1996–97 OHL season - AbsoluteAstronomy.com

The 1996–97 OHL season
Season (sports)
In an organized sports league, a season is the portion of one year in which regulated games of the sport are in session. For example, in Major League Baseball, one season lasts approximately from April 1 through October 1; in Association football, it is generally from August until May In an...

was the 17th season of the Ontario Hockey League

Ontario Hockey League

The Ontario Hockey League is one of the three Major Junior ice hockey leagues which constitute the Canadian Hockey League. The league is for players aged 15-20.The OHL also operates under the Ontario Hockey Federation of Hockey Canada....

. Seventeen teams each played 66 games. The Oshawa Generals

Oshawa Generals

The Oshawa Generals are a junior ice hockey team in the Ontario Hockey League. They are based in Oshawa, Ontario. The team is named for General Motors, an early sponsor which has its Canadian headquarters in Oshawa. The Generals are one of the most successful franchises in Canadian Hockey League...

won the J. Ross Robertson Cup

J. Ross Robertson Cup

The J. Ross Robertson Cup is an ice hockey trophy awarded annually to the winner of the Ontario Hockey League playoff championship. It was presented by and named for John Ross Robertson, the president of the Ontario Hockey Association who served from 1899 to 1905.Originally it was awarded to the...

, defeating the Ottawa 67's

Ottawa 67's

The Ottawa 67’s are a junior ice hockey team based in Ottawa, Ontario. They have played in the Ontario Hockey League since 1967, Canada's centennial year. The current coach is Chris Byrne.-History:...

. The Niagara Falls Thunder

Niagara Falls Thunder

The Niagara Falls Thunder was a junior ice hockey team in the Ontario Hockey League from 1988 to 1996. The team was based in Niagara Falls, Ontario.-History:...

move to Erie

Erie, Pennsylvania

Erie is a city located in northwestern Pennsylvania in the United States. Named for the lake and the Native American tribe that resided along its southern shore, Erie is the state's fourth-largest city , with a population of 102,000...

becoming the Erie Otters

Erie Otters

The Erie Otters are a major junior ice hockey team in the Ontario Hockey League . Based in Erie, Pennsylvania, USA, they have played their home games at the Louis J. Tullio Arena since 1996...

Final standings

East Division	GP	W	L	T	Pts	GF	GA
z-Ottawa 67's Ottawa 67's The Ottawa 67’s are a junior ice hockey team based in Ottawa, Ontario. They have played in the Ontario Hockey League since 1967, Canada's centennial year. The current coach is Chris Byrne.-History:...	66	49	11	6	104	320	177
x-Oshawa Generals Oshawa Generals The Oshawa Generals are a junior ice hockey team in the Ontario Hockey League. They are based in Oshawa, Ontario. The team is named for General Motors, an early sponsor which has its Canadian headquarters in Oshawa. The Generals are one of the most successful franchises in Canadian Hockey League...	66	41	18	7	89	287	202
x-Peterborough Petes Peterborough Petes The Peterborough Petes are a junior ice hockey team in the Ontario Hockey League. The team has played in Peterborough, Ontario, Canada, since 1956, and is the oldest continuously operating team in the league.-History:...	66	39	25	2	80	251	238
x-Kingston Frontenacs Kingston Frontenacs The Kingston Frontenacs are a junior ice hockey team in the Ontario Hockey League, based in Kingston, Ontario, Canada. The team is coached by Todd Gill and Doug Gilmour is the General Manager. The Frontenacs play home games at the K-Rock Centre, which opened in 2008.Team history predates the OHA,...	66	25	35	6	56	257	277
x-Belleville Bulls Belleville Bulls The Belleville Bulls are a junior ice hockey team, founded in 1981 based in Belleville, Ontario, Canada. The team plays in the Eastern Division of the Eastern Conference of the Ontario Hockey League.-History:...	66	22	37	7	51	235	278
North Bay Centennials North Bay Centennials The North Bay Centennials were a junior ice hockey team in the Ontario Hockey League, who played from 1982–2002. The team was based in North Bay, Ontario.-History:...	66	14	44	8	36	214	337

