The Ontario Hockey Association Senior A League was a top tier Canadian Senior ice hockey league in Ontario from 1890 until 1979. The league was sanctioned by the Ontario Hockey Association and the Canadian Amateur Hockey Association and its clubs competed for the Allan Cup .
History [ ]
The league was founded in 1890 by the Ontario Hockey Association . At the top tier of Canadian Senior hockey , the league was eligible and often competed for the Allan Cup .
In 1975, the OHA allowed Hockey Northwestern Ontario 's Thunder Bay Twins , the defending Allan Cup champions to enter the league. In 1978, the league briefly changed its name to the Canadian International League, possibly to compete with Semi-Pro leagues which were rapidly gaining popularity. The league folded in 1979, when most of its teams vacated to the Continental Senior A Hockey League and Major Intermediate A Hockey League .
Over the course of the last fifty seasons, the OHA Senior A Hockey League captured 16 Allan Cups in 26 appearances in the National final. If dated back to the beginning of the Allan Cup in 1908, the OHA had 24 champions in 38 appearances over the course of the league's history. The league's tradition was followed by the Continental Senior A Hockey League in 1979, which became the OHA Senior A Hockey League in 1980 and lasted until 1987. The torch was then passed to the Southwestern Senior A Hockey League in 1990, which today is known as Major League Hockey .
The OHA Senior A Hockey League set the groundwork for much of the current Semi-Professional hockey market. The famous International Hockey League that lasted from 1945 until it merged with the American Hockey League in 2001, was founded in part by both the Windsor Bulldogs and Chatham Maroons . Both teams played at least two different stretches in the league. Also, the Sarnia Sailors spent a few seasons in the International Hockey League. As well, the Thunder Bay Twins jumped between Manitoba leagues and the different Ontario Hockey Association leagues until 1991 when the team changed their name to the Thunder Bay Thunder Hawks and joined the Colonial Hockey League as a founding member. The team has since became the Rockford IceHogs of the United Hockey League . The Thunder Bay franchise won 3 Colonial Cups as CoHL champions and in Rockton they won 1 Colonial Cup as United Hockey League champions. In 2007, the UHL has changed its name and the ownership of the Rockford IceHogs has bought the old Cincinnati Mighty Ducks franchise, making the IceHogs a member of the American Hockey League for the 2007-08 season.
Champions
1910 : St. Michael's Majors defeated Queen's University and Sherbrooke in two games
1917 : Toronto Dentals defeated Winnipeg Victorias 13-goals-to-12
1918 : Kitchener Greenshirts defeated Winnipeg Ypres 6-goals-to-4
1919 : Hamilton Tigers defeated Winnipeg Selkirk 7-goals-to-6
1921 : University of Toronto defeated Brandon 8-goals-to-3
1922 : Toronto Granites defeated Regina Victorias 13-goals-to-2
1923 : Toronto Granites defeated University of Saskatchewan 11-goals-to-2
1927 : University of Toronto defeated Fort William Thundering Herd 2-games-to-1 with 1 tie
1932 : Toronto Nationals Sea Fleas defeated Fort William Blues 2-games-to-none
1950 : Toronto Marlboros defeated Calgary Stampeders 4-games-to-1
1951 : Owen Sound Mercurys defeated Fort Frances Canadians 4-games-to-3
