Arena fire forces Border Bruins main-camp ice sessions out of Grand Forks
The Border Bruins moved all of their scheduled main-camp ice sessions out of Grand Forks after a fire at Jack Goddard Memorial Arena, with sessions held in Osoyoos and Castlegar.
Photo: Border Bruins
The Border Bruins were forced to move all of their 2026–27 main-camp ice sessions out of Grand Forks after a fire at Jack Goddard Memorial Arena disrupted the club’s access to its home ice.
Friday and Saturday’s ice sessions were moved to Osoyoos, while Sunday’s sessions were held in Castlegar. The club completed its main-camp ice schedule over the weekend as preparations continued for the upcoming Kootenay International Junior Hockey League season.
The disruption could also affect the Bruins’ exhibition schedule. Grand Forks is currently scheduled to host the Osoyoos Coyotes on Friday, Sept. 4 at Jack Goddard Memorial Arena, but the club has cautioned that the schedule could change depending on updates from the Regional District of Kootenay Boundary.
The Bruins’ regular-season home opener remains scheduled for Friday, Sept. 18 at 7 p.m.
While the club has been dealing with the loss of its scheduled main-camp ice in Grand Forks, it has continued to assemble its roster for the new season. Forward Hunter Paterson has re-signed, while forwards Matthew Grant and Colby Ewasuk have joined the Bruins from the Camrose Vikings U18 AA program.
The club has also announced the return of Brandon Gray, Owen Assaly, Hayden Evans and Ashton Schram.
Former Bruin Matteus Reis is returning to Grand Forks in a new role after being named an assistant coach for the 2026–27 season. Reis played for the Bruins from 2021 to 2023 before moving on to Portage College.
He appeared in 100 KIJHL regular-season and playoff games, recording 29 goals and 56 points during his KIJHL career.
The Bruins are coming off a 2025–26 season in which they finished 29-14-0-1, placing sixth overall in the KIJHL.
The next immediate test for the club will be whether Friday’s exhibition game against Osoyoos can go ahead at Jack Goddard Memorial Arena as scheduled, with the Bruins saying any changes will depend on information from the RDKB.
