Ontario Junior Hockey League
| Regions | |
|---|---|
| Former names | list
|
| Founded | 1954 |
| No. of teams | 24 |
| Associated title |
|
| Recent champions | Trenton Golden Hawks (2025) |
| Most successful club | Brampton Capitals, St. Michael's Buzzers, Wellington Dukes & Oakville Blades (3 each) |
| Headquarters | Mississauga |
| Website | www |
The Ontario Junior Hockey League (OJHL) is a Junior A ice hockey league in Ontario, Canada. It is under the supervision of the Ontario Hockey Association (OHA) and the Canadian Junior Hockey League (CJHL).
With 24 member clubs, the Ontario Junior Hockey League stands as the Canadian Junior Hockey League's largest Junior A circuit, maintaining its position as a crucial stepping stone for aspiring hockey players across the province.
The league's roots trace back to 1993-94, when it emerged from the Central Junior B Hockey League under its original name, the Ontario Provincial Junior A Hockey League. Operating under the Ontario Hockey Association and CJHL banners, the organization has built a reputation for advancing talent to higher levels of competition.
The 2024-25 season demonstrated the league's continued success in player placement, with more than 135 commitments secured. NCAA Division 1 programs claimed 54 players, while the Ontario Hockey League recruited 29. The OJHL's partnership with the OHL extended further through 39 affiliate players who collectively appeared in 152 OHL games throughout the season.
The league's impact reaches the sport's highest level, with 30 former OJHL players on NHL rosters as the 2025-26 season begins. This pipeline spans multiple destinations, including U SPORTS universities, NCAA programs, Canadian Hockey League teams, and professional minor leagues.
The league dates back to 1954 where it began as the "Central Junior B Hockey League". In 1993, the Central Junior B Hockey League was promoted to the Junior A level and renamed the "Ontario Provincial Junior A Hockey League". In 2009, the league was dissolved by the Ontario Hockey Association and split into two leagues: the "Central Canadian Hockey League" and the "Ontario Junior A Hockey League". By early 2010, the two leagues merged to reform the Ontario Junior Hockey League.
The league has 24 members, from Leamington in the west, to Wellington in the East, south to Buffalo, NY, and north to Collingwood and Haliburton County
The winner of the OJHL playoffs and Frank L. Buckland Trophy compete for the Centennial Cup with the winners of the eight remaining tier two junior A leagues across Canada and the host team. The OJHL's Collingwood Blues won the national championship in 2024. Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic taking place, there were qualifier tournaments held around the country (only four champions and a host would show up to the national championship - the tournament has increased in duration and for clubs attending).