1953 : Kitchener-Waterloo Dutchmen defeated Penticton Vees 4-games-to-1
1955 : Kitchener-Waterloo Dutchmen defeated Fort William Beavers 4-games-to-1
1957 : Whitby Dunlops defeated Spokane Flyers 4-games-to-none
1958 : Belleville McFarlands defeated Kelowna Packers 4-games-to-3
1959 : Whitby Dunlops defeated Vernon Canadians 4-games-to-1
1960 : Chatham Maroons defeated Trail Smoke Eaters 4-games-to-none with 1 tie
1961 : Galt Terriers defeated Winnipeg Maroons 4-games-to-1
1963 : Windsor Bulldogs defeated Winnipeg Maroons 4-games-to-1
1969 : Galt Hornets defeated Calgary Stampeders 4-games-to-none
1971 : Galt Hornets defeated Calgary Stampeders 4-games-to-none
1973 : Orillia Terriers defeated St. Boniface Mohawks 4-games-to-1
1974 : Barrie Flyers defeated Cranbrook Royals 4-games-to-2
1977 : Brantford Alexanders defeated Spokane Flyers 4-games-to-1
Finalists
1912 : Winnipeg Victorias defeated Toronto Eatons 2-games-to-none
1920 : Winnipeg Falcons defeated Toronto Granites 11-goals-to-5
1925 : Port Arthur Bearcats defeated University of Toronto 2-games-to-none
1926 : Port Arthur Bearcats defeated University of Toronto 2-games-to-1 with 1 tie
1931 : Winnipeg 'pegs defeated Hamilton Tigers 2-games-to-none
1946 : Calgary Stampeders defeated Hamilton Tigers 4-games-to-1
1952 : Fort Frances Canadians defeated Stratford Indians 4-games-to-2
1956 : Vernon Canadians defeated Chatham Maroons 4-games-to-1
1964 : Winnipeg Maroons defeated Woodstock Athletics 4-games-to-none
1970 : Spokane Jets defeated Orillia Terriers 4-games-to-2
1972 : Spokane Jets defeated Barrie Flyers 4-games-to-2
1975 : Thunder Bay Twins defeated Barrie Flyers 4-games-to-2
1976 : Spokane Flyers defeated Barrie Flyers 4-games-to-none
1978 : Kimberley Dynamiters defeated Brantford Alexanders 4-games-to-1
The winner of the Allan Cup was named the top "amateur" team in Canada, this made them eligible to compete in the Olympic Winter Games . The list below includes all Ontario Hockey Association representatives from 1924 until 1960.
1924 : Toronto Granites (6-0-0) Won Gold
1928 : University of Toronto (3-0-0) Won Gold
1956 : Kitchener-Waterloo Dutchmen (6-2-0) Won Bronze
1960 : Kitchener-Waterloo Dutchmen (6-1-0) Won Silver
The winner of the Allan Cup was named the top "amateur" team in Canada, this made them eligible to compete in the Ice Hockey World Championships . The list below includes all Ontario Hockey Association representatives from 1930 until 1962.
1933 : Toronto Nationals Sea Fleas (4-1-0) Won Silver
1958 : Whitby Dunlops (7-0-0) Won Gold
1959 : Belleville McFarlands (7-1-0) Won Gold
1962 : Galt Terriers (6-1-0) Won Silver
Teams [ ]
Please note: Teams listed ONLY in last decade played.
Champions [ ]
1891 Ottawa
1892 Ottawa
1893 Ottawa
1894 Osgoode Hall
1895 Queen's University
1896 Queen's University
1897 Queen's University
1898 Osgoode Hall
1899 Queen's University
1900 Toronto Wellingtons
1901 Toronto Wellingtons
1902 Toronto Wellingtons
1903 Toronto Wellingtons
1904 Toronto Marlboros
1905 Toronto Marlboros
1906 Berlin
1907 Stratford
1908 Kingston 4th Regiment
1909 St. Michael's Majors
1910 St. Michael's Majors
1911 Toronto Eatons
1912 Toronto Eatons
1913 Toronto R & AA
1914 Toronto R & AA
1915 Toronto Victorias
1916 Toronto Riversides
1917 Toronto Dentals
1918 Kitchener Greenshirts
