MJHL Says goodbye to annual draft, announces showcase with sjhl
This past week, the Manitoba Junior Hockey League announced the elimination of its annual player draft.
The decision gives young prospects the freedom to select which of the 13 MJHL clubs they would like to play for, when eligible.
The league indicated the decision puts ownership on the 13 partner clubs, which will each be challenged to make their program more attractive to newcoming players.
This announcement comes after multiple rule changes over the last few years which have given players more freedom.
Last July, the league announced draftees could sign with another MJHL club after two years of U18 eligibility. Given the direction of player freedom across the league, the termination of the player draft seemed inevitable.
“Nobody was surprised by it obviously,” Steinbach Pistons head coach and general manager Paul Dyck told The Carillon. “It’s been part of the discussions between governors and GMs etc. for a number of months already.”
The MJHL announced the following regarding 2007 and 2008-born draftees as well as 2009-born prospects:
“Going forward beginning with 2009-born Manitoba prospects: Eligible to sign with any member MJHL team beginning for the 2025-26 season.
2023 MJHL Draft (2007s): Any auto-protect / draft pick who remains unsigned by the team they were drafted by will be eligible to sign with any other MJHL team as of August 1st, 2024.
2024 MJHL Draft (2008s): Any auto-protect / draft pick who remains unsigned by the team they were drafted by will be eligible to sign with any other MJHL team as of August 1st, 2025.”
MJHL clubs had the opportunity to auto-protect local prospects prior to the start of the MJHL Draft. There has been no announcement on protection for local prospects under the league’s new system.
MJHL / SJHL Showcase Dates for 2024-25
The MJHL and SJHL will team up again this season to put their best talent on display during two showcase events in the 2024-25 season.
The first showcase will be held in Warman, Saskatchewan in early November. The MJHL says the showcase “…will act as an elite identification camp for the upcoming 2024 World Junior A Challenge.”
The second event is the MJHL – SJHL showcase being held at the end of January 2025 in Winnipeg. The showcase will display 60 elite prospects from each league, who will be split into three teams of 20, competing against each other. One of three teams will feature prospects 18 and younger, while the other two teams will feature players 20 and under.
“These events will be heavily attended by NHL, NCAA, Major Junior and university programs from across North America and will be another important step for MJHL and SJHL athletes in attracting the attention of the many scouts / coaches that will be in attendance,” the MJHL said in its official press release.
“We look forward to continuing to build on the success of joint events with the MJHL. We are very pleased to be able to provide these collaborative opportunities for our elite players,” said SJHL commissioner Kyle McIntyre.
Further details regarding these events are to come in the following months.
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