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76-805: The winner of the NJHL was allowed to compete against the champion of the Manitoba Junior Hockey League for the Turnbull Cup and a berth into the Centennial Cup national playdowns. The NJHL was formed in the summer of 1978 as a Junior B League which comprised the Flin Flon Bombers , Snow Lake Spartans, The Pas Lumber Kings and Thompson King Miners as a result of Flin Flon and Thompson seeking new leagues after leaving

152-627: A big fight in the National Hockey League , the kids drop their sticks and put up their dukes in the next game. It happens almost every time". The MJHL expanded from four to six teams for the 1966–67 MJHL season when it readmitted the Brandon Wheat Kings and accepted the Selkirk Steelers . Dunn announced his resignation as commissioner on October 24, 1966, and cited personal reasons. Despite being offered

228-827: A host city as chosen by the CJHL. The Red Deer Rustlers of the Alberta Junior Hockey League defeated the Charlottetown Islanders of the Island Junior Hockey League in 1971 to claim the inaugural Canadian Junior A championship and Manitoba Centennial Trophy. The 1972 Centennial Cup gained national attention when the Guelph CMC's of the Southern Ontario Junior A Hockey League were in

304-631: A league record for most points in a single season with 76 each. In 1957, Ray Brunel of the St. Boniface Canadiens broke it with 105. In the 1959–60 season, MAHA president Earl Dawson sought a better financial arrangement with the Saskatchewan Amateur Hockey Association (SAHA) to recuperate the costs of developing minor hockey players and on-ice officials in Flin Flon , after the Flin Flon Bombers affiliated with

380-554: A new league record for single-season winning percentage (.917) when they dominated the MJHL with a 53-3-4 record during the regular season and went undefeated in the playoffs to capture their ninth Turnbull Cup. The Terriers capped off their dream season by winning the 2015 Royal Bank Cup on home ice in Portage la Prairie . The Terriers dominated again the following season , putting up an impressive 31-game winning streak on their way to

456-654: A new national junior 'A' championship, the Manitoba Centennial Cup (now the Centennial Cup ) was created. This new alignment would eventually lead to the formation of the Canadian Junior Hockey League in 1993. The Dauphin Kings were the first " dynasty " of the new MJHL, winning the league three out of four years, 1969, 1970, and 1972, and boasting such stars as Ron Low , Butch Goring , and Ron Chipperfield . The Kings went to

532-496: A pay raise, he felt that the increase in teams made the job too much for him and had "taken the fun out of it". His resignation came shortly after a game between the Winnipeg Rangers and the Brandon Wheat Kings in which 242 penalty minutes were given in the first period. In 1966–67, future Hall of Famer Bobby Clarke of the Flin Flon Bombers set league records for most goals (71), assists (112), and points (183) in

608-561: A playoff series between the respective league champions was held to determine the provincial title. The trophy was donated by the Winnipeg Hockey Club in 1920 to honour Walter James "Ollie" Turnbull, a captain in the 10th Brigade Canadian Field Artillery , who was killed in the First World War . The trophy underwent a major refurbishment in 2018. Each season's Turnbull Cup champion advances to Centennial Cup ,

684-538: A second consecutive Turnbull Cup. The Steinbach Pistons have also been a dominant club since relocating to Steinbach in 2009, posting the top regular season record four times, two Turnbull Cup victories, and an ANAVET Cup championship in 2018. The demise of the St. James Canadians in 2003 and the relocation of the Winnipeg Saints to Virden in 2012 left the Blues and Steelers as the only remaining clubs in

760-537: A single season. Clarke led the Bombers to win the MJHL title. On September 19, 1968, the Winnipeg Monarchs announced the signing of Hiroshi Hori , a defenceman from Japan . Hori, a high school all-star in his homeland, would spend a year with the team and then return home to pass on what he had learned. A Canadian missionary to Japan, Father Moran was behind the idea. With CAHA approval, Moran convinced

836-606: A six-game schedule. The teams included the Winnipeg Pilgrims, Elmwood, Grand Trunk Pacific, Winnipeg Tigers, Young Men's Lutheran Club, Winnipeg Argonauts, Selkirk Fishermen, Weston, and Winnipeg Monarchs . In the 1926–27 season, the Winnipeg Junior and Juvenile Hockey League became the north division of the MJHL, with Jimmy Dunn as its secretary, convenor and timekeeper at the Olympic Rink . In

