For a continuation of this league after the 2022-23 playing season, please see Ontario Elite Hockey League.
The WOAA Senior AA Hockey League is a Senior "AA" ice hockey league in Southwestern Ontario. Governed by the Western Ontario Athletic Association, the league follows all Hockey Canada guidelines but has elected to remain independent since 1942, despite the fact that the WOAA works in tandem with the Ontario Minor Hockey Association and governs all minor hockey in the region around the Georgian Triangle. Many of the WOAA's teams originated in OHA Senior B leagues, but jumped to the stable WOAA when the OHA Senior leagues imploded in the late 1980s. The WOAA is the oldest senior hockey league in Ontario.
The governing body of the WOAA, known by the same name, controls all regional Senior and Minor Hockey, as well as Softball. The league was founded in 1942 and was formerly known as "Intermediate", a level which was absorbed by the Senior class in the late 1980s.
Also, in 1999 the Cambridge Hornets of the MLH had a 2-game pre-season exhibition series against the Durham Thundercats. The Thundercats won the first game 4-3, while the Hornets took game two 2-1.
On August 17, 2023 the Ontario Hockey Association announced the formation of the Ontario Elite Hockey League with ten now former members of the WOAA. The Creemore Coyotes, Durham Thundercats, Lucknow Lancers, Milverton Four Wheel Drives, Minto 81's, Ripley Wolves, Saugeen Shores Winterhawks, Seaforth Centenaires (WOAA), Shelburne Muskies, and Tavistock Royals were the existing teams in the league to join the new league along with the expansion Georgian Bay Applekings.[1] The new league is actually a continuation of this league under the sanctioning of the OHA.
Teams[]
WOAA Champions[]
WOAA Senior AA Champions[]
League Champion is Bolded.
WOAA Senior A & B Champions (1995–Present)[]
| Senior A & B 1995–Present | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Year | A Champions | A Finalists | Series |
| 2022 | Shallow Lake Crushers | Petrolia Squires | 4-2 |
| 2021 | Season cancelled | ||
| 2020 | Final series cancelled prior to starting | ||
| 2019 | Milverton Four Wheel Drives | Elora Rocks | 4-2 |
| 2018 | Petrolia Squires | Tavistock Royals | 4-1 |
| 2017 | Milverton Four Wheel Drives | Huron East Centenaires | 4-3 |
| 2016 | Tillsonburg Thunder | Ripley Wolves | 4-1 |
| 2015 | Ripley Wolves | Shallow Lake Crushers | 4-3 |
| 2014 | Not played | ||
| 2013 | Shallow Lake Crushers | Durham Thundercats | 2-1 |
| Year | A | B | |
| 2012 | Not played | ||
| 2011 | -- | Walkerton Capitals | |
| 2010 | Milverton Four Wheel Drives | Goderich Pirates | |
| 2009 | Lucan-Ilderton Jets | Milverton Four Wheel Drives | |
| 2008 | Palmerston 81's | -- | |
| 2007 | Durham Thundercats | ||
| 2006 | Palmerston 81's | ||
| 2005 | Lucan-Ilderton Jets | ||
| 2004 | Georgian Bay River Rats | ||
| 2003 | Wingham Bulls | ||
| 2002 | Wingham Bulls | ||
