NA Now: Oklahoma Warriors
The NA Now video series features an in-depth look into all NAHL teams as they prepare for the 2026-27 season. One team will be highlighted every day, leading up to the start of the regular season on September 11, 2026. Each interview features each team’s head coach, as they dive into detail on the expectations and outlooks for this upcoming season.
Oklahoma Warriors
Head Coach: Eric Ballard (1st season)
2025-26 Regular Season Record: 26-26-2-5 – 59 points (6th in South Division)
2025-26 Leading Scorer: Jakub Galnor (19-32–51)
2026 Postseason: Lost South Division Play-In Series to the El Paso Rhinos (2-1)
2026-27 Division: South Division
Location: Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Formation Year: 2022 (5th season)
Regular Season Title: One (2023)
South Division Title: One (2023)
Robertson Cup Championship: One (2023)
Head coach of the Warriors, Eric Ballard, shares why he is returning to coaching in the League of Opportunity.
“Player development is a big part of why I came back into the league this late in my career. I am a big fan of the North American Hockey League, and have been for many, many years. I think it's the last true form of player development at the junior level. The entire league does a great job of promoting and developing those athletes. So what drives me the most? It is probably just the overall player development piece, the player experience piece, and helping these athletes achieve the goals they set out.”
Ballard has over 20 years of experience coaching and developing players at about every level of hockey. The Minnesota native talks more about what it means to be back behind the bench and coaching in the Oklahoma community this upcoming season.
Next up: Ogden Mustangs
