The Wingham Ironmen have their work cut out for them this off-season.
GM Rob Harrison made note of this, as the Ironmen have to watch offensive star Ryan MacNeil, and goaltending stud Ben Nelson move on, as they finished their overage years this season. MacNeil led the team with 57 points in 35 games, and Nelson had 14 of the teams 16 wins. The two were huge parts of the previous season's title winning squad.
Harrison says that "a big need we'd like to fill is the top 6 forwards. We have some AP players that could get in there, but it is something we want to address. The majority of our D core can return, and obviously, we need to find a goalie with Ben leaving."
Of the departing MacNeil, an offensive and defensive force at centre for Wingham, Harrison said "he was hands down one of the top 3 players in the league this year. Offensively, defensively, power play, penalty kill, he did it all and did it all at a high level."
Wingham finished 5th in league standings this season, losing out to Mitchell in the 1st round of the playoffs.