St. James Canadians

St. James Canadians
St. James Canadians
City	Winnipeg, Manitoba
League	Manitoba Junior Hockey League
Operated	1956-2004
Home arena	St. James Civic Centre
Colours	Red, Blue, White ;
Franchise history
1956–1966	Winnipeg Braves
1966-1967	St. James Braves
1967-2003	St. James Canadians
1978-present	St. James Canucks
Championships
Playoff championships	1959 Memorial Cup Champions

The St. James Canadians were a Canadian junior hockey team in the Manitoba Junior Hockey League until 2003, folding officially in 2004. The Canadians played out of the St. James Civic Centre, in Winnipeg, Manitoba. As the Winnipeg Braves, they won the 1959 Memorial Cup as National Junior Hockey champions.

History[edit]

Winnipeg Braves[edit]

The Winnipeg Braves were founded in 1956 and affiliated with the Winnipeg Warriors (minor pro) of the Western Hockey League. The Braves played regular season games at Winnipeg's Olympic Rink and won 2 Turnbull Cup Championships as Manitoba Junior Champions (1959 and 1965).

The 1958-59, Braves won the Abbott Cup as Western Canadian Junior ‘A’ Champions, and were the last team from Winnipeg to win the Memorial Cup as National Champions. Under the leadership of manager Bill Addison and coach Bill Allum, the Braves defeated the Peterborough Petes coached by 25-year-old Scotty Bowman. In the championship series, the Petes won the first game 5-4, and the Braves came back to win four straight games 5-2, 5-2, 5-3 and 6-2. The final game of the series was played in Brandon, Manitoba due to the Shrine Circus appearing at Winnipeg Arena. The team included future NHL'ers Ted Green and Ernie Wakely.

Roster: Pat Angers, Don Atamanchuk, Al Baty, Gary Bergman, Ernie Bradawaski, Rene Brunel, Ted Green, Howie Hughes, Allan Ingimundson, Ken King, Ted Knight, Jerry Kruk, Laurie Langrell, Wayne Larkin, Al LeBlanc, Bob Leiter, Doug Monro, Zenon Moroz, Lew Mueller, John Rodger, Paul Sexsmith, John Sutherland, Bob Wales, Wayne Winstone, Ernie Wakely, J. D. (Jack) Perrin Jr. (President), Bill Addison (Manager), Bill Allum (Coach), Jim Drury (Trainer).

The Memorial Cup Championship team was inducted into the Manitoba Sports Hall of Fame and Museum in 2003, and inducted into the Manitoba Hockey Hall of Fame in the team category.

Prior to the 1966-67 season, the team moved to St. James and changed its name to the St. James Braves.

St. James Canadians[edit]

During the summer of 1967, a community-minded sports group purchased the St. James Braves from Ben Hatskin. The team relocated to the brand new St. James Civic Centre, where they played as the St. James Canadians.

The Canadians won the Turnbull Cup three times (1968, 1996, 1997) throughout their 35 years in the MJHL. They played until the end of the 2002-03 season. The team took a one-year leave of absence from the MJHL in 2003-04 before ceasing operations .

St. James Canucks[edit]

The St. James Junior Canucks joined the league in 1978-1979 to help complement the St. James Junior Canadians of the MJHL. The team moved to the Civic Centre and had a dressing room built on the home side of the rink and occupied that until the St. James Canadians folded and the Canucks, with the blessing of Diane Woods, president of the Canadians, took over the dressing room the Canucks call home today.

Season-by-season record[edit]

Note: GP = Games Played, W = Wins, L = Losses, T = Ties, OTL = Overtime Losses, GF = Goals for, GA = Goals against

