The Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League (SJHL) began play as the North Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League for the 1948–49 season, and was formed in response to teams in South Saskatchewan and Alberta combining to establish the Western Canada Junior Hockey League . The North Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League renamed itself to the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League for the 1950–51 season.[ 1]
The league operated under the jurisdiction of the Saskatchewan Amateur Hockey Association , and its teams were eligible for the national junior hockey playoffs as organized by the Canadian Amateur Hockey Association (CAHA).[ 2] The SJHL and other junior teams in Western Canada addressed the imbalance in Memorial Cup competition in a meeting with CAHA president W. B. George in August 1954. The teams sought permission for any league champion to add three players in the inter-provincial playoffs for the Memorial Cup, and contended that the imbalance in competition caused lack of spectator interest and less prestige for the event.[ 3] [ 4] At the next CAHA meeting in January 1955, the request for three additional players for the Abbott Cup representative was approved.[ 5] Two teams from the SJHL won the Abbott Cup as the junior champions of Western Canada; which included the Flin Flon Bombers in 1957, and the Regina Pats in 1958. Flin Flon also won the Memorial Cup in 1957, as the national junior champion of Canada.[ 2]
Frank Boucher served as commissioner of the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League from 1959 to 1966.[ 6] He proposed to establish a junior hockey league of the best twelve teams in Canada sponsored by the National Hockey League (NHL), and to compete for a trophy at a higher tier than the Memorial Cup. CAHA president Art Potter and the resolutions committee were against increasing NHL influence into amateur hockey in Canada and declined to present the proposal at the semi-annual meeting.[ 7] Potter also wanted more study into programs to support continued junior hockey growth and the Memorial Cup.[ 8] Boucher and team owners in Saskatchewan and Manitoba accused Potter and the CAHA of disregarding their concerns and favouring the Edmonton Oil Kings .[ 9] Boucher threatened to withdraw the SJHL from the Memorial Cup playoffs, due to the "unfair domination of western junior hockey by the Edmonton Oil Kings", since they had the pick of all the players from Alberta and used loopholes in rules to import stronger players.[ 10] After a playoffs game between the Edmonton Oil Kings and the Estevan Bruins in April 1963, Potter announced that broadcast rights for CAHA games by Ken Newmans of CHAB in Moose Jaw, and Linus Westerbeg of CKOS-TV in Yorkton, had been indefinitely suspended. Potter stated that the suspensions resulted from "continuously and severely criticizing officials, thereby giving an erroneous picture of the game as played".[ 11]
The SJHL disbanded following the 1965–66 season, when five of its eight teams joined the newly formed Canadian Major Junior Hockey League (CMJHL). The two Manitoba-based teams joined the Manitoba Junior Hockey League , and the Melville Millionaires suspended operations.[ 1] The Saskatchewan Amateur Junior Hockey League was established in 1968, and included teams which formerly played in the SJHL and the CMJHL.[ 12]
List of teams that played in the SJHL:[ 1]
Team name
Seasons
City
Brandon Wheat Kings
1964–1966
Brandon, Manitoba
Estevan Bruins
1957–1966
