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Ontario Junior Hockey League

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Ontario Junior Hockey League
File:OJHL Logo.jpg
Head Office Cambridge, Ontario
Official Web site OJHL
Chairman Lloyd Stockley[1]
Vice Chairman Dan Skjodt[2]
Founded 1993
Regional Champions 9[3]
National Champions 2[4]
2007-08 Champion Oakville Blades[5]

The Ontario Junior Hockey League is a Tier II Junior A ice hockey league under the supervision of the Ontario Hockey Association and the Canadian Junior Hockey League. The league dates back to 1954. The Central turned Junior "A" before the 1993-94 season and changed its name to the Ontario Provincial Junior "A" Hockey League. In 2008, a group of teams known as Central Division Hockey segregated itself from the other divisions but stayed in the league. The segregation was consented by the OHA, but not the OPJHL itself. Soon after, the league changed its name to the Ontario Junior Hockey League. Teams in the league are based out of the Greater Toronto Area, Southwestern Ontario, Central Ontario, Eastern Ontario, the Golden Horseshoe, and Northeastern Ontario, as well as one American team out of Buffalo, NY. The OJHL is the largest junior league in all of Canada.

The winner of the OJHL playoffs and Frank L. Buckland Trophy competes for the Dudley Hewitt Cup with the winners of the Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League and the Superior International Junior Hockey League. The winner of the Dudley Hewitt Cup then moves on to compete for the Royal Bank Cup.

Central Junior "B" Hockey League 1954 - 1993
Ontario Provincial Junior "A" Hockey League 1993 to 2008
Ontario Junior Hockey League 2008 to Present

History

For the original OPJHL, please see: Ontario Provincial Junior A Hockey League (1972-1987).

Central Junior B Hockey League

1954 to 1971

In 1954, a variety of teams from different leagues and Ontario Hockey Association 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 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 from smaller rural multi-level groupings.

The 1954-55 season's members were the Woodstock Warriors, Owen Sound Greys, Waterloo Siskins, Burlington Mohawks, Paris Redshirts, Dundas Flyers, and Ingersoll Reems. Woodstock took the first ever Central League crown as well as that year's Sutherland Cup as provincial champions.

From 1955 until 1964, the Waterloo Siskins won the league six out of nine seasons, losing out to Burlington in 1957 and 1958 and the Owen Sound Greys 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 of the Metro Junior B Hockey League. During that streak, the Waterloo Siskins won the Sutherland Cup 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. In 1965, 1966, 1967, and 1968, the Greenshirts were Central League champions. They also won the Sutherland Cup in 1965 by defeating Etobicoke of the Metro League 4-games-to-2 and in 1967 by defeating the Metro League's Dixie Beehives 4-games-to-2.

In 1968, their sister league, the Western Ontario Junior B Hockey League, went renegade and left the Ontario Hockey Association. As a result the Strathroy Rockets were homeless and joined the league. In their only year in the CJBHL they won the league championship and lost the Sutherland Cup final 4-games-to-1 with 1 tie to the Markham Waxers of the Metro League.

In 1969, the Collingwood Blues jumped up to the Central League and stayed until the realignment of 1971, winning both league championships (1970 and 1971). The Blues failed to make the provincial final in either of those years.

The teams of the 1970-71 season were the Owen Sound Greys, Collingwood Blues, Waterloo Siskins, Preston Raiders, 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.[6] The Owen Sound Greys and Collingwood Blues jumped to the Mid-Ontario Junior B Hockey League. The Waterloo Siskins and Kitchener Ranger B's moved over to the Western Ontario Junior B Hockey League. The Burlington Mohawks 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, Milton Flyers, Hespeler Shamrocks and Streetsville Derbys. They also gained the Dundas Blues 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 final. Unfortunately for the Blades, the Bramalea Blues of the Metro Junior B Hockey League 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. 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 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), but lost 9-points-to-5. The 1978-79 season had the Derbys make the Sutherland Cup final for the third straight year. In the final, the Derbys met the St. Catharines Falcons of the Golden Horseshoe Junior B Hockey League 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 final. The Cougars came up against the Stratford Cullitons of the Mid-Western League and were victorious, winning 8-points-to-4. In 1982, the Oakville Blades won the Central league for the first time in seven years.

