Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League

{{About|an extant ice hockey league in Northeastern Ontario and Upper Peninsula Michigan that was established in 1978|the defunct league that operated in the same region from 1962–1972|NOJHA}} {{Short description|Junior ice hockey league}} {{Use dmy dates|date=November 2024}} {{Infobox Hockey League | name = Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League | logo = NOJHL_logo_2025.png | pixels = | caption = Official logo | region = {{unbulleted list|Northeastern Ontario|Upper Michigan}} | leader_title = Commissioner | leader_name = Robert Mazzuca | leader_title2 = | leader_name2 = | former_names = | founded = 1978 | teams = 12 | champions = Greater Sudbury Cubs | season = 2025 | most successful club = | assc_champ = Copeland Cup–McNamara Trophy | headquarters = Corbeil, Ontario | website = {{url|nojhl.com}} | current_season = 2025–26 NOJHL season }}

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).<ref name="official_about">{{cite web |title=About the NOJHL |url=https://nojhl.com/about-the-nojhl |website=nojhl.com |publisher=Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League |access-date=14 June 2025 |date=13 June 2025}}</ref>

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.<ref>{{cite web |title=1986–87 Ontario Junior A Hockey League standings |url=https://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/leagues/seasons/ojhl19821987.html |website=hockeydb.com |access-date=14 June 2025}}</ref>

In the 2011–12 NOJHL season, the NOJHL became the first Junior A league in Canada to implement concussion safety and drug testing programs.<ref>{{cite web|author=nurun.com |url=http://www.thesudburystar.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=3263290 |title=NOJHL adopts concussion safety program |publisher=Sudbury Star |date=2011-08-18 |access-date=2013-12-13}}{{dead link|date=June 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|author=nurun.com |url=http://www.saultstar.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=3429135 |title=NOJHL to begin drug testing |publisher=Sault Star |date=2012-01-09 |access-date=2013-12-13}}{{dead link|date=June 2025}}</ref>

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.<ref>{{cite web |title=2025 Centennial Cup guide & record book |url=https://cdn.hockeycanada.ca/hockey-canada/National-Championships/Men/National-Junior-A/2025/downloads/2025-centennial-cup-guide-record-book.pdf |website=hockeycanada.ca |publisher=Hockey Canada |access-date=14 June 2025}}</ref> {{multiple image|total_width = 300 | align = right | image1 = NOJHL former logo.png | class1 = bg-transparent | image2 = NOJHL logo 2025.png | class2 = bg-transparent | footer = The league changed its official logo (right) ahead of the 2025–26 season. }}

== Teams ==

The league had 11 active teams during the 2025–26 season. In March 2026, the NOJHL announced the Elliot Lake Vikings' immediate reinstatement and expected return for the 2026–27 season.<ref name="elv_19march2026">{{cite web |title=NOJHL announces reinstatement of Elliot Lake Vikings |url=https://www.elliotlakevikings.com/nojhl-announces-reinstatement-of-elliot-lake-vikings |website=elliotlakevikings.com |publisher=Elliot Lake Vikings |access-date=4 April 2026 |location=Sudbury, Ont. |date=19 March 2026}}</ref><ref name="saultthisweek_23march2026">{{cite news |last1=Russon |first1=Randy |title=Elliot Lake Vikings will return to the NOJHL for '26-'27 season |url=https://www.saultthisweek.com/sports/local-sports/elliot-lake-vikings-will-return-to-the-nojhl-for-26-27-season |access-date=4 April 2026 |work=saultthisweek.com |publisher=Postmedia |date=23 March 2026}}</ref> The Vikings franchise was placed on an indefinite leave of absence in the middle of the 2024–25 season.<ref>{{cite news |title=No home ice advantage: Season over for the Vikings |url=https://www.elliotlaketoday.com/local-news/no-home-ice-advantage-season-is-over-the-the-vikings-10017209 |access-date=31 December 2024 |work=ElliotLakeToday.com |publisher=Village Media |date=31 December 2024 |language=en}}</ref><ref name="cbc_30may2025">{{cite news |last1=Chorostil |first1=Erika |title=Elliot Lake Vikings leave of absence extended for 2025-2026 season, amid arena repairs |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/sudbury/elliot-lake-vikings-leave-of-absence-extended-1.7548674 |access-date=31 May 2025 |work=CBC News |publisher=CBC/Radio-Canada |date=30 May 2025}}</ref>

