Since the Ontario Ball Hockey Association (OBHA) was formed in 1974 leagues have fostered the associations growth. Today, there are over 90 leagues in the OBHA and ball hockey is growing across the province. With such a long and eventful history it would be hard to pick one team that was better than the rest, each has their own strengths and weaknesses. In the OBHAs illustrious history there have been many great teams, the Top Guns, Fernview Rangers, York Canadians, London Provincial Glass, CWS Sports, Oshawa Bruins, Toronto Wildcats, Maple Precast Eagles, but there is only one greatest team which some would define as "unstoppable" in the late nineties and in 2011, the Brampton Midnight Express will embark the franchises 20th year.
The Brampton Midnight Express are the sports most recognized and successful organization and the best team of all time. They were established in 1991 as a member of the National Ball Hockey League and led by some of ball hockeys most prolific players, Terry Griffith, James Mentis, Robert Mentis, Wayne Shears, and Robert Marchese and they would set the standard for the late nineties for all teams to follow to present.
In 1992, the team moved over to the Northwest Toronto League and today call the Premier Ball Hockey League home which is the most competitive league in the country. The team has combined speed, finesse and physical prowess on their way to twelve provincial and six national championships along the way and still counting.
Their championships at the provincial level are well documented, but what is truly incredible is their run and participation at the national level from 1994 to present they have attended fourteen national championships with the exception of two years in 1995 and 2007. In that time the team has amassed not only the six championships, but seven silver finalists and one bronze never leaving the championships without a medal.
For those who have watched the greats of this organization play they have all returned to their roots and are often found assisting with the Brampton Minor Ball Hockey League where they have captivated the minor divisions in the province with what else, the Brampton Jr Express and some of the best young talent at their respective divisions.
For today, the torch has been passed to David Di Gironimo, Freddie Pereira, Marc Parravano, Matthew Tremblett, Matt Martello and Frankie Giustini to carry high and make their name in the sports history.
One thing about great teams, you don't even have to watch those teams play. You just have to watch them walk into arenas there is nothing like the swagger of a champion and this team brings a swagger.