Warriors continue preparations for season, defeat St. Marys and Woodstock in preseason action

By: Michael Willoughby

Training camp for the Stratford Hunter Steel Warriors resumed last week at the Stratford Rotary Complex as the 2026-2027 regular season draws closer.

Director of hockey operations and general manager Nick Parr spoke to the Times about the team’s expectations for the upcoming season, noting the challenge of the Western Conference.

“I think the goal in mind is the same as always. We want to be competitive. I would like to see us in the top four in the west, and that's going to be a feat in itself,” Parr said.

“The west will be strong again, with St. Marys, Chatham, London, St. Thomas and Strathroy all going to be competitive. I think it'll be a grind from one to 12. So if we can put ourselves in the top half, that would be a really good start.”

Parr was pleased with the team's performance out of training camp as they aimed to finish in the top four.

“I see a lot of really good things out of the group. Obviously, it's a veteran group, so with so many returning guys, I think we have 12 returning guys. Maybe they already have the basics and structure, and know the brand will play. So we're able to build. We're a little further ahead than other years, and then the pieces we've added, I think, complement what's here,” Parr said.

“I feel like we're in a good spot. I wouldn't really use the scores as much of a measuring stick. I just watch the things we are doing in camp. I think we're better, with a lot of really good habits there, but there's still lots to work on, and always room for improvement as we head into the regular season.”

Declan McCotter arrived at camp midweek after attending training camp with the Flint Firebirds of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL).

Coming off a strong season with the U16 Huron-Perth Lakers, McCotter liked the experience of attending OHL camp, and emphasized the need to adapt with his decisions and puck-handling as part of the transition from U16 to Junior B.

“It was good. Great competition. Everybody was nice, very professional. Couldn't have asked for anything better, McCotter said. “I just gotta be smart out here because everybody's big and strong in Junior B, and just need to be smart with the puck and my decisions out there.”

Grady Murphy enjoyed a productive summer participating in the Stratford Summer Leagues and golf, and he is enthusiastic about beginning the new season. He plans to replicate last year's strong finish with equal expectations for the season ahead.

“It's been good. I've been on the ice quite a bit, doing some summer hockey, working lots of golf, so it's been fun,” Murphy said. “Coming as hard as we went out last year. That's my expectation. I want to start off as strong as possible. Start off as strong as possible.”

Hudson Leenders, who joins from the U18 Elgin-Middlesex Canucks, feels welcomed by the team at the beginning of training camp. He states that his main goal this season is to support the team in making a strong playoff run by leveraging the players' collective strength. Leenders also aspires to be a smart, diligent forward who uses his speed to contribute and plays efficiently all over the ice.

“It's a great organization to be a part of, and camp's been fun. The guys are really welcoming, and we're two and zero with the preseason game, so it's going well. I just want to go deep into the playoffs with the team. We got a good group of guys, and I think we can make a real push,” Leenders said.

“They can expect a smart player, a 200-foot forward, who will battle in all areas of the ice and just make plays all over the ice and play with speed.”

Stratford continued their unbeaten run in the preseason with road wins over the St. Marys Lincolns and Woodstock Navy Vets this past week.

On Aug. 28, the Warriors surrendered the opening goal less than a minute into the first period, but put on an offensive display. Goals from Gibson Grendel, Leenders, Joshua Lawrance and Colin Slattery put the Warriors in a commanding 4-1 lead through 20 minutes.

Murphy from Marshall and Francesco Sanita at 4:42 of the second period put the Warriors ahead 5-1 before the Lincolns responded at 7:14. Colten Brenzil and McQuen Haylock padded the Warriors' lead before the end of the middle frame.

St. Marys scored 36 seconds into the third period to close the Stratford lead to 7-3, but the Warriors closed out the game with four answered in a span of seven minutes and 28 seconds, courtesy of Murphy’s second of the game, Will Coward, Aaron Green and McCotter.

Henry Clarke got the start and picked up the win, making 10 saves out of 12 shots in over 28 minutes of play. Gage Hurst came to the game at the 8:28 mark and stopped five out of six Lincolns shots on goal in relief.

In Woodstock on Aug. 30, the Navy Vets opened the scoring at 8:56. Coen Galbraith from Marshall replied for the Warriors with 4:15 left, but Woodstock responded before the end of the opening frame to take the lead heading into the second period.

Goals from Slattery and Murphy in a span of 11 seconds with over five minutes left in the middle frame put Stratford in front, but Woodstock retook the lead 34 seconds later.

Stratford scored with three goals in the first 10 minutes of the third period, with Brenzil, Grendel and Chase Martin scoring for the Warriors. Woodstock closed the Stratford lead to two with 6:13 left, but goals from Marshall and Luke Minard late in the period sealed the win for the Warriors.

Hurst got the start for the Warriors and made 14 saves in the win. Marshall and Ethan Bridges led the Warriors with three points.

The Warriors wrap up their training camp this coming week and finish their exhibition play at the Rotary Complex on Sept. 4 against the St. Marys Lincolns at 7:30 p.m.