Prospect games, all-star contests and exhibition games — the in-season opportunities for the top players in OHA leagues to shine is endless
OJHL NEWS
Everyone had a Ball in Niagara Falls
Three days. 24 teams. 24 games. 174 scouts. From September 23-25, at the Gale Centre, the OJHL Governor’s Showcase sponsored by “MilkUP” took over Niagara Falls. The Trenton Golden Hawks opened the hockey festivities by defeating the Collingwood Blues 5-1 in a rematch of last year’s championship series.
Top prospect Colton Smith — the son of Los Angeles Kings’ Assistant Coach D.J. Smith — led all participants; he posted five points in two games for the Leamington Flyers, including a four-point performance (two goals and two assists) in a 4-1 win over the St. Michael’s Buzzers. The 20-year-old Smith played three seasons in the Ontario Hockey League with the Windsor Spitfires and the London Knights before joining the Flyers. The forward currently ranks third in the OJHL scoring race with 26 points in 15 games.
“The Governor’s Showcase offered our players fantastic exposure,” says Rick Morocco, the OJHL’s Vice President of Business Operations and the Executive Director of the OJHL Foundation. “We had 174 scouts in attendance — the most since prior to the pandemic!”
The Return of the Battle of Ontario
The “Battle of Ontario” was first held in Pembroke in 2009 and featured teams of ‘Young Stars’ and ‘All-Stars’ from the CCHL and the Central Junior Hockey League, a division within the Ontario Junior Hockey League (OJHL). After two years, the concept was abandoned … until now.
Next month, the Battle of Ontario returns. The two-day showcase takes place November 12-13 in Smiths Falls, Ontario, home of the CCHLs Bears. Two all-star and two prospect teams from each league will play a total of 12 games during the tournament-style event. In this reimagining, for the first time the best players — and top prospects — in the OJHL and CCHL will go head-to-head.
According to Rick Morocco, the Battle of Ontario not only gives exposure for elite OJHL players, but it’s also an opportunity for these players to possibly get scouted for Team Canada East, which is participating in the Junior A World Challenge in early December.
The Battle of Ontario games will use a modified two-period format and participating teams are paying homage to NHL alumni from their leagues; the CCHA’s squads are named after Hockey Hall of Famers Larry Robinson and Steve Yzerman. (Robinson played for the Brockville Braves of the CCHL while Yzerman is an alumnus of the Nepean Raiders.)
The OJHL’s teams are named for current NHLer’s: Evan Rodrigues (Georgetown Raiders) of the Florida Panthers; Chris Tanev (Markham Waxers, Stouffville Spirit, Durham Fury) of the Toronto Maple Leafs; Zach Hyman (Hamilton Red Wings) of the Edmonton Oilers and Jack McBain (Toronto Jr. Canadiens) of the Utah Hockey Club.
Player selections for the Ontario teams will be done in the next couple of weeks, along with the naming of the coaching staffs. Follow OJHL’s social media and website for the latest updates.
Mark Your Calendars: January Showcase Set for 20-year-olds
In early January, the OJHL is holding a two-day showcase for its 20-year-old players to give them an opportunity to compete and show off their skills to a pair of Ontario universities: Toronto Metropolitan University (Friday, January 4) and Ontario Tech University, the following day.
“The number one goal of these games is to give these players exposure, but it’s also about showing them what it’s like to be a student-athlete,” says Rick Morocco.
OJHL Dishes Out The Assists
The First Assist program, initially launched by the OJHL Foundation in 2018, features comprehensive seminars focusing on mental wellness, positive youth development and resilience building. Now comes the Second Assist Program. Just launched league-wide on October 15, this customized program is based on the Hockey Canada Code of Conduct. The focus is on substance abuse, addiction, the impact of substances on performance and fostering healthy relationships.
“These important programs are educating our players and helping them navigate the challenges they face — on and off the ice — by promoting a culture of well-being and accountability,” says Rick Morocco, the OJHL’s Vice President of Business Operations and the Executive Director of the OJHL Foundation.
