The Ontario Hockey League (OHL), the Canadian Hockey League (CHL), and the entire hockey community are saddened by the loss of former long-time Commissioner David Branch, who passed away on Sunday at the age of 77.
A proud native of Bathurst, New Brunswick and a long-time resident of Whitby, his impressive 45-year career as OHL Commissioner showcases his steadfast commitment to nurturing young hockey players and promoting the sport.
From 1979 until he stepped down in the summer of 2024, he led the OHL through a time of remarkable growth and advancement, setting standards that uplifted junior hockey across Canada.
His impact reached well beyond Ontario. Serving as President of the Canadian Hockey League from 1996 to 2019, David Branch played a key role in shaping major junior hockey in Canada, tirelessly working to improve player development, educational opportunities, and overall experiences within junior hockey. Under his guidance, the CHL solidified its reputation as the premier development league for aspiring young hockey talent worldwide.
Branch was ahead of his time in emphasizing player welfare. He supported initiatives focused on safety, mental health resources, and education. His introduction of the OHL Scholarship Program guaranteed that players leaving the league could pursue post-secondary education-acknowledging that success in hockey should create opportunities both on and off the ice.
“This is a very sad day for a lot of people,” said OHL Commissioner Bryan Crawford. “David’s contributions to the game of hockey will continue to impact the game for generations. The entire league mourns the loss of a great leader and visionary who oversaw the growth and evolution of the Ontario Hockey League, always prioritizing the players and putting their experience first.”
“The CHL would not be the top development hockey league in the world without David Branch,” said Dan Mac Kenzie, President of the CHL. “His relentless focus on the player experience, both on and off the ice, will be his greatest legacy as the game is safer, faster and more skilled because of his influence and leadership. He had both vision and determination to achieve great things while bringing people together to make it happen. He was a true builder; one day he deserves a place in the Hockey Hall of Fame.”
David Branch’s influence on Canadian hockey was formally acknowledged when he receivedthe Order of Hockey in Canada in 2016-an honor fitting for someone who dedicated himself to developing grassroots levels of play. In 2017, he was inducted into Whitby Sports Hall of Fame as a builder-a further testament to his strong advocacy for local minor hockey programs. Additionally, he served onthe Hockey Hallof Fame Selection Committee where he sharedhis expertiseand deep knowledge about honoringthe game’s greatest contributors.
Throughout his career, Dav id Branch wasn’t just known forhis administrative skills; he genuinely cared about theyoung athletes under OHL’s care. He understood that juniorhockey meant more than preparingplayersfor professional careers-it wasabout shapingyoung individualsfor life.
The worldof hock ey has losta true builderof thesport whose influencewill resonatefor manyyears ahead.
Funeral arrangementsand details regarding memorial serviceswill be announcedin thenear future.
Photo courtesyof OHL
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