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OHA Senior "A" Hockey League
OHA Sr A Logo
Membership Ontario Hockey Association
Founded 1972
Ceased 1987
Allan Cups 4

The OHA Senior A Hockey League was a top tier Canadian Senior ice hockey league in Ontario from 1975 until 1987. The league was sanctioned by the Ontario Hockey Association and the Canadian Amateur Hockey Association and competed for the Allan Cup.

History[]

In 1972, the Western Ontario Senior B Hockey League was formed. Members of this league included the Bothwell Barons, Durham Huskies, Lucan-Ilderton Jets, London Kings, Preston Jesters, and Stratford Perths.

In 1973, the league changed its name to the Continental Senior B Hockey League. In 1975, two season later the league became the Continental Senior A Hockey League, making the league eligible for the Allan Cup and parallel with the traditional OHA Senior A Hockey League. The Chatham Maroons, New Hamburg Screaming Eagles, Petrolia Squires, and Port Stanley Dynamiters joined the league.

After the 1978-79 season, the original OHA Senior A Hockey League folded and its top team, the Cambridge Hornets, salvaged itself by joining the Continental Senior league. The Continental league stood alone as the top league in Ontario.

A season later, the league was rebranded the OHA Senior A Hockey League. In 1983, the OHA Senior A Hockey League absorbed the Major Intermediate A Hockey League, nearly doubling the league's size. In 1986, the league shrunk down to three teams, added Hockey Northwestern Ontario's Thunder Bay Twins as a fourth team, and then folded after the season. The OHA Senior A league spawned four Allan Cup champions from 1979 until 1987. The final season was finished off in style, as the league champion Brantford Motts Clamatos went on to win the Allan Cup as National Senior "A" Champions.

The league was replaced in 1990 by the Southwestern Senior A Hockey League which is now known as Allan Cup Hockey.

Allan Cups[]

Champions

1979: Petrolia Squires defeated Steinbach Huskies 4-games-to-1
1981: Petrolia Squires defeated St. Boniface Mohawks 5-1 score
1983: Cambridge Hornets defeated St. Boniface Mohawks 4-games-to-none
1987: Brantford Motts Clamatos defeated Nelson Maple Leafs 4-games-to-none

Finalists

1980: Spokane Flyers defeated Cambridge Hornets 4-games-to-none
1982: Cranbrook Royals defeated Petrolia Squires 4-games-to-1
1984: Thunder Bay Twins defeated Cambridge Hornets 4-games-to-1

Hardy Cups[]

Champions

1986: Dundas Real McCoys defeated Lloydminster Border Kings 4-games-to-none

Key rivalries[]

Durham vs. Lucan-Ilderton

Prior to the creation of the Western Senior B league, the Durham Huskies and Lucan-Ilderton Jets had a healthy rivalry running in the various Ontario Hockey Association Intermediate leagues. In 1971-72, the Jets pulled out of the Southern Counties Intermediate B league in favour of running an independent schedule. Durham had won the Provincial Intermediate B championship in 1968 and 1969, as well as a local title in 1971. The Jets won the Provincial title in 1970 and the local playoff title in 1972. The Jets had made wind about challenging for the Allan Cup in 1972, but their bravado was squashed by the OHA Champion Napanee Comets.

The Western Senior B league was virtually built around the Huskies and Jets and the two teams dominated the first four years of its existence. The one common denominator between the two teams was their need to squash the Stratford Perths in the league final each year. In 1973, the Jets won the first ever league title by defeating Stratford 4-games-to-none. A year later, the league became the Centinental Senior B league and Huskies won the league's first title under that new name 4-games-to-2 against Stratford. In 1975, the Lucan-Ilderton Jets won again by defeating Stratford 4-games-to-1. After this, the OHA allowed the Jets to challenge for an Allan Cup spot, but they were squashed by the Barrie Flyers 4-games-to-none. The Huskies got the last laugh in the battle. In 1975, the league was promoted to Senior "A" and the Huskies won the league's first ever championship at that level. They suffered the same fate as the 1975 Jets in the OHA final, losing to Barrie 4-games-to-none.

