The Centennial Cup is an annual

ice hockey Ice hockey (or simply hockey) is a team sport played on ice skates, usually on an ice skating rink with lines and markings specific to the sport. It belongs to a family of sports called hockey. In ice hockey, two opposing teams use ice h ...

tournament organized by Hockey Canada and the

Canadian Junior Hockey League The Canadian Junior Hockey League (CJHL) is an association of Canadian junior A ice hockey leagues and teams and was formed in November 1993, emerging from the Canada West Association of Junior 'A' Hockey. The champion of the Canadian Junior H ...

(CJHL), which determines the national champion of junior A ice hockey. It is a ten-team round robin featuring the winners of all nine CJHL member leagues as well as a pre-selected host city. The championship has also been known as the National Junior A Championship in 2019, it was formerly known as the Royal Bank Cup from 1996 to 2018 and the Manitoba Centennial Cup from 1971 to 1995. It is currently branded as the Centennial Cup presented by

Tim Hortons Tim Hortons Inc., commonly nicknamed Tim's, or Timmie's is a Canadian multinational coffeehouse and restaurant chain. Based in Toronto, Tim Hortons serves coffee, doughnuts, and other fast-food items. It is Canada's largest quick-service res ...

for sponsorship reasons.

History

The Manitoba Centennial Trophy was presented to the Canadian Amateur Hockey Association (CAHA) by the Manitoba Amateur Hockey Association (MAHA) to commemorate their centennial year of 1970. At that time, the CAHA reconfigured their junior tiers, creating two separate classifications –

Major junior Junior hockey is a level of competitive ice hockey generally for players between 16 and 21 years of age. Junior hockey leagues in the United States and Canada are considered amateur (with some exceptions) and operate within regions of each cou ...

and Junior A. The major junior teams were grouped into the three regional leagues that made up the Canadian Major Junior Hockey League (CMJHL), while the Junior A tier included the remaining junior teams in the provincial/regional leagues that later formed the

. It was determined that the

Memorial Cup The Memorial Cup () is the national championship of the Canadian Hockey League, a consortium of three major junior ice hockey leagues operating in Canada and parts of the United States. It is a four-team round-robin tournament played between t ...

, which had served as the CAHA's national championship tournament, would become the new championship trophy for the CMJHL while the Manitoba Centennial Trophy served as the trophy for the champions of the new Junior A division. Earl Dawson and Bill Addison were the named the initial trustees of the trophy, both of whom were past presidents of the MAHA. The tournament subsequently became known as the Centennial Cup. From 1971 to 1978 and from 1982 to 1984, the Centennial Cup pitted the

Abbott Cup The Abbott Memorial Cup, commonly referred to as the Abbott Cup, was awarded annually from 1919 through 1999 to the Junior "A" ice hockey Champion for Western Canada. The Cup was named after Captain E.L. (Hick) Abbott who was a noted hockey p ...

champion (Western Canada) versus the Dudley Hewitt Cup champion (Eastern Canada). A three-team tournament format, splitting Eastern Canada into two regions, was introduced in 1979 and used until 1981. The Centennial Cup permanently moved back to the tournament format in 1986, with the addition of a predetermined host team to the field. It later expanded to a five-team tournament in 1990 when the Abbott Cup series was discontinued in favour of allowing both the ANAVET and Doyle Cup winners to advance to the national championship. For the 1996 tournament, the trophy gained a sponsor and became the Royal Bank Cup. The ANAVET and Doyle Cups were temporarily replaced by the

Western Canada Cup The Western Canada Cup (WCC); was the Junior 'A' ice hockey championship for western Canada from 2013 to 2017. The annual five-team event consisted of the host team and the champions from the four western leagues (Alberta Junior Hockey League, Bri ...

