Ontario Provincial Junior A Hockey League (1972–87)
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The Ontario Junior Hockey League (OJHL) is a Junior A
ice hockey Ice hockey (or simply hockey) is a team sport played on ice skates, usually on an ice skating rink with lines and markings specific to the sport. It belongs to a family of sports called hockey. In ice hockey, two opposing teams use ice hock ...
league in
Ontario Ontario ( ; ) is one of the thirteen provinces and territories of Canada.Ontario is located in the geographic eastern half of Canada, but it has historically and politically been considered to be part of Central Canada. Located in Central Ca ...
, Canada. It is under the supervision of the
Ontario Hockey Association The Ontario Hockey Association (OHA) is the governing body for the majority of junior and senior level ice hockey teams in the Province of Ontario. The OHA is sanctioned by the Ontario Hockey Federation along with the Northern Ontario Hockey As ...
(OHA) and the
Canadian Junior Hockey League The Canadian Junior Hockey League (CJHL) is an association of Canadian junior A ice hockey leagues and teams and was formed in November 1993, emerging from the Canada West Association of Junior 'A' Hockey. The champion of the Canadian Junior H ...
(CJHL). The league was listed as the 7th best developmental league in
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for professional and amateur ice hockey in July 2013 by the website, "TheHockeyWriters.com". 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 The Ontario Hockey Association (OHA) is the governing body for the majority of junior and senior level ice hockey teams in the Province of Ontario. The OHA is sanctioned by the Ontario Hockey Federation along with the Northern Ontario Hockey As ...
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 The Greater Toronto Area, commonly referred to as the GTA, includes the City of Toronto and the regional municipalities of Durham, Halton, Peel, and York. In total, the region contains 25 urban, suburban, and rural municipalities. The Greater T ...
with a few teams eastward towards Kingston. The exception to this is the
Buffalo Jr. Sabres The Buffalo Jr. Sabres are a Junior "A" ice hockey team from Buffalo, New York. They are a part of the Ontario Junior A Hockey League. Its current head coach and general manager is Nick Tuzzolino, who played in the organization during its Buffalo ...
located in the American state of
New York New York most commonly refers to: * New York City, the most populous city in the United States, located in the state of New York * New York (state), a state in the northeastern United States New York may also refer to: Film and television * '' ...
. The winner of the OJHL playoffs and Frank L. Buckland Trophy compete for the
Dudley Hewitt Cup The Dudley-Hewitt Cup is a championship ice hockey trophy awarded to the Central Canadian Junior A champion. The trophy is currently decided by round robin tournament format, at the conclusion of the playoffs of the Ontario Junior Hockey League, ...
with the winners of the
Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League The Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League (NOJHL) is a Canadian Junior ice hockey league and member of the Canadian Junior Hockey League and Northern Ontario Hockey Association. The winner of the NOJHL playoffs competes for the Dudley Hewitt Cup ...
,
Superior International Junior Hockey League The Superior International Junior Hockey League (SIJHL) is a junior A ice hockey league and a member of the Canadian Junior Hockey League (CJHL) and Hockey Canada. The league operates in the Canadian province of Ontario and the U.S. states of M ...
and the host team. The winner of the Dudley Hewitt Cup then goes on to compete for the
Centennial Cup The Centennial Cup is an annual ice hockey tournament organized by Hockey Canada and the Canadian Junior Hockey League (CJHL), which determines the national champion of junior A ice hockey. It is a ten-team round robin featuring the winners of ...
, the national Junior A championship.


