The Ontario Hockey League in association with the Greater Toronto Hockey League announced a list of all competing teams and a preliminary schedule for the 2016 OHL Cup, hosted by the GTHL, to be played March 15-21 in Toronto. All games will be played at Scotiabank Pond until the championship moves to Mattamy Athletic Centre on Monday, March 21.
The list of 2016 OHL Cup competitors includes a total of 25 minor midget teams from across Ontario and the United States. The final tournament structure will include 20 spots with 15 guaranteed through league competition. The other five will be earned in a series of Wild Card games.
CONFIRMED TEAMS
GTHL
Toronto Marlboros (League Finalist), Mississauga Rebels (League Finalist), Toronto Red Wings (League Semi-Finalist) and Toronto Jr. Canadiens (League Semi-Finalist)
ALLIANCE
Waterloo Wolves (League Champion), London Jr. Knights (League Finalist) and Windsor Jr. Spitfires (Semi-Final Wild Card Series winner)
OMHA
York Simcoe Express (OMHA Champion), Hamilton Jr. Bulldogs (OMHA Finalist), Barrie Jr. Colts (OMHA Bronze Medalist) and Southern Tier Admirals (OMHA Semi-Finalist)
USA
Elite Hockey Group and TPH Thunder
HNO
Thunder Bay Kings
NOHA
Team NOHA
WILD CARD PLAY-IN GAME TEAMS
All 10 teams will take part in a one-game “win and you’re in” matchup prior to the start of round-robin play to officially qualify for the 2016 OHL Cup. The games will take place on Tuesday, March 15, with matchups determined by random draw on the evening of Monday, March 14. Winners of all five games will be inserted as WC 1-5 into the alignment and schedule below.
- Clarington Toros (OMHA 5th Place)
- Don Mills Flyers (GTHL Wild Card Series)
- Halton Hurricanes (OMHA SCTA Semi-Finalist)
- Kingston Jr. Frontenacs (OMHA ETA Semi-Finalist)
- Kitchener Jr. Rangers (ALLIANCE Semi-Finalist)
- Markham Majors (GTHL Wild Card Series)
- Mississauga Senators (GTHL Wild Card Series)
- Niagara North Stars (OMHA SCTA Semi-Finalist)
- Quinte Red Devils (OMHA ETA Semi-Finalist)
- Vaughan Kings (GTHL Wild Card Series)
Last season the Toronto Marlboros captured their second straight OHL Cup and fifth title in 11 years with a 3-2 overtime win over the Don Mills Flyers. Marlboros forward and 2015 OHL Cup MVP Ryan McLeod followed up older brother Michael McLeod’s MVP effort in 2014 with three goals and four assists in the tournament.
McLeod was then selected third overall by the Flint Firebirds in the 2015 OHL Priority Selection, one of 12 first-round picks from a 2015 OHL Cup team, and one of six chosen in the top ten. The others: David Levin (Don Mills Flyers – 1st overall to the Sudbury Wolves), Brady Gilmour (Quinte Red Devils – 6th overall to the Saginaw Spirit), Ben Jones (Toronto Marlboros – 7th overall to the Niagara IceDogs), Matthew Strome (Toronto Marlboros – 8th overall to the Hamilton Bulldogs) and Markus Phillips (Toronto Titans – 9th overall to the Owen Sound Attack).
Five first round selections in the 2015 NHL Draft are also OHL Cup graduates including Connor McDavid (Toronto Marlboros/Edmonton Oilers), Dylan Strome (Toronto Marlboros/Arizona Coyotes), Mitch Marner (Don Mills Flyers/Toronto Maple Leafs), Lawson Crouse (Elgin-Middlesex Chiefs/Florida Panthers) and Travis Konecny (Elgin-Middlesex Chiefs/Philadelphia Flyers).
Notable OHL Cup graduates currently playing in the NHL include Taylor Hall (Greater Kingston Frontenacs/Edmonton Oilers), John Tavares (Toronto Marlboros/New York Islanders), Steven Stamkos (Markham Waxers/Tampa Bay Lightning), Tyler Seguin (Toronto Nationals/Dallas Stars), 2013 Norris Trophy winner P.K. Subban (Markham Islanders/Montreal Canadiens) and 2010 OHL Cup MVP Sean Monahan (Mississauga Rebels/Calgary Flames).
