Bay of Quinte students shake CAA Arena during Belleville Sens inaugural School Day Game

Over 4,000 local students shook the CAA Arena on Wednesday morning as they helped the Belleville Senators make history during the club’s first-ever school-day game. While the Senators’ 4-0 shutout of the rival Toronto Marlies was undoubtedly the highlight, the day was as much about community connection as it was about hockey.

From the moment the buses rolled in, the building buzzed with the excitement of a giant field trip. Teachers guided classes to their seats, kids compared signs and team merch, and the noise level never dipped below full-volume enthusiasm. For many students, it was their first live sporting event, and the sense of discovery and shared energy defined the entire morning. Players were greeted on their walk from the dressing room by signs made from those same students whose energy would help propel them to their emphatic win.

“We want to open up our game to a new fan base,” said Belleville Sens Vice President of Business Operations John Mathers. “A lot of these kids have probably never been to one of our games before, so if we can get them to one more game and build that stronger connection, that’s the goal.”

What stood out wasn’t just the game, but the experience: students from 32 schools and various school boards across the region gathering under one roof, celebrating local pride, and seeing firsthand how sports can bring a community together. The Senators, too, leaned into the moment, acknowledging those schools throughout the game. Teachers represented their schools during intermission games, and students danced away to the most viral songs trending on social media. Players also took time to salute the young fans who turned the rink into a wall of sound.

Amanda Evans is a local kindergarten teacher, but was chaperoning her daughter’s grade six class to the game. She tells Bellevillesens.com she was impressed with how smoothly the day went, and how well organized it was, and that students “had a blast”.

“All of these students got to share in such a memorable experience together, uniting not just the school, but the community. Getting to see their teachers participate in the intermission challenges added to the fun and helped to create some core memories.”

That sentiment was echoed by longtime season seat member and current Belleville City Council member, Paul Carr, who attended the game as well and congratulated the club on successfully hosting its first school day matchup.

“Having 32 schools attend a home game brought a level of excitement in the arena that was next level, said Carr. “For some students, this was their first time seeing professional hockey, and the Belleville Senators did not disappoint. Along with the B-Sens’ very successful school visit program, this School Day Game shows again that the Belleville Senators are connecting to the region in unique ways and are an integral part of our community. Go Sens Go!

As the kids filed back onto their buses, still buzzing from the morning, one thing was clear: Belleville’s first School Day Game set a strong foundation. It’s a tradition built on energy, inspiration, and community spirit — and one that’s certain to grow from here. Reporters asked Mathers postgame whether the team would make the School Day Game an annual tradition, and his answer was the best grade students could see on a test: “100%.”

Single-game tickets for all home games in the 2025-26 season are now on sale via Ticketmaster or at the Belleville Sens Box Office located inside the Quinte Sports & Wellness Centre. Details on season seat memberships, flex packs, premium seating, the Business Edge program, and more can be found by visiting the Belleville Sens Website. 

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