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Ontario Provincial Junior A Hockey League (1972-1987)
Encyclopedia
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| OHA Junior "A" | |
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| SOJHL Southern Ontario Junior A Hockey League ----The Southern Ontario Junior A Hockey League was a Tier II Junior "A" ice hockey that lasted from the late 1960s until 1977 in Southern Ontario, Canada. The league was swallowed by what is now called the Ontario Provincial Junior A Hockey League in 1977.... |
(1970-1977) |
| OPJHL | (1972–1987) |
| MetJHL Metro Junior A Hockey League ----The Metro Junior "A" Hockey League was a junior level ice hockey league based out of Southern Ontario. The league originated in 1956 as the Metro Junior "B" Hockey League, which lasted until 1991, when it changed its designation from Junior B to Junior A. It remained a Jr... |
(1991-1998) |
| OJHL | (1993-Present) |
| Ontario Hockey Association Ontario Hockey Association The Ontario Hockey Association is the governing body for the majority of Junior and Senior level ice hockey teams in the Province of Ontario. The OHA is sanctioned by the Ontario Hockey Federation along with the Northern Ontario Hockey Association. Other Ontario sanctioning bodies along with the... |
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| Canadian Junior Hockey League | |
The Ontario Provincial Junior A Hockey League was a Canadian
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...
Junior ice hockey
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 Ontario
Ontario
Ontario is a province of Canada, located in east-central Canada. It is Canada's most populous province and second largest in total area. It is home to the nation's most populous city, Toronto, and the nation's capital, Ottawa....
and sanctioned by the Ontario Hockey Association
Ontario Hockey Association
The Ontario Hockey Association is the governing body for the majority of Junior and Senior level ice hockey teams in the Province of Ontario. The OHA is sanctioned by the Ontario Hockey Federation along with the Northern Ontario Hockey Association. Other Ontario sanctioning bodies along with the...
and the Canadian Amateur Hockey Association
Canadian Amateur Hockey Association
The Canadian Amateur Hockey Association was the national governing body of amateur ice hockey play in Canada from 1914 until 1994 when it merged with the Canadian Hockey Association or Hockey Canada....
. The league operated from 1972 until 1987. This league was the forerunner to the current Ontario Provincial Junior A Hockey League
Ontario Provincial Junior A Hockey League
The Ontario Junior Hockey League is a 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 as the Central Junior B Hockey League. In 1993, the Central Junior B Hockey League was promoted to the...
that was promoted in 1993. From 1972 until 1977, the OPJHL shared their region with the Southern Ontario Junior A Hockey League
Southern Ontario Junior A Hockey League
----The Southern Ontario Junior A Hockey League was a Tier II Junior "A" ice hockey that lasted from the late 1960s until 1977 in Southern Ontario, Canada. The league was swallowed by what is now called the Ontario Provincial Junior A Hockey League in 1977....
.
History
- For Season-by-Season Standings, please see: OPJHL Standings (1972-1981) and OJHL Standings.
The Ontario Hockey Association Tier II Junior "A" League was born out of the creation of the Ontario 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....
. There have always been multiple tiers of junior hockey, but the top tier, then known as Ontario Hockey Association Junior "A", elected to split from the OHA and create its own level of hockey. The early 1970s sparked a vast reorganization of Canadian hockey across the country. The Ontario 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....
was born out of this, as well was the Western Hockey League
Western Hockey League
The Western Hockey League is a major junior ice hockey league based in Western Canada and the Northwestern United States. The WHL is one of three leagues that constitute the Canadian Hockey League as the highest level of junior hockey in Canada...
and the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League
Quebec Major Junior Hockey League
The Quebec Major Junior Hockey League is one of the three major junior ice hockey leagues which constitute the Canadian Hockey League...
in other parts of Canada. The new tier was known as Major Junior "A" hockey. The first Ontario Tier II League came in 1968 with creation of the renegade Western Ontario Junior A Hockey League, which became the Southern Ontario Junior A Hockey League
Southern Ontario Junior A Hockey League
----The Southern Ontario Junior A Hockey League was a Tier II Junior "A" ice hockey that lasted from the late 1960s until 1977 in Southern Ontario, Canada. The league was swallowed by what is now called the Ontario Provincial Junior A Hockey League in 1977....
in 1970.
The aftermath of the annexation of the top tier left a vacuum for a new top tier of OHA hockey. What filled the gap in 1972 was the 12-team Ontario Hockey Association Jr. "A" Hockey League, which comprised five teams leaving the Metro Junior "B" (the Richmond Hill Rams, North York Rangers
North York Rangers
The North York Rangers are a Junior "A" ice hockey team from North York, Ontario, Canada. They are a part of Central Division Hockey, but they were also a part of the Metro Junior A Hockey League.-Richmond Hill:...