{{sticky header}} {{alternating rows table|class=wikitable sortable sticky-header}} |+ style="background:#182E57; border-top:#CDCCCB 5px solid; border-bottom:#CDCCCB 5px solid"|{{font color|#FFFFFF|Teams}} ! style=width:13em | Team ! style=width:13em | Home ! style=width:20em | Arena |- | Blind River Beavers || Blind River || Blind River Community Centre |- align=left | Elliot Lake Vikings || Elliot Lake || Rogers Arena (Elliot Lake) |- align=left | Espanola Paper Kings || Espanola || Espanola Regional Recreation Complex |- align=left | French River Rapids || Noelville || Noelville Arena |- align=left | Greater Sudbury Cubs || Sudbury || Countryside Sports Complex |- align=left | Hearst Lumberjacks || Hearst || Claude Larose Recreation Centre |- align=left | Iroquois Falls Storm || Iroquois Falls || Jus Jordan Arena |- align=left | Kirkland Lake Gold Miners || Kirkland Lake || Joe Mavrinac Community Complex |- align=left | Powassan Voodoos || Powassan || Powassan Sportsplex |- align=left | Soo Eagles || Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan || Pullar Stadium |- align=left | Soo Thunderbirds || Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario || John Rhodes Community Centre |- align=left | Timmins Rock || Timmins || McIntyre Arena {{end}}

{{OSM Location map | title = Map of teams | float = left | nolabels = 1 | coord = {{coord|47.13075|-81.87483333}} | zoom = 5 | width = 720 | height = 338 | caption = | label-sizeD = 12, background, outline | label-posD = right | mark-sizeD = 6 | ldxD = 0 | ldyD = 0

| label1 = '''Rapids''' | label-pos1 = right, with-line | ldx1 = 5 | ldy1 = -20 | mark-coord1 = {{coord|46.136|-80.429}} | mark-title1 = French River Rapids | mark-image1 = French_River_ON_2.jpg | mark-description1 = French River, Ontario | shape-color1 = #182E57 | shape1 = circle

| label2 = '''Lumberjacks''' | label-pos2 = right | mark-coord2 = {{coord|49.687|-83.669}} | mark-title2 = Hearst Lumberjacks | mark-image2 = Hearst_Ontario.JPG | mark-description2 = Hearst, Ontario

| label3 = '''Storm''' | label-pos3 = right | mark-coord3 = {{coord|48.762|-80.682}} | mark-title3 = Iroquois Falls Storm | mark-image3 = Iroquois_Falls_ON.JPG | mark-description3 = Iroquois Falls

| label4 = '''Gold Miners''' | label-pos4 = right | mark-coord4 = {{coord|48.148|-80.021}} | mark-title4 = Kirkland Lake Gold Miners | mark-image4 = KL_Aerial_1.jpg | mark-description4 = Kirkland Lake

| label5 = '''Voodoos''' | label-pos5 = right, with-line | mark-coord5 = {{coord|46.084|-79.363}} | mark-title5 = Powassan Voodoos | mark-image5 = Powassan_welcome_sign.jpeg | mark-description5 = Powassan

| label6 = '''Rock''' | label-pos6 = left | mark-coord6 = {{coord|48.478|-81.298}} | mark-title6 = Timmins Rock | mark-image6 = MacArena.jpg | mark-description6 = McIntyre Community Building Timmins, ON

