OHL Cup

15 Confirmed Teams and 10 Wild Card Competitors
Wild Card Play-In Begins Tuesday at 10:00 am
Free access for Media and Fans for duration of OHL Cup

Toronto, ON – The Ontario Hockey League in association with the Greater Toronto Hockey League today announced a list of all competing teams and a preliminary schedule for the 2016 OHL Cup Showcase Tournament, hosted by the GTHL, to be played March 15-21 in Toronto.  All games will be played at Scotiabank Pond until the Championship Final moves to the Mattamy Athletic Centre on Monday March 21.

The list of 2016 OHL Cup competitors includes a total of 25 minor midget teams from across Ontario and the United States.  The final tournament structure will include 20 spots with 15 guaranteed through league competition, with the other five still to be earned in a Wild Card series of games.

2016 OHL Cup Showcase Tournament Teams:

ALLIANCE (3):
London Jr. Knights (League Finalist)*
Waterloo Wolves (League Finalist)*
Windsor Jr. Spitfires (Semi-Final Wild Card Series winner)

*Champion will be listed as ALLIANCE (1), runner-up to be listed as ALLIANCE (2) in alignment and schedule below.

GTHL (4):
Mississauga Rebels (League Semi-Finalist)*
Toronto Jr. Canadiens (League Semi-Finalist)*
Toronto Marlboros (League Semi-Finalist)*
Toronto Red Wings (League Semi-Finalist)*

*GTHL 1-4 in alignment and schedule below will be determined upon completion of both Semi-Final matchups.  The two teams that advance to the league final will be listed as GTHL (1) and GTHL (2) based on regular season standings.  The two losing teams in the league Semi-Finals will be seeded as GTHL (3) and GTHL (4) based on their regular season standings.

HNO (1):
Thunder Bay Kings

NOHA (1):
Team NOHA

OMHA (4):
York Simcoe Express (OMHA Champion)
Hamilton Jr. Bulldogs (OMHA Finalist)
Barrie Jr. Colts (OMHA Bronze Medalist)
Southern Tier Admirals (OMHA Semi-Finalist)

USA (2):
Elite Hockey Group
TPH Thunder

Wild Card ‘Play In’ Game Competitors (10):
Clarington Toros (OMHA 5th Place)*
Don Mills Flyers (GTHL Wild Card Series)*
Halton Hurricanes (OMHA SCTA Semi-Finalist)*
Kingston Jr. Frontenacs (OMHA ETA Semi-Finalist)*
Kitchener Jr. Rangers (ALLIANCE Semi-Finalist)*
Markham Majors (GTHL Wild Card Series)*
Mississauga Senators (GTHL Wild Card Series)*
Niagara North Stars (OMHA SCTA Semi-Finalist)*
Quinte Red Devils (OMHA ETA Semi-Finalist)*
Vaughan Kings (GTHL Wild Card Series)*

*All 10 teams will play a one game ‘win and in’ scenario to officially qualify for the 2016 OHL Cup on Tuesday March 15.  Wild Card ‘Play In’ Game matchups and schedule will be determined by random draw on the evening of Monday March 14.  Winners of all five games will be inserted as WC 1-5 into the alignment and schedule below.

2016 OHL Cup Showcase Tournament Preliminary Alignment and Schedule:

Nash Division:
GTHL (1)
Southern Tier Admirals
Team NOHA
TPH Thunder
WC (1)

Subban Division:
GTHL (3)
York Simcoe Express
Windsor Jr. Spitfires
WC (2)
WC (3)

Shanahan Division:
GTHL (2)
Barrie Jr. Colts
Elite Hockey Group
ALLIANCE (2)
WC (4)

Lindros Division:
GTHL (4)
Hamilton Jr. Bulldogs
ALLIANCE (1)
Thunder Bay Kings
WC (5)

Tuesday March 15, 2016

Wild Card Play-In Games:
Game 1 – 10:00 am on Rink 1
Game 2 – 12:00 pm on Rink 1
Game 3 – 2:00 pm on Rink 1
Game 4 – 3:15 pm on Rink 2
Game 5 – 4:00 pm on Rink 1

Round-Robin:
Scotiabank Pond 1
7:00 pm Southern Tier Admirals vs. GTHL (1)
8:45 pm GTHL (3) vs. Windsor Jr. Spitfires

Scotiabank Pond 2
7:15 pm Hamilton Jr. Bulldogs vs. GTHL (4)
9:00 pm Barrie Jr. Colts vs. GTHL (2)

