Admirals returning both goalies from last hockey season

Russell Vaughan

There is some more good news for the Amherstburg Admirals as they prepare for another season in the Provincial Junior Hockey League (Jr. C).

Recently announced, goalies Russell Vaughan and Dominic De Zorzi are returning for the 2025-26 campaign. Both are coming off impressive rookie seasons in which they helped the Addys to a 20-19-1-0 record and, for the first time in five years, a playoff series win.

Dominic De Zorzi

“We are happy to have both of them back. They played well as rookies,” said Admirals’ GM Andrew Sykes.

Last year during the regular season, Vaughan, who is from Blenheim, had a 13-14 record with one shutout. His inaugural year stats included a 3.43 GAA and a .887 save percentage. He was 4.41 GAA in the playoffs and .869.

DeZorzi, who came in after the release of Jay Proctor, was 4-5 and his numbers were 3.64 GAA and ,883. He flourished in the post-season and was 3-3 with a 3.28 GAA and .898 save percentage.

“We are going to need our goalies to be good,” noted Sykes. “This year in our league, four or five teams could win it.”

Amherstburg also recently signed Harrow-native Cale Marontate. He played with Brody Gillis on the Chatham Junior B Sutherland Cup champions. This past season he suited up for 40 games with the Maroons scoring twice and setting up seven more. Two years ago, Marontate put up impressive numbers, 14-15-29.

“We will probably pencil him in as our second line centre. He is huge on the face off and defensively responsible. He does have the ability to put the puck in the net,” said Sykes.

Also recently announced, the Admirals are returning forward Dallas Kelly for his third season. Last year he was named the club’s most improved player. Kelly’s regular and playoff combined numbers during the 2024-25 campaign were 29 points including 23 set ups.

The Admirals continue to sign returnees but Sykes emphasized that it could be a tough lineup to crack.

“It’s going to be a real competitive training camp and we hope to have two or three exhibition games.”

SLAPSHOTS… Amherstburg native Noah Mathieson who played in Chatham last year recently signed with the Essex 73’s… Once again the Admirals were a big part of the Canada Day festivities… The team is  hosting a cornhole tournament July 25, at the Columbian Club in McGregor. For more information, contact Sykes at asykes7@hotmail.com.

Admirals returning both goalies from last hockey season

By Fred Groves