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Greater Metro Junior A Hockey League

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For the ACHA Division 2 hockey league, see Great Midwest Hockey League.
Greater Metro Junior A
Hockey League
Region(s)Greater Toronto Area, Midwestern Ontario, Golden Horseshoe, Central Ontario, Northeastern Ontario, Eastern Ontario and Quebec
PresidentBob Russell
CommissionerKen Girard
Founded2006; 18 years ago (2006)
No. of teams17
Recent ChampionsBradford Rattlers (2024)
Most successful clubBradford Rattlers (5)
HeadquartersBradford, Ontario
WebsiteGMHL.net

The Greater Metro Junior A Hockey League (GMHL) is a Canadian developmental junior ice hockey league. The league has primarily had teams in the Greater Toronto Area, Central Ontario, Northeastern Ontario, and Quebec.

As of December 2019, the league's alumni page lists 889 players from 2006 to 2019 who graduated from the GMHL to play for NCAA colleges, various professional leagues, major junior teams, or represented their country in various IIHF World Championships.[1]

The GMHL is an independent junior league and is not a member of the Canadian Junior Hockey League or sanctioned by Hockey Canada.[2]

History

[edit]

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 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 power play 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 six games, and then the King Wild in five 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 adopted 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[3] 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 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 was a total of 30 teams, with a total of six teams playing in the same market (two teams per town).

The Shelburne Red Wings were sold after the 2013–14 season, and were renamed the Shelburne Stars. However, the Stars did not play in 2014–15 and changed their name to the Shelburne Sharks and began play in 2015–16. In May 2015, the Rama Aces took a leave of absence but never returned. In November 2015, the Brantford Steelfighters suspended their operations after 18 games.

The Shelburne Sharks returned as the Shelburne Stars in June 2016, but the team folded soon afterwards. The Sturgeon Falls Lumberjacks re-branded as the West Nipissing Lynx, but remained in Sturgeon Falls. Early into the 2016–17 season, the Toronto Blue Ice Jets were removed from the schedule in the first week, the Bracebridge Blues in the fifth week, the Komoka Dragons in the seventh week, the Lincoln Mavericks in the twelfth week, and Wiarton Rock in the fifteenth week of the season. The Orangeville Ice Crushers would also suspend operations in January 2017 and all remaining games against Orangeville were considered forfeits.

For 2017–18, the league added the Fergus Force, Ville-Marie Pirates, Wiarton Schooners, and Windsor Aces while losing the Toronto Attack. In late August 2017, the Parry Sound Islanders announced they were taking a leave of absence and merged with the Seguin Huskies. The Force and Schooners both folded during the season without winning a game.

After one season following the Islanders merge, the Seguin Huskies folded in 2018. The GMHL also added two teams originally in the Canadian Premier Junior Hockey League in the Niagara-on-the-Lake Nationals and Ottawa Sharpshooters for 2018–19. The Wiarton Schooners returned but folded midseason for the second consecutive season, and third consecutive midseason GMHL team folding in the town of Wiarton.

In 2019, the league added the Western Provinces Hockey Association (WPHA) as a Western Division in the GMHL for the 2019–20 season, which then rebranded as the GMHL West.[4] The WPHA had played the previous season in the Western States Hockey League as the Provinces Division. The 2020 playoffs were then curtailed by the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic and no champion was named. The following 2020–21 season did not take place as scheduled due to pandemic restrictions in Ontario and Quebec, with six teams playing only two games each in December 2020. The four teams in the GMHL West were able to play a partial season and a playoff in May 2021. In 2023, all teams from the GMHL West were removed by the league, which then formed their own league called the National Junior Hockey League (NJHL).[5][6]

Teams

[edit]

