Ontario Women's Hockey League Explained
The Ontario Women's Hockey League U22 Elite (OWHL), formerly the Provincial Women's Hockey League, is a women's junior ice hockey league in Ontario, Canada. Founded in 2004, it is considered to be the highest level of amateur women's ice hockey in Ontario, and is sanctioned by Hockey Canada and the Ontario Women's Hockey Association.
OWHL alumni have gone on to play in the Professional Women's Hockey League, National Collegiate Athletic Association, U Sports, and the Canada women's national ice hockey team.
History
The league was founded in 2004 as the Provincial Women's Hockey League by the Ontario Women's Hockey Association (OWHA). It is the women's equivalent to men's junior hockey, but is officially classified by the OWHA as "Intermediate AA," as the OWHA does not have an official "junior" classification system. Despite this, its teams market themselves as women's junior hockey.[1] [2]
In the early years of the league, when PWHL teams had to compete for OWHA provincials they would do so with representatives of the Ottawa District. The PWHL franchises proved much more competitive than their Ottawa counterparts and after two seasons Ottawa applied to and joined the PWHL. By the 2009 league playoffs, the Ottawa Senators beat the league powerhouse Toronto Jr. Aeros to win its first league championship.
In the 2019–20 season, the playoffs were cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic.[3] The following season was not played due to coronavirus-related restrictions.
At some point following the pandemic, the league was renamed to the Ontario Women's Hockey League (OWHL).[4]
Teams
[5]
| | Team | Centre | Joined | | Aurora Jr. Panthers | Aurora, Ontario | 2004 | | Barrie Jr. Sharks | Barrie, Ontario | 2011 | | Bluewater Jr. Hawks | Strathroy, Ontario | 2004 | | Brampton Jr. Canadettes | Brampton, Ontario | 2004 | | Burlington Jr. Barracudas | Burlington, Ontario | 2004 | | Cambridge Rivulettes | Cambridge, Ontario | 2004 | | Durham West Jr. Lightning | Ajax, Ontario | 2004 | | Etobicoke Jr. Dolphins | Etobicoke, Toronto | 2004 | | Kingston Ice Wolves | Kingston, Ontario | 2012 | | London Jr. Devilettes | London, Ontario | 2004 | | Mississauga Jr. Hurricanes | Mississauga, Ontario | 2004 | | Nepean Jr. Wildcats | Nepean, Ontario | 2010 | | Oakville Jr. Hornets | Oakville, Ontario | 2004 | | Ottawa Lady Senators | Ottawa, Ontario | 2006 | | Southwest Wildcats | Windsor, Ontario | 2004 | | Stoney Creek Jr. Sabres | Stoney Creek, Ontario | 2004 | | Toronto Jr. Aeros | North York, Toronto | 2004 | | Toronto Leaside Jr. Wildcats | Leaside, Toronto | 2012 | | Waterloo Ravens | Waterloo, Ontario | 2008 | | Whitby Jr. Wolves | Whitby, Ontario | 2005 | |
| |
Defunct franchises
- Chatham Outlaws (2004–2006)
- Hamilton Hawks (2004–2011)
- Markham-Stouffville Stars (2004–2009)
Champions
Championships by year
| Year | Regular Season | League Championship | Provincial Championship |
|---|
| Provincial Women's Hockey League |
|---|
| 2005 | Toronto Jr. Aeros | Toronto Jr. Aeros | Toronto Jr. Aeros |
| 2006 | Toronto Jr. Aeros | Toronto Jr. Aeros | Toronto Jr. Aeros |
| 2007 | Toronto Jr. Aeros | Toronto Jr. Aeros | Stoney Creek Jr. Sabres |
| 2008 | Stoney Creek Jr. Sabres | Stoney Creek Jr. Sabres | Ottawa NCCP Jr. Capitals |
| 2009 | Toronto Jr. Aeros | Ottawa Lady Senators | Mississauga Jr. Chiefs |