1919 Hamilton Tigers
1920 Toronto Granites
1921 University of Toronto
1922 Toronto Granites
1923 Toronto Granites
1924 Hamilton AAA
1925 Niagara Falls Cataracts
1926 Peterborough
1927 University of Toronto
1928 Kitchener-Waterloo
1929 University of Toronto
1930 University of Toronto
1931 Hamilton Tigers
1932 Toronto Nationals
1933 Niagara Falls Cataracts
1934 Hamilton Tigers
1935 Toronto HC
1936 Hamilton Tigers
1937 Toronto Dominions
1938 Toronto Goodyears
1939 Toronto Goodyears
1940 Toronto Goodyears
1941 Toronto Marlboros
1942 Hamilton Tigers
1943 Toronto RCAF
1944 Hamilton Tigers
1945 Hamilton Tigers
1946 Hamilton Tigers
1947 Hamilton Tigers
1948 Hamilton Tigers
1949 Toronto Marlboros
1950 Toronto Marlboros
1951 Owen Sound Mercurys
1952 Stratford Indians
1953 Kitchener-Waterloo Dutchmen
1954 Owen Sound Mercurys
1955 Kitchener-Waterloo Dutchmen
1956 Chatham Maroons
1957 Whitby Dunlops
1958 Belleville McFarlands
1959 Whitby Dunlops
1960 Chatham Maroons
1961 Galt Terriers
1962 Windsor Bulldogs
1963 Windsor Bulldogs
1964 Woodstock Athletics
1965 Woodstock Athletics
1966 Guelph Regals
1967 Kingston Aces
1968 Toronto Marlboros
1969 Galt Hornets
1970 Orillia Terriers
1971 Galt Hornets
1972 Barrie Flyers
1973 Orillia Terriers
1974 Barrie Flyers
1975 Barrie Flyers
1976 Barrie Flyers
1977 Brantford Alexanders
1978 Brantford Alexanders
1979 Thunder Bay Twins
Please note: bold denotes an Allan Cup champion.
External links [ ]
Canadian Senior Hockey (post-1971)
National/Regional Championships
Allan Cup (National AAA) Patton Cup (Western Canada 71-91) - Bolton Cup (Eastern Canada 71-03)McKenzie Cup (BC-AB) - Rathgaber Cup (SK-MB) - Atlantic Cup (2003-) (NB-NL-NS-PEI)
Provincial/Local Championships
Alberta - British Columbia - Manitoba - New Brunswick - Newfoundland and Labrador - Northern Ontario - Ontario Hockey Association - Ottawa - Quebec (Also Eastern
Region Allan Cup Qualifier) - Saskatchewan - Thunder Bay /Gary Cook Cup /Hockey Northwestern Ontario
Current Leagues
Alberta : East Central Senior Hockey League (2012-) - North Central Hockey League (1995-) - North Peace Hockey League (also in BC, 1953-) - Ranchland Senior Hockey League (1974-) - Sask/Alta Senior Hockey League (also in SK, 1964-)
British Columbia : Central Interior Senior Hockey League (1997-) - North Peace Hockey League (also in Alberta, 1953-) - West Coast Senior AA Hockey League (2016-2018, 2023-present)
Manitoba : South Eastern Manitoba Hockey League (1952-) - Tiger Hills Hockey League (1983-)
New Brunswick : Beausejour Senior Hockey League (2019-) - Ligue de hockey Vallée-Appalaches (1991-) - Southern Senior Hockey League (2021- )
Newfoundland and Labrador : Avalon East Senior Hockey League (1967-) - Central Newfoundland Hockey League (Intermediate) (2009-) - Central/West Senior Hockey League (2014-2019; 2023-)
Nova Scotia : Major Series Hockey (2024-) - Nova Scotia Legends Hockey League (2024-) - (one team from Amherst plays in New Brunswick based Beausejour Senior Hockey League )
Ontario : Allan Cup Hockey (1991-) - Eastern Ontario Super Hockey League (2019-) - Ontario Elite Hockey League (2023-) - Ontario Super Hockey League (2024-)
Prince Edward Island : West Prince Senior Hockey League (2016-)