Estevan , Saskatchewan
Flin Flon Bombers
1948–1966
Flin Flon , Manitoba
Humboldt Indians
1948–1955
Humboldt, Saskatchewan
Humboldt-Melfort Indians
1955–1957
Humboldt, Saskatchewan
Melville Millionaires
1955–1966
Melville, Saskatchewan
Moose Jaw Canucks
1958–1966
Moose Jaw , Saskatchewan
Prince Albert Mintos
1948–1962
Prince Albert, Saskatchewan
Regina Pats
1956–1966
Regina, Saskatchewan
Saskatoon Junior Quakers
1948–1949
Saskatoon , Saskatchewan
Saskatoon Wesleys
1949–1955
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
Saskatoon Junior Quakers
1956–1964
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
Saskatoon Blades
1964–1966
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
Weyburn Red Wings
1961–1966
Weyburn , Saskatchewan
Yorkton Terriers
1955–1956
Yorkton , Saskatchewan
Rank
Team
Games
Wins
Losses
Ties
Points
GF
GA
1
Prince Albert Mintos
24
15
8
1
31
120
96
2
Humboldt Indians
24
13
9
2
28
115
101
3
Saskatoon Junior Quakers
24
12
10
2
26
99
94
4
Flin Flon Bombers
24
5
18
1
11
76
119
Standings include one-point games between Humboldt and Prince Albert.[ 14]
Rank
Team
Games
Wins
Losses
Ties
Points
GF
GA
1
Prince Albert Mintos
28
16
8
4
32
142
119
2
Flin Flon Bombers
24
14
9
1
29
129
109
3
Humboldt Indians
28
13
11
4
26
135
120
4
Saskatoon Wesleys
24
3
18
3
9
75
133
Rank
Team
Games
Wins
Losses
Ties
Points
GF
GA
1
Flin Flon Bombers
36
24
11
1
49
189
147
2
Prince Albert Mintos
36
21
15
0
42
199
167
3
Saskatoon Wesleys
36
17
18
1
35
208
186
4
Humboldt Indians
36
8
26
2
18
157
265
The 1951–52 season scheduled included games against the Western Canada Junior Hockey League .[ 16]
Rank
Team
Games
Wins
Losses
Ties
Points
GF
GA
1
Humboldt Indians
50
23
25
2
48
172
189
2
Saskatoon Wesleys
50
21
24
5
47
192
239
3
Prince Albert Mintos
50
20
26
4
44
198
245
4
Flin Flon Bombers
50
18
27
5
41
211
236
Al Pickard was elected to be the league's governor.[ 17]
Rank
Team
Games
Wins
Losses
Ties
Points
GF
GA
1
Flin Flon Bombers
45
30
13
2
62
200
183
2
Humboldt Indians
45
22
22
1
45
184
166
3
Saskatoon Wesleys
47
21
26
0
42
195
207
4
Prince Albert Mintos
47
17
29
1
35
204
227
Al Pickard was re-elected to be the league's governor.[ 19]
Rank
Team
Games
Wins
Losses
Ties
Points
GF
GA
1
Prince Albert Mintos
48
28
18
2
58
219
206
2
Flin Flon Bombers
48
27
21
0
54
297
204
3
Humboldt Indians
48
20
25
3
43
163
202
4
Saskatoon Wesleys
48
18
29
1
37
172
219
Rank
Team
Games
Wins
Losses
Ties
Points
GF
GA
1
Humboldt Indians
48
28
19
1
57
235
176
2
Flin Flon Bombers
48
23
24
1
47
218
215
3
Prince Albert Mintos
47
22
25
0
44
182
218
4
Saskatoon Wesleys
47
21
26
0
42
170
196
Rank
Team
Games
Wins
Losses
Ties
Points
GF
GA
1
Flin Flon Bombers
48
37
10
1
75
301
149
2
Prince Albert Mintos
50
33
14
3
68
255
162
3
Yorkton Terriers
48
20
26
2
42
185
201
4
Humboldt-Melfort Indians
50
21
29
0
39
199
190
5
Melville Millionaires
48
8
40
0
16
126
364
Flin Flon won ten games valued at one point instead of two points.[ 23]
Rank
Team
Games
Wins
Losses
Ties
Points
GF
GA
1
Flin Flon Bombers
55
48
5
2
88
326
114
2
Regina Pats
51
32
16
3
67
225
163
3
Prince Albert Mintos
51
30
19
2
62
234
178
4
Humboldt-Melfort Indians
51
18
28
5
41
178
217
5
Melville Millionaires
51
20
31
0
40
168
226
6
Saskatoon Junior Quakers
51
1
50
0
2
102
322
Rank
Team
Games
Wins
Losses
Ties
Points
GF
GA
1
Regina Pats
51
36
12
3
75
246
160
2
Prince Albert Mintos
51
33
16
2
68
237
160
3
Flin Flon Bombers
55
28
25
2
48
220
177
4
Estevan Bruins
51
22
29
0
44
199
206
5
Saskatoon Junior Quakers
51
20
28
3
43
156
203
6
Melville Millionaires
51
10
39
2
22
134
256
