Ontario Junior Hockey League
Current season or competition: 2022-23 OJHL season | |
Region(s) | Greater Toronto Area Central Ontario Southwestern Ontario |
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Commissioner | Marty Savoy |
Chairman BoD | Scott McCrory |
Former name(s) | list
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Founded | 1954 |
No. of teams | 24 |
Associated Title(s) |
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Most successful club | Brampton Capitals, St. Michael's Buzzers, Wellington Dukes & Oakville Blades (3 each) |
Headquarters | Mississauga, Ontario |
Website | OJHL.ca |
OHA Junior "A" | |
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SOJHL | (1970–1977) |
OPJHL | (1972–1987) |
MetJHL | (1991–1998) |
OJHL | (1993–Present) |
Ontario Hockey Association | |
Canadian Junior Hockey League | |
OHA Junior "B" | |
WJBHL | (1950–1968) |
EJBHL | (1950–1972) |
MetJHL | (1950–1989) |
NDJBHL | (1954–1979) |
CJBHL | (1954–1993) |
BCJHL | (1958–1964) |
MOJBHL | (1970–1978) |
SWJBHL | (1976–1978) |
WOHL | (1969–2007) |
MWJHL | (1973–2007) |
GHL | (1974–2007) |
GOJHL | (2007–present) |
Sutherland Cup |
The Ontario Junior Hockey League (OJHL) is a Junior A ice hockey league in Ontario, Canada. It is under the supervision of the Ontario Hockey Association (OHA) and the Canadian Junior Hockey League (CJHL).
The league dates back to 1954 where it began as the "Central Junior B Hockey League". In 1993, the Central Junior B Hockey League was promoted to the Junior A level and renamed the "Ontario Provincial Junior A Hockey League". In 2009, the league was dissolved by the Ontario Hockey Association and split into two leagues: the "Central Canadian Hockey League" and the "Ontario Junior A Hockey League". By early 2010, the two leagues merged to reform the Ontario Junior Hockey League.
At its peak, the league was composed of 37 teams and is now mostly based in the Greater Toronto Area with a few teams eastward towards Kingston. The exception to this is the Buffalo Jr. Sabres located in the American state of New York.
The winner of the OJHL playoffs and Frank L. Buckland Trophy compete for the centennial cup with the winners of the eight remaining tier two junior A leagues across canada. Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic taking place, there were several smaller tournaments held around the country (only four champions and a host would show up to the national championship - the tournament has increased in duration and for clubs attending).
History
Central Junior B Hockey League
1954 to 1971
In 1954, a variety of teams from different leagues and
The 1954–55 season's members were the
From 1955 until 1964, the
In 1964, began a four-year dynasty for the Kitchener Greenshirts. In 1965, 1966, 1967, and 1968, the Greenshirts were Central League champions. They also won the Sutherland Cup in 1965 by defeating Etobicoke of the Metro League 4-games-to-2 and in 1967 by defeating the Metro League's Dixie Beehives 4-games-to-2.
In 1968, their sister league, the Western Ontario Junior B Hockey League, went renegade and left the Ontario Hockey Association. As a result, the Strathroy Rockets were homeless and joined the league. In their only year in the CJBHL they won the league championship and lost the Sutherland Cup final 4-games-to-1 with 1 tie to the Markham Waxers of the Metro League.
In 1969, the Collingwood Blues jumped up to the Central League and stayed until the realignment of 1971, winning both league championships (1970 and 1971). The Blues failed to make the provincial final in either of those years.
The teams of the 1970–71 season were the
1971 to 1993
In 1971, the league re-aligned itself geographically.
The 1972 champion is unknown, but in 1973 Burlington won the Central League and in 1974 and 1975 Oakville won two straight league titles. The 1974–75 season was special for the Oakville Blades. After winning the league championship, they won their way all the way to the
From the 1975–76 season until the 1979–80 season, the Central League was dominated by the
In 1978 the Mid-Ontario league folded, and Orillia Terriers, Thornhill Thunderbirds, the Barrie Colts, and Oak Ridges Dynes joined the Central League.
The 1980–81 season had a team other than the Derbys show dominance, as the
From the 1982–83 season until the 1985–86 season, the
From the 1987–88 season until the 1989–90 season, the Barrie Colts dominated the league with three straight championships. None of these championships transpired into a Sutherland Cup.