Quebec : Circuit Senior KRTB (2021-) - Ligue Regionale de Hockey (2016-) - Ligue de Hockey Cote-Sud (2012-) - Ligue de Hockey Senior du Lac-au-Fleuve (2017-) - Ligue de Hockey Senior Élite (2005-) - Ligue de Hockey Senior A du Lac St-Louis (2022-) - Ligue de Hockey Senior AA de la Cote-Nord (2007-2014; 2022-) - Ligue de Hockey Senior AAA du Quebec (2017-) - Ligue de Hockey Sénior Desjardins de l'Est-du-Québec (2018-)
Saskatchewan : Big Six Senior Hockey League (1959-) - Cross Roads Hockey League (2022-) - Long Lake Senior Hockey League (1978-) - Notekeu Senior Hockey League (1958-) - Prairie Men's Hockey League (2024-) - Qu'Appelle Valley Highway Hockey League (2021-) - Sask/Alta Senior Hockey League (also in Alberta, 1964-) - Saskatchewan Prairie Senior Hockey League (2010-) - Sask East Hockey League (2020-) - Sask Valley Hockey League (1965-) - Sask West Senior Hockey League (2000-) - Treaty Six Hockey League (2004-2007; 2018-) - Twin Rivers Senior Hockey League (2016-) - Wheatland Senior Hockey League (1995-) - White Mud Senior Hockey League (1995-)
Northwest Territories : Presently have no Senior Level leagues in the territory
Nunavut : Rankin Inlet Senior Men's Hockey League (2008-)
Yukon : Presently have no Senior Level leagues in the territory (teams in the Yukon have traditionally played under sanction of BC Hockey )
Defunct Leagues
Alberta : Alberta Major Intermediate League (1976-1987) - Beaver Hockey League (1969-1983) - Big Six Services Hockey League (1970-1975) - Allan Cup Hockey West /Chinook Hockey League (1955-2019, 2022-2024) - Battle River Hockey League (1992-2015) - Central Peace Hockey League (1986-1997) - Edmonton Central Intermediate Hockey League (1960-1976) - Edmonton Services Hockey League (1973-1974) - Henry Viney Hockey League (1972-1982) - Highwood Hockey League (1967-1972) - North Star Intermediate Hockey League (1963-1978) - Prairie Intermediate Hockey League (1973-1979) - Prairie Senior Hockey League (also in SK, 1971-1972) - South Peace Hockey League (1954-1988)
British Columbia : British Columbia Senior Hockey League (1979-1981) - Cariboo Hockey League (1955-1985) - Fraser Valley Hockey League (1971-1974) - Monashee Senior Hockey League (1970-1977) - Monashee AA Senior Hockey League (1985-1994) - North Okanagan Hockey League (1977-1982) - Northwest Hockey League (1975-1978) - Pacific Coast Amateur Hockey League (1957-1986) - Pacific Northwest Hockey League (1965-1982) - Richmond Intermediate Hockey League (1965-1975) - South Island Big Six Hockey League (1974-1980) - Vancouver Island Hockey League (1961-1975) - Victoria Intermediate Hockey League (1963-1974) - Western Amateur Hockey League (1966-1973) - Western International Hockey League (1946-1988)
Manitoba : Canadian Central Hockey League (1972-1974) - Carillon Senior Hockey League (2004-2022) - Central Amateur Senior Hockey League (1975-1989) - East Interlake Hockey League (1970-1976) - Eastman Hockey League (1998-2000) - Hanover Tache Hockey League (1958-2005) - Manitoba Aboriginal Senior Hockey League (2000-2001) - Manitoba Assiniboine Hockey League (1974-1983) - Manitoba Eastern Hockey League (1969-1977) - Manitoba Intermediate Hockey League (1971-1972) - Manitoba Northeast Senior Hockey League (1970-1989) - Manitoba Senior Hockey League (2008-2016) - North Central Hockey League (1958-2022) - Northern Intermediate Hockey League (1977-1978) - Nor-West Hockey League (1996-1997) - North West Senior Hockey League (2016-2017) - Parkland Hockey League (1964-1979) - Pembina Valley Hockey League (1970-1980) - Red River Valley Intermediate Hockey League (1980-1981) - Souris Valley Hockey League (1970-1987) - South Interlake Hockey League (1987-2008) - South Central Intermediate Hockey League (1960-1982) - SouthWest Hockey League (1956-2009) - West Interlake Hockey League (1954-1986) - Winnipeg Metro Hockey League (1973-1980) - Winnipeg Senior A Hockey League (1995-1997) - Yellowhead Intermediate Hockey League (1986-1989)
