ontario provincial league

[dontdumpdangle 0]

im looking to hear from people who have played in the league. How do you/did you get on one of these teams? Also, how much does it cost to play there?

[W.Heinle 0]

I assume you mean junior hockey. What league are you exactly talking about? OHL, OPJHL,...?

[dontdumpdangle 0]

the ontario provincial junior hockey league

[james12lucy 0]

OPJHL: Free to play. Hit up a team website and contact a coach. They'll inform you of try-out dates, times and locations. There is a registration chage for training camps, it'll vary from team to team.

Editing because I noticed you're in the US. There will be a fee for you. You'll need to cover visa costs, and possibly the international transfer fee. I'm not sure how it works from the US to Canada, but I had to play it when I left Canada to play internationally. The team may absorb the cost as well.

Cheers!

[sweetblazer 0]

Thats a Junior "A" league thats in the London-ish area. Its is a step below Major Junior A, which would be the OHL. It's pretty good hockey, and if you are a top player in the league you have numerous oppurtunities to sign with Div. 1 or 3 schools in the states. Generally you would be scouted to play on the team, drafted etc. But if you went on the site picked a team, and sent your stats, level, etc. to them you could probably get a walk-on tryout. I don't know the exact amount it is to play, but it seems like consensus is about $1000/year amongst these leagues.

[Law Goalie 147]

A lot of teams in the OP are pretty casual about try-outs. You can't just turn up at the main camp, obviously, but most of them seem to have a true walk-on pre-tryout where anybody who fits the age requirements can show their stuff.

There are also exhibition games against regional OHL teams from time to time; good exposure.

[-knowlzey- 0]

Some teams do hold closed tryouts, however most of the pre-main camps are just cash grabs, with the coaches taking a few of the guys from it. There is an OPJHL team in Buffalo, so I don't know if you can go there without all of the previously stated requirements. If you wanna play on a team, just check out a website and either give them your information on the website, or email the coach if they don't have an internet sign-up.

[dontdumpdangle 0]

has any one played in that league?

[DEATHTRON 19]

LKPTiger maybe? I think he is the one that has some experience with the league. Not sure on any of the details, but give him a shout.

Zach

[Jordan 13]

There are a ton of guys that played OJPHL who went on to NHL careers including, Joe Nieuwendyk,Gary Roberts, Adam Oates, Larry Murphy, Kirk Muller, Curtis Joseph, Jason Arnott, Kevin Weekes, Sean Burke, Derek King, Rick Tochet, Andrew Cogliano Mike Cammalleri, Kevin Bieksa....

Many play here on their way to NCAA teams, some play for a year before being ready for the OHL, some top players join these teams at the end of their minor midget year for a handful of games ...definitely some very good players in the league.

You can see a list here:

OPJHL Alumni

[dontdumpdangle 0]

ya, i know about the league. im gonna go ncaa, and i dont want to drive 10 hours to toronto for an open tryout if its just a fund raiser. if i dont play there i already have roster spots with a couple of ej teams, but i've heard that the op is a little better and they seem to be better with commiting older players to high level schools.

[-knowlzey- 0]

ya, i know about the league. im gonna go ncaa, and i dont want to drive 10 hours to toronto for an open tryout if its just a fund raiser. if i dont play there i already have roster spots with a couple of ej teams, but i've heard that the op is a little better and they seem to be better with commiting older players to high level schools.

Try to contact the Central Divison teams then, if your intent is going to the NCAA. These teams, including Hamilton, St. Mike's Buzzers, Toronto Jr. Canadians, and Markham Waxers, operate at a higher budget, and have different rules that cater to development. These teams are all competitive, and attract more NCAA scouts. I'm sure if you have a good hockey resume you can go straight to the main camp if you talk to the coaches of these teams. My brother played OPJHL, and ended up going NCAA.

[Warriorsdman 1]

I have a friend whose older bro played at Hamilton, and the academics were insanely hard (coming from a kid who attended a very serious private school here). After one season, he decided to play juniors in the EJ and attend community college. Apparentley he's doing well in the EJ since he was in the allstar game, but i realize that isn't like major junior a. I assume by hamilton you meant the college, and while they are a very good hockey option, keep in mind the school part.

[W.Heinle 0]

I have a friend whose older bro played at Hamilton, and the academics were insanely hard (coming from a kid who attended a very serious private school here). After one season, he decided to play juniors in the EJ and attend community college. Apparentley he's doing well in the EJ since he was in the allstar game, but i realize that isn't like major junior a. I assume by hamilton you meant the college, and while they are a very good hockey option, keep in mind the school part.

