Junior A hockey returns to Carleton County this fall, with Jason Tartarnic at the helm
The National Collegiate Development Conference (NCDC) announced that the Woodstock Slammers will be one of five new teams for the 2025-2026 season. NCDC is a tuition-free junior hockey league within the United States Premier Hockey League (USPHL) – one of North America’s largest amateur ice hockey leagues.
The team’s home base will be the AYR Motor Centre in Woodstock, New Brunswick. The Slammers will start their season on Sept. 12 at the USPHL Showcase in Wayne, New Jersey.
The Slammers aren’t the only ones making a comeback – Jason Tatarnic is returning as the team’s head coach. Tatarnic is no stranger to Carleton County, having coached the team between 2005 and 2013.
“I’m excited to be back in Woodstock and to have junior hockey back in the community. It’s a new challenge, but with some familiarity with Woodstock’s past, playing against New England teams,” said Tatarnic. “The NCDC has no restrictions on international players, so that will be something new I will have to navigate, but I’m looking forward to it.”
The Woodstock Slammers first joined the local hockey scene in 2000 as a Junior B team in the New Brunswick Junior B Hockey League. The team transitioned to the Maritime Junior A Hockey League (MJAHL) in 2003, which became the Maritime Hockey League (MHL) in 2011. In 2018, the team moved to Grand Falls, N.B., and rebranded as the Grand Falls Rapids.
Chris and Rhea Reaves of Raleigh, North Carolina, are new team owners. The couple also owns the Casper Warbirds out of Wyoming. Chris says the time is now to reintroduce the Woodstock Slammers.
“The landscape of junior hockey is evolving rapidly, and now is the perfect time to introduce tuition-free Tier 2 hockey to this region. Our goal is to provide high-level development and opportunities for players in Atlantic Canada, right here in their own backyard,” said Chris
The Slammers will work with BladeEdge Ventures and Outrival Sports, a diversified sports and entertainment organization encompassing various sectors, such as hockey operations, media production, athlete development, and cutting-edge technology. The team will also work with ArenaCX, Transmyt, Ajito, and other partners to incorporate innovative software solutions and advanced strategic support systems to create an environment where players can prosper on and off the ice.
Chris says the Woodstock Slammers will be different from the past. This time, they are creating a brand focused on excellence, development, and sustainability.
“Our model is focused on holistic growth. Helping players become the best versions of themselves, as athletes and as people,” said Chris. “We are thinking long-term and building something bigger than just a team.”
Chris says they are committed to putting on an entertaining and elite performance on the ice every game. He expects the Woodstock community to “show up strong” to support their team. Between the player’s presentation and the fans’ loyalty, Chris says home games will be a “can’t miss event in town.”
Fans can contribute to the new Slammers logo by voting on their Instagram account, @woodstockslammers, commenting on a recent post, and choosing their favourite design from among the five options.
“Our commitment is to widen the path for young athletes striving for college and pro opportunities, and we believe Woodstock is the perfect place to do it,” said Chris.