| label7 = '''Beavers''' | label-pos7 = left, with-line | ldx7 = -5 | ldy7 = 20 | mark-coord7 = {{coord|46.183|-82.965}} | mark-title7 = Blind River Beavers | mark-image7 = Blind_River_ON_2.JPG | mark-description7 = Blind River, Ontario

| label8 = '''Vikings''' | label-pos8 = left, with-line | ldx8 = | ldy8 = -50 | mark-coord8 = {{coord|46.39241649699582|-82.65713632883563}} | mark-title8 = Elliot Lake Vikings | mark-image8 = Elliot_Lake.jpg | mark-description8 = Elliot Lake

| label9 = '''Paper Kings''' | label-pos9 = left, with-line | ldx9 = -10 | ldy9 = 40 | mark-coord9 = {{coord|46.262|-81.77}} | mark-title9 = Espanola Paper Kings | mark-image9 = Espanola_Ontario.JPG | mark-description9 = Espanola, Ontario

| label10 = '''Cubs''' | label-pos10 = right, with-line | ldx10 = 10 | ldy10 = -30 | mark-coord10 = {{coord|46.432|-81.004}} | mark-title10 = Greater Sudbury Cubs | mark-image10 = Sudbury_downtown.JPG | mark-description10 = Greater Sudbury

| label11 = '''Eagles''' | label-pos11 = left, with-line | ldx11 = -10 | ldy11 = 10 | mark-coord11 = {{coord|46.498|-84.338}} | mark-title11 = Soo Eagles | mark-image11 = Soo_Michigan_skyline.JPG | mark-description11 = Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan

| label12 = '''Thunderbirds''' | label-pos12 = left, with-line | ldx12 = -10 | ldy12 = -10 | mark-coord12 = {{coord|46.507|-84.302}} | mark-title12 = Soo Thunderbirds | mark-image12 = Soo_Locks_International_Bridge_2010-04_USACE.jpg | mark-description12 = Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario }} {{clear}}

===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 and/or rebranding decisions.<ref>{{cite press release |title=NOJHL announces transfer of Iroquois Falls franchise to Hearst for 2017–18 season |url=https://nojhl.com/nojhl-announces-transfer-of-iroquois-falls-franchise-to-hearst-for-2017-18-season |website=nojhl.com |publisher=Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League |access-date=14 June 2025 |date=8 April 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Soo Eagles leaving NOJHL loop to join North American Hockey League|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105464664/the-sault-star/ |newspaper=The Sault Star |date=3 March 2012 |page=B2 |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=14 June 2025}}</ref> In others, franchises have simply folded. The team most recently added to the list, the Elliot Lake Vikings (2014), was placed on a leave of absence due to the protracted closure of the team's home arena.<ref name="cbc_30may2025"/>

{| cellpadding="0" |- style="text-align:left; vertical-align:top;" | | {| cellpadding="1" style="width:500px; font-size:90%; border:1px solid gray;" |- style="text-align:center; background:#add8e6;" !colspan="11"|Former Teams |- style="text-align:center; background:#ddd;" ! style=width:29em |Team ! style=width:25em |Centre ! style=width:3em |From ! style=width:3em |To ! style=width:15em |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 |- |Elliot Lake Vikings (2014) |Elliot Lake |2014 |2024 |Leave of absence |} |}

