EIGHT TEAMS NAMED TO CENTRAL DIVISION OF OPJHLCOMMIT TO HIGH STANDARDS FOR PLAYER
DEVELOPMENT, FRANCHISE OPERATING PRACTICES
- Central Division to begin OPJHL play in 2008/2009 season with eight teams
- OHA-sanctioned pilot project to promote development of players for OHL, CIS, NCAA, and other high levels of
competitive hockey
- Teams will agree to strict corporate governance and operating principles
TORONTO (June 19, 2008) -- Eight teams from the Ontario Provincial Junior A Hockey League (OPJHL) have agreed to
participate in a pilot project that will emphasize rigorous operating standards and an increased commitment to developing
young players for the Ontario Hockey League (OHL), Canadian Interuniversity Sport (CIS), National Collegiate Athletic
Association (NCAA), and other higher levels within the sport in Canada and abroad.
The one-year pilot project was approved the Ontario Hockey Association (OHA) Board of Directors. Beginning with the
2008/2009 season, the teams will remain members of the OPJHL but compete under a separate administrative structure
and operating guidelines as the Central Division.
Members of the new Central Division are:
- Cobourg Cougars
- Hamilton Red Wings
- Markham Waxers
- Newmarket Hurricanes
- St. Michael's Buzzers
- Stouffville Spirit
- Toronto Junior Canadiens
- Wellington Dukes
Central Division teams will play an independent schedule within the division, with the champion advancing to the OPJHL
playoff semifinals. A ninth team may join the pilot pending the OHA's ongoing review of division realignment within the
OPJHL.

Interesting project, is this a done deal. So have all theses 8 teams signed their 1992 players, anyone know who has signed forsure

done deal

Check numerous and heated discussions both pro and con for this division concept in these two OPJHL N54 sites:

http://www.network54.com/Forum/243529/
http://www.network54.com/Forum/441519/

Thanks, what are your projections for the OPJHL? Will they keep this in year 2? Is this the first step in downsizing the OPJHL to make it a more of an elite league? What will happen to the other teams? Interesting stuff.

I doubt very much that the league will ever downsize. Each team hold one vote(share) in the organization. The only way that the league can downsize it to buy back it shares. I used the term share for a lack of a better term.

oh, you mean their entry fee? Can't they get a refund if they want to exit this league? My prediction is that in year two the OPJHL will have 2 divisions of 10 teams each and these will be linked with the OHL. The other teams left over will join other leagues because they refuse or can't meet operating standards. Hey this could be another discussion topic.

What do you mean entry? How can you get a refund on a share? That would mean the league would have to buy them back! Do you know ANYTHING about business?

if ther was only 20 teams in this league maybe ppl from around canada wud want to come to ontario, instead of everyone from ontario wantin to go to the bchl

with the greater ontario junior hockey league thinkin about changing to become junior A for south western ontario ther will be like 70 junior A teams that is a problem IMO

Hi 210,
You buy a share that means you are part owner whether it is a BCE stock or into an entity. You get rights , privelges and GOODWILL which you can sell. If you didn't have these things then why would you go into business? Because it's fun? Yes, depending on how the agreements are structured you have the right to sell your franchise and if you sell at a premium then you in effect get your $ back( def of a refund) plus profits. Nope, your right, I don't know anything about business just a student but I do know that with your responses I have to brand you a leaf fan.