1998–99 OHL season

The 1998–99 OHL season was the 19th season of the Ontario Hockey League. The Brampton Battalion and the Mississauga IceDogs were added as expansion teams. The league realigned from three divisions into two conferences and four divisions. Brampton were placed in the Midwest division of the Western conference, and Mississauga were placed in the Central division of the Eastern conference. The OHL inaugurated four new trophies this season. The Holody Trophy was created for the regular season champion of the Midwest division. Two conference playoffs champions were created; the Bobby Orr Trophy for the Eastern conference, and the Wayne Gretzky Trophy for the Western conference. The fourth new trophy was the Wayne Gretzky 99 Award, to be awarded to the MVP of the playoffs. Twenty teams each played sixty-eight games. The Belleville Bulls won the J. Ross Robertson Cup, defeating the London Knights.

Expansion

Brampton Battalion

On December 3, 1996, the Brampton Battalion was granted an expansion franchise owned by Scott Abbott. The team began play in the 1998-99 season, playing in the Midwest Division of the Western Conference. The Battalion's arena was the newly constructed Brampton Centre.

Brampton played in their first game on September 24, 1998, losing 5-1 to the Peterborough Petes on the road. Their first home game was on October 9, as the Battalion dropped a 5-1 decision to the Kitchener Rangers in front of a sold out crowd of 4,800 at the Brampton Centre. After beginning the season with six losses, Brampton won their first game, defeating the Sudbury Wolves 5-4 on October 18.

Mississauga IceDogs

On January 21, 1997, the Mississauga IceDogs was granted an expansion franchise which included former Boston Bruins head coach Don Cherry in their ownership group. The IceDogs began play in the 1998-99 season, playing in the Central Division of the Eastern Conference. The IceDogs arena was the newly constructed Hershey Centre.

The IceDogs played in their first game on September 25, 1998, losing a road game to the Kingston Frontenacs by a score of 10-0. Mississauga began the season with an 11 game road trip, as the club lost each game. In their home opener on October 30, Mississauga recorded their first win in franchise history, defeating the Toronto St. Michael's Majors 4-3 in front of a sold out of 6,000 fans at the Hershey Centre.

Realignment

With the Brampton Battalion and Mississauga IceDogs joining the Ontario Hockey League for the 1998-99 season, the league underwent a massive realignment in which two new conferences, the Eastern Conference and Western Conference, were created. Within each conference was two five-team divisions. The playoff format changed that the top eight teams in each conference made the post-season.

East Division

The East Division consisted of five teams that played in the division during the 1997-98 season. The teams were the Belleville Bulls, Kingston Frontenacs, Oshawa Generals, Ottawa 67's, and Peterborough Petes. The Toronto St. Michael's Majors left the division, joining the Central Division.

Central Division

The Central Division underwent some major changes following the 1997-98 division. The Barrie Colts, North Bay Centennials and Sudbury Wolves remained in the division, however, the Guelph Storm, Kitchener Rangers, and Owen Sound Platers all left the division, joining the newly formed Midwest Division in the Western Conference. Joining the Central were the Toronto St. Michael's Majors from the East Division, and the expansion Mississauga IceDogs.

Midwest Division

The Midwest Division was a newly created division in the Western Conference. Joining the division were the Guelph Storm, Kitchener Rangers and Owen Sound Platers from the Central Division, while the Erie Otters joined from the West Division. The expanion Brampton Battalion also joined the division.

West Division

The West Division consisted of five teams that played in the division during the 1997-98 season. The teams were the London Knights, Plymouth Whalers, Sarnia Sting, Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds and Windsor Spitfires. The Erie Otters left the division, joining the newly formed Midwest Division.

New Arena

Sarnia Sports & Entertainment Centre

The Sarnia Sting moved from the Sarnia Arena to their new home, the Sarnia Sports & Entertainment Centre. The Sting defeated the Kitchener Rangers 5-2 in their first game at their new home on September 25, 1998 in front of a sold out crowd of 4,635 fans.

Regular season

Final standings

Note: DIV = Division; GP = Games played; W = Wins; L = Losses; T = Ties; OTL = Overtime Losses; GF = Goals For; GA = Goals Against; PTS = Points; x = clinched playoff berth; y = clinched division title; z = clinched conference title

Eastern conference

Rank Team DIV GP W L T PTS GF GA
1z-Barrie ColtsCentral6849136104343192
2y-Ottawa 67'sEast6848137103305164
3x-Belleville BullsEast683922785334246
4x-Oshawa GeneralsEast683924583280217
5x-Peterborough PetesEast684026282266213
6x-Sudbury WolvesCentral682535858261288
7x-North Bay CentennialsCentral682240650215248
8x-Kingston FrontenacsEast682242448240320
9Toronto St. Michael's MajorsCentral682042646214316
10Mississauga IceDogsCentral68461311145426

Western conference

Rank Team DIV GP W L T PTS GF GA
1z-Plymouth WhalersWest6851134106313162
2x-Guelph StormMidwest684422290300218
3x-Owen Sound PlatersMidwest683924583312293
4x-Sarnia StingWest683725680279216
5x-London KnightsWest683430472260217
6x-Sault Ste. Marie GreyhoundsWest683129870244242
7x-Erie OttersMidwest683133466271297
8x-Windsor SpitfiresWest682339652203294
9Kitchener RangersMidwest682339652205257
10Brampton BattalionMidwest68857319198362

