The Pelham Panthers were the first Niagara-based team to hit the ice as the Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League (GOJHL) regular season began this week. Photo Credit: GOJHL.
The Panthers traveled to Hamilton Thursday night.
The defending regular season champion Fort Erie Meteors, St. Catharines Falcons, Port Colborne Sailors and Welland Jr. Canadians are the other local teams. All will see action this upcoming weekend.
Last month the GOJHL announced a conference realignment meaning the Golden Horseshoe Conference, which at one time featured seven teams from Niagara, is no more.
Instead, 23 teams will play in two conferences, consisting of the Western and Eastern.
All five Niagara-based teams will play out of the East against the Caledon Bombers, Ayr Centennials, Caledonia Corvairs, Hamilton Kilty B’s, Brantford Titans, and Cambridge Redhawks.
“Realignment is something that the GOJHL has been looking at for the past few seasons, going to two conferences makes the regular season significantly more important and it also eliminates the three team Round Robin that was in place for the last three seasons,” said then-interim league Commissioner Tim Simmons, who is now Executive Director of League Operations with the league.
Soon after Simmons made that statement, Fort Erie native and former National Hockey League (NHL) referee, Craig Spada was named full-time GOJHL Commissioner.
“As I step into this new role, I want to emphasize that player growth remains a top priority for the league,” Spada said.
“The GOJHL’s ability to be a leader in player development is what makes me most proud to be a part of this league. We have consistently moved players onto the OHL and helped them further their skills and careers.”
Four players were drafted in the NHL’s first round just a year out of the GOJHL. The league has also made strides for player safety and experience that contribute positively to development, including establishing a first responder program for the immediate safety of players on the ice and the realignment of our conferences.
The 2024-25 Spotlight Game of the Week will kick off this season, where each team will have an opportunity to be showcased to fans of the league and their communities.
“I am pleased and proud of where the GOJHL has come over the past few years,” added Spada. “Much more is ahead for the league’s players, and I thank the GOJHL family for this opportunity.”
As for the local teams at home this weekend, St. Catharines hosts Cambridge Friday night, while Fort Erie will raise its regular season championship banner Saturday evening against Caledon.
Port Colborne plays host to St. Catharines as well Saturday night, while on Sunday afternoon Pelham entertains Caledonia, with Welland welcoming Fort Erie Sunday evening to round out the GOJHL’s week one schedule.
One other local note as the Port Colborne Sailors are now officially affiliated with the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) Erie Otters.
For more information on the Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League visit: gojhl.ca
Rod Mawhood is a lifelong Niagara native who has had the pleasure of working in all three mediums – Radio, Print and TV – for over 20 years. His first announcing gig was with the then St. Catharines Stompers. Since then he’s worked in radio and TV in Toronto, and currently is the announcer for the Niagara IceDogs and Niagara River Lions.
Rod also covers the Buffalo Bills for FOX Sports and the Buffalo Sabres for NBC Sports.
