History

The Canadian Junior 'A' Hockey League (CJAHL) was formed at a meeting in Winnipeg held Nov. 19-21, 1993 . Delegates at the initial meeting were Patti Adam (Maritime Junior 'A' Hockey League); Yvon Lafortune (la Ligue de Hockey Junior A du Quebec); Don Linthwaite (Metro Junior A Hockey League in Ontario); Chris Seguin (Ontario Hockey Federation); Bill and Sharon Mintenko (Thunder Bay Flyers of the United States Hockey League); Frank McKinnon (Manitoba Junior Hockey League); Mike Gilhooly (Manitoba Amateur Hockey Association); Wayne Kartusch (Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League); Marty Knack (Alberta Junior Hockey League); John 'Bronco' Horvath (Rocky Mountain Junior Hockey League); Fred Page (British Columbia Junior Hockey League) and Ron Boileau (British Columbia Junior Hockey League). It was determined that there were 118 teams operating within the 11 junior A leagues, plus Thunder Bay. The CJAHL was formed from the Canada West Association of Junior 'A' Hockey which had been operating since 1990. The Canada West Association included the BCJHL, Peace Cariboo Junior Hockey League in B.C., AJHL, SJHL and MJHL. The CJHL became a member of the Canada West Association in 1991-92.

The goals of the CJAHL were:

1. To obtain development funds from the National Hockey League;To establish a mission statement and constitution;To promote the non-profit society on a national level;To establish common operational practices for all members;
2. To create a good working relationship with the Canadian Amateur Hockey Association, its branches, minor hockey and each other.

Ron Boileau chaired the meeting. A logo presented by Ron Boileau was approved and the constitution was approved after considerable discussion. Hockey Hall of Fame member and CAHA life member Fred Page of North Vancouver was nominated as the first chairman of the board. Ron Boileau of Surrey, B.C., was acclaimed as the first president. Central Junior Hockey League president Pat Parker of Nepean, Ont., was named the eastern vice-president, Wayne Kartusch of Regina was acclaimed as the western vice-president and Marty Knack of Spruce Grove, Alta., was named the secretary-treasurer. It was decided that CJAHL statistics would be distributed to the media on a weekly basis. Ron Boileau agreed to keep the statistics and distribute them to the media, through the league offices. A vote of thanks was extended to Ron Boileau for his efforts in founding the society. It was also determined that the annual meeting would be held during the final weekend of the Centennial Cup national junior A championship. The first CJAHL rankings were issued Dec. 1, 1993. The Olds Grizzlys of the AJHL were first among 15 teams listed, with a 25-2-1 won-lost-tied record and .911 winning percentage. Joe Rybar of the Merritt Centennials of the BCJHL was the leading scorer among 10 scorers listed, with 25 goals, 60 assists and 85 points in 31 games. The Orillia Terriers of the Ontario Hockey Association had the highest winning percentage in the CJAHL in 1993-94, with a 35-2-3 record for a .913 percentage. Olds was second with a 50-4-2 record and .911 percentage. Ian Perkins of Olds was the leading goalie, based on playing 1,000 minutes, with a 2.50 goals against average in 2,452 minutes. Robb Gordon of the Powell River Paper Kings of the BCJHL was the leading scorer with 69 goals, 89 assists and 158 points in 60 games. Danny Bousquet of the Penticton Panthers of the BCJHL was second with 76 goals, 76 assists and 152 points in 58 games.

The first CJAHL annual meeting was held May 7-8, 1994 in Calgary. Delegates were chairman of the board Fred Page; president Ron Boileau; western vice-president Wayne Kartusch; eastern vice-president Pat Parker; secretary-treasurer Marty Knack; Patti Adam (Maritime Junior 'A' Hockey League); Yvon Lafortune (la Ligue de Hockey Junior A Du Quebec); Al Morris (Ontario Hockey Association); Sharon Mintenko (Thunder Bay Flyers); Frank McKinnon (Manitoba Junior Hockey League) and Bronco Horvath (Rocky Mountain Junior Hockey League). Martin Duval of the Elites de Chateauguay of the Ligue de Hockey Junior A du Quebec was voted the CJAHL player of the year. Duval had 53 goals, 89 assists and 142 points in 47 regular-season games and 89 goals, 130 assists and 219 points in 72 league and playoff games through the Centennial Cup in Olds. Ryan Smith of the St. James Canadians of the Manitoba Junior Hockey League and Kyle Millar of the Nipawin Hawks of the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League were selected as runners-up in the CJAHL player of the year voting. Smith was the ManJHL scoring champion with 58 goals, 67 assists and 125 points in 50 games. Millar was the SJHL scoring champion with 52 goals, 58 assists and 110 points in 68 games. An information chart produced by Ron Boileau showed that the CJAHL had 122 teams in 1993-94. Attendance surpassed two million, with the SJHL attracting 360,000 fans to regular-season and playoff games and the BCJHL totalling 300,000. Fred Page was returned as chairman of the board, Ron Boileau remained as president, Pat Parker was returned as eastern vice-president, Wayne Kartusch remained as western vice-president and Marty Knack was returned as secretary-treasurer. It was also agreed that the CJAHL would produce and distribute a directory for the 1994-95 season. La Ligue de Hockey Junior A du Quebec statistician Jean-Pierre Charest was hired as CJAHL statistician during the 1994-95 season. The Caledon Canadians of the Metro Toronto Junior Hockey League led the CJAHL with a 42-3-5 won-lost-tied record and .890 winning percentage. Le National de Joliette of la Ligue de Hockey Junior A du Quebec was second with a 39-7-2 record and .833 percentage. Eric Doucet of les Eperviers de Contrecoeur of la Ligue de Hockey Junior A du Quebec was the CJAHL's leading scorer with 60 goals, 75 assists and 135 points in 48 games. Jeff Antonovich of the Langley Thunder of the BCJHL was second with 60 goals, 73 assists and 133 points in 60 games. Jason Cagi of Caledon was the leading goalie with a 2.49 goals against average in 1,420 minutes. Derek Christians of the North Battleford North Stars of the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League was second with a 2.50 goals against average in 1,798 minutes.

