1996–97 MetJHL season

The 1996–97 MetJHL season is the 6th season of the Metro Junior A Hockey League (MetJHL). The 16 teams of the Central, Eastern, and Western Divisions competed in a 50-game schedule. The top 12 teams made the playoffs.

The winner of the MetJHL playoffs, the Aurora Tigers, could not move into national playdowns as the Metro was not a member of the Ontario Hockey Association.

Milestones
On February 21, 1997, the Muskoka Bears' Ryan Venturelli became the first known goaltender in hockey history to score two goals (both empty net) in a hockey game against the Durham Huskies during the Metro Junior A Hockey League 1996-97 regular season.

Changes

 * League switches from 2 divisions to 3, adding Central Division
 * Durham Huskies, Quinte Hawks, Syracuse Jr. Crunch, and Port Hope Buzzards join the MetJHL
 * Shelburne Hornets become Shelburne Wolves

Final standings
Note: GP = Games played; W = Wins; L = Losses; OTL = Overtime losses; SL = Shootout losses; GF = Goals for; GA = Goals against; PTS = Points; x = clinched playoff berth; y = clinched division title; z = clinched conference title

1996-97 MetJHL Playoffs
Division Semi-final
 * Wexford Raiders defeated Niagara Scenics 4-games-to-none
 * Thornhill Islanders defeated Markham Waxers 4-games-to-3
 * Pickering Panthers defeated Oshawa Legionaires 4-games-to-2
 * Quinte Hawks defeated Wellington Dukes 4-games-to-1
 * Aurora Tigers defeated Durham Huskies 4-games-to-none
 * Caledon Canadians defeated Muskoka Bears 4-games-to-none

Interdivision Round Robin Semi-final
 * Caledon Canadians defeated Wexford Raiders 4-games-to-none
 * Aurora Tigers defeated Quinte Hawks 4-games-to-2

Final
 * Aurora Tigers defeated Caledon Canadians 4-games-to-none

Scoring leaders
Note: GP = Games played; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points; PIM = Penalty minutes

Leading goaltenders
Starting goaltenders only (1000 minutes or over).

Note: GP = Games played; Mins = Minutes played; W = Wins; L = Losses: OTL = Overtime losses; SL = Shootout losses; GA = Goals Allowed; SO = Shutouts; GAA = Goals against average