Gmhl

[JayRoadkill]

I know when this league first started a few years ago it was miles away from OPJHL, I was wondering if that has changed now?

how does it compare to OPJHL hockey?

is it a league worth playing in for up and coming players?

 

[Petey3329]

The league now is basically guys who are too old for tier 2. I have a few buddies who play and they are 90 birth dates and they light it up. Its not a good league and its a pay to play. Even the kids who play in it know its pretty terrible. The opjhl would walk all over these guys. OCAA college club teams are beating these teams (flemming 3-2 over bobcaygeon and canadore 8-1 over powasson) I would stay away from it.

The owners of teams scam decent europeans over here who arent that bad and they discover its not legitmate JR A and they end up leaving.

But hockey is hockey and its peoples choices to play wherever they want. But in my opinion i would stay away from it i have seen many games and played with a bunch of players who have lit the league up and they just arent nearly as good as any teams.

 

[theguy19]

The league now is basically guys who are too old for tier 2. I have a few buddies who play and they are 90 birth dates and they light it up. Its not a good league and its a pay to play. Even the kids who play in it know its pretty terrible. The opjhl would walk all over these guys. OCAA college club teams are beating these teams (flemming 3-2 over bobcaygeon and canadore 8-1 over powasson) I would stay away from it.

The owners of teams scam decent europeans over here who arent that bad and they discover its not legitmate JR A and they end up leaving.

But hockey is hockey and its peoples choices to play wherever they want. But in my opinion i would stay away from it i have seen many games and played with a bunch of players who have lit the league up and they just arent nearly as good as any teams.

This post makes me laugh. It was made by a player who tried out for a team in the GMHL a few years back. He was cut never got over it. If you look at the league's facebook page, he has been taking shots at it over forums and posts since then! haha

The league has improved much beyond their first few years. It is not yet at the level of the OJHL; but it isn’t much far behind it. It has passed the NOJHL in skill level. And as many of us know, the NOJHL is struggling to keep afloat these days!

If your on the top 2 lines of a GMHL team, your coach could get you a spot on most DIII teams. The top players get looked at by OHL, USHL, and CHL mostly. A few alumni that I know about are:
Darren Archibald (AHL)
Artem Podshendyalov (CHL - and having a break out season one could add)
Karl Linden (CHL, Former captain of Elmira College)
Clint Windsor (OHL)
Stanislav Dzhakov (USHL)
Darcy Valencourt (DIII's leading scorer a couple seasons ago)

Its hard to judge their alumni though, because of the international players having different career goals then most North American players. For example, Nils Berger, used the GMHL to get to the top Swiss League (NLA) and for him the GMHL worked. But in NA, we don't put as much weight into that. Same with a lot of Swedish players who used the league to get to Division 2. We don't see that as a success, but in their eyes, their GMHL career was a success.

This year looks to have some good talent in it. NOJHL's top scorer Andre Lecliar switched over to the GMHL, and isn't even leading in points haha. Illes Gallo is a Hungary player who was skipped over in last year's NHL draft, but a few teams were looking at him going into it. He is leading in goal scoring. Other than that, a few ex-QMJHL players and a good Polish player are among their elite talent.

As a player, I guess if you could be a 3rd line player in the OJ, get little ice-time and not really be seen simply because you’re not on the ice! Or be a second line player in the GMHL, and have a shot at being seen.

 

[Petey3329]

again i have never been to a gmhl camp lol never attended one never even crossed my mind. But as for gallo he is a great player sturgeon has a few good euros but I have never tried out for a team ever lol so relax on that I am just a huge supporter of hockey canada and a huge supporter of Jr leagues where thee is no fee to play especially fees between 2000-10000 to play jr "A" hockey if you could call it that

 

[Petey3329]

forgot to mention archibald left gmhl at 16 to play for stoufville spirit in the OPJHL and then moved on to the OHL but if you want to credit his one year in the gmhl then be my guest but ur way off buddy. Enjoy

 

[JayRoadkill]

I thought that now it is sanctioned by hockey canada and you dont have to pay anymore?

guess i was wrong, thanks for the info

 

[Tigers1992]

This post makes me laugh. It was made by a player who tried out for a team in the GMHL a few years back. He was cut never got over it. If you look at the league's facebook page, he has been taking shots at it over forums and posts since then! haha

The league has improved much beyond their first few years. It is not yet at the level of the OJHL; but it isn’t much far behind it. It has passed the NOJHL in skill level. And as many of us know, the NOJHL is struggling to keep afloat these days!

If your on the top 2 lines of a GMHL team, your coach could get you a spot on most DIII teams. The top players get looked at by OHL, USHL, and CHL mostly. A few alumni that I know about are:
Darren Archibald (AHL)
Artem Podshendyalov (CHL - and having a break out season one could add)
Karl Linden (CHL, Former captain of Elmira College)
Clint Windsor (OHL)
Stanislav Dzhakov (USHL)
Darcy Valencourt (DIII's leading scorer a couple seasons ago)

Its hard to judge their alumni though, because of the international players having different career goals then most North American players. For example, Nils Berger, used the GMHL to get to the top Swiss League (NLA) and for him the GMHL worked. But in NA, we don't put as much weight into that. Same with a lot of Swedish players who used the league to get to Division 2. We don't see that as a success, but in their eyes, their GMHL career was a success.

