Ontario Hockey Federation Updates Player Movement Regulations; Residency Regulations Removed

The Ontario Hockey Federation (OHF) has updated its Player Movement Regulations to enhance participant experience and accessibility, removing several residency restrictions for players within the organization, announced on Tuesday.

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The decision was voted on by OHF members in Toronto, where a vote was carried out to remove residency regulations in Minor Hockey for the U10 age group and above in all categories from AAA to House League inclusive.

This applies to the four Minor Hockey Members, including the Minor Hockey Alliance of Ontario (ALLIANCE), the Greater Toronto Hockey League (GTHL), the Northern Ontario Hockey Association (NOHA) and the Ontario Minor Hockey Association (OMHA).

“This is a transformational and historic moment for hockey in the OHF,” said Phillip McKee, OHF executive director. “These changes are designed to create a more inclusive and player-focused system, ensuring every participant has fun and the opportunity to thrive. Through collaboration and listening to our hockey community, we are shaping a stronger future for the game.”

“These changes are the result of extensive feedback and unprecedented collaboration with our Members, Minor Hockey Associations and participants and we are confident they will positively impact hockey families across the OHF,” said John Kastner, Chair of the Board.

OHF says these changes align boys' and co-ed hockey with the Ontario Women’s Hockey Association (OWHA) structure and the standards followed by most sports organizations across Ontario and Canada.

Conversations regarding the changes began in 2022, leading to the formation of a dedicated committee in March. Chaired by former OHF Chair of the Board, Tony Foresi, the committee included representatives from all four Minor Member Partners and OHF Board Members.

The process involved gathering input through parent surveys and town hall meetings with Associations. On Nov. 30, over 200 Minor Hockey Representatives joined the conversation in Toronto as the final details were discussed.

“The changes to Player Movement Regulations represent a significant step forward in creating a system that prioritizes fun, player development, accessibility, and fairness,” said Foresi.

The following are the organization’s key points and regulation changes:

Enhanced Player Movement

Beginning in the 2025–2026 season, OHF Minor Hockey Players in the U10 age group and above will have the opportunity to participate with the Association of their choice regardless of Category (AAA, AA, A, BB, B etc.).

House League for U9 and Below Participants

House League players in the age group of U9 and below can continue to play anywhere within OHF.

Local Programming for Younger Participants in MD and Select

Players in the U9 age group and below will participate within their Member (ALLIANCE, GTHL, NOHA, and OMHA) under Member Regulations for Select and Minor Development hockey.

Pause on addition of Representative Teams for U10 age group and above

The OHF is implementing a temporary hold on the addition of Rep teams at U10 age group and above by Associations and OHF Members. This hold will allow for a thorough review and adjustment of the number of teams at each age group and Category.

Development of Geographically Structured Leagues

To improve accessibility and participation, the OHF, in conjunction with our Minor Members, will work to establish geographically structured leagues. This new framework will reduce travel burdens and promote a more inclusive hockey environment across all regions.

Increased Penalties for Tampering

The OHF and its Minor Members will introduce timelines and increased penalties for recruiting players, during the current season, on other teams for the next season. Such penalties will apply to anyone involved with a team.

The Work is Not Done

The Player Movement Committee will remain active, adjusting the Rules and Regulations for the 2026-2027 season and addressing any unintended consequences that may arise.

Immediate Application of Adopted Regulations

The adopted Regulations will be effective immediately, with the exception that rostering and affiliation for the 2024-2025 season will remain in effect for the remainder of the 2024-2025 season.

The changes are effective for the 2025–26 hockey season.

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Peterborough Petes Defeat Rival Oshawa Generals In 4-3 Overtime Thriller

The Petes got the win in dramatic fashion over their rival Oshawa Generals as they walked it of with a 4-3 overtime win at the Peterborough Memorial Centre on Thursday night.

Photo courtesy of Kenneth Andersen and the Peterborough Petes.

