Over 200 Attend Paugan Falls Rapids Banquet to Celebrate Another Memorable Season

The Paugan Falls Rapids wrapped up their 2025–26 season in style on Saturday night as more than 200 players, fans, sponsors, volunteers, families, and community members gathered at Heritage Hall in Low for the team’s annual year-end banquet.

The evening began with a cocktail hour from 4:00–5:00 PM, giving attendees a chance to reconnect, catch up, and reflect on another memorable season of Rapids hockey. The atmosphere was lively right from the start, with smiles, stories, and conversations filling the hall as people from all corners of the community came together to celebrate the organization.

Following the cocktail hour, attendees gathered outside for a large community photo, capturing one of the strongest turnouts in banquet history and highlighting the incredible support surrounding the Rapids organization.

Once everyone returned inside, the evening continued with a meal that quickly became one of the talking points of the night, with many attendees commenting on just how great the food was. Throughout the hall, the atmosphere remained upbeat and energetic as guests reminisced about key moments from the season and shared laughs together long before the dance floor officially opened.

As always, Ronnie Rapid kept the crowd entertained throughout the evening with his usual comedic antics, helping bring extra energy and fun to the celebration.

Several speeches throughout the night helped tell the story of the Rapids season from a variety of perspectives.

Head Coach and General Manager Randy Peck spoke about the growth the team showed throughout the season and the direction the organization is heading moving forward. John Peck followed with remarks recognizing the many volunteers, sponsors, and contributors whose support helped make the season possible.

Scott Mahoney reflected on the importance of the Gatineau Valley Arena to the community and shared stories connected to the founding of the arena itself, while Ryan Peck offered the players’ perspective by revisiting memorable moments from throughout the year.

One of the most touching moments of the evening came when Sarah Desmarais and Morgan Chamberlain reflected on their first season volunteering with the organization. Their speech gave attendees a unique behind-the-scenes perspective on the team and highlighted the strong relationships and community atmosphere surrounding the Rapids organization.

The speeches concluded with Nolan Peck sharing important upcoming dates and what’s next for the Rapids heading into the offseason and beyond.

The evening also included the team’s annual awards presentations, recognizing players and contributors for their accomplishments throughout the season. Award winners included MVP Etienne Champagne, Best Forward Ryan Peck, Best Defenseman Cole Peck, Rookie of the Year Liam Murdoch, Coach’s Award Ric Shin, and Most Improved Player Dylan Chamberlin. A full awards recap article will be released separately in the coming days.

Once the formal portion of the evening wrapped up, the celebration shifted into party mode as Jaxstraw took the stage around 8:30 PM. From the opening songs right through until midnight, the dance floor stayed packed as attendees celebrated together late into the night.

More than anything, the banquet once again showed what makes the Rapids special. While the hockey itself remains at the center of the organization, nights like Saturday are a reminder that the team has become much more than just what happens on the ice. It has become a true community event that brings people together from across the Gatineau Valley.

For everyone who attended, the 2025–26 banquet was a night full of laughs, memories, appreciation, and celebration — and judging by the energy inside Heritage Hall, it’s already safe to say next year’s event will be one people won’t want to miss.