Coyotes home opener Oct. 18
The Creemore Coyotes’ home opener is coming up on Oct. 18 giving them an opportunity even the score with Georgian Bay Applekings after a 7-3 loss at the season’s opening game on Oct. 4.
The Coyotes are heading into the season with more than 25 players on the roster but general manager Tom Macham continues to recruit. He feels he needs a few more top-notch players, including a couple of strong defensemen, in order to be competitive.
The pressure is on.
“We’re not where we need to be to be competitive yet… yet,” said Macham. “And it’s on me to find the players.”
With an expansion of the Ontario Elite Hockey League, 18 clubs will be split into two divisions. The north division is made up of Creemore Coyotes, Durham Thundercats, Elmvale Harvesters, Georgian Bay Applekings, Lucknow Lancers, Minto 81’s, Ripley Wolves, Saugeen Shores Winterhawks, Shelburne Muskies. The south division: Delhi Flames, Dunnville Aeros, Elora Rocks, Erin Outlaws, Milverton 4-Wheel Drives, Petrolia Squires, Seaforth Centenaires, Tavistock Royals, Tillsonburg Thunder.
Macham said the change means less travel for the team but he expects a healthy rivalry to form with the newly formed Elmvale Harvesters.
The Coyotes lost two players to the team, due to the proximity to Barrie. Macham said both Creemore and Thornbury lost players to the new team, which was expected, but he supported the addition to the league.
Macham has been hustling to rebuild the team after losing 12 players, due to a variety of circumstances.
He said senior hockey recruits – typically those who have played at the
Junior A level and above – often come through word of mouth.
For the regular season, each team will play 20 games entirely within their respective division.
Teams finishing first through seventh place in each division qualify for the “AA” Playoffs.
The eighth and ninth place teams in each division will play a best-of-three series for the eighth seed.
Divisional quarterfinals and all subsequent rounds will be best-of- seven, with re-seeding after each round.
The prevailing teams from the North and South will then meet each other for the J.F. Paxton Trophy.
The home opener on Oct. 18 will be John Deere night with lots of giveaways including free hats and prizes. Every game will have giveaways each period, and shoot the puck.
The game starts at 7:30 p.m. Admission costs $10. Family season passes are available.
For the full season schedule, visit creemorecoyotes.com.
Matt Saddler will be performing the National Anthem and playing with Hogback Road during their set in the booster club, where pizza and drinks are served.
Macham said he is grateful for his game day staff but there is room for a few more volunteers, including someone to manage the bar set up.
Contributed photo: Tayden Hannivan, pictured shaking hands with general manager Tom Macham, has signed with the Creemore Coyotes for the 2025-2026 season.
