The Surrey Eagles will begin their 64th season this September, marking their 34th year in South Surrey as the British Columbia Hockey League franchise looks to bounce back from an early playoff exit.
The Eagles enter 2025-26 with a new head coach and general manager after Scott Gomez stepped down at the end of last season.
Gomez, who guided the team to the 2023-24 Fred Page Cup as an assistant coach before taking over behind the bench, has accepted a new position with the Chicago Steel of the United States Hockey League.
Veteran BCHL coach Brian Passmore takes over the role in Surrey, bringing experience from previous stints with the Cowichan Valley Capitals and Merritt Centennials.
Passmore inherits a roster in transition, with the Eagles aiming to build on their regular season success while addressing shortcomings exposed in the 2025 playoffs.
The 2024-25 campaign was considered a transition year following the championship run two seasons ago.
Surrey finished second in the Coastal Conference with a 31-18-5 record, trailing only the Chilliwack Chiefs.
Despite the strong finish, the Eagles were eliminated in the first round of the BCHL Playoffs by the Alberni Valley Bulldogs.
The series ended in five games, highlighted by a triple-overtime thriller in Game 4 that swung momentum in Alberni Valley’s favour.
The Bulldogs sealed the upset at South Surrey Arena in Game 5, ending Surrey’s season earlier than expected.
The loss underscored the need for roster adjustments, particularly with several veterans aging out of junior hockey eligibility.
The Eagles have been active this summer, recruiting both local and international talent.
Among the new additions are forwards Ji Hyun Jang and Yoon Min Shin from Yonsei University in Korea, providing skill and speed up front.
Closer to home, Surrey signed forwards Lucas Biros from the Vancouver NE Chiefs U18 and Evan Cook from Yale U18 Prep.
Both are expected to compete for roster spots and bring fresh energy to the forward group.
A significant pickup is forward Lucas Di Giantommaso, who arrives from the Ontario Hockey League’s Sudbury Wolves.
At 19, Di Giantommaso adds size and offensive upside, and is projected to play in Surrey’s top six.
The Eagles open training camp Aug. 29 at South Surrey Arena, beginning preparations for the 2025-26 season.
Camp will feature intersquad scrimmages that culminate in the inaugural Nick Johnston Cup on Sept. 1.
The final scrimmage of camp is open to the public, with puck drop at 6:30 p.m. Admission is by donation, with a $5 minimum.
Proceeds will go toward the Eagles’ Birds and Buddies community program, which connects players with local schools and youth initiatives.
The Eagles will rely on a blend of experienced returnees and new talent to establish themselves as contenders in the Coastal Conference.
With a new coach in place and a retooled roster, expectations are high as Surrey seeks to return to championship form.
As the 2025-26 season approaches, the team faces the challenge of building consistency while integrating fresh players into key roles.
For fans, the upcoming campaign marks not only a new chapter under Passmore’s leadership but also another opportunity for Surrey to establish itself among the BCHL’s elite.
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