Irish season reflected

The Stratford Irish season concluded with game four of the NPHL Metropolitan League Quarterfinals on Feb. 22. Initially marked by optimism and close competition for the top spot, the season experienced significant player turnover midseason. Coupled with inconsistent results in the latter part of the regular season, Stratford finished third-place in the South Division of the Metropolitan League.

Veteran Irish equipment manager Bevan Mathieson credited owner/head coach Marco Alexander with staying the course to keep the team competitive.

“The team had a season of ups and downs, one that saw us only able to ice our full contingent of guys just twice during the regular season, we came off a championship run but also had a lot of turn over, with it being senior hockey guys have demanding jobs or are starting young families, losing the likes of Graham Brulotte and Cameron Stokes to name a few on the front end and a couple key contributors to last years success in Mitchell Casey and Ryan O’Bonswain on the back end it made Marco's job of recruiting talent a little tougher. I think he did a great job of filling the holes with the necessary talent to repeat as champions,” Mathieson said.

“That being said, as we got stronger, so did all our competition, which is why this SR league is one of the best around. I think the word ‘underachieved’ will stick in the back of some guys' minds, not because we weren't as successful this season, but because of how much they care and want to win. Did we accomplish our ultimate goal? No, we simply didn't win a championship, but the guys showed up every night and gave their best effort. It was a brotherhood in that locker room, one that I would go to war with any day and for that, I think this season was a success.”

Regarding next season, Mathieson doesn’t think there is a great need for adjustments for the team to get back into championship contention, but he cited the level of commitment needed from the players to play with the team.

“I don't think there is too much more that needs to be done to get back to the standard of raising banners to the Allman rafters. It will start by locking down a large number of returning players. I think we have the right nucleus in the room. It's about surrounding them with quality pieces to help get the job done. This league evolves yearly: older guys moving out, younger guys coming in, people deciding to return from overseas or give up the idea of chasing the NHL dream to continue playing competitive hockey,” Mathieson said.

“I think Marco and the staff do an incredible job of making Stratford a destination for guys who want to come play. The history of our arena, the way the guys are treated from top to bottom, there is no better place in this league. It will, however, take a solid off-season of recruiting players, showing them the quality of play in this league and ensuring they come ready to play when the puck drops in October.

Mathieson says there’s the high calibre the NPHL has to offer, and hopes fans can come to the Allman Arena to see how the team bounces back to the championship-level quality they come to support.

“I can't stress enough how much talent there is in the NPHL from top to bottom. It's a league that is growing in many parts of Ontario. Come out and enjoy some high-flying Irish hockey and watch us get the standard back to where it was,” Mathieson said.