, which determined the two Western seeds for the Royal Bank Cup, from 2013 to 2017. During this time, the Brooks Bandits of the

Alberta Junior Hockey League The Alberta Junior Hockey League (AJHL) is an Alberta-based Junior A ice hockey league that belongs to the Canadian Junior Hockey League (CJHL). It was formed as a five-team league in 1964. There are currently 16 teams in the league. The re ...

won the 2013 Royal Bank Cup, where they had gained entry into the tournament as the Western Canada Cup runner-up making them the first team in Centennial Cup/Royal Bank Cup history to win the national championship without being the host or a regional champion. Overtime is common as the Junior A championships with the longest game in the tournament's history started on May 12, 2007, at 2007 Royal Bank Cup between the

Camrose Kodiaks The Camrose Kodiaks are a Canadian Junior "A" ice hockey team in the Alberta Junior Hockey League (AJHL). They play in Camrose, Alberta, Canada, with home games at the Recreation Centre in the EnCana Arena, which has a seating capacity for app ...

of the

and the host Prince George Spruce Kings of the British Columbia Hockey League. The Spruce Kings won the game 3–2 6:01 into the fifth overtime period. The game lasted 146:01, just short of the CJAHL record set by the Toronto Jr. Canadiens and the Pickering Panthers in the 2007 Ontario Provincial Junior A Hockey League playoffs (154:32). After the 2018 Royal Bank Cup, Royal Bank of Canada ended their sponsorship agreement with the Canadian Junior Hockey League. After going by the name National Junior A Championship in 2019, the CJHL and Hockey Canada reverted the title back to its original name — the Centennial Cup — for its 50th anniversary in 2020. In December 2019,

was unveiled by Hockey Canada as the presenting sponsor for the Centennial Cup. The 2020 and 2021 tournaments were later cancelled due to the

COVID-19 pandemic The COVID-19 pandemic, also known as the coronavirus pandemic, is an ongoing global pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The novel virus was first identi ...

, the only times the championship has not been played since 1970.

Format

Starting in 1990, the tournament used a five-team round-robin followed by a playoff. The format for qualification of the participating teams was based on four regional champions and the host team. :

Fred Page Cup The Fred Page Cup is a championship ice hockey trophy, won by a tournament conducted by the Canadian Junior Hockey League. The award is given to the winner of a round-robin and playoff between the Bogart Cup champions of the Central Canada Hoc ...

: Eastern Champion : Dudley Hewitt Cup: Central Champion : ANAVET Cup: Western Champion : Doyle Cup: Pacific Champion :Host team: Predetermined by Canadian Junior Hockey League Ahead of the 2022 Centennial Cup, the tournament's format was changed to include the winners of the nine member leagues of the CJHL: the

(AJHL), Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League (SJHL), Manitoba Junior Hockey League (MJHL), Superior International Junior Hockey League (SIJHL),

Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League The Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League (NOJHL) is a Canadian Junior ice hockey league and member of the Canadian Junior Hockey League and Northern Ontario Hockey Association. The winner of the NOJHL playoffs competes for the Dudley Hewitt Cup ...

(NOJHL),

Ontario Junior Hockey League The Ontario Junior Hockey League (OJHL) is a Junior A ice hockey league in Ontario, Canada. It is under the supervision of the Ontario Hockey Association (OHA) and the Canadian Junior Hockey League (CJHL). The league was listed as the 7th best d ...

(OJHL),

Central Canada Hockey League The Central Canada Hockey League (CCHL) is a Canadian Junior "A" ice hockey league operating in eastern Ontario, Canada. The league is sanctioned by the Hockey Eastern Ontario and Hockey Canada and is a member of the Canadian Junior Hockey Leagu ...

(CCHL), Quebec Junior Hockey League (LHJQ) and

Maritime Junior A Hockey League The Maritime Junior Hockey League (MHL) is a Junior A ice hockey league under Hockey Canada, a part of the Canadian Junior Hockey League. It consists of five teams from New Brunswick and one team from Prince Edward Island, which make up the Ea ...

(MHL) plus a host city pre-determined by the CJHL.

