GMHL Will Impact Local Hockey Climate
Spencer Gourlay finished his Junior career with the GMHL’s Halton Ravens last season after playing four seasons in the OJHL and GOJHL – Photo by Dan Hickling/ Hickling Images
After Cambridge joined the GMHL last season, the league announced further expansion, deeper into Southwestern Ontario this coming season including the London Lakers, Komoka Dragons, Norfolk (Simcoe) Vikings, and Kingsville Kings.
“We focused on South and South-West expansion this year and we will continue to look in this location moving forward,” said GMHL President Bob Russell regarding the expansion of the league, which is continuing to review and accept applications for franchises.
“Our primary criteria when we were evaluating applications was the strength of the ownership group. We want to maintain the strong on-ice product that we have built. These owners will ice competitive teams.”
The GMHL is becoming a competitor in the GTA and other regions for player talent, proving itself as a league capable of developing and advancing hockey players into other Ontario leagues including the OJHL and OHL, as well as sending numerous players to college programs throughout the OUA, NAIA, ACHA, and NCAA.
As well, for players hoping to make the jump to professional hockey, the GMHL is providing a direct line, including a new affiliation between the league’s Oshawa Riverkings franchise, and the SPHL’s Mississippi Riverkings.
With few restrictions regarding import players, and an overage limit capping at 21, the GMHL has become a hot bed for late developing, and international hockey players hoping to advance.
Currently, the GMHL stands at 28 league members.
Last week, the GOJHL opened up its own import boundaries, allowing teams to sign players from within their Conference borders, as compared to a confined area in years past. Many saw this move as a response to the increased reach of the GMHL in Southwestern Ontario.
Earlier this year, GMHL president Bob Russell told CKSN the league had interest in a Chatham, Ontario franchise, but had yet to be able to find suitable owners for a team.
Kingsville’s franchise has already signed a large chunk of their roster, including several former GOJHL and Junior A players from other leagues in Ontario, as well as one former Great Lakes Junior C player.
As well, when the GMHL holds their annual draft May 9, several local players, both GOJHL and potentially Great Lakes players, can expect to hear their names called.
With players and hockey personnel now having an alternative option available to the traditional route offered by the OHA, competition for potential prospects is likely to increase among all teams.
With Chatham-Kent and Lambton County’s now surrounded by GMHL teams, it appears only a matter of time before the league installs franchises into the region.