===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

==Copeland-McNamara Trophy and Division Champions==

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

{|class=wikitable style="text-align:center; font-size:90%;" |-style="background:#1e90ff;" |colspan="3"|'''NOHA Jr. B Era''' |- ! style="background:#add8e6; width:15%;"|'''Year''' ! style="background:#add8e6; width:50%;"|'''Champion''' ! style="background:#add8e6; width:35%;"|'''Finalist''' |- |1971 ||'''Copper Cliff Cubs/Sudbury Cubs'''|| Levack Miners |- |1972 ||'''Levack Miners''' || Sudbury Cubs |- |1973 ||'''Copper Cliff Cubs/Coniston Cubs'''|| Levack Miners |- |1974 ||'''Rayside-Balfour Canadians'''|| Coniston Cubs |- |1975 || rowspan="4" |'''Onaping Falls Huskies'''|| rowspan="3" | Capreol Hawks |- |1976 |- |1977 |- |1978 || Nickel Centre Native Sons |- style="background:#1e90ff;" |colspan="3"|'''NOJHL Era''' |- style="text-align:center;" ! style="background:#add8e6; |'''Year''' ! style="background:#add8e6; |'''Champion''' ! style="background:#add8e6; |'''Finalist''' |- |1979 ||'''Nickel Centre Native Sons''' ||Sudbury Cubs |- |1980 || rowspan="3" |'''Onaping Falls Huskies''' || rowspan="2" |Capreol Hawks |- |1981 |- |1982 ||Elliot Lake Vikings |- |1983 ||'''Elliot Lake Vikings''' ||Onaping Falls Huskies |- |1984 ||'''Rayside-Balfour Canadians''' ||Elliot Lake Vikings |- |1985 ||'''Sudbury Cubs''' ||Capreol Hawks |- |1986 ||'''Onaping Falls Huskies''' || rowspan="2" |Sudbury Cubs |- |1987 ||'''Nickel Centre Power Trains''' |- |1988 || rowspan="4" |'''Sudbury Cubs''' ||Elliot Lake Vikings |- |1989 ||Rayside-Balfour Canadians |- |1990 ||Rouyn-Noranda Capitales |- |1991 || rowspan="2" |Rayside-Balfour Canadians |- |1992 || rowspan="3" |'''Powassan Hawks''' |- |1993 ||Timmins Golden Bears |- |1994 || rowspan="2" |Rouyn-Noranda Capitales |- |1995 ||'''Timmins Golden Bears''' |- |1996 || rowspan="7" |'''Rayside-Balfour Sabrecats'''|| rowspan="2" |Sturgeon Falls Lynx |- |1997 |- |1998 || rowspan="2" |Parry Sound Shamrocks |- |1999 |- |2000 ||Sturgeon Falls Lynx |- |2001 || rowspan="2" |Soo Thunderbirds |- |2002 |- |2003 || rowspan="3" |'''North Bay Skyhawks'''||Sault Ste. Marie Jr. Greyhounds |- |2004 ||Soo Thunderbirds |- |2005 ||Northern Michigan Black Bears |- |2006 ||'''Sudbury Jr. Wolves'''||North Bay Skyhawks |- |2007 ||'''Soo Indians'''||Sudbury Jr. Wolves |- |2008 ||'''Sudbury Jr. Wolves'''||Abitibi Eskimos

|- ! style="background:#add8e6; | ! style="background:#add8e6; |'''East''' ! style="background:#add8e6; |'''West''' |- |2009 ||North Bay Skyhawks ||'''Soo Thunderbirds''' |- |2010 ||'''Abitibi Eskimos''' ||Soo Thunderbirds |- |2011 ||Sudbury Jr. Wolves ||'''Soo Eagles''' |- |2012 ||North Bay Trappers ||'''Soo Thunderbirds''' |- |2013 ||'''North Bay Trappers''' || rowspan="2" |Soo Thunderbirds |- |2014 ||'''Kirkland Lake Gold Miners''' |- |2015 ||Cochrane Crunch || rowspan="2" |'''Soo Thunderbirds''' |- |2016 ||Kirkland Lake Gold Miners |- |2017 ||'''Powassan Voodoos''' ||Blind River Beavers |- |2018 ||'''Cochrane Crunch''' ||Rayside-Balfour Canadians |- |2019 ||'''Hearst Lumberjacks''' ||Soo Thunderbirds |- |2020 || colspan="2" rowspan="2" |''Postseason cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic'' |- |2021 |- |2022 ||Hearst Lumberjacks||'''Soo Thunderbirds''' |- |2023 ||'''Timmins Rock'''||Soo Thunderbirds |- |2024 ||Powassan Voodoos||'''Greater Sudbury Cubs''' |- style="background:#1e90ff;" |colspan="3"|'''NOJHL''' ''Single Table'' |- style="text-align:center;" ! style="background:#add8e6; |'''Year''' ! style="background:#add8e6; |'''Champion''' ! style="background:#add8e6; |'''Finalist''' |- |1979 ||'''Greater Sudbury Cubs''' ||Hearst Lumberjacks |- |}

