Manitoba U-18 'AAA' Hockey League


The Manitoba U-18 'AAA' Hockey League, formerly the Manitoba Midget 'AAA' Hockey League, is an ice hockey league in the province of Manitoba, Canada. It is the highest level of minor hockey in the province. The league operates under the supervision of Hockey Manitoba.

History

The league was founded in 1985 and provides elite hockey players in Manitoba the opportunity to play at a high level of competition. The league is heavily scouted by the Western Hockey League, Junior 'A' teams, and NCAA programs. A number of players have gone to play in these leagues and the majority of Manitobans playing professional hockey have played in the 'AAA' league.

Teams

All teams are regionally based and are operated by Hockey Manitoba's regional minor hockey associations, with the exception of the Kenora Thistles, who are affiliated with Hockey Northwestern Ontario. The Winnipeg region has the option to field multiple teams. Players for each of the teams are selected from the local minor hockey associations within their respective regions.
TeamCentreLeague TitlesNational TitlesFirst SeasonPrevious Team Name
Brandon Midget Wheat KingsBrandon411985-86
Central Plains CapitalsPortage la Prairie001989-90
Eastman SelectsBeausejour301986-87
Interlake LightningTeulon001985-86Interlake Raiders
Kenora ThistlesKenora, ON101986-87Kenora Boise, Kenora Stars
Norman NorthstarsThompson101986-87
Parkland RangersDauphin001990-91
Pembina Valley HawksMorden301985-86
Southwest CougarsSouris201985-86
Winnipeg BruinsWinnipeg002017-18
Winnipeg ThrashersWinnipeg311993-94Winnipeg Sharks
Winnipeg WildWinnipeg1201985-86Winnipeg Saints, Winnipeg Warriors
Yellowhead ChiefsShoal Lake101987-88

Former Teams

The league champion is awarded the Jack Forsyth Trophy, which is named after a former league commissioner. The MU18HL playoffs are also to determine the provincial championship for Manitoba.
YearJack Forsyth Trophy winnerRunner-upTelus Cup West Regional
1986Winnipeg SaintsPembina Valley Hawks
1987Winnipeg SaintsSouthwest Cougars
1988Winnipeg SaintsSouthwest Cougars
1989Eastman SelectsYellowhead Chiefs
1990Winnipeg MavericksBrandon Wheat Kings
1991Winnipeg HawksNorman NorthstarsWinner
1992Winnipeg HawksBrandon Wheat Kings
1993Kenora BoiseWinnipeg Hawks
1994Yellowhead ChiefsWinnipeg Hawks
1995Brandon Wheat KingsParkland Rangers
1996Norman NorthstarsYellowhead Chiefs
1997Pembina Valley HawksEastman Selects
1998Southwest CougarsPembina Valley Hawks
1999Southwest CougarsPembina Valley Hawks
2000Eastman SelectsWinnipeg Warriors
2001Winnipeg WarriorsPembina Valley Hawks
2002Eastman SelectsWinnipeg Sharks
2003Brandon Wheat KingsWinnipeg Sharks
2004Brandon Wheat KingsWinnipeg ThrashersWinner
2005Winnipeg WildPembina Valley Hawks
2006Winnipeg ThrashersPembina Valley Hawks
2007Brandon Wheat KingsWinnipeg Thrashers
2008Winnipeg ThrashersPembina Valley HawksWinner
2009Winnipeg WildWinnipeg Thrashers
2010Pembina Valley HawksEastman Selects
2011Winnipeg ThrashersSouthwest CougarsWinner
2012Winnipeg WildSouthwest Cougars
2013Winnipeg WildWinnipeg Thrashers
2014Winnipeg WildEastman Selects
2015Pembina Valley HawksBrandon Wheat Kings
2016Winnipeg WildEastman Selects
2017Winnipeg WildYellowhead Chiefs
2018Winnipeg WildBrandon Wheat Kings
2019Brandon Wheat KingsWinnipeg Wild
2020no champion

;Notes

Telus Cup Playoffs

The Manitoba champion earns a berth to the West Regional Championship and competes against the champions from Saskatchewan and Northwestern Ontario. The winner advances to the national Telus Cup, known as the Air Canada Cup until 2003.
MU18HL teams have hosted the national championships three times: the Brandon Wheat Kings in 1994, the Winnipeg Thrashers in 2009, and the Kenora Stars in 2004. Winnipeg hosted the inaugural national championship in 1979, before the MU18HL was formed.

National Championship Appearances

National Hockey League Players

Other