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.

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.^[1]

• 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

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

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

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

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

• 1997 Royal Bank Cup
• Dudley Hewitt Cup
• List of Ontario Hockey Association Junior A seasons
• Ontario Junior A Hockey League
• Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League
• 1996 in ice hockey
• 1997 in ice hockey

• Official website of the Ontario Junior Hockey League
• Official website of the Canadian Junior Hockey League