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912-600: Is a Junior 'A' ice hockey league operating in the Canadian province of Manitoba and one of nine member leagues of the Canadian Junior Hockey League (CJHL). The MJHL consists of thirteen teams all based within the province of Manitoba, eight of which qualify for each year's playoffs. The playoff champion is awarded the Turnbull Cup, the Junior 'A' championship trophy for the province of Manitoba. The winner of

988-464: Is an annual ice hockey tournament organized by Hockey Canada and the Canadian Junior Hockey League (CJHL), which determines the national champion of junior A ice hockey . It consists of a ten-team round robin featuring the winners of all nine CJHL member leagues as well as a pre-selected host city. The championship has also been known as the National Junior A Championship in 2019, it

1064-688: The CJAHL record set by the Toronto Jr. Canadiens and the Pickering Panthers in the 2007 Ontario Provincial Junior A Hockey League playoffs (154:32). After the 2018 Royal Bank Cup , Royal Bank of Canada ended their sponsorship agreement with the Canadian Junior Hockey League. After going by the name National Junior A Championship in 2019, the CJHL and Hockey Canada reverted the title back to its original name —

1140-760: The Greater Winnipeg area after the withdrawal of the Brandon Wheat Kings and the Fort Frances Royals . The MJHL transitioned from a draft of players in the Greater Winnipeg Minor Hockey Association, into a system where each team chose players from a set geographic district. The new "zoning" arrangement was planned to be in effect for three seasons to stimulate more localized interest in junior hockey and aimed to keep teammates together from

1216-655: The Manitoba Amateur Hockey Association (MAHA) to commemorate their centennial year of 1970. At that time, the CAHA reconfigured their junior tiers, creating two separate classifications – Major junior and Junior A . The major junior teams were grouped into the three regional leagues that made up the Canadian Major Junior Hockey League (CMJHL), while the Junior A tier included the remaining junior teams in

1292-523: The Manitoba Junior Hockey League champion Fort Garry Blues . Much to the dismay of the Bombers, the Blues were from a much stronger league and crushed the Bombers in a 3-game sweep by scores of 11–2, 9–1, and 10–4. In 1984, Flin Flon made the jump to the more talent-laden Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League . The NJHL survived one more season before folding. During the last season, there was interest from groups in Melfort and Nipawin, Saskatchewan to join

1368-703: The Prince Albert Raiders won in 1981 and 1982 , while Vernon won in 1990 and 1991 (as the Lakers), and again in 2009 and 2010 (as the Vipers), and the Brooks Bandits in 2022 and 2023 . The Prince Albert Raiders also hold a record for appearing in the championship final three consecutive times, in 1977 , 1978 and 1979 . The Raiders also reached the national finals five times in six years (1977, 1978, 1979, 1981, 1982), while winning

1444-607: The Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League (SJHL) instead of the MJHL. When the Brandon Wheat Kings also wanted to play in the SJHL, the MAHA renogotiated the financial arrangement to prevent the loss of another team to an out-of-province league. In the early 1960s, the powerhouse Brandon Wheat Kings , built by Jake Milford , won three titles in a row, and four in five years. In 1961, goalie Ernie Wakely of

1520-600: The Thompson Hawks , Snow Lake North Stars , and Cross Lake Selects , but this schedule was complete cancelled in December when the Hawks and North Stars withdrew from the interlock. All results were thrown out at this point and the NJHL season was restarted. Late in the 1984–85 season, The Pas left the league hoping to play Junior B. The finals were played between Thompson and Snow Lake, won by Thompson 4-games-to-1. In

1596-665: The Western Canada Cup (WCC), a regional tournament that determined the two Western Canadian seeds at the national championship. Prior to 1991, the ANAVET Cup champions advanced to the Abbott Cup against the winner of Doyle Cup with the winner going on to face the Eastern Canada champions for the national Junior 'A' title. Beginning in 1991, the national championship format was expanded to include both

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1672-631: The Western Canada Cup , which determined the two Western seeds for the Royal Bank Cup, from 2013 to 2017. During this time, the Brooks Bandits of the Alberta Junior Hockey League won the 2013 Royal Bank Cup , where they had gained entry into the tournament as the Western Canada Cup runner-up making them the first team in Centennial Cup/Royal Bank Cup history to win the national championship without being

