Northern Ontario Junior Hockey Association
Encyclopedia
The Northern Ontario Junior Hockey Association was a Junior A ice hockey
league based in Northeastern Ontario
, Canada
. The league lasted from 1962 until 1972 and competed for the Memorial Cup
from 1962 until 1970 and the Manitoba Centennial Trophy from 1970 until 1972.
. Founded with five Northern Ontario
communities and one Northern Michigan
team, the leagues was founded in an effort to stop the flow of Northern Ontario talent from going to the OHA Junior A Hockey League
and the various Junior B leagues. The NOJHA was a top tier Junior A hockey league and was eligible to compete for the Memorial Cup
, the trophy of Canadian junior hockey supremacy.
The original six teams of the NOJHA were the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds
, Sudbury Wolves
, North Bay Trappers, Garson-Falconbridge Native Sons, Espanola Eagles, and Soo Michigan Realtors
. By 1964, Soo Michigan dropped from the league. In 1969, the Native Sons moved to become the Chelmsford Canadiens
.
In 1970, there was a massive shift in junior hockey. The NOJHA found itself relegated to a new level of hockey known as Tier II Junior A.
In 1971, the Espanola Eagles dropped from the league to the newly formed NOHA Junior B Hockey League. A season later, the entire NOJHA was forced to fold. With only four teams remaining, Sault Ste. Marie and Sudbury sought moves to the Ontario Major Junior Hockey League
and were accepted. At the same time, North Bay applied for acceptance into the newly formed Ontario Provincial Junior A Hockey League
, another Tier II league, and were accepted. With one team remaining, the league closed its doors. The remaining team, Chelmsford, followed Espanola's lead and joined the NOHA Junior B Hockey League.
In 1978, the NOHA Junior B Hockey League was promoted to Tier II Junior A status and renamed the Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League
.
play for NOJHA teams. In eight years, the NOJHA failed to win a single series despite close calls in 1967 and 1968.
1962-63 Finals
1963-64 Semi-finals
1964-65 Semi-finals
1965-66 Semi-finals
1966-67 Quarter-finals
1967-68 Quarter-finals
1968-69 Quarter-finals
1969-70 Semi-Finals
1970-71 Quarter-finals
1971-72 Quarter-finals
Ice hockey
Ice hockey, often referred to as hockey, is a team sport played on ice, in which skaters use wooden or composite sticks to shoot a hard rubber puck into their opponent's net. The game is played between two teams of six players each. Five members of each team skate up and down the ice trying to take...
league based in Northeastern Ontario
Northeastern Ontario
Northeastern Ontario is the region within the Canadian province of Ontario which lies north and east of Lakes Superior and Huron.Northeastern Ontario consists of the districts of Algoma, Sudbury, Cochrane, Timiskaming, Nipissing and Manitoulin; and the single-tier municipality of Greater...
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
. The league lasted from 1962 until 1972 and competed for the Memorial Cup
Memorial Cup
The Memorial Cup is a junior ice hockey club championship trophy awarded annually to the Canadian Hockey League champion. It is awarded following a four-team, round robin tournament between a host team and the champions of the CHL's three member leagues: the Ontario Hockey League , Quebec Major...
from 1962 until 1970 and the Manitoba Centennial Trophy from 1970 until 1972.
History
The Northern Ontario Junior Hockey Association was founded in 1962 at the Caswell Espanola Hotel in Espanola, OntarioEspanola, Ontario
Espanola is a town in Northern Ontario, Canada, and is the seat of Sudbury District. It is situated on the Spanish River, approximately 70 kilometres west of downtown Sudbury, and just south of the junction of Highway 6 and Highway 17.- History :The name "Espanola" has been attributed to a story...
. Founded with five Northern Ontario
Northern Ontario
Northern Ontario is a region of the Canadian province of Ontario which lies north of Lake Huron , the French River and Lake Nipissing. The region has a land area of 802,000 km2 and constitutes 87% of the land area of Ontario, although it contains only about 6% of the population...
communities and one Northern Michigan
Northern Michigan
Northern Michigan, also known as Northern Lower Michigan , is a region of the U.S. state of Michigan...
team, the leagues was founded in an effort to stop the flow of Northern Ontario talent from going to the OHA Junior A Hockey League
Ontario Hockey League
The Ontario Hockey League is one of the three Major Junior ice hockey leagues which constitute the Canadian Hockey League. The league is for players aged 15-20.The OHL also operates under the Ontario Hockey Federation of Hockey Canada....
and the various Junior B leagues. The NOJHA was a top tier Junior A hockey league and was eligible to compete for the Memorial Cup
Memorial Cup
The Memorial Cup is a junior ice hockey club championship trophy awarded annually to the Canadian Hockey League champion. It is awarded following a four-team, round robin tournament between a host team and the champions of the CHL's three member leagues: the Ontario Hockey League , Quebec Major...