History


Central Junior B Hockey League


1954 to 1971

In 1954, a variety of teams from different leagues and
Ontario Hockey Association The Ontario Hockey Association (OHA) is the governing body for the majority of junior and senior level ice hockey teams in the Province of Ontario. The OHA is sanctioned by the Ontario Hockey Federation along with the Northern Ontario Hockey As ...
junior groupings were put together in the Central Junior B Hockey League. The Central League was formed as a sister league to the
Western Ontario Junior B Hockey League The Western Ontario Hockey League (WOHL) was a junior ice hockey league in Ontario, Canada, sanctioned by the Ontario Hockey Association from 1969 until 2007. In 2007, the league became a division of the newly formed Greater Ontario Junior Hockey ...
that had been running since 1950. During the early years, the two leagues were regarded as the two divisions of the OHA's Big 10. The "Big" moniker was often given to OHA leagues as the OHA pushed away from smaller rural multi-level groupings. The 1954–55 season's members were the
Woodstock Warriors Woodstock Music and Art Fair, commonly referred to as Woodstock, was a music festival held during August 15–18, 1969, on Max Yasgur's dairy farm in Bethel, New York, United States, southwest of the town of Woodstock. Billed as "an Aquari ...
,
Owen Sound Greys The Owen Sound Greys were a series of junior ice hockey teams based in Owen Sound, Ontario, Canada. They played in the Mid-Western division of the Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League. The original Greys, in their early years, won the 1924 and 192 ...
,
Waterloo Siskins The Kitchener-Waterloo Siskins are a junior ice hockey team based in Waterloo, Ontario, Canada. They play in the Mid-Western division of the Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League. History Founded in 1934, the Siskins are one of the longest runni ...
,
Burlington Mohawks The Burlington Cougars are a Canadian junior "A" ice hockey team from Burlington, Ontario. They are a part of the Ontario Junior Hockey League. History Founded in the early 1950s, the Burlington Mohawks found their footing in the Central Junior ...
,
Paris Redshirts Paris () is the capital and most populous city of France, with an estimated population of 2,165,423 residents in 2019 in an area of more than 105 km² (41 sq mi), making it the 30th most densely populated city in the world in 2020. Si ...
, Dundas Flyers, and Ingersoll Reems. Woodstock took the first ever Central League crown as well as that year's
Sutherland Cup The Sutherland Cup is the ice hockey Ontario Junior "B" Provincial Championship trophy. The trophy was first awarded in 1934, and named in honour of former OHA and CAHA president, James T. Sutherland. The Sutherland Cup is now the championship t ...
as provincial champions. From 1955 until 1964, the
Waterloo Siskins The Kitchener-Waterloo Siskins are a junior ice hockey team based in Waterloo, Ontario, Canada. They play in the Mid-Western division of the Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League. History Founded in 1934, the Siskins are one of the longest runni ...
won the league six out of nine seasons, losing out to Burlington in 1957 and 1958 and the
Owen Sound Greys The Owen Sound Greys were a series of junior ice hockey teams based in Owen Sound, Ontario, Canada. They played in the Mid-Western division of the Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League. The original Greys, in their early years, won the 1924 and 192 ...
in 1961. Neither Burlington or Owen Sound managed to win the Sutherland Cup with their league championship, in fact only Owen Sound even made to the finals where they were swept by the
St. Michael's Buzzers The St. Michael's Buzzers are a Junior "A" ice hockey team from Toronto, Ontario, Canada. They compete in the Ontario Junior Hockey League (OJHL). History The St. Michael's Buzzers date back to at least 1920, as future NHLer Bobby Bauer had ma ...
of the
Metro Junior B Hockey League The Metro Junior "A" Hockey League was a junior level ice hockey league based out of Southern Ontario. The league originated in 1956 as the Metro Junior "B" Hockey League, which lasted until 1991, when it changed its designation from Junior B to ...
. During that streak, the Waterloo Siskins won the
Sutherland Cup The Sutherland Cup is the ice hockey Ontario Junior "B" Provincial Championship trophy. The trophy was first awarded in 1934, and named in honour of former OHA and CAHA president, James T. Sutherland. The Sutherland Cup is now the championship t ...
four times. In 1956 they defeated the Brampton Regents of the Metro league 4-games-to-1 with 1 tie. In 1960, the Siskins defeated the Marlboros of the Metro League 4-games-to-2 with 1 tie to win the provincial crown. In 1962, they defeated the St. Thomas Elgins of the Western Junior B League 4-games-to-1 and in 1964 they defeated Weston of the Metro League 4-games-to-1 to claim another crown. In 1964, began a four-year dynasty for the
Kitchener Greenshirts The Kitchener Greenshirts name has been used by five separate ice hockey teams playing in Kitchener, Ontario, Canada. These include one 'Senior A' level hockey team, two 'Junior A' level teams, and two 'Junior B' level teams. The name has also b ...
. In 1965, 1966, 1967, and 1968, the Greenshirts were Central League champions. They also won the
Sutherland Cup The Sutherland Cup is the ice hockey Ontario Junior "B" Provincial Championship trophy. The trophy was first awarded in 1934, and named in honour of former OHA and CAHA president, James T. Sutherland. The Sutherland Cup is now the championship t ...
in 1965 by defeating Etobicoke of the Metro League 4-games-to-2 and in 1967 by defeating the Metro League's
Dixie Beehives Dixie Beehives are a pair of defunct junior ice hockey teams from Weston, Toronto, Weston, Ontario, Canada, which is now part of Toronto, Ontario. They played in the Ontario Provincial Junior A Hockey League (1972–87), Ontario Provincial Junio ...
4-games-to-2. In 1968, their sister league, the Western Ontario Junior B Hockey League, went renegade and left the
Ontario Hockey Association The Ontario Hockey Association (OHA) is the governing body for the majority of junior and senior level ice hockey teams in the Province of Ontario. The OHA is sanctioned by the Ontario Hockey Federation along with the Northern Ontario Hockey As ...
. As a result, the
Strathroy Rockets The Strathroy Rockets are a junior ice hockey team based in Strathroy, Ontario, Canada. They play in the Western division of the Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League. History In 1965, the Rockets joined the old Western Junior "B" league. When ...
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 The Markham Waxers were an Ontario Junior Hockey League (OJHL) Junior "A" ice hockey team based in Markham, Ontario, Canada. The Waxers name is still used by the Markham Waxers minor hockey club with the Eastern AAA Hockey League, a sub league of ...
of the Metro League. In 1969, the
Collingwood Blues Collingwood, meaning "wood of disputed ownership", may refer to: Educational institutions * Collingwood College, Victoria, an Australian state Prep to Year 12 school * Collingwood College, Durham, college of Durham University, England * Collingw ...
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
Owen Sound Greys The Owen Sound Greys were a series of junior ice hockey teams based in Owen Sound, Ontario, Canada. They played in the Mid-Western division of the Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League. The original Greys, in their early years, won the 1924 and 192 ...
,
Collingwood Blues Collingwood, meaning "wood of disputed ownership", may refer to: Educational institutions * Collingwood College, Victoria, an Australian state Prep to Year 12 school * Collingwood College, Durham, college of Durham University, England * Collingw ...
,
Waterloo Siskins The Kitchener-Waterloo Siskins are a junior ice hockey team based in Waterloo, Ontario, Canada. They play in the Mid-Western division of the Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League. History Founded in 1934, the Siskins are one of the longest runni ...
,
Preston Raiders The Preston Raiders were a Canadian Junior "B" ice hockey team from the town of Preston, Ontario which later became Cambridge, Ontario. History The team started out as the Preston Pals of the Central Junior C Hockey League. They changed their n ...
, and Kitchener Ranger B's. This would be the final incarnation of the league in its original setup. Much change happened in the summer of 1971.