From the 1982-83 season until the 1985-86 season, the Streetsville Derbys 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. 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 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 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 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 4-games-to-none. In 1992, the Milton Merchants won the league championship, but also fell in the Sutherland Cup final, but to the Kitchener Dutchmen. In 1992-93, the Barrie Colts dominated the CJBHL. With 47 wins and one tie, the Colts celebrated an unheard of undefeated season. They won the Central League championship, won all the way to the Sutherland Cup final. In the final, they met the Kitchener Dutchmen and swept them 4-games-to-none to win the Central League its third and final Sutherland Cup since 1971.

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, Peterborough Jr. Petes, Newmarket 87's, Orillia Terriers, Lindsay Bears, Ajax Axemen, Collingwood Blues, and Cobourg Cougars in the East Division and the Brampton Capitals, Burlington Cougars, Milton Merchants, Caledon Canadians, Oakville Blades, Streetsville Derbys (played that season in Mississauga), Georgetown Raiders, and Royal York Rangers in the West Division.

Ascension to Junior "A"

For Season-by-Season Standings, please see: OPJHL Standings
File:OPJHL.png
Logo 1993-2008

In 1988, the Metro Junior B Hockey League left the Ontario Hockey Association. 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 old Junior A League that lasted from 1972-1987.

The first ever OPJHL champion was the Orillia Terriers in 1994. Despite much of the hype going into the Ontario Hockey Association 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 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 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, Kingston Voyageurs, Mississauga Chargers, and St. Michael's Buzzers; fled to join the Ontario Provincial Junior A Hockey League.

In 1996, The Newmarket 87's were OPJHL champions. They went to the Dudley Hewitt Cup 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 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 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, Huntsville Wildcats, Markham Waxers, North York Rangers, Oshawa Legionaires, Pickering Panthers, Port Hope Buzzards, Shelburne Wolves, Syracuse Jr. Crunch, Thornhill Rattlers, Wellington Dukes, and Wexford Raiders[7] [8] 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 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 Blues also won the Dudley Hewitt Cup 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. 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 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 Lennoxville Cougars 5-2 to gain acces 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 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 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 Grand 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. 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 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 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 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 out-shooting 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 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 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 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.[9] 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 AJHL's Camrose Kodiaks. With a 1-3 record, the Blades were eliminated from the tournament despite out-shooting their opponent in all four games.

The OJHL and Central Division Hockey

The summer of 2008 brought much change to the OPJHL. An idea for a new Super Division was presented to the offices of the Ontario Hockey Association. The plan was later approved by the OHA, despite potential legal complications that may be resultant from excluding the twenty-plus other teams. Eight teams will be included in Central Division Hockey in 2008-09, while the rest will be dispersed within other divisions. The OHA has done little to explain the future of the remaining clubs.[10]

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.[11]

Current Events & Championships

2008-09 Team Moves

  • 1996 Newmarket 87's
  • 1998 Milton Merchants
  • 1999 Bramalea Blues
  • 2001 Thornhill Rattlers
  • 2003 Wellington Dukes
  • 2004 Aurora Tigers
  • 2005 Georgetown Raiders
  • 2007 Aurora Tigers
  • 2008 Oakville Blades
  • 2004 Aurora Tigers
  • 2007 Aurora Tigers

The Teams

[14]

Central Division Hockey

Central Division Hockey
Head Office Bolton, Ontario
Official Web site Central Division
Founded 2008
Exec Committee Mike McCarron
Marc Mercier
Anthony Pietramala