The opening period had only one goal and it was courtesy of Petes captain Johnathan Melee on the penalty kill. Braydon McCallum was on the rush short handed and he sent it back to the high slot to a charging Melee who one-timed it home for a 1-0 lead.

Peterborough added to their lead as Blake Gowan snapped a shot but was saved by Generals goalie Isaac Gravelle. Colin Fitzgerald was able to pounce on the rebound and hammer it home for a 2-0 lead. The Generals got on the board after Zackary Sandhu ripped a shot from the point that got through traffic and Petes goalie Easton Rye for a 2-1 score.

Peterborough responded just over three minutes later as Young took a shot from point-blank range that was stopped. Martin Matejicek took a whack at the puck on the rebound and found the back of the net to restore Peterborough’s two-goal lead after two periods.

Oshawa was able to mount a comeback, scoring two goals to tie the game in the third period and send the game to overtime.

In the extra frame, just 49 seconds in, Braydon McCallum cut into the ent to take a shot but was stopped. It created a mad scramble for the loose puck and Gavin Bryant poked the puck back to Matejicek. The latter went wide and drew the goalie towards him as he passed out to Bryant in the slot who buried the wide-open net for a walk-off overtime 4-3 win.

The Petes are back in action against the Ottawa 67’s in our nation’s capital on Friday night.

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Peterborough Petes Getting Hot After 5-3 Victory Over Visiting Guelph Storm

In the team’s most successful stretch of the season, the Petes have won their last three of four games after a 5-3 victory over the Guelph Storm at the Peterborough Memorial Centre (PMC) on Sunday night.

Photo courtesy of Kenneth ANdersen and the Peterborough Petes.

The Petes did not have the ideal start, as they were on the wrong side of a five-on-three powerplay. Guelph’s Jett Luchanko rocketed a one-timer past Easton Rye to get the Storm on the board first, 1-0.

Peterborough would even things up just over halfway through the period as Martin Matejicek ripped a one-timer to tie things at 1. Guelph would regain the lead after some excellent forechecking in the offensive zone. They forced Peterborough to turn the puck over and Lev Katzin backhanded it past Rye for a 2-1 lead after one.

The second period was the Brody Partridge show. He netted two goals for the Petes, the lone scores of the frame. His first goal was off a deflected shot on a wide angle from Francis Parish to tie it up at two. His second goal came from an errant pass by him but came out to the point. Patridge met the puck, wired it past traffic and scored for Peterborough’s first lead of the night going into the third.

Luchanko tied things up at 1:39 into the final frame as he knocked in a rebound from Katzin’s initial shot for a 3-3 game. Peterborough forced a turnover of their own on the forecheck as the Petes scrambled in front of a sprawling Brayden Gillespie. The Petes did everything they could as Gavin Bryant had a few chances in front all alone. He appeared to try a wraparound after two whacks but instead fed Matejicek who buried the wide-open net and a 4-3 lead.

Petes captain Johnathan Melee capped off the game with an empty-netter and won 5-3 over the Storm. The win also marked three-straight wins for Rye in three consecutive starts.

The Petes stay home for their next game this Thursday against the rival Oshawa Generals. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. at the PMC.

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Peterborough Petes Showered From Teddy Bear Toss After 3-2 Overtime Win Against Sarnia

The stuffed animals were flying as the Peterborough Petes won in overtime 3-2 against the Sarnia Sting on Teddy Bear Toss night at the Peterborough Memorial Centre on Thursday night.

Photo courtesy of Kenneth ANdersen and the Peterborough Petes.

The game was deadlocked with no score until the last minute of the second period where Sarnia was on the power play. Tyson Doucette blasted a one-timer from the point that got by Easton Rye for a 1-0 lead.

With no scoring after halfway through the third period, the Petes fans were anxious to let throw their teddy bears on the ice which occurs after the Petes’s first goal.

