In 1998 came the exodus. The Metro Junior A Hockey League closed its doors after over half a century of action at the Junior A and B levels. The Bancroft Hawks (Quinte), Buffalo Lightning (Niagara), Caledon Canadians, Durham Huskies, Huntsville Wildcats, Markham Waxers, North York Rangers, Oshawa Legionaires, Pickering Panthers, Port Hope Buzzards, Shelburne Wolves, Syracuse Jr. Crunch, Thornhill Rattlers, Wellington Dukes, and Wexford Raiders all made the jump to the OPJHL. The only team not to come was the Pittsburgh Jr. Penguins, who were not interested in the extra travel. A season before, a sign that this might happen occurred when the 1997 Metro Champion Aurora Tigers defected prior to the 1997–98 season. This swelled the league from 22 to 37 teams. Also, for the first time in its history, the OPJHL had American hockey clubs with the Buffalo Lightning and Syracuse Jr. Crunch.