I know this forum is predominately for OPJHL fans, but I thought I would share some news about the OPJHL's Westerly cousin -- the GOJHL.
The Petrolia Jets have received permission from the Western Conference and are awaiting permission from the OHA for a move to Lambton Shores, more specifically to Forest. They have had some of the lowest attendance numbers in the WOHL for years and have chosen to move.
The Tecumseh Chiefs, who presently lead the Sutherland Cup Final 3-0, are to announce their future at the conclusion of their playoff run. They have communicated to the Windsor Star that they wish to move to the new arena in LaSalle, which is just southwest of Windsor. Attendance has been an issue, although it has been pretty good in the playoffs.
The Fort Erie Meteors... no clue what is going on with them. The word is they are currently homeless. After 51 years in Fort Erie, the city council voted them out of their arena. Any information on this would be appreciated.
Any updates on these situations or any other situation in the league would be appreciated.
You heard correct. The GMHL is in there with a team they just announced a couple days ago called the Niagara Frontier Thoroughbreds... don't know much about it past that.
I am concerned as to what will happen to the Meteors though. Will they move? Will they fold? No one seems to know yet.
Ouch...this is not good. The rebel league is terrible for the OHA (whether its good or not for player development is your own opinion). But until now they were in inferior markets to OHA teams. I.e OHA was in Peterboro, these guys were in those towns around Peterboro, same thing in North Bay, Kingston, Huntsville. But now this! A rebel league team pushing out an OHA team, in arguably the most competitive of all the OHA leagues too! That hurts...lets not underestimate the seriousness of this.
It does set up an interesting paradox, I must say. As someone who follows Junior hockey country-wide, I've found it the most shocking thing to happen yet this off-season. Just to clarify though, from what I understand the GMHL did not push out the Meteors. The city council pushed out the Meteors over what seemed to be extremely strained relations. As the Meteors are still an intact body, in theory, I was hoping someone might know what is going on with them. Actually, this might be a good time for Woodstock to buy-out their franchise and join Jr. B.
