CAMBRIDGE, ON – The Ontario Hockey Federation in conjunction with Hockey Northwestern Ontario and Hockey Eastern Ontario have established a new format for the 2020 OHL Gold Cup that will focus on consistency and further development opportunities for all players involved.
The new format will see 160 players pooled to eight teams, comprised of a minimum of ten players (five forwards, four defenseman and one goalie) from each of the participating organizations – Hockey Eastern Ontario, Hockey Northwestern Ontario, the Minor Hockey ALLIANCE of Ontario, Greater Toronto Hockey League, Northern Ontario Hockey Association and the Ontario Minor Hockey Association. The teams will participate in a similar schedule to previous OHL Gold Cups comprised of off-ice education sessions, dedicated position-specific practices and full-team game-day skate, in addition to three pool games and one crossover game on the final day.
The OHL Gold Cup, running from May 6 – 10 in Kitchener, ON provides an opportunity for Hockey Canada officials to evaluate players for the Hockey Canada Under-17 National Summer Camp with the eventual goal of representing the nation on one of three teams at the World Under-17 Hockey Challenge. The new format mirrors that of the National Camp by providing a development focused platform for players to learn and develop from new teammates and coaches.
Player participation eligibility will be consistent with prior years with this year 2004 birth year players being selected. Each player must either be registered during the 2019-20 season with the OHF, HEO, HNO, be a participant in Hockey Canada Programming and/or be a resident of Ontario and eligible for the OHL Priority Selection.
The team contingent will be led by a Director of Operation, charged with evaluating and selecting players to participate. The remaining team staff will include one Head Coach, two Assistant Coaches, one trainer and one support staff member as recommended by their Member or Branch. As with the player pooling, all Staff positions will also be pooled and distributed among the eight teams.
The following Directors of Operation have been identified by their Members for their involvement and success in the previous format of the OHL Gold Cup. They include Gary McFarlane (ALLIANCE), Peter Kourtis (GTHL), David Cicchini (GTHL), Jeff Robert (HEO), Jim Fetter (HNO), Michael Dundas (OMHA), Tom Bly (OMHA), and Andrew Corradini (NOHA).
Team Staff positions have not yet been identified but will be done so through the Member or Branch. If you are interested in being involved in the OHL Gold Cup, please reach out to the Member or Branch you’re currently registered with.
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About the OHL Gold Cup
Running from May 6- May 10 at the Activa Sportsplex in Kitchener, Ont, the OHL Gold Cup is an annual showcase event featuring top under-16 talent in Ontario. As part of the Hockey Canada Program of Excellence (POE), players competing at the OHL Gold Cup have an opportunity to be evaluated for invitation to the national under-17 development camp, where Hockey Canada gathers the top talent from across the country to introduce players to the national team program and provide a foundation of development as they progress through the POE.
For more information:
Ali Wilson
Ontario Hockey Federation
Manager, Communications, Content Services, Registration
226-533-9074
[email protected]