2024–25 teams

[edit]
Division Team Joined Location Arena
North Almaguin Spartans 2024 South River, Ontario South River-Machar Arena
Bradford Rattlers 2006 Bradford, Ontario BWG Leisure Centre
Meaford Knights 2013 Meaford, Ontario Meaford & St. Vincent Community Centre
Le Bécard de Senneterre 2023 Senneterre, Quebec Centre Sportif André Dubé
Temiscaming Titans 2011 Temiscaming, Quebec Le Centre de Temiscaming
Wasaga River Dragons 2024 Wasaga Beach, Ontario Wasaga Stars Arena
Ville-Marie Pirates 2017 Ville-Marie, Quebec Olympia de Ville-Marie Arena
West Nipissing Lynx 2010 Sturgeon Falls, Ontario Sturgeon Falls Arena
South Bradford Bulls 2012 Bradford, Ontario Bob Fallis Sports Centre
Durham Roadrunners 2015 Oshawa, Ontario Delpark Homes Arena
Niagara Predators 2013 Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario Meridian Credit Union Arena
North York Renegades 2014 Toronto, Ontario Canlan Ice Sports – York
Northumberland Stars 2015 Colborne, Ontario Keeler Center
Richmond Hill Rampage 2024 Richmond Hill, Ontario Elvis Stojko Arena
St. George Ravens 2013 St. George, Ontario South Dumfries Community Centre
Toronto Flyers 2021 Thornhill, Ontario Paramount Ice Arena
Tottenham Railers 2014 Tottenham, Ontario Tottenham and Community Fitness Centre

2024–25 changes

[edit]

Regular season champions

[edit]

Bolded are overall 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
Season North Champion W–L–T–OTL Pts South Champion W–L–T–OTL Pts
2008–09 South Muskoka Shield 38–4–0–1 77 Innisfil Lakers 36–6–0–1 73
Season Champion W–L–T–OTL Pts
2009–10 Elliot Lake Bobcats 35–4–0–3 73
Season North Champion W–L–T–OTL Pts South Champion W–L–T–OTL Pts
2010–11 Elliot Lake Bobcats 38–2–0–2 78 Jamestown Jets 27–12–0–3 57
Season Champion W–L–T–OTL Pts
2011–12 Temiscaming Titans 38–3–0–1 77
Season North Champion W–L–T–OTL Pts South Champion W–L–T–OTL Pts
2012–13 Temiscaming Titans 35–6–0–1 71 Bradford Rattlers 42–0–0–0 84
2013–14 Seguin Huskies 39–1–0–2 80 Bradford Bulls 32–6–0–4 68
2014–15 Temiscaming Titans 36–5–0–1 73 Tottenham Steam 37–5–0–0 74
Season North Champion Pts Central Champion Pts South Champion Pts
2015–16 South Muskoka Shield 73 Tottenham Steam 82 Kingsville Kings 78
Season North Champion W–L–OTL Pts South Champion W–L–OTL Pts
2016–17 New Tecumseth Civics 37–5–0 74 Niagara Whalers 38–3–1 77
2017–18 Almaguin Spartans 31–11–0 62 St. George Ravens 38–3–1 77
2018–19 Bradford Rattlers 35–6–1 71 St. George Ravens 39–3–0 78
Season North Champion Pts South Champion Pts West Champion Pts
2019–20 Temiscaming Titans 67 St. George Ravens 68 Slave Lake Icedogs 54
2020–21 Did not play due to the COVID-19 pandemic High Prairie Red Wings 36
2021–22 Temiscaming Titans 72 Durham Roadrunners 68 High Prairie Red Wings 80
2022–23 Bradford Rattlers 78 North York Renegades 72 High Prairie Red Wings 78
Season North Champion W–L–OTL Pts South Champion W–L–OTL Pts
2023–24 Bradford Rattlers 38–3–1 77 North York Renegades 35–5–2 72

Russell Cup playoff champions

[edit]

Bolded are overall champions, Italics are finalist.

