WINNIPEG, MB – The 2026-27 Manitoba Junior Hockey League (MJHL) playoff format has been announced with The McMunn & Yates Turnbull Cup Playoffs set to get underway on Friday, March 19, 2027.
Over the last three seasons, the MJHL has witnessed some of the highest average playoff attendance in decades, matched with a heightened display of skill and competitiveness.
This past season, the Niverville Nighthawks raised their first Turnbull Cup before advancing to the Centennial Cup National Championship in Summerside, PEI, where they went 6-0 on their way to defeating the Summerside Western Capitals, 4-1 in the National Championship game.
2026-27 Format: Winners from Round 1 (Quarter Finals – Divisional) from each division will advance to a non-divisional Round 2 (Semi-Finals) best of seven series based on regular season points. The two winners will then advance to Round 3 (League Championship) in a best of seven series for the opportunity to raise the Turnbull Trophy.
NEW: The teams that finishes 1st overall in each division during the regular season will automatically be ranked 1 and 2 respectively as it relates to moving to the 2nd round.
Round 1 – Divisional
1st Round of Playoffs (Quarter Finals – Divisional)
Top 4 teams from each division will advance to round 1 of playoffs.
Teams will be seeded based on regular season divisional standings.
Top 2 teams will have home ice advantage.
This round is a best of 7 series.
Winners advance to next round.
Round 2- Non Divisional (Semi Finals)
Teams will be seeded based on overall regular season standings.
Top 2 teams will have home ice advantage.
Team 1 vs 4
Team 2 vs 3
This round is a best of 7 series.
Winners advance to next round.
Round 3 (League Championship)
Teams will be seeded based on overall regular season standings.
Top team will have home ice advantage.
Team 1 vs 2
This round is a best of 7 series.
The winner will advance to the 2027 CJHL Centennial Cup, set to begin in May 2027. The Fort McMurray Oil Barons of the Alberta Junior Hockey League (AJHL) will host this season’s National Championship event.
