According to Orillia Minor Hockey's Facebook page, members of both Oro Minor Hockey and Orillia Minor Hockey have voted in favour of amalgamating the two organizations, marking a significant step forward after nearly two years of discussions.
If approved by the Ontario Minor Hockey Association (OMHA) on January 28th, the merger will take effect for the upcoming 2025-26 hockey season.
The amalgamation aims to combine U10 to U18 rep programming into a single association offering AA and A-level tryouts while maintaining existing local league, house league, select, and U9 MD teams within their current organizations.
In a news article on the Orillia Minor Hockey website last Friday, the association attributed the desire to merge with Oro to the OMHA’s new “open border” policy. The policy allows players U10 and older to join teams outside their home centres, raising concerns about the sustainability of local hockey.
“In response to this change, both associations have decided to implement local protection measures to ensure that our players continue to have the opportunity to play hockey in our communities,” the article states. “This will be achieved through the introduction of residency rules, which we believe will protect local hockey and ensure its sustainability.”
The new rep program has requested AA and A teams at each age group from U10 to U18, as well as B(B) teams at every second age group, U11, U13, U15, and U18.
Currently, Orillia has 12 rep teams, and Oro has 5, for a total of 17. The new organization plans to operate between 17 and 20 teams next season, depending on registration numbers and ice availability.
The Oro Orillia Rep Reorganization Committee has been evaluating ice needs and will work to secure additional ice from local and neighbouring facilities. Both Oro and Orillia Minor Hockey will contribute interest-free loans of $20,000 each to help the new organization cover initial operational costs. These funds will support expenses such as legal fees, jerseys, equipment, hiring a paid administrator and ice scheduler, and potentially leasing office space.
The committee is optimistic about the benefits of the merger, which include creating more competitive teams, improving local opportunities for players at the AA and A levels, and enhancing coach selection by increasing opportunities for experienced coaches.
In the merger, neither Orillia nor Oro will retain their existing Terriers or Thunder name, colours, logos, through the new reorganization. The new reorganization will accept submissions for the new branding.
“Our goal is not to erase local identities, but to ensure that our hockey community evolves with the times,” the article adds. “We want our local players to continue thriving in an environment that respects our traditions while offering new opportunities for growth.”
Orillia Terriers' U16A head coach Randy Salmon, believes the amalgamation is a positive for Orillia players.
"I think it’s going to make Orillia play at the level we should be playing at, which is AA," he said. "The team I'm coaching this year is undefeated and we have three Oro players, and because we are only A right now, we lost our best player to Barrie AA."
While Salmon is thrilled about Orillia rep teams playing at a higher level, he will disappointed to see the Terriers' name and logo left behind for the history books.
"I've coached for 37 years in Orillia and you kind of get attached to that Terrier name and logo," he said. "But I'd much rather see us become a new AA centre."
Salmon believes the "open border” policy could eventually end up making the new Orillia and Oro centre a powerhouse.
"If the North Central Predators get into trouble and don't have enough players to field teams anymore, maybe some of those players will come to Orillia," he said. "I just look at the quality of hockey and think it's going to be all better for Orillia."
Salmon says success may not come to the new AA teams immediately, but he believes they will be competitive.
"We do have a couple of teams playing AA now," he said. "They aren't doing great, but they are holding their own and aren't getting blown out."
The hockey community now awaits the OMHA’s decision on January 28th, which will determine the future of local minor hockey.
