The Strathroy Rockets are proud to announce Matt Bowes as the new Head Coach of the program. Joining him behind the bench will be Assistant Coaches Tyler McLean and Parker Smith, forming an exciting and driven leadership team for the 2025-2026 season.
Bowes has signed a two-year contract with the organization, committing to building a strong culture and competitive standard in Strathroy.
Fresh off earning “Coach of the Year” honours in the PJHL alongside his staff in Port Stanley, Bowes brings a proven track record of success. In just one season, he helped turn around the Port Stanley program—guiding them from the bottom of the standings into a playoff contender and one of the league’s most respected opponents. Prior to that, Matt served as an Assistant Coach with the Komoka Kings and spent over a decade coaching in minor hockey.
While this is Bowes’ first time with the Rockets organization, he’s no stranger to the GOJHL landscape—and he’s ready to bring a new identity to Strathroy.
“I am excited to get started,” Bowes said. “To be a part of a program like the Strathroy Rockets is an honour. The history this franchise has is very special, and I’m happy to be part of it.”
Known for his intense, high-compete style, Bowes plans to instill a culture of hard-nosed, fast-paced hockey.
“Year one is about setting the foundation,” Bowes added. “We want to be one of the hardest teams to play against. Be first, be physical, and play with a purpose. If we can do that—and get into the playoffs—we’ll build something strong for years to come.”
Strong Support Behind the Bench
Joining Bowes is GOJHL alumnus Tyler McLean, who most recently served as Head Coach of the Sarnia U18 AAA program. McLean also has experience with the OHL’s Sarnia Sting, working with their prospect development camps and intersquad games.
Also returning to Bowes’ side is Parker Smith, who was an Assistant Coach with Port Stanley last season and shared in the “Coaching Staff of the Year” honour.
Together, this trio brings a forward-thinking, player-first approach to the Rockets. While individual coaching roles will remain internal, all three coaches are committed to developing players on and off the ice—ensuring accountability, growth, and a high-performance culture.
“The path to finding the right coach was a tricky task,” said Rockets GM Andrew Ferlatte. “There were many strong candidates, but Matt’s eagerness and vision aligned perfectly with what I believe this team can become. Seeing what he accomplished in such a short time last year, and the consistent praise he received from peers, made me believe in his ability.”
“We are very excited to not only welcome Matt, but his staff as well. We have a lot of work ahead of us.”
A Positive Reception
The hiring of Bowes and his staff has already made waves in the dressing room, with an overwhelmingly positive reaction from returning players and prospective recruits alike. The Rockets leadership group emphasized the importance of finding a coach who demands the best from his players, and who brings an identity rooted in competitiveness, development, and pride.
With the 2025-26 season on the horizon, a new era of Rockets hockey is officially underway.
Welcome to Strathroy, Coach Bowes, Coach McLean, and Coach Smith!
