Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League

Northern Ontario Junior
Hockey League
Current season or competition:
2026–27 NOJHL season
Official logo
Regions
CommissionerRobert Mazzuca
Founded1978
No. of teams11
Associated titleCopeland Cup–McNamara Trophy
Recent championsGreater Sudbury Cubs (2026)
HeadquartersCorbeil, Ontario
Websitenojhl.com

The Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League (NOJHL) is a Junior ice hockey league with eleven teams in Northeastern Ontario and Upper Michigan. The league is a constituent member of the Canadian Junior Hockey League (CJHL) and is governed by the Northern Ontario Hockey Association. Teams compete to win the league championship Copeland Cup – McNamara Trophy, with the winning team advancing to the national championship to compete for the Centennial Cup.

The NOJHL was established in 1978 with six teams: the Espanola Eagles (1978–1988), Capreol Hawks (1978–1986), Nickel Centre Native Sons (1978–1984), Onaping Falls Huskies (1978–1983), Rayside-Balfour Canadians (1978–1986) and Sudbury Cubs (1978–1982). It was preceded by the NOJHA (1962–1972) and the NOHA Jr. B Hockey League (1970–1978).

By the 1986–87 season, the NOJHL was down to four teams. The Ontario Provincial Junior A Hockey League (OPJHL), also down to four teams, played an interlocking schedule with the NOJHL. The OPJHL folded after that season.

In the 2011–12 NOJHL season, the NOJHL became the first Junior A league in Canada to implement concussion safety and drug testing programs.

NOJHL teams won the Central Canada regional championship Dudley Hewitt Cup a total of five times, in 1997, 2000, 2002, 2012 and 2015. The regional contest was discontinued after 2019. As of 2025, no team from the NOJHL has won a national championship.

The league changed its official logo (right) ahead of the 2025–26 season.

Teams

The league had 11 active teams during the 2026–27 season. In March 2026, the NOJHL announced the Elliot Lake Vikings' immediate reinstatement and expected return for the 2026–27 season. The Vikings franchise was placed on an indefinite leave of absence in the middle of the 2024–25 season.

Teams
Team Home Arena
Blind River BeaversBlind RiverBlind River Community Centre
Elliot Lake VikingsElliot LakeRogers Arena (Elliot Lake)
Espanola Paper KingsEspanolaEspanola Regional Recreation Complex
French River RapidsNoelvilleNoelville Arena
Hearst LumberjacksHearstClaude Larose Recreation Centre
Iroquois Falls StormIroquois FallsJus Jordan Arena
Kirkland Lake Gold MinersKirkland LakeJoe Mavrinac Community Complex
Powassan VoodoosPowassanPowassan Sportsplex
Soo EaglesSault Ste. Marie, MichiganPullar Stadium
Soo ThunderbirdsSault Ste. Marie, OntarioJohn Rhodes Community Centre
Timmins RockTimminsMcIntyre Arena
Map of teams
About OpenStreetMaps
Maps: terms of use
200km
124miles
Thunderbirds
Soo Thunderbirds
Soo Thunderbirds
Eagles
Soo Eagles
Soo Eagles
Paper Kings
Espanola Paper Kings
Espanola Paper Kings
Vikings
Elliot Lake Vikings
Elliot Lake Vikings
Beavers
Blind River Beavers
Blind River Beavers
Rock
Timmins Rock
Timmins Rock
Voodoos
Powassan Voodoos
Powassan Voodoos
Gold Miners
Kirkland Lake Gold Miners
Kirkland Lake Gold Miners
Storm
Iroquois Falls Storm
Iroquois Falls Storm
Lumberjacks
Hearst Lumberjacks
Hearst Lumberjacks
Rapids
French River Rapids
French River Rapids
File:Ontario-map.png

Former teams

More than half of the teams that have played in the NOJHL no longer do. In some cases, this is the result of relocation or rebranding decisions. In others, franchises have simply folded. The team most recently added to the list, the Greater Sudbury Cubs, folded in 2026.