Maritimes : Maritime Senior Hockey League (1991-1992) - Northumberland Dairy Senior AAA Hockey League (1995-1998)
New Brunswick : Acadie-Gaspesie Senior Hockey League (2013-2014) - Central New Brunswick Intermediate Hockey League (1973-1977) - Ligue de Hockey Senior Acadie-Chaleur (2016-2022) - Miramichi Senior Hockey League (2000-2004) - Eastern Senior Hockey League (2001-2010) - New Brunswick Chaleur Hockey League (1991-1995) - Kent-Sud Senior Hockey League (1996-1999) - New Brunswick Eastern Hockey League (1972-1973) - New Brunswick Senior Hockey League (1968-1991) - North East Senior Hockey League (2011-2018) - North Shore Senior Hockey League (1939-1978) - North Shore Senior Hockey League (1996-2010) - Saint John Valley Senior Hockey League (2004-2005) - South Central Intermediate C Hockey League (1975-1978) - Southern New Brunswick Senior Hockey League (1962-2010) - St. John Valley Hockey League (1966-1978)
Newfoundland and Labrador : Bay St. George Senior Hockey League (1966-1984) - Corner Brook Intermediate Hockey League (1966-1984) - Deer Lake Intermediate Hockey League (1976-1985) - East Coast Senior Hockey League (2017-2020) - Newfoundland Senior Hockey League (2011-2014) - Newfoundland West Coast Senior Hockey League (2001-2011; 2016-2023) - West Newfoundland Intermediate A Hockey League (1973-1974)
Nova Scotia : Nova Scotia Senior Hockey League (1982-1996) - Tri-County Senior Hockey League (1973-1988) - West Island Senior Hockey League (1991-1996)
Nunavut : Iqaluit Senior Hockey League (2009-2023)
Ontario : Carleton-Russell Intermediate B Hockey League (1976-1980) - Central Ontario Hockey League (1970-1983) - Central Senior B Hockey League (1986-1989) - Central Ontario Super Hockey League (2024-2024) Cyclone Intermediate D Hockey League (1977-1984) - Eastern Ontario Senior Hockey League (2003-2008) - Georgian Bay Intermediate A Hockey League (1968-1972; 1978-1980) - HNO Senior League (2009-2012) - Major Intermediate A Hockey League (1980-1983) - Niagara Intermediate A Hockey League (1965-1979) - North Oxford Men's Hockey League (1959-2012) - Northern Senior A Hockey League (1983-1992) - ACH Senior AA G-League (2021) - OHA Intermediate C Hockey League (1973-1986) - OHA Senior A League (1890-1979) - OHA Senior A Hockey League (1972-1987) - Ottawa District Senior Hockey League (1968-1977) - Ontario Senior AA Hockey League (1983-1988) - Seaway Intermediate C Hockey League (1973-1976; 1978-1984) - Seaway-Western Intermediate C Hockey League (1976-1978) - Seaway-Cyclone Senior B Hockey League (1984-1990) - South Carleton Intermediate Hockey League (1970-1980) - Thunder Bay Hockey League (1980-1982) - Western Intermediate C Hockey League (1973-1976) - Western Ontario Super Hockey League (2021-2024) - WOAA Senior AA Hockey League (1942-2023)
