The 2016–17 season was the

Manitoba Junior Hockey League The Manitoba Junior Hockey League (MJHL) is a Junior 'A' ice hockey league operating in the Canadian province of Manitoba and one of nine member leagues of the Canadian Junior Hockey League (CJHL). The MJHL consists of thirteen teams all based ...

's (MJHL) 100th season of operation. Players and officials wore patches to commemorate

Hockey Manitoba Hockey Manitoba is the governing body of amateur ice hockey in the province of Manitoba, Canada. Hockey Manitoba was founded in 1914 as the ''Manitoba Amateur Hockey Association'' and is a branch affiliate of Hockey Canada. As part of its mandat ...

and the MJHL's centennial anniversary. The

Steinbach Pistons The Steinbach Pistons are a Junior "A" ice hockey team from Steinbach, Manitoba, Canada. They are members of the Manitoba Junior Hockey League, which is a member of the Canadian Junior Hockey League. History Southeast Thunderbirds/T-Birds/Bl ...

finished with league's best regular season record for the first time in their franchise's history, however were defeated by the two-time defending champion

Portage Terriers The Portage Terriers are a Canadian junior "A" ice hockey team from Portage la Prairie, Manitoba, Canada. They are members of the Manitoba Junior Hockey League, a part of the Canadian Junior Hockey League. History The Portage Terriers were fou ...

in the semi-finals. The Terriers, despite finishing fifth overall in the regular season, won the

Turnbull Cup The Manitoba Junior Hockey League (MJHL) is a Junior 'A' ice hockey league operating in the Canadian province of Manitoba and one of nine member leagues of the Canadian Junior Hockey League (CJHL). The MJHL consists of thirteen teams all base ...

for a third consecutive season by defeating the

OCN Blizzard The Opaskwayak Cree Nation (OCN) Blizzard are a junior "A" ice hockey team from The Pas, Manitoba, Canada. They are members of the Manitoba Junior Hockey League, a part of the Canadian Junior Hockey League and Hockey Canada. The team is owned ...

in the final.

Season highlights

*The league announces the discontinuation of the Survivor Series playoff round. Only the top eight teams now advance to the playoffs. *Three-on-three play is adopted for overtime during the regular season. *The annual Showcase moves from October to December, with this year's event held December 12–14 at the

MTS Iceplex hockey for all centre is an ice hockey facility located in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. The building is owned and operated by True North Sports and Entertainment (TNSE), which also owns Canada Life Centre in downtown Winnipeg. The Winnipeg Jets ...

. *In December 2016, the

Opaskwayak Cree Nation The Opaskwayak Cree Nation (; OCN, Cree: ᐅᐸᐢᑿᔭᐠ , ''opâskwêyâhk'', meaning: at the wooded narrows) is a First Nations band government in Manitoba, Canada. Most of the on-reserve population lives near The Pas on the OCN 21E reserve ...

band council announce their intention to fold the

following the conclusion of the season. After the Blizzard's board of directors make a pitch to operate the team independently, the council permits the team to continue but without funding from the band.

Standings

Playoffs

Post MJHL playoffs

Western Canada Cup The Western Canada Cup (WCC); was the Junior 'A' ice hockey championship for western Canada from 2013 to 2017. The annual five-team event consisted of the host team and the champions from the four western leagues (Alberta Junior Hockey League, Bri ...

finish fifth in round robin and are eliminated from playoffs. *

Hockey Canada Hockey Canada (which merged with the Canadian Amateur Hockey Association in 1994) is the national governing body of ice hockey and ice sledge hockey in Canada. It is a member of the International Ice Hockey Federation and controls the majority ...

announces the end of the

format. The MJHL and

Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League The Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League is a Junior 'A' ice hockey league operating in the Canadian province of Saskatchewan and one of nine member leagues of the Canadian Junior Hockey League. Open to North American-born players 20 years of ...

will resume their Anavet Cup rivalry next season.

League awards

* Steve "Boomer" Hawrysh Award (MVP):

Brady Keeper Brady Keeper (born June 5, 1996) is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman for the Abbotsford Canucks in the American Hockey League (AHL) while under contract to the Vancouver Canucks of the National Hockey League (NHL). Playing career K ...

, OCN * MJHL Top Goaltender Award: Roman Bengert, Steinbach *

Brian Kozak Award The Brian Kozak Award is presented annually to the Manitoba Junior Hockey League's defenceman who demonstrates throughout the season the greatest all-round ability in the position during the regular season. The award was first presented in 1977. ...

(Top Defenceman): Brady Keeper, OCN *

Vince Leah Trophy The Kim Davis Trophy is an annual award given to the player selected as the most proficient in his first year of competition in the Manitoba Junior Hockey League during the regular season. The trophy is named after former MJHL commissioner Kim Da ...

(Rookie of the Year): Cole Weaver, Winkler * Lorne Lyndon Memorial Trophy (Hockey Ability and Sportsmanship): Jeremey Leipsic, Portage * Muzz McPherson Award (Coach of the Year):

Paul Dyck Paul Dyck (born April 15, 1971) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey defenceman and currently the head coach and general manager of the Manitoba Junior Hockey League's Steinbach Pistons. Playing career Dyck played major junior hockey ...

, Steinbach * Mike Ridley Trophy (Scoring Champion): Jeremey Leipsic, Portage * MJHL Playoff MVP: Jeremey Leipsic, Portage

References

External links

MJHL Website

{{DEFAULTSORT:2016-17 MJHL season Manitoba Junior Hockey League seasons

MJHL The Manitoba Junior Hockey League (MJHL) is a Junior 'A' ice hockey league operating in the Canadian province of Manitoba and one of nine member leagues of the Canadian Junior Hockey League (CJHL). The MJHL consists of thirteen teams all based ...