Canadian Junior Football League

Canadian Junior Football League

Sport	Canadian football
Founded	1974
Commissioner	Jim Pankovich
Motto	"A Canadian Tradition Since 1883"
No. of teams	18 teams, split into 3 conferences (each with 6 teams)
Country	Canada
Most recent champion(s)	Langley Rams (2021)
Official website	cjfl.org

The Canadian Junior Football League (CJFL) is a national Major Junior Canadian football league consisting of 18 teams playing in six provinces across Canada. The teams compete annually for the Canadian Bowl. Many CJFL players move on to professional football careers in the Canadian Football League (CFL) and elsewhere.

Formed May 8, 1974, the CJFL's formal mission statement is: "The Canadian Junior Football League provides the opportunity for young men aged 17 to 22 to participate in highly competitive post-high school football that is unique in Canada. The goal of the league is to foster community involvement and yield a positive environment by teaching discipline, perseverance and cooperation. The benefits of the league are strong camaraderie, national competition and life-long friends."

A handful of standout players are typically signed directly to CFL rosters each season, while U Sports permits up to two years of play in leagues such as the CJFL before a player begins to lose eligibility.

The 9-team Quebec Junior Football League was formerly part of the CJFL, but eventually withdrew and now operates independently. Meanwhile, The Ontario Football Conference (OFC) consists of two divisions: Varsity Division (ages 11 to 19) and Junior Division (ages 17 to 22).^[1] While the Junior Division remains affiliated to the CJFL and its teams compete for the Canadian Bowl, the Varsity Division is operated solely by the OFC.^[1]

Current teams[]

Ontario Football Conference[]

Prairie Football Conference[]

British Columbia Football Conference[]

Defunct teams[]

• (Kitchener, Ontario)
• (2012-2013, Brampton, Ontario)
• (2009-2011, Brampton, Ontario)
• Abbotsford Air Force (Abbotsford, B.C.)
• (North Vancouver, B.C.)
• North Shore Cougars 1974-1990
• Richmond Raiders (1978-1992, Richmond, B.C.)
• Tri-City Bulldogs (Vancouver Meralomas, 1925-1990, then 1991-2004 in Coquitlam, B.C.)
• Vancouver Trojans (Renfrew Trojans 1974-1993) (Burnaby, B.C.)
• (Red Deer, Alberta)
• (Calgary, Alberta)
• (Calgary, Alberta)
• (Medicine Hat, Alberta)
• Regina Rams (Regina, Saskatchewan, moved to the CIS)
• (Montreal, Quebec)
• St-Leonard Cougars (Montreal, Quebec)
• (Winnipeg, Manitoba)
• (Winnipeg, Manitoba)
• (Winnipeg, Manitoba)
• (Winnipeg, Manitoba)
• Brampton Satellites (Brampton, Ontario)
• (Brantford, Ontario)
• Cornwall Emards (Cornwall, Ontario)
• Niagara Raiders (St. Catharines, Ontario)
• (Oshawa, Ontario)
• Ottawa Junior Riders (Ottawa, Ontario, moved back to the QJFL after 2005)
• (Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario)
• (Thunder Bay, Ontario)
• (Chateauguay, Quebec)
• (Laval, Quebec)
• Notre-Dame-de-Grace Maple Leafs (Montreal, Quebec, merged with the Verdun Invictus, renamed to the Verdun Maple Leafs, then the Montreal Junior Alouettes, and finally the Montreal Junior Concordes)
• (Saint-Hubert, Quebec)
• Verdun Shamcats (Verdun, Quebec)
• Ville-Émard Juveniles (Ville-Émard, Quebec)
• , (Toronto, Ontario)

Champions by city since 1947[]

Leader-Post Trophy, 1908-1973; Armadale Cup, 1974-1988; Canadian Bowl, 1989-present.

• Saskatoon, Saskatchewan - Saskatoon Hilltops 22 times - 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2007, 2003, 2002, 2001, 1996, 1991, 1985, 1978, 1969, 1968, 1959, 1958, 1953.
• Regina, Saskatchewan - 17 times, Regina Rams 16 times, 2013, 1998, 1997, 1995, 1994, 1993, 1987, 1986, 1981, 1980, 1976, 1975, 1973, 1971, 1970, 1966; Regina Thunder 1 time, 2013.
• Edmonton, Alberta - 8 times, Edmonton Huskies 2005, 2004, 1964, 1963, 1962; Edmonton Wildcats 1983, 1977, 1967.
• Hamilton, Ontario - 5 times, Hamilton Hurricanes 1972; 1951, 1950; 1949, 1948.
• Ottawa, Ontario - Ottawa Sooners 4 times, 1992, 1984, 1979, 1974.
• Nanaimo, British Columbia - Vancouver Island Raiders 3 times, 2009, 2008, 2006.
• Windsor, Ontario - Windsor AKO Fratmen 3 times, 1999, 1954, 1952.
• Winnipeg, Manitoba - 3 times, 1961, 1956, 1955.
• Kelowna, British Columbia - Okanagan Sun 2 times, 2000, 1988.
• Calgary, Alberta - Calgary Colts 2 times, 1990, 1989.
• Vancouver, British Columbia - 2 times, 1982; 1947.
• Montreal, Quebec - 2 times, Notre-Dame-de-Grace Maple Leafs 1965; 1960.
• Toronto, Ontario - 1 time, 1957.
• Langley, British Columbia - Langley Rams 2021.

The national championship was contested from 1908-1946 with breaks for the World Wars and an additional break in the mid-1930s. In these years the championship was won by teams from Toronto (7 times), Montreal (6 times), Hamilton (4 times), Regina (2 times), and once each by Vancouver, Winnipeg, Calgary, Ottawa, Petrolia, St. Thomas, Woodstock, and London.

References[]

External links[]

• Official website