GOJHL wants Junior A status

The Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League has filed for Junior A league status with the Ontario Hockey Association.

“The ‘A’ designation has been been brought forth by the wishes of all 27 teams”, said Shawn McKelvie, GOJHL Chairman. “The route of it is, the teams feel they could better promote their own hockey players to higher levels of hockey. They feel they have the track record to be able to do that.”

Currently, the import rule in the GOJHL allows only seven import players per team, while the Ontario Junior Hockey League does not restrict the amount of imports. This is one way around that.

“At the ‘B’ level there are very regimented guidelines as to who can play and who can’t, what’s an import, what isn’t an import. There’s no question that an ‘A’ designation would losen up the ability to bring kids in.”

McKelvie says what it boils down to, if granted by the OHA, is a designation change that would allow the GOJHL to better promote itself. Fan experience would not change and it would be the same hockey everyone knows and loves. The GOJHL sure does have its fans. It was evident at the Waterloo Memorial Rec Complex last Friday night when the Waterloo Siskins took on the Straford Cullitons. Parking was a nightmare and the rink was packed.

There are those who argue however, that this is more then a simple designation. If approved, and Junior B hockey is no more, the landscape of junior hockey changes. What happens to Junior C hockey? Will it become Junior B?

The timing for the decision is not known at this time with McKelvie saying the OHA will likely look at the application in the “next couple of weeks.”