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79-680: The Manitoba Junior Hockey League (MJHL) 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

158-625: 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

237-608: A director with the Czech Ice Hockey Association , felt that Junior-aged players were enticed to play in North America before maturation, with a negative effect on the development of the player and the European system. He stated that of the 527 Czech Republic players who went to North American Junior hockey, only 22 of them played more than 400 NHL games. He sought to establish a European system that

316-697: 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

395-553: 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

474-633: 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

553-494: 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

632-559: 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 ,

711-720: A professional team, and are used by professional teams to develop their own prospects. One example of this is the J20 SuperElit league in Sweden or the Minor Hockey League in Russia . The lack of an amateur draft in Europe means that the onus is on the teams to sign the most talented young players they can get, and the presence of an affiliated junior team provides a place for young players who are not yet ready for

790-537: 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

869-653: A significant concentration of teams in the central and southwestern parts of the United States, although the league began to expand to east coast as of 2015. In October 2016, the Tier III United States Premier Hockey League , a league predominately located on the east coast, applied to USA Hockey for approval of a Tier II league to begin in the 2017–18 season, however, the league was denied that December and decided to operate its Tier II league independently. The NAHL, like

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948-536: 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

1027-603: 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

1106-817: Is currently the only Tier I league in the country, consisting of teams in the central and midwestern United States. The USHL provides an alternative to the Canadian Hockey League, which pays its major junior hockey players a stipend, for players who wish to maintain NCAA eligibility for later in their career. While playing in the USHL, all player expenses are paid for by the team; no membership or equipment fees are charged. Unlike major junior teams, free-college stipend does not exist. Historically, professional leagues have drafted less directly from USHL teams, although this trend has shifted in recent years, coinciding with

1185-616: The Clarence Schmalz Cup which was first awarded in 1938. The Ontario Junior C playoffs are played for between six of the Province's seven different regional leagues. In Quebec and West of Manitoba, Junior C hockey tends to be an extension of the local minor hockey system and is sometimes called Juvenile or House League. In Ontario, Manitoba, and the Maritimes, Junior C is run independently of minor hockey systems, though with

1264-823: The Coupe Dodge in Quebec , the Don Johnson Cup in the Atlantic Provinces , and the Keystone Cup that represents all of Western Canada, from British Columbia to Northwestern Ontario . Junior C (Junior A in Québec ) generally consists of local competitions, but is considered competitive in some regions, and serve as seeding or farm-teams for Junior B teams. Ontario Junior C Hockey has six rounds of best-of-seven playoffs (up to 42 games per team) for

1343-694: The Greater Metro Junior A Hockey League has operated as an independent league in Ontario, Quebec, and Alberta. The league widely recruits players from outside of North America. In late 2016, the United States Premier Hockey League , an organization composed of several USA Hockey Tier III Junior as well as many youth hockey leagues, applied for a Tier II league. The Tier II status was denied in December 2016 but

1422-759: 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

1501-757: The Memorial Cup in a round-robin tournament to determine a national champion. Major Junior players were historically deemed ineligible to play college hockey in the United States , because they were considered to be professionals by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). Major Junior players retain their eligibility for Canadian universities however, and all three leagues have scholarship programs for players. The NCAA changed its position and decided that CHL players were no longer ineligible as of

1580-505: The North American 3 Hockey League Some Junior ice hockey leagues operate outside the framework of governing bodies such as Hockey Canada and USA Hockey , typically due to disagreements with governing bodies over player recruitment policies and finances. These leagues are sometimes referred to as 'unsanctioned', 'rogue' or 'outlaw' leagues due to their lack of sanctioning or oversight from an outside governing body. Since 2006,

1659-605: 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

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1738-619: The US . In 2023, the British Columbia Hockey League (BCHL) withdrew from the Hockey Canada framework, and thus became an independent league. In response, BC Hockey announced plans to restructure its Junior framework, which included an opportunity for some Junior B teams (styled "Junior A Tier 2" by BC Hockey) to be promoted to Junior A (styled "Junior A Tier 1" by BC Hockey) and eventually seek membership with