| 2001 | Wingham Bulls | ||
| 2000 | Monkton Wildcats | ||
| 1999 | Palmerston 81's | ||
| 1998 | Shelburne Muskies | ||
| 1997 | Goderich Pirates | Lucknow Lancers | |
| 1996 | Brussels Crusaders | Dundalk Flyers | |
| 1995 | Wiarton Redmen | Ripley Wolves | |
Late Intermediate Era (1978–1994)[]
| Year | Championship | Champion | Finalist | Series | Scores |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1978 | Grand Champion | Mount Forest Rams | Drayton Comets | ||
| B | Thornbury | Hanover | |||
| C | Mount Forest Rams | Mitchell Red Devils | |||
| D | Drayton Comets | Ripley Roosters | |||
| Cons. B | Palmerston Lions | Mitchell Red Devils | |||
| Cons. D | Brussels Crusaders | Monkton Wildcats | |||
| Central Grey-Bruce | Chesley | Port Elgin | |||
| Bruce Rural | Chepstow | Mildmay Monarchs | |||
| 1979 | Grand Champion | Lion's Head North Stars | Durham 72's | ||
| B | Durham 72's | Palmerston Lions | |||
| C | Lion's Head North Stars | Mitchell Red Devils | |||
| D | Ripley Roosters | Brussels Crusaders | |||
| Cons. D | Monkton Wildcats | Drayton Comets | |||
| 1980 | Grand Champion | Lion's Head North Stars | Brussels Crusaders | ||
| B | Wiarton Redmen | Palmerston Lions | |||
| C | Mitchell Red Devils / Lion's Head North Stars | Co-Champions | |||
| D | Drayton Comets | Monkton Wildcats | |||
| Central Grey-Bruce | Desboro | Shallow Lake | |||
| COHL | Dundalk Flyers | Markdale Majors | |||
| 1981 | Grand Champion | Mitchell Red Devils | Ripley Roosters | ||
| A | Southampton | Desboro | |||
| B | Mitchell Red Devils | Durham 72's | |||
| C | Lion's Head North Stars | Chesley | |||
| D | Ripley Roosters | Markdale Majors | |||
| Central Grey-Bruce | Williamsford | Desboro | |||
| COHL | Honeywood Cougars | Markdale Majors | |||
| 1982 | Grand Champion | Ripley Roosters | Durham 72's | ||
| A | Durham 72's | Woodford Royals | |||
| D | Ripley Roosters | Teeswater Falcons | |||
| Central Grey-Bruce | Tara B.P. Eagles | Keady | |||
| COHL | Markdale Majors | Hillsburgh | |||
| 1983 | Grand Champion | Lion's Head North Stars | Woodford Royals | ||
| A | Woodford Royals | Durham 72's | 4-3 | 2-4, 6-7, 7-8, 9-8, 5-4 OT, 8-3, 6-5 | |
| D | Lion's Head North Stars | Ripley Roosters | |||
| 1984 | Grand Champion | Ripley Roosters | Wingham Royals | 4-2 | |
| A | Wingham Royals | Durham 72's | |||
| D | Ripley Roosters | Teeswater Falcons | |||
| 1985 | Grand Champion | Woodford Royals | Ripley Roosters | 4-0 | 12-2, 7-6, 12-3, 10-5 |
| A | Woodford Royals | Exeter Mohawks | 4-2 | 4-3, 5-7, 4-2, 7-4, 3-5, 4-2 | |
| D | Ripley Roosters | Lucknow Lancers | 4-1 | 5-6, 7-6 OT, 8-2, 5-4, 6-2 | |
| 1986 | Grand Champion | Woodford Royals | Kincardine Kings | 4-1 | 1-7, 12-7, 12-5, 6-2, 10-4 |
| A | Woodford Royals | Tara Cyclones | 4-0 | 13-4, 15-9, 12-2, 6-2 | |
| B | Kincardine Kings | Teeswater Falcons | 4-0 | 8-7, 8-3, 5-4, 6-2 | |
| C | Lion's Head North Stars | Milverton 4-Wheel Drives | 3-0 | 8-7, 5-3, 9-6 | |
