Lakers Weekly: U16 take on Cyclones

By: Michael Willoughby

Through the first month and a half of the 2026-27 season, the Huron-Perth U16 AAA Lakers started the ALLIANCE U16 regular-season play with a 4-4-1 record.

Head coach Greg Swan says the team is feeling confident heading to the game against Chatham-Kent after a strong showing at the U16 ALLIANCE Showcase.

“Yeah, I think it's been pretty good as a collective group. I mean, we had a pretty good weekend at the showcase last weekend; we won three or four games. The losses against Chatham, and that's who we're playing this weekend. So I think just looking for a big bounce-back game against the team that we'll be fighting with in the standings,” Swan said.

Forward Sam Humphrey and goaltenders Brody Muir and Hayden Wick are among those contributing to the Lakers’ .500 start.

Humphrey leads the team in scoring this season with 11 points – seven goals and four assists – in nine games. Known as a power forward, the Kincardine native says he focuses on guiding the team each game and improving his skill.

“I just try to drive the net and be there for my teammates. Try to set people up. Yeah, just forecheck hard, lay the body and just be physical, and then it'll all go your way,” Humphrey said.

Muir and Wick are the guardians of the crease for the U16 Lakers this season. With a combined goals-against average of 3.16 and a record of 4-4-1, the duo spoke to the Times about how their partnership has progressed this season.

“Yeah, it's nice to have someone like Brody and to help me out when you know if I'm having a bad game and I need to be pulled, you know, he comes in there and helps the boys keep it, keep the scoring lower,” Wick said.

“Oh, he's (Wick) a great guy, great goalie. Awesome to be around. I feel confident with him in there. When he plays, he's a great guy,” Muir said.

Swan says Humphrey, Muir and Wick have been valuable assets to the team so far this season.

“It's great. I mean, three really good kids who are nice and coachable. Hayden and Brody are the goalie tandem, and you know they've both had some real good games for us this year,” Swan said.

“Sammy's been a real horse for us up front, and you know, getting heavy on the forecheck and good net front, and winning his battles, and he's really done well for us offensively as well. He's done really good.”

The Lakers travelled to Ridgetown on Nov. 7 to take on the Chatham-Kent Cyclones, losing 4-0. With the loss, the Lakers fell to 4-5-1 on the season, but look to get back on the winning track with two games this weekend, starting in Komoka against the Elgin-Middlesex Canucks and then back on home ice at the Stratford Rotary Complex against the Brantford 99ers.