3View: New Jersey Titans

The 3View series will feature an in-depth look into all NA3HL teams in preparation for the 2021-22 season, with two teams being highlighted daily, leading all the way up until the start of the regular season. 3View goes in-depth into each NA3HL team and will include interviews with all the head coaches in the NA3HL, as they provide fans with their expectations and outlook for the 2021-22 season, including taking a look at their potential roster and their strengths as a team for the upcoming season. It will also take a look back on the 2020-21 season and how each team fared and what they accomplished. Best of all, 3View will provide the fans of the NA3HL with an inside look at their favorite team and what to expect.

New Jersey Titans

2020-21 Record: 16-15-4, 36 pts (3rd in East Division)

2021 Playoffs: Lost in Division Final

Head Coach: Lenny Caglianone

2021-22 Division: East

The New Jersey Titans entered the league in style last year, finishing third in the East Division and capping off their season with a run to the division final. 

Under new Head Coach Lenny Caglianone, the Titans will look to build on the foundation of last season’s success.

“From what I saw, the team from last season was extremely talented and had the majority of the tools to have a championship pedigree,” said Caglianone. “As a staff, we're looking to build on that and add those missing ingredients, The most important of those being depth. Having scoring support up front from your bottom six and being able to rely on a solid blue line is key to conquering the postseason. If we can incorporate this into our culture, I think the East will be up for grabs.”

The Titans will aim to improve on last year’s success without many of the members of that team, but Caglianone is confident in the new coaching staff’s ability to get the best out of a new squad. 

“The retention from last year was small, as a new coaching staff and the style that comes with, we expected some losses player-wise. One player that is coming back is Isaiah McKinney, who we expect to be a staple on the blue line and make immense strides this year,” he said. 

As he looks to build a stronger roster, Caglianone also has his eyes on establishing a culture of honesty within the locker room. 

“Titans fans should be excited to see an honest brand of hockey. Our staff preaches attention to detail, but honesty within the realm of your game. We believe that being honest with yourself and realizing your identity as a player will maximize your potential on and off the ice,” he said. 

Watch: New Jersey Titans season preview

One of the greatest strengths of the Titans organization at both the NAHL and NA3HL levels is its ability to prepare players to make an impact at the next level, wherever that may be. 

Caglianone looks forward to continuing that tradition of stellar player advancement in his first year with the organization. 

“At the Titans NA3HL level, our sole purpose is player development and movement. At the heart of it, our success as a coaching staff is dependent on our players' success. Our approach is to polish and fine-tune the details of every player's individual game so they can continue to reach their ceiling.

“We also stress professionalism off the ice — the staff is big on being presentable and carrying yourself with confidence and swagger. Seeing all of these elements blend together and propel players to the next level is a mission accomplished for the team and the organization. We want to round these guys out in every aspect of the game both on and off the ice so that they're translatable, no matter which locker room they step into next,” said Caglianone.

After the team started NA3HL life well in year one, Caglianone looks forward to taking the team even further in year two. That means success on the ice, in player development and in the standings. 

“To look back and April and say ‘wow, my staff and I had a great first season here,’ we would have to have accomplished all of our predetermined goals,” he said, “Committing all of our age-out players, successfully securing players' next level exposure and erasing the shortcomings of last season and claw our way out of the East.”

Next up: New Ulm Steel