Greater Ontario Junior
Hockey League
SportIce hockey
Founded2007
CommissionerTim Simmons (Interim)
No. of teams24
CountriesCanada
HeadquartersCambridge, Ontario
ContinentNorth America
Most recent
champion(s)		Leamington Flyers
(1st title)
Most titlesCaledonia Corvairs
(4)
TV partner(s)FloSports
Official websitegojhl.ca
OHA Junior "B"
WJBHL (1950–1968)
EJBHL (1950–1972)
MetJHL (1950–1989)
NDJBHL (1954–1979)
CJBHL (1954–1993)
BCJHL (1958–1964)
MOJBHL (1970–1978)
SWJBHL (1976–1978)
WOHL (1969–2007)
MWJHL (1973–2007)
GHL (1974–2007)
GOJHL (2007–Present)
Ontario Hockey Association
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.[1]

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-four teams of the Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League come from Southwestern Ontario and the Golden Horseshoe.

History

Brantford 99ers player during 2013–14 season.
St. Catharines Falcons 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.

LaSalle Vipers 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.

Kitchener Dutchmen 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.[2] 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).[3] 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.[4] 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.[1] 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.

Teams

Western Conference
TeamCityArenaFounded
Chatham Maroons Chatham, Ontario Chatham Memorial Arena 1959
Komoka Kings Komoka, Ontario Komoka Wellness Centre 2017
LaSalle Vipers LaSalle, Ontario Vollmer Culture and Recreation Complex 1970
London Nationals London, Ontario Western Fair District Sports Centre 1950
Sarnia Legionnaires Sarnia, Ontario Pat Stapleton Arena 1969
St. Marys Lincolns St. Marys, Ontario Pyramid Recreation Complex 1956
St. Thomas Stars St. Thomas, Ontario Joe Thornton Community Centre 1961
Strathroy Rockets Strathroy, Ontario West Middlesex Memorial Arena 1965
MidWestern Conference
TeamCityArenaFounded
Ayr Centennials Ayr, Ontario North Dumfries Community Complex 2020
Brantford Bandits Brantford, Ontario Brantford Civic Centre 2013
Caledon Bombers Caledon, Ontario Mayfield Arena 2020
Cambridge Redhawks Cambridge, Ontario Galt Arena Gardens 2018
Elmira Sugar Kings Elmira, Ontario Woolwich Memorial Centre 1987
Kitchener-Waterloo Siskins Waterloo, Ontario Waterloo Memorial Recreation Complex 1971
Listowel Cyclones Listowel, Ontario Steve Kerr Memorial Complex 1972
Stratford Warriors Stratford, Ontario William Allman Memorial Arena 1962
Golden Horseshoe Conference
TeamCityArenaFounded
Caledonia Corvairs Caledonia, Ontario Haldimand County Caledonia Centre 1970
Fort Erie Meteors Fort Erie, Ontario Fort Erie Leisureplex 1957
Hamilton Kilty B's Hamilton, Ontario Dave Andreychuk Mountain Arena & Skating Centre 1974
Pelham Panthers Pelham, Ontario Meridian Community Centre 2014
Port Colborne Sailors Port Colborne, Ontario Vale Centre 1963
St. Catharines Falcons St. Catharines, Ontario Seymour-Hannah Sports and Entertainment Centre 1968
Welland Jr. Canadians Welland, Ontario Welland Arena 1975

Past teams (As of 2007)

Former GOJHL Teams
Team City Arena Founded Folded/Moved
Ancaster Avalanche Ancaster Morgan Firestone Arena 2014 2019, moved to Hamilton as the Hamilton Kilty B's
Brantford 99ers Brantford Brantford Civic Centre 2013 2019, renamed Brantford Bandits
Brampton Bombers Brampton Brampton Memorial Arena 2012 2020, moved to Caledon as the Caledon Bombers
Buffalo Blades Cheektowaga 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
Guelph Hurricanes Guelph Sleeman Centre (Guelph) 2009 2018, moved to Cambridge as the Cambridge Redhawks
Kitchener Dutchmen Kitchener 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 Leamington 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 Niagara Falls 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 Port Colborne Gale Centre 2008 2014, moved to Pelham as the Pelham Pirates
Sarnia Blast Sarnia Pat Stapleton Arena 2001 2009, renamed as the Sarnia Legionnaires
Stoney Creek Warriors Stoney Creek Morgan Firestone Arena 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 Wheatfield Hockey Outlet 1987 2012, moved to Cheektowaga as the Buffalo Blades

Timeline of teams

Stars goalie during 2013–14 season.

