67Leafs67
Registered User
- Nov 8, 2014
- 774
- 631
I've grown quite curious about the history of amateur hockey in Ontario. Obviously the OHA would be at the centre of all of this, but I'd really like to get a clear picture of the different amateur leagues, levels, and teams operating in Ontario over the last 120 years or so.
So, in 1890 it would appear that the OHA was founded with the purpose of governing amateur hockey in the province of Ontario. As far as I can tell it began with a single senior league, consisting of teams in Ottawa, Kingston, Toronto, and London, and competed for the Cosby Cup, until 1899. From 1893 until 1908 it seems that OHA senior teams could also challenge for the Stanley Cup, which they did. After 1908, the Allan Cup was introduced, and since then senior teams have competed for this prize.
However, beyond senior hockey, the picture is a little more foggy to me. It seems in 1892 that junior hockey was introduced. In 1933, it seems that there was a split made between Jr. A and Jr. B leagues and teams. Eventually it seems Jr. C, and even at one point Jr. D teams were present...?
Then there is the interesting category of "intermediate". What was this category? Who was allowed to play in it? Was it a junior level, U20 kind of league, or was it just a lower level senior league? Why does it seem that it suddenly ended around 1933-34?
Is there anybody who can give a good history of the development of amateur hockey in the province of Ontario? Even beyond the OHA, what other non-OHA leagues have sprung up? What about independent teams, what would that look like - who would they have played against? I'm interested if anybody has a better insight than what is easily accessible on the internet about the landscape of amateur hockey in Ontario.
So, in 1890 it would appear that the OHA was founded with the purpose of governing amateur hockey in the province of Ontario. As far as I can tell it began with a single senior league, consisting of teams in Ottawa, Kingston, Toronto, and London, and competed for the Cosby Cup, until 1899. From 1893 until 1908 it seems that OHA senior teams could also challenge for the Stanley Cup, which they did. After 1908, the Allan Cup was introduced, and since then senior teams have competed for this prize.
However, beyond senior hockey, the picture is a little more foggy to me. It seems in 1892 that junior hockey was introduced. In 1933, it seems that there was a split made between Jr. A and Jr. B leagues and teams. Eventually it seems Jr. C, and even at one point Jr. D teams were present...?
Then there is the interesting category of "intermediate". What was this category? Who was allowed to play in it? Was it a junior level, U20 kind of league, or was it just a lower level senior league? Why does it seem that it suddenly ended around 1933-34?
Is there anybody who can give a good history of the development of amateur hockey in the province of Ontario? Even beyond the OHA, what other non-OHA leagues have sprung up? What about independent teams, what would that look like - who would they have played against? I'm interested if anybody has a better insight than what is easily accessible on the internet about the landscape of amateur hockey in Ontario.