The Slave Lake Wolves are getting ready to return to the ice for their first season since 2014, with the team now in the midst of preparing for its 2026-27 North West Junior Hockey League season.

The Wolves held a practice game Tuesday, Aug. 25, splitting the players into black and white teams for an intrasquad matchup as preparations continue.

The roster is not yet finalized, but the Wolves have already signed a number of players, including several local products.

Among them are 2007-born defenceman Carson Maitland, 2009-born defenceman Nathan Ghostkeeper, who played AAA hockey last season, and 2008-born power forward Jonas Lillo, who has represented the region at the Arctic Winter Games and most recently served as captain of the TRAC U18 AA team.

The Wolves have also added players from outside the area, including Czech forward Sam Cerevka, Peace River defenceman Asher Lamabe, High Prairie forward Ajay Cunningham and Wabasca forward Travis Gullion.

Other players signed include forwards Seth Flett, Liam Dierker, Sacha Munro, Hudsyn Pearson, Kolby Courtorielle, Blake Bellerose and Kolton Davis.

Nathan Smith will serve as head coach, with Colter Tkach and Blake Carpenter as assistant coaches. Travis Porterfield is the team’s equipment manager and Ula Naszynska-Spitzer will serve as athletic therapist.

As the Wolves prepare to welcome junior players to Slave Lake, the team is also looking for billet families.

Billet families provide players, typically aged 16 to 20, with a home away from home during the hockey season. Families provide a safe and welcoming household, meals and everyday support while players balance hockey, school and life away from their own families. In return, Wolves billet families will receive season tickets.

Anyone interested in becoming a billet family can contact the Wolves at slavelakewolves@gmail.com.
Season tickets for the Wolves’ 20-game regular season are $200 for one adult, $175 for an additional adult and $400 for a family pass covering two adults and three youth.

Children under six are free. Game-day admission is $15 for adults and $10 for seniors and youth, with children under six free.

The Wolves will open the regular season on the road Sept. 19 against the Sexsmith Vipers, followed by a Sept. 20 game against the Beaverlodge Blades.

William Hetherington
Lakeside Leader

The Slave Lake Wolves hold an intrasquad game on Aug. 25 to practice ahead of the season. Their first home game is scheduled for Sept. 25, when the Dawson Creek Kodiaks visit Slave Lake.