CALGARY, Alta. – Each of the 10 leagues that comprise the Canadian Junior Hockey League are now in the finals stage, or are close to beginning, where they look to determine their respective champions.
Here’s a look via a League-by-League schedule breakdown:
BCHL: The British Columbia Hockey League Fred Page Cup final begins tonight in Prince George, B.C., as the hometown Spruce Kings welcome perennial BCHL power, the Vernon Vipers.
This marks the first-ever finals meeting between the two sides.
Prince George is in search of their initial league title and are in the BCHL league championship series for a second-straight year.
Teams based in Vernon, boast 10 BCHL crowns and have competed in eight other league competitions.
The Vipers are in search of their first title since 2010, when they won a third consecutive championship.
BCHL Fred Page Cup Final
Vernon Vipers vs. Prince George Spruce Kings
Best-of-seven series
Game 1: Friday, April 12 @ Prince George 7 p.m.
Game 2: Saturday, April 13 @ Prince George 7 p.m.
Game 3: Tuesday, April 16 @ Vernon 7 p.m.
Game 4: Wednesday, April 17 @ Vernon 7 p.m.
Game 5*: Friday, April 19 @ Prince George 7 p.m.
Game 6*: Sunday, April 21 @ Vernon 7 p.m.
Game 7*: Tuesday, April 23 @ Prince George 7 p.m.
*-if necessary
AJHL: The quest for the Inter Pipeline Cup in the Alberta Junior Hockey League also starts this evening as the highly-touted Brooks Bandits take on the Spruce Grove Saints.
Neither side is no stranger to the AJHL finals as either the Bandits or the Saints have appeared in each of the past 10 league championship series, with either club having been crowned league winners.
Spruce Grove in the defending AJHL title holder and have five titles to their credit in the last decade and have three other appearances in the finals.
As for Brooks, they’ve won on four occasions and had one other appearance in the championship series.
AJHL Inter Pipeline Cup
Spruce Grove Saints vs. Brooks Bandits
Best-of-seven series
Game 1: Friday, April 12 @ Brooks 7 p.m.
Game 2: Saturday, April 13 @ Brooks 7 p.m.
Game 3: Monday, April 15 @ Spruce Grove 7 p.m.
Game 4: Tuesday, April 16 @ Spruce Grove 7 p.m.
Game 5*: Friday, April 19 @ Brooks 7 p.m.
Game 6*: Sunday, April 21 @ Spruce Grove 7 p.m.
Game 7*: Tuesday, April 23 @ Brooks 7 p.m.
*-if necessary
Doyle Cup Pacific Region Jr. A Championship
BCHL champion vs. AJHL champion
Schedule if one team wins first two games
Best-of-seven series (Start times T.B.A.)
Game 1: Friday, April 26 @ AJHL
Game 2: Saturday, April 27 @ AJHL
Game 3: Tuesday, April 30 @ BCHL
Game 4: Wednesday, May 1 @ BCHL
Game 5*: Friday, May 3 @ BCHL
Game 6*: Saturday, May 4 @ BCHL
Game 7*: Sunday, May 5 @ BCHL
*-if necessary
Schedule if teams split first two games
Best-of-seven series (Start times T.B.A.)
Game 1: Friday, April 26 @ AJHL
Game 2: Saturday, April 27 @ AJHL
Game 3: Sunday, April 28 @ AJHL
Game 4: Wednesday, May 1 @ BCHL
Game 5*: Thursday, May 2 @ BCHL
Game 6*: Saturday, May 4 @ BCHL
Game 7*: Sunday, May 5 @ BCHL
*-if necessary
SJHL: In the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League, the Melfort Mustangs and Battlesfords North Stars will face-off in the Canalta Cup opener tonight in Battlefords.
No strangers to the SJHL final, Battlefords claimed the Canalta Cup in 2017 while Melfort claimed back-to-back titles in 2015 and 2016.
