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<hr /><center>'''[[Canadian Junior A|Canadian Junior A Outline]]'''</center><hr /><br />
<hr />
 
 
{{For|the Original Maritime Junior A League that played from 1968 to 1971|Maritime Junior Hockey League}}
<center>'''[[Canadian Junior A|Canadian Junior A Outline]]'''</center>
 
  +
{{For|the early amateur Maritime Hockey League that played in the early 1900's|Maritime Hockey League (Senior)}}
 
<hr /><br />
 
{{For|the Original Maritime Junior A League|Maritime Junior A Hockey League (1968–1971)}}
 
 
{| cellpadding="0" align="right"
 
{| cellpadding="0" align="right"
 
|- align="right" style="vertical-align: top"
 
|- align="right" style="vertical-align: top"
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{| cellpadding="1" width="275px" style="font-size: 90%; border: 1px solid gray;"
 
{| cellpadding="1" width="275px" style="font-size: 90%; border: 1px solid gray;"
 
|- align="center" bgcolor="#dddddd"
 
|- align="center" bgcolor="#dddddd"
|colspan=2| '''Maritime Junior A Hockey League'''
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|colspan=2| '''Maritime Hockey League'''
 
|- align="center"
 
|- align="center"
|colspan=2| [[File:MJAHL Logo.JPG|250px|Current Logo of the MJAHL]]
+
|colspan=2 | [[File:MHL_logo.png|thumb]]
 
|- align="center" bgcolor="#eeeeee"
 
|- align="center" bgcolor="#eeeeee"
| '''Official website''' || [http://www.mjahl.com MJAHL.com]
+
| '''Official website''' || [http://themhl.ca/ TheMHL.ca]
 
|- align="center" bgcolor="#eeeeee"
 
|- align="center" bgcolor="#eeeeee"
| '''Current Champion''' || [[Woodstock Slammers]]
+
| '''Current Champion''' || [[Edmundston Blizzard]] (2018)
 
|- align="center" bgcolor="#eeeeee"
 
|- align="center" bgcolor="#eeeeee"
 
| '''Head Office''' || [[Fredericton, New Brunswick|Fredericton]], [[New Brunswick]]
 
| '''Head Office''' || [[Fredericton, New Brunswick|Fredericton]], [[New Brunswick]]
 
|- align="center" bgcolor="#eeeeee"
 
|- align="center" bgcolor="#eeeeee"
| '''President''' || Derryl Smith
+
| '''President''' || [[Brian Whitehead]]
 
|- align="center" bgcolor="#eeeeee"
 
|- align="center" bgcolor="#eeeeee"
| '''Chairman''' || Rory Beck
+
| '''Chairman''' || [[Dave Ritcey]]
 
|- align="center" bgcolor="#eeeeee"
 
|- align="center" bgcolor="#eeeeee"
 
| '''Founded''' || 1967
 
| '''Founded''' || 1967
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|}
 
|}
 
|}
 
|}
The '''Maritime Junior A Hockey League''' is a Junior A [[ice hockey]] league under [[Hockey Canada]], a part of the [[Canadian Junior Hockey League]]. It consists of 4 teams from [[New Brunswick]] and 1 team from [[PEI]], which make up the Roger Meek Division, and 6 teams from [[Nova Scotia]] which make up the Maurice Bent Division. The winner of the MJAHL playoffs competes for the [[Fred Page Cup]] against the winners of the [[Quebec Junior AAA Hockey League]] and the [[Central Junior A Hockey League]]. The winner of the Fred Page Cup then moves on to compete for the Canadian National Junior A Championships, the [[Royal Bank Cup]].
+
The '''Maritime Hockey League''' ''previously called the Maritime Junior A Hockey League and also referred to as the Maritime Junior Hockey League'' is a Junior A [[ice hockey]] league under [[Hockey Canada]], a part of the [[Canadian Junior Hockey League]]. It consists of 5 teams from [[New Brunswick]] and 1 team from [[PEI]], which make up the Roger Meek Division, and 6 teams from [[Nova Scotia]] which make up the Eastlink Division. The winner of the MJAHL playoffs competes for the [[Fred Page Cup]] against the winners of the [[Quebec Junior AAA Hockey League|Quebec Junior Hockey League]] and the [[Central Canada Hockey League]]. The winner of the Fred Page Cup then moves on to compete for the Canadian National Junior A Championships, the [[Royal Bank Cup]].
   
  +
[[File:MJAHL Logo.JPG|250px|Previous Logo of the MJAHL]]
 
==History==
 
==History==
Originally known as the '''Metro Valley Junior Hockey League''', the league was founded in 1967 by Fred McGillivray and Louie Lewis of [[City of Halifax|Halifax, Nova Scotia]] and Don Stewart of [[Berwick, Nova Scotia]] as a Junior "B" level hockey league. Originally an exclusively Nova Scotia hockey league, it included 6 teams: East Hants Junior Penguins, Halifax Colonels, Dartmouth Hoyts, Windsor Royals, Kentville Riteways, and Berwick Shell Juniors. 1968 saw the Truro Bearcats and Amherst Ramblers replace the teams from Kentville and Berwick. In 1971-72 the New Glasgow Bombers and the Pictou Maripacs entered the league. Stellarton and a new Kentville franchise entered the league in 1973 and 1974 respectively.
+
Originally known as the '''Metro Valley Junior Hockey League''', the league was founded in 1967 by Fred McGillivray and Louie Lewis of [[City of Halifax|Halifax, Nova Scotia]] and Don Stewart of [[Berwick, Nova Scotia]] as a Junior "B" level hockey league. Originally an exclusively Nova Scotia hockey league, it included 6 teams: East Hants Junior Penguins, Halifax Colonels, Dartmouth Hoyts, [[Windsor Royals (MVJHL)|Windsor Royals]], Kentville Riteways, and Berwick Shell Juniors. 1968 saw the Truro Bearcats and Amherst Ramblers replace the teams from Kentville and Berwick. In 1971-72 the New Glasgow Bombers and the Pictou Maripacs entered the league. Stellarton and a new Kentville franchise entered the league in 1973 and 1974 respectively.
   
