The Brock Badgers men’s hockey team will take on the Guelph Gryphons on Friday, Sept. 18 at 7 p.m. in the Meridian Centre for the annual Steel Blade Classic.
The matchup has become a traditional part of the Brock men’s hockey schedule, bringing university hockey to the Niagara Region and giving fans a chance to watch the Badgers compete for one of the most unique trophies in Canadian University hockey.
The Steel Blade Classic was established in 1999, when Brock faced Niagara University in the event’s inaugural game at Thorold Arena. Fans packed the arena to watch the two teams battle through an exciting game filled with goals and physical play before the game ended in a 5-5 tie.
Since then, Brock has gone head-to-head with university hockey programs from across Canada at the event.
The trophy itself also has a unique history. The Steel Blade was donated by the Werener family, a type of sword carried by Sergeants of Upper Canada Artillery Units and the Royal Artillery during the War of 1812.
The sword has become more than just a trophy for the winning team. It represents a piece of Canadian history while also adding something different to a university hockey rivalry.
Brock has won the Steel Blade 13 times, including six consecutive wins against Saint Mary’s, Laurier and Guelph. However, the Badgers will be looking to take the trophy back after losing to Guelph in the last two Steel Blade Classics.
Guelph defeated Brock 6-2 in 2024 before following it up with a 5-1 victory last year. The Badgers will now have an opportunity to change the recent trend when the two teams meet again at the Meridian Centre.
The recent history between the two programs has been competitive, with Brock also defeating Guelph 3-0 in 2023 and 6-2 in 2022. Brock won three straight Steel Blade matchups against the Gryphons including a 5-2 victory in 2012 and a pair of 4-3 victories in 2014 and 2015, one being in overtime.
Friday’s result will not count towards the regular season standings, but the game still provides an important early test for the Badgers. Facing a familiar opponent like Guelph gives the Badgers a chance to see how the team performs against OUA competition before the games begin to count.
Playing at the Meridian Centre also gives the matchup a different atmosphere than a typical university hockey game. The downtown St. Catharines arena provides Brock with a larger stage and gives students, alumni and local hockey fans a chance to watch the Badgers outside of their usual home rink at Canada Games Park.
For Brock students, events like the Steel Blade Classic are also an opportunity to become more involved in the university sports community. With many new students arriving on campus each year, attending games can be an easy way to meet other students, support Brock athletes, and become part of the school community outside the classroom.
Whether students are longtime hockey fans or simply looking for something to do on a Friday night before the semester ramps up, the Steel Blade Classic gives them a chance to experience one of Brock’s long standing sporting traditions.
For Brock, there is also the added motivation to try to reclaim the Steel Balde. After back-to-back losses to Guelph, the Badgers will enter Friday’s matchup looking to start the new season by putting themselves back on top of a rivalry that has been part of the university hockey landscape for more than two decades. The Badgers are also looking to build off the 2025-2026 season where they reached the OUA quarterfinals, after losing a tight series to the TMU Bold.
The Steel Blade Classic has continued to evolve since that first meeting with Niagara in 1999, but its purpose remains the same: bringing high level university hockey to the Niagara Region and giving the Brock Badgers another chance to compete for a trophy with a history unlike any other.
With the Steel Blade currently in Guelph’s hands, Brock will have a chance to bring it back to St. Catharines on Friday night.
For more information on the Steel Blade Classic, visit Brock’s Athletics official website.