Quebec : Laval Senior A Hockey League (2013-2022) - Ligue Centrale de Hockey (LCH) (2000-2008) - Ligue Hockey de la Belle Province (1970-1973) - Ligue de Hockey Beauce Bellechase Frontenac (1999-2017) - Ligue de Hockey Semi-Contact de Lotbinière (2002-2006) - Ligue de Hockey Senior de la Mauricie (1992-1996) - Ligue de Hockey Senior Majeur du Quebec (1979-85; 1994-96) - Ligue de Hockey Senior de l'Est du Quebec (2005-2010) - Ligue de hockey Senior des Îles de la Madeleine (1991-2005) - Ligue de Hockey Senior A de la Mauricie (2001-2017) - Ligue de Hockey Senior A Inter-Rives (2006-2007) - Ligue de Hockey Senior AA de l'Estrie (2001-2004) - Ligue de Hockey Senior AA LAB-BEC (2012-2013) - Ligue de Hockey Senior AA du Saguenay-Lac-St-Jean (2002-2003) - Ligue de Hockey Senior Bas-Saint-Laurent (1994-2005) - Ligue de Hockey Senior des Cantons-de-L'Est (2011-2015) - Ligue de hockey les Cotiers de la Gaspesie (2002-2008) - Ligue de Hockey Senior des Deux Rives (2002-2003) - Ligue de Hockey Senior Montreal Metropolitain (2003-2007) - Ligue de Hockey Senior Provinciale AA (2004-2006) - Ligue de Hockey Senior AA L.D.B. du Quebec (1979-2000) - Ligue de hockey Budweiser de 'est du Quebec (2011-2013) - Montreal Senior Hockey League (1977-1980) - Outaouais Hockey League (1973-1975) - Promutuel Senior Hockey League (1999-2007) - Republican Hockey League (also in NB, 1962-1987) - Quebec Metro Senior Hockey League (1989-1991) - Quebec-Portneuf Commercial Hockey League (1990-2004) - Quebec Senior AA Hockey League (2018-2021) - Quebec Senior North-East Hockey League (2003-2007)
Prince Edward Island : Island Community Senior Hockey League (2010-2013) - Prince Edward Island Senior Hockey League (1990-1991) - Prince Edward Island Senior Hockey League (2010-2011)
Saskatchewan : 39C Hockey League (1968-1983) - 5-40 Hockey League (1962-1984) - Beaver Lakes Hockey League (1986-2018) - Big V Senior Hockey League (1954-1977) - Blackstrap Hockey League (1972-1985) - Carrot River Valley Hockey League (1950-1982) - Central Saskatchewan Intermediate Hockey League (1986-1990) - Central Saskatchewan Senior Hockey League (1988-1995) - Coteau Hills Hockey League (1951-1995) - Fishing Lake Hockey League (1953-2015) - Fort Carlton Senior Hockey League (1971-2019) - Highway Hockey League (1965-2020) - Last Mountain Hockey League (1954-1978) - North Central Saskatchewan Senior Hockey League (1968-1972) - Northern Lakes Hockey League (1966-1976) - North Saskatchewan River Hockey League (1995-2015) - Pasquia Hockey League (1977-2009) - Potash Cutarm Hockey League (1963-1975) - Qu'Appelle Valley Hockey League (1960-2021) - Right Angle Hockey League (1962-1985) - River Lake Senior Hockey League (1997-2000) - Saskatchewan Intermediate A Hockey League (1979-1983) - Saskatchewan Treaty Hockey League (2021)- Soo Line Hockey League (1980-2000) - South Central Senior Hockey League (1983-1990) - South East Senior Hockey League (1971-1973) - South Saskatchewan River Hockey League (1958-1979) - Three Rivers Hockey League (1980-1987) - Triangle Hockey League (1965-2020) - Western Saskatchewan Intermediate AA Hockey League (1966-1974) - Whiska Creek Hockey League (1980's-90's) - Wild Duck Hockey League (1961-1980) - Wild Goose Hockey League (1954-2008) - Yellowhead Hockey League (1980-2000)
Nunavut : Iqaluit Senior Hockey League (2009-2023)
Yukon : See Whitehorse Huskies (1992-1993, 2009-2010, 2014-2017)