 
In 1977, still known as the "Metro Valley", the league entered into the Tier II Junior "A" level. The jump to Junior "A" was, in theory, to be a catalyst for the development of the league. The '''Cole Harbour Colts''' (Scotia Colts), who entered the league in 1976, became the first team in league history to host the national championship, then known as the Centennial Cup, in 1980.
 
In 1977, still known as the "Metro Valley", the league entered into the Tier II Junior "A" level. The jump to Junior "A" was, in theory, to be a catalyst for the development of the league. The '''Cole Harbour Colts''' (Scotia Colts), who entered the league in 1976, became the first team in league history to host the national championship, then known as the Centennial Cup, in 1980.
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The Halifax franchise (former [[Antigonish Bulldogs]]) announced on August 22, 2008, that the club would be known as the [[Halifax Lions]]. This was the name of the successful Halifax team in the 1980s.<ref>http://www.hockeyscene.com/hockeyscene/league_full_story.jsp?lid=4&nid=3596[</ref>
 
The Halifax franchise (former [[Antigonish Bulldogs]]) announced on August 22, 2008, that the club would be known as the [[Halifax Lions]]. This was the name of the successful Halifax team in the 1980s.<ref>http://www.hockeyscene.com/hockeyscene/league_full_story.jsp?lid=4&nid=3596[</ref>
   
The current MJAHL has eleven teams, down from a maximum of twelve at one time. The league has hosted the Royal Bank Cup and Centennial Cup seven times, winning twice. MJAHL teams have also won three Fred Page Cups as the Junior "A" Eastern Canadian Champions to earn the right to compete for the Royal Bank Cup.
+
The current MJAHL has twelve teams. The league has hosted the Royal Bank Cup and Centennial Cup nine times (as of 2015), winning twice. MJAHL teams have also won three Fred Page Cups as the Junior "A" Eastern Canadian Champions to earn the right to compete for the Royal Bank Cup.
   
 
The league hired its first professional full time League President in 2003, Vernon Doyle.
 
The league hired its first professional full time League President in 2003, Vernon Doyle.
  +
  +
On March 23, 2018 the league announced that the [[Woodstock Slammers]] would be taking a leave of absence for the 2018-19 season with the intent of either being sold or relocated. It would be later announced that the franchise was being relocated to the [[E. & P. Senechal Centre]] in [[Grand Falls, New Brunswick]]. The team is participating in the league's Annual General Meeting and Entry draft and will apparently play for the 2018-19 season. A name the team contest is being held to choose the new name for the team. The team announced on June 6, 2018 that they would be renamed the [[Grand Falls Rapids]].
  +
  +
On April 15, 2019 the ownership of the [[St. Stephen Aces]] announced they would be selling the team.<ref>https://www.themhl.ca/statement-by-charlotte-county-hockey-club-inc</ref> The league would announce that the team would be relocated to the [[Grant-Harvery Centre]] in [[Fredericton, New Brunswick]] for the 2019-20 season.<ref>https://www.themhl.ca/st-stephen-aces-to-relocate-to-fredericton-n-b-for-2019-20-season</ref>
   
 
==Teams==
 
==Teams==
  +
[[File:MJAHL Map.png|right|thumbnail|Team Locations|300px]]
 
  +
{|class="wikitable"
 
  +
{| cellpadding="0"
|- align="center" bgcolor="#eeffff"
 
  +
|- align="left" style="vertical-align: top"
| colspan="11" | '''Maurice Bent Division'''
 
  +
|
  +
|
  +
{| cellpadding="1" width="620px" style="font-size: 90%; border: 1px solid gray;"
 
|- align="center" bgcolor="#eeeeff"
 
|colspan="4"|'''Eastlink South Division'''
 
|- align="center" bgcolor="#dddddd"
 
|- align="center" bgcolor="#dddddd"
| '''Team''' || '''Centre'''
+
| '''Team''' || '''Joined''' || '''Centre''' || '''Arena'''
 
|- align="center"
 
|- align="center"
| '''[[Amherst Ramblers]]''' || [[Amherst, Nova Scotia]]
+
| '''[[Amherst Ramblers (Junior A)|Amherst Ramblers]]''' || 1967 || [[Amherst, Nova Scotia]] || [[Amherst Stadium]]
 
|- align="center"
 
|- align="center"
| '''[[Bridgewater Lumberjacks]]''' || [[Bridgewater, Nova Scotia]]
+
| '''[[Pictou County Crushers]]''' || 1967 || [[New Glasgow, Nova Scotia]] || [[Pictou County Wellness Centre]]
 
|- align="center"
 
|- align="center"
| '''[[Metro Marauders]]''' || [[Dartmouth, Nova Scotia]]
+
| '''[[South Shore Lumberjacks]]''' || 2004 || [[Bridgewater, Nova Scotia]] || [[Lunenburg County Lifestyle Centre]]
 
|- align="center"
 
