The Keystone Junior Hockey League (KJHL) is a Junior 'B' ice hockey league in the province of Manitoba, Canada. The league, sanctioned by Hockey Manitoba, was formerly known as the Manitoba Junior 'B' Hockey League.
History
The KJHL champion used to play the champion of the Northwest Junior Hockey League (NJHL) for the Baldy Northcott Trophy. Since the demise of the NJHL in 2004, the KJHL has been the only Junior 'B' league in the province; thus its champion has been awarded the provincial title. The provincial champion moves on to compete for the Western Canadian Junior 'B' championship, the Keystone Cup.[1]
In 2018, five southern teams of the KJHL announced they were leaving and forming their own league, the Capital Region Junior Hockey League (CRJHL). The five departing clubs Arborg Ice Dawgs, Lundar Falcons, North Winnipeg Satelites, Selkirk Fishermen and St. Malo Warriors cited travel costs as well as parents expressing concerns for bus travel in light of the 2018 Humboldt Broncos bus tragedy.[2][3] The Fisher River Hawks also announced they would be taking a one-year leave of absence from the league.[4]
The league added another team after their 2019 AGM with the NCN Flames joining for the 2019–20 season.[5] NCN Flames last competed in the Northwest Junior Hockey League in 2004 winning two league championships and one Baldy Northcott Trophy (2002).
The league added a sixth franchise in the PBCN Selects (Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation) at their 2022 AGM. Selects play out of the historic Whitney Forum out of Flin Flon, Manitoba.
The following AGM the league announced the addition of Waywayseecappo Wild. the seventh franchise for the 2023–24 season.
Teams
Former/inactive teams
- Arborg Ice Dawgs (2006–2018) - charter member of the CRJHL
- Brandon Stingers (1991–1999)
- Carberry Plainsmen (1989–1992)
- Central Plains Feathermen (1994–1995)
- Ebb & Flow Flyers (1998–2000; 2002–2003)
- Fisher River Hawks (2014–2018)
- Gimli Vikings (1978–1998)
- Kewatin Canucks (1982–1984)
- Lorette Roadrunners (1986–1987)
- Lundar Falcons (2010–2018) - charter member of the CRJHL
- North East Comets (1980–1983)
- Beausejour Comets (1984–1996)
- North Lake United (1986–1994)
- North Winnipeg Satelites (1980–2018) - charter member of the CRJHL
- Oak Bluff Raiders (1986–1990)
- Pine Creek Warriors (1999–2000)
- Pineview Saints (1981–1982; 1983–1985)
- Portage Terriers (1981–1987)
- Red River Rockets (1989–1994)
- Sagkeeng Braves (1994–1997)
- Sagkeeng Hawks (2001–2008; 2010–2011)
- Sanford Titans (2008–2010)
- Selkirk Fishermen (1977–2018) - charter member of the CRJHL
- Souris Elks (1993–1996)
- St. Boniface Seals (1998–2005)
- Winnipeg Saints (2005–2008)
- St. Claude Knights (1981–1984; 1986–1992; 1996–1997; 2000–2003)
- St. Malo Warriors (1994–2018) - charter member of the CRJHL
- Ste. Anne Aces (1991–1993)
- Ste. Rose Royals (1992–1994)
- Steinbach Millers (1974–1979; 1981–1983)
- Stonewall Jets (1997–2001) - joined MMJHL in 2001
- Transcona Railers (1977–1982) - joined MMJHL in 1983
- Two Nation River Hawks (2006–2009) - Peguis Juniors and Fisher River Hawks merge
Champions
Notable alumni
- Darren Helm (2003–04) – Selkirk Fishermen
- Brady Keeper (2012–13) – Norway House North Stars[6]
- Thomas Stuart-Dant (2010–13) – Selkirk Fishermen
- Neil Wilkinson (1984–85) – Selkirk Fishermen
- Bryce Young (2017–18) – OCN Storm[7]
See also
References
- ^ "Peguis Juniors off to St. Malo for Keystone Cup". Interlake Spectator. April 17, 2013.
- ^ "Report: KJHL Looking For New Teams". ThompsonOnline. August 18, 2018.
- ^ "Warriors join new CRJHL". The Carillon. October 12, 2018.
- ^ "Notice regarding the Fisher River Hawks Jr. B". Fisher River Cree Nation. October 11, 2018.
- ^ "NCN Flames to join KJHL for 2019-20". GameOn Magazine. May 11, 2019.
- ^ "Brady Keeper, first Pimicikamak Cree Nation member to play in the NHL, makes a visit home". Thompson Citizen. April 17, 2019.
- ^ "CJHL announces Top Rookie Award finalists for 2018-19". Canadian Junior Hockey League. May 2, 2019.
External links
- Keystone Junior Hockey League
- @KJHLca Twitter
- Cross Lake Islanders
- Norway House North Stars
- OCN Storm
- Peguis Juniors
