| Calgary Junior Hockey League (CalJHL) | |
| Pixels: | 200px |
| Sport: | Ice Hockey |
| Founded: | 1945 |
| Commissioner: | Darryl Collister |
| Headquarters: | Calgary, Alberta |
| Teams: | 8 |
| Continent: | North America |
| Champion: | CBHA Rangers (2022) |
| Most Champs: | CRAA Gold (9) |
| Website: | CJHL |
The Calgary Junior Hockey League is a Junior "B" ice hockey league based in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. It is sanctioned by Hockey Canada, and operated by Hockey Calgary. Founded in 1945, the CJHL is one of the oldest hockey leagues operating in Alberta.
The league champion earns a berth in the Alberta Provincial Junior B Hockey Championship, with a chance to participate in the Western Canadian championship, the Keystone Cup.
| Team | Association | |
|---|---|---|
| CBHA Hawks | Calgary Buffaloes Hockey Association | |
| CBHA Rangers | Calgary Buffaloes Hockey Association | |
| CNHA Gold | Calgary Northstars Hockey Association | |
| CNHA Black | Calgary Northstars Hockey Association | |
| CRAA Gold | Calgary Royals Athletic Association | |
| CRAA Blue | Calgary Royals Athletic Association | |
| NWCAA Bruins | Northwest Calgary Athletic Association | |
| NWCAA Stamps | Northwest Calgary Athletic Association |
The modern CJHL is governed by the by-laws of Hockey Calgary which stipulates that each of Calgary's four community hockey associations operate at least one team. Presently, each association operates two teams that play a 30-game season.
In the past, teams from outside the Calgary area have also participated in the league. Both the Okotoks Oilers and the High River Flyers of the Heritage Junior B Hockey League were originally members of the CJHL.
The CJHL gained national attention in October 2006 following a brawl in the hallway of a Calgary arena following a game between the NWCAA Bruins and the NEAA Canucks. A linesman attempting to break up an off-ice scuffle was allegedly knocked unconscious by a kick to the head in the melee, which involved players, coaches, fans and parents.[1]
As a result of a police investigation, Robert Simard, 21, of Calgary was charged with one count of assault for allegedly kicking linesman Rory McCuaig in the head. Simard and one other player involved in the brawl were given two-year suspensions from playing in the league, ending their junior careers, and carrying over to any league sanctioned by Hockey Alberta. One parent was given a ban from all Hockey Calgary sanctioned arenas.
| Year | Champion | Year | Champion | Year | Champion | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1987 | NWCAA Bruins1 | 2001 | SWAA Royals Blue | 2015 | CRAA Gold | |||
| 1988 | NWCAA Bruins | 2002 | SWAA Royals Gold | 2016 | CRAA Gold[2] | |||
| 1989 | CBHA Rangers | 2003 | SWAA Royals Gold | 2017 | CBHA Rangers | |||
| 1990 | NWCAA Bruins | 2004 | NWCAA Stampeders | 2018 | CBHA Rangers | |||
| 1991 | NWCAA Bruins | 2005 | NWCAA Stampeders | 2019 | CRAA Gold | |||
| 1992 | 2006 | NWCAA Stampeders | 2020 | covid | ||||
| 1993 | 2007 | NWCAA Bruins | 2021 | covid | ||||
| 1994 | SWAA Royals | 2008 | CRAA Gold | 2022 | CBHA Rangers | |||
| 1995 | SWAA Royals Blue | 2009 | CRAA Blue | 2023 | CBHA Rangers | |||
| 1996 | SWAA Royals Blue | 2010 | CRAA Blue | 2024 | NWCAA Stampeders | |||
| 1997 | NWCAA Stampeders | 2011 | CNHA Blazers | |||||
| 1998 | NWCAA Bruins | 2012 | CRAA Blue | |||||
| 1999 | SWAA Royals Gold | 2013 | CBHA Rangers | |||||
| 2000 | SWAA Royals Gold | 2014 | CRAA Gold |
1 Also won Keystone Cup Western Canadian Junior B Champion. Team members of the 1987 NWCAA Bruins included Ken MacLean, Chris Tibbles, Terry Copot (Coach), Neil Houghton, Brendan Black, Craig Wheeler, Steve Jordan, Craig Coulombe, Scott Muzychka, Ross Rayment, Barry Faminoff, Dan Matley, Jeff Hegland, Brad Thompson (Asst. Coach), Otto Gentile, Doug Thubron, John Irvine, Sandy Quilty, Blaine Louis, Brent Willis and Scott Burrell.