1748-496: The Western Canada Junior Hockey League and Manitoba Junior Hockey League respectively. Previously, Flin Flon had experimented with a Jr. B farm team when they were playing Major Junior and had won the 1978 Baldy Northcott Trophy as provincial champions. For the 1979–80 season, the league was promoted to Junior "A". Churchill, Manitoba was interested in expanding into the league in 1980, but

1824-480: The Winnipeg Braves was named Canada's outstanding junior hockey player for the month of January. The MJHL began the 1961–62 season using international ice hockey rules without body checking as an effort to attract more spectators, and hired a new promotional director. In November 1961, CAHA president Jack Roxburgh ordered the MJHL to revert to standard Canadian rules since it had not been approved by

1900-733: The Winnipeg Metropolitan Region . The league reversed this trend in the 2020s by granting a second franchise ( Winnipeg Freeze ) to 50 Below Sports + Entertainment (which already owned the Blues). The Town of Niverville was also granted a franchise, the Niverville Nighthawks , to begin play in 2022. In October 2011, the Neepawa Natives were involved a hazing incident that garnered significant negative publicity, both locally and nationally. After

1976-648: The Winnipeg Rangers , Winnipeg Monarchs , Brandon Wheat Kings and Portage Terriers — were sponsored by National Hockey League (NHL) clubs and wanted to form an "A" division and play all games at the Winnipeg Amphitheatre for the 1946–47 season, and relegate all other teams to the "B" division at the Olympic Rink. The four teams were also opposed to any other teams being added to their division. The Winnipeg Tribune felt that these teams had pursued their own selfish interests with disregard for

2052-608: The 15-year-old who brought the issue to light. The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic during the first round of the MJHL playoffs in March 2020 forced the cancellation of the remainder of the 2019-20 season , marking the first time in its history that the Turnbull Cup was not awarded. The pandemic also forced the cancellation of the 2020 ANAVET and Centennial Cups , the latter of which was to be played in Portage la Prairie in honour of

2128-417: The 1936–37 season, both the north and south MJHL divisions wanted to play games at the larger Winnipeg Amphitheatre since they could increase their share of the gate receipts . Multiple disputes arose over the scheduling of games, which led to Manitoba Amateur Hockey Association (MAHA) executives forming a special committee to arbitrate that all north division games be played at the Olympic Rink. Teams in

2204-749: The ANAVET and Doyle Cup champions, after which the Abbott Cup series no longer was played and the champion was crowned from the results of the round robin part of the national championship. The Abbott Cup was formally retired in 1999. Since the tournament format for the Centennial Cup began in 1985, MJHL clubs have hosted national championships on three occasions: 1992 in Winnipeg , 2010 in Dauphin , and 2015 in Portage la Prairie . Portage la Prairie

2280-592: The Abbott Cup, and then the Memorial Cup Finals. During this 53-year era (1918–1970), MJHL clubs won 18 Abbott Cups, and 11 Memorial Cups. ANAVET Cup (1971–2012, 2017–2021) Abbott Cup (1919–1970) Western Canadian Junior Championships Abbott Cup (1971–1999) Western Canadian Junior ‘A’ Championships Memorial Cup (1919–1970) National Junior Championships Centennial Cup (1971–1995, 2019–present) National Junior ‘A’ Championships Royal Bank Cup (1996–2018) National Junior ‘A’ Championships Over

2356-618: The CJAHL in scoring with 118 points. As the Blizzard's dynasty came to an end, the Portage Terriers began their own golden age with a trip to the MJHL finals in 2003–04. The Terriers lost the series, but laid claim to the Turnbull Cup and ANAVET Cup titles the following season. This would start a run of nine championships over fifteen seasons, plus three ANAVET Cup wins and the 2015 national championship. The 2014-15 Terriers set

NorMan Junior Hockey League - Misplaced Pages Continue

2432-697: The COVID-19 pandemic. The Turnbull Memorial Trophy, or Turnbull Cup, is awarded by Hockey Manitoba to the provincial Junior 'A' hockey champion each season. As the MJHL is the only Junior 'A' league based in Manitoba, its playoffs also serve as the provincial championship. In past years, rival Junior 'A' leagues, namely the Central Manitoba Junior Hockey League (1968) and NorMan Junior Hockey League (1980–85), were sometimes included in Turnbull Cup competition, in which case

2508-502: The Canadian Junior Hockey League announced that the championship return to its original name, the Centennial Cup. The Pembroke Lumber Kings won the 2011 Royal Bank Cup , and became the first Central Canada Hockey League (CCHL) team to win the National Junior A Championship since the 1976 champion Rockland Nationals . In 2015, the Portage Terriers broke a 41-year drought for the Manitoba Junior Hockey League (MJHL), being

