Our History
Junior hockey originated in Navan in the late 1950's when the Navan Combines were formed, playing out of the Navan Arena. Unfortunately, hockey would only be around for three short years. However, in 1972, the Rockland Boomers moved into the Navan Arena and played for two years in the Ottawa Valley Junior 'B' Hockey League.
The summer of 1974 saw local Navan residents band together and purchase the Rockland franchise and rename them the CumberlandNavan (CN) Grads. The players from this inaugural squad included Doug Frizell, Claude Saumure, Ricky Lowe, Bernie Roy, Moe White, Bern Deslauriers, Daniel Boutet, Jim Bennett, Leo Poirier, Michel Charbonneau, Michel Demers, Paul Joly, Daniel Lafleche, Michel Lalonde, Louis Legris, Paul Martin, Monty Rienberger and Jack Corry. Two years later in 1976/77, the team name was changed strictly to the Navan Grads.
The Grads first Division Championship occured in the 1984/85 season. This time frame (1989) also saw the team's name change again to the Cumberland Grads as the board of directors felt it was a better representation of the expanding region.
The 1990/91 season was also another banner year for the Grads seeing them win the ODHA Championship defeating Renfrew 4 games to 2 in the league final. Notable players on the team were Chris Bellefeuille, Brad Mackay, Pat Cusson, Gary Goyette, Cory Drew, Shawn Atwill, Brad Irvine, Richard Vallee, Norm Proulx, Mark Walsh, Bill Griffiths, David Sprott, Martin & Yves Cloutier, Manuel Gaudreau, Gilbert Regimbald, Mike Seinnott, Alex Popowych, Pat Chartrand, Eric Blackburn, Steve Carriere and Stephane Yelle.
With their success, the month of January 1991 saw the Grads being accepted into the CJHL as the 10th franchise, leading the league to it's current format of two divisions, the Robinson and the Yzerman Divisions. September 1991 saw the Grads take action in their new league!!!
Since the incorporation of the team back in 74/75, the team has enjoyed considerable success both on and off the ice in going to the playoffs in every season of Junior 'B', numerous trips to the Boxing Day tournament winning in 1988, sending numerous players to the CJHL (from Junior 'B') via the annual draft, players receiving NCAA scholarships and being drafted into the OHL and continuing on to the pro ranks.
The team has continued providing exciting hockey to Navan throughout it's existence. With a vow to build on that excitement, Soo-Boy Sports and Entertainment Inc. purchased the franchise in June 2006. Team Governor, Steve Barban is committed to providing an exciting team on the ice and a first class organization throughout.
