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Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League

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Greater Ontario Junior
Hockey League
SportIce hockey
Founded2007
CommissionerCraig Spada
No. of teams23
CountryCanada
HeadquartersCambridge, Ontario
ContinentNorth America
Most recent
champion(s)
Listowel Cyclones
(2nd 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-three teams of the Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League come from Southwestern Ontario and the Golden Horseshoe.

History

[edit]
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.

In June 2024, the GOJHL announced new realigned conferences, moving to an "East/West" format from the long standing 3 conference arrangement. [5]

Teams

[edit]
Western Conference
Team City Arena Founded
Chatham Maroons Chatham, Ontario Chatham Memorial Arena 1959
Elmira Sugar Kings Elmira, Ontario Woolwich Memorial Centre 1987
Kitchener-Waterloo Siskins Waterloo, Ontario Waterloo Memorial Recreation Complex 1971
Komoka Kings Komoka, Ontario Komoka Wellness Centre 2017
LaSalle Vipers LaSalle, Ontario Vollmer Culture and Recreation Complex 1970
Listowel Cyclones Listowel, Ontario Steve Kerr Memorial Complex 1972
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
Stratford Warriors Stratford, Ontario William Allman Memorial Arena 1962
Strathroy Rockets Strathroy, Ontario West Middlesex Memorial Arena 1965
Eastern Conference
Team City Arena Founded
Ayr Centennials Ayr, Ontario North Dumfries Community Complex 2020
Brantford Titans Brantford, Ontario Brantford Civic Centre 2013
Caledon Bombers Caledon, Ontario Mayfield Arena 2020
Caledonia Corvairs Caledonia, Ontario Haldimand County Caledonia Centre 1970
Cambridge Redhawks Cambridge, Ontario Galt Arena Gardens 2018
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)

[edit]
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
Brantford Bandits Brantford Wayne Gretzky Sports Centre 2019 2024, franchise sold to Titan Hockey Group, rebranded as the Brantford Titans
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

[edit]
Stars goalie during 2013–14 season.

2023–24 playoffs

[edit]

Golden Horseshoe Conference

[edit]
QF SF Final
         
G1 Caledonia 4
G4 Hamilton 1
G4 Hamilton 4
G5 Welland 3
G1 Caledonia 3
G2 Fort Erie 4
G2 Fort Erie 4
G7 Port Colborne 0
G2 Fort Erie 4
G3 St. Catharines 2
G3 St. Catharines 4
G6 Pelham 1

Midwestern Conference

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

Western Conference

[edit]
QF SF Final
         
W1 London 4
W8 Komoka 1
W1 London 4
W4 LaSalle 1
W4 LaSalle 4
W5 Chatham 2
W1 London 3
W2 St. Marys 4
W2 St. Marys 4
W7 Sarnia 0
W2 St. Marys 4
W3 Strathroy 0
W3 Strathroy 4
W6 St. Thomas 1

Sutherland Cup

[edit]

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.[16]

After the league returned from the COVID-19 pandemic, they reverted back to the old three-team round robin format for the Sutherland Cup.[17] The Sutherland Cup Finals was a best-of-3 series in 2022, but the league went back to a best-of-7 series afterward.[18]

Pos Team Pld W L GF GA
1 Listowel Cyclones (Midwestern Conference) 4 3 1 16 5 Advance to the Sutherland Cup Finals
2 St. Marys Lincolns (Western Conference) 4 2 2 7 10
3 Fort Erie Meteors (Golden Horseshoe Conference) 4 1 3 6 14
Source: [19]
Sutherland Cup Finals
   
1 Listowel Cyclones 4
2 St. Marys Lincolns 1

Regular season champions

[edit]

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
2007–08 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 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
Year Eastern Conference Pts Western Conference Pts
2024–25 tbd 00 tbd 00

Sutherland Cup champions

[edit]

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
2008 Thorold Blackhawks Elmira Sugar Kings Tecumseh Chiefs
2009 Stoney Creek Warriors Brantford Eagles Sarnia Legionnaires
2010 Stoney Creek Warriors Brantford Eagles LaSalle Vipers
2011 Niagara Falls Canucks Elmira Sugar Kings St. Thomas Stars
2012 St. Catharines Falcons Brantford Eagles London Nationals
2013 St. Catharines Falcons Cambridge Winter Hawks London Nationals
Year Golden Horseshoe Midwestern Western Wild Card
2014 Caledonia Corvairs Waterloo Siskins Leamington Flyers St. Catharines Falcons
2015 Caledonia Corvairs Elmira Sugar Kings Leamington Flyers LaSalle Vipers
2016 Caledonia Corvairs Stratford Cullitons London Nationals Waterloo Siskins
2017 Caledonia Corvairs Listowel Cyclones London Nationals Elmira Sugar Kings
2018 Caledonia Corvairs Listowel Cyclones London Nationals Elmira Sugar Kings
2019 Niagara Falls Canucks Waterloo Siskins London Nationals Listowel Cyclones
2020 Cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic
2021 Cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic
Year Golden Horseshoe Midwestern Western
2022 St. Catharines Falcons Cambridge Redhawks Chatham Maroons
2023 Hamilton Kilty B's Stratford Warriors Leamington Flyers
2024 Fort Erie Meteors Listowel Cyclones St. Marys Lincolns