, Downsview Beavers
Royal York Royals
The Royal York Royals are a defunct Junior "A" ice hockey team from Downsview, Ontario, Canada. They were a part of the Ontario Provincial Junior A Hockey League.The Downsview Bees started operations in 1971, as part of the Metro Junior B league...
, Aurora Tigers
Aurora Tigers
The Aurora Tigers are a Junior "A" ice hockey team from Aurora, Ontario, Canada. They are a part of the Ontario Junior A Hockey League but also used to be a part of the Metro Junior A Hockey League, Ontario Provincial Junior A Hockey League, and the Ontario Junior Hockey League.-History:The Aurora...
and the Dixie Beehives
Dixie Beehives
----Dixie Beehives are a pair of defunct junior ice hockey teams from Weston, Ontario, which is now part of Toronto, Ontario. They played in the Ontario Provincial Junior A Hockey League and the Central Junior B Hockey League.-Jr. A Beehives:...
), 6 expansion teams (Seneca Flyers
Newmarket Hurricanes
The Newmarket Hurricanes are a Junior "A" ice hockey team from Newmarket, Ontario, Canada. They are a part of Central Division Hockey and are currently the 2009-10 CCHL champions.-History:...
, Ajax Steelers
Ajax Merchants
The Ajax Merchants are a defunct Tier II Junior "A" ice hockey team from Ajax, Ontario, Canada. They were a part of the Ontario Provincial Junior A Hockey League.-Playoffs:*1973 Lost Quarter-final*1974 DNQ...
, Wexford Warriors, Vaughan Nationals
Toronto Nationals (1970–1980)
The Toronto Nationals are a pair of defunct Tier II Junior "A" ice hockey teams from Vaughan, Ontario, Canada. They were a part of the Ontario Provincial Junior A Hockey League and the Metro Junior B Hockey League.-Jr. A Nationals:...
, Weston Dodgers
Weston Dodgers
The Weston Dodgers are a defunct Tier II Junior "A" ice hockey team from Weston, Ontario, Canada. They were a part of the Ontario Provincial Junior A Hockey League.-History:...
), the Kingston Frontenacs
Kingston Frontenacs
The Kingston Frontenacs are a junior ice hockey team in the Ontario Hockey League, based in Kingston, Ontario, Canada. The team is coached by Todd Gill and Doug Gilmour is the General Manager. The Frontenacs play home games at the K-Rock Centre, which opened in 2008.Team history predates the OHA,...
of the defunct Eastern Junior B Hockey League
Eastern Junior B Hockey League
The Eastern Junior B Hockey League was a Junior "B" ice hockey league based in Eastern Ontario. They were sanctioned by the Ontario Hockey Association and Canadian Amateur Hockey Association, and competed for the All-Ontario Junior "B" title, the Sutherland Cup.-History:In 1951, the Eastern Group...
, and the North Bay Trappers
North Bay Trappers
The North Bay Trappers were a Junior "A" ice hockey team from North Bay, Ontario, Canada. This defunct hockey team was a part of the Northern Ontario Junior Hockey Association and later the OHA Jr...
of the recently folded 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...
http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/leagues/seasons/opjhl19811973.html.
The Ontario Provincial league's only competition for talent in Southern Ontario
Southern Ontario
Southern Ontario is a region of the province of Ontario, Canada that lies south of the French River and Algonquin Park. Depending on the inclusion of the Parry Sound and Muskoka districts, its surface area would cover between 14 to 15% of the province. It is the southernmost region of...
was the Southern Ontario Junior A Hockey League
Southern Ontario Junior A Hockey League
----The Southern Ontario Junior A Hockey League was a Tier II Junior "A" ice hockey that lasted from the late 1960s until 1977 in Southern Ontario, Canada. The league was swallowed by what is now called the Ontario Provincial Junior A Hockey League in 1977....
. The Southern Ontario league jumped to Junior "A" in 1968 as the Western Ontario Junior A Hockey League and changed its name two years later. From the 1972-73 season until the 1976-77 season, these two league put their champions up against each other to earn the right to compete for the Dudley Hewitt Cup
Dudley Hewitt Cup
The Dudley Hewitt Cup is a championship ice hockey trophy, won by tournaments conducted by the Canadian Junior Hockey League. The trophy was first awarded in 1979. The winner of the Dudley Hewitt Cup competes at the 2011 Royal Bank Cup.-History:...
as only one Ontario Hockey Association
Ontario Hockey Association
The Ontario Hockey Association is the governing body for the majority of Junior and Senior level ice hockey teams in the Province of Ontario. The OHA is sanctioned by the Ontario Hockey Federation along with the Northern Ontario Hockey Association. Other Ontario sanctioning bodies along with the...
team could challenge for it. In 1973, the SOJAHL's Chatham Maroons
Chatham Maroons
----The Chatham Maroons are a Canadian junior ice hockey team based in Chatham, Ontario, Canada. They play in the Western division of the Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League.-History:...
defeated the OPJHL's Wexford Raiders 4-games-to-3. In 1974, the Wexford Raiders got their turn, defeating the Windsor Spitfires
Windsor Spitfires
The Windsor Spitfires are a junior ice hockey team in the Ontario Hockey League. The team is based in Windsor, Ontario, Canada. The franchise was granted for the 1975–76 season and revived a previous OHA Jr. A Spitfires team which moved to become the Hamilton Tiger Cubs in 1953.-History:The...
