2002–03 OHL season


The 2002–03 OHL season was the 23rd season of the Ontario Hockey League. The North Bay Centennials relocated to Saginaw, Michigan, becoming the Saginaw Spirit. Due to the move, several teams changed divisions; the Saginaw Spirit were placed in the west division, the London Knights moved to the midwest division, and the Brampton Battalion moved to the central division. The London Knights moved into the new John Labatt Centre, which replaced the London Ice House. The Tim Adams Memorial Trophy was inaugurated as the MVP of the OHL Cup. Twenty teams each played 68 games. The Mississauga Icedogs qualified for the playoffs for the first time in their existence. The Kitchener Rangers won the J. Ross Robertson Cup, defeating the Ottawa 67's in the final.

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 = clinched conference title

Eastern conference

Western conference

Scoring leaders

Playoffs

Conference quarterfinals

Eastern conference

Western conference

Conference semifinals

Conference finals

J. Ross Robertson Cup finals

J. Ross Robertson Cup Champions Roster

All-Star teams

First team

2003 OHL Priority Selection

On May 3, 2003, the OHL conducted the 2003 Ontario Hockey League Priority Selection. The Saginaw Spirit held the first overall pick in the draft, and selected Patrick McNeill from the Strathroy Rockets. McNeill was awarded the Jack Ferguson Award, awarded to the top pick in the draft.
Below are the players who were selected in the first round of the 2003 Ontario Hockey League Priority Selection.
#PlayerNationalityOHL TeamHometownMinor Team
1Patrick McNeill CanadaSaginaw SpiritStrathroy, OntarioStrathroy Rockets
2Marc Staal CanadaSudbury WolvesThunder Bay, OntarioThunder Bay Kings
3Tony Rizzi CanadaKingston FrontenacsKingston, OntarioWellington Dukes
4Ryan O'Marra CanadaErie OttersMississauga, OntarioMississauga Senators
5Cody Bass CanadaMississauga IceDogsGuelph, OntarioGuelph Hurricanes
6Chris Lawrence CanadaSault Ste. Marie GreyhoundsToronto, OntarioToronto Marlboros
7Bobby Ryan United StatesOwen Sound AttackCollingswood, New JerseyDetroit Honeybaked
8Ryan Parent CanadaGuelph StormSioux Lookout, OntarioWaterloo Siskins
9Steve Spade United StatesBarrie ColtsRochester, New YorkGeorgetown Raiders
10Tom Mannino United StatesLondon KnightsFarmington Hills, MichiganLeamington Flyers
11Justin Wallingford CanadaOshawa GeneralsHamilton, OntarioHamilton Jr. Bulldogs
12Mike Roelofsen CanadaBelleville BullsChatham, OntarioDresden Kings
13Cal Clutterbuck CanadaToronto St. Michael's MajorsWelland, OntarioWelland Jr. Canadians
14Daniel Ryder CanadaPeterborough PetesSt. John's, NewfoundlandTri-Pen Ospreys
15Philip Oreskovic CanadaBrampton BattalionBrampton, OntarioToronto Nationals
16Steve Downie CanadaWindsor SpitfiresQueensville, OntarioAurora Tigers
17Trevor Solomon CanadaSarnia StingGarden River, OntarioSault Ste. Marie North Stars
18Michael Lombardi CanadaPlymouth WhalersRichmond Hill, OntarioVaughan Kings
19Elgin Reid CanadaOttawa 67'sMilton, OntarioLeamington Flyers
20Devereaux Heshmatpour CanadaKitchener RangersNorth York, OntarioVaughan Vipers