“To provide Saskatchewan Junior Hockey players with the opportunity to compete at an elite level while striving to achieve their educational and career goals.”
RICH TRADITION – STRONG FUTURE
The Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League has a long-standing tradition of excellence on and off the ice. As one of several Junior ‘A’ Hockey Leagues in Canada, the SJHL has developed players that have moved on to professional and education opportunities. The SJHL strives to produce a high standard of elite level Junior ‘A’ competition, while maintaining NCAA eligibility for our players.
Some of our graduates have found their names inscribed on the Stanley Cup. Some include:
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- Rod Brind’amour (Notre Dame-Carolina)
- Chris Chelios (Moose Jaw-Montreal, Detroit)
- Ruslan Fedotenko (Melfort-Tampa Bay)
- Jordan Hendry (Battlefords-Chicago)
- Chris Kunitz (Melville-Anaheim)
- Brad Richards (Notre Dame-Tampa Bay)
- Jaden Schwartz (St. Louis 1st round draft pick-2010-Notre Dame)
Some other SJHL alumni currently or once involved with the National Hockey League include:
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- Los Angeles Kings Head Coach Todd McLellan (one time coach of Battlefords Stars)
- Edmonton Oilers Assistant Coach Glen Gulutzan (one time player with Yorkton Terriers)
- Teddy Purcell (Tampa Bay-Notre Dame)
- Brett Clark (Tampa Bay-Melville)
- Willie Mitchell (Los Angeles-Melfort)
- Drew Bagnall (Minnesota-Battlefords)
- Derek Dorsett (Columbus-Kindersley)
The SJHL has a long history of success in provincial and national competition, winning the ANAVET Cup (SJHL champion vs. MJHL champion) twenty-nine times in the forty-four editions of the series. The Humboldt Broncos hold the most ANAVET Cup victories of any team still existing across the two leagues, with 7 victories in 10 appearances.
The SJHL’s success stemming from the ANAVET Cup has translated into strong showings at the Centennial Cup, which is the National Championship for Junior ‘A’ hockey. Weyburn (2005), Humboldt (2008), and Yorkton (2014) have won the event in recent years, while Humboldt (2009), Yorkton (2006), and Kindersley (2004) finished as national finalists.
SJHL teams excel in hosting National and International events, with the local communities contributing towards the immense success. The Centennial Cup was held in Weyburn in 2005, Humboldt in 2012, and will be returning to an SJHL host team with the Estevan Bruins set to host in 2022. Yorkton and Humboldt also hosted the inaugural CJAHL Prospects Game in 2005 as well as the first ever World Junior ‘A’ Challenge in 2006.
Every year the SJHL conducts two “showcases” with the goal of shining a spotlight on the strong talent the league possesses. Scouts from all over the hockey landscape can see all 12 SJHL teams play two games apiece at the “SJHL Showcase” in Warman, SK. The 2021 SJHL Showcase will run from October 4th-6th ,2021.
In addition, the yearly “SJHL/MJHL Showcase” consists of three all-star teams from each league putting their skills on display in late January.