The Ontario Hockey League (OHL) has announced a new partnership aimed at enhancing the development and growth of young players, giving them stronger support on their path to the OHL and beyond.
Starting with the 2025-26 season, the Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League (GOJHL) will become the first official development league of the OHL. The 23-team, southern Ontario-based circuit has long contributed to the growth of eventual OHL players, offering opportunities for athletes looking to maximize their potential.
“From the outset, our goal has been to establish clearer pathways and abundant development opportunities for OHL prospects following their draft year,” said OHL Commissioner Bryan Crawford. “This new partnership creates a deeper, stronger pipeline for talent both entering the OHL and pursuing their goals beyond our league in an ecosystem where players have a world of possibilities in front of them.
“We’re very excited about this new GOJHL partnership,” Crawford added. “Expanding development relationships more broadly with the various Junior A leagues across the province remains a priority moving into the 2025-26 season. There’s an outstanding junior hockey system here in Ontario, one with a lot of potential for collaboration across our respective leagues.”
The GOJHL has a long history of producing OHL talent, with recent examples including Easton Cowan of the Komoka Kings and Oliver Bonk of the St. Thomas Stars, both part of the 2025 Memorial Cup champion London Knights. The league has also served as a stepping stone for past stars such as Joe Thornton and Jeff Carter.
The initial goals of the partnership include creating a showcase event tied to the Connor McDavid OHL Top Prospects Game in Peterborough on January 14, 2026, and increasing coverage of prospects from across the GOJHL with new features such as Prospect of the Week. Long-term objectives include developing elevated standard operating procedures for GOJHL teams, refining roster rules with Hockey Canada, and standardizing OHL playing rules across the league.
“The GOJHL has long been a proven pathway for players advancing to the OHL, with consistent success year after year,” said GOJHL Commissioner Craig Spada. “The numbers speak for themselves – more than 15 players from this past season’s Memorial Cup-winning London Knights began their development in our league. With this new OHL Development League partnership, we’re excited to further enhance the player experience and provide even greater opportunities for young athletes to flourish.
“This partnership strengthens the connection between our league and the OHL, creating a development framework that benefits players, teams, and communities across Ontario,” Spada added. “We thank the OHL for their collaboration and commitment, as together we continue to reinforce a system where the growth of the player – on and off the ice – remains the top priority.”
Fans can follow the OHL on X, Instagram, and Facebook for updates on prospects developing across the GOJHL throughout the 2025-26 season.
