Home Sweet Home: Rapids Return to the GVA October 17

The wait is almost over.

After opening the 2026–27 season on the road, the Paugan Falls Rapids will finally return to the Gatineau Valley Arena on Saturday, October 17, welcoming the South Stormont Mustangs for the Rapids' 2026–27 home opener.

Puck drop is set for 7:00 p.m., as the Rapids kick off another season of senior hockey in front of the home crowd.

This year's October 17 home opener is the latest in team history, making the return to the GVA an especially anticipated one. After weeks of preseason and road action, the Rapids are looking forward to getting back in front of their fans and packing the rink for the first home game of the season.

A Big Early-Season Test

The home opener will provide no shortage of excitement on the ice.

South Stormont enters the season with one of the NPHL's most talented rosters. An already strong Mustangs lineup added even more firepower following the departure of the North Dundas Rockets, including former University of Ottawa Gee-Gees Mitchell Gibson and Adam Beverage.

They join a South Stormont roster already featuring several former USPORTS players and plenty of high-end talent, making the Mustangs an early contender to be among the league's top teams this season.

For the Rapids, it represents an excellent early-season test — and recent history suggests fans could be in for an entertaining night. Meetings between Paugan Falls and South Stormont have produced fast-paced, high-scoring hockey, with plenty of offence at both ends of the rink.

The Rapids have shown plenty of encouraging signs of their own to begin the year.

Paugan Falls finished its exhibition schedule 1–1, including a 10–6 victory over South Grenville and an 8–7 overtime loss to Smiths Falls. The Rapids then opened the regular season with a hard-fought 5–4 road loss in Arnprior before their following game against South Grenville was suspended after two periods with the Rangers leading 2–1.

Despite the early results, the Rapids have looked fast and competitive, with several new additions making an immediate impact.

New Faces Make Their GVA Debuts

Saturday will be the first opportunity for Rapids fans to see several of the team's newest additions wearing Rapids blue on home ice.

Among them is Greg Gibson, one of the biggest additions to the Rapids lineup this season. Gibson brings an impressive hockey résumé to Paugan Falls after four NCAA Division I seasons at Robert Morris University, where he was a Hobey Baker Award finalist, followed by a professional career in North America and Europe. He has also been one of the NPHL's most productive players, recording 113 points in 38 career league games.

Local fans will also get their first home look at Jack Paquette, who joins the Rapids with 125 games of CCHL experience and family ties to the Gatineau Valley.

Charlie Olmstead, Vincent Rivest and Declan Flanagan are also among the newcomers expected to make their first appearances in front of the Rapids home crowd.

Colin Ratt will also be with the Rapids full-time this season and has already made his presence felt. Ratt assisted on the Rapids' lone goal against South Grenville last weekend and was a force throughout the suspended contest.

There will be plenty of familiar faces to welcome back as well.

Cole Peck returned to the lineup last weekend after spending much of the offseason rehabilitating the knee injury he suffered during last year's playoff series against the Manotick Mariners. His appearance against South Grenville marked his first game action since the injury, and he looked right at home in his return.

Etienne Champagne returns as one of the Rapids' most dangerous offensive weapons, while goaltender Aidan Foley has been outstanding to begin the season. Foley has posted a .913 save percentage through his first two appearances and has given the Rapids excellent goaltending early in the year.

The GVA Game-Day Experience Is Back

The home opener isn't just the return of Rapids hockey — it means the full Gatineau Valley Arena game-day experience is back.

Fans can try their luck in the Rapids 50/50 draw, which has produced prizes of more than $1,000 at past home openers, along with Chuck-a-Puck and the Rapids' intermission challenge.

Ronnie Rapid will also make his season debut and will be back roaming the GVA, meeting fans and cheering on the Rapids.

Before puck drop, fans can expect the return of the Rapids' pre-game smoke and light show and home-opening ceremony, while local musician Kimberley Gabie will perform the national anthem.

Saturday will also be the first opportunity for fans to purchase the Rapids' brand-new limited-time merchandise collection, which will be officially unveiled later this week.

Pack the GVA

After the latest start to a home schedule in team history, it's finally time to bring Rapids hockey back to the Gatineau Valley Arena.

The players are ready. Ronnie is back. The lights and smoke are ready to go. And one of the league's strongest teams will be waiting on the other side of the ice.

Now we need the GVA packed.

Join us Saturday, October 17, as we kick off another season of Rapids hockey at home.

Paugan Falls Rapids vs. South Stormont Mustangs
Saturday, October 17, 2026
7:00 p.m.
Gatineau Valley Arena

Tickets are just $10 and can be purchased in advance online through FrontDoor+ or at the door on game night. And don't forget, kids 12 and under get in for FREE!

Come early, bring the family, wear your Rapids blue and help us start the home season the right way.

See you at the GVA. Go Rapids Go! 🌊