The 16 teams of the Central, Eastern, and Western Divisions competed in a 50-game schedule.
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] 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 Interdivision Round Robin Semi-final Final 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