Sport Ice hockey Inaugural season 1985-86 Most recent
champion(s) Winnipeg Wild (2016) | Founded 1985 No. of teams 12 Most titles Winnipeg Wild (10) | |
The Manitoba Midget 'AAA' Hockey League (MMHL) is an ice hockey league in the province of Manitoba, Canada. It is the highest level of minor hockey in the province. The league operates under the supervision of Hockey Manitoba.
Contents
History
The league was founded in 1985 and provides elite hockey players in Manitoba the opportunity to play at a high level of competition. The league is heavily scouted by the Western Hockey League, Junior 'A' teams, and NCAA programs. A number of players have gone to play in these leagues and the majority of Manitobans playing professional hockey have played in the 'AAA' league.
Teams
All teams are regionally based and are operated by Hockey Manitoba's regional minor hockey associations, with the exception of the Kenora Thistles, who are affiliated with Hockey Northwestern Ontario. The Winnipeg region has the option to field multiple teams. Players for each of the teams are selected from the local minor hockey associations within their respective regions.
Former Teams
Championship
League champion is awarded the Jack Forsyth Trophy, named after the longtime league commissioner. As the league championship also doubles as the provincial championship, the league champion earns a berth to the Telus Cup West Regional tournament to compete against the champions from Saskatchewan and Northwestern Ontario, with the winner advancing to the national tournament.
MMHL teams have hosted the national championships three times: the Brandon Wheat Kings in 1994, the Winnipeg Thrashers in 2009 (in Selkirk), and the Kenora Stars in 2004. Winnipeg hosted the inaugural national championship in 1979.