:Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League
{{Short description|Canadian junior ice hockey league founded 2007}}
{{Use Canadian English|date=October 2024}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2025}}
{{Infobox sports league
| title = Greater Ontario Junior
Hockey League
| logo = GOJHL Logo.svg
| sport = Ice hockey
| founded = 2007
| headquarters = Cambridge, Ontario
| commissioner = Craig Spada
| teams = 23
| country = Canada
| champion = Chatham Maroons
(2nd title)
| most_champs = Caledonia Corvairs
(4)
| TV = FloSports
| website = {{URL|http://gojhl.ca}}
}}
class="infobox" style=" text-align:center; border:1px solid #8Af; font-size: 95%;" | ||
colspan="2" | | ||
colspan="2" style="background-color:#acf;"| OHA Junior "B" | ||
---|---|---|
style="background-color:#def;" | WJBHL | (1950–1968) |
style="background-color:#def;" | EJBHL | (1950–1972) |
style="background-color:#def;" | MetJHL | (1950–1989) |
style="background-color:#def;" | NDJBHL | (1954–1979) |
style="background-color:#def;" | CJBHL | (1954–1993) |
style="background-color:#def;" | BCJHL | (1958–1964) |
style="background-color:#def;" | MOJBHL | (1970–1978) |
style="background-color:#def;" | SWJBHL | (1976–1978) |
style="background-color:#def;" | WOHL | (1969–2007) |
style="background-color:#def;" | MWJHL | (1973–2007) |
style="background-color:#def;" | GHL | (1974–2007) |
style="background-color:#def;" | GOJHL | (2007–present) |
colspan="2" | Ontario Hockey Association | ||
colspan="2" | Sutherland Cup |
The Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League (GOJHL) is a Canadian junior ice hockey league based in Southern Ontario, Canada. The league is sanctioned by the Ontario Hockey Association, Ontario Hockey Federation, and Hockey Canada. The league is considered Junior B by the OHA, although it has attempted several times to be promoted to Junior A.{{Cite web |url=http://localsportsreport.com/index.php?p=Blogs,View&blog=5&id=351 |title=Archived copy |access-date=2014-04-07 |archive-date=2014-04-07 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140407083022/http://localsportsreport.com/index.php?p=Blogs,View&blog=5&id=351 |url-status=dead }}
The league was created in 2007 through the merging of the Western Ontario Hockey League, Mid-Western Junior Hockey League, and Golden Horseshoe Junior Hockey League to dissuade perceived "player raiding" from teams in the then-Ontario Provincial Junior A Hockey League. The twenty-three teams of the Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League come from Southwestern Ontario and the Golden Horseshoe.
History
File:Brantford 99ers player 2014.jpg player during 2013–14 season.]]
File:St. Catharines Falcons player 2014.jpg player 2014 playoffs.]]
In the late 1990s, the Western Ontario Junior B Hockey League began complaining about their top level players being pulled from their teams at trade deadline time by Ontario Provincial Junior A Hockey League clubs without permission or compensation. A common view in Southern Ontario Junior B circles is that Junior "A" and Junior "B" are approximately the same skill level. In fact the OPJHL was known as the Central Ontario Junior B Hockey League until 1993, as well the Metro Junior A Hockey League which folded in 1998 was a Junior "B" league until 1991.
During the 2006–07 season, the general managers of all Ontario Hockey Association Junior "B" teams came together and voted unanimously to merge and create the Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League effective for the 2007–08 season. The GOJHL will become the sole competing body of the Sutherland Cup, which had as many as eight leagues competing for it at one time.
The 2007–08 season did not begin as planned. The management of the Mid-Western league resigned and needed to be replaced, and with a lack of organization due to the short time the new management had to get organized, the MWJHL had to opt out of an interlocking schedule. As a result, the entire GOJHL went without an interlocking schedule for 2007–08. The 2008–09 season saw the complete liquidation of all three divisional managements and a single governing body was put in place for the league. Additionally, inter-divisional play would also commence.
File:2013 LaSalle Vipers player.jpg forward on road (October 2013).]]
In the future, the league has stated that it will pursue club expansion, a reconfiguration that will move the league from three to four divisions, and possibly a move to join the Canadian Junior A Hockey League in future years.
On September 8, 2007, the Cambridge Winterhawks and the Guelph Dominators played the first ever game since the inception of the GOJHL. Despite leading 2–0 and outshooting Guelph, the defending Sutherland Cup Champions allowed five unanswered goals to drop the game 5–2. On May 3, 2008, the Tecumseh Chiefs finished a four-game sweep of the Elmira Sugar Kings to win the first ever GOJHL championship.
On September 24, 2008, the GOJHL hosted its first interdivisional regular season game between the Golden Horseshoe's Wheatfield Jr. Blades and the Western's London Nationals in London, Ontario. The Nationals won the game 6–2.
File:Kitchener Dutchmen goalie 2014.jpg goalie during the 2013–14 season.]]
The LaSalle Vipers, 2010 Sutherland Cup champions, were asked to represent the Ontario Hockey Association and Hockey Canada for "Canada Day" in Mexico. On December 16, 2010, the Vipers played the Mexico Under-20 National Team and defeated them 9–2 in Mexico City. In January 2011, the GOJHL's Golden Horseshoe Conference and Midwestern Conference hosted the Russian Minor Hockey League's "Red Stars" who did not make their Under-20 Team. On January 1, the MHL Red Stars defeated the Golden Horseshoe Conference 7–4 and on January 3, the Red Stars defeated the Midwestern Conference 11–3. The MHL is Russia's top tier Junior league, while each conference of the GOJHL is a third of Southern Ontario's third-tier of Junior hockey.
