Frequently Asked Questions - MJHL, CJHL and Neepawa Natives
July 3, 2010
How many teams in The MJHL?
There are 11 teams in The MJHL. The teams are broken into 6 teams in the Sher-Wood Division and 5 teams in the Addison Division. The teams in the Sher-wood Division are predominately on the northwest portion of the province. The teams in the Addison are predominately in and around the Metropolitan Winnipeg area - or within an hour of the city. The Natives play in the Sher-Wood Division.
How does Junior A hockey in Canada work when it comes to playoffs?
Each league in the CJHL (Canadian Junior Hockey League) falls under the umbrella of both Hockey Canada and the CJHL. Leagues operate independently of one another throughout the season, and then compete for a right to go to the RBC Cup for the national championship. MJHL teams and SJHL are currently deadlocked at 3 wins each over the past 6 years in the Anavet Cup. The Anavet Cup is a best of seven game series between the MJHL and SJHL champions, to determine who goes to the RBC Cup as Team West.
How do the RBC Cup teams get selected?
There is one host team every year, and four other teams that compete for the Royal Bank Cup. BC and Alberta champions (Pacific) play off for the right to go, as do the MJHL and Saskatchewan champions (West). There are also two regional tournaments in Eastern Canada which produce regional champions (Central and East). These five teams square off in a week long round robin format, with the top four teams advancing to a Saturday semi final and a Sunday final for the top two teams. The tournament gets national television coverage.
How many leagues are there in CJHL?
There are 11. British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Superior (Northwest Ontario), Northern Ontario, Ontario, Central Junior, Central Canada, Quebec and the Maritimes all have Junior A leagues that are conferences within the CJHL.
How does insurance work?
Every age and equipment eligible player who attends a training camp, or suits up in exhibition or regular season for a CJHL team is insured through Hockey Canada. This covers hockey related events including in season team travel. Even with such assurance, The Natives encourage all families to consult with their individual providers. As well, at any time you may contact the office at 1-204-476-5308 for more information.
What does age and equipment eligible mean?
Players in the CJHL must turn 16 before January 1st of the current or upcoming season. They must not turn 21 before January 1 of the same season. The CJHL is available for players who in their 16th through their 20 year old seasons.
Equipment eligibility means that players are wearing proper protective devices as laid forth by the leagues. This is applicable mainly through training camp. Players must participate in the same equipment required by the last level they played in unless they are signed by their junior team.
Where do players go after their time in The MJHL?
Players in The MJHL go on to NCAA division 1 and division 3 scholarships, to pro hockey, to Major junior and to Canadian college and university hockey. This season, dozens of players will use The MJHL as a stepping stone to those levels. Currently, there are former MJHL grads at 18 NCAA Division 1 schools, over two dozen NCAA Division 3 schools, many Canadian colleges, and at several CIS Canadian University schools. As well, several dozen MJHLers have gone on to play professionally and there are many MJHLers playing or who have played at the ECHL, CHL, AHL and NHL levels. Players are playing at powerhouse schools throughout NCAA division 1 and at the highest levels, you will find former MJHLers that are having great NHL careers and great NCAA careers. This past season, The Natives graduated (5) 20 year old players. All five of them received opportunities for next season. Spencer Hoehn, Tom Frasz, Wes Pawuk, Caleb Suderman and Kelly Andrew (scholarship received in Neepawa) received scholarship offers approaching 400,000 canadian dollars over the next four years. As well, the fifth player - Jordan Lane - received a professional contract for well above the league minimum in the Central Hockey League. The Natives currently have alumni in Division 1's WCHA, CCHA, and American Hockey League as well as pro hockey of all levels and collegiate hockey at the Division 3 and CIS levels. Natives' Director Shane Hnidy of the Minnesota Wild, even got in a Natives' uniform at 16.
How does the league showcase its players?
The MJHL has a Showcase weekend in October of every season in Winnipeg. This Showcase has dozens of NCAA, CIS, NHL and professional scouts, agents and coaches in attendance. The weekend allows each team to play in front of these scouts and coaches twice. Individual teams also have various methods and procedures for providing exposure for their players. It is suggested that recruits ask each team about their specific policies in this area. The Natives have a pro-active program in place for this which includes ACT and SAT preparation, as well as a transparent player exposure plan (PEP) which follows a clear path for promoting players. This season, 100% of our graduates received offers for NCAA or professional hockey.
Is there a lot of travel in The MJHL?
Travel is minimal. Divisional allignmnents allow for limited road trips and time on the bus for most teams. The Manitoba league has one of the lightest travel schedules in North American junior hockey - allowing for players to get proper rest and recovery at home, rather than being on a bus for extended periods of time. The Natives have only two overnight trips per year (2 nights in total). This means more time for practice, training and rest and recovery.
What do teams supply?
It is varied among the teams. The Neepawa Natives supply all outer equipment, sticks, housing, meals, travel and all hockey related fees are covered. Players are billeted in great homes. Our billet co-ordinator Mary Ellen Clark was featured on national television during the Royal Bank Cup in May for the excellence in which she handles The Neepawa Natives billets. The Natives provide top quality equipment and sticks and the best nutrition and care on all road trips and team functions. Players are also monitored regularly by our own team doctor who comes directly to the dressing room for practices and is available at all times to the players. The Natives also have a continually upgraded and maintained permanent dressing room with private stalls, brand new fitness equipment for use by its players. As well, the team's arena has undergone a major makeover throughout the 2010 off season.
Who Owns An MJHL Franchise?
Some MJHL franchises have private owners, while others are run by a board of directors. Each team works very hard to keep the players as safe, well nurtured and cared for as possible. Each team is represented at the league table by a Governor. In the case of The Neepawa Natives, its Governor is Gaynor Vivian - a highly respected businessman from the area and a graduate of The University of North Dakota. Board members and executive members in Neepawa are generous and hard working people who have a wide array of backgrounds - including education, business, finance, entrepreneurship and administration. The Natives are also fortunate to have current NHLer Shane Hnidy on its board of directors. Shane takes an active hand in decision making, consultation and has been very generous and a great asset in recruiting and hockey matters. Shane has moved back to Manitoba recently as he heads into the final years of his NHL career and has been able to be a more visible part of The Natives.
Why The MJHL?
Exceptional competition and a highly competitive environment combined with a great group of coaches. The MJHL has been the launching pad for many great NCAA, professional and NHL careers. The players in Manitoba are excellent calibre and the communities take an active role in providing the players with a great experience. With two former MJHLers who have gone on to win Hobey Baker Awards - Bill Watson and Junior Lessard, as well as several ex MJHLers who have become Stanley Cup Champions and highly successful players at the highest levels, the MJHL has a pedigree of success. As competition for advancing to the next level becomes harder and harder with an exponential increase in qualified players, families can count on a solid experience in the league, with a proven path to success.
Is it easy to follow the MJHL and Neepawa Natives?
It is exceptionally easy to follow the MJHL and its teams. MJHLHOCKEY.CA is the league's website and it provides real time game scores, excellent standings and statistics and links to all the league's teams. NEEPAWANATIVES.COM is also an excellent source for league and team news, scores, updates and also the passage to be able to view ALL HOME GAMES shown REAL TIME AND LIVE. As well, other teams in the league provide radio and internet broadcasts with excellent coverage in most cases. Yes, the MJHL is very easy to follow as are The Neepawa Natives. Parents, families, fans and friends can spend the season always feeling in touch with the league and The Natives on game days and in between.
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