Year Champion Finalist Series Scores
2007 Bradford Rattlers King Wild 4–1 2–1, 3–6, 5–0, 2–1 OT, 4–3 OT
2008 Bradford Rattlers Innisfil Lakers 4–0 4–2, 8–4, 10–3, 5–3
2009 South Muskoka Shield Deseronto Storm 4–2 7–3, 3–2, 4–3, 6–7, 1–2, 4–2
2010 Deseronto Storm South Muskoka Shield 4–3 4–2, 5–2, 3–4, 3–4 OT, 2–3, 5–3, 4–2
2011 Elliot Lake Bobcats South Muskoka Shield 4–3 1–3, 5–2, 4–5 OT, 4–5 OT, 5–2, 3–2 OT, 8–5
2012 Sturgeon Falls Lumberjacks Temiscaming Titans 4–2 5–3, 6–4, 5–6 OT, 5–4, 3–6, 6–1
2013 Bradford Rattlers Temiscaming Titans 4–2 6–7 OT, 6–2, 6–3, 2–6, 6–3, 6–2
2014 Bradford Bulls Bradford Rattlers 4–1 3–2, 2–1 OT, 5–4, 2–4, 6–4
2015 Temiscaming Titans Seguin Huskies 4–1 0–1 OT, 4–3 OT, 4–2, 5–4, 3–2
Year North Central South Series Scores
2016 Almaguin Spartans Tottenham Steam Kingsville Kings 4–3 6–5 OT, 3–1, 2–3, 1–6, 5–4 OT, 3–5, 6–1
Year North South Series Scores
2017 Parry Sound Islanders Niagara Whalers 0–4 1–7, 0–5, 1–10, 1–7
2018 Almaguin Spartans St. George Ravens 4–2 5–2, 3–2, 1–4, 2–5, 10–3, 7–3
2019 Ville-Marie Pirates St. George Ravens 4–0 5–3, 3–1, 6–5, 8–3
2020 Cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic
Year North South Series West Champion West Finalist Series
2021 Cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic High Prairie Red Wings Slave Lake Icedogs 4-0
2022 Temiscaming Titans Durham Roadrunners 4–0 High Prairie Red Wings Edson Eagles 4-0
Russell Cup National Championship Tournament
Year Champions Finalist Score Other Participants Host
2023 Bradford Rattlers (4-0) Temiscaming Titans (2-2) 7–0 High Prairie (0-3), North York (1-2) Temiscaming, Quebec
Year North South Series Scores
2024 Bradford Rattlers (5th) Bradford Bull 4-1 2-4, 5-1, 3-1, 5-3, 5-4

College Showcase Tournament

[edit]

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[7] and one team refusing to continue. The league disqualified both teams after the game failed to continue.

Since the 2012 tournament, the league changed the format to a prospect weekend with no championship rounds.

Year Champion Finalist Score Location
2009 Bradford Rattlers Elliot Lake Bobcats 6–4 Elliot Lake, Ontario
2010 GMHL Selects Elliot Lake Bobcats 7–6, OT Elliot Lake, Ontario
2011 Sturgeon Falls Lumberjacks Elliot Lake Bobcats 4–3, OT Elliot Lake, Ontario
2012 Bracebridge Phantoms Toronto Attack 6–3 Rama, Ontario

Season leaders

[edit]

Scoring champions

[edit]
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
2016–17 Carl Lyden South Muskoka Shield 55–74–129
2017–18 Chris Haigh St. George Ravens 48–89–137
2018–19 Bryce Yetman Windsor Aces 81–72–153
2019–20 Marc-Antoine Turcotte Temiscaming Titans 49–106–155
2020–21 Mikal Chalifoux High Prairie Red Wings 45–36–81
2021–22 Kory Silverio Windsor Aces 68–77–145
2022–23 Ryan Fritz North York Renegades 51–80–131
2023-24 Christopher Rende North York Renegades 44-69-113

Goals against average champions

[edit]

*Min. 11 games, except 2020-21 due to COVID-19 (6 games).