, the trophy of Canadian junior hockey supremacy.
The original six teams of the NOJHA were the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds
Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds
The Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds are a major junior ice hockey team in the Ontario Hockey League. The Greyhounds play home games at the Essar Centre. The present team was founded in 1962 as a team in the Northern Ontario Hockey Association. The Greyhounds name has been used by several ice hockey...
, Sudbury Wolves
Sudbury Wolves
The Sudbury Wolves are the name of the ice hockey team from Sudbury, Ontario. Sudbury has had a hockey team known as the "Wolves" nearly every year since World War I. The Sudbury Wolves, the senior men's AAA team, have twice been chosen to be Canada's representatives at the Ice Hockey World...
, North Bay Trappers, Garson-Falconbridge Native Sons, Espanola Eagles, and Soo Michigan Realtors
Soo Michigan Realtors
The Soo Michigan Realtors were a Junior "A" ice hockey team from Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan. This defunct hockey team was a part of the Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League.-Season-by-Season results:...
. By 1964, Soo Michigan dropped from the league. In 1969, the Native Sons moved to become the Chelmsford Canadiens
Rayside-Balfour Sabrecats
The Rayside-Balfour Sabrecats were a Junior "A" ice hockey team from Rayside-Balfour, Ontario, Canada. This defunct hockey team was a part of the Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League.-History:...
.
In 1970, there was a massive shift in junior hockey. The NOJHA found itself relegated to a new level of hockey known as Tier II Junior A.
In 1971, the Espanola Eagles dropped from the league to the newly formed NOHA Junior B Hockey League. A season later, the entire NOJHA was forced to fold. With only four teams remaining, Sault Ste. Marie and Sudbury sought moves to the Ontario Major Junior Hockey League
Ontario Hockey League
The Ontario Hockey League is one of the three Major Junior ice hockey leagues which constitute the Canadian Hockey League. The league is for players aged 15-20.The OHL also operates under the Ontario Hockey Federation of Hockey Canada....
and were accepted. At the same time, North Bay applied for acceptance into the newly formed Ontario Provincial Junior A Hockey League
Ontario Provincial Junior A Hockey League (1972-1987)
The Ontario Provincial Junior A Hockey League was a Canadian Junior ice hockey league based in Ontario and sanctioned by the Ontario Hockey Association and the Canadian Amateur Hockey Association. The league operated from 1972 until 1987. This league was the forerunner to the current Ontario...
, another Tier II league, and were accepted. With one team remaining, the league closed its doors. The remaining team, Chelmsford, followed Espanola's lead and joined the NOHA Junior B Hockey League.
In 1978, the NOHA Junior B Hockey League was promoted to Tier II Junior A status and renamed the Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League
Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League
The Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League is a Junior A ice hockey league under the supervision of the Canadian Junior Hockey League, the Northern Ontario Hockey Association, and Hockey Canada. The winner of the NOJHL playoffs competes for the Dudley Hewitt Cup with the winners of the Ontario...
.
Eastern Memorial Cup play
This is a complete list of Memorial CupMemorial Cup
The Memorial Cup is a junior ice hockey club championship trophy awarded annually to the Canadian Hockey League champion. It is awarded following a four-team, round robin tournament between a host team and the champions of the CHL's three member leagues: the Ontario Hockey League , Quebec Major...
play for NOJHA teams. In eight years, the NOJHA failed to win a single series despite close calls in 1967 and 1968.
1962-63 Finals
- Niagara Falls FlyersNiagara Falls Flyers----The Niagara Falls Flyers were two junior ice hockey franchises that played in the top tier in the Ontario Hockey Association. The first, a Junior "A" team existed from 1960 until 1972, and the second in Tier I Junior "A" from 1976 until 1982....
