Countries Canada Commissioner Kim Davis No. of teams 11 | Region(s) Manitoba Founded 1918 | |
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Former name(s) Winnipeg and District League | ||
The Manitoba Junior Hockey League (MJHL) is a Junior 'A' ice hockey league operating in the Canadian province of Manitoba. The MJHL is one of eleven Junior 'A' Hockey Leagues in Canada and is a member of the Canadian Junior Hockey League (CJHL).
Contents
- Early years
- 1950s
- 1960s
- 1967 and 1968
- Japanese star
- Butch Goring incident
- Swedish import
- The new MJHL
- Selkirk Steelers domination
- Chris Walby incident
- 1980s and 1990s
- OCN Blizzard Dynasty
- Portage Terriers
- Neepawa hazing incident
- Turnbull Cup Champions
- Formats
- ManitobaSaskatchewan Junior A Hockey Championships
- Western Canadian Junior Hockey Championships
- National Junior Hockey Championships
- Individual awards
- Scholarships
- Records
- National Hockey League
- Timeline of teams in the MJHL
- References
The MJHL consists of 11 teams playing a balanced 60-game schedule, with the top eight teams qualifying for the playoffs. The quarter-finals, semi-finals, and final, are all determined by best-of-seven series, with the champion being awarded the Turnbull Cup. Prior to the 2014-15 season, the league had two divisions, the Addison and Sherwood.
The winner of the MJHL playoffs (Turnbull Cup) continues on to play in the Western Canada Cup tournament, where it competes against the champions from Saskatchewan, Alberta, and British Columbia for one of two berths in the Royal Bank Cup, the Junior "A" National Championship Tournament. From 1971 to 2012, the Manitoba champion would play in the Anavet Cup, a best-of-seven series against the champion of the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League, to determine who would play for the Royal Bank Cup.
Early years
The League has a rich tradition, first year of operation was the 1918–19 season, making it the oldest Junior League in Canada. At first the junior league was known as the Winnipeg and District League, until 1931 when it became the Manitoba Junior Hockey League. In its first year, there were nine teams in two divisions. 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. The first season consisted of each team playing six games. Over 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:
Andy Bathgate, Turk Broda, Art Coulter, Bobby Clarke, Charlie Gardiner, Bryan Hextall, Tom Johnson, Harry Oliver, Babe Pratt, Terry Sawchuk, and Jack Stewart.1950s
In 1955, the brothers Art and Gordon Stratton of the Winnipeg Barons set 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.
1960s
In the early sixties 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 the Winnipeg Braves was named Canada's outstanding junior hockey player for the month of January. 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.
Goaltender Wayne Stephenson led the Winnipeg Braves to the MJHL Championship in 1965. In 1967 future Hall of Famer Bobby Clarke of the Flin Flon Bombers set league records for most goals (71), assists (112), and points (183) in a single season. Clarke led the Bombers to win the MJHL title.
1967 and 1968
During the summer of 1967, the MAHA agreed to allow three teams to enter the Western Hockey League (WCHL), the Brandon Wheat Kings and the Flin Flon Bombers from the MJHL, and the Ben Hatskin's owned Winnipeg Jets. Hatskin also owned three MJHL teams. Part of the agreement was the continuation of the MJHL. Hatskin sold his three teams 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 along with the Winnipeg Monarchs became the new MJHL.
The Selkirk Steelers, however opted to join the upstart Central Manitoba Junior Hockey League (CMJHL). The very next year, the MJHL absorbed the CMJHL, creating a North Division to house all four teams: the Steelers, Portage Terriers, Dauphin Kings, and Kenora Muskies, who had operated out of Fort Garry the previous year. The existing teams created the South Division.
Japanese star
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 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.
Butch Goring incident
On Sunday February 9, 1969, 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 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.
Swedish import
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.
The new MJHL
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 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 the new MJHL its foundation.
Selkirk Steelers domination
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, 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.
Chris Walby incident
On April 5, 1977, MJHL commissioner Bill Addison called off 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 was convicted of common assault, and granted a conditional discharge. The CAHA was not as kind, suspending Walby for life.
1980s and 1990s
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 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.
OCN Blizzard Dynasty
As the twenty first century dawned, the OCN Blizzard were dominating the MJHL, winning five straight MJHL championships from 1999 to 2003. This 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 the CJAHL in scoring with 118 points.
Portage Terriers
As the Blizzard's dynasty came to an end, the Portage Terriers were beginning their own golden age with a trip to the MJHL finals in 2003-04. The Terriers lost the series, but laid claim to the title the following season. This would start a run of seven championships over twelve seasons. The 2014-15 Terriers set 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 a second consecutive Turnbull Cup.
Neepawa hazing incident
In October 2011, the Neepawa Natives reported a hazing incident to Kim Davis, MJHL Commissioner. After an investigation, Davis confirmed that a 15-year-old player had come forward with allegations of sexual-based rookie hazing in the Natives' locker room. A record $5000 fine and 18 suspensions resulted from the incident. The Natives gained even more negative press by benching and refusing to release or trade the 15-year-old who brought the issue to light.
Turnbull Cup Champions
For the Western Regional playoffs, please go to the Western Canada Cup. For the National Championship, please go to the Royal Bank Cup.Formats
Since 2012-13, the winner of the MJHL playoffs (Turnbull Cup) has earned a berth in the Western Canada Cup, a five-team regional tournament featuring the league champions from the MJHL, Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League, Alberta Junior Hockey League, and British Columbia Hockey League, and a predetermined host team. The top two teams from this tournament qualify for the Royal Bank Cup, the national Junior 'A' tournament.
From 1971 to 2012, the Turnbull Cup champion would play the winner of SJHL playoffs (Credential Cup) for the Anavet Cup. From 1991 to 2012, the winner of that series would go to the Royal Bank Cup tournament (1991-94 Centennial Cup tournament). An Abbott Cup Champion was crowned from the results of the round robin part of this tournament until 1999, when the Cup was retired. Prior to 1991, the Anavet Cup Champions advanced to the Abbott Cup against the winner of AJHL/BCHL (Doyle Cup). With the winner going on to the Centennial Cup meeting the Eastern Canada Champions for the National Junior ‘A’ title.
Prior to the reorganization of Canadian junior hockey in 1970-1971, the MJHL winner competed for the Abbott Cup (Western Canadian Junior Championship), and then the Memorial Cup for the National Junior Championship. These post-MJHL playoffs were commonly known as the Memorial Cup playoffs. For the MJHL champions, the road was firstly the western semi-finals and finals for the Abbott Cup, and then the Memorial Cup Finals. During this 53-year era (1918-1970), MJHL Teams won 18 Abbott Cups, and 11 Memorial Cups.
Manitoba/Saskatchewan Junior ‘A’ Hockey Championships
Anavet Cup (1971 to 2012)
Western Canadian Junior Hockey Championships
Abbott Cup (1919 to 1970) Western Canadian Junior Championships
Abbott Cup (1971 to 1999) Western Canadian Junior ‘A’ Championships
National Junior Hockey Championships
Memorial Cup (1919-1970) National Junior Championships
Centennial Trophy (1971 to 1990) National Junior ‘A’ Championships
Royal Bank Cup (1996 to present) National Junior ‘A’ Championships