1971 to 1993

In 1971, the league re-aligned itself geographically. The
Owen Sound Greys The Owen Sound Greys were a series of junior ice hockey teams based in Owen Sound, Ontario, Canada. They played in the Mid-Western division of the Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League. The original Greys, in their early years, won the 1924 and 192 ...
and
Collingwood Blues Collingwood, meaning "wood of disputed ownership", may refer to: Educational institutions * Collingwood College, Victoria, an Australian state Prep to Year 12 school * Collingwood College, Durham, college of Durham University, England * Collingw ...
jumped to the
Mid-Ontario Junior B Hockey League The Mid-Ontario Junior B Hockey League was a Junior "B" ice hockey league based in Southern Ontario from 1970 to 1978. They were sanctioned by the Ontario Hockey Association and Canadian Amateur Hockey Association, and competed for the All-Ontari ...
. The
Waterloo Siskins The Kitchener-Waterloo Siskins are a junior ice hockey team based in Waterloo, Ontario, Canada. They play in the Mid-Western division of the Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League. History Founded in 1934, the Siskins are one of the longest runni ...
and Kitchener Ranger B's moved over to the
Western Ontario Junior B Hockey League The Western Ontario Hockey League (WOHL) was a junior ice hockey league in Ontario, Canada, sanctioned by the Ontario Hockey Association from 1969 until 2007. In 2007, the league became a division of the newly formed Greater Ontario Junior Hockey ...
. The
Burlington Mohawks The Burlington Cougars are a Canadian junior "A" ice hockey team from Burlington, Ontario. They are a part of the Ontario Junior Hockey League. History Founded in the early 1950s, the Burlington Mohawks found their footing in the Central Junior ...
were the only team to stay put. In return, the Central League gained many teams from the Mid-Ontario Junior B Hockey League, like the
Oakville Blades The Oakville Blades are a Junior "A" ice hockey team from Oakville, Ontario, Canada. They are a part of the Ontario Junior Hockey League. History The Blades started as a Junior C team, and made it to the Clarence Schmalz Cup Final once to compet ...
, Milton Flyers,
Hespeler Shamrocks The Hespeler Shamrocks are a junior ice hockey team based in Hespeler, Ontario, Canada. They are currently members of the Provincial Junior Hockey League. The team was known as the Simcoe Storm from 1989-2017 and had played in Simcoe, Ontario ...
and
Streetsville Derbys The Streetsville Derbys were a Junior "A" ice hockey team from Streetsville, Ontario, Canada. They were a part of the Ontario Junior Hockey League in 2011 until they merged into the Cobourg Cougars. As of 2018 the Streetsville Hockey League have r ...
. They also gained the
Dundas Blues The Dundas Blues are a junior hockey, junior ice hockey team based in Dundas, Ontario, Dundas, Ontario, Canada. They are members of the Bloomfield Division (South Conference) of the Provincial Junior Hockey League of the Ontario Hockey Associatio ...
and the Brampton Vic Woods. 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
Sutherland Cup The Sutherland Cup is the ice hockey Ontario Junior "B" Provincial Championship trophy. The trophy was first awarded in 1934, and named in honour of former OHA and CAHA president, James T. Sutherland. The Sutherland Cup is now the championship t ...
final. Unfortunately for the Blades, the
Bramalea Blues The Bramalea Blues were a Junior "A" ice hockey team from Bramalea, Ontario, Canada. Their final two seasons were played in Brampton, Ontario at the Powerade Centre. They were a part of the Ontario Junior A Hockey League but also used to be a pa ...
of the
Metro Junior B Hockey League The Metro Junior "A" Hockey League was a junior level ice hockey league based out of Southern Ontario. The league originated in 1956 as the Metro Junior "B" Hockey League, which lasted until 1991, when it changed its designation from Junior B to ...
awaited them. The Blues defeated the Blades 4-games-to-3. From the 1975–76 season until the 1979–80 season, the Central League was dominated by the
Streetsville Derbys The Streetsville Derbys were a Junior "A" ice hockey team from Streetsville, Ontario, Canada. They were a part of the Ontario Junior Hockey League in 2011 until they merged into the Cobourg Cougars. As of 2018 the Streetsville Hockey League have r ...
. In this span, the Derbys won the League title five straight times, made the Ontario finals three times, and won the Sutherland Cup once. In 1977, the Derbys made the All-Ontario final. In the final, they lost to the
Stratford Cullitons The Stratford Warriors are a junior ice hockey team based in Stratford, Ontario, Canada. They play in the Mid-Western division of the Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League. The team was originally named the Warriors but was changed to Cullitons i ...
of the Waterloo-Wellington Junior B Hockey League 4-games-to-2. A year later, the Derbys again met the Stratford Cullitons (now of the
Mid-Western Junior B Hockey League The Mid-Western Junior Hockey League (MWJHL) was a junior ice hockey league in Ontario, Canada, sanctioned by the Ontario Hockey Association from 1973 until 2007. In 2007, the league became a division of the newly formed Greater Ontario Junior ...
), but lost 9-points-to-5. The 1978–79 season had the Derbys make the
Sutherland Cup The Sutherland Cup is the ice hockey Ontario Junior "B" Provincial Championship trophy. The trophy was first awarded in 1934, and named in honour of former OHA and CAHA president, James T. Sutherland. The Sutherland Cup is now the championship t ...
final for the third straight year. In the final, the Derbys met the St. Catharines Falcons of the
Golden Horseshoe Junior B Hockey League The Golden Horseshoe Junior Hockey League (GHL) was a junior ice hockey league in Ontario, Canada, sanctioned by the Ontario Hockey Association from 1974 until 2007. In 2007, the league became a division of the newly formed Greater Ontario Juni ...
and defeated them 4-games-to-none to finally win a provincial title. 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 Burlington Cougars won the Central League championship. They kept on winning and found themselves in the
Sutherland Cup The Sutherland Cup is the ice hockey Ontario Junior "B" Provincial Championship trophy. The trophy was first awarded in 1934, and named in honour of former OHA and CAHA president, James T. Sutherland. The Sutherland Cup is now the championship t ...
final. The Cougars came up against the
Stratford Cullitons The Stratford Warriors are a junior ice hockey team based in Stratford, Ontario, Canada. They play in the Mid-Western division of the Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League. The team was originally named the Warriors but was changed to Cullitons i ...
of the Mid-Western League and were victorious, winning 8-points-to-4. In 1982, the
Oakville Blades The Oakville Blades are a Junior "A" ice hockey team from Oakville, Ontario, Canada. They are a part of the Ontario Junior Hockey League. History The Blades started as a Junior C team, and made it to the Clarence Schmalz Cup Final once to compet ...
won the Central league for the first time in seven years. From the 1982–83 season until the 1985–86 season, the
Streetsville Derbys The Streetsville Derbys were a Junior "A" ice hockey team from Streetsville, Ontario, Canada. They were a part of the Ontario Junior Hockey League in 2011 until they merged into the Cobourg Cougars. As of 2018 the Streetsville Hockey League have r ...
celebrated another period of dominance. In those four seasons, the Derbys won three league championships, made the Ontario final twice, and received a harsh punishment from the
Ontario Hockey Association The Ontario Hockey Association (OHA) is the governing body for the majority of junior and senior level ice hockey teams in the Province of Ontario. The OHA is sanctioned by the Ontario Hockey Federation along with the Northern Ontario Hockey As ...
. In 1982–83, the Derbys won their first league title in three season, a year later they won it again and battled all the way to the Sutherland Cup final. In the final, the Derbys met the
Waterloo Siskins The Kitchener-Waterloo Siskins are a junior ice hockey team based in Waterloo, Ontario, Canada. They play in the Mid-Western division of the Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League. History Founded in 1934, the Siskins are one of the longest runni ...
of the Mid-Western League and despite a spirited performance, fell 4-games-to-3 to the Siskins. A year later, the Derbys failed to get out of their league. In 1985–86, the Derbys dominated the Central League again and won their third title in four years. They battled to the Sutherland Cup final and again met the
Stratford Cullitons The Stratford Warriors are a junior ice hockey team based in Stratford, Ontario, Canada. They play in the Mid-Western division of the Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League. The team was originally named the Warriors but was changed to Cullitons i ...
of the Mid-Western League. The Cullitons swept the series, 4-games-to-none, and the Derbys lost their discipline. The result was a one-year ban for the Streetsville Derbys from
Ontario Hockey Association The Ontario Hockey Association (OHA) is the governing body for the majority of junior and senior level ice hockey teams in the Province of Ontario. The OHA is sanctioned by the Ontario Hockey Federation along with the Northern Ontario Hockey As ...
play. The Derbys were forced to sit out in 1986–87, as the Burlington Cougars won the league, and the Derbys never won another Central League title. 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
Waterloo Siskins The Kitchener-Waterloo Siskins are a junior ice hockey team based in Waterloo, Ontario, Canada. They play in the Mid-Western division of the Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League. History Founded in 1934, the Siskins are one of the longest runni ...
4-games-to-none. In 1992, the Milton Icehawks, Milton Merchants won the league championship, but also fell in the Sutherland Cup final, this time to the Kitchener Dutchmen. During the summer of 1992, the OHA promoted the Central League to Junior A status, allowing its teams less limitations on signing players then an average Junior B team would have. In 1992–93, the Barrie Colts dominated the CJAHL. With 47 wins and one tie, the Colts celebrated an unheard of undefeated season. They won the Central League championship, and were granted permission to compete in the Provincial Junior B playdowns. In the final of the Sutherland Cup, they met the Kitchener Dutchmen and swept them 4-games-to-none to win the Central League its third and final
Sutherland Cup The Sutherland Cup is the ice hockey Ontario Junior "B" Provincial Championship trophy. The trophy was first awarded in 1934, and named in honour of former OHA and CAHA president, James T. Sutherland. The Sutherland Cup is now the championship t ...
since 1971. The 1993 playoff run, aided by their Junior A status, was the final and most successful Provincial Jr. B playoff run of any Central League champion in at least twelve years. The 1992–93 season would be the final Junior B season for the Central League. The teams in the league that year were the Barrie Colts,
Markham Waxers The Markham Waxers were an Ontario Junior Hockey League (OJHL) Junior "A" ice hockey team based in Markham, Ontario, Canada. The Waxers name is still used by the Markham Waxers minor hockey club with the Eastern AAA Hockey League, a sub league of ...
, Peterborough Stars, Peterborough Jr. Petes, Newmarket Hurricanes, Newmarket 87's, Orillia Terriers, Lindsay Muskies, Lindsay Bears, Ajax Attack, Ajax Axemen,
Collingwood Blues Collingwood, meaning "wood of disputed ownership", may refer to: Educational institutions * Collingwood College, Victoria, an Australian state Prep to Year 12 school * Collingwood College, Durham, college of Durham University, England * Collingw ...
, and Cobourg Cougars in the East Division and the Brampton Capitals, Burlington Cougars, Milton Icehawks, Milton Merchants, Caledon Canadians,
Oakville Blades The Oakville Blades are a Junior "A" ice hockey team from Oakville, Ontario, Canada. They are a part of the Ontario Junior Hockey League. History The Blades started as a Junior C team, and made it to the Clarence Schmalz Cup Final once to compet ...
,
Streetsville Derbys The Streetsville Derbys were a Junior "A" ice hockey team from Streetsville, Ontario, Canada. They were a part of the Ontario Junior Hockey League in 2011 until they merged into the Cobourg Cougars. As of 2018 the Streetsville Hockey League have r ...
(played that season in Mississauga, Ontario, Mississauga), Georgetown Raiders, and Vaughan Vipers, Royal York Rangers in the West Division.


