RECENT NEWS
By Ottawa BlackJacks
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February 3, 2026
The Canadian forward returns for his fifth CEBL season.
By Ottawa BlackJacks
•
January 22, 2026
The Ottawa BlackJacks of the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) announced today that the club has hired Justin Mazzulla as the fifth head coach in franchise history. He replaces David DeAveiro whose contract was not renewed following the 2025 season. Mazzulla, a native of Johnston, R.I., currently serves as the Assistant Video Coordinator for the NBA's Utah Jazz after beginning his professional coaching career as an Assistant Coach and Video Coordinator for the Salt Lake City Stars, Utah's G League affiliate. "Justin Mazzulla represents the exact standard of excellence we want for the Ottawa BlackJacks” said Ottawa BlackJacks General Manager, James Derouin. "He has been a key part of the NBA's most innovative coaching rooms, and he brings a championship-caliber blueprint to our organization. We aren't just looking to compete; we are looking to lead the league in innovation and intensity. Justin is the architect to get us there." At 27 years, 26 days old at the time of his appointment, he becomes the youngest head coach in CEBL history surpassing current Niagara River Lions bench boss, Victor Raso who was 28 years old when he was named to the position in 2019. "I chose Ottawa because the ownership, front office and leaders believed in me and were willing to give me a chance,” said Mazzulla. "Fearless, fast and fun were the pillars they put forth and it sounded like a great opportunity to join and build around the Ottawa culture and community." A Division I player for George Washington (2017-19) and Vermont (2020-22), the brother of current Boston Celtics head coach, Joe Mazzulla, joined the University of Rhode Island in June of 2022 as a graduate assistant following his playing career. He has previously worked as a head coach for Rise to the Top, where he organized Junior NBA youth basketball leagues, and as Performance Coach for Ernie Duncan Hoops, both located in Vermont. The Gatorade Player of the Year for Rhode Island in 2016, Mazzulla helped lead Bishop Hendrickson High School to consecutive state championships before beginning his collegiate career with the George Washington Colonials where he was recognized with a spot on the Atlantic 10 All-Academic Team in his sophomore campaign. Ottawa opens the season at The Arena at TD Place on Tuesday, May 12 at 7:30 p.m. against the defending Western Conference champion, Calgary Surge. Flexible ticket packages and group experiences are currently available to purchase by visiting theblackjacks.ca/tickets or visit theblackjacks.ca/season-seat-memberships to become a 2026 season seat member.
By Ottawa BlackJacks
•
January 21, 2026
The Ottawa BlackJacks of the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) announced their 2026 regular season schedule on January 15, which will see the club begin the year on Tuesday, May 12, at 7:30 p.m. against the defending Western Conference champion Calgary Surge at The Arena at TD Place . Ottawa opens the season with six of their first eight games in the Nation’s Capital highlighted by a visit from the back-to-back CEBL champion, Niagara River Lions on Monday, May 18 for a Victoria Day matchup at 7 p.m. The 2026 schedule will feature CHEO Day on Thursday, May 21, along with a Father’s Day matchup against the Saskatchewan Professional Basketball Club on Sunday, June 21. The annual Fan Appreciation Night on Wednesday, July 22 against Scarborough will conclude the home portion of the club's season which comes ahead of a season-long four-game road trip to end the campaign. The regular season will conclude on Sunday, Aug. 2 at Edmonton. Eight of the BlackJacks’ nine CEBL opponents will make an appearance at The Arena at TD Place this season, with each of the club’s four Eastern Conference opponents making two visits apiece. Ottawa will not have a contest at Calgary in 2026 with Edmonton standing as the lone team not to play in the Nation’s Capital. The club will take to the court for a pre-season contest on Wednesday, May 6 in their 2nd Annual School Day Game following a franchise high attendance in the first iteration of the event last season. The game serves as a daytime pre-season matchup designed to engage local