2022–23 playoffs

Golden Horseshoe Conference

QF SF Final
         
G1 St. Catharines 4
G8 Pelham 0
G1 St. Catharines 3
G4 Caledonia 4
G4 Caledonia 4
G5 Thorold 1
G4 Caledonia 0
G2 Hamilton 4
G2 Hamilton 4
G7 Welland 1
G2 Hamilton 4
G3 Fort Erie 1
G3 Fort Erie 4
G6 Niagara Falls 2

Midwestern Conference

QF SF Final
         
M1 Kitchener-Waterloo 4
M8 Brantford 0
M1 Kitchener-Waterloo 4
M4 Elmira 2
M4 Elmira 4
M5 Ayr 2
M1 Kitchener-Waterloo 2
M2 Stratford 4
M2 Stratford 4
M7 Caledon 0
M2 Stratford 4
M3 Cambridge 0
M3 Cambridge 4
M6 Listowel 1

Western Conference

QF SF Final
         
W1 Leamington 4
W8 Sarnia 0
W1 Leamington 4
W4 LaSalle 0
W4 LaSalle 4
W5 Chatham 1
W1 Leamington 4
W3 St. Mary's 1
W2 London 4
W7 St. Thomas 0
W2 London 0
W3 St. Mary's 4
W3 St. Mary's 4
W6 Strathroy 0

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.[14]

After the league returned from the COVID-19 pandemic, they reverted back to the old three-team round robin format for the Sutherland Cup.[15] 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.[16]

Pos Team Pld W L GF GA
1 Stratford Warriors (Midwestern Conference) 4 3 1 13 11 Advance to the Sutherland Cup Finals
2 Leamington Flyers (Western Conference) 4 2 2 16 10
3 Hamilton Kilty B's (Golden Horseshoe Conference) 4 1 3 11 19
Source: [17]
Sutherland Cup Finals
   
1 Stratford Warriors 3
2 Leamington Flyers 4

Regular season champions

This is a list of divisional regular season champions and their point totals, bolded are the overall league regular season champions.

Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League
Year Golden Horseshoe Pts Midwestern Pts Western Pts
2007–08Thorold Blackhawks67Elmira Sugar Kings71Tecumseh Chiefs70
2008–09St. Catharines Falcons79Brantford Eagles86Sarnia Legionnaires78
2009–10St. Catharines Falcons81Brantford Eagles88London Nationals77
2010–11Niagara Falls Canucks80Guelph Hurricanes73Strathroy Rockets78
2011–12St. Catharines Falcons82Brantford Eagles85Sarnia Legionnaires69
2012–13St. Catharines Falcons82Caledonia Corvairs73Chatham Maroons74
2013–14Caledonia Corvairs91Kitchener Dutchmen77Leamington Flyers76
2014–15Caledonia Corvairs90Elmira Sugar Kings80Leamington Flyers78
2015–16Caledonia Corvairs89Kitchener Dutchmen90Leamington Flyers83
2016–17Caledonia Corvairs89Listowel Cyclones83LaSalle Vipers78
2017–18Caledonia Corvairs91Listowel Cyclones83London Nationals73
2018–19Niagara Falls Canucks83Listowel Cyclones70Leamington Flyers71
2019–20Caledonia Corvairs91Elmira Sugar Kings77London Nationals87
2020–21Cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic
2021–22Hamilton Kilty B's81Elmira Sugar Kings72Leamington Flyers72
2022–23St. Catharines Falcons82Kitchener-Waterloo Siskins78Leamington Flyers74

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.

Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League
Year Golden Horseshoe Midwestern Western
2008Thorold BlackhawksElmira Sugar KingsTecumseh Chiefs
2009Stoney Creek WarriorsBrantford EaglesSarnia Legionnaires
2010Stoney Creek WarriorsBrantford EaglesLaSalle Vipers
2011Niagara Falls CanucksElmira Sugar KingsSt. Thomas Stars
2012St. Catharines FalconsBrantford EaglesLondon Nationals
2013St. Catharines FalconsCambridge Winter HawksLondon Nationals
Year Golden Horseshoe Midwestern Western Wild Card
2014Caledonia CorvairsWaterloo SiskinsLeamington FlyersSt. Catharines Falcons
2015Caledonia CorvairsElmira Sugar KingsLeamington FlyersLaSalle Vipers
2016Caledonia CorvairsStratford CullitonsLondon NationalsWaterloo Siskins
2017Caledonia CorvairsListowel CyclonesLondon NationalsElmira Sugar Kings
2018Caledonia CorvairsListowel CyclonesLondon NationalsElmira Sugar Kings
2019Niagara Falls CanucksWaterloo SiskinsLondon NationalsListowel Cyclones
2020Cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic
2021Cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic
Year Golden Horseshoe Midwestern Western
2022St. Catharines FalconsCambridge RedhawksChatham Maroons
2023Hamilton Kilty B'sStratford WarriorsLeamington Flyers

League championship series

Bolded is winner of Sutherland Cup as GOJHL and OHA champion.

SeasonChampionFinalistSeries (Best of 7)Scores
2008Tecumseh ChiefsElmira Sugar Kings4-05-4 OT, 3-1, 2-1 OT, 5-3
2009Brantford EaglesStoney Creek Warriors4-14-1, 3-2, 4-5 OT, 6-1, 3-2
2010LaSalle VipersBrantford Eagles4-16-4, 5-2, 5-3, 3–6, 3-2 2OT
2011Elmira Sugar KingsNiagara Falls Canucks4-14-2, 5-6 OT, 3-1, 4-3, 4-0
2012St. Catharines FalconsBrantford Eagles4-22–5, 1–4, 3-1, 3-2 OT, 2-1, 5-1
2013London NationalsCambridge Winter Hawks4-34–6, 2-3 OT, 6-0, 4-3, 1–4, 2-1 OT, 4-2
2014Caledonia CorvairsSt. Catharines Falcons4-32–7, 4-1, 3-0, 2-3 2OT, 3-1, 2-3 3OT, 3-1
2015Caledonia CorvairsLaSalle Vipers4-22–4, 6-4, 3-2, 4-3, 4-5 OT, 4-3
2016Caledonia CorvairsLondon Nationals4-09-3, 6-0, 8-1, 4-3 OT
2017Elmira Sugar KingsLondon Nationals4-13-0, 2-0, 4-1, 4–6, 4-1
2018Listowel CyclonesCaledonia Corvairs4-04-3, 6-3, 2-0, 4-1
2019Waterloo SiskinsLondon Nationals4-39-4, 5-4 OT, 2–6, 1–3, 5-3, 1–5, 3-2 OT
2020Cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic
2021Cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic
2022St. Catharines FalconsChatham Maroons2-06-2, 8-2
2023Leamington FlyersStratford Warriors4-34-1, 4-1, 2-6, 4-2, 1-4, 3-4, 4-0

Records

Team

Single season records.

Player

Single season records.

Goalie

Single season records.

NHL Draft

This is a list of first round National Hockey League draft picks of players straight out of the GOJHL.

League Events

Showcase

During the first month of the season, the GOJHL holds a league showcase weekend in a host city, where teams from the 3 conferences play interlocking games against opponents they wouldn't normally face during the regular season. These games count towards each teams respective records and conference standings.