Former teams
Team Centre From To Reason
Capreol Hawks Capreol 1978 1986 Folded
Copper Cliff Cubs Copper Cliff 1970 1975 Folded
Coniston Flyers Coniston 1976 1977 Folded
Elliot Lake Vikings Elliot Lake 1981 1999 Folded
Espanola Eagles Espanola 1962 2003 Rebranded
Espanola Rivermen Espanola 2013 2014 Joined CIHL
Iroquois Falls Eskis Iroquois Falls 1988 2017 Rebranded
Nickel Centre Native Sons Nickel Centre 1978 1987 Folded
Onaping Falls Huskies Onaping Falls 1978 1986 Folded
Parry Sound Shamrocks Parry Sound 1994 1999 Joined OPJHL
Rayside-Balfour Sabrecats Rayside-Balfour 1978 2005 Folded
Rouyn-Noranda Capitales Rouyn-Noranda, Quebec 1989 1996 Folded
Sudbury Cubs Sudbury 1978 1993 Folded
Temiscaming Royals Temiscaming, Quebec 2008 2011 Folded
Thessalon Flyers Thessalon 1987 1990 Folded
West Nipissing Alouettes Sturgeon Falls 1973 1976 Folded
Greater Sudbury Cubs Greater Sudbury 2021 2026 Folded

Timeline of teams

  • 1978 - NOHA Jr. B Hockey League is promoted to Junior A and renamed Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League - League includes: Sudbury Cubs, Nickel Centre Native Sons, Onaping Falls Huskies, Capreol Hawks, Rayside-Balfour Canadians, and Espanola Eagles
  • 1981 - Elliot Lake Vikings join from International Junior B Hockey League
  • 1982 - Sudbury Cubs become Sudbury North Stars
  • 1983 - Onaping Falls Huskies leave league
  • 1983 - Sudbury North Stars return to Sudbury Cubs
  • 1984 - Onaping Falls Huskies rejoin league
  • 1984 - Nickel Centre Native Sons leave league
  • 1985 - Nickel Centre Native Sons rejoin league
  • 1986 - Nickel Centre Native Sons renamed Nickel Centre Power Trains
  • 1986 - Rayside-Balfour Canadians, Capreol Hawks, and Onaping Falls Huskies leave league
  • 1987 - Rayside-Balfour Canadians rejoin league
  • 1987 - Thessalon Flyers join league
  • 1987 - Nickel Centre Power Trains leave league
  • 1988 - Espanola Eagles leave league, franchise sold to Haileybury 54's
  • 1989 - Rouyn-Noranda Capitales join league
  • 1990 - Thessalon Flyers leave league
  • 1990 - Haileybury 54's move and become Powassan Passport
  • 1991 - Timmins Golden Bears and Espanola Eagles join league
  • 1992 - Sudbury Cubs become Nickel Centre Cubs
  • 1992 - Powassan Passport become Powassan Hawks
  • 1993 - Nickel Centre Cubs leave league
  • 1994 - Parry Sound Shamrocks join league
  • 1994 - Powassan Hawks move and are renamed Sturgeon Falls Lynx
  • 1995 - Espanola Eagles leave league
  • 1995 - Rayside-Balfour Canadians renamed Rayside-Balfour Sabrecats
  • 1996 - Rouyn-Noranda Capitales disband to make way for Rouyn-Noranda Huskies of Quebec Major Junior Hockey League
  • 1997 - Elliot Lake Vikings become Elliot Lake Ice
  • 1998 - Espanola Eagles rejoin league
  • 1999 - Timmins Golden Bears relocate and become Iroquois Falls Jr. Eskis
  • 1999 - Soo Thunderbirds join league
  • 1999 - Elliot Lake Ice leave league, franchise sold to Nickel Centre Barons
  • 1999 - Parry Sound Shamrocks move to the Ontario Provincial Junior A Hockey League
  • 2000 - Sudbury Northern Wolves join league
  • 2000 - Nickel Centre Barons move and are renamed Blind River Barons
  • 2001 - Blind River Barons renamed Blind River Beavers
  • 2002 - Iroquois Fals Jr. Eskis are renamed Abitibi Eskimos
  • 2002 - Sturgeon Falls Lynx move to North Bay and become the North Bay Skyhawks
  • 2002 - Soo Thunderbirds are renamed Sault Ste. Marie Jr. Greyhounds
  • 2003 - Espanola Eagles move to St. Ignace, Michigan and become the Northern Michigan Black Bears
  • 2003 - Little Current awarded expansion franchise Manitoulin Wild
  • 2003 - Sault Ste. Marie Jr. Greyhounds return to Soo Thunderbirds
  • 2005 - Manitoulin Wild become Manitoulin Islanders
  • 2005 - Rayside-Balfour Sabrecats are granted a one-year leave of absence
  • 2005 - Sudbury Northern Wolves become Sudbury Jr. Wolves
  • 2006 - Northern Michigan Black Bears are relocated and renamed Soo Indians
  • 2006 - Rayside-Balfour Sabrecats officially fold
  • 2007 - Soo Indians take one-year leave in search of new ownership
  • 2008 - Temiscaming Royals join from Greater Metro Junior A Hockey League
  • 2008 - Soo Indians return, renamed Soo Eagles
  • 2009 - North Bay Skyhawks are renamed North Bay Trappers
  • 2011 - Temiscaming Royals leave league
  • 2011 - Manitoulin Islanders move and become Kirkland Lake Blue Devils
  • 2011 - Sudbury Jr. Wolves are renamed Sudbury Cubs
  • 2012 - Kirkland Lake Blue Devils fold/return as Kirkland Lake Gold Miners
  • 2012 - Soo Eagles leave and join North American Hockey League
  • 2012 - Elliot Lake Bobcats join from Greater Metro Junior A Hockey League
  • 2012 - Sudbury Cubs are renamed Sudbury Nickel Barons
  • 2013 - Espanola Rivermen join league as expansion
  • 2014 - Espanola Rivermen leave league and join CIHL
  • 2014 - Elliot Lake Bobcats move to Cochrane Ontario and become Cochrane Crunch
  • 2014 - North Bay Trappers move to Mattawa Ontario and become Mattawa Blackhawks
  • 2014 - Elliot Lake Wildcats join league as expansion
  • 2014 - Powassan Voodoos join league as expansion
  • 2015 - Abitibi Eskimos relocate to Timmins and become Timmins Rock
  • 2015 - Mattawa Blackhawks relocate to Iroquois Falls and become Iroquois Falls Eskis
  • 2015 - Sudbury Nickel Barons relocate to Chelmsford and become Rayside-Balfour Canadians
  • 2015 - French River Rapids join league as expansion
  • 2015 - Espanola Express join league as expansion
  • 2015 - Soo Eagles rejoin league
  • 2017 - Iroquois Falls Eskis relocate to Hearst and become Hearst Lumberjacks
  • 2025 - Elliot Lake Vikings take leave of absence
  • 2026 - Elliot Lake Vikings reinstated
  • 2026 - Greater Sudbury Cubs folded