Wednesday March 16, 2016

Scotiabank Pond 1
9:00 am Thunder Bay Kings vs. WC (5)
10:45 am TPH Thunder vs. Team NOHA
12:30 pm ALLIANCE (1) vs. Hamilton Jr. Bulldogs
2:15 pm York Simcoe Express vs. GTHL (3)
4:00 pm WC (5) vs. GTHL (4)
5:45 pm WC (2) vs. Windsor Jr. Spitfires
7:30 pm Elite Hockey Group vs. WC (4)
9:15 pm WC (3) vs. York Simcoe Express

Scotiabank Pond 2
8:30 am WC (4) vs. ALLIANCE (2)
10:15 am WC (3) vs. WC (2)
12:00 pm GTHL (1) vs. WC (1)
1:45 pm GTHL (2) vs. Elite Hockey Group
3:30 pm ALLIANCE (2) vs. Barrie Jr. Colts
5:15 pm Southern Tier Admirals vs. TPH Thunder
7:00 pm Thunder Bay Kings vs. ALLIANCE (1)
8:45 pm Team NOHA vs. WC (1)

Thursday March 17, 2016

 

Scotiabank Pond 1
8:30 am Hamilton Jr. Bulldogs vs. Thunder Bay Kings
10:15 am ALLIANCE (1) vs. WC (5)
12:00 pm York Simcoe Express vs. WC (2)
1:45 pm WC (1) vs. TPH Thunder

Scotiabank Pond 2
9:00 am Barrie Jr. Colts vs. WC (4)
10:45 am Windsor Jr. Spitfires vs. WC (3)
12:30pm Team NOHA vs. Southern Tier Admirals
2:15 pm ALLIANCE (2) vs. Elite Hockey Group

 

Friday March 18, 2016

Scotiabank Pond 1
8:00 am WC (2) vs. GTHL (3)
9:45 am GTHL (2) vs. ALLIANCE (2)
11:30 am Elite Hockey Group vs. Barrie Jr. Colts
1:15 pm WC (1) vs. Southern Tier Admirals
3:00 pm GTHL (3) vs. WC (3)
4:45 pm WC (4) vs. GTHL (2)

 

Scotiabank Pond 2
8:30 am GTHL (1) vs. Team NOHA
10:15 am GTHL (4) vs. Thunder Bay Kings
12:00 pm Windsor Jr. Spitfires vs. York Simcoe Express
1:45 pm WC (5) vs. Hamilton Jr. Bulldogs
3:30 pm TPH Thunder vs. GTHL (1)
5:15 pm GTHL (4) vs. ALLIANCE (1)

 

Saturday March 19, 2016

Playoff Round:
Scotiabank Pond 1
10:30 am Quarter-Final 2 – 2ND Place Shanahan Division vs. 1ST Place Subban Division
12:15 pm Quarter-Final 4 – 2ND Place Lindros Division vs. 1ST Place Nash Division

6:00 pm Semi-Final 1 – Winner Quarter-Final 2 vs. Winner Quarter-Final 1
8:00 pm Semi-Final 2 – Winner Quarter-Final 4 vs. Winner Quarter-Final 3

Scotiabank Pond 2
10:00 am Quarter-Final 1 – 2ND Place Subban Division vs. 1ST Place Shanahan Division
11:45 am Quarter-Final 3 – 2ND Place Nash Division vs. 1ST Place Lindros Division

 

Monday March 21, 2016

 

Mattamy Athletic Centre

7:00 pm Championship Final – Winner Semi-Final 2 vs. Winner Semi-Final 1

A final tournament alignment and schedule will be available on Monday night once Wild Card Play-In Game matchups are confirmed.

Last season the Toronto Marlboros captured their fifth OHL Cup title in 11 years with a 3-2 overtime win over the Don Mills Flyers. Marlies forward and OHL Cup MVP Ryan McLeod followed up older brother Michael McLeod’s MVP effort in 2014 with three goals and four assists in the tournament.

McLeod was one of 12 first round draft selections from 2015 OHL Cup teams, including six of the top ten picks. Those names include David Levin (Don Mills Flyers – 1st overall to the Sudbury Wolves), Ryan McLeod (Toronto Marlboros – 3rd overall to the Flint Firebirds), Brady Gilmour (Quinte Red Devils – 6th overall to the Saginaw Spirit), Ben Jones (Toronto Marlboros – 7th overall to the Niagara IceDogs), Matthew Strome (Toronto Marlboros – 8th overall to the Hamilton Bulldogs) and Markus Phillips (Toronto Titans – 9th overall to the Owen Sound Attack).

