OHL – Fast Facts

EDUCATION

Over 95% of OHL Players were enrolled in either high school, college or university during the 2002-03 playing season.

All educational costs including tuition, room and board and books are paid for by the OHL Member Teams while players are playing in the OHL.

All OHL Member Teams utilize an educational consultant to offer guidelines and expertise to players regarding the successful mix of education and hockey.

90% of regular season games are played between Thursday and Sunday, making the OHL primarily a weekend League.

During the 2002-03 playing season, nearly 200 OHL graduates appeared on the rosters of Canadian Interuniversity hockey clubs, including 16 on the CIS defending Champion University of Western Ontario Mustangs. Former Barrie Colts goaltender Mike D’Alessandro was named the MVP of the University Cup Championship.

DEVELOPMENT

The Canadian Hockey League accounts for more than 55% of all active National Hockey League players making the CHL by far the number one source of talent for the NHL.

Over 20% of players on the NHL teams’ active rosters come from one League – the Ontario Hockey League.

The 68 game regular season schedule combined with exhibition and playoff games best prepares a player for the challenge of a National Hockey League season.

18 of the 23 players named to the 2002 gold medal winning Canadian Olympic Team are graduates of the Canadian Hockey League, including nine alone from the OHL.

At the 2002 NHL Entry Draft, Rick Nash of the London Knights was chosen first overall by the Columbus Blue Jackets. In total five OHL players were drafted in the first round of this year’s Draft. A total of 101 Canadian Hockey League players were selected in the 2002 NHL Entry Draft, including 35 alone from the OHL.

Ontario Hockey League facilities boast the latest training equipment and methods for both on-ice and off-ice conditioning.

ENVIRONMENT

All players are billeted with local families in the community with all living expenses provided by the OHL team.

OHL Member Teams are committed to providing drug and alcohol awareness testing in co-operation with local law enforcement authorities.

OHL players are showcased to National and Provincial television audiences through Rogers Sportsnet, and Rogers Community Television.

All players become an integral part of the local community through charity events and team oriented activities and learn to deal with the expectations of the media and fans alike.