Players and team staff sessions — led by a community psychologist and mental health professionals — will be held in every OJHL home arena this season. The Coping Centre in Cambridge, Ont. and Rebecca Pister developed both the First and Second Assist programs.
GOJHL NEWS
The GOJHL is excited about its Showcase Games (Dec. 6-8 in Caledonia) and Top Prospects Game (December 27 in Elmira).
Caledonia Hosts Showcase for the First Time
It’s the first time Caledonia has hosted this event. All 23 teams will play two games over the course of the weekend in the Twin Pads at the Haldimand County Caledonia Centre. Games start Friday morning and end Sunday night. Scouts interested in attending can contact Tim Simmons: [email protected].
“The showcase is a great opportunity for scouts to see our exceptional players all in one spot,” says Tim Simmons, GOJHL Executive Director of Hockey Operations. “It brings our entire GOJHL community together for three incredible days of hockey.”
Top Prospects Come to Elmira; All-Star Games versus Ridley College
The Top Prospects games in Elmira after Christmas are similar to past years. The top 16- and 17-year-old players are broken into four teams for a pair of games on December 27 at the Woolwich Memorial Centre. Rosters and coaching staff for the two games will be announced soon.
In other GOJHL news, two all-star teams from the league face Ridley College in a pair of exhibition games on November 12 against Team West and January 14, 2025 versus Team East. The two participating teams will consist of the top 16-year-old players from each conference. Both exhibition games take place at Ridley’s home rink — Tiger Arena in St. Catharines.
The coaching staff for the Western Conference All-Stars are: Jason Williams (head coach); Jesse Cole, (assistant coach) and Richard Santos (assistant coach). Players for both teams and the coaching staff for The Eastern Conference All-Stars will be announced soon. Follow GOJHL’s social media and website for updates.
Junior Stars Set to Shine
The PJHL is excited to showcase its best 16 and 17-year-old players in two upcoming Prospect Games.
“Our young stars will have a chance to showcase themselves to both fans and scouts at each of these events,” says PJHL commissioner Terry Whiteside.
On Saturday November 2, the North Middlesex Stars and the Wellesley Applejacks will each host a showcase game at their home rink. The Stars host the Western and the North Conferences. The puck drops at 1 p.m. at the North Middlesex and District Arena. The Applejacks host the Eastern and South Conferences. The puck drops at the Wellesley Community Centre at 1:30 p.m. .
Get your tickets at each of the hosts’ websites. Can’t make it to the arena on Saturday? No problem! Watch from wherever you are since both PJHL Prospect Games are streaming live on SportsEngine Play.
Click here to view the rosters for both star-studded teams.
About the Ontario Hockey Association
The Ontario Hockey Association (OHA) was founded on November 27, 1890, and is the governing body for the majority of Junior and Senior hockey in the Province of Ontario. The OHA is a Member Partner of the Ontario Hockey Federation which is one of thirteen Provincial and Regional Branches of Hockey Canada.
It is comprised of three Junior hockey leagues and two Senior hockey leagues: Junior A – Ontario Junior Hockey League; Junior B – Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League; Junior C – Provincial Junior Hockey League, Senior – Allan Cup Hockey (AAA) and Ontario Elite Hockey League (AA). For the 2023-24 season, these five leagues encompass 125 teams.
The objectives of the OHA are to foster and encourage the sport of amateur hockey, to conduct competition in the various categories established, to determine teams for entry into the inter-branch competitions that may be provided by Hockey Canada, and to provide for the affiliation of other hockey organizations.
The OHA provides administrative resources, coordinates programs, services and events for hockey participants and provides support to various Development Programs for coaches, officials, trainers and players, Safety and Risk Management Issues and offers resources for Harassment and Abuse education.
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For more information or to set up an interview, please contact:
Chris McCleary
General Manager, Operations & Marketing
Ontario Hockey Association