GOJHL Showcase
Year Host City Host Team Arena Date
2023 Elmira Elmira Sugar Kings Woolwich Memorial Centre September 22–24
2022 Pelham Pelham Panthers Meridian Community Centre September 23–25
2019 Pelham Pelham Panthers Meridian Community Centre September 6–8
2018 St. Catharines St. Catharines Falcons Jack Gatecliff Arena
2017 Brantford Brantford 99ers Wayne Gretzky Sports Centre September 8–10
2016 London London Nationals Western Fair District Sports Centre September 9–11
2015 London London Nationals Western Fair District Sports Centre
2014 St. Catharines St. Catharines Falcons Jack Gatecliff Arena
2013 St. Catharines St. Catharines Falcons Jack Gatecliff Arena

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

GOJHL Top Prospects & Future Stars Games
Year Host City Host Team Arena Date
2023 Ayr Ayr Centennials North Dumfries Community Centre December 28
2022 Ayr Ayr Centennials North Dumfries Community Centre December 27
2019 Waterloo Kitchener-Waterloo Siskins Waterloo Memorial Recreation Complex December 28
2018 Waterloo Kitchener-Waterloo Siskins Waterloo Memorial Recreation Complex December 27
2017 Ancaster Ancaster Avalanche Morgan Firestone Arena December 28
2016 Ancaster Ancaster Avalanche Morgan Firestone Arena December 28
2015 Guelph Guelph Hurricanes Sleeman Centre December 28
2014 Waterloo Kitchener-Waterloo Siskins Waterloo Memorial Recreation Complex December 27
2013 Port Colborne Port Colborne Pirates 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

Exhibition Games
Year Event Host City Host Team Arena Result
2024 MacPherson Tournament Aurora St. Andrew's College, Aurora La Brier Family Arena
2024 Exhibition St. Catharines Ridley College Tiger Arena
2023 MacPherson Tournament Aurora St. Andrew's College, Aurora La Brier Family Arena 1st Place
2022 Exhibition Thorold Brock Badgers Canada Games Park 6-2 Loss

References

  1. 1 2 "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2014-04-07. Retrieved 2014-04-07.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  2. ↑ "FOR IMMEIDATE RELEASE | Ontario Hockey Association". www.oha.pointstreaksites.com.
  3. ↑ "Brampton Breaking News - Brampton's Online Newspaper". BramptonGuardian.com.
  4. ↑ Kolodziej, Joseph (January 25, 2013). "GOJHL Expansion On Hold".
  5. ↑ "Welcome to Niagara this Week". www.niagarathisweek.com.
  6. ↑ "Kitchener Dutchmen moving to Ayr". KitchenerToday.com.
  7. ↑ "Waterloo Siskins rebrand as KW Siskins following Kitchener Dutchmen's move to Ayr". www.kwsiskins.ca.
  8. ↑ @BombersJrB (August 31, 2020). "🚨NEWS🚨 • The Brampton Bombers are pleased to announce the team is on the move to Caledon and will become the Caledon…" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  9. ↑ "Buffalo Regals Announcement". www.gojhl.ca.
  10. ↑ @WJRCanadians (September 23, 2020). "To our fans, followers, community and league counterparts, please see the attached release from our owner, Louis M.…" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  11. ↑ "OJHL Announces Leamington Flyers as New Expansion Team". www.leamingtonflyers.com.
  12. ↑ "OJHL Announces Niagara Falls Canucks as New Expansion Team". www.niagarafallscanucks.com.
  13. ↑ "Thorold Franchise Makes Port Colborne Home Permanent". www.gojhl.ca.
  14. ↑ Times, Bill Doucet Cambridge. "Fourth team added to Sutherland Cup". Cambridge Times.
  15. ↑ "2021-22 SUTHERLAND CUP PLAYOFFS FORMAT ANNOUNCED". www.gojhl.ca.
  16. ↑ "2023 Sutherland Cup Final Schedule". www.gojhl.ca.
  17. ↑ "GOJHL | Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League". www.gojhl.ca.

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