Amherstburg Admirals look strong in training camp

There was a lot of action around the net Sunday as part of the Admirals’ training camp in LaSalle.

The Amherstburg Admirals held their training camp at the Vollmer Complex in LaSalle on the weekend and early indications hint at a very strong team.

“This team is super-talented with the addition of (Brody) Gillis, Cale Maronttate and others. Hopefully it’s going to be a good year especially on the front half of the ice,” said Admirals head coach Zack Gervais on Sunday.

Last season saw the Admirals improve by over 20 points from the previous year, finishing fifth in the West Stobbs Division of the Provincial Junior Hockey League (Junior C) and winning their first playoffs series in five years.

The off season was very busy for general manager Andrew Sykes as he brought in Gillis and Marontatte from the Sutherland Cup winning Chatham Maroons, big forward Stefan Djordjevic from the LaSalle Vipers as well as a couple of big trades.

One of those saw forward Wyatt Goudie go to the Schmalz Cup finalists Essex 73’s in exchange for overage blueliner Luka Milosevic.

Amherstburg returns just three defenceman in Jake Goudreault, Cooper Bulmer and Freddie McCroy.

“Obviously our back end is young but adding Milosevic definitely helps. For the last few weeks, we have been focused on getting an older guy. We had three or four overagers last year that really helped,” noted Gervais.

As reported before by the River Town Times, the Admirals have got 18 possible returnees including goalies Russell Vaughan and Dominic DeZorzi but none of them according to Gervais are guaranteed a roster spot.

“There  are going to be some close picks for sure, nothing is solidified yet,” said Gervais.

What is certain is  that Amherstburg will have a lot of offence, especially in the projected top line of Gillis, Drew Booker and Djordjevic. Booker had 39 points last year, two back of Brett Jones. Last year’s rookie of the year Rory Sandison led with 17 goals and is expected to have an impact this season.

“A lot of returning guys know how we want them to play which helps and the new guys we feel can pick up on it pretty quick.”

Gervais expects it to be close in the standings again and said his team needs to get a quick start. That will begin with a couple of pre-season contests Sept. 4 at the Libro Centre in Amherstburg against Lakeshore at 7:30 p.m. and then on the road to face the Canadiens the next night.

SLAPSHOTS… Amherstburg opens the regular 2025-26 season in Wheatley on Sept. 17 and the home opener is set for Sept. 20…Big congratulations to head coach Zack Gervais on his recent wedding.

Amherstburg Admirals look strong in training camp

By Fred Groves