|- align="center"
| '''[[Truro Bearcats (junior)|Truro Bearcats]]''' || [[Truro, Nova Scotia]]
+
| '''[[Truro Bearcats (junior)|Truro Bearcats]]''' || 1997 || [[Truro, Nova Scotia]] || [[Rath Eastlink Community Centre]]
 
|- align="center"
 
|- align="center"
| '''[[Weeks Crushers]]''' || [[New Glasgow, Nova Scotia]]
+
| '''[[Valley Wildcats (2013)|Valley Wildcats]]''' || 1986 || [[Berwick, Nova Scotia]] || [[Kings Mutual Century Centre]]
 
|- align="center"
 
|- align="center"
| '''[[Yarmouth Mariners]]''' || [[Yarmouth, Nova Scotia]]
+
| '''[[Yarmouth Mariners]]''' || 1976 || [[Yarmouth, Nova Scotia]] || [[Mariners Centre]]
 
|- align="center" bgcolor="#eeeeff"
 
|- align="center" bgcolor="#eeeeff"
| colspan="11" | '''Roger Meek Division'''
+
|colspan="4"|'''Eastlink North Division'''
 
|- align="center" bgcolor="#dddddd"
 
|- align="center" bgcolor="#dddddd"
| '''Team''' || '''Centre'''
+
| '''Team''' || '''Joined''' || '''Centre''' || '''Arena'''
 
|- align="center"
 
|- align="center"
| '''[[Campbellton Tigers]]''' || [[Campbellton, New Brunswick]]
+
| '''[[Campbellton Tigers]]''' || 1996 || [[Campbellton, New Brunswick]] || [[Memorial Civic Center|Campbellton Memorial Civic Center]]
 
|- align="center"
 
|- align="center"
| '''[[Dieppe Commandos]]''' || [[Dieppe, New Brunswick]]
+
| '''[[Edmundston Blizzard]]''' || 1983 || [[Edmundston, New Brunswick]] || [[Jean-Daigle Centre]]
 
|- align="center"
 
|- align="center"
| '''[[Miramichi Timberwolves]]''' || [[Miramichi, New Brunswick]]
+
| '''[[Grand Falls Rapids]]''' || 2003 || [[Grand Falls, New Brunswick]] || [[E. & P. Senechal Centre]]
 
|- align="center"
 
|- align="center"
| '''[[Summerside Western Capitals]]''' || [[Summerside, Prince Edward Island]]
+
| '''[[Miramichi Timberwolves]]''' || 2000 || [[Miramichi, New Brunswick]] || [[Miramichi Civic Centre]]
 
|- align="center"
 
|- align="center"
| '''[[Woodstock Slammers]]''' || [[Woodstock, New Brunswick]]
+
| '''[[Fredericton Red Wings (2019)|Fredericton Red Wings]]''' || 2014 || [[Fredericton, New Brunswick]] || [[Grant-Harvery Centre]]
  +
|- align="center"
  +
| '''[[Summerside Western Capitals]]''' || 1991 || [[Summerside, Prince Edward Island]] || [[Consolidated Credit Union Place]]
  +
|}
 
|}
 
|}
   
==Kent Cup Champions==
+
==Playoff Champions==
  +
The league championship was the [[Kent Cup]] until 2018.  It was renamed the [[Canadian Tire Cup]]
  +
for the 2019 playoffs.  Up until 1991, the league champion would play in the [[Callaghan Cup]] (the Atlantic Junior A Championship).The MJAHL became a regional league in 1991 absorbing some of the members from the other Junior A leagues in the Atlantic Region.  The Callaghan Cup became the league's playoff championship trophy until it was retired after the 2005-06 season in favor of the [[Kent Cup]].
  +
 
{{For|the Eastern Regional playoffs|Fred Page Cup}}
 
{{For|the Eastern Regional playoffs|Fred Page Cup}}
 
{{For|the National Championship|2010 Royal Bank Cup}}
 
{{For|the National Championship|2010 Royal Bank Cup}}
 
 
<div style="-moz-column-count:2; -webkit-column-count:2; column-count:2;">
 
<div style="-moz-column-count:2; -webkit-column-count:2; column-count:2;">
*[[1968]] Windsor Royals
+
*[[1968]] [[Windsor Royals (MVJHL)|Windsor Royals]]
 
*[[1969]] East Hants Penguins
 
*[[1969]] East Hants Penguins
 
*[[1970]] Truro Bearcats
 
*[[1970]] Truro Bearcats
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*[[1993]] Antigonish Bulldogs
 
*[[1993]] Antigonish Bulldogs
 
*[[1994]] Antigonish Bulldogs
 
*[[1994]] Antigonish Bulldogs
*[[1995]] Moncton Gagnon Beavers
+
*[[1995]] Moncton Gagnon Beavers*
 
*[[1996]] Dartmouth Oland Exports
 
*[[1996]] Dartmouth Oland Exports
 
*[[1997]] Summerside Western Capitals
 
*[[1997]] Summerside Western Capitals
 
*[[1998]] Restigouche River Rats
 
*[[1998]] Restigouche River Rats
*[[1999]] Charlottetown Abbies
+
*[[1999]] Charlottetown Abbies*
 
*[[2000]] Halifax Oland Exports
 
*[[2000]] Halifax Oland Exports
 
*[[2001]] Antigonish Bulldogs
 
*[[2001]] Antigonish Bulldogs
*[[2002]] Halifax Oland Exports
+
*'''[[2002]] Halifax Oland Exports*#'''
 
