Franchise Update: Woodstock Navy Vets

CAMBRIDGE, ON – The Provincial Junior Hockey League (PJHL) acknowledges the recent announcement that the Woodstock Navy Vets will transition to the Greater Ontario Hockey League (GOHL) for the 2026–27 season.

On March 5, the GOHL and the Woodstock Navy Vets formally announced that the organization will join the league as its 24th franchise beginning in the 2026–27 campaign.

The move marks a significant step for the Woodstock organization, which has built a strong reputation within the Provincial Junior Hockey League while competing in the Doherty Division. The franchise has enjoyed continued success in recent seasons, including regular season division titles in the 2021–22 season and again this past season.

Despite the future transition, the Navy Vets remain fully committed to the current PJHL campaign. The organization continues to support its players and staff as they pursue a championship run and compete for the prestigious Clarence Schmalz Cup.

“We’re very thankful and excited to have been granted this opportunity,” said Navy Vets President Devon Young. “We feel it’s a very logical next chapter for the organization and are looking forward to continuing our journey in search of excellence in all areas of our organization. We are excited for the next chapter but are fully committed to closing this one off on a high note.”

Young also reflected on the organization’s time within the PJHL and the growth of the league over the years.

“We are very thankful to the PJHL. The league continues to get better and better,” Young said. “It was not that long ago that the league operated as eight independent entities, and the progress that has been made since the formation of the Provincial Junior Hockey League has been remarkable. We are surrounded by great organizations that have pushed us every year to be the best we can be, and for that, we are truly grateful.”

The upcoming transition reflects the continued growth of the Woodstock Navy Vets organization and represents the next chapter for the program as it prepares to compete at the Junior B level beginning in the 2026–27 season.

For now, the focus remains on the present, as the Navy Vets continue their pursuit of the Clarence Schmalz Cup and look to finish the 2025–26 PJHL season on a high note.