Ontario Hockey League

How the OHL is organized

For 2026-27 the OHL's official statistics list 20 teams split into four five-team divisions: East, Central, Midwest and West.

The OHL is one of the three member leagues of the Canadian Hockey League (CHL), alongside the other two regional leagues. The NCAA's announcement refers to this level of hockey as "Major Junior."

OHL and the NCAA Division I men's hockey pathway

On November 7, 2024, the NCAA announced that the Division I Council adopted a change to preenrollment rules in men's ice hockey. In the NCAA's words, it enables "prospects who participate in Major Junior ice hockey or on professional teams to retain NCAA eligibility as long as they are not paid more than actual and necessary expenses as part of that participation." The change is effective August 1, 2025.

What this means in practice: playing in the OHL no longer automatically ends a player's NCAA Division I men's hockey eligibility on its own. Eligibility remains conditional. A player still has to complete NCAA amateurism certification, meet NCAA academic requirements, satisfy every other NCAA rule that applies to their own history, and must not have received more than actual and necessary expenses. Playing in the OHL does not guarantee NCAA eligibility, a roster spot or a scholarship.

The change applies to NCAA Division I men's ice hockey. Rules can change, so families should confirm a player's specific situation directly with the NCAA Eligibility Center and the school's compliance office before making decisions.

• NCAA official announcement
• NCAA DI Amateurism Certification — Ice Hockey (PDF)
• NCAA DI Men's Ice Hockey Preenrollment FAQ (PDF)

Player development questions for families

Development experiences vary by team, role and player. Beyond The Puck does not rate OHL teams. Before committing, families should ask each team directly about ice time and role, practice and off-ice training, school and education arrangements, billeting, travel, and what any agreement the player signs means for NCAA eligibility.

Current Teams

Member teams listed on the league's own team page for the 2026-27 season, in alphabetical order.

• Barrie ColtsBarrie, ON, Canada · Central Division
• Brampton SteelheadsBrampton, ON, Canada · Central Division
• Brantford BulldogsBrantford, ON, Canada · East Division
• Erie OttersErie, PA, United States · Midwest Division
• Flint FirebirdsFlint, MI, United States · West Division
• Guelph StormGuelph, ON, Canada · Midwest Division
• Kingston FrontenacsKingston, ON, Canada · East Division
• Kitchener RangersKitchener, ON, Canada · Midwest Division
• London KnightsLondon, ON, Canada · Midwest Division
• Niagara IceDogsNiagara, ON, Canada · Central Division
• North Bay BattalionNorth Bay, ON, Canada · Central Division
• Oshawa GeneralsOshawa, ON, Canada · East Division
• Ottawa 67'sOttawa, ON, Canada · East Division
• Owen Sound AttackOwen Sound, ON, Canada · Midwest Division
• Peterborough PetesPeterborough, ON, Canada · East Division
• Saginaw SpiritSaginaw, MI, United States · West Division
• Sarnia StingSarnia, ON, Canada · West Division
• Soo GreyhoundsSault Ste. Marie, ON, Canada · West Division
• Sudbury WolvesSudbury, ON, Canada · Central Division
• Windsor SpitfiresWindsor, ON, Canada · West Division

Official League Resources

• Official league website
• Official team list