New season kicks off Saturday on the road
SMITHS FALLS — The Northern Premier Hockey League (NPHL) has announced the creation of the Outlaw Championship Tournament, a new post-season event set for April 2026 in Ottawa.
The EOSHL has been rebranded as the NPHL, a shift league officials say reflects its evolution and growing reach across the region. The Outlaw Championship will be its first marquee event under the new banner.
The Smiths Falls Rideaus will serve as host franchise. It is a fitting role for a team that comes off a strong 2024–25 campaign, finishing first in the regular season before advancing to the EOSHL final. Their run ended in a 7–6 Game 5 loss to North Dundas, dropping the series four games to one but showing the Smiths Falls Rideaus could compete with the league’s best.
With captain Brett Costello leading a roster of veterans and new faces, the Smiths Falls Rideaus will open a 20-game schedule Oct. 4 on the road in Wellington, then to Tamworth on Oct. 11 before their home opener Oct. 18 against Tweed.
The Outlaw Championship will follow the NPHL playoffs, bringing together divisional winners and other senior champions from across the region. The prize is the Outlaw Cup and a cash purse, with the chance to establish bragging rights in what is expected to become an annual showcase.
For the Smiths Falls Rideaus and for the town, hosting means more than home ice. It is another chance to build on last year’s run and bring elite senior hockey to a packed Memorial Community Centre.
Smiths Falls Rideaus roster
Captain Costello anchors a lineup supported by alternates Devin Cobbold, Eric Witzel and Nathan Slack. Returning forwards include Alex O’Neil, Andrew McKenney, Brett Vanstralen, Cory Hurlbert, Griffin Patterson, Jack Nevins, Justin Salter, Reid Russett, Samuel Tremblay, Spenser Cobbold, Tate Leeson and Theo Todd.
On defence, the Smiths Falls Rideaus feature Ben Beasley, Blake Armitage, Cade Townend, David Bennett, Ethan Coltart, Graeme Brown, Mitchell Kealey, Shawn Sloan, Tim Morton and Todd Northgrave.
Goaltending duties will be shared by Brady McEwan, Dallas Slack, Erik Van Brenk, Nick Hodgins and Paul Tompkins.
Behind the bench, head coach Rob Dopson is joined by associate coach JJ Rhoden and assistants Jeremy McArthur and Mike Savage. Rhoden also serves as general manager, with Rusty McArthur as owner and Angela Cauley as president of hockey operations.
Early schedule
Oct. 4 – at County Royals (Wellington), 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 11 – at Tamworth Sabres, 7 p.m.
Oct. 18 – vs. Tweed Oil Kings, 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 25 – vs. Tamworth Sabres, 7:30 p.m.
Nov. 1 – vs. Deseronto Bulldogs, 7:30 p.m.
Nov. 8 – at Durham Hawks, 8:30 p.m.
Nov. 15 – vs. Westport Lumberjacks, 7:30 p.m.
Nov. 22 – vs. Durham Hawks, 7:30 p.m.
Nov. 29 – at Westport Lumberjacks, 4 p.m.
Dec. 6 – at Tamworth Sabres, 7 p.m.
Dec. 13 – at Lindsay Barncats, 7:30 p.m.
Dec. 20 – vs. County Royals, 7:30 p.m.
Dec. 27 – vs. Tweed Oil Kings, 7:30 p.m.
Dec. 28 – at Tweed Oil Kings, 2:30 p.m.
Jan. 2 – vs. Tamworth Sabres, 7:30 p.m.
Jan. 3 – at Westport Lumberjacks, 4 p.m.
Jan. 10 – vs. Lindsay Barncats, 7:30 p.m.
Jan. 24 – vs. Westport Lumberjacks, 7:30 p.m.
Feb. 1 – at Tweed Oil Kings, 2:30 p.m.
Feb. 7 – at Deseronto Bulldogs, 6:30 p.m.
(Home games at Smiths Falls Memorial Community Centre.)
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