| 2010 | Mississauga Jr. Chiefs | Toronto Jr. Aeros | Toronto Jr. Aeros |
| 2011 | Mississauga Jr. Chiefs | Toronto Jr. Aeros | Mississauga Jr. Chiefs |
| 2012 | Toronto Jr. Aeros | Bluewater Jr. Hawks | Bluewater Jr. Hawks |
| 2013 | Whitby Jr. Wolves | Whitby Jr. Wolves | Durham West Jr. Lightning |
| 2014 | Nepean Jr. Wildcats | Whitby Jr. Wolves | Mississauga Jr. Chiefs |
| 2015 | Oakville Jr. Hornets | Stoney Creek Jr. Sabres | Oakville Jr. Hornets |
| 2016 | Durham West Jr. Lightning | Toronto Jr. Aeros | Toronto Jr. Aeros |
| 2017 | Oakville Jr. Hornets | Oakville Jr. Hornets | Oakville Jr. Hornets |
| 2018 | Toronto Jr. Aeros | Toronto Jr. Aeros | Toronto Jr. Aeros |
| 2019 | Kingston Ice Wolves | London Jr. Devilettes | London Jr. Devilettes |
| 2020 | Etobicoke Jr. Dolphins | No tournament held |
| 2021 | Season not played[6] |
| Ontario Women's Hockey League U22 Elite |
|---|
| 2022 | Durham West Jr. Lightning | Durham West Jr. Lightning | Etobicoke Jr. Dolphins |
| 2023 | Durham West Jr. Lightning | London Jr. Devilettes | Durham West Jr. Lightning |
| 2024 | Etobicoke Jr. Dolphins | Durham West Jr. Lightning | Burlington Barracudas | |
Championships by team
| Team | Regular Season | League Championship | Provincial Championship |
|---|
| Bluewater Jr. Hawks | | 1: 2012 | 1: 2012 |
| Burlington Barracudas | | | 1: 2024 |
| Durham West Jr. Lightning | 3: 2016, 2022, 2023 | 2: 2022, 2024 | 2: 2013, 2023 |
| Etobicoke Jr. Dolphins | 2: 2020, 2024 | | 1: 2022 |
| Kingston Jr. Ice Wolves | 1: 2019 | | |
| London Jr. Devilettes | | 2: 2019, 2023 | 1: 2019 |
| Mississauga Jr. Chiefs/Hurricanes | 2: 2010, 2011 | | 3: 2009, 2011, 2014 |
| Nepean Jr. Wildcats | 1: 2014 | | |
| Oakville Jr. Hornets | 2: 2015, 2017 | 1: 2017 | 2: 2015, 2017 |
| Ottawa Lady Senators | | 1: 2009 | 1: 2008 |
| Stoney Creek Jr. Sabres | 1: 2008 | 2: 2008, 2015 | 1: 2007 |
| Toronto Jr. Aeros | 6: 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012, 2018 | 7: 2005, 2006, 2007, 2010, 2011, 2016, 2018 | 5: 2005, 2006, 2010, 2016, 2018 |
| Whitby Jr. Wolves | 1: 2013 | 2: 2013, 2014 | | |
"Triple Crown" winners
Two teams have won the regular season, league championship, and provincial championship in the same season. The first to do it was the Toronto Jr. Aeros, accomplishing the feat back-to-back in the league's first two seasons.
- 2005 Toronto Jr. Aeros
- 2006 Toronto Jr. Aeros
- 2017 Oakville Jr. Hornets
- 2018 Toronto Jr. Aeros
Awards
Regular Season champions
| Season | Team | Record | Points |
| 2004–05 | Toronto Jr. Aeros | 23–5–2 | 48 |
| 2005–06 | Toronto Jr. Aeros[7] | 27–0–3 | 57 |
| 2006–07 | Toronto Jr. Aeros[8] | 22–6–4 | 48 |
| 2007–08 | Stoney Creek Jr. Sabres | 27–2–3 | 57 |
| 2008–09 | Toronto Jr. Aeros | 27–5–2 | 56 |
| 2009–10 | Mississauga Chiefs[9] | 29–2–3–0 | 61 |
| 2010–11 | Mississauga Chiefs[10] | 33–3–0–0 | 66 |
| 2011–12 | Toronto Jr. Aeros | 31–1–1–1 | 64 |
| 2012–13 | Whitby Jr. Wolves | 29–6–2–1 | 61 |
| 2013–14 | Nepean Jr. Wildcats[11] | 32–3–2–1 | 67 |
| 2014–15 | Oakville Jr. Hornets | 31–3–4–0 | 66 |
| 2015–16 | Durham West Jr. Lightning | 27–2–5–4 | 63 |
| 2016–17 | Oakville Jr. Hornets | 31–3–4–0 | 66 |
| 2017–18 | Toronto Jr. Aeros | 31–3–4–0 | 66 |
| 2018–19 | Kingston Ice Wolves | 28–2–7–1 | 64 |
| 2019–20 | Etobicoke Jr. Dolphins | 27–4–6 | 61 |
| 2020–21 |
| 2021–22 | Durham West Jr. Lightning | 28–0–1–1 | 58 |