The 1995 CJAHL annual meeting was held in Ottawa during the Centennial Cup. Delegates were chairman of the board Fred Page; president Ron Boileau; western vice-president Wayne Kartusch; secretary-treasurer Marty Knack; Nancy Orr (Maritime Junior 'A' Hockey League); Yvon Lafortune (la Ligue de Hockey Junior A du Quebec); Art Nielsen (Central Junior Hockey League); Joe Drago (Northern Ontario Junior 'A' Hockey Association); Al Morris (Ontario Hockey Federation); Sharon Mintenko (Thunder Bay Flyers) and Frank McKinnon (Manitoba Junior Hockey League). The delegates voted unanimously to recognize Ron Boileau as CJAHL executive of the year. Cory Cyrenne of the St. Boniface Saints of the Manitoba Junior Hockey League was voted the CJAHL player of the year. Cyrenne, 17, became the second youngest Manitoba scoring champion with 35 goals, 77 assists and 112 points in 54 games. Curtis Bois of the Thunder Bay Flyers and Trevor MacLean of the Antigonish Bulldogs of the Maritime Junior 'A' Hockey League were chosen as runners-up. Bois had 34 goals, 52 assists and 86 points in 47 regular-season games in the United States Hockey League. MacLean was the Maritime scoring champion with 21 goals, 65 assists and 86 points in 48 games as a defenceman. The CJAHL governors made a recommendation, to be submitted in a motion during the junior congress sessions at the Canadian Hockey Association annual meeting in Winnipeg, that a certified cheque, money order or letter of credit for $5,000 must be paid with a Centennial Cup bid presentation. The CJAHL governors also recommended that another non-refundable $15,000 must be paid within 30 days of a successful bid, a further $15,000 must be paid within six months of the bid and a final installment of $15,000 must be paid within one year of the bid. The governors also recommended that the motion specify that the $50,000 be deposited with the CHA to guarantee that teams expenses are paid at the Centennial Cup. Fred Page was returned as chairman of the board, Ron Boileau remained as president, Wayne Kartusch was returned as western vice-president, Nancy Orr was named eastern vice-president and Marty Knack remained as secretary-treasurer. The Metro Toronto Junior Hockey League chose to play outside the CJAHL and CHA in 1995-96. But the CJAHL still totalled 111 teams in 10 leagues, plus the Thunder Bay Flyers. The CJAHL produced a Centennial Cup poster and again produced a directory, both of which were distributed to all leagues. The Rayside Balfour Sabrecats of the Northern Ontario Junior 'A' Hockey Association had the highest winning percentage with a 37-5-2 won-lost-tied record and .864 percentage. The Cornwall Colts of the Central Junior Hockey League were second with a 45-6-3 record and .861 winning percentage. Shawn Horcoff of the Chilliwack Chiefs and Randy Toye of the Langley Thunder of the British Columbia Junior Hockey League were first and second, respectively, among CJAHL scorers. Horcoff had 49 goals, 96 assists and 145 points in 58 games. Toye had 55 goals, 88 assists and 143 points in 60 games. Scott Fankhouser of the Melfort Mustangs of the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League was the leading goalie with a 2.57 goals against average in 2,544 minutes. Colin March of the Kingston Frontenacs of the Ontario Provincial Junior Hockey League was second with a 2.59 goals against average in 2,480 minutes.

