The Manitoba Junior Hockey League (MJHL) began in 1917-18 as the Winnipeg & District Junior Hockey League and was renamed in 1933 to the current name.
In the beginning the league was composed of two divisions, “A” and “B”, that would not play inter-locking schedules. However, each division champion would meet in the league final. The Selkirk Fishermen (A Divisions) defeated the Fort Rouge Wanderers (B Division) in the league’s first championship.
Astoundingly as one of the oldest trophies in junior hockey, across the world, the Turnbull Memorial Trophy has been coveted for over 100 years. Donated in 1920 in honour of Capt. Walter James “Ollie” Turnbull, Canadian Army (Field Artillery 10th Bde.) veteran of World War I. Turnbull was killed in active duty in 1916 and was awarded the Military Cross for Bravery.
The Selkirk Fishermen defeated the Winnipeg Young Mens Lutheran Club in February 1920 to earn the first Turnbull Trophy championship. On several occasions until 1933, a rural or Independent challenger approved by MAHA (Hockey Manitoba) could compete against the league champion for the opportunity to win the Turnbull Trophy and advance to the Western Canada Memorial Cup playoffs. In 2019, the Portage Terriers became the 100th team awarded the Turnbull Trophy.
| Year | Team | Year | Team | Year | Team |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1918 | Selkirk Fishermen | 1953 | St. Boniface Canadiens | 1988 | Winnipeg South Blues |
| 1919 | Young Men's Lutheran Club | 1954 | St. Boniface Canadiens | 1989 | Winnipeg South Blues |
| 1920 | Selkirk Fishermen | 1955 | Winnipeg Monarchs | 1990 | Portage Terriers |
| 1921 | Winnipeg Falcons | 1956 | St. Boniface Canadiens | 1991 | Winkler Flyers |
| 1922 | University of Manitoba | 1957 | Winnipeg Monarchs | 1992 | Winkler Flyers |
| 1923 | University of Manitoba | 1958 | St. Boniface Canadiens | 1993 | Dauphin Kings |
| 1924 | Winnipeg Tammany Tigers | 1959 | Winnipeg Braves | 1994 | St. Boniface Saints |
| 1925 | University of Manitoba | 1960 | Brandon Wheat Kings | 1995 | Winnipeg South Blues |
| 1926 | Winnipeg Tammany Tigers | 1961 | Winnipeg Rangers | 1996 | St. James Canadians |
| 1927 | Elmwood Millionaires | 1962 | Brandon Wheat Kings | 1997 | St. James Canadians |
| 1928 | Elmwood Millionaires | 1963 | Brandon Wheat Kings | 1998 | Winkler Flyers |
| 1929 | Elmwood Millionaires | 1964 | Brandon Wheat Kings | 1999 | OCN Blizzard |
| 1930 | Elmwood Millionaires | 1965 | Winnipeg Braves | 2000 | OCN Blizzard |
| 1931 | Elmwood Millionaires | 1966 | Winnipeg Rangers | 2001 | OCN Blizzard |
| 1932 | Winnipeg Monarchs | 1967 | Flin Flon Bombers | 2002 | OCN Blizzard |
| 1933 | Winnipegs | 1968 | St. James Canadians | 2003 | OCN Blizzard |
| 1934 | Kenora Thistles | 1969 | Dauphin Kings | 2004 | Selkirk Steelers |
| 1935 | Winnipeg Monarchs | 1970 | Dauphin Kings | 2005 | Portage Terriers |
| 1936 | Elmwood Maple Leafs | 1971 | St. Boniface Saints | 2006 | Winnipeg South Blues |
| 1937 | Winnipeg Monarchs | 1972 | Dauphin Kings | 2007 | Selkirk Steelers |
| 1938 | St. Boniface Seals | 1973 | Portage Terriers | 2008 | Portage Terriers |
| 1939 | Brandon Elks | 1974 | Selkirk Steelers | 2009 | Portage Terriers |
| 1940 | Kenora Thistles | 1975 | Selkirk Steelers | 2010 | Dauphin Kings |
| 1941 | Winnipeg Rangers | 1976 | Selkirk Steelers | 2011 | Portage Terriers |
| 1942 | Portage Terriers | 1977 | Dauphin Kings | 2012 | Portage Terriers |
| 1943 | Winnipeg Rangers | 1978 | Kildonan North Stars | 2013 | Steinbach Pistons |
| 1944 | St. James Canadians | 1979 | Selkirk Steelers | 2014 | Winnipeg Blues |
| 1945 | Winnipeg Monarchs | 1980 | Selkirk Steelers | 2015 | Portage Terriers |
| 1946 | Winnipeg Monarchs | 1981 | St. Boniface Saints | 2016 | Portage Terriers |
| 1947 | Brandon Elks | 1982 | Fort Garry Blues | 2017 | Portage Terriers |
| 1948 | Winnipeg Monarchs | 1983 | Dauphin Kings | 2018 | Steinbach Pistons |
| 1949 | Brandon Wheat Kings | 1984 | Selkirk Steelers | 2019 | Portage Terriers |
| 1950 | Brandon Wheat Kings | 1985 | Selkirk Steelers | 2020 | Playoffs Cancelled |
| 1951 | Winnipeg Monarchs | 1986 | Winnipeg South Blues | 2021 | Season Cancelled |
| 1952 | Winnipeg Monarchs | 1987 | Selkirk Steelers | 2022 | Dauphin Kings |