| 2022–23 | Durham West Jr. Lightning |
| 2023–24 | Etobicoke Jr. Dolphins | |
Scoring champion
| | Season | Player | Team | G-A-P | | 2004–05 | | | 2005–06 | Mallory Deluce | Bluewater Jr. Hawks | 18-45–63 | | 2006–07 | Laura McIntosh | Mississauga Jr. Chiefs | 21-33–54 | | 2007–08 | Kelly Sabatine | Stoney Creek Jr. Sabres | 28-32–60 | | 2008–09 | Kelly Sabatine | Stoney Creek Jr. Sabres | 33-35–68 | | 2009–10 | Theadora Imbrogno[12] | - 174/news_12277 | Mississauga Jr. Chiefs | 28-34–62 | | 2010–11 | Jenna Dingeldein | Mississauga Jr. Chiefs | 21-40–61 | | 2011–12 | Emily Janiga | Burlington Jr. Barracudas | 27-21–48 | | 2012–13 | Krista Yip-Chuck | Whitby Jr. Wolves | 29-36–65 | | 2013–14 | Victoria Bach[13] | Mississauga Jr. Chiefs | 36-32–68 | | 2014–15 | Jessie Eldridge | Toronto Jr. Aeros | 29-35–64 | | 2015–16 | Daryl Watts | Mississauga Jr. Chiefs | 30-35–65 | | 2016–17 | Emma Maltais | Oakville Hornets | 22-34–56 | | 2017–18 | Maggie McKee | London Devilettes | 14-32–46 | | 2018–19 | Maggie McKee | London Devilettes | 15-41–56 | | 2019–20 | Kiara Zanon | Kingston Ice Wolves | 33-31–64 | |
| |
Goaltending Award
| | Season | Player | Team | GAA | | 2004–05 | Melissa John/
Jamie Miller | Toronto Jr. Aeros | 1.50 | | 2005–06 | Christina Kessler/
Jamie Miller | Toronto Jr. Aeros | 0.93 | | 2006–07 | Jamie Miller | Toronto Jr. Aeros | 1.28 | | 2007–08 | Cassandra McNichol | Mississauga Jr. Chiefs | 1.13 | | 2008–09 | Cassie Seguin | Ottawa Senators | 1.34 | | 2009–10 | Olivia Ross | Mississauga Jr. Chiefs | 0.98 | | 2010–11 | Ali Binnington/
Bridget Smith | Mississauga Jr. Chiefs | 1.00 | | 2011–12 | Taylor Hough | Toronto Jr. Aeros | 0.71 | | 2012–13 | Jackie Rochefort | Durham West Jr. Lightning | 0.94 | | 2013–14 | Kira Bombay[14] | Nepean Jr. Wildcats | 0.82 | | 2014–15 | Sarah McDonnell | Stoney Creek Jr. Sabres | 1.03 | | 2015–16 | Danika Ranger | Durham West Jr. Lightning | 0.83 | | 2016–17 | Makenzy Arsenault | Whitby Wolves | .84 | | 2017–18 | Natalie Thompson | Toronto Aeros | .71 | | 2018–19 | Andrea Fausto | Stoney Creek Sabres | 1.04 | | 2019–20 | Michelle Pasiechnyk | Nepean Wildcats | 1.33 | |
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Coach of the Year
| | Season | Coach | Team | | 2004–05 | Paul Rockett | Brampton Jr. Canadettes | | 2005–06 | | | 2006–07 | | | 2007–08 | | | 2008–09 | | | 2009–10 | Dave Gwyn | Etobicoke Jr. Dolphins | | 2010–11 | Rick Sullivan | Bluewater Jr. Hawks | | 2011–12 | Christina Jolliffe | London Jr. Devilettes | | 2012–13 | Wayne McDonald | Durham West Jr. Lightning | | 2013–14 | Bruce MacDonald | Nepean Jr. Wildcats | | 2014–15 | Jessica Turri | Etobicoke Jr. Dolphins | | 2015–16 | Kim McCullough | Leaside Wildcats | | 2016–17 | Troy Sweet | Kingston Jr Ice Wolves | | 2017–18 | Geoff Haddaway | Cambridge Rivulettes | | 2018–19 | Chad Campbell | Waterloo K-W Rangers | | 2019–20 | Stacey Marnoch | Stoney Creek Sabres | |
| |
Christie Rose Scholarship
For ten years, the PWHL awarded a scholarship in memory of former PWHL player Christie Rose. She was an 18-year-old young woman who died on June 24, 2008, as a result of her injuries suffered in a car accident.[8] The scholarship is awarded on an annual basis to recognize a young woman who shares the same qualities and characteristics as Christie. The scholarship program was ended after it awarded its tenth recipient.