Champions by era

Manitoba Centennial Trophy history (1971–1995)

The

Red Deer Rustlers The Red Deer Rustlers were a Junior A ice hockey team in the Alberta Junior Hockey League based in Red Deer, Alberta. They captured the inaugural Centennial Trophy in 1971. Their eight AJHL championships remains the second most in league history, ...

of the

defeated the

Charlottetown Islanders The Charlottetown Islanders are a junior ice hockey team in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL). Based in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, Canada, the Islanders play their home games at the Eastlink Centre, which has 3,717 arena se ...

of the Island Junior Hockey League in 1971 to claim the inaugural Canadian Junior A championship and Manitoba Centennial Trophy. The 1972 Centennial Cup gained national attention when the

Guelph CMC's The Guelph Platers were a junior ice hockey team based in Guelph, Ontario, Canada. The team played in the Ontario Hockey League, Ontario Junior Hockey League, and Southern Ontario Junior A Hockey League. They were originally known as the CMC's un ...

of the Southern Ontario Junior A Hockey League were in the final game of a four-game sweep of the

and their leading scorer Paul Fendley lost his helmet during a body check and struck his head on the ice, knocking him into a coma. The

National Hockey League The National Hockey League (NHL; french: Ligue nationale de hockey—LNH, ) is a professional ice hockey league in North America comprising 32 teams—25 in the United States and 7 in Canada. It is considered to be the top ranked professional ...

prospect regained consciousness and died two days later from

head trauma A head injury is any injury that results in trauma to the skull or brain. The terms ''traumatic brain injury'' and ''head injury'' are often used interchangeably in the medical literature. Because head injuries cover such a broad scope of inju ...

. The 1990 Centennial Cup marked the only year that the national championship was decided between two teams from the same province or league. The host

Vernon Lakers The Vernon Vipers are a junior "A" ice hockey team based in Vernon, British Columbia, Canada. They are members of the Interior Conference of the British Columbia Hockey League (BCHL). They play their home games at Kal Tire Place. History The V ...

defeated the New Westminster Royals 6–5 in overtime to win the national championship. Both teams were members of the British Columbia Junior Hockey League. The final Centennial Cup from this era was awarded to the

Calgary Canucks The Calgary Canucks are a junior A ice hockey team in the Alberta Junior Hockey League (AJHL). They play in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, with home games at the Ken Bracko Arena. They have won the AJHL championship nine times and one national champi ...

of the

in 1995. Note: Champions are in bold.

Royal Bank Cup history (1996–2018)

Every tournament in the Royal Bank Cup era was played as a round-robin tournament between five teams. In May 1996, the inaugural Royal Bank Cup was held in Melfort, Saskatchewan. The first winner of the Royal Bank Cup was the

Vernon Vipers The Vernon Vipers are a junior "A" ice hockey team based in Vernon, British Columbia, Canada. They are members of the Interior Conference of the British Columbia Hockey League (BCHL). They play their home games at Kal Tire Place. History The V ...

of the British Columbia Hockey League.

National Junior A Championship history (2019)

In 2018, the championship was renamed the National Junior A Championship after the Royal Bank of Canada dropped their sponsorship of the event.

Centennial Cup history (2020–present)

With the national championship scheduled to return to Manitoba for its 50th anniversary in 2020, Hockey Canada and the Canadian Junior Hockey League announced that the championship return to its original name, the Centennial Cup.

Most championships by province

Winners of the Centennial Cup (1971–1995), Royal Bank Cup (1996–2018), and National Junior A Championship (2019) by province. The Pembroke Lumber Kings won the 2011 Royal Bank Cup, and became the first

(CCHL) team to win the National Junior A Championship since the 1976 champion Rockland Nationals. In 2015, the Portage Terriers broke a 41-year-old drought for the Manitoba Junior Hockey League, being the first team win the Junior A championship since the 1974

Selkirk Steelers The Selkirk Steelers are a Junior "A" ice hockey team from Selkirk, Manitoba, Canada. They are members of the Manitoba Junior Hockey League, a part of the Canadian Junior Hockey League and Hockey Canada. History Junior "A" hockey in Selkirk ...

The Maritimes The Maritimes, also called the Maritime provinces, is a region of Eastern Canada consisting of three provinces: New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and Prince Edward Island. The Maritimes had a population of 1,899,324 in 2021, which makes up 5.1% of C ...

provinces have only won two championships. To date, no teams from the Quebec Junior Hockey League, Superior International Junior Hockey League, or the

have won the Junior A championship.