The 1996 CJAHL annual meeting was held in Melfort during the final weekend of the Royal Bank Cup. Delegates were chairman of the board Fred Page; president Ron Boileau; western vice-president Wayne Kartusch; eastern vice-president Nancy Orr; secretary-treasurer Marty Knack; Yvon Lafortune (la Ligue de Hockey Junior A du Quebec); Jacques Tranchemontagne (Central Junior Hockey League); Tom Lundy (Ontario Hockey Association); Chris Seguin (Ontario Hockey Federation) and Frank McKinnon (Manitoba Junior Hockey League). It was agreed that the Royal Bank Cup history book, compiled and edited by Ron Boileau, would be distributed to all CJAHL leagues during the 1996-97 season. Patricia Straker and Libby McCready from the Royal Bank of Canada discussed the concepts of a Royal Bank radio program and Royal Bank Canadian Hockey Week. Trent Walford of the Newmarket 87's of the Ontario Provincial Junior Hockey League was selected CJAHL player of the year. Walford had 52 goals, 90 assists and 142 points in 50 regular-season games and led his team to the Royal Bank Cup. Serge Bourgeois of the Moncton Gagnon Beavers of the Maritime Junior 'A' Hockey League and Jason Duda of the Melfort Mustangs of the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League were chosen as runners-up. Bourgeois led Maritime defencemen with 72 points, including 32 goals, in 54 games. Duda was the SJHL scoring champion with 60 goals, 81 assists and 141 points in 63 games and led Royal Bank Cup scorers with seven goals, 11 assists and 18 points in six games. Fred Page remained as the CJAHL chairman of the board. Ron Boileau was returned as president, Wayne Kartusch remained as western vice-president, Yvon Lafortune was voted eastern vice-president and Marty Knack was returned as secretary-treasurer. President Ron Boileau, western vice-president Wayne Kartusch, eastern vice-president Yvon Lafortune, Sharon Mintenko of the Thunder Bay Flyers, Ralph Borger from the Manitoba Junior Hockey League and Ontario Hockey Association president Brent Ladds attended a meeting Nov. 8, 1996 during the CHA fall council meetings in Ottawa. The CJAHL had 113 teams at the start of the 1996-97 season. But Tom Lundy wrote a letter to president Ron Boileau, dated Nov. 28, 1996, explaining that the Ontario Provincial Junior Hockey League was opting out of the CJAHL for the season. That left the CJAHL with 91 teams. The Rayside Balfour Sabrecats of the Northern Ontario Junior 'A' Hockey Association had the highest winning percentage in the CJAHL for the second straight season. Rayside Balfour had a 36-3-1 won-lost-tied record and .913 percentage. The South Surrey Eagles of the renamed British Columbia Hockey League were second with a 47-7-6 record and .833 winning percentage. Shane Kuss of South Surrey was the leading scorer with 50 goals, 90 assists and 140 points in 60 games. Wes Dorey of the Weyburn Red Wings of the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League was second with 57 goals, 79 assists and 136 points in 63 games. Pete Brady of the Powell River Kings of the BCHL was the leading goalie with a 2.38 goals against average in 2,268 minutes. Mike Gorman of the Ottawa Senators of the Central Junior Hockey League was second with a 2.56 goals against average in 2,293 minutes.

The 1997 CJAHL annual meeting was held in Summerside, P.E.I. during the final weekend of the Royal Bank Cup. Delegates were president Ron Boileau; western vice-president Wayne Kartusch; secretary-treasurer Marty Knack; Clair Sudsbury (Maritime Junior 'A' Hockey League); Jacques Tranchemontagne (Central Junior Hockey League); Joe Drago (Northern Ontario Junior 'A' Hockey Association) and Frank McKinnon (Manitoba Junior Hockey League). Northern Ontario Junior 'A' Hockey Association regular-season and playoff scoring leader Darryl Moxam of the Rayside Balfour Sabrecats was selected CJAHL player of the year. Moxam had 22 goals, 78 assists and 100 points in 31 regular-season games and 21 points in nine playoff games. Shane Kuss of South Surrey and Wes Dorey of Weyburn were runners-up. BCHL career scoring leader Kuss led the BCHL and CJAHL with 50 goals, 90 assists and 140 points in 60 regular-season games. SJHL most valuable player and scoring champion Dorey had 57 goals, 79 assists and was second in the CJAHL with 136 points in 63 regular-season games. Moxam, Kuss and Dorey led their respective teams to the Royal Bank Cup. The Ontario Provincial Junior Hockey League and Metro Junior Hockey League remained outside the CJAHL in 1997-98. But the CJAHL still had 92 teams in nine leagues from coast to coast. CJAHL executives were saddened when chairman of the board Fred Page died Dec. 23, 1997. The Hockey Hall of Fame and CHA life member was born Sept. 29, 1915 and contributed significantly to Canadian hockey, at all levels, in his 82 years. The Kimberley Dynamiters of the Rocky Mountain Junior Hockey League had the highest winning percentage in 1997-98 with a 49-5-0 won-lost-tied record and .907 percentage. The Rayside Balfour Sabrecats of the Northern Ontario Junior 'A' Hockey Association were second with a 35-3-2 record and .900 winning percentage. Mike Comrie of the St. Albert Saints of the Alberta Junior Hockey League was the CJAHL scoring leader with 60 goals, 78 assists and 138 points in 58 games. Martin Roy of the Elites de Valleyfield of the Ligue de Hockey Junior A du Quebec was second with 61 goals, 54 assists and 115 points in 53 games. Steve Lyle of the Kindersley Klippers of the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League was the leading goalie with a 2.44 goals against average in 1,327 minutes. Jeremy Tucker of the Portage Terriers of the Manitoba Junior Hockey League was second with a 2.48 goals against average in 1,860 minutes. Michel Gaudette of la Ligue de Hockey Junior AAA du Quebec, Jacques Tranchemontagne of the Central Junior Hockey League, Frank McKinnon of the Manitoba Junior Hockey League, western vice-president Wayne Kartusch and secretary-treasurer Marty Knack attended informal CJAHL meetings at the Royal Bank Cup in Nanaimo, B.C. Nancy Orr was invited to represent the Maritime Junior 'A' Hockey League, Tom Lundy represented the Ontario Hockey Association and Ed Mayert represented the British Columbia Amateur Hockey Association. Mike Comrie of the St. Albert Saints of the AJHL was chosen the CJAHL player of the year. AJHL most valuable player and scoring champion Comrie, 17, was the CJAHL scoring leader with 60 goals, 78 assists and 138 points in 58 regular-season games. He established AJHL playoff records with 24 goals and 48 points in 19 games and totalled 89 goals, 104 assists and 193 points in 83 regular-season and playoff games. Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League most valuable player and scoring champion Mark Hartigan of the Weyburn Red Wings and Manitoba Junior Hockey League most valuable player and scoring champion Jedd Crumb of the Winnipeg South Blues were runners-up in the CJAHL player of the year voting. Hartigan had 59 goals, 46 assists and 105 points in 62 regular-season games and 17 goals, 21 assists and 38 points in 23 playoff games. Crumb had 61 goals, 51 assists and 112 points in 61 regular-season games and tied for the goal-scoring lead in the CJAHL. The delegates at the meetings in Nanaimo recommended that the CJAHL should launch a web site by the beginning of the 1998-99 season. The web site was registered as www.cjahl.com and was to include league and team directories; the Centennial Cup/Royal Bank Cup history package written and edited by Ron Boileau; a CJAHL history package; alumni lists of players who have advanced to the National Hockey League, National Collegiate Athletic Association and Canadian Interuniversity Athletic Union; career leaders and real audio links to radio stations broadcasting junior A games. The delegates also suggested that the CJAHL should distribute media releases, perhaps every two weeks during the season, profiling players, teams and leagues. The media releases and weekly statistics packages will also be available on the web site. It was further recommended that the CJAHL player of the year should be determined at the Royal Bank Cup.