schools while providing game experience ahead of the regular season. This season will mark the debut of a full in-market playoff format highlighted by an update to the CEBL Finals format which will consist of a best-of-three series from Aug. 12-16 replacing the previous single-elimination Championship Weekend host team model. This will mark the first multi-game playoff series in league history with the lower seed team hosting Game 1 and the higher seed team hosting Games 2 and 3 (if necessary). The eighth season in CEBL history tips off on Saturday, May 9 at 3:30 p.m. in Edmonton with the Stingers hosting the Winnipeg Sea Bears with 120 contests taking place this season from coast-to-coast. Flexible ticket packages and group experiences are currently available to purchase by visiting theblackjacks.ca/tickets or visit theblackjacks.ca/season-seat-memberships to become a 2026 season seat member. 2026 Ottawa BlackJacks regular season schedule (all times Eastern and subject to change) Tuesday, May 12 vs. Calgary, 7:30 p.m. (Home Opener) Friday, May 15 at Brampton, 7:30 p.m. Monday, May 18 vs. Niagara, 7 p.m. (Victoria Day) Thursday, May 21 vs. Brampton, 7:30 p.m. Saturday, May 23 vs. Montreal, 7 p.m. Sunday, May 31 at Montreal, 4 p.m. Tuesday, June 2 vs. Vancouver, 7:30 p.m. Thursday, June 4 vs. Winnipeg, 7:30 p.m. Saturday, June 13 at Vancouver, 9 p.m. Monday, June 15 at Saskatchewan, 9:30 p.m. Friday, June 19 at Scarborough, 7:30 p.m. Sunday, June 21 vs. Saskatchewan, 7 p.m. (Father’s Day) Tuesday, June 23 vs. Scarborough, 7:30 p.m. Sunday, June 28 vs. Niagara, 1 p.m. Thursday, July 2 at Brampton, 7:30 p.m. Saturday, July 4 at Niagara, 7 p.m. Wednesday, July 8 vs. Montreal, 7:30 p.m. Sunday, July 12 vs. Brampton, 4 p.m. Saturday, July 18 at Scarborough, 7 p.m. Wednesday, July 22 vs. Scarborough, 7:30 p.m. Friday, July 24 at Montreal, 7:30 p.m. Sunday, July 26 at Niagara, 3 p.m. Friday, July 31 at Winnipeg, 8 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 2 at Edmonton, 6 p.m. Interact with us on social media: Instagram: ottawablackjacks X: Ott_BlackJacks Facebook: OttawaBlackJacks TikTok: ottawablackjacks
November 21, 2025
The Ottawa BlackJacks of the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) announced today that the club has re-signed James Derouin to a contract which will see him serve as general manager of the team for the 2026 season. Derouin will be entering his second season as the full-time general manager of the BlackJacks after he helped lead Ottawa to a second place finish in the Eastern Conference’s regular season standings and an appearance in the conference semifinals in 2025. "I’m grateful for the opportunity to return and help lead this organization forward,” said Derouin. “My focus is clear: build a championship team for this city, deepen our engagement with the community, and work closely with our new ownership group to deliver a high-quality roster that reflects our shared vision for excellence. This is a special place, and I’m committed to doing everything possible to bring a title home." The 2026 CEBL campaign will mark Derouin’s sixth with the BlackJacks organization having also served as the club’s head coach and Director of Basketball Strategy and Analytics since joining the staff in 2021. "We are proud to welcome James back to our organization,” said BlackJacks President Jason Winters. “With his leadership, we will take bold steps to build a championship-caliber roster while simultaneously expanding our impact in the community—growing youth basketball programs, creating opportunities for young athletes, and inspiring the next generation of players both on and off the court.” An Ottawa native, Derouin has served as head coach of the University of Ottawa Gee-Gees men’s basketball team since June 2010 and is the winningest coach in program history. This season, he has led the group to a 5-2 record in OUA play and a number seven ranking in the latest iteration of the USPORTS Top 10 rankings. The Ottawa BlackJacks’ 2026 season begins in May 2026. Season seat packages for the 2026 campaign are now available online at theblackjacks.ca/season-seat-memberships . Interact with us on social media: Instagram: ottawablackjacks X: Ott_BlackJacks Facebook: OttawaBlackJacks TikTok: ottawablackjacks
By Ottawa BlackJacks
•
February 3, 2026
The Canadian forward returns for his fifth CEBL season.
