1997–98 OHL season

The 1997–98 OHL season was the 18th season of the Ontario Hockey League. The Toronto St. Michael's Majors name was reactivated when they are awarded a franchise, to play in the east division. The Detroit Whalers became the Plymouth Whalers. Eighteen teams each played 66 games. The Guelph Storm won the J. Ross Robertson Cup, defeating the Ottawa 67's.

Toronto St. Michael's Majors
On August 15, 1996, the Ontario Hockey League announced that the Toronto St. Michael's Majors would join the league as an expansion team, beginning in the 1997–98 season. The Majors would play their home games at Maple Leaf Gardens, in which they shared the arena with the Toronto Maple Leafs of the National Hockey League. The Majors would join the East Division.

Previously, the Toronto St. Michael's Majors were a junior hockey franchise from 1906 to 1962, as they ceased operations at the conclusion of the 1961–62 season. The Majors won the Memorial Cup in 1934, 1945, 1947 and 1961.

The Majors were the first OHL franchise based out of Toronto in eight years, as their previous franchise, the Toronto Marlboros, relocated to Hamilton following the 1988-89 season.

Detroit Whalers to Plymouth Whalers
The Detroit Whalers rebranded their team as the Plymouth Whalers during the summer of 1997. The Whalers franchise moved to the Compuware Sports Arena in 1996-97, which is located in Plymouth. The team would retain their current team name and uniforms.

Realignment
The newest Ontario Hockey League club, the Toronto St. Michael's Majors, joined the East Division. Due to the Majors joining the East, the OHL moved the North Bay Centennials from the East Division to the Central Division, while the Erie Otters moved from the Central Division to the West Division. This created three six-team divisions in the 18 team league.

Final standings
Note: DIV = Division; GP = Games played; W = Wins; L = Losses; T = Ties; OTL = Overtime losses; GF = Goals for; GA = Goals against; PTS = Points; x = clinched playoff berth; y = clinched division title; z = earned first round bye

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

Leading goaltenders
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

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

Playoff leading goaltenders
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

First team

 * David Legwand, Centre, Plymouth Whalers
 * Rob Mailloux, Left Wing, Kingston Frontenacs
 * Brian Willsie, Right Wing, Guelph Storm
 * Chris Allen, Defence, Kingston Frontenacs
 * Sean Blanchard, Defence, Ottawa 67's
 * Bujar Amidovski, Goaltender, Toronto St. Michael's Majors
 * Gary Agnew, Coach, London Knights

Second team

 * Jon Sim, Centre, Sarnia Sting
 * Colin Pepperall, Left Wing, Erie Otters
 * Maxim Spiridonov, Right Wing, London Knights
 * Ric Jackman, Defence, Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds
 * Chris Hajt, Defence, Guelph Storm
 * Robert Esche, Goaltender, Plymouth Whalers
 * George Burnett, Coach, Guelph Storm

Third team

 * Peter Sarno, Centre, Windsor Spitfires
 * Jeremy Adduono, Left Wing, Sudbury Wolves
 * Matt Bradley, Right Wing, Kingston Frontenacs
 * Jeff Brown, Defence, London Knights
 * Brian Campbell, Defence, Ottawa 67's
 * Tyrone Garner, Goaltender, Oshawa Generals
 * Lou Crawford, Coach, Belleville Bulls

1998 OHL Priority Selection
On June 6, 1998, the OHL conducted the 1998 Ontario Hockey League Priority Selection at the Barrie Molson Centre in Barrie, Ontario. The Brampton Battalion held the first overall pick in the draft, and selected Jay Harrison from the Oshawa Legionaires. Harrison was awarded the Jack Ferguson Award, awarded to the top pick in the draft.

The 1998 draft was the first draft for the newest OHL expansion teams, the Brampton Battalion and Mississauga IceDogs, who would begin to play during the 1998-99 season.

Below are the players who were selected in the first round of the 1998 Ontario Hockey League Priority Selection.