*[[2003]] Charlottetown Abbies
 
*[[2003]] Charlottetown Abbies
 
*[[2004]] Campbellton Tigers
 
*[[2004]] Campbellton Tigers
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*[[2006]] Woodstock Slammers
 
*[[2006]] Woodstock Slammers
 
*[[2007]] Truro Bearcats
 
*[[2007]] Truro Bearcats
*[[2008]] Yarmouth Mariners
+
*[[2008]] Yarmouth Mariners @
 
*[[2009]] Summerside Western Capitals
 
*[[2009]] Summerside Western Capitals
*2010 Woodstock Slammers
+
*[[2010]] Woodstock Slammers
  +
*[[2011]] Summerside Western Capitals
  +
*[[2012]] Woodstock Slammers*
  +
*[[2013]] Summerside Western Capitals @
  +
*[[2014]] Truro Bearcats
  +
*[[2014-15 MJAHL Season|2015]] Dieppe Commandos
  +
*[[2015-16 MJAHL Season|2016]] Pictou County Crushers
  +
*[[2016-17 MJAHL Season|2017]] Truro Bearcats
  +
*[[2017-18 MJAHL Season|2018]] Edmundston Blizzard
  +
*[[2018-19 MJAHL Season|2019]] Yarmouth Mariners
  +
*[[2019-20 MJAHL Season|2020]] '''Playoffs Cancelled'''
 
</div>
 
</div>
  +
note-Asterisk (*) denotes [[Fred Page Cup]] champion for that year
  +
  +
'''#-denotes won [[Royal Bank Cup]] for that year'''
  +
  +
@-The Pictou County Crushers won the[[ 2008 Fred Page Cup]] and the Truro Bearcats won the [[2013 Fred Page Cup]] as host.
  +
  +
==Regional Championships==
  +
===Dudley Hewitt Cup===
  +
From 1977 (when the league was elevated to Junior A) until 1978 (when  the Manitoba Centennial Cup added a berth for the Atlantic Region champions) the league champion was eligible to compete for the [[Dudley Hewitt Cup]] but the league champions did not win either year they were eligible
  +
  +
  +
===Callaghan Cup===
  +
From 1979 until 1991, the league was one of several leagues in the region and the champion competed for the [[Callaghan Cup]] as Atlantic Regional Champions.
  +
*1981 Cole Harbour Colts
  +
*1983 Halifax Lions
  +
*1984 Halifax Lions
  +
*1985 Cole Harbour Colts
  +
*1986 Moncton Hawks
  +
*1987 Dartmouth Fuel Kids
  +
*1988 Halifax Lions
  +
*1990 Amherst Ramblers
  +
*1991 Halifax Canadians
  +
===Fred Page Cup===
  +
Since 1995 the league champion competes in the [[Fred Page Cup]] for the Eastern Canada Junior "A" championship and a berth in the [[Royal Bank Cup]].
  +
*1996 Moncton Beavers
  +
*1999 Charlottetown Abbies
  +
*2002 Halifax Oland Exports
  +
*2008 Weeks Crushers (won as host)
  +
*2009 Summerside Western Capitals
  +
*2012 Woodstock Slammers
  +
*2013 Truro Bearcats (won as host)
  +
==National Championships==
  +
===Manitoba Centennial Cup===
  +
No league member won the Centennial Cup while league members were eligible to win the cup from 1977 to 1995.
  +
===Royal Bank Cup===
 
*1997 Summerside Western Capitals (won as host)
 
*2002 Halifax Oland Exports (won as host)
   
 
==Defunct Teams==
 
==Defunct Teams==
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*[[Charlottetown Abbies]]
 
*[[Charlottetown Abbies]]
 
*[[Dartmouth Arrows]]/Eagles/Fuel Kids/Pepsis
 
*[[Dartmouth Arrows]]/Eagles/Fuel Kids/Pepsis
  +
*[[Dieppe Commandos]] (become [[Edmundston Blizzard]])
 
*[[Kentville Colonels]]
 
*[[Kentville Colonels]]
 
*[[Saint John Alpines]]
 
*[[Saint John Alpines]]
 
*[[Truro Bearcats (1977-1983)]] (Joined MJAHL again in 1997 with new franchise)
 
*[[Truro Bearcats (1977-1983)]] (Joined MJAHL again in 1997 with new franchise)
 
*[[Valley Wildcats]]
 
*[[Valley Wildcats]]
*[[Windsor Royals (MJAHL team)|Windsor Royals]]
+
*[[Windsor Royals (MVJHL)|Windsor Royals]]
  +
*[[Woodstock Slammers]] (become [[Grand Falls Rapids]])
  +
 
==Franchise Timeline (as Metro Valley Junior Hockey League)==
 
==Franchise Timeline (as Metro Valley Junior Hockey League)==
 
*[[East Hants Junior Penguins]] (1967-1977) leave league
 
*[[Halifax Colonels]] (1967-1972) renamed Blazers
 
*[[Dartmouth Hoyts]] (1967-1969) become Dartmouth Arrows
 
*[[Windsor Royals (MVJHL)|Windsor Royals]] (1967-1978) expelled from league
 
*[[Kentville Riteways]] (1967-1968) withdrew
 
*[[Berwick Shell Juniors]] (1967-1968) withdrew
 
*[[Truro Bearcats (junior)|Truro Bearcats]] (1968-1983) folded early in 1983-84 season
 