The 1998 CJAHL annual meeting was held by conference call because a number of presidents or commissioners were unable to attend the Royal Bank Cup in Nanaimo. Delegates on the conference call were president Ron Boileau; western vice-president Wayne Kartusch; eastern vice-president Joe Drago; secretary-treasurer Marty Knack; Eric Thomson (Maritime Junior 'A' Hockey League); Michel Gaudette (la Ligue de Hockey Junior AAA du Quebec); Jacques Tranchemontagne (Central Junior Hockey League); Frank McKinnon (Manitoba Junior Hockey League) and Bronco Horvath (Rocky Mountain Junior Hockey League). Delegates agreed that a leading objective in 1998-99 will be to continue to work on the web site. There was a discussion about the motion passed at the CHA annual general meeting in Quebec City which will permit junior A leagues to introduce specific major junior rules in 1999-2000, after receiving approval from their respective provincial associations. Wayne Kartusch had obtained a list of major junior rules with different interpretations from those in the CHA rulebook. The major junior rules had been made available when Wayne, Ron and Marty attended the western branch presidents meeting in Edmonton, as well as during junior congress sessions at the CHA annual meeting. Michel requested assistance in launching a cultural/academic exchange program for la Ligue de Hockey Junior AAA du Quebec players. He hopes to start the program with as many as 24 players per season going to other provinces. Jacques, Joe and Frank agreed to assist Michel with the project. Marty Knack was named the new president/statistician on the conference call. Ron Boileau remains on the executive as past president. Wayne Kartusch was returned as western vice-president and Jacques Tranchemontagne was chosen eastern vice-president. Marty was asked to coordinate the information to be placed on the web site. He was also asked to write regular media releases for the site. The CJAHL encompassed 95 teams in nine leagues in 1998-99. The Vernon Vipers of the British Columbia Hockey League had the highest winning percentage and the Charlottetown A & S Abbies of the Maritime Junior 'A' Hockey League were a close second. Vernon had a 52-6-2 record for an .883 winning percentage. Charlottetown was 41-5-2 for an .875 winning percentage. Kevin Doell of the Melfort Mustangs of the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League led the CJAHL in scoring. Doell, 19, had 54 goals, 87 assists and 141 points in 66 regular-season games. Guillaume Rodrigue of les Eperviers de Contrecoeur of la Ligue de Hockey Junior AAA du Quebec was second in scoring. Rodrigue, 20, had 54 goals, 78 assists and 132 points in 58 regular-season games. Preston McKay, 18, of the OCN Blizzard of the Manitoba Junior Hockey League established a CJAHL record with a 2.05 goals against average in 1,875 minutes during the regular season. Derek Gustafson of Vernon also established a CJAHL record with 39 wins. Gustafson, 19, was second in the CJAHL with a 2.25 goals against average and had a 39-3 won-lost record in 2,505 minutes.