In 1991, the Oakville Blades won the Central League, but lost the Sutherland Cup final to the
The 1992–93 season would be the final Junior B season for the Central League. The teams in the league that year were the
Ascension to Junior "A"
In 1988, the
The first ever OPJHL champion was the
In 1995, the
The summer of 1995 brought crisis to the rival Metro Junior A Hockey League. In the midst of perceived corruption by the league, five teams walked away from the Metro. Four of these teams; the Bramalea Blues, Kingston Voyageurs, Mississauga Chargers, and St. Michael's Buzzers; fled to join the Ontario Provincial Junior A Hockey League.
In 1996, The
The 1996–97 season was won by the
The summer of 1998 would change the face of Junior A hockey. Already at 22 teams, the OPJHL was about to almost double in size.
Expansion years (1998–2008)
In 1998 came the exodus. The
The first season for this super-league was won by the
The 2001 Buckland Cup champions were the
In 2002, the Brampton Capitals once again were the Buckland Cup champions. After defeating the
The 2003–04
In 2006, the
The 2006–07 season was dominated by the
The 2008 league champions were an exciting
Dissolution and reformation (2008–2010)
The summer of 2008 brought much change to the OPJHL. As approved by the OHA, the semi-autonomous Central Division Hockey pilot program began in 2008–09. This divisions creation was controversial and had been appealed by left out teams to the Ontario Hockey Federation. Although the OHA is attempted to play down the significance of the division in some aspects, they have admitted that the new conference would have slightly different rules than the rest of the divisions and that the CDH would be geared more for development. As well, the member teams would operate at a higher budget and completely partitioned from the rest of the OPJHL until the league semi-final. Additionally, the CDH would play a 53-game schedule, as opposed to the rest of the league which played a 49-game season. The division had its own website, separate from the league.[6]
On September 19, 2008, the league, already a month into the 2008–09 season, announced a name change, a new logo, and a new website. The league will now be known as the Ontario Junior Hockey League. Prior to the start of the season, the three divisions not involved with Central Division Hockey were renamed. The West Division is now the MacKinnon Division, the North Division is now the Phillips Division, and the East Division is the Ruddock Division. The South Division is scattered between the Phillips and MacKinnon Divisions.[7]
The 2008–09 season finished with the
A new and thought to be final chapter in the OJHL saga opened in April 2009. Thirteen more teams left the core of the OJHL to join the Central Division, jumping the number of teams in the CDH to 21 and dropping the remainder of the OJHL to 15 for the 2009–10 season. On June 29, 2009, the OHA Board of Directors voted to separate the OJHL into two completely different leagues. The group of 15 teams will be known as the
OJAHL
The first game in the new league's history was on September 9, 2009. The Bramalea Blues defeated the Mississauga Chargers 6–4 in Mississauga.
The Oakville Blades defeated the Kingston Voyageurs 4-games-to-3 in the OJAHL final to win their first and what will be the only OJAHL Championship.
The Oakville Blades then faced the CCHL's Newmarket Hurricanes for the 2010 Buckland Cup. The Hurricanes kept the series close, but the Blades took it in six games to move on to the Dudley Hewitt Cup.
CCHL
The first game under the CCHL banner was played September 9, 2009. The Streetsville Derbys defeated the North York Rangers 5–4 in a shootout in North York.
The West Division Champion Newmarket Hurricanes defeated the East Division Champion Bowmanville Eagles 4-games-to-2 in the CCHL final to win their first and what will be the only CCHL Championship.
Amalgamation (2010–present)
As the 2009–10 season wore on, the Ontario Hockey Association presented the Tomorrow's Game plan. An attempt to downsize the OHA's Jr. A and Jr. B teams from 63 teams of near equal calibre to about 12-16 teams of high calibre and the rest playing in a development division. The two leagues put aside their differences and appealed the move by the OHA to the Ontario Hockey Federation, who sided with the leagues.
From this point on, the two leagues have re-amalgamated for the 2010–11 season and have reduced the number of teams in competition by five, buying out or merging the
The Huntsville Otters, Vaughan Vipers, and Brampton Capitals have all accepted buyouts from the league at the conclusion of the 2011–12 season. The Otters went as far as hosting the Dudley-Hewitt Cup, and playing in the final losing to the Wellington Dukes, while the Vipers were improving and being one of the top teams, and the Capitals went out of business.
As of the Summer of 2014, the OJHL has shrunk to 22 teams with only a handful outside of the Greater Toronto Area. Despite the retraction in league size and an increase in overall league talent, the league's teams have suffered at the gate[8][9] and some teams have been forced to charge player fees.[10][11]
Shortly after Hamilton being announced as a major junior market, the Hamilton Red Wings relocated to Markham, but were not allowed to return as the Markham Waxers and instead re-branded as the Markham Royals and will begin play in 2015–16.[12]
Potential markets
Since 2009, the Ontario Junior Hockey League has retracted in size down to 22 teams as of 2015 after a series of buyouts from the league and mergers. The OJHL has been looking outside of the Greater Toronto Area, such as Huntsville, Parry Sound and even Belleville.
