Fill the Barn: Celebrating 10 Seasons of Belleville Sens Hockey

A milestone season, a historic home opener, and plenty of reasons to get loud for the hometown team.

It’s hard to believe, but this fall marks 10 seasons of Belleville Senators hockey in the Bay of Quinte.

Since arriving in 2017, the B-Sens have given local hockey fans a front-row seat to professional hockey and the rare opportunity to watch some of tomorrow’s NHL players develop right here in our own backyard.

This October, the puck drops on a milestone season, and history will be made before the first period is even underway.

For the first time in franchise history, the Senators will begin their regular season on home ice, welcoming the newly relocated Hamilton Hammers to CAA Arena on Friday, October 2 at 7 p.m. The Hammers, the new AHL affiliate of the New York Islanders, add another Ontario opponent to the schedule, and perhaps the beginnings of a new provincial rivalry.

Opening night will be a celebration worthy of the occasion. Fans can arrive early for a player red carpet and autographs, followed by a special pre-game ceremony, while the first 3,000 through the doors will receive a commemorative clapper.

And there will be plenty to watch once the puck drops.

Because this issue went to print before final training camp decisions were made, the opening-night roster had not yet been confirmed, but several exciting players are very much worth watching.

Xavier Bourgault is coming off a breakout campaign that saw him record 25 goals and 57 points in 70 games, finishing second in team scoring and earning his first NHL call-up. Philippe Daoust enjoyed career highs of his own with 50 points in 63 games, while 6-foot-4 centre Stephen Halliday produced 29 points in just 29 Belleville games.

Then there’s Carter Yakemchuk. Ottawa’s seventh-overall selection in the 2024 NHL Draft recorded 40 points in 54 games during an impressive rookie season in Belleville and was named to the AHL’s Top Prospects Team. Whether he begins the year in Belleville or earns a spot in Ottawa, he is a perfect reminder of what makes AHL hockey so exciting: the player you watch at CAA Arena today could be skating in the NHL tomorrow.

The anniversary celebrations won’t end on opening night, either. October 16 brings the return of Bellevegas Night against the Laval Rocket, complete with casino-inspired entertainment, playing-card giveaways, buskers and even an appearance by Elvis.

Perhaps most importantly, Season 10 is an opportunity for the Bay of Quinte to remind the league what home-ice advantage looks like. Professional hockey is something special to have in a community our size. So grab the family, bring a neighbour, dust off the red and black and make some noise.

Ten years in, this is our team. Let’s fill the barn.