4-games-to-3 to even the series. A year later, the SOJAHL's Guelph CMC's
Guelph CMC's
The 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...
defeated the Toronto Nationals
Toronto Nationals (1970–1980)
The Toronto Nationals are a pair of defunct Tier II Junior "A" ice hockey teams from Vaughan, Ontario, Canada. They were a part of the Ontario Provincial Junior A Hockey League and the Metro Junior B Hockey League.-Jr. A Nationals:...
4-games-to-2 and in 1976 became the Guelph Platers
Guelph Platers
The Guelph Platers were a junior ice hockey team in theOntario Hockey Association from 1975 to 1982, and the Ontario Hockey League from 1982 to 1989, based in Guelph, Ontario.-History:...
and defeated the North Bay Trappers
North Bay Trappers
The North Bay Trappers were a Junior "A" ice hockey team from North Bay, Ontario, Canada. This defunct hockey team was a part of the Northern Ontario Junior Hockey Association and later the OHA Jr...
4-games-to-1 to win their second straight OHA Championship. The final chapter of this saga was slightly redemptive for the OPJHL as their North York Rangers
North York Rangers
The North York Rangers are a Junior "A" ice hockey team from North York, Ontario, Canada. They are a part of Central Division Hockey, but they were also a part of the Metro Junior A Hockey League.-Richmond Hill:...
went the distance and defeated Guelph 4-games-to-3. Down to four teams, the SOJAHL folded. The Guelph Platers
Guelph Platers
The Guelph Platers were a junior ice hockey team in theOntario Hockey Association from 1975 to 1982, and the Ontario Hockey League from 1982 to 1989, based in Guelph, Ontario.-History:...
and Hamilton Mountain A's
Hamilton Mountain A's
The Hamilton Mountain A's are a defunct Junior "A" ice hockey team from Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. They were a part of the Ontario Provincial Junior A Hockey League.-History:...
jumped to the OPJHL, while the Owen Sound Greys
Owen Sound Greys
The Owen Sound Greys are a Canadian junior ice hockey team based in Owen Sound, Ontario, Canada. They play in the Mid-Western division of the Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League...
took a season off then joined the Georgian Bay Intermediate A Hockey League
Major Intermediate A Hockey League
The Major Intermediate A Hockey League was an ice hockey league in Ontario, Canada, sanctioned by the Ontario Hockey Association. It existed from 1978 to 1983. Its champion was eligible to compete for the W.G. Hardy Trophy, emblematic of Canadian Intermediate A hockey supremacy.The Georgian Bay...
and the Collingwood Blues
Collingwood Blues
The Collingwood Blues were a Junior "A" ice hockey team from Collingwood, Ontario, Canada. They were a part of the Ontario Junior A Hockey League and earlier the Central Junior B Hockey League.-History:...
changed their name and dropped to Junior C
Georgian Mid-Ontario Junior C Hockey League
The Georgian Mid Ontario Junior C Hockey League is a Junior "C" ice hockey league in Ontario, Canada, sanctioned by the Ontario Hockey Association...
. After a five year feud, the SOJAHL won the battle but lost the war as their champions won three of five OHA Championships but ultimately folded.
Over the next few years, the Guelph Platers
Guelph Platers
The Guelph Platers were a junior ice hockey team in theOntario Hockey Association from 1975 to 1982, and the Ontario Hockey League from 1982 to 1989, based in Guelph, Ontario.-History:...
http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/leagues/seasons/opjhl19811978.html, Belleville Bulls
Belleville Bulls
The Belleville Bulls are a junior ice hockey team, founded in 1981 based in Belleville, Ontario, Canada. The team plays in the Eastern Division of the Eastern Conference of the Ontario Hockey League.-History:...
http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/leagues/seasons/opjhl19811980.html, and Kingston Frontenacs
Kingston Frontenacs
The Kingston Frontenacs are a junior ice hockey team in the Ontario Hockey League, based in Kingston, Ontario, Canada. The team is coached by Todd Gill and Doug Gilmour is the General Manager. The Frontenacs play home games at the K-Rock Centre, which opened in 2008.Team history predates the OHA,...
http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/leagues/seasons/opjhl19811973.html would all get their start in this league before jumping to the Ontario 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....
http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/leagues/seasons/ohl19891983.html http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/leagues/seasons/ohl19891982.html http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/leagues/seasons/oha19551974.html.
