Greater Metro Junior A Hockey League

For the ACHA Division 2 hockey league, see Great Midwest Hockey League.

Greater Metro Junior A
Hockey League

Region(s)	Greater Toronto Area, Midwestern Ontario, Golden Horseshoe, Central Ontario, Northeastern Ontario, Eastern Ontario and Quebec
President	Bob Russell
Commissioner	Ken Girard
Founded	2006
No. of teams	17
Recent Champions	Bradford Rattlers (2023)
Most successful club	Bradford Rattlers (4)
Headquarters	Bradford, Ontario
Website	GMHL.net

The Greater Metro Junior A Hockey League (GMHL) is a Canadian developmental junior ice hockey league. The league has primarily had teams in the Greater Toronto Area, Central Ontario, Northeastern Ontario, and Quebec.

As of December 2019, the league's alumni page lists 889 players from 2006 to 2019 who graduated from the GMHL to play for NCAA colleges, various professional leagues, major junior teams, or represented their country in various IIHF World Championships. ^[1]

The GMHL is an independent junior league and is not a member of the Canadian Junior Hockey League or sanctioned by Hockey Canada. ^[2]

History

The league, founded by Bob Russell and Hockeyworks International Ltd., opened its doors in early 2006, with a unique concept and approach to improving the standard of developing young hockey players within a Junior 'A' league format setting. A draft showcase event took place from May 5 until May 7, 2006 with players from Canada, United States, and Europe taking up residence at the Hockeyworks' World Hockey Centre near Shelburne, Ontario to take part in the league's first tryout camp.

Deseronto Thunder versus King Wild (circa 2006)

As of September 2006, it became clear that the league would operate its first season with seven teams. The original seven were the Bradford Rattlers, Deseronto Thunder, King Wild, Nipissing Alouettes, Richmond Hill Rams, South Muskoka Shield, and Toronto Canada Moose.

The league's first ever game took place on September 8, 2006 between the King Wild and the Richmond Hill Rams. The final result was a 6–0 victory for the Rams, despite being badly outshot by the Wild. The first goal in the league's history was scored by the Rams' Darren Archibald (future Vancouver Canucks prospect) on the power play during the first period. Rams' goaltender Daniel Jones picked up the historical first victory, as well as the league's first shutout in history.

Grey Highlands Bravehearts goalie during 2014–15 season.

On November 15, 2006, the GMJHL announced its affiliation with the World Hockey Association and creation of the National Junior Hockey Alliance. The affiliation resulted in a national championship between the GMJHL playoff champion and the winner of the WHA Junior West Hockey League after the 2006–07 season.

The first ever regular season of the GMJHL concluded on February 25, 2007 with the Bradford Rattlers leading the way as regular season champs with a record of 37 wins, 1 regulation loss, and 4 overtime losses. In the playoffs, the Rattlers beat the Deseronto Thunder in six games, and then the King Wild in five games to win the first ever Russell Cup as playoff champions.

In September 2007, the GMJHL started its second season with six new teams, the Douro Dukes, Elliot Lake Bobcats, Espanola Kings, Innisfil Lakers, Tamworth Cyclones, and Temiscaming Royals. The Deseronto Thunder ran into financial trouble after their first season and ownership of the team was transferred to the town. The team is now known as the Deseronto Storm.

Knights of Meaford player during 2014–15 season.

On December 11, 2007, the GMJHL announced a seven-game challenge series versus a Russian team known as the Moscow Selects. In late December and early January, the top seven teams of the GMJHL will compete against the Moscow Selects—a mixture of top Top Junior talent from the City of Moscow. The Selects played seven games, against Bradford, Innisfil, Temiscaming, Elliot Lake, Richmond Hill, Deseronto, and South Muskoka, winning each game. In March 2008, the King Wild and Richmond Hill Rams played two games each against the Mexico national ice hockey team. The Wild won both their games, while the Rams lost both of theirs.

For the 2008–09 season, the GMJHL adopted much of the National Collegiate Athletic Association's ice hockey rulebook. The GMJHL added the Minden Riverkings and the Oro-Medonte 77's to the mix, and the Dukes relocated to become the Brock Bucks. At the same time, the Quebec-based Temiscaming Royals walked away from the league to join the Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League, but were replaced within weeks by the Ville-Marie Dragons.

In December 2008 and January 2009, eight teams of the GMHL hosted Kazakhstan's Under-18 Torpedo UST-Kamenogorsk squad. Victorious were the Elliot Lake Bobcats (twice), South Muskoka Shield, King Wild, Bradford Rattlers, Innisfil Lakers, and a Nipissing/Ville-Marie combined squad. The only loss for a GMHL team happened to the Toronto Canada Moose.

In the summer of 2010, the GMHL expanded in two fashions internationally. First, Canada's only All-Russian team ^[3] in the Shelburne Red Wings and then late in the summer they expanded to the United States through the expansion of the Jamestown Jets.

On September 17, 2010, the GMHL played its first international regulation game, in Jamestown, New York between the Jamestown Jets and Sturgeon Falls Lumberjacks, both expansion teams to the league for the 2010–11 season. Jamestown won the game 4–3. In December 2010, the GMHL named Bob Bernstein commissioner. After serving as commissioner for seven days, Bernstein was relieved of his duties and Ken Girard later resumed as full-time commissioner.

