Buffalo, NY – For the second consecutive year, the Ontario Junior Hockey League (OJHL) kicks-off the annual Governors’ Showcase at the HarborCenter in downtown Buffalo, New York, showcasing its players to the hockey world from Monday, September 26 to Wednesday, September 28, 2016.
During the 2015-16 season, the OJHL led all other Canadian Junior Hockey League (CJHL) leagues in alumni that were competing at higher levels of the game. A total of 3,166 CJHL alumni competed in the NHL, AHL, ECHL, CHL, CIS, NCAA DI & DII levels throughout last season. From those numbers, OJHL alumni consisted of 846 players, the highest total within all 10 CJHL member leagues.
“The data once again proves that the OJHL continues to lead the way with player advancement within the CJHL,” stated OJHL Commissioner Marty Savoy. “We brand our league as the ‘League of Choice’ and we provide the platform for our players to develop and showcase their skills to the next level of their choice that fits them and their family. The data of CJHL alumni is a great example of the level of player that makes the OJHL the place to play.”
“The OJHL Governors’ Showcase, hosted at the state-of-the-art HarborCenter, provides a great venue for this showcase of hockey talent,” said Scott McCrory, Chairman of the OJHL. “The OJHL’s Buffalo Jr. Sabres are the only CJHL team that shares a building with an NCAA Division I school and it is a perfect fit for our showcase.”
Last year’s event in Buffalo attracted over 200 scouts from various levels of the game, including the NHL, NCAA, CHL and CIS. Each OJHL team plays two game over the three days with all games counting towards the regular season standings.
The 2016-17 season promises to be one of the most exciting in OJHL history. Following up on the Governors’ Showcase, the Trenton Golden Hawks will first host the Winter Showcase in January (23- 25) and then host the 2017 Dudley-Hewitt Cup, Central Canadian Junior ‘A’ Championship from May 2-6 with a spot at the national championship on the line. Immediately after the Dudley-Hewitt Cup, the Cobourg Cougars will host the 2017 RBC Cup, National Junior ‘A’ Championship from May 13-21.
