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THE CAPTAIN COMMITS

By Joe Sindoni , 04/24/17, 11:15AM EDT

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Captain Tommy Dougherty Ready for NCAA

 

JRFlyers Captain Tommy Dougherty has committed and will by playing DIII Hockey next season. The 5’11 and ’96 birth year from Kennett Square, PA will play for Neumann University in Aston Pennsylvania. This is Dougherty’s second season with the team and he has been a big part of the JRFlyers’ success. This year Dougherty was one of the leading scorers on the JRFlyers with 16 goals and 30 assists giving him 46 points (including playoffs). He was elected Captain by his teammates this year and was a great leader on and off the ice. “It was really special to me, hopefully throughout the year I set a good example. It meant a lot to me but we all have to come in and work hard no matter what, and that’s what this team did, which is the most important thing.” The team certainly worked hard all year and it paid off as the JRFlyers won the Eastern Hockey League Championship in a thrilling best of five series against the cross town rival Little Flyers in five games.

Dougherty leaves his junior career as a Champion, can’t get much better than that. “It’s been a really good two years. We have a great facility at our exposure with lots of ice time available to us. Being on the ice everyday you become a stronger skater. Overall I think every aspect of my game has improved in my time here. Closing out my junior career with a Championship, I couldn’t ask for anything more.”

Neumann University is on deck for Dougherty as he talks about his goals with his future team. “They are losing a lot of seniors so we might not be the strongest when I get there. As I move through with the team I just want to keep improving. Hopefully I can step in and make a big difference and be a role player for them.”

It was a dream ending as the JRFlyers won the EHL Title but as he gets ready to move on Dougherty left a message to those who helped along the way.  “Honestly this whole year has been really special and it’s tough to say goodbye to these guys. I want to stay in touch with my teammates because they a great guys on and off the ice. I want to thank my parents and family for all of their support throughout my career. I want to thank Jerry (Domish) and Jason (Kilcoyne) and Bill (Renshaw), they have helped me improve my game each year. My dad was my coach for 10 years so I have to thank him for helping me become who I am. As for my teammates I couldn’t ask anything more of them, thank you.”

Coach Domish has had a front row seat to Dougherty’s growth and he reflects on the Captain taking the next step. “What Tommy brought was leadership. When a coach is trying to sell something to the players, it’s important that the leaders also sell it. This year he and our assistant captains did a tremendous job in the locker room and I couldn’t thank them enough. The leaders of the team are the reason why we had a great year. He grew a lot in terms of point production in the two years here. He has great ice awareness and is a very good skater, and he is also very patient with the puck. I hope they (Neumann) realize his character early on because even if he can’t be a captain or assistant early on his leadership in the locker room with the freshman can be immense to them. I remember a few years ago when Jonathan and Stephen Low played here and went on to play for Neumann. By Stephen’s sophomore year he was already the captain and I think Tommy Dougherty has those same characteristics.”   

Congratulations Tom on a great junior hockey career. You were a great leader to this team and it was an honor to have you as Captain of the JRFlyers. Thank you for all of your hard work and for being a great example on what being a JRFlyer is all about. Best of luck as you begin your college journey, and remember, you’ll always be part of the JRFlyers family.

 

By: Joe Sindoni

Staff Writer

Play By Play Announcer