Greater Metro Junior A Hockey League

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.

Greater Metro Junior A
Hockey League
Region(s)Greater Toronto Area, Midwestern Ontario, Golden Horseshoe, Central Ontario, Northeastern Ontario, and Quebec
PresidentBob Russell
CommissionerKen Girard
Founded2006
No. of teams17
Recent ChampionsBradford Rattlers (2023)
Most successful clubBradford Rattlers (4)
HeadquartersBradford, Ontario
WebsiteGMHL.net

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

2023–24 teams

DivisionTeamJoinedLocationArena
North Almaguin Spartans2011South River, OntarioSouth River-Machar Arena
Bancroft Rockhounds2019Bancroft, OntarioNorth Hastings Community Centre
Bradford Rattlers2006Bradford, OntarioBWG Leisure Centre
Meaford Knights2013Meaford, OntarioMeaford & St. Vincent Community Centre
Le Bécard de Senneterre2023Senneterre, QuebecCentre Sportif André Dubé
New Tecumseth Civics2013Alliston, OntarioNew Tecumseth Recreation Complex
Temiscaming Titans2011Temiscaming, QuebecLe Centre de Temiscaming
Ville-Marie Pirates2017Ville-Marie, QuebecOlympia de Ville-Marie Arena
West Nipissing Lynx2010Sturgeon Falls, OntarioSturgeon Falls Arena
South Bradford Bulls2012Bradford, OntarioBob Fallis Sports Centre
Durham Roadrunners2015Oshawa, OntarioDelpark Homes Arena
Niagara-on-the-Lake Predators2013Niagara-on-the-Lake, OntarioMeridian Credit Union Arena
North York Renegades2014Toronto, OntarioCanlan Ice Sports – York
Northumberland Stars2015Colborne, OntarioKeeler Center
St. George Ravens2013St. George, OntarioSouth Dumfries Community Centre
Toronto Flyers2021Thornhill, OntarioParamount Ice Arena
Tottenham Railers2014Tottenham, OntarioTottenham and Community Fitness Centre
Windsor Aces2017Windsor, OntarioAdie Knox Arena

2023–24 changes

  • The Le Bécard de Senneterre joined from the defunct Canadian Premier Junior Hockey League.
  • South Muskoka Shield were suspended for at least the 2023–24 season.
  • The GMHL West was removed from the league.

Regular season champions

Bolded are overall regular season champions.

Season Champion W–L–T–OTL Pts
2006–07Bradford Rattlers37–1–0–478
2007–08Bradford Rattlers37–4–0–175
Season North Champion W–L–T–OTL Pts South Champion W–L–T–OTL Pts
2008–09South Muskoka Shield38–4–0–177Innisfil Lakers36–6–0–173
Season Champion W–L–T–OTL Pts
2009–10Elliot Lake Bobcats35–4–0–373
Season North Champion W–L–T–OTL Pts South Champion W–L–T–OTL Pts
2010–11Elliot Lake Bobcats38–2–0–278Jamestown Jets27–12–0–357
Season Champion W–L–T–OTL Pts
2011–12Temiscaming Titans38–3–0–177
Season North Champion W–L–T–OTL Pts South Champion W–L–T–OTL Pts
2012–13Temiscaming Titans35–6–0–171Bradford Rattlers42–0–0–084
2013–14Seguin Huskies39–1–0–280Bradford Bulls32–6–0–468
2014–15Temiscaming Titans36–5–0–173Tottenham Steam37–5–0–074
Season North Champion Pts Central Champion Pts South Champion Pts
2015–16South Muskoka Shield73Tottenham Steam82Kingsville Kings78
Season North Champion W–L–OTL Pts South Champion W–L–OTL Pts
2016–17New Tecumseth Civics37–5–074Niagara Whalers38–3–177
2017–18Almaguin Spartans31–11–062St. George Ravens38–3–177
2018–19Bradford Rattlers35–6–171St. George Ravens39–3–078
Season North Champion Pts South Champion Pts West Champion Pts
2019–20Temiscaming Titans67St. George Ravens68Slave Lake Icedogs54
2020–21Did not play due to the COVID-19 pandemicHigh Prairie Red Wings36
2021–22Temiscaming Titans72Durham Roadrunners68High Prairie Red Wings80
2022–23Bradford Rattlers78North York Renegades72High Prairie Red Wings78

Russell Cup playoff champions

Bolded are overall champions, Italics are finalist.

