OHL (Canada) 2026/27

The Ontario Hockey League operates as a Tier I major junior ice hockey competition. Founded in 1980 following a split from the Ontario Major Junior Hockey League, it forms one third of the Canadian Hockey League alongside the Western Hockey League and the Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League. The league sits at the top of the Canadian junior pyramid and serves as a primary development pipeline for the National Hockey League rather than a professional minor league system.

Competition structure sees 20 teams divided into Eastern and Western Conferences. Most franchises play within Ontario, while the Flint Firebirds represent Michigan and the Erie Otters represent Pennsylvania. Each team plays a 68-game regular season schedule. The postseason features best-of-seven series culminating in the J. Ross Robertson Cup final. The league operates on a closed system with no promotion or relegation, relying instead on franchise agreements for membership stability.

Player eligibility requires athletes to be between 16 and 20 years old. Participants receive stipends and education benefits rather than salaries. The London Knights currently hold the title after winning the 2025 J. Ross Robertson Cup. The Oshawa Generals maintain the record for most championships with 13 titles. The competition distinguishes itself through its geographic concentration in Ontario and its high production of NHL draft picks.