1979-80 OMJHA Season

 

Standings

Hero Division

1. Barrie Admirals

2. Burlington Metros

3. Oshawa Diamonds

4. Kitchener Generals

5. Milton Micmacs

6. Oakville Oaks

Steel Division

1. Waterloo Maroons

2. Owen Sound Arrowbirds

3. Orangeville O’s

4. Kitchener Legionnaires

5. Peterborough Braves

6. Buffalo Bees

Story:

The Barrie Admirals took this season in a big way, with Herb Max-Louis, Seth Samuel, and rookie defence Adam Hunter as part of well build team finally shine with the team’s best 34 wins, 10 losses, 6 ties with a grand total of 74 points lead them to not only top the Hero division but also the whole league and the Admirals owner Luke Ashton said: “We got the right staffs, we got the right players, and we got the right result this season we are rightfully ready to go deep into the playoffs.” After making the playoffs last season, the Burlington Metros improved the roster's depth with a critical trade with the Peterborough Braves as Metros received Mike Mellon and Nick Ryan. At the same time, the Braves got Eddie Baxter, 1st and 2nd round picks, which should help the Metros come playoff time. The additions of defence Brandon Irwin who can score goals, help the Oshawa Diamonds finish 3rd place just like last season. Despite Patrick Herbco made a scoring record of 52 goals season, but only 2 points shy away from making a season record high that was set by his brother John last season, the Generals struggled thru this season; lucky for them, they won 6 of the previous 10 games to finished 4th place and will have work cut out for them as they enter in the playoffs. The first 20 games were not so pretty for the Micmacs; to make things more problematic for them is their rookie defence Jesper Nelson suffered dislocated shoulder and was out for the rest of the season; Micmacs finished 5th place. The Oakville Oaks round off the Hero division last place but with some young players hungry for success down the road, and the Oaks head coach Leon Cowern believes that this team will have dynasty written all over.

The Waterloo Maroons took the Steel division and did not look back at all as they finished with 73 points, the best in franchise history. Owen Sound Arrowbirds may have difficulty catching up with the Maroons, but they kept their game and took 2nd place. Led by new captain of team Ron Green who kept the O’s together and finish 3rd in the Steel division. The Legionnaires had a back-and-forth season with John Herbco, Jake McJack, and four other players left; their 21-22-7 record is just enough to finish 4th to get in the playoffs. Both Peterborough Braves and the Buffalo Bees round the bottom two in the Steel Division, but both could have a good run soon with some youth on the roster.