Stratford Minor Hockey is wrapping up a
successful season with four Seeded (REP) teams winning Alliance Championship
banners and one Minor Development (MD) team winning an Alliance League
Championship banner.
Four Seeded teams captured Alliance Championship titles: Minor Atom AA, Major Bantam A, Minor Midget A, and Major Midget A. Congratulations teams! The Major teams advance to this year's OHF Championship Tournament April 7-9th. Go Warriors Go!
The Minor Atom MD team captured their Alliance League Championship title and now move onto the MD Championship Tournament April 7-9th. Also advancing to the tournament is the Minor Bantam MD team. Go Warriors Go!
Tryouts for next season get underway April 23rd; all programs (MD and REP) will try out in the spring with the exception of Major Midget. The tryout schedule is currently available as a PDF on our Tryout Information page; the schedule will be on team calendars following our April 11th year end banquet.
With tryouts dates and times announced, we are also very pleased to announce our coaching appointments for next season. Interviews are ongoing for some teams — check back for announcements — but in the meantime, we would like to welcome the following Head Coaches for the 2017-2018 season:
Novice Tier 3 – Todd Schmidt
SMHA welcomes Todd Schmidt as the coach for Novice Tier 3 (2010). Todd returns to SMHA after being a part of the bantam programs in 2004, 2005. Todd’s focus will be on individual skill development and basic team play strategies for this upcoming season. Todd is committed to running a structured program that gives everyone the same opportunity to excel and develop equally.
Novice Tier 1 – Steve Chaput
Steve returns to SMHA for the 2009 Novice Tier 1 team. Steve is coming off a very successful season leading the Novice Tier 3 team in the 2016/2017 season. Steve exudes a very positive outlook to the Warriors players, and will continue to build on individual skills for his team on and off the ice. SMHA welcome Steve and last year’s returning staff back for another successful season!
Minor Atom Rep – Jason Brenzil
Jason was an assistant coach with the 2008 Novice Tier 1 Stratford Warriors for the 2016/2017 season, and has stepped up to lead the Minor Atom for this upcoming season. Jason is committed to bringing a high energy level to each game and practice and this year’s team can expect to improve on their individual skill development taught last season and implement those skills into team play.
Major Atom Rep - Tim Schultz
Tim returns to SMHA after a very successful season leading the 2007 minor atoms to a Constellation league championships. Tim will continue to work hard at improving the skills and development on his players on the major atom Stratford Warriors. Tim has an extensive coaching resume which includes assistant coaching roles with the Stratford Culliton’s, Mitchell Hawks and St. Marys Lincolns along with many minor hockey and spring hockey teams. Tim is bringing former Stratford Culliton captain Trevor Sauder on as assistant coach for the 2017/2018 season. Tim has also played for the Stratford Cullitons from 1996 to 2001 and was drafted by the Sarnia Sting of the OHL in 1997.
Minor Peewee Rep – Mike Knechtel
Mike returns to the Warriors after a successful year assisting with the 2016/2017 Major Atoms, expanding that role for the upcoming season to that of head coach. He will build on the progression of the 2006 age group, and strive to play and compete, at the same time teaching the team to improve their play in all three zones. Mike brings in new faces to SMHA with assistants Paul Barton and Matt McLeod.
Major Peewee Rep – Dale Zorgdrager
SMHA welcomes back Dale for his second season with the 2005 Major Peewee Stratford Warriors. The 2017/2018 program will benefit from Dales organization and passion for player improvement. Dale brings in a revamped staff for the upcoming season and looks forward to improving both individual specific skills and integrating those skills into a team concept
Major Bantam Rep – Mike Graham
Mike returns to a head coach role with SMHA after stepping back to an assistant role with the 2016/2017 2002 Major Bantams. Mike has coached in SMHA for six years at various different levels, and this will be his third consecutive year involved with the major bantam program. He is a student of the game and has valuable knowledge from his playing experience through the SMHA and Canadian College ranks, as well as past coaching experience that dates back to 1984 as a goalie coach in SMHA. Mike brings a complete commitment to all game and practices and strives for his beliefs of passion, hard work, self-discipline and dedication from each player to carry through to life outside of hockey as well.
Minor Midget Rep – Curtis Cole
Curtis is a new face to SMHA but not to many of our 2001 and 2002 players, as he has led many of them through various spring hockey tournaments over the past few years. Curtis hails from St. Marys where he played through the entire St. Marys minor hockey system with a brief stint in Junior C with the Woodstock Navy Vets. Curtis will lead the 2002 Minor Midget Warriors for the upcoming 2017/2018 season, and has many fresh ideas on how to improve an already strong age group. Curtis believes a fair and understood structure and discipline from the start is key to the season long success of the team. SMHA welcomes Curtis to the fold.
Major Midget Rep – Terry Casey
Terry returns to SMHA for his third season as head coach. Terry has had nothing but success in his tenure with the Stratford Warrior Major Midgets, having won consecutive AA Silver Stick Christmas tournaments and leading his teams to “A” OHF appearance the past two seasons. Terry will lead the 2000/2001 age group, with an eye on his third consecutive OHF appearance, but at the “AA” level. Terry’s style is perfectly suited for this age group, and has a solid understanding of how to deal with all players. SMHA is happy to have Terry back in the fold for the 2017/2018 season.
Major Atom MD – Steve Ollson
SMHA is proud to welcome back Steve for the upcoming season, as he leads a strong 2007 major atom MD group. Steve brings forward a solid staff that looks to build on a very successful 2016/2017 season. Steve believes in developing individual skill and potential with the concept of good sportsmanship and team play. Steve promotes the use of using and supplying affiliate players as much as possible to give each player the best chance possible to improve his game.
Minor Atom MD – Matt Robinson
A Stratford resident and SMHA grad, Matt gained valuable experience last year as an assistant coach with the Novice Tier 2 Stratford Warriors. Matt will lead the 2008 Minor Atom MD Warriors and is committed to strong commitment, focus on and off the ice and a team first style of play.