Firebirds expect to contend again this season
- Lee Griffi
- Sep 11
- 3 min read
By Lee Griffi
The New Hamburg Firebirds reached the final four of the Provincial Junior Hockey League (PJHL) playoffs last season, and while no one would argue the feat will be difficult to duplicate, it would be wrong to rule it out.
The Firebirds have been one of the league’s most consistent teams for years, and head coach Shane Gerber said he’s looking forward to the regular season getting underway. Their season kicks off with a pair of road games this weekend, Friday in Norwich and Saturday in Wellesley.
“We’re excited as a group. There are a few new faces and a few guys gone, but we are excited about what’s come in and to see the guys who have been here take the next step. We will see what that brings,” he said.
The biggest offseason acquisition for the Birds is former Waterloo Siskins captain Ben Oliver. The Kitchener native played four full seasons for the Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League (GOJHL) team and will end his junior career with New Hamburg.
“He aged out at the Junior B level, but we are allowed to have one player under a new league rule. We also have Connor Varley who played Junior C in Midland last year, and he is a small, speedy forward. Michael Dion was at the Guelph Storm camp as an invite, and he is coming to us from the North York Rangers of the Ontario Junior Hockey League.”
Varley and Dion are both attending post-secondary education institutions in the area. Another newcomer is goalie Connor Harman, who is expected to share the duties with Deklan Jermol. Harman, a Waterloo native, played for the U18 Waterloo Wolves last season where he posted a 1.77 goals-against average in 18 games and attended the Storm camp after being drafted.
“We also have a pair of new locals on the team in Rhett Calder and Kayden Livingston, who played on the U18 Junior Firebirds, and I know they are looking to make steps with us this year.”
The team scheduled six exhibition games this preseason. The first two featured almost exclusively rookies, while the final four gave Gerber and his staff a closer look at the team’s potential. Fans can expect an added dose of speed in the 2025-2026 season.
“What we like is we can really play with pace. I wouldn’t say we couldn’t do it last year, but we chose not to as a staff. With what’s here now, we can play with speed and I think it will be the key to our success. The preseason showed we can execute with pace, but it’s going to be a matter of whether we can be consistent at it.”
Each PJHL coach the Gazette speaks with during the season stresses how tough a division the Doherty is, and no one can take a night off with the poorer teams or there will be an extra number in the loss column. Gerber expects the standings to be even tighter this season.
“I would say our division has really tightened up from top to bottom. The parody should be very good which is exciting for the fans and hopefully gets more fans in the seats for all of us.”
The Firebirds held an open house recently where their new dressing room was unveiled. Gerber explained that while it may not be the number one recruiting tool, it sure doesn’t hurt.
“Everybody behind it did an amazing job. That room is special, for sure. There are TVs in every corner which makes it easy for us as a coaching staff to utilize video. No one has to bend around to find a way to watch.”
He added the players have already made themselves at home.
“When something looks good, it feels good. There’s no doubt there was some excitement when they first saw the room. We have some guys who have played at higher levels and said they have never been in a room like it. It’s exciting for them and for us as an organization.
The Firebirds have announced their on-ice leadership team – Andrew Gear is the captain while Keegan Metcalfe, Jack MacDonald and Justin McManus have been named alternate captains.
New Hamburg’s home opener is scheduled for Friday, Sept. 19 against the Hespeler Shamrocks.
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