The 2016–17 season was the Manitoba Junior Hockey League's (MJHL) 100th season of operation. Players and officials wore patches to commemorate Hockey Manitoba and the MJHL's centennial anniversary.
2016–17 MJHL season | |
---|---|
League | Manitoba Junior Hockey League |
Sport | Ice hockey |
Number of games | 330 |
Number of teams | 11 |
Regular Season | |
First Place | Steinbach Pistons |
Season MVP | Brady Keeper |
Top scorer | Jeremy Leipsic |
Turnbull Cup | |
Champions | Portage Terriers |
Runners-up | OCN Blizzard |
Playoff MVP | Jeremey Leipsic |
The Steinbach Pistons 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 in the semi-finals. The Terriers, despite finishing fifth overall in the regular season, won the Turnbull Cup for a third consecutive season by defeating the OCN Blizzard in the final.
Season highlights
edit- The league announces the discontinuation of the Survivor Series playoff round. Only the top eight teams now advance to the playoffs.[1]
- Three-on-three play is adopted for overtime during the regular season.[1]
- The annual Showcase moves from October to December, with this year's event held December 12–14 at the MTS Iceplex.[1]
- In December 2016, the Opaskwayak Cree Nation band council announce their intention to fold the OCN Blizzard following the conclusion of the season.[2] 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.[3]
Standings
editGP | W | L | OTL | SOL | Pts | GF | GA | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Steinbach Pistons | 60 | 49 | 10 | 1 | 0 | 99 | 249 | 124 |
Winkler Flyers | 60 | 41 | 16 | 2 | 1 | 85 | 219 | 148 |
OCN Blizzard | 60 | 39 | 17 | 3 | 1 | 82 | 200 | 153 |
Selkirk Steelers | 60 | 39 | 18 | 3 | 0 | 81 | 220 | 177 |
Portage Terriers | 60 | 37 | 19 | 1 | 3 | 78 | 256 | 198 |
Winnipeg Blues | 60 | 27 | 27 | 3 | 3 | 60 | 193 | 202 |
Virden Oil Capitals | 60 | 26 | 26 | 5 | 3 | 60 | 167 | 198 |
Neepawa Natives | 60 | 21 | 33 | 3 | 3 | 48 | 173 | 229 |
Swan Valley Stampeders | 60 | 20 | 34 | 5 | 1 | 46 | 160 | 236 |
Dauphin Kings | 60 | 17 | 35 | 5 | 2 | 41 | 145 | 221 |
Waywayseecappo Wolverines | 60 | 14 | 42 | 4 | 0 | 32 | 177 | 273 |
Playoffs
editQuarterfinals | Semifinals | Turnbull Cup Finals | ||||||||||||
1 | Steinbach | 4 | ||||||||||||
8 | Neepawa | 2 | ||||||||||||
1 | Steinbach | 2 | ||||||||||||
5 | Portage | 4 | ||||||||||||
2 | Winkler | 4 | ||||||||||||
7 | Virden | 2 | ||||||||||||
3 | OCN | 2 | ||||||||||||
5 | Portage | 4 | ||||||||||||
3 | OCN | 4 | ||||||||||||
6 | Winnipeg | 1 | ||||||||||||
2 | Winkler | 0 | ||||||||||||
3 | OCN | 4 | ||||||||||||
4 | Selkirk | 2 | ||||||||||||
5 | Portage | 4 |
Post MJHL playoffs
edit- Portage Terriers finish fifth in round robin and are eliminated from playoffs.
- Hockey Canada announces the end of the Western Canada Cup format. The MJHL and Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League will resume their Anavet Cup rivalry next season.
League awards
edit- Steve "Boomer" Hawrysh Award (MVP): Brady Keeper, OCN
- MJHL Top Goaltender Award: Roman Bengert, Steinbach
- Brian Kozak Award (Top Defenceman): Brady Keeper, OCN
- Vince Leah Trophy (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, Steinbach
- Mike Ridley Trophy (Scoring Champion): Jeremey Leipsic, Portage
- MJHL Playoff MVP: Jeremey Leipsic, Portage
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b c "MJHL Rule Changes for 2016-2017". Steinbachonline.com. 13 June 2016.
- ^ "OCN Blizzard to Cease Operations". Portageonline.com. 22 December 2016.
- ^ "OCN Blizzard will play next season".