Toronto - The Ontario Hockey League today announced the divisional
re-alignment that will be in place beginning with the 2002-03 season. The
re-alignment is required to accommodate the transfer of the North Bay
Centennials to Saginaw, Michigan.
Saginaw, which is located approximately 100 miles northwest of Detroit, MI,
will join the West Division, giving them the opportunity to develop natural
geographical rivalries with the Plymouth Whalers, Windsor Spitfires, Sault
Ste. Marie Greyhounds and Sarnia Sting.
The Brampton Battalion will move from the Midwest Division to the Central
Division and the London Knights will move from the West Division to the
Midwest Division.
To help ensure that historic rivalries are maintained, London will play
three home games and three road games with both Windsor and Sarnia.
Brampton's shift from the Western Conference to the Eastern Conference will
help expand current rivalries with the Mississauga IceDogs and Toronto St.
Michael's Majors.
"Every effort has been given to preserve the current regional rivalries that
we have in our league, as well as to establish new ones," said OHL
Commissioner David Branch with the announcement. "We feel that with this
structure, we have accomplished these goals."
The most recent re-alignment of the Ontario Hockey League was prior to the
1998-99 season to a two conference, four division format to accommodate the
expansion of the league to Brampton and Mississauga. The league previously
had a three-division alignment.
Ontario Hockey League Divisional Alignment
Western Conference | Eastern Conference |
|
West Division | East Division |
Plymouth Whalers | Belleville Bulls |
Saginaw | Kingston Frontenacs |
Sarnia Sting | Oshawa Generals |
Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds | Ottawa 67's |
Windsor Spitfires | Peterborough Petes |
|
Midwest Division | Central Division |
Erie Otters | Barrie Colts |
Guelph Storm | Brampton Battalion |
Kitchener Rangers | Mississauga IceDogs |
London Knights | Sudbury Wolves |
Owen Sound Attack | Toronto St. Michael's Majors |