Scoring leaders

Note: GP = Games played; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points; PIM = Penalty Minutes [1]

Player Team GP G A Pts PIM
Peter Sarno Sarnia Sting 68379313049
Norm Milley Sudbury Wolves 68526812047
Sheldon Keefe Toronto/Barrie 665165116140
Adam Colagiacomo Plymouth Whalers 67406810889
Mike Fisher Sudbury Wolves 68416510655
Daniel Tkaczuk Barrie Colts 58436210558
Harold Druken Plymouth Whalers 60584510334
Kevin Colley Oshawa Generals 63396210168
Justin Papineau Belleville Bulls 6852479928
Ivan Novoseltsev Sarnia Sting 6857399645

Leading goaltenders

Note: GP = Games Played; Mins = Minutes Played; W = Wins; L = Losses: OTL = Overtime Losses;
SL = Shootout Losses; GA = Goals Allowed; SO = Shutouts; GAA = Goals Against Average
[2]

Player Team GP Mins W L T GA SO Sv% GAA
Robert Holsinger Plymouth Whalers 402252281007850.9242.08
Levente Szuper Ottawa 67's 32180122637040.9202.33
Seamus Kotyk Ottawa 67's 41231426749250.9152.39
Brian Finley Barrie Colts 5230643610413630.9202.66
Rob Zepp Plymouth Whalers 31166319347630.9072.74

Playoffs

Conference quarterfinals Conference semifinals Conference finals Finals
            
E1 Barrie 4
E8 Kingston 1
E1 Barrie 3
E4 Oshawa 4
E4 Oshawa 4
E5 Peterborough 1
E4 Oshawa 1
E3 Belleville 4
E3 Belleville 4
E6 Sudbury 0
E3 Belleville 4
E2 Ottawa 1
E2 Ottawa 4
E7 North Bay 0
E3 Belleville 4
W5 London 3
W1 Plymouth 4
W8 Windsor 0
W1 Plymouth 3
W5 London 4
W4 Sarnia 2
W5 London 4
W5 London 4
W3 Owen Sound 1
W3 Owen Sound 4
W6 S.S. Marie 1
W3 Owen Sound 4
W2 Guelph 2
W2 Guelph 4
W7 Erie 1
(1) Barrie Colts vs. (8) Kingston Frontenacs
Barrie wins series 4 – 1
(2) Ottawa 67's vs. (7) North Bay Centennials
Ottawa wins series 4 – 0
(3) Belleville Bulls vs. (6) Sudbury Wolves
Belleville wins series 4 – 0
(4) Oshawa Generals vs. (5) Peterborough Petes
Oshawa wins series 4 – 1
(1) Plymouth Whalers vs. (8) Windsor Spitfires
Plymouth wins series 4 – 0
(2) Guelph Storm vs. (7) Erie Otters
Guelph wins series 4 – 1
(3) Owen Sound Platers vs. (6) Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds
Owen Sound wins series 4 – 1
(4) Sarnia Sting vs. (5) London Knights
London wins series 4 – 2
(1) Barrie Colts vs. (4) Oshawa Generals
Oshawa wins series 4 – 3
(2) Ottawa 67's vs. (3) Belleville Bulls
Belleville wins series 4 – 1
(1) Plymouth Whalers vs. (5) London Knights
London wins series 4 – 3
(2) Guelph Storm vs. (3) Owen Sound Platers
Owen Sound wins series 4 – 2
(3) Belleville Bulls vs. (4) Oshawa Generals
Belleville wins series 4 – 1
(3) Owen Sound Platers vs. (5) London Knights
London wins series 4 – 1
(E3) Belleville Bulls vs. (W5) London Knights
Belleville wins series 4 – 3

J. Ross Robertson Cup Champions Roster

1998-99 Belleville Bulls[3]
Goaltenders
  • 1  Cory Campbell 
  • 30  Chad Mehlenbacher 

Defencemen

  • 2  Nick Policelli 
  • 4  Jason Lawmaker 
  • 5  Michael Jacobsen 
  • 14  Kelly Paddon 
  • 24  Branislav Mezei 
  • 25  Rick Bertran 
  • 44  Adam Collins 

Wingers

Centres

Playoff scoring leaders

Note: GP = Games played; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points; PIM = Penalty Minutes [4]

Player Team GP G A Pts PIM
Justin Papineau Belleville Bulls 2121305120
Ryan Ready Belleville Bulls 2110283822
Tom Kostopoulos London Knights 2519163532
Richard Pitirri London Knights 2512223424
Jonathan Cheechoo Belleville Bulls 2115153027
Krys Barch London Knights 259172615
Chris Kelly London Knights 259172622
Jay Legault London Knights 258182640
Mike Dombkiewicz Owen Sound Platers 163222522
Glenn Crawford Belleville Bulls 2113112422

