Jason La Rose
For the first time in franchise history, the Oakville Blades are regular-season champions of the OJHL. The Blades were a picture of consistency, only once losing consecutive games while posting the two of the four longest winning streaks of the season – eight-game (Oct. 5-27) and 10-game (Nov. 3-Dec. 3) runs that were sandwiched around a single defeat. Oakville was all about the offence, leading the OJHL in goals with 244, 30 more than second-place North York. It was scoring by committee; Spencer Kersten (20-40—60) was the Blades’ leading point-getter, good for 12th in the league. In all, 11 players recorded at least 40 points and seven were 20-goal scorers.
PLAYOFF MATCH-UPS North Division 1) Markham Royals vs. 4) Georgetown Raiders 2) Newmarket Hurricanes vs. 3) Aurora Tigers
West Division 1) Oakville Blades vs. 4) Brampton Admirals 2) Buffalo Jr. Sabres vs. 3) Burlington Cougars
South Division 1) North York Rangers vs. 4) Toronto Jr. Canadiens 2) St. Michael’s Buzzers vs. 3) Toronto Patriots
East Division 1) Cobourg Cougars vs. 4) Wellington Dukes 2) Trenton Golden Hawks vs. 3) Whitby Fury
FINAL STANDINGS (W-L-T-OTL) North Division Markham – 65 points (29-18-2-5) Newmarket – 60 points (26-20-3-5) Aurora – 54 points (24-24-3-3) Pickering – 49 points (23-29-0-3) Stouffville – 29 points (12-37-1-4)
West Division Oakville – 93 points (44-5-1-4) Buffalo – 64 points (27-17-2-8) Burlington – 59 points (27-22-3-2) Brampton – 55 points (24-23-1-6) Georgetown – 55 points (24-24-3-4) Brantford – 43 points (19-30-0-5)
South Division North York – 85 points (40-9-1-4) St. Michael’s – 62 points (30-22-0-2) Toronto Patriots – 62 points (30-22-0-2) Toronto Jr. Canadiens – 58 points (27-23-1-3) Mississauga – 32 points (13-25-1-5)
East Division Cobourg – 78 points (36-12-0-6) Trenton – 73 points (33-14-4-3) Whitby – 69 points (33-18-1-2) Wellington – 64 points (29-19-1-5) Kingston – 51 points (22-25-2-5) Lindsay – 20 points (8-42-0-4)
LEADING SCORERS Alessio Luciani (Markham) – 31G 45A 76P Braedyn Aubin (Markham) – 29G 44A 73P Brandon Yeamans (North York) – 31G 39A 70P Brett Bannister (Cobourg) – 32G 36A 68P Jordan Crocker (Georgetown) – 14G 54A 68P
LEADING GOALTENDERS Jett Alexander (North York) – 30-11-1, 1.67 GAA, .945 SV%, 10 SO Mitchell Weeks (Newmarket) – 16-11-1, 1.72 GAA, .941 SV%, 6 SO Will Barber (Oakville) – 22-4-1, 1.90 GAA, .925 SV%, 7 SO Luke Pearson (Whitby) – 25-13-1, 1.94 GAA, .938 SV%, 6 SO Benjamin Allard-Robitaille (Trenton) – 18-12-2, 2.05 GAA, .928 SV%, 3 SO
LAST NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP APPEARANCE 2018 (Wellington Dukes – runner-up)
TOTAL NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP APPEARANCES 28 (2018, 2017, 2016, 2014, 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008, 2007, 2006 (host), 2005, 2004, 2003, 2001, 1999, 1998, 1996, 1986, 1985, 1985 (host), 1984, 1983, 1982, 1981, 1980, 1979, 1975, 1972)
LAST NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP 2017 (Cobourg Cougars)
TOTAL NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS 6 (2017, Cobourg Cougars; 2007, Aurora Tigers; 2004, Aurora Tigers; 1983, North York Flyers; 1978, Guelph Platers; 1972, Guelph CMCs)