Season Champion Team GAA
2006–07 Andreas Götz Bradford Rattlers 2.05
2007–08 Martin Oksala Bradford Rattlers 2.11
2008–09 Shane Buckley Elliot Lake Bobcats 2.47
2009–10 Rob Sutherland South Muskoka Shield 1.70
2010–11 Matthew Perry Elliot Lake Bobcats 3.08
2011–12 Aaron Boyce Temiscaming Titans 2.42
2012–13 Alfred Metz Bradford Rattlers 1.84
2013–14 Martin Kysa Seguin Huskies 2.31
2014–15 Craig Wood Temiscaming Titans 1.84
2015–16 Wes Werner Kingsville Kings 1.20
2016–17 T.J. Sherwood New Tecumseth Civics 1.95
2017–18 Nicklaus Robinson North York Renegades 2.66
2018–19 Austin Strom St. George Ravens 2.00
2019–20 Lane Timmons Niagara Whalers 2.48
2020–21 Aidan Spraggs High Prairie Red Wings 3.17
2021–22 Keygon Okemow High Prairie Red Wings 2.02
2022–23 Dawson Holitzki High Prairie Red Wings 1.64
2023-24 Maxim Ivanov Bradford Rattlers 1.70

Team records

[edit]

*Records reflect teams playing full 42-game schedule.

  • Best record: 2012–13 Bradford Rattlers (42–0–0–0)
  • Worst record: 2021–22 Gibbons Pioneers (1–41–0–0)
  • Most goals for by team, one season: 2017–18 St. George Ravens (404)
  • Fewest goals for by team, one season: 2021–22 Gibbons Pioneers (82)
  • Fewest goals against by team, one season: 2015–16 Kingsville Kings (71)
  • Most goals against by team, one season: 2015–16 Bobcaygeon Storm (491)
  • Largest margin of victory: Elliot Lake Bobcats 29 - Ville-Marie Dragons 1 on December 6, 2008

Individual records

[edit]
  • Most goals, one season: Bryce Yetman (81) — 2018–19 Windsor Aces
  • Most assists, one season: Marc-Antoine Turcotte (106) — 2019–20 Temiscaming Titans
  • Most points, one season: Marc-Antoine Turcotte (155) — 2019–20 Temiscaming Titans
  • Lowest goals against average, one season: Wes Werner (1.20) — 2015–16 Kingsville Kings
  • Highest save percentage, one season: Jan Pechek (0.951) — 2015–16 Kingsville Kings

