Manitoba Junior Hockey League

Manitoba Junior Hockey League

Formerly	Winnipeg and District League
Sport	Ice hockey
Founded	1918
Commissioner	Kim Davis
Inaugural season	1918
No. of teams	11
Most recent champion(s)	Portage Terriers
Most titles	Winnipeg Blues (16)
Related competitions	Canadian Junior Hockey League Anavet Cup Royal Bank Cup
Official website	MJHLhockey.ca

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).

The MJHL consists of 11 teams in two divisions, six in the Addison Division and five in the Sher-Wood Division (The Portage Terriers were granted a move to the Addison division in June 2011).^[1] Each team plays 62 games during the regular season and the top four teams in each division qualify for league playoffs. The playoffs are an elimination tournament consisting of three rounds of best-of-seven series. The first two rounds determine which team from each division will advance to the final round. The winner of that series becomes the MJHL and Turnbull Cup champion.

The winner of the MJHL playoffs (Turnbull Cup) continues on to play in the Anavet Cup in a best-of-seven series against the champion of the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League. The winner of the Anavet Cup will compete in the Junior "A" National Championship Tournament for the Royal Bank Cup.

History

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.^[2] 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.

Modern era

1967 and 1968

During the summer of 1967, the MAHA agreed to allowed 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, and 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 joined the Central Manitoba Junior Hockey League (CMJHL). The very next year, the MJHL swallowed the CMJHL, creating a North Division to house all four teams, the Selkirk Steelers, Portage Terriers, Dauphin Kings, and Kenora Muskies (who 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

Then came the OCN Blizzard, who won five straight MJHL championships. Only the legendary Elmwood Millionaires (1927–1931) had ever won five in a row. 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.

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.^[3]

Teams

Team Locations

Addison Division
Team	Centre
Portage Terriers	Portage La Prairie
Selkirk Steelers	Selkirk
Steinbach Pistons	Steinbach
Winkler Flyers	Winkler
Winnipeg Blues	Winnipeg
Winnipeg Saints	Winnipeg
Sher-Wood Division
Team	Centre
Dauphin Kings	Dauphin
Neepawa Natives	Neepawa
OCN Blizzard	The Pas
Swan Valley Stampeders	Swan River
Waywayseecappo Wolverines	Waywayseecappo

Turnbull Cup Champions

The Turnbull Cup

For the Western Regional playoffs, please go to the Anavet Cup.

For the National Championship, please go to the 2011 Royal Bank Cup.

Manitoba Junior Championships (1918 to 1970)

1918 Selkirk Fishermen 1919 Young Men's Lutheran Club 1920 Selkirk Fishermen 1921 Winnipeg Junior Falcons 1922 University of Manitoba 1923 University of Manitoba 1924 University of Manitoba 1925 University of Manitoba 1926 Winnipeg Tigers 1927 Elmwood Millionaires 1928 Elmwood Millionaires 1929 Elmwood Millionaires

1930 Elmwood Millionaires 1931 Elmwood Millionaires 1932 Winnipeg Monarchs 1933 Brandon Native Sons 1934 Kenora Thistles 1935 Winnipeg Monarchs 1936 Elmwood Millionaires 1937 Winnipeg Monarchs 1938 St. Boniface Seals 1939 Brandon Elks 1940 Kenora Thistles 1941 Winnipeg Rangers

1942 Portage Terriers 1943 Winnipeg Rangers 1944 St. James Canadians 1945 Winnipeg Monarchs 1946 Winnipeg Monarchs 1947 Brandon Elks 1948 Winnipeg Monarchs 1949 Brandon Wheat Kings 1950 Brandon Wheat Kings 1951 Winnipeg Monarchs

1952 Winnipeg Monarchs 1953 St. Boniface Canadiens 1954 St. Boniface Canadiens 1955 Winnipeg Monarchs 1956 St. Boniface Canadiens 1957 Winnipeg Monarchs 1958 St. Boniface Canadiens 1959 Winnipeg Braves 1960 Brandon Wheat Kings 1961 Winnipeg Rangers

1962 Brandon Wheat Kings 1963 Brandon Wheat Kings 1964 Brandon Wheat Kings 1965 Winnipeg Braves 1966 Winnipeg Rangers 1967 Flin Flon Bombers 1968 St. James Canadians 1969 Dauphin Kings 1970 Dauphin Kings

Manitoba Junior ‘A’ Championships (1971 to Present)

1971 St. Boniface Saints 1972 Dauphin Kings 1973 Portage Terriers 1974 Selkirk Steelers 1975 Selkirk Steelers 1976 Selkirk Steelers 1977 Dauphin Kings 1978 Kildonan North Stars 1979 Selkirk Steelers 1980 Selkirk Steelers 1981 St. Boniface Saints 1982 Winnipeg South Blues 1983 Dauphin Kings 1984 Selkirk Steelers 1985 Selkirk Steelers

1986 Winnipeg South Blues 1987 Selkirk Steelers 1988 Winnipeg South Blues 1989 Winnipeg South Blues 1990 Portage Terriers 1991 Winkler Flyers 1992 Winkler Flyers 1993 Dauphin Kings 1994 St. Boniface Saints 1995 Winnipeg South Blues 1996 St. James Canadians 1997 St. James Canadians 1998 Winkler Flyers 1999 OCN Blizzard 2000 OCN Blizzard

2001 OCN Blizzard 2002 OCN Blizzard 2003 OCN Blizzard 2004 Selkirk Steelers 2005 Portage Terriers 2006 Winnipeg South Blues 2007 Selkirk Steelers 2008 Portage Terriers 2009 Portage Terriers 2010 Dauphin Kings 2011 Portage Terriers

Post MJHL Playoffs

Formats

Starting in 1971, the winner of the MJHL playoffs (Turnbull Cup) plays the winner of Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League playoffs (Credential Cup) for the Anavet Cup. Since 1991 the winner goes 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.