By Ottawa BlackJacks
•
January 22, 2026
The Ottawa BlackJacks of the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) announced today that the club has hired Justin Mazzulla as the fifth head coach in franchise history. He replaces David DeAveiro whose contract was not renewed following the 2025 season. Mazzulla, a native of Johnston, R.I., currently serves as the Assistant Video Coordinator for the NBA's Utah Jazz after beginning his professional coaching career as an Assistant Coach and Video Coordinator for the Salt Lake City Stars, Utah's G League affiliate. "Justin Mazzulla represents the exact standard of excellence we want for the Ottawa BlackJacks” said Ottawa BlackJacks General Manager, James Derouin. "He has been a key part of the NBA's most innovative coaching rooms, and he brings a championship-caliber blueprint to our organization. We aren't just looking to compete; we are looking to lead the league in innovation and intensity. Justin is the architect to get us there." At 27 years, 26 days old at the time of his appointment, he becomes the youngest head coach in CEBL history surpassing current Niagara River Lions bench boss, Victor Raso who was 28 years old when he was named to the position in 2019. "I chose Ottawa because the ownership, front office and leaders believed in me and were willing to give me a chance,” said Mazzulla. "Fearless, fast and fun were the pillars they put forth and it sounded like a great opportunity to join and build around the Ottawa culture and community." A Division I player for George Washington (2017-19) and Vermont (2020-22), the brother of current Boston Celtics head coach, Joe Mazzulla, joined the University of Rhode Island in June of 2022 as a graduate assistant following his playing career. He has previously worked as a head coach for Rise to the Top, where he organized Junior NBA youth basketball leagues, and as Performance Coach for Ernie Duncan Hoops, both located in Vermont. The Gatorade Player of the Year for Rhode Island in 2016, Mazzulla helped lead Bishop Hendrickson High School to consecutive state championships before beginning his collegiate career with the George Washington Colonials where he was recognized with a spot on the Atlantic 10 All-Academic Team in his sophomore campaign. Ottawa opens the season at The Arena at TD Place on Tuesday, May 12 at 7:30 p.m. against the defending Western Conference champion, Calgary Surge. Flexible ticket packages and group experiences are currently available to purchase by visiting theblackjacks.ca/tickets or visit theblackjacks.ca/season-seat-memberships to become a 2026 season seat member.
By Ottawa BlackJacks
•
January 21, 2026
The Ottawa BlackJacks of the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) announced their 2026 regular season schedule on January 15, which will see the club begin the year on Tuesday, May 12, at 7:30 p.m. against the defending Western Conference champion Calgary Surge at The Arena at TD Place . Ottawa opens the season with six of their first eight games in the Nation’s Capital highlighted by a visit from the back-to-back CEBL champion, Niagara River Lions on Monday, May 18 for a Victoria Day matchup at 7 p.m. The 2026 schedule will feature CHEO Day on Thursday, May 21, along with a Father’s Day matchup against the Saskatchewan Professional Basketball Club on Sunday, June 21. The annual Fan Appreciation Night on Wednesday, July 22 against Scarborough will conclude the home portion of the club's season which comes ahead of a season-long four-game road trip to end the campaign. The regular season will conclude on Sunday, Aug. 2 at Edmonton. Eight of the BlackJacks’ nine CEBL opponents will make an appearance at The Arena at TD Place this season, with each of the club’s four Eastern Conference opponents making two visits apiece. Ottawa will not have a contest at Calgary in 2026 with Edmonton standing as the lone team not to play in the Nation’s Capital. The club will take to the court for a pre-season contest on Wednesday, May 6 in their 2nd Annual School Day Game following a franchise high attendance in the first iteration of the event last season. The game serves as a daytime pre-season matchup designed to engage local schools while providing game experience