2584-599: The Canadian National Junior 'A' championship. From 1970 to 2021, the Turnbull Cup champion first played the Saskatchewan champion, the winner of the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League (SJHL) playoffs, for the ANAVET Cup . The winner of that series earns a berth in the Centennial Cup (known as the Royal Bank Cup from 1996 to 2018). Between 2013 and 2017, the ANAVET and Doyle Cups were replaced by

2660-436: The Centennial Cup — for its 50th anniversary in 2020. In December 2019, Tim Hortons was unveiled by Hockey Canada as the presenting sponsor for the Centennial Cup. The 2020 and 2021 tournaments were later cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic , the only times the championship has not been played since 1970. Starting in 1990, the tournament used a five-team round-robin followed by a playoff. The format for qualification of

2736-571: The Dauphin Kings won their fourth MJHL title in a decade, led by Misener who became the MJHL career leader in goals, assists, and points. In September 1971, Winnipeg Monarchs President Bob Westmacott announced 17-year-old Stephan Lindberg of Sweden had been invited to training camp. Jack Bownass , former coach of Canada's national team , recommended Lindberg to the Monarchs. On April 5, 1977, MJHL commissioner Bill Addison called off

2812-656: The Dauphin Kings. Also saying the CHA would be "taking whatever action is necessary against Dauphin and the MAHA for damages." Goring and Haney would play for the Kings, all the way to the Western Memorial Cup Finals. The reorganization of junior hockey in Canada in 1970 relegated the MJHL to Tier II status, now to be called Junior 'A'. MJHL champions would no longer play for the Memorial Cup; instead,

2888-659: The Japanese Skating Union to sponsor one player to a year in Canada. The CAHA chose Winnipeg as the site because of the added experience from watching the Canadian National Team , and the Monarchs volunteered. During the summer of 1967, the MAHA allowed three teams from Manitoba to enter the new Western Canadian Hockey League (WCHL): the Brandon Wheat Kings and Flin Flon Bombers from

2964-503: The MJHL held a special emergency meeting to discuss Butch Goring leaving the Winnipeg Jets of the WCHL and joining the Dauphin Kings . Goring played the night before in Kenora for the Kings during a regular season game. The MJHL gave the Kings approval to use Goring in regular season and playoff games. Goring was leading the WCHL in goals at the time. Monday, WCHL president Ron Butlin said a court injunction would be sought against Goring and another Jet forward Merv Haney from playing with

3040-406: The MJHL playoffs (Turnbull Cup) earns a berth in the national championship, the Centennial Cup . The league's first year of operation was the 1918–19 season, making it the oldest junior league in Canada. It was known as the Winnipeg and District League until 1931, when it became the Manitoba Junior Hockey League. During the inaugural season, there were nine teams in two divisions, each playing

3116-470: The MJHL, and Ben Hatskin 's new Winnipeg Jets club. Hatskin already owned three MJHL teams, so as part of the agreement, divested his entire MJHL portfolio to local interests. The Winnipeg Warriors became the West Kildonan North Stars , the St. James Braves became the St. James Canadians , and the Winnipeg Rangers became the St. Boniface Saints . These three teams and the Winnipeg Monarchs became "the new MJHL". The Selkirk Steelers instead departed for

NorMan Junior Hockey League - Misplaced Pages Continue

3192-522: The MJHL. This arrangement lasted until the demise of the NJHL in 1985, although during this era, no NJHL was ever successful in the provincial playoffs. The 1980s and 1990s saw the MJHL expand its footprint outside of Winnipeg with the addition of teams in Winkler , Neepawa , Swan River , and three First Nations communities: Sagkeeng , Opaskwayak (The Pas) and Waywayseecappo . Teams were also added in Steinbach and Thunder Bay, Ontario , however neither played more than three seasons before folding. At

3268-470: The Saints was chosen Canadian Junior A Hockey League (CJAHL) Player of the Year, and the Winnipeg South Blues won their fifth championship, on their road to a second Anavet Cup , and an Abbott Cup . The 1995 Blues were inducted into Manitoba Hockey Hall of Fame . In 1998, Jedd Crumb of the Blues led the CJAHL in goals with 61. In 1979, the rival NorMan Junior Hockey League was granted Junior 'A' status, putting it into Turnbull Cup competition alongside