In mid-January 2011, it was announced that the town of Iron Bridge, Ontario and its 500-seat outdoor arena would host a regular season game, known as the North Shore Winter Classic, between the Elliot Lake Bobcats and Algoma Avalanche on January 29, 2011. This is the first known regulation outdoor game in Ontario in the modern era. Elliot Lake would win the game 8–2 in front of an estimated 400 fans.

At the conclusion of the 2011–12 season, the league lost the Elliot Lake Bobcats to the Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League. Relocation of teams and expansion was busier than ever in 2014. The Mattawa Voyageurs moved to Sundridge to make way for an NOJHL team. The Powassan Eagles moved to Parry Sound to make way for an NOJHL team. The league expanded rapidly with a total of 15 new teams in the off-season of 2014 and 2015. There was a total of 30 teams, with a total of six teams playing in the same market (two teams per town).

The Shelburne Red Wings were sold after the 2013–14 season, and were renamed the Shelburne Stars. However, the Stars did not play in 2014–15 and changed their name to the Shelburne Sharks and began play in 2015–16. In May 2015, the Rama Aces took a leave of absence but never returned. In November 2015, the Brantford Steelfighters suspended their operations after 18 games.

The Shelburne Sharks returned as the Shelburne Stars in June 2016, but the team folded soon afterwards. The Sturgeon Falls Lumberjacks re-branded as the West Nipissing Lynx, but remained in Sturgeon Falls. Early into the 2016–17 season, the Toronto Blue Ice Jets were removed from the schedule in the first week, the Bracebridge Blues in the fifth week, the Komoka Dragons in the seventh week, the Lincoln Mavericks in the twelfth week, and Wiarton Rock in the fifteenth week of the season. The Orangeville Ice Crushers would also suspend operations in January 2017 and all remaining games against Orangeville were considered forfeits.

For 2017–18, the league added the Fergus Force, Ville-Marie Pirates, Wiarton Schooners, and Windsor Aces while losing the Toronto Attack. In late August 2017, the Parry Sound Islanders announced they were taking a leave of absence and merged with the Seguin Huskies. The Force and Schooners both folded during the season without winning a game.

After one season following the Islanders merge, the Seguin Huskies folded in 2018. The GMHL also added two teams originally in the Canadian Premier Junior Hockey League in the Niagara-on-the-Lake Nationals and Ottawa Sharpshooters for 2018–19. The Wiarton Schooners returned but folded midseason for the second consecutive season, and third consecutive midseason GMHL team folding in the town of Wiarton.

In 2019, the league added the Western Provinces Hockey Association (WPHA) as a Western Division in the GMHL for the 2019–20 season, which then rebranded as the GMHL West. ^[4] The WPHA had played the previous season in the Western States Hockey League as the Provinces Division. The 2020 playoffs were then curtailed by the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic and no champion was named. The following 2020–21 season did not take place as scheduled due to pandemic restrictions in Ontario and Quebec, with six teams playing only two games each in December 2020. The four teams in the GMHL West were able to play a partial season and a playoff in May 2021. In 2023, all teams from the GMHL West were removed by the league, which then formed their own league called the National Junior Hockey League (NJHL). ^{[5] [6]}

Teams

2024–25 teams

Division	Team	Joined	Location	Arena
North	Almaguin Spartans	2024	Ottawa, Ontario	South River-Machar Arena
	Bradford Rattlers	2006	Bradford, Ontario	BWG Leisure Centre
	Meaford Knights	2013	Meaford, Ontario	Meaford & St. Vincent Community Centre
	Ottawa valley Wolves	2023	Senneterre, Quebec	Richcraft Sensplex Practice Facility
	Le Bécard de Senneterre	2023	Senneterre, Quebec	Centre Sportif André Dubé
	Temiscaming Titans	2011	Temiscaming, Quebec	Le Centre de Temiscaming
	Wasaga River Dragons	2024	Wasaga Beach, Ontario	Wasaga Stars Arena
	Ville-Marie Pirates	2017	Ville-Marie, Quebec	Olympia de Ville-Marie Arena
	West Nipissing Lynx	2010	Sturgeon Falls, Ontario	Sturgeon Falls Arena
South	Bradford Bulls	2012	Bradford, Ontario	Bob Fallis Sports Centre
	Durham Roadrunners	2015	Oshawa, Ontario	Delpark Homes Arena
	Niagara Predators	2013	Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario	Meridian Credit Union Arena
	North York Renegades	2014	Toronto, Ontario	Canlan Ice Sports – York
	Northumberland Stars	2015	Colborne, Ontario	Keeler Center
	Richmond Hill Rampage	2024	Richmond Hill, Ontario	Elvis Stojko Arena
	St. George Ravens	2013	St. George, Ontario	South Dumfries Community Centre
	Toronto Flyers	2021	Thornhill, Ontario	Paramount Ice Arena
	Tottenham Railers	2014	Tottenham, Ontario	Tottenham and Community Fitness Centre

2024–25 changes

• Ottawa Valley expansion team (Ottawa Valley Wolves)
• Wasaga Beach expansion team (Wasaga River Dragons)
• Richmond Hill expansion team (Richmond Hill Rampage)

Regular season champions

Bolded are overall regular season champions.