That was a good opportunity Petes defenceman Blake Gowan to get his first career OHL goal as he joined the rush. He stickhandled the puck and backhanded it past the Sting goalie for a 1-1 game and to send all of the teddy bears flying to the ice.

Donations of other stuffed animals, toques, gloves and socks flooded the ice. There were 1571 donations were collected in support of the Move 99.7 and Pure Country 105 Christmas Toy Drive, in support of the Salvation Army’s Annual Christmas Appeal.

Less than two minutes later, Peterborough was on the power play. Ryder McIntyre tried a wraparound bid but went off a defender. The ricochet met Aiden Young’s stick and he buried it for the Petes’s first lead of the game, 2-1.

Sarnia was able to battle back late in the period. With 62 seconds left in regulation, Doucette struck again with another one-timer to tie things up at two for overtime.

Just as Peterborough saw their power play finish, Braydon McCallum passed it across to Caden Taylor who sniped it home on a one-timed shot in overtime for the walk-off goal for the 3-2 win. This was the first winning streak for the Petes this season with two straight overtime wins.

The Petes hit the road to Brantford to take on the at the Brantford Civic Centre on Friday. Puck drop is at 7 p.m.

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Peterborough Petes Release Teddy Bear Toss Details For Thursday's Game

With the Teddy Bear Toss Game lined up for Thursday at the Peterborough Memorial Centre against the Sarnia Sting, the Peterborough Petes have released its details, announced on Tuesday.

Photo courtesy of the Peterborough Petes.

Fans are asked to bring donations to the game, including stuffed animals, toques, gloves and socks. Once the Petes score their first goal, donations can be thrown onto the ice.

Chemong Home Hardware Building Centre will collect and count them and donate them to Move 99.7 and Pure Country 105's Christmas Toy Drive, which is in support of the Salvation Army’s Annual Christmas Appeal.

Participating fans are asked to put their donations into a clear plastic bag to prevent them from being damaged on the ice.

Rexall will sell stuffed bears in the concourse of the PMC before the game for $10.

Net proceeds from each bear sold will support the Rexall Care Network, a charitable organization supporting unpaid caregivers across Canada. Rexall will provide a $5 Rexall gift card to anyone who purchases a bear at the game. Fans who can not attend the game but wish to donate can drop off their donations at the Petes Store before the game.

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Peterborough Porter Martone Selected Among 32 to World Juniors Selection Camp For Team Canada

Brampton Steelhead forward and Peterborough’s Porter Martone has been selected as one of 32 players to Team Canada’s National Junior Team Selection Camp at TD Place in Ottawa from Dec. 10 to 13, announced on Monday.

Photo by Jordan Cooper.

Martone is one of 16 players selected from the OHL among the 32 skaters.

“We are excited to announce the 32 players who have earned invitations to selection camp in Ottawa, and begin the road to our ultimate goal of winning a World Junior Championship gold medal on home ice,” said Al Murray, head scout. “This is a talented group of young players that is determined to represent Canada with pride over the holidays, and we expect a highly competitive camp with several difficult decisions when determining our final roster.”

On May 5, Marton captained Team Canada to an IIHF U18 World Championship Gold Medal by defeating the United States, 6-4.

Martone has scored 18 goals and 29 assists for 47 points this season in 23 games with the Steelheads.

Martone was a member of the Peterborough Petes U15 AAA team, scoring six goals and 15 assists in 36 games.

“(He’s) a chance to be chosen number one overall this year,” said Bob McKenzie, Canadian hockey analyst. “He’s a big power forward. He has the size and strength to be a power forward but he has the ability to be in tight, he’s got great hands, he can wheel, he’s can be a finesse player as well so this is a guy who can be a handful for junior-age hockey players with that size and strength and skill.”