The 1999 CJAHL annual meeting was held during the final weekend of the Royal Bank Cup in Yorkton, Sask. Delegates were president Marty Knack; past president and British Columbia Hockey League president Ron Boileau; eastern vice-president and Central Junior Hockey League president Jacques Tranchemontagne, western vice-president and Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League president Wayne Kartusch; Alberta Junior Hockey League president Kim Marsh; AJHL chairman of the board Bob Clark; Manitoba Junior Hockey League commissioner Frank McKinnon; Hockey Manitoba junior council chairman Bob Miller; Maritime Junior 'A' Hockey League vice-president Cec Taylor and MarJHL chairman of the board Pat Gaudet. Dany Heatley of the Calgary Canucks of the Alberta Junior Hockey League was chosen the CJAHL player of the year. Right winger Heatley was the AJHL rookie of the year and scoring champion with 70 goals and 126 points in 60 regular-season games. Heatley accumulated 96 goals and 169 points in 78 regular-season and playoff games through the Alberta-B.C. championship for the Doyle Cup. Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League most valuable player and scoring champion Kevin Doell of the Melfort Mustangs and the co-winner of the Maritime Junior 'A' Hockey League's most valuable player award, William Hubloo of the Charlottetown A & S Abbies, were the runners-up. Doell, 19, led the SJHL and the CJAHL with 141 points, including 54 goals, in 66 regular-season games. Hubloo led the MarJHL with 45 goals in 42 regular-season games and led the Abbies into the Royal Bank Cup final against Vernon. Marty Knack was returned as president/statistician for the 1999-2000 season. British Columbia Hockey League president Ron Boileau remained as past president, Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League president Wayne Kartusch was returned as western vice-president and Central Junior Hockey League president Jacques Tranchemontagne was returned as eastern vice-president. Vernon tied a record by defeating Charlottetown in the Royal Bank Cup sudden-death final for its fourth Canadian junior A championship. It was the first time the teams with the highest and second highest winning percentage in the CJAHL played for the national championship. The CJAHL had 92 teams in eight leagues in 1999-2000. The Rayside Balfour Sabrecats of the NOJHA became the first team with a perfect regular-season record since the CJAHL was formed. Rayside Balfour was 40-0-0 and outscored the opposition 315-80. The Nipawin Hawks of the SJHL were second among CJAHL teams with an .850 winning percentage. Nipawin had a 50-8-2 record. Dominic Leveille of les Pantheres de Saint-Jerome of the LHJAAAQ led the CJAHL in scoring with 134 points, including 84 assists, in 55 regular-season games. Travis Banga of the Chilliwack Chiefs of the BCHL was second among CJAHL scorers with 129 points, including a CJAHL-leading 89 assists, in 59 games. Rayside Balfour teammates Justin Dumont and Sebastien Laplante were first and second, respectively, among CJAHL goalies. Dumont established a CJAHL record with a 1.99 goals against average in 876 minutes. Laplante had a 2.00 goals against average and 24-0-0 won-lost-tied record in 1,411 minutes.

The 2000 CJAHL annual meeting was staged during the closing weekend of the Royal Bank Cup in Fort McMurray, Alta. Delegates were CJAHL president and statistician Marty Knack, CJAHL past president and BCHL president Ron Boileau, AJHL president Kim Marsh, CJAHL western vice-president and SJHL president Wayne Kartusch, ManJHL commissioner Frank McKinnon, NOJHA commissioner Joe Drago, CJHL secretary Raymond Renaud, former CHA junior council chairman Don Valcour, SJHL marketing representatives Herm Hordal and Ken Barteski, AJHL marketing representative Bob Kabel, CJAHL webmasters Ken Praill and Ken Anderson. Junior Lessard of the Portage Terriers of the ManJHL was voted the Royal Bank/CJAHL player of the year. Lessard was voted the most valuable player in the ManJHL. He was third in the CJAHL with 60 goals and 12th in the CJAHL with 108 points in 60 regular-season games, led the ManJHL with 11 shorthanded goals and was third in the league in points. Cody Loughlean of the SJHL and Anavet Cup champion North Battleford North Stars and Banga were chosen the runners-up. Loughlean was selected the most valuable player in the SJHL and led the league with 91 points, including 42 goals, in 58 regular-season games. He helped North Battleford advance to the Royal Bank Cup. Banga was the BCHL scoring champion and helped Chilliwack advance to the Royal Bank Cup as the league champion and Doyle Cup runner-up to the Fort McMurray Oil Barons of the AJHL. He led the CJAHL with 89 assists and was second in the CJAHL with 129 points in 59 regular-season games. Marty Knack was returned as president/statistician for the 2000-01 season. Ron Boileau of the BCHL remained as past president, Wayne Kartusch of the SJHL was returned as western vice-president and Joe Drago of the NOJHA was voted the eastern vice-president. It was decided that the CJAHL annual meeting would be held in Winnipeg in February. A motion was also passed to select the Royal Bank/CJAHL player of the year before the 2001 Royal Bank Cup. The Fort McMurray Oil Barons of the AJHL won the Royal Bank Cup by beating Rayside Balfour 2-1 in the sudden-death final. The tournament was among the closest in recent years. The CJAHL had 92 member teams in eight leagues for the second consecutive season in 2000-01. The Rayside Balfour Sabrecats of the NOJHA had the highest winning percentage in the CJAHL for the second straight season and fourth time overall. The Sabrecats had a 35-3-2 record. The Soo Thunderbirds of the NOJHA had the second highest winning percentage in the CJAHL. The Thunderbirds were 33-4-3. Gregory Dupre of les Dragons de Saint-Hyacinthe of the LHJAAAQ was the CJAHL scoring champion by one point over Jeremy Cheyne of the Fort McMurray Oil Barons of the AJHL. Dupre led the CJAHL with 87 assists and totalled 129 points in 50 regular-season games. Cheyne was second in the CJAHL with 60 goals and had 128 points in 62 regular-season games with the Bow Valley Eagles of the AJHL and Fort McMurray. Frank Novello of the Thunderbirds was the leading goalie in the CJAHL. Novello had a 2.03 goals against average and five shutouts in 1,273 minutes. Keni Gibson of the Ottawa Senators of the CJHL was second among CJAHL goalies with a 2.29 goals against average in 1,807 minutes.

