Sun Valley Suns claim 2026 bdhl Championship
The Sun Valley Suns are Black Diamond Hockey League champions.
After an up-and-down start to the season, the Suns caught fire when it mattered most, winning 10 consecutive games to capture the Joe Casey Memorial Cup and bring the BDHL championship back to Sun Valley. The title was especially meaningful, as it marked the first time since the league returned following the COVID-19 shutdown that a championship trophy was once again on the line.
While the Suns finished the season on top, the journey wasn't always smooth. Early in the year, the team struggled to find consistency, often following a win with multiple losses. The turning point came after a difficult weekend in early February when the Suns suffered back-to-back blowout defeats.
Rather than letting the losses define their season, the players came together and decided they were capable of much more. That meeting sparked a dramatic turnaround, as the team rattled off 10 straight victories heading into and through the playoffs.
That momentum carried into the championship weekend. The Suns opened the tournament with a convincing 6-2 semifinal victory over the Boston Wahoos behind two goals each from Jack Stevens and Gentry Shamburger. New additions Connor Joyce and Croix Evingson also made an immediate impact after joining the team late in the season. Joyce, who recently finished his professional season with the Rapid City Rush of the ECHL, scored four goals over the tournament, while Evingson netted the game-winning goal in the championship.
The championship game featured a familiar opponent in the McCall Mountaineers—a team that had won three of four meetings against the Suns during the regular season. That made the victory even more rewarding.
Sun Valley built a 4-2 lead in the third period thanks to goals from Joey Sides, Justin Taylor, and Mike Curry. Although McCall pushed late, the Suns never lost control. Strong defensive play kept the Mountaineers pinned in their own zone during the final minutes, limiting their opportunities to mount a comeback.
In goal, Ben McLean delivered one of his strongest performances of the season. Even as McCall pulled its goalie and pressed with an extra attacker late in the game, McLean remained composed and turned away every final chance to preserve the championship victory.
The win wasn't just about lifting a trophy—it was about completing the team's journey. After fighting through inconsistency early in the season, the Suns proved they could compete with anyone in the league. Defeating the rival Mountaineers, who had given them trouble throughout the regular season, made the accomplishment even sweeter.
For captain Derek Grimes, having a championship to play for made all the difference.
"Having a playoff to win a trophy makes the season that much more special," Grimes said. "You're putting everything on the line to win something, and it brings the group closer together."
That sense of togetherness showed throughout the second half of the season. Veterans, newcomers, and young talent all contributed during the championship run, with every player embracing their role when it mattered most.
The Joe Casey Memorial Cup now returns to Sun Valley, a fitting reward for a team that refused to let a slow start define its season. Instead, the Suns finished the year playing their best hockey, earning a championship through determination, resilience, and a commitment to one another.
For the Sun Valley Suns, the 2026 BDHL championship wasn't simply the end of a successful season—it was the culmination of a remarkable turnaround and another memorable chapter in the organization's long history.
