Time for change in major junior hockey
It may be time to change the old guard that watches over major junior hockey in Canada and encourage the man who has held so much influence and power for so many years to begin the retirement chapter of his life.
I am not saying that 67-year old David Branch is responsible for what ailed Team Canada at this year’s World Jr. Hockey Championships but the fact of the matter is this very-powerful man who somehow continues to double as president of the Canadian Hockey League and commissioner of the Ontario Hockey League should do the right thing and step aside sooner than later.
Afterall, not even the best and/or most-powerful Prime Minister in Canadian history was allowed to rule the nation for as long as Branch has carried on as His Majesty for what is major junior hockey in this country.
For the record, Branch has been OHL commissioner since 1979 and CHL president since 1996 and at some point there should come a time when enough is simply enough.
Thirty six years as OHL commissioner and 19 years as CHL president adds up to an awful lot of influence and power from one man who, to be honest, has benefited from millions of dollars in salary, expenses and free rides from amateur hockey in this country along the way.
I am quite sure that Branch can afford to retire. And I am quite sure that Canadian major junior hockey can afford the change that would come with Branch’s retirement.
I am not saying that Branch is too old to keep working in some capacity. Hell, he’s only four years older than me.
But this is Canadian major junior hockey where owners, managers, coaches and franchises come and go yet the one man with the absolute power and influence remains the same.
Somehow, that doesn’t seem right, if only because most leaders in any faction of business, political — or in this case, hockey — life govern for a certain amount of time before change is not only demanded but is expected for the good of all concerned.
Make no mistake about it, Branch has major — and often ultimate — say in anything and everything that happens within the confines of the CHL, which oversees the OHL, the Quebec Major Jr. Hockey League and the Western Hockey League.
That’s a lot of power that one man has held for so many years.
Can you think of one man in Canadian major junior hockey who has held on to a paid position of such influence longer than Branch has?
Change is a necessary part of life, it’s a necessary part of business, it’s certainly a necessary part of hockey where so many good, qualified people come and go with regularity.
To be sure, Branch has done a lot of good for major junior hockey in Canada. Heck, if he hadn’t, he wouldn’t have lasted for as long as he has.
But he’s been very-well compensated for doing his job and as I noted, there’s no one in the game at this level who has enjoyed Branch’s longevity, let alone the power to dictate and be of such massive and far-reaching influence.
I say it’s time for a new face with fresh ideas and vision.
Branch has had 36 years of power and influence in Canadian major junior hockey.
I think that’s enough.
PHOTO: Canadian Hockey League president David Branch has also been commissioner of the Ontario Hockey League for 36 years.
Well the S… has hit the fan. Canada’s Junior team did not medal. Any thoughts that other teams are catching up to how we play the game. Remember at one time we were tops, mainly because no one else played the game, then unfortunately we trained and coached teams in the U.S in the game then travel became easier and rinks became available in places you wouldn’t expect. Let’s accept the fact that things change and the game has definitely changed. I would be more concerned with this tournament not attracting what is very important and that is the fans. If come next year when it is in two big cities, Toronto and Montreal that fans don’t show up. I will predict now that the preliminary games being held in Toronto will likely have some very poor crowds. Can’t soak people for high priced seats for some of the up and coming nations. Lets just accept the fact Canada lost.
this article is Bang on!
Well stated R.R.!!!!!
Time for Branch to retire he’s had more than his time on the job. I had no idea that he has been in Office for this long til I read it here.
I could not have said this any better . . . it really is time for Dave Branch to hand over the keys. Change is long over do in this case.
Randy, how long have you been a writer? How would you react if you were told it was time to go just because you have been doing it so long. Unless you can state specific facts regarding why he should step down, your article is nothing but fear mongering. Other countries are better than us this year. That’s progress. Junior hockey in Canada has never been stronger so why replace Mr. Branch?
John,
Like you, I woke up this morning in a free world. I have stated my opinion and now you have stated yours.
Thanks for reading, though I do not agree with your use of words “fear mongering.” Then again, that is your right to free speech.
Regards,
Randy
Randy, thanks for acknowledging my freedom of speech. I enjoy reading your work even if I do not always agree with your stance. My use of fear mongering came more from the comments others made than from your actual article. For that I will apologize. I still believe he has a right to stay unless there is evidence he is not performing. I respect loyalty and commitment. Thanks for the open form.
Allow me to state specific facts as to why I think David Branch needs to step down:
David Branch is the ring leader of an organization enthralled in child exploitation and bad child labour practices and has profited millions and millions of dollars off of the backs of children who are chasing a dream which less than 2% will ever come to realize.
David Branch works in concert with team owners to violate anti-trust laws prohibiting players from earning a fair wage in their craft.
David Branch places restrictions on education just so he can profit more off of the back of children.
David Branch has minors who are under the age of majority entering into contracts with the league and teams
David Branch lies to the public, to the media and to government agencies and officials in attempts to protect his corrupt empire.
David Branch has known full-well over the years about his illegalities which has allowed him to profit millions of dollars off of the backs of children as actual player contracts have stated that players in the OHL were in fact employees. David Branch and his merry group of corrupt men went out of their way to amend player contracts among other documents once Branch realized that his scheme was up. He began making numerous changes to how he ran his corrupt hockey league in the hopes that nobody would notice.
These facts are just the tip of the iceberg. If you care to question any of these facts please feel free and I will gladly provide you with the detailed facts.
All of this and not to mention the $10million NHL-CHL Agreement that restricts player movement which is also a violation of anti-trust laws.
EDITOR’S NOTE: The words and opinions expressed above are entirely those of Glenn Gumbley.
This article is 100 percent bang on… Branch now uses his power for suspensions as an ego boost IE Mackenzie Blackwood suspension, and caters to his buddy’s “kids” how was Josh Ho Sang not on this years team he has more points then 10 players on this years roster! He called out hockey canada last year and branch took it personal. Time for change, and the time is now.
I agree David Branch needs to step down, especially after 36 years. The OHL and CHL should start accepting applications…
If the majority of OHL owners wanted Branch out they would vote him out in a heart-beat.
Great article. We’ve been pushing for his resignation for a little while now and we’re very confident that it’s going to happen relatively soon. The problem is that he now realizes that he cannot leave his post because with all of the legal battles he’s facing (and more to come) Branch needs to stay in control knowing that nobody else will be able to continue to cover up what I call “corruption.”
This is the peculiar situation that I believe David Branch currently sees himself in. I think he always knew these days were coming but was too arrogant to prepare himself for the inevitable.
And now that those fearsome days are hanging over top of him I think he’s realizing now that he might have to hold onto his post until he’s a century old. The way I see it, there have been far too many wrong-doings on his part for him to be able to walk away from this without his predecessor taking the fall or even worse, telling all.
At this point in the Canadian Hockey League it appears to be every man for himself, evidenced by Ron Robison statement that he would no longer attend CHL meetings until David Branch rectified the Erie Otters / Edmonton Oilers ordeal where backroom deals apparently went horribly wrong and gave more exposure into the what I call the corrupt hockey organizations known as the Canadian Hockey League and the Ontario Hockey League.
EDITOR’S NOTE: The opinions expressed above are entirely those of Glenn Gumbley.
Glenn: Maybe the junior leagues need to unionize. What do you think?
….players are not eligible for NCAA if they play OHL hockey…so if they are pros…..PAY THEM!!!!