Season	Champion	W–L–T–OTL	Pts
2006–07	Bradford Rattlers	37–1–0–4	78
2007–08	Bradford Rattlers	37–4–0–1	75

Season	North Champion	W–L–T–OTL	Pts	South Champion	W–L–T–OTL	Pts
2008–09	South Muskoka Shield	38–4–0–1	77	Innisfil Lakers	36–6–0–1	73

Season	Champion	W–L–T–OTL	Pts
2009–10	Elliot Lake Bobcats	35–4–0–3	73

Season	North Champion	W–L–T–OTL	Pts	South Champion	W–L–T–OTL	Pts
2010–11	Elliot Lake Bobcats	38–2–0–2	78	Jamestown Jets	27–12–0–3	57

Season	Champion	W–L–T–OTL	Pts
2011–12	Temiscaming Titans	38–3–0–1	77

Season	North Champion	W–L–T–OTL	Pts	South Champion	W–L–T–OTL	Pts
2012–13	Temiscaming Titans	35–6–0–1	71	Bradford Rattlers	42–0–0–0	84
2013–14	Seguin Huskies	39–1–0–2	80	Bradford Bulls	32–6–0–4	68
2014–15	Temiscaming Titans	36–5–0–1	73	Tottenham Steam	37–5–0–0	74

Season	North Champion	Pts	Central Champion	Pts	South Champion	Pts
2015–16	South Muskoka Shield	73	Tottenham Steam	82	Kingsville Kings	78

Season	North Champion	W–L–OTL	Pts	South Champion	W–L–OTL	Pts
2016–17	New Tecumseth Civics	37–5–0	74	Niagara Whalers	38–3–1	77
2017–18	Almaguin Spartans	31–11–0	62	St. George Ravens	38–3–1	77
2018–19	Bradford Rattlers	35–6–1	71	St. George Ravens	39–3–0	78

Season	North Champion	Pts	South Champion	Pts	West Champion	Pts
2019–20	Temiscaming Titans	67	St. George Ravens	68	Slave Lake Icedogs	54
2020–21	Did not play due to the COVID-19 pandemic				High Prairie Red Wings	36
2021–22	Temiscaming Titans	72	Durham Roadrunners	68	High Prairie Red Wings	80
2022–23	Bradford Rattlers	78	North York Renegades	72	High Prairie Red Wings	78

Season	North Champion	W–L–OTL	Pts	South Champion	W–L–OTL	Pts
2023–24	Bradford Rattlers	38–3–1	77	North York Renegades	35–5–2	72

Russell Cup playoff champions

Bolded are overall champions, Italics are finalist.

Year	Champion	Finalist	Series	Scores
2007	Bradford Rattlers	King Wild	4–1	2–1, 3–6, 5–0, 2–1OT, 4–3OT
2008	Bradford Rattlers	Innisfil Lakers	4–0	4–2, 8–4, 10–3, 5–3
2009	South Muskoka Shield	Deseronto Storm	4–2	7–3, 3–2, 4–3, 6–7, 1–2, 4–2
2010	Deseronto Storm	South Muskoka Shield	4–3	4–2, 5–2, 3–4, 3–4 OT, 2–3, 5–3, 4–2
2011	Elliot Lake Bobcats	South Muskoka Shield	4–3	1–3, 5–2, 4–5 OT, 4–5 OT, 5–2, 3–2OT, 8–5
2012	Sturgeon Falls Lumberjacks	Temiscaming Titans	4–2	5–3, 6–4, 5–6 OT, 5–4, 3–6, 6–1
2013	Bradford Rattlers	Temiscaming Titans	4–2	6–7 OT, 6–2, 6–3, 2–6, 6–3, 6–2
2014	Bradford Bulls	Bradford Rattlers	4–1	3–2, 2–1OT, 5–4, 2–4, 6–4
2015	Temiscaming Titans	Seguin Huskies	4–1	0–1 OT, 4–3OT, 4–2, 5–4, 3–2

Year	North	Central	South	Series	Scores
2016	Almaguin Spartans	Tottenham Steam	Kingsville Kings	4–3	6–5OT, 3–1, 2–3, 1–6, 5–4OT, 3–5, 6–1

Year	North	South	Series	Scores
2017	Parry Sound Islanders	Niagara Whalers	0–4	1–7, 0–5, 1–10, 1–7
2018	Almaguin Spartans	St. George Ravens	4–2	5–2, 3–2, 1–4, 2–5, 10–3, 7–3
2019	Ville-Marie Pirates	St. George Ravens	4–0	5–3, 3–1, 6–5, 8–3
2020	Cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic

Year	North	South	Series	West Champion	West Finalist	Series
2021	Cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic			High Prairie Red Wings	Slave Lake Icedogs	4-0
2022	Temiscaming Titans	Durham Roadrunners	4–0	High Prairie Red Wings	Edson Eagles	4-0

Russell Cup National Championship Tournament
Year	Champions	Finalist	Score	Other Participants	Host
2023	Bradford Rattlers (4-0)	Temiscaming Titans (2-2)	7–0	High Prairie (0-3), North York (1-2)	Temiscaming, Quebec

Year	North	South	Series	Scores
2024	Bradford Rattlers (5th)	Bradford Bull	4-1	2-4, 5-1, 3-1, 5-3, 5-4

College Showcase Tournament

Since 2009, the GMHL has had a mid-season prospect tournament. Generally, the top seven teams of the league compete in the tournament with an eighth team, the GMHL Selects representing the other teams in the league.

