CAMBRIDGE, ON — The Ontario Hockey Association (OHA) is proud to announce that Marc Mercier, the current Chair of the OHA Board of Directors, has been named the recipient of the prestigious OHA Gold Stick Award for the 2025-26 season.
The Gold Stick Award is the OHA’s highest order of merit, presented to individuals who have demonstrated outstanding, continuous service to the game of hockey for a period of no less than 10 years in a non-playing capacity.
Mercier’s extensive hockey resume spans over two decades of impactful leadership. He served with the Ontario Junior Hockey League (OJHL) for more than 10 years in various executive capacities, including Governor of the Cobourg Cougars (2006–2022) and OJHL Board Chairman. Under his governance, the Cougars co-hosted the 2015 World Junior “A” Challenge and won the national RBC Cup in 2017. In recognition of his integrity and professionalism, the OJHL honored him with the Chairman’s Award in 2018, which was permanently renamed the Marc Mercier Chairman’s Award in 2021.
(Photo by Tim Bates / OJHL Images)
Beyond his contributions on the ice, Mercier is a senior partner at Cassels Brock & Blackwell LLP with over 30 years of corporate finance expertise and served as President of The National Club in 2024 during the 150th anniversary celebrations of the club.
In tandem with his athletic governance accolades, Mercier’s professional and academic contributions were also celebrated on a national level this year. The University of New Brunswick (UNB) Faculty of Law recently honored him with the 2026 UNB Law Ilsa Greenblatt Shore Distinguished Graduate Award. This prestigious distinction recognizes UNB Law alumni who have achieved a high level of career success while demonstrating outstanding commitment to public service, community involvement, and the legal profession.
The concurrent honors underscore Mercier’s rare ability to lead at the highest levels of both corporate law and amateur sports infrastructure. Whether navigating complex corporate finance or stewarding the growth of junior hockey in Ontario, his career remains defined by an unwavering dedication to community leadership and institutional excellence.
“Marc embodies the OHA motto of growing individuals and communities through hockey,” said Mark Tuck, OHA Executive Director. “His unrelenting commitment ensures that Ontarians have a safe, competitive, and positive hockey experience.”
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. It is comprised of three Junior hockey leagues and two Senior hockey leagues: Junior A – Ontario Junior Hockey League; Junior B – Greater Ontario Hockey League; Junior C – Provincial Junior Hockey League, Senior –Allan Cup Hockey (AAA) and Ontario Elite Hockey League (AA). For the 2025-2026 season, these five leagues encompass 132 teams. 3100 players, and about 6,000 games each hockey season. The majority of our players are 16 to 21 years of age.
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
Ontario Hockey Association