Ascension to Junior "A"

In 1988, the
Metro Junior B Hockey League The Metro Junior "A" Hockey League was a junior level ice hockey league based out of Southern Ontario. The league originated in 1956 as the Metro Junior "B" Hockey League, which lasted until 1991, when it changed its designation from Junior B to ...
left the
Ontario Hockey Association The Ontario Hockey Association (OHA) is the governing body for the majority of junior and senior level ice hockey teams in the Province of Ontario. The OHA is sanctioned by the Ontario Hockey Federation along with the Northern Ontario Hockey As ...
. In 1991, it declared itself a Junior A hockey league and a couple seasons later was recognized by the Canadian Junior A Hockey League. In response, the Ontario Hockey Association took the Central Junior B Hockey League, the remaining Junior B league closest to Toronto, and promoted it to Junior A. The league changed its name to the Ontario Provincial Junior A Hockey League, the original name of the Ontario Provincial Junior A Hockey League (1972-1987), old Junior A League that lasted from 1972 to 1987. The first ever OPJHL champion was the Orillia Terriers in 1994. Despite much of the hype going into the
Ontario Hockey Association The Ontario Hockey Association (OHA) is the governing body for the majority of junior and senior level ice hockey teams in the Province of Ontario. The OHA is sanctioned by the Ontario Hockey Federation along with the Northern Ontario Hockey As ...
Junior A championship round robin, the Terriers lost 3–1 to the Caledon Canadians of the Metro Junior A Hockey League in the OHA final. The other competitors were the Metro's Wexford Raiders and the NOJHL's North Bay Skyhawks, Powassan Hawks. In the summer of 1994, the Barrie Colts left the OPJHL to play in the Ontario Hockey League. In 1995, the Brampton Capitals won the OPJHL's crown, the Buckland Cup, and gained a berth into the
Dudley Hewitt Cup The Dudley-Hewitt Cup is a championship ice hockey trophy awarded to the Central Canadian Junior A champion. The trophy is currently decided by round robin tournament format, at the conclusion of the playoffs of the Ontario Junior Hockey League, ...
round robin in Thunder Bay. In the round robin, the Capitals went undefeated, beating the Metro's Caledon Canadians 4–1, the NOJHL's Timmins Golden Bears 5-3 and the USHL's Thunder Bay Flyers 5–2. Their undefeated record gave the Capitals a bye directly into the DHC final, which they lost in a 6-4 heart-breaker to the Thunder Bay Flyers. 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 The Bramalea Blues were a Junior "A" ice hockey team from Bramalea, Ontario, Canada. Their final two seasons were played in Brampton, Ontario at the Powerade Centre. They were a part of the Ontario Junior A Hockey League but also used to be a pa ...
, Kingston Voyageurs, Mississauga Chargers, and
St. Michael's Buzzers The St. Michael's Buzzers are a Junior "A" ice hockey team from Toronto, Ontario, Canada. They compete in the Ontario Junior Hockey League (OJHL). History The St. Michael's Buzzers date back to at least 1920, as future NHLer Bobby Bauer had ma ...
; fled to join the Ontario Provincial Junior A Hockey League. In 1996, The Newmarket Hurricanes, Newmarket 87's were OPJHL champions. They went to the
Dudley Hewitt Cup The Dudley-Hewitt Cup is a championship ice hockey trophy awarded to the Central Canadian Junior A champion. The trophy is currently decided by round robin tournament format, at the conclusion of the playoffs of the Ontario Junior Hockey League, ...
in Cobourg, Ontario to compete for the Central Canadian Championship. Also attending from the OPJHL were the Cobourg Cougars as hosts and the Brampton Capitals as OPJHL finalists. Cobourg lost to the Thunder Bay Flyers 5–3, defeated the Rayside-Balfour Sabrecats 5–3, before losing to both Newmarket and Brampton. Newmarket defeated Rayside-Balfour 4–3, Cobourg 3–1, lost to Brampton, and then Thunder Bay 3–2. The Capitals were undefeated in the round robin, defeating Thunder Bay 5–2, Rayside-Balfour 10–6, Newmarket 6–3, and Cobourg 9–3. All three OPJHL teams made the tournament's semi-finals. In the first semi-final, Brampton defeated Cobourg 5–2, while Newmarket beat Thunder Bay 6–3. This results in a rematch of the OPJHL final in the Dudley Hewitt Cup final. The Newmarket 87's crushed Brampton 8–2. Next, Newmarket flew out to Melfort, Saskatchewan to compete in the Royal Bank Cup 1996. In their first game they defeated the BCHL's Vernon Vipers 7–5, then the SJHL's Yorkton Terriers 5–2. It all went downhill from there as the 87's then lost to the host Melfort Mustangs 11–3, the MJAHL's Moncton Beavers 4–3, and were defeated in the semi-final by Vernon 7–4. This ended the OPJHL's first odyssey in the Royal Bank Cup. The 1996–97 season was won by the Milton Icehawks, Milton Merchants. In a best-of-7 for the Dudley Hewitt Cup against the NOJHL's Rayside-Balfour Sabrecats, the Merchants were defeated 4-games-to-1. A year later, the Merchants again won the OPJHL and this time the DHC too. They traveled off to the Royal Bank Cup 1998 in Nanaimo, British Columbia to compete for the National Junior A championship. They defeated the Central Junior A Hockey League's Brockville Braves 5–2, but lost to the host Nanaimo Clippers 6–2, SJHL's Weyburn Red Wings 6–2, and the Surrey Eagles, South Surrey Eagles 3-0 and again in the semi-final 6–2. 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 Metro Junior A Hockey League closed its doors after over half a century of action at the Junior A and B levels. The Bancroft Hawks (Quinte), Buffalo Lightning (Niagara), Caledon Canadians, Durham Huskies Jr. A, Durham Huskies, Huntsville Wildcats,
Markham Waxers The Markham Waxers were an Ontario Junior Hockey League (OJHL) Junior "A" ice hockey team based in Markham, Ontario, Canada. The Waxers name is still used by the Markham Waxers minor hockey club with the Eastern AAA Hockey League, a sub league of ...
, North York Rangers, Oshawa Legionaires, Pickering Panthers, Port Hope Buzzards, Shelburne Wolves, Syracuse Jr. Crunch, Thornhill Rattlers, Wellington Dukes, and Wexford Raiders all made the jump to the OPJHL. The only team not to come was the Pittsburgh Jr. Penguins, who were not interested in the extra travel. A season before, a sign that this might happen occurred when the 1997 Metro Champion Aurora Tigers defected prior to the 1997–98 season. This swelled the league from 22 to 37 teams. Also, for the first time in its history, the OPJHL had United States, American hockey clubs with the Buffalo Lightning and Syracuse Jr. Crunch. The first season for this super-league was won by the
Bramalea Blues The Bramalea Blues were a Junior "A" ice hockey team from Bramalea, Ontario, Canada. Their final two seasons were played in Brampton, Ontario at the Powerade Centre. They were a part of the Ontario Junior A Hockey League but also used to be a pa ...
. The Blues also won the
Dudley Hewitt Cup The Dudley-Hewitt Cup is a championship ice hockey trophy awarded to the Central Canadian Junior A champion. The trophy is currently decided by round robin tournament format, at the conclusion of the playoffs of the Ontario Junior Hockey League, ...
as Central Canadian Champions and travelled to Yorkton, Saskatchewan to compete in the Royal Bank Cup 1999. Despite winning the round robin with a 3–1 record, the Blues were upset by the BCHL's Vernon Vipers, 3–2, in the semi-final. The 1999-00 Buckland Cup champions were the Brampton Capitals, but they failed to win the Dudley Hewitt Cup, losing a best-of-7 series to the Rayside-Balfour Sabrecats. The 2001 Buckland Cup champions were the Thornhill Rattlers. The Rattlers defeated Rayside-Balfour to win the Dudley Hewitt Cup and moved on to Flin Flon, Manitoba for the Royal Bank Cup 2001. The Rattlers were unsuccessful in their venture, losing four straight games and not qualifying for the semi-finals. In 2002, the Brampton Capitals once again were the Buckland Cup champions. After defeating the Wellington Dukes to win the OPJHL crown, the Caps failed to win the Dudley Hewitt Cup for a berth in the Royal Bank Cup. A year later, the Wellington Dukes rebounded their OPJHL final defeated from 2002 and won the 2003 Buckland Cup 4-games-to-2 over the Aurora Tigers. The Dukes ventured to Fort Frances, Ontario for the
