The now defunct North Saskatchewan Junior B Hockey League (NSJHL) was an independent, successful Junior "B" ice hockey league in Saskatchewan, Canada, sanctioned by Hockey Canada. The league comprised teams from cities and towns such as Saskatoon and Melfort, situated in the northern part of the province of Saskatchewan. Conversely, a second Junior "B" league, the South Saskatchewan (SSJHL) included teams which were located in towns primarily in the southern part of Saskatchewan, such as Regina, Weyburn and Melville. Players who played at the Junior "B" level were approximately 14-20 years old, and Junior "B" was considered the entry level and a "feeder league" into Junior Hockey in Canada (except where Junior "C" or "D" teams existed). Many players who exhibited a high degree of skill eventually graduated to Junior "A", Collegiate, or Major Junior such as the Western Hockey League teams such as the local Saskatoon Blades or teams located in other western provinces such as the New Westminster Bruins in British Columbia, for example. However, though uncommon, players in Junior "B", much like Junior "A" or Major Junior Hockey in Canada, were eligible for professional draft by the National Hockey League or at the time of their existence, the World Hockey Association.
Teams from the Saskatchewan Junior "B" leagues had some loose, but informal affiliations with Junior "A" or Major Junior teams, however there was no development system in Junior "B", such as the Bantam Draft for Major Junior Hockey in Canada, in which Major Junior teams for example, could formalize specific access to players, through a draft system. Junior "B" players at the time could try out for any other teams which expressed interest, whether it be in Saskatchewan or elsewhere. No NSJHL team provided other teams a development platform for players where they could be "cherry picked" by Major Junior, Junior "A" or Collegiate teams. Additionally, Junior "B" players over the age of 17 were eligible for the NHL amateur draft. Several outstanding NHLers have played Junior B level hockey, these include San Jose Sharks players Logan Couture and Joe Thornton. Teams from the NSJHL or the SSJHL did not play each other during the regular season, however, the champion of each league at the end of the season played for the overall Saskatchewan Junior "B" championship. The overall provincial winner then had the opportunity to play in the Canadian Junior B championships for the Keystone Cup. In 2007, the North Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League joined the Prairie Junior Hockey League with the intention of creating one league.
History
editThe NSJHL was originally formed in 1966. The first season the league included a team from Saskatoon, the Saskatoon Macs, the Shellbrook Knights, the Melfort TM's, and teams from Prince Albert, Humboldt and Outlook. These six teams participated in the league from 1966 to 1969. In the '69-'70 season, Shellbrook and Melfort both left the league to join other leagues, which provided the opportunity for four new teams to join and represent the cities and towns of North Battleford /St. Thomas, Milden, Unity (Canucks), and another mainstay in the league for years to come, the Saskatoon Wesleys. In 1973 for example, the league consisted of 9 teams including Saskatoon Wesleys, The Saskatoon Quakers, Delisle Bruins, Colonsay Clippers, Battleford Barons, St. Thomas Imperials (1973 League Champs) Kinistino Tiger-Bruins, (Kinistino Tigers) Melfort TMs, and the Nipawan Hawks. Over the years, teams have come and gone, names have changed, however, specific cities have always had teams in the NSJHL, such as Saskatoon and North Battleford. The Saskatoon Wesleys and the Battlefords teams being two of the longstanding franchises to survive and ice a team year over year, until the dissolution of the league in 2007. In some cities for example, Junior B hockey was extremely popular drawing large fan bases, so some of these franchises on the heels of their success moved into bigger, more exciting leagues. An example being the city of Prince Albert, which stepped away from Junior B eventually joining the CHL Western Hockey League as the Prince Albert Raiders to become one of the most prominent Major Junior hockey franchises in Canada with a significant fan base, and many players going to major careers at the professional level. The team in the city of Humboldt, eventually left the NSJHL, and became the Humboldt Broncos, a very highly regarded franchise in the Junior "A" level Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League since 1970. This team has produced many Major Junior and Collegiate level players, as well as many former and current NHL players.
Teams
edit| Team | Centre |
| Saskatoon Chiefs | Saskatoon |
| Saskatoon Quakers | Saskatoon |
| Saskatoon Royals | Saskatoon |
| Saskatoon Wesleys | Saskatoon |
| Tri-Town Thunder | Carrot River |
Former teams
edit| Team | Centre |
| Kinistino Tigers | Kinistino |
| Hudson Bay Saints | Hudson Bay |
| Prince Albert Generals | Prince Albert |
| Warman Valley Crusaders | Warman |
| Big River Timberkings | Big River |
- Shellbrook Knights - Shellbrook Saskatchewan
- Melfort TM's - Melfort Saskatchewan
- Meadow Lake Stampeders - Meadow Lake, Saskatchewan
- Prince Albert North Stars - Prince Albert, Saskatchewan
- Battleford Breakers - Battleford, Saskatchewan
- Battleford Barons- Battleford, Saskatchewan
Season Information
editChampions
edit- 2007 Saskatoon Royals
- 2006 Saskatoon Royals
- 2005 Saskatoon Royals
- 2004 Tri-Town Thunder
- 2003 Warman Valley Crusaders
- 2002 Saskatoon Chiefs
- 2001 Saskatoon Royals
- 2000 Saskatoon Royals
- 1999 Saskatoon Royals
- 1998 Saskatoon Royals
- 1997 Saskatoon Royals
- 1996 Saskatoon Royals
- 1995 Saskatoon Royals
- 1994 Kinistino Tigers
- 1993 Kinistino Tigers
- 1992 Kinistino Tigers
- 1991 Kinistino Tigers
- 1990 Kinistino Tigers
- 1989 Kinistino Tigers
- 1988 Warman Valley Crusaders
- 1987 Hudson Bay Saints
- 1986 Prince Albert North Stars
- 1985 Prince Albert North Stars
- 1984 Saskatoon Westleys
- 1983 Saskatoon Westleys
- 1982 Saskatoon Quakers
- 1981 Hudson Bay Saints
- 1980 Melfort TM's
- 1979 Melfort TM's
- 1978 Saskatoon Quakers
- 1977 Team Melfort
- 1976 Team Melfort
- 1975 Saskatoon Quakers
- 1974 Saskatoon Quakers
- 1973 St Thomas Imperials North Battleford
- 1972 St Thomas Imperials North Battleford
- 1971 Saskatoon Macs
- 1970 St Peters College
- 1969 Prince Albert Knights