The Sarnia Legionnaires saw a multitude of transactions during the Christmas break involving many players leaving and many new ones coming to the team. After much deliberation amongst the coaching staff it was obvious that the season has not turned out the way we all envisioned and that changes needed to be made, not just for this year but for the next several seasons to come. After looking at our place in the standings and looking at what our competition will be in the second half of the season it has become obvious that we would be fighting for a playoff position and if we did reach that spot the team would not in all likelihood go very deep into the play-offs.
That being said, the coaching staff also wanted to reward our 20 Yr olds for their dedication to our hockey club by hopefully placing them with a team that would have a good run going into the play-offs.
Additions to the team are as follows, before the break we acquired Ryan Burroughs, an 18 yr old goaltender from the Komoka Kings and a 17 yr old defenceman, Jacob Wiseman from the Stratford Warriors. Ryan resides in Burford Ontario while Jacob comes from Wyandotte Michigan.
Joshua Granowicz a 2006 birth year from Wyandotte, MI, comes to us via The Stratford Warriors. Also 2006 birth year Drew Bunda from the Walpole Island Wild of the PJHL. Drew resides in Wallaceburg.
Joining us from Petrolia is Brayden Kominick. Brayden is a 2006 birth year and resides in Petrolia playing forward. Coming from the Nationals is Theron Tsiapalis, a 2006 birth year residing in Oakville, having played for the Nationals and the Strathroy Rockets. Also from the Nationals is Noah Vandenberg from Dorchester a 2007 birth year playing forward.
LaSalle Vipers goaltender Dante Bertolin also joined us, a 2006 birth year living in Tilsonburg.
All of the players that are now on our roster are ALL eligible to return to us next season. This is year “one” of a 3 year rebuilding project.
We want to welcome all of our new players and their parents into our Legionnaires Hockey Family.
With all transactions on a hockey team, there’s sadness regarding the departing players. Its bitter sweet… you hate to see them leave, but you hope they find the perfect spot on their new teams.
We have a long list of departing players and for now we will list them, but in the coming days we will be posting Thanks to our leaving players.
Dane Nisbet has been released to The Mooretown Flags who currently sit 4th in the PJHL West Stobbs division.
Caden Jacobs and Nathan Holland have both been released to their home centers. Both players are now playing with The Vermont Lumberjacks of the EHL.
Owen Brown has been traded to the Ayr Centennials who sit 1st in the East
Alternate Captains Austin Harper and Ryan Richardson chose to go play with the Petrolia Flyers of PJHL. Petrolia is currently tied for 2nd in the Yeck Division.
Matthew Andersen has decided to play in the OJHL with the King Rebellion, He will be joining his brother there.
Lucas Durham is now with the Cambridge Redhawks who sit 5th in the Western Conference.
Jaxon Priddle and Captain Ty Moffatt have been traded to the London Nationals. The Nationals currently sit 3rd in the Conference.
Logan Phillips will tend for the LaSalle Vipers, 2nd in the west, and Connor Davis is going to the Leamington Flyers to play for the first place team in the OJHA.
We thank you all for the time you spent with The Sarnia Legionnaires. Your effort and hard work on the ice, the time spent talking with fans, and your volunteering efforts within the community do not go unnoticed. We wish you all the best in your future endeavours.
