Northern Ontario Hockey Association


The Northern Ontario Hockey Association is minor and junior level ice hockey governing body. The NOHA is sanctioned by the Ontario Hockey Federation and Hockey Canada. The major league run by the NOHA is the Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League of the Canadian Junior A Hockey League.

History

The NOHA was founded in 1919 and that same year became affiliated with the Ontario Hockey Association. In May 1963, the NOHA applied to the Canadian Amateur Hockey Association to become an equal branch to the OHA. When the request was denied, OHA president Lloyd Pollock stated that measures needed to be put in place to prevent the migration of players southwards to the more populated OHA, and preserve the leagues in Northern Ontario. Both associations have operated under the Ontario Hockey Federation since 1989.
Former leagues
Empowered by Hockey Canada, the Northern Ontario Hockey Association governs all Ontario senior and junior hockey not administered by Hockey Northwestern Ontario, Ottawa District Hockey Association, or Ontario Hockey Association. This does not include the Greater Metro Junior A Hockey League, which is privately run outside of Hockey Canada and are not affiliated.
The Ottawa District governs the part of Ontario East of and including Lanark County, Renfrew County, and Leeds County, but not including the town of Gananoque. Hockey Northwestern Ontario has control of the section of Northwestern Ontario west of the 85th meridian.