Ontario Hockey Association

Dick Woods of Picton was acclaimed as Chairman of the Ontario Hockey Association at the annual general meeting in Kingston Saturday. Mr.Woods was the first manager of the Picton Pirates Junior C team. His hockey administrative duties have included convening the Empire Junior C league and he has been on the OHA Board since 1998.

During his OHA tenure, Dick has a long history of leadership. He spent 10 years as the Empire League chairman, three years as Eastern Ontario Senior league chairman, five years as Junior C chair, two years as the OHA chair of Junior hockey, two years as vice-chairman and he is also the OHA representative at the Ontario Hockey Federation.

Dick Woods replaces Karen Phibbs of London who will remain on the board as past-chair who will also continue to fulfill her duties with Hockey Canada as its chairman of Junior hockey.

Amendments ratified at the OHA annual general meeting included the implementation of neckguards for players this coming season in the OHA, some changes in the affiliate system for Junior A teams and a mandate from the membership to proceed with what has been called a Future Prospectus, a critical overview of the OHA's role in hockey in Ontario.

Mr. Woods said moving ahead with the Future Prospectus and redefining the OHA was going to be his priority for his two-year tenure. "I think it's an exciting time for the OHA as we look at charting a bold new path for Junior hockey. Clearly, it's a very important time for the OHA."

Among the other amendments passed the association adopted

• to reduce the leave of absence option for teams from two years to one year.

• lifting restrictions on high school players registering with OHA teams during the season.

• OHA finance chairman Brad Grant of Milton released financial figures which indicated the OHA turned an $80,000 surplus for the fiscal year. The association approved an operating budget of $1,048,000 for the upcoming season.

• The OHA gold stick, which recognizes outstanding service to the association of not less than 10 years, was awarded to London native Bill Weir, convener for the Western Junior hockey conference for the Greater Ontario Hockey League; and to Paul Lake of Fullarton, past-chairman of the OHA and current chairman of the Canadian Junior Hockey League.

At the AGM, the OHA recognized the 2007-2008 champions. In Senior, Whitby Dunlops, Robertson Cup; Junior A, Oakville Blades, Buckland Trophy and Dudley Hewitt Cup as the Central Canadian champions; Junior B, Tecumseh Chiefs, Sutherland Cup; Junior C, Alliston Hornets, Schmalz Cup; Junior D, Thamesford Trojans, OHA Cup. In addition to the OHA championships, the Brantford Blast were recognized as Allan Cup champions which goes to the top team in Canadian Senior hockey.

For more information contact President Brent Ladds at 519-622-2402 or Dick Woods at 613-476-4775.