Former teams

[edit]
Team Centre Joined Exited Status
Algoma Avalanche Thessalon, Ontario 2009 2012 folded
Almaguin Spartans South River, Ontario 2011 2022 Suspended operation prior to the 2022–23 season
Bancroft Rockhounds Bancroft, Ontario 2019 2023 folded - Suspended operation prior to the 2023–24 season
Bobcaygeon Bucks Bobcaygeon, Ontario 2007 2014 Joined CIHL
Bobcaygeon Storm Bobcaygeon, Ontario 2015 2016 Membership revoked
Bracebridge Blues Bracebridge, Ontario 2012 2016 Removed from schedule mid-season
Brantford Steelfighters Brantford, Ontario 2015 Membership revoked, folded mid-season
Burns Lake Timbermen Burns Lake, BC 2022 2023 To NJHL but folded
Cambridge Bears Cambridge, Ontario 2014 2015 Went on hiatus; never returned
Cold Lake Wings Cold Lake, Alberta 2019 2019 Became Edmonton Academy Wings before season
Coldwater Falcons Coldwater, Ontario 2015 2016 Membership revoked
Deseronto Storm Deseronto, Ontario 2006 2012 Joined EBJCHL
Edmonton Academy Wings Edmonton, Alberta 2019 2019 Became High Prairie Red Wings during season
Edson Eagles Edson, Alberta 2021 2023 To NJHL
Elliot Lake Bobcats Elliot Lake, Ontario 2007 2012 Joined NOJHL
Espanola Kings Espanola, Ontario 2007 2009 Folded
Fergus Force Fergus, Ontario 2017 Folded mid-season
Fox Creek Ice Kings Fox Creek, Alberta 2020 2023 To NJHL
Gibbons Pioneers Gibbons, Alberta 2021 2023 To NJHL
Grey County Grizzlies Feversham, Ontario 2015 Folded mid-season
Haliburton Wolves Haliburton, Ontario 2015 2016 Membership revoked
High Prairie Red Wings High Prairie, Alberta 2019 2023 To NJHL
Hinton Wildcats Hinton, Alberta 2019 2019 Folded before season
Innisfil Lakers Innisfil, Ontario 2007 2010 Folded
Jamestown Jets Jamestown, New York 2010 2011 Lost arena, folded
Kingsville Kings Kingsville, Ontario 2015 2021 Not listed as a member for the 2021–22 season
Kitimat Saax Kitimat, BC 2022 2023 To NJHL but folded
Komoka Dragons Komoka, Ontario 2015 2016 Folded mid-season
Lincoln Mavericks Beamsville, Ontario 2016 2016 Folded mid-season
Mackenzie Mountaineers Mackenzie, BC 2021 2023 To NJHL but folded
Minden Riverkings Minden Hills, Ontario 2008 2009 Folded
New Tecumseth Civics Alliston, Ontario 2015 2023 Folded
Niagara Whalers Port Colborne, Ontario 2014 2021 Not listed as a member for the 2021–22 season
Niagara-on-the-Lake Nationals Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario 2018 2019 Folded
Nipissing Alouettes Sturgeon Falls, Ontario 2006 2009 Folded
Northern Alberta Tomahawks Enoch, Alberta 2019 2023 To NJHL but folded
Orangeville Ice Crushers Orangeville, Ontario 2011 2017 Suspended operations mid-season
Oro-Medonte 77's Guthrie, Ontario 2008 2011 Folded
Oshawa Riverkings Oshawa, Ontario 2015 2019 Sold and rebranded as Durham RoadRunners
Ottawa Sharpshooters Almonte, Ontario 2018 2019 Folded mid-season in 2019–20
Parry Sound Islanders Parry Sound, Ontario 2014 2017 formerly Powassan Eagles – merged with Seguin Huskies
Powassan Dragons Powassan, Ontario 2008 2011 purchased Ville Marie franchise
Plattsville Lakers Plattsville, Ontario 2020 2022 Investigation by league - suspended
Powassan Eagles Powassan, Ontario 2012 2014 formerly Powassan Dragons franchise – relocated to Parry Sound
Rama Aces Rama, Ontario 2012 2015 Folded
Richmond Hill Rams Richmond Hill, Ontario 2006 2009 Folded
Rosetown Red Wings Rosetown, Saskatchewan 2019 2019 Folded before season
Seguin Huskies Seguin, Ontario 2013 2018 Folded
Shelburne Stars Shelburne, Ontario 2010 2016 Folded
Slave Lake Ice Dogs Slave Lake, Alberta 2019 2023 Left league and folded
South Muskoka Shield Gravenhurst, Ontario 2006 2023 Suspended from league
Tamworth Cyclones Tamworth, Ontario 2007 2009 Folded
Temiscaming Royals Temiscaming, Quebec 2007 2008 Joined NOJHL
Tillsonburg Hurricanes Tillsonburg, Ontario 2016 2019 Folded
Toronto Attack Toronto, Ontario 2012 2017 Folded
Toronto Blue Ice Jets Thornhill, Ontario 2005 2016 Previously Toronto Canada Moose – folded
Tumbler Ridge Steel Kings Tumbler Ridge, BC 2022 2022 Folded after 4 games
Vaughan Stars Vaughan, Ontario 2011 Membership revoked
Ville-Marie Dragons Ville-Marie, Quebec 2008 2009 folded mid-season – revived as Powassan Dragons
Wiarton Rock Wiarton, Ontario 2006 2016 Folded mid-season
Wiarton Schooners Wiarton, Ontario 2017 2017
2018		 Folded mid-season in both 2017 and 2018
Windsor Aces Windsor, Ontario 2017 2023 Leave of Absence