The 2001 CJAHL annual meeting was held in Winnipeg in February. Delegates were president/statistician Marty Knack, past president and BCHL president Ron Boileau, AJHL president Kim Marsh, western vice-president and SJHL president Wayne Kartusch, ManJHL commissioner Frank McKinnon, CJHL commissioner Don Valcour, SJHL marketing representative Herm Hordal and CJHL marketing representative Brenda Wagar. Marty Knack was returned as president/statistician for the 2001-02 season. Ron Boileau remained as past president, Wayne Kartusch as western vice-president and Joe Drago as eastern vice-president. The CJAHL had 94 teams in eight member leagues in 2001-02. The OCN Blizzard of the Manitoba Junior Hockey League and the Rayside Balfour Sabrecats of the Northern Ontario Junior 'A' Hockey Association finished first and second, respectively, in winning percentage. OCN had a 56-5 record, two shootout losses and one overtime loss in 64 games for an .898 winning percentage. Rayside Balfour was 37-4 and had one overtime loss for an .893 percentage. Dominic Leveille of les Pantheres de Saint-Jerome of la Ligue de Hockey Junior AAA du Quebec led the CJAHL in scoring for the second time in three seasons. Leveille had a league and CJAHL record 107 assists and 180 points in 53 games. He led the league and CJAHL with 73 goals and an average of 3.40 points per game. Martin Gascon of les Braves de Valleyfield of the Quebec league was second among CJAHL scorers with 146 points in 53 games. He tied for second in the league and CJAHL with 89 assists. Marc-Andre Leclerc of OCN led CJAHL goalies with a record eight shutouts, a 2.13 goals against average and .930 saves percentage in 2,197 minutes. He had a 31-6 won-lost record. Scott Munroe of the Notre Dame Hounds of the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League was second in the CJAHL with a 2.27 goals against average in 2,616 minutes. The CJAHL held a meeting in Winnipeg in February. The delegates were CJAHL president/statistician Marty Knack of Hamilton, Ont., CJAHL western vice-president and SJHL president Wayne Kartusch of Regina, ManJHL commissioner Frank McKinnon, NOJHA commissioner Julio Navarro and Central Junior Hockey League commissioner Don Valcour. SJHL business development representative Herm Hordal of Saskatoon, CJHL marketing representative Brenda Wagar of Cornwall, Ont., Ontario Provincial Junior 'A' Hockey League chairman of the board Charlie Macoun of Newmarket, Ont., Superior International Junior Hockey League president Jerry Blazino of Thunder Bay, Ont., and Ontario Hockey Association executive director Brent Ladds were among the guests. The SIJHL was admitted to the CJAHL for the 2002-03 season. The OPJHL also decided to rejoin the CJAHL in 2002-03.

The 2002 CJAHL annual meeting was held May 10 in Halifax during the Royal Bank Cup championship. President/statistician Marty Knack of Edmonton, MarJHL president Eric Thomson of Halifax, CJHL commissioner Don Valcour of Kemptville, Ont., NOJHA commissioner Julio Navarro of Sudbury, Ont., SIJHL president Jerry Blazino of Thunder Bay, Ont., ManJHL commissioner Frank McKinnon of Winnipeg, SJHL president and western vice-president Wayne Kartusch of Regina, AJHL president Kim Marsh of Red Deer, Alta., BCHL president and CJAHL past president Ron Boileau of Penticton, B. C., and Herm Hordal of Saskatoon, who handles business development for the SJHL and ManJHL, were the representatives in attendance. Former NOJHA commissioner Joe Drago of Sudbury, Ont., and retiring ManJHL commissioner Frank McKinnon were named the first CJAHL honourary members. Marty Knack was returned as CJAHL president/statistician. Ron Boileau remains the past president. Wayne Kartusch was returned as western vice-president. Eric Thomson was voted the eastern vice-president. Jeff Tambellini of the Chilliwack Chiefs of the BCHL was voted the RBC Financial Group Canadian junior A player of the year. Tambellini was honoured at the Royal Bank Cup banquet. Tambellini tied for the BCHL scoring lead with 117 points and was second in the league with 46 goals in 54 regular-season games. Jade Galbraith of the Drayton Valley Thunder of the AJHL and Tim Vokey of the Cornwall Colts of the CJAHL were the runners-up for the award. The Halifax Oland Exports of the MarJHL won the Royal Bank Cup. Halifax won with an undefeated record on home ice, defeating OCN 3-1 in the sudden-death final. There were 135 teams in 10 CJAHL member leagues in 2002-03. The Wellington Dukes of the Ontario Provincial Junior 'A' Hockey League led the CJAHL with a .969 winning percentage. The Aurora Tigers of the OPJHL were second with a .908 percentage. Wellington was first in the East Conference, and overall in the OPJHL, with a 47-1-1 record. Aurora was first in the North Conference and second overall, at 43-3-2 and one overtime loss. Josh Soares of the Hamilton Kilty's of the OPJHL was the CJAHL scoring champion. Soares had 124 points, including 68 assists, in 48 regular-season games. Andy Coates of the OCN Blizzard of the ManJHL led the CJAHL with 62 goals and was second in the CJAHL with 120 points in 64 games. Dayne Davis of Wellington established a CJAHL record and led the CJAHL with a 1.40 goals against average in 1,370 minutes. Chris Whitley of Aurora was second among CJAHL goalies with a 1.84 goals against average in 1,887 minutes.

