The AGM that is taking place on June 10-11 marks the official end of the 2015-16 season and kicks off the 2016-17 season. With the season now over, we can look back at many of the exciting and incredible moments from this past year.

June 2015

Every year, the Ontario Minor Hockey Association hosts an Annual General Meeting to discuss the past year’s accomplishments, issues and initiatives with delegates from across the province. The event also featured the Parade of Champions, OMHA Consumer Show and Golf Tournament.

July 2015

The winner of the 2015 OMHA Matt Duchene Shootout Challenge was Cody Thomas from Bracebridge, who played with the South Muskoka Bears Peewee BB team. Cody scored a time of 7.24 seconds, defeating NHL superstar Duchene’s time of 9.06 seconds.

August 2015

The OMHA Development Seminar unofficially begins efforts in the field, and OMHA personnel are gathered to share best practices, update on the newest sport technical information available, and depart the event energized to support our Membership.

The OMHA delivered over 200 clinics for over 8,600 Coaches and Referees this past season who were seeking to certify or re-certify their credentials.

13,000 Coaches, trainers and referees continue to certify or re-certify their credentials in the off-season.

September 2015

Referee Schools in Windsor, Guelph and Trenton provided new officials with an opportunity to acquire officiating skills and rule knowledge while completing OMHA and Hockey Canada certification requirements.

The OMHA Events Team Presented by National Sports and Pro Hockey Life hit the road to begin their season 20,000km journey across the OMHA attending 27 special events.

October 2015

One of the most exciting times of the year as the OMHA regular season officially gets underway. Hundreds of teams in Ontario kick off their journey to #RedHats and players begin to see their hard work in practice develop on the ice.

November 2015

This year, 368 Novice hockey teams received up to $500 in funding from Dodge Caravan Kids Team Sponsorship Program while 45 Atom hockey teams from across the OMHA received $500 in funding from the CHRGD Rink Rats Team Sponsorship Program.

New this season, 44 Peewee and Bantam teams took part in the Froster Active Kids Team Sponsorship Program and received $500 each.

December 2015

Defenceman Travis Dermott, a grad from York-Simcoe Express, was named to Team Canada’s World Juniors team. He recorded two assists in five games.

The OMHA Minor Midget Showcase powered by Under Armour featured 13 teams from the Eastern AAA League. 10 South Central AAA teams competed in a similar event later in January.

Christmas break is always a busy time for tournaments in the hockey calendar. Over 422 tournaments were hosted across the OMHA in 2016-16 including 75 hosted in the week between Christmas and New Years.

January 2016

The OMHA proudly launched a Respect in Hockey video in a continuation of its efforts to promote fairness, integrity and mutual respect in minor hockey. The video quickly gained over 20,000 views online and praise from around the hockey community.

February 2016

The CHRGD Rink Rats Hockey Festival took place in Newmarket. The event featured 32 atom house and local league teams competing in a big tournament setting.

Three players from the OMHA were members of Hockey Canada’s team for the Winter Youth Olympic Games in Lillehammer, Norway. Defenceman Dennis Busby (Barrie Jr. Colts) and forwards Aidan Dudas (North Central Predators) and Connor Roberts (Grey-Bruce Highlanders) earned silver medals. Both forwards finished in the top 10 in scoring.

In partnership with Respect in Sport, the second OMHA Essay Contest was launched. Those who submitted entries were required to explain what lessons they have learned from hockey.

March 2016

All across the province Playdowns series wrapped up. A total of 91 champions were crown across every division on the road to #RedHats, joining some famous faces.

The York-Simcoe Express captured the OHL Cup for the second time in team history in a thrilling double-overtime 2-1 victory. The Express were the first team from the OMHA to win the championship since the Oakville Rangers in 2013.

April 2016

The OMHA Hockey Festival Presented by Maple Lodge Farms took place in Whitby. This tournament featured 80 House and Local league teams in the Tyke, Novice, Atom and Peewee age groups.

The Ontario Hockey Federation produced Champions at the A/AA/AAA levels of Atom, Peewee, Bantam, Midget, and Juvenile divisions. Three OMHA teams left the championships with a gold medal: Riverside Rangers (Atom A), Grimsby Kings (Bantam A) and the Barrie Jr. Colts (Bantam AA).

The annual Ontario Hockey League draft saw 86 players from the OMHA selected including five in the first round.

May 2016

The OMHA was well represented in the OHL Gold Cup tournament icing two competitive teams. The eight-team tournament brings together the best minor midget players from across all hockey organizations in the province to compete.