 Associate Head Coach: Darryl Locke
U16 Assistant Coach: Bryan Erikson
Additional Information:
Home Rink: Porrazzo Skating Rink, East Boston, MA
East Coast Elite League(ECEL)
55/60 Games
NAPHL Showcases
3/4 Practices a week at East Boston
Off ice work outs
All gear paid for-
Gloves, Pants, Shirts, Bags, Practice
East Coast Elite League (ECEL) :
Founded in 2013, the East Coast Elite League is a five-weekend showcase series that will provide maximum exposure for its member organizations and their players, by playing in top venues, in ideal scouting locations. Spread across the U14, U16 and U18 divisions and represented by several of the top hockey organizations across the country, the ECEL is the premier showcase series in the United States, unmatched in its format and exposure opportunities.
North American Prospects League (NAPHL) :
Celebrating its 10th anniversary season in 2018-19, the North American Prospects Hockey League (NAPHL) is made up of 41 teams from 17 programs that compete at the 18U, 16U and 15U USA Hockey Tier I level.
The NAPHL has established itself as one of the premier grounds for development and exposure. The success of teams on the National stage, as well as, the success of NAPHL players at the next levels of hockey, is further proof that the NAPHL is redefining exposure and has elevated itself to one of the premier training grounds for development and opportunity.
The NAPHL has enjoyed a record-breaking amount of advancement in recent seasons, which is highlighted by a large amount of advancement of players to the North American Hockey League (NAHL). No other USA Hockey Midget Tier I league has had more players play in the NAHL over the course of the last two seasons than the NAPHL. 48 players from the NAPHL were tendered to play in the NAHL for the upcoming 2018-19 season. During the past two years, 120 NAPHL players have signed an NAHL tender or been drafted into the NAHL, a remarkable total.
The NAPHL is operated by the NAHL’s experienced staff and provides an organized and competitive experience guaranteed to benefit all of the participating student-athletes.
The NAPHL, which is sanctioned by USA Hockey, utilizes the USA Hockey Officiating Development Program and is designed to maximize the exposure of all the Midget and Bantam participants through the NAHL’s high-profile recruiting events which attract hundreds of college, junior and professional scouts.
For more information on the Generals and how to play please visit northeastgenerals.com.