Central Division	GP	W	L	T	Pts	GF	GA
z-Kitchener Rangers Kitchener Rangers The Kitchener Rangers are a major junior ice hockey team in the Ontario Hockey League that have called Kitchener, Ontario, Canada their home since 1963. The Rangers are a publicly owned hockey team, governed by a 40-person Board of Directors made up of season ticket subscribers. The Rangers hosted...	66	34	22	10	78	274	235
x-Guelph Storm Guelph Storm The Guelph Storm is a major junior ice hockey team based in Guelph, Ontario, Canada. They have played in the OHL since the 1991–92 season. The team plays home games at the Sleeman Centre.-History:...	66	35	25	6	76	300	251
x-Barrie Colts Barrie Colts The Barrie Colts are a junior ice hockey team in Ontario Hockey League, based in Barrie, Ontario, Canada. There were two previous Barrie Colts team which played Junior A & B hockey in the Ontario Hockey Association, one from 1907 until 1910 and another from the 1920s to 1940s.-Original Colts:The...	66	33	23	10	76	272	236
x-Owen Sound Platers Owen Sound Platers Owen Sound Platers was a name used for a junior ice hockey team in the Ontario Hockey League from 1989 to 2000, in Owen Sound, Ontario, Canada. In 2000, after the team was sold, new ownership renamed the team the Owen Sound Attack.-History:...	66	27	37	2	56	258	318
x-Erie Otters Erie Otters The Erie Otters are a major junior ice hockey team in the Ontario Hockey League . Based in Erie, Pennsylvania, USA, they have played their home games at the Louis J. Tullio Arena since 1996...	66	23	36	7	53	240	260
Sudbury Wolves Sudbury Wolves The Sudbury Wolves are the name of the ice hockey team from Sudbury, Ontario. Sudbury has had a hockey team known as the "Wolves" nearly every year since World War I. The Sudbury Wolves, the senior men's AAA team, have twice been chosen to be Canada's representatives at the Ice Hockey World...	66	21	37	8	50	251	302

West Division	GP	W	L	T	Pts	GF	GA
y-Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds The Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds are a major junior ice hockey team in the Ontario Hockey League. The Greyhounds play home games at the Essar Centre. The present team was founded in 1962 as a team in the Northern Ontario Hockey Association. The Greyhounds name has been used by several ice hockey...	66	39	17	10	88	309	220
x-Sarnia Sting Sarnia Sting The Sarnia Sting are a junior ice hockey team in the Ontario Hockey League. They play out of the RBC Centre, formerly the Sarnia Sports and Entertainment Centre in Sarnia, Ontario, Canada.-History:...	66	35	24	7	77	286	251
x-Windsor Spitfires Windsor Spitfires The Windsor Spitfires are a junior ice hockey team in the Ontario Hockey League. The team is based in Windsor, Ontario, Canada. The franchise was granted for the 1975–76 season and revived a previous OHA Jr. A Spitfires team which moved to become the Hamilton Tiger Cubs in 1953.-History:The...	66	29	29	8	66	303	285
x-Detroit Whalers Detroit Whalers The Detroit Whalers were a junior ice hockey team in the Ontario Hockey League for two seasons from 1995 to 1997. The Whalers were based in the greater Detroit, Michigan area.-History:...	66	26	34	6	58	230	270
London Knights London Knights The London Knights are a junior ice hockey team from London, Ontario, Canada, playing in the Ontario Hockey League, one of the leagues of the Canadian Hockey League.-Early days–1968:...	66	13	51	2	28	215	365