On October 10, 2012, the OHA announced its intention to expand east of Guelph and form a new fourth conference for the GOJHL.{{Cite web|url=http://www.oha.pointstreaksites.com/view/oha/news/news_57057|title=FOR IMMEIDATE RELEASE | Ontario Hockey Association|website=www.oha.pointstreaksites.com}} The announcement comes on the heels of the relocation of the Owen Sound Greys to Brampton by their sponsor, leaving the northerly city out of OHA junior hockey for the first time in ninety-nine years (not including wartime).{{Cite web|url=https://www.bramptonguardian.com/brampton-on-news/|title=Brampton Breaking News – Brampton's Online Newspaper|website=BramptonGuardian.com}} In January 2014, the OHA announced that the plan to expand was on hold due to lack of serious parties. They announced that of eleven applicants, only four were substantial enough to play in the league. A Brantford group applied for expansion none-the-less, while the other three parties are currently in limbo.{{Cite web|url=https://thejuniorhockeynews.com/gojhl-expansion-on-hold/|title=GOJHL Expansion On Hold|first=Joseph|last=Kolodziej|date=January 25, 2013}} The Brantford group was approved for membership into the Midwestern Conference as the Brantford 99'ers.
On March 28, 2014, the GOJHL's representatives filed for promotion from Junior B to Junior A with the Ontario Hockey Association. The matter was discussed at the OHA head office on April 5, 2014. A few weeks later, the OHA rejected the promotion and the GOJHL's chairman was dismissed by the OHA. During the 2014–15 season, the Golden Horseshoe Conference held a vote to determine their future with the GOJHL. The teams voted to leave the GOJHL with OHA approval and govern autonomously from the league. In retaliation, the GOJHL invited no players from the Golden Horseshoe to the league's all-star game, forcing the Golden Horseshoe to play their own game in short order late in the season. The GOJHL playoff format remains unchanged for 2015 despite the shuffle. Before the playoffs began in 2015, the GOJHL announced that the Golden Horseshoe had rejoined the fold and that its annexation was averted.
In early May 2017, the Cambridge Winterhawks announced their intentions to sever ties with the OHA, stating that they would not be part of the GOJHL going forward. The GOJHL initial response was to withhold comment until further details could be established.
{{clear left}}
In June 2024, the GOJHL announced new realigned conferences, moving to an "East/West" format from the long standing 3 conference arrangement.{{cite web | url=https://www.gojhl.ca/2024-2025-conference-realignment | title=2024/2025 conference realignment | date=August 10, 2024 }}
Teams
{{OSM Location map | width=420 | height=340 | coord={{coord|43|-81}} | zoom=7 | shape1=n-circle | shape-color1=#CF152D | caption=Locations of teams competing in the 2024–25 GOJHL season in Southern Ontario| auto-caption=12
| mark-title1= Chatham Maroons
| mark-image1= Chatham Memorial Arena - Chatham, ON.jpg
| mark-description1= Chatham Memorial Arena]
| mark-coord1 = {{Coord|42.39028|-82.17546}}
| mark-title2 = Elmira Sugar Kings
| mark-image2 = Woolwich Memorial Centre - Interior.jpg
| mark-description2 = Woolwich Memorial Centre
| mark-coord2 = {{Coord|43.59650172523974|-80.56495609346416}}
| mark-title3=Kitchener-Waterloo Siskins
| mark-image3= Waterloo Memorial Recreation Complex Interior - Waterloo, ON.jpg
| mark-description3=Waterloo Memorial Recreation Complex
| mark-coord3 = {{Coord|43.464093|-80.532588}}
| mark-title4=Komoka Kings
| mark-image4= Komoka Wellness Centre - Komoka, ON.jpg
| mark-description4=Komoka Wellness Centre
| mark-coord4 = {{Coord|42.95162|-81.42455}}
| mark-title5=LaSalle Vipers
| mark-image5= Vollmer Culture and Recreation Complex - LaSalle, ON.jpg
| mark-description5=Vollmer Culture and Recreation Complex
| mark-coord5 = {{Coord|42.223059|-83.052869}}
| mark-title6=Listowel Cyclones
| mark-image6= Steve Kerr Memorial Complex - Listowel, ON.jpg
| mark-description6=Steve Kerr Memorial Complex
| mark-coord6 = {{Coord|43.74152|-80.965683}}
| mark-title7=London Nationals
| mark-image7= Western Fair District Sports Centre - London, ON.jpg
| mark-description7=Western Fair District Sports Centre
| mark-coord7 = {{Coord|42.988024|-81.217797}}
| mark-title8=Sarnia Legionnaires
| mark-image8= Sarnia Arena - Sarnia, ON.jpg
| mark-description8=Pat Stapleton Arena