Copeland-McNamara Trophy and Division Champions

In 2008–09, the NOJHL instituted divisions. Overall champions are bolded.

NOHA Jr. B Era
Year Champion Finalist
1971Copper Cliff Cubs/Sudbury CubsLevack Miners
1972Levack MinersSudbury Cubs
1973Copper Cliff Cubs/Coniston CubsLevack Miners
1974Rayside-Balfour CanadiansConiston Cubs
1975Onaping Falls HuskiesCapreol Hawks
1976
1977
1978Nickel Centre Native Sons
NOJHL Era
Year Champion Finalist
1979Nickel Centre Native SonsSudbury Cubs
1980Onaping Falls HuskiesCapreol Hawks
1981
1982Elliot Lake Vikings
1983Elliot Lake VikingsOnaping Falls Huskies
1984Rayside-Balfour CanadiansElliot Lake Vikings
1985Sudbury CubsCapreol Hawks
1986Onaping Falls HuskiesSudbury Cubs
1987Nickel Centre Power Trains
1988Sudbury CubsElliot Lake Vikings
1989Rayside-Balfour Canadians
1990Rouyn-Noranda Capitales
1991Rayside-Balfour Canadians
1992Powassan Hawks
1993Timmins Golden Bears
1994Rouyn-Noranda Capitales
1995Timmins Golden Bears
1996Rayside-Balfour SabrecatsSturgeon Falls Lynx
1997
1998Parry Sound Shamrocks
1999
2000Sturgeon Falls Lynx
2001Soo Thunderbirds
2002
2003North Bay SkyhawksSault Ste. Marie Jr. Greyhounds
2004Soo Thunderbirds
2005Northern Michigan Black Bears
2006Sudbury Jr. WolvesNorth Bay Skyhawks
2007Soo IndiansSudbury Jr. Wolves
2008Sudbury Jr. WolvesAbitibi Eskimos
East West
2009North Bay SkyhawksSoo Thunderbirds
2010Abitibi EskimosSoo Thunderbirds
2011Sudbury Jr. WolvesSoo Eagles
2012North Bay TrappersSoo Thunderbirds
2013North Bay TrappersSoo Thunderbirds
2014Kirkland Lake Gold Miners
2015Cochrane CrunchSoo Thunderbirds
2016Kirkland Lake Gold Miners
2017Powassan VoodoosBlind River Beavers
2018Cochrane CrunchRayside-Balfour Canadians
2019Hearst LumberjacksSoo Thunderbirds
2020Postseason cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic
2021
2022Hearst LumberjacksSoo Thunderbirds
2023Timmins RockSoo Thunderbirds
2024Powassan VoodoosGreater Sudbury Cubs
NOJHL Single Table
Year Champion Finalist
1979Greater Sudbury CubsHearst Lumberjacks