*[[Amherst Ramblers]] (1968-1991) see Maritime Jr. A Hockey League
 
*[[Dartmouth Arrows]] (1969-1987) renamed Fuel Kids
 
*[[New Glasgow Bombers]] (1971-1976) leave league
 
*[[Pictou Maripacs]] (1971-1975) leave league
 
*[[Chester Ravens]] (1972-1977) leave league
 
*[[Halifax Blazers]] (1972-1975) renamed Centennials
 
*[[Stellarton Spitfires]] (1973-1975) leave league
 
*[[Kentville Colonels]] (1975-1980) leave league, replaced by Valley Wildcats
  +
*[[Halifax Centennials]] (1975-1977) renamed Lions
 
*[[Cole Harbour Colts]] (1976-1991) returned to Maritime Jr. A Hockey League
 
*[[Halifax Lions]] (1977-1989) renamed DQ Blizzards
 
*[[Valley Wildcats]] (1980-1984) folded
 
*[[Moncton Hawks]] (1983-1990) renamed Classics
 
*[[Antigonish Bulldogs]] (1986-1991) see Maritime Jr. A Hockey League
 
*[[Dartmouth Fuel Kids]] (1987-1988) renamed Dartmouth Eagles
 
*[[Dartmouth Eagles]] (1988-1989) renamed Dartmouth Pepsis
 
*[[Dartmouth Pepsis]] (1989-1991) folded
 
*[[Halifax DQ Blizzards]] (1989-1990) renamed Halifax Canadians
 
*[[Halifax Canadians]] (1990-1991) see Maritime Jr. A Hockey League as Mooseheads
 
*[[Moncton Classics]] (1990-1991) see Maritime Jr. A Hockey League as Dieppe-Classics
   
 
East Hants Junior Penguins (1967-1977) leave league
 
 
Halifax Colonels (1967-1970+) not sure about 1970-1 and 71-2 seasons
 
 
Dartmouth Hoyts (1967-1969) become Dartmouth Arrows
 
 
Windsor Royals (1967-1978) expelled from league
 
 
Kentville Riteways (1967-1968) withdrew
 
 
Berwick Shell Juniors (1967-1968) withdrew
 
 
Truro Bearcats (1968-1983) folded early in 1983-84 season
 
 
Amherst Ramblers (1968-1991) see Maritime Jr. A Hockey League
 
 
Dartmouth Arrows (1969-1987) renamed Fuel Kids
 
 
New Glasgow Bombers (1971-1976) leave league
 
 
Pictou Maripacs (1971-1975) leave league
 
 
Chester Ravens (1972-1977) leave league
 
 
Halifax Blazers (1972-1975) renamed Centennials
 
 
Stellarton Spitfires (1973-1975) leave league
 
 
Kentville Colonels (1975-1980) leave league, replaced by Valley Wildcats
 
 
Halifax Centennials (1975-1977) renamed Lions
 
 
Cole Harbour Colts (1976-1991) returned to Maritime Jr. A Hockey League
 
 
Halifax Lions (1977-1989) renamed DQ Blizzards
 
 
Valley Wildcats (1980-1984) folded
 
 
Moncton Hawks (1983-1990) renamed Classics
 
 
Antigonish Bulldogs (1986-1991) see Maritime Jr. A Hockey League
 
 
Dartmouth Fuel Kids (1987-1988) renamed Dartmouth Eagles
 
 
Dartmouth Eagles (1988-1989) renamed Dartmouth Pepsis
 
 
Dartmouth Pepsis (1989-1991) folded
 
 
Halifax DQ Blizzards (1989-1990) renamed Halifax Canadians
 
 
Halifax Canadians (1990-1991) see Maritime Jr. A Hockey League as Mooseheads
 
 
Moncton Classics (1990-1991) see Maritime Jr. A Hockey League as Dieppe-Classics
 
 
==Franchise Timeline (as Maritime Junior A Hockey League)==
 
==Franchise Timeline (as Maritime Junior A Hockey League)==
 
*Dartmouth Pepsis (1991-1992) folded
 
 
*Amherst Ramblers (1991-1994) renamed Mooseheads
 
 
*Cole Harbour Colts (1991-1995) moved to East Hants, renamed Penguins
Dartmouth Pepsis (1991-1992) folded
 
  +
*Antigonish Bulldogs (1991-2008) moved to Halifax, renamed Lions
 
Amherst Ramblers (1991-1994) renamed Mooseheads
+
*Halifax Mooseheads (1991-1993) renamed Oland Exports
 
*Moncton Dieppe-Classsics (1991-1993) renamed Beavers
 
 
*Charlottetown Abbies (1991-1994) withdraw for 1 year
Cole Harbour Colts (1991-1995) moved to East Hants, renamed Penguins
 
 
*Summerside Western Capitals (1991-2010) see Maritime Hockey League
 
Antigonish Bulldogs (1991-2008) moved to Halifax, renamed Lions
+
*Moncton –Dieppe Beavers (1993-2008) moved to Dieppe
 
*Halifax Oland Exports (1993-1995) moved to Dartmouth
 
Halifax Mooseheads (1991-1993) renamed Oland Exports
+
*Amherst Mooseheads (1994-1998) renamed Ramblers
 
*Charlottetown Abbies (1995-2008) folded in 2009
 
 
*Saint John Alpines (1995-1997) folded in January 1997
Moncton Dieppe-Classsics (1991-1993) renamed Beavers
 
  +
*Dartmouth Oland Exports (1995-1998) moved back to Halifax
 
 
*East Hants Penguins (1995-2000) moved to Dartmouth, renamed DQ Blizzard
Charlottetown Abbies (1991-1994) withdraw for 1 year
 
