The Norwich Sea Captains of the North American 3 Hockey League (NA3HL) are thrilled to announce that forward Jack Kinahan has chosen to attend Sacred Heart University next season to continue his academic and hockey careers. Kinahan has been a foundational member of the Sea Captains since the team’s beginnings in the spring of 2021. The 2002 Stamford, Connecticut native will major in Sports Management at Sacred Heart and play for the Pioneers’ American Collegiate Hockey Association Division II hockey program. The Pioneers compete in the Super East Collegiate Hockey League where they finished as the runners-up before advancing the the ACHA Division II Northeast Regional Championships.
Kinahan was selected with Norwich’s first pick (third overall) in the 2021 NA3HL Draft. During his two seasons in a Sea Captains uniform Kinahan appeared in 92 regular season games and all three playoffs games in the team’s history. During the 2021-22 season Kinahan netted 11 goals (fourth on the team) and added 13 assists (second) to record 24 points (third) in 45 games. Kinahan doubled his goal output in the 2022-23 season as he potted 22 markers to lead the team. He also added 12 helpers to total 34 points, good for second on the team, while playing in all 47 regular season games. Kinahan’s regular season totals over the course of two seasons were; 92 games played (third in franchise history), 33 goals (franchise record), 25 assists (third) and 58 points (second). He also led the Sea Captains offense during the 2023 Fraser Cup Playoffs when he tallied two goals and an assist in three games. All of those points, which included the game winning goal, came in Norwich’s 3-1 victory over the Danbury Jr Hat Tricks in game two of the East Division Semifinals an March 10, 2023. Kinahan also holds the franchise record for game winning goals with seven (six in the regular season and one in the playoffs). He netted two during the team’s inaugural year before burying four during the 2022-23 regular season, including an overtime winner against the New Jersey Titans as Norwich secured a 2-1 win on March 4, 2023.
Kinahan received numerous accolades during his time in the Norwich navy and crimson. He was recognized as the Bauer NA3HL East Division Second Star of the week for the period of February 21-27, 2022 after a five point week which including three goals, one of which was a game-winner, and two assists as the Sea Captains spilt two games with the Bay State Bobcats. During the 2022-23 season, Kinahan was named the Star of the Week for the period of December 5-11, 2022 when he recorded three goals and an assist in a weekend sweep of the Bay State Bobcats. He also received honorable mentions in the Stars of the Week program three additional times during the season. Kinahan was selected to participate in the 2023 NA3HL Top Prospects Tournament where he appeared in both games for Team East in the event. Additionally, Kinahan was recognized as the the Joshua’s Worldwide Norwich Sea Captains Forward of the Month for both December 2022 and March 2023.
“I decided to go to Sacred Heart because it offers everything that I want in my college experience. I am very excited to begin this next chapter of my life. I am grateful for my time in Norwich, which helped me grow as a player and as a man,” said Kinahan.
Norwich Head Coach Kevin Cunningham commented, “Jack is a truly outstanding representative of what junior hockey should be all about. He challenged himself to be better, and to lead others, every day. He had a tremendous impact on our program on the ice, in our locker room and throughout the Norwich community. Jack is the epitome of how Norwich Sea Captains should go about their business every day. I am so pleased for him and his family that he will be attending Sacred Heart and that he will be able to continue his hockey career. I am certain that Jack will have a very positive impact on that community as well.”
Kinahan joins fellow 2002-born teammate Brendan Pellerito (Western Michigan – ACHA DI) as the second member of the 2022-23 Norwich Sea Captains to announce his college plans. All college commitments are sponsored by Eastern CT Contracting.
About Eastern CT Contracting – Providing a range of home services at reasonable prices, Eastern CT Contracting is locally owned and proud to serve the community. Contact them for a free quote today.