The Etobicoke Old-Timers Hockey Association was founded for the 1982-83 season, giving veteran players and teams a regular mid-week game between tournaments and a chance to stay sharp throughout the winter.

At the time, the minimum age for Old-Timers hockey was 35, which was also the age requirement for most sanctioned Old-Timers tournaments. As the league evolved, so did the age rules. Today, EOHA operates as a 40+ league, with each team permitted one player over the age of 35.

From the beginning, the league attracted players from a wide range of hockey backgrounds. Over the years, EOHA rosters have included former Junior, Senior, University, College and professional players, along with lifelong recreational players who have played the game for decades. The pace may not be what it was years ago, but the passing, positioning, hockey sense and overall skill level remain strong, and the league continues to be highly competitive.

The eight founding teams were Air Canada-Malton, Air Canada-Toronto, Continental Can, Eco Valley, Toronto Lakeshore, MacLean Hunter, Royal York and Weston. The inaugural 1982-83 season consisted of 28 regular-season games with no playoffs and was played at Long Branch Arena.

The first league executive included President Charlie Lennox of MacLean Hunter and Secretary-Treasurer Dave Brown of Toronto Lakeshore. Frank Bennett of Continental Can also played an important role in maintaining and posting league standings each week.

Over the years, EOHA has been led by a number of long-time league members. Subsequent Presidents included Dean MacKinnon of Chatters, Chuck Scriver of Weston, Rick Sturino of Royal LePage, Mike Greetham of Jock Plus and, more recently, Mark Francone of the Saints.

Jeff Salomaa later took over as Secretary-Treasurer after Toronto Lakeshore withdrew from the league, with Mark Francone eventually assuming that role as well.

One of the league’s longest-serving contributors was Fred Coulas, who took over as Statistician following the 1983-84 season and maintained the league statistics for an incredible 29 years. In recognition of his long-standing contribution to the EOHA, the league’s regular-season scoring trophy is now named the Fred Coulas Award, presented annually to the league’s leading scorer.

More than four decades later, EOHA continues to carry on the same basic tradition it was founded on: competitive hockey, long-standing rivalries and a group of players who still love the game.