Scoring leaders

Player	Team	GP	G	A	Pts	PIM
Marc Savard Marc Savard Marc Savard is a Canadian professional ice hockey centre currently under contract to the Boston Bruins of the National Hockey League , but who has not played since late in the season because of post-concussion syndrome...	Oshawa Generals Oshawa Generals The Oshawa Generals are a junior ice hockey team in the Ontario Hockey League. They are based in Oshawa, Ontario. The team is named for General Motors, an early sponsor which has its Canadian headquarters in Oshawa. The Generals are one of the most successful franchises in Canadian Hockey League...	64	43	87	130	94
Joe Thornton Joe Thornton Joseph Eric Thornton is a Canadian professional ice hockey centre and captain of the San Jose Sharks of the National Hockey League . He was selected first overall by the Boston Bruins in the 1997 NHL Entry Draft and went on to play seven seasons with the club, five as its Captain. During the...	Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds The Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds are a major junior ice hockey team in the Ontario Hockey League. The Greyhounds play home games at the Essar Centre. The present team was founded in 1962 as a team in the Northern Ontario Hockey Association. The Greyhounds name has been used by several ice hockey...	59	41	81	122	123
Alyn McCauley Alyn McCauley Alyn Daniel McCauley is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey player who played in the National Hockey League for ten years with the Toronto Maple Leafs, San Jose Sharks, and the Los Angeles Kings...	Ottawa 67's Ottawa 67's The Ottawa 67’s are a junior ice hockey team based in Ottawa, Ontario. They have played in the Ontario Hockey League since 1967, Canada's centennial year. The current coach is Chris Byrne.-History:...	50	56	56	112	16
Richard Uniacke	Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds The Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds are a major junior ice hockey team in the Ontario Hockey League. The Greyhounds play home games at the Essar Centre. The present team was founded in 1962 as a team in the Northern Ontario Hockey Association. The Greyhounds name has been used by several ice hockey...	66	44	66	110	36
Trevor Letowski Trevor Letowski Trevor Letowski is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey right winger who played in the NHL with the Phoenix Coyotes, Vancouver Canucks, Columbus Blue Jackets and the Carolina Hurricanes.-Playing career:...	Sarnia Sting Sarnia Sting The Sarnia Sting are a junior ice hockey team in the Ontario Hockey League. They play out of the RBC Centre, formerly the Sarnia Sports and Entertainment Centre in Sarnia, Ontario, Canada.-History:...	55	35	73	108	51
Todd Norman	Guelph Storm Guelph Storm The Guelph Storm is a major junior ice hockey team based in Guelph, Ontario, Canada. They have played in the OHL since the 1991–92 season. The team plays home games at the Sleeman Centre.-History:...	66	47	68	105	41
Joe Seroski	Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds The Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds are a major junior ice hockey team in the Ontario Hockey League. The Greyhounds play home games at the Essar Centre. The present team was founded in 1962 as a team in the Northern Ontario Hockey Association. The Greyhounds name has been used by several ice hockey...	61	54	49	103	14
Jan Bulis Jan Bulis Jan Bulis is a Czech professional hockey winger who is currently playing for Traktor Chelyabinsk of the Kontinental Hockey League.-Playing career:...	Barrie Colts Barrie Colts The Barrie Colts are a junior ice hockey team in Ontario Hockey League, based in Barrie, Ontario, Canada. There were two previous Barrie Colts team which played Junior A & B hockey in the Ontario Hockey Association, one from 1907 until 1910 and another from the 1920s to 1940s.-Original Colts:The...	64	42	61	103	42
Jonathan Sim	Sarnia Sting Sarnia Sting The Sarnia Sting are a junior ice hockey team in the Ontario Hockey League. They play out of the RBC Centre, formerly the Sarnia Sports and Entertainment Centre in Sarnia, Ontario, Canada.-History:...	64	56	39	95	109
Matt Cooke Matt Cooke Matthew David Cooke is a professional ice hockey player currently playing for the Pittsburgh Penguins of the National Hockey League. His playing style has earned him a reputation of being a "pest" and he is known for his ability to aggravate opponents...	Windsor Spitfires Windsor Spitfires The Windsor Spitfires are a junior ice hockey team in the Ontario Hockey League. The team is based in Windsor, Ontario, Canada. The franchise was granted for the 1975–76 season and revived a previous OHA Jr. A Spitfires team which moved to become the Hamilton Tiger Cubs in 1953.-History:The...	65	45	50	95	146

OHL Playoffs

The 67's waived their right to a first-round bye, having lost in the second round the previous season after accepting a first-round bye.

