According to Ken Campbell of The Hockey News on Sunday, former Canadian Hockey League president David Branch of Bathurst, New Brunswick passed away on Sunday at the age of 77. Branch was also the commissioner of the Ontario Hockey League from 1979 to 2024.
Under Branch’s leadership, the champion of the Ontario Hockey League had the right to compete for the Memorial Cup. He also oversaw OHL expansion into Belleville, Guelph, Barrie, Toronto, Brampton, and Mississauga. There were also several relocations in Branch’s time as OHL Commissioner. Niagara Falls moved to North Bay, Brantford moved to Hamilton, and then to Niagara Falls, Guelph moved to Owen Sound, Cornwall moved to Newmarket and then to Sarnia, Brampton moved to North Bay, Mississauga moved to Niagara Falls, Toronto moved to Mississauga, Hamilton moved to Guelph, Belleville moved to Hamilton, and then to Brantford, and Mississauga moved to Brampton.
Branch was one the Hockey Hall of Fame Selection Committee, and was inducted into the Whitby Sports Hall of Fame as a builder in 2017. The David Branch Player of the Year Award is presented to the Canadian Hockey League Player of the Year, and the David Branch Leader of the Year Award is presented to the OHL Executive of the Year.
