Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League

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Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League	Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League
 	
Head Office 	Cambridge, Ontario
Official Web site 	GOJHL
Commissioner 	Mark Ellis
Chairman 	Dave Lindey
Founded 	2007
2023-24 Champion 	Listowel Cyclones
 	
OHA Junior "B" 	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	Ontario Hockey Association
Sutherland Cup 	Sutherland Cup
The Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League 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 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 "player raiding" from teams in the Ontario Provincial Junior A Hockey League. The skill level of the league is regarded as comparable to Junior "A", but the league will not consider joining the Canadian Junior A Hockey League for at least a couple seasons.
Twenty-five of the twenty-six of the Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League come from southwestern Ontario and one team comes from upstate New York.
==History==
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. The view in Southern Ontario is that Junior "A" and Junior "B" are 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. The difference between the OPJHL and the MetJHL when compared to the Western, Mid-Western, and Golden Horseshoe leagues is that the OPJHL and MetJHL are Greater Toronto Area-based teams for the most part, while the other three leagues are more rural in nature.
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 once had as many as eight leagues competing for it at one time.
The 2007-08 season has started off not as planned for the GOJHL. 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 will go without an interlocking schedule for 2007-08. The 2008-09 season will see the complete liquidation of all three divisional managements and a single body will be put in place for all three divisions as well as an interlocking schedule between all three divisions.
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 ever 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.
In April of 2014 the league had its request for reclassification to Tier II (Junior A) denied by the Ontario Hockey Association.  The league has resubmitted the request in 2016 to become the second Junior A league in the province for the 2017-18 season.  The denial in 2014 and other factors have the league and its members threatening to leave the OHA and Hockey Canada if the new request is denied.  The request was later denied by Hockey Canada.  The Cambridge Winter Hawks would announce their withdrawal from the OHA and defacto resignation for the GOJHL as OHA membership is required to play in the league.
In May 2017 it was announced that the Lambton Shores Predators were planning on moving out of Forest to move to Komoka, Ontario for the 2017-18 season The move had already been approved by the league and the OHA. The final approval of Middlesex Centre Wellness and Recreation Complex which met June 21st was the final step in the moved. Two junior C level teams (Mount Brydges Bulldogs and Lambeth Lancers) were also reportedly interested in moving to Komoka. The team was re-branded as the Komoka Kings.
On April 18, 2018 it was announced on the league website that the Ancaster Avalanche would be relocating to the Dave Andreychuk Mountain Arena in Hamilton, Ontario and would be renamed the Hamilton Kilty B's after the former Hamilton Kilty B's who were renamed the Hamilton Red Wings in 2002 and in 2015 moved to Markham, Ontario and became the Markham Royals.
On May 8, 2018 the Ontario Hockey Association approves the relocation of the Guelph Hurricanes to Cambridge, Ontario. The team will play out of the Galt Arena Gardens for the 2018-19 season. The team was originally known as the Hesper Shamrocks and later Cambridge Shamrocks when they were established back around 1960. The team played in Cambridge until 1982 when they moved to Guelph.
On June 18, 2018 it was announced that the Milton Icehawks of the Ontario Junior Hockey League would be relocating to Brantford and be renamed the Brantford 99ers Jr. A.  The present  Brantford 99ers are tentatively planning on staying in Brantford and continuing to play out of the Wayne Gretzky Sports Centre pending a meeting with the Ontario Hockey Federation.  Both teams have the same ownership.
==Teams==
 	 	 	 			
Team 	City 	Arena 	Founded			
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 			
Leamington Flyers 	Leamington, Ontario 	Nature Fresh Farms Recreation Centre 	1954 			
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 			
 	 	 	 			
Team 	City 	Arena 	Founded			
Ayr Centennials 	Ayr, Ontario 	North Dumfries Community Complex 	2020 			
Brantford Titans 	Brantford, Ontario 	Wayne Gretzky Sports 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 			
 	 	 	 			
