“When someone dies you have nowhere to funnel your love. I believe this trophy was one way for my family to funnel their love and to stay with the game we’ve loved so much and to keep BJ’s bright light burning.”
by – David McPherson
Cambridge, ON – It’s hard not to think of Tom Cochrane’s anthem “Big League,” released by the Canadian songwriter in 1988—a universal anthem that speaks to a life cut short and a teen’s love of our national sport—when you hear the tragic story of B.J. Monro.
A defenceman for the Cobourg Cougars, B.J. had his sights set on the big leagues, but tragically on February 25, 1994, B.J. died in a car accident just south of his hometown of Picton, Ontario in the midst of the Cougars’s deep playoff run. Just 16-years-old at the time, B.J. was ranked as an underage player in the second round of the OHL draft and agents were already in regular communication with the teenager and his family.
“Hockey was his passion,” recalls BJ’s mom Debbie Monro, who, along with his sister Brandy, expressed gratitude to the OHA for the opportunity to reminisce about a son—and a brother—who, though now gone for more than 30 years, is far from forgotten. “It was so important that our son’s name be remembered,” says Debbie.
Today, the teenager is remembered through the B.J. Monro Memorial Trophy, given annually since the mid-1990s to the OHA’s top prospect. The Monro family donated this trophy to keep their son’s memory alive. Some of the past winners include current NHLers: Zach Hyman and Devin Shore and retired professionals Nathan Horton and Brandon Pirri.
“When someone dies you have nowhere to funnel your love,” says Brandy Monro. “I believe this trophy was one way for my family to funnel their love and to stay with the game we’ve loved so much and to keep his bright light burning.”
B.J. was born to play hockey. According to Debbie, he stepped on the ice, in full hockey gear, for the first time at two-years-old. From that moment, B.J. was seldom seen without a stick in his hand. Growing up in Picton, he played AAA followed by Junior C. Sensing his passion for the game, the Monro’s built a 50 x 100 foot rink in their backyard where their son spent endless winter days—and nights—skating and shooting pucks.
“It was not unusual for B.J to come home after a game and go out back and skate for another couple of hours,” recalls Debbie, who adds that her son kept track of his stats for each and every game.
Off the ice, B.J played many sports and excelled at them all; he also shared, with his dad, a love of stock car races. As B.J. got older, hockey consumed more and more of his time and became a year-round affair. He attended hockey camps in the summer and these “off-seasons” often included at least one trip to Arnprior from Picton weekly. The family also travelled to Quebec and to the U.S. for B.J.’s games.
Asked to describe B.J.’s game, Debbie says her son was “a natural” with “great skating ability,” “great hand-eye coordination” who possessed a variety of “powerful shots.”
Sister love
Brandy Monro was just shy of 11-years-old when she lost her brother. She shared the following memories of B.J., who she says was a “beautiful gift” and an “extraordinary human.”
My brother had a 1000 kw smile and a bright light lit within. His energy was infectious and full of power. When I think of my brother, there is no other energy compared to him.
He was loved dearly by his many friends. He was the popular guy, but everyone liked him because he was a good, kind person. He excelled at anything that required the use of his body and movement. For him, it was almost effortless.
B.J. had no other plan in life other than to play hockey. He had no doubt about what he wanted in this life and he gave it his whole attention and intention. His determination and drive was extraordinary. He had his mission as sharp as an arrow; he focused and practiced to become a master. They say to become a master you have to spend 10,000 hours doing your craft and I believe in his short life, my brother did it.
About the Ontario Hockey Association
The Ontario Hockey Association (OHA) was founded on November 27, 1890, and is the governing body for the majority of Junior and Senior hockey in the Province of Ontario. The OHA is a Member Partner of the Ontario Hockey Federation which is one of thirteen Provincial and Regional Branches of Hockey Canada.
It is comprised of three Junior hockey leagues and two Senior hockey leagues: Junior A – Ontario Junior Hockey League; Junior B – Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League; Junior C – Provincial Junior Hockey League, Senior –Allan Cup Hockey (AAA) and Ontario Elite Hockey League(AA). For the 2024-25 season, these five leagues encompass 125 teams.
The objectives of the OHA are to foster and encourage the sport of amateur hockey, to conduct competition in the various categories established, to determine teams for entry into the inter-branch competitions that may be provided by Hockey Canada, and to provide for the affiliation of other hockey organizations.
The OHA provides administrative resources, coordinates programs, services and events for hockey participants and provides support to various Development Programs for coaches, officials, trainers and players, Safety and Risk Management Issues and offers resources for Harassment and Abuse education.
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For more information or to set up an interview, please contact:
Chris McCleary
General Manager, Operations & Marketing
Ontario Hockey Association