This year looks to have some good talent in it. NOJHL's top scorer Andre Lecliar switched over to the GMHL, and isn't even leading in points haha. Illes Gallo is a Hungary player who was skipped over in last year's NHL draft, but a few teams were looking at him going into it. He is leading in goal scoring. Other than that, a few ex-QMJHL players and a good Polish player are among their elite talent.

As a player, I guess if you could be a 3rd line player in the OJ, get little ice-time and not really be seen simply because you’re not on the ice! Or be a second line player in the GMHL, and have a shot at being seen.

With all due respect Sir, youve made eight posts in three years, all of which are defending the GNML, or promoting it.

Im fine with that, but be honest about what your intensions are before you put down others. Thats fair is it not?

If you interested in league promotion, Id suggest that working with, not attacking people like Walker who works with 15-16 year old players would be your
best option, but thats just my simple opinion.

I have seen the GNML in person, 4-5 games. It is what it is, not at the level of Jr A or Jr. B. Thats what most involved in the game will say.

I saw the Moose the Thornhill Community Centre, Deseronto play out of the local Community Centre (they had a 93 a few years back by the name of Bobby Breadman that we where interested in) as well as Orangeville up at the Teen Ranch. Its not at the level of most Jr. A or B that ive seen in Ontario, and i see alot of hockey every year.

To the original poster, take what you read here with a grain of sault, but do your own investigation. I know that if I had a son who was interested in playing Jr. A or getting a US College scholarship, there would be other areas that I personally would look at. Ive advised players that in the past, and they didnt regret it. If you want my opinion, feel free to shoot me a PM.

 

[Petey3329]

I have trained and worked with players from this league and not to mention played hockey with a few of them. But it is not the same caliber as OPJHL but if you could get on a team without paying why not? Do whatever you want but becareful of shady owners and broken promises from those owners.

Thanks Tiger for your insight always appreciated.

 

[Cornuts]

The league has some good players but not many. The top 5 teams have two or three good players.
Biggest problem is the deceit and lies. Bad ownership. Especially in Gravenhurst from what im hearing. If you are a Canadian player and looking to play at a higher level... do not even think about this league as an option.
Horror stories everywhere! The opjhl or chl(Ottawa league) also has its problems with lies and deceit but if i was a player looking for an option.. Jr. C and B are better choices.

 

[Petey3329]

The league has some good players but not many. The top 5 teams have two or three good players.
Biggest problem is the deceit and lies. Bad ownership. Especially in Gravenhurst from what im hearing. If you are a Canadian player and looking to play at a higher level... do not even think about this league as an option.
Horror stories everywhere! The opjhl or chl(Ottawa league) also has its problems with lies and deceit but if i was a player looking for an option.. Jr. C and B are better choices.

I agree jr c is is a higher level and better for development then the gmhl many players play 1 to 2 years jr c then pusure a tier 2 experience in the several leagues across ontario.

 

[Chandler11]

Hey guys, last year I played u21aaa as an under aged goalie and want to move on, I feel the league isn't taken very seriously until playoffs. My problem though is that I have a serious ankle injury and won't be clear until after spring jr camps, so making a team is pretty well out the door. I have a new gmhl team that wants me and I could sign without playing, I have a good relationship with the coach. The price is low for me and you are on the ice a lot more. The thing is though I need to sign this week before he brings more goalies out, so I can't really wait to see what my ankle does. I'm wondering what you guys think. Is it worth it for one year? New team so shots will be plentiful, the experience would be fun anyways...

 

[Garyboy]

Hey guys, last year I played u21aaa as an under aged goalie and want to move on, I feel the league isn't taken very seriously until playoffs. My problem though is that I have a serious ankle injury and won't be clear until after spring jr camps, so making a team is pretty well out the door. I have a new gmhl team that wants me and I could sign without playing, I have a good relationship with the coach. The price is low for me and you are on the ice a lot more. The thing is though I need to sign this week before he brings more goalies out, so I can't really wait to see what my ankle does. I'm wondering what you guys think. Is it worth it for one year? New team so shots will be plentiful, the experience would be fun anyways...

If you have the money, and take it for what it is, sure, go for it. Sounds like you really want to experience the hockey and lifestyle. Have fun.

 

[TITANS11]

Chandler
i am an owner of the Temiscaming team. I think that you should jump on the opportunity. You will probably get a lot of playing time and for litlle money. If you are worried getting scouted by Ohl or other Junior A teams dont be. We have 3 first year players that will be attending the Greyhounds 1st training camp as invites. We also have 2 other players that have been asked to play in the Ottawa Junior A league.
The G is a good developmental league.