 | |
| Commissioner | Grant Heather |
|---|---|
| Founded | 2018 |
| No. of teams | 7 |
| Associated titles | Baldy Northcott Trophy Keystone Cup |
| Recent champions | St. Malo Warriors (2024–25) |
| Website | crjhl |
TheCapital Region Junior Hockey League (CRJHL) is ajunior B ice hockey league in the province ofManitoba, Canada. The league, sanctioned byHockey Manitoba, began play for 2018–19 season.
The CRJHL was formed in 2018 when five teams from theKeystone Junior Hockey League (KJHL) withdrew to form a new league.[1] These five clubs, all located within an hour-and-a-half drive ofWinnipeg, cited the long travel distance to northern Manitoba, where the KJHL's other six teams are located, as the main reason for leaving to create the new league.[2][3] The split resulted in litigation, with the remainingKJHL teams alleging that the decision to form a new league was racially motivated.[4] The remainingKJHL teams filed a complaint with governing body,Hockey Manitoba, which ruled that the new league had breached the organization's constitution when it did not give proper notice to theKJHL.[5] Moreover, it ruled that formerKJHL players would need a release to play in the new league and there would be a $500 fee.[5] TheKJHL applied to theCourt of Queen's Bench of Manitoba for an injunction halting the CRJHL's inaugural season, and seeking damages for alleged breaches of contracts with players.[6] The court denied the request for injunction, finding that theKJHL teams had not exhausted their appeals throughHockey Manitoba and couldn't prove the split would cause irreparable harm to the league.[7]
TheSelkirk Fishermen defeated theNorth Winnipeg Satelites in six games to capture the first-ever CRJHL championship in 2019. The Fishermen, who defeated theArborg Ice Dawgs in five games, were set to defend that title in 2020 against theSt. Malo Warriors, but the finals were cancelled due to theCOVID-19 pandemic.
The 2020–21 CRJHL season began in October 2020 with games played with spectator limits before provincial-wide restrictions forced the cancellation of the remainder of the season.[8][9]
In 2024, theSt. Malo Warriors became the second club to win the league championship.[10]
The league has expanded twice since it began with 5 teams in 2018. TheBeausejour Comets joined in the 2022–23 CRJHL season, and theLa Broquerie Habs debuted in the 2024–25 CRJHL season.[11]
| Team | City/Area | Arena | Founded |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arborg Ice Dawgs | Arborg | Arborg & District Arena | 2006 |
| Beausejour Comets | Beausejour | Beausejour Sportsplex | 2022 |
| La Broquerie Habs | La Broquerie | HyLife Centre | 2024 |
| Lundar Falcons | Lundar | Lundar Arena | 2010 |
| North Winnipeg Satelites | Inkster East Neighbourhood | Billy Mosienko Arena | 1980 |
| Selkirk Fishermen | Selkirk | Selkirk Recreation Complex | 1917 |
| St. Malo Warriors | St. Malo | St. Malo Arena | 1993 |
| Year | Playoff winner | Runner-up | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | Selkirk Fishermen | North Winnipeg Satelites | 4-2 |
| 2020 | playoff finals cancelled due toCOVID-19 outbreak | ||
| 2021 | season cancelled due to COVID-19 restrictions | ||
| 2022 | Selkirk Fishermen | Arborg Ice Dogs | 4-0 |
| 2023 | Selkirk Fishermen | St. Malo Warriors | 4-1 |
| 2024 | St. Malo Warriors | Beausejour Comets | 4-2 |
| 2025 | St. Malo Warriors | Beausejour Comets | 4-3 |