Dudley Hewitt Cup The Dudley-Hewitt Cup is a championship ice hockey trophy awarded to the Central Canadian Junior A champion. The trophy is currently decided by round robin tournament format, at the conclusion of the playoffs of the Ontario Junior Hockey League, ...
. After defeating the SIJHL's Fort Frances Borderland Thunder 7–1, they lost to the NOJHL's North Bay Skyhawks 2–1. The Dukes came back and defeated the SIJHL's Thunder Bay Bulldogs 7–4 to earn a berth into the DHC semi-final. In the semi-final, they defeated the Borderland Thunder 4-2 and then defeated North Bay 4–0 in the final to win the Central Canadian crown. The Dukes then moved on to Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island for the Royal Bank Cup 2003. The Dukes lost their first game 4–1 to the SJHL's Humboldt Broncos and lost again in their second game 7–1 to the Alberta Junior Hockey League, AJHL's Camrose Kodiaks. It was do-or-die time for the Dukes, and they stepped up to the plate by defeating the host Charlottetown Abbies 1–0 in overtime and the QJAAAHL's Sherbrooke Cougars, Lennoxville Cougars 5–2 to gain access to the semi-final. The Dukes lost a tight 3–2 game to Humboldt in the semi-final to end their national championship hopes. The 2003–04 Aurora Tigers achieved much in with Spring of 2004. After defeating the
St. Michael's Buzzers The St. Michael's Buzzers are a Junior "A" ice hockey team from Toronto, Ontario, Canada. They compete in the Ontario Junior Hockey League (OJHL). History The St. Michael's Buzzers date back to at least 1920, as future NHLer Bobby Bauer had ma ...
4-games-to-2 to clinch the Buckland Cup and their fifth victorious best-of-7 series of the playoffs, the Tigers moved on to North Bay, Ontario to compete for the
Dudley Hewitt Cup The Dudley-Hewitt Cup is a championship ice hockey trophy awarded to the Central Canadian Junior A champion. The trophy is currently decided by round robin tournament format, at the conclusion of the playoffs of the Ontario Junior Hockey League, ...
. The Tigers swept the opposition, defeating the NOJHL's Soo Thunderbirds 3–1, the SIJHL's Fort William North Stars 4–0, and the host North Bay Skyhawks 5–3, they moved straight to the final and beat the Skyhawks again 5–1 to clinch the Central Canadian championship. The Tigers then flew out to Grande Prairie, Alberta to compete in the Royal Bank Cup 2004. After losing their first game to the host Grande Prairie Storm 4–2, the Tiger went on a roll, beating the BCHL's Nanaimo Clippers 4–2, the SJHL's Kindersley Klippers 5–0, and the then Central Junior A Hockey League's Nepean Raiders 3–1. In the semi-final, the Tigers played the Raiders again and beat them 7–2, then manhandled the Klippers 7–1 in the final to win the Royal Bank Cup. This marked the first national championship in the OPJHL's 11-year history. The 2005 Buckland Cup champions were the
St. Michael's Buzzers The St. Michael's Buzzers are a Junior "A" ice hockey team from Toronto, Ontario, Canada. They compete in the Ontario Junior Hockey League (OJHL). History The St. Michael's Buzzers date back to at least 1920, as future NHLer Bobby Bauer had ma ...
. After defeated the Georgetown Raiders 4-games-to-2 to win the OPJHL, they then traveled to Georgetown, Ontario to compete for the
Dudley Hewitt Cup The Dudley-Hewitt Cup is a championship ice hockey trophy awarded to the Central Canadian Junior A champion. The trophy is currently decided by round robin tournament format, at the conclusion of the playoffs of the Ontario Junior Hockey League, ...
. The Raiders went 3–0 in the tournament, defeating the NOJHL's North Bay Skyhawks 7–2, SIJHL's Fort William North Stars 4–0, and then St. Mike's 5–4. On top of St. Mike's loss to Georgetown, they lost to Fort William 6–4, but defeated North Bay 4–3 in quadruple overtime. In the semi-final, St. Mike's defeated Fort William 6–2, only to be defeated 3–1 in the final. Georgetown then traveled to Weyburn, Saskatchewan to compete in the Royal Bank Cup 2005. They started out with a loss to the host Weyburn Red Wings, then beat the Central Junior A Hockey League's Hawkesbury Hawks 3–0. In their third game, they defeated the MJHL's Portage Terriers 6–3, but then lost to the Alberta Junior Hockey League, AJHL's Camrose Kodiaks 2–1. They again drew Camrose in the semi-final and were walloped 8–2 to end their season. In 2006, the
St. Michael's Buzzers The St. Michael's Buzzers are a Junior "A" ice hockey team from Toronto, Ontario, Canada. They compete in the Ontario Junior Hockey League (OJHL). History The St. Michael's Buzzers date back to at least 1920, as future NHLer Bobby Bauer had ma ...
won the Buckland Cup again by defeating the Stouffville Spirit 4-games-to-2. It seemed like the Buzzers were set to avenge their Dudley Hewitt Cup losses from the previous year, but it did not go as planned. In their first game, the Buzzers lost 3–2 to the SIJHL's Dryden Ice Dogs despite badly outshooting them. In the next game, the Buzzers found their form again and massacred the host Fort William North Stars 7–1, only to lose to the NOJHL's Sudbury Jr. Wolves 5–2. Due to tie-breaker, the Buzzers were eliminated from the round robin. The OPJHL still had a single hope left, the
Streetsville Derbys The Streetsville Derbys were a Junior "A" ice hockey team from Streetsville, Ontario, Canada. They were a part of the Ontario Junior Hockey League in 2011 until they merged into the Cobourg Cougars. As of 2018 the Streetsville Hockey League have r ...
were the hosts of the 2006 Royal Bank Cup in Brampton, Ontario. The Derbys finished first in the round robin, defeating the BCHL's Burnaby Express 4–3 in overtime, Fort William 3–2, the SJHL's Yorkton Terriers 2–1, before dropping a game to the QJAAAHL's Joliette Action 4–1. Unfortunately, the Derbys failed to win the semi-final against Yorkton, losing 2–1. The 2006–07 season was dominated by the Aurora Tigers. After finishing first in the OPJHL regular season, the Tigers walked through five rounds of playoffs to win the Buckland Cup. They then traveled to Iroquois Falls, Ontario for the Dudley Hewitt Cup. The Dudley proved to be little challenge for the Tigers, as they defeated the NOJHL's Soo Indians 4–1, the SIJHL's Schreiber Diesels 6–3, and the host Abitibi Eskimos 7–0, before crushing Schreiber 10–0 in the Central Championship final. Next, they traveled to Prince George, British Columbia for the 2007 Royal Bank Cup. Aurora started off the national championship with a 4–2 victory over the MJHL's Selkirk Steelers. They then lost to the Central Junior A Hockey League's Pembroke Lumber Kings 5–3. The Tigers then beat the host Prince George Spruce Kings 6-3 and the Alberta Junior Hockey League, AJHL's Camrose Kodiaks 7–4 to clinch first place in the round robin. In the semi-final, the Tiger ended up defeating the only team they lost to in the tournament, Pembroke, 3–2 in overtime. In the final, the Tigers defeated Prince George 3–1 to win their second national title in four years. The 2008 league champions were an exciting
Oakville Blades The Oakville Blades are a Junior "A" ice hockey team from Oakville, Ontario, Canada. They are a part of the Ontario Junior Hockey League. History The Blades started as a Junior C team, and made it to the Clarence Schmalz Cup Final once to compet ...
team that had a great regular season and dominated the Buckland Cup playoffs. At the Dudley, the Blades were perfect, defeating the SIJHL's Dryden Ice Dogs 5–1, the NOJHL's Sudbury Jr. Wolves 5–3, and the host Newmarket Hurricanes 5–2. The other two games for Newmarket had them defeat Sudbury 5-1 and Dryden 7–1. In the semi-final, Newmarket defeated Dryden again 2-1 and in the final Oakville finished off Newmarket's season with a 6–3 victory. In the process, Oakville lost their star goaltender, mid-tournament, in order for him to maintain hist NCAA eligibility due to his age. This loss cost the Blades as they traveled to Cornwall, Ontario for the 2008 Royal Bank Cup. The Blades lost their opener to the host Cornwall Colts 5–4. they then lost in overtime to the MJAHL's Weeks Crushers 4–3. They rebounded in their fourth game, defeating the SJHL's Humboldt Broncos 7–6, but then had all their hopes erased with a 6–1 loss to the Alberta Junior Hockey League, AJHL's Camrose Kodiaks. With a 1–3 record, the Blades were eliminated from the tournament despite outshooting their opponent in all four games.


