 | |
| Founded | 2006 |
|---|---|
| No. of teams | 23 |
| Recent Champions | Tottenham Steam (2016) |
| Most successful club | Bradford Rattlers (3) |
| Website | GMHL.net |
History
Edit
In revolt to Hockey Canada's Canadian Development Model and their banning of European players below the Major Junior level, the GMHL was founded with seven teams during the fall of 2006. The original teams were the Bradford Rattlers, Deseronto Thunder, King Wild, Nipissing Alouettes, Richmond Hill Rams, South Muskoka Shield, and Toronto Canada Moose.
In five years of operation, the league had doubled in size. Bradford won the league playoffs in 2007 and 2008, South Muskoka won in 2009, Deseronto won it in 2010, and 2007 expansion team Elliot Lake Bobcats took home the Russell Cup in 2011.
As of 2011, five of the original teams are still in operation: Bradford, Deseronto (now called the Storm), King (now known as the Lefroy Wave), South Muskoka, and Toronto. Nipissing and Richmond Hill both folded after three seasons, but Nipissing was replaced in 2010 by the Sturgeon Falls Lumberjacks in their hometown.
The league had boasted two teams of foreigner-only teams, Russians on the Shelburne Red Wings (2010-2014) and Americans on the Orangeville Americans (2011-2015). Hockey Canada and the GMHL have always been at odds. In 2007-08, Hockey Canada initiated a policy of a quarantine system on players, officials, and coaches involved with the GMHL. In the Summer of 2008, this was investigated by the Canadian Government and deemed illegal. Despite this, intimidation has persisted. During the 2010-11 season, this situation grew extreme in Shelburne and resulted in the Mayor of Shelburne forcing a sitdown between the town, Hockey Canada, and the GMHL.
As of September 2011, the league is operating in its sixth season with fourteen active franchises and two dormant franchises set to operate in 2012.
For 2015-16, the league is scheduled to have 34 franchises including 11 expansion teams and two teams on hiatus.
In late October or early November 2015 the Brantford Steelfighters folded.
On March 9, 2016 the league president announced that the Bobcaygeon Storm, Coldwater Falcons, Grey County Grizzlies, and Haliburton Wolves would no longer be members of the league.
On March 11, 2017 the league announced the addition of the Ville-Marie Pirates to the league for the 2017-18 season.
On August 31, 2017 the league announced that the Parry Sound Islanders were taking a leave of absence for the 2017-18 and would be able to return to the league for 2018-19.[1] On November 22, 2017 the league announced the Fergua Force were removed from the league and would not be allowed to return for the 2018-19 season.[2]
On April 13, 2018 the league announced the addition of the Ottawa Sharpshooters who were formerly members of the Canadian Premier Junior Hockey League.[3]
The Wiarton Schooners were removed from the schedule on November 19, 2018. The franchise had been terminated without option for return.[4]
TeamsEdit
North DivisionEdit
South DivisionEdit
Former TeamsEdit
Awarded teams that never playedEdit
- Downsview Spitfires (2014)
- Elliot Lake Bobcats (2015) originally announced as returning then disapear
- Halton Huskies (2011) awarded for 2011-12 season; then don't play
ChampionsEdit
- 2007 Bradford Rattlers
- 2008 Bradford Rattlers
- 2009 South Muskoka Shield
- 2010 Deseronto Storm
- 2011 Elliot Lake Bobcats
- 2012 Sturgeon Falls Lumberjacks
- 2013 Bradford Rattlers
- 2014 Bradford Bulls
- 2015 Temiscaming Titans
- 2016 Tottenham Steam
- 2017 Niagara Whalers
- 2018 Almaguin Spartans
LinksEdit
- List of Greater Metro Junior A Hockey League standings
- List of Greater Metro Junior A Hockey League team names
- All-Time GMHL Standings
External linksEdit
ReferencesEdit