Moose Jaw played most of its games in Weyburn due to a delay in replacing their home arena which had been damaged in a storm.[ 25]
Rank
Team
Games
Wins
Losses
Ties
Points
GF
GA
1
Flin Flon Bombers
48
35
12
1
71
269
144
2
Estevan Bruins
48
30
16
2
62
207
163
3
Regina Pats
48
27
17
4
58
162
139
4
Saskatoon Junior Quakers
48
20
26
2
42
224
243
5
Melville Millionaires
48
20
26
2
42
181
174
6
Prince Albert Mintos
48
17
27
4
38
213
231
7
Moose Jaw Canucks
48
11
36
1
23
166
328
Games played in Flin Flon were allotted 2.5 points each.[ 26]
Rank
Team
Games
Wins
Losses
Ties
Points
GF
GA
1
Flin Flon Bombers
54
35
16
3
82
301
189
2
Regina Pats
59
36
17
6
79
234
142
3
Prince Albert Mintos
59
35
22
2
72
298
237
4
Saskatoon Junior Quakers
59
32
23
4
69
258
232
5
Melville Millionaires
59
25
29
5
55
218
223
6
Estevan Bruins
59
23
33
3
49
187
257
7
Moose Jaw Canucks
59
6
52
1
13
161
378
Rank
Team
Games
Wins
Losses
Ties
Points
GF
GA
1
Regina Pats
60
38
17
5
81
282
177
2
Estevan Bruins
60
36
16
8
80
279
176
3
Melville Millionaires
60
30
22
8
69
270
233
4
Moose Jaw Canucks
60
24
26
10
58
181
212
5
Flin Flon Bombers
60
25
28
7
57
184
203
6
Saskatoon Junior Quakers
60
23
32
5
51
231
280
7
Prince Albert Mintos
60
10
45
5
25
157
303
Prince Albert played the season in Dauphin, Manitoba due to a fire at their arena.[ 28]
Rank
Team
Games
Wins
Losses
Ties
Points
GF
GA
1
Estevan Bruins
56
34
10
12
80
234
127
2
Regina Pats
56
33
16
7
73
237
156
3
Flin Flon Bombers
56
29
22
5
63
244
199
4
Melville Millionaires
56
26
25
5
57
217
223
5
Moose Jaw Canucks
56
22
25
9
53
199
225
6
Saskatoon Junior Quakers
56
22
26
8
52
185
223
7
Weyburn Red Wings
55
18
30
7
43
165
185
8
Prince Albert Mintos
55
11
41
3
25
146
287
Rank
Team
Games
Wins
Losses
Ties
Points
GF
GA
1
Estevan Bruins
54
32
18
4
68
186
139
2
Melville Millionaires
54
31
18
5
67
246
178
3
Weyburn Red Wings
54
28
20
6
62
195
169
4
Moose Jaw Canucks
54
25
22
7
57
212
188
5
Regina Pats
54
22
24
8
52
210
195
6
Saskatoon Junior Quakers
54
16
34
4
36
175
270
7
Flin Flon Bombers
54
17
35
2
36
152
237
The Edmonton Oil Kings , a junior hockey team participating in the Central Alberta Hockey League for senior level teams, played an interlocking schedule of two games against each of the seven teams in the SJHL during the 1963–64 season.[ 30]
Rank
Team
Games
Wins
Losses
Ties
Points
GF
GA
1
Estevan Bruins
62
35
19
8
78
259
196
2
Regina Pats
62
31
22
9
71
332
249
3
Saskatoon Junior Quakers
62
32
27
3
67
290
287
4
Weyburn Red Wings
62
26
27
9
61
242
261
5
Moose Jaw Canucks
62
26
30
6
58
290
352
6
Flin Flon Bombers
62
19
32
11
49
262
304
7
Melville Millionaires
62
18
36
8
44
226
297
n/a
Edmonton Oil Kings
14
9
2
3
21
88
43
Rank
Team
Games
Wins
Losses
Ties
Points
GF
GA
1
Regina Pats
56
38
10
8
84
314
195
2
Weyburn Red Wings
56
36
17
3
75
286
206
3
Brandon Wheat Kings
56
30
21
5
65
230
216
4
Estevan Bruins
56
27
26
3
57
245
211
5
Flin Flon Bombers
56
21
29
6
48
255
298
6
Saskatoon Blades
56
20
32
4
44
219
268
7
Moose Jaw Canucks
56
19
34
3
41
211
286
8
Melville Millionaires
56
13
35
8
34
207
287
Rank
Team
Games
Wins
Losses
Ties
Points
GF
GA
1
Estevan Bruins
60
44
11
5
93
373
155
2
Weyburn Red Wings
60
38
16
6
82
300
183
3
Brandon Wheat Kings
60
32
21
7
71
283
262
4
Moose Jaw Canucks
60
33
23
4
70
295
229
5
Regina Pats
60
28
25
7
63
312
260
6
Saskatoon Blades
60
20
37
3
43
240
310
7
Melville Millionaires
60
18
37
5
41
235
348
8
Flin Flon Bombers
60
8
51
1
17
199
490
^ a b c "Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League [1948–1966] history and statistics" . Hockey Database . Retrieved December 18, 2020 .
