Photo Credit: Patrick Garriepy-Patrick Garriepy Photography

Today, General Manager Matt Dibble, and Head Coach Bryan Erikson welcomed three more players to the Family of the Northeast Generals for their 2021-2022 campaign. All three selections in the NAHL Supplemental Draft, a draft happening for the second time today, have college interest at the Division One level.

More importantly, to Erikson and Dibble, the philosophy for picking players in this draft, and in every other opportunity they have to add talent centers around fit. Erikson has cut players ranked by NHL Central Scouting because they did not mesh well with his group, and Dibble and Erikson each value players who are good humans first, and ones they can work with more than on ice players who may be a bit higher end, but off the ice do not work well with others. That philosophy will be on full display in the NAHL Entry Draft next month where the Generals will make six selections to add to their player pool ahead of their main camp next season.

Today, the Generals selected Swedish winger Linus Petersson with their first choice, Michael Woll with their second pick, and Tyler Procious with their final pick. Of the three, Petersson’s upside seems to be the most immediate with his 6’4″ frame and ability to find the net. The Generals will be adding a power forward to a top six group that could see Jake Dunlap return to it, among their other superb veterans. He only played eight games last season for his Sollentuna side in the under 20 league in Sweeden. His statistics from seasons before the last one profile as a power forward with scoring upside. If he can pitch in supplemental scoring to go along with his physical game in the top six, then Erikson and Dibble will have an impact power forward to help out a group of returners in the top six all with speed and skill.

As for Michael Woll, the brother of former Boston College Eagle and current Toronto Maple Leaf Joseph Woll, he brings a similar power forward game up the middle, along with a brief stint with the Madison Capitals of the USHL last season (two games). In addition, Erikson and Dibble have seen him play a lot, given that he plays with tender Sixten Jennersjo, and has played with Ryan Gordon and Jackson McCarthy.

Regarding Tyler Procious, the offensive defender has shown the ability to generate a large amout of points at the Tier One level, but did not see it come just yet in his season with the Muskegon Lumberjacks. He will be given every opportunity to show the growth of the offensive side of his game at the USHL level, and the Generals retain his NAHL rights should that end up being the place he ends up playing at. He is a leader wherever he goes, and brings the intangibles and top-end skill together, the former being a requirement for Erikson and Dibble, the latter bringing promising upside.

As Erikson described of the picks today,

” We got all 3 players that Matt targeted. We had watched Linus quite a bit and it’s rare to see a 6’4 power forward that can fly. We think he slots right into our top 6. And Michael Woll plays right down the street at the prestigious Mount St. Charles and joins teammate Sixten Jennersjo and former teammates Ryan Gordon and Jackson McCarthy. Woll is another 6’4 forward that can skate well and fire the puck. Tyler is a player that has played for Matt Dibble’s summer program Roc City Elite that we are very familiar with. We hope he sticks in the USHL but wanted him to have a landing spot if it didn’t work out. He is an elite defender.”

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