As approved by the OHA, the OPJHL will have a premier division beginning in the 2008-09 season. More teams might be added to these initial eight.[10] This division's creation has been controversial and has been appealed by left out teams to the Ontario Hockey Federation. Although the OHA is attempting to play down the significance of the division in some aspects, they have admitted that the new conference will have slightly different rules than the rest of the divisions that are geared more for development, as well the member teams will operate at a higher budget and completely partitioned from the rest of the OPJHL until the league semi-final. The division has its own website, separate from the league. [15]

Central Division Hockey
Team Centre 2008-09 Record Points
Hamilton Red Wings Hamilton 19-8-0-5 43
Wellington Dukes Wellington 20-7-0-1 41
Newmarket Hurricanes Newmarket 19-12-0-3 41
Markham Waxers Markham 19-10-0-2 40
Toronto Jr. Canadiens Downsview 18-14-0-2 38
St. Michael's Buzzers Toronto 16-11-0-4 36
Cobourg Cougars Cobourg 12-16-0-4 28
Stouffville Spirit Stouffville 4-25-0-3 11

Keystone Divisions

These are the remaining teams, not involved in the OHA's pilot program known as the Central Division. They will operate with some inter-divisional games between the three divisions, but will not have contact with the Central Division's teams until the league's semi-final.

2007-08 OPJHL Team Locations
MacKinnon Division
Team Centre 2008-09 Record Points
Georgetown Raiders Georgetown 25-3-0-1 51
Oakville Blades Oakville 25-4-0-0 50
Burlington Cougars Burlington 22-7-0-3 47
Vaughan Vipers Vaughan 19-9-0-1 39
Buffalo Jr. Sabres Buffalo 15-9-0-3 33
Milton Icehawks Milton 13-15-0-3 29
Brampton Capitals Brampton 11-15-0-7 29
Bramalea Blues Brampton 7-18-0-3 17
Streetsville Derbys Rexdale 6-23-0-0 12
Mississauga Chargers Mississsauga 5-22-0-1 11
Phillips Division
Team Centre 2008-09 Record Points
Couchiching Terriers Rama 24-1-0-6 54
Aurora Tigers Aurora 23-6-0-1 47
Huntsville Otters Huntsville 22-3-0-3 47
Orangeville Crushers Orangeville 20-11-0-0 40
North York Rangers North York 16-9-0-3 35
Collingwood Blues Collingwood 14-14-0-4 32
Toronto Dixie Beehives Weston 12-18-0-1 25
Seguin Bruins Humphrey 11-19-0-1 23
Upper Canada Hockey Club Toronto 7-22-0-1 15
Villanova Knights North York 3-22-0-3 9
Ruddock Division
Team Centre 2008-09 Record Points
Kingston Voyageurs Kingston 23-6-0-2 48
Lindsay Muskies Lindsay 22-6-0-3 47
Peterborough Stars Peterborough 18-8-0-1 37
Trenton Hercs Trenton 13-16-0-3 29
Bowmanville Eagles Bowmanville 12-13-0-5 29
Ajax Attack Ajax 14-15-0-0 28
Port Hope Predators Port Hope 13-15-0-2 28
Whitby Fury Whitby 10-19-0-2 22
Pickering Panthers Pickering 8-18-0-2 18

Please note: (x-) denotes playoff berth, (y-) denotes elimination, (zx-) denotes first round bye.

Teams listed on the official league website.[16]

Standings listed by Pointstreak on official league website.[17]

2008-09 Frank L. Buckland Trophy Playoffs

For the Central Canada Championship, please go to the Dudley Hewitt Cup.
For the National Championship, please go to the 2009 Royal Bank Cup.

Championship Round

Buckland Cup Series
   
F1 Finalist 1 0
F2 Finalist 2 0

Divisional Playoffs

Division Quarter-finals Division Semi-finals Division Finals SE Conference Final
            
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Division Quarter-finals Division Semi-finals Division Finals NW Conference Final
            
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Note: C is Central, M is Mackinnon, P is Phillips, R is Ruddock.

