The Manitoba Female Hockey League (MFHL) is an under-18 ice hockey league in the province of Manitoba, Canada. It is designated as an 'AAA' league – the highest level of minor hockey in Canada – and operates under the supervision of Hockey Manitoba.
History
The league was founded in 2008 to provide elite female hockey players in Manitoba with the opportunity to play at a more competitive level. A number of players who have played in the league have joined NCAA or CIS hockey programs. The league was built using the same model used by Hockey Manitoba for the Manitoba Midget 'AAA' Hockey League, which has been operating quite successfully since the 1980s. Manitoba was the last western province to have a female under-18 'AAA' league.[1]
Teams
The league began its inaugural season with five teams, and now has nine. All teams are regionally based and are operated by Hockey Manitoba's regional minor hockey associations. Each team is composed of players from local minor hockey associations within its region.
Team
Region
League Titles
National Titles
Brandon Wheat Kings
Brandon
0
0
Central Plains Capitals
Central Plains
1
0
Eastman Selects
Eastman
1
0
Interlake Lightning
Interlake
0
0
Pembina Valley Hawks
Pembina Valley
7
1
Westman Wildcats
Westman South
2
1
Winnipeg Avros
Winnipeg
0
0
Winnipeg Ice
Winnipeg
2
0
Yellowhead Chiefs
Yellowhead
1
0
Former Teams
Parkland Panthers
Norman Wild
Home Arenas
Team
Arena
City/Town
Brandon Wheat Kings
J&G Homes Arena
Brandon
Central Plains Capitals
BDO Centre for the Community
Portage la Prairie
Eastman Selects
Niverville Community Resource and Recreation Centre
Niverville
Interlake Lightning
Veterans Memorial Complex
Stonewall
Pembina Valley Hawks
Access Event Centre
Morden
Westman Wildcats
Hartney Community Rink
Hartney
Winnipeg Avros
Seven Oaks Arena
Winnipeg
Winnipeg Ice
Hockey For All Centre
Winnipeg
Yellowhead Chiefs
Shoal Lake Communiplex
Shoal Lake
Championship
Since the 2011–12 season, the league championship has doubled as the provincial female under-18 AAA championship. Each year, the Manitoba champion competes in an inter-provincial playoff series against the champion from Saskatchewan. The winner of that series earns a berth in the Esso Cup, the national female under-18 championship.[1]
The Pembina Valley Hawks were national champions in 2012, while the Westman Wildcats won the inaugural Esso Cup in 2009, prior to joining the league. Pembina Valley hosted the 2017 Esso Cup in Morden.
League Champions
2023-24 Winnipeg Ice
2022-23 Winnipeg Ice
2021-22 Westman Wildcats
2020-21 No Champion (COVID-19)
2019-20 Winnipeg Ice/Winnipeg Avros (tie due to COVID-19)
2018-19 Westman Wildcats
2017-18 Eastman Selects
2016-17 Pembina Valley Hawks (Westman Wildcats advanced to regional playoff)
2015-16 Yellowhead Chiefs
2014-15 Central Plains Capitals
2013-14 Pembina Valley Hawks
2012-13 Pembina Valley Hawks
2011-12 Pembina Valley Hawks National Champions
2010-11 Pembina Valley Hawks
2009-10 Pembina Valley Hawks
2008-09 Pembina Valley Hawks
League Awards
Most Valuable Player
2023-24: Stephanie Jacob (F, Winnipeg Ice)
2022-23: Grace Glover (G, Westman Wildcats)
2021-22: Norah Collins (F, Winnipeg Avros)
2020-21: N/A (COVID-19)
2019-20: Kylie Lesuk (F, Eastman Selects)
2018-19: Taylor Coward (F, Winnipeg Avros)
2017-18: Halle Oswald (G, Pembina Valley Hawks)
2016-17: Ashton Bell (F, Westman Wildcats)
2015-16: Ashton Bell (F, Westman Wildcats)
2014-15: Jaycee Magwood (F, Westman Wildcats)
2013-14: Jaycee Magwood (F, Westman Wildcats)
2012-13: Ashley Brykaliuk (F, Westman WIldcats)
2011-12: Madison Hutchinson (D, Pembina Valley Hawks)
