On January 2, 2026, in Banff, Alberta, the Banff Academy Bears will return to action at the Fenlands Banff Recreation Centre as Heritage Junior Hockey League (HJHL) play resumes after the holiday break.
The HJHL schedule shows games resuming on January 2, 2026; the Bears were listed for a home game that day, but the league website did not list a confirmed opponent for Banff’s opener at the time of reporting.
Banff will then face South Division rivals — including the High River Flyers and the Okotoks Bisons — during the second half of the season as teams compete for playoff positioning.
Bill Doherty, director and founder of the Banff Hockey Academy, has said the team focused on speed and skill during the break and aims to climb the standings ahead of the Keystone Cup play-in rounds. He previously said, “The sense with everyone is we’re going to be a quick, competitive team… we have some good athletes who are very skilled.”
The Academy’s prep-school model also brings international student-athletes and their families back to the Bow Valley each winter.
Fans can check ticket information and facility booking/ice-availability on the Fenlands Banff Recreation Centre website or via the team and league’s official channels. Spectators and visiting teams are advised to monitor winter conditions on the Trans-Canada Highway (Hwy 1) through Banff National Park, as closures at Scott Lake Hill or park gates can force last-minute schedule changes.
The return of the Bears also boosts local businesses and facility bookings, with the Town of Banff seeing increased revenue from ice rentals, hospitality and winter tourism linked to junior hockey weekends.