| mark-coord8 = {{Coord|42.969158|-82.402976}}
| mark-title9=St. Marys Lincolns
| mark-image9= St. Marys Pyramid Centre 2016.jpg
| mark-description9=Pyramid Recreation Complex
| mark-coord9 = {{Coord|43.25129|-81.13276}}
| mark-title10=St. Thomas Stars
| mark-image10= St. Thomas Timken Community Centre - St. Thomas, ON.jpg
| mark-description10=Joe Thornton Community Centre
| mark-coord10 = {{Coord|42.776669| -81.178746}}
| mark-title11=Stratford Warriors
| mark-image11= William Allman Memorial Arena - Stratford, ON.jpg
| mark-description11=William Allman Memorial Arena
| mark-coord11 = {{Coord|43.373958|-80.976029}}
| mark-title12=Strathroy Rockets
| mark-image12= West Middlesex Memorial Centre - Strathroy, ON.jpg
| mark-description12=West Middlesex Memorial Arena
| mark-coord12 = {{Coord|42.94948|-81.63065}}
|shape-color13=#FFB71B
| numbered13 = 1
| mark-title13=Ayr Centennials
| mark-image13= North Dumfries Community Complex - Ayr, ON (2021).jpg
| mark-description13=North Dumfries Community Complex
| mark-coord13 = {{Coord|43.30236|-80.46271}}
|shape-color14=#FFB71B
| numbered14 = 2
| mark-title14=Brantford Titans
| mark-image14= Wayne Gretzky Sports Centre.JPG
| mark-description14=Wayne Gretzky Sports Centre
| mark-coord14 = {{Coord|43.167624|-80.266488}}
|shape-color15=#FFB71B
| numbered15 = 3
| mark-title15=Caledon Bombers
| mark-image15= Mayfield Recreation Complex - Caledon , ON.jpg
| mark-description15=Mayfield Arena
| mark-coord15 = {{Coord|43.77539| -79.78397}}
|shape-color16=#FFB71B
| numbered16 = 4
| mark-title16=Caledonia Corvairs
| mark-image16= Haldimand County Caledonia Centre - Caledonia, ON.jpg
| mark-description16=Haldimand County Caledonia Centre
| mark-coord16 = {{Coord|43.06448| -79.95678}}
|shape-color17=#FFB71B
| numbered17 = 5
| mark-title17=Cambridge Redhawks
| mark-image17= Galt Arena Gardens 09-15-2018 7-14-025.jpg
| mark-description17=Galt Arena Gardens
| mark-coord17 = {{Coord|43.36326|-80.30677}}
|shape-color18=#FFB71B
| numbered18 = 6
| mark-title18=Fort Erie Meteors
| mark-image18= Fort Erie Leisureplex 2024 - Fort Erie, ON.jpg
| mark-description18=Fort Erie Leisureplex
| mark-coord18 = {{Coord|42.90294|-78.9746}}
|shape-color19=#FFB71B
| numbered19 = 7
| mark-title19=Hamilton Kilty B's
| mark-image19=Dave Andreychuk Mountain Arena - Hamilton, ON.jpg
| mark-description19=Dave Andreychuk Mountain Arena & Skating Centre
| mark-coord19={{Coord|43.225567|-79.880935}}
|shape-color20=#FFB71B
| numbered20 = 8
| mark-title20=Pelham Panthers
| mark-image20=Merdian Community Centre - Pelham, ON.jpg
| mark-description20=Meridian Community Centre
| mark-coord20={{Coord|43.047392|-79.272863}}
|shape-color21=#FFB71B
| numbered21 = 9
| mark-title21=Port Colborne Sailors
| mark-image21=Vale Health and Wellness Centre - Port Colborne, ON.jpg
| mark-description21=Vale Centre
| mark-coord21={{Coord|42.89824|-79.23561}}
|shape-color22=#FFB71B
| numbered22 = 10
| mark-title22=St. Catharines Falcons
| mark-image22=Seymour-Hannah Sports and Entertainment Centre - St. Catherines, ON.jpg
| mark-description22= Seymour-Hannah Sports and Entertainment Centre
| mark-coord22={{Coord|43.14663|-79.26417 }}
|shape-color23=#FFB71B
| numbered23 = 11
| mark-title23 = Welland Jr. Canadians
| mark-image23 = Welland Main Arena - Welland, ON.jpg
| mark-description23 = Welland Main Arena]
| mark-coord23 = {{Coord|42.98072|-79.25244 }}
}}
class="wikitable" style="width:auto" |
bgcolor="#CF152D" align="center" colspan="7"|{{color|#FFFFFF|Western Conference}} |
Team || City || Arena || Founded |
---|
Chatham Maroons
|1959 |
Elmira Sugar Kings
|1987 |
Kitchener-Waterloo Siskins
|Waterloo Memorial Recreation Complex |1971 |
Komoka Kings
|Komoka Wellness Centre |2017 |
LaSalle Vipers
|Vollmer Culture and Recreation Complex |1970 |
Listowel Cyclones
|Steve Kerr Memorial Complex |1972 |
London Nationals
|Western Fair District Sports Centre |1950 |
Sarnia Legionnaires
|1969 |
St. Marys Lincolns
|Pyramid Recreation Complex |1956 |
St. Thomas Stars
|Joe Thornton Community Centre |1961 |
Stratford Warriors
|William Allman Memorial Arena |1962 |
Strathroy Rockets
|West Middlesex Memorial Arena |1965 |
bgcolor="#FFB71B" align="center" colspan="7"|{{color|#000000|Eastern Conference}} |
Team || City || Arena || Founded |
Ayr Centennials
|North Dumfries Community Complex |2020 |
Brantford Titans
|2013 |
Caledon Bombers
|Mayfield Arena |2020 |
Caledonia Corvairs
|Haldimand County Caledonia Centre |1970 |
