Provincial Junior Hockey League
| Regions | Southern Ontario Central Ontario |
|---|---|
| Former names | list
|
| Founded | 2016 |
| No. of teams | 61 |
| Associated title | Clarence Schmalz Cup |
| Recent champions | Hanover Barons (2nd) (2024-25) |
| Headquarters | Cambridge, Ontario |
| Website | PJHL |
The Provincial Junior Hockey League (PJHL) is a Canadian junior ice hockey league spanning parts of Southern Ontario. The PJHL is the third tier of the Ontario Hockey Association and is sanctioned by the Ontario Hockey Federation and Hockey Canada. The league was formed in 2016 with the merging of eight Junior C leagues. PJHL teams compete for the Clarence Schmalz Cup.
History
In the works since 2014, it was announced in the spring of 2016 that the eight Junior C leagues of the Ontario Hockey Association would merge for the 2016-17 season to create the Provincial Junior Hockey League. The union was in an effort to streamline rules across the classification and to promote growth and development.[1][2]
The leagues that make up the PJHL are the former Central, Empire B, Georgian Mid-Ontario, Great Lakes, Midwestern, Niagara & District, Southern, and Western.[3][4][5] leagues that are now the eight divisions split into four conferences.
The first game in PJHL history was played on September 9, 2016 as the Walkerton Hawks hosted the Hanover Barons in Pollock Division action.[6] Walkerton won the game 6-2.[7]
Teams
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Locations of teams competing in the 2025–26 PJHL season in Southern Ontario
1
Alliston Hornets2
Huntsville Otters3
Innisfil Spartans4
Midland Flyers5
Muskoka Bears6
Orillia Terriers7
Penetang Kings8
Stayner Siskins9
Fergus Whalers10
Goderich Flyers - Leave of Absence11
Hanover Barons12
Kincardine Bulldogs13
Mitchell Hawks14
Mount Forest Patriots15
Walkerton Capitals16
Wingham Ironmen17
Dorchester Dolphins18
Hespeler Shamrocks19
New Hamburg Firebirds20
Norwich Merchants21
Paris Titans22
Tavistock Braves23
Wellesley Applejacks24
Woodstock Navy-Vets25
Dundas Blues26
Dunnville Jr. Mudcats27
Glanbrook Rangers28
Grimsby Peach Kings29
Hagersville Hawks30
Niagara Riverhawks31
Port Dover Sailors32
Streetsville Derbys33
Caledon Golden Hawks34
Clarington Eagles35
Georgina Ice36
Little Britain Merchants37
Port Perry Lumberjacks38
Schomberg Cougars39
Uxbridge Bruins40
Amherstview Jets41
Frankford Huskies42
Lakefield Chiefs43
Napanee Raiders44
Picton Pirates45
Port Hope Panthers46
Trent Hills Thunder47
Amherstburg Admirals48
Blenheim Blades49
Dresden Jr. Kings50
Essex 73's51
Lakeshore Canadiens52
Mooretown Flags53
Walpole Island Wild54
Wheatley Sharks55
Aylmer Spitfires56
Exeter Hawks57
Lucan Irish58
Mount Brydges Bulldogs59
North Middlesex Stars60
Petrolia Flyers61
Port Stanley Sailors62
Thamesford Trojans
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Regular season champions
Bolded is overall PJHL season champion based on win percentage.
| East | North | South | West | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Orr | Pct | Tod | Pct | Carruthers | Pct | Pollock | Pct | Bloomfield | Pct | Doherty | Pct | Stobbs | Pct | Yeck | Pct |
| 2016-17 | Lakefield | .805 | Port Hope | .910 | Stayner | .917 | Walkerton | .819 | Grimsby | .869 | Ayr | .925 | Lakeshore | .788 | Dorchester | .988 |
| 2017-18 | Lakefield | .857 | Napanee | .938 | Stayner | .952 | Mount Forest | .800 | Glanbrook | .905 | Ayr | .825 | Lakeshore | .738 | Lambeth | .872 |
| 2018-19 | Uxbridge | .810 | Napanee | .886 | Stayner | .786 | Mount Forest | .774 | Glanbrook | .881 | Tavistock | .838 | Essex | .788 | Dorchester | .775 |
| 2019-20 | Clarington | .726 | Napanee | .852 | Alliston | .857 | Mount Forest | .810 | Grimsby | .774 | Tavistock | .800 | Lakeshore | .900 | Thamesford | .714 |
| 2020-21 | Cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic | |||||||||||||||
| 2021-22 | Little Britain | .797 | Amherstview | .833 | Stayner | .850 | Hanover | .828 | Grimsby | .700 | Woodstock | .792 | Lakeshore | .906 | Exeter | .783 |
| 2022-23 | Clarington | .854 | Napanee | .866 | Stayner | .900 | Mount Forest | .774 | Glanbrook | .881 | New Hamburg | .798 | Essex | .881 | Mount Brydges | .775 |
| 2023-24 | Clarington | .857 | Frankford | .762 | Alliston | .857 | Hanover | .881 | Grimsby | .798 | New Hamburg | .810 | Lakeshore | .881 | Thamesford | .763 |
| 2024-25 | Clarington | .845 | Frankford | .810 | Alliston | .976 | Hanover | .893 | Dundas | .845 | Norwich | .810 | Essex | .893 | Petrolia | .702 |
| 2025-26 | Uxbridge | .845 | Lakefield | .738 | Stayner | .774 | Fergus | .821 | Dundas | .821 | Woodstock | .750 | Essex | .893 | Exeter | .679 |
Playoffs division and conference champions
Listed are Division playoff champions. Bolded are also Conference playoff champions.