The North Stars also captured league laurels in 2000 and 1996.
This marks the first-ever meeting between the two clubs in the SJHL final.
SJHL Canalta Cup Final
Melfort Mustangs vs. Battlefords North Stars
Best-of-seven series
Game 1: Friday, April 12 @ Battlesfords 7:30 p.m.
Game 2: Saturday, April 13 @ Battlefords 7:30 p.m.
Game 3: Tuesday, April 16 @ Melfort 7:30 p.m.
Game 4: Wednesday, April 17 @ Melfort 7:30 p.m.
Game 5*: Friday, April 19 @ Battlefords 7:30 p.m.
Game 6*: Sunday, April 21 @ Melfort 7:30 p.m.
Game 7*: Tuesday, April 23 @ Battlefords 7:30 p.m.
*-if necessary
MJHL: Of the 10 CJHL leagues, the Manitoba Junior Hockey League final pitting the Portage Terriers and the Swan Valley Stampeders, is the only one that has already begun.
Through three contests in the MJHL pursuit for the Turnbull Memorial Trophy, the Terriers hold a two games to one edge with Game 4 going Saturday in Swan Valley.
In the past 15 years, Portage has advanced to the final nine times and won the title on eight occassions.
The Stampeders and Terriers are tangling for the first time in the MJHL final with Swan Valley also making their first appearance in the league championship series.
MJHL Turnbull Memorial Trophy Final
Swan Valley Stampeders vs. Portage Terriers
Terriers lead best-of-seven series 2-1
Game 1: Portage 3 Swan Valley 0
Game 2: Swan Valley 6 Portage 5 (OT)
Game 3: Portage 3 Swan Valley 2
Game 4: Saturday, April 13 @ Swan Valley 7:30 p.m.
Game 5: Tuesday, April 16 @ Portage 7:30 p.m.
Game 6*: Thursday, April 18 @ Swan Valley 7:30 p.m.
Game 7*: Monday, April 22 @ Portage 7:30 p.m.
*-if necessary
ANAVET Cup Western Canadian Jr. A Championship
SJHL champion vs. MJHL champion
Best-of-seven series (Start times T.B.A.)
Game 1: Friday, April 26 @ SJHL
Game 2: Saturday, April 27 @ SJHL
Game 3: Tuesday, April 30 @ MJHL
Game 4: Wednesday, May 1 @ MJHL
Game 5*: Friday, May 3 @ MJHL
Game 6*: Sunday, May 5 @ SJHL
Game 7*: Monday, May 6 @ SJHL
*-if necessary
SIJHL: Saturday night in the Lakehead has the hometown Thunder Bay North Stars set to meet the Red Lake Miners Saturday to commence the Bill Salonen Cup.
Thunder Bay boasts a SIJHL-best five league championships, but are in search of their initial title since 2010, as they make their ninth appearance in the finals.
Red Lake is looking for their first league crown in this their second visit to the SIJHL final.
SIJHL Bill Salonen Cup Final
Thunder Bay North Stars vs. Red Lake Miners
Best-of-seven series
Game 1: Saturday, April 13 @ Thunder Bay 7:30 p.m.
Game 2: Sunday, April 14 @ Thunder Bay 7:30 p.m.
Game 3: Wednesday, April 17 @ Red Lake 7:30 p.m.
Game 4: Thursday, April 18 @ Red Lake 7:30 p.m.
Game 5*: Saturday, April 20 @ Thunder Bay 7:30 p.m.
Game 6*: Monday, April 22 @ Red Lake 7:30 p.m.
Game 7*: Wednesday, April 24 @ Thunder Bay 7:30 p.m.
*-if necessary
NOJHL: Over in the Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League, they begin their Copeland Cup – McNamara Trophy final Saturday evening in Sault Ste. Marie, Ont., as the Soo Thunderbirds get set to go up against the Hearst Lumberjacks.
