The Manitoba Female Hockey League (MFHL) is an under-18 ice hockey league in the province of Manitoba, Canada. It is designated as an 'AAA' league – the highest level of minor hockey in Canada – and operates under the supervision of Hockey Manitoba.
History The league was founded in 2008 to provide elite female hockey players in Manitoba with the opportunity to play at a more competitive level. A number of players who have played in the league have joined NCAA or CIS hockey programs. The league was built using the same model used by Hockey Manitoba for the Manitoba Midget 'AAA' Hockey League, which has been operating quite successfully since the 1980s. Manitoba was the last western province to have a female under-18 'AAA' league.
Teams The league began its inaugural season with five teams, and now has nine. All teams are regionally based and are operated by Hockey Manitoba's regional minor hockey associations. Each team is composed of players from local minor hockey associations within its region. Team Region League Titles National Titles Brandon Wheat Kings Brandon 0 0 Central Plains Capitals Central Plains 1 0 Eastman Selects Eastman 1 0 Interlake Lightning Interlake 0 0 Pembina Valley Hawks Pembina Valley 7 1 Westman Wildcats Westman South 2 1 Winnipeg Avros Winnipeg 0 0 Winnipeg Ice Winnipeg 2 0 Yellowhead Chiefs Yellowhead 1 0
Former Teams
Parkland Panthers Norman Wild
Home Arenas +Team Arena City/TownBrandon Wheat Kings J&G Homes Arena Brandon Central Plains Capitals BDO Centre for the Community Portage la PrairieEastman Selects Niverville Community Resource and Recreation Centre Niverville Interlake Lightning Veterans Memorial Complex Stonewall Pembina Valley Hawks Access Event Centre Morden Westman Wildcats Hartney Community Rink Hartney Winnipeg Avros Seven Oaks Arena Winnipeg Winnipeg Ice Hockey For All Centre WinnipegYellowhead Chiefs Shoal Lake CommuniplexShoal Lake
Championship Since the 2011–12 season, the league championship has doubled as the provincial female under-18 AAA championship. Each year, the Manitoba champion competes in an inter-provincial playoff series against the champion from Saskatchewan. The winner of that series earns a berth in the Esso Cup, the national female under-18 championship.
The Pembina Valley Hawks were national champions in 2012, while the Westman Wildcats won the inaugural Esso Cup in 2009, prior to joining the league. Pembina Valley hosted the 2017 Esso Cup in Morden.
League Champions
2023-24 Winnipeg Ice 2022-23 Winnipeg Ice 2021-22 Westman Wildcats 2020-21 No Champion (COVID-19) 2019-20 Winnipeg Ice/Winnipeg Avros (tie due to COVID-19) 2018-19 Westman Wildcats 2017-18 Eastman Selects 2016-17 Pembina Valley Hawks (Westman Wildcats advanced to regional playoff) 2015-16 Yellowhead Chiefs 2014-15 Central Plains Capitals 2013-14 Pembina Valley Hawks 2012-13 Pembina Valley Hawks 2011-12 Pembina Valley Hawks National Champions 2010-11 Pembina Valley Hawks 2009-10 Pembina Valley Hawks 2008-09 Pembina Valley Hawks
League Awards
Most Valuable Player
2023-24: Stephanie Jacob (F, Winnipeg Ice) 2022-23: Grace Glover (G, Westman Wildcats) 2021-22: Norah Collins (F, Winnipeg Avros) 2020-21: N/A (COVID-19) 2019-20: Kylie Lesuk (F, Eastman Selects) 2018-19: Taylor Coward (F, Winnipeg Avros) 2017-18: Halle Oswald (G, Pembina Valley Hawks) 2016-17: Ashton Bell (F, Westman Wildcats) 2015-16: Ashton Bell (F, Westman Wildcats) 2014-15: Jaycee Magwood (F, Westman Wildcats) 2013-14: Jaycee Magwood (F, Westman Wildcats) 2012-13: Ashley Brykaliuk (F, Westman WIldcats) 2011-12: Madison Hutchinson (D, Pembina Valley Hawks)
See also Hockey Manitoba Manitoba U-18 'AAA' Hockey League Esso Cup
External links League Website
References