| D | Ripley Roosters | Mildmay Monarchs | 4-1 | 6-5, 8-7, 4-5, 4-2, 6-4 | |
| 1987 | Grand Champion | Lion's Head North Stars | Ripley Roosters | 4-1 | 8-11, 9-1, 7-4, 11-5, 8-6 |
| A | Durham 72's | Teeswater Falcons | 4-0 | 7-2, 5-4, 7-5, 7-2 | |
| B | Wellesley Merchants | Brussels Crusaders | 4-1* | 7-6, 4-9, Two Brussels wins overturned. | |
| C | Lion's Head North Stars | Monkton Wildcats | 3-0 | 6-3, 5-4 OT, 5-4 OT | |
| D | Ripley Roosters | Drayton Comets | 4-1 | 2-1, 10-4, 12-3, 6-7, 7-4 | |
| 1988 | Grand Champion | Brussels Crusaders | Lion's Head North Stars | 3-2 | 3-5, 6-4, 3-0 Forfeit, 4-5, 4-3 |
| A | Brussels Crusaders | Kincardine Kings | 4-3 | 3-4 OT, 4-7, 8-2, 4-3, 5-4, 4-5 OT, 8-7 | |
| B | Monkton Wildcats | Arthur Tigers | 4-0 | 7-2, 6-3, 4-2, 7-2 | |
| C | Lion's Head North Stars | St. Clements Saints | 3-0 | 3-1, 6-3, 3-0 Forfeit | |
| D | Ripley Roosters | Lucknow Lancers | 4-2 | 2-6, 4-6, 8-4, 6-3, 6-5 2OT, 9-4 | |
| 1989 | Grand Champion | Durham Thundercats | Lucknow Lancers | 3-0 | 11-4, 6-4, 10-3 |
| A | Durham Thundercats | Kincardine Kings | 3-0 | 8-3, 8-7, 10-5 | |
| B | Brussels Crusaders | Arthur Tigers | 3-0 | 16-7, 13-2, 17-7 | |
| C | Lion's Head North Stars | Uncontested | |||
| D | Lucknow Lancers | Milverton 4-Wheel Drives | 3-2 | 4-9, 4-9, 5-4, 9-6, 6-4 | |
| 1990 | Grand Champion | Brussels Crusaders | Drayton Comets | 3-1 | 6-8, 7-2, 6-2, 6-1 |
| A | Brussels Crusaders | Kincardine Kings | 3-1 | 5-4, 7-5, 4-8, 9-6 | |
| B | Arthur Tigers | Dundalk Flyers | 4-0 | 6-4, 7-2, 8-4, 11-2 | |
| C | Drayton Comets | Ripley Wolves | 3-2 | 2-4, 3-6, 6-3, 5-2, 4-3 | |
| 1991 | Grand Champion | Arthur Tigers | Durham Thundercats | 3-2 | 2-8, 8-1, 3-4, 8-1, 6-5 |
| A | Durham Thundercats | Tavistock Royals | 3-1 | 6-3, 2-1 OT, 4-8, 5-3 | |
| B | Arthur Tigers | Wiarton Redmen | 3-0 | 9-8, 8-4, 9-3 | |
| C | Drayton Comets | Ripley Wolves | 3-1 | 5-3, 11-3, 5-6, 7-3 | |
| WOAA Senior League 1991-1994 | |||||
| Year | Championship | Champion | Finalist | Series | Scores |
| 1992 | Grand Champion | Durham Thundercats | Uncontested | ||
| A | Durham Thundercats | Tavistock Royals | 4-0 | 7-5, 5-4, 10-6, 8-3 | |
| B | Lion's Head North Stars | Lucknow Lancers | 3-0 | 5-4, 6-1, 9-5 | |
| 1993 | Grand Champion | Durham Thundercats | Uncontested | ||
| A | Durham Thundercats | Tavistock Royals | 4-2 | 5-3, 5-4, 7-5, 6-7 OT, 6-7 OT, 5-4 OT | |
| B | Grand Valley Tornados | Dundalk Flyers | 4-1 | 9-12, 4-1, 6-1, 5-3, 6-2 | |
| 1994 | Grand Champion | Durham Thundercats | Ripley Wolves | 3-0 | 6-3, 7-6 OT, 3-0 |
| A | Durham Thundercats | Lakeshore Winterhawks | 4-2 | 4-3 OT, 7-3, 3-5, 5-6, 7-5, 4-3 | |
| B | Ripley Wolves | Grand Valley Tornados | 4-0 | 6-3, 6-2, 4-0, 10-2 | |
Middle Intermediate Era (1970–1977)[]
| Year | Championship | Champion | Finalist | Series | Scores |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | Grand Champion | Seaforth Beavers | Atwood | ||
