GOHL releases 2026-27 hockey schedule: Navy Vets celebrating inaugural season and 60th anniversary

(Contributed Image)

Lee Griffi, Editor

The Greater Ontario Hockey League has released the schedule for the 2026-27 regular season.

The 600-game schedule opens on Thursday, Sept. 10 when the Ayr Centennials host the Pelham Panthers.

The new Woodstock Navy Vets franchise will play their first-ever GOHL game on Friday, Sep.11 when they visit the Listowel Cyclones. The team’s home opener takes place the following night against the Stratford Warriors.

The 2026-27 season will mark a milestone in Woodstock hockey history as the Navy Vets celebrate our 60th season.

“Since 1966, generations of players have proudly worn the Navy Vets crest, supported by coaches, volunteers, sponsors, families and fans who have helped make this organization what it is today,” said a statement on the team’s website.

To celebrate the milestone, the team has unveiled its 60th anniversary patch, which will be on display throughout the upcoming season as a tribute to six decades of Navy Vets hockey and everyone who has been part of that history.

“This is another incredible milestone for our organization and an opportunity to celebrate the generations of Vets who have made the organization what it is today,” said Navy Vets President Devon Young. “To the players, coaches, volunteers, sponsors, families and fans who have been part of this organization over the past 60 years — thank you. This history belongs to all of you, and we’re incredibly proud to carry it forward into the next chapter.”

23 of the 24 teams will open their respective 50-game seasons during the 21 games scheduled for the opening week of Sept. 10-13. The Sarnia Legionnaires open their season with a visit to LaSalle on Wednesday, Sept.16.

The 2026 Sutherland Cup champion Cambridge Redhawks will begin defence of their title on Saturday, Sep.12 when they host the Hamilton Steel.

GOHL play returns to Stoney Creek after a 13-year absence when the Stoney Creek Generals host the Fort Erie Meteors on Tuesday, Sept.15.

With the addition of the Navy Vets, the league now has two 12-team conferences, allowing for a fully balanced schedule. Each team will face every opponent in its conference four times, accounting for 44 of its 50 regular-season games.

The remaining six games will be inter-conference matchups between Eastern and Western Conference teams. The first two of those 72 games are scheduled for Sunday, Sept. 20, when the Komoka Kings host the Caledonia Corvairs.

Friday is the most frequent day of the week with 151 games scheduled, followed by 150 on Saturdays, 141 on Sundays and 80 on Thursdays. The league continues its tradition of playing on Family Day with 11 games scheduled for Monday, Feb. 15.

The season ends with three games on Sunday, March 7.

To view the entire 2026-27 regular season schedule, visit the league website at https://www.gohl.ca/stats/schedule/all-teams/100/all-months?league=1.