Once all the membership changes were completed and the games were scheduled there were 28 teams. The league realigned then from three divisions to two 14-team North and South Divisions. By the start of the Russell Cup playoffs, there were 21 teams with 10 teams in the North Division and 11 teams in the South Division.
During the previous season, the Brantford Steelfighters folded and was removed from the league schedule on November 5, 2015. The Steelfighters had their membership revoked at the end of the season.
In March 2016, the league announced Bobcaygeon Storm, Coldwater Falcons, Grey County Grizzlies, and Haliburton Wolves were no longer league members.
Shelburne Stars folded prior to the start of the season.
Toronto Blue Ice Jets were removed from the schedule in the first week of the season.
Bracebridge Blues were removed from the schedule after playing five games and forfeiting the sixth.
Komoka Dragons folded on October 21 after playing 12 games.
First year team, the Lincoln Mavericks, withdrew from the league on November 21.
The Wiarton Rock folded mid-season on December 14.
Orangeville Ice Crushers suspended operations in January. Three of the team's owners had been arrested for drug distribution in November 2016 and were suspended by the league. The league transferred control to another shareholder who ceased operations of the team after two months.
Note: GP = Games played; W = Wins; L = Losses; T = Tie; OTL = Overtime Losses; GF = Goals For; GA = Goals Against; PTS = Points; x = clinched playoff berth; q = relegated to qualifier round; y = clinched division title; z = clinched league title Teams listed on the official league website. Standings listed on official league website. Teams in gray folded midseason.
2017 Russell Cup playoffs
8th Place Qualifiers
North Division South Division Playoff results are listed on the official league website.
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
Awards
Top Scorer: Carl Lyden
Most Valuable Player: North — Stepan Timofeyev ; South — Manny Manns
Rookie of the Year: North — Zach Lefebvre ; South — Noah Battaglia
Top Forward: North — Carl Lyden ; South — Regan Yew
Top Defenceman: North — Zakk Bekolay ; South — Zach Wright
Top Goaltender: North — TJ Sherwood ; South — Ryan Purcell
Top Defensive Forward: North — Carmine Vietri ; South — Blake Naida
Most Sportsmanlike Player: North — Tom Stanislavski ; South — Brody Dyck
Most Heart: North — Connor Annett - ; South — Ryan Dasilva
Top Coach: North — Doug Raymond ; South — Ryan Ramsay
