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TheSouthern Ontario Junior A Hockey Leaguewas a Tier II Junior "A"ice hockeythat lasted from the late 1960s until 1977 inSouthern Ontario,Canada. The league was swallowed by what is now called theOntario Provincial Junior A Hockey Leaguein 1977.
| OHA Junior "A" | |
|---|---|
| SOJHL | (1970-1977) |
| OPJHL | (1972–1987) |
| MetJHL | (1991-1998) |
| OJHL | (1993–present) |
| Ontario Hockey Association | |
| Canadian Junior Hockey League | |
| OHA Junior "B" | |
| WJBHL | (1950-1968) |
| EJBHL | (1950-1972) |
| MetJHL | (1950-1989) |
| NDJBHL | (1954-1979) |
| CJBHL | (1954-1993) |
| BCJHL | (1958-1964) |
| MOJBHL | (1970-1978) |
| SWJBHL | (1976-1978) |
| WOHL | (1969-2007) |
| MWJHL | (1973-2007) |
| GHL | (1974-2007) |
| GOJHL | (2007–present) |
| Sutherland Cup | |
- The Big '10'Western DivisionPrior to 1956
- Western Ontario Junior "B" Hockey League1956 - 1968
- Western Ontario Junior "A" Hockey League1968 - 1970
- Southern Ontario Junior "A" Hockey League1970 - 1977
History
editIn 1956 the traditional Big '10' League was divided, its Western Division became the Western Ontario Junior "B" Hockey League, and the Central Division became theCentral Junior "B" Hockey League.
In the 1960s, the Western Junior "B" Hockey League was arguably the top league of Junior "B" hockey in Ontario. The Western's brass and the team owners felt that they should, as a whole, be promoted to Junior "A" status. In 1968 the league applied to theOntario Hockey Association,but were declined byJack Devinewho stated that the application was too late for the upcoming season.[1]In September 1968, the league left the OHA and joined the rivalCanadian Hockey Associationled byRon Butlinas president.[2]The league changed names to the Western Ontario Junior A Hockey League (WOJAHL) with the move. CAHA presidentLloyd Pollockstated that players leaving for the WOJAHL would face difficulty in being reinstated with the OHA, but no suspensions were issued.[3]
The league operated outside of the OHA's jurisdiction for the next two seasons. After the 1969 playoffs, the WOJAHL championSt. Thomas Barons,starring futureNHLerKen Murray,faced off against futureHockey Hall of FamerBobby Clarkeand theFlin Flon Bombersof theWestern Canada Hockey Leagueto determine a National Champion outside of theCanadian Amateur Hockey Association.The first two games of the Best-of-Seven series took place inSt. Thomas, Ontario.Flin Flon won game one 6-2, while St. Thomas returned the favour in game two with a 6-3 win. The teams then shipped out toFlin Flon,where the Bombers took game three 5-0. In game four, the Bombers led 4-0 at 10:10 of the second period, and the last of two brawls in the game would break out. In retaliation, the Barons walked off the ice. When St. Thomas made it clear they would not finish the series, theCanadian Hockey Associationawarded the championship to the Bombers. Coach Keith Kewly and Manager Jack Cassidy were suspended one season by their league and the team was fined $700. The town of St. Thomas had to raise $4500 to bring the team back home fromManitoba.Initially the CHA suspended the Barons for the entire 1969-70 season, but the suspension was overturned by the WOJAHL.
In 1970, theTop Tier of Junior HockeyinOntariobroke away from the OHA. The OHA opened negotiations with the WOJAHL, and the league was welcomed back into the OHA as the top level in its system and changed its name to the Southern Ontario Junior "A" Hockey League.
The 1971 League title went to theDetroit Jr. Red Wings,starringMark HoweandMarty Howe,sons of legendGordie Howe.Detroit defeated Guelph 3-games-to-2 with two ties to clinch the title. Detroit went on to defeat the Ottawa M & W Rangers in the quarterfinals of the Centennial Cup before losing to the Charlottetown Islanders in the Eastern Final. The next season saw theGuelph CMC'schallenge and defeat Detroit in the final 4-games-to-1. The CMC's pushed further and ended up winning theManitoba Centennial Cupas Canadian Tier II Junior "A" Champions.
In 1973, theChatham Maroonstook the league crown and then defeated the newly formedOntario Provincial Junior A Hockey League's champion theWexford Warriorsfor the OHA Crown. The next season's title was won by theWindsor Spitfireswho then fell to the Warriors in seven games.
The '75 title was won by the CMC's again. They made it all the way to the National title, but fell to theAlberta Junior Hockey Leaguechampion. In 1975-76, the CMC's were bought and renamed theGuelph Platers.They won the league once again, and moved on to the national title playdowns. Their first opponent was theRockland Nationalsof theCentral Junior A Hockey League.After going up 3-games-to-none on them, the Platers fell apart and lost in seven games.
The league had six teams in 1975-76 but that was only due to the additions of theHamilton Mountain A'sand theOwen Sound Greys.The Jr. Red Wings had gone back to playing in theUnited States,theSarnia Beeswent to the newly formedWestern Junior B Hockey Leagueand theWindsor Spitfiresmoved up to theOntario Hockey League.
In 1976-77 theCollingwood Bluesalso joined the league but three other teams dropped out, reducing the number of clubs to four. TheNiagara Falls Flyersfolded to make way for a new OHL franchise in that city, theWelland Sabresalso folded and Chatham returned to Junior B.
After the 1977 playoffs, the league folded and the Platers and A's were invited to join the OPJHL. The Greys went on hiatus for one season and then moved up to theMajor Intermediate A Hockey League.Collingwood returned to Junior B. TheGuelph Platersjoined the OHL in 1982 and are now known as theOwen Sound Attack.
Teams
editJack Oakes Memorial Trophy Playoff Champions
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Western Junior "B" Champions
edit- 1968 Sarnia Legionnaires
- 1967 St. Thomas Barons
- 1966 Sarnia Legionnaires
- 1965 London Nationals
- 1964 London Nationals
- 1963 St. Marys Lincolns
- 1962 St. Thomas Barons
- 1961 St. Marys Lincolns
- 1960 St. Marys Lincolns
- 1959 Sarnia Legionnaires
- 1958 Sarnia Legionnaires
- 1957 Sarnia Legionnaires
- 1956 Simcoe Gunners
- 1955 Seaforth Baldwins
- 1954 Seaforth Baldwins
- 1953 Seaforth Baldwins
- 1952 London Lou Ball
- 1951 Sarnia Jr. Sailors
Eastern Centennial Cup semi-final champions
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Centennial Cup champions
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See also
editReferences
edit- ^"East Juniors Break Away".Lethbridge Herald.Lethbridge, Alberta. June 11, 1968. p. 8.
- ^Koroluk, Korry (June 10, 1968)."C.A.H.A. Has Challenge".Lethbridge Herald.Lethbridge, Alberta. p. 6.
- ^"'Sheer Nonsense' Says Ron Butlin ".Lethbridge Herald.Lethbridge, Alberta. September 26, 1968. p. 9.