In late 2015, the OJHL announced a proposal to increase the league by two teams. The added teams are proposed to be advancement of Junior B teams and not from expansion. However, no teams were added.
March 2019, the OJHL announced the addition of the Collingwood Colts for the 2019–2020 season. Also for the 2019–20 season it was announced that the Newmarket Hurricanes had been sold and would be re-located to Milton and be rebranded the Milton Menace.
On May 18, 2023 the Leamington Flyers announced that they would be moving up from Junior B GOJHL to Junior A and joining the OJHL beginning in the 2023-24 season. On June 26, 2023 the Niagara Falls Canucks followed the Flyers and announced they will be moving up to Junior A joining the OJHL from the Jr B GOJHL for the 2023-24 season
Seasons
Teams
Former teams
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CJBHL (Left before 1992)
- Acton Sabres
- Brampton Warriors Jr. B
- Dixie Beehives Jr. B
- Dundas Flyers
- Goderich Siftos
- Guelph Biltmores
- Guelph CMC's
- Hamilton Bees
- Ingersoll Marlands
- Kitchener Greenshirts
- Mimico Monarchs
- Nobleton Devils
- Oak Ridges Dynes
- Owen Sound Greys
- Paris Redshirts
- Preston Raiders
- St. Catharines Amthes
- St. Marys Lincolns
- Stratford Braves
- Strathroy Rockets
- Thornhill Thunderbirds
- Waterloo Siskins
- Woodstock Warriors
Regular season champions
This is a list of divisional regular season champions and their point totals, bolded are the overall league regular season champions.
Junior A years
Please note: In 2009-10, there are two bolded league champions, this is due to a schism in the league that season.
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Champions
OJHL Champions
From 1998 until 2009, the league champion has been awarded the Frank L. Buckland Trophy. From 1994 until 1998 the OPJHL competed against the Metro Junior A Hockey League and/or Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League for the Buckland Cup, losing in 1994 and 1997 but winning 1995, 1996 and 1998. The Buckland Cup was never technically the championship trophy of the OJHL, it was the championship of the Ontario Hockey Association and in 1998-99 the OPJHL became the only Jr. A league in the OHA.
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Frank L. Buckland Trophy:
OHA Jr. A Championship -
William T. Ruddock Trophy:
OHF Championship, competed for by OPJHL champions since 1994 -
Dudley Hewitt Cup:
Regional Championship, competed for by OPJHL champions since 1994
The chart below shows all divisional playoff champions since the inception of the league in 1992. Bolded are the overall playoff champions, Italicized are the runner-up and fellow conference champion.
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Dudley Hewitt Cup Central Canadian Champions
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Junior A National Champions
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Central League Jr. B Champions
The league champions are bolded.
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Sutherland Cup Provincial Jr. B Champions
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OPJHL Champions are listed on the league's official website.[13] The CJBHL champions were provided by the league's statistician and the Toronto Star.
OPJHL Showcase Tournament
The OPJHL Showcase Tournament was an annual event ran between
In 2007, the tournament was canceled as Newmarket wanted to focus their attention on hosting the Dudley Hewitt Cup that year. In 2008, the tournament was turned strictly into a 2-game a team showcase for teams from Central Division Hockey, killing the tournament format.
Champions
- 2006 Georgetown Raiders
- 2005 Vaughan Vipers
- 2004 Texas Tornado
- 2003 Texas Tornado
- 2002 Texas Tornado
- 2001 Brampton Capitals
- 2000 Hamilton Kilty B's
- 1999 Vaughan Vipers
- 1998 Milton Merchants
- 1997 Milton Merchants
- 1996 Brampton Capitals
- 1995 Milton Merchants
- 1994 Newmarket 87's
- 1993 Hamilton Kilty B's
- 1992 Markham Waxers
League records
Scoring
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Records (Junior A)
- Best record: 1992-93 Barrie Colts (47-0-1)
- Worst record**: 1993-94 Royal York Rangers (1-40-1)
- Most goals, one season: Steve Walker (75) -- 1992-93 Barrie Colts[15]
- Most assists, one season: Jamie Janjevich (94) -- 1994-95 Milton Merchants[16]
- Most points, one season: Steve Walker (151) -- 1992-93 Barrie Colts[16]
(**) denotes that the record is held only by a team that completed their season. The 2003-04 Huntsville Wildcats are one of only two teams in OPJHL history to have folded mid-season. They folded with record of 0-23-0-0 and hold the record for worst winning percentage of all-time.