Playoff leading goaltenders

Note: GP = Games Played; Mins = Minutes Played; W = Wins; L = Losses: OTL = Overtime Losses; SL = Shootout Losses; GA = Goals Allowed; SO = Shutouts; GAA = Goals Against Average [5]

Player Team GP Mins W L GA SO Sv% GAA
Seamus Kotyk Ottawa 67's 5338321300.9122.31
J.F. Perras Erie Otters 5245131100.9372.69
Levente Szuper Ottawa 67's 4241221110.9242.73
Brian Finley Barrie Colts 5324411500.9172.78
Greg Hewitt Sarnia Sting 5323141500.9392.79

All-Star teams

First team

Second team

Third team

Awards

J. Ross Robertson Cup:Belleville Bulls
Hamilton Spectator Trophy:Plymouth Whalers
Bobby Orr Trophy:Belleville Bulls
Wayne Gretzky Trophy:London Knights
Leyden Trophy:Ottawa 67's
Emms Trophy:Barrie Colts
Holody Trophy:Guelph Storm
Bumbacco Trophy:Plymouth Whalers
Red Tilson Trophy:Brian Campbell, Ottawa 67's
Eddie Powers Memorial Trophy:Peter Sarno, Sarnia Sting
Matt Leyden Trophy:Peter DeBoer, Plymouth Whalers
Jim Mahon Memorial Trophy:Norm Milley, Sudbury Wolves
Max Kaminsky Trophy:Brian Campbell, Ottawa 67's
OHL Goaltender of the Year:Brian Finley, Barrie Colts
Jack Ferguson Award:Jason Spezza, Mississauga IceDogs
Dave Pinkney Trophy:Robert Holsinger and Rob Zepp, Plymouth Whalers
OHL Executive of the Year:Jeff Hunt, Ottawa 67's
Emms Family Award:Sheldon Keefe, Barrie Colts
F.W. 'Dinty' Moore Trophy:Levente Szuper, Ottawa 67's
OHL Humanitarian of the Year:Ryan McKie, Sudbury Wolves
William Hanley Trophy:Brian Campbell, Ottawa 67's
Leo Lalonde Memorial Trophy:Ryan Ready, Belleville Bulls
Bobby Smith Trophy:Rob Zepp, Plymouth Whalers
Wayne Gretzky 99 Award:Justin Papineau, Belleville Bulls

1999 OHL Priority Selection

On June 5, 1999, the OHL conducted the 1999 Ontario Hockey League Priority Selection at the Brampton Centre for Sports & Entertainment in Brampton, Ontario. The Mississauga IceDogs held the first overall pick in the draft, and selected Jason Spezza from the Brampton Battalion. Spezza was awarded the Jack Ferguson Award, awarded to the top pick in the draft.

Below are the players who were selected in the first round of the 1999 Ontario Hockey League Priority Selection. [6]

# Player Nationality OHL Team Hometown Minor Team
1 Jason Spezza (C) Canada Mississauga IceDogs Brampton, Ontario Brampton Battalion
2 Jay McClement (C) Canada Brampton Battalion Kingston, Ontario Kingston Voyageurs
3 Jeffrey Doyle (RW) Canada Toronto St. Michael's Majors King City, Ontario Vaughan Kings
4 Steve Eminger (D) Canada Kitchener Rangers Woodbridge, Ontario Bramalea Blues
5 Cory Stillman (C) Canada Kingston Frontenacs Lindsay, Ontario Lindsay Muskies
6 Chris Thorburn (RW) Canada North Bay Centennials Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario Elliot Lake Ice
7 Tim Gleason (D) United States Windsor Spitfires Clawson, Michigan Leamington Flyers
8 Miguel Beaudry (G) Canada Sudbury Wolves Verner, Ontario Collingwood Blackhawks
9 Scott Rozendal (LW) Canada Erie Otters Listowel, Ontario Collingwood Blackhawks
10 Trevor Daley (D) Canada Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds Toronto, Ontario Vaughan Vipers
11 Matthew Albiani (C) Canada London Knights Sudbury, Ontario Sudbury Wolves Bantam
12 Jason Penner (LW) Canada Sarnia Sting Leamington, Ontario Leamington Flyers
13 Ryan Ramsay (C) Canada Peterborough Petes Ajax, Ontario Ajax Attack
14 Greg Jacina (LW) Canada Owen Sound Platers Guelph, Ontario Orangeville Crushers
15 Nick Lees (C) Canada Oshawa Generals Peterborough, Ontario Peterborough Petes Bantam
16 Kyle Wellwood (C/RW) Canada Belleville Bulls Windsor, Ontario Tecumseh Chiefs
17 Colt King (LW) Canada Guelph Storm Thunder Bay, Ontario St. Thomas Stars
18 Brendan Bell (D) Canada Ottawa 67's Ottawa, Ontario Ottawa Jr. Senators
19 Erik Reitz (D) United States Barrie Colts Plymouth, Michigan Leamington Flyers
20 Stephen Weiss (C) Canada Plymouth Whalers Markham, Ontario North York Rangers

See also

References

Preceded by
1997–98 OHL season
OHL seasons Succeeded by
1999–2000 OHL season
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