Cambridge vs. Petrolia

The Petrolia Squires joined the Continental Senior A Hockey League in 1976. In 1979, after two years in the league, the Squires won the Continental Senior "A" title, the OHA Sr. "A" title by beating the Thunder Bay Twins 4-games-to-2, and eventually the Allan Cup. This was the first of four Allan Cups the league would celebrate over the last nine seasons. In 1979, the other Senior "A" league folded and the Cambridge Hornets jumped ship. In their first season in the league together, the Hornets would challenge the Squires in the league final and defeat them in a full seven game battle, 4-games-to-3. The Hornets lost the Allan Cup final. The next year, the two teams met in the final and the Squires won 4-games-to-1 and went on to win their second Allan Cup. In 1982, they met again in the final and the Squires came out on top 4-games-to-3. The Squires lost the Allan Cup final. Then in 1983, the Cambridge Hornets took control, winning the final against Petrolia 4-games-to-3 and won their first Allan Cup since 1971. The fifth and final chapter took place in 1984 as the Cambridge Hornets defeated the Petrolia Squires in the league final 4-games-to-2, but lost in the Allan Cup final.

Overall, the Cambridge Hornets appear to have come out on top in this rivalry winning three out of five league championships in a five year span and winning an Allan Cup, but it is possible that they "won the battle, but lost the war". The Petrolia Squires, who won two of the five years and an Allan Cup have an edge in history. The Hornets folded in 1987 and reformed in 1999 and again folded due to controversy in Major League Hockey in 2006, while the Squires currently hold the title as the longest running current Ontario Hockey Association Senior team and are charter members of Major League Hockey. In terms of longevity, the Squires came out on top.

Dundas vs. Motts Clamatos

The Dundas Merchants jumped to the OHA Senior "A" league in 1980 from the Niagara & District Intermediate A Hockey League. Until 1984, the league was completely and utterly dominated by Cambridge and Petrolia. In 1981, the team changed their name to the Dundas-Hamilton Tigers. In 1983, the Rockton Real McCoys of the Southern Intermediate B league moved to become the Flamborough Real McCoys and joined the OHA Senior "A" league. A year later Real McCoy sold the team to Motts and the team became the Flamborough Motts Clamatos. After five seasons of domination, in 1984 the Mott Clamatos and the Tigers took Petrolia and Cambridge's spot in the league final. Dundas defeated Flamborough 4-games-to-2. After the season, Dundas was bought by the same company that sold Flamborough to Motts and became the Dundas Real McCoys. In 1986, Dundas and Flamborough met again in the league final, with the Motts Clamatos sweeping the series 4-games-to-none. After the season, the league dropped from seven teams to three and were forced to bring in the Thunder Bay Twins as a fourth member. Motts then moved their team from Flamborough to become the Brantford Motts Clamatos. The 1986-87 season finished with Brantford far ahead in first, Dundas ahead of Thunder Bay in second by a tie breaker, and Cambridge close but in fourth. Brantford met Dundas for the third straight year in the league final and defeated them, going the distance, 4-games-to-3. Brantford went on to win the Allan Cup that year, only to have their sponsor back out and the team fold at the end of the season.

The folding of Dundas and Brantford at the end of the season started a chain reaction of events in Ontario hockey. It began with a few teams folding, and ended with the top tier of both Senior and Junior hockey, the Ontario Provincial Junior A Hockey League, going completely out of business.

Teams[]

Franchise Chronology by league names[]

Western Ontario Senior B Hockey League (1972-1973) renamed Continental Senior B Hockey League

Stratford Perths (1972-1973) see CSBHL

Durham Huskies (1972-1973) see CSBHL

Lucan-Ilderton Jets (1972-1973) see CSBHL

Preston Jesters (1972-1973) see CSBHL

London Kings (1972-1973) see CSBHL

Bothwell Barons (1972-1973) see CSBHL

Woodstock Royals (1972-1973) see CSBHL



Continental Senior B Hockey League (1973-1975) renamed Continental Senior A Hockey League

Stratford Perths (1973-1975) see CSAHL

Durham Huskies (1973-1975) see CSAHL

Lucan-Ilderton Jets (1973-1975) see CSAHL

Preston Jesters (1973-1975) see CSAHL

London Kings (1973-1975) see CSAHL

New Hamburg Screaming Eagles (1973-1975) see CSAHL

Bothwell Barons (1973-1974) folded

Woodstock Royals (1973-1975) see CSAHL

Michigan (Utica) Americans (1973-1974) folded



Continental Senior A Hockey League (1975-1980)

Durham Huskies 1975-1980) join OHA Sr. A Hockey League

Preston Jesters (1975-1980) folded

Stratford Perths (1975-1980) join OHA Sr. A Hockey League

Lucan-Ilderton Jets (1975-1980) withdrew, went inactive?

