Mike Tenney is sure he’s going to have to make some trips to both Logan Airport in Boston and Manchester (N.H.) Airport.   After all, the 2012-13 Islanders Hockey Club Empire League team is made up of players from all around the country. “The team is looking really good for next season,” said the squad’s head coach. “We have a lot of talented players who are coming from a lot of different places, which will make this a fun group to coach and get to know.”  The origins of the players include Russia, California, Florida, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Georgia and Maine, as well as local area players from Massachusetts and New Hampshire.  

 

Tenney and the Islanders organization had to put extra footwork in, as the organization needed 25 new players (as of late July, they were at 22).  “Although the New England Huskies team from last year was very talented, the players have either moved on or are going to be part of our new Midget U16 and U18 full-season programs,” said Tenney.  Three former Empire League Huskies will suit up for the Islanders’ Eastern Junior League team this year. Four other former Empire League Huskies are now with other EJHL teams.

 

“Over the years, we have averaged six advancements per year,” said Tenney. “Over the last five years, we also had 16 players recruited to NCAA colleges.”  Right now, he likes the group of forwards the Islanders have signed.  “I feel as though this is the deepest group of forwards I have had in my years coaching junior and it would be unfair to single out a few when I think all 13 forwards will be impact players,” Tenney said.

 

There are four defensemen who have really impressed early on, including Brad Anderson (Wayne, N.J.),Josh Vernot (Lapeer, Mich.), Jake Dickson (New City, N.Y.) and Tim Jenkins (Billerica, Mass.).

 

Goalies Drew McLeman, Alex Scanlon and Michael Kitts all have a chance to take the No. 1 role at this point