Five first round selections in the 2015 NHL Draft are also OHL Cup graduates including Connor McDavid (Toronto Marlboros/Edmonton Oilers), Dylan Strome (Toronto Marlboros/Arizona Coyotes), Mitch Marner (Don Mills Flyers/Toronto Maple Leafs), Lawson Crouse (Elgin-Middlesex Chiefs/Florida Panthers) and Travis Konecny (Elgin-Middlesex Chiefs/Philadelphia Flyers).

Notable OHL Cup graduates currently playing in the NHL include Taylor Hall (Greater Kingston Frontenacs/Edmonton Oilers), John Tavares (Toronto Marlboros/New York Islanders), Steven Stamkos (Markham Waxers/Tampa Bay Lightning), Tyler Seguin (Toronto Nationals/Dallas Stars), 2013 Norris Trophy winner P.K. Subban (Markham Islanders/Montreal Canadiens) and 2010 OHL Cup MVP Sean Monahan (Mississauga Rebels/Calgary Flames).

For more information, please visit ohlcup.ca.

OMHA’s York Simcoe Express, Hamilton Jr. Bulldogs, Barrie Jr. Colts, Southern Tier Admirals Officially Qualify for 2016 OHL Cup
ALLIANCE’S Windsor Jr. Spitfires Officially Qualify for 2016 OHL Cup
Wild Card Invites and Tournament Schedule TBA Wednesday

Toronto, ON – The Ontario Hockey League today announced the fifteenth edition of the weekly minor midget rankings for the 2016 OHL Cup Showcase Tournament hosted by the Greater Toronto Hockey League.

The weekly rankings are determined by a panel of OHL Central Scouting Staff and represent the top teams that are competing to play in the annual year-end championship tournament which takes place March 15-21, 2016.  All games will be played at the Scotiabank Pond in Toronto until the Championship Final moves to the Mattamy Athletic Centre on Monday March 21.

Minor Midget Rankings for the 2016 OHL Cup Showcase Tournament – Week 15

RANK	TEAM	LEAGUE	LAST WEEK	WEEKS RANKED
1	Mississauga Rebels	GTHL	1	15
2	York Simcoe Express	OMHA	2	15
3	Toronto Marlies	GTHL	3	15
4	Toronto Jr. Canadiens	GTHL	4	15
5	Hamilton Jr. Bulldogs	OMHA	7	15
6	Toronto Red Wings	GTHL	6	15
7	Waterloo Wolves	ALLIANCE	8	13
8	Barrie Jr. Colts	OMHA	5	14
9	London Jr. Knights	ALLIANCE	9	3
10	Southern Tier Admirals	OMHA	10	3
	Honourable Mention
	Kitchener Jr. Rangers	ALLIANCE	–	–
	Kingston Frontenacs	OMHA	–	5
	Windsor Jr. Spitfires	ALLIANCE	–	–
	Don Mills Flyers	GTHL	–	11

The York Simcoe Express emerged as OMHA Champions over the weekend officially qualifying for the 2016 OHL Cup along with the second place Hamilton Jr. Bulldogs, the third place Barrie Jr. Colts, and the fourth place Southern Tier Admirals.

In the ALLIANCE, the Windsor Jr. Spitfires have also officially punched their ticket to the 2016 OHL Cup defeating the Kitchener Jr. Rangers in a Semi-Final Wild Card Series.

Four teams from the GTHL have already officially qualified for the 2016 OHL Cup by advancing to their league Semi-Finals including the Mississauga Rebels, Toronto Marlies, Toronto Red Wings, and Toronto Jr. Canadiens.  The Jr. Canadiens are facing the Marlies, and the Rebels are squaring off against the Red Wings in best-of-eight point series.  Also underway is the GTHL Wild Card Series featuring the four teams eliminated from the first round of playoffs including the Don Mills Flyers against the Vaughan Kings, and the Mississauga Senators against the Markham Majors for the opportunity to keep their hopes alive with Wild Card tournament entry.

A complete list of competing teams and Wild Card invites, along with a preliminary tournament schedule will be announced on Wednesday.