The 2003 CJAHL annual meeting was held in Charlottetown, P. E. I., during the Royal Bank Cup. The delegates were president Marty Knack of Edmonton, SJHL president and western vice-president Wayne Kartusch of Regina, AJHL president Kim Marsh of Red Deer, Alta., ManJHL president Kim Davis of Winnipeg, SIJHL president Jerry Blazino of Thunder Bay, Ont., Northern Ontario Junior 'A' Hockey League commissioner Oscar Clouthier of Sudbury, Ont., OPJHL commissioner Bob Hooper of Georgetown, Ont., OPJHL vice-chairman of the board Al Doria of Vaughan, Ont., CJHL commissioner Mac MacLean of Athens, Ont., LHJAAAQ vice-president Jean Hebert, MarJHL vice-president Cec Taylor of Charlottetown, MarJHL secretary-treasurer Clair Sudsbury of Summerside, P. E. I., Halifax Oland Exports' governor Ralph Matheson, Ontario Hockey Association junior council chairman Paul Lake and SJHL/ManJHL/AJHL business development manager Herm Hordal. The representatives voted to limit CJAHL teams to nine 20-year-olds, on the game sheet, in 2003-04. There was also a vote supporting the removal of the red line, for offside passes, in 2003-04. A proposal accepting Super 8 Motels as the official lodging of the CJAHL was passed unanimously. Wayne Kartusch was named the third honourary life member of the CJAHL and the first CJAHL executive of the year. The representatives also agreed to present the honourary life members with rings. Marty Knack was returned as president and BCHL president Ron Boileau of Penticton, B. C., remains the past president. Kim Marsh was voted the western vice-president and Mac MacLean was voted the eastern vice-president. Mark Bomersback of the Canmore Eagles of the AJHL was chosen the RBC Financial Group Canadian junior A player of the year. Bomersback received his trophy and a watch at the Royal Bank Cup banquet. Bomersback led the AJHL and tied for fourth in the CJAHL with 114 points in 64 regular-season games. He led the AJHL and tied for second in the CJAHL with 68 assists.

Goalie Cory Roberts of the Charlottetown Abbies of the MarJHL and SJHL scoring champion Garett Cameron of the Melfort Mustangs were runners-up for the award.

The Humboldt Broncos of the SJHL won the Royal Bank Cup. Humboldt beat the Camrose Kodiaks of the AJHL 3-1 in the final.

The 2004 CJAHL annual meeting was held in August, hosted by the CJHL and organized by commissioner Mac MacLean at the Aritocrat Hotel. The delegates were CJAHL President Marty Knack of Edmonton, SJHL president Laury Ryan of Regina, AJHL president Kim Marsh of Red Deer, Alta., ManJHL president Kim Davis of Winnipeg, SIJHL president Jerry Blazino of Thunder Bay, Ont., Northern Ontario Junior 'A' Hockey League commissioner Art Yeo, OPJHL commissioner Bob Hooper, Charlie Macoun and Brent Ladds of the OPJHL, Karen Phibbs representing the OHA /OHF, CJHL commissioner Mac MacLean., LHJAAAQ vice-president Jean Hebert, MarJHL president Vernon Doyle, BCHL Commissioner John Grisdale and Ken Barteski finacial coordinator for the CJAHL. Mac invited Wayne McKnight to act as recording secretary for this meeting. The group thanked Wayne Kartush for all his work not only as President of the SJHL, but for his work as western VP of the CJAHL. Mr. Kartush has the support and best wishes of this group in his continued support of Junior Hockey as he moves on to the position of Chairman of Junior Council with Hockey Canada.
Marty Knack was returned as President of the CJAHL, but the group made a request of former junior council chairman Paul Lake, to assit Marty by taking the position of Chairman of the Board. This move was to allow Marty more time to use his communication skills in the promotion of the CJAHL and it's activities. The board also elected Kim Marsh (AJHL) as Western VP and Mac MacLean (CJHL) as Eastern VP. It was at this meeting that the ideas from the meeting at the RBC in Grande Prairie AB. were solidified. Those ideas were to begin the process to have a World Junior A Challenge with 2 Canadian Junior A Teams and a selected Junior A teams from the rest of the world. This meeting also saw the first ideas of a Junior A prospects game to expose 40 of the top Junior A players in Canada on a national stage. The CJAHL semi-annual meeting was to be hosted by the OPJHL in Toronto in February and that the teams would meet for a workshop at the Royal Bank Cup in Weyburn Saskatchewan.

