The Sarnia Legionnaires are turning the page after a disappointing 2025-26 campaign in which they finished with a winless record in 50 games.
The Greater Ontario Hockey League (GOHL) club has hired Tate Philips as its new general manager and director of hockey operations, and Ryan Foster as its head coach.
President Theo Bet made the announcement in a news release.
Foster takes over for Mike Bondy, while Philips replaces John Periard as GM.
In March, the GOHL forced Periard to sell the Legionnaires back to the original ownership group of Bet, Paul Hurtubise, Cliff Smith, and Terry Lilley.
This came as the league felt Periard was "unable to fulfill his obligations to finalize and purchase the team."
Bet previously told Sarnia News Today the group was still hoping to sell the club to someone else.
Foster served as the head coach of the Elgin Bombers 16U team this past season after coaching for 11 years in Austria and Germany.
The 51-year-old Brampton native played for the University of Guelph, and had stints in Austria and Sweden and with Canada's national men's team.
Meanwhile, Philips is the co-founder of the player development and management service Total Player 1.
He served as General Manager of the Cobourg Cougars this past season, and spent 12 years coaching AAA hockey in the GTHL with the Toronto Jr. Canadiens, Toronto Marlboros, and Don Mills Flyers.
The Legionnaires also announced a working affiliation with the Sarnia Sting of the Ontario Hockey League.
In a news release, Sting Owner and President Mark Guy said this has been a long time coming for the City of Sarnia.
"Hockey working together in an infrastructure to produce and move kids on in the hockey pathway is something we strongly believe in," said Guy. "We look forward to working with the Sarnia Legionnaires of the GOHL and developing prospects together. We can't wait to get started."
Philips also expressed his excitement for the opportunity.
"We plan to develop and move players on to the next level. We are honoured and privileged to work in affiliation with and in support of the Sarnia Sting and their prospects," said Philips. "We are excited to work with the U18 program and midget-level players to create a true development pyramid—from U18 to Junior GOHL and ultimately to the OHL—all within the city of Sarnia. Stay tuned, exciting things are ahead."
The Sarnia Legionnaires will host their spring training camp on June 6 and 7 at the Mooretown Sports Complex, welcoming players and goaltenders competing for roster spots for the 2026-2027 GOHL season.
