New series celebrates the communities, arenas and minor hockey programs that help shape the OJHL.
MISSISSAUGA, ON – Sep 23, 2026 – The Ontario Junior Hockey League is proud to launch Places We Play, a new community spotlight series celebrating the people, programs and places that make hockey an important part of communities across the league.
The series brings the OJHL Standard We Strengthen Communities to life by showcasing the connection between OJHL clubs, their hometowns and the minor hockey programs helping build the next generation of players.
The first edition features the Town of Cobourg, home of the Cobourg Cougars, and the Cobourg Community Centre, a gathering place for players, families, coaches, volunteers and fans throughout the hockey season.
The spotlight also recognizes the local minor hockey programs that help grow the game throughout the community, including Northumberland Minor Hockey and the Northumberland Nighthawks, along with the West Northumberland Girls Hockey Association and the West Northumberland Wild.
From a player’s first shifts in minor hockey to competing at the Junior A level, the game is built within these communities. Local arenas provide a place for players to develop, families to come together and volunteers to help create opportunities for the next generation.
Places We Play will continue throughout the season, featuring communities from across the OJHL’s 24 member clubs and highlighting the unique people, programs and places that make each market an important part of the league.
From first shifts to the next level.
That’s the OJHL Standard.
Made for More.
About the OJHL – “Made for More”
In this league, we don’t just talk about the next level – we prepare for it every day. The OJHL is a Junior A hockey league built around one shared standard: developing players who are ready for what comes next, in hockey and in life. We push each other toward NCAA, OHL, U SPORTS (CIS), and ultimately professional hockey across North America and Europe – and we take pride in knowing 38 of our alumni are currently in the NHL, more than any other CJHL league. But the expectation here goes beyond the ice. We show up for each other through the OJHL Foundation and our 1st and 2nd Assist programs, because development doesn’t stop when practice ends. This is a player-first environment, not as a slogan, but as how we operate. Inside this room, we understand what it means to carry the standard forward – and to make sure the group behind us is even stronger than the one before it.
For more information on the Ontario Junior Hockey League, follow @OJHLOfficial on Instagram and X, OJHLOfficial on Facebook, and visit www.ojhl.ca.
For more information:
Noah Vandervinne
Director, Marketing & Events
Ontario Junior Hockey League
905-706-8987
nvandervinne@theojhl.ca
