Manitoba Junior Hockey League Superthread

[jetsmooseice]

So I went on vacation and missed nearly the entire first round! Sigh.

The favourites are 3 for 4 so far, only Dauphin still has the chance to upset OCN with a game 7 looming in that series. Otherwise, Steinbach, Winkler and Virden have advanced.

 

[jetsmooseice]

The Blizzard beat Dauphin in triple overtime to take game seven!!!!!

The semis stack up like this: Steinbach vs. Blizzard (can we still call them OCN even though they don't play there anymore?), Winkler vs. Virden. The top 4 teams. Will be quite a hike from Winnipeg to La Broquerie if I want to catch some playoff action live... I'm still thinking about it.

 

[jetsmooseice]

Well, we're off and running with round 2. Steinbach and the Blizzard split the first two games, and then Virden is up 2 games to 1 over Winkler.

 

[jetsmooseice]

Upset in the making? Blizzard beat Steinbach 4-2 last night to take a 2-1 series lead. Game 4 is going down tonight.

 

[jetsmooseice]

The Winkler Flyers have punched their ticket to the MJHL finals! It took quadruple overtime to get the job done. The Flyers won their series against Virden 4-2.

I love this call on last night's game winner by the inimitable Doug Roach... "chagrin chagrin"



Now we wait to see what happens in game 7 between the Blizzard and Pistons Wednesday night in La Broquerie.

This is the Flyers' first trip to the MJHL finals since 2002 which somehow seems amazing.

 

[jetsmooseice]

The schedule for the MJHL finals is set and the Steinbach Pistons are packing their bags for Niverville. Apparently the rink in La Broquerie isn't available any longer so off to the CRRC they go.

Here's the schedule:

Friday, April 19 Winkler Flyers at Steinbach Pistons 7:00 pm
Sunday, April 21Steinbach Pistons at Winkler Flyers 7:00 pm
Tuesday, April 23 Winkler Flyers at Steinbach Pistons 7:00 pm
Friday, April 26 Steinbach Pistons at Winkler Flyers 7:00 pm
Sunday, April 28 Winkler Flyers at Steinbach Pistons (if necess) 7:00 pm
Tuesday, April 30 Steinbach Pistons at Winkler Flyers (if necess) 7:00 pm
Thursday, May 2 Winkler Flyers at Steinbach Pistons (if necess) 7:00 pm

I wonder if they might reschedule some of these given the conflicts with Jets playoff games?

 

[jetsmooseice]

I took a drive down to Niverville to check out game 1 of the MJHL finals. Good times, good vibes in the building for what the local media is calling the "Menno Bowl" Lots of fans from Steinbach but a good Winkler contingent as well.

The Flyers definitely looked like the team to beat in game 1. They're a physical bunch playing a heavy game, and they have a stifling defense that frustrated Steinbach for the first two periods. Steinbach managed to get some zone time in the third but it was too little, too late. They rang a couple off the iron but just didn't get the luck they needed. The final score was 2-1 Winkler but that doesn't reflect the level to which Winkler really dominated the game.

Niverville CRRC is a good rink but the big finals crowd showed the shortcomings of the place for the MJ. It doesn't handle large crowds well. I did appreciate the proximity to Winnipeg though, I wasn't likely to drive out to La Broquerie.

 

[jetsmooseice]

Winkler wins again at home, 3-1 this time, for a 2-0 series lead. Do or die time for the Pistons.

 

[jetsmooseice]

Ladies and Gentlemen, we have a champion... the Winkler Flyers swept the Steinbach Pistons to claim their first Turnbull Cup since 1998!

I'm not shocked that the Flyers won but I am a bit surprised that they swept the defending champs. However, it was a close series with the last two games decided in OT. On to Oakville and the Centennial Cup for the Flyers.

 

[jetsmooseice]

The Centennial Cup is under way in Oakville and I know it's just a preliminary game, but holy DALTON ANDREW 4 GOAL PERFORMANCE. Wow. Winkler beat the Sioux Lookout Bombers (SIJHL) 4-2 last night on the strength of all those Dalton Andrew goals.

It's been a pretty good week for our boy Dalton, a few days ago he committed to North Dakota.