Timeline of teams

[edit]
2006–07
  • League is formed with seven teams: Bradford Rattlers, Deseronto Thunder, King Wild, Nipissing Alouettes, Richmond Hill Rams, South Muskoka Shield, Toronto Canada Moose
2007–08
  • Deseronto Thunder become Deseronto Storm
  • League expands by six teams: Douro Dukes, Elliot Lake Bobcats, Espanola Kings, Innisfil Lakers, Tamworth Cyclones, Temiscaming Royals
2008–09
  • Douro Dukes move and become Brock Bucks
  • Richmond Hill Rams become Ontario Lightning Rams
  • Oro-Medonte 77's join league
  • Ville-Marie Dragons join league
  • Minden Riverkings join league
  • Temiscaming Royals leave league for Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League
2009–10
  • Ville-Marie Dragons fold mid-season (January)
  • Tamworth Cyclones fold mid-season (January)
  • Ontario Lightning Rams leave league
  • Espanola Kings leave league
  • Nipissing Alouettes leave league
  • Algoma Avalanche join league
  • Ville-Marie Dragons move and become Powassan Dragons
  • Minden Riverkings fold mid-season (November)
2010–11
  • Shelburne Red Wings join league
  • Sturgeon Falls Lumberjacks join league
  • King Wild move and become Vaughan Wild
  • Brock Bucks move and become Bobcaygeon Bucks
  • Innisfil Lakers leave league
  • Jamestown Jets join league from Northern Junior Hockey League (league's first American team)
2011–12
  • Mattawa Voyageurs join league
  • Temiscaming Titans join league
  • Halton Huskies join league
  • Orangeville Americans join league
  • Vaughan Stars join league
  • Vaughan Wild move and become Lefroy Wave
  • Powassan Dragons change name to Powassan Eagles
  • Oro-Medonte 77's leave league
  • Jamestown Jets leave league
2012–13
2013–14
2014–15
2015–16
2016–17
  • Grey Highlands Bravehearts relocate to Wiarton, Ontario.[18] The newly named Wiarton Rock would then fold midway through their first season on 14 December.
  • Expansion granted to Tillsonburg Hurricanes.[19]
  • Bobcaygeon Storm membership revoked
  • Coldwater Falcons membership revoked
  • Grey County Grizzlies membership revoked
  • Haliburton Wolves membership revoked
  • Brantford Steelfighters membership revoked.
  • Expansion granted to Lincoln Mavericks of Lincoln, Ontario, but withdrew from the league on November 21 during their first season.
  • Colbourne Chiefs rebranded as Northumberland Stars after ownership change.
  • Alliston Coyotes rebranded as New Tecumseth Civics after ownership change.
  • Sturgeon Falls Lumberjacks return to league. Change of ownership and rebranded as the West Nipissing Lynx.
  • Shelburne Sharks rebrand as Shelbourne Stars but fold prior to the beginning of the season.
  • Norfolk Vikings take 2016–17 hiatus
  • Toronto Blue Ice Jets fold just before start of season.
  • Bracebridge Blues removed from schedule after playing five games and forfeiting a sixth.
  • Komoka Dragons folded after 12 games.
  • Orangeville Ice Crushers suspended operations in January. Three of the team's owners had been arrested for drug distribution in November 2016 and were suspended by the league. The league transferred control to another shareholder who ceased operations of the team after two months.
2017–18
  • Fergus Force granted membership as an expansion team. Folded after playing 16 games, all loses, with one credited win for a Wiarton forfeit.
  • Ville-Marie Pirates granted membership as an expansion team.
  • Wiarton Schooners granted membership as an expansion team. Folded after eight winless games and a 25–1 loss to the Knights of Meaford.
  • Toronto Attack removed from GMHL's list of teams on website.
  • Windsor Aces granted membership as an expansion franchise.
  • Parry Sound Islanders cease operations and merged with Seguin Huskies.
2018–19
2019–20
  • Bancroft, Ontario, was granted an expansion franchise with the Bancroft Rockhounds.[25]