Cambridge Redhawks
|2018 |
Fort Erie Meteors
|Fort Erie Leisureplex |1957 |
Hamilton Kilty B's
|Dave Andreychuk Mountain Arena & Skating Centre |1974 |
Pelham Panthers
|Meridian Community Centre |2014 |
Port Colborne Sailors
|Vale Centre |1963 |
St. Catharines Falcons
|Seymour-Hannah Sports and Entertainment Centre |1968 |
Welland Jr. Canadians
|Welland Arena |1975 |
=Past teams (As of 2007)=
class="wikitable" style="width: 100%" |
style="background:gray; text-align:center;" colspan="6" |Former GOJHL Teams |
Team
!City !Arena !Founded !Folded/Moved |
---|
Ancaster Avalanche
| Ancaster | 2014 | 2019, moved to Hamilton as the Hamilton Kilty B's |
Brantford 99ers
| 2013 | 2019, renamed Brantford Bandits |
Brantford Bandits
| 2019 | 2024, franchise sold to Titan Hockey Group, rebranded as the Brantford Titans |
Brampton Bombers
| Brampton | 2012 | 2020, moved to Caledon as the Caledon Bombers |
Buffalo Blades
| Buffalo State College Ice Complex | 2012 | 2013, renamed as the Buffalo Regals |
Buffalo Regals
| Buffalo | Holiday Twin Rinks | 2014 | 2013, moved to Lockport, NY as the Lockport Regals |
Cambridge Winter Hawks
| Galt Arena Gardens | 1982 | 2017, withdrew from the OHA |
Guelph Hurricanes
| Guelph | 2009 | 2018, moved to Cambridge as the Cambridge Redhawks |
Kitchener Dutchmen
| Kitchener Memorial Auditorium Complex | 1988 | 2020, franchise bought by Ayr Jr C, moved to Ayr as the Ayr Centennials |
Lambton Shores Predators
| Forest | The Shores Recreation Centre | 2008 | 2017, moved to Komoka as the Komoka Kings |
Leamington Flyers
| Nature Fresh Farms Recreation Centre | 1954 | 2023, moved to OJHL |
Lockport Regals
| Lockport | Buffalo State College Ice Complex | 2019 | 2020, moved to Cheektowaga, NY as the Buffalo Regals, resign from the GOJHL for 2020 season |
Niagara Falls Canucks
| Gale Centre | 1971 | 2023, moved to OJHL |
Petrolia Jets
| Petrolia | Petrolia Arena | 1960 | 2008, moved to Forest as the Lambton Shores Predators |
Port Colborne Pirates
| Gale Centre | 2008 | 2014, moved to Pelham as the Pelham Pirates |
Sarnia Blast
| Sarnia | 2001 | 2009, renamed as the Sarnia Legionnaires |
Stoney Creek Warriors
| 1974 | 2014, moved to Ancaster as the Ancaster Avalanche |
Tecumseh Chiefs
| Tecumseh | Tecumseh Arena | 1995 | 2008, moved to LaSalle as the LaSalle Vipers |
Thorold Blackhawks
| Thorold | Thorold Community Arena | 1963 | 2022, temporarily to Port Colborne for 2022/23 season, permanently relocate for the 2023/24 season as the Port Colborne Sailors |
Wheatfield Jr. Blades
| Hockey Outlet | 1987 | 2012, moved to Cheektowaga as the Buffalo Blades |
Timeline of teams
File:St Thomas goalie 2013.jpg goalie during 2013–14 season.]]
- 2007 – Mid-Western Junior Hockey League, Western Ontario Hockey League, and Golden Horseshoe Junior Hockey League merge to form GOJHL
- 2008 – Tecumseh Chiefs move and become LaSalle Vipers
- 2008 – Petrolia Jets move and become Lambton Shores Predators
- 2008 – Sarnia Blast become Sarnia Legionnaires
- 2008 – Brantford Golden Eagles become Brantford Eagles
- 2008 – Port Colborne Sailors become Port Colborne Pirates
- 2009 – Guelph Dominators become Guelph Hurricanes
- 2009 – Owen Sound Greys take one-year leave
- 2010 – Owen Sound Greys return to league
- 2011 – Wheatfield Jr. Blades move and become Buffalo Blades
- 2012 – Owen Sound Greys relocate and become Brampton Bombers
- 2012 – Brantford Eagles relocate and become Caledonia Corvairs
- 2013 – Buffalo Blades are renamed Buffalo Regals
- 2013 – Brantford 99'ers are granted expansion
- 2013 – Stoney Creek Warriors relocated and become Ancaster Avalanche
- 2013 – Caledonia Corvairs switch from Mid-Western to Golden Horseshoe Conference
- 2013 – Round Robin eliminated after Conference finals, a Wild Card entry added to league semi-final
- 2014 – Port Colborne Pirates relocate and become Pelham Pirates
- 2014 – Buffalo Regals take one-year leave
- 2014 – Pelham Pirates change name to Pelham Panthers mid-season.{{Cite web|url=https://www.niagarathisweek.com/news-static/7974840-welcome-to-niagara-this-week/|title=Welcome to Niagara this Week|website=www.niagarathisweek.com}}
- 2015 – Buffalo Regals take another one-year leave after failing to properly file paperwork for reinstatement
- 2016 – Buffalo Regals return after two-year hiatus
- 2017 – Cambridge Winterhawks withdraw from OHA and therefore GOJHL. Failure to have Tier 1 designated appears to be main reason.
