OHL Announces 2016-17 Regular Season Schedule
Toronto, ON – The Ontario Hockey League today announced the regular season schedule of games for 2016-17.
The 680-game OHL regular season opens on Wednesday September 21 with two games on the schedule including the defending MasterCard Memorial Cup champion London Knights visiting the Sarnia Sting, and the second installment of the Michigan state rivalry beginning in Flint as the Firebirds host the Saginaw Spirit. In total, OHL Opening Week includes 19 games through Sunday September 25 and features 15 home openers.
The 2016-17 schedule includes seven weekday morning games including Wednesday November 2 when the Erie Otters host the Guelph Storm at 11:00 am. Four morning games will be played two weeks later on Wednesday November 16 including Niagara at Hamilton, Peterborough at Ottawa, Oshawa at Mississauga, and Sault Ste. Marie at Saginaw. Then on Wednesday February 8 Owen Sound visits Hamilton at 10:30 am, and on Wednesday February 15 Kingston visits Mississauga for an 11:00 am puck-drop. CogecoTV Hockey Day in the OHL returns for a fourth straight year taking place on Sunday January 29 with a broadcast tripleheader that features Saginaw at Sarnia at 1:00 pm, Peterborough at North Bay at 4:00 pm, then Hamilton at Windsor at 7:00 pm.
The regular season wraps up on Sunday March 19 with six games scheduled before the league’s top 16 teams will compete for the Robertson Cup in the 2017 OHL Playoffs.
CLICK HERE TO SEE THE 2016-17 OHL REGULAR SEASON SCHEDULE.
CHL Special Events this season include the Canada Russia Series in OHL markets on Thursday November 10 in North Bay, and Monday November 14 in Hamilton. The 2017 CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game is scheduled for Thursday January 26 in Quebec City, while the 2017 MasterCard Memorial Cup is set for May 18-28 in Windsor and features the host Spitfires and the champions from all three leagues competing in the 99th edition of the CHL’s prestigious national championship.
The 2016-17 campaign features milestones for several clubs including the 10th season for the IceDogs, the 15th season for the Spirit, the 45th season for both the Greyhounds and Wolves, the 50th season for the 67’s, and the Generals who are celebrating 80 years.
Divisional alignment remains the same for 2016-17 with all teams playing interdivisional rivals a minimum of six times including three games at home and three on the road, while teams will continue to play a minimum of one home and one road matchup against all 19 other clubs.
The Ontario Hockey League continues the tradition of being primarily a weekend league in order to accommodate the student athlete with over 86% (588) games scheduled between Thursday and Sunday. Friday continues to be the busiest night during the season with 198 games scheduled, followed by 165 on Saturdays, and 133 on Sundays.
Day – No. of Games (Percentage):
DAY | PCT | |
MON | 10 | 1.5% |
TUES | 17 | 2.5% |
WED | 65 | 9.6% |
THURS | 92 | 13.5% |
FRI | 198 | 29.1% |
SAT | 165 | 24.3% |
SUN | 133 | 19.6% |
680 | 100.0% |
DOWNLOAD A PDF COPY OF THE 2016-17 OHL REGULAR SEASON SCHEDULE.
Help promote the launch of the 2016-17 OHL Regular Season on social media by using #OHLOpeningWeek.