MID-WINTER CLASSIC

ALL-STAR JAMBOREE

Sunday, Feb 1 is the first ever MID-WINTER CLASSIC ALL-STAR JAMBOREE, hosted at the CAA Centre in Brampton, Ontario!

Novice U9

Atom U11

Peewee U13

Bantam U15

After the music, strobe lights, national anthem, tunnel and player announcements, our players will compete in Hardest Shot, Timed Skating around pylons, Shooting Accuracy at targets, and of course, and exciting ALL STAR GAME!

Our Bantam division event will feature the ORHL All Stars vs the Barrie Slingshots

MESSAGE FROM THE COMMISSIONER

BREAKING NEWS: The Ontario Rep Hockey League (ORHL) in conjunction with its member organizations has made the decision to introduce body checking at all age groups from *U9 to U18 for the 2026-2027 hockey season. 

*Novice U9 – Introduction of proper body contact in preparation for body checking at Atom U11

Why the ORHL Will Allow Full Body Checking:

The ORHL, after conducting extensive research, has decided to permit full body checking because it is a critical part of properly preparing players for the next level of hockey — while doing so safely, responsibly, and with strong coaching support.

1. Proper Development, Not Avoidance
Body checking is a critical part of competitive hockey as players move to higher levels. Avoiding checking doesn’t remove it from the game — it simply delays it until a time when it’s too late for players to learn how to give and receive a check properly. The ORHL believes teaching body checking early in a structured, safe environment allows players to learn correct technique before speed and size increase, thus reducing injuries. 

2. Player Safety Through Education
Players who are taught how to give and receive body checks properly are safer than those who are exposed later without training. Emphasis will be placed on angling, balance, positioning, and respect for opponents — not reckless hitting.  Every ORHL player will be required to participate in 2-4 hours of body checking clinics prior to the start of the 2026-2027 ORHL season and an additional 3-5 hours of body checking instruction before November 1st and 2-4 hours throughout the season. 

Body checking will be taught as an essential tactic to separate your opponent from the puck and not as a method of hurting or injuring your opponent. 

3. Confidence & Hockey Awareness
Learning body checking builds confidence in traffic, improves decision-making under pressure, and helps players protect themselves along the boards and in open ice.

4. Preparation for the Next Level
AAA, Junior, collegiate, and higher levels of hockey all include body checking. Our responsibility is to ensure every player graduating from the ORHL is physically, mentally, and technically prepared when they reach those stages.

After Canada was defeated by Czechia at the 2026 World Junior Hockey Championships many pundits commented that Canadian players have lost the physical edge that they once enjoyed. The ORHL believes this is a direct result of body checking being introduced too late in a players development path by Hockey Canada and that this needs to change. 

5. Strong Coaching & Clear Standards
Full body checking will be taught and reinforced with:

• Strict adherence to rules and player safety standards
• Zero tolerance for dangerous or unnecessary contact
• Ongoing skill instruction and accountability

Our priority is not to promote hitting — it is to develop complete, confident hockey players who understand how to compete safely and effectively.

This decision is consistent with the ORHL’s mandate to prioritize the long-term development of all our members.

We are proud to announce an insurance provider partnership with iPlayHockey for the upcoming season. Visit them at

https://iplayhockey.ca/hockey-insurance/

Regards,

Kevin McKinnon

President/Commissioner

Ontario Rep Hockey League

kevin@orhl.net

www.orhl.net

Cell 416-791-8750

MID-WINTER CLASSIC

SHOWCASE AND TOURNAMENT

JAN. 16-18, 2026

Brampton, Ontario

Showcase: U11 Atom, U13 Peewee

Showcase schedules and results appear in your Regular Season listings.

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Tournament: U9 Novice FULL ICE, U15 Bantam

Click the buttons below to view all Mid-Winter Classic U9 & U15 Tournament games, results (once the event has commenced), and standings for our event in Brampton, Ontario.