Tight-knit Warriors reflect on season and look ahead to future

After a friendly bet with St. Marys Mayor Al Strathdee, Stratford Mayor Martin Ritsma begrudgingly donned a Lincs jersey for April 27's council meeting. The Stratford Hunter Steel Warriors lost to their rivals in Game 7 of the finals.

Less than 24 hours after their tough season-ending loss in Game 7 against the St. Marys Lincolns, players from the Stratford Hunter Steel Warriors gathered at the William Allman Memorial Arena for their end-of-season interviews.

Most of the roster is expected to return next season, but for the four veterans –Haden Frayne, Jonas Schmidt, Rhyse Brown and Joseph Curtin – yesterday was their final appearance with the organization, as they are graduating from the team.

The four graduates looked back fondly on their time with the Warriors and valued their experience with the organization.

“I just feel so thankful and just to get to grow up here in Stratford and to play for my hometown, like growing up watching this team, and then just getting to live it. You know, it's really cool. It's honestly something I can't really explain, but I don't know, it's really special,” Frayne said.

“It was amazing. Stratford supports us as few other places do in this league, and even in other places I played, the support gets crazy good, pushes us every night, and it's what makes the organization run. Really, we need fans to come out and support us to make this all happen. So we thank everyone who comes out,” Schmidt said.

“Everything here is unbelievable. I love this rank, the fans, the community and the executives here. It's a tight-knit program, the guys, I mean, this team, it feels like a family no matter what year it is. I've been here for four years, and I could say (that about) every single guy that I play with,” Brown said.

“It's been incredible. I mean, you can see, especially in this last series, how much support you get from the fans in the community. I mean, such a tight-knit locker room, great coaching staff, and great management staff. I mean, so much support from everyone,” Curtin said.

Pleased with the Warriors' progress this season, Quinn Kipfer plans to rejoin the team next year to improve his skills and aims for a productive offseason.

“Obviously, it's tough, especially in the kind of position we were in there with 10 minutes to go up two goals. So it's definitely a tough one, a tough pill to swallow, but just proud of the group and how far we came and the run we kind of went on there in the playoffs. So, yeah, just trying to look at the positives and just be happy with how we did,” Kipfer said.

“The main thing for me is just kind of like focusing on getting faster. Obviously, I want to progress my skills, but I just want to get faster and stronger. So wherever I am next year, I can kind of step in and be effective as soon as I start playing games.”

Colin Slattery made a commendable comeback to the team for the Western Conference Championship series, earning five points. He expressed gratitude for the opportunity to play in his hometown of Stratford, complimenting the community, coaching staff and management. During the offseason, he plans to focus on carpentry, exercise and golf.

“I loved it again, my second year here as a hometown kid. Couldn't ask for anything more, you know, from the community, from this to the coaching staff, to the management, everything just top notch,” Slattery said.

“You know, I'm gonna go back to work, you know, I'm doing carpentry in the summer. A lot, a lot of work. Gonna hit the gym and go golfing. That's about it.”

Noah Bender and Gage Hurst formed a reliable goaltending duo for the Warriors throughout the season and playoffs. They finished the regular season with a combined record of 29-12-3, a goals-against average of 2.49 (ranking within the top five in the Western Conference), and a save percentage of 0.900.

Bender and Hurst expressed positive views about their first years with the Stratford Warriors, emphasizing the strong bond developed during the season.

“You know, I came down from Flint at the start of the year and wasn't sure where I was going to play, but I couldn't have been happier that I ended up in Stratford. You know, it's been a great, great organization, all the way from the coaches to all the players. It's been great. So I'm really, really glad I ended up here this year,” Bender said.

“I think we've got a really tight group. The boys welcomed me, and all the other rookies, and definitely just a really tight group all around, a good group on the ice as well. I think I made some big steps this year, and I'm proud of my season,” Hurst said.

The first-year class of Lucas Minard, Evan Arnold, Coen Galbraith, Grady Murphy, Max Wildfong, McQuen Haylock, Will Coward and Mateo Craievich gave the Warriors a glimpse of their future potential. They shared with the Times what it was like to spend their first season with the team and their plans for the offseason.

