Overview
The Manitoba Colleges Athletic Conference (MCAC) started play in 2007-08. It was previously known as the Central Plains Athletic Conference (CPAC). The old CPAC web site no longer exists, and the MCAC web site has limited archives. The MCAC is not affilaited with the Canadian Colleges Athletic Association (CCAA).
The hockey information is particularly sparse, consisting of a very few stories and standings. The final season of MCAC hockey was 2009-10.
The stated aim of the MCAC from Executive Director Bill Wedlake is on the front of their web site:
- "Welcome to the Manitoba Colleges Athletic Conference website. With over 50 years of enjoying sport both personally and professionally in Manitoba I am honoured to serve as the MCAC's Executive Director. I am extremely impressed with the exceptional abilities and continued dedication of our student athletes. All are a true treasure to amateur sport and education in our province.
- "As we expand our offering from year to year with our ultimate goal of becoming full members of the Canadian Colleges Athletic Association, we hope you will share with us the excitement of MCAC sport."
The MCAC has concentrated on basketball, volleyball, and soccer. There was always tremendous disparity in the quality of the hockey teams. Some schools simply enter clubs in local rec leagues.
The MCAC has been used as a stepping-stone by CIS teams as well. The University of Winnipeg started their soccer teams in the MCAC before going on to the CWUAA. Brandon University is starting MCAC soccer teams in 2014-15. Brandon used the CPAC for this purpose for their volleyball teams in the past.
Hockey Seasons
The league operated with only 3 teams per season under the MCAC banner. Under the CPAC banner, the league peaked at 5 teams. The teams were:
- Assiniboine College Cougars - won in 2010
- Canadian Mennonite University Blazers - won in 2008 and 2009
- Providence College Freemen
- Saint Boniface Voyageurs (CUSB)
- Steinbach Bible College
All five competed in the final season of the CPAC in 2006-07. Steinbach Bible College no longer competes in any MCAC leagues, and 2007 was their final year of college hockey.
The Saint Boniface Voyageurs (now called the Saint Boniface Rouges) did not compete in 2008 or 2009 but returned in 2010. After a rough campaign, they forfeited their final games.
The Providence Freemen (now called the Providence Pilots) last competed in 2009.
The league's best teams were always the ACC Cougars and the CMU Blazers. While it would be hard to characterize either of those as "varsity" teams, as opposed to "club" teams, they were the cream of the MCAC's crop.
The University of Winnipeg and Brandon University formerly operated CIS hockey teams and are current members of the MCAC. The Red River Rebels (very successful in other MCAC sports) once played intermediate hockey back in the 1970s when there was no college league for them.
Is it possible that the Cougars, Blazers, Bobcats, Wesmen, and Rebels would all revive their programs?
CPAC Seasons
The final CPAC season was 2006-07. The archive at the former CPAC web site is no longer there.
2007-08 MCAC Season
Men’s Semi-Final
Men's Gold Medal Game
2008-09 MCAC Season
Regular Season
Oct 26, 1988 Assiniboine College 4 - Canadian Mennonite University 4
Oct 31, 1988 Assiniboine College 1 - Providence College 1
Playoffs
Women’s Round Robin
- Canadian Mennonite University 3 - Providence College 0
- Assiniboine College 20 - Canadian Mennonite University 0
- Assiniboine College 13 - Providence College 0
Women's Gold Medal Game
Men’s Semi-Final
Men's Gold Medal Game
2009-10 MCAC Season
Regular Season
Team GP W L T Pts Assiniboine College 8 7 1 0 14 Canadian Mennonite University 7 4 3 0 8 Saint-Boniface University 7 0 7 0 0
Playoffs
Semi-final
- Feb 19 Canadian Mennonite University defeated CUSB by default
Final
- Feb 20 Assiniboine College 7 - Canadian Mennonite University 4
Photos
2010 ACC Cougars MCAC Champions