Preseason hockey in the Bay of Quinte region is officially shifting into high gear

Preseason hockey in the Bay of Quinte region is officially shifting into high gear as local teams finalize their training camp rosters, adjust front-office operations, and prepare for exhibition games ahead of the upcoming 2026–27 season. From junior ranks to professional leagues, local arenas like CAA Arena and Lehigh Arena are buzzing with major updates, schedule announcements, and franchise transformations.

Junior A Action: OJHL Preseason Schedules Locked In

The Ontario Junior Hockey League (OJHL) has officially released its schedule, paving the way for the region’s top junior teams to hit the ice. 

• Trenton Golden Hawks: The Golden Hawks will drop the puck on their preseason schedule with a home-and-home set against the Lindsay Muskies. Trenton will travel for an away game on Friday, August 28, 2026, before returning to host the Muskies at the Duncan McDonald Memorial Community Gardens on Sunday, August 30, 2026, at 6:00 PM.
• Wellington Dukes: Big changes are underway in Wellington following the franchise sale by longtime owner Ken Clement to local businessman Andrew Gunning. The Dukes are using the preseason to re-tool before their regular season opener at home on Friday, September 4, 2026. 
• The Battle of Quinte: While the intense regional rivalry between Trenton and Wellington officially starts during the regular season on September 25, training camps for both squads are heavily focused on evaluating fresh talent

Professional Ranks: Belleville Senators Secure Lease & Revamp Fan Experience

The American Hockey League (AHL) presence in the region has received a massive boost just as the team prepares for its milestone 10th anniversary season in the Bay of Quinte. 

• Lease Extension Confirmed: The City of Belleville and team owner Michael Andlauer announced a three-year lease extension. This agreement guarantees that the Belleville Senators will remain at the Quinte Sports & Wellness Centre through at least the 2029–2030 season, with a five-year option to extend further. 
• Culture & Roster Overhaul: Following a tough finish last season, the B-Sens enter the preseason under a culture shift led by Andrew Campbell and an aggressive offseason overhaul. The defensive unit features three new rookies alongside returning blue-liners Sam Bolduc, Cam Crotty, and Jorian Donovan.
• Fan-First Upgrades: Prompted by feedback from over 1,200 local fans, the Senators are implementing new entry-level ticket pricing, family-friendly packages, and optimized game times (including 15 Friday night games and 6 Saturday afternoon puck drops) starting with their historic home opener on October 2, 2026. 

Minor Hockey: Pre-Season Tournaments On the Horizon

The youth hockey community is also preparing for a competitive return to the ice. RELM Sports and the Belleville Minor Hockey Association have opened registration for the BMHA Mid-Season Tilt, scheduled for September 26–28, 2026. The tournament will bring youth teams from across the province to the Quinte Sports & Wellness Centre and the Deseronto Arena. 

Napanee Raiders (PJHL Junior C – Tod Division)

The Raiders are heavily focused on building a roster capable of capturing another Tod Division crown. Momentum is high following the team’s official announcement that the 2026–27 regular season will open at home on Friday, September 11, 2026, against the Lakefield Chiefs. [, 2]

• Marquee Blue-Line Return: The Raiders secured a major roster boost by signing hometown defenceman Carter Hartwick. The 19-year-old brings defensive grit and offensive instincts back to Napanee after spending last season at the Junior A level with Navan and Wellington. [1, 2]
• Preseason Launch: The front office has finalized the 2026–27 preseason schedule, with exhibition games structured to narrow down the final roster over the final weeks of August. [1]

Frankford Huskies (PJHL Junior C – Tod Division)

Coming off a deep playoff run where they eliminated Napanee last spring, the Huskies enter training camp with high expectations and an aggressive recruiting class.

• Roster Additions: The “Pack” has officially signed impact prospects Ty Leavitt, Gavin, Charlie Vos, and local offensive standout Maddox Vespa. Vespa joins Frankford following a highly productive season with the U18 Quinte Red Devils AAA program. 
• Exhibition Action: Fans will get their first look at the new squad during a high-tempo preseason showcase running from August 28–30, 2026, hosted at the Duncan McDonald Memorial Community Gardens. Season passes are currently available for preorder.

Deseronto Bulldogs (NPHL Senior A)

• Labour Day Classic: Deseronto will kick off its highly anticipated exhibition schedule on Monday, September 7, 2026, at 3:30 PM. They are set to play the overhauled Tamworth Sabres on the Goodyear Rink inside Napanee’s Best & Bash Arena.
• Fan Details: General admission for the holiday exhibition game is $5.00 (children 5 and under are free), featuring full regular-season game presentation, music, and a 50/50 draw to kickstart the “Dog Pound” energy for the year

Picton Pirates (PJHL Junior C – Tod Division)

The Picton Pirates are generating substantial offseason buzz following a major front-office shakeup and a dramatic playoff legacy from last spring. As they prepare to contend in the tightly contested PJHL Tod Division for the 2026–27 season, the Pirates join Napanee and Frankford in a highly competitive Junior C landscape.

The Pirates enter the 2026–27 preseason with fresh leadership and high expectations following a historic “Grit over Adversity” playoff run last spring, where they overcame a 3–1 series deficit to defeat the Amherstview Jets in an epic Game 7. 

• New Front Office Leadership: The big news of the summer is the hiring of Lucas Hulton as the Pirates’ new General Manager. Hulton, a respected scout and player-recruitment specialist from Top Draft Hockey Advisory (and son of veteran major junior coach Jim Hulton), takes the reins to spearhead long-term roster development. 
• Roster Rebuilding & Recruitment: To match the firepower of Frankford and Napanee, the Pirates have integrated highly touted young prospects into their training camp system. Key focus areas include building around physical presence and local AAA talent. 
• Home Ice: The Pirates will host their primary training camp sessions and upcoming home exhibition matchups at the Prince Edward Community Centre (frequently packed by local fans)