OHL awards

J. Ross Robertson Cup J. Ross Robertson Cup The J. Ross Robertson Cup is an ice hockey trophy awarded annually to the winner of the Ontario Hockey League playoff championship. It was presented by and named for John Ross Robertson, the president of the Ontario Hockey Association who served from 1899 to 1905.Originally it was awarded to the... :	Oshawa Generals Oshawa Generals The Oshawa Generals are a junior ice hockey team in the Ontario Hockey League. They are based in Oshawa, Ontario. The team is named for General Motors, an early sponsor which has its Canadian headquarters in Oshawa. The Generals are one of the most successful franchises in Canadian Hockey League...
Hamilton Spectator Trophy Hamilton Spectator Trophy The Hamilton Spectator Trophy is an award given to the Ontario Hockey League team who finishes the season with the best record. It was first presented to the Ontario Hockey Association by The Hamilton Spectator. The trophy was first presented in 1957–58.... :	Ottawa 67's Ottawa 67's The Ottawa 67’s are a junior ice hockey team based in Ottawa, Ontario. They have played in the Ontario Hockey League since 1967, Canada's centennial year. The current coach is Chris Byrne.-History:...
Red Tilson Trophy Red Tilson Trophy The Red Tilson Trophy is an annual award given to the most outstanding player in the Ontario Hockey League. The award is voted on by OHL writers and broadcasters, and is named for Red Tilson, a former played for the Oshawa Generals who was killed in service in the Second World War... :	Alyn McCauley Alyn McCauley Alyn Daniel McCauley is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey player who played in the National Hockey League for ten years with the Toronto Maple Leafs, San Jose Sharks, and the Los Angeles Kings... , Ottawa 67's Ottawa 67's The Ottawa 67’s are a junior ice hockey team based in Ottawa, Ontario. They have played in the Ontario Hockey League since 1967, Canada's centennial year. The current coach is Chris Byrne.-History:...
Eddie Powers Memorial Trophy Eddie Powers Memorial Trophy The Eddie Powers Memorial Trophy is awarded annually to the top scorer in the Ontario Hockey League. The trophy was donated by the Toronto Marlboro Athletic Club in memory of Edward Powers, and was first awarded to Tod Sloan of St... :	Marc Savard Marc Savard Marc Savard is a Canadian professional ice hockey centre currently under contract to the Boston Bruins of the National Hockey League , but who has not played since late in the season because of post-concussion syndrome... , Oshawa Generals Oshawa Generals The Oshawa Generals are a junior ice hockey team in the Ontario Hockey League. They are based in Oshawa, Ontario. The team is named for General Motors, an early sponsor which has its Canadian headquarters in Oshawa. The Generals are one of the most successful franchises in Canadian Hockey League...
Matt Leyden Trophy Matt Leyden Trophy The Matt Leyden Trophy is awarded annually to the Ontario Hockey League Coach of the Year as selected by OHL coaches and general managers. Teams were not permitted to vote for a coach from their own hockey club... :	Brian Kilrea Brian Kilrea Brian Blair "Killer" Kilrea is an ice hockey head coach, general manager and member of the Hockey Hall of Fame in the builders' category, most notably with the Ottawa 67's of the Ontario Hockey League, with whom Kilrea has been associated for over 35 years... , Ottawa 67's Ottawa 67's The Ottawa 67’s are a junior ice hockey team based in Ottawa, Ontario. They have played in the Ontario Hockey League since 1967, Canada's centennial year. The current coach is Chris Byrne.-History:...