  • Oshawa Riverkings sold and rebranded as Durham RoadRunners.[26]
  • Niagara-on-the-Lake Nationals folded after one season.
  • Tillsonburg Hurricanes ceased operations
  • Cold Lake Wings of Cold Lake, Alberta coming from the Western States Hockey League granted membership as an expansion team in the West Division.
  • Cold Lake Wings of Cold Lake, Alberta lost their lease in a dispute with the City of Cold Lake and became known as the Edmonton Academy Wings but were unable to obtain a satisfactory lease in Edmonton.
  • Edmonton Academy Wings of Edmonton, Alberta, former Cold Lake Wings, played as Edmonton Academy Wings umtil November 10, 2019 when they switched names to High Prairie Red Wings and played in High Prairie, Alberta.
  • High Prairie Red Wings of High Prairie, Alberta, former Edmonton Academy Wings moved to High Prairie part way through 2019-20 season.
  • Hinton Wildcats of Hinton, Alberta coming from the Western States Hockey League granted membership as an expansion team in the West Division.
  • Hinton Wildcats of Hinton, Alberta lost their lease in a dispute with the Town of Hinton and folded before the season started.
  • Northern Alberta Tomahawks of Enoch, Alberta granted membership as an expansion team in the West Division.
  • Rosetown Red Wings of Rosetown, Saskatchewan granted membership as an expansion team in the West Division.
  • Rosetown Red Wings of Rosetown, Saskatchewan were announced to move to High Prairie, Alberta but the Alberta Academy Wings seems to have moved there instead but played with Rosetown Red Wing uniforms.[27]
  • Slave Lake Icedogs of Slave Lake, Alberta granted membership as an expansion team in the West Division.
  • The Ottawa Sharpshooters folded in December 2019.[28]
2020–21
2021–22
  • The Toronto Predators relocated to Niagara-on-the-Lake as the Niagara-on-the-Lake Predators.[32]
  • Edson Eagles of Edson, Alberta granted membership as an expansion team in the West Division.
  • Gibbons Pioneers of Gibbons, Alberta granted membership as an expansion team in the West Division.
  • Mackenzie Mountaineers of Mackenzie, British Columbia granted membership as an expansion team in the West Division.
2022–23
  • Burns Lake Timbermen of Burns Lake, British Columbia granted membership as an expansion team in the West Division.
  • Kitimat Saax of Kitimat, British Columbia granted membership as an expansion team in the West Division.
  • Tumbler Ridge Steel Kings of Tumbler Ridge, British Columbia granted membership as an expansion team in the West Division.
  • Tumbler Ridge Steel Kings of Tumbler Ridge, British Columbia folded after four games.
2023–24
  • The Le Bécard de Senneterre joined from the defunct Canadian Premier Junior Hockey League.
  • South Muskoka Shield was forced to suspended operations and put in dormancy with the option to return if new owners are found by February 1, 2024.[33]
  • Bancroft Rockhounds take leave of absence
  • New Tecumseth Civics not active
  • Tottenham Thunder rebranded as Tottenham Railers
  • Windsor Aces take leave of absence
  • The entire GMHL West was removed from the league prior to the 2023–24 season. The Burns Lake Timbermen of Burns Lake, British Columbia; Edson Eagles of Edson, Alberta; Fox Creek Ice Kings of Fox Creek, Alberta; Gibbons Pioneers of Gibbons, Alberta; High Prairie Red Wings of High Prairie, Alberta; Kitimat Saax of Kitimat, British Columbia; Mackenzie Mountaineers of Mackenzie, British Columbia; and Northern Alberta Tomahawks of Enoch, Alberta; formed the National Junior Hockey League (NJHL). The Slave Lake Icedogs of Slave Lake, Alberta folded. The British Columbia teams plus the Northern Alberta Tomahawks folded prior to the NJHL season opening. Most, if not all, the West Division teams were owned by a closely related group.

