The Woodstock Navy Vets are on the move. The club will still be based in Woodstock in the Reeves Community Complex, but for the 2026-2027 season they will join the Greater Ontario Hockey League as the 24th team in the Western Conference.
The Woodstock Navy Vets are on the move. The club will still be based in Woodstock in the Reeves Community Complex, but for the 2026-2027 season they will join the Greater Ontario Hockey League as the 24th team in the Western Conference.
This represents a big opportunity for the players, as the GOHL is a development league for the Ontario Hockey League.
GOHL Commissioner Craig Spada had nothing but positive things to say about the Navy Vets organization.
“Woodstock is a hockey town with a proud history and a passionate fan base, and we are excited to see that tradition continue and grow within the GOHL. This franchise brings strength, stability, and enthusiasm—not only to the city of Woodstock, but to our entire league.”
An elated Woodstock Mayor Jerry Accione chimed in on the press conference.
"It's fantastic news for our community. The Woodstock Navy Vets have a proud history in our city and seeing them move into the GOHL is something our entire community can be excited about. This doesn't just happen by chance. It takes leadership and commitment. I want to recognize the team management and the organizers who work behind the scenes to bring this level of quality hockey to the City of Woodstock."
Navy Vets President Devon Young acknowledged that there's a lot of work ahead of him and the organization, but he remains excited.
"A lot of the things that we're already doing we can keep pushing into. Whether that be sponsorship or game day operations. The main things are going to be hockey operations and billeting. On the hockey ops front it's going to be a lot of fun. Designing a program that has more substance to it and then of course recruiting."
The Navy Vets were crowned South Doherty Division champions for this season and are currently facing off against the Norwich Merchants in their Provincial Junior Hockey League division semi-final.
More on the announcement can be found on the Greater Ontario Hockey League website.