London Kings (1975-1980) folded

New Hamburg Screaming Eagles (1975-1976) revert to Southern Intermediate B Hockey League

Woodstock Royals (1975-1978) renamed Gems

Port Stanley Dynamiters (1975-1977) folded

Petrolia Squires (1977-1980) join OHA Sr. A Hockey League

Woodstock Gems (1978-1980) join OHA Sr. A Hockey League

Chatham Maroons (1978-1980) join OHA Sr. A Hockey League

Cambridge Hornets (1979-1980) join OHA Sr. A Hockey League



OHA Senior A Hockey League (1980-1987)

Cambridge Hornets (1980-1987) folded

Petrolia Squires (1980-1986) join Seaway-Cyclone Senior B Hockey League

Dundas-Hamilton Tigers (1980-1985) renamed Real Mc Coys

Durham Huskies (1980-1982) join Major Intermediate “A” Hockey League

Chatham Maroons (1980-1985) renamed Pontiacs

Woodstock Gems (1980-1985) folded

Stratford Perths (1980-1982) renamed Frams

Stratford Frams (1982-1983) renamed Indians

Georgetown Raiders (1983-1986) folded

Flamborough Real McCoys (1983-1984) renamed Motts Clamatos

Collingwood Shipbuilders (1983-1986) join Georgian Bay Senior A Hockey League

Barrie Flyers (1983-1984) folded

Stratford Indians (1983-1984) folded

Flamborough Motts Clamatos (1984-1986) moved to/ or sponsorship to Brantford

Dundas Real McCoys (1985-1987) play independent one year, then fold

Chatham Pontiacs (1985-1986) join Seaway-Cyclone Senior B Hockey League

Brantford Motts Clamatos (1986-1987) folded

Thunder Bay Twins (1986-1987) rejoin Central Amateur Senior Hockey League



Champions[]

Robertson Trophy

J. Ross Robertson Trophy, OHA Senior A Championship. Trophy was exclusive to this league from 1981 until 1987.

Western Sr. B

1973 Lucan-Ilderton Jets

Continental Sr. B

1974 Durham Huskies
1975 Lucan-Ilderton Jets

Continental Sr. A

1976 Durham Huskies
1977 Woodstock Royals
1978 London Kings
1979 Petrolia Squires
1980 Cambridge Hornets

OHA Sr. A

1981 Petrolia Squires
1982 Petrolia Squires
1983 Cambridge Hornets
1984 Cambridge Hornets
1985 Dundas Tigers
1986 Flamborough Motts Clamatos
1987 Brantford Motts Clamatos

External links[]



Canadian Senior Hockey (post-1971)
National/Regional Championships
Allan Cup (National AAA)
Patton Cup (Western Canada 71-91) - Bolton Cup (Eastern Canada 71-03)
McKenzie Cup (BC-AB) - Rathgaber Cup (SK-MB) - Atlantic Cup (2003-) (NB-NL-NS-PEI)
Provincial/Local Championships
Alberta - British Columbia - Manitoba - New Brunswick - Newfoundland and Labrador - Northern Ontario - Ontario Hockey Association - Ottawa - Quebec (Also Eastern

Region Allan Cup Qualifier) - Saskatchewan - Thunder Bay/Gary Cook Cup/Hockey Northwestern Ontario

Current Leagues
Alberta: Chinook Hockey League (1955-2019, 2022-) East Central Senior Hockey League (2012-) - North Central Hockey League (1995-) - North Peace Hockey League (also in BC, 1953-) - Ranchland Senior Hockey League (1974-) - Sask/Alta Senior Hockey League (also in SK, 1964-)


British Columbia: Central Interior Senior Hockey League (1997-) - North Peace Hockey League (also in Alberta, 1953-)

