NJ Jr. Titans Press Release – November 6, 2008
The New Jersey Jr. Titans are pleased to announce a new strategic alliance with the Smith Falls Bears of the CJHL (www.smithsfallsbears.ca). The CJHL is the premier Canadian Junior A League for NCAA bound players (www.cjhl.on.ca). The CJHL advances dozens of elite student-hockey players to the NCAA every year. The Smith Falls Bears (located in the Ottawa, Ontario valley) has a rich tradition of promoting their players to College and Professional hockey – 7 Bears on the 2007-2008 roster received Division I scholarships (3 of whom were drafted in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft). The NJ Jr. Titans are proud to be associated with such a quality organization – one that shares our commitment to providing players with the best options at their chosen next level.
As strategic partners, both organizations will share ideas and techniques to maximize marketing, sponsorship and fund-raising efforts. Each organization’s Hockey Operations Dept. will share scouting information and coaching philosophy to best provide our players with quality instruction on & off the ice. Management and Coaches of the Bears and Jr. Titans will attend each other’s tryouts, Training Camp and clinics to ensure there is common player evaluation and player development philosophy.
CJHL History
The Central Junior ‘A’ Hockey League was formed in 1961 under the sponsorship of the Montreal Canadiens Hockey Club in order to act as a development league in the National Capital Region. The League was originally known as the Ottawa-Hull District Junior Hockey League. Prior to the formation of this league, there was a league comprising teams from Ottawa. Teams from outlying areas were excluded except for Pembroke who were allowed to participate in the playoffs. Originally the members of the OHDJHL included Hawkesbury, Hull, Cornwall, Ottawa (Primrose), Smiths Falls and Pembroke. Players from the OHDJHL automatically became the property of the Montreal Canadiens unless they had signed a ‘C’ form with another NHL hockey club.
The OHDJHL expanded in 1963 to 10 teams with the Canadiens agreeing to allow the Brockville Braves (sponsored by the Chicago Blackhawks) to become members of the OHDJHL. The League remained stable until 1967 when the first expansion of the NHL brought a stop to sponsorship of Junior Hockey by NHL teams. The NHL implemented a draft procedure that included Junior hockey players and therefore members of the OHDJHL were now eligible for the draft. Attendance was now incredible and arenas around the League were packed with rabid hockey fans. The competitive, high calibre hockey combined with a chance to see future NHL players in action brought an intense loyalty by fans to community teams.
During the early 1970 s the League decided to concentrate on being a developmental league for Major Junior leagues and for the NCAA hockey programs.
Each of the teams plays a 55 to 57 game regular season schedule, with a great majority of games played on weekends, allowing the players to concentrate on combining education and hockey. Playoffs can add another 21 games with the League and, possibly another 11 in search of a Canadian Championship
In addition to providing an excellent training ground for developing players, the CJHL continues to provide an entertaining brand of hockey for junior hockey fans in Eastern Ontario. The CJHL not only produces scholarships but has also kick started the careers of many coaches such as Bryan Murray. Jacques Martin. Bob Hartley and Doug MacLean.
Today the CJHL boasts a strong vibrant 11 team League. Some of the teams that are presently in the League are original charter members. The CJHL is now one of the most successful Junior A leagues in Canada. The CJHL is scouted extensively by the NCAA, CIAU and Canadian Major Junior teams. Due to the successful professional careers of CJHL graduates, the best scouting staff of many professional teams are also frequent visitors to the league’s arenas.
The single most important element of the CJHL is the successful combination of hockey and education. Players in the CJHL are expected to treat their education as a priority equal to their development as an athlete and each team strives to combine a high level of competition with a commitment to education. With a 55+ game schedule, practice time, off-ice conditioning and public appearances, players are well prepared for their next level of hockey, whether it be at the college level or as a professional. The CJHL is truly Futures on Ice