ahead of the regular season. This season will mark the debut of a full in-market playoff format highlighted by an update to the CEBL Finals format which will consist of a best-of-three series from Aug. 12-16 replacing the previous single-elimination Championship Weekend host team model. This will mark the first multi-game playoff series in league history with the lower seed team hosting Game 1 and the higher seed team hosting Games 2 and 3 (if necessary). The eighth season in CEBL history tips off on Saturday, May 9 at 3:30 p.m. in Edmonton with the Stingers hosting the Winnipeg Sea Bears with 120 contests taking place this season from coast-to-coast. Flexible ticket packages and group experiences are currently available to purchase by visiting theblackjacks.ca/tickets or visit theblackjacks.ca/season-seat-memberships to become a 2026 season seat member. 2026 Ottawa BlackJacks regular season schedule (all times Eastern and subject to change) Tuesday, May 12 vs. Calgary, 7:30 p.m. (Home Opener) Friday, May 15 at Brampton, 7:30 p.m. Monday, May 18 vs. Niagara, 7 p.m. (Victoria Day) Thursday, May 21 vs. Brampton, 7:30 p.m. Saturday, May 23 vs. Montreal, 7 p.m. Sunday, May 31 at Montreal, 4 p.m. Tuesday, June 2 vs. Vancouver, 7:30 p.m. Thursday, June 4 vs. Winnipeg, 7:30 p.m. Saturday, June 13 at Vancouver, 9 p.m. Monday, June 15 at Saskatchewan, 9:30 p.m. Friday, June 19 at Scarborough, 7:30 p.m. Sunday, June 21 vs. Saskatchewan, 7 p.m. (Father’s Day) Tuesday, June 23 vs. Scarborough, 7:30 p.m. Sunday, June 28 vs. Niagara, 1 p.m. Thursday, July 2 at Brampton, 7:30 p.m. Saturday, July 4 at Niagara, 7 p.m. Wednesday, July 8 vs. Montreal, 7:30 p.m. Sunday, July 12 vs. Brampton, 4 p.m. Saturday, July 18 at Scarborough, 7 p.m. Wednesday, July 22 vs. Scarborough, 7:30 p.m. Friday, July 24 at Montreal, 7:30 p.m. Sunday, July 26 at Niagara, 3 p.m. Friday, July 31 at Winnipeg, 8 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 2 at Edmonton, 6 p.m. Interact with us on social media: Instagram: ottawablackjacks X: Ott_BlackJacks Facebook: OttawaBlackJacks TikTok: ottawablackjacks
November 21, 2025
The Ottawa BlackJacks of the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) announced today that the club has re-signed James Derouin to a contract which will see him serve as general manager of the team for the 2026 season. Derouin will be entering his second season as the full-time general manager of the BlackJacks after he helped lead Ottawa to a second place finish in the Eastern Conference’s regular season standings and an appearance in the conference semifinals in 2025. "I’m grateful for the opportunity to return and help lead this organization forward,” said Derouin. “My focus is clear: build a championship team for this city, deepen our engagement with the community, and work closely with our new ownership group to deliver a high-quality roster that reflects our shared vision for excellence. This is a special place, and I’m committed to doing everything possible to bring a title home." The 2026 CEBL campaign will mark Derouin’s sixth with the BlackJacks organization having also served as the club’s head coach and Director of Basketball Strategy and Analytics since joining the staff in 2021. "We are proud to welcome James back to our organization,” said BlackJacks President Jason Winters. “With his leadership, we will take bold steps to build a championship-caliber roster while simultaneously expanding our impact in the community—growing youth basketball programs, creating opportunities for young athletes, and inspiring the next generation of players both on and off the court.” An Ottawa native, Derouin has served as head coach of the University of Ottawa Gee-Gees men’s basketball team since June 2010 and is the winningest coach in program history. This season, he has led the group to a 5-2 record in OUA play and a number seven ranking in the latest iteration of the USPORTS Top 10 rankings. The Ottawa BlackJacks’ 2026 season begins in May 2026. Season seat packages for the 2026 campaign are now available online at theblackjacks.ca/season-seat-memberships . Interact with us on social media: Instagram: ottawablackjacks X: Ott_BlackJacks Facebook: OttawaBlackJacks TikTok: ottawablackjacks
STANDINGS