Playoff results are listed by Pointstreak on the official league website.[18]

Champions

File:Buckland Cup.JPG
Buzzers' coaching staff with Buckland Cup

OPJHL Buckland Cup Champions

  • 2008 Oakville Blades
  • 2007 Aurora Tigers
  • 2006 St. Michael's Buzzers
  • 2005 St. Michael's Buzzers
  • 2004 Aurora Tigers
  • 2003 Wellington Dukes
  • 2002 Brampton Capitals
  • 2001 Thornhill Rattlers
  • 2000 Brampton Capitals
  • 1999 Bramalea Blues
  • 1998 Milton Merchants
  • 1997 Milton Merchants
  • 1996 Newmarket 87's
  • 1995 Brampton Capitals
  • 1994 Orillia Terriers[19]

Dudley Hewitt Cup Champions

  • 2008 Oakville Blades
  • 2007 Aurora Tigers
  • 2005 Georgetown Raiders
  • 2004 Aurora Tigers
  • 2003 Wellington Dukes
  • 2001 Thornhill Rattlers
  • 1999 Bramalea Blues
  • 1998 Milton Merchants
  • 1996 Newmarket 87's

Royal Bank Cup Champions

  • 2007 Aurora Tigers
  • 2004 Aurora Tigers

Central League Jr. B Champions

  • 1993 Barrie Colts*
  • 1992 Milton Merchants
  • 1991 Oakville Blades
  • 1990 Barrie Colts
  • 1989 Barrie Colts
  • 1988 Barrie Colts
  • 1987 Burlington Cougars
  • 1986 Streetsville Derbys
  • 1985 Barrie Colts
  • 1984 Streetsville Derbys
  • 1983 Streetsville Derbys
  • 1982 Oakville Blades
  • 1981 Burlington Cougars*
  • 1980 Streetsville Derbys
  • 1979 Streetsville Derbys*
  • 1978 Streetsville Derbys
  • 1977 Streetsville Derbys
  • 1976 Streetsville Derbys
  • 1975 Oakville Blades
  • 1974 Oakville Blades
  • 1973 Burlington Mohawks
  • 1972
  • 1971 Collingwood Blues
  • 1970 Collingwood Blues
  • 1969 Strathroy Rockets
  • 1968 Kitchener Greenshirts
  • 1967 Kitchener Greenshirts*
  • 1966 Kitchener Greenshirts
  • 1965 Kitchener Greenshirts*
  • 1964 Waterloo Siskins*
  • 1963 Waterloo Siskins
  • 1962 Waterloo Siskins*
  • 1961 Owen Sound Greys
  • 1960 Waterloo Siskins*
  • 1959 Waterloo Siskins
  • 1958 Burlington Industrials
  • 1957 Burlington Industrials
  • 1956 Waterloo Siskins*
  • 1955 Woodstock Warriors*

(*) denotes Sutherland Cup Ontario Junior B champions.

OPJHL Champions are listed on the league's official website.[20] The CJBHL champions were provided by the league's statistician.

OPJHL Showcase Tournament

The OPJHL Showcase Tournament is 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 is highly competitive and successful. It draws as many as twenty junior hockey teams from all over North America. Despite just being a mid-season tourney, the event is highly contested and its title is played for with much ferocity.[21]

Champions

[22]

  • 2008
  • 2007 No Competition
  • 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

Former Member Teams

OPJHL

CJBHL

League records

  • Best record: 2002-03 Wellington Dukes (47-1-1-0)
  • Worst record**: 1993-94 Royal York Rangers (1-40-1)
  • Most goals, one season: Darren Haydar (71) -- 1997-98 Milton Merchants[23]
  • Most assists, one season: Jamie Janjevich (94) -- 1994-95 Milton Merchants[24]
  • Most points, one season: Trent Walford (142) -- 1995-96 Newmarket 87's[25]

(**) denotes that the record is held only by a team that completed their season. The 2003-04 Huntsville Wildcats are the only team 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.

See also

References