New league, different name, same expectations for the Stratford Irish. Article content

The reigning Ontario Super Hockey League champions were one of several OSHL teams that jumped to the Northern Premier Hockey League, which is geared toward players with higher level experience instead of relying on those mostly with Junior C and Junior B backgrounds. Article content Article content

“With the old league, they were a little too scared to grow and get too big with talent coming in,” Irish owner and head coach Marco Alexander said. “The expectations (now) are greater when you look at the other teams you have to play.”

The shift also changed who Alexander recruited during the offseason.

Forward Stephen Pierog was brought in after several years of professional hockey in the United Stat

See Full Page