Timeline of teams in OJHL
- 1992 - Central Junior B Hockey League is elected to become pilot project for planned Junior A league
- 1992 - Cobourg Cougars join league from Central Ontario Junior C Hockey League
- 1992 - Aurora Eagles leave league for Metro Junior A Hockey League
- 1992 - Streetsville Derbys move and become Mississauga Derbys
- 1993 - League changes name from Central Junior A Hockey League to Ontario Provincial Junior A Hockey League
- 1993 - Hamilton Kiltys join league from Golden Horseshoe Junior Hockey League
- 1993 - Caledon Canadians leave league for Metro Junior A Hockey League
- 1993 - Mississauga Derbys move and become Streetsville Derbys
- 1994 - Lindsay Bears become the Lindsay Muskies
- 1995 - Barrie Colts leave league for Ontario Hockey League
- 1995 - Markham Waxers leave league for Metro Junior A Hockey League
- 1995 - Bramalea Blues, St. Michael's Buzzers, Mississauga Chargers, and Kingston Voyageurs join league from Metro Junior A Hockey League
- 1995 - Stouffville Clippers join league
- 1995 - Trenton Sting and Bowmanville Eagles join league from Central Ontario Junior C Hockey League
- 1996 - Royal York Royals become the Vaughan Vipers
- 1996 - Stouffville Clippers become the Stouffville Spirit
- 1997 - Aurora Tigers join league from Metro Junior A Hockey League
- 1997 - Orillia Terriers move and become Couchiching Terriers
- 1997 - Newmarket 87's become Newmarket Hurricanes
- 1997 - Peterborough Jr. Petes become Peterborough Bees
- 1997 - St. Michael's Buzzers take leave of absence
- 1998 - League absorbs folded Metro Junior A Hockey League; new teams due to merger: Auburn Jr. Crunch (Syracuse Jr. Crunch), Bancroft Hawks (Quinte Hawks), Buffalo Lightning (Niagara Scenic), Caledon Canadians, Durham Huskies, Huntsville Wildcats, Markham Waxers, North York Rangers, Oshawa Legionaires, Pickering Panthers, Port Hope Buzzards, Shelburne Wolves, Thornhill Rattlers, Wellington Dukes, and Wexford Raiders.
- 1999 - Auburn Jr. Crunch change name to Syracuse Jr. Crunch
- 1999 - Shelburne Wolves leave league
- 1999 - Caledon Canadians leave league
- 1999 - Parry Sound Shamrocks join league from Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League
- 1999 - St. Michael's Buzzers rejoin league
- 2000 - Port Hope Buzzards become the Port Hope Clippers
- 2001 - Durham Huskies leave league
- 2001 - Port Hope Clippers are renamed Port Hope Predators
- 2002 - Parry Sound Shamrocks leave league
- 2002 - Hamilton Kiltys change name to Hamilton Red Wings
- 2003 - Huntsville Wildcats fold mid-season
- 2003 - Peterborough Bees change name to Peterborough Stars
- 2003 - Milton Merchants change name to Milton Icehawks
- 2004 - Huntsville Wildcats are reformed and changed their name to Huntsville-Muskoka Otters
- 2004 - Thornhill Rattlers change name to Thornhill Thunderbirds
- 2005 - Thornhill Thunderbirds become Toronto Thunderbirds
- 2005 - Buffalo Lightning become Buffalo Jr. Sabres
- 2005 - Ajax Axemen become Ajax Attack
- 2005 - Seguin Bruins join the league
- 2005 - Oswego Admirals join the league
- 2005 - Syracuse Jr. Crunch leave the league for Eastern Junior Hockey League
- 2006 - Wexford Raiders become Toronto Jr. Canadiens
- 2006 - Oshawa Legionaires become Durham Fury
- 2006 - Couchiching Terriers take leave
- 2006 - Toronto Thunderbirds take leave
- 2006 - Orangeville Crushers join league from Mid-Western Junior Hockey League
- 2007 - Couchiching Terriers return to league
- 2007 - Oswego Admirals move and become Toronto Dixie Beehives
- 2007 - Trenton Sting become Quinte West Pack
- 2007 - Toronto Thunderbirds return as Villanova Knights
- 2007 - Bancroft Hawks take leave
- 2007 - Bramalea Blues take leave
- 2008 - Ontario Provincial Junior A Hockey League is renamed Ontario Junior Hockey League