The 2012 tournament featured both the Bradford Rattlers and South Muskoka Shield being thrown out in the semifinal round. An incident, both on-ice and later off-ice, involving a player from each team and later two more players and a parent from one team entering the altercation, resulted in a police investigation ^[7] and one team refusing to continue. The league disqualified both teams after the game failed to continue.

Since the 2012 tournament, the league changed the format to a prospect weekend with no championship rounds.

Year	Champion	Finalist	Score	Location
2009	Bradford Rattlers	Elliot Lake Bobcats	6–4	Elliot Lake, Ontario
2010	GMHL Selects	Elliot Lake Bobcats	7–6, OT	Elliot Lake, Ontario
2011	Sturgeon Falls Lumberjacks	Elliot Lake Bobcats	4–3, OT	Elliot Lake, Ontario
2012	Bracebridge Phantoms	Toronto Attack	6–3	Rama, Ontario

Season leaders

Scoring champions

Season	Champion	Team	G–A–Pts
2006–07	Craig Peacock	Richmond Hill Rams	48–34–82
2007–08	Adam Palm	Bradford Rattlers	34–68–102
2008–09	Andre Leclair	Nipissing Alouettes	49–61–110
2009–10	Brad Clark	Deseronto Storm	59–68–127
2010–11	Alexander Nikulnikov	Shelburne Red Wings	69–71–140
2011–12	Andre Leclair	Temiscaming Titans	48–66–122
2012–13	Illes Gallo	Bradford Rattlers	47–61–108
2013–14	Donny Danroth	South Muskoka Shield	45–84–129
2014–15	Ferdinando Colella	Tottenham Steam	40–85–125
2015–16	Matt Fischer	Tottenham Steam	72–74–146
2016–17	Carl Lyden	South Muskoka Shield	55–74–129
2017–18	Chris Haigh	St. George Ravens	48–89–137
2018–19	Bryce Yetman	Windsor Aces	81–72–153
2019–20	Marc-Antoine Turcotte	Temiscaming Titans	49–106–155
2020–21	Mikal Chalifoux	High Prairie Red Wings	45–36–81
2021–22	Kory Silverio	Windsor Aces	68–77–145
2022–23	Ryan Fritz	North York Renegades	51–80–131
2023-24	Christopher Rende	North York Renegades	44-69-113

Goals against average champions

*Min. 11 games, except 2020-21 due to COVID-19 (6 games).

Season	Champion	Team	GAA
2006–07	Andreas Götz	Bradford Rattlers	2.05
2007–08	Martin Oksala	Bradford Rattlers	2.11
2008–09	Shane Buckley	Elliot Lake Bobcats	2.47
2009–10	Rob Sutherland	South Muskoka Shield	1.70
2010–11	Matthew Perry	Elliot Lake Bobcats	3.08
2011–12	Aaron Boyce	Temiscaming Titans	2.42
2012–13	Alfred Metz	Bradford Rattlers	1.84
2013–14	Martin Kysa	Seguin Huskies	2.31
2014–15	Craig Wood	Temiscaming Titans	1.84
2015–16	Wes Werner	Kingsville Kings	1.20
2016–17	T.J. Sherwood	New Tecumseth Civics	1.95
2017–18	Nicklaus Robinson	North York Renegades	2.66
2018–19	Austin Strom	St. George Ravens	2.00
2019–20	Lane Timmons	Niagara Whalers	2.48
2020–21	Aidan Spraggs	High Prairie Red Wings	3.17
2021–22	Keygon Okemow	High Prairie Red Wings	2.02
2022–23	Dawson Holitzki	High Prairie Red Wings	1.64
2023-24	Maxim Ivanov	Bradford Rattlers	1.70

Team records

*Records reflect teams playing full 42-game schedule.

• Best record: 2012–13 Bradford Rattlers (42–0–0–0)
• Worst record: 2021–22 Gibbons Pioneers (1–41–0–0)
• Most goals for by team, one season: 2017–18 St. George Ravens (404)
• Fewest goals for by team, one season: 2021–22 Gibbons Pioneers (82)
• Fewest goals against by team, one season: 2015–16 Kingsville Kings (71)
• Most goals against by team, one season: 2015–16 Bobcaygeon Storm (491)
• Largest margin of victory: Elliot Lake Bobcats 29 - Ville-Marie Dragons 1 on December 6, 2008

