Photo Credit Kelsey Lee-Violet Turtle Photography

When you think about the legacy of the Northeast Generals, you think about tough determined players like Colin Bilek and David Fessenden, working to get better. You think of an ownership group and staff that strives for development and honesty with their group. You also think of players and people like a Adam Smith. While he was traded to the Wichita Falls Warriors the Generals still have nothing but positive things to say about him. Wherever possible when the staff knows they may need to trade a roster player, especially a three year program veteran, they try to keep him on the same level if possible. His former Coach Bryan Erikson said

“Adam Smith is a phenomenal player and better person. We have been tracking Adam since he was 15 or so. Strong, physical defenseman that is extremely coachable. He was great for us at the 18U level and just as good at the NAHL level. Just a steady presence on the ice and in the locker room. We look forward to watching his continued success.”

With that in mind we reached out to Smith to talk about his time as a General. The defensive defender has gotten more time in Wichita Falls and is a big part of the team’s playoff aspirations.

1. What’s your favorite memory from your time with Northeast ? 

“The Alaska trip, which we took in March of 2020 right before COVID hit. We played at the Big Dipper Ice arena in front of a packed Fairbanks Ice Dogs crowd that was as pleased to see us as they were to see their home team. It was an unreal atmosphere – Coach Erikson said at the first game that their fans were bananas, and it got picked up on social media and the next night the crowd brought in bananas in appreciation.”

 

2. What is the biggest thing that the Generals staff taught you that has helped you out in Wichita Falls?

“As a defensively-oriented defenseman, Coach Erikson and Progen always stressed to me the need to be both physical and difficult to play against every single shift. While this was always important in the East, it is vital in the South where the focus is less on the skill of individual players and more on systems and forechecking.”

3. What’s your best-off ice memory with the Gens?

“My favorite off-ice memory from my time with the Generals was when we played seven games in nine days of an away series against Maine in the middle of the COVID season, and we stayed in an Air BnB throughout the whole trip. I really do value all the time I was able to spend with my teammates during each of the three years I was a General. I feel fortunate that I was able to meet the various people across the entire organization from players from all of the various Gens teams, coaches, management, billet families, and anyone else I was lucky enough to cross paths with.”

Adam finished with some nice words for the Generals.

“Good luck to the Gens in the playoff push. We play the New Mexico Ice Wolves in the first round of the playoffs. It would be wonderful if we all met up in Blaine in May.”

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