1817-665: 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

1896-478: 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

1975-732: 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

2054-646: 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

2133-607: 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

2212-416: 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

2291-466: The 2025–26 season. The decision was made after a class action was filed on behalf of a player who was declared ineligible after having played two exhibition games in the OHL when he was 16 years old. The CHL places a cap of three 20-year-old players per team, and allows up to four 16-year-olds on each roster. While 15-year-old players were formerly permitted to play a limited number of games per season at

2370-749: 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

2449-592: 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

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2528-585: The CHL level, they are now permitted to play only if they are deemed exceptional by Hockey Canada . As of 2024 , nine players have qualified under this rule: centre John Tavares in 2005, defenceman Aaron Ekblad in 2011, centre Connor McDavid in 2012, defenceman Sean Day in 2013, centre Joe Veleno in 2015, centre Shane Wright in 2019, forward Connor Bedard in 2020, forward Michael Misa in 2022, and defenceman Landon DuPont in 2024. CHL teams are currently permitted two "imports" (players from outside Canada and

2607-617: 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

2686-772: The CJHL. The league expected the evaluations to be completed during the 2024—25 season. Junior B (Junior AA in Québec ; Tier 2 in British Columbia ) was created in 1933, to differentiate between teams eligible for Memorial Cup competition and those who were not. The major championships across Canada are the Sutherland Cup in Southern Ontario , the Barkley Cup in the Ottawa District ,

2765-696: 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

2844-601: The Canadian Club System: 1. Major Junior, 2. Junior A, 3. Junior B, and 4. Junior C. Not all teams playing in Canadian Junior leagues are based in Canada . As of 2024 , there were approximately twelve US-based teams playing in various Major Junior and Junior A leagues in Canada. In 2023, BC Hockey announced plans to restructure its Junior framework following the departure of its only Junior A league . Its three Junior B leagues ( PJHL , KIJHL and VIJHL ) were re-styled as "Junior A Tier 2", with plans to promote some to "Junior A Tier 1" following an independent evaluation. It

2923-403: 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

3002-450: 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

3081-411: 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,

3160-408: The Hockey Canada framework and become an independent farm league for the British Columbia Hockey League (BCHL) beginning in the 2024-25 season. Major Junior is the highest level of Junior ice hockey in Canada. There are three Major Junior leagues that collectively make up the Canadian Hockey League (CHL) : The championship teams from each league, as well as a pre-selected host team, compete for

3239-509: 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 the MJHL, and Ben Hatskin 's new Winnipeg Jets club. Hatskin already owned three MJHL teams, so as part of

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3318-408: The Junior A British Columbia Hockey League (BCHL) withdrew its membership with Hockey Canada and became an independent league. In 2024, the Vancouver Island Junior Hockey League (VIJHL) announced that it would also withdraw from the Hockey Canada framework and become an independent farm league for the BCHL beginning in the 2024-25 season. In Europe, Junior teams are usually associated with

3397-522: 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

3476-469: 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

3555-520: The Tier III level pay a fee or tuition, commonly ranging from $ 4,000 to $ 9,500. This is for all accounts and purposes an amateur level, although some players go directly to NCAA Division I schools. Most Tier III players are looking to increase their skills in hopes to move up to Tier II or I, while other players go directly to NCAA Division III , ACHA and CHF schools. Prior to July 2011, USA Hockey split Tier III into Junior A and B divisions. USA Hockey currently has one sanctioned Tier III league,

3634-497: 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

3713-433: The US) each. Up until 1970, the leagues that were classified as Major Junior and "Junior A" today were both part of Junior A. In 1970 they were divided into "Tier I Junior A" or "Major Junior A" and "Tier II Junior A". In 1980, the three Major Junior A leagues opted for self-control over being controlled by the branches of the Canadian Amateur Hockey Association (CAHA) and became Major Junior hockey, Tier II Junior A became

3792-449: The USHL, provides young players an alternative to major junior hockey, although the skill level is considered significantly lower than major junior hockey and typically filled with those who would not or did not make the roster of a Tier I team. Unlike Tier I, the NAHL does not pay for all players' expenses, such as room and board, but there is no tuition cost to the player as in Tier III. In addition to paying for room and board, players at