Individual records

• Most goals, one season: Bryce Yetman (81) — 2018–19 Windsor Aces
• Most assists, one season: Marc-Antoine Turcotte (106) — 2019–20 Temiscaming Titans
• Most points, one season: Marc-Antoine Turcotte (155) — 2019–20 Temiscaming Titans
• Lowest goals against average, one season: Wes Werner (1.20) — 2015–16 Kingsville Kings
• Highest save percentage, one season: Jan Pechek (0.951) — 2015–16 Kingsville Kings

Former teams

Team Centre Joined Exited Status Algoma Avalanche Thessalon, Ontario 2009 2012 folded Almaguin Spartans South River, Ontario 2011 2022 Suspended operation prior to the 2022–23 season Bancroft Rockhounds Bancroft, Ontario 2019 2023 folded - Suspended operation prior to the 2023–24 season Bobcaygeon Bucks Bobcaygeon, Ontario 2007 2014 Joined CIHL Bobcaygeon Storm Bobcaygeon, Ontario 2015 2016 Membership revoked Bracebridge Blues Bracebridge, Ontario 2012 2016 Removed from schedule mid-season Brantford Steelfighters Brantford, Ontario 2015 Membership revoked, folded mid-season Burns Lake Timbermen Burns Lake, BC 2022 2023 To NJHL but folded Cambridge Bears Cambridge, Ontario 2014 2015 Went on hiatus; never returned Cold Lake Wings Cold Lake, Alberta 2019 2019 Became Edmonton Academy Wings before season Coldwater Falcons Coldwater, Ontario 2015 2016 Membership revoked Deseronto Storm Deseronto, Ontario 2006 2012 Joined EBJCHL Edmonton Academy Wings Edmonton, Alberta 2019 2019 Became High Prairie Red Wings during season Edson Eagles Edson, Alberta 2021 2023 To NJHL Elliot Lake Bobcats Elliot Lake, Ontario 2007 2012 Joined NOJHL Espanola Kings Espanola, Ontario 2007 2009 Folded Fergus Force Fergus, Ontario 2017 Folded mid-season Fox Creek Ice Kings Fox Creek, Alberta 2020 2023 To NJHL Gibbons Pioneers Gibbons, Alberta 2021 2023 To NJHL Grey County Grizzlies Feversham, Ontario 2015 Folded mid-season Haliburton Wolves Haliburton, Ontario 2015 2016 Membership revoked High Prairie Red Wings High Prairie, Alberta 2019 2023 To NJHL Hinton Wildcats Hinton, Alberta 2019 2019 Folded before season Innisfil Lakers Innisfil, Ontario 2007 2010 Folded Jamestown Jets Jamestown, New York 2010 2011 Lost arena, folded Kingsville Kings Kingsville, Ontario 2015 2021 Not listed as a member for the 2021–22 season Kitimat Saax Kitimat, BC 2022 2023 To NJHL but folded Komoka Dragons Komoka, Ontario 2015 2016 Folded mid-season Lincoln Mavericks Beamsville, Ontario 2016 2016 Folded mid-season Mackenzie Mountaineers Mackenzie, BC 2021 2023 To NJHL but folded Minden Riverkings Minden Hills, Ontario 2008 2009 Folded New Tecumseth Civics Alliston, Ontario 2015 2023 Folded Niagara Whalers Port Colborne, Ontario 2014 2021 Not listed as a member for the 2021–22 season Niagara-on-the-Lake Nationals Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario 2018 2019 Folded Nipissing Alouettes Sturgeon Falls, Ontario 2006 2009 Folded Northern Alberta Tomahawks Enoch, Alberta 2019 2023 To NJHL but folded Orangeville Ice Crushers Orangeville, Ontario 2011 2017 Suspended operations mid-season Oro-Medonte 77's Guthrie, Ontario 2008 2011 Folded Oshawa Riverkings Oshawa, Ontario 2015 2019 Sold and rebranded as Durham RoadRunners Ottawa Sharpshooters Almonte, Ontario 2018 2019 Folded mid-season in 2019–20 Parry Sound Islanders Parry Sound, Ontario 2014 2017 formerly Powassan Eagles – merged with Seguin Huskies Powassan Dragons Powassan, Ontario 2008 2011 purchased Ville Marie franchise Plattsville Lakers Plattsville, Ontario 2020 2022 Investigation by league - suspended Powassan Eagles Powassan, Ontario 2012 2014 formerly Powassan Dragons franchise – relocated to Parry Sound Rama Aces Rama, Ontario 2012 2015 Folded Richmond Hill Rams Richmond Hill, Ontario 2006 2009 Folded Rosetown Red Wings Rosetown, Saskatchewan 2019 2019 Folded before season Seguin Huskies Seguin, Ontario 2013 2018 Folded Shelburne Stars Shelburne, Ontario 2010 2016 Folded Slave Lake Ice Dogs Slave Lake, Alberta 2019 2023 Left league and folded South Muskoka Shield Gravenhurst, Ontario 2006 2023 Suspended from league Tamworth Cyclones Tamworth, Ontario 2007 2009 Folded Temiscaming Royals Temiscaming, Quebec 2007 2008 Joined NOJHL Tillsonburg Hurricanes Tillsonburg, Ontario 2016 2019 Folded Toronto Attack Toronto, Ontario 2012 2017 Folded Toronto Blue Ice Jets Thornhill, Ontario 2005 2016 Previously Toronto Canada Moose – folded Tumbler Ridge Steel Kings Tumbler Ridge, BC 2022 2022 Folded after 4 games Vaughan Stars Vaughan, Ontario 2011 Membership revoked Ville-Marie Dragons Ville-Marie, Quebec 2008 2009 folded mid-season – revived as Powassan Dragons Wiarton Rock Wiarton, Ontario 2006 2016 Folded mid-season Wiarton Schooners Wiarton, Ontario 2017 2017 2018 Folded mid-season in both 2017 and 2018 Windsor Aces Windsor, Ontario 2017 2023 Leave of Absence

