THE MJHL AND MMJHL HAVE STARTED THE PRE-SEASON, TRYOUTS ALL OVER MANITOBA

There are two junior leagues well into their pre-season schedules and tryouts are occurring all over the province. It’s time to take a look at Manitoba’s seven elite hockey leagues as the game revs up…

Game On Hockey Brief — September 7–13

The MJHL and MMJHL supplied the week’s game action, while the MWJHL conducted centralized evaluations and the KJHL and CRJHL started tryouts. Regular-season standings remain untouched across the priority leagues.

• Key preseason results: Winnipeg Monarchs answered their earlier 8–4 loss to the Blues with a 5–3 victory on September 11, then edged previously unbeaten Winkler 6–5 in overtime as Idris Alameddine scored the winner at 4:51 of overtime.
• Selkirk defeated the Blues 3–1 as former Blues forward William Marceus scored the opening goal for Selkirk, while Steinbach shutout Niverville 3-0. Lincoln Molind earned the shutout.
• Exhibition results do not count toward the regular-season standings, which begin September 18.
• Team watch: The Monarchs’ two-win weekend provides early evidence that Riley Dudar’s young club may be considerably more competitive this season.
• Feature angle: “A new reign?” — Dudar’s attempt to transform the Monarchs from an expansion team into a legitimate playoff challenger.

Sources: MJHL schedule and results, Monarchs 6, Winkler 5 OT, MJHL official news.

MMJHL

• St. James defeated Charleswood 10–5 on September 11; the Raiders edged River East 5–4 in overtime.
• The league’s preseason tournament followed at East End Community Centre. Transcona and Pembina Valley each emerged with two wins, while St. Vital also went unbeaten in its two tournament appearances.
• The official site’s tournament box scores displayed incomplete scoring details Monday morning, preventing a dependable individual-leaders list.
• Transcona’s 2–0 tournament showing is an encouraging start to Pierre Landry’s first full season in charge.
• Potential storyline: “The next wave in Transcona” — how Landry is reshaping the Railer Express while maintaining the standards of a perennial contender.

Sources: MMJHL results and tournament coverage, MMJHL transactions.

• Inactive/unavailable: No verified games, standings movement or current player statistics were posted during September 7–13.
• Expansion Altona’s roster and first preseason appearances remain the material developments to watch.
• The North Winnipeg Satellites have announced their 2026-27 schedule:

• Potential storyline: Tryouts are starting.

Source: CRJHL official site.

KJHL

MWJHL

• Six evaluation teams played centralized tryout games September 12–13. These were assessment sessions, so no standings or official statistical leaders were published.
• A rookies-and-draft-eligible session follows September 15, with registration now moved to a late-registration list.
• Coaches must turn six mixed evaluation groups into eight regular clubs, making roster distribution—not merely cuts—the key process.
• Potential storyline: Follow one draft-eligible player through Tuesday’s final evaluation and subsequent placement. That offers a personal entry point into a league structure many readers may not understand.

Source: MWJHL tryout information.

MFHL U18 AAA

• Inactive/unavailable: No verified league results, standings or current statistical leaders were available.
• Individual teams have begun practicing, but the league’s public schedule and roster information remain incomplete.
• The 2026 Central Plains Capitals Showcase is coming Sept. 18-20, at Stride Place in Portage la Prairie.

• Potential storyline: “Seven camps, seven questions” — ask every coach to identify the position battle that will determine the shape of their season.

Source: MFHL U18 AAA official site.

• RINK Winnipeg: The Female U18 Prep team hosted Balmoral Hall on September 12 and Winnipeg Ice on September 13.
• Balmoral Hall: Played its first listed exhibition against the RINK. No standings movement because it was a non-league contest.
• Pilot Mound: No verified game result during the reporting window.
• Notable storyline: The CSSHL published a Women’s Spotlight on Pilot Mound’s Nichole Collins, emphasizing the academy’s connection to its small community and the Collins family’s role in the program.

Sources: CSSHL official site, RINK Winnipeg Female U18 Prep schedule, Pilot Mound Hockey Academy.

Best Overall Storylines: Riley Dudar’s developing Monarchs, Pierre Landry’s fast-starting Railer Express and the players receiving second chances through Altona’s expansion roster.