CALGARY, Alta. – Boasting the most clubs of any of the 10 leagues that comprise the Canadian Junior Hockey League, the Ontario Junior Hockey League featured 22 member teams that took to the ice in 2019-20.

Of those squads, 11 of them played at over a .500 pace throughout the campaign with eight of those side finishing past a .600 clip.

Widely recognized as among the elite leagues that produces talent that go on to the next level, the OJHL presently has nearly 100 players listed from the 2019-20 season that have committed to either NCAA or U SPORTS programs to further their playing careers and continue their education.

The latest CJHL produced league-by-league feature highlights the OJHL.

The OJHL

Commissioner: Marty Savoy

Website: ojhl.ca

Twitter: @OJHLOfficial

REGULAR SEASON: A 54-game regular season saw the Wellington Dukes post an OJHL-best mark of 43-9-2-0, giving them 88 points in total.

Three other squads in the league also had 80-plus point years.

Wellington’s nearby rival, the Trenton Golden Hawks, had 84 points this season, as did the Oakville Blades while the Toronto Jr. Canadiens had 82.

TOP SCORERS: Pacing the OJHL offensively on the year were the duo of Kyle Bollers (Brantford 99ers) and Harrison Israels (Oakville Blades) as the pair collected 86 points apiece.

Bollers produced 39 goals, which tied him for the league lead in tallies while Israels’ 57 assists were tops in the OJHL.

By collecting 79 points, including 50 helpers, Ayrton Martino (St. Michael’s Buzzers) finished third in league offensive production.

Pacing all OJHL defencemen in scoring was Quinn Hanna (Wellington Dukes) as he picked up 57 points in 52 outings, notching 16 markers and helping set-up 41 more.

Next was Sam Duchesne (Trenton Golden Hawks) who also performed at over a point-per-game clip with 55 in 52 match-ups on 14 goals and 41 assists.

Finishing third among blueliners was Dirk Stadig (Toronto Patriots), who registered 53 points by leading all league rearguards in tallies with 18 while dishing out 35 helpers.

TOP TENDERS: On the season, 10 OJHL netminders saw over 2,000 minutes of game action.

Of that group, Nathan Torchia (Georgetown Raiders) and Christian Mattiace (Toronto Jr. Canadiens) boasted the best goals-against average at 2.32 each.

Right behind them in GAA was Anand Oberoi (Trenton Golden Hawks) at 2.33.

Save percentage wise, 1,500-minute man Brendan Bonello (Pickering Panthers) sported a .946 mark with Andrew Rose (Collingwood Colts) finishing second in the league at .943.

The league leader in wins was Mattiace with 28 while Colton Incze (Brantford 99ers) had 27 and Mario Peccia (Toronto Patriots) racked up 25.

Finishing tied for top spot in shutouts with five apiece were Torchia and Bonello.

OJHL TIDBITS: There were a total of four OJHLers, all forwards, who were listed on NHL Central Scouting’s final 2020 Draft Rankings. … Topping that group was Matteo Costantini (Buffalo Jr. Sabres) who was slotted 96th among North American skaters. … Next was Ryan Tverberg (Toronto Jr. Canadiens) at 140th while Ryan Alexander (St. Michael’s Buzzers) was tabbed 161st and Cole O’Hara (North York Rangers) came in at 170th. … The OJHL had nine players that competed in the 2020 CJHL Prospects Game that was held in Hamilton, Ont., back in January. … They included Costantini, Tverberg, Alexander, O’Hara, Nathan Porter, (D) Whitby Fury, Thomas Haines, (D) Brampton Admirals, Brendan Kennette, (D) Burlington Cougars, Christos Rodis, (F) Pickering Panthers and Finn Brown, (F) St. Michael’s Buzzers. … Five teams in the league were listed in the final CJHL Top 20 Rankings for the season. They were the Wellington Dukes (8th); Oakville Blades (10th); Trenton Golden Hawks (13th); Toronto Jr. Canadiens (17th) and the Burlington Cougars (Honourable Mention). … The Toronto Patriots 22.54% led the OJHL in power play proficiency and the Trenton Golden Hawks (89.74%) were best on the penalty kill. … 2019-20 OJHL Award Winners: MVP: Harrison Israels, (F) Oakville Blades; Top Forward: Harrison Israels, Oakville Blades; Top Defenceman: Sam Duchesne, Trenton Golden Hawks; Top Goaltender: Nathan Torchia, Georgetown Raiders; Rookie of the Year: Matteo Costantini, Buffalo Jr. Sabres; Coach of the Year: Derek Smith, Wellington Dukes; Regular Season champion: Wellington Dukes.

- CJHL

With files, in part, from Jim Mason, Director of Communications (OJHL)

Photo credit: Amy Deroche/OJHL Images