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Ontario Hockey League Returns to Cornwall for Seaway Shootout

April 2, 2026
By Bob Peters

Cornwall Ontario – The Ontario Hockey League (OHL) is bringing major junior hockey back to the city of Cornwall for the Seaway Shootout. a special two-game event in October.

Cornwall Seaway Shootout

The historic Cornwall Civic Complex will serve as the backdrop for this exciting weekend, with the Brampton Steelheads playing regular season games against two Eastern Conference opponents in the Ottawa 67’s on Friday, October 16 and the Kingston Frontenacs on Saturday, October 17, 2026.

“We are incredibly thrilled to bring OHL hockey back to Cornwall for the Seaway Shootout,” said OHL Commissioner Bryan Crawford. “This is a community with deep, foundational roots in major junior hockey. Returning to a city that has developed legendary talents and boasts such a rich Memorial Cup history is a special opportunity for our league, our players, and the great hockey fans of Eastern Ontario.

“The level of care taken to preserve the history of the Royals at the Civic Complex is truly remarkable,” added Crawford. “Seeing the artifacts and historical visuals so proudly displayed throughout the venue speaks volumes about the deep, enduring passion for hockey that still exists in Cornwall.”

Seaway Shootout Event Schedule

The weekend will feature a variety of community and hockey events leading up to and surrounding the OHL matchups:

  • Friday, October 16, 2026: Free Public Open Skate – 4:00pm to 5:00pm
  • Friday, October 16, 2026: Brampton Steelheads vs. Ottawa 67’s, 7:00pm
  • Saturday, October 17, 2026: Seaway Hockey Day (Benson Centre)
  • Saturday, October 17, 2026: Brampton Steelheads vs. Kingston Frontenacs, 7:00pm

The Seaway Shootout will be hosted at the Ed Lumley Arena within the Cornwall Civic Complex. The venue is no stranger to high-level hockey, having recently hosted 2024 IIHF World Junior pre-tournament competition as well as the 2022 World Junior A Challenge. The Complex has also been the proud home of the Central Canada Hockey League’s (CCHL) Cornwall Colts since 1992.

“The Seaway Shootout will see the return of regular season OHL games in Cornwall for the first time in decades,” said Cornwall Mayor Justin Towndale. “Over the years, the City of Cornwall has continued to make meaningful investments and upgrades in the Civic Complex, and this event is a testament to those investments. We are excited about this partnership with the OHL and look forward to continuing this renewed relationship well into the future.”

Ticket information, game times, and broadcast details for the 2026 Seaway Shootout will be announced at a later date.

Cornwall’s Enduring Hockey Legacy

Cornwall has a storied and highly decorated hockey legacy. The city is the historic home of the Cornwall Royals, who played in the QMJHL from 1969 to 1981, capturing three Memorial Cup titles (1972, 1980, and 1981). Standout stars from the era included players who became legends of the game in the NHL, including Dale Hawerchuk, Doug Gilmour, and Marc Crawford.

Cornwall’s impact on professional hockey extends from the ice to the bench and the officiating crew. The city has produced notable figures including former NHL referee Bob Kilger and his son, Chad Kilger, a Kingston Frontenacs alumnus who enjoyed a lengthy NHL playing career. It is also the hometown of the late Orval Tessier, a prominent coach who led both the Royals and the OHL’s Kitchener Rangers before taking the helm as head coach of the NHL’s Chicago Blackhawks.

Cornwall’s hockey legacy is on full display the Cornwall Sports Hall of Fame, located at the Civic Complex. At the Hall of Fame you will be able to learn about hockey’s first superstar, Édouard “Newsy” Lalonde.

About the Ontario Hockey League

The Ontario Hockey League (OHL) has long been regarded as the number one development league in the world, continuing to serve as a leading supplier of talent for the National Hockey League. The OHL consists of 20 teams, with 17 located in Ontario, two in the state of Michigan and one in the state of Pennsylvania. A proud member of the Canadian Hockey League, the OHL is also a leading provider of hockey scholarships, with over 329 graduates receiving OHL Scholarships to pursue a post-secondary education of their choice in 2024-25, resulting in a collective investment of over $42 million by OHL member teams over the past 15 years.

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