Greater Metro Junior A Hockey League

For the ACHA Division 2 hockey league, see Great Midwest Hockey League.
Greater Metro Junior A
Hockey League
Current season or competition:
2015–16 GMHL season
Region(s) Greater Toronto Area, Midwestern Ontario, Golden Horseshoe, Central Ontario, Northeastern Ontario, and Quebec
President Bob Russell
Commissioner Ken Girard
Founded 2006
No. of teams 29
Recent Champions Temiscaming Titans (2015)
Most successful club Bradford Rattlers (3)
Headquarters Bradford, Ontario
Website GMHL.net

The Greater Metro Junior A Hockey League (GMHL) is a Canadian developmental Junior ice hockey league. The GMHL is not affiliated with the Canadian Junior Hockey League or a member by Hockey Canada. The league has teams in the Greater Toronto Area, Central Ontario, Northeastern Ontario, and Quebec.

As of October 2014, the league's alumni page lists 380 players from 2006-2014 who left the GMHL to play for NCAA colleges, various professional leagues, major junior teams, or represented their country in various IIHF World Championships.[1]

History

The league, founded by Bob Russell and Hockeyworks International Ltd., opened its doors in early 2006, with a unique concept and approach to improving the standard of developing young hockey players within a Junior 'A' league format setting.

A draft showcase event took place from May 5 until May 7, 2006 with players from Canada, United States, and Europe taking up residence at the Hockeyworks' World Hockey Centre near Shelburne, Ontario to take part in the league's first tryout camp.

Deseronto Thunder versus King Wild (circa 2006)

As of September of 2006, it became clear that the league would operate its first season with seven teams. The original seven were the Bradford Rattlers, Deseronto Thunder, King Wild, Nipissing Alouettes, Richmond Hill Rams, South Muskoka Shield, and Toronto Canada Moose.

The league's first ever game took place on September 8, 2006 between the King Wild and the Richmond Hill Rams. The final result was a 6-0 victory for the Rams, despite being badly outshot by the Wild. The first goal in the league's history was scored by the Rams' Darren Archibald (future Vancouver Canucks prospect) on the powerplay during the first period. Rams' goaltender Daniel Jones picked up the historical first victory, as well as the league's first shutout in history.

Grey Highlands Bravehearts goalie during 2014-15 season.

On November 15, 2006, the GMJHL announced its affiliation with the World Hockey Association and creation of the National Junior Hockey Alliance. The affiliation resulted in a national championship between the GMJHL playoff champion and the winner of the WHA Junior West Hockey League after the 2006-07 season.

The first ever regular season of the GMJHL concluded on February 25, 2007 with the Bradford Rattlers leading the way as regular season champs with a record of 37 wins, 1 regulation loss, and 4 overtime losses. In the playoffs, the Rattlers beat the Deseronto Thunder in 6 games, and then the King Wild in 5 games to win the first ever Russell Cup as playoff champions.

In September 2007, the GMJHL started its second season with six new teams, the Douro Dukes, Elliot Lake Bobcats, Espanola Kings, Innisfil Lakers, Tamworth Cyclones, and Temiscaming Royals. The Deseronto Thunder ran into financial trouble after their first season and ownership of the team was transferred to the town. The team is now known as the Deseronto Storm.

Knights of Meaford player during 2014-15 season.

On December 11, 2007, the GMJHL announced a seven game challenge series versus a Russian team known as the Moscow Selects. In late December and early January, the top seven teams of the GMJHL will compete against the Moscow Selects—a mixture of top Top Junior talent from the City of Moscow. The Selects played seven games, against Bradford, Innisfil, Temiscaming, Elliot Lake, Richmond Hill, Deseronto, and South Muskoka, winning each game. In March 2008, the King Wild and Richmond Hill Rams played two games each against the Mexico national ice hockey team. The Wild won both their games, while the Rams lost both of theirs.

For the 2008-09 season, the GMJHL will adopt much of the National Collegiate Athletic Association's ice hockey rulebook. The GMJHL added the Minden Riverkings and the Oro-Medonte 77's to the mix, and the Dukes relocated to become the Brock Bucks. At the same time, the Quebec-based Temiscaming Royals walked away from the league to join the Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League, but were replaced within weeks by the Ville-Marie Dragons.

