The Ontario Hockey League
The Ontario Hockey League is one of three major junior hockey leagues which make up of the Canadian Hockey League. The Canadian Hockey League (CHL) is an umbrella organization which also includes the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) and the Western Hockey League (WHL).
The Ontario Hockey League, is Ontario's premiere development league for hockey players aged 16 to 20 aspiring to continue their careers at the professional level. There are currently 20 teams which make-up the Ontario Hockey League. Of these teams, 17 come from the province of Ontario, 2 come from Michigan (USA), and 1 from Pennsylvania (USA).
The 20 OHL teams play an unbalanced 68 game schedule that begins in September and concludes in March. The OHL playoffs include the top 16 (8 per conference) teams. The teams play a best of seven game series, where the winner progresses to the next round. The final two teams compete for the J. Ross Robertson Cup.
The OHL champion then competes against the champions of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, the Western Hockey League, and the host of the Memorial Cup Tournament. The Memorial Cup is then awarded to the junior hockey champions of Canada.
The host of the Memorial Cup Tournament alternates between the three Canadian Hockey Leagues every season. The host team is selected by a committee that examines a wide array of different criteria. The most recent OHL team to host the Memorial Cup was the Mississauga Majors in 2011.
The Ontario Hockey League, is Ontario's premiere development league for hockey players aged 16 to 20 aspiring to continue their careers at the professional level. There are currently 20 teams which make-up the Ontario Hockey League. Of these teams, 17 come from the province of Ontario, 2 come from Michigan (USA), and 1 from Pennsylvania (USA).
The 20 OHL teams play an unbalanced 68 game schedule that begins in September and concludes in March. The OHL playoffs include the top 16 (8 per conference) teams. The teams play a best of seven game series, where the winner progresses to the next round. The final two teams compete for the J. Ross Robertson Cup.
The OHL champion then competes against the champions of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, the Western Hockey League, and the host of the Memorial Cup Tournament. The Memorial Cup is then awarded to the junior hockey champions of Canada.
The host of the Memorial Cup Tournament alternates between the three Canadian Hockey Leagues every season. The host team is selected by a committee that examines a wide array of different criteria. The most recent OHL team to host the Memorial Cup was the Mississauga Majors in 2011.
Memorial Cup Champions
An Ontario Hockey League team has won the Memorial Cup a total of 14 times. The most recent champions include:
- Windsor Spitfires (2010)
- Windsor Spitfires (2009)
- London Knights (2005)
- Kitchener Rangers (2003)
- Ottawa 67's (1999)
Ontario Hockey League Priority Selection
The OHL Priority Selection is a 15-round process where each of the 20 OHL member teams select hockey players between the ages of 15-16 from Ontario, New York, Michigan, Pennsylvania, and other states east of the Mississippi River. The Jack Ferguson Award is presented annually to the first pick in the OHL Priority Selection. The recent recipients include:
- Connor McDavid (Erie Otters)
- Aaron Ekblad (Barrie Colts)
- Alex Galchenyuk (Sarnia Sting)
- Daniel Catenacci (Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds)
- John McFarland (Sudbury Wolves)
- Ryan O'Rielly (Erie Otters)
- Steven Stamkos (Sarnia Sting)
- John Tavares (Oshawa Generals)