Offseason Local Junior Hockey Update: PJHL, GOJHL, OJHL, and OHL

There has been a lot of action this offseason from our local Junior hockey teams and players, here’s a run down in case you missed anything. We’re crossing the midway point of the offseason, and before you know it, teams will be on the ice for main camps.

Follow the many links in the article below to read more.

PJHL Stobbs Division

The Wallaceburg Thunderhawks were quiet most of the summer after renaming from the Wallaceburg Lakers, and overcoming a fire which burned their team equipment. A new season and fresh start for this group. One of their major additions was on the bench, adding former Lakers captain, and reigning OMHA champion coach Louie Blackbird as an assistant coach. This week however, the Thunderhawks made their first signing announcements bringing in Braiden Shaw,
Trevor Pike, and Anthony Acchoine. They’ll open their main camp August 24.

The Wheatley Sharks lost team rookie of the year Braeden Caetano to the Chatham Maroons. But they also announced several local additions including Jackson Ford, Colton Candido, and Tallas Smith.

The Dresden Kings lost a pair of youngsters, with Bayly Fryfogle signing with the GOJHL’s Strathroy Rockets and PJHL Rookie of the Year netminder Brett Brochu signing with the OHL’s London Knights. The Kings acquired veteran defender Andre Brett from the Chatham Maroons midway through the offseason.

The Blenheim Blades haven’t made any signing announcements yet, but they did lose PJHL rookie of the year runner up Cameron Symons to the Leamington Flyers.

GOJHL

The Chatham Maroons opened their offseason signing four players including locals Adrian Stubberfield and Tate Bowden, as well as Junior C grads Ty Moss and Braeden Caetano.

As the summer progressed, the Maroons started announcing new signings and returning players including Jake Fields from the Amherstburg Admirals, as well as the return to newly named captain Griffin Robinson, assistant captain and leading scorer Maddox Rychel, and second year players Evan Wells and Zach Powers. HHEy also added goalie Tiago Rocha.

The Maroons also said goodbye to Darby Lemieux, Craig Spence, Adam Harris, and Andre Brett who were all eligible to return.

Chatham opens their preseason August 18 against Cambridge in Woodstock.

The Leamington Flyers continued to load up on local talent, trading for Darby Lemieux from the Chatham Maroons, and signing Chatham-Kent Cyclones and Blenheim Blades product Cameron Symons. They also signed former Chatham-Kent Cyclones captain Spencer Lecot.

Sarnia Legionnaires

Sarnia also added a local player this offseason, signing defender Bryar Dittmer of Chatham.

OJHL

Chatham Maroons standout rookie netminder Adam Harris signed with the reigning OJHL champion Oakville Blades, leaving a hole in Chatham’s goal.

OHL

The OHL’s Sarnia Sting announced they’ll be playing a preseason game in Chatham on September 12 against the Soo Greyhounds. Tickets are on sale now.

Goalie Brett Brochu, who starred with the Dresden Kings last season signed with the London Knights, the same team who drafted him last season.

Deni Goure, who was a first round pick of the Owen Sound Attack, officially signed with the team, and is expected to get a shot to contribute immediately.

Craig Spence of Chatham signed with the Mississauga Steelheads. He was a rookie last season with the Chatham Maroons.