In December 2008 and January 2009, eight teams of the GMHL hosted Kazakhstan's Under-18 Torpedo UST-Kamenogorsk squad. Victorious were the Elliot Lake Bobcats (twice), South Muskoka Shield, King Wild, Bradford Rattlers, Innisfil Lakers, and a Nipissing/Ville-Marie combined squad. The only loss for a GMHL team happened to the Toronto Canada Moose.

In the Summer of 2010, the GMHL expanded in two fashions internationally. First, Canada's only All-Russian team[2] in the Shelburne Red Wings and then late in the summer they expanded to the United States through the expansion of the Jamestown Jets.

On September 17, 2010, the GMHL played its first international regulation game, in Jamestown, New York between the Jamestown Jets and Sturgeon Falls Lumberjacks, both expansion teams to the league for the 2010-11 season. Jamestown won the game 4-3. In December 2010, the GMHL named Bob Bernstein commissioner. After serving as commissioner for seven days, Bernstein was relieved of his duties and Ken Girard later resumed as full-time commissioner.

In mid-January of 2011, it was announced that the town of Iron Bridge, Ontario and its 500-seat outdoor arena would host a regular season game, known as the North Shore Winter Classic, between the Elliot Lake Bobcats and Algoma Avalanche on January 29, 2011. This is the first known regulation outdoor game in Ontario in the modern era. Elliot Lake would win the game 8-2 in front of an estimated 400 fans.

At the conclusion of the 2011-12 season, the league lost the Elliot Lake Bobcats to the Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League. Relocation of teams and expansion was busier than ever in 2014. The Mattawa Voyageurs moved to Sundridge to make way for an NOJHL team. The Powassan Eagles moved to Parry Sound to make way for an NOJHL team. The league expanded rapidly with a total of 15 new teams in the off-season of 2014 and 2015. There is a total of 30 teams, with a total of 6 teams playing in the same market (2 teams per town).

The Shelburne Red Wings were sold after the 2013-14 season, and were re-named the Shelburne Stars. However, the Stars did not play in 2014-15 and changed their name to the Shelburne Sharks and began play in 2015-15. In May 2015, the Rama Aces took a leave of absence for one season and won't return until 2016-17. In November 2015, the Brantford Steelfighters suspended their operations after 18 games and announced they will return next season.

Teams

Division Team Joined Location Arena
Central Alliston Coyotes 2013 Alliston, Ontario New Tecumseth Recreation Complex
Bradford Bulls 2012 Bradford, Ontario Bob Fallis Sports Centre
Bradford Rattlers 2006 Bradford, Ontario BWG Leisure Centre
Colborne Chiefs 2015 Colborne, Ontario Keeler Center
Grey Highlands Bravehearts 2006 Markdale, Ontario Centre Grey Recreation Complex
Knights of Meaford 2013 Meaford, Ontario Meaford & St. Vincent Community Centre
Orangeville Ice Crushers 2011 Orangeville, Ontario Alder Street Recreation Centre
Oshawa Riverkings 2015 Oshawa, Ontario Legends Arena
Shelburne Sharks 2010 Shelburne, Ontario Humphrey Community Centre
Tottenham Steam 2014 Tottenham, Ontario Tottenham and Community Fitness Centre
North Almaguin Spartans 2011 South River, Ontario South River-Machar Arena
Bobcaygeon Storm 2015 Bobcaygeon, Ontario Bobcaygeon-Verulam Community Centre
Bracebridge Blues 2012 Bracebridge, Ontario Bracebridge Memorial Arena
Coldwater Falcons 2015 Coldwater, Ontario Coldwater & District Community Centre
Haliburton Wolves 2015 Haliburton, Ontario A.J. LaRue Arena
Parry Sound Islanders 2008 Parry Sound, Ontario Bobby Orr Community Centre
Seguin Huskies 2013 Humphrey, Ontario Centre Dufferin Recreational Centre
South Muskoka Shield 2006 Gravenhurst, Ontario Gravenhurst Centennial Centre
Temiscaming Titans 2011 Temiscaming, Quebec Le Centre de Temiscaming
South Halton Ravens 2013 Burlington, Ontario Wave Twin Rinks
Kingsville Kings 2015 Kingsville, Ontario Kingsville Arena Complex
Komoka Dragons 2015 Komoka, Ontario Komoka Wellness & Recreation Complex
London Lakers 2015 London, Ontario London Sports Park
Niagara Whalers 2014 Port Colborne, Ontario Vale Health and Wellness Centre
Norfolk Vikings 2015 Simcoe, Ontario Talbot Gardens
North York Renegades 2014 North York, Ontario Canlan Ice Sports York
Toronto Attack 2012 North York, Ontario Canlan Ice Sports York
Toronto Blue Ice Jets 2006 Thornhill, Ontario Thornhill Community Centre
Toronto Predators 2013 Toronto, Ontario Mattamy Athletic Centre