In their first time meeting in the NOJHL playoffs, it is the Thunderbirds who have the championship pedigree compared to the Lumberjacks, who are in the initial league final.
In the past 10 years, the Soo has claimed the NOJHL championship four times and appeared in the final on three other occasions.
NOJHL Copeland Cup – McNamara Trophy Final
Soo Thunderbirds vs. Hearst Lumberjacks
Best-of-seven series
Game 1: Saturday, April 13 @ Sault Ste. Marie 7 p.m.
Game 2: Sunday, April 14 @ Sault Ste. Marie 5 p.m.
Game 3: Wednesday, April 17 @ Hearst 7 p.m.
Game 4: Thursday, April 18 @ Hearst 7 p.m.
Game 5*: Saturday, April 20 @ Sault Ste. Marie 7 p.m.
Game 6*: Monday, April 22 @ Hearst 7 p.m.
Game 7*: Wednesday, April 24 @ Sault Ste. Marie 7 p.m.
*-if necessary
OJHL: This evening sees the Ontario Junior Hockey League starting their Buckland Cup in a highly anticipated meeting between the Oakville Blades and the defending league and Dudley-Hewitt Cup champion Wellington Dukes.
In the past 25 years, Wellington has won the OJHL title four times and Oakville twice.
The two teams also met in the 2011 final where Wellington prevailed in five games.
OJHL Buckland Cup Final
Oakville Blades vs. Wellington Dukes
Best-of-seven series
Game 1: Friday, April 12 @ Oakville, 7 p.m.
Game 2: Sunday, April 14 @ Wellington, 7 p.m.
Game 3: Tuesday, April 16 @ Oakville, 7 p.m.
Game 4: Thursday, April 18 @ Wellington 7:30 p.m.
Game 5*: Saturday, April 20 @ Oakville 7 p.m.
Game 6*: Sunday, April 21 @ Wellington 7:30 p.m.
Game 7*: Tuesday, April 23 @ Oakville 7 p.m.
*if necessary
Dudley-Hewitt Cup Central Canadian Jr. A Championship
April 30 – May 4
Tim Horton Events Centre
Cochrane, Ont.
Competing teams
Cochrane Crunch (Host-NOJHL)
NOJHL champion
OJHL champion
SIJHL champion
Schedule
Tuesday, April 30
OJHL vs. NOJHL 2:30 p.m.
SIJHL vs. Cochrane 7:30 p.m.
Wednesday, May 1
NOJHL vs. SIJHL 2:30 p.m.
Cochrane vs. OJHL 7:30 p.m.
Thursday, May 2
SIJHL vs. OJHL 2:30 p.m.
NOJHL vs. Cochrane 7:30 p.m.
Friday, May 3
Semifinal: 3rd round robin vs. 2nd round robin 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, May 4
Final: Semifinal winner vs. 1st round robin 7:30 p.m.
CCHL: No strangers, the Carleton Place Canadians and Ottawa Jr. A Senators are meeting for a fourth straight year in the Central Canada Hockey League championship series.
Ottawa is the defending CCHL Bogart Cup title holders while Carleton Place won their previous three get togethers.
The Canadians were also victorious in 2014 as they began a run of four titles in succession.
CCHL Bogart Cup Final
Ottawa Jr. A Senators vs. Carleton Place Canadians
Best-of-seven series
Game 1: Sunday, April 14 @ Carleton Place 3:30 p.m.
Game 2: Monday, April 15 @ Ottawa 7:30 p.m.
Game 3: Wednesday, April 17 @ Carleton Place 7:30 p.m.
Game 4: Friday, April 19 @ Ottawa 7:30 p.m.
Game 5*: Sunday, April 21 @ Carleton Place 3 p.m.
Game 6*: Tuesday, April 23 @ Ottawa 7:30 p.m.
Game 7*: Wednesday, April 24 @ Carleton Place 7:30 p.m.