Year Champion Finalist Series Scores
2007Bradford RattlersKing Wild4–12–1, 3–6, 5–0, 2–1 OT, 4–3 OT
2008Bradford RattlersInnisfil Lakers4–04–2, 8–4, 10–3, 5–3
2009South Muskoka ShieldDeseronto Storm4–27–3, 3–2, 4–3, 6–7, 1–2, 4–2
2010Deseronto StormSouth Muskoka Shield4–34–2, 5–2, 3–4, 3–4 OT, 2–3, 5–3, 4–2
2011Elliot Lake BobcatsSouth Muskoka Shield4–31–3, 5–2, 4–5 OT, 4–5 OT, 5–2, 3–2 OT, 8–5
2012Sturgeon Falls LumberjacksTemiscaming Titans4–25–3, 6–4, 5–6 OT, 5–4, 3–6, 6–1
2013Bradford RattlersTemiscaming Titans4–26–7 OT, 6–2, 6–3, 2–6, 6–3, 6–2
2014Bradford BullsBradford Rattlers4–13–2, 2–1 OT, 5–4, 2–4, 6–4
2015Temiscaming TitansSeguin Huskies4–10–1 OT, 4–3 OT, 4–2, 5–4, 3–2
Year North Central South Series Scores
2016Almaguin SpartansTottenham SteamKingsville Kings4–36–5 OT, 3–1, 2–3, 1–6, 5–4 OT, 3–5, 6–1
Year North South Series Scores
2017Parry Sound IslandersNiagara Whalers0–41–7, 0–5, 1–10, 1–7
2018Almaguin SpartansSt. George Ravens4–25–2, 3–2, 1–4, 2–5, 10–3, 7–3
2019Ville-Marie PiratesSt. George Ravens4–05–3, 3–1, 6–5, 8–3
2020Cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic
Year North South Series West Champion West Finalist Series
2021Cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemicHigh Prairie Red WingsSlave Lake Icedogs4-0
2022Temiscaming TitansDurham Roadrunners4–0High Prairie Red WingsEdson Eagles4-0
Russell Cup National Championship Tournament
Year Champions Finalist Score Other Participants Host
2023Bradford Rattlers (4-0)Temiscaming Titans (2-2)7–0High Prairie (0-3), North York (1-2)Temiscaming, Quebec

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
2009Bradford RattlersElliot Lake Bobcats6–4Elliot Lake, Ontario
2010GMHL SelectsElliot Lake Bobcats7–6, OTElliot Lake, Ontario
2011Sturgeon Falls LumberjacksElliot Lake Bobcats4–3, OTElliot Lake, Ontario
2012Bracebridge PhantomsToronto Attack6–3Rama, Ontario

Season leaders

Scoring champions

Season Champion Team G–A–Pts
2006–07Craig PeacockRichmond Hill Rams48–34–82
2007–08Adam PalmBradford Rattlers34–68–102
2008–09Andre LeclairNipissing Alouettes49–61–110
2009–10Brad ClarkDeseronto Storm59–68–127
2010–11Alexander NikulnikovShelburne Red Wings69–71–140
2011–12Andre LeclairTemiscaming Titans48–66–122
2012–13Illes GalloBradford Rattlers47–61–108
2013–14Donny DanrothSouth Muskoka Shield45–84–129
2014–15Ferdinando ColellaTottenham Steam40–85–125
2015–16Matt FischerTottenham Steam72–74–146
2016–17Carl LydenSouth Muskoka Shield55–74–129
2017–18Chris HaighSt. George Ravens48–89–137
2018–19Bryce YetmanWindsor Aces81–72–153
2019–20Marc-Antoine TurcotteTemiscaming Titans49–106–155
2020–21Mikal ChalifouxHigh Prairie Red Wings45–36–81
2021–22Kory SilverioWindsor Aces68–77–145
2022–23Ryan FritzNorth York Renegades51–80–131

Goals against average champions

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

Season Champion Team GAA
2006–07Andreas GötzBradford Rattlers2.05
2007–08Martin OksalaBradford Rattlers2.11
2008–09Shane BuckleyElliot Lake Bobcats2.47
2009–10Rob SutherlandSouth Muskoka Shield1.70
2010–11Matthew PerryElliot Lake Bobcats3.08
2011–12Aaron BoyceTemiscaming Titans2.42
2012–13Alfred MetzBradford Rattlers1.84
2013–14Martin KysaSeguin Huskies2.31
2014–15Craig WoodTemiscaming Titans1.84
2015–16Wes WernerKingsville Kings1.20
2016–17T.J. SherwoodNew Tecumseth Civics1.95
2017–18Nicklaus RobinsonNorth York Renegades2.66
2018–19Austin StromSt. George Ravens2.00
2019–20Lane TimmonsNiagara Whalers2.48
2020–21Aidan SpraggsHigh Prairie Red Wings3.17
2021–22Keygon OkemowHigh Prairie Red Wings2.02
2022–23Dawson HolitzkiHigh Prairie Red Wings1.64

