WINGHAM – Coming back from two heartbreaking seasons, the Wingham Ironmen are eager to get back on the ice.
The last two seasons saw the Ironmen play to the Pollock Division finals before the league was forced to end the 2019-20 season due to COVID-19, followed by exclusively playing exhibition games in the 2020-21 season against the Goderich Flyers.
Although the schedules haven’t been confirmed, Wingham Ironmen General Manager Wayne Johnston said, “We have been asked to provide home arena dates starting Oct. 1.”
“Every year in late spring or early summer, I typically call all the guys from last season’s team and this year the consensus was they are just eager to get back on the ice and back into the sport that they love,” Johnston said. “We’ve had some signings in the dressing room… And the reaction of the player when they walk in the dressing room, it’s like they are coming home. It is pretty cool.”
The Wingham Ironmen have advertised on their various social media accounts the signing of returning goaltenders Garrett Golley, from Bluevale; Devon Carson, from Flersherton; as well as defensemen Coleson Fischer, from Mildmay; and Dawson Fahrer, from Hanover.
The Ironmen have announced the signing of two former Elmira Sugar Kings forwards Matt Tolton and Jonah Burley. Tolton previously played for the Wingham Ironmen in 2018-19.
Also welcomed back is forward Kyle Stanbury, from Goderich, who led the team in scoring in the 2019-20 season.
Additionally, the Ironmen have announced two new players – who also happen to be second-generation Ironmen – Nate Bloemberg and Austin Becker. Both of their fathers previously played for the Wingham Ironmen.
“Bloemberg is a new sign,” Johnston said. “As a 16-year-old, this will be his first year. We have had our eyes on him for the past couple of years on the Wingham Midget team.”
Johnston added, “Becker signed with us out of the Grey- Bruce Highlanders and we had him last year but of course because the season didn’t get off the ground he could be classified as a rookie, but he was with us last year.”
Johnston said the new signees will continue the tradition of a strong defensive team – something Wingham has recently been known for.
“The last two seasons that we have played, we have been a strong defensive hockey club with strong goaltending and big mobile defense,” Johnston said. “Although we did lose four key components in the last two years with the 1999-born players aging out, I still see a strong emphasis on defense.”
Johnston said the Wingham Ironmen are built from the goal out.
“I think we will be strong defensively again and we will hold our own in the offensive zone. We have some terrific players eligible to come back,” he said, eluding to Stanbury and Tolton. “What we lost with the 1999 kids aging out, I think we will hold our own defensively with the new additions and returnees.”
As for the coaching staff, Johnston said, “At this time it is anticipated that the entire coaching staff will be returning.”
The Ironmen will be hosting a training camp on Sept. 4 from 3:30 to 5 p.m. at the Listowel Steve Kerr Memorial Complex to finalize their roster.