===Dudley Hewitt Cup Central Canadian Champions===

{|class=wikitable style="text-align:center; font-size:90%;" |-style="text-align:center;" |- !style="background:#add8e6; width:10%;"|'''Year''' !style="background:#add8e6; width:20%;"|'''Champion''' !style="background:#add8e6; width:20%;"|'''Finalist''' !style="background:#add8e6; width:20%;"|'''Host (if applicable)''' |- style="text-align:center;" |1997 ||'''Rayside-Balfour Sabrecats''' ||Milton Merchants (OPJHL) ||-- |- style="text-align:center;" |2000 ||'''Rayside-Balfour Sabrecats''' ||Brampton Capitals (OPJHL) ||-- |- style="text-align:center;" |2002 ||'''Rayside-Balfour Sabrecats''' ||Dryden Ice Dogs (SIJHL) ||-- |- style="text-align:center;" |2012 ||'''Soo Thunderbirds''' ||Stouffville Spirit (OJHL) ||Thunder Bay, Ontario |- style="text-align:center;" |2015 ||'''Soo Thunderbirds''' ||Fort Frances Lakers (SIJHL) ||Fort Frances, Ontario |}

=== Trophy gallery === <gallery> File:Buckland Trophy.png|'''Frank L. Buckland Trophy''' - OHA Championship - Competed for by NOJHL champions from 1979 until 1997 - Won in 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, and 1997 File:Ruddock Trophy.png|'''William T. Ruddock Trophy''' - OHF Championship - Competed for by NOJHL champions since 1994 - Won in 1997, 2000, 2002, 2003, and 2006 File:Dudley Hewitt Cup.png|'''Dudley Hewitt Cup''' - Regional Championship - Competed for by NOJHL champions since 1979 - Won in 1997, 2000, and 2002 </gallery>

==Notable alumni== *Todd Bertuzzi - Sudbury Cubs *Brian Savage - Sudbury Cubs *Steve Sullivan - Timmins Golden Bears *Alex Auld - Sturgeon Falls Lynx *Chris Thorburn - Elliot Lake Ice *Jeremy Stevenson - Elliot Lake Vikings *Jake Muzzin - Soo Thunderbirds *Alex Henry - Timmins Golden Bears *Dan Cloutier - Timmins Golden Bears *Trevor Halverson - Thessalon Flyers *Shannon Hope - Elliot Lake Vikings *Lonnie Loach - Haileybury 54's *Tyler Kennedy - Soo Thunderbirds *Derek MacKenzie - Rayside-Balfour Sabrecats *Colin Miller - Soo Thunderbirds *Andrew Desjardins - Espanola Screaming Eagles

==League records==

===Team season=== *Best Record, One Season: *:40-0-0 - Sudbury Cubs, 1989–90 *:40-0-0 - Rayside-Balfour Sabrecats, 1999–00 *Worst Record, One Season: *:0-51-0-1 Blind River Beavers 2014–15 *Most Goals Scored, One Season: *:482 - Rayside-Balfour Canadians, 1991–92 *Fewest Goals Scored, One Season: *:97 - Rayside-Balfour Sabrecats, 2003–04 *Fewest Goals Against, One Season: *:80 - Rayside-Balfour Sabrecats, 1999–00 *Most Goals Against, One Season: *:708 - Elliot Lake Vikings, 1991–92

===Team game=== *Largest margin of victory: *:Rayside-Balfour Canadiens 30 - Elliot Lake Vikings 3 on January 28, 1992

