The Redeemer Royals men's hockey team open up their 2026-27 campaign on Friday, September 18th, looking to build on a successful season in 2025-26.
The Royals ended last season 13-9, winning the Metro Division and playing in the AAU Division II National Championship tournament in Jacksonville, Florida. The historic campaign ended in a quarter-final defeat.
"This group gained a lot of meaningful experience at the AAU M2 National Championships," said Head Coach Isaiah Thornback. "Following it up with a disciplined off-season, this group is ready to step into another opportunity this season."
Thornback is taking over as the team's head coach, after serving as an assistant coach for the past three seasons.
Following their season last year, the Royals on-ice goals are simple but very ambitious: Win a National Championship!
The Royals got a taste of what that feels like during last season's National Championships. Many of those players are returning for this campaign.
Redeemer finished with a national ranking of 7th overall and finished in 5th place last season.
The Royals are focusing on an approach to consistent spiritual integration into the team for this upcoming season.
"No different from any other season, we desire to live out our faith in the athletic sphere that we know and love," stated Thornback. "We continue to build ways to draw near to Jesus and glorify His name in each piece of our operational calendar as a team."
It is difficult to preview this upcoming season without first looking back. The team is grieving the loss of beloved teammate, friend, and brother, Dawson Abrahams, who passed away peacefully earlier this summer.
"This season we desire to honour and commemorate Dawson with each step we take," said Thornback. "For the impact he made on each of us, and for what he meant to us both personally, and as a brotherhood."
Abrahams played one season with the Royals, scoring 11 goals and 31 points in 21 appearances. He was named the Royals hockey rookie of the year for 2025-26.
"Dawson Abrahams was so excited to continue to represent the Redeemer Royals, and we carry the gift, as his friends, teammates, and brothers, to be able to do it for him," said Thornback. "So, we look to glorify God in all that we do this season, we look to make an impact on those we come into contact with, and we look to continue to take steps towards becoming champions for Christ."
Some of the returning veterans from last year's historic squad look to step up into even larger roles.
Senior winger Tucker Copeland put up 9 goals, 15 points in 11 games last season for the Royals, and has a career 72 points in 48 games dawning the navy and red. He looks to continue his dominance stepping into an assistant captain role.
Junior goaltender Eoghan Atkinson takes the reigns this season in the crease. In 2 appearances last season, he is 1-0-0 with a .948 save percentage. A small sample size, but extremely promising. This includes a 38 save win against the SUNY-Niagara Thunderwolves, a game where the Royals were outshot 40-18.
The Royals also announced junior defenseman Hudson Kosloski as the programs third captain. "Hudson has immense respect from his teammates and showed his vocal leadership on the bench all throughout last season," said Thornback.
The team looks to bring a fast, disciplined, and structured style of play to the ice for the upcoming campaign. The veteran team is looking to build upon what worked so well for them last season.
The Royals kickstart their season on September 18th, where they play host to the SUNY Niagara Thunder Wolves. Puck drop is at 7:15pm at Dave Andreychuk Mountain Arena. The Royals and Thunder Wolves did not play last season, but Redeemer took both games in the 2024-25 campaign.
