The Wellington Dukes received their OHA championship banner and trophy Saturday during the association's annual meeting in Alliston. (Photo by Timothy Bates/OJHL Images)

Alliston, ON -- The 129th Ontario Hockey Association (OHA) Annual General Meeting (AGM) was held on Saturday June 16, 2018 at the Nottawasaga Inn Resort in Alliston.

The meeting was opened by OHA Chairman of the Board of Directors Brad Grant who welcomed everyone in attendance and thanked them for coming. The AGM included representation from the governing body’s Board of Directors, Officers, Life Members, Staff, League Convenors, Team Delegates, the Ontario Hockey Federation (OHF), the Northern Ontario Hockey Association and the Minor Hockey Alliance of Ontario. Before proceeding with the meeting, all attendees stood for a moment of silence for those lost this year.

The 2018 OHA AGM was attended by 87 members of the Association with 98 voting delegates. The business portion of the meeting was run by Parliamentarian George Meek. 

OHA President Karen Phibbs provided an overview of events and highlights from all four OHA Leagues (Ontario Junior Hockey League - OJHL, Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League - GOJHL, Provincial Junior Hockey League - PJHL, Allan Cup Hockey - ACH) that took place throughout the year and were included in the 2017-18 OHA Annual Report, including: the OJHL Governors’ Showcase, the GOJHL Top Prospects Games, the PJHL Prospects Day, and the Stoney Creek Generals playing an International Exhibition game against Poland’s National Men’s Team in December. 

All of the 2017-18 OHA Champions were recognized with their OHA Championship trophies and Championship banners during a special video tribute for each team:
Buckland Cup Champions - Wellington Dukes (OJHL) 
Sutherland Cup Champions - Listowel Cyclones (GOJHL)
Schmalz Cup Champions - Lakefield Chiefs (PJHL)
Robertson Cup Champions - Stoney Creek Generals (ACH)

The OJHL’s Wellington Dukes were also congratulated on winning the 2018 Dudley-Hewitt Cup, the Central Canadian Junior A Championship; and the Ontario Hockey Federation’s Ruddock Cup; and finishing as the runner-up at the 2018 RBC Cup in Chilliwack, losing to the host Chilliwack Chiefs in the Championship Game at the National Junior A Championship.

The ACH’s Stoney Creek Generals were congratulated for winning the OHF Yeck Stobbs Cup and the 2018 Allan Cup in Rosetown, Saskatchewan by defeating the Lacombe Generals, becoming the first OHA team to win the National Senior Men’s Championship since 2014 when the Dundas Real McCoys won. 

Visit the Ontario Hockey Association YouTube for videos on all four Championship teams from 2017-18.

Glanbrook’s Vern Gaddye and four volunteers for the Thamesford Trojans (Dick Howard, Bob Henderson, Keith Webb, Bill House) were announced as the recipients of the OHA Crystal Puck Award for 2017-18. The OHA Crystal Puck Award recognizes an individual or organization’s outstanding achievements or contributions within the Ontario Hockey Association.

The 2017-18 OHA Award winners were recognized with a highlight video from the OHA Awards Presentation that was held at the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto on June 1, 2018. 

OHA Director and Finance Chairman Bruce Schlitt updated the membership on the Treasurer’s Report. 

George Meek kept the proceedings going through the Motions which were all carried, including the OHG Motion on Governance and Timeline. 

Following the election of Officers and Directors, the OHA Board of Directors for the 2018-19 season: 
Tom Strauch (St. George, ON) – Chairman                                       
Gary Moroney (Aurora, ON) – 1st Vice Chairman
Jeff Beatty (Bothwell, ON) - Director 
Mark Davies (Ancaster, ON) - Director
Don Kilgallen (Grimsby, ON) - Director
Arnie Lawlor (Dorchester, ON) - Director
Joe MacNeil (St. Catharines, ON) - Director
Shawn McKelvie (Kitchener, ON) - Director
Barry Martinelli (London, ON) - Director
Trevor Tinney (Campbellford, ON) - Director

New Chairman Tom Strauch thanked outgoing Chairman Brad Grant for his hard work and leadership during his tenure and is looking forward to the challenges and opportunities for the OHA ahead.

The OHA would like to thank everyone who assisted in making the 2018 AGM a success, including the entire staff at the Nottawasaga Inn Resort for their incredible hospitality and support.