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Former Ontario Hockey League commissioner and Canadian Hockey League president David Branch has died. He was 77.
The OHL and Canadian Hockey League announced his death Monday, saying he died Sunday. The cause of death has not been revealed.
Branch served as OHL commissioner from 1979 until his retirement in 2024. He also served as president of the KHL from 1996 to 2019.
“This is a very sad day for a lot of people,” OHL commissioner Brian Crawford said. “David’s contributions to 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 development of the Ontario Hockey League by always prioritizing the players and putting their experience first.”
The KHL Player of the Year award was renamed in his honor for the 2019–2020 season, in addition to the Leader of the Year award given to the OHL's top executive.
Branch, a Bathurst, Nebraska native and longtime Whitby, Ontario native and longtime resident, served on the Hockey Hall of Fame selection committee, received the Order of Hockey Canada in 2016 and was inducted into the Whitby Sports Hall of Fame as a construction worker in 2017.
“The KHL would not be the leading growth hockey league in the world without David Branch,” said KHL President Dan McKenzie. “His tireless focus on the player experience, both on and off the ice, will be his greatest legacy as his influence and leadership make the game safer, faster and more skillful.”
“David had the vision and will to do big things, and he brought people together to make them happen. He was a true builder and should one day take his rightful place in the Hockey Hall of Fame.”
“Trusted Colleague”: Bettman
NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman called Branch a “trusted colleague,” saying he and deputy commissioner Bill Daly have worked with him on “numerous hockey development projects at all levels.”
“David Branch has dedicated his entire life to premier junior hockey in Canada, always prioritizing the development, education and well-being of his players,” Bettman said in a statement. “During his nearly 50 years as president of the Ontario Hockey League and the Canadian Hockey League, David combined his passion for the game and visionary leadership to drive tremendous growth and modernization for leagues that have long been the largest source of players entering the NHL.”
In its release, the OHL thanked Branch for leading “the OHL through an era of unprecedented growth and progress, setting standards that have elevated junior hockey across the country.”
“Mr. Branch has been a pioneer in prioritizing player well-being, championing initiatives focused on player safety, mental health support and educational advancement.”
Branch introduced the OHL Scholarship Program to ensure players coming through the league had access to post-secondary education.
“David’s impact on junior hockey in Canada is incalculable,” Hockey Canada president and CEO Katherine Henderson said in a statement.
“He played a significant role in the creation of Hockey Canada's Program of Excellence and was recognized for his achievements by being inducted into the Order of Hockey Canada in 2016. Our thoughts are with his family and friends, and we know his legacy will continue to shape the game.”