*-if necessary
LHAAAQ: In Quebec, Titan de Princeville is already in the le Coupe NAPA final, but didn’t find out who there opponent was until late Friday evening.
That was decided when the Cobras de Terrebonne edged the Inouk de Granby 4-3 in overtime of Game 7 in their divisional final.
The Cobras will now go up against Princeville in the LHJAAAQ final.
LHJAAAQ Coupe NAPA Final
Titan de Princeville vs. Cobras de Terrebonne
Best-of-seven series
Game 1: T.B.A.
Game 2: T.B.A.
Game 3: T.B.A.
Game 4: T.B.A.
Game 5*: T.B.A.
Game 6*: T.B.A.
Game 7*: T.B.A.
*-if necessary
MHL: Over in the Maritime Hockey League, the Yarmouth Jr. A Mariners and Campbellton Tigers are gearing up to begin the battle for the Canadian Tire Cup.
That best-of-seven affair starts Saturday in Yarmouth, in what will see the Mariners host Game 1 & 2, along with 6 & 7, if necessary.
The Tigers will be at home for Game 3 & 4 along with Game 5, if needed.
This year’s edition of the MHL final sees the two teams tangling for the first time since 2004 when Campbellton won their last league title.
Yarmouth’s previous MHL crown came in 2008.
MHL Canadian Tire Cup Final
Yarmouth Jr. A Mariners vs. Campbellton Tigers
Best-of-seven series
Game 1: Saturday, April 13 @ Yarmouth 7:30 p.m.
Game 2: Sunday, April 14 @ Yarmouth 7 p.m.
Game 3: Thursday, April 18 @ Campbellton 7 p.m.
Game 4: Friday, April 19 @ Campbellton 7 p.m.
Game 5*: Sunday, April 21 @ Campbellton 2 p.m.
Game 6*: Thursday, April 25 @ Yarmouth 7 p.m.
Game 7*: Friday, April 26 @ Yarmouth 7 p.m.
*-if necessary
Fred Page Cup Eastern Canadian Jr. A Championship
Amherst Stadium
Amherst, N.S.
Competing teams
Amherst Ramblers (Host-MHL)
MHL champion
LHJAAAQ champion
CCHL champion
Schedule
Wednesday, May 1
LHJAAAQ vs. MHL 3 p.m.
CCHL vs. Amherset 7:30 p.m.
Thursday, May 2
CCHL vs. LHJAAAQ 3 p.m.
MHL vs. Amherst 7:30 p.m.
Friday, May 3
MHL vs. CCHL 3 p.m.
Amherst vs. LHJAAAQ 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, May 4
Semifinal: 3rd round robin vs. 2nd round robin 7 p.m.
Sunday, May 5
Final: Semifinal winner vs. 1st round robin 4 p.m.
Canadian National Jr. A Championship
May 11-19
Centennial Regional Arena
Brooks, Alta.
Competing teams
Brooks Bandits (Host-AJHL)
Doyle Cup champion or finalist (Pacific)
ANAVET Cup champion (West)
Dudley-Hewitt Cup champion (Central)
Fred Page Cup champion (East)
Schedule
Saturday, May 11
East vs. West 2 p.m.
Central vs. Brooks 7 p.m.
Sunday, May 12
Pacific vs. Central 2 p.m.
Brooks vs. West 7 p.m.
Monday, May 13
Pacific vs. East 7 p.m.
Tuesday, May 14
West vs. Central 2 p.m.
East vs. Brooks 7 p.m.
Wednesday, May 15
West vs. Pacific 7 p.m.
Thursday, May 16
Central vs. East 2 p.m.
Brooks vs. Pacific 7 p.m.
Saturday, May 18
Semifinal 1: T.B.A. vs. T.B.A. 2 p.m.
Semifinal 2: T.B.A. vs. T.B.A. 7 p.m.
Sunday, May 19
Final: Semifinal winners 3 p.m.