St. John's Junior Hockey League
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The St. John's Junior Hockey League is a Junior B ice hockey league in Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada, sanctioned by Hockey Canada. Founded in 1980, the SJJHL was a recognized Junior A league from 1989 until 1991. This stretch as a Junior A league marks the last time any Newfoundland or Labrador league competed in the Junior A National Playdowns.
History[]
Founded in 1980, the SJJHL competed as a Junior A league from 1989 until 1991. In that time period, they were eligible for the Centennial Cup Canadian National championship of Junior A hockey. Every other year the SJJHL has operated at the Junior B level and its champion represents the league in the Veitch Memorial Cup playdowns against the winner of the Central/West Junior Hockey League for the right to play at the Don Johnson Cup.
In the 1970s, there was another league known as the St. John's Junior Hockey League. Much like the Corner Brook League, Southern Shore League, amongst other leagues, the old SJJHL was a junior-aged town league. Although the were a top team in this town league, they would represent St. John's for the Veitch Memorial Trophy as an all-star team of players from the old SJJHL. On one such occasion, in 1972, the Jr. Capitals entered into the first-year Newfoundland Jr. A playdowns, only to win and compete in the 1972 Centennial Cup National Playdowns.
Teams[]
Presently in their 2021-22 season, the SJJHL is operating with 8 teams.
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Former Teams[]
- Brother Rice Celtics 1980-1982
- St. John's Guards 1980-1982
- St. John’s PWC 1980-1981
- St. John’s Jr. Shamrocks 1980-1987
- St. John’s Gonzaga 1981-1982
- St. John's Jr. 50's 1982-1993
- Conception Bay South Raiders 1982-1995
- Clarenville Jr. Caribous 1983-1989
- St John's Jr. Celtics 1984-2014
- St John’s Jr. Canadiens 1985
- St John’s AAA Midgets 1988-2000
- Bay Arena Rovers 1988-1989
- Bell Island Jr. Blues 1996-2010
- Conception Bay South Coachman 1998-2001
- Northeast Jr. Eagles 1998-2002
- Avalon Pacers 1999-2000
- St John’s AAA Maple Leafs 2000-2007
- Goulds Pacers 2001
- Mount Pearl Jr. Wild 2013-2014
- Northeast Celtics 2014-2016
- Trinity-Placentia Flyers 2011-2021
Champions[]
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Italics represent Veitch Memorial Trophy Champions Bold represents Provincial Junior A Champions
Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the SJJHL has not awarded the league championship since the 2018-19 season when the CBR Jr. Renegades beat the Mount Pearl Jr. Blades in 2OT of Game 7.
Non-League Champion, Provincial Champion[]
These teams won the Veitch Memorial Trophy without winning the SJJHL playoffs.
- 1984 St. John's Jr. 50's
- 1996 Avalon Jr. Capitals
- 2000 Conception Bay North Jr. Stars
- 2003 St. John's Jr. Celtics
- 2007 Bell Island Jr. Blues
- 2009 St. John's Jr. Caps
Atlantic Jr. B Champions[]
These teams won the Don Johnson Cup as Atlantic Junior B Champions.
- 1982 St. John's Br. Rice Celtics
- 1985 St. John's Jr. 50's
- 1986 Mount Pearl Jr. Blades
- 1987 St. John's Jr. 50's
- 1988 St. John's Jr. 50's
- 2009 St. John's Jr. Caps
Executive[]
The St. John's Junior Hockey League is governed by an elected executive with ten members, nine of whom are voting members.
| Position | Name |
|---|---|
| President | Mark Noseworthy |
| Vice President | Jim Hare |
| Registrar | Steven Clarke |
| Secretary-Treasurer | Colin Gosse |
| Director of Statistics, Rules, and Minor Officials | Boyd Hillier |
| Director of Public Relations and Promotions | Nicholas Hillier |
| Director at-Large | Vacant |
| Director at-Large | Vacant |
| Recording Secretary | Cathy Doyle |
| Past President | George Bursell |
See also[]
External links[]
- Ice hockey leagues in Newfoundland and Labrador
- Junior ice hockey leagues in Canada