By Mike Beasley /
It will never compare to the original Battle of Ontario between the Toronto Maple Leafs and Ottawa Senators but the possibility does exist that a Junior edition with the same name could develop into a great rivalry of its own.
The inaugural Junior “A” Battle of Ontario was played on Jan. 17 at the Pembroke Memorial Centre in the Eastern Ontario community nestled on the western shore of the ?Ottawa River.
It was an afternoon and evening of fast-paced junior A hockey featuring a Prospect game and an All Star contest between the best players from the Central Junior Hockey League and the Ontario Hockey Association’s Central Division.
The CJHL is made up of 11 teams based in Eastern Ontario from Pembroke to Hawkesbury while the OHA’s Central Division consists of the Markham Waxers, Wellington Dukes, Hamilton Red Wings, Toronto Jr. Canadians, Newmarket Hurricanes, St. Michael’s Buzzers, Cobourg Cougars and Stouffville Spirit.
In the past, both leagues had held their own All Star games resulting in mixed opinions.
Both leagues were looking for something new and exciting for their players with the Battle of Ontario being launched this season.
Now, bragging rights were on the line with the new concept of pitting league ?against league.
“The whole event was a tremendous success on a number of fronts,” said CJHL commissioner Kevin Abrams.
“Obviously, the hockey was terrific and I think we put on a really good show in Pembroke. The incredible fan support in this city makes it a unique opportunity to hold an event like this. The amount of NHL and college scouts that were in attendance also validates our level of play which is something we (CJHL and OHA) are always trying to work hard on to make sure that we’re providing a good product. This event magnifies how good the players can be at this level.”
The decision makers from each league are considering alternating sites around the two leagues beginning next year as the Battle of Ontario attempts to grow in the future.
“Initially, we wanted to try it this year and see how it played out but we’re certainly going to have some discussions to see what the findings were, said Abrams.
Now that the event is over, my first impression is that we are going to look into doing more things like this. I’m sure we’ll come up with something.”
Mike McCarron from the St. Michael’s Buzzers was the Executive Director for the OHA representatives who ended up winning the Prospects Game 3-0 while the CJHL won the All Star match 4-2.
McCarron liked what he saw on the ice and in the stands in Pembroke and would love to see this type of event possibly expand in ?the future.
“From the standpoint of Junior hockey, we believe that these premier, elite properties are very important to showcase the players but they’re also a tremendous source of revenue for the league,” McCarron said.
“Kevin and I are going to talk but what we may do next year is incorporate it into a three- or four-game series. We could take it across Ontario. When you have a chance to see a game like this, it will draw fans and that’s what this is all about – spectacular hockey.” |