Manitoba Junior Hockey League

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Manitoba Junior Hockey League
Head Office	Winnipeg, Manitoba
Official Web site	MJHL
Commissioner	Kim Davis
Founded	1918
Anavet Cups	10
Centennial/Royal Bank Cups	2
2007-08 Champion	Portage Terriers

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 ten Junior 'A' Hockey Leagues in Canada and is a member of the Canadian Junior Hockey League (CJHL). The CJHL is an association of ten Junior 'A' Leagues in Canada.

The MJHL consists of 11 teams in 2 divisions, 5 in the Addison Division and 6 in the Sher-Wood Division. Each team plays 62 games during the regular season and the top 4 teams in each division qualify for league playoffs. The playoffs are an elimination tournament consisting of 3 rounds of best-of-seven series. The first 2 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-7 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.

For the next round of the playoffs, please go to the Anavet Cup.

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

Contents 1 History 1.1 The beginning 1.2 Modern Era 1.2.1 1967 & 1968 1.2.2 The Goring Affair 1.2.3 the new MJHL 1.2.4 the Steelers Dynasty 1.2.5 The Chris Walby Incident 1.2.6 Steelers or the Blues 1.2.7 the Blizzard 2 Teams 3 Turnbull Cup Champions 4 Post MJHL Playoffs 4.1 Formats 4.2 Manitoba/Saskatchewan Junior ‘A’ Hockey Championships 4.3 Western Canadian Junior Hockey Championships 4.4 National Junior Hockey Championships 5 Awards & Leaders 5.1 Individual Awards 5.2 Scholarships 5.3 Records 6 Defunct teams 7 See also 8 References 9 External links

[edit] History

[edit] The beginning

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 know as the Winnipeg and District League, until 1931 when it became the Manitoba Junior Hockey League. 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 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.

In 1963 Jim Irving, captain of the Winnipeg Rangers, was named Manitoba's outstanding junior athlete and received the Carl Pederson Memorial Award.

[edit] Modern Era

[edit] 1967 & 1968

During the summer of 1967, the MAHA agreed to allowed 3 teams to enter the WCHL, the Brandon Wheat Kings, the Flin Flon Bombers, and the Winnipeg Jets. The Jets owner Ben Hatskin, also owned 3 MJHL teams. Part of the agreement was the continuation of the MJHL, Hatskin sold his 3 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 3 teams along with the Winnipeg Monarchs became the new MJHL. The Selkirk Steelers, however joined the Central Manitoba Junior Hockey League. The very next year, the MJHL swallowed the CMJHL creating a North Division to house all 4 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.

[edit] The Goring Affair

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 scoring at the time. Monday, WCHL president Ron Butlin, also president of the Canadian Amateur Hockey Association, said a court injunction would be sought against Goring and another Jet forward Merv Haney from playing with Dauphin Kings. Also saying the CAHA would be "taking whatever action is necessary against Dauphin and the Manitoba Amateur Hockey Association for damages." Goring and Haney would play for the Kings, all the way to the Western Memorial Cup Finals.

[edit] the new MJHL

The Dauphin Kings were the first “Dynasty” of the new MJHL, winning the League 3 out of 4 years, 69, 70, & 72, and boasting such stars as Butch Goring, Ron Chipperfield, and Ron Low. The Kings went to the Western Memorial Cup final in 69, and in 72 recorded 40 Wins, a MJHL record. Charlie Simmer of the Kenora Muskies won the scoring title in 73, the same year the Portage Terriers were crowned National Champs. In 74, the Selkirk Steelers won the National crown, giving the MJHL back to back “Canadian Championships”. It was it's players like 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 that gave the new MJHL it’s foundation.

[edit] the Steelers Dynasty

The Selkirk Steelers were National Champs in 74, in the first of 3 in a row MJHL Championships. The Steelers dominated, in 14 years, 8 MJHL Championships, 2 Anavet Cups, 1 Abbott Cup, and 1 Centennial Trophy. The 74 Steelers were inducted into the Manitoba Hockey Hall of Fame, as were the 73 Portage Terriers. In 74, Brandon returned to the MJHL with the Brandon Wheat Kings owned Travellers, in 75, Jim Misener of the Dauphin Kings led the league in goals with 73, breaking Bobby Clarke’s single season record of 71, and in 76, the Thompson King Miners were added. In 77, the Dauphin Kings won their 4th MJHL title in a decade, led by Jim Misener who became the MJHL career leader in goals, assists, and points.

[edit] The 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.

[edit] Steelers or the Blues

The Selkirk Steelers won back to back in 79 & 80, and again in 84 & 85. In between Grant Ledyard led Winnipeg South Blues to the first of 4 Championships in 8 years in 82, (an Anavet Cup in 86). In 83, Mike Ridley of the St. Boniface Saints broke both Jim Misener’s goal scoring record and Bobby Clarke’s points record, the same year the Dauphin Kings captured their 5th Championship, and first Anavet Cup. In 87, the Steelers captured their 8th Championship of the modern era. The Blues, with back to back Championships closed out the 80's.