3871-412: The USNTDP moving to the USHL in 2009-10. In the 2019 NHL Entry Draft , 17 of the 44 players drafted out of the USHL played for the USNTDP. Those 44 draft picks were 16 more than any of the three leagues in the Canadian Hockey League, and included 9 first round picks (8 of which came from the USNTDP) and 7 second round picks. For most of its existence the USHL was considered inferior in quality of play to

3950-422: The USPHL moved forward with the new league anyway, creating the National Collegiate Development Conference. In response, the USPHL has removed all their junior level leagues (the NCDC and the Tier III-level Premier and Elite Divisions) from USA Hockey sanctioning since the 2017–18 season. In 2022, the Eastern Hockey League , which was operating two Tier III leagues, also left USA Hockey sanctioning. In 2023,

4029-717: 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

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4108-427: 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

4187-412: The Woodhaven Maple Leafs, St. James Canadians, St. James Orioles, and Winnipeg Canadiens. The 1953 St. Boniface Canadiens won the Abbott Cup as western Canadian champions by defeating the Lethbridge Native Sons . They played the 1953 Memorial Cup final against the Barrie Flyers , losing the best-of-seven series in six games. The 1953 Canadiens were inducted into the Manitoba Hockey Hall of Fame in

4266-431: 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 the upstart Central Manitoba Junior Hockey League (CMJHL). The CMJHL

4345-401: 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

4424-441: 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 —

4503-451: 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

4582-401: 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

4661-490: 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

4740-413: The major junior levels. But it continued to improve and as of 2019 about 21 percent of NHL players had played USHL in their career. Between 80 and 90 percent of USHL players continued into NCAA hockey. Currently, the North American Hockey League is the only USA Hockey-sanctioned Tier II league in the United States. The NAHL consists of teams spread across the western two thirds of the United States with

4819-401: 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

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4898-408: 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

4977-656: 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

5056-399: 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,

5135-426: 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

5214-445: The province of Manitoba. The winner of 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

5293-406: 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

5372-465: The rigours of the professional game to develop. However, not all players on a European junior team are necessarily property of their professional club, and may elect to sign elsewhere. At the World Hockey Summit in 2010, nations in Europe expressed concern about the number of junior players leaving to play in North America, despite the improved talent level and the increasing popularity of the IIHF Ice Hockey World Junior Championships . Slavomir Lener,

5451-462: The same mostly recreational purpose. Junior ice hockey in the United States is sanctioned by USA Hockey . The top level is Tier I, represented by the United States Hockey League . Tier II is represented by the North American Hockey League . There are several Tier III and independently sanctioned leagues throughout the country. Some US-based teams play in Canadian leagues outside of the USA Hockey framework. The United States Hockey League (USHL)

5530-419: 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

5609-447: 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

5688-553: The top tier of hockey in the CAHA and became Junior A hockey. Junior A (Junior AAA in Québec ; Tier 1 in British Columbia ) hockey is one level below Major Junior. It is governed by the respective regional branches of Hockey Canada . The Canadian Junior Hockey League (CJHL) is an association of nine Junior A leagues: The national championship is the Centennial Cup . Unlike Major Junior players, Junior A players retain their NCAA eligibility and may go on to play college hockey in

5767-493: 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 . Junior ice hockey There are four levels of Junior hockey in

5846-475: 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

5925-490: 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

6004-539: Was competitive enough to deter players from entering into the CHL Import Draft . St. Boniface Canadiens The St. Boniface Canadiens was a Manitoba Junior Hockey League team that operated from 1952-1964. The St. Boniface Canadiens won 4 Turnbull Cup Championships as Manitoba Junior Champions, 1953, 1954, 1956, & 1958. The franchise was founded in 1935 and moved from Winnipeg to St. Boniface, Manitoba in 1952. It had previously played as

6083-495: 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

6162-455: Was expected that those teams promoted to "Junior A Tier 1" would eventually apply for membership in the Canadian Junior Hockey League (CJHL), an association of Junior A leagues governed by Hockey Canada and its regional branches . BC Hockey expected the evaluations to be completed during the 2024-25 season. Before the process was completed, the VIJHL announced that it would also withdraw from

6241-484: 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, the MJHL held a special emergency meeting to discuss Butch Goring leaving

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