Fredericton Express aim to capitalize after a top shelf inaugural season
After a founding season that brought a fourth place finish and a trip to the Beausejour Senior Hockey League (BSHL) finals, the Fredericton Express are aiming to improve off their freshman year success.
Ahead of their opening game on the road against the debuting Saint John Flames on Oct. 3, General Manager Troy Fasquel is aiming to capitalize on a first season that nobody saw coming, himself included.
“To be completely honest, it was quite a surprise that we made it that far,” he said. “Being our first year, we were basically throwing a brand-new team and organization together and figuring things out as we went.”
Having a championship run in their first season is a great source of pride for the team, both in the locker room and in the front office. But in the end, 2026 is a different year.
With a year under their belts, the Express have been training and practising throughout the summer, giving more time to develop as a team and work on their play.
“Last year we were building the airplane while we were flying it,” Fasquel said. “This year we’ve had an entire offseason to prepare, and I think that’s going to make a big difference.”
This offseason, another way they worked to improve the team was a two-way recruiting effort, strengthening both the offense and defence.
“We’ve added some more talent to our forwards this year, including Oliver Cooper and Dawson Stairs. And we’ve also strengthened our defence with additions including Matt Boudens,” Fasquel said.
Stairs spent last year with the Dalhousie Marauders. In 20 games, he scored 21 goals and had 30 assists for 51 points.
Meanwhile, Cooper was a member of the 2012 Memorial Cup semi-final attending Quebec Maritime Junior Hockey League champions Saint John Sea Dogs. He finished the season with 10 goals and 24 points in 60 games.
Boudens has won an East Coast Hockey League championship with the Fort Wayne Komets in 2021, a team he later captained. He spent multiple loan stints in the American Hockey League for the Chicago Wolves and Henderson Silver Knights.
Despite having many notable acquisitions, Fasquel emphasized their offseason focus on preparation as their key to success this year.
“I think one of the biggest differences this year isn’t just who we’ve added, it’s the preparation,” he said. “We’ve been training and practising all summer long. We’ve been able to spend more time developing our players, working together and preparing for the season.”
When asked about the heart of the team, Fasquel doesn’t point inside the dressing room. Instead, he points to the fans, giving Fredericton themselves the credit for fueling the team every time they step on the ice.
“We have great players, coaches, volunteers and sponsors, but our fans are what make this organization what it is,” he said. “This team belongs to the community and I don’t think we could ever thank them enough for the support they’ve given us.”
This year, the Express are moving to the Grant Harvey Centre for their home games. The team is extremely excited to experience their home games at such a great complex for their fans to cheer them on.
“The atmosphere is going to be amazing,” said Fasquel. “I can’t wait to see our fans back in the building and finally get this season underway.”
Fredericton is back on home ice against the Miramachi Norsemen on Oct. 10.
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