Manitoba: South Eastern Manitoba Hockey League (1952-) - Tiger Hills Hockey League (1983-)

New Brunswick: Beausejour Senior Hockey League (2019-) - Ligue de hockey Vallée-Appalaches (1991-) - Southern Senior Hockey League (2021- )

Newfoundland and Labrador: Avalon East Senior Hockey League (1967-) - Central Newfoundland Hockey League (Intermediate) (2009-) - Central/West Senior Hockey League (2014-2019; 2023-)

Nova Scotia: Presently have no Senior Level leagues in the province
(one team from Springhill plays in New Brunswick based Beausejour Senior Hockey League)

Ontario: Allan Cup Hockey (1991-) - Eastern Ontario Super Hockey League (2019-) - Ontario Elite Hockey League (2023-) - Western Ontario Super Hockey League (2021-)

Prince Edward Island: West Prince Senior Hockey League (2016-)

Quebec: Circuit Senior KRTB (2021-) - Ligue Regionale de Hockey (2016-) - Ligue de Hockey Cote-Sud (2012-) - Ligue de Hockey Senior du Lac-au-Fleuve (2017-) - Ligue de Hockey Senior Élite (2005-) - Ligue de Hockey Senior A du Lac St-Louis (2022-) - Ligue de Hockey Senior AA de la Cote-Nord (2007-2014; 2022-) - Ligue de Hockey Senior AAA du Quebec (2017-) - Ligue de Hockey Sénior Desjardins de l'Est-du-Québec (2018-)

Saskatchewan: Big Six Senior Hockey League (1959-) - Cross Roads Hockey League (2022-) - Long Lake Senior Hockey League (1978-) - Notekeu Senior Hockey League (1958-) - Qu'Appelle Valley Highway Hockey League (2021-) - Sask/Alta Senior Hockey League (also in Alberta, 1964-) - Saskatchewan Prairie Senior Hockey League (2010-) - Sask East Hockey League (2020-) - Sask Valley Hockey League (1965-) - Sask West Senior Hockey League (2000-) - Treaty Six Hockey League (2004-2007; 2018-) - Twin Rivers Senior Hockey League (2016-) - Wheatland Senior Hockey League (1995-) - White Mud Senior Hockey League (1995-)

Northwest Territories: Presently have no Senior Level leagues in the territory

Nunavut: Iqaluit Senior Hockey League (2009-) - Rankin Inlet Senior Men's Hockey League (2008-)

Yukon: Presently have no Senior Level leagues in the territory
(teams in the Yukon have traditionally played under sanction of BC Hockey)

Defunct Leagues
Alberta: Alberta Major Intermediate League (1976-1987) - Beaver Hockey League (1969-1983) - Big Six Services Hockey League (1970-1975) - Allan Cup Hockey West/Chinook Hockey League (1969-2020) - Battle River Hockey League (1992-2015) - Central Peace Hockey League (1986-1997) - Edmonton Central Intermediate Hockey League (1960-1976) - Edmonton Services Hockey League (1973-1974) - Henry Viney Hockey League (1972-1982) - Highwood Hockey League (1967-1972) - North Star Intermediate Hockey League (1963-1978) - Prairie Intermediate Hockey League (1973-1979) - Prairie Senior Hockey League (also in SK, 1971-1972) - South Peace Hockey League (1954-1988)


British Columbia: British Columbia Senior Hockey League (1979-1981) - Cariboo Hockey League (1955-1985) - Fraser Valley Hockey League (1971-1974) - Monashee Senior Hockey League (1970-1977) - Monashee AA Senior Hockey League (1985-1994) - North Okanagan Hockey League (1977-1982) - Northwest Hockey League (1975-1978) - Pacific Coast Amateur Hockey League (1957-1986) - Pacific Northwest Hockey League (1965-1982) - Richmond Intermediate Hockey League (1965-1975) - South Island Big Six Hockey League (1974-1980) - Vancouver Island Hockey League (1961-1975) - Victoria Intermediate Hockey League (1963-1974) - Western Amateur Hockey League (1966-1973) - Western International Hockey League (1946-1988) - West Coast Senior AA Hockey League (2016-2018)

