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Don’t look at the calendar. Or outside. Hockey is here.
Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League camps have kicked off and exhibition games have already started with the puck scheduled to drop on the 2024-25 campaign Sept. 11.
Stratford’s 50-game regular season starts and ends against Elmira. The Warriors play host to the Sugar Kings on Sept. 13 at Allman Arena and get a final pre-playoff test March 9 at Dan Snyder Memorial Arena.
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The schedule looks much different after Stratford, Kitchener-Waterloo, Elmira and Listowel joined the Western Conference. The Warriors still play most of their home games on Friday nights, but they have two Wednesday home games and their annual Family Day matinee against Listowel is set for Monday, Feb. 17 at the Allman.
Stratford faces the St. Marys Lincolns four times, beginning with a home-and-home Oct. 16 at Allman Arena and Oct. 18 at the Pyramid Recreation Centre. The Lincolns open the season with three of four games at home, starting with St. Thomas on Sept. 13.
The Listowel Cyclones begin defence of their Sutherland Cup title on Sept. 12 in Sarnia before raising the banner Sept. 13 against Strathroy at the Steve Kerr Memorial Complex in what will be the Rockets’ season opener.
The London Nationals start their season on Sept. 11 in Lasalle against the Vipers, with their home opener one week later against Listowel. The Komoka Kings drop the puck on their season on Sept. 14 when they play host to Stratford.
This year’s GOJHL Showcase weekend in Caledonia is Dec. 6-8 – later than in recent seasons.
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Off the ice, the league recently announced Craig Spada as its new commissioner. The former National Hockey League referee officiated 247 NHL games and brings an “extensive hockey background and commitment to player development” that makes him “the ideal leader to guide the GOJHL into its next chapter,” league officials said in a statement.
Spada initially served as the league’s director of player safety and helped establish a first responder program for the immediate safety of players on the ice. Player growth and advancement will remain a top priority for the 23-team loop, especially after four players were recently drafted in the NHL’s first round just a year out of the GOJHL.
“The GOJHL’s ability to be a leader in player development is what makes me most proud to be a part of this league,” Spada said. “We have consistently moved players onto the OHL and helped them further their skills and careers.”
Spada takes over from interim commission Tim Simmons, who will move into the role of GOJHL executive of hockey operations.
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