Manitoba Female Hockey League
The Manitoba Female Hockey League 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.
 | |
| Sport | Ice hockey |
|---|---|
| Founded | 2008 |
| Inaugural season | 2008-09 |
| No. of teams | 8 |
| Most recent champion(s) | Eastman Selects |
| Most titles | Pembina Valley Hawks (7) |
| Related competitions | Esso Cup |
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.[1]
Teams
The league began its inaugural season with five teams; it had as many as nine team (2011–12), but now has seven. 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 |
| Central Plains Capitals | Central Plains | 1 | 0 |
| Eastman Selects | Eastman | 1 | 0 |
| Norman Wild | Norman | 0 | 0 |
| Pembina Valley Hawks | Pembina Valley | 7 | 1 |
| Westman Wildcats | Westman South | 0 | 1 |
| Winnipeg Avro | Winnipeg | 0 | 0 |
| Yellowhead Chiefs | Yellowhead | 1 | 0 |
Former Teams
- Brandon Wheat Kings
- Parkland Panthers
- Winnipeg Ice
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 interprovincial 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.[1]
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
- 2008-09 Pembina Valley Hawks
- 2009-10 Pembina Valley Hawks
- 2010-11 Pembina Valley Hawks
- 2011-12 Pembina Valley Hawks National Champions
- 2012-13 Pembina Valley Hawks
- 2013-14 Pembina Valley Hawks
- 2014-15 Central Plains Capitals
- 2015-16 Yellowhead Chiefs
- 2016-17 Pembina Valley Hawks (Westman Wildcats advanced to regional playoff)
- 2017-18 Eastman Selects
External links
References
- Prest, Ashley (2011-10-06). "AAA female hockey debuts in Manitoba". Winnipeg Free Press. Retrieved 2012-01-11.