Kyle Garcia 
The Ontario Reign’s opening week of their 12th AHL season is in the books. Ontario opened its 2026-27 season against the Coachella Valley Firebirds, their I-10 rivals, with a home-and-home series. The AHL schedule makers wasted no time having these two face off immediately to start the season after the Firebirds knocked out the Reign in a fifth and decisive game in double overtime this past spring.
The Reign took the first game with a 6-5 overtime victory, trailing by two goals on three occasions (3-1, 4-2, and 5-3). The Firebirds responded with a 6-2 win, led by Jani Nyman (hat trick), Jagger Firkus (2 G, 2 A), and Tyson Jugnauth (4 A).
With their first week complete, let’s see who cracked the Reign’s three stars of the week list.
Third star
Lane Pederson
Stats: Two games, one goal, three assists, four points, -2 rating, three shots on goal
Lane Pederson finished as the third star of the week with a goal and three helpers. Pederson recorded two points on the man advantage (1 G, 1 A) in his Reign debut, but also committed the natural hat trick of penalties. He would’ve been bumped up to second star if he hadn’t been a frequent visitor to the penalty box that game, but he made up for it with a game-tying assist at 4:44 in regulation that eventually led to a Reign overtime win. Pederson served as the first-line center in the first two games.
POWER PLAY GOAL PEDERSON 🚨 First one in a Reign sweater!! https://t.co/yz7UYSX4uH
— Ontario Reign (@ontarioreign) October 3, 2026
Second star
Taylor Ward
Stats: Two games, two goals, one assist, three points, -1 rating, 7 shots on goal
He’s back!
Taylor Ward played his first game with the Reign since January 4th, 2026, when he was called up to the Kings and never saw AHL ice again. Fresh off signing a two-year extension, Ward was one of several Kings placed on waivers to be assigned to the Reign. After clearing waivers, Ward played left wing on the second line in both games and potted all three of his points in the season opener. Ward scored the tying goal on the power play with a back-door tap-in with 4:44 remaining in regulation. Ward can be streaky at times, but as we saw last season, he can go on a long scoring streak. Ward is expected to get time on both special teams units.
TAYLOR WARD BRINGS US TO TWO🚨🚨 https://t.co/kW54o8N5ud
— Ontario Reign (@ontarioreign) October 3, 2026
Another one for Wardo and WE. ARE. TIED.
#ONTvsCV #ReignTrain #KingsAreBornInTheEmpire https://t.co/uiV1nqcM3a
— Ontario Reign (@ontarioreign) October 3, 2026
First star
Jared Wright
Stats: Two games, two goals, one assist, three points, +1 rating, six shots on goal
Jared Wright shined as the number-one star of the week with a pair of goals, including the season opener’s overtime tally, and an assist. Wright’s speed is his biggest asset, and it showed in his two-point night in the season opener. When Wright turns on the jets, he gains separation fairly easily. The former sixth-round pick has a blend of size and speed, and can kill penalties, but will need to improve his finishing to be a reliable bottom-six option in the NHL. He’s already off to a good start for the Reign in that regard.
WRIGHT PLACE, WRIGHT TIME🧃OT winner!!
#ONTvsCV #ReignTrain #KingsAreBornInTheEmpire https://t.co/6XU0L2lXRs
— Ontario Reign (@ontarioreign) October 3, 2026
Wright back at it with the 🧃!!!
#CVvsONT | #ReignTrain | #KingsAreBornInTheEmpire https://t.co/rRbNen0phj
— Ontario Reign (@ontarioreign) October 4, 2026
REIGN GAMES THIS WEEK: Sunday, October 11th, @ Coachella Valley (3 PM)
Featured image credit: Megan Sanders/Ontario Reign