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Keystone Junior Hockey League

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Keystone Junior Hockey League
PresidentMarcel Fontaine
Former name(s)Manitoba Junior 'B' Hockey League (1977-2004)
Founded1977
No. of teams5
Associated Title(s)Baldy Northcott Trophy
Keystone Cup
Recent ChampionsPeguis Juniors (2024)
Most successful clubPeguis Juniors (10)
Websitekeystonejr.ca

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

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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 Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation PBCN Selects joined as an expansion franchise in 2022, and the Waywayseecappo Wild joined as an expansion franchise in 2023. The league announced at the beginning of the 2024–25 season that both teams were taking a one-year leave of absence due to "unfortunate and unforeseen circumstances", but that both teams would return in the 2025–26 season.[6]

Teams

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Team City/Area Arena Founded Head Coach
Cross Lake Islanders Cross Lake Cross Lake Sports Complex 2006 Jeff Monias
NCN Flames Nelson House Gilbert McDonald Arena 2019 Brian Patterson
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
Peguis Juniors Peguis Peguis Multiplex 1994 Marty Favel

Defunct teams

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  • 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
  • PBCN Selects (2022–2024)
  • Waywayseecappo Wild (2023–2024)

Champions

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Year Playoff winner Keystone Cup result Year Playoff winner Keystone Cup result
1978 Transcona Railers 2001 St. Malo Warriors
1979 Transcona Railers 2004 Selkirk Fishermen
1980 Transcona Railers Railers - Gold
Fishermen - Silver
2005 Selkirk Fishermen
1981 Transcona Railers Railers - Gold 2006 North Winnipeg Satelites
1982 Transcona Railers 2007 Winnipeg Saints Saints - Bronze
1983 North Winnipeg Satelites Fishermen - Gold 2008 Norway House North Stars North Stars - Silver
1984 Selkirk Fishermen Fishermen - Silver 2009 St. Malo Warriors
1985 North Winnipeg Satelites 2010 Selkirk Fishermen
1986 North Winnipeg Satelites 2011 Arborg Ice Dawgs
1987 Oak Bluff Raiders 2012 Arborg Ice Dawgs
1988 North Winnipeg Satelites 2013 Peguis Juniors
1989 North Winnipeg Satelites 2014 Selkirk Fishermen
1990 Beausejour Comets 2015 Selkirk Fishermen
1991 Selkirk Fishermen 2016 Peguis Juniors Juniors - 5th of 6
1992 Selkirk Fishermen Fishermen - Bronze 2017 Peguis Juniors Ice Dawgs - 4th of 6
Juniors - 5th of 6
1993 Selkirk Fishermen 2018 Peguis Juniors Juniors - Silver
Warriors - 4th of 4
1994 Selkirk Fishermen Fishermen - Silver 2019 Peguis Juniors Islanders - Bronze
1995 St. Malo Warriors 2020 none No Keystone Cup
1996 Peguis Juniors 2021 none No Keystone Cup

Juniors - 4th of 4

1997 St. Malo Warriors Warriors - Silver 2022 none No Keystone Cup
1998 Peguis Juniors 2023 Peguis Juniors 4th of 4
1999 Selkirk Fishermen 2024 PBCN Selects
Peguis Juniors
4th of 5
5th of 5
2000 St. Malo Warriors
2001 St. Malo Warriors
2002 North Winnipeg Satelites
2003 North Winnipeg Satelites

Notable alumni

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  • Darren Helm (2003–04) – Selkirk Fishermen
  • Brady Keeper (2012–13) – Norway House North Stars[7]
  • Thomas Stuart-Dant (2010–13) – Selkirk Fishermen
  • Neil Wilkinson (1984–85) – Selkirk Fishermen
  • Bryce Young (2017–18) – OCN Storm[8]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Peguis Juniors off to St. Malo for Keystone Cup". Interlake Spectator. 17 April 2013.
  2. ^ "Report: KJHL Looking For New Teams". ThompsonOnline. 18 August 2018.
  3. ^ "Warriors join new CRJHL". The Carillon. 12 October 2018.
  4. ^ "Notice regarding the Fisher River Hawks Jr. B". Fisher River Cree Nation. 11 October 2018.
  5. ^ "NCN Flames to join KJHL for 2019-20". GameOn Magazine. 11 May 2019.
  6. ^ Westhaver, Eric (20 September 2024). "PBCN Selects will not play this season: league". Flin Flon Reminder. Glacier Media Group. Retrieved 24 September 2024.
  7. ^ "Brady Keeper, first Pimicikamak Cree Nation member to play in the NHL, makes a visit home". Thompson Citizen. 17 April 2019.
  8. ^ "CJHL announces Top Rookie Award finalists for 2018-19". Canadian Junior Hockey League. 2 May 2019.

Further reading

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