The Ontario Junior Hockey League and the OJHL Foundation are proud to introduce the official launch of programming aimed at assisting the 500-plus players in Canada’s largest Junior A hockey league.

The Foundation’s First Assist Program presented by StoneRidge Insurance Brokers, a life skills and mental wellbeing program, is being rolled out at the OJHL Governors’ Showcase in Buffalo, NY next week. The program includes a comprehensive seminar designed to provide players with information about mental health and much more that they can apply to their own lives in order to maintain good health.

"We are extremely excited with the launch of the OJHL Foundation website, First Assist Program and the many other programs planned through the OJHL Foundation in the future,” said foundation chair Scott McCrory. “Our goal is to support all our players and alumni on and off the ice, and that is what the OJHL Foundation is designed to do."

The players on 12 of the OJHL’s 22 teams will take part in First Assist Program sessions during the Governors’ Showcase at HarborCenter in downtown Buffalo beginning Monday. Seminars for the remaining 10 teams will be held at their home rinks across southern Ontario.

“We are so pleased to be involved with the OJHL Foundation in developing the First Assist Program for member teams of the Ontario Junior Hockey League,” said Glenn Crichton, First Assist Program Co-ordinator. “Mental wellness is as important as physical fitness  in today’s game. First Assist will provide players and staff with practical tools that will help them deal with many of the pressures they face  as elite athletes, on and off the ice. This will assist them in fully investing, not only in pursuit of their athletic goals, but also in the pursuit of their own  personal life goals.”

A support campaign and resources will be provided to the OJHL’s teams, its players, parents and billets.

StoneRidge Insurance Brokers was  introduced as the sponsor of the First Assist Program last week.

“Under the leadership of our Past Chairman, Scott McCory, his vision for a Foundation to support our players is coming to reality,” said Marty Savoy, Commissioner of the OJHL.  “The purpose of the OJHL Foundation aligns with the purpose of the OJHL, Develop Young Men Through Hockey, and the league is extremely thankful the volunteer Board of the Foundation and all of the work they are doing for the support of our players.”

“I have committed to work on behalf of all of our 22 clubs in driving the improvement of not only the OJHL, but the game of Junior hockey,” said Marc Mercier, OJHL Chairman.  “Most importantly, like my fellow OJHL Governors, I am committed to ‘Developing Young Men Through Hockey,’ and the work that our Foundation is doing for the support of our players is a perfect example of how the OJHL continues to evolve and lead in the great game of hockey.”

“With the launch of the First Assist Program and other Foundation programs currently being developed, the OJHL is ensuring we are putting our player first and foremost in everything we do,” Mercier said.

The First Assist Program is just a start:

• The OJHL Foundation website, ojhlfoundation,ca, is officially launched. It includes resources for players, staff and parents, fourth coming information on scholarships and bursaries and details on programs offered through the league and its foundation.

• The foundation has introduced its board of directors. The chair is McCrory, head coach and general manager of the Georgetown Raiders and the past chair of the OJHL board of directors. The board also includes OJHL alumni, parents of graduates now in the NCAA and OJHL team owners, past and present.

• The OJHL Foundation wills support and honour OJHL award recipients from the 2018-19 season at a banquet next spring. All funds raised from this new event will go to the foundation.

• Key partners of the OJHL Foundation include: the 22 OJHL member teams; StoneRidge Insurance Brokers, the Zach Hyman Celebrity Classic; The Coping Centre; Beast and Buddies Charitable Golf Tournament and the Ontario Junior Hockey League.

• Donations are being accepted through the foundation website. There are other ways to get involved with the foundation. Companies are being encouraged to offer internships, summer employment and other work placements for OJHL players.

About the OJHL – “League of Choice”

The Ontario Junior Hockey League is the largest Junior ‘A’ league operating under the auspices of the Canadian Junior Hockey League with 22 member clubs.  A proud member of the CJHL and Ontario Hockey Association, the OJHL was originally named the Ontario Provincial Junior ‘A’ Hockey League after it was formed out of the Central Junior ‘B’ Hockey League in 1993-94.  With a long and storied history of developing players for the next level, including USports, the NCAA, CHL, minor pro ranks and the NHL, the OJHL had more than 135 commitments in 2017-18, including 65 NCAA Division I scholarships.

About the OJHL Foundation

Founded in 2012, the OJHL Foundation is a non-profit organization designed to provide support and programs to its players, member teams and alumni. The OJHL Foundation was created to provide assistance and opportunities for the most important aspect of the league – the players. All funds raised will support and reward our athletes with programs, scholarships and financial assistance.