3344-497: The Turnbull Cup Finals between the Dauphin Kings and Kildonan North Stars , saying "No, I am not going to allow these characters an opportunity to beat on each other any longer. I am calling the series (a best-of-seven) and awarding it to Dauphin on the basis they won two of the three games completed." The decision came just hours after the two clubs had engaged in a pre-game brawl, in which two Kings players were taken to hospital and two North Stars were criminally charged. Chris Walby

3420-717: The Western Memorial Cup final in 1969, and in 1972 recorded 40 wins, a modern-day MJHL record. Charlie Simmer of the Kenora Muskies won the scoring title in 1973, the same year the Portage Terriers were crowned National Champs, winning the Centennial Cup . In 1974, the Selkirk Steelers won the national crown, giving the MJHL back to back "Canadian Championships". It was players such as Low, Goring, Chipperfield, Simmer, Chuck Arnason , Murray Bannerman , Paul Baxter , John Bednarski , Rick Blight , Dan Bonar , Brian Engblom , Glen Hanlon , Bob Joyce , Barry Legge , Perry Miller , Chris Oddleifson , Curt Ridley , Rick St. Croix , Blaine Stoughton , and Andy Van Hellemond who gave

3496-419: The final game of a four-game sweep of the Red Deer Rustlers and their leading scorer Paul Fendley lost his helmet during a body check and struck his head on the ice, knocking him into a coma . The National Hockey League prospect regained consciousness and died two days later from head trauma . The 1990 Centennial Cup marked the only year that the national championship was decided between two teams from

3572-440: The first team to win the Junior A championship since the 1974 Selkirk Steelers . Collectively, the Maritime provinces have only won two championships whereas no teams from the Quebec Junior Hockey League (QJHL), Superior International Junior Hockey League (SIJHL), or the Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League (NOJHL) have won the Junior A championship to date. There has been a consecutive national champion on four occasions:

3648-404: The general welfare of the league, and that creating the division would perpetuate the previous issues unless a "minor miracle" happened. The MAHA executive chose to include the St. James Orioles as a fifth team in the "A" division after being convinced that the team was soundly operated and would be able to compete. In 1955, the brothers Art and Gordon Stratton of the Winnipeg Barons set

3724-444: The host or a regional champion. Overtime is common as the Junior A championships with the longest game in the tournament's history started on May 12, 2007, at 2007 Royal Bank Cup between the Camrose Kodiaks of the Alberta Junior Hockey League and the host Prince George Spruce Kings of the British Columbia Hockey League . The Spruce Kings won the game 3–2 6:01 into the fifth overtime period. The game lasted 146:01, just short of

3800-443: The larger Winnipeg Amphitheatre and the profits from gate receipts. The north division complained about the lack of available ice time for practices and the deplorable dressing room conditions at the Olympic Rink, and felt that the MAHA had an obligation to make the upgrades if the rink would not. After negotiations broke down, three junior teams withdrew and the MJHL operated with five teams in one division. The stronger MJHL teams —

3876-416: The league but both were eventually granted franchises in the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League. Cross Lake, Manitoba also showed interest in joining the league, but never did. In the final season, the Cranberry Portage Winter Hawks joined the league to help balance out the schedule. Additionally, the NJHL began the season with an interlocking schedule with the Kelsey Intermediate Hockey League , including

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3952-451: The league conducted its investigation, commissioner Kim Davis confirmed that a 15-year-old player had come forward with allegations of sexual-based rookie hazing in the team's locker room. A record $ 5,000 fine and 18 suspensions resulted from the incident and the matter was referred to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police , although no criminal charges resulted. The team gained even more negative press by benching and refusing to release or trade

4028-402: The league experimented with playing games on Sunday evenings instead of afternoons to increase its attendance and avoid competing with televised football games. Dunn requested to the Canadian Amateur Hockey Association (CAHA) that the MJHL waive its bye into the Abbott Cup finals and its playoffs champion meet the Thunder Bay Junior A Hockey League champion in the first round. He felt that

4104-493: The loss of gate receipts from a bye was a financial hardship for the MJHL, and shorten the league's playoffs to accommodate the change approved by the CAHA. Goaltender Wayne Stephenson led the Winnipeg Braves to the MJHL Championship in 1965. For the 1965–66 MJHL season , Dunn implemented an automatic one-game minimum suspension for any player who received a match penalty . He felt that professional hockey influenced fisticuffs in junior hockey and said that, "Any time there's

