The smiles on the faces of the young players told the story - as this was a moment thousands of young hockey players across Ontario have been dreaming about since the pandemic began more than two years ago.

The OMHA Championship weekends began this weekend in Oakville, with one of the biggest in person events in the past two years.
 
At Sixteen Mile Sports Complex in Oakville, hundreds of minor hockey players, parents and fans packed its four ice pads to cheer on their teams at the OMHA Championships presented by Egg Farmers of Ontario.

In the first of three Championships weekends that will take place in five locations, over 30 teams and 550 players from the U10, U11, U16 and U18 AAA divisions competed in games across three days to determine who would walk away with the OMHA’s coveted #RedHats and gold medals around their neck.

NHL players such as Steven Stamkos and Quinton Byfield are just a few of the big name players that have won #RedHats over the years.

The new format of the Championships has the top teams from each of the OMHA’s 22 leagues competing under one roof in action packed games with an electric atmosphere, as teams square off with others across the province they wouldn’t encounter during the regular season.

“Every team has a different skills and they are all amazing. It’s just a life changing experience to be here,” said Niagara North Stars U11’s Mia McCready. 

“It’s fun to play other teams and see how they play,” added Noah Rousseau from the Southern Tier Admirals U11 team.
 
With the arena entrance decked in colourful signage welcoming all participants, the Championships also featured player gifts and event apparel on sale from BarDown, and MVP awards from the Egg Farmers of Ontario after each game.

“It’s very well laid out for the kids. There’s a lot going on. They get to watch different teams and older siblings playing. They really set it up nicely for the kids to enjoy the experience,” said Renee, Noah’s mother.
 
The Championships have brought out supporters from near and far as teams mark one of the last times they will be playing together as a group this season.
 
“We love watching our friends play, they play for Markham as well,” said Jenn, a parent of a Markham player on their U9 AAA team. “They come out to cheer on their buds. We love it because it’s the same team, same community, same group of friends. It was important for us to come and show our support.” 

The OMHA's new format is part of Hockey Canada's long-term development strategy to ensure more players are playing more meaningful hockey for longer. In the past, teams could be knocked out of play in early February. The new format is a win-win for players and parents alike.
 
Over the past few months, teams have been competing in local Qualifiers to earn their spot at a Championship weekend.
 
“It’s amazing. It’s been down for two years and it’s a return to hockey,” said Pat, Mia’s father. “It’s so exciting to be here and to see all the levels and all the age groups and a lot of the activity. It’s great to see sport back.”
 
The next two weeks will see 37 more Champions crowned at events in Barrie, Whitby, Kingston and Windsor, as well as back in Oakville across the U10 to U21 age groups and AAA to Tier 3 divisions.