MASON CITY, Iowa – Kohei Sato helped his new team to its first point of the 2016-17 season Friday, in his first game back in the North American Hockey League. Sato joined the Northeast Generals ahead of this weekend’s series against the New Jersey Titans, and scored a pivotal goal late in the first period of Friday’s 3-2 overtime loss. That goal stood as the game-winner until a third-period Titans goal wiped out the lead.
The third-year Bulls forward and native of Japan scored nine goals and added six assists in seven games before heading to the Tier II ranks. He got an early “cup of coffee” in the NAHL last year with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, tallying a pair of goals in three games before returning to lead North Iowa to its third Silver Cup and national championship in four years. He received his second NAHL tender over the summer with the Janesville Jets.
“Kohei was a dominant force to start this season with the North Iowa Bulls,” said head coach Todd Sanden. “We are excited that Kohei has earned this opportunity to play in the NAHL again and wish him and the Generals the best for the remainder of the season.”