References

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  1. ^ "Alumni". GMHL. October 2014.
  2. ^ "What exactly is an outlaw hockey league?". Waterloo Region Record. January 28, 2015.
  3. ^ "Meet Canada's first all-Russian hockey team". Toronto Star. 14 May 2010.
  4. ^ "The GMHL to Expand to Western Canada". GMHL. June 13, 2019.
  5. ^ "Presidents Message". GMHL. May 27, 2023.
  6. ^ "A Message from the NJHL". njhlhockey.com. May 29, 2023.
  7. ^ "Charges pending in junior hockey game brawl". CP24.com. 6 December 2012.
  8. ^ "Bracebridge lands GMHL expansion team". What′s Up Muskoka. 4 April 2012.
  9. ^ "Outlaw hockey league expanding to Cambridge". www.cambridgetimes.ca. Retrieved 2016-04-24.
  10. ^ "Hockey league expanding to Tottenham". www.simcoe.com. Retrieved 2016-04-24.
  11. ^ "madhunt.com: Ryan Wood General Manager GM, Tottenham Steam, GMHL, 2014-15". www.madhunt.com. Retrieved 2016-04-24.
  12. ^ "CIHL moving forward - Welcome to Hockey News North". Welcome to Hockey News North. Retrieved 2016-04-24.
  13. ^ "Junior A hockey franchise on its way to Sundridge". www.northbaynipissing.com. Retrieved 2016-04-24.
  14. ^ "Agreement would pave the way for new junior 'A' hockey club to operate out of Bracebridge Memorial Arena - My Muskoka Now". My Muskoka Now. Archived from the original on 2014-05-18. Retrieved 2016-04-24.
  15. ^ "New Jr A team in town". The Middlesex Banner. 11 February 2015.
  16. ^ "Brantford SteelFighters Take Leave of Absence". GMHL. 6 November 2015.
  17. ^ "THE DEATH POOL – GMHL STURGEON FALLS LUMBERJACKS MERCIFULLY KILLED OFF". The Junior Hockey News. 1 February 2016.
  18. ^ "No Name for Wiarton Team". www.bayshorebroadcasting.ca. Retrieved 2016-04-24.
  19. ^ nurun.com. "Junior hockey returns to Tillsonburg". Tillsonburg News. Retrieved 2016-04-24.
  20. ^ "CPJHL TERMINATES MEMBERSHIP OF NIAGARA-ON-THE-LAKE NATIONALS". CPJHL.com. July 29, 2018.
  21. ^ "GMHL Expands to Niagara-On-The-Lake". Greater Metro Junior A Hockey League. July 30, 2018.
  22. ^ "NIAGARA ON THE LAKE NATIONALS JOIN GMHL". NOTLNationals.com. July 29, 2018.
  23. ^ "GMHL Expands to Ottawa". GMHL. April 13, 2018.
  24. ^ "The Death Pool – GMHL's Wiarton Folds Again Sets New World Record". TheJuniorHockeyNews.com. November 20, 2018.
  25. ^ "GMHL is Expanding to Bancroft, Ontario". GMHL. January 23, 2019.
  26. ^ "Riverkings Rename to Durham Roadrunners". GMHL. April 29, 2019.
  27. ^ "West Division: YEG Moves to High Prairie". GMHL. November 8, 2019.
  28. ^ "President's Message - January 3, 2020". GMHL. January 3, 2020.
  29. ^ "London Lakers Relocate To Plattsville". London Lakers. February 29, 2020.
  30. ^ "Lakers Relocate to Plattsville". GMHL. March 2, 2020.
  31. ^ "GMHL West Expands to Fox Creek, Alberta". GMHL. March 10, 2020.
  32. ^ "Predators Relocate to Niagara-on-the-Lake". GMHL. May 10, 2021.
  33. ^ "President's Message: May 1, 2023". GMHL. May 1, 2023.
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