Behind the Jersey: Hunter Solomon
As a mid-season addition to the Sarnia Sting, Hunter Solomon has begun to expand his role with the team as a reliable defenceman and key piece of the group.
The 18-year-old defenceman started the season with the Soo Greyhounds, playing 26 games and earning six points. He was drafted in the fourth round by the Soo in the 2023 Priority Selection, and would play his first season with the team in 2024-25.
On December 10, 2025, the Sting made one of their most significant moves of the year, trading the, at the time, captain, Lukas Fischer. It was a package deal in which Sarnia would receive Hunter Solomon of the Greyhounds and several draft selections in exchange for the former captain.
Solomo described his initial reaction to being traded, he said. “It was very unexpected. I didn’t think I was going to get traded. It was very quick”. The young defenceman got the call around 2:00 PM, and said that by noon the next day, he had arrived in Sarnia. He also said that the adjustment period with the coaches was quick, and that “it didn’t take long to get started here. It was actually a lot better than I anticipated”.
Despite a welcoming team and staff, joining a team at that middle point in the season is a challenge in itself. Leaving a team with established relationships, inner workings and understanding of the room, and joining a new one that has its own. Solomon noted that this was the biggest challenge with his transition; he said, “All the boys welcomed me, but at the same time, I didn’t know anybody on the team”.
Hughston Hurt, who has been a Sting for three seasons, stood out to Solomon in his early days with the team. Not only do they live together and share billets, but Hurt established himself as a player and friend to help Solomon out. In his just under three months in Sarnia, the Guelph-native has made some positive observations about the team, he said, “The guys have more fun here. It’s a tight group here, everyone gets along, jokes with each other. I’m really enjoying it here”.
Growing up in Guelph, Ontario, Solomon was introduced to OHL hockey young and often attended Guelph-Storm games with his family. “I always wanted to play in the OHL one day. It’s pretty awesome to be here now”.
Solomon, of Chippewas of Nawash Unceded First Nation, was one of only four Indigenous players in his draft year. “I take a lot of pride in being Indigenous. It’s a big part of me, my life, my culture, everything. I take pride in my representation”. Solomon and his achievements have been recognized multiple times throughout his career by
Solomon is a two-way defensive player with a physical edge to his game. He says that his defensive game has improved the most since joining the league. He said, “ I was a bit more of an offensive player in minor hockey. Once I got to the Soo, they definitely let me know that’s something I need to work on. I think I’ve come a long way since then”. Solomon emphasized how crucial consistency is to growth, and keeping up in the OHL, he said, “consistency is huge. You have to show up at the rink every day and put the work in.”
Solomon said another point of adjustment was playing an OHL season and the toll it takes on the body compared to minor hockey: “Playing 68 games was an eye-opener”. He said that last season, he learned the importance of endurance and recovery. “It’s a long season, it’s tough on your body. You have to show up every day, and cannot ignore the recovery process”.
The defenceman’s only pre-game superstition is to put his left skate on before the right. He says that for him, any other rituals can become distracting and take away from game-day focus. According to Solomon, mindset is everything, especially when going through a rough stretch. When he or the team is experiencing an ebb in the season, he said, “You just need to put your head down and go to work. Getting scored on and losing games, it’s tough and can be unmotivating. You’ll come out eventually if you put in the work”.
After posting 13 points (three goals, 10 assists) in 68 games during the 2024–25 season, Solomon entered this year determined to surpass the total. Through 50 games between his former and current teams, he’s already up to 10 points. With just around a month left in the regular season, he is on pace to achieve his goal. He is constantly working on his game and growing into a “tough-to-beat defenceman”. Solomon is proving to be a piece of the puzzle in Sarnia who fits in well and contributes to the team.