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. 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. The 2008–09 season finished with the Couchiching Terriers taking the overall best record. The finish in the Central Division was quite unique. First and last place in the division was the least spread out of all four divisions, the top six of eight teams all had even or winning records, the
Markham Waxers The Markham Waxers were an Ontario Junior Hockey League (OJHL) Junior "A" ice hockey team based in Markham, Ontario, Canada. The Waxers name is still used by the Markham Waxers minor hockey club with the Eastern AAA Hockey League, a sub league of ...
and Wellington Dukes race for first place lasted until the final game of the season, as did the race for third between the Hamilton Red Wings Jr. A, Hamilton Red Wings, Newmarket Hurricanes, and Toronto Jr. Canadiens. The Central Division playoffs was won by Wellington, but they were eliminated by the MacKinnon Division champion and defending league champion
Oakville Blades The Oakville Blades are a Junior "A" ice hockey team from Oakville, Ontario, Canada. They are a part of the Ontario Junior Hockey League. History The Blades started as a Junior C team, and made it to the Clarence Schmalz Cup Final once to compet ...
in a controversial series that went to a seventh game. The Kingston Voyageurs won the Ruddock Division who beat the Phillips Division champion Huntsville Otters 4-games-to-1 to go to the Buckland Cup finals. Kingston would defeat Oakville 4-games-to-2 in the league final for the Buckland Cup. The Voyageurs moved on to the
Dudley Hewitt Cup The Dudley-Hewitt Cup is a championship ice hockey trophy awarded to the Central Canadian Junior A champion. The trophy is currently decided by round robin tournament format, at the conclusion of the playoffs of the Ontario Junior Hockey League, ...
in Schreiber, Ontario where they started the tournament by beating the host Schreiber Diesels of the SIJHL 9–0. They then were upset by the SIJHL champion Fort William North Stars 1–0. In the third game, the Voyageurs defeated the NOJHL champion Soo Thunderbirds 2–0 to move on directly to the DHC Final. In the final, the Voyageurs defeated a fatigued and fresh off a slim semi-final victory North Stars 4–1 to win the Central Canada crown. They then flew out to Victoria, British Columbia for the 2009 Royal Bank Cup. The event was a learning experience for the Voyageurs who started off the event with a 5–0 loss to the host Victoria Grizzlies. In their next game, the Voyageurs edged the MJAHL's Summerside Western Capitals with a wild 7–5 win. They then lost to the SJHL's Humboldt Broncos 5–2 and then the BCHL's Vernon Vipers 8–5. Edging into the semi-finals via a head-to-head win over the Capitals, the Voyageurs lost their final game of the year 6–3 to the eventual national champion Vipers. 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 Ontario Junior A Hockey League, and the other 21 teams will be the Central Canadian Hockey League.