 
*Restigouche River Rats (1996-1999) renamed Campbellton Tigers
 
 
*Cape Breton Islanders (1996-1997) moved to Glace Bay, renamed Miners
Summerside Western Capitals (1991-2010) see Maritime Hockey League
 
  +
*Truro Bearcats (1997-2010) see Martime Hockey League
 
 
*Glace Bay Miners (1997-1997) folded before play in city under new name
Moncton –Dieppe Beavers (1993-2008) moved to Dieppe
 
 
Halifax Oland Exports (1993-1995) moved to Dartmouth
 
 
Amherst Mooseheads (1994-1998) renamed Ramblers
 
 
Charlottetown Abbies (1995-2008) folded in 2009
 
 
Saint John Alpines (1995-1997) folded in January 1997
 
 
Dartmouth Oland Exports (1995-1998) moved back to Halifax
 
 
East Hants Penguins (1995-2000) moved to Dartmouth, renamed DQ Blizzard
 
 
Restigouche River Rats (1996-1999) renamed Campbellton Tigers
 
 
Cape Breton Islanders (1996-1997) moved to Glace Bay, renamed Miners
 
 
Truro Bearcats (1997-2010) see Martime Hockey League
 
 
Glace Bay Miners (1997-1997) folded before play in city under new name
 
   
 
==See Also==
 
==See Also==
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==External links==
 
==External links==
*[http://www.mjahl.com/ MJAHL Website]
+
*[http://themhl.ca/# League website]
*MJAHL Zone-Fan Forum
 
*[http://www.freewebs.com/mjahl/ MJAHL Arena]
 
   
 
==References==
 
==References==

Revision as of 23:21, 9 August 2020



Canadian Junior A Outline


Maritime Hockey League
MHL logo
Official website TheMHL.ca
Current Champion Edmundston Blizzard (2018)
Head Office Fredericton, New Brunswick
President Brian Whitehead
Chairman Dave Ritcey
Founded 1967
Fred Page Cups 5
Royal Bank Cups 2

The Maritime Hockey League previously called the Maritime Junior A Hockey League and also referred to as the Maritime Junior Hockey League is a Junior A ice hockey league under Hockey Canada, a part of the Canadian Junior Hockey League. It consists of 5 teams from New Brunswick and 1 team from PEI, which make up the Roger Meek Division, and 6 teams from Nova Scotia which make up the Eastlink Division. The winner of the MJAHL playoffs competes for the Fred Page Cup against the winners of the Quebec Junior Hockey League and the Central Canada Hockey League. The winner of the Fred Page Cup then moves on to compete for the Canadian National Junior A Championships, the Royal Bank Cup.

Previous Logo of the MJAHL

History

Originally known as the Metro Valley Junior Hockey League, the league was founded in 1967 by Fred McGillivray and Louie Lewis of Halifax, Nova Scotia and Don Stewart of Berwick, Nova Scotia as a Junior "B" level hockey league. Originally an exclusively Nova Scotia hockey league, it included 6 teams: East Hants Junior Penguins, Halifax Colonels, Dartmouth Hoyts, Windsor Royals, Kentville Riteways, and Berwick Shell Juniors. 1968 saw the Truro Bearcats and Amherst Ramblers replace the teams from Kentville and Berwick. In 1971-72 the New Glasgow Bombers and the Pictou Maripacs entered the league. Stellarton and a new Kentville franchise entered the league in 1973 and 1974 respectively.

In 1977, still known as the "Metro Valley", the league entered into the Tier II Junior "A" level. The jump to Junior "A" was, in theory, to be a catalyst for the development of the league. The Cole Harbour Colts (Scotia Colts), who entered the league in 1976, became the first team in league history to host the national championship, then known as the Centennial Cup, in 1980.

The 1983 season saw the expansion of the Moncton Midland Hawks of Moncton, New Brunswick, the league's first non-Nova Scotia team. The Hawks came from the New Brunswick Junior Hockey League and are now known as the Dieppe Commandos. In 1986, the league expanded to Antigonish and the Scotia Colts, again, hosted the Centennial Cup. The Summerside Western Capitals of the Island Junior Hockey League, Prince Edward Island's junior hockey league, hosted the 1989 Centennial Cup.

In 1991, Summerside and Charlottetown of Prince Edward Island left the IJHL and joined the newly dubbed "Maritime Junior A Hockey League". The IJHL is still PEI's premier Junior league, but now is only a Junior "B" league. The winner of the IJHL's playoffs compete for the Don Johnson Cup, the Maritime Junior "B" Championship.

In 1996-97 the league consisted of the Amherst Ramblers, Antigonish Bulldogs, Charlottetown Abbies, East Hants Penguins, Dartmouth Oland Exports, Moncton Gagnon Beavers, Saint John Alpines, and Summerside Western Capitals. At the beginning of the season the league welcomed the Cape Breton Islanders and Restigouche River Rats but unfortunately the Saint John Alpines did not survive the season. The league should have pride in this season as the Summerside Western Capitals won the leagues first ever National Title. The Summerside Western Capitals hosted the Royal Bank Cup and on the home ice of the Cahill Stadium, won the 1997 Royal Bank Cup championship game by a score 4-3 against the South Surrey Eagles.

The Truro Bearcats joined the league in 1997-98 but this was overshadowed by the failure of the Cape Breton Islanders which had become the Glace Bay Miners. With the arrival of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League Cape Breton Screaming Eagles, they folded part way through the season leaving the league with nine teams again.

