Firebirds hoping mix of veterans and youth pays off during PJHL season
By Lee Griffi
Shane Gerber has been involved in minor and junior hockey for pretty much his entire life, and he’s back for another season in New Hamburg as the Provincial Junior Hockey League (PJHL) team’s coach and general manager.
“I’ve been with the team since 2009 but had one year off. I only coached until after COVID when I took on the general manager role.”
Gerber’s first hockey job was right after he graduated from minor hockey as he took an assistant role with the then Junior D Ayr Centenaires with head coach Kory Green before coaching minor and junior hockey on and off for several years.
New Hamburg finished fourth in the Doherty Division last season with 24 wins in 42 games before losing in the first round of the playoffs to fifth-place Norwich in five games.
The 52-year-old has nine new faces on the team this year, including 18-year-old Kayden Cormier, a graduate of the Kitchener Rangers AA program. Cormier has four goals and an assist so far this season.
“He’s not a surprise to us. You don’t always know how the challenges of coming from minor to junior will translate, just with strength and speed, but his skill level is really high. We are maybe a little surprised he has four goals in two games, but we had high hopes for him. It just might be happening faster than we thought.”
Gerber said the team is keen on the all-rookie line of Cormier, Tate Davison and local product Oliver Lyon.
“They’ve been really good. Davison played U18 AA in Guelph and Lyon came from the Junior Firebirds.”
Joining Cormier on the Firebirds roster is his 16-year-old brother, Lincoln Cormier. Gerber said the team rarely signs players that age, but the young forward impressed.
“We didn’t have any expectations, but his play said otherwise, and he made it so we couldn’t say no. He earned his way here, and we’re excited for him.”
Hometown goalie Deklan Jermol is back for his second full season with the team after being acquired late in the 2024-2026 frame in a trade with Dorchester. Jermol put up solid stats last season with a 2.97 goals-against average and a .918 save percentage with two shutouts. Also signed is Jake Howard, an 18-year-old from Waterloo.
“We know this is Deklan’s last year, but it's important we give Jake a good chance in net, and we’ll see how the season goes.”
Gerber said newly acquired defenceman Redden Hart will help along the blueline, while veterans like captain Jack MacDonald and assistants Aiden Burns and Jayden Fischer will be heavily relied upon.
“It’s no secret last season wasn’t up to the standard anyone wanted and those guys are looking to push, work harder and make an impact.”
He added the locker room culture has been very positive and, while it’s early, Gerber is positive about the season’s start.
“The level of intensity at practice has been really good. You add a guy like Damon Radley to the mix with some leadership experience, and that also helps. Winning is always easier but the true character will come out when we hit some bumps in the road. How we react and respond to that will be the true test.”
Radley, a 21-year-old defenceman who stands at six-foot-one and 200 pounds, spent four full seasons in the Greater Ontario Hockey League (GOHL), the last three and a half with the Waterloo Siskins.
The Firebirds have always had strong community support when it comes to sponsorship dollars and getting butts in the seats. Gerber said it makes it a lot easier to come to the rink and be behind the bench.
“It’s fantastic. I think we were in the top five in attendance in all of Junior C last year. That says a lot. The work behind the scenes by all of the executive members is incredible. We have a light show before games, and it's an even better atmosphere. I’m sure it’s even more fun for the players.”
More people are choosing to spend their entertainment dollars wisely these days, and for the sports fan, Junior C hockey is still a bargain. New Hamburg charges $10 for adults, $8 for seniors and students 14 and older, and $6 for kids 13 and under.
“The level of the hockey had grown. It’s very entertaining. The skill level of the players in today’s game is off the charts. There’s also a lot of parity in the league, so it makes it fun to come and watch a game, and it’s affordable.”
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