MJHL commissioner excited despite uncertain future of junior hockey

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The 2024/2025 junior hockey season could go down as one of the most consequential of all time. This year marked the first time major junior hockey players could commit to American universities, and the ripple effects could take years to fully understand.

Manitoba Junior Hockey League commissioner Kevin Saurette said the league is well-positioned despite the question marks, citing their motto of “play here, go anywhere.”

“If it’s NCAA, if it’s the Western Hockey League, if it’s USports, if it’s NHL, if it’s pro, we support and we promote all of those routes,” Saurette said in the middle of the league’s showcase event hosted in conjunction with the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League.

Grady Hoffman battles for position during the MJHL/SJHL showcase Jan. 28. (Cassidy Dankochik The Carillon)
Grady Hoffman battles for position during the MJHL/SJHL showcase Jan. 28. (Cassidy Dankochik The Carillon)

Saurette said with players having more options at this level, it’s on the league and the teams in the MJHL to step their game up and ensure they are attractive for players.

“For us, it’s something we understand and knew was coming,” Saurette said on the rule-change.

“If we look after our end, where each organization in the league is providing elite development opportunities on and off (the ice) for players and giving them exposure and the opportunity to advance to higher levels, then that’s where players are going to want to play.”

Saurette pointed to Raiden LeGall’s path as one fans could see a lot more of in the near future. LeGall played with the Niverville Nighthawks as a 17-year-old and returned to the team this season before earning a call-up to the WHL’s Everett Silvertips, where he has thrived.

“I think you might see the league get younger,” Saurette said.

“We have a lot of talented younger players in the league. Now they can go the WHL route, the NCAA route — whatever route is their path, that’s in front of them playing in our league.”

The league also eliminated the draft this off-season, putting more pressure on organizations to appeal to young players from across Manitoba. A potential MJHL player now has 13 franchises to chose from, instead of being tied down to the team which happened to draft them.

Christian Green (Cassidy Dankochik The Carillon)
Christian Green (Cassidy Dankochik The Carillon)

“Teams have to run a good program, they have to be a program of choice because players have options,” Saurette said.

“I think we’ve put ourselves in a very good position, even with our relationship with the leagues to the west… and our relationship with the WHL. I think it’s all positive.”

This is the third year the MJHL/SJHL Showcase has taken place at the Seven Oaks Arena, with Saurette quipping the league has become a “well oiled machine,” when it comes to hosting.

“It’s just great to see two leagues come together, the top 120 kids from both those leagues, there’s been a lot of fans here watching, a lot of scouts a lot of excitement,” Saurette said.

“It just brings a different energy to the season, where probably everyone needs a different energy… It’s something different to break from the normalcy of the season.”

Saurette said the league looks at how well the event is run, how many fans and scouts are in attendance, and the results on the ice to measure success, although the MJHL got off to a rough start in that aspect, dropping the first two games of the event.

Sam Noad (Cassidy Dankochik The Carillon)
Sam Noad (Cassidy Dankochik The Carillon)

“You want the kids to feel like they’re in a higher level environment,” Saurette said.

“It’s best-on-best, so even if the scouts aren’t necessarily in the stands, they’re all watching online, they’re all going to have access to watch these players. Anytime you have best-on-best it really shows who can skate at the next level.”

The MJHL should have good playoff races in both the West and East Divisions this season.

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