4180-404: The minor hockey level to the junior hockey level. Dunn supported the change and noted that the concept had produced forward lines on previous Memorial Cup championship teams from Winnipeg. For the 1964–65 MJHL season , the Charlie Gardiner Memorial Trophy series was revived as a preseason tournament for the league's teams. Dunn reached an agreement to televise MJHL games on CJAY-TV , and

4256-410: The national body. In 1962, Clarence Campbell president of the NHL attended inaugural Manitoba–Saskatchewan all-star game in Winnipeg. In 1963, Jim Irving , captain of the Winnipeg Rangers , was named Manitoba's outstanding junior athlete and received the Carl Pederson Memorial Award. Jimmy Dunn was hired as commissioner of the MJHL in May 1964. The league had been reduced to four teams based in

4332-658: The national championship's 50th season. The league attempted a shortened schedule for the 2020-21 season but was thwarted when tightened health restrictions were enacted by the provincial government that November, requiring the cancellation of all remaining games for a second consecutive season. The MJHL returned to its regular format for the start of the 2021-22 season with a strict COVID-19 vaccination policy, in accordance with provincial health directives, requiring all players, coaches, officials to be immunized and all volunteers and spectators to provide proof of immunization before entering any league venue. This policy lasted until

4408-400: The new MJHL its foundation. The Selkirk Steelers dominated, between 1974 and 1987, winning eight MJHL championships, including three in a row. The 1974 Steelers were inducted into the Manitoba Hockey Hall of Fame , as were the 1973 Portage Terriers . In 1975, Jim Misener of the Dauphin Kings led the league in goals with 73, breaking Bobby Clarke 's single season record of 71. In 1977,

4484-428: The north division struggled financially during World War II and sought a new financial arrangement for the 1940–41 season. The teams also disagreed on who played in which division, with some teams threatening to disband if their demands were not met. Jimmy Dunn recommended to split the gate receipts evenly between the teams and the rink owners, and for the MAHA to subsidize the teams as needed. The north division played

4560-611: The participating teams was based on four regional champions and the host team. Ahead of the 2022 Centennial Cup , the tournament's format was changed to include the winners of the nine member leagues of the CJHL: the Alberta Junior Hockey League (AJHL), Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League (SJHL), Manitoba Junior Hockey League (MJHL), Superior International Junior Hockey League (SIJHL), Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League (NOJHL), Ontario Junior Hockey League (OJHL), Central Canada Hockey League (CCHL), Quebec Junior Hockey League (QJHL) and Maritime Junior A Hockey League (MHL) plus

4636-408: The provincial government dropped most of its public health measures in March 2022. The MJHL consists of thirteen teams separated geographically into two divisions. The league has gone to a single division format on occasion, most notably from 1945 to 1968 and more recently from 2014 to 2020. A three-division format was implemented for the partially completed 2020–21 season that was cancelled due to

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4712-424: The provincial/regional leagues that later formed the Canadian Junior Hockey League . It was determined that the Memorial Cup , which had served as the CAHA's national championship tournament, would become the new championship trophy for the CMJHL while the Manitoba Centennial Trophy served as the trophy for the champions of the new Junior A division. Earl Dawson and Bill Addison were the named initial trustees of

4788-418: The same province or league. The host Vernon Lakers defeated the New Westminster Royals 6–5 in overtime to win the national championship. Both teams were members of the British Columbia Junior Hockey League . The final Centennial Cup from this era was awarded to the Calgary Canucks of the Alberta Junior Hockey League in 1995. Note: Champions are in bold . Every tournament in the Royal Bank Cup era

4864-419: The same time, the league's presence in Winnipeg began a period decline with the demise of the Kildonan North Stars in 1990. This was the first of several Winnipeg-based teams to fold or relocate from the city; by 2012, only one team remained in the provincial capital. As the twenty first century dawned, the OCN Blizzard were dominating the MJHL, winning five straight MJHL championships from 1999 to 2003. This

4940-449: The season reduced to four teams. The 1944–45 season was the first interlocking schedule between the north and south divisions, and the MAHA implemented of limits on the number of player transfers for balanced competition. In the 1945–46 season, the north division teams threatened to withdraw from the MJHL unless several demands were met. They felt that the south division was given preferential treatment, and sought to equally share games at