The following are the 32 players selected to camp:

Goaltenders

• Carson Bjarnason

• Carter George

• Jack Ivankovic

• Scott Ratzlaff

Defencemen

• Cameron Allen

• Beau Akey

• Oliver Bonk

• Harrison Brunicke

• Sam Dickenson

• Andrew Gibson

• Tanner Molendyk

• Sawyer Mynio

• Caden Price

• Matthew Schaefer

Forwards

• Porter Martone

• Denver Barkey

• Cole Beaudoin

• Mathiew Cataford

• Berkley Catton

• Easton Cowan

• Andrew Cristall

• Ethan Gauthier

• Riley Heidt

• Tanner Howe

• Jettt Luchanko

• Gavin McKenna

• Bradly Nadeau

• Luca Pinelli

• Carson Rehkopf

• Calum Ritchie

• Matthew Wood

• Brayden Yager

The selection camp will see the invited players play two games against the U Sports All-Stars. 

A four-day training camp will be held from Dec. 15 to 18 in Petawawa after the roster has been finalized 

Canada has drawn Finland for their first World Juniors matchup on Boxing Day against Finland. 

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Former Niagara IceDogs Captain Scores Walk-Off Goal For Peterborough Petes In 4-3 Overtime Win

Ex-IceDog Captain Gavin Bryant scored the walk-off game-winning goal against his former team to give the Peterborough Petes a 4-3 victory at the Peterborough Memorial Centre on Sunday night.

Photo courtesy of Kenneth ANderson and the Peterborough Petes.

This was Peterboroughs third game in four days as they were shut out at home 6-0 to the London Knights on Thursday. They had a 2-0 lead against the Ottawa 67’s but allowed four-straight goals for a 4-2 road loss on Friday.

The Petes found themselves trailing 2-0, 12:13 into the first period with goals from Matthew Virgilio and Kevin He. As Niagara finished killing the penalty and returned to full strength, Carson Cameron wired a shot that went off an IceDog and found the back of the net for a 2-1 game after the first period.

After 6:48 into the second, Braidy Wassilyn reestablished Niagara’s two-goal lead on the power play for a 3-1 game. The former IceDog captain took over the game as the Petes were on an extended power play from a double-minor penalty from Jack Brauti for tripping and roughing. Bryant went coast-to-coast, blowing by all the defenders, corraled his own rebound and scored for a 3-2 game with 4:11 left in regulation.

After the second half of the double-minor penalty had finished, Bryant looked to shoot but instead fed Quinton Pagé for a one-timed tip-in to tie the game with 2:05 left in the third.

The game went to overtime and just 54 seconds in, Bryant finished off his former team with a shot that went off a defender and hit the back of the net for a 4-3 overtime win.

The Petes are bringing their annual Teddy Bear Toss game on Thursday when they host the Sarnia Sting at 7:05 p.m.

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Peterborough Petes Shutout at Home 6-0 to League-Leading London Knights

The Peterborough Petes had snapped a London Knights winning streak back in late January but not this as they were shut out 6-0 at the Peterborough Memorial Centre on Thursday night.

Photo courtesy of Kenneth ANderson and the Peterborough Petes.

The league-leading Knights had a 15-game winning streak entering the game. On Jan. 26, goaltender Easton Rye got his first career win against London in a 3-2 shootout victory to stop their 14-game winning streak. He had the start again for Peterborough.

London struck first in four-on-four play as William Nicholl received an outlet pass and had a step on the Petes defense. After some stickhandling, he beat Rye on the backhand and made it 1-0 for London. The Knights continued their goal-scoring ways as Sam O'Reilly tipped a point shot from Blake Montgomery that beat Rye to make it 2-0 going into the second.

Nicholl struck again as he was left a soft drop-like pass to the high slot and slapped it past Rye for a 3-0 lead. The Knights kept their foot on the gas as Landon Sim, on the power play, was able to tip an Oliver Bonk point shot to make it 4-0 after two.