===Individual season=== *Most Goals, One Season: *:97 - Denis Castonguay, Rayside Balfour Canadians, 1983–84 *Most Assists, One Season: *:106 - John Stos, Rayside Balfour Canadians, 1991–92 *Most Points, One Season: *:196 - Denis Castonguay, Rayside Balfour Canadians, 1983–84 *Most Penalty Minutes, One Season: *:384 - Andy Hodgins, Espanola Eagles, 1991–92 *Lowest Goals Against Average, One Season: *:1.99 - Justin Dumont, Rayside-Balfour Sabrecats, 1999–00 *Most Shutouts, One Season: *:9 - Connor Rykman, Soo Thunderbirds, 2015–16

===Individual career=== *Most Games Played, Career: *:244 - Matthew Neault, Blind River Beavers/Sudbury Nickel Barons/Rayside-Balfour Canadians, 2013–2018 *Most Goals, Career: *:197 - Denis Castonguay, Rayside-Balfour Canadians, 1979–84 *Most Assists, Career: *:237 - Brian Verreault, Rayside-Balfour Canadians, 1979–84 *Most Points, Career: *:409 - Brian Verreault, Rayside-Balfour Canadians, 1979–84 *Most Penalty Minutes, Career: *:919 - Dean Bowles, Elliot Lake Vikings, 1986–91