Manitoba: Canadian Central Hockey League (1972-1974) - Carillon Senior Hockey League (2004-2022) - Central Amateur Senior Hockey League (1975-1989) - East Interlake Hockey League (1970-1976) - Eastman Hockey League (1998-2000) - Hanover Tache Hockey League (1958-2005) - Manitoba Aboriginal Senior Hockey League (2000-2001) - Manitoba Assiniboine Hockey League (1974-1983) - Manitoba Eastern Hockey League (1969-1977) - Manitoba Intermediate Hockey League (1971-1972) - Manitoba Northeast Senior Hockey League (1970-1989) - Manitoba Senior Hockey League (2008-2016) - North Central Hockey League (1958-2022) - Northern Intermediate Hockey League (1977-1978) - Nor-West Hockey League (1996-1997) - North West Senior Hockey League (2016-2017) - Parkland Hockey League (1964-1979) - Pembina Valley Hockey League (1970-1980) - Red River Valley Intermediate Hockey League (1980-1981) - Souris Valley Hockey League (1970-1987) - South Interlake Hockey League (1987-2008) - South Central Intermediate Hockey League (1960-1982) - SouthWest Hockey League (1956-2009) - West Interlake Hockey League (1954-1986) - Winnipeg Metro Hockey League (1973-1980) - Winnipeg Senior A Hockey League (1995-1997) - Yellowhead Intermediate Hockey League (1986-1989)

Maritimes: Maritime Senior Hockey League (1991-1992) - Northumberland Dairy Senior AAA Hockey League (1995-1998)

New Brunswick: Central New Brunswick Intermediate Hockey League (1973-1977) - Ligue de Hockey Senior Acadie-Chaleur (2016-2022) - Miramichi Senior Hockey League (2000-2004) - Eastern Senior Hockey League (2001-2010) - New Brunswick Chaleur Hockey League (1991-1995) - New Brunswick Eastern Hockey League (1972-1973) - New Brunswick Senior Hockey League (1968-1991) - North East Senior Hockey League (2011-2018) - North Shore Senior Hockey League (1939-1978) - North Shore Senior Hockey League (1996-2010) - South Central Intermediate C Hockey League (1975-1978) - Southern New Brunswick Senior Hockey League (1962-2010) - St. John Valley Hockey League (1966-1978)

Newfoundland and Labrador: Bay St. George Senior Hockey League (1966-1984) - Corner Brook Intermediate Hockey League (1966-1984) - Deer Lake Intermediate Hockey League (1976-1985) - East Coast Senior Hockey League (2017-2020) - Newfoundland Senior Hockey League (2011-2014) - Newfoundland West Coast Senior Hockey League (2001-2011; 2016-2023) - West Newfoundland Intermediate A Hockey League (1973-1974)

Nova Scotia: Nova Scotia Senior Hockey League (1982-1996) - Tri-County Senior Hockey League (1973-1988)

Ontario: Carleton-Russell Intermediate B Hockey League (1976-1980) - Central Ontario Hockey League (1970-1983) - Central Senior B Hockey League (1986-1989) - Cyclone Intermediate D Hockey League (1977-1984) - Eastern Ontario Senior Hockey League (2003-2008) - Georgian Bay Intermediate A Hockey League (1968-1972; 1978-1980) - HNO Senior League (2009-2012) - Major Intermediate A Hockey League (1980-1983) - Niagara Intermediate A Hockey League (1965-1979) - North Oxford Men's Hockey League (1959-2012) - Northern Senior A Hockey League (1983-1992) - ACH Senior AA G-League (2021) - OHA Intermediate C Hockey League (1973-1986) - OHA Senior A League (1890-1979) - OHA Senior A Hockey League (1972-1987) - Ottawa District Senior Hockey League (1968-1977) - Ontario Senior AA Hockey League (1983-1988) - Seaway Intermediate C Hockey League (1973-1976; 1978-1984) - Seaway-Western Intermediate C Hockey League (1976-1978) - Seaway-Cyclone Senior B Hockey League (1984-1990) - South Carleton Intermediate Hockey League (1970-1980) - Thunder Bay Hockey League (1980-1982) - Western Intermediate C Hockey League (1973-1976) - WOAA Senior AA Hockey League (1942-2023)