^ a b Lapp, Richard M.; Macaulay, Alec (1997). The Memorial Cup: Canada's National Junior Hockey Championship . Madeira Park, British Columbia: Harbour Publishing . pp. 106–112. ISBN 1-55017-170-4 .
^ Hooper, Al (August 2, 1954). "Three Replacements Sought For West Champs" . Winnipeg Free Press . Winnipeg, Manitoba. p. 13.
^ "Western Junior Hockey Men Seeking Entirely New Deal" . Lethbridge Herald . Lethbridge, Alberta. July 29, 1954. p. 7.
^ "CAHA Hopes To Reduce Budget To 55 Thousand" . Winnipeg Tribune . Winnipeg, Manitoba. January 10, 1955. p. 16.
^ "Frank Boucher" . Legends of Hockey . Hockey Hall of Fame. Retrieved March 5, 2021 .
^ "Proposed Super Junior Loop Hits Rocky Road" . Winnipeg Free Press . Winnipeg, Manitoba. January 14, 1963. p. 24.
^ "Potter Answers CAHA Criticism" . Brandon Sun . Brandon, Manitoba. January 21, 1963. p. 7.
^ Collins, Fred (January 19, 1963). "Heavy Fire Levelled At Potter, CAHA" . Winnipeg Free Press . Winnipeg, Manitoba. p. 51.
^ "Frank Threatens Sask. Withdrawal" . Brandon Sun . Brandon, Manitoba. January 21, 1963. p. 7.
^ "CAHA Raps Radiomen" . Winnipeg Free Press . Winnipeg, Manitoba. April 16, 1963. p. 20.
^ "CAHA Gives Special Concessions To West" . Winnipeg Free Press . Winnipeg, Manitoba. July 13, 1968. p. 49.
^ "1948–49 North Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League Standings" . Hockey Database . Retrieved December 18, 2020 .
^ a b "1949–50 North Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League Standings" . Hockey Database . Retrieved December 18, 2020 .
^ "1950–51 Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League Standings" . Hockey Database . Retrieved December 18, 2020 .
^ a b "1951–52 Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League Standings" . Hockey Database . Retrieved December 18, 2020 .
^ "Parry To Head New SJHL Loop" . Medicine Hat News . Medicine Hat, Alberta. July 25, 1952. p. 3.
^ "1952–53 Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League Standings" . Hockey Database . Retrieved December 18, 2020 .
^ "48 Games For Saskatchewan Puck Squads" . Lethbridge Herald . Lethbridge, Alberta. August 17, 1953. p. 7.
^ "1953–54 Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League Standings" . Hockey Database . Retrieved December 18, 2020 .
^ "1954–55 Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League Standings" . Hockey Database . Retrieved December 18, 2020 .
^ "1955–56 Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League Standings" . Hockey Database . Retrieved December 18, 2020 .
^ a b "1956–57 Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League Standings" . Hockey Database . Retrieved December 18, 2020 .
^ "1957–58 Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League Standings" . Hockey Database . Retrieved December 18, 2020 .
^ a b "1958–59 Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League Standings" . Hockey Database . Retrieved December 18, 2020 .
^ a b "1959–60 Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League Standings" . Hockey Database . Retrieved December 18, 2020 .
^ "1960–61 Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League Standings" . Hockey Database . Retrieved December 18, 2020 .
^ a b "1961–62 Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League Standings" . Hockey Database . Retrieved December 18, 2020 .
^ "1962–63 Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League Standings" . Hockey Database . Retrieved December 18, 2020 .
^ a b "1963–64 Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League Standings" . Hockey Database . Retrieved December 18, 2020 .
^ "1964–65 Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League Standings" . Hockey Database . Retrieved December 18, 2020 .
^ "1965–66 Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League Standings" . Hockey Database . Retrieved December 18, 2020 .