- 2017 – Lambton Shores Predators relocate and become Komoka Kings
- 2018 – Ancaster Avalanche relocate to Hamilton and become Hamilton Kilty B's
- 2018 – Guelph Hurricanes relocate to Cambridge and become Cambridge Redhawks
- 2018 – Caledonia Corvairs take one-year leave
- 2018 – Buffalo Regals relocate to Lockport and become Lockport Regals
- 2019 – Caledonia Corvairs back from leave of absence, Brantford 99ers change name to Brantford Bandits
- 2020 – Ayr Centennials purchase Kitchener Dutchmen franchise, relocate to Ayr,{{Cite web|url=https://kitchener.citynews.ca/local-sports/kitchener-dutchmen-moving-to-ayr-2283901|title=Kitchener Dutchmen moving to Ayr|website=KitchenerToday.com|date=April 27, 2020 }} Waterloo Siskins change name to Kitchener-Waterloo Siskins,{{Cite web|url=https://www.kwsiskins.ca/waterloo-siskins-rebrand-as-kw-siskins-following-kitchener-dutchmens-move-to-ayr|title=Waterloo Siskins rebrand as KW Siskins following Kitchener Dutchmen's move to Ayr|website=www.kwsiskins.ca|date=July 6, 2020 }} Brampton Bombers move to Caledon, ON and rename the Caledon Bombers.{{cite tweet|number=1300546170461270018|user=BombersJrB|title=🚨NEWS🚨 • The Brampton Bombers are pleased to announce the team is on the move to Caledon and will become the Caledon… |date=August 31, 2020}} Buffalo Regals, Welland Jr. Canadians take one-year leave due to COVID-19{{Cite web|url=https://www.gojhl.ca/buffalo-regals-announcement|title=Buffalo Regals Announcement|website=www.gojhl.ca|date=August 27, 2020 }}{{cite tweet|number=1308798361118674946|user=WJRCanadians|title=To our fans, followers, community and league counterparts, please see the attached release from our owner, Louis M.… |date=September 23, 2020}}
- 2021 - Buffalo Regals resign from the GOJHL
- 2023 – Leamington Flyers{{Cite web|url=https://www.leamingtonflyers.com/flyersjoinojhl|title=OJHL Announces Leamington Flyers as New Expansion Team|website=www.leamingtonflyers.com|date=May 17, 2023 }} and Niagara Falls Canucks{{Cite web|url=https://www.niagarafallscanucks.com/ojhl-announces-niagara-falls-as-new-expansion-team|title=OJHL Announces Niagara Falls Canucks as New Expansion Team|website=www.niagarafallscanucks.com|date=June 26, 2023 }} move to the OJHL, Thorold Blackhawks relocate and become Port Colborne Sailors{{Cite web|url=https://www.gojhl.ca/thorold-franchise-makes-port-colborne-home-permanent|title=Thorold Franchise Makes Port Colborne Home Permanent|website=www.gojhl.ca|date=May 16, 2023 }}
- 2024 – Brantford Bandits are sold to Titan Hockey Group, and are rebranded as the Brantford Titans{{Cite web|url=https://brantfordtitans.com/blogs/news/the-brantford-bandits-are-now-the-brantford-ttians|title=Brantford Junior Hockey Team Rebranded|website=brantfordtitans.com|date=May 17, 2024 }}
2024–25 playoffs
{{#invoke:transcludable section|main|section=Bracket|text=
{{16TeamBracket|RD1-RD2-path=0
|RD2-group1=Eastern Conference
|RD2-group2=Western Conference
|RD1=Conference Quarterfinals
|RD2=Conference Semifinals
|RD3=Conference Finals
|RD4=Sutherland Cup Finals
|RD1-seed01 = 1
|RD1-team01 = St. Catharines
|RD1-score01 = 4
|RD1-seed02 = 8
|RD1-team02 = Hamilton
|RD1-score02 = 1
|RD1-seed03 = 2
|RD1-team03 = Ayr
|RD1-score03 = 3
|RD1-seed04 = 7
|RD1-team04 = Brantford
|RD1-score04 = 4
|RD1-seed05 = 3
|RD1-team05 = Fort Erie
|RD1-score05 = 4
|RD1-seed06 = 6
|RD1-team06 = Cambridge
|RD1-score06 = 2
|RD1-seed07 = 4
|RD1-team07 = Port Colborne
|RD1-score07 = 2
|RD1-seed08 = 5
|RD1-team08 = Caledonia
|RD1-score08 = 4
|RD1-seed09 = 1
|RD1-team09 = St. Marys
|RD1-score09 = 4
|RD1-seed10 = 8
|RD1-team10 = Kitchener-Waterloo
|RD1-score10 = 1
|RD1-seed11 = 2
|RD1-team11 = Chatham
|RD1-score11 = 4
|RD1-seed12 = 7
|RD1-team12 = Elmira
|RD1-score12 = 1
|RD1-seed13 = 3
|RD1-team13 = Stratford
|RD1-score13 = 4
|RD1-seed14 = 6
|RD1-team14 = LaSalle
|RD1-score14 = 0
|RD1-seed15 = 4
|RD1-team15 = Listowel
|RD1-score15 = 0
|RD1-seed16 = 5
|RD1-team16 = London
|RD1-score16 = 4
|RD2-seed01 = 1
|RD2-team01 = St. Catharines
|RD2-score01 = 4
|RD2-seed02 = 7
|RD2-team02 = Brantford
|RD2-score02 = 0
|RD2-seed03 = 3
|RD2-team03 = Fort Erie
|RD2-score03 = 4
|RD2-seed04 = 5
|RD2-team04 = Caledonia
|RD2-score04 = 0
|RD2-seed05 = 1
|RD2-team05 = St. Marys
|RD2-score05 = 4
|RD2-seed06 = 5
|RD2-team06 = London
|RD2-score06 = 3
|RD2-seed07 = 2
|RD2-team07 = Chatham
|RD2-score07 = 4
|RD2-seed08 = 3
|RD2-team08 = Stratford
|RD2-score08 = 3
|RD3-seed01 = 1
|RD3-team01 = St. Catharines
|RD3-score01 = 4
|RD3-seed02 = 3
|RD3-team02 = Fort Erie
|RD3-score02 = 2
|RD3-seed03 = 1
