West Division (OHL)
Conference | Western Conference |
---|---|
Sport | Ontario Hockey League |
Founded | 1994 |
Teams | |
No. of teams | 5 |
Championships | |
Most recent West Division champion(s) | Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds |
Most West Division titles | Plymouth Whalers (9) |
The OHL's West Division is one of four divisions in the league, and one of two divisions in the Western Conference. The division was created in 1994 as the OHL underwent a realignment that saw the league go from two divisions to three. The teams creating the West Division in 1994 were the Detroit Junior Red Wings, London Knights, Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds and Windsor Spitfires from the Emms Division, while the Newmarket Royals relocated and became the Sarnia Sting, who were in the Leyden Division.
In 1995, the Detroit Junior Red Wings were renamed to the Detroit Whalers, and remained in the West Division.
In 1997, the Detroit Whalers relocated and became the Plymouth Whalers, while the Erie Otters joined the division from the Central, giving the West Division six teams.
In 1998, the OHL underwent a realignment as the league grew to 20 teams, as a fourth division, the Midwest Division was added. The Erie Otters moved to the newly created Midwest Division, dropping the West Division to five teams. The West also joined the Midwest to make up the newly created Western Conference.
In 2002, the North Bay Centennials were relocated and became the Saginaw Spirit, who joined the West Division from the Central Division, while the London Knights moved to the Midwest Division.
In 2015, the Plymouth Whalers were relocated and became the Flint Firebirds, and remained in the West Division.
Current teams
- Flint Firebirds (2015-pres)
- Saginaw Spirit (2002-pres)
- Sarnia Sting (1994-pres)
- Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds (1972-pres)
- Windsor Spitfires (1975-pres)
Former teams
- Detroit Junior Red Wings (1994–1995)
- Detroit Whalers (1995–1997)
- Erie Otters (1997–1998)
- London Knights (1994–2002)
- Plymouth Whalers (1997-2015)
West Division titles won by team
Team | Championships | Last year won |
---|---|---|
Plymouth Whalers | 9 | 2012-13 |
Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds | 5 | 2014-15 |
Windsor Spitfires | 2 | 2009-10 |
Detroit Junior Red Wings | 1 | 1994-95 |
Detroit Whalers | 1 | 1995-96 |
London Knights | 1 | 1997-98 |
Saginaw Spirit | 1 | 2010-11 |
Sarnia Sting | 1 | 2003-04 |
J. Ross Robertson Cup Champions from the West Division
- Detroit Junior Red Wings - 1995
- Plymouth Whalers - 2007
- Windsor Spitfires - 2009
- Windsor Spitfires - 2010