Chatham Maroons Announce Returning Seven

Austin Thompson is one of seven returning players announced by the Chatham Maroons

The Chatham Maroons have announced the return of seven members from last year’s fourth place team.

Forwards Austin Thompson, Blair Derynck and Nolan VanderBoorn will return to the club, as well as D-men Michael Douglas, Aaron Jacobs and Cory Bussing, joining high profile local goaltender Brendan Johnston.

Thompson, a Leamington native and former Wheatley Shark will be leaned upon to supply offensive production following a 46 point campaign last season. Thompson added 12 points in 11 playoff appearances.

Derynck chipped in six goals and nine assists last year with VandenBoorn scoring six with four helpers in 23 games as a Maroon. Ridgetown’s VandenBoorn split the year between Chatham and the Jr C Blenheim Blades, where he netted 16 points in 18 games.

Windsor’s Michael Douglas will become an important piece on the Maroons back-end after adding 25 points from the blueline.

Johnston, form Port Lambton, has been a highly touted goaltending prospect in recent years, including time in the OHL with Windsor and Flint last year. Johnston looks to settle in close to home after an 11-4 record with a 3.59 GAA and .899 save percentage through the regular season. Johnston went 6-4 in the playoffs and was relied upon as the go-to netminder through the post-season.

Chatham finished with a 32-16-1-1 record last year and were eliminated in the second round by Leamington.