My guess would be, he was talking about the Hamilton Red Wings in the central division of the OPJHL: CENTRAL DIVISION

[Eazy_b97 1]

I haven't played there, but know many of the players who have gone through the Hamilton Red Wings (formerly Kilty B's) system and played with them through highschool and Minor Hockey. What information are you looking for that hasn't been posted?

They usually hold an open rookie camp. Very few are picked. Usually this consists of kids coming right from minor hockey. Their Junior players are usually scouted to come play for the Red Wings. A fair share of the players on the team, especially recently, have opted to go the NCAA route. Few have opted to go the Ivy League route with scholarships.

[dontdumpdangle 0]

im an 89 and going to a rookie camp would be stupid for me. i have spots on ej teams rhis year but it cost around 7k to play in that league. i'd like to play in the op this year and i was trying to find out how to get on a team other than open try outs. it looks like try to contact coaches and get an invite to a main camp is my answer

[Eazy_b97 1]

That's your best bet, but I think you're an OA next year so you're likely out of luck. Usually Overagers are hand-picked for the season since they are limited.

[james12lucy 0]

OA's are usually long time players that haven't moved on from the Jr. A level. I'd say being on OA you'd better look elsewhere. Not trying to be a downer, but your best bet is to invest your efforts in other avenues. Best of luck with whatever you decide to do though.

[Dman33 0]

I played in OPJHL a couple years back, and i'm also an american. In terms of paying any fees, everything was paid for by the team (including billeting) and all outer equipment was supplied (helmet, gloves, pants, sticks, jerseys, etc.). I saw that some mentioned something about having to pay visa or transfer fees yourself, but I think its a common practice that most teams will pick up the tab for that (they picked up all my costs). Overall, its a very solid league with some great players and it's def a great way to get some college exposure.

The way I did it was send out my info and call various coaches and then I got invited to a couple main camps. Just be ready for anything, because some teams will show honest interest, some teams will show interest just to get a couple bucks or a another body in camp, and some won't show any at all. So just do your homework about the various teams and divisions, get a hold of as many coaches as you can, and hope for the best. hopefully that helps, let me know if you have any other questions.

oh i also came in as an OA ( i played jr A in another league before), i would look more at teams that have younger roster, since these coaches would be looking for an older, more calming influence in the locker room. You might also want to try some of the powerhouse teams since they would also be looking for older, more physically dominant players (at least thats what a team like aurora did when i played and they won the RBC cup that year)

[-knowlzey- 0]

I know it's late, possibly, but as per my letter of invitation to the OJHL:

USA citizen's must complete USA to Canada tryout application and return with information sheet.

[in da crease 0]

I played in OPJHL a couple years back, and i'm also an american. .....when i played and they won the RBC cup that year)

2004 or 2007?

[doogie24 0]

My buddy played on the 2007 Aurora team, there was a ton of scolarship players on that roster.

[in da crease 0]

My buddy played on the 2007 Aurora team, there was a ton of scolarship players on that roster.

07 team was a good team, but I wasn't aware of any US-born players on that team. I'm not so familiar with the 04 team.

[dontdumpdangle 0]

I know it's late, possibly, but as per my letter of invitation to the OJHL:

USA citizen's must complete USA to Canada tryout application and return with information sheet.

What team? Also, I just got invited to the skate with the Georgetown Raiders and he said I need a "permission to skate" form. Does that even apply to me because I played USA hockey last year?

[-knowlzey- 0]

I know it's late, possibly, but as per my letter of invitation to the OJHL:

USA citizen's must complete USA to Canada tryout application and return with information sheet.

What team? Also, I just got invited to the skate with the Georgetown Raiders and he said I need a "permission to skate" form. Does that even apply to me because I played USA hockey last year?

Toronto Jr. Canadiens. As for OHF rules, you need a permission to skate form from your home centre. I played in the GTHL last year, for one year only (played OMHA before), and need a permission to skate still from my home centre, even though I haven't played there for 4 years. I don't know how they work for USA Hockey however.

If you want more information, I may suggest you email or call Scott Stevens, Director of Operations for the OJHL. Mobile: 519-635-3492 Fax: 519-489-1452 Email: scott.stevens@opjhl.ca, as per the OJHL website. He may have some information you can use.