Most championships by team

Winners of the Centennial Cup (1971–1995), Royal Bank Cup (1996–2018) and National Junior A Championship (2019–present) by team. There has been a consecutive national champion on three occasions: the

Prince Albert Raiders The Prince Albert Raiders are a major junior ice hockey team in the Western Hockey League. The Raiders play in the East Division of the Eastern Conference. They are based in the city of Prince Albert, Saskatchewan, Canada. The team plays its hom ...

won in

1981 Events January * January 1 ** Greece enters the European Economic Community, predecessor of the European Union. ** Palau becomes a self-governing territory. * January 10 – Salvadoran Civil War: The FMLN launches its first major offensiv ...

and 1982, while the Vernon Lakers/Vipers won in

1990 File:1990 Events Collage.png, From left, clockwise: The 1990 FIFA World Cup is played in Italy; The Human Genome Project is launched; Voyager I takes the famous Pale Blue Dot image- speaking on the fragility of humanity on Earth, astrophysicist ...

and

1991 File:1991 Events Collage.png, From left, clockwise: Boris Yeltsin, elected as Russia's first president, waves the new flag of Russia after the 1991 Soviet coup d'état attempt, orchestrated by Soviet hardliners; Mount Pinatubo erupts in the Phi ...

(as the Lakers), and again in 2009 and 2010 (as the Vipers). The Prince Albert Raiders also hold a record for appearing in the championship final three consecutive times, in

1977 Events January * January 8 – Three bombs explode in Moscow within 37 minutes, killing seven. The bombings are attributed to an Armenian separatist group. * January 10 – Mount Nyiragongo erupts in eastern Zaire (now the Democrat ...

, 1978 and

1979 Events January * January 1 ** United Nations Secretary-General Kurt Waldheim heralds the start of the '' International Year of the Child''. Many musicians donate to the '' Music for UNICEF Concert'' fund, among them ABBA, who write the so ...

. The Raiders also reached the national finals five times in six years (1977, 1978, 1979, 1981, 1982), while winning a total of four championships (1977, 1979, 1981, 1982) during that span. The Raiders moved up to Major Junior

Western Hockey League The Western Hockey League (WHL) is a major junior ice hockey league based in Western Canada and the Northwestern United States. The WHL is one of three leagues that constitutes the Canadian Hockey League (CHL) as the highest level of junior h ...

after their 1982 Junior A championship, where they soon won the

for the major junior national championship in

1985 The year 1985 was designated as the International Youth Year by the United Nations. Events January * January 1 ** The Internet's Domain Name System is created. ** Greenland withdraws from the European Economic Community as a result of a ...

Roland Mercier Trophy

The Roland Mercier Trophy is awarded to the Most Valuable Player of the National Junior A Championship. *1975 Ron Lecuyer — Spruce Grove Mets (AJHL) *1976 Gerry Leroux — Rockland Nationals (CJHL) *1977 Barry Archibald —

(SJHL) *1978 Terry Cullen — Guelph Platers (OPJHL) *1979 Dunston Carroll — Sherwood-Parkdale Metros (IJHL) *1980

Brent Sutter Brent Colin Sutter (born June 10, 1962) is a Canadian former National Hockey League (NHL) player and former head coach of the New Jersey Devils and Calgary Flames. Selected by the New York Islanders 17th overall at the 1980 NHL Entry Draft, Sut ...

—

(AJHL) *1981 James Patrick — Prince Albert Raiders (SJHL) *1982 Carl Van Camp — Prince Albert Raiders (SJHL) *1983 Dennis McCarroll — North York Rangers (OJHL) *1984 Ron Amyotte — Weyburn Red Wings (SJHL) *1985 Adam Lewis — Orillia Travelways (OJHL) *1986 Kevan Melrose — Penticton Knights (BCJHL) *1987 Frank Romeo —

Richmond Sockeyes The Richmond Sockeyes are a Junior "B" ice hockey team based in Richmond, British Columbia, Canada. They were named the "Sockeyes" by the original owner and longtime Richmond resident and B.C. hockey volunteer and leader Bruce Allison in 1972. ...

(BCJHL) *1988

Rod Brind'Amour Roderic Jean Brind'Amour (born August 9, 1970) is a Canadian professional ice hockey coach and former player. He is the head coach for the Carolina Hurricanes of the National Hockey League (NHL). Brind'Amour played 20 seasons in the National H ...

