Stanley Cup champion among big names set to attend Summerland Jets’ home opener celebration
Published 3:56 pm Thursday, September 17, 2026
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After a difficult summer amid the devastating Bald Range wildfire, Summerland is set to welcome junior hockey back to the community.
The Summerland Jets, one of 22 teams in the newly-formed British Columbia Hockey Conference (BCHC), open their inaugural season at home on Friday, Sept. 18, when the Osoyoos Coyotes come to town.
A community tailgate to celebrate junior hockey’s return to Summerland is planned for 5 p.m. Puck drop at Summerland Arena is at 7 p.m.
The celebration will feature live music from Dane Bateman, a bouncy castle, street hockey, barbecue, ice cream truck and special guests.
Among the names scheduled to appear at the community tailgate are former Canadian women’s national team coach Nancy Wilson, former Hockey Canada CEO Bob Nicholson, longtime NHL goaltender Andy Moog and BCHC commissioner Jeff Dubois.
The Penticton-born Moog played parts of 18 NHL seasons from 1980 to 1998, suiting up for the Edmonton Oilers, Boston Bruins, Dallas Stars and Montreal Canadiens. He won three Stanley Cups with the dynasty Oilers in the 1980s.
The ceremonial puck drop — after the formal introduction of the Jets’ inaugural roster — will feature Penticton Indian Band Chief Greg Gabriel, Summerland Mayor Doug Holmes and Bonaparte First Nation Chief Frank Antoine.
The night is also set to serve as a tribute to the firefighters and first responders of the Bald Range blaze. Fans will be asked to sign a “Thank You to Summerland Heroes” banner, which will then be brought out to centre ice during the first intermission in honour of those who supported the community through the August fire.
“The Jets were created to be Summerland’s team, and those words mean even more to us today,” said Terry Rolston, board chair of the Summerland Junior A Hockey Society. “We know hockey cannot change what people have been through with the Bald Range wildfire, but we hope it can give our community another place to be together. Our first home game will be our opportunity to recognize the people who protected, supported and cared for Summerland when it mattered most.”
Junior hockey is back in Summerland after a two-year hiatus.
The Summerland Steam, formerly of the KIJHL, were sold after 12 seasons and relocated to Williams Lake in 2024.
Before the Steam, there was the Summerland Sting, who also played in the KIJHL, from 2001 to 2009.
This year, Jets regular-season hockey will be free to attend for children ages 12 and under when accompanied by an adult, thanks to Nesters Market.
In a release, the club said it is looking for more billet families. Approved homes will receive $750 per player each month.
Founders Club memberships are also still available for $1,000, as are corporate sponsorship opportunities.
The club added that Sunshine Glass is sponsoring the season-long 50-50, so that every home-game pot begins at $100. Giants Head Brewing, meanwhile, has created a special lager, “Jet Fuel,” with partial proceeds from every six-pack returning to the community-owned club.
“This team only works if the community is part of it,” Rolston said. “Whether someone comes to a game, volunteers on game day, joins the Founders Club or simply helps spread the word, every bit of involvement helps us build something that can belong to Summerland for the long term.”