Team 	City 	Arena 	Founded			
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 			
Niagara Falls Canucks 	Niagara Falls, Ontario 	Gale Centre 	1971 			
Pelham Panthers 	Pelham, Ontario 	Meridian Community Centre 	2014 			
Port Colborne Sailors 	Port Colborne, Ontario 	Vale Health & Wellness Centre 	1963 			
St. Catharines Falcons 	St. Catharines, Ontario	Seymour-Hannah Sports and Entertainment Centre 	1968 			
Welland Jr. Canadians 	Welland, Ontario 	Welland Arena 	1975 			
===Former teams (As of 2024)===
*Brantford 99ers - Renamed as the Brantford Bandits for the 2019-20 season, later renamed as the Brantford Titans for the 2024-25 season
*Brampton Bombers - Moved to Caledon for the 2020-21 season as the Caledon Bombers
*Guelph Hurricanes - Moved to Cambridge for the 2018-19 season as the Cambridge Redhawks
*Kitchener Dutchmen – Franchise purchased by Ayr Centennials Jr C. & promoted to Jr. B in 2020.
*Petrolia Jets - Moved to Forest for the 2008-09 season as the Lambton Shores Predators
**Lambton Shores Predators - Moved to Komoka for the 2017-18 season as the Komoka Kings
*Port Colborne Pirates - Moved to Pelham in 2014 as the Pelham Pirates
**Pelham Pirates renamed as Pelham Panthers for the 2014-15 season
*Stoney Creek Warriors - Moved to Ancaster for the 2013-14 season as the Ancaster Avalanche
**Ancaster Avalanche - Moved to Hamilton for the 2018-19 season as the Hamilton Kilty B's
*Sarnia Blast - Renamed as Sarnia Legionnaires for 2008-09 season
*Tecumseh Chiefs - Moved to LaSalle for the 2008–09 as the LaSalle Vipers.
*Thorold Blackhawks - Moved to Port Colborne for the 2023-24 season as the Port Colborne Sailors
*Wheatfield Jr. Blades - Move to Cheektowaga, NY for the 2011-12 season, rename to Buffalo Blades
**Buffalo Blades - Renamed to Buffalo Regals for the 2013-14 season
***Buffalo Regals - Moved to Lockport, NY for the 2018-19 season, change name to Lockport Regals
****Lockport Regals - Move to Cheektowaga, NY for the 2019-20 season, change name to Buffalo Regals
*****Buffalo Regals resign from GOJHL for 2021 season due to COVID-19 pandemic
==Sutherland Cup playoff champions==
For OHA Junior "B" champions prior to the 2007-08 season, please see OHA Junior "B" section below
Bold denotes Sutherland Cup Champion. Italicized denotes Sutherland Cup finalist.
 	
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Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League	Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League	Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League	Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League	Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League	Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League	Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League	Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League	Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League	Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League	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 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	
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OHA Junior "B"	OHA Junior "B" 	OHA Junior "B" 	OHA Junior "B" 	OHA Junior "B"	OHA Junior "B"	OHA Junior "B"	OHA Junior "B"	OHA Junior "B"	OHA Junior "B"	OHA Junior "B"
Year 	Champion 	Finalist 	RR Finalist 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
2007 	Cambridge Winterhawks (MW)	Strathroy Rockets (WO) 	St. Catharines Falcons (GH)	 	 	 	 	 	 	
2006 	Cambridge Winterhawks (MW)	Niagara Falls Canucks (GH) 	Chatham Maroons (WO) 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
2005 	Thorold Blackhawks (GH) 	Chatham Maroons (WO) 	Listowel Cyclones (MW) 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
2004 	Stratford Cullitons (MW) 	Thorold Blackhawks (GH) 	Chatham Maroons (WO) 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
2003 	Stratford Cullitons (MW) 	Thorold Blackhawks (GH) 	Petrolia Jets (WO) 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
2002 	Sarnia Blast (WO) 	Elmira Sugar Kings (MW) 	Niagara Falls Canucks (GH) 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
2001 	Elmira Sugar Kings (MW) 	Thorold Blackhawks (GH) 	Chatham Maroons (WO) 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
2000 	Cambridge Winterhawks (MW)	St. Catharines Falcons (GH)	Chatham Maroons (WO) 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
1999 	Chatham Maroons (WO) 	Stratford Cullitons (MW) 	St. Catharines Falcons (GH)	 	 	 	 	 	 	
1998 	Niagara Falls Canucks (GH)	Elmira Sugar Kings (MW) 	Chatham Maroons (WO) 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
1997 	Elmira Sugar Kings (MW) 	St. Catharines Falcons (GH)	Strathroy Rockets (WO) 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
1996 	Niagara Falls Canucks (GH)	St. Thomas Stars (WO) 	Stratford Cullitons (MW) 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
1995 	Stratford Cullitons (MW) 	St. Thomas Stars (WO) 	Niagara Falls Canucks (GH) 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
1994 	Waterloo Siskins (MW) 	St. Catharines Falcons (GH)	St. Marys Lincolns (WO) 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Listed are the Sutherland Cup champions from the 1993-94 season until the 2006-07 season.From 1993 until 2007 the Sutherland Cup was exclusive to the three leagues that now comprise the GOJHL.For Junior "B" champions prior to the 1993-94 season, please visit: Sutherland Cup.
==NHL Draft==
This is a list of first round National Hockey League draft picks of players straight out of the GOJHL.
*Daultan Leveille - 2008 1st Rd - 29th Overall to Atlanta Thrashers (St. Catharines Falcons)
==Former Member Teams==
*Owen Sound Greys (Returning for 2010-11)
==See also==
*List of GOJHL Seasons
*Golden Horseshoe Junior B Hockey League
*Mid-Western Junior B Hockey League
*Western Ontario Junior B Hockey League
==External links==
*The GOJHL Webpage
*Western league's Webpage
*Mid-Western league's Webpage
*Golden Horseshoe league's Webpage
*Ontario Hockey Association Webpage
Category:Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League
Category:Ice hockey leagues
Category:Established in 2007