|RD3-team03 = St. Marys
|RD3-score03 = 3
|RD3-seed04 = 2
|RD3-team04 = Chatham
|RD3-score04 = 4
|RD4-seed01 = E1
|RD4-team01 = St. Catharines
|RD4-score01 = 2
|RD4-seed02 = W2
|RD4-team02 = Chatham
|RD4-score02 = 4
}}}}
=Sutherland Cup=
As part of the first structural change to the Sutherland Cup playoffs since 1993–94 season, the GOJHL and OHA have thrown out the three-team round robin that had been used for twenty seasons and opted for a more traditional playdown method. The Sutherland Cup semi-final will now have four teams squaring off in a pair of best-of-7 series to determine the finals. The champions of the three Conferences will be joined by the conference runner-up who has the best playoff record to date. This Wild Card team will play the top ranked Champion who they have not already met in the playoffs.{{Cite web|url=https://www.cambridgetimes.ca/life/fourth-team-added-to-sutherland-cup/article_f42a390f-e2ed-5796-9cae-a9241bb2550f.html|title=Fourth team added to Sutherland Cup|first=Bill Doucet Cambridge|last=Times|website=Cambridge Times|date=September 25, 2013 }}
After the league returned from the COVID-19 pandemic, they reverted back to the old three-team round robin format for the Sutherland Cup.{{Cite web|url=https://www.gojhl.ca/2021-22-sutherland-cup-playoffs-format-announced|title=2021–22 SUTHERLAND CUP PLAYOFFS FORMAT ANNOUNCED|website=www.gojhl.ca|date=March 11, 2022 }} The Sutherland Cup Finals was a best-of-3 series in 2022, but the league went back to a best-of-7 series for 2023{{Cite web|url=https://www.gojhl.ca/2023-sutherland-cup-final-schedule|title=2023 Sutherland Cup Final Schedule|website=www.gojhl.ca|date=April 24, 2023 }} and 2024.{{Cite web|url=https://www.gojhl.ca/2024-sutherland-cup-final-schedule|title=2024 Sutherland Cup Final Schedule|website=www.gojhl.ca|date=April 30, 2024 }} When the league re-aligned to 2 conferences prior to the 2024-25 season, it eliminated the use for a round robin, as the Sutherland Cup Finals would be played between the Eastern and Western Conference champions.
Regular season champions
This is a list of divisional regular season champions and their point totals, bolded are the overall league regular season champions.
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|colspan="11"|Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League | ||||||
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! style= width="60" | Year ! style= width="189" | Golden Horseshoe ! style= width="33" | Pts ! style= width="189" | Midwestern ! style= width="33" | Pts ! style= width="189" | Western ! style= width="33" | Pts | ||||||
2007–08 | Thorold Blackhawks | 67 | Elmira Sugar Kings | 71 | Tecumseh Chiefs | 70 |
2008–09 | St. Catharines Falcons | 79 | Brantford Eagles | 86 | Sarnia Legionnaires | 78 |
2009–10 | St. Catharines Falcons | 81 | Brantford Eagles | 88 | London Nationals | 77 |
2010–11 | Niagara Falls Canucks | 80 | Guelph Hurricanes | 73 | Strathroy Rockets | 78 |
2011–12 | St. Catharines Falcons | 82 | Brantford Eagles | 85 | Sarnia Legionnaires | 69 |
2012–13 | St. Catharines Falcons | 82 | Caledonia Corvairs | 73 | Chatham Maroons | 74 |
2013–14 | Caledonia Corvairs | 91 | Kitchener Dutchmen | 77 | Leamington Flyers | 76 |
2014–15 | Caledonia Corvairs | 90 | Elmira Sugar Kings | 80 | Leamington Flyers | 78 |
2015–16 | Caledonia Corvairs | 89 | Kitchener Dutchmen | 90 | Leamington Flyers | 83 |
2016–17 | Caledonia Corvairs | 89 | Listowel Cyclones | 83 | LaSalle Vipers | 78 |
2017–18 | Caledonia Corvairs | 91 | Listowel Cyclones | 83 | London Nationals | 73 |
2018–19 | Niagara Falls Canucks | 83 | Listowel Cyclones | 70 | Leamington Flyers | 71 |
2019–20 | Caledonia Corvairs | 91 | Elmira Sugar Kings | 77 | London Nationals | 87 |
2020–21 | colspan=6 style="text-align: center | Cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic | |||||
2021–22 | Hamilton Kilty B's | 81 | Elmira Sugar Kings | 72 | Leamington Flyers | 72 |
2022–23 | St. Catharines Falcons | 82 | Kitchener-Waterloo Siskins | 78 | Leamington Flyers | 74 |
2023–24 | Caledonia Corvairs | 80 | Listowel Cyclones | 79 | London Nationals | 75 |
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! style= width="60" | Year ! style= width="280" | Eastern Conference ! style= width="35" | Pts ! style= width="280" | ! style= width="35" | ! style= width="280" | Western Conference ! style= width="35" | Pts | ||||||
2024–25 | St. Catharines Falcons | 72
! ! |86 |
Sutherland Cup champions
For OHA Junior "B" champions prior to the 2007–08 season, please visit: Sutherland Cup.