I hope your week was even half as good as his was

Anyway, the Flyers have the day off and take on the Melfort Mustangs (SJHL) in their next preliminary on Saturday.

 

[jetsmooseice]

After kicking things off with a win, the Flyers recorded a shootout loss, a win and another shootout loss to finish 2-0-0-2 in preliminary play and third in group B.

Quarterfinals start Friday!

 

[jetsmooseice]

Well, the Winkler Flyers didn't last long after the preliminary round, losing 4-2 to the Calgary Canucks. Dalton Andrew did bring home some distinguished honours as he was named best forward of the Centennial Cup tournament.

That's a wrap on the MJHL for 2023-24, time to enjoy a few months off before it starts all over again.

 

[Lakeheadfan95]

I'm no travelling man, I'm in Winnipeg most of the time

The idea of an American team is interesting, there are a few contenders that are not too far from the border. I assume any American town interested in the MJ is one that has been rejected by the USHL/NAHL? Fargo is in the USHL, Thief River Falls is in the SIJHL and Minot is in the NAHL, so I'm not sure who else would be interested... I guess Grand Forks could support a team to MJHL levels... maybe Devils Lake? Grafton? Rugby?

The Winnipeg teams are kind of sad, it's like ownership doesn't even try, on the ice or off. The pay to play cheques clear and that's the end of it. The experience of attending a Blues/Freeze game is indistinguishable from going to a U15AAA game.

Thief River isn't in the SI anymore haven't been since February 2022

 

[jetsmooseice]

I wonder if we're going to hear about any movement towards the creation of a Prairie Super League this off season? Given that we're nearly into June the clock is ticking if anything is going to happen for next season.

 

[MiamiHockeyII]

I wonder if we're going to hear about any movement towards the creation of a Prairie Super League this off season? Given that we're nearly into June the clock is ticking if anything is going to happen for next season.

The MJHL is one of the weakest (true) Jr A leagues in Canada, and is doing a disservice to young Manitoban hockey players with its current level. Just look at how few MJHL players are getting serious DI (and even USports) interest. The MJ would be much better off cutting down to 6 financially viable teams. Whether those 6 teams join the SJHL's top 6 teams or not, the quality of play would be exponentially better.

Which should be the ~6 teams to go? Likely WInkler, Dauphin, Portage, Steinbach, Virden, and a Winnipeg team. The remaining 7 teams could then form a viable Jr B league that feeds affiliates into the MJHL.

Which SJHL teams make the most sense? Likely Estevan, Humboldt, Battlefords, Flin Flon, Yorkton, Weyburn, and perhaps Notre Dame.

 

[jetsmooseice]

The MJHL is one of the weakest (true) Jr A leagues in Canada, and is doing a disservice to young Manitoban hockey players with its current level. Just look at how few MJHL players are getting serious DI (and even USports) interest. The MJ would be much better off cutting down to 6 financially viable teams. Whether those 6 teams join the SJHL's top 6 teams or not, the quality of play would be exponentially better.

Which should be the ~6 teams to go? Likely WInkler, Dauphin, Portage, Steinbach, Virden, and a Winnipeg team. The remaining 7 teams could then form a viable Jr B league that feeds affiliates into the MJHL.

Which SJHL teams make the most sense? Likely Estevan, Humboldt, Battlefords, Flin Flon, Yorkton, Weyburn, and perhaps Notre Dame.

This does make sense. There is a vast difference between the "tier 1" and "tier 2" MJHL teams. I would even add Niverville to the "tier 1" list, they are doing a great job. At one time Selkirk would have belonged there but they are floundering for reasons not entirely clear to me. Also, I'd love to see a little more effort put into a Winnipeg team. I'd get rid of the Freeze post-haste (they never really should have existed in the first place beyond their covid-season function) and focus efforts on turning the Blues into the successful organization that they once were.

I'm not sure that a single junior B league would really fly, given what we've seen in the past there would be some resistance to long road trips to central/northern Manitoba. But a couple of regional junior B leagues within the province might fly. Maybe it's time to blow the whole thing up at the sub-jr. A level and redo junior B using existing junior B teams, the weaker MJHL teams and even the MMJHL. Reorganize them into a southeast league (including Winnipeg), a southwest league and a north-central league.