(OHAOntario Hockey LeagueThe Ontario Hockey League is one of the three Major Junior ice hockey leagues which constitute the Canadian Hockey League. The league is for players aged 15-20.The OHL also operates under the Ontario Hockey Federation of Hockey Canada....
) defeated Espanola Eagles 4-games-to-none
1963-64 Semi-finals
- Toronto MarlborosToronto MarlborosThe Toronto Marlborough Athletic Club, commonly known as the Toronto Marlboros, was founded in 1903. It operated a junior ice hockey team in the Ontario Hockey Association and Ontario Hockey League from 1904 to 1989...
(OHAOntario Hockey LeagueThe Ontario Hockey League is one of the three Major Junior ice hockey leagues which constitute the Canadian Hockey League. The league is for players aged 15-20.The OHL also operates under the Ontario Hockey Federation of Hockey Canada....
) defeated North Bay Trappers 4-games-to-none
1964-65 Semi-finals
- Niagara Falls FlyersNiagara Falls Flyers----The Niagara Falls Flyers were two junior ice hockey franchises that played in the top tier in the Ontario Hockey Association. The first, a Junior "A" team existed from 1960 until 1972, and the second in Tier I Junior "A" from 1976 until 1982....
(OHAOntario Hockey LeagueThe Ontario Hockey League is one of the three Major Junior ice hockey leagues which constitute the Canadian Hockey League. The league is for players aged 15-20.The OHL also operates under the Ontario Hockey Federation of Hockey Canada....
) defeated Garson-Falconridge Native SonsRayside-Balfour SabrecatsThe Rayside-Balfour Sabrecats were a Junior "A" ice hockey team from Rayside-Balfour, Ontario, Canada. This defunct hockey team was a part of the Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League.-History:...
4-games-to-none
1965-66 Semi-finals
- Oshawa GeneralsOshawa GeneralsThe Oshawa Generals are a junior ice hockey team in the Ontario Hockey League. They are based in Oshawa, Ontario. The team is named for General Motors, an early sponsor which has its Canadian headquarters in Oshawa. The Generals are one of the most successful franchises in Canadian Hockey League...
(OHAOntario Hockey LeagueThe Ontario Hockey League is one of the three Major Junior ice hockey leagues which constitute the Canadian Hockey League. The league is for players aged 15-20.The OHL also operates under the Ontario Hockey Federation of Hockey Canada....
) defeated North Bay Trappers 4-games-to-none
1966-67 Quarter-finals
- Cornwall RoyalsCornwall RoyalsThe Cornwall Royals were a junior ice hockey team in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League from 1969 to 1981 and the Ontario Hockey League from 1981 to 1992. This team should not be confused with other Cornwall Royals teams that played in the QSHL, MMJHL, or OHA-B.-History:From 1961 until 1969, the...
(OHDJHLCentral Junior A Hockey LeagueThe Central Canada Hockey League is a Canadian Junior "A" ice hockey league operating in eastern Ontario, Canada. The league is sanctioned by the Ottawa District Hockey Association and Hockey Canada and is a member of the Canadian Junior Hockey League...
) defeated Sault Ste. Marie GreyhoundsSault Ste. Marie GreyhoundsThe Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds are a major junior ice hockey team in the Ontario Hockey League. The Greyhounds play home games at the Essar Centre. The present team was founded in 1962 as a team in the Northern Ontario Hockey Association. The Greyhounds name has been used by several ice hockey...
4-games-to-3
1967-68 Quarter-finals
- Cornwall RoyalsCornwall RoyalsThe Cornwall Royals were a junior ice hockey team in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League from 1969 to 1981 and the Ontario Hockey League from 1981 to 1992. This team should not be confused with other Cornwall Royals teams that played in the QSHL, MMJHL, or OHA-B.-History:From 1961 until 1969, the...
(OHDJHLCentral Junior A Hockey LeagueThe Central Canada Hockey League is a Canadian Junior "A" ice hockey league operating in eastern Ontario, Canada. The league is sanctioned by the Ottawa District Hockey Association and Hockey Canada and is a member of the Canadian Junior Hockey League...
) defeated North Bay Trappers 4-games-to-3
1968-69 Quarter-finals
- Sorel Black Hawks (QJAHLQuebec Major Junior Hockey LeagueThe Quebec Major Junior Hockey League is one of the three major junior ice hockey leagues which constitute the Canadian Hockey League...
