Sam Noad is getting ready for his third season with the Steinbach Pistons, and while he’s always working to be a better player, the now 20-year-old Ontario product made sure to take some time to enjoy summer.
Enjoying summer at home
“It felt like kind of a long summer at first, but then it really started to fly by,” he says with a chuckle. “Really looking forward to getting back to Steinbach and seeing everybody. I had a great summer, did lots of training and skating, obviously, but I mixed in some golf, got my golf game under control, which is always the goal. Played some pickleball and spike ball with buddies, hung out with family by the pool, and working. Nothing too crazy.”
This year, Noad says he stuck pretty close to home through the summer months. “London, Ontario,” he says with a smile. “My family has lived here my whole life, so we kind of hang out around here. Some of my friends have cottages that I’ll go up to from time to time, but mostly just hang out around here. Work has been pretty busy, and have a fairly busy training schedule, so it’s hard to get too much vacation elsewhere, but I wouldn’t change it.”
Work (with) pressure
That job that has been keeping him busy, is a pretty neat one, and one Noad isn’t doing alone. “Me and two of my other buddies that also play hockey out of the city, we started a pressure washing business. We pressure wash patios, decks, siding on houses, stuff like that. It’s great, because we play high level hockey, we can do our training and skating in the morning, then load up the truck and go door to door drumming up some business, or go to any jobs that we’ve picked up the week before. It’s a flexible schedule, and a good way to make some money.”
Taking a break
As he’s gotten older, Noad says one thing he’s really focused more on is taking a mental break, resetting, and making sure he takes a break from hockey. “It’s something I’ve always tried to work on. I’m a guy who loves the game a lot, I always like to be around the game, watching hockey, playing hockey, but advice from older players, and people I respect, it is good to take time off, reset, and get your mind off the game. When I first got home, I did stay off the ice for a couple weeks, stayed out of the gym, and just played golf, see family and buddies, who I haven’t seen in a while. I did watch some NHL playoffs, just a little mixed in, but for the most part, stay away, get a reset, recover and get back after it.”
Building the grind
The 2025-26 season will be his third in the MJHL, and Noad says his summer training has evolved as he’s gone season to season. “It’s crazy to think I’m going into my 20-year-old season, I’ve been doing this since I was 16-years-old. I remember being a rookie, all the veterans would say don’t take it for granted, it flies by, and it for sure has. I’m so excited to get going this year though, I want to make the most of it, and I couldn’t be happier or spend it in a better place than Steinbach. Training wise, I want to build as the summer goes on. Let the injuries heal, get the body ramped up, then start to build strength and power. I’m gearing up with explosiveness and quick burst now, because with training camp coming quick, I want to be ready to hit the ice flying. The summer gym work and summer skill skates are one thing, but a Paul Dyck and Calvin Bugyik level flow drill with lots of pace, that’s a different beast. For now, get the legs going again, and get back after it.”
Long lasting friendships
Throughout the summer, Noad says he still spent some time with friends he made while playing in Steinbach, continuing that connection beyond the game of hockey. “That’s such a great thing, when you play for the Pistons, there’s a special culture, for sure. When I came in as an 18-year-old, it’s something you could feel right away. During those first few weeks, you could feel the strong friendships, and the culture, everyone just got along so well. I’ve had the opportunity this summer to hang out with some guys from last year, like Jamie Fuchs, and Noah Szabo, guys that are moving on. Luke Bogart, he’s coming back this year, so we hang out whenever we can cross paths. It’s just great to be able to spend time with guys in the off season, even though we spend a lot of time together during the year, I guess we like each other enough to hang out when it’s sunny and golf weather. It’s just cool that we have such a strong group of guys, great relationships that we stay connected, especially with the guys that are moving on. Friendships beyond being teammates, that’s something special.”
Community connection
Being a Piston is something Noad cherishes, but he also loves being a part of the Steinbach community, and that connection stays strong over the summer, as well. “I was lucky enough, my billets came down, and we actually got to take in a Blue Jays game. It feels like I haven’t seen them in forever since then, so I can’t wait to see the boys, Jamie and Tiff, as well. Get back into our routine again, backyard baseball, all that fun. The golf tournament is almost here, so getting to see people around the team again, those connected like Garth (Koop) and Mike (Kehler), everyone like that. You build strong relationships over your life in junior hockey, so I’m really excited to see them again. I can’t wait to be back around Steinbach, volunteer at schools, see kids and teachers that I’ve connected with before. I’m excited to be around Steinbach, and I can’t wait to get back into our rink and playing in front of our fans again, I just can’t wait.”
This is our house
Beginning the year, knowing his number 10 is waiting inside the South East Event Centre, Noad says building off what it was like last year, this year is going to be special. “This is our home,” he says proudly. “It’s special, we’re so grateful for the community that made this possible, we don’t take it for granted at all. I was talking Zhenya Miles the other day, and he was saying, every time you go in there, you’re still in awe. Every day he shows up there, it doesn’t feel real, so I can’t wait to get in there myself. This is our official home. Last year, we moved in there at the end of the year, and it felt surreal at times, and it didn’t quite feel like home. It will now. This is our house. Playing in front of our fans, based off that little taste we got last year, it’s going to be epic. Those games last year at home were the most fun I’d ever had playing hockey, and we get that right from the start this year, thanks to the people that come to our games. It means the world to us, and we’re going to make the fans proud.”
