The Ontario Hockey Hockey has announced the death of former longtime commissioner David Branch.
The league says Branch died Sunday. He was 77.
A native of Bathurst, N.B., and resident of Whitby, Ont., Branch’s “remarkable” 45-year tenure as OHL commissioner “stands as a testament to his unwavering dedication to the development of young hockey players and the sport itself,” the OHL said in a statement.
From 1979 until his retirement in the summer of 2024, he guided the OHL through an era of “unprecedented growth and progress, establishing standards that elevated junior hockey across the country.”
Branch was also president of the Canadian Hockey League (CHL) from 1996 to 2019, which encompasses the Ontario, Western and Quebec Maritimes leagues.
“Under his stewardship, the CHL strengthened its position as the world’s premier development league for young hockey talent,” says the OHL’s statement.
Branch also introduced the OHL’s scholarship program, which ensured players who passed through the league would have access to post-secondary education, recognizing that success in hockey should open doors 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.”
CHL president Dan MacKenzie says Branch helped make it the top development hockey league in the world.
“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,” MacKenzie said. “David had both the vision and the will to do big things, and he brought people together to get them done.
“He was a true builder, and his rightful place should be in the Hockey Hall of Fame one day,” he added.
Branch was formally recognized for his dedication to Canadian hockey in 2016 when he received the Order of Hockey in Canada. He also served on the Hockey Hall of Fame selection committee.
His legacy is highlighted by the CHL David Branch Player of the Year Award (renamed in 2019-20), which is presented annually to the player judged to be the most outstanding across the Canadian Hockey League.
“The hockey world has lost a true builder of the game, whose impact will be felt for generations to come,” the OHL said in its statement.
The OHL and CHL offered their condolences to Branch’s family, including his partner, Patsy, along with sons Barclay, Kyle and Wade and their wives as well as Branch’s grandchildren.
Funeral arrangements and details regarding memorial services are expected to be announced in the coming days.