) defeated Sudbury WolvesSudbury WolvesThe Sudbury Wolves are the name of the ice hockey team from Sudbury, Ontario. Sudbury has had a hockey team known as the "Wolves" nearly every year since World War I. The Sudbury Wolves, the senior men's AAA team, have twice been chosen to be Canada's representatives at the Ice Hockey World...
4-games-to-none
1969-70 Semi-Finals
- Montreal Junior Canadiens (OHAOntario Hockey LeagueThe Ontario Hockey League is one of the three Major Junior ice hockey leagues which constitute the Canadian Hockey League. The league is for players aged 15-20.The OHL also operates under the Ontario Hockey Federation of Hockey Canada....
) defeated Sault Ste. Marie GreyhoundsSault Ste. Marie GreyhoundsThe Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds are a major junior ice hockey team in the Ontario Hockey League. The Greyhounds play home games at the Essar Centre. The present team was founded in 1962 as a team in the Northern Ontario Hockey Association. The Greyhounds name has been used by several ice hockey...
4-games-to-1
Eastern Centennial Cup play
This is a complete list of Centennial Cup play for NOJHA teams. In two years, the NOJHA failed to win a series.1970-71 Quarter-finals
- Thunder Bay Marrs (TBJHL) defeated Sudbury WolvesSudbury WolvesThe Sudbury Wolves are the name of the ice hockey team from Sudbury, Ontario. Sudbury has had a hockey team known as the "Wolves" nearly every year since World War I. The Sudbury Wolves, the senior men's AAA team, have twice been chosen to be Canada's representatives at the Ice Hockey World...
4-games-to-3
1971-72 Quarter-finals
- Guelph CMC'sGuelph CMC'sThe Guelph CMC's or sometimes known as the Guelph CMC's Biltmore Mad Hatters were a junior ice hockey team in the Ontario Hockey Association as a Junior 'B' team in the Central League from 1956 to 1970, and merged with the Western A League's Guelph Beef Kings to become a Junior 'A' team from 1970...
(SOJHL) defeated Sault Ste. Marie GreyhoundsSault Ste. Marie GreyhoundsThe Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds are a major junior ice hockey team in the Ontario Hockey League. The Greyhounds play home games at the Essar Centre. The present team was founded in 1962 as a team in the Northern Ontario Hockey Association. The Greyhounds name has been used by several ice hockey...
3-games-to-none
Teams
- Chelmsford CanadiensRayside-Balfour SabrecatsThe Rayside-Balfour Sabrecats were a Junior "A" ice hockey team from Rayside-Balfour, Ontario, Canada. This defunct hockey team was a part of the Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League.-History:...
/Garson-Falconbridge Native Sons - Espanola Eagles
- North Bay Trappers
- Sault Ste. Marie GreyhoundsSault Ste. Marie GreyhoundsThe Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds are a major junior ice hockey team in the Ontario Hockey League. The Greyhounds play home games at the Essar Centre. The present team was founded in 1962 as a team in the Northern Ontario Hockey Association. The Greyhounds name has been used by several ice hockey...
- Soo Michigan RealtorsSoo Michigan RealtorsThe Soo Michigan Realtors were a Junior "A" ice hockey team from Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan. This defunct hockey team was a part of the Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League.-Season-by-Season results:...
- Sudbury WolvesSudbury WolvesThe Sudbury Wolves are the name of the ice hockey team from Sudbury, Ontario. Sudbury has had a hockey team known as the "Wolves" nearly every year since World War I. The Sudbury Wolves, the senior men's AAA team, have twice been chosen to be Canada's representatives at the Ice Hockey World...
Regular Season Champions
- 1963 Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds
- 1964 North Bay Trappers
- 1965 North Bay Trappers
- 1966 North Bay Trappers
- 1967 Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds
- 1968 Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds
- 1969 Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds
- 1970 Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds
- 1971 Sudbury Wolves
- 1972 Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds
Playoff Champions
- 1963 Espanola Eagles
- 1964 North Bay Trappers
- 1965 Garson-Falconbridge Native Sons
- 1966 North Bay Trappers
- 1967 Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds
- 1968 North Bay Trappers
- 1969 Sudbury Wolves
- 1970 Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds
- 1971 Sudbury Wolves
- 1972 Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds