Twelve-game All-Star, Prospects event set for Smiths Falls Nov. 19-20
November 15, 2024 …. On-ice officials who work in both the Ontario Junior Hockey League (OJHL) and Central Canada Hockey League (CCHL) will call games during the 2024 Battle of Ontario in Smiths Falls, Ontario November 19-20.
Marco McRae, Jarrett T. Burton, Maxwell Brunner and Michael Niven will represent the Ontario Hockey Association, which assigns officials across the OJHL.
“The OJHL and the OHA are very excited about sending officials to the Battle of Ontario and would like to thank the CCHL for inviting us to select a crew of officials for this event,” said Rob MacGregor, the OJHL’s Director of Officiating. “The officials look forward to this event just as much as the players do.
“Marco, Jarret T., Michael and Maxwell will represent some of our young and rising officiating talent as well as some veteran leadership. We wanted the chance to showcase our prospects as well as reward some veteran officials for their dedication and commitment to the officiating program. Just like the teams, we are sending some Prospects and some All-Stars.”
Officials working the event from the CCHL include referees Pat Smith, Derek Lowry, Jason Eyre, Chad White, Trevor Harding and Dylan St. John and linespeople Joey Kramar, Mateo Donato, Chris Ryan, Patrick Paquette, Nico Bidin, Matthew MacPherson, Ben Allenby, Antoine Bujold-Roux and Brendan Deavy.
“It’s great to hear that the CCHL will have OHA/OJHL officials attending the Battle of Ontario,” said Kevin Ferguson, the CCHL’s
Director of Hockey Operations. “Collaborating and learning from each other is a fantastic opportunity for everyone’s growth in the sport. This event promises to not only showcase the talent of the players but also the skills of the officials. It should be an exciting experience for all involved, and fans will surely enjoy seeing the best of both leagues come together. Looking forward to the highlights from this unique event.”
The Battle of Ontario will see two all-star and two prospect teams from the OJHL and Central Canada Hockey League play a total of 12 games during the event.
The OJHL’s squads are named for current NHL players: Evan Rodrigues (Georgetown Raiders) of the Florida Panthers; Chris Tanev (Markham Waxers, Stouffville Spirit, Durham Fury) of the Toronto Maple Leafs; Zach Hyman (Hamilton Red Wings) of the Edmonton Oilers and Jack McBain (Toronto Jr. Canadiens) of the Utah Hockey Club.
Tickets are on sale at the Smiths Falls Memorial Community Centre. The box office is open Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 1 to 4 p.m. Daily passes for adults will cost $20 and two-day passes $35. Day passes for children aged 6-12 will cost $10. Children 5 and under will be admitted free.
For live scoring, stats and the Battle of Ontario schedule, go to: https://www.thecchl.ca/stats/schedule/all-teams/103/11?league=1
All games will be live-streamed (subscription) on flohockey.tv
The all-star teams will play in a tournament-style event with semifinal and championship games. The Prospects will play in a showcase style event.
Games will be played using a modified two-period format and Hockey Canada rules.
The “Battle of Ontario” was first held in Pembroke in 2009 featuring teams of ‘Young Stars’ and ‘All-Stars’ from the CCHL and the Central Junior Hockey League, which was a division within the OJHL. The two-game series was held again in Pembroke in 2010.
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 24 member clubs. The OJHL is the home of the 2024 Centennial Cup champion Collingwood Blues. A proud member of the CJHL and Ontario Hockey Association, the OJHL was originally named the Ontario Provincial Junior ‘A’ Hockey League and 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 U SPORTS, the NCAA, CHL, minor pro ranks and the NHL, the OJHL has had more than 50 commitments already this season.
About the CCHL
The Central Canada Hockey League, which began as a development league founded by the Montreal Canadiens in 1961, is a Hockey Canada/Hockey Eastern Ontario sanctioned Junior A league comprised of twelve member franchises across Eastern Ontario. The CCHL’s mission is to develop young student/athletes between the ages of sixteen and twenty for higher levels of hockey. Players from all over North America have enjoyed success playing in the Central Canada Hockey League. For many players, the CCHL is a stepping stone to the NCAA. Every season, players accept Division 1 hockey scholarships from the CCHL and even more advance to Division 3 hockey and U SPORTS. Last season, over 70 NCAA scholarship commitments were made by CCHL players. Young players advance every year to the Ontario Hockey League and there have even been selections from the CCHL directly to the National Hockey League.
Go to www.ojhl.ca for additional information on the Ontario Junior Hockey League and www.thecchl.ca for more on the Central Canada Hockey League.
