The Anthony Wayne Generals ran roughshod over the White Division of the Northwest Hockey Conference a year ago, running the table in league play (13-0-0) while out-scoring their division opponents 86-9. 

Coming off a strong season, and with a deep roster that includes six players who earned all-league recognition in the White Division, this is as good a year as any for the Generals to make the move up to the Red Division of the NHC.

A 2-1 win on Sunday over last year’s state runner-up Dublin Jerome reinforces that theory.

Senior defensemen Zach Knapp (First Team) and Logan Schuster (Second Team) were among the top blue liners in the White Division a year ago and will now anchor a defensive group that will test themselves against the elevated skill and speed of Red Division forwards on a regular basis.

Junior forward Ben Thomas was the White Division Rookie of the Year and named to the Second Team.  Jesse Rose, Drew Seals and Joel Semancik all earned honorable mention.

There is a hole to fill in the crease, however, as Sam Thomas – the White Division First Team goalie – graduated, leaving junior Justin Utterback and sophomore Jacob Lucente to compete for time.

A 5-1-0 start through the Thanksgiving weekend, highlighted by the win over Jerome, has given the Generals some early momentum.  They will look to keep it going during a trip to Cincinnati where they will face St. Xavier and Archbishop Moeller, before diving into NHC league play in mid-December.

--- Scott Harrington for Ohio Hockey Digest