The Belleville Senators are refreshed and ready for new challenges ahead.
Fresh off an announcement of a three-year lease extension with a five-year option on Wednesday, the team welcomed season seat members to Galaxy Cinemas for a Town Hall-style event to keep them apprised of what’s to come for the upcoming AHL season.
BSens Vice President of Business Operations John Mathers, new General Manager Matt Turek, and Head Coach David Bell got a chance to meet and speak with fans and sit down for a panel discussion in front of the near capacity crowd.
Turek is coming off a stint with the OHL’s Hamilton/Brantford Bulldogs and was brought in to fill the GM’s seat in Belleville and be an assistant to former Bulldogs and current Ottawa Senators GM Steve Staios.
Turek said his connection to Staios and what he has learned from him has helped him build a strong foundation with his team.
“In Hamilton, we built everything on character and culture,” he said.
“Most of the stuff that I’m going to be doing here is stuff that I took from them, with a little bit of spin on my personal beliefs. I’ve met with David and the coaches and the office staff, and I’m just thrilled to be here.”
Bell echoed Turek’s statements about character and solid leadership being the hallmarks of the organization through a 72-game AHL season.
“Our first weekend this season, we travel to Lehigh Valley to start, and then we got to get into Boston, go four hours over to Bridgeport, play them at 5 o’clock and then drive eight hours home,” Bell said.
“That’s a grind, but there’s the first challenge of the year, let’s embrace it. Let’s build a little character, build a couple scars, and grow and bond as a team in the first weekend. Then, you get through that one and you just incrementally go through the season to build yourself up for the two months of playoffs where it’s going to be elevated that much more.”
For Mathers, the relationship building starts outside of the arena.
“There should be a relationship between a hockey club, which is one of the main draws in this region and the community that really loves hockey,” he explained.
“How we do that is we go and listen. We understand what (the fans) want to see out of a game day? What do you want to see out of a brand? Do you want our players to go to a practice? That’s something that hasn’t happened in the past, but will be happening this upcoming season. It’s about that kind of ongoing relationship that we’re continually building and that we’re continually implementing.”
As for the lease extension, Mathers said it was smooth negotiations between Belleville Mayor Neil Ellis to help staple down stronger roots in the community.
“There’s been an investment made, there’s been time spent, there’s been blood, sweat and tears put into it from both sides,” he said.
“You just be open and honest with each other. The approach was that we’re going to get this deal done, and we did.”
Mathers said he hopes to see average attendance jump a little more this year, with a special focus on bringing youth into the rink and building its future fanbase.
The event also featured a presentation from Mayor Ellis to Mathers of the Mayor’s Heart of the Community Award.
This prestigious award is the city’s way of recognizing and celebrating individuals who make a significant impact on our community.
You can get more on the Sens through the rest of the offseason, including the full 2025-26 schedule on the team’s website.
