Junior Hockey Still Headed For Tilbury? GMHL Is An Option

Junior hockey could still be on the horizon for Tilbury, Ontario.

After a proposed move of the Wallaceburg Lakers to Tilbury was denied by the OHA, it appears the hope for Junior hockey in Tilbury is still alive.

According to sources, local individuals are investigating the viability of launching a Greater Metro Junior A Hockey League (GMHL) team in Tilbury.

The GMHL confirmed this week that Tilbury has been a recent discussion topic with groups, although nothing is set in stone.

“Nothing confirmed yet but there has been talk about it,” said GMHL president Bob Russell about a potential franchise in Tilbury.

The community of Tilbury was heavily in favour of welcoming a Junior hockey team to the town.

In recent seasons, the GMHL’s Kingsville Kings have played a number of home games in Tilbury, and the GMHL has expressed interest in the past in establishing a hockey franchise in Chatham-Kent.

In a strange coincidence, the last Wallaceburg Lakers owners, purchased and now run the Windsor Aces of the GMHL. This season, former Chatham Maroons star Bryce Yetman set a GMHL scoring record with the Windsor Aces.

Teams who would be in a division with Tilbury in the GMHL include the Windsor Aces, Kingsville Kings, London Lakers, Tillsonburg Hurricanes, Niagara Whalers and St. George Ravens, as well as franchises in Oshawa, North York, Tottenham, and Toronto.

The GMHL spans into Quebec, with the Ville-Marie Pirates winning the league championship this season.