Paisley Pirates marked the beginning of their 80th anniversary season with a special celebration night at Shuttle in Paisley.
Supporters, players, coaches and members of the Pirates family came together ahead of the 2026/27 campaign.
The event celebrated the history of one of Scottish ice hockey’s most recognisable clubs and introduced the team preparing to write its next chapter.
Supporters heard from Head Coach Ian Turley and Assistant Coach Rab Henderson, who reflected on the previous campaign and looked ahead to the new season.
The 2026/27 campaign marks 30 years since Henderson’s debut season with the Pirates, while Turley’s relationship with the club stretches back almost two decades.
Returning netminder Callum Donaghy and new signing Caiden MacColl discussed the Pirates’ goaltending set-up and the arrival of former Paisley netminder John Russell as Goaltending Coach.
Fans were also formally introduced to new signings Caiden MacColl, Jack Malcolm, Taylor McCormick, Mylo Wylie, Cameron “Cammy” Wilkie and Liam Danskin.
However, the Pirates had kept one major announcement hidden.
Former Elite League forward Cale Tanaka was unveiled as the club’s surprise signing for the 2026/27 season following the interval.
The British-Canadian forward played four seasons of NCAA Division I hockey before making 236 Elite League regular-season appearances with Hull Stingrays, Coventry Blaze, Dundee Stars and Braehead Clan.
Tanaka was also part of Coventry’s 2015 Elite League Playoff Championship-winning side. He most recently recorded 59 points in 47 league games for MK Lightning.
The full Pirates squad for the coming season was then presented, while several individual milestones were recognised. Chris Turley enters the campaign celebrating 20 years with the club.
The evening concluded with the unveiling of the Pirates’ new anniversary jerseys.
Inspired by the club’s original jerseys from the 1940s, the new home and away designs pay tribute to its beginnings while featuring the newly created Paisley Pirates tartan around the collar. The tartan was produced with the support of Houstons Kiltmakers.
A limited-edition retro jersey in the Pirates’ original blue was also revealed.
Each collectors’ jersey is individually numbered and has no sponsors, player names or modern branding. It features only the number on the back and “Pirates” across the front.
The event brought together generations of supporters to celebrate a club that has formed part of Paisley’s sporting story since 1946.
The Pirates thanked Wictoria and the team at Shuttle for hosting the celebration, as well as Stevie and Dylan at Viennas for their continued support and assistance surrounding the event.
The club also thanked every supporter, sponsor, volunteer, player, former player and family member who attended.
Team management said: “This season is about much more than celebrating a number. Eighty years represents generations of players, volunteers, supporters and families who have all played their part in keeping the Paisley Pirates alive.
“The anniversary night gave us the opportunity to look back at that history while also introducing the group who will take the club forward into its next chapter.
“Seeing so many people together in Paisley, from long-time supporters to families and people experiencing the Pirates for the first time, was exactly what we wanted the night to be about. We cannot thank everyone enough for being part of it.”
The Pirates now turn their attention to the 2026/27 season as the club begins its 80th year.
Photo: Paisley Pirates’ 80th anniversary celebration at Shuttle in Paisley
Photo Credit: Ross McLaren
Photo: Paisley Pirates’ surprise signing Cale Tanaka
Photo Credit: Ross McLaren
Photo: Paisley Pirates Head Coach Ian Turley
Photo Credit: Ross McLaren
Photo: Chris Turley, who is celebrating 20 years with Paisley Pirates
Photo Credit: Ross McLaren
Photo: Paisley Pirates Assistant Coach Rab Henderson, who made his debut for the club 30 years ago
Photo Credit: Ross McLaren
Photo: From left, Taylor McCormick, Bradley Annab, Callum Donaghy and Liam Danskin at the anniversary celebration
Photo Credit: Ross McLaren
Photo: From left, Dylan and Stevie of Viennas with the away jersey, former Pirates captain John Churchill with the limited-edition retro jersey and Mark Monk of Monk Double Glazing with the home jersey
Photo Credit: Ross McLaren