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

TeamCentreJoinedExitedStatus
Algoma AvalancheThessalon, Ontario20092012folded
Almaguin SpartansSouth River, Ontario20112022Suspended operation prior to the 2022–23 season
Bobcaygeon BucksBobcaygeon, Ontario20072014Joined CIHL
Bobcaygeon StormBobcaygeon, Ontario20152016Membership revoked
Bracebridge BluesBracebridge, Ontario20122016Removed from schedule mid-season
Brantford SteelfightersBrantford, Ontario2015Membership revoked, folded mid-season
Burns Lake TimbermenBurns Lake, BC20222023To NJHL but folded
Cambridge BearsCambridge, Ontario20142015Went on hiatus; never returned
Cold Lake WingsCold Lake, Alberta20192019Became Edmonton Academy Wings before season
Coldwater FalconsColdwater, Ontario20152016Membership revoked
Deseronto StormDeseronto, Ontario20062012Joined EBJCHL
Edmonton Academy WingsEdmonton, Alberta20192019Became High Prairie Red Wings during season
Edson EaglesEdson, Alberta20212023To NJHL
Elliot Lake BobcatsElliot Lake, Ontario20072012Joined NOJHL
Espanola KingsEspanola, Ontario20072009Folded
Fergus ForceFergus, Ontario2017Folded mid-season
Fox Creek Ice KingsFox Creek, Alberta20202023To NJHL
Gibbons PioneersGibbons, Alberta20212023To NJHL
Grey County GrizzliesFeversham, Ontario2015Folded mid-season
Haliburton WolvesHaliburton, Ontario20152016Membership revoked
High Prairie Red WingsHigh Prairie, Alberta20192023To NJHL
Hinton WildcatsHinton, Alberta20192019Folded before season
Innisfil LakersInnisfil, Ontario20072010Folded
Jamestown JetsJamestown, New York20102011Lost arena, folded
Kingsville KingsKingsville, Ontario20152021Not listed as a member for the 2021–22 season
Kitimat SaaxKitimat, BC20222023To NJHL but folded
Komoka DragonsKomoka, Ontario20152016Folded mid-season
Lincoln MavericksBeamsville, Ontario20162016Folded mid-season
Mackenzie MountaineersMackenzie, BC20212023To NJHL but folded
Minden RiverkingsMinden Hills, Ontario20082009Folded
Niagara WhalersPort Colborne, Ontario20142021Not listed as a member for the 2021–22 season
Niagara-on-the-Lake NationalsNiagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario20182019Folded
Nipissing AlouettesSturgeon Falls, Ontario20062009Folded
Northern Alberta TomahawksEnoch, Alberta20192023To NJHL but folded
Orangeville Ice CrushersOrangeville, Ontario20112017Suspended operations mid-season
Oro-Medonte 77'sGuthrie, Ontario20082011Folded
Oshawa RiverkingsOshawa, Ontario20152019Sold and rebranded as Durham RoadRunners
Ottawa SharpshootersAlmonte, Ontario20182019Folded mid-season in 2019–20
Parry Sound IslandersParry Sound, Ontario20142017formerly Powassan Eagles – merged with Seguin Huskies
Powassan DragonsPowassan, Ontario20082011purchased Ville Marie franchise
Plattsville LakersPlattsville, Ontario20202022Investigation by league - suspended
Powassan EaglesPowassan, Ontario20122014formerly Powassan Dragons franchise – relocated to Parry Sound
Rama AcesRama, Ontario20122015Folded
Richmond Hill RamsRichmond Hill, Ontario20062009Folded
Rosetown Red WingsRosetown, Saskatchewan20192019Folded before season
Seguin HuskiesSeguin, Ontario20132018Folded
Shelburne StarsShelburne, Ontario20102016Folded
Slave Lake Ice DogsSlave Lake, Alberta20192023Left league and folded
South Muskoka ShieldGravenhurst, Ontario20062023Suspended from league
Tamworth CyclonesTamworth, Ontario20072009Folded
Temiscaming RoyalsTemiscaming, Quebec20072008Joined NOJHL
Tillsonburg HurricanesTillsonburg, Ontario20162019Folded
Toronto AttackToronto, Ontario20122017Folded
Toronto Blue Ice JetsThornhill, Ontario20052016Previously Toronto Canada Moose – folded
Tumbler Ridge Steel KingsTumbler Ridge, BC20222022Folded after 4 games
Vaughan StarsVaughan, Ontario2011Membership revoked
Ville-Marie DragonsVille-Marie, Quebec20082009folded mid-season – revived as Powassan Dragons
Wiarton RockWiarton, Ontario20062016Folded mid-season
Wiarton SchoonersWiarton, Ontario20172017
2018
Folded mid-season in both 2017 and 2018

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
2013–14
2014–15
2015–16
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
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
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]
  • 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. Most, if not all, the West Division teams were owned by a closely related group.

References

  1. "Alumni". GMHL. October 2014.
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  3. "Meet Canada's first all-Russian hockey team". Toronto Star. 14 May 2010.
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  5. "Presidents Message". GMHL. May 27, 2023.
  6. "A Message from the NJHL". njhlhockey.com. May 29, 2023.
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  12. "CIHL moving forward - Welcome to Hockey News North". Welcome to Hockey News North. Retrieved 2016-04-24.
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  19. nurun.com. "Junior hockey returns to Tillsonburg". Tillsonburg News. Retrieved 2016-04-24.
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  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.
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  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.
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