WALDORF, Md. —It’s been a big couple of weekends for the Southern Maryland Sabres, with two teams skating away as champions and the program celebrating one of its strongest seasons on the ice.
The 14U Gold Sabres and 16U Gold Sabres were both crowned 2026 Atlantic Hockey Federation Gretzky champions after competing against top teams from across the region.
The 14U Gold Sabres secured the 2026 Atlantic Hockey Federation 14U Gretzky National Conference title before winning the AHF Gretzky Championship, while the 16U Gold Sabres also captured the 2026 AHF 16U Gretzky Championship, giving the Sabres program two league titles during the same championship weekend.
For the Sabres community — players, coaches and families — the victories capped months of hard work and competition.
The Southern Maryland Sabres Hockey Club, based in Waldorf and practicing at the Capital Clubhouse, offers youth hockey programs for players ranging from beginner levels to competitive travel teams that compete in leagues and tournaments across the East Coast.
The Gretzky titles are just part of what has been a memorable season for the program.
Earlier this season, the 14U Gold Sabres earned a bronze medal at the CAN/AM Lake Placid Tournament in November, facing teams from across the country in one of youth hockey’s well-known travel events.
The momentum continued in January when both the 12U Gold Sabres and 14U Gold Sabres captured championships at the MLK on the Beach Tournament in Tampa, Florida, bringing home more hardware for the Southern Maryland club.
Sabres Cross-Ice 2 team celebrated success during the Mite Beach Bash in Ocean City, where players brought home championship honors and wrapped up the weekend with strong performances. The Sabres Half Ice A and Half Ice B Mites also defeated their opponents in championship matchups, continuing the program’s run of victories across several age divisions.
Other Sabres teams also battled deep into postseason play. The 18U Gold Sabres finished as finalists in the Chesapeake Bay Hockey League playoffs, while the 14U Gold Sabres pushed their CBHL championship game to a shootout before finishing as finalists as well.
“Championships aren’t only measured by banners — they’re measured by heart, grit and the fight to push the game to its very last moment. Being a finalist isn’t a failure — it’s proof you refused to quit,” the club shared after the game.
The season’s accomplishments come as the Sabres join programs across the country in celebrating Hockey Week Across America, recognizing the players, coaches, volunteers and families who help grow the sport.
The program also recognizes Women in Hockey Month, celebrating the continued growth of girls’ hockey. Within the Sabres organization, that spirit is reflected in the club’s Lady Sabres players, who are developing their skills and competing while looking up to the success of the U.S. women’s hockey team — inspiration that pushes them to work hard and chase big goals on the ice.
Try Hockey For Free Event Set For March 7
Families interested in giving the sport a try will soon have an opportunity to step onto the ice.
The Sabres will host a Try Hockey for Free event on Saturday, March 7, introducing new players to the basics of skating and hockey in a beginner-friendly environment designed for children who have never played before.
Learn more about the Southern Maryland Sabres at somdsabres.org
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