Bold denotes Sutherland Cup Champion. Italicized denotes Sutherland Cup finalist.
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| | {| cellpadding="0" width="750px" style="font-size: 90%;" | |||
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|colspan="11"|Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League | |||
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! style= width="33" | Year ! style= width="189" | Golden Horseshoe ! style= width="189" | Midwestern ! style= width="189" | Western | |||
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| 2008 | Thorold Blackhawks | Elmira Sugar Kings | Tecumseh Chiefs |
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| 2009 | Stoney Creek Warriors | Brantford Eagles | Sarnia Legionnaires |
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| 2010 | Stoney Creek Warriors | Brantford Eagles | LaSalle Vipers |
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| 2011 | Niagara Falls Canucks | Elmira Sugar Kings | St. Thomas Stars |
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| 2012 | St. Catharines Falcons | Brantford Eagles | London Nationals |
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| 2013 | St. Catharines Falcons | Cambridge Winter Hawks | London Nationals |
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! style= width="33" | Year ! style= width="150" | Golden Horseshoe ! style= width="150" | Midwestern ! style= width="150" | Western ! style= width="150" | Wild Card | ||||
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| 2014 | Caledonia Corvairs | Waterloo Siskins | Leamington Flyers | St. Catharines Falcons |
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| 2015 | Caledonia Corvairs | Elmira Sugar Kings | Leamington Flyers | LaSalle Vipers |
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| 2016 | Caledonia Corvairs | Stratford Cullitons | London Nationals | Waterloo Siskins |
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| 2017 | Caledonia Corvairs | Listowel Cyclones | London Nationals | Elmira Sugar Kings |
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| 2018 | Caledonia Corvairs | Listowel Cyclones | London Nationals | Elmira Sugar Kings |
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| 2019 | Niagara Falls Canucks | Waterloo Siskins | London Nationals | Listowel Cyclones |
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| 2020 | colspan="4"|Cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic | |||
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| 2021 | colspan="4"|Cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic |
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! style= width="33" | Year ! style= width="189" | Golden Horseshoe ! style= width="189" | Midwestern ! style= width="189" | Western | |||
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| 2022 | St. Catharines Falcons | Cambridge Redhawks | Chatham Maroons |
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| 2023 | Hamilton Kilty B's | Stratford Warriors | Leamington Flyers |
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| 2024 | Fort Erie Meteors | Listowel Cyclones | St. Marys Lincolns |
|}
=League championship series=
Bolded is winner of Sutherland Cup as GOJHL and OHA champion.
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| Season | Champion | Finalist | Series (Best of 7) | Scores |
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| 2008 | Tecumseh Chiefs | Elmira Sugar Kings | 4–0 | 5–4 OT, 3–1, 2–1 OT, 5–3 |
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| 2009 | Brantford Eagles | Stoney Creek Warriors | 4–1 | 4–1, 3–2, 4–5 OT, 6–1, 3–2 |
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| 2010 | LaSalle Vipers | Brantford Eagles | 4–1 | 6–4, 5–2, 5–3, 3–6, 3–2 2OT |
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| 2011 | Elmira Sugar Kings | Niagara Falls Canucks | 4–1 | 4–2, 5–6 OT, 3–1, 4–3, 4–0 |
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| 2012 | St. Catharines Falcons | Brantford Eagles | 4–2 | 2–5, 1–4, 3–1, 3–2 OT, 2–1, 5–1 |
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| 2013 | London Nationals | Cambridge Winter Hawks | 4–3 | 4–6, 2–3 OT, 6–0, 4–3, 1–4, 2–1 OT, 4–2 |
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| 2014 | Caledonia Corvairs | St. Catharines Falcons | 4–3 | 2–7, 4–1, 3–0, 2–3 2OT, 3–1, 2–3 3OT, 3–1 |
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| 2015 | Caledonia Corvairs | LaSalle Vipers | 4–2 | 2–4, 6–4, 3–2, 4–3, 4–5 OT, 4–3 |
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| 2016 | Caledonia Corvairs | London Nationals | 4–0 | 9–3, 6–0, 8–1, 4–3 OT |
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| 2017 | Elmira Sugar Kings | London Nationals | 4–1 | 3–0, 2–0, 4–1, 4–6, 4–1 |
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| 2018 | Listowel Cyclones | Caledonia Corvairs | 4–0 | 4–3, 6–3, 2–0, 4–1 |
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| 2019 | Waterloo Siskins | London Nationals | 4–3 | 9–4, 5–4 OT, 2–6, 1–3, 5–3, 1–5, 3–2 OT |
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| 2020 | colspan="4"|Cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic | |||
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| 2021 | colspan="4"|Cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic | |||
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| 2022 | St. Catharines Falcons | Chatham Maroons | 2–0 | 6–2, 8–2 |
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| 2023 | Leamington Flyers | Stratford Warriors | 4–3 | 4–1, 4–1, 2–6, 4–2, 1–4, 3–4, 4–0 |
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| 2024 | Listowel Cyclones | St. Marys Lincolns | 4–1 | 2–3, 4–1, 2–1 OT, 4–3, 4–3 OT |
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| 2025 | Chatham Maroons | St. Catharines Falcons | 4–2 | 7-3, 2-5, 7–3, 5-8, 5-2, 6-3 |
|}
Records
=Team=
Single season records.