The OHL Cup continues to showcase 20 participating teams from across Ontario and the United States, but as of February, 2016, 15 of the 20 spots are now guaranteed through league competition.  The 15 guaranteed spots include all four GTHL Semi-Finalists, and the top four teams that place at the OMHA Championship.  Three teams from the ALLIANCE will still be guaranteed a spot in the tournament including the Champion and Finalist, along with the winner of a best-of-three Semi-Final Wild Card Series to be played between the losers of the two league Semi-Finals.  Two tournament entries are reserved for United States competition, while both an HNO and NOHA representative will also compete.

Also announced in February, 2016, is the addition of one Wild Card Play-In Game whereupon the final five entries at the 2016 OHL Cup will now be Wild Cards determined among 10 teams that will play a one game ‘win and in’ scenario.  The 10 competing teams aiming for the final five tournament spots will now include five teams named by the Tournament Selection Committee based on regular season, playoff, and tournament play.  The other Wild Card Play-In Game spots will continue to include the fifth place team at the OMHA Championship, and the loser of the ALLIANCE Semi-Final Wild Card Series.  Two spots in Wild Card games are also reserved for GTHL teams.  The two competing GTHL teams will be determined through a pair of Wild Card Play-In Series matchups involving the four GTHL teams who qualified for the playoffs but lost in the first round.  The final spot in a Wild Card will be reserved for the winner of an OMHA SCTA Consolation Game that features both teams who lost in the SCTA Tournament Semi-Final.  The OMHA teams eligible for this matchup will be determined annually based on the league not hosting the OMHA Championship.  All five Wild Card games will take place on Tuesday March 15 with specific matchups and times of play to be determined by random draw among the 10 competing teams on Monday March 14.

Last season the Toronto Marlboros captured their fifth OHL Cup title in 11 years with a 3-2 overtime win over the Don Mills Flyers. Marlies forward and OHL Cup MVP Ryan McLeod followed up older brother Michael McLeod’s MVP effort in 2014 with three goals and four assists in the tournament.

McLeod was one of 12 first round draft selections from 2015 OHL Cup teams, including six of the top ten picks. Those names include David Levin (Don Mills Flyers – 1st overall to the Sudbury Wolves), Ryan McLeod (Toronto Marlboros – 3rd overall to the Flint Firebirds), Brady Gilmour (Quinte Red Devils – 6th overall to the Saginaw Spirit), Ben Jones (Toronto Marlboros – 7th overall to the Niagara IceDogs), Matthew Strome (Toronto Marlboros – 8th overall to the Hamilton Bulldogs) and Markus Phillips (Toronto Titans – 9th overall to the Owen Sound Attack).

Five first round selections in the 2015 NHL Draft are also OHL Cup graduates including Connor McDavid (Toronto Marlboros/Edmonton Oilers), Dylan Strome (Toronto Marlboros/Arizona Coyotes), Mitch Marner (Don Mills Flyers/Toronto Maple Leafs), Lawson Crouse (Elgin-Middlesex Chiefs/Florida Panthers) and Travis Konecny (Elgin-Middlesex Chiefs/Philadelphia Flyers).

Notable OHL Cup graduates currently playing in the NHL include Taylor Hall (Greater Kingston Frontenacs/Edmonton Oilers), John Tavares (Toronto Marlboros/New York Islanders), Steven Stamkos (Markham Waxers/Tampa Bay Lightning), Tyler Seguin (Toronto Nationals/Dallas Stars), 2013 Norris Trophy winner P.K. Subban (Markham Islanders/Montreal Canadiens) and 2010 OHL Cup MVP Sean Monahan (Mississauga Rebels/Calgary Flames).

For more information, please visit ohlcup.ca.

ALLIANCE’S London Jr. Knights and Waterloo Wolves Officially Qualify for 2016 OHL Cup
5-Teams Advance to OMHA Championship March 4-6

Toronto, ON – The Ontario Hockey League today announced the fourteenth edition of the weekly minor midget rankings for the 2016 OHL Cup Showcase Tournament hosted by the Greater Toronto Hockey League.

The weekly rankings are determined by a panel of OHL Central Scouting Staff and represent the top teams that are competing to play in the annual year-end championship tournament which takes place March 15-21, 2016.  All games will be played at the Scotiabank Pond in Toronto until the Championship Final moves to the Mattamy Athletic Centre on Monday March 21.

