The Wingham Ironmen are forging ahead.
With a mix of new and returning players, there has been a lot of focus on how to put more pucks in the net this season.
In 2023-24, the Ironmen scored just 102 goals in 42 games, the second lowest out of the eight team Pollock Division. On the other hand, the team only allowed 118, behind Hanover and Mount Forest.
General Manager Chad Haggitt has worked with his staff, including head coach Dawson Smith, to bring in players that can help the team grow their offense.
“The biggest thing we have tried to figure out, talking with Dawson, is that last year’s leading scorer had 21 points,” said Haggitt. “Wingham’s been stingy in giving up goals, but at the same time we need some guys that can put the puck in the net.”
So, Wingham went out and landed former Listowel Cyclone Tanner Dietz. He’s coming off a 58 point season and a Sutherland Cup with the GOJHL club last season. Now he will be expected to help lead the Ironmen.
Dawson Dietz, who played with the Mitchell Hawks, also made the move to the Ironmen.
There will also be expectations for returning players as they have another year under their belt. Wingham’s cousin connection, Nate and Noah Bloemberg, along with Wingham’s Micah Kraayenbrink, will be part of the offensive plan.
In fact, the Ironmen have a long list of returning players up front that also includes Nigel Kreager (Mildmay) and Noah Wetlauffer (South Bruce).
On the blueline, Tayt Bramhill (Listowel) leads the defense and will serve as the team’s captain. Also returning is Tyson Fischer (Brussels).
They will have to help fill the time former captain Coleson Fischer played, who finished his junior career last season.
Younger players, like Jaden Meyer (Ripley) and Luke Fischer (Brussels) will help fill out the blueline. Meyer is the younger brother of Ironmen goalie Kaleb Meyer and Lukie is Tyson’s brother.
The biggest loss from last year’s team comes in goal. Garrett Golley finished his junior career last season as well, and will skate with the Ripley Wolves of the Ontario Elite Hockey League.
The onus now falls onto Kaleb Meyer who will stride into his second season with the team.
For Haggitt, there will be a lot of moving parts going into the start of the campaign, and it’s going to be up to the coaches to help bring it all together.
Dawson Smith leads the crew again and Haggitt points to his knowledge of the game and the respect he carries for it, and the respect he gets back from players and other organizations.
Jared Logan will organize the ‘D’. Haggitt coached Logan and says he is a ‘sponge’ and student of the game.
To add some more coaching prowess, Jim Fritzley comes aboard. Fritzley helped lead the former Clinton Radars to dominance in the former WOAA Senior Hockey League with Haggitt.
In the end, Haggitt says the Wingham team has fantastic support and that makes it a success already.
“It’s the community, it’s the people that come to the games, it’s just the history of it.”
The Wingham Ironmen open up their season at home on Friday, September 13 and will face the Walkerton Capitals. Then the Ironmen are on the road Saturday, September 14 in Kincardine.
For more on the upcoming Ironmen season, listen to the full interview with GM Chad Haggitt here, courtesy of Instigating with Clarkey and Drury: