Street Hockey was appropriately described by Toronto Star writer Mitch Potter as, "the recessive gene that makes us Canadian.....the precise point on the genetic double-helix spiral that equates road hockey with spontaneous, innocent fun.....a truly cultural phenomenon that harkens to Canadians on the street and their memories of childhood."

Street Hockey was supposed to have been a simple game played by youngsters or at least the young at heart on asphalt flats or neighbouring roads, schoolyards and local parking lots. A game to 10, deemed to be free, void of participant inhibition. A sanctuary of dreams for aspiring players who began their imaginary trek to NHL stardom with only a stick and a tennis ball, bricks for posts and sponge for pads in an arena where the automobile was the only impediment to fun and frivolity until the next goal wins.

No one, however, bothered to inform the "administrative pioneers" who steadfastly moved the game "off the streets" and into rinks. The metamorphosis had began as one of the most successful amateur sports organizations in Canada, notably the Ontario Ball Hockey Association (OBHA), was born and the evolution ensued.

Mr. Ken White, John Forrest, Paul Coulter and Mike Bernard founded the OBHA in 1974. The game's trailblazers could not have imagined the association's ensuing growth and development at the Minors, Womens, Mens and Masters levels of participation throughout the province of Ontario over the next 40 years.

Since it's inception the OBHA is the standard for the Sport of Ball Hockey in Canada and throughout the world as it continues to enhance the development of the game at the local, provincial, national and international level of competition as the new millennium approaches. 

Looking back to that day in which it al began over a barbecue there are fond memories and the first ever Provincial Championship in Orillia.  Well, 40 years later the OBHA offers ball hockey through its almost 100 leagues at the men’s (7 levels), women’s (4 levels) and minors (28 levels) of provincial championship play.

We recently caught up with Ken White who said, “throughout the years the organization has always been about the great people involved with one major objective – do everything we can to make sure kids and adults have fun, enjoy the experience of playing ball hockey and keep learning.”

Mr. White continued, “the sport is like one big family with so many wonderful great memories and meeting friends for life.”

The association will gather in November at the Gala Awards – Celebration of Excellence Banquet and we know Mr. White along with the three other trailblazers will be in attendance.  

Graduates of the Ontario Ball Hockey Association

Andre Benoit - member of the Penetanguishene Minor program for three years and member of the Bronze Medalists at the 2002 WJC’s. A member of the 2003 Memorial Cup Champions, Kitchener Rangers where he led the tournament in scoring as a defenseman and current member of the Colorado Avalanche.

Andrew Agozzino - member of the Vaughan Minor program for seven years prior to moving on with the OHL’s Niagara Ice Dogs and currently in the Colorado Avalanche system with the Lake Erie Monsters.

Jesse Blacker – member of the North York Lynx program for three years and led his team to the Provincial final. Drafted in the second round by the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Chris Bigras - member of the Penetanguishene Minor program for eight years and drafted by the Colorado Avalanche

David Broll - member of the Peterborough Men’s program for the past four years and currently in the Toronto Maple Leaf system.

Luca Caputi – member of the Vaughan Minor program for four years and played on the Toronto Jaguars in 2006 winning the National Championship. A member of the Bronze winning Junior Team Canada in 2006 and was drafted in the 4th round by the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Dave Clarkson - member of the Greater Toronto Tier II program for five years and currently with the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Matt Cooke - member of the Belleville Minor program for four years. A member of the 1997 Junior Provincial Champions, Belleville Bulls and 1998 CHA Junior Team Canada and won the Stanley Cup in 2008/09 with the Minnesota Wild.

Carlo Colaiacovo - member of the Vaughan & Downsview Minor programs for six years prior to receiving the 1999 OBHA Athlete of the Year award before moving onto the OHL’s Erie Otter’s, and being selected by the Toronto Maple Leafs in the 1st round of the 2001 entry draft.

Paulo Colaiacovo - member of the Downsview Minor programs for six years prior to moving on with the Belleville Bulls and Barrie Colts of the OHL. In his final year with the Barrie Colts, he was recognized as the league’s most outstanding goalie. Won the CHL League championship in 2005/06 with the Colorado Eagles.

Marc Cundari - member of the Vaughan Minor program for five years prior to moving on with the OHL’s Windsor Spitfires and is currently with the Calgary Flames.

Justin Di Benedetto - member of the Vaughan Minor program for four years and played on the Vaughan Top Guns 2004 Bantam AA Champions. He was drafted 2006 in the sixth round by the NY Islanders.

Brian Elliott – member of the Newmarket Minor program. He was a member of the 2003 National Finalist, Toronto Jaguars. Drafted in 2003 and currently a member of the St. Louis Blues.

Ryan Ellis – member of the North York Lynx program for three years and led his team to the Provincial final. Drafted in the first round by the Nashville Predators.

Cory Emmerton - member of the Lambeth Ball hockey League for four years and is currently with the Detroit Red Wings.

Matt Foy - member of the Downsview Minor programs for three years prior to moving on with the OHL’s Ottawa 67's, and being selected by the Minnesota Wild in the 2002 entry draft.

Mike Futa - member of the 1985 Downsview Minor league Champions, before moving onto York University and four years of pro hockey in Europe, general manager of the Hockey Canada Under 17 Team Canada. He enjoyed a brief stint as the General Manager of the Owen Sound Attack of the OHL and is currently the Player Personal Director of the Los Angeles Kings.

Mark Giordano - member of the Downsview Minor program for three years where he was a member of the 2001 Metro Cup Champions, Downsview Bulls. He lead all defenceman in OHL scoring in 2003 as a member of the Owen Sound Attack. Currently Captain of the Calgary Flames.

Taylor Hall – member of the Kingston and Belleville Minor program for four years and led his teams to Provincial Championship Junior finals in two straight years. Drafted and with the Edmonton Oilers.

Geraldine Heaney – member of the Toronto Women’s Ball Hockey League and World Champion in ice hockey and inducted in the Ontario and Pro Hockey Hall of Fame

Angela James - member of the Toronto Women’s Ball Hockey League and World Champion in ice hockey and inducted in the Ontario and Pro Hockey Hall of Fame  

Lucas Lessio - member of the Vaughan Minor program for three years prior to moving on with the OHL’s Oshawa Generals and currently with the Phoenix Coyotes.

Anthony Luciani - member of the Vaughan Minor program for seven years and currently in the Florida Panthers system.

Manny Malhotra - member of the United Ball Hockey League for four years and currently a member of the Vancouver Canucks.

Zack Nastasiuk - member of the Etobicoke Minor program for four years and currently in the Detroit Red Wings system.

Theo Peckham - member of the Northwest Toronto program for five years and drafted by the Edmonton Oilers and currently in the Chicago Black Hawks system.

Steven Pinizzotto - member of the Downsview Minor programs for two years followed by two years with the North Central league and is currently in the Florida Panthers system.

Brad Richardson - member of the Belleville program the past four years and member of the 2003 Junior Provincial Champions, OHL Rookie of the Year in 2002 and 2003 Colorado Avalanche 4th round draft pick and currently with the Vancouver Canucks.

Tyler Seguin – member of the North York Lynx program for three years and led his team to the Provincial final. Drafted second overall by the Boston Bruins and currently with the Dallas Stars.

Andrew Shaw – members of the Belleville Minor ball hockey organization and led his teams to numerous championships over the years at provincial and national events and currently with the Chicago Black Hawks.

Wayne Simmonds - member of the Durham program for five years and led his team to the Men’s B Provincial final in 2013. Currently with the Philadelphia Flyers.

Natalie Spooner – member of the Oshawa Ball Hockey League for four years and IIHF World Champion and 2014 Olympic Gold Medalist

Matt Stajan - member of the Downsview Minor program for three years prior to moving on with the OHL’s Belleville Bulls, and being selected by the Toronto Maple Leafs in the 2nd round of the 2001 entry draft and also played for the CHA’s Junior Team Canada. Currently with the Calgary Flames.

Chris Stewart - member of the Durham program for five years and led his team to the Men’s B Provincial final in 2013. Currently with the St. Louis Blues.

Joe Thornton - member of the Lambeth Wildcats program for three years and is currently with the San Jose Sharks

Raffi Torres - member of the Greater Toronto Tier II program for three years and currently with the San Jose Sharks.

Steven Valiquette - member of Downsview Minor program winning the Metro Cup in 1996. He was awarded the Harry (Hap) Holmes Memorial Award in the AHL for the lowest goals-against average with a minimum of 25 games played. He was drafted by the Los Angeles Kings in 1996.

Phil Varrone - member of the Premier Ball Hockey League and currently in the Buffalo Sabres system.

Mike Vernace - member of the Toronto Minor program. He was a member of the 2003 National Finalist, Toronto Jaguars and was drafted to the NHL in 2004.

Jennifer Wakefield– member of the Oshawa Ball Hockey League for three years and IIHF World Champion and 2014 Olympic Gold Medalist

Tara Watchhorn– member of the Oshawa Ball Hockey League for three years and 2014 Olympic Gold Medalist

Garratt Wilson - member of the Penetanguishene Minor program for twelve years and currently in the Florida Panthers system.

Steve Yzerman - member of the Ottawa-Carleton league for three years and four time Stanley Cup Champion, who is the current General Manager with the Tamp Bay Lightning