Minor Midget Rankings for the 2016 OHL Cup Showcase Tournament – Week 14

RANK	TEAM	LEAGUE	LAST WEEK	WEEKS RANKED
1	Mississauga Rebels	GTHL	1	14
2	York Simcoe Express	OMHA	2	14
3	Toronto Marlies	GTHL	3	14
4	Toronto Jr. Canadiens	GTHL	4	14
5	Barrie Jr. Colts	OMHA	6	13
6	Toronto Red Wings	GTHL	5	14
7	Hamilton Jr. Bulldogs	OMHA	7	14
8	Waterloo Wolves	ALLIANCE	8	12
9	London Jr. Knights	ALLIANCE	–	2
10	Southern Tier Admirals	OMHA	10	2
	Honourable Mention
	Kitchener Jr. Rangers	ALLIANCE	–	–
	Kingston Frontenacs	OMHA	–	5
	Quinte Red Devils	OMHA	–	–
	Don Mills Flyers	GTHL	9	11

The London Jr. Knights and the Waterloo Wolves have officially clinched spots in the 2016 OHL Cup by advancing to the ALLIANCE Championship Series.  The Knights defeated the Windsor Jr. Spitfires, while the Wolves defeated the Kitchener Jr. Rangers in league Semi-Final action.  The Spitfires and Rangers will now compete in a Semi-Final Wild Card Series with the winner earning automatic entry into the 2016 OHL Cup, while the losing team will compete in one of five Wild Card Play-In Games for tournament qualification.

The five-team field is also set for the 2016 OMHA Championship weekend March 4-6 in Bowmanville, ON, and features the York Simcoe Express, Barrie Jr. Colts, Southern Tier Admirals, Hamilton Jr. Bulldogs, and host Clarington Toros.  The top four teams following the weekend tournament will automatically qualify for the 2016 OHL Cup, while the fifth place team will compete in one of five Wild Card Play-In Games for tournament qualification.  Also competing for a guaranteed spot in one of the five Wild Card Play-In Games are the OMHA’s SCTA Semi-Finalists the Halton Hurricanes facing off against the Niagara North Stars.

Four teams from the GTHL have already officially qualified for the 2016 OHL Cup by advancing to their league Semi-Finals including the Mississauga Rebels, Toronto Marlies, Toronto Red Wings, and Toronto Jr. Canadiens.  The Jr. Canadiens are facing the Marlies, and the Rebels are squaring off against the Red Wings in best-of-eight point series.  Also underway is the GTHL Wild Card Series featuring the four teams eliminated from the first round of playoffs including the Don Mills Flyers against the Vaughan Kings, and the Mississauga Senators against the Markham Majors for the opportunity to keep their hopes alive with Wild Card tournament entry.

The OHL Cup continues to showcase 20 participating teams from across Ontario and the United States, but as of February, 2016, 15 of the 20 spots are now guaranteed through league competition.  The 15 guaranteed spots include all four GTHL Semi-Finalists, and the top four teams that place at the OMHA Championship.  Three teams from the ALLIANCE will still be guaranteed a spot in the tournament including the Champion and Finalist, along with the winner of a best-of-three Semi-Final Wild Card Series to be played between the losers of the two league Semi-Finals.  Two tournament entries are reserved for United States competition, while both an HNO and NOHA representative will also compete.

Also announced in February, 2016, is the addition of one Wild Card Play-In Game whereupon the final five entries at the 2016 OHL Cup will now be Wild Cards determined among 10 teams that will play a one game ‘win and in’ scenario.  The 10 competing teams aiming for the final five tournament spots will now include five teams named by the Tournament Selection Committee based on regular season, playoff, and tournament play.  The other Wild Card Play-In Game spots will continue to include the fifth place team at the OMHA Championship, and the loser of the ALLIANCE Semi-Final Wild Card Series.  Two spots in Wild Card games are also reserved for GTHL teams.  The two competing GTHL teams will be determined through a pair of Wild Card Play-In Series matchups involving the four GTHL teams who qualified for the playoffs but lost in the first round.  The final spot in a Wild Card will be reserved for the winner of an OMHA SCTA Consolation Game that features both teams who lost in the SCTA Tournament Semi-Final.  The OMHA teams eligible for this matchup will be determined annually based on the league not hosting the OMHA Championship.  All five Wild Card games will take place on Tuesday March 15 with specific matchups and times of play to be determined by random draw among the 10 competing teams on Monday March 14.

Last season the Toronto Marlboros captured their fifth OHL Cup title in 11 years with a 3-2 overtime win over the Don Mills Flyers. Marlies forward and OHL Cup MVP Ryan McLeod followed up older brother Michael McLeod’s MVP effort in 2014 with three goals and four assists in the tournament.