Changes for 2016-17

On hiatus

Regular season champions

Season Champion W-L-T-OTL Pts
2006-07 Bradford Rattlers 37-1-0-4 78
2007-08 Bradford Rattlers 37-4-0-1 75
2008-09 South Muskoka Shield 38-4-0-1 77
2009-10 Elliot Lake Bobcats 35-4-0-3 73
2010-11 Elliot Lake Bobcats 38-2-0-2 78
2011-12 Temiscaming Titans 38-3-0-1 77
2012-13 Bradford Rattlers 42-0-0-0 84
2013-14 Seguin Huskies 39-1-0-2 80
2014-15 Tottenham Steam 37-5-0-0 74
2015-16 Tottenham Steam 41-1-0-0 82

Russell Cup playoff champions

Season Champion Finalist
2007 Bradford Rattlers King Wild
2008 Bradford Rattlers Innisfil Lakers
2009 South Muskoka Shield Deseronto Storm
2010 Deseronto Storm South Muskoka Shield
2011 Elliot Lake Bobcats South Muskoka Shield
2012 Sturgeon Falls Lumberjacks Temiscaming Titans
2013 Bradford Rattlers Temiscaming Titans
2014 Bradford Bulls Bradford Rattlers
2015 Temiscaming Titans Seguin Huskies
2016

College Showcase

Since 2009, the GMHL has had a mid-season prospect tournament. Generally, the top seven teams of the league compete in the tournament with an eighth team, the GMHL Selects representing the other teams in the league.

The 2012 tournament featured both the Bradford Rattlers and South Muskoka Shield being thrown out in the semifinal round. An incident, both on-ice and later off-ice, involving a player from each team and later two more players and a parent from one team entering the altercation, resulted in a police investigation[4] and one team refusing to continue. The league disqualified both teams after the game failed to continue.

Year Champion Finalist Score Location
2009 Bradford Rattlers Elliot Lake Bobcats 6-4 Elliot Lake, ON
2010 GMHL Selects Elliot Lake Bobcats 7-6, OT Elliot Lake, ON
2011 Sturgeon Falls Lumberjacks Elliot Lake Bobcats 4-3, OT Elliot Lake, ON
2012 Bracebridge Phantoms Toronto Attack 6-3 Rama, ON
2013 No championship rounds played North York, ON
2014 Format changed to include all teams[5] North York, ON
2015 Port Colburne, ON

League records

Scoring champions

Season Champion Team G-A-Pts
2006-07 Craig Peacock Richmond Hill Rams 48-34-82
2007-08 Adam Palm Bradford Rattlers 34-68-102
2008-09 Andre Leclair Nipissing Alouettes 49-61-110
2009-10 Brad Clark Deseronto Storm 59-68-127
2010-11 Alexander Nikulnikov Shelburne Red Wings 69-71-140
2011-12 Andre Leclair Temiscaming Titans 48-66-122
2012-13 Illes Gallo Bradford Rattlers 47-61-108
2013-14 Donny Danroth South Muskoka Shield 45-84-129
2014-15 Ferdinando Colella Tottenham Steam 40-85-125
2015-16 Matt Fischer Tottenham Steam 72-74-146