OJAHL

The first game in the new league's history was on September 9, 2009. The
Bramalea Blues The Bramalea Blues were a Junior "A" ice hockey team from Bramalea, Ontario, Canada. Their final two seasons were played in Brampton, Ontario at the Powerade Centre. They were a part of the Ontario Junior A Hockey League but also used to be a pa ...
defeated the Mississauga Chargers 6–4 in Mississauga. The
Oakville Blades The Oakville Blades are a Junior "A" ice hockey team from Oakville, Ontario, Canada. They are a part of the Ontario Junior Hockey League. History The Blades started as a Junior C team, and made it to the Clarence Schmalz Cup Final once to compet ...
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 The Oakville Blades are a Junior "A" ice hockey team from Oakville, Ontario, Canada. They are a part of the Ontario Junior Hockey League. History The Blades started as a Junior C team, and made it to the Clarence Schmalz Cup Final once to compet ...
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 The Dudley-Hewitt Cup is a championship ice hockey trophy awarded to the Central Canadian Junior A champion. The trophy is currently decided by round robin tournament format, at the conclusion of the playoffs of the Ontario Junior Hockey League, ...
.


CCHL

The first game under the CCHL banner was played September 9, 2009. The
Streetsville Derbys The Streetsville Derbys were a Junior "A" ice hockey team from Streetsville, Ontario, Canada. They were a part of the Ontario Junior Hockey League in 2011 until they merged into the Cobourg Cougars. As of 2018 the Streetsville Hockey League have r ...
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 The Ontario Hockey Association (OHA) is the governing body for the majority of junior and senior level ice hockey teams in the Province of Ontario. The OHA is sanctioned by the Ontario Hockey Federation along with the Northern Ontario Hockey As ...
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 Ajax Attack, Bowmanville Eagles,
Bramalea Blues The Bramalea Blues were a Junior "A" ice hockey team from Bramalea, Ontario, Canada. Their final two seasons were played in Brampton, Ontario at the Powerade Centre. They were a part of the Ontario Junior A Hockey League but also used to be a pa ...
, Couchiching Terriers and Seguin Bruins. The trend continued in the summer of 2011, as the
Streetsville Derbys The Streetsville Derbys were a Junior "A" ice hockey team from Streetsville, Ontario, Canada. They were a part of the Ontario Junior Hockey League in 2011 until they merged into the Cobourg Cougars. As of 2018 the Streetsville Hockey League have r ...
merged to leave the league and the Collingwood Blackhawks, Dixie Beehives (2005–2011), Dixie Beehives, and Orangeville Flyers all ceased operations. However, just over a week later, the Orangeville Flyers were reborn as the Villanova Knights filled in the void, and taken the identity of the Flyers. 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 The Greater Toronto Area, commonly referred to as the GTA, includes the City of Toronto and the regional municipalities of Durham, Halton, Peel, and York. In total, the region contains 25 urban, suburban, and rural municipalities. The Greater T ...
. Despite the retraction in league size and an increase in overall league talent, the league's teams have suffered at the gate and some teams have been forced to charge player fees. 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.


