The Reminder is making its archives back to 2003 available on our website. Please note that, due to technical limitations, archive articles are presented without the usual formatting.
The Manitoba Junior Hockey League has announced that the League will be implementing a draft of Manitoba players. The MJHL draft will involve all League teams who will draft players who are 15 years of age or older in the year of the draft. The draft order will be such that the team finishing last in the standings from the previous year will be given the first draft pick in each round. All other teams will select their draft picks coinciding with the order in which they finished in the standings from the previous year. The MJHL Commissioner, General Managers and Coaches will jointly determine the number of rounds for the draft and the date of the draft on an annual basis. The draft date for the current year has yet to be determined, but will likely take place in late May or early June. The Manitoba Junior Hockey League is committed to the development of Manitoba players for advancement to NCAA, CIS and Major Junior Hockey. MJHL teams currently employ scouting staffs to scour the province for the best young hockey talent. MJHL commissioner Kim Davis said, "The MJHL believes that the League wide draft will signify to young players that the League cares about their hockey future and can provide a positive environment for their development." The province of Manitoba and the MJHL has a fantastic track record of developing hockey talent. Notable NHL players who played in the MJHL include Ed Belfour, Mike Ridley, Tyler Arnason, J. P. Vigier, Mike Leclerc, Brad Chartrand and many more.