— Notre Dame Hounds (SJHL) *1989 Todd Henderson —

Thunder Bay Flyers The Thunder Bay Flyers were a Junior "A" ice hockey team from Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada. History On July 6, 1980, the Degagne Buccaneers and Thunder Bay North Stars were informed by the TBAHA that they would not be permitted to field teams i ...

(USHL) *1990 Marc Alain Duchaine — Longueuil Collège Français (QPJHL) *1991 Andrew Backen — Thunder Bay Flyers (USHL) *1992 Scott Longstaff —

(BCHL) *1993 Steffon Walby —

Kelowna Packers The Kelowna Packers were a senior ice hockey team from Kelowna, British Columbia. The team existed from 1949 to 1960, and played as members of the Okanagan Senior Hockey League from 1951 onward. They were runners-up in the 1958 Allan Cup finals, ...

(BCHL) *1994 Tyler Graham —

Olds Grizzlys The Olds Grizzlys are a junior A ice hockey team in the Alberta Junior Hockey League. They play in Olds, Alberta, Canada with home games at the Olds & District Sports Complex. History The Olds Grizzlys joined the Alberta Junior Hockey League ...

(AJHL) *1995 Mitch Grant —

Winnipeg South Blues The Winnipeg Blues are a Manitoba Junior Hockey League team based in Oak Bluff, a suburban area of Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. The team was founded in 1930 as the Winnipeg Monarchs and also formerly known as the Fort Garry Blues (1978-1984) an ...

(MJHL) *1996 Serge Bourgeois — Moncton Beavers (MJAHL) *1997 Matt Hartigan – Weyburn Red Wings (SJHL) *1998 Peter Wishloff —

South Surrey Eagles The Surrey Eagles are a junior "A" ice hockey team based in Surrey, British Columbia, Canada. They are members of the Mainland Division of the British Columbia Hockey League (BCHL). They play their home games at South Surrey Arena. History New ...

(BCHL) *1999 Dennis Bassett —

Yorkton Terriers The Yorkton Terriers are a team in the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League (SJHL) based in Yorkton, Saskatchewan, Canada. The team plays their home games in the Farrell Agencies Arena, which has a seating capacity of 2,300. The Terriers won the 2 ...

(SJHL) *2000 Serge Dube — Rayside-Balfour Sabrecats (NOJHL) *2001 Darrell Stoddard —

(AJHL) *2002 Jeff Tambellini — Chilliwack Chiefs (BCHL) *2003 Craig Olynick — Humboldt Broncos (SJHL) *2004 Kevin Dziaduck —

Kindersley Klippers The Kindersley Klippers are a junior "A" ice hockey team based in Kindersley, Saskatchewan, Canada. They are members of the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League (SJHL) and play at the West Central Events Centre. History The Kindersley Klippers beg ...

(SJHL) *2005 Travis Friedley — Camrose Kodiaks (AJHL) *2006 David Wilson —

Streetsville Derbys The Streetsville Derbys were a Junior "A" ice hockey team from Streetsville, Ontario, Canada. They were a part of the Ontario Junior Hockey League in 2011 until they merged into the Cobourg Cougars. As of 2018 the Streetsville Hockey League have r ...

(OPJHL) *2007 Daniel Michalsky —

Aurora Tigers The Aurora Tigers are a Canadian ice hockey team from Aurora, Ontario. They play in the Ontario Junior Hockey League. The team has previously played in the Metro Junior A Hockey League, Ontario Provincial Junior A Hockey League, and the Ontario Jun ...

(OPJHL) *2008 Darcy Findlay — Cornwall Colts (CJHL) *2009 Kyle Bigos —

(BCHL) *2010 Shane Luke — Dauphin Kings (MJHL) *2011 Dalyn Flette — Camrose Kodiaks (AJHL) *2012 John Kleinhans — Soo Thunderbirds (NOJHL) *2013 Cam Maclise — Brooks Bandits (AJHL) *2014 Mike Stiliadis — Dauphin Kings (MJHL) *2015 Brad Bowles — Portage Terriers (MJHL) *2016

Cale Makar Cale Douglas Makar (born October 30, 1998) is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman for the Colorado Avalanche of the National Hockey League (NHL). He was selected with the fourth overall pick by the Avalanche in the 2017 NHL Entry Dr ...