Dudley Hewitt Cup Central Canadian Champions

Year Champion Finalist Host (if applicable)
1997Rayside-Balfour SabrecatsMilton Merchants (OPJHL)--
2000Rayside-Balfour SabrecatsBrampton Capitals (OPJHL)--
2002Rayside-Balfour SabrecatsDryden Ice Dogs (SIJHL)--
2012Soo ThunderbirdsStouffville Spirit (OJHL)Thunder Bay, Ontario
2015Soo ThunderbirdsFort Frances Lakers (SIJHL)Fort Frances, Ontario

Notable alumni

League records

Team season

Team game

Individual season

Individual career

See also

References

  1. ↑ "About the NOJHL". nojhl.com. Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League. 13 June 2025. Retrieved 14 June 2025.
  2. ↑ "1986–87 Ontario Junior A Hockey League standings". hockeydb.com. Retrieved 14 June 2025.
  3. ↑ nurun.com (18 August 2011). "NOJHL adopts concussion safety program". Sudbury Star. Retrieved 13 December 2013.[dead link]
  4. ↑ nurun.com (9 January 2012). "NOJHL to begin drug testing". Sault Star. Retrieved 13 December 2013.[dead link]
  5. ↑ "2025 Centennial Cup guide & record book" (PDF). hockeycanada.ca. Hockey Canada. Retrieved 14 June 2025.
  6. ↑ "NOJHL announces reinstatement of Elliot Lake Vikings". elliotlakevikings.com. Sudbury, Ont.: Elliot Lake Vikings. 19 March 2026. Retrieved 4 April 2026.
  7. ↑ Russon, Randy (23 March 2026). "Elliot Lake Vikings will return to the NOJHL for '26-'27 season". saultthisweek.com. Postmedia. Retrieved 4 April 2026.
  8. ↑ "No home ice advantage: Season over for the Vikings". ElliotLakeToday.com. Village Media. 31 December 2024. Retrieved 31 December 2024.
  9. ↑ Chorostil, Erika (30 May 2025). "Elliot Lake Vikings leave of absence extended for 2025-2026 season, amid arena repairs". CBC News. CBC/Radio-Canada. Retrieved 31 May 2025.
  10. ↑ "NOJHL announces transfer of Iroquois Falls franchise to Hearst for 2017–18 season". nojhl.com (Press release). Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League. 8 April 2017. Retrieved 14 June 2025.
  11. ↑ "Soo Eagles leaving NOJHL loop to join North American Hockey League". The Sault Star. 3 March 2012. p. B2. Retrieved 14 June 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  12. ↑ "'Untenable to operate': Greater Sudbury Cubs exit NOJHL". Sudbury.com. Village Media. 17 July 2026. Retrieved 26 September 2026.
  13. ↑ Campbell, Ian (22 July 2026). "Sudbury Cubs to leave the NOJHL". CTVNews. Bell Media. Retrieved 26 September 2026.

Sources