| East | North | South | West | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Orr | Tod | Carruthers | Pollock | Doherty | Bloomfield | Stobbs | Yeck |
| 2017 | Lakefield | Port Hope | Alliston | Mount Forest | Ayr | Grimsby | Essex | Dorchester |
| 2018 | Lakefield | Port Hope | Stayner | Mount Forest | Tavistock | Glanbrook | Lakeshore | Lambeth |
| 2019 | Uxbridge | Napanee | Alliston | Mount Forest | Wellesley | Grimsby | Lakeshore | Exeter |
| 2020 | Cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic | |||||||
| 2021 | Cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic | |||||||
| 2022 | Clarington | Napanee | Stayner | Mitchell | New Hamburg | Grimsby | Lakeshore | North Middlesex |
| 2023 | Clarington | Port Hope | Stayner | Mount Forest | Wellesley | Glanbrook | Lakeshore | Thamesford |
| 2024 | Clarington | Napanee | Alliston | Hanover | New Hamburg | Grimsby | Lakeshore | Thamesford |
| 2025 | Clarington | Napanee | Orillia | Hanover | New Hamburg | Grimsby | Essex | Petrolia |
League championship series
Bolded is winner of Clarence Schmalz Cup as PJHL and OHA champion.
| Season | North/East champion | South/West champion | Series (Best of 7) | Scores |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | Port Hope Panthers | Ayr Centennials {1st} | 2-4 | 8-1, 4-1, 2-4, 1-3, 1-4, 3-6 |
| 2018 | Lakefield Chiefs {1st} | Glanbrook Rangers | 4-1 | 2-1 OT, 2-3, 4-3 OT, 5-2, 4-0 |
| 2019 | Napanee Raiders {1st} | Grimsby Peach Kings | 4-1 | 2-0, 2-3, 3-1, 4-1, 3-1 |
| 2020 | Cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. | |||
| 2021 | Cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. | |||
| Championship Tournament | ||||
| Season | Champion | Finalist | Score | Location |
| 2022 | Lakeshore Canadiens {1st} | Clarington Eagles | 3-2 OT | Guelph, Ontario |
| 2023 | Wellesley Applejacks {1st} | Clarington Eagles | 3-2 | Woodstock, Ontario |
| Season | North/East champion | South/West champion | Series (Best of 7) | Scores |
| 2024 | Clarington Eagles | Lakeshore Canadiens {2nd} | 1-4 | 1-0, 1-2, 2-3, 2-4, 4-5 |
| 2025 | Hanover Barons (1st) | Essex 73's | 4-0 | 6-1, 2-1, 4-0, 5-4 OT |
References
- ^ "The OHA 125th Collectors Edition of the Blueline Magazine Now Online". Ontario Hockey Association. March 16, 2016.
- ^ "Junior C League Going Province Wide As PJHL". Chatham-Kent Sports Network. April 26, 2016.
- ^ "Junior C loop to be renamed Bill Stobbs". Chatham Daily News. April 27, 2016.
- ^ "Eight different loops coming together under new Provincial Junior Hockey League". Sarnia Observer. April 29, 2016.
- ^ "Junior C loop taking time in rebranding". Cambridge Times. August 3, 2016.
- ^ "Provincial Junior Hockey League - league schedule | Pointstreak Sports Technologies".
- ^ "PJHL | Pointstreak Stats".