The CJAHL Semi-Annual meeting was held in February 2005 in Toronto. Paul Lake presided over his first meeting as chairman with Marty Knack as President. The CJAHL was honoured by the presence of Hockey Canada president Bob Nicholson and Development chair Marcel Redikop, Bob and Marcel explained the Hockey Canada 'Canada First' model and feilded questions from the board on this initiative. For the second consecutive meeting representatives from all 10 leagues were in attendance with the only change from the AGM in August was the absence of Mac MacLean due to a family matter. Wayne McKnight represented the CJHL at this meeting. Herm Hordal addressed the board in his position of CJAHL marketing partner and provided an update on the marketing progress and future strategies. Wayne McKnight was elected as recording Secretary for CJAHL meetings.

The CJAHL board met in Weyburn during the RBC 2005 for a workshop to discuss the World Junior Challenge and the Junior A Prospect Game. Kim Marsh (western VP) chaired the opening day of the meetings in the absence of Paul Lake. One of the main topics was the Canadian Development Model implementation and Marcel Redikop from Hockey Canada met with the group to provide explanation and field questions while taking concerns back to Hockey Canada. The absences from this workshop by the LHJAAAQ, NOHL, MJAHL and the SIJHL were noted. It was felt that it is important that all leagues be represented at the RBC since this is our most prolific property at this time. The 2005 CJAHL AGM is scheduled to be hosted by Manitoba. The Weyburn Red Wings, host team of the RBC beat the Canrose Kodiaks in the final game to make the host city of Weyburn Saskatchewan very proud.

The 2005 CJAHL annual meeting was hosted by Kim Davis, Commissioner of the Manitoba Junior Hockey League and was staged at the Canada INN in Winnipeg. The delegates were CJAHL Chairman, Paul Lake, President Marty Knack of Edmonton, Wayne McKnight, Secretary, SJHL president Laury Ryan of Regina, AJHL president Kim Marsh of Red Deer, Alta., ManJHL president Kim Davis of Winnipeg, SIJHL president Ron Whitehead of Thunder Bay, Ont., Northern Ontario Junior 'A' Hockey League commissioner Art Yeo, OPJHL commissioner Bob Hooper, Charlie Macoun and Brent Ladds of the OPJHL, Karen Phibbs representing the OHA /OHF, CJHL Commissioner Mac MacLean., MarJHL president Vernon Doyle, BCHL Commissioner John Grisdale and Ken Barteski and Herm Hordel - Marketing Consultants for the CJAHL. The only league not represented was the LHJAAAQ. Once again the focus was on the Canadian Development model, the World Junior Challenge and the acceptance of Yorkton Saskatchewan (SJHL) as the host for the 1st annual CJAHL Junior A Prospects Game. Kim Marsh presented Laury Ryan with a pair of Golf shirts to complete the wager on the winning team in the RBC. The CJHAL took major steps in making transactions common accross Canada by passing a motion for a standard player transaction form. An ethics committee was put in place to handle disagreements between leagues. John Grisdale provided an update on the CJAHL Strategic Plan. The CJAHL has proposed to move to a more electronic method for handling documentation and communication and tasked Marty and Wayne to implement via the CJAHl web site. The Leagues agreed that the semi-annual will be in Yorkton during the Prospects Game.

The 2005 CJAHL Semi-Annual meeting took place in Yorkton Saskatchewan on December 7, 2005. The delegates were CJAHL Chairman, Paul Lake, Wayne McKnight, Secretary, SJHL president Laury Ryan of Regina, AJHL president Kim Marsh of Red Deer, Alta., ManJHL president Kim Davis of Winnipeg, SIJHL president Ron Whitehead of Thunder Bay, Ont., Northern Ontario Junior 'A' Hockey League commissioner Art Yeo, OPJHL commissioner Bob Hooper, Charlie Macoun and Brent Ladds of the OPJHL, Karen Phibbs representing the OHA /OHF, CJHL Commissioner John Comerford., MarJHL president Vernon Doyle, BCHL Commissioner John Grisdale and Ken Barteski and Herm Hordel - Marketing Consultants for the CJAHL.The Prospects game has been a resounding success and the host committee is commended on an excelent effort. The CJAHL is still struggling to fill the shoes of Marty Kanck who suddenly passed away this past fall. This meeting hammered out the process for formulating the Canadian teams for the World Junior Tournament. There was also a consensus that the CJAHL needs to work even closer with Hockey Canada in player development and in the Development of properties such as the WJC and RBC. The CJAHL board feilded a presentation by the Rich Winter Group on marketing and player development fees. Former CJAHL president Ron Boileau made a presentaion on adminstrative assistance for the CJAHL. The next meeting will be held at the RBC in Streetsville, ON.