Jim Mahon Memorial Trophy Jim Mahon Memorial Trophy The Jim Mahon Memorial Trophy is named in honor of Jim Mahon and given to the Ontario Hockey League right winger with the most points in the regular season. Mahon was a very gifted athlete even as a young child. He played minor league ice hockey in Essex, Ontario... :	Joe Seroski, Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds The Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds are a major junior ice hockey team in the Ontario Hockey League. The Greyhounds play home games at the Essar Centre. The present team was founded in 1962 as a team in the Northern Ontario Hockey Association. The Greyhounds name has been used by several ice hockey...
Max Kaminsky Trophy Max Kaminsky Trophy The Max Kaminsky Trophy is awarded each year to the most outstanding defenceman in the Ontario Hockey League. Prior to 1969, the same trophy was awarded to the most sportsmanlike player in the league; since then, that player has been awarded the William Hanley Trophy.The award is named in honour of... :	Sean Blanchard, Ottawa 67's Ottawa 67's The Ottawa 67’s are a junior ice hockey team based in Ottawa, Ontario. They have played in the Ontario Hockey League since 1967, Canada's centennial year. The current coach is Chris Byrne.-History:...
OHL Goaltender of the Year OHL Goaltender of the Year The OHL Goaltender of the Year Award is given to the best goaltender in the Ontario Hockey League, as voted on by OHL coaches and general managers.-Winners:2010-11 Mark Visentin, Niagara Ice Dogs2009-10 Chris Carrozzi, Mississauga St... :	Zac Bierk Zac Bierk Zac "Zacky" Bierk is a retired Canadan professional ice hockey player. He played in 47 NHL games with the Tampa Bay Lightning, Minnesota Wild, and Phoenix Coyotes.-Junior career:... , Peterborough Petes Peterborough Petes The Peterborough Petes are a junior ice hockey team in the Ontario Hockey League. The team has played in Peterborough, Ontario, Canada, since 1956, and is the oldest continuously operating team in the league.-History:...
Jack Ferguson Award Jack Ferguson Award The Jack Ferguson Award, or "Fergie", is awarded each year to the top draft pick in the Ontario Hockey League Priority Selection Draft. The trophy is named in honour of Jack Ferguson, a former director of OHL Central Scouting.-Winners:... :	Charlie Stephens Charlie Stephens Charlie Stephens is a Canadian professional ice hockey forward currently playing for Kölner Haie of the DEL.-Playing career:... , Toronto St. Michael's Majors Toronto St. Michael's Majors The Toronto St. Michael's Majors, was a junior ice hockey team in the Ontario Hockey League, based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The hockey program was founded and operated by St. Michael's College School in 1906, and adopted the name "Majors" in 1934, and was commonly referred to as St. Mike's...
Dave Pinkney Trophy Dave Pinkney Trophy The Dave Pinkney Trophy is awarded to the goaltenders of the team that has the best team goals-against-average in the Ontario Hockey League.-Winners:*2009–10 J.P. Anderson & Mickael Audette, Mississauga St. Michael's Majors... :	Tim Keyes and Craig Hillier Craig Hillier Craig Hillier is a former professional ice hockey goaltender. He was drafted in the first round, 23rd overall, by the Pittsburgh Penguins in the 1996 NHL Entry Draft.-Career:... , Ottawa 67's Ottawa 67's The Ottawa 67’s are a junior ice hockey team based in Ottawa, Ontario. They have played in the Ontario Hockey League since 1967, Canada's centennial year. The current coach is Chris Byrne.-History:...
OHL Executive of the Year OHL Executive of the Year The OHL Executive of the Year Award is given annually to the top executive in the Ontario Hockey League.-Winners:2010–11 Dale DeGray, Owen Sound Attack2009–10 Rick Gaetz, Guelph Storm*2008–09 Warren Rychel, Windsor Spitfires... :	Ed Rowe, Peterborough Petes Peterborough Petes The Peterborough Petes are a junior ice hockey team in the Ontario Hockey League. The team has played in Peterborough, Ontario, Canada, since 1956, and is the oldest continuously operating team in the league.-History:...