| Major C | Seaforth Beavers | Kincardine | |||
| Minor C | Atwood | Zurich | |||
| D | Belgrave Stone School | Dashwood | |||
| 1971 | Grand Champion | Milverton 4-Wheel Drives | Atwood | ||
| B | Listowel Cyclones | Wingham Spitfires | |||
| Major C | Milverton 4-Wheel Drives | Harriston Intermediates | |||
| Minor C | Atwood | Monkton Wildcats | |||
| D | Kurtzville | Belgrave | |||
| 1972 | Grand Champion | Milverton 4-Wheel Drives | Arthur Tigers | ||
| B | Milverton 4-Wheel Drives | Listowel Cyclones | |||
| Major C | Arthur Tigers | Port Elgin | |||
| Minor C | Lucknow Lancers | Atwood | |||
| D | Kurtzville | Belgrave | |||
| 1973 | Grand Champion | Milverton 4-Wheel Drives | Atwood | ||
| B | Harriston Intermediates | Listowel Cyclones | |||
| Major C | Milverton 4-Wheel Drives | Durham 72's | |||
| Minor C | Atwood | Lucknow Lancers | |||
| D | Belgrave | Kurtzville | |||
| 1974 | Grand Champion | Harriston Intermediates | Lucknow Lancers | ||
| B | Harriston Intermediates | Listowel Cyclones | |||
| Major C | Milverton 4-Wheel Drives | Arthur Tigers | |||
| Minor C | Lucknow Lancers | Atwood | |||
| D | Belgrave | Chatsworth | |||
| 1975 | Grand Champion | Plattsville Combines | Arthur Tigers | ||
| B | Arthur Tigers | Walkerton Capitols | |||
| C | Durham 72's | St. Clements Saints | |||
| Major D | Plattsville Combines | Atwood | |||
| Minor D | Floradale | Belgrave | |||
| 1976 | Grand Champion | Mount Forest Rams | Plattsville Combines | ||
| C | Mount Forest Rams | Wiarton Redmen | |||
| Major D | Plattsville Combines | Howick | |||
| Minor D | Belgrave | ||||
| 1977 | Grand Champion | Mount Forest Rams | Thornbury | ||
| B | Thornbury | Hanover | |||
| Major C | Mount Forest Rams | Lion's Head North Stars | |||
| Minor C | Plattsville Combines | Monkton Wildcats | |||
| D | Ripley Roosters | Belgrave |
Early Intermediate Era (1949–1969)[]
- 1969 Crediton Tigers (beat Zurich)
- 1968 Crediton Tigers (beat Milverton 4-Wheel Drives)
- 1967 Cheltenham Harvesters (beat Wiarton)
- 1966 Hespeler Mic Macs (by default)
- 1965 Durham Huskies (Major Int. C), Elora Rocks (Intermediate C)
- 1964 Fergus Flyers (Major Int. C), Cheltenham Harvesters (Intermediate C)
- 1963 Fergus Flyers (beat Port Elgin)
- 1962 Fergus Flyers (beat Paisley)
- 1961 Philipsburg Chevs (beat Paisley)
- 1960 Philipsburg Chevs (beat Lucan-Ilderton)
- 1959 Exeter Mohawks (beat Philipsburg)
- 1958 Palmerston Lions (beat Philipsburg)
- 1957 St. Clements (beat Mitchell)
- 1956 Exeter Mohawks (beat Goderich Pontiacs)
- 1955 Lucan Irish Six (beat Ilderton Jets)
- 1954 Goderich Pontiacs (beat St. Clements Saints)
- 1953 Durham Huskies (beat Walkerton Wunderbars)
- 1952 Durham Huskies (beat Mildmay Monarchs)
- 1951 Wingham Spitfires (beat Mildmay Monarchs)
- 1950 Wingham Spitfires (beat Lucknow Lancers)
- 1949 Kincardine Kings (beat Linwood)
Pre-1949 champions[]
- 1948 Int. A - Wellesley, Int. B - Lucknow, Int. A-B - Wellesley (beat Lucknow 2-1 in best of 3 final)
