Hetherman Consulting founder Mark Hetherman broke out of traditional Hockey operated by Hockey Canada and purchased two franchises in the GMHL League. The league operates outside the control of Hockey Canada and allows Hockey Players from outside of Canada to play in the league giving the Canadian players the opportunity to experience worldwide Hockey just like the NHL and its filler leagues, like the American Hockey League.
Independent junior hockey has long been a crucial aspect of Ontario’s sports culture, serving as a significant stepping stone for young hockey players pursuing their dreams of reaching higher levels of competitive play. The region’s rich history offers a fertile ground for budding talent. This article aims to shed light on the concept of independent junior hockey, its significance in Ontario, and the major teams, leagues, and tournaments that contribute to developing young hockey players in the province.
Understanding Independent Junior Hockey:
Conclusion:
For aspiring young hockey players and their families in Ontario, independent junior hockey offers a viable pathway to pursue their dreams of playing at higher levels. The benefits of player advancement opportunities, exposure to high-level competition, and reduced financial implications serve as strong motivators. While challenges exist, such as limited resources and networking opportunities, the determination and drive of the players themselves can help overcome these obstacles. Independent junior hockey remains a valuable alternative within Ontario’s robust hockey landscape, allowing players to showcase their skills and take vital steps towards reaching their full potential.
History
The Greater Metro Hockey League (GMHL) was initially founded as the Greater Metro Junior Hockey League (GMHL) by Bob Russell and Hockeyworks International Ltd. in 2006. The institutional vision for this new league was to improve the current standard of player development at the Junior ‘A’ level in the world’s most significant Junior Hockey regions. To facilitate the growth of this vision, the league had two clearly articulated goals: to increase the international flavour of Junior Hockey in Central Canada and to locate and establish teams in the cities and towns passionate about hosting this new brand of Junior Hockey.
This first season showed a unique, fast-paced brand of hockey that attracted attention from fans and prospective teams so much so that six new teams joined the fledgling league for its second year.
Not only did this expansion signal the growing popularity of this new Junior Hockey league in existing markets, but it also signalled a significant risk for the league. By moving further away from its existing operations base, the GMHL could tap new, exciting markets that would go on to secure the foundation of the league as it stands today.
The league gained even more notoriety in its second season by hosting the Russian ‘Moscow Selects’ team for a one-game exhibition against Bradford, Innisfil, Temiscaming, Elliot Lake, Richmond Hill and South Muskoka. The following year, the GMHL continued to build its international reputation by scheduling two two-game exhibition series between the Mexico Men’s Ice Hockey Team and the GMHL’s King Wild and the Richmond Hill Rams.
The GMHL’s third season (2008-2009) saw another round of expansion and its very first defection as the Temiscaming Royals left for the NOJHL.
The league maintained its presence in Quebec (a key area for talent and support) by adding the Ville-Marie team after the departure of Temiscaming.
Again, the league (now the GMHL) brought an international squad to Canada for a series of exhibition games in late 2008 and early 2009. The U-18 Torpedo UST-Damenogorsk (Kazakhstan) was invited to take on some of the league’s teams this time.
With three straight seasons of expansion, growth, international competition and new-found stability under its belt, the GMHL continued on its charted course, this time by combining its desire to expand with its increasing international development program. The GMHL welcomed the Sturgeon Falls Lumberjacks, Jamestown Jets (First International Team) and the Shelburne Red Wings (Canada’s only All-Russian Team).
This expansion before the league’s fourth season led to the first-ever regulation international GMHL game between Sturgeon Falls and Jamestown.
Since 2009, the league has continued flourishing by tapping into flourishing markets such as Ville-Marie and Bancroft. Its most recent expansion for the league’s current season has seen the GMHL reach its highest heights yet, expanding all the way to the west in British Columbia, Alberta, and Saskatchewan.
By welcoming the change needed to increase its reach and popularity, the GMHL has become a viable path to long-term success for both Canadian and International hockey players. The league has also continued to solidify its existing teams, securing a long-term future for the GMHL and propelling even more young players and coaches to higher levels of hockey and education.