Recently, the OMHA Board of Directors have approved a new “A” division league within the Shamrock Hockey League for the 2023-24 season.
The league will have the following teams competing against each other with the winner advancing to the OMHA Championships Tournament at the end of the season.
League teams are:
Dorchester
Mount Brydges
New Hamburg
Norfolk (amalgamated Port Dover, Simcoe, Waterford)
St. Mary’s
South Oxford (amalgamated Ingersoll, Tillsonburg)
Strathroy
OMHA rationale for this change is to provide meaningful competition in these regional areas of the OMHA where there are a number of new “A” base category Associations. The league is expected to grow with more teams joining in the future through mergers or reclassification to "A" centres. When calculated, the average drive for NHHA teams in Tri-County compared to this new league is similar, averaging about one hour or 82 km across all centres.
NHHA has been instructed by the OMHA that this mandatory change affects all U10 to U18 “A” level teams only. These NHHA teams must exit the Tri-County Smith division starting next season. At this time, other NHHA teams will continue to participate in the Southern Counties and Grand River Local Leagues. U8/U9 MD teams will continue in the Tri County Pod League at this time.
NHHA is sure that its members will have questions and Executive are working with the OMHA already exploring and researching many topics, more specifically confirming the league structure (games played, format), competition levels, and flexibility for teams to play “AA”. NHHA will keep its membership and next year coaches prior to tryouts informed as new information is available.
Questions in regards to this change in the form of one voice (eg: Parent Group/Team Coach/Manager/Rep) can reach out to
[email protected]