Recipients
| | Year | Player | Team | | 2009 | Kaitlyn Bannon[15] | London Jr. Devilettes | | 2010 | Blair Connelly | Bluewater Jr. Hawks | | 2011 | Stacey Scott | London Jr. Devilettes | | 2012 | Michelle Tanel | Durham West Jr. Lightning | | 2013 | Clare McKellar[16] | London Jr. Devilettes | | 2014 | Caitlin Lee/
Erran Lee[17] | Kingston Ice Wolves | | 2015 | Davis Smith[18] | Bluewater Jr. Hawks | | 2016 | Emma Forcey[19] | Bluewater Jr. Hawks | | 2017 | Tayler Murphy | Mississauga Chiefs | | 2018 | Maggie McKee | London Devilettes | |
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External links
Notes and References
- Web site: Provincial Women's Hockey League . PWHL Constitution . August 9, 2010.
- Web site: Ellis . Steven . Feeder League to the Future: PWHL a Stepping Stone for Next Generation . thehockeynews.com . The Hockey News . January 7, 2024 . March 8, 2021.
- Web site: PWHL.ca – Provincial Women's Hockey League Provincial Women's Hockey League. 2020-10-26. pwhl.pointstreaksites.com.
- Web site: Kennedy . Ian . Dominance of OWHL Evident In Hockey Canada's U-18 Roster . thehockeynews.com . The Hockey News . January 6, 2024 . August 7, 2023.
- Web site: Welcome to the Provincial Women's Hockey League . August 9, 2010.
- Web site: Guignard . Jonathan . Barrie Jr. Sharks eager to begin 2021-22 PWHL season . BVM Sports . May 26, 2024 . September 20, 2021.
- Web site: Provincial Womens Hockey League . 2011-02-07 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20110706192741/http://www.owha.on.ca/news_release_pwhl.asp . 2011-07-06 .
- Web site: PWHL.ca – Provincial Women's Hockey League | Provincial Women's Hockey League. pwhl.pointstreaksites.com.
- Web site: Provincial Women's Hockey League | Pointstreak Stats. pwhl3.stats.pointstreak.com.
- Web site: Provincial Women's Hockey League | Pointstreak Stats. pwhl3.stats.pointstreak.com.
- Web site: Provincial Women's Hockey League | Pointstreak Stats. pwhl3.stats.pointstreak.com.
- http://pwhl.pointstreaksites.com/view/pwhl/news-
- Web site: Provincial Women's Hockey League | Pointstreak Stats. pwhl3.stats.pointstreak.com.
- Web site: Provincial Women's Hockey League | Pointstreak Stats. pwhl3.stats.pointstreak.com.
- Web site: Hockey scholarship remembers Christie – St. Thomas Times-Journal – Ontario, CA. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20110716160030/http://www.stthomastimesjournal.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?archive=true&e=1757701. 2011-07-16.
- Web site: Clare McKellar wins Christie Rose Scholarship Provincial Women's Hockey League. 2020-10-26. pwhl.pointstreaksites.com.
- Web site: Forrest. Ben. 2014-09-05. Hockey-playing twins win Christie Rose Scholarship. 2020-10-26. St Thomas Times Journal. en-US.
- Web site: McCallum. Ian. 2015-09-22. Davis Smith is this year's Christie Rose Scholarship recipient. 2020-10-26. St Thomas Times Journal. en-US.
- Web site: McCallum. Ian. 2016-09-10. Eighteen-year-old Emma Forcey this year's recipient of Christie Rose PWHL scholarship. 2020-10-26. St Thomas Times Journal. en-US.