 

[jetsmooseice]

MJHL draft went down on the weekend. The Winnipeg Blues didn't draft until the 4th round, the Freeze didn't have a selection until the 6th. Doesn't seem like the greatest way to rebuild a team but I guess team management must have liked what they received for all those picks?

List of draft picks here: Draft Results

 

[jetsmooseice]

Kind of exciting, it's not every day that there's a new rink in the MJHL...

The Steinbach Pistons announced that they're planning to open up their long-awaited new arena on December 31 vs. Niverville. Until then they will remain in La Broquerie.

 

[jetsmooseice]

Well, the prairie super league is gonna have to wait, at least for any Manitoba representation. The MJHL schedule came out for the upcoming season and it's the same group of 13 teams as in recent years.

The season kicks off September 20 with each team playing a 58 game schedule that wraps up on March 16, 2025.

MJHL | Official League Site

www.mjhlhockey.ca

 

[jetsmooseice]

I was looking at the Steinbach Pistons website when I noticed that one of their corporate sponsors, among the various typical small town junior hockey-supporting businesses, are the Minnesota Timberwolves of the NBA. What's up with that? Anyone know the connection there? @Tom ServoMST3K ???

Team Sponsors

www.steinbachpistons.ca

 

[Tom ServoMST3K]

I was looking at the Steinbach Pistons website when I noticed that one of their corporate sponsors, among the various typical small town junior hockey-supporting businesses, are the Minnesota Timberwolves of the NBA. What's up with that? Anyone know the connection there? @Tom ServoMST3K ???

Team Sponsors

www.steinbachpistons.ca

They were listed last year in the in-arena sponsorships, but not this year - IIRC the owner of the Timberwolves also has a significant interest in HyLife (a big-time local pork company)

Superleague rumours have completely died down on my end - Rink talk follows my opinion - The added costs of travel would not be worth it in the long run to get marginally better as a league.

I've heard random rumours about a potential MB expansion in the USHL, but it's just from one guy and I really don't believe him at this point.

As for the Winnipeg teams in the draft - Considering their business model, I'd ship out draft picks as well - With the new rules in place, (mobility for 18-year-olds and even 17-year-olds if they don't sign a LoI) no kid is gonna be banging down the door to play for them if they're drafted.

 

[jetsmooseice]

They were listed last year in the in-arena sponsorships, but not this year - IIRC the owner of the Timberwolves also has a significant interest in HyLife (a big-time local pork company)

Superleague rumours have completely died down on my end - Rink talk follows my opinion - The added costs of travel would not be worth it in the long run to get marginally better as a league.

I've heard random rumours about a potential MB expansion in the USHL, but it's just from one guy and I really don't believe him at this point.

As for the Winnipeg teams in the draft - Considering their business model, I'd ship out draft picks as well - With the new rules in place, (mobility for 18-year-olds and even 17-year-olds if they don't sign a LoI) no kid is gonna be banging down the door to play for them if they're drafted.

Great tidbits there!

I have to admit I'm intrigued about the possibility of a Manitoba team in the USHL. I'd consider getting season tickets as I had with the ICE. But as much as I love the idea of top-level junior hockey coming back (presumably to the Winnipeg area) it also runs into the same problem that the WHL had.. where would they play? I doubt TNSE wants another hockey team in its building, so where else could they go? Back to Wayne Fleming? Not a lot of options there.

Personally I love the MJ but what's missing from the Winnipeg teams is any sort of presentation and pizzazz. There's no real difference from a fan perspective between watching the Blues/Freeze and a random 11:30 pm beer league game at the Canlan... it's just dead.

The ICE's setup at Wayne Fleming was inadequate for the WHL, but it would be almost perfect for the MJ. I wish the Play Hockey guys would move the Blues over to the Wayne and run it more or less the same way they did for the ICE. Switch Lil Freeze's ICE jersey for a Blues jersey, bring in an in-game host, some music, play up the team's history, etc. It might not draw 1,500 fans a game but I'd imagine 750 would not be out of the realm of possibility. I'm kind of surprised that they never even tried grabbing the low hanging fruit.