By 1986, the league was suffering from a variety of difficulties. With most of their teams folding or dropping to Junior "B", the league was left with 4 teams http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/leagues/seasons/ojhl19821987.html, the OHA Jr. "A" League was forced to close its doors at the end of the 1986-87 season. The four remaining teams at the end of the OHA Jr. "A" League era were the Final Champion Owen Sound Greys
Owen Sound Greys
The Owen Sound Greys are a Canadian junior ice hockey team based in Owen Sound, Ontario, Canada. They play in the Mid-Western division of the Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League...
, the Aurora Eagles
Aurora Tigers
The Aurora Tigers are a Junior "A" ice hockey team from Aurora, Ontario, Canada. They are a part of the Ontario Junior A Hockey League but also used to be a part of the Metro Junior A Hockey League, Ontario Provincial Junior A Hockey League, and the Ontario Junior Hockey League.-History:The Aurora...
, the Markham Waxers
Markham Waxers
The Markham Waxers are an Ontario Junior Hockey League Junior "A" ice hockey team. The Waxer organizations are from Markham, Ontario, Canada.-History:...
, and the Richmond Hill Dynes http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/leagues/seasons/ojhl19821987.html. The Central League agreed to take Markham, Aurora and Richmond Hill, while the Owen Sound Greys went to the Midwestern Junior B Hockey League
Midwestern Junior B Hockey League
The Mid-Western Junior Hockey League was a junior ice hockey league in Ontario, Canada, sanctioned by the Ontario Hockey Association from 1973 until 2007. As of 2007, the league has become a division of the newly formed Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League...
.
Member Teams
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League
- 19871986–87 OJHL seasonThe 1986–87 OJHL season is the 15th and final season of the Ontario Junior Hockey League . The four teams of the league played an interlocking 44-game season with the Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League. All four teams made the playoffs....
Owen Sound Greys - 19861985–86 OJHL seasonThe 1985–86 OJHL season is the 14th season of the Ontario Junior Hockey League . The six teams of the league played a 50-game season. The top four teams made the playoffs....
Orillia Travelways - 19851984–85 OJHL seasonThe 1984–85 OJHL season is the 13th season of the Ontario Junior Hockey League . The eight teams of the league played a 48-game season. The all eight teams made the playoffs....
Orillia Travelways - 19841983–84 OJHL seasonThe 1983–84 OJHL season is the 12th season of the Ontario Junior Hockey League . The eight teams of the league played a 42-game season. The all eight teams made the playoffs....
Orillia Travelways - 19831982–83 OJHL seasonThe 1982–83 OJHL season is the 11th season of the Ontario Junior Hockey League . The nine teams of the league played a 48-game season. The top four teams of each division make the playoffs....
North York Rangers - 19821981–82 OJHL seasonThe 1981–82 OJHL season is the 10th season of the Ontario Junior Hockey League . The 11 teams of the league played a 50-game season. The top four teams of each division make the playoffs....
Guelph Platers - 1981 Belleville Bulls
- 1980 North York Rangers
- 1979 Guelph Platers
- 1978 Guelph Platers
- 1977 North York Rangers
- 1976 North Bay Trappers
- 1975 Toronto Nationals
- 1974 Wexford Raiders
- 1973 Wexford Raiders
Dudley Hewitt CupDudley Hewitt CupThe Dudley Hewitt Cup is a championship ice hockey trophy, won by tournaments conducted by the Canadian Junior Hockey League. The trophy was first awarded in 1979. The winner of the Dudley Hewitt Cup competes at the 2011 Royal Bank Cup.-History:...
- 1986 Orillia Travelways
- 1985 Orillia Travelways
- 1984 Orillia Travelways
- 1983 North York Rangers
- 1982 Guelph Platers
- 1981 Belleville Bulls
- 1980 North York Rangers
- 1979 Guelph Platers
- 1978 Guelph Platers
- 1974 Wexford Raiders
Manitoba Centennial CupRoyal Bank CupThe Royal Bank Cup is an annual ice hockey tournament held to determine the Canadian Junior A champion. The winner of the tournament wins the Royal Bank Cup...
- 1985 Orillia Travelways
- 1983 North York Rangers
- 1978 Guelph Platers
League records
- Best record: 1981-82 Guelph Platers (40-4-6)
- Worst record: 1979-80 Richmond Hill Rams (4-39-1)
- Most goals, one season: Steve Thomas (68) -- 1981-82 Markham Waxers
- Most assists, one season: Adam Oates (105) -- 1981-82 Markham Waxers
- Most points, one season: Adam Oates (159) -- 1981-82 Markham Waxers