The Ontario Hockey League (OHL; French: Ligue de hockey de l'Ontario (LHO)) is one of the three major junior ice hockey leagues which constitute the Canadian Hockey League. The league is for players aged 16–19. There are exceptions for overage players of 20 years of age. There are currently 20 teams in the OHL; seventeen in Ontario, two in Michigan, and one in Pennsylvania.
OHL All-Star Game opening face off at Belleville's Yardmen Arena on February 1, 2006
The league was founded in 1980 when its predecessor, the Ontario Major Junior Hockey League, formally split away from the Ontario Hockey Association, joining the Canadian Major Junior Hockey League and its direct affiliation with Hockey Canada. The OHL traces its history of Junior A hockey back to 1933 with the partition of Junior A and B. In 1970, the OHA Junior A League was one of five Junior A leagues operating in Ontario. The OHA was promoted to Tier I Junior A for the 1970–71 season and took up the name Ontario Major Junior Hockey League. Since 1980 the league has grown rapidly into a high-profile marketable product, with many games broadcast on television and radio.
In March 2005, the league announced the launch of OHL Live Stream, resulting in OHL games being broadcast live on a pay-per-view (PPV) broadband basis.[2]
Leagues for ice hockey in Ontario were first organized in 1890 by the newly created Ontario Hockey Association (OHA). In 1892 the OHA recognized junior hockey - referring to skill rather than age. In 1896 the OHA moved to the modern age-limited junior hockey concept, distinct from senior and intermediate divisions. Since then the evolution to the Ontario Hockey League has developed through four distinct eras of junior-aged non-professional hockey in Ontario. In 1933, the junior division was divided into two levels, Junior A and Junior B. In 1970 the Junior A level was divided into two levels, Tier I (or Major Junior A) and Tier II (or Minor Junior A). In 1974 the Tier I/Major Junior A group separated from the OHA and became the independent Ontario Major Junior Hockey League (OMJHL). In 1980, the OMJHL became the Ontario Hockey League.
The OHL split from the OHA in July 1982.[3] The OHA and OHL disagreed on financial terms of affiliation, then the OHL decided to handle its own administration.[3][4] The OHA and the OHL later reached an interim affiliation agreement, which allowed the OHL to compete at the Memorial Cup.[5]
Note: The 12 original OHL franchises were all previously members of the OMJHL. Some other franchises played in different junior leagues prior to joining the OHL.
Former memberCurrent member
Schedule
The 20 OHL clubs play a 68-game unbalanced schedule, which starts in the third full week of September, running until the third week of March. Ninety percent (90%) of OHL games are scheduled between Thursday and Sunday to minimize the number of school days missed for its players.
Approximately 20% of players on active rosters in the National Hockey League (NHL) have come from the OHL, and about 54% of NHL players are alumni of the Canadian Hockey League.
OHL playoffs and Memorial Cup
The J. Ross Robertson Cup is awarded annually to the winner of the Championship Series. The Cup is named for John Ross Robertson, who was president of the Ontario Hockey Association from 1901 to 1905.
The OHL playoffs consist of the top 16 teams in the league, 8 from each conference. The teams play a best-of-seven game series, and the winner of each series advances to the next round. The final two teams eventually compete for the J. Ross Robertson Cup.
The OHL champion then competes with the winners of the Western Hockey League, the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, and the host of the tournament to play for the Memorial Cup, which is awarded to the junior hockey champions of Canada. The host team of the tournament is alternated between the three leagues every season. The most recent OHL team to win the Memorial Cup was the Windsor Spitfires in 2017.
Memorial Cup champions
The Memorial Cup has been captured 17 times by OHL/OHA teams since the tournament went to a three-league format in 1972:
The OHL's predecessor, the OHA, had a midget and juvenile draft dating back to the 50s, until voted out in 1962. In 1966 it was resumed, though not publicized. Starting in the 1970s the draft went through several changes. Originally the draft was for 17-year-old midgets not already associated with teams through their sponsored youth programs. In 1971 the league first allowed "underage" midgets to be picked in the first three rounds. In 1972 disagreements about the Toronto team's rights to its "Marlie" players (and Greg Neeld) and claims to American player Mark Howe led to a revised system. In 1973 each team was permitted to protect eight midget area players (Toronto was allowed to protect 10 players from its midget sponsored teams). In 1975 the league phased out the area protections, and the 1976 OHA midget draft was the first in which all midget players were eligible. In 1999 the league changed the draft to a bantam age (15 and 16 year old). It is a selection of players who are residents of the province of Ontario, the states of Michigan, Pennsylvania and New York, and other designated U.S. states east of the Mississippi River plus Missouri.
Prior to 2001, the OHL held the Priority Selection in a public forum, such as an arena. Drafts were attended by many players and family members. In 2001, the OHL decided to hold the "draft" via the internet, greatly reducing the costs the league and its member teams incurred in hosting a public draft. This move reduced the stress and pressure that prospective players faced with a large crowd present.
The Jack Ferguson Award is presented annually to the first overall selection. The award was named in honour of long time OHL scout and former Director of Central Scouting Jack Ferguson.
Trophies and awards
List of trophies and awards in the Ontario Hockey League.[7]
^Bell, Aaron (2007). 2007–08 Information Guide and Player Register. Toronto, Ontario: Ontario Hockey League. p. 12.
^"OHL Awards". Ontario Hockey League. Canadian Hockey League. Retrieved 2018-01-05.
External links
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Ontario Hockey League.
Official website
Canadian Hockey League Official website
Internet Hockey Database archive of standings and statistics
April 15, 2023
ontario, hockey, league, this, article, needs, additional, citations, verification, please, help, improve, this, article, adding, citations, reliable, sources, unsourced, material, challenged, removed, find, sources, news, newspapers, books, scholar, jstor, 20. This article needs additional citations for verification Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources Unsourced material may be challenged and removed Find sources Ontario Hockey League news newspapers books scholar JSTOR May 2011 Learn how and when to remove this template message The Ontario Hockey League OHL French Ligue de hockey de l Ontario LHO is one of the three major junior ice hockey leagues which constitute the Canadian Hockey League The league is for players aged 16 19 There are exceptions for overage players of 20 years of age There are currently 20 teams in the OHL seventeen in Ontario two in Michigan and one in Pennsylvania Ontario Hockey LeagueCurrent season competition or edition 2022 23 OHL seasonSportIce hockeyFounded1980CEODavid Branch 1 No of teams20CountriesCanada 17 teams USA 3 teams Most recentchampion s Hamilton Bulldogs 2 Most titlesOshawa Generals 13 TV partner s Sportsnet Sportsnet One Cogeco Sports Rogers TV TV Rogers Shaw TVOfficial websiteontariohockeyleague wbr comOHL All Star Game opening face off at Belleville s Yardmen Arena on February 1 2006 The league was founded in 1980 when its predecessor the Ontario Major Junior Hockey League formally split away from the Ontario Hockey Association joining the Canadian Major Junior Hockey League and its direct affiliation with Hockey Canada The OHL traces its history of Junior A hockey back to 1933 with the partition of Junior A and B In 1970 the OHA Junior A League was one of five Junior A leagues operating in Ontario The OHA was promoted to Tier I Junior A for the 1970 71 season and took up the name Ontario Major Junior Hockey League Since 1980 the league has grown rapidly into a high profile marketable product with many games broadcast on television and radio In March 2005 the league announced the launch of OHL Live Stream resulting in OHL games being broadcast live on a pay per view PPV broadband basis 2 Contents 1 History 1 1 Commissioners 2 Member teams 2 1 Former teams 2 2 Timeline of franchises since 1980 3 Schedule 3 1 OHL playoffs and Memorial Cup 4 Memorial Cup champions 5 Priority selection 6 Trophies and awards 7 See also 8 References 9 External linksHistory EditMain article History of the Ontario Hockey League Leagues for ice hockey in Ontario were first organized in 1890 by the newly created Ontario Hockey Association OHA In 1892 the OHA recognized junior hockey referring to skill rather than age In 1896 the OHA moved to the modern age limited junior hockey concept distinct from senior and intermediate divisions Since then the evolution to the Ontario Hockey League has developed through four distinct eras of junior aged non professional hockey in Ontario In 1933 the junior division was divided into two levels Junior A and Junior B In 1970 the Junior A level was divided into two levels Tier I or Major Junior A and Tier II or Minor Junior A In 1974 the Tier I Major Junior A group separated from the OHA and became the independent Ontario Major Junior Hockey League OMJHL In 1980 the OMJHL became the Ontario Hockey League The OHL split from the OHA in July 1982 3 The OHA and OHL disagreed on financial terms of affiliation then the OHL decided to handle its own administration 3 4 The OHA and the OHL later reached an interim affiliation agreement which allowed the OHL to compete at the Memorial Cup 5 Commissioners Edit OMJHL and OHL Commissioners years in office 6 Tubby Schmalz September 23 1974 December 15 1978 Bill Beagan December 15 1978 January 1979 Sherwood Bassin interim January September 1979 David Branch September 17 1979 present Member teams EditOntario Hockey LeagueEastern ConferenceDivision Team City ArenaEast Brantford Bulldogs Brantford Ontario Brantford Civic CentreKingston Frontenacs Kingston Ontario Leon s CentreOshawa Generals Oshawa Ontario Tribute Communities CentreOttawa 67 s Ottawa Ontario TD Place ArenaPeterborough Petes Peterborough Ontario Peterborough Memorial CentreCentral Barrie Colts Barrie Ontario Sadlon ArenaMississauga Steelheads Mississauga Ontario Paramount Fine Foods CentreNiagara IceDogs St Catharines Ontario Meridian CentreNorth Bay Battalion North Bay Ontario North Bay Memorial GardensSudbury Wolves Greater Sudbury Ontario Sudbury Community ArenaWestern ConferenceDivision Team City ArenaMidwest Erie Otters Erie Pennsylvania Erie Insurance ArenaGuelph Storm Guelph Ontario Sleeman CentreKitchener Rangers Kitchener Ontario Kitchener Memorial Auditorium ComplexLondon Knights London Ontario Budweiser GardensOwen Sound Attack Owen Sound Ontario Harry Lumley Bayshore Community CentreWest Flint Firebirds Flint Michigan Dort Federal Credit Union Event CenterSaginaw Spirit Saginaw Michigan Dow Event CenterSarnia Sting Sarnia Ontario Progressive Auto Sales ArenaSault Ste Marie Greyhounds Sault Ste Marie Ontario GFL Memorial GardensWindsor Spitfires Windsor Ontario WFCU Centre Ontario Hockey League Interactive fullscreen map West Division Midwest Division Central Division East Division Former teams Edit Cornwall Royals 1981 1992 moved to Newmarket Newmarket Royals 1992 1994 moved to Sarnia Niagara Falls Flyers 1980 1982 moved to North Bay North Bay Centennials 1982 2002 moved to Saginaw Brantford Alexanders 1980 1984 moved to Hamilton Hamilton Steelhawks 1984 1988 moved to Niagara Falls Niagara Falls Thunder 1988 1996 moved to Erie Guelph Platers 1980 1989 moved to Owen Sound Toronto Marlboros 1980 1989 moved to Hamilton Dukes of Hamilton 1989 1991 moved to Guelph Detroit Junior Red Wings 1992 1995 became the Detroit Whalers Detroit Whalers 1995 1997 moved to Plymouth Plymouth Whalers 1997 2015 moved to Flint Brampton Battalion 1998 2013 moved to North Bay Mississauga IceDogs 1998 2007 moved to St Catharines Toronto St Michael s Majors 1996 2007 played in Mississauga until 2012 Belleville Bulls 1981 2015 moved to HamiltonTimeline of franchises since 1980 Edit Note The 12 original OHL franchises were all previously members of the OMJHL Some other franchises played in different junior leagues prior to joining the OHL Former member Current memberSchedule EditThe 20 OHL clubs play a 68 game unbalanced schedule which starts in the third full week of September running until the third week of March Ninety percent 90 of OHL games are scheduled between Thursday and Sunday to minimize the number of school days missed for its players Approximately 20 of players on active rosters in the National Hockey League NHL have come from the OHL and about 54 of NHL players are alumni of the Canadian Hockey League OHL playoffs and Memorial Cup Edit The J Ross Robertson Cup is awarded annually to the winner of the Championship Series The Cup is named for John Ross Robertson who was president of the Ontario Hockey Association from 1901 to 1905 The OHL playoffs consist of the top 16 teams in the league 8 from each conference The teams play a best of seven game series and the winner of each series advances to the next round The final two teams eventually compete for the J Ross Robertson Cup The OHL champion then competes with the winners of the Western Hockey League the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League and the host of the tournament to play for the Memorial Cup which is awarded to the junior hockey champions of Canada The host team of the tournament is alternated between the three leagues every season The most recent OHL team to win the Memorial Cup was the Windsor Spitfires in 2017 Memorial Cup champions EditThe Memorial Cup has been captured 17 times by OHL OHA teams since the tournament went to a three league format in 1972 2017 Windsor Spitfires 2016 London Knights 2015 Oshawa Generals 2010 Windsor Spitfires 2009 Windsor Spitfires 2005 London Knights 2003 Kitchener Rangers 1999 Ottawa 67 s 1993 Sault Ste Marie Greyhounds 1990 Oshawa Generals 1986 Guelph Platers 1984 Ottawa 67 s 1982 Kitchener Rangers 1979 Peterborough Petes 1976 Hamilton Fincups 1975 Toronto Marlboros 1973 Toronto MarlborosThe Cup was also won 16 times by OHA teams in the period between 1945 and 1971 1970 Montreal Junior Canadiens 1969 Montreal Junior Canadiens 1968 Niagara Falls Flyers 1967 Toronto Marlboros 1965 Niagara Falls Flyers 1964 Toronto Marlboros 1962 Hamilton Red Wings 1961 Toronto St Michael s Majors 1960 St Catharines Teepees 1956 Toronto Marlboros 1955 Toronto Marlboros 1954 St Catharines Teepees 1953 Barrie Flyers 1952 Guelph Biltmore Mad Hatters 1951 Barrie Flyers 1947 Toronto St Michael s MajorsPriority selection EditThe OHL s predecessor the OHA had a midget and juvenile draft dating back to the 50s until voted out in 1962 In 1966 it was resumed though not publicized Starting in the 1970s the draft went through several changes Originally the draft was for 17 year old midgets not already associated with teams through their sponsored youth programs In 1971 the league first allowed underage midgets to be picked in the first three rounds In 1972 disagreements about the Toronto team s rights to its Marlie players and Greg Neeld and claims to American player Mark Howe led to a revised system In 1973 each team was permitted to protect eight midget area players Toronto was allowed to protect 10 players from its midget sponsored teams In 1975 the league phased out the area protections and the 1976 OHA midget draft was the first in which all midget players were eligible In 1999 the league changed the draft to a bantam age 15 and 16 year old It is a selection of players who are residents of the province of Ontario the states of Michigan Pennsylvania and New York and other designated U S states east of the Mississippi River plus Missouri Prior to 2001 the OHL held the Priority Selection in a public forum such as an arena Drafts were attended by many players and family members In 2001 the OHL decided to hold the draft via the internet greatly reducing the costs the league and its member teams incurred in hosting a public draft This move reduced the stress and pressure that prospective players faced with a large crowd present The Jack Ferguson Award is presented annually to the first overall selection The award was named in honour of long time OHL scout and former Director of Central Scouting Jack Ferguson Trophies and awards EditList of trophies and awards in the Ontario Hockey League 7 Playoffs trophiesTrophy name Recognition FoundedJ Ross Robertson Cup OHL Finals champion 1934Bobby Orr Trophy Eastern Conference champion 1999Wayne Gretzky Trophy Western Conference champion 1999Wayne Gretzky 99 Award Playoffs MVP 1999Regular season Team trophiesTrophy name Recognition FoundedHamilton Spectator Trophy Team with best record 1958Leyden Trophy East division champion 1976Emms Trophy Central division champion 1976Bumbacco Trophy West division champion 1995Holody Trophy Midwest division champion 1999Regular season Executive awardsTrophy name Recognition FoundedMatt Leyden Trophy Coach of the year 1972Jim Gregory Award General manager of the year 2020Bill Long Award Lifetime achievement 1989OHL Executive of the Year Executive of the Year not awarded since 2013 1990Regular season Player awardsTrophy name Recognition FoundedRed Tilson Trophy Most outstanding player 1945Eddie Powers Memorial Trophy Top scorer 1946Dave Pinkney Trophy Lowest team goals against 1949Max Kaminsky Trophy Most outstanding defenceman 1961Jim Mahon Memorial Trophy Top scoring right winger 1972Emms Family Award Rookie of the year 1973William Hanley Trophy Most sportsmanlike player 1975F W Dinty Moore Trophy Best rookie GAA 1976Bobby Smith Trophy Scholastic player of the year 1980Leo Lalonde Memorial Trophy Overage player of the year 1984OHL Goaltender of the Year Goaltender of the year 1988Dan Snyder Memorial Trophy Humanitarian of the year 1993Roger Neilson Memorial Award Top academic college university player 2005Ivan Tennant Memorial Award Top academic high school player 2005Mickey Renaud Captain s Trophy Team captain that best exemplifies character and commitment 2009Prospect player awardsTrophy name Recognition FoundedJack Ferguson Award First overall pick in priority selection 1981Tim Adams Memorial Trophy OHL Cup MVP 2003See also EditList of OHL seasons List of OHA Junior A standingsReferences Edit OHL Directory Ontario Hockey League Retrieved 2018 01 06 Ontario Hockey League launches OHL Live Stream OHL to Webcast over 2000 PPV Games INSINC Retrieved 2022 06 18 a b Nelson Jim July 8 1982 Breakup now official OHL OHA separate Windsor Star Windsor Ontario p 37 Financial dispute with OHA forces OHL to go on its own The Kingston Whig Standard Kingston Ontario The Canadian Press August 18 1982 p 45 Rebel OHL now forgiven one Windsor Star Windsor Ontario The Canadian Press December 21 1982 p 13 Bell Aaron 2007 2007 08 Information Guide and Player Register Toronto Ontario Ontario Hockey League p 12 OHL Awards Ontario Hockey League Canadian Hockey League Retrieved 2018 01 05 External links Edit Wikimedia Commons has media related to Ontario Hockey League Official website Canadian Hockey League Official website Internet Hockey Database archive of standings and statistics Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Ontario Hockey League amp oldid 1149473315, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