Timeline of teams

2006–07

• League is formed with seven teams: Bradford Rattlers, Deseronto Thunder, King Wild, Nipissing Alouettes, Richmond Hill Rams, South Muskoka Shield, Toronto Canada Moose

2007–08

• Deseronto Thunder become Deseronto Storm
• League expands by six teams: Douro Dukes, Elliot Lake Bobcats, Espanola Kings, Innisfil Lakers, Tamworth Cyclones, Temiscaming Royals

2008–09

• Douro Dukes move and become Brock Bucks
• Richmond Hill Rams become Ontario Lightning Rams
• Oro-Medonte 77's join league
• Ville-Marie Dragons join league
• Minden Riverkings join league
• Temiscaming Royals leave league for Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League

2009–10

• Ville-Marie Dragons fold mid-season (January)
• Tamworth Cyclones fold mid-season (January)
• Ontario Lightning Rams leave league
• Espanola Kings leave league
• Nipissing Alouettes leave league
• Algoma Avalanche join league
• Ville-Marie Dragons move and become Powassan Dragons
• Minden Riverkings fold mid-season (November)

2010–11

• Shelburne Red Wings join league
• Sturgeon Falls Lumberjacks join league
• King Wild move and become Vaughan Wild
• Brock Bucks move and become Bobcaygeon Bucks
• Innisfil Lakers leave league
• Jamestown Jets join league from Northern Junior Hockey League (league's first American team)

2011–12

• Mattawa Voyageurs join league
• Temiscaming Titans join league
• Halton Huskies join league
• Orangeville Americans join league
• Vaughan Stars join league
• Vaughan Wild move and become Lefroy Wave
• Powassan Dragons change name to Powassan Eagles
• Oro-Medonte 77's leave league
• Jamestown Jets leave league

2012–13

• Rama Aces join league
• Powassan Eagles return
• Bradford Bulls join league
• Toronto Attack join league
• Bracebridge Phantoms join league ^[8]
• Elliot Lake Bobcats leave league for Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League
• Deseronto Storm leave league for Empire B Junior C Hockey League
• Algoma Avalanche leave league

2013–14

• Expansion granted to the Alliston Coyotes of Alliston, Ontario.
• Expansion granted to the Seguin Huskies of Seguin, Ontario.
• Expansion granted to the Toronto Predators of Toronto, Ontario.
• Expansion granted to Halton Ravens of Burlington, Ontario.
• Expansion granted to Knights of Meaford of Meaford, Ontario.
• Toronto Canada Moose renamed Toronto Blue Ice Jets.

2014–15

• Expansion granted to the Cambridge Bears of Cambridge, Ontario. ^[9]
• Lefroy Wave relocate to Markdale, Ontario and become Grey Highlands Bravehearts.
• Expansion granted to the Tottenham Steam of Tottenham, Ontario. ^{[10] [11]}
• Bobcaygeon Bucks leave league for CIHL. ^[12]
• Mattawa Voyageurs relocate to South River, Ontario and become Almaguin Spartans. ^[13]
• Expansion granted to the North York Renegades of Toronto, Ontario.
• Bracebridge Phantoms change name to Bracebridge Blues. ^[14]
• Expansion granted to Niagara Whalers of Port Colborne, Ontario.
• Powassan Eagles relocate to Parry Sound, Ontario and become Parry Sound Islanders.
• Shelburne Red Wings are sold; change name to Shelburne Stars and take season off to restructure.

2015–16

• Expansion granted to Bobcaygeon Storm of Bobcaygeon, Ontario.
• Expansion granted to Brantford Steelfighters of Brantford, Ontario.
• Expansion granted to Colborne Chiefs of Colborne, Ontario.
• Expansion granted to Coldwater Falcons of Coldwater, Ontario.
• Expansion granted to Grey County Grizzlies of Feversham, Ontario.
• Expansion granted to Haliburton Wolves of Haliburton, Ontario.
• Expansion granted to Kingsville Kings of Kingsville, Ontario.
• Expansion granted to Komoka Dragons of Komoka, Ontario. ^[15]
• Expansion granted to London Lakers of London, Ontario.
• Expansion granted to Norfolk Vikings of Simcoe, Ontario.
• Expansion granted to Oshawa Riverkings of Oshawa, Ontario.
• Orangeville Americans were renamed the Orangeville Ice Crushers.
• Shelburne Stars were renamed the Shelburne Sharks.
• Brantford Steelfighters take leave of absence after 18 games played; league revokes membership. ^[16]
• Grey County Grizzlies cease operations after 23 games played and only one win.
• Sturgeon Falls Lumberjacks end season early due to lack of players. ^[17]