During the 1998-99 season two teams changed their names. The first was the Dartmouth Oland Exports when they moved to the Halifax Forum to become the Halifax Oland Exports. The second was the 1998-99 MJAHL champions, Restigouche River Rats, as they changed their name to the Campbellton Tigers.

Old MJAHL

Old Logo

A tenth team was added for the 2000-2001 season, the Miramichi Timberwolves. At the same time the East Hants Penguins moved to Dartmouth and became the Scotia Dairy Queen Blizzard. At the end of the 2001-02 season the league approved the transfer of the Blizzard to Yarmouth. The Yarmouth Motormart Mariners began play in September 2002. In early 2003 the league governors approved expansion into Woodstock, N.B. with the Slammers beginning play in the 2003-04 season.

The league got their second national Championship when the Halifax Oland Exports won the 2002 Royal Bank Cup on home ice. One year later, after financial trouble with Oland Brewery, the franchise's name was changed to Halifax Team Pepsi. In the spring of 2004, the Weeks Hockey Organization bought the club, moved it to New Glasgow and renamed it the Weeks Crushers. On that same day Halifax got a new team as they were granted an expansion franchise, the Halifax Wolverines.

In the spring of 2008, the MJAHL had some big changes.

On April 15, the Antigonish Bulldogs announced that they were applying for a leave of absence for one year.[1] On April 26, the Bulldogs had to choose between two groups trying to buy the team and relocate it. The first group would move the franchise to New Richmond, Quebec. The other was a group based in Halifax and they would relocate the team to the Halifax area. At the Board of Governors meeting that day, the proposal to relocate the Antigonish franchise to New Richmond, Quebec was not considered to be in the best interests of the league and its members. The Goverors did leave the door open to the sale to a Halifax group and a move to Metro Halifax. The sale and relocation of the franchise to Halifax was later approved.

At the same Governors meeting, in response to the decision to leave the door open on the sale of the Bulldogs, the owners of the Halifax Wolverines announced their plans to move to Bridgewater. The Governors voted on the decision and it was approved.[2]. Following a name the team contest, the franchise was dubbed the Bridgewater Lumberjacks.

Later that week on April 29, the Moncton Beavers announced that they had failed to come to terms on a new lease for the Tim Hortons 4-Ice centre and had subsequently moved themselves to the neighboring city of Dieppe. The team was renamed the Dieppe Commandos[3].

Rounding out this very busy month in the history of the MJAHL was the Charlottetown Abbies decision, on May 1, to apply for a leave of absence for one year, which ended up being accepted.[4]

The Halifax franchise (former Antigonish Bulldogs) announced on August 22, 2008, that the club would be known as the Halifax Lions. This was the name of the successful Halifax team in the 1980s.[5]

The current MJAHL has twelve teams. The league has hosted the Royal Bank Cup and Centennial Cup nine times (as of 2015), winning twice. MJAHL teams have also won three Fred Page Cups as the Junior "A" Eastern Canadian Champions to earn the right to compete for the Royal Bank Cup.

The league hired its first professional full time League President in 2003, Vernon Doyle.

On March 23, 2018 the league announced that the Woodstock Slammers would be taking a leave of absence for the 2018-19 season with the intent of either being sold or relocated. It would be later announced that the franchise was being relocated to the E. & P. Senechal Centre in Grand Falls, New Brunswick. The team is participating in the league's Annual General Meeting and Entry draft and will apparently play for the 2018-19 season. A name the team contest is being held to choose the new name for the team. The team announced on June 6, 2018 that they would be renamed the Grand Falls Rapids.

On April 15, 2019 the ownership of the St. Stephen Aces announced they would be selling the team.[6] The league would announce that the team would be relocated to the Grant-Harvery Centre in Fredericton, New Brunswick for the 2019-20 season.[7]

Teams

Eastlink South Division
Team Joined Centre Arena
Amherst Ramblers 1967 Amherst, Nova Scotia Amherst Stadium
Pictou County Crushers 1967 New Glasgow, Nova Scotia Pictou County Wellness Centre
South Shore Lumberjacks 2004 Bridgewater, Nova Scotia Lunenburg County Lifestyle Centre
Truro Bearcats 1997 Truro, Nova Scotia Rath Eastlink Community Centre
Valley Wildcats 1986 Berwick, Nova Scotia Kings Mutual Century Centre
Yarmouth Mariners 1976 Yarmouth, Nova Scotia Mariners Centre
Eastlink North Division
Team Joined Centre Arena
Campbellton Tigers 1996 Campbellton, New Brunswick Campbellton Memorial Civic Center
Edmundston Blizzard 1983 Edmundston, New Brunswick Jean-Daigle Centre
Grand Falls Rapids 2003 Grand Falls, New Brunswick E. & P. Senechal Centre
Miramichi Timberwolves 2000 Miramichi, New Brunswick Miramichi Civic Centre
Fredericton Red Wings 2014 Fredericton, New Brunswick Grant-Harvery Centre
Summerside Western Capitals 1991 Summerside, Prince Edward Island Consolidated Credit Union Place

Playoff Champions

The league championship was the Kent Cup until 2018.  It was renamed the Canadian Tire Cup for the 2019 playoffs.  Up until 1991, the league champion would play in the Callaghan Cup (the Atlantic Junior A Championship).The MJAHL became a regional league in 1991 absorbing some of the members from the other Junior A leagues in the Atlantic Region.  The Callaghan Cup became the league's playoff championship trophy until it was retired after the 2005-06 season in favor of the Kent Cup.

