14 Wing senior men’s Bombers prepped for CAF nationals

Keeping their on-ice momentum going in the month since their Atlantic region hockey win has been the biggest challenge in the 14 Wing Greenwood senior men’s Bombers prep for Canadian Armed Forces nationals March 21 to 27 at CFB Borden.

“Recovery,” says team assistant captain Warrant Officer Pier-Olivier Poulin, of the first two weeks. “Not much – just resting. Some skating, not much team play. That’s the toughest part of the time: people want the break, we go on a bit of a break – and then it gets serious again.”

The Bombers earned their break, winning regional must-win quarter-, semi- and finals games to take the Atlantic title: with a sweet reward. The 2026 championship is Greenwood’s fourth senior men’s regional title in a row. Returning – again – to nationals, the Bombers are looking to win back 2023 glory – when they won it all.

To get ready, the Bombers have maintained their twice-a-week practice schedule, and scheduled two tune-up games with the 14 Wing men’s team: everyone on the senior team has to be over 37 years old, and there’s a limit to how many on the roster can be under 40. The second exhibition test will be Thursday, March 19, at 11:30 a.m. at the Greenwood Gardens Arena.

The Bombers are testing out revamped lines: three members from regionals can’t make nationals with other commitments, and Sergeant John McElroy is newly-qualified as a hockey coach, and will move from player to coach roster status. With those open spaces, the Bombers are able pick up several players from other Atlantic teams to round out their nationals entry.

“What we’ve done already at regionals – it doesn’t mean anything,” Poulin says, as everyone at nationals is starting from scratch. Greenwood is already planning its play for the bigger ice at Borden’s Andy Anderson Arena: the surface is 20’ wider and longer, too – “Speed is going to be a factor.

“It’s going to be a challenge, but everything will be good.”

On an additional note, 14 Wing’s Master Corporal Yannick Gagnon will also be at the national tournament in an officials capacity.

Roster

Warrant Officer Pier-Olivier Poulin

Major John Dickens

Sergeant David Jenkins

Chief Warrant Officer Greg Huizinga

Sergeant Luke Verran

Warrant Officer Evan Burchell

Corporal Blake Soper

Lieutenant-Colonel Garrett Milne

Warrant Officer Andrew Seward

Captain Trevor Porteous

Major Mark McNeill

Colonel Luc Vachon

Major Andrew Basley

Sergeant Adam Foley (goalie)

Warrant Officer Joel Brooks (goalie)

Captain Christopher Flaherty (PMO/ ADM)

Captain Marc Roach (Aldershot)

Petty Officer Second Class Brad Northrup (Fleet Diving Unit – Atlantic)

Petty Officer First Class Curtis Chambers (MARPAC – Atlantic)

Lieutenant Commander Jeffrey Brooker (MARPAC – Atlantic)

Sergeant John McElroy (coach)