==References== {{Reflist}} {{notelist}}

== Sources ==

{{refbegin}} * {{cite web |title=Harrison offers historical look at NOJHL |url=https://nojhl.com/harrison-offers-historical-look-at-nojhl |website=nojhl.com |publisher=Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League |access-date=15 June 2025 |date=30 July 2020}} * {{cite web |title=NOJHL began play 60 years ago |url=https://nojhl.com/nojhl-began-play-60-years-ago |website=nojhl.com |publisher=Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League |access-date=15 June 2025 |date=22 January 2022}} * {{cite news |last1=Erskine |first1=Michael |title=GoFundMe campaign supports NOJHL team for Manitoulin |url=https://www.manitoulin.com/gofundme-campaign-supports-nojhl-team-for-manitoulin/ |access-date=17 November 2024 |work=Manitoulin Expositor |date=15 November 2024 |language=en-CA}} * {{cite news |last1=Anderson |first1=Gordon |title=A new direction: NOJHL implements new directives to improve development |url=https://www.saultstar.com/sports/a-new-direction-nojhl-implements-new-directives-to-improve-development |access-date=17 November 2024 |work=saultstar.com |publisher=Postmedia |date=25 July 2024}} * {{cite news |title=All 12 NOJHL clubs hit the ice in Sudbury next week |url=https://www.sudbury.com/sports/all-12-nojhl-clubs-hit-the-ice-in-sudbury-next-week-9575925 |access-date=17 November 2024 |work=sudbury.com |date=26 September 2024}} * {{cite news |title=New Things Coming Out of the NOJHL for the 2024-2025 Junior ‘A’ Season |url=https://saultsports.com/new-things-coming-out-of-the-nojhl-for-the-2024-2025-junior-a-season/ |access-date=6 December 2024 |work=saultsports.com |date=18 July 2024}} * {{cite news |title=No home ice advantage: Season over for the Vikings |url=https://www.elliotlaketoday.com/local-news/no-home-ice-advantage-season-is-over-the-the-vikings-10017209 |access-date=31 December 2024 |work=ElliotLakeToday.com |publisher=Village Media |date=31 December 2024 |language=en}} * {{cite news |last1=Russon |first1=Randy |title=NOJHL goes to one division |url=https://www.saultthisweek.com/sports/local-sports/nojhl-goes-to-one-division-nojhl-development-model-nik-rossetto-is-a-bulldog |access-date=7 January 2025 |work=saultthisweek.com |publisher=Postmedia |date=6 January 2025}} * {{cite news |title=Northern Ontario Junior A hockey swells with CIHL entry |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/sudbury/northern-ontario-junior-a-hockey-swells-with-cihl-entry-1.2694905 |access-date=8 January 2025 |work=CBC News |publisher=CBC/Radio-Canada |date=7 July 2014}} * {{cite news |title=NOJHL down to one division and down to 50 games for next year |url=https://www.nugget.ca/sports/nojhl-down-to-one-division-and-down-to-50-games-for-next-year |access-date=8 January 2025 |work=nugget.ca |publisher=Postmedia |date=12 June 2024 |language=en-CA}} * {{cite news |title=New NOJHL season on the horizon |url=https://www.northernnews.ca/sports/new-nojhl-season-on-the-horizon |access-date=8 January 2025 |work=northernnews.ca |publisher=Postmedia |date=10 September 2024 |language=en}} * {{cite news |last1=Heidman |first1=Bruce |title=Longtime stats man Harrison honoured by NOJHL |url=https://www.thesudburystar.com/2017/03/09/longtime-stats-man-harrison-honoured-by-nojhl |access-date=9 January 2025 |work=thesudburystar.com |publisher=Postmedia |date=9 March 2017}} * {{cite news |last1=Seidel |first1=Mark |title=Understanding the OHL scouting process |url=https://www.thesudburystar.com/2017/12/27/seidel-understanding-the-ohl-scouting-process |access-date=9 January 2025 |work=Sudbury Star |publisher=Postmedia |date=27 December 2017 |language=en-CA}} * {{cite news |last1=Leeson |first1=Ben |title=Cubs’ Ellis, Paper Kings’ Signoretti among NOJHL’s major award-winners |url=https://www.thesudburystar.com/sports/local-sports/cubs-ellis-paper-kings-signoretti-among-nojhls-major-award-winners |access-date=18 January 2025 |work=thesudburystar.com |publisher=Postmedia |date=22 March 2023}} *{{cite news |title=Rogers family comes through with $3M for Elliot Lake arena |url=https://www.sudbury.com/around-the-north/rogers-family-comes-through-with-3m-for-elliot-lake-arena-9860289 |access-date=18 January 2025 |work=Sudbury.com |date=25 November 2024 |language=en}} * {{cite news |last1=Calverley |first1=Stephen |title=Council looks at 'indefinitely postponing' Rogers Arena reopening |url=https://www.elliotlaketoday.com/local-news/rogers-arena-project-update-on-special-council-agenda-today-9972218 |access-date=18 January 2025 |work=ElliotLakeToday.com |publisher=Village Media |date=18 December 2024 |language=en}} * {{cite news |last1=Dillman |first1=Martha |title=Elliot Lake arena may not re-open until the fall of 2025 |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/sudbury/elliot-lake-arena-opening-delay-1.7413530 |access-date=18 January 2025 |work=CBC News |publisher=CBC/Radio-Canada |date=18 December 2024}} * {{cite news |last1=Dillman |first1=Martha |title=Elliot Lake arena reopening delayed 'indefinitely,' with bill for ongoing repairs 'unknown' |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/sudbury/elliot-lake-arena-delay-1.7414726 |access-date=18 January 2025 |work=CBC News |publisher=CBC/Radio-Canada |date=19 December 2024}} * {{cite news |last1=Calverley |first1=Stephen |title=Combination of items delayed arena reopening, report |url=https://www.elliotlaketoday.com/local-news/combination-of-items-delayed-arena-reopening-report-9981277 |access-date=18 January 2025 |work=ElliotLakeToday.com |publisher=Village Media |date=19 December 2024 |language=en}} * {{cite news |last1=Campbell |first1=Ian |title=Elliot Lake council reacts to latest arena setback |url=https://www.ctvnews.ca/northern-ontario/article/elliot-lake-council-reacts-to-latest-arena-setback/ |access-date=18 January 2025 |work=CTV News Northern Ontario |publisher=Bell Media |date=19 December 2024 |language=en}} * {{cite news |last1=Martin |first1=Carol |title=Council officially delays reopening target for Rogers Arena |url=https://www.sootoday.com/local-news/council-officially-delays-reopening-target-for-rogers-arena-9983514 |access-date=18 January 2025 |work=SooToday.com |publisher=Village Media |date=20 December 2024 |language=en}} * {{cite news |last1=White Kirkpatrick |first1=Camilla |title=Arena opening delayed until next season |url=https://www.elliotlakestandard.ca/news/arena-opening-delayed-until-next-season |access-date=18 January 2025 |work=elliotlakestandard.ca |publisher=Postmedia |date=24 December 2024 |language=en}} * {{cite news |last1=Chorostil |first1=Erika |title=Elliot Lake Vikings leave of absence extended for 2025-2026 season, amid arena repairs |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/sudbury/elliot-lake-vikings-leave-of-absence-extended-1.7548674 |access-date=31 May 2025 |work=CBC News |publisher=CBC/Radio-Canada |date=30 May 2025}} * {{cite news |title=Vikings remain sidelined for 2025-26 NOJHL season |url=https://www.elliotlaketoday.com/local-news/vikings-remain-sidlined-for-2025-26-nojhl-season-10739288 |access-date=31 May 2025 |work=ElliotLakeToday.com |publisher=Village Media |date=30 May 2025 |language=en}} * {{cite news |last1=Russon |first1=Randy |title=Elliot Lake Vikings stuck in limbo |url=https://www.saultthisweek.com/sports/local-sports/elliot-lake-vikings-stuck-in-limbo |access-date=3 June 2025 |work=saultthisweek.com |publisher=Postmedia |date=2 June 2025}} * {{cite news |title=New Hockey North Hall of Fame inducts first members |url=https://www.baytoday.ca/local-news/new-hockey-north-hall-of-fame-inducts-first-members-11041688 |access-date=7 August 2025 |work=BayToday.ca |publisher=Village Media |date=7 August 2025 |language=en}} * {{cite news |title=NOJHL releases rebranded logo |url=https://www.eupnews.com/2025/08/nojhl-releases-rebranded-logo/ |access-date=19 August 2025 |work=EUP News |publisher=SandMark Media, LLC |date=19 August 2025}} * {{cite press release |title=NOJHL releases rebranded logo |url=https://nojhl.com/nojhl-releases-rebranded-logo |website=nojhl.com |publisher=Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League |access-date=19 August 2025 |date=18 August 2025}} * {{cite news |title=Elliot Lake Vikings return to NOJHL as Rogers Arena nears reopening |url=https://www.elliotlaketoday.com/local-news/elliot-lake-vikings-return-to-nojhl-as-rogers-arena-nears-reopening-12027624 |access-date=4 April 2026 |work=ElliotLakeToday.com |publisher=Village Media |date=19 March 2026 |language=en}} * {{cite news |last1=Russon |first1=Randy |title=Elliot Lake Vikings will return to the NOJHL for '26-'27 season |url=https://www.saultthisweek.com/sports/local-sports/elliot-lake-vikings-will-return-to-the-nojhl-for-26-27-season |access-date=4 April 2026 |work=saultthisweek.com |publisher=Postmedia |date=23 March 2026}} * {{cite news |title=Elliot Lake Vikings to return to NOJHL for 2026–27 season |url=https://www.ctvnews.ca/northern-ontario/video/2026/03/22/elliot-lake-vikings-to-return-to-nojhl-for-2026-27-season/ |access-date=4 April 2026 |work=CTV News |publisher=Bell Media |date=23 March 2026 |language=en}} {{refend}}

==External links== *[http://www.nojhl.com NOJHL's Official Website] *{{flickr-inline2|NOJHL}}

Category:Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League A Category:Sports in Northern Ontario Category:Sports leagues established in 1970 A Category:Canadian Junior Hockey League members Category:1970 establishments in Ontario