McLeod was one of 12 first round draft selections from 2015 OHL Cup teams, including six of the top ten picks. Those names include David Levin (Don Mills Flyers – 1st overall to the Sudbury Wolves), Ryan McLeod (Toronto Marlboros – 3rd overall to the Flint Firebirds), Brady Gilmour (Quinte Red Devils – 6th overall to the Saginaw Spirit), Ben Jones (Toronto Marlboros – 7th overall to the Niagara IceDogs), Matthew Strome (Toronto Marlboros – 8th overall to the Hamilton Bulldogs) and Markus Phillips (Toronto Titans – 9th overall to the Owen Sound Attack).

Five first round selections in the 2015 NHL Draft are also OHL Cup graduates including Connor McDavid (Toronto Marlboros/Edmonton Oilers), Dylan Strome (Toronto Marlboros/Arizona Coyotes), Mitch Marner (Don Mills Flyers/Toronto Maple Leafs), Lawson Crouse (Elgin-Middlesex Chiefs/Florida Panthers) and Travis Konecny (Elgin-Middlesex Chiefs/Philadelphia Flyers).

Notable OHL Cup graduates currently playing in the NHL include Taylor Hall (Greater Kingston Frontenacs/Edmonton Oilers), John Tavares (Toronto Marlboros/New York Islanders), Steven Stamkos (Markham Waxers/Tampa Bay Lightning), Tyler Seguin (Toronto Nationals/Dallas Stars), 2013 Norris Trophy winner P.K. Subban (Markham Islanders/Montreal Canadiens) and 2010 OHL Cup MVP Sean Monahan (Mississauga Rebels/Calgary Flames).

For more information, please visit ohlcup.ca.

Toronto, ON – The Ontario Hockey League today announced the thirteenth edition of the weekly minor midget rankings for the 2016 OHL Cup Showcase Tournament hosted by the Greater Toronto Hockey League.

The weekly rankings are determined by a panel of OHL Central Scouting Staff and represent the top teams that are competing to play in the annual year-end championship tournament which takes place March 15-21, 2016.  All games will be played at the Scotiabank Pond in Toronto until the Championship Final moves to the Mattamy Athletic Centre on Monday March 21.

Minor Midget Rankings for the 2016 OHL Cup Showcase Tournament – Week 13

RANK	TEAM	LEAGUE	LAST WEEK	WEEKS RANKED
1	Mississauga Rebels	GTHL	1	13
2	York Simcoe Express	OMHA	2	13
3	Toronto Marlies	GTHL	3	13
4	Toronto Jr. Canadiens	GTHL	4	13
5	Toronto Red Wings	GTHL	5	13
6	Barrie Jr. Colts	OMHA	6	12
7	Hamilton Jr. Bulldogs	OMHA	8	13
8	Waterloo Wolves	ALLIANCE	7	11
9	Don Mills Flyers	GTHL	9	11
10	Southern Tier Admirals	OMHA	–	1
	Honourable Mention
	London Jr. Knights	ALLIANCE	–	1
	Kitchener Jr. Rangers	ALLIANCE	–	–
	Kingston Frontenacs	OMHA	10	5
	Quinte Red Devils	OMHA	–	–

Four teams from the GTHL have now officially qualified for the 2016 OHL Cup by advancing to their league Semi-Finals including the Mississauga Rebels, Toronto Marlies, Toronto Red Wings, and Toronto Jr. Canadiens who most recently defeated the Don Mills Flyers in the final Quarter-Final matchup.  The Jr. Canadiens will face the Marlies, and the Rebels will face the Red Wings in the league’s Semi-Finals set to begin later this month.  Also beginning later this month is the GTHL Wild Card Series featuring the four teams eliminated from the first round of playoffs including the Flyers who will face the Vaughan Kings, and the Mississauga Senators who will face the Markham Majors for the opportunity to keep their hopes alive with a Wild Card tournament entry.

Semi-Finals are underway in the ALLIANCE featuring the Waterloo Wolves against the Kitchener Jr. Rangers, and the London Jr. Knights against the Windsor Jr. Spitfires.  Both series winners will earn automatic entry into the 2016 OHL Cup, with the losing teams competing in a Semi-Final Wild Card Series with the winner also granted a berth in the tournament.  The fourth place team will be eligible for an OHL Cup Wild Card Play-In Game.