2016–17

• Grey Highlands Bravehearts relocate to Wiarton, Ontario. ^[18] The newly named Wiarton Rock would then fold midway through their first season on 14 December.
• Expansion granted to Tillsonburg Hurricanes. ^[19]
• Bobcaygeon Storm membership revoked
• Coldwater Falcons membership revoked
• Grey County Grizzlies membership revoked
• Haliburton Wolves membership revoked
• Brantford Steelfighters membership revoked.
• Expansion granted to Lincoln Mavericks of Lincoln, Ontario, but withdrew from the league on November 21 during their first season.
• Colbourne Chiefs rebranded as Northumberland Stars after ownership change.
• Alliston Coyotes rebranded as New Tecumseth Civics after ownership change.
• Sturgeon Falls Lumberjacks return to league. Change of ownership and rebranded as the West Nipissing Lynx.
• Shelburne Sharks rebrand as Shelbourne Stars but fold prior to the beginning of the season.
• Norfolk Vikings take 2016–17 hiatus
• Toronto Blue Ice Jets fold just before start of season.
• Bracebridge Blues removed from schedule after playing five games and forfeiting a sixth.
• Komoka Dragons folded after 12 games.
• Orangeville Ice Crushers suspended operations in January. Three of the team's owners had been arrested for drug distribution in November 2016 and were suspended by the league. The league transferred control to another shareholder who ceased operations of the team after two months.

2017–18

• Fergus Force granted membership as an expansion team. Folded after playing 16 games, all loses, with one credited win for a Wiarton forfeit.
• Ville-Marie Pirates granted membership as an expansion team.
• Wiarton Schooners granted membership as an expansion team. Folded after eight winless games and a 25–1 loss to the Knights of Meaford.
• Toronto Attack removed from GMHL's list of teams on website.
• Windsor Aces granted membership as an expansion franchise.
• Parry Sound Islanders cease operations and merged with Seguin Huskies.

2018–19

• Niagara-on-the-Lake Nationals expansion team added from the Canadian Premier Junior Hockey League after the Nationals decided to not participate in the CPJHL. ^{[20] [21] [22]}
• Ottawa Sharpshooters joined as expansion team for 2018–19 season from the Canadian Premier Junior Hockey League. ^[23]
• The Seguin Huskies folded prior to the 2018–19 season.
• Wiarton Schooners returned to league after folding during the previous season. Folded again after 17 games played, and a 1–16 record, in 2018. ^[24]

2019–20

• Bancroft, Ontario, was granted an expansion franchise with the Bancroft Rockhounds. ^[25]
• Oshawa Riverkings sold and rebranded as Durham RoadRunners. ^[26]
• Niagara-on-the-Lake Nationals folded after one season.
• Tillsonburg Hurricanes ceased operations
• Cold Lake Wings of Cold Lake, Alberta coming from the Western States Hockey League granted membership as an expansion team in the West Division.
• Cold Lake Wings of Cold Lake, Alberta lost their lease in a dispute with the City of Cold Lake and became known as the Edmonton Academy Wings but were unable to obtain a satisfactory lease in Edmonton.
• Edmonton Academy Wings of Edmonton, Alberta, former Cold Lake Wings, played as Edmonton Academy Wings umtil November 10, 2019 when they switched names to High Prairie Red Wings and played in High Prairie, Alberta.
• High Prairie Red Wings of High Prairie, Alberta, former Edmonton Academy Wings moved to High Prairie part way through 2019-20 season.
• Hinton Wildcats of Hinton, Alberta coming from the Western States Hockey League granted membership as an expansion team in the West Division.
• Hinton Wildcats of Hinton, Alberta lost their lease in a dispute with the Town of Hinton and folded before the season started.
• Northern Alberta Tomahawks of Enoch, Alberta granted membership as an expansion team in the West Division.
• Rosetown Red Wings of Rosetown, Saskatchewan granted membership as an expansion team in the West Division.
• Rosetown Red Wings of Rosetown, Saskatchewan were announced to move to High Prairie, Alberta but the Alberta Academy Wings seems to have moved there instead but played with Rosetown Red Wing uniforms. ^[27]
• Slave Lake Icedogs of Slave Lake, Alberta granted membership as an expansion team in the West Division.
• The Ottawa Sharpshooters folded in December 2019. ^[28]

2020–21

• The London Lakers moved to Plattsville, Ontario, as the Plattsville Lakers. ^{[29] [30]}
• The Tottenham Steam rebranded as the Tottenham Thunder.
• Fox Creek Ice Kings of Fox Creek, Alberta granted membership as an expansion team in the West Division. ^[31]

2021–22

• The Toronto Predators relocated to Niagara-on-the-Lake as the Niagara-on-the-Lake Predators. ^[32]
• Edson Eagles of Edson, Alberta granted membership as an expansion team in the West Division.
• Gibbons Pioneers of Gibbons, Alberta granted membership as an expansion team in the West Division.
• Mackenzie Mountaineers of Mackenzie, British Columbia granted membership as an expansion team in the West Division.

