Guelph Platers to Owen Sound Platers

The Guelph Platers relocated to the city of Owen Sound during the off-season as the ownership group, the Holody family, could not get a new arena built.

The club kept the Platers named and would be known as the Owen Sound Platers. The team would play out of the Bayshore Community Centre. During their years in Guelph from 1982 to 1989, the Platers won the Memorial Cup in 1986. Owen Sound would continue to play out of the Emms Division.

Toronto Marlboros to Hamilton Dukes

The Toronto Marlboros relocated to the city of Hamilton and were renamed as the Dukes of Hamilton. The Marlboros had a long history in Toronto, playing from 1904 to 1989. The Marlboros won the Memorial Cup seven times, the most recent being in 1975.

The Dukes would play out of Copps Coliseum and remain in the Leyden Division.

Kingston Raiders to Kingston Frontenacs

The Kingston Raiders were rebranded as the Kingston Frontenacs as the club was sold a new ownership group, including Wren Blair, Don Anderson, and Bob Attersley, keeping the team in Kingston.

The club previously played as the Kingston Canadians from 1973 to 1988 before being renamed as the Raiders for the 1988-89 season. Kingston changed their colour scheme from black, silver and white to yellow, black and white.

Windsor Compuware Spitfires to Windsor Spitfires

The Windsor Compuware Spitfires were sold by Peter Karmanos to local construction magnate Steve Riolo during the off-season, and reverted to their original team name, the Windsor Spitfires.

The Spitfires introduced a new logo and colour scheme.

Final standings

Note: GP = Games played; W = Wins; L = Losses; T = Ties; GF = Goals for; GA = Goals against; PTS = Points; x = clinched playoff berth; y = clinched division title

Leyden Division

Emms Division

Scoring leaders

Division quarter-finals

Division semi-finals

Division finals

J. Ross Robertson Cup