OHL Alumni Central

Jamie Tardiff played five seasons in the Ontario Hockey League from 2001-02 to 2005-06, all with the Peterborough Petes. In his final season, he captained a Petes team that would beat out the London Knights in the OHL playoff final to win the Robertson Cup. The team would go on to the Memorial Cup where they would finish third.

Tardiff was selected in the fourth round of the 2003 NHL draft by the Calgary Flames, 112th overall. After a geographically challenged first season in professional hockey where he played for four different teams (Toledo Storm – ECHL, Manitoba Moose – AHL, Iowa Stars – AHL, Grand Rapids Griffins – AHL), Jamie has been a member of the Grand Rapids Griffins since. This past season, Tardiff was the team captain.

Check out Jamie Tardiff’s profile page on the Grand Rapids Griffins official website.

It is a true measure of the leadership qualities learned in the Ontario Hockey League when just about a third of the teams in the National Hockey League are captained by players that graduated from the OHL. 9 teams in total are currently captained by ex-OHLers.

Craig Rivet, captain of the Buffalo Sabres. Craig played from 1991-92 to 1993-94 with the Kingston Frontenacs.

Eric Staal, captain of the Carolina Hurricanes. Eric played from 2000-01 to 2002-03 with the Peterborough Petes.

Adam Foote, captain of the Colorado Avalanche. Adam played from 1988-89 to 1990-91 with the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds.

Rick Nash, captain of the Columbus Blue Jackets. Rick played from 2000-01 to 2001-02 with the London Knights.

Ethan Moreau, captain of the Edmonton Oilers. Ethan played from 1991-92 to 1994-95 with the Niagara Falls Thunder and finished off 1994-95 with the Sudbury Wolves.

Dustin Brown, captain of the Los Angeles Kings. Dustin played from 2000-01 to 2002-03 with the Guelph Storm.

Jason Arnott, captain of the Nashville Predators. Jason played from 1991-92 to 1992-93 with the Oshawa Generals.

Jamie Langenbrunner, captain of the New Jersey Devils. Jamie played from 1993-94 to 1994-95 with the Peterborough Petes.

Mike Richards, captain of the Philadelphia Flyers. Mike played from 2001-02 to 2004-05 with the Kitchener Rangers.

With the trade deadline looming and a few current captains ready for retirement, the potential is there for the number of OHL captains to increase by next season.