- 1947 Int. B - Linwood (beat Allenford 2-1 in best of 3 final)
Timeline of Senior Level teams (1990-2023)[]
- Arthur Tigers (1990-1999)
- Brussels Crusaders (1990-1992, 1993-1997, 2002-2005) sat out 1992-93 season and from 1997 to 2002
- Drayton Comets (1990-1997)
- Dundalk Flyers (1990-1999)
- Durham Thundercats (1990-2023) join Ontario Elite Hockey League
- Grand Valley Tornados (1990-1997)
- Kincardine Kings (1990-1993)
- Lion's Head North Stars (1990-1992, 1993-1994) sat out 1992-93 season
- Lucknow Lancers (1990-2023) join Ontario Elite Hockey League
- Milverton Four Wheel Drives (1990-2023) join Ontario Elite Hockey League
- Mitchell Red Devils (1990-1992)
- Palmerston 81's (1990-2011) merge with Drayton Icemen to form Mapleton-Minto 81's
- Ripley Wolves (1990-1998, 2003-2023) join Ontario Elite Hockey League
- Tavistock Royals (1990-1998, 1999-2023) join Ontario Elite Hockey League
- Teeswater Falcons (1990-1997)
- Wiarton Redmen (1990-2002)
- Wellesley Merchants (1990-1992, 1994-2001) sat out 1992-93 and 1993-94 seasons
- Harriston Blues (1991-1992)
- Mildmay Monarchs (1992-1999, 2003-2007)
- Tiverton Thunder (1992-1995)
- Elora Rocks (199-2021) withdrew to join Western Ontario Super A Hockey League
- Lakeshore Winterhawks (1993-1996)
- Shelburne Muskies (1993-2023) join Ontario Elite Hockey League
- Clinton Radars (1994-2022)
- Goderich Pirates (1995-2014) relocated to Seaforth and renamed Huron East Centenaires
- Hensall Sherwoods (1998-2007) relocated to Exeter, Ontario and renamed Exeter Mohawks
- Monkton Wildcats (1998-2014)
- Wingham Spitfires (1999-2003) renamed Wingham Bulls
- Thornbury River Rats (2000-2001) become Georgian Bay River Rats
- Georgian Bay River Rats (2001-2008) renamed Nottawasaga River Rats when move games to CFB Borden
- Listowel Jets (2002-2006)
- Wingham Bulls (2003-2008)
- Lucan-Ilderton Jets (2004-2011) relocated to Komoka, Ontario and renamed Komoka Classics
- Drayton Icemen (2005-2011) merge with Palmerston 81's to form Mapleton-Minto 81's
- Thedford Dirty Dogs (2006-2013)
- Saugeen Shores Winterhawks (2007-2023) join Ontario Elite Hockey League
- Shallow Lake Crushers (2007-2023)
- Exeter Mohawks (2007-2009)
- Petrolia Squires (2008-2023) join Western Ontario Super Hockey League
- Tillsonburg Thunder (2008-2021) withdrew to join Western Ontario Super A Hockey League
- Nottawasaga River Rats (2008-2009)
- Walkerton Sr. Capitals (2008-2012)
- Mapleton-Minto 81's (2011-2017, 2018-present) sit out 2017-18 season, abandon Mapleton prior to 2019-20 season
- Komoka Classics (2011-2014)
- Huron East Centenaires (2014-2019) renamed Seaforth Centenaire
- Minto 81's (2019-2023) join Ontario Elite Hockey League
- Seaforth Centenaires (WOAA) (2019-2023) join Ontario Elite Hockey League
- Georgian Bay Applekings (2023-2023) join Ontario Elite Hockey League after being announced as an expansion team
See also[]
External links[]