3View: New Jersey Titans
The 3View series will feature an in-depth look into all NA3HL teams in preparation for the 2023-24 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 2023-24 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 2022-23 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
Head Coach: Andrei Kapranov (4th Season)
2022-23 Record: 20-23-2-2, 44 pts. (5th in East Division)
2022-23 Leading Scorer: Ryan Talorico (66 points)
2023 Playoffs: Did not qualify
2023-24 Division: East
Last season fell short of expectations for the Titans, missing the playoffs by a singular point to the Long Beach Sharks. A slow start to the season forced New Jersey to find their stride, which they did; head coach Andrey Kapranov is determined to not only make the playoffs but make a run at the Fraser Cup.
“The expectation this season is to not only make the playoffs but have the home-ice advantage too. Once we’re in the playoffs, win our division and make a run at the Fraser Cup. Our NAHL team won the Robertson Cup two seasons ago and I want the mentality in our locker room to match that,” said Kapranov when asked about his squad’s goal for the upcoming season.
The New Jersey Titans organization provides a unique opportunity that a few programs in the NA3HL have: the ability to advance to the next level in your own rink. This past season rookie Kurt Johnson was no stranger to that opportunity, signing a tender with the NAHL New Jersey squad for this season.
New Jersey also advanced two players to the collegiate level in Antonio Vidal and Roy Shaver, something that Kapranov and the Titans organization key in on. “It’s important to myself and my staff that we put these players in the best position possible to move up. For some, like Vidal and Shaver, that means moving into the collegiate ranks. With an older roster this year, I’m excited for the opportunity that our age-out players have to showcase their skills during the season and get that college commitment.”
In addition to having a team in both junior leagues, the Titans take pride in their junior ranks. Last season alone, the Jr. Titans sent forward seven skaters to contribute to the NA3HL squad.
“We are lucky in New Jersey that we have such a strong youth program, and as a coach, I have gotten to know those players over the past two or three years. Now that they have had the right preparation, it is their time to show they can play at the junior level,” said Kapranov.
Kapranov has been behind the bench for the Titans since their inception into the NA3HL in the 2020-21 season. From the very start until now, he has seen great value and evolution in both the organization and the league as a whole.
“The growth of the league and the improving skill of the players makes this league the best path towards moving up to not only the Tier II level but also into the collegiate ranks. I’m lucky that I have the opportunity to shape the careers of such fine players.”
Looking forward into his 4th year with the Titans, he is looking forward to bring back some key pieces to last year’s roster.
“I am excited about our returners and what they can bring now to the table with a year of junior experience under their belts. Dante Debueriis and Lukas Carney will anchor our blue line, with George Hinds, Payton Fobes, Jacob Gray and Nick Trabb leading the way up front. Going into training camp, those returning players are the ones I will look towards to provide leadership in the locker room.”
The Titans will kick start their season on September 15th against the Danbury Jr. Hat Tricks.
Next Up: New Mexico Ice Wolves