League championship series

[edit]

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

Season Champion Finalist Series (Best of 7) Scores
2008 Tecumseh Chiefs Elmira Sugar Kings 4-0 5-4 OT, 3-1, 2-1 OT, 5-3
2009 Brantford Eagles Stoney Creek Warriors 4-1 4-1, 3-2, 4-5 OT, 6-1, 3-2
2010 LaSalle Vipers Brantford Eagles 4-1 6-4, 5-2, 5-3, 3–6, 3-2 2OT
2011 Elmira Sugar Kings Niagara Falls Canucks 4-1 4-2, 5-6 OT, 3-1, 4-3, 4-0
2012 St. Catharines Falcons Brantford Eagles 4-2 2–5, 1–4, 3-1, 3-2 OT, 2-1, 5-1
2013 London Nationals Cambridge Winter Hawks 4-3 4–6, 2-3 OT, 6-0, 4-3, 1–4, 2-1 OT, 4-2
2014 Caledonia Corvairs St. Catharines Falcons 4-3 2–7, 4-1, 3-0, 2-3 2OT, 3-1, 2-3 3OT, 3-1
2015 Caledonia Corvairs LaSalle Vipers 4-2 2–4, 6-4, 3-2, 4-3, 4-5 OT, 4-3
2016 Caledonia Corvairs London Nationals 4-0 9-3, 6-0, 8-1, 4-3 OT
2017 Elmira Sugar Kings London Nationals 4-1 3-0, 2-0, 4-1, 4–6, 4-1
2018 Listowel Cyclones Caledonia Corvairs 4-0 4-3, 6-3, 2-0, 4-1
2019 Waterloo Siskins London Nationals 4-3 9-4, 5-4 OT, 2–6, 1–3, 5-3, 1–5, 3-2 OT
2020 Cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic
2021 Cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic
2022 St. Catharines Falcons Chatham Maroons 2-0 6-2, 8-2
2023 Leamington Flyers Stratford Warriors 4-3 4-1, 4-1, 2-6, 4-2, 1-4, 3-4, 4-0
2024 Listowel Cyclones St. Marys Lincolns 4-1 2-3, 4-1, 2-1 OT, 4-3, 4-3 OT

Records

[edit]

Team

[edit]

Single season records.

Player

[edit]

Single season records.

Goalie

[edit]

Single season records.

NHL Draft

[edit]

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

League Events

[edit]

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.

GOJHL Showcase
Year Host City Host Team Arena Date
2024 Caledonia Caledonia Corvairs Haldimand County Caledonia Centre December 6-8
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
2024 Elmira Elmira Sugar Kings Woolwich Memorial Centre December 27
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 0-W 4-L
2024 Exhibition St. Catharines Ridley College Tiger Arena 2-1 Win
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

[edit]
  1. ^ a b "Archived copy". Archived from the original on April 7, 2014. Retrieved April 7, 2014.{{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. ^ "2024/2025 conference realignment".
  6. ^ "Welcome to Niagara this Week". www.niagarathisweek.com.
  7. ^ "Kitchener Dutchmen moving to Ayr". KitchenerToday.com. April 27, 2020.
  8. ^ "Waterloo Siskins rebrand as KW Siskins following Kitchener Dutchmen's move to Ayr". www.kwsiskins.ca. July 6, 2020.
  9. ^ @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.
  10. ^ "Buffalo Regals Announcement". www.gojhl.ca. August 27, 2020.
  11. ^ @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.
  12. ^ "OJHL Announces Leamington Flyers as New Expansion Team". www.leamingtonflyers.com. May 17, 2023.
  13. ^ "OJHL Announces Niagara Falls Canucks as New Expansion Team". www.niagarafallscanucks.com.
  14. ^ "Thorold Franchise Makes Port Colborne Home Permanent". www.gojhl.ca. May 16, 2023.
  15. ^ "Brantford Junior Hockey Team Rebranded". brantfordtitans.com. May 17, 2024.
  16. ^ Times, Bill Doucet Cambridge (September 25, 2013). "Fourth team added to Sutherland Cup". Cambridge Times.
  17. ^ "2021-22 SUTHERLAND CUP PLAYOFFS FORMAT ANNOUNCED". www.gojhl.ca. March 11, 2022.
  18. ^ "2023 Sutherland Cup Final Schedule". www.gojhl.ca. April 24, 2023.
  19. ^ "GOJHL | Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League". www.gojhl.ca.
[edit]

Media related to Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League at Wikimedia Commons