The OHL Cup continues to showcase 20 participating teams from across Ontario and the United States, but as of February, 2016, 15 of the 20 spots are now guaranteed through league competition.  The 15 guaranteed spots include all four GTHL Semi-Finalists, and the top four teams that place at the OMHA Championship.  Three teams from the ALLIANCE will still be guaranteed a spot in the tournament including the Champion and Finalist, along with the winner of a best-of-three Semi-Final Wild Card Series to be played between the losers of the two league Semi-Finals.  Two tournament entries are reserved for United States competition, while both an HNO and NOHA representative will also compete.

Also announced in February, 2016, is the addition of one Wild Card Play-In Game whereupon the final five entries at the 2016 OHL Cup will now be Wild Cards determined among 10 teams that will play a one game ‘win and in’ scenario.  The 10 competing teams aiming for the final five tournament spots will now include five teams named by the Tournament Selection Committee based on regular season, playoff, and tournament play.  The other Wild Card Play-In Game spots will continue to include the fifth place team at the OMHA Championship, and the loser of the ALLIANCE Semi-Final Wild Card Series.  Two spots in Wild Card games are also reserved for GTHL teams.  The two competing GTHL teams will be determined through a pair of Wild Card Play-In Series matchups involving the four GTHL teams who qualified for the playoffs but lost in the first round.  The final spot in a Wild Card will be reserved for the winner of an OMHA SCTA Consolation Game that features both teams who lost in the SCTA Tournament Semi-Final.  The OMHA teams eligible for this matchup will be determined annually based on the league not hosting the OMHA Championship.  All five Wild Card games will take place on Tuesday March 15 with specific matchups and times of play to be determined by random draw among the 10 competing teams on Monday March 14.

Last season the Toronto Marlboros captured their fifth OHL Cup title in 11 years with a 3-2 overtime win over the Don Mills Flyers. Marlies forward and OHL Cup MVP Ryan McLeod followed up older brother Michael McLeod’s MVP effort in 2014 with three goals and four assists in the tournament.

McLeod was one of 12 first round draft selections from 2015 OHL Cup teams, including six of the top ten picks. Those names include David Levin (Don Mills Flyers – 1st overall to the Sudbury Wolves), Ryan McLeod (Toronto Marlboros – 3rd overall to the Flint Firebirds), Brady Gilmour (Quinte Red Devils – 6th overall to the Saginaw Spirit), Ben Jones (Toronto Marlboros – 7th overall to the Niagara IceDogs), Matthew Strome (Toronto Marlboros – 8th overall to the Hamilton Bulldogs) and Markus Phillips (Toronto Titans – 9th overall to the Owen Sound Attack).

Five first round selections in the 2015 NHL Draft are also OHL Cup graduates including Connor McDavid (Toronto Marlboros/Edmonton Oilers), Dylan Strome (Toronto Marlboros/Arizona Coyotes), Mitch Marner (Don Mills Flyers/Toronto Maple Leafs), Lawson Crouse (Elgin-Middlesex Chiefs/Florida Panthers) and Travis Konecny (Elgin-Middlesex Chiefs/Philadelphia Flyers).

Notable OHL Cup graduates currently playing in the NHL include Taylor Hall (Greater Kingston Frontenacs/Edmonton Oilers), John Tavares (Toronto Marlboros/New York Islanders), Steven Stamkos (Markham Waxers/Tampa Bay Lightning), Tyler Seguin (Toronto Nationals/Dallas Stars), 2013 Norris Trophy winner P.K. Subban (Markham Islanders/Montreal Canadiens) and 2010 OHL Cup MVP Sean Monahan (Mississauga Rebels/Calgary Flames).

For more information, please visit ohlcup.ca.

Toronto, ON – The Ontario Hockey League today announced the second edition of the weekly minor midget rankings for the 2016 OHL Cup Showcase Tournament hosted by the Greater Toronto Hockey League.

The weekly rankings are determined by a panel of OHL Central Scouting Staff and represent the top teams that are competing to play in the annual year-end championship tournament which takes place March 15-21, 2016.  All games will be played at the Scotiabank Pond in Toronto until the Championship Final moves to the Mattamy Athletic Centre on Monday March 21.

