For hockey fans, summer has always carried a certain anticipation.
The draft has come and gone, prospects have arrived, and conversations about line combinations and breakout players are already underway. While the regular season is still weeks away, the release of a preseason schedule marks an important milestone—it means Ottawa 67’s hockey is officially on the horizon.
The Ontario Hockey League has announced the Ottawa 67’s 2026-27 exhibition schedule, with the Barber Poles set to play three preseason games before opening the new campaign. Ottawa will begin exhibition play on Sunday, August 30, travelling to face the Kingston Frontenacs at 2 p.m. The teams will meet again on Friday, September 4, this time at 7 p.m. at the Ed Lumley Arena in the Cornwall Civic Complex, before the 67’s wrap up the preseason by hosting the Peterborough Petes on Saturday, September 5 at 4 p.m. at Bert Hall Arena in Arnprior.
While exhibition games don’t count in the standings, they often provide the first glimpse of a team’s identity. Returning veterans begin building chemistry, newly acquired players settle into the lineup, and recent draft picks get their first opportunity to prove they belong at the OHL level. Every shift becomes an audition, with roster spots and ice time often earned long before opening night arrives.
The coming season also brings renewed excitement for Ottawa supporters. Following an active offseason that included additions through the OHL Draft, the CHL Import Draft and the trade market, fans will finally have the chance to see how the club’s newest pieces fit together. Preseason hockey may not provide championship answers, but it often reveals the early signs of a team’s character, depth and potential.
For the faithful, the exhibition schedule is about more than dates on a calendar. It’s the first reminder that hockey season is almost here.
The jerseys will be back on the ice, familiar rivalries will resume and optimism will once again fill the arena. Whether it’s a veteran looking to make an impact or a rookie chasing a dream, every preseason game represents the beginning of a new chapter. And for Ottawa 67’s fans, that journey starts on August 30.
