Why the 2026 Honda Odyssey is Gatineau's Ultimate Hockey Hauler

Hockey families in Gatineau know the drill: early morning practices, tournament weekends, and gear that seems to multiply overnight. Sticks, bags, goalie pads, helmets, skates—it all needs to fit, and it needs to stay organized. The 2026 Honda Odyssey turns cargo chaos into cargo control with four smart configurations designed for real-world sports transport.

From youth league practices at Robert Guertin Arena to weekend tournaments across Quebec, the Odyssey's flexible interior adapts to whatever your hockey schedule throws at it. Here's how this minivan handles the gear game better than anything else on the road.

Maximum Cargo Mode: Tournament-Ready Space

When you're heading to a tournament in Montreal or Ottawa with three kids and their full gear sets, you need serious cargo volume. The 2026 Odyssey delivers 3,973 litres of space behind the first row—enough to swallow multiple hockey bags, goalie equipment, and spare sticks without playing Tetris.

Fold down the One-Motion 60/40 Split 3rd-Row Magic Seat and slide the Magic Slide 2nd-Row Seats forward. You've just created a cargo bay that handles:

• 3–4 full player bags (helmet, pads, gloves, skates)
• 1 goalie bag (pads, blocker, catcher, chest protector)
• 6+ sticks laid flat
• Coolers, folding chairs, and team equipment

The flat load floor means no awkward angles or wasted space. Everything slides in easily, and you can still access it all through the power sliding doors or programmable power tailgate.

Second-Row Priority: Carpooling Without Compromise

Practice nights mean carpooling. The Odyssey's Magic Slide 2nd-Row Seats shift forward or backward, letting you prioritize either passenger comfort or cargo capacity without removing seats.

Configuration for carpools:

• Slide seats back for maximum legroom for three kids in full gear
• Keep 3rd row up for seating for 8 players total
• Cargo behind 3rd row holds 929 litres for personal bags and sticks

This setup works for weeknight practices when you're shuttling teammates from Aylmer or Hull to the rink. Everyone rides comfortably, and there's still room for bags behind the third row.

Third-Row Down: Weekend Warrior Mode

Most weekend games don't require full seating capacity, but they do require more gear. Drop the 3rd-row seats and you unlock 2,452 litres behind the second row—the sweet spot for two-player families or small carpools.

This configuration handles:

• 2 full player bags + 1 goalie bag
• Multiple stick bags (4–6 sticks each)
• Skate sharpening kit, first aid supplies, extra water bottles
• Post-game snacks and team gear

The second row stays in place for comfortable seating, and the cargo area remains easily accessible through both sliding doors. No climbing over seats, no awkward loading angles.

Daily Driver Mode: Gear Storage Without Sacrifice

Not every trip involves hockey equipment. The Odyssey's standard configuration keeps all three rows active while still offering 929 litres of cargo space behind the third row—enough for everyday gear storage.

Use this setup for:

• Storing one player's bag and sticks between practices
• Groceries, sports equipment, school bags
• Weekend trips that don't involve tournaments
• Keeping emergency gear (extra skates, backup stick) always ready

The power sliding doors and wide cargo opening make it easy to toss a bag in after practice without rearranging seats. Everything stays accessible, and you maintain full 8-passenger seating when needed.

Built for Gatineau's Hockey Reality

The Odyssey's cargo flexibility matters because hockey schedules are unpredictable. Tuesday night practice for one kid. Thursday carpooling for three. Saturday tournament in Trois-Rivières with the whole family. Sunday skills camp in Ottawa. Each scenario demands different space priorities, and the Odyssey adapts without tools, heavy lifting, or seat removal.

The 3.5 L V6 engine (280 hp, 262 lb-ft) provides confident acceleration for highway drives to away games, while the 10-speed automatic transmission keeps fuel economy reasonable at 12.2/8.5/10.6 L/100 km (city/highway/combined). The 3,000 mm wheelbase and MacPherson strut front suspension deliver stable handling on Quebec highways, even when fully loaded.

Standard features across all trims include:

• Power sliding doors (both sides)
• Tri-zone automatic climate control
• Honda Sensing driver-assistive technologies
• LED headlights and taillights
• Heated front seats
• Advanced Rear Entertainment System with 12.8-inch high-resolution screen

Higher trims add navigation and wireless phone charging—helpful for keeping devices powered during long tournament drives.

Practical Cargo Intelligence

The Odyssey's cargo system works because it prioritizes access and flexibility over gimmicks. Wide door openings on both sides mean you can load gear from either direction—useful in tight arena parking lots. The thoughtful interior design makes it easy for kids to grab their own bags. The flat cargo area means sticks lay flat instead of leaning awkwardly.

Small details matter: multiple 12-volt outlets and USB-C ports keep devices charged. Seatback pockets store mouthguards, tape, and small accessories. The conversation mirror lets you check on backseat passengers without turning around. CabinTalk in-car PA system means you don't have to shout over road noise to communicate with the third row.

For families running multiple sports, the cargo flexibility extends beyond hockey. Lacrosse gear, soccer equipment, camping supplies—the Odyssey's four configurations handle it all with the same efficiency.

Your Hockey Hauler Awaits at Lallier Honda Hull

The 2026 Honda Odyssey turns gear transport from a frustration into a system. Four cargo configurations mean you're ready for practice nights, tournament weekends, and everything in between—without compromising passenger comfort or daily drivability.

Visit our team at Lallier Honda Hull in Hull to explore how the Odyssey's cargo flexibility fits your family's hockey schedule. We'll walk you through each configuration and show you exactly how much gear fits in real-world scenarios.