Cornwall Mayor Justin Towndale reminisced about the last time the city had its own Ontario Hockey League (OHL) team when he was a nine-year-old in 1992. The Cornwall Royals, winners of the memorial cup three times, later relocated to Newmarket, Ontario.
After more than two decades without OHL regular season games in Cornwall, a change is on the horizon. The league recently announced a special two-game event named “the Seaway Shootout” to be held in the city this fall. On October 16-17, the Brampton Steelheads will face off against the Ottawa 67’s and the Kingston Frontenacs, with Brampton as the designated home team for both games.
OHL commissioner Bryan Crawford expressed enthusiasm for expanding the league’s reach by hosting neutral site games in different communities. Cornwall stood out as a prime location due to its OHL history and robust hockey culture that has produced numerous NHL talents.
The games are set to occur at the Ed Lumley Arena within the Cornwall Civic Complex. Crawford commended the city’s investments in upgrading the facility, highlighting improvements such as renovated floorboards, glass, and roof. Mayor Towndale mentioned ongoing renovations, including seat replacements and a new scoreboard, to align with OHL standards.
Describing the civic complex as a valuable asset for the community, Mayor Towndale emphasized the city’s commitment to maintaining and enhancing the arena. He viewed the upcoming event as a positive step towards potentially reinstating high-level hockey in Cornwall permanently.
While the return of a dedicated team to Cornwall remains uncertain, Crawford acknowledged that the upcoming games would provide valuable insights into the community’s interest and the league’s feasibility in the area. The event aims to gauge local support and assess the potential for a more permanent OHL presence in Cornwall.