Local News Local Sports
Timing plays a key role in reviving a hockey franchise.
Nov 14, 2025 • Last updated Nov 14, 2025 •
A group of local volunteers has announced plans to revive the Simcoe Gunners hockey franchise. GETTY IMAGES
Timing plays a key role in reviving a hockey franchise.
This has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.
Earlier this month, a group of local volunteers revealed their desire to bring back the Simcoe Gunners – who last played at Talbot Gardens in 2002 – for the upcoming 2026-27 Ontario Elite Hockey League season. The OEHL currently features teams like the Tillsonburg Thunder and Delhi Flames.
“Simcoe hasn’t had a team for quite some time – there’s been no (Junior C) Storm for eight years, and it’ll be 25 years this fall since the Gunners were active,” said Gary Lazou, a longtime minor hockey coach who is acting as spokesperson for the volunteer group and will also serve as the team’s general manager.
“I’m retired now; my son (Reid) just finished playing Junior C in Norwich for four years, and I felt the urge to bring something back to Simcoe,” Lazou shared. “I mentioned it to a couple buddies just to gauge interest, and it started gaining momentum.”
This has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.
Lazou soon began chatting with several local players, many of whom had skated on regional junior teams before settling down in the area.
“We needed to see if there would be any interest – there’s no point in doing all this work if I can’t find players,” Lazou remarked.
With several players on board, Lazou approached Norfolk County about securing ice time.
“I’ve heard from everyone that ice is hard to come by, so I went to the County and explained what I was aiming for… they told me I arrived at just the right moment because they’re developing their Recreation Master Plan due to high demand from user groups,” Lazou detailed.
The executive hopes to schedule games on Saturday nights and will only need one practice every two weeks, thanks largely to OEHL’s lighter schedule.
Until then they’ll focus on recruiting more players along with sponsors while fine-tuning game night operations.
“From announcer selections right down through music choices we want everything top-notch,” said Lazou.
“Keeping things local is our top priority.”
The Gunners were originally established back in1951 going through various changes throughout different leagues over subsequent decades before ceasing operations between1999-2002 due largely towards volunteer shortages.
Lazousaidthevolunteergroupaimsto honorthisteam’shistoryhighlightedbyan Ontario Hockey Associationchampionshipinthe1950swhilebringingitbackfromoblivion.
“We’regoingtodigintothehistoryoftheteam,”hesaid. Anyone wishingto play volunteerorsponsorthe Gunnerscanemail Simcoegunners@outlook. com. “Weoffer somegreatpackagesincludingseasonticketsbusinessesonourjerseysbannersinthearenaanddifferentthingslike that,”said Lazou.”Withoutcommunityinvolvementitwon’tlast.” “It’salotofwork I’vebeendiggingatthisallsummerlong.” headded.”Ithinkthetimingisright.” To learn more aboutthe OEHL visit oehlhockey. ca. Articlecontent
Source link
This has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.
“This year they have an 18-team league with just a 20-game schedule; that works perfectly,” Lazou added. “It’s different from junior leagues where you’re often practicing three or four nights a week or all weekend long. For this age group, people have jobs or kids or are still studying… not everyone wants to spend that much time at the rink at that stage of life. This would be an ideal opportunity with this league.” Before the Storm moved away to Hespeler in 2018, they still attracted around 200 fans per home game on Sunday nights. Lazou imagines those same supporters cheering for the Gunners once again. “The Storm had strong community support; that’s what we’re hoping for,” he noted. “It’s also about business; we need community backing and fans filling up seats in the rink.” Our group is committed first and foremost to making it entertaining – from when you walk through those doors until you leave, we want it fun while putting together a great product on the ice.”This has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.
Sponsors are beginning to show interest which allows them to apply for official membership once OEHL playoffs wrap up in springtime.Until then they’ll focus on recruiting more players along with sponsors while fine-tuning game night operations.
“From announcer selections right down through music choices we want everything top-notch,” said Lazou.
“Keeping things local is our top priority.”
The Gunners were originally established back in1951 going through various changes throughout different leagues over subsequent decades before ceasing operations between1999-2002 due largely towards volunteer shortages.
Lazousaidthevolunteergroupaimsto honorthisteam’shistoryhighlightedbyan Ontario Hockey Associationchampionshipinthe1950swhilebringingitbackfromoblivion.
“We’regoingtodigintothehistoryoftheteam,”hesaid. Anyone wishingto play volunteerorsponsorthe Gunnerscanemail Simcoegunners@outlook. com. “Weoffer somegreatpackagesincludingseasonticketsbusinessesonourjerseysbannersinthearenaanddifferentthingslike that,”said Lazou.”Withoutcommunityinvolvementitwon’tlast.” “It’salotofwork I’vebeendiggingatthisallsummerlong.” headded.”Ithinkthetimingisright.” To learn more aboutthe OEHL visit oehlhockey. ca. Articlecontent
Source link
