Spruce Grove Saints eliminated from BCHL playoffs

SPRUCE GROVE -- The 2025-2026 season for the Spruce Grove Saints came to an end this week after the team was swept by the Brooks Bandits in the first round of the BCHL playoffs.

The Saints opened the series on the road with a 5-2 loss on Apr. 3 before falling 4-1 in Game two a night later. Upon returning home for Game three on Apr. 7, the Saints continued to be overpowered by the Bandits, falling by a 7-2 final on home ice. Brooks then clinched the series with a definitive 9-3 win in Game 4 to move on to the BCHL semi-finals. 

Declan Waddick led the Saints in scoring during their brief playoff appearance, notching two goals and two assists in four games. He was followed by James Richards, who registered three assists for Spruce Grove. A total of three goaltenders appeared between the pipes for the Saints during the four-game series -- Finn Marshall, Ryan De Kok, and Joseph Quintilio.

Despite the first-round exit, the Saints' 2025-2026 season had a number of high points. Despite it being just their second full season as part of the British Columbia Hockey League, the Saints managed to put together a respectable regular season campaign that saw them go 29-22-2 and finish 11th in the league standings.

The team finished near the middle of the pack in most statistical categories, recording a -8 goal differential and 0.528-win percentage. Special teams proved to be a challenge for the Saints this past season, as both their powerplay and penalty kill ranked near the bottom of the league. 

Several members of Spruce Grove's roster recorded strong offensive seasons as Chris Battaini led the team with 61 points in 50 games (24G, 37A). Declan Waddick was also over a point a game for the 2025-2026 campaign, notching 52 points in 49 games and leading the team in goals (25G, 27A). Import rookie Tre Peck also had a strong year with 47 points in 52 games (17G, 30A).

Another bright spot for the Saints this past season was the 2026 BCHL All-Star weekend that was hosted at Thompson Family Arena. The event, which ran from Jan. 16-18, was highlighted by the College Prospects Game and the Canada vs. World Game.

For the College Prospects game, Saints' forward Brandon Funk competed alongside teammate Carson Lloyd for Team Interior, while Tre Peck and Felix Haibock suited up for Team World in the Canada vs. World Game. The weekend festivities gave the team a chance to showcase their brand-new arena for the league while driving local economic activity from the event.