Minor Midget Rankings for the 2016 OHL Cup Showcase Tournament – Week 2

RANK	TEAM	LEAGUE	LAST WEEK	WEEKS RANKED
1	York Simcoe Express	OMHA	2	2
2	Mississauga Rebels	GTHL	4	2
3	Toronto Jr. Canadiens	GTHL	6	2
4	Toronto Marlies	GTHL	3	2
5	Barrie Jr. Colts	OMHA	–	1
6	Toronto Red Wings	GTHL	1	2
7	Hamilton Jr. Bulldogs	OMHA	5	2
8	Sudbury Wolves	GNML	7	2
9	Markham Majors	GTHL	9	2
10	Kingston Frontenacs	OMHA	–	1
	Honourable Mention
	Waterloo Wolves	ALLIANCE	10	1
	Don Mills Flyers	GTHL	–	0
	Vaughan Kings	GTHL	–	0

The OHL Cup continues to showcase 20 participating teams from across Ontario and the United States with 16 of the 20 spots in 2016 guaranteed through league competition.  The 16 guaranteed spots continue to include all four GTHL Semi-Finalists, and the top four teams that place at the OMHA Championship.  Three teams from the ALLIANCE will still be guaranteed a spot in the tournament including the Champion and Finalist, along with the winner of a best-of-three Semi-Final Wild Card Series to be played between the losers of the two league Semi-Finals.  Also as in past years, two tournament entries are reserved for United States competition, while both an HNO and NOHA representative will also compete.  New in 2016, the final guaranteed spot is awarded to the highest finishing minor midget team in the HEO Midget League which in 2015-16 belongs to CIHA White.

This season the final four entries at the 2016 OHL Cup will be Wild Cards determined among eight teams that will play a one game ‘win and in’ scenario.  The eight competing teams aiming for the final four tournament spots will continue to include the fifth place team at the OMHA Championship, and the loser of the ALLIANCE Semi-Final Wild Card Series.  New in 2016, two spots in Wild Card games will be reserved for GTHL teams.  The two competing GTHL teams will be determined through a pair of Wild Card Play-In Series matchups involving the four GTHL teams who qualified for the playoffs but lost in the first round.  Also new in 2016, one spot in a Wild Card will be reserved for the winner of an OMHA SCTA Consolation Game that features both teams who lost in the SCTA Tournament Semi-Final.  The OMHA teams eligible for this matchup will be determined annually based on the league not hosting the OMHA Championship.  Finally, the three remaining teams who will compete in the Wild Card matchups will be named by the Tournament Selection Committee based on regular season, playoff, and tournament play. All four Wild Card games will take place onTuesday March 15 with specific matchups and times of play to be determined by random draw among the eight competing teams onMonday March 14.

Last season the Toronto Marlboros captured their fifth OHL Cup title in 11 years with a 3-2 overtime win over the Don Mills Flyers. Marlies forward and OHL Cup MVP Ryan McLeod followed up older brother Michael McLeod’s MVP effort in 2014 with three goals and four assists in the tournament.

McLeod was one of 12 first round draft selections from 2015 OHL Cup teams, including six of the top ten picks. Those names include David Levin (Don Mills Flyers – 1st overall to the Sudbury Wolves), Ryan McLeod (Toronto Marlboros – 3rd overall to the Flint Firebirds), Brady Gilmour (Quinte Red Devils – 6th overall to the Saginaw Spirit), Ben Jones (Toronto Marlboros – 7th overall to the Niagara IceDogs), Matthew Strome (Toronto Marlboros – 8th overall to the Hamilton Bulldogs) and Markus Phillips (Toronto Titans – 9th overall to the Owen Sound Attack).

Five first round selections in the 2015 NHL Draft are also OHL Cup graduates including Connor McDavid (Toronto Marlboros/Edmonton Oilers), Dylan Strome (Toronto Marlboros/Arizona Coyotes), Mitch Marner (Don Mills Flyers/Toronto Maple Leafs), Lawson Crouse (Elgin-Middlesex Chiefs/Florida Panthers) and Travis Konecny (Elgin-Middlesex Chiefs/Philadelphia Flyers).

Notable OHL Cup graduates currently playing in the NHL include Taylor Hall (Greater Kingston Frontenacs/Edmonton Oilers), John Tavares (Toronto Marlboros/New York Islanders), Steven Stamkos (Markham Waxers/Tampa Bay Lightning), Tyler Seguin (Toronto Nationals/Dallas Stars), 2013 Norris Trophy winner P.K. Subban (Markham Islanders/Montreal Canadiens) and 2010 OHL Cup MVP Sean Monahan (Mississauga Rebels/Calgary Flames).

For more information, please visit ohlcup.ca.