Season	GP	W	L	T	OTL	GF	GA	Points	Finish	Playoffs
1957-58	30	13	16	1	-	146	135	27	3rd MJHL
1958-59	31	22	7	2	-	177	111	46	1st MJHL	Won League, won AbC, won MC
1959-60	31	16	14	1	-	141	126	33	3rd MJHL
1960-61	32	18	14	0	-	145	117	36	3rd MJHL
1961-62	40	9	23	8	-	110	177	26	5th MJHL
1962-63	39	14	22	3	-	127	156	31	4th MJHL
1963-64	30	11	16	3	-	92	120	25	5th MJHL
1964-65	44	26	13	5	-	184	140	57	1st MJHL	Won League
1965-66	48	20	24	4	-	207	219	44	3rd MJHL
1966-67	56	21	34	1	-	254	361	43	5th MJHL
1967-68	39	16	21	2	-	155	165	34	4th MJHL	Won League
1968-69	34	16	14	4	-	142	146	36	5th MJHL
1969-70	34	16	12	6	-	146	136	38	4th MJHL
1970-71	48	21	22	5	-	170	184	47	5th MJHL
1971-72	48	31	16	1	-	256	191	63	3rd MJHL
1972-73	48	27	20	1	-	225	187	55	2nd MJHL
1973-74	48	19	27	2	-	216	223	38	6th MJHL
1974-75	48	29	19	0	-	281	238	58	3rd MJHL
1975-76	52	29	22	1	-	259	227	59	3rd MJHL
1976-77	51	21	30	0	-	239	249	44	7th MJHL
1977-78	52	25	27	0	-	265	258	50	7th MJHL
1978-79	48	30	18	0	-	273	219	60	1st MJHL
1979-80	47	28	18	1	-	236	191	57	4th MJHL
1980-81	47	38	8	1	-	353	210	77	2nd MJHL
1981-82	48	26	20	2	-	305	261	54	5th MJHL
1982-83	48	12	34	2	-	221	301	26	7th MJHL
1983-84	48	11	37	0	-	201	312	22	7th MJHL
1984-85	48	29	18	1	-	266	224	59	2nd MJHL
1985-86	48	29	18	1	-	276	221	59	4th MJHL
1986-87	47	23	22	2	-	226	230	48	7th MJHL
1987-88	48	21	25	2	-	223	215	44	6th MJHL
1988-89	48	10	35	3	-	186	305	23	8th MJHL
1989-90	52	24	28	0	-	253	275	48	7th MJHL
1990-91	48	25	20	3	-	267	249	53	4th MJHL
1991-92	48	30	16	1	1	242	207	62	3rd MJHL
1992-93	48	25	20	2	1	241	233	53	4th MJHL
1993-94	55	32	19	3	1	--	--	68	2nd MJHL
1994-95	54	21	27	2	4	199	221	48	7th MJHL
1995-96	56	34	21	1	0	266	194	69	4th MJHL	Won League
1996-97	55	31	22	0	2	226	183	64	4th MJHL	Won League
1997-98	62	29	30	2	1	254	247	61	5th MJHL
1998-99	62	35	25	1	1	262	229	72	4th MJHL
1999-00	64	38	23	-	3	285	243	79	3rd MJHL
2000-01	64	26	31	-	7	224	240	59	10th MJHL
2001-02	64	33	25	-	6	228	200	72	6th MJHL
2002-03	63	6	56	-	1	166	405	13	11th MJHL
2003-04	Did Not Participate
St James Canucks
2004 - 2022 seasons not entered
2022-23	45	40	4	-	1	270	175	81	1st of 10	Won quarterfinal, 4-1 (Riels Won semifinals, 4-1 (Railer Express) Won League Finals, 4-0 (Victorias) MMJHL CHAMPIONS
2023-24	45	37	7	-	1	220	110	75	1st of 10	Won quarterfinal, 4-0 (Railer Express) Won Div Semifinal, 4-0 (Hawks) Won League Finals 4-1 (Twisters) MMJHL CHAMPIONS

Playoffs[edit]

