Northeast Generals announce coaching change
December 29, 2016
The Northeast Generals, proud members of the North American Hockey League (NAHL), are excited to announce that Tim Lovell and Joe Lovell will be taking over the Head Coaching duties of the Generals NAHL team when the team returns to the ice in 2017.
“We are very excited to bring in both Tim and Joe Lovell,” said Northeast Generals General Manager, Bryan Erikson. “They have a proven track record of producing high level athletes through their many programs that include Boston Advantage, Lovell Knights, 95 Giants and Advantage Ice. They have had dozens of NCAA Division I hockey commitments and had 7 draft picks in the 2015 NHL draft.”
Tim Lovell played hockey at the University of Maine and the University of Massachusetts at Amherst where he finished his career with 130 NCAA points. Tim continued playing hockey at the professional level for 7 years before retiring in 2004. After retiring Tim immediately started Coaching at a high level, developed Lovell Skills and started the Boston Advantage which has developed into the premier organization in New England.
Joe Lovell played hockey at Bentley University for 4 seasons and was Captain his senior year. Joe then played one year of professional hockey. After his playing career ended Joe became the Head Coach of the Foxboro Stars in the Empire Junior Hockey league for the 2006 season. In 2007 Joe was named Head Coach of the Boston Advantage U18 team in the Tier 1 Hockey League where he continued until 2012.
Together the Lovell brothers have over 20 years of coaching experience and have a proven track record of success.
The decision to step down was not an easy one for Head Coach Bryan Erikson but one he felt was necessary. “You can only change players so often when you are a winless team before you need to take a long look and see that maybe you are part of the problem,” said Erikson. “The staff won’t be turned over completely as Mike Tenney has done a tremendous job as the Associate Head Coach and he will continue in that role. Mike has a great bond with the kids, runs a great practice and is a great Junior Hockey Coach. In addition, I will stay on staff as an Assistant Coach and support the Lovell’s in any way possible. I think this change gives us the best chance to right the ship in the second half and start stringing some wins together.”
The start to the Generals inaugural season hasn’t been ideal but Erikson and the Generals ownership feel that this move helps immediately and in the future.
“The Lovell name has been synonymous with winning and development throughout the years. We are excited for them to come on board and help the Northeast Generals NAHL team grow into a premier organization,” said Generals owner Richard O’Dowd.