- Best Record: 2013–14 Caledonia Corvairs (45–3–1)
- Worst Record: 2012–13 Buffalo Blades (1–49–1)
- Longest Winning Streak: 2013–14 Kitchener Dutchmen (25 games)
- Longest Losing Streak: 2016–17 Buffalo Regals (33 games)
- Longest Winless Streak: 2016–17 Buffalo Regals (33 games)
- Most Goals For: 2016–17 Caledonia Corvairs (353)
- Fewest Goals For: 2016–17 Buffalo Regals (66)
- Most Goals Against: 2016–17 Buffalo Regals (536)
- Fewest Goals Against: 2014–15 Caledonia Corvairs (74)
- Largest Deficit: Buffalo Regals 0 @ Caledonia Corvairs 28 on January 28, 2017 (28)
- Highest Scoring Shutout: Buffalo Regals 0 @ Caledonia Corvairs 28 on January 28, 2017 (28–0)
- Highest Combined Score: Caledonia Corvairs 28 @ Buffalo Regals 2 on February 14, 2017 (30)
- Longest Overtime Game: St. Catharines Falcons 2 @ Ancaster Avalanche 3 4OT on March 23, 2016 (Game length 131:05)
=Player=
Single season records.
- Most Goals: 64 Josh McQuade, Brantford Eagles 2009–10
- Most Assists: 94 Dayne Phillips, Port Colborne Pirates 2012–13
- Most Points: 150 Josh McQuade, Brantford Eagles 2009–10
- Most Penalty Minutes: 240 Patrick McCabe, Niagara Falls Canucks 2016–17
=Goalie=
Single season records.
- Most Games Played: 47 Daryl Borden, Brantford Golden Eagles 2009–10
- Most Wins: 40 Colin Furlong, Caledonia Corvairs 2013–14
- Highest Save Percentage: 0.943, Andrew MacLean, St. Catharines Falcons 2021–22
- Lowest Goals Against Average: 1.45, Andrew MacLean, St. Catharines Falcons 2021–22
- Most Shutouts: 10, Andrew MacLean, St. Catharines Falcons 2021–22
NHL Draft
This is a list of first round National Hockey League draft picks of players straight out of the GOJHL.
- Daultan Leveille – 2008 1st Rd – 29th Overall to Atlanta Thrashers (St. Catharines Falcons)
League Events
Showcase
During the season, the GOJHL holds a league showcase weekend in a host city, where all teams play 2 games against opponents from other conferences or the opposite conference starting in 2024. These games count towards each team's respective records and conference standings.
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style="background:gray; text-align:center;" colspan="6" |GOJHL Showcase |
Year
!Host City !Host Team !Arena !Date |
---|
2024
| Haldimand County Caledonia Centre | December 6–8 |
2023
| Elmira | September 22–24 |
2022
| Pelham | Meridian Community Centre | September 23–25 |
2019
| Pelham | Meridian Community Centre | September 6–8 |
2018
| |
2017
| Wayne Gretzky Sports Centre | September 8–10 |
2016
| London | Western Fair District Sports Centre | September 9–11 |
2015
| London | Western Fair District Sports Centre | |
2014
| |
2013
| |
Top Prospects & Future Stars Game
Each season the GOJHL holds a Top Prospects & Future Stars game featuring the top draft ready talent & up-and-coming players in the league, similar to an all-star game
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style="background:gray; text-align:center;" colspan="6" |GOJHL Top Prospects & Future Stars Games |
Year
!Host City !Host Team !Arena !Date |
---|
2024
| Elmira | December 27 |
2023
| Ayr | North Dumfries Community Centre | December 28 |
2022
| Ayr | North Dumfries Community Centre | December 27 |
2019
| Waterloo | Waterloo Memorial Recreation Complex | December 28 |
2018
| Waterloo | Waterloo Memorial Recreation Complex | December 27 |
2017
| Ancaster | Morgan Firestone Arena | December 28 |
2016
| Ancaster | Morgan Firestone Arena | December 28 |
2015
| Guelph | December 28 |
2014
| Waterloo | Waterloo Memorial Recreation Complex | December 27 |
2013
| Vale Centre | December 29 |
Exhibition Games
Starting in the 2022–2023 season, a team of GOJHL All-Stars competed against select opponents in tournaments and exhibition games
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style="background:gray; text-align:center;" colspan="6" |Exhibition Games |
Year
!Event !Host City !Host Team !Arena !Result |
---|
2024
| MacPherson Tournament | Aurora | St. Andrew's College, Aurora | 0-W 4-L |
2024
| Exhibition | Tiger Arena | 2–1 Win |
2023
| MacPherson Tournament | Aurora | St. Andrew's College, Aurora | 1st place |
2022
| Exhibition | Thorold | 6–2 Loss |
References
{{reflist}}
External links
{{Commons category-inline}}
- {{Official website|http://www.gojhl.ca }}
- [http://www.ohahockey.org Ontario Hockey Association website]
{{GOJHL}}
{{Junior Hockey}}
Category:2007 establishments in Ontario