1971 Lost semi-final

St. James Canadians defeated Winnipeg Monarchs 4-games-to-2

St. Boniface Saints defeated St. James Canadians 4-games-to-none

1972 Lost semi-final

St. James Canadians defeated Winnipeg Monarchs 4-games-to-2

West Kildonan North Stars defeated St. James Canadians 4-games-to-1

1973 Lost semi-final

St. James Canadians defeated West Kildonan North Stars 9-points-to-7

St. Boniface Saints defeated St. James Canadians 4-games-to-none

1974 Lost quarter-final

St. Boniface Saints defeated St. James Canadians 4-games-to-2

1975 Lost semi-final

St. James Canadians defeated St. Boniface Saints 4-games-to-none

West Kildonan North Stars defeated St. James Canadians 4-games-to-2

1976 Lost semi-final

St. James Canadians defeated St. Boniface Saints 4-games-to-1

West Kildonan North Stars defeated St. James Canadians 4-games-to-3

1977 Lost quarter-final

Kildonan North Stars defeated St. James Canadians 4-games-to-1

1978 Lost quarter-final

Kenora Thistles defeated St. James Canadians 4-games-to-1

1979 Lost quarter-final

St. Boniface Saints defeated St. James Canadians 4-games-to-1

1980 Lost semi-final

St. James Canadians defeated Fort Garry Blues 4-games-to-2

Kildonan North Stars defeated St. James Canadians 4-games-to-2

1981 Lost semi-final

St. James Canadians defeated Fort Garry Blues 4-games-to-1

St. Boniface Saints defeated St. James Canadians 4-games-to-1

1982 Lost quarter-final

St. Boniface Saints defeated St. James Canadians 4-games-to-2

1983 Lost quarter-final

Fort Garry Blues defeated St. James Canadians 4-games-to-none

1984 Lost quarter-final

Fort Garry Blues defeated St. James Canadians 4-games-to-1

1985 Lost semi-final

St. James Canadians defeated Thunder Bay Hornets 4-games-to-2

Winnipeg South Blues defeated St. James Canadians 4-games-to-1

1986 Lost semi-final

St. James Canadians defeated St. Boniface Saints 4-games-to-3

Winnipeg South Blues defeated St. James Canadians 4-games-to-none

1987 Lost quarter-final

Winnipeg South Blues defeated St. James Canadians 4-games-to-none

1988 Lost semi-final

St. James Canadians defeated St. Boniface Saints 4-games-to-1

Winnipeg South Blues defeated St. James Canadians 4-games-to-2

1989 Lost quarter-final

Winnipeg South Blues defeated St. James Canadians 4-games-to-1

1990 Lost semi-final

St. James Canadians defeated Winnipeg South Blues 4-games-to-none

Kildonan North Stars defeated St. James Canadians 4-games-to-3

1991 Lost semi-final

St. James Canadians defeated St. Boniface Saints 4-games-to-3

Winnipeg South Blues defeated St. James Canadians 4-games-to-1

1992 Lost final, Hosted and Eliminated in 1992 Centennial Cup round robin

St. James Canadians defeated Neepawa Natives 4-games-to-1

St. James Canadians defeated Winnipeg South Blues 4-games-to-none

Winkler Flyers defeated St. James Canadians 4-games-to-1

Fifth and eliminated in 1992 Centennial Cup round robin (1-3)

1993 Lost quarter-final

Winnipeg South Blues defeated St. James Canadians 4-games-to-2

1994 Lost semi-final

St. James Canadians defeated Southeast Blades 4-games-to-1

St. Boniface Saints defeated St. James Canadians 4-games-to-1

1995 Lost quarter-final

Winnipeg South Blues defeated St. James Canadians 4-games-to-2

1996 Won League, lost Anavet Cup

St. James Canadians defeated Selkirk Steelers 4-games-to-3

St. James Canadians defeated Winnipeg South Blues 4-games-to-none

St. James Canadians defeated Neepawa Natives 4-games-to-3 MJHL CHAMPIONS

Melfort Mustangs (SJHL) defeated St. James Canadians 4-games-to-none

1997 Won League, lost Anavet Cup

St. James Canadians defeated Winnipeg South Blues 4-games-to-1

St. James Canadians defeated Selkirk Steelers 4-games-to-none

St. James Canadians defeated OCN Blizzard 4-games-to-1 MJHL CHAMPIONS

Weyburn Red Wings (SJHL) defeated St. James Canadians 4-games-to-1

1998 Lost final

St. James Canadians defeated Selkirk Steelers 4-games-to-2

St. James Canadians defeated Winnipeg South Blues

Winkler Flyers defeated St. James Canadians 4-games-to-1

1999 Lost quarter-final

St. Boniface Saints defeated St. James Canadians 4-games-to-2

2000 Lost quarter-final

Winkler Flyers defeated St. James Canadians 4-games-to-3

2001 DNQ
2002 Lost semi-final

St. James Canadians defeated Winnipeg South Blues 4-games-to-3

Winkler Flyers defeated St. James Canadians 4-games-to-none

2003 DNQ

Notable alumni[edit]

External links[edit]

1959 Winnipeg Braves at Manitoba Hockey Hall of Fame

v t e Manitoba Junior Hockey League
Teams	Dauphin Kings Neepawa Titans Niverville Nighthawks OCN Blizzard Portage Terriers Selkirk Steelers Steinbach Pistons Swan Valley Stampeders Virden Oil Capitals Waywayseecappo Wolverines Winkler Flyers Winnipeg Blues Winnipeg Freeze
Former Teams	Beausejour Blades Brandon Travellers Brandon Wheat Kings Flin Flon Bombers Fort Frances Royals Kenora Thistles (1926–1940) Kenora Thistles (1968–1982) Kildonan North Stars Southeast Blades Steinbach Hawks St. Boniface Canadiens St. Boniface Saints St. James Canadians (1936–1945) St. James Canadians (1967–2003) St. James Orioles Thompson King Miners Thunder Bay Hornets Winnipeg Canadiens Winnipeg Monarchs Winnipeg Rangers (1939–1957) Winnipeg Rangers (1956–1967) Winnipeg Saints
Seasons	1918–19 1919–20 1920–21 1921–22 1922–23 1923–24 1924–25 1925–26 1926–27 1927–28 1928–29 1929–30 1930–31 1931–32 1932–33 1933–34 1934–35 1935–36 1936–37 1937–38 1938–39 1939–40 1940–41 1941–42 1942–43 1943–44 1944–45 1945–46 1946–47 1947–48 1948–49 1949–50 1950–51 1951–52 1952–53 1953–54 1954–55 1955–56 1956–57 1957–58 1958–59 1959–60 1960–61 1961–62 1962–63 1963–64 1964–65 1965–66 1966–67 1967–68 1968–69 1969–70 1970–71 1971–72 1972–73 1973–74 1974–75 1975–76 1976–77 1977–78 1978–79 1979–80 1980–81 1981–82 1982–83 1983–84 1984–85 1985–86 1986–87 1987–88 1988–89 1989–90 1990–91 1991–92 1992–93 1993–94 1994–95 1995–96 1996–97 1997–98 1998–99 1999–2000 2000–01 2001–02 2002–03 2003–04 2004–05 2005–06 2006–07 2007–08 2008–09 2009–10 2010–11 2011–12 2012–13 2013–14 2014–15 2015–16 2016–17 2017–18 2018–19 2019–20 2019–20 2020–21 2021–22 2022–23 2023–24
History	Awards History NorMan Junior Hockey League Turnbull Cup
CJHL ANAVET Cup Centennial Cup