1997–98 OHL season


The 1997–98 OHL season was the 18th season of the Ontario Hockey League. The Toronto St. Michael's Majors name was reactivated when they are awarded a franchise, to play in the east division. The Detroit Whalers became the Plymouth Whalers. Eighteen teams each played 66 games. The Guelph Storm won the J. Ross Robertson Cup, defeating the Ottawa 67's.

Expansion

Toronto St. Michael's Majors

On August 15, 1996, the Ontario Hockey League announced that the Toronto St. Michael's Majors would join the league as an expansion team, beginning in the 1997-98 season. The Majors would play their home games at Maple Leaf Gardens, in which they shared the arena with the Toronto Maple Leafs of the National Hockey League. The Majors would join the East Division.
Previously, the Toronto St. Michael's Majors were a junior hockey franchise from 1906-1962, as they ceased operations at the conclusion of the 1961-62 season. The Majors won the Memorial Cup in 1934, 1945, 1947 and 1961.
The Majors were the first OHL franchise based out of Toronto in eight years, as their previous franchise, the Toronto Marlboros, relocated to Hamilton following the 1988-89 season.

Rebranding

Detroit Whalers to Plymouth Whalers

The Detroit Whalers rebranded their team as the Plymouth Whalers during the summer of 1997. The Whalers franchise moved to the Compuware Sports Arena in 1996-97, which is located in Plymouth. The team would retain their current team name and uniforms.

Realignment

The newest Ontario Hockey League club, the Toronto St. Michael's Majors, joined the East Division. Due to the Majors joining the East, the OHL moved the North Bay Centennials from the East Division to the Central Division, while the Erie Otters moved from the Central Division to the West Division. This created three six-team divisions in the 18 team league.

Regular Season

Final standings

Note: DIV = Division; GP = Games played; W = Wins; L = Losses; T = Ties; OTL = Overtime Losses; GF = Goals For; GA = Goals Against; PTS = Points; x = clinched playoff berth; y = clinched division title; z = earned first round bye

East Division

Central Division

West Division

Scoring leaders

Note: GP = Games played; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points; PIM = Penalty Minutes
PlayerTeamGPGAPtsPIM
Peter SarnoWindsor Spitfires64338812118
Jeremy AdduonoSudbury Wolves66376910640
David LegwandPlymouth Whalers59545110556
Maxim SpiridonovLondon Knights6654449852
Colin ChaulkKingston Frontenacs60345296118
Rob MaillouxKingston Frontenacs6555409553
Jay LegaultLondon Knights6139569587
Chris AllenKingston Frontenacs6638579591
Jon SimSarnia Sting5944509495
Justin PapineauBelleville Bulls6641539434

Leading goaltenders

Note: GP = Games Played; Mins = Minutes Played; W = Wins; L = Losses: OTL = Overtime Losses;
SL = Shootout Losses; GA = Goals Allowed; SO = Shutouts; GAA = Goals Against Average
PlayerTeamGPMinsWLTGASOSv%GAA
Craig HillierOttawa 67's4625872712410850.9132.50
Chris MaddenGuelph Storm5129063311313240.9172.73
Robert EschePlymouth Whalers4828102913413530.9062.88
Mike GormanKitchener Rangers4221361513510410.9242.92
Brian FinleyBarrie Colts4121542314110530.9172.92

Playoffs

Division quarter-finals

East Division

(2) Belleville Bulls vs. (5) Peterborough Petes
(3) Kingston Frontenacs vs. (4) Oshawa Generals

Central Division

(2) Barrie Colts vs. (5) Sudbury Wolves
(3) Kitchener Rangers vs. (4) Owen Sound Platers

West Division

(1) London Knights vs. (4) Erie Otters
(2) Plymouth Whalers vs. (3) Sarnia Sting

OHL quarter-finals

(C1) Guelph Storm vs. (C5) Sudbury Wolves
(E1) Ottawa 67's vs. (C4) Owen Sound Platers
(W1) London Knights vs. (E3) Kingston Frontenacs
(E2) Belleville Bulls vs. (W2) Plymouth Whalers

OHL semi-finals

(C1) Guelph Storm vs. (W2) Plymouth Whalers
(E1) Ottawa 67's vs. (W1) London Knights

OHL finals

(C1) Guelph Storm vs. (E1) Ottawa 67's

Playoff scoring leaders

Note: GP = Games played; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points; PIM = Penalty Minutes
PlayerTeamGPGAPtsPIM
Daniel ClearyBelleville Bulls106172310
Harold DrukenPlymouth Whalers15911204
David LegwandPlymouth Whalers158123024
Mark CadotteLondon Knights161271915
Dan TessierOttawa 67's147121912
Mike OlivieraKingston Frontenacs12613198
Jan BulisKingston Frontenacs128101812
Matt ZultekOttawa 67's146121820
Troy StonierOttawa 67's14710178
Paul MaraPlymouth Whalers153141730

Playoff leading goaltenders

Note: GP = Games Played; Mins = Minutes Played; W = Wins; L = Losses: OTL = Overtime Losses; SL = Shootout Losses; GA = Goals Allowed; SO = Shutouts; GAA = Goals Against Average
PlayerTeamGPMinsWLGASOSv%GAA
Chris MaddenGuelph Storm137491212300.9391.84
Steve ValiquetteErie Otters7468341510.9441.92
Seamus KotykOttawa 67's8392331500.9252.29
Craig HillierOttawa 67's9448622010.9112.68
Shawn GallantBelleville Bulls10602642920.9112.89

All-Star teams

First team