The 2016–17 season was the Manitoba Junior Hockey League's (MJHL) 100th season of operation. Players and officials wore patches to commemorate Hockey Manitoba and the MJHL's centennial anniversary.
The Steinbach Pistons finished with league's best regular season record for the first time in their franchise's history, however were defeated by the two-time defending champion Portage Terriers in the semi-finals. The Terriers, despite finishing fifth overall in the regular season, won the Turnbull Cup for a third consecutive season by defeating the OCN Blizzard in the final.
Season highlights The league announces the discontinuation of the Survivor Series playoff round. Only the top eight teams now advance to the playoffs. Three-on-three play is adopted for overtime during the regular season. The annual Showcase moves from October to December, with this year's event held December 12–14 at the MTS Iceplex. In December 2016, the Opaskwayak Cree Nation band council announce their intention to fold the OCN Blizzard following the conclusion of the season. After the Blizzard's board of directors make a pitch to operate the team independently, the council permits the team to continue but without funding from the band.
Standings GP W L OTL SOL Pts GF GA Steinbach Pistons 60 49 10 1 0 99 249 124 Winkler Flyers 60 41 16 2 1 85 219 148 OCN Blizzard 60 39 17 3 1 82 200 153 Selkirk Steelers 60 39 18 3 0 81 220 177 Portage Terriers 60 37 19 1 3 78 256 198 Winnipeg Blues 60 27 27 3 3 60 193 202 Virden Oil Capitals 60 26 26 5 3 60 167 198 Neepawa Natives 60 21 33 3 3 48 173 229 Swan Valley Stampeders 60 20 34 5 1 46 160 236 Dauphin Kings 60 17 35 5 2 41 145 221 Waywayseecappo Wolverines 60 14 42 4 0 32 177 273
Playoffs
Post MJHL playoffs Western Canada Cup Portage Terriers finish fifth in round robin and are eliminated from playoffs. Hockey Canada announces the end of the Western Canada Cup format. The MJHL and Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League will resume their Anavet Cup rivalry next season.
League awards Steve "Boomer" Hawrysh Award (MVP): Brady Keeper, OCN MJHL Top Goaltender Award: Roman Bengert, Steinbach Brian Kozak Award (Top Defenceman): Brady Keeper, OCN Vince Leah Trophy (Rookie of the Year): Cole Weaver, Winkler Lorne Lyndon Memorial Trophy (Hockey Ability and Sportsmanship): Jeremey Leipsic, Portage Muzz McPherson Award (Coach of the Year): Paul Dyck, Steinbach Mike Ridley Trophy (Scoring Champion): Jeremey Leipsic, Portage MJHL Playoff MVP: Jeremey Leipsic, Portage
See also 2017 Western Canada Cup 2017 Royal Bank Cup
References
External links MJHL Website 2016-17 MJHL season at HockeyDB.com