As the final buzzer sounds on the 2025-26 CCHL season, the Smiths Falls Bears look back on a year defined by historic runs, individual brilliance, and an unbreakable bond with the town of Smiths Falls.
While the pursuit of the Bogart Cup came to a hard-fought end in the Finals against the Rockland Nationals, the journey to get there was nothing short of spectacular. From a dominant regular season to a deep playoff run, this year reminded everyone in the CCHL why the “Black and Gold” are a force to be reckoned with.
A Regular Season to Remember
The Bears charged into the 2025-26 season with high expectations and exceeded nearly all of them. Finishing second overall in the CCHL standings with a record of 39-11-2-3, the squad consistently found themselves in the CJHL National Top 20 rankings.
The team was led by a core of standout performers who were recognized for their excellence:
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Tyson Parker: Named Team MVP and Top Forward, Parker’s leadership and clutch scoring were the engine of the Bears’ offense.
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DJ Ott: The Top Defenseman and NCAA commit (Adrian College) anchored a defensive unit that was among the league’s elite.
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Carter Beauchesne: The CCHL Rookie of the Year proved that age is just a number and the future of Bears hockey is in great hands.
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Jackson Heron: Voted the Fan Favorite, Heron’s energy on the ice was matched only by his connection with the community off it.
The Playoff Push
The postseason began with a statement. In the Quarter-Finals, the Bears faced their rivals, the Brockville Braves, and delivered a four-game sweep. The series concluded with a historic 12-1 victory in Game 4, signaling to the league that Smiths Falls was ready for a title run.
The Semi-Finals against the Ottawa Junior Senators provided some of the most heart-stopping moments of the year. After a grueling five-game series featuring multiple overtime thrillers, the Bears punched their ticket to the Bogart Cup Finals. Though the Rockland Nationals eventually took the crown, the resilience shown by every player in that final series was a testament to the culture built within this locker room.
To the Fans: Our Seventh Player
More important than the wins and losses was the atmosphere at the Smiths Falls Memorial Community Centre Arena. Night after night, you filled the stands, creating a sea of black and gold that made our home ice the most intimidating place to play in the league.
Whether you were cheering at the top of your lungs during an OT winner or traveling down County Road 29 to support us on the road, your energy was our fuel. You stayed late for overtime periods, supported our local sponsors, and made our players feel like hometown heroes.
To our volunteers, sponsors, and families: Thank you for the countless hours behind the scenes that make Junior A hockey possible in Smiths Falls.
To the Fans: This season belonged to you as much as it did to the players. We didn’t reach the ultimate goal this time, but the roar of the crowd at the Memorial Centre still echoes. We are already looking forward to the puck drop next fall.
Thank you, Bears Nation. We’ll see you back at the rink soon.