Also on the Timberwolves thing, thanks for making the connection between the team owners and HyLife. Interestingly the Timberwolves logo has come down since I made my last post on Friday, it was still there last time I checked but it's gone now.

 

[Tom ServoMST3K]

Great tidbits there!

I have to admit I'm intrigued about the possibility of a Manitoba team in the USHL. I'd consider getting season tickets as I had with the ICE. But as much as I love the idea of top-level junior hockey coming back (presumably to the Winnipeg area) it also runs into the same problem that the WHL had.. where would they play? I doubt TNSE wants another hockey team in its building, so where else could they go? Back to Wayne Fleming? Not a lot of options there.

Personally I love the MJ but what's missing from the Winnipeg teams is any sort of presentation and pizzazz. There's no real difference from a fan perspective between watching the Blues/Freeze and a random 11:30 pm beer league game at the Canlan... it's just dead.

The ICE's setup at Wayne Fleming was inadequate for the WHL, but it would be almost perfect for the MJ. I wish the Play Hockey guys would move the Blues over to the Wayne and run it more or less the same way they did for the ICE. Switch Lil Freeze's ICE jersey for a Blues jersey, bring in an in-game host, some music, play up the team's history, etc. It might not draw 1,500 fans a game but I'd imagine 750 would not be out of the realm of possibility. I'm kind of surprised that they never even tried grabbing the low hanging fruit.

Also on the Timberwolves thing, thanks for making the connection between the team owners and HyLife. Interestingly the Timberwolves logo has come down since I made my last post on Friday, it was still there last time I checked but it's gone now.

lol - I think it was HyLife - it might have been a different big company locally.

My understanding is the Blues and Freeze are both completely pay-to-play programs - No need to have any atmosphere or think about fans when you're making money before a game is played.

 

[jetsmooseice]

lol - I think it was HyLife - it might have been a different big company locally.

My understanding is the Blues and Freeze are both completely pay-to-play programs - No need to have any atmosphere or think about fans when you're making money before a game is played.

You know, I googled it and it appears that there in fact is a corporate partnership between HyLife and the owners of the Timberwolves. I know this is more detail than most care to see but you can get some insight here HyLife, Taylor Corp. acquire majority ownership of Prime Pork

You are depressingly right about the second part. But man. If the goal is just to make money you can also do that by attracting fans. I'm not expecting them to put on a Jets-style presentation but they don't even bother with super basic steps like sending out e-mail ads offering season tickets, or reminding people of games, etc. The Freeze website hasn't been updated in over a year for pete's sake. The MJ in Winnipeg could be so much more than it is. When I was a kid in the 80s, well, I wouldn't say the MJ was huge in Winnipeg, but it was so much more than it is now. There was real grassroots support. It has really regressed since then.

Also, RIP superleague.

 

[jetsmooseice]

HIGHLY CONTROVERSIAL MOVE by the MJ dropped this weekend. The draft will be no more. Here's the explanation:

The Manitoba Junior Hockey League (MJHL) Board of Governors have voted to move away from the MJHL Draft moving forward.

This decision will allow Manitoba prospects (beginning with the 2009 age group) entering the MJHL for the first time to have control over which member team they’d like to play for. As every situation is different across the MJHL, Manitoba born prospects will have 13 options to consider in deciding which member MJHL organization best suites their individual needs.

The MJHL exists to provide the best hockey development opportunities for elite players with a significant focus on Manitoba players. The removal of the MJHL Draft will help put a stronger emphasis on all member organizations to run a program of choice for players and will give every Manitoba prospect greater choice on what MJHL program they feel would be the best fit for their individual development path.

MJHL to move away from Player Draft beginning in 2025

www.mjhlhockey.ca

This got some social media chatter going, as people felt this could be a death blow for some of the smaller, more remote teams that would have a harder time drawing from the more densely populated southern population base. Teams like the Blizzard, Stampeders, Wolverines, maybe a couple of others.

I wonder what the logic is here? Are other CJHL teams doing this, or moving in that direction? It's quite a change. Seems to me that it's going to make it really tough for bad teams to rebuild without the benefit of some top picks.