Welcome to the Starblitz. Author John Vella will be bringing you all there is to know about the St. Thomas Stars this 2024/25 season.
Program sales at the Joe Thornton arena might be at an all time high with 14 players being traded or released since the end of November, 2024.
To say General Manager, Joe Daniels and Associate General Manager Kevin Linker have been busy would be an understatement.
To add to the player changes, Head Coach Dave Matsos, left in early January 2025 to become as assistant coach with the Sarnia Sting. Matsos, 51, was in his second year with the club. His departure will be felt. According to Linker, Matsos is the type of coach that can change a franchise. “He is very detailed oriented, I learned so much being around Dave”. He points to the development of Briir Long, Harrison Franssen, Jared Woolley and Alexei Medvedev, who all play regularly in the OHL, as a testament to Matsos’ teaching skills.
Assistant Coach Joe Doyle will move up to the interim head coaching reigns with former Star Tucker Firth and former assistant Dane Johnstone assisting. Linker added that a search for a permanent coach for next season will be thoroughly explored.
With all the player changes, Linker is hoping to build a positive culture for the St.Thomas Stars.
“Every single player we added, with the exception of goaltender Owen Willmore, has a chance to come back next year”.
One player he is excited to watch develop is 16 year old Logan Hawery, a first round pick from the London Knights. The good relationship between the Stars and Knights landed Hawery in St.Thomas to develop his skills.
Linker described Hawery this way, “Well rounded, plays a 200 foot game. He is an elite skater who competes hard and has excellent puck skills”.
In going with a younger roster, Linker said the remaining players will have a better chance to develop and play a larger role on the team.