ABOUT US : History

The Ontario Lightning Hockey Clubs were initially formed to provide the opportunity for young hockey players to experience the trip of a lifetime: to play in The Elite Tournament of Moscow. The selection in the first year, 2005-06, was based on assembling a quality group of hockey players at the AAA level, and practicing and preparing as a team for the trip.

Selection was somewhat rushed, but we managed to build a very competitive team that started off in Toronto in the spring, won its first tournament, and went on to Moscow, Russia.

There we trained hard, staying at the Russian Sports Training Centre. The kids played well and toured the city. Along the way, comments were made like “wish we could always do this” and “can we train all year like the Russians do?”

Coach Bob Thom and others all agreed that what we needed was a training centre devoted strictly to developing players who may be A, AA, or AAA, and to make them well-rounded, highly skilled hockey players. As we entered into our next season the idea never left us, and we continued to discuss the idea quite openly. We found out that we were not alone: most players, coaches and parents had the same feelings, but were not sure what we could do.

Could we develop teams for Travel Tournaments? Could we play exhibition games against top teams in the world? And would we attract the kids and parents who felt that development should be first, and games second?

After rigorous research, and many talks, we decided it was time to create a hockey only development program, offering high caliber training, exposing young players to the most advanced training programs, and helping players make the difficult decisions of where their hockey might take them.

We feel we have reached this point. We now offer the most advanced programs and opportunities for players both young and old. We dedicate and commit to the players we enroll, and we demand the same in return.

Our Junior A program includes 4 practices on weekdays, and exhibition and travel games on the weekends. The games are targeted at the very best teams in North America and Europe.

Our Prospects teams would be for up-and-coming players from Peewee to Bantam, to make them ready for high level hockey. High level hockey is not playing AA or AAA games and practicing a few hours a week: it is intense development of skills and mental preparation, on and off the ice.

Our goal is not to make decisions, but to offer as many opportunities as possible to the hockey athlete.

That is why we offer not only hockey Training, but also an executive advisory board to offer advice to all ages. This will include scouts, a contract lawyer, NHL players, and Sports Psychology Specialists.

There are many options from NCAA Colleges OHL Junior A , USA hockey leagues, and Europe. It is our view that players are rushed to make decisions which are sometime “pie in the sky”, and that they will pay for it later.

The Ontario Lightning competes with no league, organization, or school. We only try to prepare the players for the choices they want to make, as it should be their choice, on their time.

With the introduction of a complete program we have been more selective in our Prospects team, and we will expect the same for our Junior program, which begins this spring. We have secured one of the finest locations in Canada so that both parents and kids can enjoy the amenities of a world class resort while training hard at their passion, hockey.

We welcome all of you who to enroll in the Ontario Lightning Organization. We are uniquely designed for the player, and for no one else!