MJHL moving past tough 2020-21 season

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This article was published 10/06/2021 (1816 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

After a pandemic-shortened season to forget, the Manitoba Junior Hockey League is enjoying a very different off-season.

In the last week, the league announced an expansion franchise set to begin play in 2022-23, the Neepawa franchise changed its name to the Titans from the Natives, an anti-racism policy was unveiled and plans for the 2021-22 schedule were released.

League commissioner Kevin Saurette said the league’s brand continues to grow, despite the seemingly unending series of setbacks it suffered in the last year.

“There have been a lot of amazing things going on in the MJHL and it’s just very unfortunate because that was building into last season as well when the season was cancelled and dealing with the pandemic,” Saurette said. “Moving forward, there is a lot of excitement and a lot of high optimism.

“Even looking across North America, it seems MJHL hockey is gaining a lot more respect than it had in years past and we’re just very excited to continue to build off that and have an amazing season in 2021-22.”

The league began play on Oct. 9 and was active for just 37 days before the 2020-21 season was suspended in the first period due to a change in provincial pandemic restrictions. The season was cancelled for good on Feb. 12.

But Saurette is certainly pleased with the direction the league is moving in after putting that disappointment behind it.

He was happy with Neepawa’s announcement on Monday, noting head coach and general manager Ken Pearson put a lot of work into making the name change happen. The team announced last July that it was going in a different direction, and would be seeking ideas from the community.

“They did a fabulous job with the logo and the jersey and the name,” Saurette said. “I think from all indications, the community is really going to embrace the new era in Neepawa … We (the league) commend them and are fully supportive of the change.”

He noted it also dovetails nicely into the league’s anti-racism and discrimination policy.

Neepawa will be part of the West Division with the Waywayseecappo Wolverines, Virden Oil Capitals, Dauphin Kings, Swan Valley Stampeders and OCN Blizzard as the league returns to a two-division format. The East Division will feature the Portage Terriers, Selkirk Steelers, Steinbach Pistons, Winkler Flyers, Winnipeg Blues and Winnipeg Freeze.

Each team will play 40 games within its division and 14 against the other division in a schedule set to begin on Sept. 17.

The annual player showcase, involving all 12 clubs playing non-divisional games based on the standings, will take place at Stride Place in Portage la Prairie from Nov. 22 to 24. 

The season is scheduled to end on March 13, 2022 with the playoffs beginning the next week. The playoff format will be finalized soon. 

The MJHL champion will face the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League in a best-of-seven series stating April 29, with the Centennial Cup set to take place from May 20 to 29 in Estevan, Sask.

“It was very important,” Saurette said of the planning. “There’s been a lot of work behind the scenes the last couple of months identifying a start date and what our season is going to look like and really moving forward safely and responsibly and cautiously. 

“We’re moving forward with the expectation of having a much more normal season with a 54-game schedule. I know the entire MJHL community and the organizations and the players are very excited for Sept. 17th opening weekend, as am I.”

The league worked with the province as Manitoba continues to battle the pandemic.

While Saurette has been encouraged by the number of players getting vaccinated — the MJHL has mounted a campaign on social media encouraging people to get the shots — no one will be forced to get the jab to play or work in the league.

“I think mandatory would be very difficult,” Saurette said. “Everyone has a choice and we definitely respect that but the indication is that organically all of our players are taking it upon themselves to get vaccinated.”

It’s been a tough year financially on the league’s 12 franchises, who were on the hook for their staffing costs without the benefit of any live gates to pay for them.

He said the teams are doing OK.

“It was very difficult but we just had our AGM and all the teams have worked incredibly hard with online fundraisers and being able to take advantage of federal and provincial funding opportunities,” Saurette said. “They’re just a very resilient group. The mood on the call in our AGM meeting was very optimistic and very positive for next season. 

“I can’t give them enough credit for what they went through last season and now they’re ready to go through it all again. It’s testament to what we do in the MJHL.”

Last week, the MJHL welcomed the town of Niverville into the fold for the 2022-23 season. The community-owned, non-profit organization’s expansion club will play in the new Niverville Community Resource and Recreation Centre.

Saurette said the MJHL was strengthened by the addition.

“It was a long process,” Saurette said. “We’ve been talking with that group for a number of years and we’ve definitely had our eye on that market during that time frame as well. 

“It’s important to have strong ownership and management groups that you have confidence in and obviously with them having a brand new facility that opens up later this summer and being in a market like Niverville, which is one of the fastest growing markets in Manitoba, it’s a very positive move for the league.” 

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