The Manitoba Junior Hockey League (MJHL) announced today that the annual MJHL Draft will move from a U16 Draft (formerly Bantam Draft) to a U17 Draft highlighting players who are going into their 16-year-old season.

As a result, there will be no 2021 MJHL Draft with the current 2006-born draft eligible age-group carrying forward into the inaugural U17 MJHL Draft to be held in the spring of 2022.

Players who will be eligible for the the draft are Manitoba players who are registered to play hockey in Manitoba according to Hockey Manitoba regulations and are in their 16th year.

“Moving the draft eligible age group to a year older will give MJHL organizations the ability to watch players develop for an additional season to allow for a better understanding of that players continued development and potential to play elite junior hockey,” shared MJHL Commissioner, Kevin Saurette.

The MJHL has conducted virtual MJHL Prospect Presentations over the past several months with the 2006 age-group.  These presentations have provided players and families with important information on what it takes to get to junior hockey and the significance of the MJHL being a strong pathway to the WHL, NCAA, U Sports and eventually professional hockey at the highest levels.

The MJHL is also currently in the planning process of including additional development and exposure events for the draft eligible age-group each season.  These events will compliment local league play in showcasing and educating players prior to each annual MJHL Draft.

Please stay tuned for further announcements in the coming weeks.

(MJHL Press Release)

It will be a little different, but the Jimmy The Jackfish Fishing Derby will take place once again starting March the 1st.

This will be a virtual event this year and you can fish any lake you like north of the 53rd parallel.

Over $7,500.00 worth of prizes can be won in the Walleye, Burbot and Jackfish categories. Prizes will be handed out to first, second and third in each category.

Entry fee is $40.00 and you can enter by downloading the fish donkey app. Information is also available on the Jimmy Jackfish Fishing Derby facebook page.

The event will go two weeks wrapping up on March the 14th.

Congratulations to Flin Flon's Michael Cook who won $250.00 in the early bird draw.

The Manitoba Junior Hockey League (MJHL) has announced the cancellation of all regular season and playoff games for the 2020-21 season. The decision comes after multiple discussions with Public Health, the Provincial Government, Facility Managers and Stakeholders on the current Covid-19 situation.

After the province moved into Code Red in November the league exhausted all return to play options with Public health including Hockey specific CCM Face Masks for on ice training.

When restrictions are loosened again teams will be able to run drills and exhibition games with a 3v3 format for players located within the province. Players located outside Manitoba are encouraged to join local teams should the local health guidelines permit.

courtesy of hockey canada.ca

Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the decision has been made to cancel all spring 2021 national championships, including the Esso Cup, TELUS Cup, Centennial Cup, presented by Tim Hortons, and Allan Cup. The following is a statement on behalf of Hockey Canada from Tom Renney, chief executive officer, and Scott Smith, president and chief operating officer:

“Despite a strong desire to work with four great communities to host the top players at various levels across the country this season, the health and safety of all participants and the communities at large continues to be of the utmost importance to Hockey Canada. The ongoing pandemic, coupled with the fact that many regions in the country are not currently playing organized hockey, left us with no other option. We believe the decision to cancel our spring 2021 national championships is the safest decision given the ongoing uncertainty of the pandemic at a local level, as well as the uncertainty around each region being able to compete for a national championship.

Hockey Canada is grateful for the continued support of local host committees and event partners, including B.C. Hockey, Hockey Alberta, the Saskatchewan Hockey Association, the Ontario Hockey Federation and the Canadian Junior Hockey League (CJHL), as well as the communities of Penticton, B.C., Prince Albert, Sask., Calgary, Alta., and Dundas, Ont., and all local and provincial funding partners. Our organization is appreciative of the commitment and support of all stakeholders and we look forward to showcasing our national championships and all participants to fans next year.”

Hockey Canada will continue to work with event stakeholders to host the spring 2022 national championships with a confirmation of all 2022 host communities to be announced in the coming months.

With the loosening of restrictions in the province the Kelsey Rec and Wellness Centre has announced they will be re-opening to members only and a maximum of 25 people on Tuesday February 16^th.

The Rec Centre will be taking new memberships and will be open for 3.5 hour blocks.

Their new hours are as follows

MONDAY – FRIDAY: 6:00am – 9:30am, 11:00am – 2:30pm, 4:00pm – 9:00pm

SATURDAY & SUNDAY: 8:00am – 11:00am, 12:00pm – 3:00pm, 4:00pm – 7:30pm

The front doors to the arena will be locked and members are asked to enter through the rear entrance of the building. Once inside members must grab a spray bottle and towel to sanitize any workout equipment used.

Changing rooms, lockers and the vending machines will be available for use however showers and water fountains will be out of service, as a result members are asked to bring their own pre filled water bottles.

There will be no court use available and masks are mandatory anywhere inside the facility.

The Clearwater Lake Outdoor Club will be applying for a grant from Trails Manitoba to help with trail improvements such as new signage and maintenance of the trails.

They’re encouraging everyone who uses the trails to complete an anonymous survey to help gather some base information that will help improve the trails in the future.

the survey can be found at https://docs.google.com/.../1vSw4QUpVpAYTwvvxF4r8JLz.../edit

 and will remain up for approximately one week from writing.