2022–23

• Burns Lake Timbermen of Burns Lake, British Columbia granted membership as an expansion team in the West Division.
• Kitimat Saax of Kitimat, British Columbia granted membership as an expansion team in the West Division.
• Tumbler Ridge Steel Kings of Tumbler Ridge, British Columbia granted membership as an expansion team in the West Division.
• Tumbler Ridge Steel Kings of Tumbler Ridge, British Columbia folded after four games.

2023–24

• The Le Bécard de Senneterre joined from the defunct Canadian Premier Junior Hockey League.
• South Muskoka Shield was forced to suspended operations and put in dormancy with the option to return if new owners are found by February 1, 2024. ^[33]
• Bancroft Rockhounds take leave of absence
• New Tecumseh Civics not active
• Windsor Aces take leave of absence
• The entire GMHL West was removed from the league prior to the 2023–24 season. The Burns Lake Timbermen of Burns Lake, British Columbia; Edson Eagles of Edson, Alberta; Fox Creek Ice Kings of Fox Creek, Alberta; Gibbons Pioneers of Gibbons, Alberta; High Prairie Red Wings of High Prairie, Alberta; Kitimat Saax of Kitimat, British Columbia; Mackenzie Mountaineers of Mackenzie, British Columbia; and Northern Alberta Tomahawks of Enoch, Alberta; formed the National Junior Hockey League (NJHL). The Slave Lake Icedogs of Slave Lake, Alberta folded. The British Columbia teams plus the Northern Alberta Tomahawks folded prior to the NJHL season opening. Most, if not all, the West Division teams were owned by a closely related group.

References

1. "Alumni". GMHL. October 2014.
2. "What exactly is an outlaw hockey league?". Waterloo Region Record . January 28, 2015.
3. "Meet Canada's first all-Russian hockey team". Toronto Star. 14 May 2010.
4. "The GMHL to Expand to Western Canada". GMHL. June 13, 2019.
5. "Presidents Message". GMHL. May 27, 2023.
6. "A Message from the NJHL". njhlhockey.com. May 29, 2023.
7. "Charges pending in junior hockey game brawl". CP24.com. 6 December 2012.
8. "Bracebridge lands GMHL expansion team". What′s Up Muskoka. 4 April 2012.
9. "Outlaw hockey league expanding to Cambridge". www.cambridgetimes.ca. Retrieved 2016-04-24.
10. "Hockey league expanding to Tottenham". www.simcoe.com. Retrieved 2016-04-24.
11. "madhunt.com: Ryan Wood General Manager GM, Tottenham Steam, GMHL, 2014-15". www.madhunt.com. Retrieved 2016-04-24.
12. "CIHL moving forward - Welcome to Hockey News North". Welcome to Hockey News North. Retrieved 2016-04-24.
13. "Junior A hockey franchise on its way to Sundridge". www.northbaynipissing.com. Retrieved 2016-04-24.
14. "Agreement would pave the way for new junior 'A' hockey club to operate out of Bracebridge Memorial Arena - My Muskoka Now". My Muskoka Now. Retrieved 2016-04-24.
15. "New Jr A team in town". The Middlesex Banner. 11 February 2015.
16. "Brantford SteelFighters Take Leave of Absence". GMHL. 6 November 2015.
17. "THE DEATH POOL – GMHL STURGEON FALLS LUMBERJACKS MERCIFULLY KILLED OFF". The Junior Hockey News. 1 February 2016.
18. "No Name for Wiarton Team". www.bayshorebroadcasting.ca. Retrieved 2016-04-24.
19. nurun.com. "Junior hockey returns to Tillsonburg". Tillsonburg News. Retrieved 2016-04-24.
20. "CPJHL TERMINATES MEMBERSHIP OF NIAGARA-ON-THE-LAKE NATIONALS". CPJHL.com. July 29, 2018.
21. "GMHL Expands to Niagara-On-The-Lake". Greater Metro Junior A Hockey League. July 30, 2018.
22. "NIAGARA ON THE LAKE NATIONALS JOIN GMHL". NOTLNationals.com. July 29, 2018.
23. "GMHL Expands to Ottawa". GMHL. April 13, 2018.
24. "The Death Pool – GMHL's Wiarton Folds Again Sets New World Record". TheJuniorHockeyNews.com. November 20, 2018.
25. "GMHL is Expanding to Bancroft, Ontario". GMHL. January 23, 2019.
26. "Riverkings Rename to Durham Roadrunners". GMHL. April 29, 2019.
27. "West Division: YEG Moves to High Prairie". GMHL. November 8, 2019.
28. "President's Message - January 3, 2020". GMHL. January 3, 2020.
29. "London Lakers Relocate To Plattsville". London Lakers. February 29, 2020.
30. "Lakers Relocate to Plattsville". GMHL. March 2, 2020.
31. "GMHL West Expands to Fox Creek, Alberta". GMHL. March 10, 2020.
32. "Predators Relocate to Niagara-on-the-Lake". GMHL. May 10, 2021.
33. "President's Message: May 1, 2023". GMHL. May 1, 2023.

External links

• Greater Metro Jr. "A" Hockey League official website