Team records

Individual records

Former teams

Team Centre Joined Exited Status
Algoma Avalanche Thessalon, Ontario 2009 2012 Folded
Bobcaygeon Bucks Bobcaygeon, Ontario 2007 2014 Joined CIHL
Brantford Steelfighters Brantford, Ontario 2015 2015 On Hiatus
Cambridge Bears Cambridge, Ontario 2014 2015 On Hiatus
Deseronto Storm Deseronto, Ontario 2006 2012 Joined EBJCHL
Elliot Lake Bobcats Elliot Lake, Ontario 2007 2012 Joined NOJHL
Espanola Kings Espanola, Ontario 2007 2009 Folded
Grey County Grizzlies Feversham, Ontario 2015 2015 Folded
Innisfil Lakers Innisfil, Ontario 2007 2010 Folded
Jamestown Jets Jamestown, New York 2010 2011 Lost arena, Folded
Minden Riverkings Minden Hills, Ontario 2008 2009 Folded
Nipissing Alouettes Sturgeon Falls, Ontario 2006 2009 Folded
Oro-Medonte 77's Guthrie, Ontario 2008 2011 Folded
Sturgeon Falls Lumberjacks Sturgeon Falls, Ontario 2010 2016 On Hiatus
Richmond Hill Rams Richmond Hill, Ontario 2006 2009 Folded
Tamworth Cyclones Tamworth, Ontario 2007 2009 Folded
Temiscaming Royals Temiscaming, Quebec 2007 2008 Joined NOJHL
Vaughan Stars Vaughan, Ontario 2011 2011 Membership revoked

Timeline of teams

2006-07
2007-08
2008-09
2009-10
2010-11
2011-12
2012-13
2013-14
2014-15
2015-16

References

  1. ↑ "Alumni". GMHL. October 2014.
  2. ↑ "Meet Canada's first all-Russian hockey team". Toronto Star. 14 May 2010.
  3. ↑ http://www.bayshorebroadcasting.ca/news_item.php?NewsID=81548
  4. ↑ "Charges pending in junior hockey game brawl". CP24.com. 6 December 2012.
  5. ↑ "Update: College Showcase Classic". GMHL. 15 December 2014.
  6. ↑ "Toronto Attack to play in 2012 - 2013". GMHL. 19 March 2012.
  7. ↑ "Bracebridge lands GMHL expansion team". What′s Up Muskoka. 4 April 2012.
  8. ↑ http://gmhl.net/component/content/article/45-2011-2012/418-alliston-lands-expansion-franchise
  9. ↑ http://www.moosefm.com/cklp/news/10088-seguin-getting-a-gmhl-hockey-team
  10. ↑ http://gmhl.net/component/content/article/45/427
  11. ↑ http://gmhl.net/component/content/article/45-2011-2012/443-gmhl-welcomes-the-halton-cyclones
  12. ↑ http://www.themeafordindependent.ca/life-a-leisure/athletics/3004-get-ready-for-the-knights-of-meaford
  13. ↑ http://www.cambridgetimes.ca/sports-story/4390806-outlaw-league-expanding-to-cambridge/
  14. ↑ http://www.simcoe.com/news-story/4437275-hockey-league-expanding-to-tottenham/
  15. ↑ http://www.madhunt.com/tott-steam-wood-gm-20140324.html
  16. ↑ http://www.hockeynewsnorth.com/aaa/cihl-moving-forward/
  17. ↑ http://www.northbaynipissing.com/news-story/4431729-junior-a-hockey-franchise-on-its-way-to-sundridge/
  18. ↑ http://moosefm.com/cfbks/news/agreement-would-pave-the-way-for-new-junior-a-hockey-club-to-operate-out-of-bracebridge-memorial-arena/
  19. ↑ http://www.niagarawhalershockey.com/
  20. ↑ "New Jr A team in town". The Middlesex Banner. 11 February 2015.
  21. ↑ "Brantford SteelFighters Take Leave of Absence". GMHL. 6 November 2015.
  22. ↑ "Sturgeon Falls Lumberjacks Statement". Sturgeon Falls Lumberjacks. Retrieved 1 February 2016.
  23. ↑ "THE DEATH POOL – GMHL STURGEON FALLS LUMBERJACKS MERCIFULLY KILLED OFF". The Junior Hockey News. 1 February 2016.

External links

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