Emms Family Award Emms Family Award The Emms Family Award is presented annually to the top first year player in the Ontario Hockey League.The award was donated to the OHL by Leighton "Hap" Emms, former owner of franchises in Barrie, Niagara Falls and St... :	Peter Sarno Peter Sarno Peter Sarno is a Canadian professional ice hockey centre currently playing for Alleghe Hockey in the Italian Serie A. He was selected in the sixth round of the 1997 NHL Entry Draft, 141st overall, by the Edmonton Oilers.... , Windsor Spitfires Windsor Spitfires The Windsor Spitfires are a junior ice hockey team in the Ontario Hockey League. The team is based in Windsor, Ontario, Canada. The franchise was granted for the 1975–76 season and revived a previous OHA Jr. A Spitfires team which moved to become the Hamilton Tiger Cubs in 1953.-History:The...
F.W. 'Dinty' Moore Trophy:	Shawn Degagne, Kitchener Rangers Kitchener Rangers The Kitchener Rangers are a major junior ice hockey team in the Ontario Hockey League that have called Kitchener, Ontario, Canada their home since 1963. The Rangers are a publicly owned hockey team, governed by a 40-person Board of Directors made up of season ticket subscribers. The Rangers hosted...
Dan Snyder Memorial Trophy Dan Snyder Memorial Trophy The Dan Snyder Memorial Trophy is awarded each year to the player of the Ontario Hockey League that is the most humanitarian. Each year the OHL awards a player that has demonstrated outstanding qualities as a positive role model in the community with the OHL Humanitarian Award.The Ontario Hockey... :	Mike Martone, Peterborough Petes Peterborough Petes The Peterborough Petes are a junior ice hockey team in the Ontario Hockey League. The team has played in Peterborough, Ontario, Canada, since 1956, and is the oldest continuously operating team in the league.-History:...
William Hanley Trophy William Hanley Trophy The William Hanley Trophy is awarded to the Ontario Hockey League's Most Sportsmanlike Player. It is named for William Hanley, a former secretary-manager of the Ontario Hockey Association who served in that capacity for twenty-five years... :	Alyn McCauley Alyn McCauley Alyn Daniel McCauley is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey player who played in the National Hockey League for ten years with the Toronto Maple Leafs, San Jose Sharks, and the Los Angeles Kings... , Ottawa 67's Ottawa 67's The Ottawa 67’s are a junior ice hockey team based in Ottawa, Ontario. They have played in the Ontario Hockey League since 1967, Canada's centennial year. The current coach is Chris Byrne.-History:...
Leo Lalonde Memorial Trophy Leo Lalonde Memorial Trophy The Leo Lalonde Memorial Trophy is awarded each year to the best overage player in the Ontario Hockey League. The Leo Lalonde Memorial Trophy was donated by the trainers of the Ontario Hockey League in memory of the late Leo Lalonde, former chief scout of OHL Central Scouting.-Winners:*2010-11... :	Zac Bierk Zac Bierk Zac "Zacky" Bierk is a retired Canadan professional ice hockey player. He played in 47 NHL games with the Tampa Bay Lightning, Minnesota Wild, and Phoenix Coyotes.-Junior career:... , Peterborough Petes Peterborough Petes The Peterborough Petes are a junior ice hockey team in the Ontario Hockey League. The team has played in Peterborough, Ontario, Canada, since 1956, and is the oldest continuously operating team in the league.-History:...
Bobby Smith Trophy Bobby Smith Trophy The Bobby Smith Trophy is awarded annually to the OHL Scholastic Player of the Year who best combines high standards of play and academic excellence.... :	Jake McCracken, Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds The Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds are a major junior ice hockey team in the Ontario Hockey League. The Greyhounds play home games at the Essar Centre. The present team was founded in 1962 as a team in the Northern Ontario Hockey Association. The Greyhounds name has been used by several ice hockey...

Final standings

Scoring leaders

OHL Playoffs

OHL awards

See also