5016-471: The summer the NJHL closed its doors. Thompson was still hopefully to play Junior A hockey in the region in 1986-87 or to play in the MJHL, but nothing ever transpired. From 1980 until 1985, the champion of the NJHL played the winner of the MJHL for the Turnbull Cup , but never won a series. Please note: Final two games cancelled because they would not affect playoff setup. Manitoba Junior Hockey League The Manitoba Junior Hockey League (MJHL)

5092-402: The team never materialized. During the 1981–82 season, the Flin Flon Bombers pulled off a perfect regular season record of 42 wins, no losses, and no ties. The Bombers were such a powerhouse in the NJHL that The Pas Huskies refused to play them in the league semi-finals. In the finals, the Bombers swept the Thompson King Miners in four games to claim the league title. Next was to challenge

5168-433: The tournament format in 1986, with the addition of a predetermined host team to the field. It later expanded to a five-team tournament in 1990 when the Abbott Cup series was discontinued in favour of allowing both the ANAVET and Doyle Cup winners to advance to the national championship. For the 1996 tournament, the trophy gained a sponsor and became the Royal Bank Cup. The ANAVET and Doyle Cups were temporarily replaced by

5244-459: The trophy, both of whom were past presidents of the MAHA. The tournament subsequently became known as the Centennial Cup . From 1971 to 1978 and from 1982 to 1984, the Centennial Cup pitted the Abbott Cup champion (Western Canada) versus the Dudley Hewitt Cup champion (Eastern Canada). A three-team tournament format, splitting Eastern Canada into two regions, was introduced in 1979 and used until 1981. The Centennial Cup permanently moved back to

5320-418: The upstart Central Manitoba Junior Hockey League (CMJHL). The CMJHL was short-lived and its four teams were absorbed by the MJHL the following year. The Steelers, Portage Terriers , Dauphin Kings , and Kenora Muskies , who had operated out of Fort Garry the previous year, were placed in the MJHL's new North Division, while the existing MJHL teams made up the South Division. On Sunday February 9, 1969,

5396-412: The years, more than 200 MJHL players have gone on to the National Hockey League (NHL), and 11 of those MJHL graduates have been inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame including; Andy Bathgate , Turk Broda , Art Coulter , Bobby Clarke , Charlie Gardiner , Bryan Hextall , Tom Johnson , Harry Oliver , Babe Pratt , Terry Sawchuk , and Jack Stewart . Centennial Cup The Centennial Cup

5472-475: Was a record previously achieved by only the legendary Elmwood Millionaires (1927–1931). Junior Lessard of the Portage Terriers was named CJAHL Player of the Year in 2000. Blizzard goaltenders Preston McKay (1998) and Marc Andre Leclerc (2001) led the CJAHL in goals against average , and left winger Andrew Coates (2003) led in goals. In 2004, Aaron Starr of the Blizzard became the first MJHL player to lead

5548-489: Was also selected to host the 2020 championship which was cancelled at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic . Prior to the reorganization of Canadian junior hockey in 1970, the MJHL champion played for the Memorial Cup , the former Canadian Tier I Junior championship. These post-MJHL playoffs were commonly known as the Memorial Cup playoffs. For the MJHL clubs, the road was firstly the western semi-finals and finals for

5624-496: Was convicted of common assault, and granted a conditional discharge. The Canadian Amateur Hockey Association was not as kind, suspending Walby for life. Grant Ledyard led the Winnipeg South Blues to the first of four MJHL Championships in 8 years in 1982. In 1983, Mike Ridley of the St. Boniface Saints broke both Jim Misener 's goal scoring record and Bobby Clarke 's points record. In 95, Cory Cyrenne of

5700-707: Was formerly known as the Royal Bank Cup from 1996 to 2018 and the Manitoba Centennial Cup from 1971 to 1995. It is currently branded as the Centennial Cup after Tim Hortons , the title sponsor of the 2022 tournament, withdrew future sponsorship in response to the Hockey Canada sexual assault scandal . The Manitoba Centennial Trophy was presented to the Canadian Amateur Hockey Association (CAHA) by

5776-712: Was played as a round-robin tournament between five teams. In May 1996, the inaugural Royal Bank Cup was held in Melfort, Saskatchewan . The first winner of the Royal Bank Cup was the Vernon Vipers of the British Columbia Hockey League . In 2018, the championship was renamed the National Junior A Championship after the Royal Bank of Canada dropped their sponsorship of the event. With the national championship scheduled to return to Manitoba for its 50th anniversary in 2020, Hockey Canada and

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