Between 1970 and 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 1971, the winner of the MJHL playoffs (Turnbull Cup) competed for the Abbott Cup (Western Canadian Junior Championship), and then the Memorial Cup for the National Junior Championship. These post MJHL playoffs are commonly known as the Memorial Cup playoffs (M-Cup), for the MJHL Champs the road was firstly the Western M-Cup Semi-finals and Finals (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 Present)

1971 St. Boniface Saints 1973 Portage Terriers 1974 Selkirk Steelers 1975 Selkirk Steelers 1983 Dauphin Kings

1986 Winnipeg South Blues 1992 Winkler Flyers 1995 Winnipeg South Blues 2002 OCN Blizzard 2005 Portage Terriers

2007 Selkirk Steelers 2010 Dauphin Kings 2011 Portage Terriers

Western Canadian Junior Hockey Championships

Abbott Cup (1919 to 1970) Western Canadian Junior Championships

1920 Selkirk Fishermen 1921 Winnipeg Junior Falcons 1923 University of Manitoba 1929 Elmwood Millionaires 1931 Elmwood Millionaires 1932 Winnipeg Monarchs

1935 Winnipeg Monarchs 1937 Winnipeg Monarchs 1938 St. Boniface Seals 1940 Kenora Thistles 1941 Winnipeg Rangers 1942 Portage Terriers

1943 Winnipeg Rangers 1946 Winnipeg Monarchs 1949 Brandon Wheat Kings 1951 Winnipeg Monarchs 1953 St. Boniface Canadiens 1959 Winnipeg Braves

Abbott Cup (1971 to 1999) Western Canadian Junior ‘A’ Championships

1973 Portage Terriers

1974 Selkirk Steelers

1995 Winnipeg South Blues

National Junior Hockey Championships

Memorial Cup (1919-1970) National Junior Championships

1921 Winnipeg Junior Falcons 1923 University of Manitoba 1931 Elmwood Millionaires 1935 Winnipeg Monarchs

1937 Winnipeg Monarchs 1938 St. Boniface Seals 1941 Winnipeg Rangers 1942 Portage Terriers

1943 Winnipeg Rangers 1946 Winnipeg Monarchs 1959 Winnipeg Braves

Centennial Trophy (1971 to 1990) National Junior ‘A’ Championships

1973 Portage Terriers

1974 Selkirk Steelers

Awards and leaders

Individual awards

• Steve "Boomer" Hawrysh Award MVP
• MJHL Top Goaltender Award
• Brian Kozak Award Top Defenceman
• Vince Leah Trophy Rookie of the Year
• Lorne Lyndon Memorial Trophy Hockey Ability and Sportsmanship
• Muzz McPherson Award Coach of the Year
• Mike Ridley Trophy Scoring Champion
• MJHL Top Goal Scorers
• MJHL All-Star Teams
• MJHL All Rookie Team
• MJHL Playoff MVP
• CJAHL Player of the Year (MJHL)

Scholarships

• RBC Financial Group MJHL Scholarship
• Ed Belfour High Performance Award
• Frank McKinnon Scholarship

Records

• MJHL Top 10 Goal Scorers

National Hockey League

• List of MJHL players drafted by the NHL

Defunct teams

• Thunder Bay Hornets
• Brandon Elks
• Brandon Travellers
• CUAC Blues
• East Kildonan Bisons
• Elmwood Maple Leafs
• Elmwood Millionaires
• Kildonan North Stars
• St. Boniface Athletics
• St. Boniface Seals
• Stonewall Jets
• St. James Canadians
• St. James Orioles
• Steinbach Hawks
• Thompson King Miners
• Winnipeg Air Cadets
• Winnipeg Esquires
• Winnipeg Falcon-Rangers
• Winnipeg Hockey Club
• Winnipeg Junior Falcons
• Winnipeg Wellingtons
• Wolseley Flyers

List of MJHL seasons

This is a list of Manitoba Junior Hockey League seasons.

The Fifties

1950-51 | 1951-52 | 1952-53 | 1953-54 | 1954-55 | 1955-56 | 1956-57 | 1957–58 | 1958-59 | 1959-60 |

The Sixties

1960-61 | 1961-62 | 1962-63 | 1963-64 | 1964-65 | 1965-66 | 1966-67 |

Modern era

1967–68 | 1968-69 | 1969-70 | 1970-71 | 1971-72 | 1972-73 | 1973-74 | 1974-75 | 1975-76 | 1976-77 | 1977–78 | 2008-09 |

See also

• List of MJHL seasons
• Manitoba Junior Hockey League players
• Manitoba Hockey Hall of Fame

References

1. ^ Bessen, Allan (2011-06-09). "Portage Terriers change divisions". Winnipeg Free Press. http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/sports/hockey/junior/Portage-Terriers-change-divisions-123559904.html. Retrieved 2011-06-25. 
2. ^ http://www.cbc.ca/sports/indepth/feature-hdic-winklerflyers.html
3. ^ http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/hazed-and-now-no-place-to-play-132680298.html

External links

• Manitoba Junior Hockey League website