Northeast defenseman McCarthy makes NCAA DI commitment

The Northeast Generals of the North American Hockey League (NAHL) are excited to announce that defenseman Jackson McCarthy has committed to play NCAA Division I hockey for Mercyhurst University in Atlantic Hockey.

McCarthy, 19, is in his second season playing in the NAHL with the Generals. Through 14 games this season, the 6’1/205 lbs. native of West Seneca, NY, leads the blueline in points with 2 goals and 5 assists for 7 points. McCarthy’s 7 points are also good for 13th in the entire NAHL for defensemen.

McCarthy joined the Generals in the 2020-21 season in a trade with the Austin Bruins shortly after the hiring of new GM Matt Dibble. “Matt did an amazing job of identifying the potential in Jackson right after he got hired and made a great trade. Jackson came in and really outworked everyone. He is just an incredibly hard worker. We were familiar with him and his game having played down the street at the prestigious Mount St. Charles school but he was an even better person than advertised. Just a phenomenal kid that works his tail off,” said Generals Head Coach Bryan Erikson.

“He beats me to the rink most days. I’ll come in on a weekend off day and there he is working in the skills center, in the gym, getting extra ice. Anything he can do to get better he does. Jackson and his work ethic put himself in a position where he had a ton of interest. Mercyhurst really stepped up and made a great offer and Jackson was extremely excited to accept. I know Eric Progen who runs our Defense has put in a lot of work with Jackson, but it’s all on Jackson for listening and working hard. We started to see a lot of his hard work pay off this summer during the Chowder Cup playing for Roc City. He was named D man of the tournament and put on a show. Really took a huge step forward and that has carried into the beginning of this year. Excited for this step for Jackson and getting back to work on his development,” continued Erikson.

Northeast General Manager Matt Dibble added, “Myself being from Western New York like Jackson, his reputation as a hard worker was always well known and something I noticed. One of our scouts, Greg Przystal, always spoke well of him so when we were able to add him last year, we were definitely excited. Jack is a kid who’s path in junior hockey wasn’t the smoothest, like a lot of the kids on our current roster. Credit goes to him for committing to being all-in with what we believe we are building here. He had a great offseason and came in ready to show what he can do. Mercyhurst is getting a great defenseman, and a better person.”

Click here for an updated NAHL to NCAA commitment list