Quebec: Laval Senior A Hockey League (2013-2022) - Ligue Centrale de Hockey (LCH) (2000-2008) - Ligue Hockey de la Belle Province (1970-1973) - Ligue de Hockey Beauce Bellechase Frontenac (1999-2017) - Ligue de Hockey Semi-Contact de Lotbinière (2002-2006) - Ligue de Hockey Senior de la Mauricie (1992-1996) - Ligue de Hockey Senior Majeur du Quebec (1979-85; 1994-96) - Ligue de Hockey Senior de l'Est du Quebec (2005-2010) - Ligue de hockey Senior des Îles de la Madeleine (1991-2005) - Ligue de Hockey Senior A de la Mauricie (2001-2017) - Ligue de Hockey Senior A Inter-Rives (2006-2007) - Ligue de Hockey Senior AA de l'Estrie (2001-2004) - Ligue de Hockey Senior AA LAB-BEC (2012-2013) - Ligue de Hockey Senior AA du Saguenay-Lac-St-Jean (2002-2003) - Ligue de Hockey Senior Bas-Saint-Laurent (1994-2005) - Ligue de Hockey Senior des Cantons-de-L'Est (2011-2015) - Ligue de hockey les Cotiers de la Gaspesie (2002-2008) - Ligue de Hockey Senior des Deux Rives (2002-2003) - Ligue de Hockey Senior Montreal Metropolitain (2003-2007) - Ligue de Hockey Senior Provinciale AA (2004-2006) - Ligue de Hockey Senior AA L.D.B. du Quebec (1979-2000) - Ligue de hockey Budweiser de 'est du Quebec (2011-2013) - Montreal Senior Hockey League (1977-1980) - Outaouais Hockey League (1973-1975) - Promutuel Senior Hockey League (1999-2007) - Republican Hockey League (also in NB, 1962-1987) - Quebec Metro Senior Hockey League (1989-1991) - Quebec-Portneuf Commercial Hockey League (1990-2004) - Quebec Senior AA Hockey League (2018-2021) - Quebec Senior North-East Hockey League (2003-2007)

Prince Edward Island: Island Community Senior Hockey League (2010-2013) - Prince Edward Island Senior Hockey League (1990-1991) - Prince Edward Island Senior Hockey League (2010-2011)

Saskatchewan: 39C Hockey League (1968-1983) - 5-40 Hockey League (1962-1984) - Beaver Lakes Hockey League (1986-2018) - Big V Senior Hockey League (1954-1977) - Blackstrap Hockey League (1972-1985) - Carrot River Valley Hockey League (1950-1982) - Central Saskatchewan Intermediate Hockey League (1986-1990) - Central Saskatchewan Senior Hockey League (1988-1995) - Coteau Hills Hockey League (1951-1995) - Fishing Lake Hockey League (1953-2015) - Fort Carlton Senior Hockey League (1971-2019) - Highway Hockey League (1965-2020) - Last Mountain Hockey League (1954-1978) - North Central Saskatchewan Senior Hockey League (1968-1972) - Northern Lakes Hockey League (1966-1976) - North Saskatchewan River Hockey League (1995-2015) - Pasquia Hockey League (1977-2009) - Potash Cutarm Hockey League (1963-1975) - Qu'Appelle Valley Hockey League (1960-2021) - Right Angle Hockey League (1962-1985) - River Lake Senior Hockey League (1997-2000) - Saskatchewan Intermediate A Hockey League (1979-1983) - Saskatchewan Treaty Hockey League (2021)- Soo Line Hockey League (1980-2000) - South Central Senior Hockey League (1983-1990) - South East Senior Hockey League (1971-1973) - South Saskatchewan River Hockey League (1958-1979) - Three Rivers Hockey League (1980-1987) - Triangle Hockey League (1965-2020) - Western Saskatchewan Intermediate AA Hockey League (1966-1974) - Whiska Creek Hockey League (1980's-90's) - Wild Duck Hockey League (1961-1980) - Wild Goose Hockey League (1954-2008) - Yellowhead Hockey League (1980-2000)

Yukon: See Whitehorse Huskies (1992-1993, 2009-2010, 2014-2017)



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