The Manitoba Junior Hockey will be eliminating its Survivor Series component of the playoff format, Commissioner Kim Davis announced last week.
This upcoming season (2016-17) will result in four, best-of-seven, quarter-final series. This format was approved by the league’s Board of Governor’s at their recent meeting in Selkirk. Playoffs will begin on Friday, March 10.
A number of other amendments were approved by The Board:
* An amendment was made to the Junior A Supplement guidelines that strengthen the length of suspension for accumulation levels (three minor penalties in the season), Major penalties and Match penalties for a Blow to the Head.
* An amendment was made to the Junior A Supplement guidelines that initiates a suspension for accumulation levels (five minor penalties in the season) for Goaltender Interference.
Overtime Format
The Board of Governors also approved an amendment to the league’s overtime format. This coming season, the OT format will consist of one, five-minute sudden period. Each team will use three skaters and one goaltender. If the game is still tied following the five-minute OT period, a shoot-out will take place.
Old Dutch Showcase
This year’s Showcase will take place Dec. 12-14 at the MTS IcePlex in Winnipeg. The event, now in its 14th year, usually took place in late September. This highly popular event would attract scouts from a number of levels of hockey: NHL, NCAA and CIS.
League Office
The Board of Governors approved the hiring of one, full-time staff person in the new position of Director of Operations for the league office. The recruitment process has begun and an announcement on the selected candidate will be made prior to the end of June.