The Knights would not let up and kept pressuring Peterborough in the third. Montgomery was left alone in front of the net as the Petes had previously broken up his shot attempt. London forced a turnover in the offensive zone, and Sim helped Montgomery ring off a one-timer for a 5-0 lead. Noah Aboflan added a late goal and the Knights extended their winning streak to 16 with a 6-0 shutout over the Petes.

Peterborough heads to the nation’s capital on Friday to face the Ottawa 67’s at TD Place. Puck drop is scheduled for 7 p.m.

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Former Pete Scores Two Goals to Lead Brantford Bulldogs In 5-2 Over Peterborough

Former Pete Nick Lardis scored the game’s last two goals to put things out of reach for Peterborough as the Brantford Bulldogs earned a 5-2 victory at the Peterborough Memorial Centre on Thursday night.

Photo courtesy of Kenneth Andersen and the Peterborough PEtes.

Petes goaltender Easton Rye was making his first home career start in the game but had it rough facing his first shot of the game. Aiden O’Donnell received a pass and one-timed it home at point blank range to give the Bulldogs a 1-0 lead just 3:06 into the period. Petes captain Johnathan Melee got one back for Peterborough, scoring his team-leading sixth goal of the season off a centring pass from Ryder McIntyre just over five minutes later. It was 1-1 heading into the second period.

Neither team had scored until over halfway throught he frame as Brantford reestablished their lead. Joshua Avery took a shot that went wide but a fortunate bounce ended up on the stick of Nikolas Rossetto on the opposite side of the net and buried it for a 2-1 lead going into the third.

Peterborough refusing to go down without a fight tied things up again, this time on the power play. Aiden Young took matters into his own hands once he crossed the blue line, he beat a defender and took a wide-angle shot that beat Bulldogs goaltender Ryerson Leenders for a 2-2 tie. Rye was credited with the secondary assist the goal

It took less than three minutes for Brantford to regain the lead as the Bulldogs had Rye under siege in front of his net and after a few shots, wired one home thanks to Calvin Crombie to reestablish the 3-2 lead. Lardis put the dagger to the Petes on the power play as he got a quick one-timed goal to amke it 4-2 with just over 4 minutes in regulation. To add insult to injury, Lardis struck again with an empty-net goal to seal the victory for Brantford, 5-2.

The Petes hit the road to face Kingston Frontenacs at Slush Puppie Place on Fridya night. Puck drop is scheduled for 7 p.m.

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Peterborough Petes Drop 4-1 to Owen Sound Attack at Home

The Peterborough Petes took a 4-1 loss at the hands of the Owen Sound Attack during Special Olympics game night, in support of Special Olympics Ontario and Law Enforcement Torch Run at the Peterborough Memorial Centre on Thursday night.

Photo courtesy of Kenneth ANdersen and the Peterborough Petes.

The visitors struck first on the power play as Pierce Mbuyi was left alone in front of Petes goaltender Zach Bowen after a pass from Antonio Tersigni. Mbuyi beat Bowen short side and made it 1-0 after one.

Owen Sound found themselves with another man advantage and Mbuyi struck again. This time, he wristed a shot from the point that found its way through traffic and the back of the net for a 2-0 lead.

The Petes had an opportunity to get back in the game with a five-minute power play due to a James Petrovski cross check from the Attack. Peterborough turned the puck over in the attacking zone thanks to Braydon McCallum and fed Johnathan Melee for a one-timer and power play goal. The Petes trail 2-1 heading into the third.

Both teams struggled to score in the third until late in the frame where Ben Cormier got a pass and one-timed it home past Bowen for a 3-1 lead late in the frame. Peterborough pulled their goalie to try and get back in the game but after LA Kings prospect and Owen Sound goaltender Carter George made a save he took a shot at the empty net. He potted the goalie goal to make it 4-1 for the dagger.

The Petes hit the road to take on the Kitchener Rangers on Friday at the Kitchener Memorial Auditorium, with puck drop scheduled for 7 p.m.

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