Ls July 12, 2024 Stratford Times GOJHL announces conference realignment for 2024-2025 season SPENCER SEYMOUR Times Regional Reporter Stratford hockey fans are finally getting the matchups against St. Marys they’ve been clamouring for after the Greater On- tario Junior Hockey League (GOJHL) an- nounced its ieoleney from three con- ferences to tw Though he names of the conferences have yet to be announced, the structure of the two conferences has been unveiled, with the Stratford Hunter Steel Ltd. War- tiors being one of four Midwest teams joining the eight teams that made up the Western Conference last season. Along with Stratford, the Elmira Sug- ar Kings, Kitchener-Waterloo Siskins and Listowel Cyclones will now play in an ultra-competitive conference that also features the Chatham Maroons, Komoka Kings, LaSalle Vipers, London Nationals, Sarnia Legionnaires, St. Thomas Stars and Strathroy Rockets. The other four teams who comprised the Midwestern Conference last year, the Ayr Centennials, Brantford Titans, Caledon Bombers and Cambridge RedHawks, will join the seven teams that competed in the olden Horseshoe as part of the league’s rege N Tim _Simmons, the GOJHL’s interim told the Times has been on the league’s radar for several years, but having fewer than eight teams in the Golden Horseshoe wasn’t some- thing the league was interested in continuing. “The GOJHL has been looking at realignment like this for the past few seasons,” sail Si mons. “We didn’t want to go into the 2024-25 season with only seven tea in the Golden Horseshoe Conference.” According to Simmons, the additional este of Le enieht are wide ran, “We pale that this will make the reg- ular season more competitive,” Simmons said. “It is also a player-safety issue. In the last few seasons, teams were playing each other too many times.” Jason Clarke, the Warriors’ director of hockey operations, views realignment as avi to sh every team tg improve. Zs “T think the realignment is great for our league,” Clarke said. “Although the ns now has a significant implication on the playoffs. I think that in itself creates the the GOJHL has ular season has been very the Midwest, the move to the “West id fe greater emphasis on winning games to secure a playoff spot. We've been spoiled with short trips in the Midwest for years and we will have travel, but I like t that because I think that builds team cul- ture when we spend more time together.” Clarke elaborated on the ex- tremely competitive nature of the War- riors’ new conference and how they strive to maintain ‘the level of success they’ve enjoyed in recent years. “T really think we just need to hold our- selves to the highest standards we can. We need to give our staff and players the best opportunities to succeed. Winning games is always a primary focus, but every point JMMOR HOCKEY LERGUE been looking for. I can’t wait to get going with all the teams in our league.” The most notable facet of realignment for fans in and around Stratford is the fact the Warriors will play games against their closest geographical opponent, the St. Marys Lincolns. Clarke is excited for the two sides to do battle once again. “We have a chance to build new rivals now for sure, but regarding St. Marys, and I think fans of both teams will agree, this is a rivalry that both teams have been crav- ing for years. These are two great orga- nizations with really passionate fanbases just a few minutes apart. It’s been a shame we haven’t played each other regularly. I think it has the potential to become the biggest rivalry in the league with packed rinks in each centre.” The league’s brief press release con- firmed the realignment will eliminate the three-team round-robin that, for the last three years, has preceded the Sutherland Cup Finals. It also means no longer will every team qualify for the post-season, with the top eight teams in each confer- ence making the playoffs. The regular sea- son will remain at 50 games. GROUP TRAVEL OPPORTUNITY HOSTED BY STONETOWN TRAVEL 13 Days New Delhi to Kolkata Ganges Voyager |! with Uniworld October 26-November 9 2025 A cultural immersion unlike any other, this voyage brings you right to the heart and the highlights of India. See the Taj Mahal by sunrise and sunset, wander the Pink City of Jaipur, and so much more. Contact us for more information. ‘STONETOWN TRAVEL Branch Office: 210 Mill Street, New Hamburg, ON N3A 1P9 | 226-333-9939 com Head Office: 150 Queen Street East, St. Marys, ON N4X 1B4 | 519- ria ae TICO #50010159 Tico #50025796 Www_stonetowntravel.com