The Jasper U18 Bearcats opened their 2026-27 home season Saturday with a moving tribute to Danica Hills and Kayla Peacock, two young teammates who passed away in a car accident while returning home from hockey practice in February.

With the families of both girls in attendance, players and members of the Bearcats parent group brought framed jerseys and photographs of Hills and Peacock onto the ice at the Jasper Arena, commemorating two members of the team whose presence continues to be felt in the dressing room and throughout the hockey community.

“Eight months and one day ago, our Bearcat family lost two beautiful souls,” said Alison Mason, a parent and organizer who emceed the ceremony.

Hills and Peacock, who lived in Hinton, passed on Feb. 23, 2026, while travelling home from practice. Peacock was 17 while Hills was 18. In 2025/26 the Bearcats were a joint Jasper-Hinton team.

The framed jerseys will be permanently displayed on the Jasper Arena’s tribute wall, ensuring the girls remain part of the team’s story in perpetuity. Framed photographs were also presented to their families as keepsakes.

Mason invited those gathered to remember not only the girls who were lost, but the way they lived — with determination, humour and a love for the game.

“They taught us to sing at the top of our lungs, even when we don’t know all the words,” she said, adding that the girls showed their teammates what it meant to be a friend and part of something bigger than themselves.

“Their jerseys may be retired, but their place on this team never will be,” Mason said.

The ceremony concluded with a moment of silence in honour of Hills and Peacock, followed by the singing of O Canada.

The emotional start to the home opener gave way to a dominant performance on the ice, as the Bearcats defeated the visiting Pembina Pirates 15-1.

However, Saturday’s tribute made clear that the most enduring bonds forged in hockey extend well beyond the game itself.

“Once a Bearcat, always a Bearcat. Forever our teammates. Forever our family.”

Bob Covey // bob@thejasperlocal.com