NCAA eligibility. If you desire to play NCAA hockey, playing in Does it cost anything to play in the MJHL? The league the MJHL enhances your chances of playing college hockey charges a $500 player development fee to help the MJHL and does not jeopardize your NCAA eligibility. pay for the expenses associated with showcase events and player development opportunities focused on trying to help What is the equivalent to the MJHL in the United States? players advance in their hockey careers, but that is all you The MJHL is a Junior A league in Canada and is the 2nd pay. Housing with a billet family (accommodations and highest level of junior hockey in that country. Likewise, the meals) as well as equipment (sticks, gloves, etc.) is North (NAHL) is the 2nd highest provided and paid for by the team. level of junior hockey in the United States. What is a billet? Where do I live? Your team will set you up Tier 1 in Canada = WHL Junior A in Canada = MJHL with an approved billet family, often also referred to as a Tier 1 in United States = USHL Tier 2 in United States = NAHL host family. You will live with a family in their home in the town where your MJHL franchise is located. You are often As an American, if I go play in the MJHL, will anyone see me paired with another player so that there is more than one play? Do NCAA colleges scout the MJHL? Yes. The league is player in the residence, but you live with that family and heavily scouted by both Division I NCAA programs as well as become a part of their family. They feed you and you live a host of Division 3 NCAA programs, along with WHL teams, with them. Canadian colleges (CIS), minor professional leagues, and NHL franchises. Can I go to school while playing in the MJHL? Yes, many players choose to take college or university courses while Do any Americans currently play in the MJHL? Yes. Please playing in the MJHL. With the increase in online see the list of Americans on MJHL rosters as of January 10, educational offerings, many players take advantage of this 2019 along with list of recent Alumni. opportunity and continue to educate themselves while they play junior hockey. Do players get NCAA scholarships out of the MJHL? Yes. There are an increasing number of players from the MJHL How many non-Canadians can each team have on their committing to Division I colleges in the United States. roster? Each MJHL team can have a maximum of six (6) Recent examples include: Matthew Thiessen (Maine), Riese non-Canadians on their roster. This is often referred to as Gaber (University of North Dakota), Eric Fawkes (RPI), Brady the import limit. American citizens are considered imports Keeper (Maine), Darby Gula (Bemidji State), Chase Brakel in the MJHL. Currently there are 44 American Players (Cornell), Lawson McDonald (Nebraska-Omaha), Drew playing in the MJHL. Worrad (Western Michigan University), Matt Radomsky (Holy Cross), Matt Osadick (Maine), Tyler Kirkup (Bemidji) How old are players in the MJHL? What is the maximum and the list goes on. age that one can be in the MJHL? Like every other junior hockey league in North America, the birth year is used to Does the MJHL host any showcase events to try and help determine age eligibility in the MJHL. Players in the MJHL promote players? Yes. Every fall there is a showcase range in age from 16 to 20, but there are very few 16-year- tournament as part of the regular season schedule. Teams olds and 17-year-olds. The majority of MJHL players begin meet up and play regular season games in which their MJHL career at 17 and/or 18 years of age. The league makes it easy for scouts to see every MJHL player under allows a franchise to dress a maximum of eight (8) 20-year- one roof at the same time. Scouts flock to this event and olds each night. The MJHL aims to focus on player it’s a good opportunity for them to see all of the new development while keeping their education options open, players in the Junior Hockey League each thus the limit on 20-year-olds. season. The MJHL also participates in a joint showcase with the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League How do players get recruited to play in the MJHL? The (SJHL), where 60 players from each league are to chosen to MJHL holds an annual bantam draft for Manitoba play in front of a host of scouts (NCAA, WHL, NHL, etc.) residents. First, each team gets to select two players from within their designated geographical region and then an entry-draft commences a six-round draft, stocking teams’ protected lists with players for the future. The draft

happens annually in June. Each team is allowed 50 Do MJHL teams workout off the ice? Yes. MJHL franchises players on their protected list, including prospective players take development seriously and all MJHL franchises work and active players. with their players to try and help them build their bodies off the ice, in addition to everything they do on the ice. How do training camps and spring camps work in the MJHL? Most MJHL franchises hold a spring camp each How many fans come to MJHL games? The attendance at year (usually March through May). These spring camps are MJHL games varies based on a variety of factors; however, usually by invite only for prospects who have been scouted most MJHL franchises average anywhere from 350 to throughout the year. A good spring camp earns you an 1000 fans per game. The crowds grow and interest peaks invite back in the fall to training camp. Top incoming in the playoffs as teams engage in highly emotional and players may be guaranteed a roster spot following a spring competitive seven-game series to determine the camp. The MJHL unofficial opening time for training camp is Turnbull Cup winner. in late-August and after training camp and the pre- season, the MJHL regular season usually begins in Will my parents be able to travel to watch me play in the mid-September. Unlike the USHL and NAHL, most MJHL MJHL? Yes. The majority of the MJHL franchises are franchises make their final roster decisions around the located in Southern Manitoba and the MJHL provides easy Labor Day long weekend, not in June or July. The access for everyone in North Dakota and Minnesota. For competitive training camp in late-August or early- example, Grand Forks is within a four hour drive to eight (8) September is a fact of life in the MJHL; however, MJHL of the MJHL’s 11 franchises. franchises do have the opportunity to commit to and sign a player in advance of the training camp and often do for What if my parents can’t make it to a game in person – prospects that they want to be a part of their team. are any of the games available online? Every MJHL game is available live and on-demand in high definition (HD) on How many games do teams play in the MJHL? The MJHL HockeyTV. Even if players families/friends can’t make it to consists of 11 teams playing a balanced 60-game schedule, a game in person, they won’t miss any of the action with the with the top eight teams qualifying for the playoffs. The MJHL’s commitment to make every game available online. quarter-finals, semi-finals, and final are all determined by best-of-seven series, with the champion being awarded the Who are the most recognizable alumni from the MJHL? Turnbull Cup. Teams that advance in the playoffs routinely Notable NCAA and NHL alumni of the Manitoba Junior play 70 to 80 games in a season, including the pre-season. Hockey League include: Zach Whitecloud, Matthew The winner of the Turnbull Cup competes against the Thiessen, Cole Smith, Cody McLeod, Travis Hamonic, Joel champion from the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League for Edmundson, Michael Ferland, Ryan Garbutt, Tyler the Anavet Cup and a berth in the Royal Bank Cup, the Arnason, Stephane Pattyn, Brendan Harms, Bobby Clarke, Junior “A” National Championship Tournament. Ed Belfour, Andrew Murray, Butch Goring, Jordan Tootoo, Terry and Travis Zajac. How often do teams practice in the MJHL? MJHL franchises practice almost every day of the week. When you include practice days and game days, most MJHL franchises are on the ice six or more days a week.