Ontario Hockey League officially introduces Bryan Crawford as Commissioner

The Ontario Hockey League (OHL) has a new boss.

Bryan Crawford has officially been introduced as the incoming OHL Commissioner. His tenure will start Aug. 6. The introduction was held at the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto.

The announcement comes after current and outgoing commissioner, David Branch, announced his retirement last August. He held the position since 1979.

The 42-year-old was announced as the new commissioner on June 12 and joins the league after serving as an executive with Golf Canada working as the tournament director for the RBC Canadian Open.

He has also previously served in executive roles with Basketball Canada and Ontario University Athletics. Crawford is a former running back with the Canadian Football League’s Toronto Argonauts from 2005-11.

“I am incredibly honoured to be named the next commissioner of the Ontario Hockey League and following in the footsteps of a truly extraordinary leader who’s dedication, commitment and passion to this league has been unparalleled,” he said. “I want to thank Tim (Lukenda) and our board of governors for giving me this incredible honour, allowing me and entrusting me with the responsibility for leading this league forward, protecting it’s integrity and fortifying ourselves as the best developmental league in the world.”

During his introductory remarks, Crawford said that he dreamed of being part of the OHL as a young hockey player from Hamilton.

“I never could have imagined it would have been as commissioner. It’s a full circle moment for a kid that turned out to be a better football player then he was a hockey player,” he said. “The OHL is the greatest developmental league in the world. Proven by the 2,510 OHL players that have been selected in the NHL draft since 1969. That is the most by any league in the world. The success of our league and developing elite players continues today with over 200 OHL graduates in the NHL this season alone.”

Crawford said he looks forward to visiting every community within the league this coming fall.

“I’ll meet with all of our teams, players, fans, alumni, parents, billets, league staff, partners, media members and all of the stakeholders who make the OHL family so very special.”

He said he is excited to continue growing the game of hockey as a new chapter begins for the league.