- 2008 - Quinte West Pack become Trenton Hercs
- 2008 - Bramalea Blues return to league
- 2008 - Bancroft Hawks return as Upper Canada Hockey Club
- 2008 - Durham Fury move and become Whitby Fury
- 2009 - Trenton Hercs fold mid-season (January)
- 2009 - Ontario Junior Hockey League temporarily divides into Central Canadian Hockey League and Ontario Junior A Hockey League (by the 2010 Dudley Hewitt Cup, the schism is mended and the Oakville Blades represent both leagues as the OJHL Champions)
- 2009 - Port Hope Predators move and become Trenton Golden Hawks
- 2009 - Toronto Dixie Beehives move and become Dixie Beehives
- 2009 - Upper Canada Hockey Club move and become Upper Canada Patriots
- 2010 - Bramalea Blues, Couchiching Terriers, and Seguin Bruins cease operations
- 2010 - Ajax Attack fold and merge into Pickering Panthers
- 2010 - Bowmanville Eagles fold and merge into Cobourg Cougars
- 2010 - Collingwood Blues change name to Collingwood Blackhawks
- 2010 - Orangeville Crushers change name to Orangeville Flyers
- 2011 - Upper Canada Patriots change name to Toronto Lakeshore Patriots
- 2011 - Streetsville Derbys fold and merge into Cobourg Cougars
- 2011 - Dixie Beehives cease operations
- 2011 - Collingwood Blackhawks cease operations
- 2011 - Orangeville Flyers cease operations
- 2011 - Villanova Knights move and become Orangeville Flyers
- 2012 - Huntsville Otters jump to Georgian Mid-Ontario Junior C Hockey League
- 2012 - Brampton Capitals cease operations
- 2012 - Vaughan Vipers cease operations
- 2012 - Peterborough Stars fold and merge into Lindsay Muskies
- 2013 - Markham Waxers membership terminated by league
- 2014 - Toronto Lakeshore Patriots change name to Toronto Patriots
- 2015 - Hamilton Red Wings move and become Markham Royals
- 2019 - Kingston Voyageurs sold and move to Collingwood to become Collingwood Colts
- 2020 - Collingwood Colts change name to Collingwood Blues
- 2023 - Leamington Flyers join the league
- 2023 - Niagara Falls Canucks join the league
See also
- Ontario Hockey Association
- Hockey Canada
- Canadian Junior A Hockey League
- Metro Junior A Hockey League
- Southern Ontario Junior A Hockey League
- Dudley Hewitt Cup
- Royal Bank Cup
References
- ^ League competed for Sutherland Cup from 1954 until 1993 when it was formerly promoted to Junior A
- ^ "Preston Raiders". www.officialgamepuck.com. Retrieved 30 March 2018.
- ^ "1997-98 Ontario Provincial Junior A Hockey League Standings". hockeydb.com.
- ^ "1998-99 Ontario Provincial Junior A Hockey League Standings". hockeydb.com.
- ^ "Halton Breaking News - Halton's Online Newspaper - InsideHalton.com". InsideHalton.com. Retrieved 30 March 2018.
- ^ "York Region Breaking News - York Region's Online Newspaper - YorkRegion.com". YorkRegion.com. Retrieved 30 March 2018.
- ^ "HOME OF THE OJHL - Ontario Junior A Hockey League". www.ojhl.pointstreaksites.com. Retrieved 30 March 2018.
- ^ "OJHL Games Falling Flat". Archived from the original on 2014-05-12.
- ^ "Ontario Junior A Hockey League - Pointstreak Stats". ojhlsite.stats.pointstreak.com. Retrieved 30 March 2018.
- ^ "York Region Breaking News - York Region's Online Newspaper - YorkRegion.com". YorkRegion.com. Retrieved 30 March 2018.
- ^ "Pay-to-play hockey comes to Canada | Pro Hockey News". Archived from the original on 2013-09-26.
- ^ "Custom Hockey Pucks". CustomHockeyPuck.com. Retrieved 5 May 2020.
- ^ "opjhl.ca". Go Daddy. Retrieved 30 March 2018.
- ^ a b "Team Sponsorship Opportunities". Archived from the original on 2006-11-19. Retrieved 2007-01-01.
- ^ "Ontario Junior A Hockey League - Pointstreak Stats". ojhlsite.stats.pointstreak.com. Retrieved 30 March 2018.
- ^ a b "HOME OF THE OJHL - Ontario Junior A Hockey League". www.ojhl.pointstreaksites.com. Retrieved 30 March 2018.