Admirals preparing for season

Admirals goalie Hunter Welk covers the puck during a training camp scrimmage Aug. 30 in Tecumseh.

There were a lot of new faces at this year’s Amherstburg Admirals training camp.

Held last Friday, Saturday, and Sunday in Tecumseh and heading into the 2026-27 Provincial Junior Hockey League (Junior C) season, the Admirals are expected to return less than 10 players from last year’s team.

“I think it looks a little different than what we thought back in March or April. When we looked at that roster, there’s guys who have been traded and some seeking a trade,” said head coach Paul Bortignon.

After a two-and-a-half- year hiatus, the Admirals winningest coach returns and credits GM Andrew Sykes for filling the gaps in the roster.

Up front, Amherstburg will have returnees Cory Leach (10 goals-seven assists-17 points last year), Finnigan Russett (6-8-14), Cale Marontate (7-12-19) , Brayden Hebert (3-4-7), Even Klien (3-1-4) and Liam Thiessen (2-7-9).

“We have some chemistry with that Leach, Marontate and Thiessen line and we brought in a whole line from Triple A in Alex Schneider, Parker Janisse and Charlie Dufour. It will be a work in progress. We are going to take things real simple at first,” said Bortignon.

Gone from the forward lines are Stefan Djordjevic who was traded to Lakeshore and Rory Sandison who was dealt to Wheatley for a Player Development Fee. Requesting trades are Brett Jones and defenceman Jake Goudreault.

Back on the blueline, Freddie McCroy enters his third year and Cam Robinet who was rotated in and out last year is also back. 

Some great news on the defense was the recent commitment of Xavier Gelinas and Justin Maleyko.

“He’s (Gelinas) a LaSalle kid. He’s an overager and played for Walpole Island (2024-25) and affiliated with Chatham and LaSalle (Junior B). He’s a forward but when I saw him play he was a defenceman and I am glad I did,” said Sykes.

At Sunday’s scrimmage, both Robinet and Gelinas had several strong rushes up the ice and both could provide a physical presence.

Between the pipes overager Hunter Welk comes over from the Lakeshore trade and returnee Bennett Horrocks may stick with the Jr. B Vipers in LaSalle.

“Goaltending, we feel we are as good as anyone,” said Bortignon.

Amherstburg has three pre-season games in as many nights coming up. They host the Lakeshore Canadiens in Tecumseh at 7 p.m. this Thursday and then head to Lakeshore the next night before a Saturday game in Wheatley.

SLAPSHOTS: Veteran Evan MacPherson is out for a few months due to surgery… Amherstburg opens its regular season at home, Saturday, Sept. 12 against the visiting Dresden Kings. 

Admirals preparing for season

By Fred Groves