  • 1968 Windsor Royals
  • 1969 East Hants Penguins
  • 1970 Truro Bearcats
  • 1971 Truro Bearcats
  • 1972 Truro Bearcats
  • 1973 New Glasgow Bombers
  • 1974 Truro Bearcats
  • 1975 Dartmouth Arrows
  • 1976 Truro Bearcats
  • 1977 Dartmouth Arrows
  • 1978 Cole Harbour Colts
  • 1979 Halifax Lions
  • 1980 Cole Harbour Colts
  • 1981 Cole Harbour Colts
  • 1982 Halifax Lions
  • 1983 Halifax Lions
  • 1984 Halifax Lions
  • 1985 Cole Harbour Colts
  • 1986 Moncton Hawks
  • 1987 Dartmouth Fuel Kids
  • 1988 Halifax Lions
  • 1989 Moncton Hawks
  • 1990 Amherst Ramblers
  • 1991 Halifax Jr. Canadians
  • 1992 Halifax Mooseheads
  • 1993 Antigonish Bulldogs
  • 1994 Antigonish Bulldogs
  • 1995 Moncton Gagnon Beavers*
  • 1996 Dartmouth Oland Exports
  • 1997 Summerside Western Capitals
  • 1998 Restigouche River Rats
  • 1999 Charlottetown Abbies*
  • 2000 Halifax Oland Exports
  • 2001 Antigonish Bulldogs
  • 2002 Halifax Oland Exports*#
  • 2003 Charlottetown Abbies
  • 2004 Campbellton Tigers
  • 2005 Truro Bearcats
  • 2006 Woodstock Slammers
  • 2007 Truro Bearcats
  • 2008 Yarmouth Mariners @
  • 2009 Summerside Western Capitals
  • 2010 Woodstock Slammers
  • 2011 Summerside Western Capitals
  • 2012 Woodstock Slammers*
  • 2013 Summerside Western Capitals @
  • 2014 Truro Bearcats
  • 2015 Dieppe Commandos
  • 2016 Pictou County Crushers
  • 2017 Truro Bearcats
  • 2018 Edmundston Blizzard
  • 2019 Yarmouth Mariners
  • 2020 Playoffs Cancelled

note-Asterisk (*) denotes Fred Page Cup champion for that year

#-denotes won Royal Bank Cup for that year

@-The Pictou County Crushers won the2008 Fred Page Cup and the Truro Bearcats won the 2013 Fred Page Cup as host.

Regional Championships

Dudley Hewitt Cup

From 1977 (when the league was elevated to Junior A) until 1978 (when  the Manitoba Centennial Cup added a berth for the Atlantic Region champions) the league champion was eligible to compete for the Dudley Hewitt Cup but the league champions did not win either year they were eligible


Callaghan Cup

From 1979 until 1991, the league was one of several leagues in the region and the champion competed for the Callaghan Cup as Atlantic Regional Champions.

  • 1981 Cole Harbour Colts
  • 1983 Halifax Lions
  • 1984 Halifax Lions
  • 1985 Cole Harbour Colts
  • 1986 Moncton Hawks
  • 1987 Dartmouth Fuel Kids
  • 1988 Halifax Lions
  • 1990 Amherst Ramblers
  • 1991 Halifax Canadians

Fred Page Cup

Since 1995 the league champion competes in the Fred Page Cup for the Eastern Canada Junior "A" championship and a berth in the Royal Bank Cup.

  • 1996 Moncton Beavers
  • 1999 Charlottetown Abbies
  • 2002 Halifax Oland Exports
  • 2008 Weeks Crushers (won as host)
  • 2009 Summerside Western Capitals
  • 2012 Woodstock Slammers
  • 2013 Truro Bearcats (won as host)

National Championships

Manitoba Centennial Cup

No league member won the Centennial Cup while league members were eligible to win the cup from 1977 to 1995.

Royal Bank Cup

  • 1997 Summerside Western Capitals (won as host)
  • 2002 Halifax Oland Exports (won as host)

Defunct Teams

Franchise Timeline (as Metro Valley Junior Hockey League)

Franchise Timeline (as Maritime Junior A Hockey League)

  • Dartmouth Pepsis (1991-1992) folded
  • Amherst Ramblers (1991-1994) renamed Mooseheads
  • Cole Harbour Colts (1991-1995) moved to East Hants, renamed Penguins
  • Antigonish Bulldogs (1991-2008) moved to Halifax, renamed Lions
  • Halifax Mooseheads (1991-1993) renamed Oland Exports
  • Moncton Dieppe-Classsics (1991-1993) renamed Beavers
  • Charlottetown Abbies (1991-1994) withdraw for 1 year
  • Summerside Western Capitals (1991-2010) see Maritime Hockey League
  • Moncton –Dieppe Beavers (1993-2008) moved to Dieppe
  • Halifax Oland Exports (1993-1995) moved to Dartmouth
  • Amherst Mooseheads (1994-1998) renamed Ramblers
  • Charlottetown Abbies (1995-2008) folded in 2009
  • Saint John Alpines (1995-1997) folded in January 1997
  • Dartmouth Oland Exports (1995-1998) moved back to Halifax
  • East Hants Penguins (1995-2000) moved to Dartmouth, renamed DQ Blizzard
  • Restigouche River Rats (1996-1999) renamed Campbellton Tigers
  • Cape Breton Islanders (1996-1997) moved to Glace Bay, renamed Miners
  • Truro Bearcats (1997-2010) see Martime Hockey League
  • Glace Bay Miners (1997-1997) folded before play in city under new name

See Also

List of MJAHL Seasons

External links

References




Also see