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, Ontario, Huntsville, Parry Sound and even Belleville, Ontario, Belleville. It is highly questionable, if the OJHL will consider expanded to Central Ontario and Southern Ontario. 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, Ontario, Milton and be rebranded the Milton Menace.


Seasons


Teams


Former teams


CJBHL (Left before 1992)

*Erin Shamrocks, Acton Sabres *Brampton Warriors#Junior B Warriors, Brampton Warriors Jr. B *Dixie Beehives#Jr. B Beehives, Dixie Beehives Jr. B * Dundas Flyers *Goderich Siftos *Guelph Biltmores *Guelph CMC's *Hamilton Mountain A's, Hamilton Bees *Ingersoll Marlands *
Kitchener Greenshirts The Kitchener Greenshirts name has been used by five separate ice hockey teams playing in Kitchener, Ontario, Canada. These include one 'Senior A' level hockey team, two 'Junior A' level teams, and two 'Junior B' level teams. The name has also b ...
*Mimico Monarchs *Nobleton Devils *Oak Ridges Dynes *
Owen Sound Greys The Owen Sound Greys were a series of junior ice hockey teams based in Owen Sound, Ontario, Canada. They played in the Mid-Western division of the Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League. The original Greys, in their early years, won the 1924 and 192 ...
*Paris Mounties, Paris Redshirts *
Preston Raiders The Preston Raiders were a Canadian Junior "B" ice hockey team from the town of Preston, Ontario which later became Cambridge, Ontario. History The team started out as the Preston Pals of the Central Junior C Hockey League. They changed their n ...
*St. Catharines Falcons (1968–), St. Catharines Amthes *St. Marys Lincolns *Stratford Cullitons, Stratford Braves *
Strathroy Rockets The Strathroy Rockets are a junior ice hockey team based in Strathroy, Ontario, Canada. They play in the Western division of the Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League. History In 1965, the Rockets joined the old Western Junior "B" league. When ...
*Thornhill Thunderbirds *
Waterloo Siskins The Kitchener-Waterloo Siskins are a junior ice hockey team based in Waterloo, Ontario, Canada. They play in the Mid-Western division of the Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League. History Founded in 1934, the Siskins are one of the longest runni ...
*Woodstock Renegades, 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.''


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 The Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League (NOJHL) is a Canadian Junior ice hockey league and member of the Canadian Junior Hockey League and Northern Ontario Hockey Association. The winner of the NOJHL playoffs competes for the Dudley Hewitt Cup ...
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 The Ontario Hockey Association (OHA) is the governing body for the majority of junior and senior level ice hockey teams in the Province of Ontario. The OHA is sanctioned by the Ontario Hockey Federation along with the Northern Ontario Hockey As ...
and in 1998-99 the OPJHL became the only Jr. A league in the OHA. File:Buckland Trophy.png, Frank L. Buckland Trophy:
OHA Jr. A Championship File:Ruddock Trophy.png, William T. Ruddock Trophy:
OHF Championship, competed for by OPJHL champions since 1994 File:Dudley Hewitt Cup.png,
Dudley Hewitt Cup The Dudley-Hewitt Cup is a championship ice hockey trophy awarded to the Central Canadian Junior A champion. The trophy is currently decided by round robin tournament format, at the conclusion of the playoffs of the Ontario Junior Hockey League, ...
:
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.


Dudley Hewitt Cup The Dudley-Hewitt Cup is a championship ice hockey trophy awarded to the Central Canadian Junior A champion. The trophy is currently decided by round robin tournament format, at the conclusion of the playoffs of the Ontario Junior Hockey League, ...
Central Canadian Champions


Junior A National Champions


Central League Jr. B Champions

The league champions are bolded.


Sutherland Cup Provincial Jr. B Champions

''OPJHL Champions are listed on the league's official website. 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 Christmas and New Years in Newmarket, Ontario, hosted by the Newmarket Hurricanes. The tournament started in 1992 to help aid Canadian Hockey League, National Hockey League, and National Collegiate Athletic Association scouts in finding prospects for their teams. The tournament was highly competitive and successful. It drew as many as twenty junior hockey teams from all over
North America North America is a continent in the Northern Hemisphere and almost entirely within the Western Hemisphere. It is bordered to the north by the Arctic Ocean, to the east by the Atlantic Ocean, to the southeast by South America and the Car ...
. Despite just being a mid-season tourney, the event was highly contested and its title is played for with much ferocity. In 2007, the tournament was canceled as Newmarket wanted to focus their attention on hosting the
Dudley Hewitt Cup The Dudley-Hewitt Cup is a championship ice hockey trophy awarded to the Central Canadian Junior A champion. The trophy is currently decided by round robin tournament format, at the conclusion of the playoffs of the Ontario Junior Hockey League, ...
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


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 *Most assists, one season: Jamie Janjevich (94) -- 1994-95 Milton Merchants *Most points, one season: Steve Walker (151) -- 1992-93 Barrie Colts ''(**) 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 The Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League (NOJHL) is a Canadian Junior ice hockey league and member of the Canadian Junior Hockey League and Northern Ontario Hockey Association. The winner of the NOJHL playoffs competes for the Dudley Hewitt Cup ...
*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 Dudley-Hewitt Cup is a championship ice hockey trophy awarded to the Central Canadian Junior A champion. The trophy is currently decided by round robin tournament format, at the conclusion of the playoffs of the Ontario Junior Hockey League, ...
, 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


See also

*
Ontario Hockey Association The Ontario Hockey Association (OHA) is the governing body for the majority of junior and senior level ice hockey teams in the Province of Ontario. The OHA is sanctioned by the Ontario Hockey Federation along with the Northern Ontario Hockey As ...
*Hockey Canada *Canadian Junior A Hockey League *Metro Junior A Hockey League *Southern Ontario Junior A Hockey League *
Dudley Hewitt Cup The Dudley-Hewitt Cup is a championship ice hockey trophy awarded to the Central Canadian Junior A champion. The trophy is currently decided by round robin tournament format, at the conclusion of the playoffs of the Ontario Junior Hockey League, ...
*Royal Bank Cup


References


External links


Ontario League WebsiteOHA Website
{{Junior Hockey Ontario Junior Hockey League, 1954 establishments in Ontario Canadian Junior Hockey League members Ice hockey leagues in Ontario, A Junior ice hockey leagues in Canada, A Ontario Hockey Association Ontario Provincial Junior A Hockey League Organizations based in Mississauga Sports leagues established in 1954