— Brooks Bandits (AJHL) *2017 Cale Makar — Brooks Bandits (AJHL) *2018 Will Calverley — Chilliwack Chiefs (BCHL) *2019 Francis Boisvert — Ottawa Jr. Senators (CCHL) *2022 Carson Cherepak — Dauphin Kings (MJHL)

Game scoring records

Records included in this section took place in either Royal Bank Cup and Manitoba Centennial Cup tournament games and Manitoba Centennial Cup National Final Series games only. *Most Goals by Both Teams: :* Notre Dame Hounds 9 –

7 ( 1988 Centennial Cup) (16) :*

11 –

Nipawin Hawks The Nipawin Hawks are a Canadian junior "A" team based in Nipawin, Saskatchewan. They are members of the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League (SJHL). They play their home games at the Centennial Arena, which has a seating capacity of 1,500. The t ...

5 ( 1990 Centennial Cup) (16) :* Halifax Oland Exports 9 – Ottawa Jr. Senators 7 ( 2002 Royal Bank Cup) (16) *Fewest Goals by Both Teams: :*

1 –

Smiths Falls Bears The Smiths Falls Bears are a Junior "A" ice hockey team from Smiths Falls, Ontario, Canada. They are a part of the Central Canada Hockey League. The team was an original member of the league, but then left Smiths Falls in 1976. The team then re ...

0 OT ( 1974 Centennial Cup) (1) :* Wellington Dukes 1 –

Charlottetown Abbies The Charlottetown Abbies were a Junior "A" team based in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island. They played in the Maritime Junior Hockey League. Their home rink from 2003 to 2008 was the MacLauchlan Arena on the campus of UPEI. Before then, it wa ...

0 OT ( 2003 Royal Bank Cup) (1) :* Humboldt Broncos 1 –

0 ( 2008 Royal Bank Cup) (1) *Most Goals by Single Team: :* Orillia Travelways 11 –

3 ( 1985 Centennial Cup) (11) :*

11 –

5 ( 1990 Centennial Cup) (11) :*

11 – Chateauguay Elites 3 ( 1994 Centennial Cup) (11) :*

Melfort Mustangs The Melfort Mustangs are a junior "A" ice hockey team based in Melfort, Saskatchewan, Canada. They are members of the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League (SJHL). They play their home games at the Northern Lights Palace, which has a seating cap ...

11 –

3 ( 1996 Royal Bank Cup) (11) :*

Brockville Braves The Brockville Braves are a Junior "A" ice hockey team from Brockville, Ontario, Canada. They are a part of the Central Canada Hockey League. Such NHLers as Larry Robinson and current player Wayne Simmonds of the Toronto Maple Leafs, amongst other ...

11 –

Oakville Blades The Oakville Blades are a Junior "A" ice hockey team from Oakville, Ontario, Canada. They are a part of the Ontario Junior Hockey League. History The Blades started as a Junior C team, and made it to the Clarence Schmalz Cup Final once to compet ...

2 ( 2010 Royal Bank Cup) (11) *Largest Spread in a Game: :* New Westminster Royals 9 –

Amherst Ramblers The Amherst Ramblers are a Junior A Hockey League team based in Amherst, Nova Scotia. The team is a member of the Maritime Hockey League and are in the EastLink South Division. All home games are played out of the 2,500 seat Amherst Stadium. Th ...

0 ( 1990 Centennial Cup) (9) :*

10 – Winkler Flyers 1 ( 1992 Centennial Cup) (9) :*

10 – Antigonish Bulldogs 1 ( 1994 Centennial Cup) (9) :*

11 –

2 ( 2010 Royal Bank Cup) (9) *Biggest Shutout Victory: :* New Westminster Royals 9 –

0 ( 1990 Centennial Cup) *Longest Overtime Game: :* Prince George Spruce Kings 3 –

2 5OT (146:01 Mins total) ( 2007 Royal Bank Cup)

References

External links

Centennial Cup website
{{Tim Hortons, state=autocollapse Ice hockey tournaments in Canada Canadian ice hockey trophies and awards Recurring sporting events established in 1970 1970 establishments in Canada Hockey Canada Tim Hortons