[edit] the Blizzard

The 90’s were like the month of March, and exited in a Blizzard. In 90, the Portage Terriers started a trend, winning a 3rd MJHL Championship, the St. Boniface Saints followed in 94, and the St. James Canadians with back to back wins in 96 & 97. The Winkler Flyers won all 3 titles in the 90’s, with wins in 91, 92, & 98. The Dauphin Kings captured their 6th in 93. In 95, Cory Cyrenne of the Saints was chosen CJAHL Player of the Year, and the Winnipeg South Blues won their 5th Championship, on their road to a 2nd Anavet Cup, and an Abbott Cup. The 95 Blues were inducted into Manitoba Hockey Hall of Fame. In 98 Jedd Crumb of the Blues led all of the CJAHL in goals with 61. Then came the OCN Blizzard, 5 straight Championships and an Anavet Cup in 2002. Only the legendary Elmwood Millionaires (1927-1931) had ever won 5 in a row. Junior Lessard of the 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 Leftwinger Andrew Coates (2003) led in goals. In 2004, Aaron Starr of the Blizzard became the first MJHLer to led the CJAHL in scoring with 118 points.

[edit] Teams

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

[edit] Turnbull Cup Champions

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 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

[edit] Post MJHL Playoffs

[edit] 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 know 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.

[edit] 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 1995 Winnipeg South Blues

2002 OCN Blizzard 2005 Portage Terriers 2007 Selkirk Steelers

[edit] 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

[edit] 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

[edit] Awards & Leaders

[edit] Individual Awards

• Steve "Boomer" Hawrysh Award MVP
• Brian Kozak Award Top Defenceman
• MJHL Top Goaltender Award
• 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)

[edit] Scholarships

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

[edit] Records

• MJHL Season Records
• MJHL Top 10 Goal Scorers

[edit] Defunct teams

• Thunder Bay Hornets
• Brandon Travellers (1973-74 to NA)
• Brandon Wheat Kings/Brandon Elks (NA to 1939-40) (1945-46 to 1953-54) (1958-59 to 1963-64) (1966-67)
• CUAC Blues (1939-40 to 1944-45)
• East Kildonan Bisons (1940-41 to 1941-42)
• Elmwood Maple Leafs (NA to 1939-40)
• Flin Flon Bombers (1966-67)
• Fort Frances Royals (1963-64)
• Kenora Thistles/Kenora Muskies (NA to 1939-40) (1968-69 to NA)
• Kildonan North Stars/West Kildonan North Stars/Winnipeg Warriors/St. Boniface Canadiens (1954-55 to NA)
• St. Boniface Athletics (1940-41 to 1944-45)
• St. Boniface Saints (1967-68 to NA)
• St. Boniface Seals (NA to 1940-41)
• St. James Canadians/St. James Braves (NA to 1944-45) (1966-67 to 2003-2004)
• St. James Orioles (1945-46)
• Thompson King Miners (1975-76 to 1977-78)
• Transcona Rangers (1957-58 to 1958-59)
• Winnipeg Air Cadets (1943-44)
• Winnipeg Barons (1952-53 to 1956-57)
• Winnipeg Black Hawks (1947-48 to 1951-52)
• Winnipeg Braves (1957-58 to 1965-66)
• Winnipeg Canadiens (1946-47 to 1953-54)
• Winnipeg Esquires (1942-43 to 1944-45)
• Winnipeg Falcon-Rangers (NA to 1938-39)
• Winnipeg Hockey Club (NA to 1937-38)
• Winnipeg Junior Falcons (1940-41 to 1941-42)
• Winnipeg Monarchs/Assiniboine Park Monarchs (NA to 1977-78)
• Winnipeg Rangers (1939-40 to 1946-47) (1956-57) (1959-60 to 1966-67)
• Winnipeg Wellingtons (1945-46)
• Wolseley Flyers (1942-43)

[edit] See also

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

[edit] References

• Manitoba Junior Hockey League
• Manitoba Hockey Hall of Fame
• Hockey Hall of Fame
• Winnipeg Free Press Archives

[edit] External links

• Manitoba Junior Hockey League website

v • d • e Manitoba Junior Hockey League Dauphin Kings  • Neepawa Natives  • OCN Blizzard  • Portage Terriers  • Selkirk Steelers  • Southeast Blades  • Swan Valley Stampeders  • Waywayseecappo Wolverines  • Winkler Flyers  • Winnipeg Saints  • Winnipeg South Blues Defunct Teams: St. Boniface Saints  • St. James Canadians CJAHL: Anavet Cup  · Royal Bank Cup