Keystone Junior Hockey League
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.
| Commissioner | Brett Stewart |
|---|---|
| Former name(s) | Manitoba Junior 'B' Hockey League (1977-2004) |
| Founded | 1977 |
| No. of teams | 7 |
| Associated Title(s) | Baldy Northcott Trophy Keystone Cup |
| Recent Champions | Peguis Juniors (2023) |
| Most successful club | Peguis Juniors (9) |
| Website | keystonejr.ca |
History edit
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 a seventh franchise for the 2023–24 season. The Waywayseecappo Wild will be the new franchise.
Teams edit
| Team | City/Area | Arena | Founded | Head Coach |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cross Lake Islanders | Cross Lake | Cross Lake Sports Complex | 2006 | Brandon Mckay |
| NCN Flames* | Nelson House | Gilbert McDonald Arena | 2019 | Cody Genaille |
| Norway House North Stars | Norway House | Kinosao Sipi Multiplex | 2004 | Skyler Tait-Reaume |
| OCN Storm** | Opaskwayak Cree Nation | Gordon Lathlin Memorial Centre | 2012 | Marcel Fontaine |
| PBCN Selects*** | Flin Flon | Whitney Forum | 2022 | Gatlin Church |
| Peguis Juniors | Peguis | Peguis Multiplex | 1994 | Kevin Monkman |
| Waywayseecappo Wild | Waywayseecappo | Waywayseecappo Arena Complex | 2023 | Adam Shingoose |
- Nisichawayasihk Cree Nation
- Opaskwayak Cree Nation
- Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation
- Opaskwayak Cree Nation
Former/inactive teams edit
- 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 edit
- For a list of provincial champions, please see: Baldy Northcott Trophy.
| Year | Playoff winner | Keystone Cup result | Year | Playoff winner | Keystone Cup result | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1978 | Transcona Railers | 2001 | St. Malo Warriors | |||
| 1979 | Transcona Railers | 2002 | North Winnipeg Satelites | |||
| 1980 | Transcona Railers | Railers - Gold Fishermen - Silver | 2003 | North Winnipeg Satelites | ||
| 1981 | Transcona Railers | Railers - Gold | 2004 | Selkirk Fishermen | ||
| 1982 | Transcona Railers | 2005 | Selkirk Fishermen | |||
| 1983 | North Winnipeg Satelites | Fishermen - Gold | 2006 | North Winnipeg Satelites | ||
| 1984 | Selkirk Fishermen | Fishermen - Silver | 2007 | Winnipeg Saints | Saints - Bronze | |
| 1985 | North Winnipeg Satelites | 2008 | Norway House North Stars | North Stars - Silver | ||
| 1986 | North Winnipeg Satelites | 2009 | St. Malo Warriors | |||
| 1987 | Oak Bluff Raiders | 2010 | Selkirk Fishermen | |||
| 1988 | North Winnipeg Satelites | 2011 | Arborg Ice Dawgs | |||
| 1989 | North Winnipeg Satelites | 2012 | Arborg Ice Dawgs | |||
| 1990 | Beausejour Comets | 2013 | Peguis Juniors | |||
| 1991 | Selkirk Fishermen | 2014 | Selkirk Fishermen | |||
| 1992 | Selkirk Fishermen | Fishermen - Bronze | 2015 | Selkirk Fishermen | ||
| 1993 | Selkirk Fishermen | 2016 | Peguis Juniors | Juniors - 5th of 6 | ||
| 1994 | Selkirk Fishermen | Fishermen - Silver | 2017 | Peguis Juniors | Ice Dawgs - 4th of 6 Juniors - 5th of 6 | |
| 1995 | St. Malo Warriors | 2018 | Peguis Juniors | Juniors - Silver Warriors - 4th of 4 | ||
| 1996 | Peguis Juniors | 2019 | Peguis Juniors | Islanders - Bronze Juniors - 4th of 4 | ||
| 1997 | St. Malo Warriors | Warriors - Silver | 2020 | none | No Keystone Cup | |
| 1998 | Peguis Juniors | 2021 | none | No Keystone Cup | ||
| 1999 | Selkirk Fishermen | 2022 | Peguis Juniors | No Keystone Cup | ||
| 2000 | St. Malo Warriors | 2023 | Peguis Juniors | TBD |
Notable alumni edit
- 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 edit
References edit
- ^ "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 edit
- Keystone Junior Hockey League
- @KJHLca Twitter
- Cross Lake Islanders
- Norway House North Stars
- OCN Storm
- Peguis Juniors