Programs earn this reputation because they consistently produce players who:
- Understand systems
- Play with discipline
- Have strong work habits
- Are physically prepared
- Transition well into college Hockey
- Scouts often say that players from strong development programs require less adjustment time when they reach the next level.
- Important Note for Parents
- While some teams develop strong reputations, advancement is always determined by the individual Player.
- A talented Player can move forward from many different junior programs if they receive:
- Consistent ice time
- Strong coaching
- Good development environment
Choosing the right program for a Player’s development is often more important than choosing the most famous Team.
Parent Takeaway
- The smartest question is not:
- “What is the biggest program?”
- It is: “What is the best fit for my child?”
Key Information
GET YOUR OJHL CAREER STARTED NOW
Welcome to the start of your journey as an OJHL Player, the League of Choice, where we develop Young men through Hockey.
OUR LEAGUE
The OJHL is a premier junior A Hockey league in Ontario and Canada. The OJHL is a league focused on helping players develop to reach the next level and succeed in Hockey and in their lives. The league helps send players to the NCAA, CIS, and OHL, and then on to play pro Hockey in the NHL and leagues across North America and Europe. The OJHL has more current NHL Players (38) than any other CJHL league. We not only support our players on the ice, but also off the ice through the OJHL Foundation and our 1st and 2nd Assist programs. We are a PLAYER FIRST league that cares!
THE BEST COLLEGE ROUTE
The OJHL is a key roadmap to getting players to the NCAA level. With 27 NCAA D1 schools within 700km of Toronto, you will get exposed to NCAA schools. The OJHL provides incredible opportunities to develop as a Player, get to the NCAA level, and succeed. As a league, we host the OJHL Showcase in Buffalo, NY every year, and it is a success each year in helping players get noticed by over 200 NCAA and NHL scouts over the 3 days. The OJHL currently has 97 players playing NCAA D1 Hockey, and has a great partnership with College Hockey Inc to ensure we have strong support for our players in NCAA knowledge.
As a major CJHL league, we don’t send our players to the NCAA as the only school option; we also have great relationships with schools at the USports level and send many players on the CIS route to continue their education and play Hockey.
OPPORTUNITY TO PLAY
With the average age in our league at 17.5, you will have the chance to come in and play at an early age. This sets us apart from other junior A leagues because we are a very young league, compared to others that are more player-friendly. It allows you to develop at an early age and get 3-4 years of junior A Hockey before moving on to the next level. This gives players the ability to become students of the game and ensure they are at their best when they leave the OJHL.