Manitoba_Major_Junior_Hockey_League

Manitoba Major Junior Hockey League

Manitoba Major Junior Hockey League

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The Manitoba Major Junior Hockey League (MMJHL) is a junior ice hockey league in Manitoba, Canada. Founded in 1970, the league was operated as an independent league. MMJHL affiliated with Hockey Manitoba and Hockey Canada in the mid-1990s. Teams compete annually for the Art Moug Trophy (regular season winner) and Jack McKenzie Trophy (playoff champion).

Quick Facts Sport, Founded ...

History

Founded in 1970,[1] the Manitoba Major Junior Hockey League was created due to a lack of playing opportunities for Winnipeg-area players. After the restructuring of junior hockey in the country, Hockey Canada relegated the Manitoba Junior Hockey League (MJHL) from Major Junior (previously known as Tier I) to Junior 'A' (Tier II), meaning there was no active "second-tier" league in the Winnipeg area.

The new league applied to the Manitoba Amateur Hockey Association (now Hockey Manitoba) for membership and was initially accepted. When the MAHA was informed the league wanted to call itself the "Manitoba Junior 'B' Hockey League", MAHA objected on the grounds that the MJHL was in the process of constructing a developmental league for itself with that name. After negotiations between the MJHL and the new league did not work out, the league informed the MAHA that it would operate independently.

In 1977, the Canadian Amateur Hockey Association offered the league a Junior B status, instead of its requested Junior A status.[2] Affiliation with Hockey Manitoba did happen during the mid-1990s as insurance premiums became too much for league members.[3]

The league's first season started with the original four teams: Charleswood Hawks, Fort Garry Blues, River Heights Cardinals and Stonewall Rockets. Only a week into the season, the league was contacted by teams in Portage la Prairie and St. James who were looking for a league to play in after the MJHL's attempt to create a Junior 'B' league failed. Soon after, Neepawa approached the league also, but due to travel did not join. Instead, Neepawa participated in at least two interleague games against each team. In the second season, a team from Kenora, Ontario did this as well.

At the end of the first season, the MMJHL was allowed to send a "champion" (St. James) to compete against the MAHA Junior 'B' champion.

The Manitoba Major Junior Hockey League name comes from the league's adaptation of the Western Hockey League's player eligibility rules (permitted to roster four "over-age" 21-year-old players).

Teams

TeamCentreFoundedMcKenzie Trophy titles Moug Trophy titles
Charleswood HawksEric Coy Arena197016 14
Fort Garry/Fort Rouge TwinsCentury Arena19707 5
Pembina Valley TwistersMorris Multiplex20013 3
Raiders Junior Hockey Club Seven Oaks Sportsplex 1977 3 4
River East Royal KnightsTerry Sawchuk Memorial Arena19817 8
St. Boniface RielsSouthdale Community Centre19715 7
St. James CanucksSt.James Civic Centre Arena19784 3
St. Vital VictoriasSt. Vital Centennial Arena19751 3
Stonewall JetsVeterans Memorial Sports Complex20011 0
Transcona Railer ExpressEd Golding Memorial Arena20120 0

Former teams

  • East Kildonan Knights (1972–81)
  • Kern-Hill Nationals (1973–75)
  • Midland Flyers (1975–85)
  • Portage la Prairie (1970–72)
  • River Heights Cardinals (1970–78)
  • Selkirk (1972–73)
  • Stonewall (1970–71)
  • Transcona Railers (1983-2011)
  • Transcona Titans (1972–76)
  • West Kildonan Nev Knights (1972–75)

Champions

More information Season, Jack McKenzie Trophy (playoff champion) ...

League records

More information Category, Team/Player ...

** = minimum of 12 games played


References

  1. "League Formation and early years". MMJHL. Retrieved 29 December 2014.
  2. "Memorial Cup games shared". Lethbridge Herald. Lethbridge, Alberta. October 3, 1977. p. 28.Free access icon
  3. "Independent or outlaw hockey league?". The Globe And Mail. 17 January 2011.
  4. "Charleswood Hawks win MMJHL Championship". Calgary Sun. 22 April 2009. Archived from the original on 5 January 2015.
  5. "Charleswood Hawks win MMJHL championship". Winnipeg Free Press. 20 April 2012.
  6. "Feeding The Beast". Winnipeg Free Press. 30 November 2012.
  7. "Twisters Win MMJHL Title". PembinaValley.com. 22 April 2013.

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