1996-97 North Central Hockey League season

This is the 1996-97 North Central Hockey League season, the league's 40th season.

Regular Season

Team		GP	W	L	T	GF	GA	PTS
1	Virden Oil Kings	24	23	1	0			46
2	Miniota Night Hawks	24	17	6	1			35
3	McAuley Tigers	24	16	6	2			34
4	Hamiota Huskies	24	14	8	2			30
5	McCreary Mustangs	24	12	8	4			28
6	Blanshard Bobcats	24	12	10	2			26
7	Birtle Bruins	24	12	12	0			24
8	Kenton Cougars	24	11	11	2			24
9	Oak Lake Icemen	24	11	13	0			22
10	Reston Rockets	24	7	16	1			15
11	Minnedosa Bombers	24	6	18	0			12
12	Rossburn Hornets	24	6	18	0			12
13	Maryfield Blackhawks	24	2	22	0			4

Playoffs

Preliminary Round

McCreary defeated Rossburn 2-games-to-none Blanshard defeated Minnedosa 2-games-to-none Birtle defeated Reston 2-games-to-1 Oak Lake defeated Kenton 2-games-to-none

Quarter Finals

Oak Lake defeated Virden 3-games-to-2 Miniota defeated Birtle 3-games-to-none Blanshard defeated McAuley 3-games-to-1 Hamiota defeated McCreary 3-games-to-2

Semi Finals

Miniota defeated Oak Lake Blanshard defeated Hamiota 3-games-to-1

Final

Miniota defeated Blanshard