“It was great. Growing up in Dallas … Stratford, it's just way smaller, way more tight-knit a community. They just welcome you. So it's just so awesome. I love playing here,” Minard said.

“I'll go home and get my golf clubs back out. But no, I got a good program back home. A lot of NHL guys and division one guys, we all get together and skate, try to skate three times a week. I'll probably take about two or three weeks off, just kind of reset. Don't want to burn yourself out throughout the summer. So I'll take a good chunk of time, just, you know, be with my family and friends I haven't seen, and then you get right back on the ground, you know, working out, skating and get ready for next year.”

“It's been great. I love it here. It's a great community. Obviously, a lot of fans come out for the playoffs, and even in the regular season, they show out. It's awesome,” Arnold said. “As right now, just work out on skating and just figure out my plans for the future.”

“Just great. It's like they treat me like family. I have such a good billet family. It's just a great place,” Galbraith said. “Likely a couple summer skates, couple tournaments, maybe, and yeah, just keeping loose.”

“It was a great experience, like it's always been my dream to play here, and I was happy to play. I'm happy that we went that far, and not most people thought we were gonna get there, but we did, and kind of proud to show people that we were better than what they thought,” Murphy said. “I'm just gonna work and hopefully come back here next year.”

“We have such a tight group, and all the older guys just coming in, as a younger guy, they made me feel so welcome right away. I'm just happy I got the opportunity to play in Stratford,” Wildfong said. “Yeah, just keep my head down. It's not done yet, and I just keep working towards my goals, and hopefully have a good summer and have a good season next year.”

“It's been amazing from everything, from the team to my billets to the town, everything, all the fans. It's been so much fun on and off the ice, and I just love it here,” Haylock said. “Staying off the ice for a little bit and trying to build a little bit of muscle, get stronger and really just work on shooting the puck and taking a little bit of time just putting off my head a little bit.”

“It's been a really good experience. A lot of young guys, a lot of good boys, you know, come to the rink every day. Made it fun, the coaches were great, and it was just all-around fun,” Coward said. “Just stay on the ice, stay in the gym. You know, have some fun, hang out with my friends, keep it light.”

“I'd say the experience was amazing. I am very fond of my teammates, the organization, and everything that goes into it. Not much I can say, other than it's just been a fantastic experience, and very glad I took the opportunity,” Craievich said.

“Obviously, I'll be working out all summer, just training, maintaining shape and going on skates, just working out and preparing my body and mind for next season.”

Second-year forward Dominic Marshall and defenceman Drew Hodge enjoyed the opportunity to play for the Warriors, and both are eagerly anticipating the offseason.

“I think this is one of the most fun years I've ever had playing hockey. These boys are so awesome, and it's just a great time coming to the rink every day to play with them. So I'm absolutely honoured to play with these boys, and I think it's real good season overall,” Marshall said. “Hard work and dedication. Do as much as I can and get better all off-season.”

“I've been with Stratford for the last two years. Great experience every year. Coaching staff is great, mentoring is great and we just always find even like the best people to fill that room, and everyone's a best friend, and we're just such a tight-knit group, and it's just awesome,” Hodge said.

“I definitely want to be prepared to come back and show them that we deserve to win and win the playoffs. But I think step away from hockey and just regroup, and just have a little fun, and just keep on working a little stuff.”

Jaxon Broda returned to the Warriors in January, adding veteran depth to the roster, and appeared in 19 regular-season and 19 playoff games. Arnold reflected on his half-season return to Stratford and shared his offseason plans.

“It was great to be back. The guys in the room were amazing when I came back. They were great. Guys made me feel like I was part of the team all year, and being in front of the fans is also nice to be back for,” Broda said. “Just working, going to the gym a little bit and having some skates in the summer as well.”

Acquired from the London Nationals at the trade deadline week, Cruz Ferguson joined the Warriors as a Sutherland Cup champion and a much-coveted offensive threat, headlined by a four-goal, five-point performance against the Sarnia Legionnaires on Jan. 22.

“You know, it's a huge honour. There's a long history and tradition of hockey here, and I was just glad to be a part of it. Was hoping to make some history with some of the guys here,” Ferguson said.

“I'm gonna take some much-needed time off, and then, you know, get back into training once the summer rolls around, and hopefully come back stronger, smarter, faster.”